Building a long-lasting family lineage starting with genealogy

Chapter 168 The Plan Fails, Steady Progress Begins (Seeking Subscriptions and Votes)

"Thank you for your trouble, Second Elder. I am aware of this matter and will discuss with the ancestors how to deal with the Wei family."

"Yes, Patriarch." The Second Elder clasped his hands and said, "The Wei family should not yet know that our Feng family is aware of this matter. If we attack now, we can definitely catch them off guard and severely damage some of the Wei family members."

Feng Wande glanced at him and waved his hand to stop him, saying, "Second Elder, there's no need to say more. The Ancestor and the others will make their own decision on this matter. You should go back and rest first."

The Second Elder's eyes flickered slightly, and he bowed slightly before leaving the study.

Half an incense stick later, Feng Wande flew to Qingyu Peak on his sword.

The patriarch of the Feng family and Feng Xiuyuan also learned of this news.

"It really is true." Feng Xiuyuan sighed slightly, turning his gaze to the Feng family patriarch.

After a moment of silence, the patriarch of the Feng family said, "Guangling County is ultimately different from Yuehu County. Their aristocratic families operate independently and fight fiercely, while we have not seen any aristocratic families wiped out for nearly two hundred years."

I'll go to the Wei family now and confront Old Man Wei.

If he refuses, then our Feng family will ensure that the entire Guangling County will never have peace from tomorrow onwards!

His words carried a ruthless and resolute tone!

“Ancestor, Xiuyuan will accompany you.” After some thought, the Feng family patriarch nodded slightly. “Then let’s go together.”

Feng Wande immediately cupped his hands in greeting and said, "Respectfully seeing off the venerable ancestor."

Then, the two flew through the air and disappeared into the light clouds in the blink of an eye.

There is a saying in the classics: Those who have successfully built their foundation can breathe through the twelve-story building, and their feet can produce azure rainbows, allowing them to roam freely in the celestial realm without relying on external things.

This realm allows one's Qi to circulate throughout the body, resonating with heaven and earth. One can ride the wind and roam freely in the world without needing any magical artifacts.

Of course, with the aid of magical artifacts, the speed can be even faster.

Above the Wei family's land.

The patriarch of the Feng family and Feng Xiuyuan stood in the void, looking down below.

"Old Wei, an old friend is visiting, why don't you come out and greet him?"

Its sound was powerful and resounded throughout the entire Wei family.

A short while later, two streaks of light flew out from somewhere in the Wei family and arrived in front of them in the blink of an eye.

Some disciples looked up, but could only see their bodies and could not hear what they were saying.

"That's the patriarch of the Feng family. Why did they suddenly come to our Wei family? Do they want to attack us?" The head of the Wei family pondered for a moment, and then immediately ordered his men to activate the clan's protective formation.

Although this formation is only a second-tier low-grade defensive formation, it can temporarily stop Foundation Establishment cultivators without much problem.

When the Feng family patriarch saw that the great formation was activated, he glanced at it lightly, not paying much attention.

The Wei family patriarch frowned slightly and said, "Old ghost Feng, what are you doing here at my Wei family? And you've brought a junior with you. You're not here as a guest, are you?"

The patriarch of the Feng family laughed and said, "I'm here to congratulate your Wei family on the emergence of another genius with true spiritual root aptitude."

Another middle-aged Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Wei family said with wary eyes, "Whether my Wei family has such a genius or not is none of your Feng family's business, is it?"

The patriarch of the Feng family smiled and said, "It is irrelevant, but if this boy enters the Pill Hall and becomes the personal disciple of the Pill Hall's chief disciple, then it will be related to my Feng family."

Upon hearing this, the two Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Wei family immediately narrowed their eyes.

"Your Feng family knows about this?" the Wei family patriarch said. "Indeed, nothing stays secret forever. My Wei family does indeed have a branch in a remote county that has been taken in as a disciple by Yun Zhongzi."

However, they have absolutely no affiliation with the Wei family. Old Feng, you're worrying unnecessarily."

"Is that so?" said the patriarch of the Feng family. "Then how about those of you present today make a vow that no other Foundation Establishment forces shall interfere in our conflict?"

Otherwise, the path to enlightenment will be severed, and the soul will be tormented by inner demons day and night, leading to an untimely death.

The middle-aged man from the Wei family, who had just reached the Foundation Establishment stage, said, "Why should I make an oath just because you say so? Do you think my Wei family is an appendage of your Feng family?"

“Wei Changkong, my ancestor is talking to your ancestor. You have no right to interrupt. If you want to fight, let’s go somewhere else. I, Feng Xiuyuan, will definitely satisfy you.”

Upon seeing his tough stance, Wei Changkong's face turned pale and then flushed.

"Chang Kong, calm down," said the Wei family patriarch, raising his hand.

"Yes, old man."

The Wei family patriarch looked at the Feng family patriarch's face, his eyes seemingly filled with a resolute determination. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "Brother Feng, why must you do this? Aren't our two families doing well now?"

For the past one or two hundred years, my Wei family has been superior to your Feng family, and your Feng family has been superior to us. Although there have been conflicts, we have never really gone to war.

"Yes, this is also to suppress others and prevent another Foundation Establishment family from emerging in Guangling County. After all, Guangling County's resources are not so abundant that they can be divided equally among three Foundation Establishment families."

The patriarch of the Feng family said calmly, "But things are different now. You and I know exactly what kind of power the Pill Hall is. Although it is neutral, it is backed by the Cao family, the royal family of the Great Wei."

I've heard that Wei Dao is exceptionally talented, with a bright future in alchemy. He's likely to become the new chief alchemist of the Pill Hall and may even reach the Foundation Establishment stage.

One promise from him can get many foundation-building families to do things for him.

How could this not worry the Feng family?

“Brother Feng, you are really overthinking it,” said the Wei family patriarch. “Wei Dao was born in a remote county town and has no deep sense of belonging to our Wei family.”

"Then why did you bring their relatives into the clan and treat them like direct descendants?"

The patriarch of the Feng family said, "Even if Wei Daozhen is as you say, your care for his family is simply to ask him to repay this kindness."

Brother Wei, for the sake of peace for our two clans in the future, you must make this oath today, or else you will face a full-scale war.

My Feng family must thoroughly cripple, or even destroy, your Wei family before Wei Dao grows up; only then can we feel at ease.

"Ten years should be enough for our two families to determine who is superior."

The Wei family patriarch frowned deeply, also extremely annoyed. "Brother Feng, are you really so determined?"

"Or you can have Wei Dao swear an oath that he will never interfere in the affairs of my Guangling County."

The four of them released their auras, which clashed and stalemated each other.

The surrounding space seemed to freeze, eerily quiet, like the calm before a storm.

After a long pause, the Wei family patriarch sighed and said, "Very well, our two families shall fight each other with our own abilities, and we shall never allow other Foundation Establishment forces to interfere. If we break this oath, our path to enlightenment will be cut off, and we will be tormented by inner demons every day!"

The patriarch of the Feng family smiled faintly, "Brother Wei, this is the best choice for both our families!"

All four Foundation Establishers made vows.

Afterwards, the Feng family patriarch and Feng Xiuyuan left and returned to Qingyu Peak.

Wei Changkong gritted his teeth and said unwillingly, "Ancestor, this is too frustrating."

"So what if we feel aggrieved? The old devil of the Feng family has already resolved to die. If we don't agree, the Wei family will find it difficult to withstand the ensuing all-out war."

Even if we win by sheer luck, one of us will definitely die, or we might both die.

"Without the Foundation Establishment stage to suppress it, do you think my Wei family's vast empire would end up like the Su family of Yuehu County next door, devoured by a pack of wolves?"

The Wei family patriarch sighed, "The strength of our Wei family and the Feng family is not much different. Although we do want to rely on the power of Wei Dao, it has not yet grown up and will take at least several decades."

"But this is for the best. Maintaining the status quo means my Wei family won't face any major crisis."

“You gain only when you give.”

Wei Changkong eventually had to accept the outcome, but he was still unwilling to accept it. "This matter should be classified, and very few people know about it."

I will find out how the Feng family learned this information and ruined my Wei family's grand plan. That person must atone with their death!

The Wei family patriarch shook his head helplessly, but this was a minor matter, and Wei Changkong could handle it. Another four or five days passed.

Xu Mingyuan walked through the market, but he didn't sense any signs that a great battle was about to break out.

He looked up at the sky and thought to himself, "It seems we've failed. The Feng family's forced agreement with the Wei family was indeed a wise choice."

"In the end, we still knew too little and were too eager."

If Xu Mingyuan were given three to five years to plan, this scheme might succeed.

Not long after returning to the inn, Xu Mingwei went to his room, and the commotion in the market could not be kept from him.

"Big brother."

"This route is convenient, but there are too many variables, so you don't need to worry about it too much."

"Brother, do you think I would be resentful?" Xu Mingyuan smiled and said, "Although the attempt to sow discord failed, it can be seen from the actions of both families that they prioritize stability."

The Wei family must be resentful at being forced into this situation by the Feng family.

However, without the alchemy master, their industry will definitely be affected. They will not be able to compete with the Feng family, and the Wei family, which is in a weaker position, will still be our partner.

Of course, the premise was that they were unaware of what we were doing in secret.

Besides, the Feng family and the Ge family are also acceptable.

Xu Mingwei looked into Xu Mingyuan's eyes and asked, "So, which organization do you plan to contact first?"

Xu Mingyuan nodded, "Let's proceed steadily, starting with the Ge family. Their foundation and strength are truly formidable, and they certainly harbor ambitions to rival the Wei and Feng families."

“It’s a good choice,” Xu Mingwei said with a faint smile. “We’ll do as you say, but if any risks arise, we’ll leave Guangling County immediately.”

“I understand,” Xu Mingyuan said.

The next day.

Xu Mingyuan and the others then went to the three branches of the Ge family again.

Main hall.

Only Ge Yanhua and Ge Xuanhong were present this time, while Ge Yanfeng was out on business.

"I heard that you gentlemen have asked the Ge family for help?" Ge Yanhua said casually, but inwardly he wondered if it was about repaying the debt of saving his life last time.

"Don't worry, Patriarch Ge. The favor of saving my life last time was nothing more than a small favor. My Xu family never really wanted to repay it, so you don't need to take it to heart."

Xu Mingyuan seemed to see through his thoughts, "You've been summoned here because you heard that the Wei family is recruiting alchemists with outstanding alchemy skills?"

"That's right. Would you like to recommend someone?"

Ge Yanhua breathed a sigh of relief.

"No, it's because I want to see if we can do some pill trading with the Wei family."

"Pill trading?" Ge Yanhua fell silent upon hearing this, and after a while said, "The Wei family has produced two alchemy masters. It's unlikely that we would trade pills with them."

"How will we know if we don't try?" Xu Mingyuan said. "Of course, if the Ge family is willing to trade with us, that's fine, but I'm afraid the news will leak out and the Wei family will be wary of your Ge family."

Xu Mingyuan used a strategy of retreat as a means of advancement.

Ge Yanhua pondered, stroking his short beard, and said, "My Ge family is not far from the Foundation Establishment families, and we have long been feared. Otherwise, how could that incident have happened last time?"

You need not worry about this matter, but what kind of pills can your Xu family offer in exchange?
If there are only one or two bottles in total, then you should sell them in the market.

Moreover, my Ge family also has alchemists, and we are not lacking in low-grade pills.

Xu Mingyuan smiled faintly, "I have all the common pills: Detoxification Pill, Jade Dew Pill, Qi-Nourishing Pill, Qi-Returning Pill, Qi-Gathering Pill, and Yuan-Returning Pill, and they are all of medium to high quality."

In addition, there are also pills that break through barriers, but these are much more precious.

"You even have high-grade Breakthrough Pills?"

Xu Mingyuan smiled faintly, took out a porcelain bottle from his storage bag, and casually waved it to Ge Yanhua.

Upon opening the bottle, he found three round and plump pills inside.

It is indeed a top-grade barrier-breaking pill.

Among first-tier pills, those for breaking through bottlenecks are among the most difficult to refine, far more difficult than Qi Gathering Pills.

Of course, those rare first-tier rare pills don't count.

Ge Yanhua was greatly surprised. After putting the stopper back on, he returned the porcelain bottle.

"The alchemy master of your Xu family is indeed quite skilled in alchemy. He produced three high-grade Breakthrough Pills in one go. I heard that he was the same alchemy master from the Wei family who only occasionally produced a few batches of Breakthrough Pills containing high-grade ones."

Rumor has it that alchemists capable of refining high-grade Breakthrough Pills are already able to refine second-tier pills.

He gave the Xu family members a deep look and said, "No wonder my nephew dared to propose a deal with the Wei family. Your Xu family has a bright future ahead of you."

After a pause, Ge Yanhua said, "I'll take these three Breakthrough Pills."

High-grade Breakthrough Pills are extremely rare and can help those who are at the peak of Qi Refining to break through their bottleneck, thus reducing the chances of several years of arduous cultivation.

Of course, many cultivators are stuck at their bottlenecks for more than a few years.

There are those who have not made any breakthroughs in decades, or even since.

“Equivalent spirit stones, spirit herbs, monster materials, ores, secret techniques, high-grade spells, and even monster eggs and monster cubs can all be traded.”

Ge Yanhua's eyes lit up. In terms of spirit stones alone, the Ge family might not have too many, and some reserves still needed to be used to activate the grand formation.

However, upon closer reflection, he realized the truth.

The Xu family is a newly established family of cultivators, with a shallow foundation. If it weren't for the fortunate emergence of a master alchemist, they probably wouldn't have been able to become a family of cultivators at all.

Even if it can be accomplished, it will require hundreds of years of planning and accumulation.

Moreover, the situation in Yuehu County is different from that in Guangling County. It is not very friendly to newly established cultivation families. Without strong allies to support them, they may be completely wiped out.

"No problem, how about thirty spirit stones per stone?"

Before Xu Mingyuan set off, Xu Chuan also told him about the general value of these pills.

However, there will be differences between different prefectures and cities.

A top-grade Breakthrough Pill would cost about twenty-four spirit stones in a top-ranking prefecture like Tongshan County, but in Guangling County, very few people could refine it, and even fewer made their way into the market.

Therefore, it's not surprising that each one costs thirty spirit stones.

“This pill is precious, but my third brother often says that Brother Xuan Hong has taken good care of it in the army, so let’s go with the price of thirty spirit stones.”

Ge Yanhua smiled slightly and sent someone to fetch some monster materials, some ores, and some spiritual herbs to complete the transaction.

“Nephew, you even have a high-grade Breakthrough Pill, so you must have a high-grade Qi Gathering Pill as well.”

"Yes, there are some, but very few. After all, there are also late-stage Qi Refining cultivators in the clan who need high-grade Qi Gathering Pills to improve their cultivation."

The younger generation possesses mostly mid-grade pills.

“I will take whatever quantity there is. As for whether to formally establish stable trade with the Xu family, I need to discuss it with the other heads of the Ge family before making a decision.”

"Of course." Xu Mingyuan hadn't expected it to work out in one go. If the Ge family were truly so heartless, they probably wouldn't have survived until now.

After that, Xu Mingyuan took out six high-grade Qi Gathering Pills to trade with the Ge family.

Ge Yanhua also examined it, and its quality was even better than the top-grade Qi Gathering Pills he had seen before.

(End of this chapter)