Building a long-lasting family lineage starting with genealogy

Chapter 155 Dad: Uncle Xu's Disguise Has Been Exposed (Please Subscribe, Please Vote)

"Fourth level of Qi training."

Zhou Sen's divine sense swept over the matter, and he secretly breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that geniuses like Xu Mingwei and Xu Mingxian were indeed just exceptions.

Zhou Shaoyuan's eyes flickered, and he also had the same thought.

"Patriarch Zhou, Elder Zhou Sen, this is the betrothal gift list of my Xu family." Xu Mingxuan smiled faintly, patted the storage bag at his waist, took out the betrothal gift scroll, and presented it to Patriarch Zhou.

When the Zhou family head opened it, his brows furrowed slightly, and then he showed it to Zhou Sen.

The Zhou family didn't care about ordinary betrothal gifts; they were merely formalities.

However, the gift list was full of elixirs, which was quite unexpected.

"Young friend Xu, these Innate Martial Pills and Grandmaster Martial Pills must be martial arts pills researched by your father, right?"

“Exactly.” Xu Mingxuan nodded.

In terms of value, these pills combined are not insignificant.

Zhou Sen then asked, "What kind of pill is the Divine Sense Pill? I have studied alchemy for decades and have never heard of such a pill."

"According to my father, this pill is an ancient elixir, replenished by the Pill Palace. It is a miraculous pill that can enhance the spiritual power of us cultivators, and it is also effective for those who have reached the peak of Qi Refining."

Especially the superior-grade Divine Mind Pill, its effects are particularly remarkable, and even in the imperial city, many Foundation Establishment families would clamor for it.

"A pill to enhance divine sense!" Zhou Shaoyuan's eyes lit up, revealing a look of surprise.

Zhou Sen was also shocked, stroking his beard and exclaiming, "As expected of the Pill Hall, it can actually replenish such a miraculous pill."

"This pill is a second-tier pill. Not only are the ingredients precious, but the refining process is also extremely difficult. Even in the Pill Hall, only a handful of people can refine a top-grade Divine Sense Pill."

Zhou Shaoyuan had previously been somewhat dissatisfied with the gift list, but now it seems that the real betrothal gift is this top-grade Divine Mind Pill.

He smiled faintly and said, "The Xu family's betrothal gifts are very satisfactory to my Zhou family. They have also shown us Master San Shu's alchemy skills. I believe that our two families will cooperate very smoothly in the future."

Xu Mingxuan took out several crimson gold brocade boxes and asked, "Does the Zhou family have any requirements regarding the engagement date?"

After pondering for a moment, Zhou Shaoyuan said, "Let's set the engagement for September 20th, three months from now, at Guanghu Residence in the county town. My Zhou family will invite all the prominent families in the county town to attend. What do you think?"

The Zhou family could easily find out that Guanghu Residence was owned by the Xu family.

Xu Mingxuan clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Then so be it."

He did not linger and left with the Xu family guards.

Upon returning to the Xu family, Xu Mingxuan informed Xu Chuan, Xu Mingwei, and others of the news.

Regardless of how powerful the Zhou family was, in Bai Jing's mind, Xu Mingxian's marriage was a joyous occasion.

Moreover, she believed that Xu Chuan's choice would not be bad.

The news of the upcoming marriage between the Xu and Zhou families quickly spread throughout the entire Yuehu County, and all aristocratic families of the sixth rank and above were invited.

Although these prominent families also had relatives by marriage with the Zhou family.

However, this was the first marriage alliance since the Zhou family became the dominant family in Yuehu County, and the marriage partners were direct descendants of both families, which shows how much importance the Zhou family attached to it.

The Qi-cultivating families of Yuehu County were already wary of the Xu family, and now they are even more so.

With the Zhou family protecting them, they couldn't take action against the Xu family for the time being, otherwise it would be a slap in the face to the Zhou family.

To deal with the Xu family, we must proceed gradually.

March flew by.

Before we knew it, it was September 20th.

Xu Mingwei did not go because he had to stay at the Xu family headquarters, and neither did important juniors like Xu Dezhao and Xu Deling.

Most of the others arrived in Yuehu County a day earlier and checked into Baiyuxuan.

This is also part of the Xu family's property; it is an elegant garden villa, used exclusively for garden parties or residence.

With the Xu family members settled in, no other guests will be received for the time being.

The next day.

Guanghu Residence also does not accept outside guests.

Only families with invitations are allowed to enter.

"The head of the Yuan family has arrived with Madam Yuan and Young Master Yuan!"

"The Chang family patriarch and Madam Chang have arrived!"

"The head of the Yang family, his wife, and their son have arrived!"

Almost all the families of the sixth rank and above, whether martial arts families or Qi cultivation families, came.

Among them were even prominent families who had previously sided with the Su family.

The Zhou family's invitation to them also demonstrates their magnanimity and that they will not target them.

However, the Zhou family will not interfere in their internal squabbles.

After all, both sides had members of their own clans who died at the hands of the other.

In fact, because almost all of the important combat forces of the aristocratic families were wiped out, they were quietly swallowed up by the other aristocratic families in the past few months.

Yang Shidao of the Yang family reached the Grandmaster level, and Yang Yan became a cultivator at the seventh level of Qi Refining.

Although the conflict between Su and Zhou resulted in heavy losses, it also allowed them to regain their strength and were not so easily targeted.

As for the Chang family, the head of the Chang family died in battle, and the new head of the Chang family is Chang Wenhao. However, the Chang family still has a Grandmaster-level master, so they are still a formidable force.

"Today, I welcome you all to give me face and attend the engagement banquet of my daughter Zhou Zongni and Xu Mingxian of the Xu family."

The Zhou family head smiled and looked at Zhou Zongni and Xu Mingxian, saying, "Ni'er, Mingxian, you two are the main characters today. Let the heads of the families present meet you as well."

Xu Mingxian and Zhou Zongni stood up and raised their wine cups, saying, "Xu Mingxian (Zhou Zongni) of the Xu family greets all the family heads."

After saying this, the two of them drank it all in one gulp.

Xu Mingxian was using the "Concealing Breath Technique" to restrain himself at this moment, and he was still at the eighth level of Qi Refining.

Zhou Shaoyuan gestured for the two to sit down, and said with a faint smile, "I am very pleased that my daughter can marry a genius like Mingxian."

Xu Mingxian is not only a cultivation genius in the Xu family, but he has also reached the eighth level of Qi Refining at a young age, and is expected to reach the Foundation Establishment stage in the future.

Moreover, he is the youngest son of Xu Chuan, the eldest elder of the Xu family.

After a pause, Zhou Shaoyuan continued, "As you all know, our Elder Xu is really too low-key. I think you only know him as the Elder Xu of the Xu family."

Xu Chuan smiled faintly upon hearing this, showing little reaction.

However, almost no one in the powerful families knew that Xu Chuan was the current Grand Elder of the Xu family; they only knew that he was the former head of the Xu family.

After all, the Xu family kept their information extremely secret, and since the fog array was set up, almost no one has been able to get any information from Dongxi.

Even when they gathered information in Qingjiang, it was only partial, and the information was only released with the permission of the Xu family.

"In fact, you have probably all heard of his other identity. He is the most mysterious alchemy master in my Moon Lake County, Master San Shu."

"Master San Shu? The legendary alchemy master who is said to be a mysterious guest alchemist in the Zhou family, whose alchemy skills are even superior to Elder Zhou Sen's?"

The crowd buzzed with discussion, all turning their attention to the Xu family.

Even some powerful families who were dissatisfied with the Xu family obtaining 30% of the Su family's resources began to consider befriending them.

"No wonder the Xu family was able to rise so quickly. With such a master of alchemy, any family could have achieved the same result."

The Zhou family's strength and influence have grown rapidly over the past few decades because of Zhou Sen.

And Zhou Qingfang just happened to successfully break through to the Foundation Establishment stage, which gave him the strength to compete with the Su family.

"A hundred years later, the Xu family will be the Zhou family again."

"Not necessarily. The Xu family has just acquired 30% of the Su family's resources. If things go smoothly, they could reach the strength and resources of the Zhou family in less than a century."

"That's not necessarily true. It depends on whether the Zhou family can continue to tolerate the Xu family's existence."

Each of the prominent families had its own ideas.

The Yang and Chang families were even more shocked.

Yang Shichang turned to his father, Yang Zhao, and said, "Father, did I hear that right? Uncle Xu is actually a master of alchemy, and his reputation is quite great."

Yang Yan smiled and said, "It's normal that you don't know the name of Master San Shu, but all the cultivators in Yuehu Market know it."

He was once a guest of the Zhou family, and in a short period of time he rose to fame and became a well-known alchemy master in Yuehu Market. Elder Zhou Sen also said that his alchemy skills were above his own.

Unfortunately, he only stayed in Moon Lake Market for a short time before disappearing without a trace.

Everyone assumed he was a wandering cultivator who had gone on a journey to other parts of the Great Wei.

Unexpectedly, it was the eldest elder of the Xu family.

I've heard that the Xu family's current prosperity was entirely due to him?

“Exactly.” Yang Shichang nodded in surprise, “I thought my brother-in-law was already the most remarkable person in the Xu family, but I didn’t expect Uncle Xu to be the most remarkable one.”

"Master Xu Chuan, the alchemy master, and Xu Mingwei are said to be extremely powerful in battle. Xu Mingxian, who is engaged to the Zhou family today, is also a rare genius in cultivation."

The Xu family is truly extraordinary; they might very well be able to rival the Zhou family in Yuehu County in the future.

Yang Yan murmured.

Yang Zhao's eyes were also filled with fascinating expressions.

"Brother Xu, won't you say a few words?"

Zhou Shaoyuan looked at Xu Chuan, who smiled faintly and said, "I am unworthy of the title of Master. The Xu family is one of the prominent families in Yuehu County. I only hope to develop a friendly relationship with all the families."

An engagement banquet allowed the various prominent families to recognize the Xu family's heritage and potential.

Of course, this only represents three or four tenths of the Xu family's potential.

The potential and foundation of the Xu family lie in things like Xu Mingxian's array formation skills, the true spiritual roots of the other members of the Xu family, and Xu Deling's talent.

The engagement was merely a declaration of the relationship between the Xu and Zhou families.

As for the wedding procession, Xu Chuan had already reached an agreement with Zhou Sen to discuss it in a year or two.

The Zhou family understood that the Xu family was busy accumulating strength and advancing to become a family of cultivators, so they didn't say much and simply agreed.

Time passed slowly.

Nearly eight months have passed in the blink of an eye.

The Zhou family collected more than a dozen portions of the ingredients for True Essence Pills and handed them over to Xu Chuan to refine.

Xu Chuan has refined pills ranging from low-grade to high-grade.

The Zhou family was very satisfied.

Xu Chuan did the same, maintaining his consistent style and keeping a considerable amount for himself.

The lower-grade items can be sold in other counties, while the higher-grade items should be kept for later use after someone in the Xu family has achieved Foundation Establishment.

As for the Immortal Cultivation Market, the Xu family has not yet established a shop in the Moon Lake Market.

Firstly, there are still too few people.

Secondly, Xu Chuan also wanted to be more cautious and wait until their strength had improved further.

However, at the latest, once the Xu family officially becomes a family of cultivators, they will definitely send people to Yuehu Market.

someday.

Xu Chuan went to Yuehu Market.

Looking at the Moon Lake Market, which hadn't changed much, he even felt a little nostalgic.

However, this visit is not for remembrance, but for another important matter.

Moon Lake Market, Hundred Refinement Weapon Workshop.

"Is Master Wu here?" Xu Chuan asked, looking at the apprentices in the craft workshop.

"Master is resting, Master Sanzhu!"

"You still remember me, Xu?" the apprentice from the craft workshop said. "Of course, I'll go and call my master right away. Master San Shu, please wait here for a moment."

The apprentice in the workshop seemed quite excited and immediately went to the back room of the workshop to invite Master Wu out.

"Fellow Daoist San Shu, no, I should call you Elder Xu now." Master Wu clasped his hands and smiled faintly, "How have you been?"

"It seems that Master Wu has also heard about the Xu family's affairs."

"With the Xu family being so outstanding, who in the entire Yuehu County doesn't know about them now?"

Master Wu laughed twice, then stroked his beard and said, "But I was right back then. Fellow Daoist Yunming must be your youngest son, Xu Mingxian."

Xu Chuan nodded slightly and no longer concealed anything.

Upon hearing his admission, Master Wu exclaimed, "Your Xu family truly has a limitless future! What brings you here today, Fellow Daoist Xu?"

"I would like to invite you to join my Xu family and become a guest elder in the art of crafts."

Xu Chuan stated his purpose directly.

Master Wu was slightly taken aback, clearly not expecting this situation.

"Fellow Daoist Xu is indeed very frank, but the Zhou family also invited me, which I also refused. Do you think your Xu family can currently offer something that will tempt me?"

Xu Chuan smiled faintly, as if he had a universe in his heart, and said, "Ordinary things can't move you, fellow Daoist. We've been separated for so many years, and I haven't had a chance to congratulate you on reaching the ninth level of Qi Refining."

"What's there to congratulate? Fellow Daoist Xu, haven't you already reached the peak of Qi Refining?"

"If you join my Xu family, you will also receive corresponding resources and have the opportunity to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage."

"Foundation Building?" Master Wu's eyes revealed a helpless look. "I have long given up on this idea. I am already over ninety years old. Even if I can live to the end of my lifespan..."

However, even with the aid of elixirs, it takes more than ten years to progress from the early stage of the ninth level of Qi Refining to the peak of Qi Refining.

“Mid- to low-grade pills have very little effect. If you use a large number of high-grade Qi Gathering Pills to cultivate, you can reach the Qi Refining Perfection in five or six years. At that time, my Xu family can help you break through to the Foundation Establishment stage.”

Master Wu's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and he said incredulously, "Help me break through to the Foundation Establishment stage?"

"Fellow Daoist Xu, you must be joking. Don't you need it more than I do?"

"The success rate of using elixirs to break through is a bit low for me. I want to accumulate more experience for another 10 or 20 years and try again when I am more confident."

Upon hearing this, Master Wu knew that the Xu family had helped him break through to the Foundation Establishment stage using a thousand-year-old spiritual herb.

However, the thousand-year-old spiritual medicine is also extremely precious. Any family would keep it for themselves and give it to their clansmen who have reached the Qi Refining stage.

Although thousand-year-old spiritual herbs occasionally appear in Moon Lake Market, they are always fiercely contested by aristocratic families, and independent cultivators simply cannot compete with them.

Wu Fangzhu had originally given up on the idea of ​​building a foundation, but now that Xu Chuan mentioned it, the idea seemed to have been rekindled.

Of course, he won't make a decision so quickly.

"If I agree, then my grandson and three apprentices will be mine."

"It is up to them to decide. If they all join, my Xu family will naturally welcome them. I'm sure you've heard that my Xu family wants to become a family of cultivators, but since we're just starting out, we don't have enough cultivators yet."

Those who join now will receive special training from the Xu family.

Of course, cultivators must be tested on their character. If their character is flawed, even if they possess some talent, my Xu family will not accept them.

Master Wu nodded slightly. "Let me consider this matter further and reply to Fellow Daoist Xu in a few days."

"It's natural."

Then Master Wu added, "My real name is Wu Mingsheng, so please don't address me as Master Wu anymore, Fellow Daoist Xu."

"Haha, Fellow Daoist Wu."

Xu Chuan clasped his hands in a fist and smiled, then soon left.

a few days later.

Wu Mingsheng called the three weapon-refining apprentices to his side and asked, "I have something to say to you."

The eldest apprentice, Wu Da, bowed and said, "Master, please speak frankly."

"After careful consideration, I intend to join the Xu family and become a guest elder. What are your thoughts, and would you like to come along?"

Wu Dadao: "The Xu family is the most sought-after family in Yuehu County now? I heard that the Xu family has acquired 30% of the Su family's resources, but they have very few cultivators of their own."

“Master, I am willing,” Wu San said.

Then the other two echoed his sentiment.

“Alright.” Wu Mingsheng nodded slightly. “Let me make it clear beforehand that Fellow Daoist Xu once told me that to join the Xu family, one must first pass a test, and if one fails, the Xu family will not accept him.”

You must not harbor resentment.

"Yes, Master."

Two days later.

The group from Bailian Weapon Workshop then went to Qingjiang Cave Stream.

After the Xu family's test, Wu Mingsheng's three apprentices were deemed to have acceptable character, so they were all accepted.

All three of them lost their families and were found by Wu Mingsheng, who saw their talent for cultivating immortality and took them in.

All three of them shared the surname Wu, the same as Wu Mingsheng.

Among them, Wu Da and Wu Er have pseudo-spiritual root aptitude, while the youngest, Wu San, has mixed spiritual root.

Wu Da is now over forty years old and at the peak of the third level of Qi Refining. He can barely refine mid-grade magic weapons, but his success rate is not high.

Wu Er is 27 years old, at the late stage of the second level of Qi Refining, and can refine low-grade magic weapons.

Wu is thirty-eight years old and at the second level of Qi Refining, but he has not yet truly refined a low-grade magic weapon.

As for Wu Shunan, now sixteen years old, with the help of Wu Mingsheng, he has also achieved the strength of a second-rate martial artist.

Although he was unable to forge magical artifacts, he still followed Wu Mingsheng in forging artifacts.

His talent for forging was praised by Wu Mingsheng, but unfortunately he lacked the aptitude for cultivation; otherwise, he might have been able to inherit the mantle in the future.

Xu Chuan asked Wu Da and Wu Er to manage the Hundred Refinement Weapon Workshop temporarily, and planned to renovate it later.

Of course, he also bestowed upon them the Breakthrough Pill and the Qi-Nourishing Pill to enhance their magical power.

The two were moved to tears.

Wu San showed some potential and was kept by Wu Mingsheng's side to study the art of weaponry.

Xu Chuan sent Xu Deling to his school as a weapon-refining apprentice.

Wu Mingsheng doted on Xu Deling and devoted himself to teaching her.

The materials that the Xu family had previously accumulated also came in handy.

More than a month has passed in the blink of an eye.

"Does the Grand Elder want to upgrade the Patriarch's Ink Dragon Bow to a high-grade magic weapon?"

Wu Mingsheng examined the Ink Dragon Bow, then glanced at Xu Chuan and Xu Mingwei before falling into thought.

"I might be able to try crafting a high-grade magic weapon, but I have yet to craft a fine magic weapon, mainly because I do not have a large amount of second-tier materials to practice with."

"I, the elder, will find a solution to this matter," Xu Chuan said, stroking his short beard.

Two days later.

Xu Chuan then went to the imperial city.

Returning to the Pill Hall, all the events of the past flashed before my eyes.

"Three esteemed guests, have you returned from your travels?"

Upon discovering this, Deacon Chen immediately stepped forward, looking quite surprised.

"Deacon Chen, it's been a long time."

"It has been quite a few years. If it weren't for the fact that your life lamp is still intact, I would have thought that you had perished outside. Over the years, the Chief has been saving the profits from the Divine Sense Pills for you."

Xu Chuan was quite surprised and immediately clasped his hands in thanks, saying, "Thank you. Is the chief here?"

"On the third floor," Deacon Chen said. "By the way, the chief disciple took in a disciple with a true spiritual root a couple of years ago. He has excellent cultivation talent and a wood-type physique, so he has great potential in alchemy."

The Pill Hall was quite lively at the time.

"Thank you for letting me know. I'll go see the chief."

After saying that, Xu Chuan walked up to the third floor.

After the sound was transmitted inside.

A moment later, the barrier opened, and a boy of twelve or thirteen years old appeared in front of Xu Chuan.

He wore a green robe and had a simple appearance, like the son of a farmer. His cultivation level was the second level of Qi Refining, and he seemed to have only been cultivating for a short time.

“Three vertical offerings, Master, please come in.”

Xu Chuan nodded slightly and followed behind him. Soon they met Yun Zhongzi.

Yun Zhongzi was a benefactor to him, and Xu Chuan was very grateful.

Xu Chuan bowed respectfully and said, "San Shu greets the Chief."

The boy stood aside, curiously observing Xu Chuan. After all, his master had mentioned Xu Chuan many times, saying that he had an exceptional talent for alchemy.

Yun Zhongzi stroked his beard, smiled faintly, and nodded. "Sit down."

With a wave of his hand, a prayer mat appeared out of thin air behind Xu Chuan.

Xu Chuan immediately sat cross-legged.

"It has been several years since we last met. Fellow Daoist San Shu has already reached the perfection of Qi Refining. Your progress is truly remarkable." Yun Zhongzi said, "This is my newly accepted personal disciple, Wei Dao."

"Young friend Wei has only been cultivating for a short time and has already reached the second level of Qi Refining. His aptitude is exceptional. I've heard that he has a wood-type physique?"

"Admittedly, but it's not a particularly remarkable constitution. It's just that she's close to plants and a bit more sensitive to changes in the properties of medicinal herbs."

Xu Chuan smiled faintly, "We alchemists need this kind of keenness. Congratulations to the chief for finding such an excellent successor."

"My apprentice is still inexperienced and needs your guidance."

"With the chief here, my meager skills won't be a disgrace."

"Still so modest." Yun Zhongzi shook his head and chuckled. "How long do you plan to stay in the Pill Hall this time?"

"It won't be long," Xu Chuan said. "Please forgive me, Chief, for concealing this matter."

"hide?"

"My real name is Xu Chuan. I come from a small family in Yuehu County. In order to seek development for my family, I traveled around under the guise of a rogue cultivator."

"Now that my Xu family is about to ascend to the status of a cultivation family, I fear I have no time to attend to the Pill Hall. Please forgive me, Chief."

Yun Zhongzi remained silent upon hearing this, and after a while, he sighed and said, "So that's how it is. No wonder you are unwilling to be completely tied to my Pill Hall. You have many family members behind you, so it's understandable."

However, the path of a powerful family is not easy; it is filled with life-or-death struggles. Although the reputation of my Dan Palace is usually useful, it will not be effective if the other party is determined to perish together with your family.

Furthermore, our Pill Hall is a neutral force and will never participate in the conflicts involving powerful families.

“I understand. I have come today to return the Pill Hall Guest Elder Token. No matter what happens to my Xu family in the future, I will never involve the Pill Hall.”

Yun Zhongzi waved his hand and said, "There's no need for that. I invited you to the Pill Hall only because I value your alchemy skills. It has nothing to do with which family you come from."

"Of course, if you don't refine pills for my Pill Hall, then you can forget about receiving your salary," Yun Zhongzi joked again.

Xu Chuan smiled and clasped his hands in thanks, saying, "Thank you, Chief."

"Your visit to the capital this time wasn't just to return to the Pill Palace to see me, was it?"

“Chief, the family needs some spiritual herbs and refining materials. My Xu family is just starting out, and I am the only one with some connections, so I have no choice but to come to the capital to try my luck.”

"You can let Steward Chen handle this matter. He is in charge of the trivial matters of my Pill Hall and often deals with various families and forces. The expenses will be deducted from your share of the Divine Sense Pill's profits. If it's not enough, you can make up the difference yourself."

Yun Zhongzi said, "Furthermore, since you have already decided to stay away from the Pill Hall for most of the year, many of the Pill Hall's elders have expressed their dissatisfaction with your share of the profits. Starting this year, we will cancel your share. Is there any problem with that?"

"I will follow the chief's arrangements in everything," Xu Chuan said with a faint smile.

(End of this chapter)