Building a long-lasting family lineage starting with genealogy

Chapter 162 The Zhou Family's Far-sighted Plans, the Alliance Between the Two Families, and the First Hearing of the Foundation Establishment Path

"Truly, they've taken every step with care." Zhou Shaoyuan sighed, "If you, Ancestor, were to agree, the Xu family would become a quasi-Foundation Establishment family. Wouldn't they be able to act recklessly in Yuehu County?"

Zhou Qingfang pondered for a while before suddenly laughing, "Hahaha, so that's how it is! The Xu family truly has great ambition."

Zhou Shaoyuan and Zhou Sen both looked over in surprise.

"Ancestor, have you perhaps seen through the purpose behind the Xu family's deal?"

Zhou Qingfang's eyes flashed with a sharp light as he looked at Zhou Shaoyuan and said, "You're right. With my protection, the Xu family is equivalent to half a Foundation Establishment family in Yuehu County, and they have no more worries."

Therefore, their true aim has never been to compete with the aristocratic families of Yuehu County; their sights are set on the surrounding counties, and even the entire Great Wei.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Shaoyuan gasped, "This..."

“With Xu Chuan’s alchemy skills, supplying the Xu family is more than enough, and they certainly have the capacity to set their sights on other prefectures.” Zhou Sen pondered, “And if they do not compete with other aristocratic families and are protected by my Zhou family, then at least on the surface, no one will cause trouble for the Xu family.”

Moon Lake County is ultimately the Xu family's base. With so few resources, competition between them is bound to lead to a situation of mutual conquest.

Fellow Daoist Xu's move clearly indicates an intention to transcend the chessboard of Yuehu County and stand on equal footing with my Zhou family.

The Zhou family is already a Foundation Establishment family. If they only look to Yuehu County, the resources they can obtain will ultimately be limited.

Therefore, they had long since stopped paying attention to the various Qi-cultivating families in Yuehu County and instead turned their attention to the surrounding counties.

"The Dao of alchemy is his greatest source of confidence, and it must be said that the Xu family has the potential and ambition to share Yuehu County with my Zhou family."

Zhou Qingfang said, "My Zhou family may be able to severely damage the Xu family at this moment, but relatively speaking, dominating Yuehu County is far less beneficial than sharing the world with the Xu family."

Otherwise, the Su family patriarch wouldn't still be at the early Foundation Establishment stage even at the end of his life.

"If that's the case, then let's agree."

"With a promise and the Daoist scriptures that can be copied at will, my Zhou family has not actually suffered any loss, nor has the Xu family."

However, the impact was profound.

"If the Su family has such vision and magnanimity, then my Zhou family will probably only have the fate of obediently submitting to them."

Zhou Shaoyuan's eyes widened, and he hesitated before asking, "Couldn't we try to annex the Xu family?"

"Shaoyuan, you're too narrow-minded." Zhou Qingfang shook his head, his eyes showing a hint of disappointment: "Has the flattery of the other family heads and the sycophancy of the elders in your clan made you lose your mind after you've taken the position of the dominant family in Yuehu County?"

If you can't properly reflect on your actions, I should consider changing the head of the family.

Zhou Shaoyuan felt a chill run down his spine, and his body trembled slightly.

“Zhou Sen, you tell him why it can’t be done this way.”

"Once we try, there will be no room for maneuver for either side. My Zhou family is different from the Yuan family. I dare say that the Yuan family is no match for the Xu family. The reason why the Xu family did not erupt during the last Ascension Ceremony was that they did not want to affect the current situation in Yuehu County and their own development."

Simply put, they didn't take it seriously.

My Zhou family does indeed have the potential to severely damage or even destroy the Xu family.

Therefore, the Xu family used two consecutive transactions to gradually win over the Zhou family and even lend a helping hand to the Zhou family.

"If my Zhou family had known from the beginning that the Xu family possessed this pill formula, we might have truly considered annexing it. But now, things are not so simple."

"Any attempt to annex, regardless of the method, will surely be understood by the shrewd Xu family. In any case, the Xu and Zhou families will not escape the curse of the 'Su-Zhou War,' and only one of them will remain in Yuehu County."

“Patriarch, the Xu family is not just a newly promoted Qi Refining family in Yuehu County. Don’t underestimate the connections of a master alchemist. If he is willing, he can even get many Foundation Establishment families to help him.”

"And what would my Zhou family gain by destroying the Xu family? We wouldn't get the pill formula, not only would our family members suffer heavy losses, but we might even be surrounded by other aristocratic families."

"The most precious things the Xu family has never been the 30% of the Su family's resources, the Daoist scriptures, or the top-tier magic artifacts that he obtained, but rather the people of the Xu family: a top alchemy master of the Great Wei and two cultivation geniuses."

This foundation is enough for the Xu family to reach the level of my Zhou family in one lifetime.

Therefore, my Zhou family had better treat the Xu family as a Foundation Establishment family and be on good terms with them, if they really acted as the Su family did to my Zhou family back then.”

Zhou Sen had said all he wanted to say, so he said no more.

Zhou Shaoyuan felt deeply annoyed, and then cupped his hands to the two of them and said, "Thank you for your guidance, Elder Zhou Sen, and thank you for your teachings, Ancestor. I will keep these words in mind and will also tell the next head of the Zhou family to make sure that he befriends the Xu family."

"No need to overdo it, just treat it normally."

"The Xu family doesn't need my Zhou family to interfere. They have their own pace, and my Zhou family just needs to do our own thing."

"Yes, old man."

"Zhou Sen, have the Xu family come over in a few days."

Zhou Sen cupped his hands and said, "Zhou Sen understands."

--------------

Two days later.

Xu Chuan breathed a sigh of relief upon receiving Zhou Sen's reply.

In this way, the Xu family can proceed according to plan.

As for who should go to the Zhou family, Xu Chuan had already decided that he would go alone.

Xu Mingwei has now entered the ninth level of Qi Refining, but he only shows the eighth level of Qi Refining to the outside world. However, this "Concealing Breath Technique" cannot be hidden from Foundation Establishment cultivators who possess divine sense.

a few days later.

Xu Chuan's trip to the Zhou family was, in a sense, a return to familiar territory.

Zhou Sen and Zhou Shaoyuan personally came out to greet them, showing their respect for the Xu family.

"Patriarch Zhou, Elder Zhou Sen," Xu Chuan said, cupping his fists in greeting.

"Elder Xu, it's only been a short time since we last met," Zhou Shaoyuan said with a slight smile.

"Haha, does the Zhou family not welcome my in-laws?"

"How could that be? Even if they weren't related by marriage, an alchemy master like Elder Xu would be treated with great respect in any Foundation Establishment family."

Zhou Sen stroked his beard and said, "Fellow Daoist Xu, let's go. The Ancestor is already waiting for you."

"I dare not keep you waiting, senior." Xu Chuan nodded and lowered his eyes, showing no arrogance whatsoever.

half an hour.

Xu Chuan followed the two through a circular archway. Ahead, bamboo shadows stretched out, and the dark tiles and white walls were faintly visible.

This place is elegant and secluded, with many green bamboos planted here. When the breeze passes by, the leaves whisper to each other.

A small bamboo house stands quietly here, blending seamlessly into its surroundings.

Above the door hangs a wooden plaque inscribed with the words "Jingyuan," the characters bearing the rhyme of the Jin Dynasty, lightly covered with moss. The carved wooden windows on both sides are decorated with ice-crack patterns and covered with plain gauze, allowing sunlight to filter through and scatter like scattered gold on the floor.

A copper bell hangs under the eaves; when the wind blows, the bell rings, but the sound becomes three parts softer as it passes the bamboo tips.

"Elder Zhou Sen and I will wait here. Elder Xu may go on his own."

Xu Chuan clasped his hands in a fist salute and then walked towards the bamboo house.

Standing at the door, he cupped his hands in greeting and said, "Junior Xu Chuan has come to pay his respects."

A few moments.

A voice came from inside the bamboo house, "Fellow Daoist Xu, please come in."

Xu Chuan pushed open the door and entered.

Then one saw an old man with a weathered face and white hair sitting cross-legged in front of a desk, on which were placed a purple clay teapot and a three-legged bronze stove.

The incense smoke curled gently from the burner, swirling around the beams before dissipating into light, drifting clouds.

A pear wood couch lies beneath the west window, covered with a plain brocade rug.

The antique shelves at the South Corner of the Libo Museum display layers of ancient jade, old porcelain, and rare stones, each piece bearing the marks of time.
Besides, there was no other furniture in the room. "Sit down."

Xu Chuan sat cross-legged opposite Zhou Qingfang.

"Fellow Daoist Xu has devoted himself to planning and strategizing for the Xu family, which I truly admire," Zhou Qingfang suddenly exclaimed.

"Senior is too kind. The Zhou family has become a Foundation Establishment family, which is far beyond what my Xu family can compare to."

"Enough with the formalities," Zhou Qingfang shook his head and chuckled. "While I am not entirely clear about the Xu family's background, I can tell that your vision has not been set on Yuehu County."

Or rather, your Xu family wants to focus its main efforts on the other counties, and you want my Zhou family to be your Xu family's protector, is that right?"

"I can't hide it from my seniors," Xu Chuan admitted frankly.

"Such courage is something even my Zhou family has never possessed. Although I don't know what gives you your confidence, the Foundation Establishment families in each prefecture are not easy to deal with."

"I understand," Xu Chuan nodded.

"If a Foundation Establishment cultivator attacks your Xu family, I can try to deal with them. But if they insist on killing your Xu family, I will not risk my life for them."

Xu Chuan nodded again.

"Since that's the case, today I, this old man, can swear an oath of faith before you." Zhou Qingfang's eyes flashed with a sharp light. "However, I also want you to swear this oath: in your lifetime, unless my Zhou family takes the initiative to plot against your Xu family, you will not take the initiative to attack my Zhou family. Do you dare to agree?"

With these words, Zhou Qingfang had already regarded Xu Chuan as an equal and the Xu family as having the same strength as the Zhou family.

Xu Chuan was worried that the Zhou family would take action against the Xu family in the past few decades, and Zhou Qingfang was also worried that in more than a hundred years, the Xu family would not tolerate the Zhou family.

"Then let us establish a non-aggression pact and help each other to the best of our ability."

"it is good!"

The two immediately made a pact: if they broke this oath, their own path would be cut off, and they would be tormented by inner demons every day.

Zhou Qingfang sighed slightly, "If the Su family had been willing to do the same back then, our two families wouldn't have ended up like this today. I hope that our two families won't end up like this in the future."

"The Xu family is not an ungrateful family, and will always remember the kindness of their predecessors."

"Who will protect whom is still unknown." Zhou Qingfang revealed a meaningful smile. "I see that you, young friend Xu, are still young, and you are not without the opportunity to establish your foundation in the future."

"Not everyone has the luck of their predecessors. The chances of breaking through the Foundation Establishment bottleneck by relying solely on thousand-year-old spiritual herbs are too low."

"You want to obtain the Foundation Establishment Pill?"

"Do you have any connections, senior?"

Now that the Zhou family is no longer a dark cloud hanging over the Xu family, Xu Chuan dared to express his desire to establish his foundation.

“My Zhou family couldn’t reach it before, but now we have a chance to compete for it.” Zhou Qingfang said with a glint in his eyes, “It’s just that the threshold is too high. Only disciples of Foundation Establishment families can participate, or those recommended by first or second-grade families.”

A family of first or second rank?

Xu Chuan pondered to himself.

"Every sixty years, the Great Wei will hold a Dharma Assembly. All Foundation Establishment families and forces will send late-stage Qi Refining cultivators to participate. The main event is a battle of magic. The top one hundred can represent the Great Wei in the competition for the Wuhua Secret Realm."

The Wuhua Secret Realm is located at the border of the Great Wei, Great Liang, and Great Jin kingdoms. The three kingdoms fought endlessly for it, but later agreed to a truce, allowing each kingdom to send one hundred people inside every sixty years to compete for resources.

"It is said that most of the main ingredients of the Foundation Building Pill in the Three Kingdoms period originated from this."

Xu Chuan frowned slightly and pondered, "Then isn't this secret realm just a meat grinder?"

"That's quite accurate. I've also inquired about it. Every time our Great Wei comes out of the secret realm, there have never been more than thirty people. Sometimes, there are only a dozen or so left."

"Even so, every sixty years, each family will send out many of their clan members to fight once. At least the top ten who come out to harvest resources and kill enemies will each receive at least one Foundation Establishment Pill."

The top three will each receive three Foundation Establishment Pills, and the top five will each receive two.

"Only by having Foundation Establishment cultivators in every generation can a family avoid falling from its former status as a Foundation Establishment family."

"But only a few can actually do it, especially newly established Foundation Establishment families like my Zhou family. Many of them fall from Foundation Establishment families after their Foundation Establishment cultivators perish. If they don't have a backup plan, they might perish even faster than ordinary Qi Refining families."

Xu Chuan nodded slightly, "His wealth is not commensurate with his position."

"Insightful. It is indeed a case of wealth not matching position. A family with a foundation built over a hundred years of cultivation has no foundation built to protect it, or rather, no foundation built to safeguard it. It will only become easy prey for others to eat."

Becoming a Foundation Establishment family means that the path to becoming a Qi Refining family is several times more arduous and perilous than that of a Qi Cultivation family.

Zhou Qingfang looked at Xu Chuan and said calmly, "If your Xu family wants to develop rapidly, you will face the same fate."

Upon hearing this, Xu Chuan pondered for a moment and asked, "The Wuhua Secret Realm can grow the main ingredient of Foundation Establishment Pills, so it must be a place with abundant spiritual energy. It must be extraordinary."

Zhou Qingfang was quite surprised, not expecting Xu Chuan to have thought of this.

"As expected of a master alchemist." Zhou Qingfang said with a faint smile, "I am not very clear about the origin of the Wuhua Secret Realm, but I have heard that the environment inside is indeed different from the outside world, and it still retains some ancient customs."

The secret realm is rich in spiritual energy. With the aid of thousand-year-old spiritual herbs, the chances of breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage can be increased by 10% to 20%.

Rumors circulated that disciples from prestigious families would bring thousand-year-old spiritual herbs to attempt to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage.

And some people have actually succeeded.

They even secured a top-three ranking in the Wuhua Trial, greatly enhancing the family's foundation and elevating them from a newly emerging fourth-rank family to a third-rank family in just two or three decades.

"Of course, the success rate is extremely low; only one or two people have succeeded so far."

"May I ask, senior, when will the next Dharma assembly begin?"

Zhou Qingfang smiled faintly and said without reservation, "Twenty-three years later."

At the Wuhua Dharma Assembly, the Zhou family cannot help the Xu family. To qualify, either the Xu family must advance to the fourth rank within this period, or they must be recommended by a first or second rank aristocratic family.

"Thank you, senior." Xu Chuan bowed and expressed his gratitude.

"As for choosing the Daoist scriptures, you can have Shaoyuan and Zhou Sen take you there."

Xu Chuan nodded slightly.

"That's all for today."

"This junior takes his leave." Xu Chuan stood up, bowed, and then left the bamboo house.

After exiting and passing through the semi-circular archway, Zhou Sen and Zhou Shaoyuan remained in the same spot.

"Fellow Daoist Xu, how was your chat with the Ancestor?"

“It was very rewarding.”

"In that case, let's go to the library together. The Zhou family has already sorted it out into categories."

Zhou Shaoyuan said.

Xu Chuan's ability to emerge from the bamboo house must mean he signed a non-aggression pact with his ancestor.

With this alliance in place, the Xu and Zhou families developed independently, providing assistance to each other to the best of their ability, and there was basically no competition between them.

With this, Zhou Shaoyuan felt at ease.

As long as it is not inherited from their own clan, it is fine to give some of the Taoist scriptures to the Xu family.

Moreover, he guessed that Xu Chuan wouldn't choose too many, since his Xu family had also obtained the Su family's Daoist scriptures.

The Zhou family may have some differences, but the differences won't be too great.

The two stayed by Xu Chuan's side most of the time, and Xu Chuan didn't mind. He selected two or three relatively rare ice spells, some unique cultivation classics, and miscellaneous discussions on cultivation in the Great Wei Dynasty, and nothing else.

"Is this all Fellow Daoist Xu has chosen?" Zhou Sen asked.

"sufficient."

The key lies in the non-aggression pact with the Zhou family and the promise of protection from Zhou Qingfang, who has achieved Foundation Establishment.

(End of this chapter)