Building a long-lasting family lineage starting with genealogy

Chapter 154 My Brother-in-Law is Actually a Cultivator?! (Betrothal Gift - Please Subscribe and Vote!)

The patrolling guards went out and saw that it was the two of them. They immediately smiled and said, "So it's you two. Please come in with us."

The two followed cautiously, passing through the fog, and then headed to the Xu family mansion.

Yang Zhao chatted briefly with Xu Mingwei before taking his family away.

When leaving.

Yang Shichang asked in surprise, "Huh, when did fog appear here?"

Yang Zhao looked at him and sighed, "It was all arranged by the Xu family. From this moment on, the Xu family is someone that my Yang family needs to look up to. Before long, they will become the new immortal cultivation family in my Yuehu County."

"Father, are you confused? I don't quite understand what you're saying," Yang Shichang said, bewildered.

“It means exactly what it says.” Yang Zhao sighed, “My Yang family has struggled for hundreds of years and still hasn’t succeeded, while the Xu family has been established for less than twenty years and is about to succeed.”

"Life is truly unpredictable!"

Yang Ruifeng, Yang Ruiyao, Wen Jing, and the others all looked horrified.

Wen Jing said, "The Xu family is going to become a family of cultivators? When did this happen? Does the family have any cultivators? If there are only two or three, it's far from enough to qualify them as a family of cultivators."

After all, cultivation families must be inspected by the Great Wei Dynasty.

"You think you know so much?" Yang Zhao glanced at her, his voice slightly reproachful. "How could the Xu family not know? Since they intend to establish a family of cultivators, they must have made thorough preparations."

Yang Ruifeng said, "Grandfather, I was just curious. During my time in the Xu family, I did not find anyone in the Xu family who is a cultivator."

"Even my grandfather couldn't see through it." Yang Zhao sighed, "Cultivators are high above, how can we martial artists know their methods?"

I also returned to the Yang family, and from my eldest uncle, I learned for certain that Xu Mingwei is a cultivator with an extremely high cultivation level, far surpassing Yang Yan, the highest-ranking cultivator in our Yang family.

"My brother-in-law is actually a powerful cultivator?!" Yang Shichang was shocked upon hearing this. His mouth opened slightly as if he were swallowing an egg, his eyes widened like copper bells, and the muscles on his face bulged.

Suddenly, he clapped his hands and laughed loudly, saying with great pride, "Then who will dare to mess with me from now on?"

Yang Zhao's face darkened.

Madam Yang shook her head and chuckled.

Yang Ruifeng put his hand to his forehead, thinking, "No one's father is any better than me!"

"What, could it be that I said something wrong?" Yang Shichang smiled awkwardly.

"Go ahead and cause trouble, let's see how many times Mingwei will tolerate you!"

"Uh, Father, I was just joking. Even if my brother-in-law weren't a cultivator now, I wouldn't easily ask him for help. I still have some sense of propriety."

"It's good that you know," Yang Zhao said. "If it's not a difficult matter, there's no need to ask the Xu family for help."

"I don't ask for anything, but it's okay to keep in touch. I'll visit my sister whenever I have free time."

"Do as you please," Yang Zhao said calmly, his lack of objection tacitly agreeing to the matter.

People like Yang Shichang, who are not particularly cunning and have close ties with the Xu family, are more likely to gain the Xu family's favor.

The Xu family might be able to help Yang Zhao and his family, but their attitude towards the Yang family as a whole was quite indifferent.

"My sister has been in the Xu family for so long, and she never told me anything. It's true what they say, a married daughter is like water spilled from a bowl." Yang Shichang sighed.

Wen Jing listened silently, her eyes flickering, as if she was plotting something.

However, Yang Zhao noticed her and said calmly, "Wen Jing, don't try to build a relationship with the Xu family. It won't work."

Even if it's my Yang family, the Xu family won't care.

Mingwei and Chang'er have a good relationship, a friendship forged when they were both still young, but he has no connection with you. Doing too much of anything for him could lead to mistakes, and if you incur the Xu family's displeasure, you'll have to be careful about jeopardizing the Wen family's century-old legacy.

Wen Jingjiao trembled slightly and nodded, saying, "Thank you for your teachings, Father. I will remember them."

"Chang'er, when you go there, you can bring Feng'er and Yao'er with you. Mingwei treats our family quite well."

"Don't worry, Dad."

Yang Zhao is now the head of the Yang family. Although he wants to interact with the Xu family in a simpler way, it is not possible in the end. He can only place his hopes on his son.

Yang Shichang and Yang Ronghua were close friends since childhood. Back in Qingjiang, Yang Shichang also had a close relationship with Xu Mingwei, Xu Mingshu and other members of the Xu family, and could serve as a link between the Xu and Yang families.

Time flies by like a white horse.

In the blink of an eye, spring has turned into summer.

Under the blazing sun, the heat was intense, and thousands of acres of paddy fields stretched like a green carpet from the village entrance to the foot of the distant mountains.

The rice stalks have already sprouted half a foot in length, their green and yellow tips hanging heavily. When the wind blows, the green waves surge and rustle, carrying the fresh scent of soil and rice blossoms across the paddy field ridges.

The ridges of the paddy fields meander like silver ribbons, dividing the paddy fields into square, mirror-like surfaces. The water glistens, reflecting the blue sky and white clouds. Occasionally, a white egret skims low, its wingtips breaking the surface and creating a series of ripples.

The sounds of frogs and cicadas can be heard everywhere, weaving together to create a summer symphony.

Farmers wearing bamboo hats and raincoats bend over to weed in the fields, sweat dripping down their cheeks and splashing into the water.

Children chase and play on the ridges of the rice paddies, startling dragonflies that were perched on the rice stalks. Their red and blue wings flashed and disappeared into the vast green waves.

Besides the ordinary rice paddies, there was also a fifty-acre field where the rice seedlings were less than a foot tall.

And it's located to the left of the Xu family mansion.

These are the spirit rice seedlings cultivated by Xu Chuan, which have been successfully planted.

The spirit rice field was surrounded by an array, which was only a low-grade first-order defensive array. It could be broken with a single blow by a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator. However, this was only to prevent ordinary people from accidentally entering or birds and beasts from getting in.

Xu Chuan personally oversees this rice paddy. Only after he has mastered the cultivation of spirit rice will he step aside to pass on the key points and precautions of cultivation.

Currently, it's merely an experimental field.

Xu Chuan would come to inspect the farm every day, which reminded him of his own youth when he was also so dedicated to farming.

Xu Chuan was here at that moment.

Xu Mingwei suddenly flew in and landed beside Xu Chuan.

"Father, the list of betrothal gifts to be sent to the Zhou family has been prepared. Please take a look."

"Do I really need to do such a trivial matter?" Xu Chuan shook his head helplessly.

Xu Mingwei said, "The Zhou family is the overlord of Yuehu County after all, so the betrothal gifts should be more reliable. Besides, it is Yunnu's marriage, so it is only right that Father make the decision."

"Now they're starting to use words to shut me down."

Xu Chuan smiled faintly, pointed his finger, and the gift list scroll flew to his front.

This scroll has a black silk tapestry base, with red copper gilt dragon head scroll ends, and black and red palace ribbons hanging down.

The scroll slowly unfurled until it was fully revealed.

Xu Chuan glanced at it and said, "Remove magic weapons, spirit stones, and spirit herbs. The Zhou family has no shortage of them. There's no need to change the mundane items, and the Zhou family won't care about them anyway."

In addition, there are three bottles of Innate Martial Pills, one bottle of Grandmaster Martial Pills, three bottles of Qi-Nourishing Pills, one bottle of Qi-Gathering Pills, and one high-grade Divine Sense Pill.

"All pills?"

"That's enough. Pills are worthless to our Xu family, but not to the Zhou family."

This also demonstrates the profound heritage of our Xu family. Whether it is the cultivation of martial artists or the resources for immortal cultivators, our Xu family has a complete process.

The real betrothal gift was that top-grade Divine Mind Pill.

This is a second-tier pill, which is sought after by countless Foundation Establishment families even in the imperial city, and is extremely valuable.

Does a marriage alliance mean my Xu family has to spend hundreds or thousands of spirit stones to betroth her?
As for Mingxian, he was by nature indifferent to worldly affairs, and like me, he aspired to the Great Dao. For him, marrying or not marrying was optional.

"I understand now, I will correct it when I get back."

"Yes, once the marriage with the Zhou family is announced, we can start recruiting independent cultivators and gradually strengthen our Xu family."

"Yes, my child understands."

Xu Mingwei raised his hand, put away the scroll of gifts, and then took to the air, heading towards his Nanshan Courtyard. "Unfortunately, due to the limited spiritual energy concentration, large-scale planting is not possible. Fifty acres is the limit, but it is enough for dozens of cultivators to eat for a year."

Xu Chuan first used a hand seal to cast the Wood Spirit Technique to promote its growth, and then used the Minor Cloud and Rain Technique to replenish the water level.

After touring the area, they went to Bihan Pool.

They could either observe and guide Zhang Wanqing in alchemy, or practice the "Soul Forbidden Technique".

As for "Blood Ties," Xu Chuan has already achieved great success.

Currently, within the ancestral hall, each member of the Xu family has left behind a life lamp and a drop of special essence blood refined through a bloodline-guiding secret technique.

The life lamp determines one's life status, while the essence and blood are used for tracking and exploration.

The remaining technique is the Soul Restriction Secret Technique.

Xu Chuan is the fastest learner among the Xu family members.

The "Soul Forbidden Technique" is currently at a minor level of mastery. Although it can be used on people, Xu Chuan plans to wait until the technique is fully mastered before testing it on someone.

Suddenly, a soft sound came from the bamboo house where Xu Mingxian was, and a wave of magical power passed through the bamboo house's restrictions, rippling outwards like waves.

"Ninth level of Qi Refining?"

Xu Chuan looked up at the direction where Xu Mingxian was, and a slight smile appeared on his lips.

"I've finally reached the ninth level of Qi Refining, but it's still a bit slow."

Xu Mingwei has now reached the late stage of the eighth level of Qi Refining and is gradually catching up with Xu Mingxian.

Of course, Xu Mingxian was also busier than Xu Mingwei because she had to study formations and set up a grand formation for the Xu family.

After all, the Xu family's affairs were not too complicated.

If it truly affected his cultivation, he wouldn't have let Xu Mingwei take charge.

With a sweep of his divine sense, he also saw the cultivation levels of the others.

Although the bamboo houses are protected by barriers that isolate spiritual thoughts, they cannot prevent the probing of divine consciousness.

"Wu Tao is at the mid-stage of the third level of Qi Refining. It's not slow for someone with pseudo-spiritual root aptitude to have reached that level in just a few months. Shen Qingyi is at the mid-stage of the fourth level, which is also acceptable."

Zhao'er should be able to upgrade his spiritual root to the level of a true spiritual root next year; perhaps he should be allowed to directly pursue the path of immortality.

After pondering for a while, Xu Chuan made a decision to talk to Xu Mingwei and Xu Dezhao again in a few days.

Previously, they had decided to let Xu Dezhao follow the path of immortal martial arts. If the Xu family continued to develop quietly as before, that would be fine.

However, things changed too quickly. The conflict between Su and Zhou allowed the Xu family to rise to power and acquire 30% of the Su family's resources.

Now that they were exposed to the eyes of the various families in Yuehu County, the Xu family no longer needed to hide.

After all, no amount of forbearance could lessen the apprehension and greedy gazes of the various Qi-cultivating families.

They decided to develop openly and honestly, cooperating and marrying into the Zhou family to intimidate other families.

Although the Xu family is powerful enough to rival any Qi Refining family in Yuehu County except for the Zhou family, they still need to maintain a low profile.

The Xu family's true strength lies in its foundation and trump cards.

If the Zhou family's power can be used to deter others, why bother having Xu Mingwei and his group kill people to establish their authority?

However, if there is any conflict in the future, the Xu family will not hold back and will let everyone know just how fast the Xu family's blade is!

"Wanqing's true spiritual root aptitude is only at the mid-stage of the fourth level of Qi Refining, which is a bit low. However, it is reasonable that she spends most of her time immersed in alchemy."

"Ling'er is quite good; she's focused on cultivation and has already reached the mid-stage of the fifth level of Qi Refining, and it looks like she's almost at the late stage."

"Ming Shu is close to the peak of the sixth level of Qi Refining. It seems that she is determined to get that high-grade magic weapon."

Xu Chuan smiled faintly. He had previously said that whoever reached the seventh level of Qi Refining first would be given a high-grade magic weapon.

Even within the Zhou family, not all late-stage Qi Refining cultivators possess high-grade magic weapons.

Only cultivators at the eighth or ninth level are normal.

“Ming Xuan looks like he has just entered the late stage of the sixth level of Qi Refining, while Ming Yuan, as I remember seeing him two days ago, should be in the middle stage of the sixth level of Qi Refining.”

As for the "Concealing Breath Technique," only Xu Chuan has mastered it so far, while even Xu Mingwei is stuck at the minor mastery level.

A minor achievement can encompass two realms.

Only by achieving great mastery can one encompass the three realms.

"Yes, Wanqing, at the crucial moment of pill condensation, the flame temperature needs to be controlled to be more gentle. Losing too much medicinal liquid will affect the number of pills produced."

"Yes, father."

Zhang Wanqing nodded and began adjusting the temperature of the flames in the alchemy furnace.

More than half a month has passed.

July 2nd.

Xu Mingxuan led a group of people to the Zhou family to deliver the betrothal gifts. In addition to Xu Mingxuan, there were nine other people in the group, all of whom were innate martial artists, with the strongest being only at the mid-stage of the innate realm.

The path of a martial artist is similar to the path of cultivating immortality; neither can be achieved overnight.

Even with the precious martial arts pills bestowed by the Xu family, it still takes time to grow.

These people may become martial arts masters at the late stage of the Innate Realm or even the peak of the Innate Realm in four or five years, or even a grandmaster among them.

Twenty or thirty years later.

The Xu family's martial arts foundation may surpass that of other families in the county, second only to the Zhou family.

It was near the Zhou family's territory, and Zhou family guards were patrolling nearby.

"Who goes there? This is the Zhou family's territory. No trespassing is permitted. Violators will be executed!" The head guard's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and his tone was firm and powerful, carrying a hint of arrogance.

"Xu Mingxuan from the Xu family has come to propose marriage to my younger brother."

"So you're from the Xu family. The news that my Zhou family's daughter will be married into the Xu family has recently spread throughout the clan. Your Xu family is truly blessed. That young lady is the most valued daughter of my Zhou family's patriarch."

Xu Mingxuan frowned slightly. "So that's what's being said in your Zhou family?"

He didn't say much, but instead clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Please let us pass."

"That's natural."

“My Zhou family has quite a lot of land. I’ll have someone guide you.”

"Thank you."

In addition, the news that the Xu family had come to propose marriage also reached the ears of the Zhou family head.

Zhou Shaoyuan also invited Zhou Sen.

After all, he was the one who facilitated this marriage, so he should have been present.

The main hall of the Zhou family.

As Xu Mingxuan was drinking tea, a dignified middle-aged man and a white-haired, youthful-looking old man entered. He immediately stood up and bowed, saying, "I am Xu Mingxuan. May I ask how you two are addressed?"

Zhou Sen stroked his beard and smiled, "So you are Fellow Daoist Xu's third son. I am Zhou Sen, and this is the head of my Zhou family."

"Greetings, Elder Zhou Sen, Patriarch Zhou."

"sit down."

Zhou Shaoyuan said calmly, then took his seat in the main seat, and Zhou Sen also casually sat down in the guest seat.

Seeing that the two had both sat down, Xu Mingxuan then took his seat.

His manners were impeccable, leaving no room for criticism.

(End of this chapter)