Building a long-lasting family lineage starting with genealogy

Chapter 169 The Seventh Young Master of the Ge Family, Turbulent Times Abound
Qi-gathering pills are relatively common, and their prices are quite normal.

A bottle of high-grade Qi Gathering Pills costs about seventy spirit stones, and six pills make up half a bottle, which is thirty-five spirit stones.

However, this only represents the quantity produced by Xu Chuan in one batch of pills.

Not counting the reward for refining the pills, the Xu family made a net profit of more than thirty spirit stones from this transaction.

The Ge family was very satisfied with obtaining six high-grade Qi Gathering Pills, while Xu Mingyuan was even more satisfied.

Of their group, only he and Xu Mingwei had a general idea of ​​the profits involved; Xu Mingxuan and Xu Mingshu were not very clear about it either.

Among the Xu family members, one person was particularly happy: Xu Deling.

This time, I acquired a lot of refining materials from the Ge family. I had previously studied long boots and whisks, and had gained some insights. I plan to try refining them.

He then sent a telepathic message to Xu Mingyuan.

Xu Mingyuan immediately suggested that he wanted to borrow the Ge family's weapon-refining room.

Ge Yanhua was not surprised, as each Qi cultivation family would train its own alchemists, weapon refiners, formation masters, and talisman makers.

However, very few people can truly bring benefits to the family.

After all, learning immortal arts requires a certain amount of talent.

"In that case, you gentlemen might as well stay at my Ge family's place for now. As for the transaction with the Xu family, I also need time to communicate with the other branches. I hope my nephew doesn't mind."

Ge Yanhua had already realized that Xu Mingyuan was the leader of the Xu family.

"Of course, then we will await your good news, senior."

"Xuan Hong, you are in charge of taking care of them. Look after them well and do not neglect them," Ge Yanhua instructed.

Ge Xuanhong patted his chest and laughed, "Mingxuan and I are close friends, so naturally I will not neglect his people."

Ge Yanhua nodded and then left the hall.

"Mingxuan, gentlemen, come with me."

On the way, Ge Xuanhong asked, "By the way, I still don't know how to address your clansmen, Mingxuan."

Xu Mingxuan seemed hesitant, but then he heard Xu Mingyuan's voice in his mind saying that there was no problem. He then smiled and said, "I was confused. This is my eldest brother, Xu Mingwei. This is my second brother, Xu Mingyuan. This is my fourth sister, Xu Mingshu."

Both young men are my eldest brother's sons.

"They're all my own brothers, nephews and nieces?" Ge Xuanhong asked in surprise.

Xu Mingxuan nodded slightly.

"I thought it was just a relationship between ordinary clansmen. I'm so sorry," Ge Xuanhong immediately apologized with a smile.

Xu Mingwei smiled faintly and said, "You took good care of Mingxuan back then, and my Xu family is grateful. There are three Grandmaster pills in this porcelain bottle. They are quite effective. Since Brother Xuanhong is pursuing the path of martial arts, please accept them."

"How can this be? It was Mingxuan who saved my life back then."

Xu Mingxuan smiled and handed the porcelain bottle to Ge Xuanhong. "Brother Ge, why are you being so polite with me? Don't forget what your father just traded with us."

Even a top-grade Breakthrough Pill can be produced by my Xu family, let alone martial arts pills.

However, this Grandmaster Martial Elixir was developed by my Xu family's alchemy master himself, making it unique to the Xu family. I don't know how its efficacy compares to your Ge family's; please don't be offended."

"How could I?" Ge Xuanhong couldn't refuse any longer, so he immediately put it away, clasped his hands in thanks, and said, "Thank you very much, Brother Mingwei."

Xu Mingwei nodded slightly.

Ge Xuanhong also sized up the group, noting that each member of the Xu family had their own unique characteristics.

Xu Mingwei is calm but taciturn, Xu Mingyuan is good at socializing, and Xu Mingxuan is much more composed, but his former personality is still faintly visible.

Xu Mingshu, on the other hand, is lively and her attire gives people a heroic and dashing feeling, which is refreshing.

The two younger members were both quite young, full of vigor and confidence, and were likely promising young talents being groomed by the Xu family.

Therefore, he made a judgment in his mind: although the Xu family is young, they have a bright future.

After Ge Xuanhong settled the Xu family members, Xu Mingyuan accompanied Xu Deling to the Ge family's weapon-refining room.

“My three lineages do not have any outstanding weapon refiners, so I simply built a room for my three lineage disciples to practice weapon refining,” Ge Xuanhong said as he walked.

"Uncle Ge, I have a feeling that the different branches of your Ge family are all independent of each other and don't interact much?"

"My little niece is so clever."

Ge Xuanhong smiled and said, "More than a hundred years ago, the four branches of my Ge family developed independently and were responsible for their own profits and losses. We only communicated with each other when there was a major clan competition or some events that had a significant impact on the Ge family."

"We're clearly one family, but we feel like we're from four different families."

"And what about your Xu family?"

"My Xu family is naturally loving and united," Xu Deling said with a smile, her cheeks showing two dimples and small tiger teeth, making her very endearing.

Xu Mingyuan explained, "My Xu family is not large. If it had gone through a hundred or two hundred years of ups and downs like the Ge family, I don't know what it would have become."

Ge Xuanhong nodded and said, "Yes, as the family develops generation after generation, how could it always follow the founder's ideas?"

Moreover, different times and different events can cause families to experience rise and fall, forcing them to seek better paths.

Soon.

Upon arriving at the weapon-refining room, Xu Deling entered.

Ge Xuanhong arranged for a servant to wait outside so that the servant could lead the way when he came out, while he and Xu Mingyuan returned to their residence.

Xu Deling borrowed the weapon-refining room and used it for two or three days.

Using monster hide as the main material and adding some other auxiliary materials, she crafted a pair of Wind and Fire Boots.

The wind fanned the flames, making the fire burst at a speed 70-80% faster than the Windwalker Boots obtained from Master Qinghe, almost approaching the speed of some mid-grade magic boots.

"Not bad. Big brother already has Windwalker Boots, so let's give them to Father."

Xu Deling muttered a few words, then with a flick of her slender hand, she put it into her storage bag, and immediately opened the restriction and walked out.

“Miss Xu, you’re finally out. Lord Xuan Hong sent people to ask about you several times.”

Xu Deling seemed a little embarrassed, "This weapon forging process is taking longer than I expected. Please lead the way."

"Miss Xu, you're too kind. It's just what I should do."

The servant immediately led Xu Deling to the guest room.

However, they encountered a young man on the way, who was heading towards the weapon-refining room.

"Seventh Young Master." Upon seeing the person approaching, the servant immediately stopped and bowed to him.

Xu Deling glanced at him. The young man was about twenty years old. His white silk robe swayed gently in the wind, and the jade dragon-patterned belt hook at his waist reflected the sunlight. The mutton-fat jade hanging from it tapped lightly with his steps.

When the wide sleeves fall, they resemble flowing clouds, making her overall demeanor as elegant as a piece of jade from Kunshan.

However, she only glanced at it before leaving with the servant.

"Wait a minute."

"What are your orders, Seventh Young Master?" The servant nodded and lowered his head.

"Who is this woman? I've never seen her before."

"Reporting to Seventh Young Master, this is Miss Xu, a member of the clan of a friend of Lord Xuan Hong. She happens to be a guest in the clan these days."

The Seventh Young Master looked Xu Deling up and down with curiosity, but he didn't make a scene. Instead, he nodded and said, "Go down."

After they left, the Seventh Young Master turned around and looked at that red figure, his eyes seeming to gleam with a strange light.

Xu Deling asked curiously, "Who was that person just now?"

"He is the eldest son of the family head, the son of Lord Xuantao's third wife, and the seventh among his subordinates. Therefore, we servants all call him the Seventh Young Master."

"I see. Judging from his extraordinary appearance, he seems to be a cultivator as well."

The servant nodded and said, "I don't know about that, but among Lord Xuantao's dozen or so sons, the Seventh Young Master is the most outstanding, with exceptional demeanor."

Xu Deling nodded, and the two continued forward, soon arriving at the guest room.

After bowing respectfully, the servants left.

"It took three days of practice. Little Ling'er seems to have gained a lot this time," Xu Mingshu said with a smile.

"Auntie really understands me." Xu Deling grinned, her dimples reappearing on her face.

With a wave of her hand, a pair of white boots with black soles and red patterns flew out of her storage bag.

"Magic boots." Xu Mingshu said in surprise, "Little Ling'er, you really made magic boots. You've only been researching them for a few days, haven't you?"

"Actually, Ling'er has been researching various low-grade magic artifacts in the clan. However, magic boots and magic robes are relatively rare, and the clan does not have them. Now that we have reference objects, the refining process is much simpler."

Furthermore, Ling'er made some improvements, enabling it not only to utilize the wind but also the power of fire. The wind, fueled by the fire, made it seventy to eighty percent faster than the Wind-Walking Boots.

Upon hearing this, everyone's eyes lit up.

"So, little Ling'er, who do you plan to give her to?" Xu Mingshu put her arm around her shoulder and smiled, "How has your aunt treated you?"

“Auntie is very good to Ling’er, so Ling’er plans to give these Wind and Fire Boots to Father.”

"Shouldn't it be given to your aunt?" Xu Mingshu said in surprise, "Little Ling'er, you've become naughty, you're even trying to deceive your aunt."

"Auntie, these are clearly men's boots, don't you mind?"

"I almost forgot, then let's give it to the eldest brother. Little Ling'er, remember to make an even better one for your aunt."

"Leave it to Ling'er," Xu Deling assured, patting his chest.

Xu Mingxuan said, "Fourth Sister, you've said everything, I have nothing left to say. Little Ling'er, your Third Uncle has also reserved a pair."

"No problem, Third Uncle."

"Why do I suddenly feel like my Windwalker Boots aren't so appealing anymore?" Xu Dezhao said dejectedly.

"Stop fooling around, everyone." Xu Mingwei shook his head and chuckled, then patted Xu Deling's head. "Ling'er, your father appreciates your kindness."

However, given Father's speed, only high-grade magic boots would be of any help to him, so these Wind and Fire Boots are for your second uncle.

"For me?" Xu Mingyuan asked, stunned.

"Who told you to be the weakest here?" Xu Mingwei said calmly.

Xu Mingyuan was speechless. "Then thank you very much, Ling'er."

"Yu Chen, what brings you to my Third Uncle's place today?"

Ge Xuanhong looked at the elegant young man before him with surprise in his eyes.

He lacked the talent for cultivating immortality and instead pursued the path of martial arts, while Ge Yuchen was the most talented among his elder brother Ge Xuantao's sons.

He is also one of only two cultivators of true spiritual root among the three generations of the Jade lineage.

The martial arts path has always been looked down upon by the immortal path. Even the junior cultivators in the clan with pseudo-spiritual root aptitude rarely visit him, let alone this immortal cultivation genius in the clan.

“Third Uncle is my elder, so it is only natural for Yu Chen to visit you.” Ge Xuanhong stroked his chin, feeling quite pleased to hear this.

However, he also understood that no one would come to the temple without a reason, so he smiled and said, "Just say what you need. You are the family's genius. If there is anything your third uncle can do to help you, he will naturally do so."

"Then I'll speak frankly. Today, Yu Chen saw a woman in red near the weapon-refining room. I heard she's a member of the clan of a friend of Third Uncle's, and I'd like to ask Third Uncle to help introduce us."

"Near the weapon-refining room?" Ge Xuanhong pondered for a moment and then said, "The person you met is Xu Deling, the daughter of the Xu family in Yuehu County, and also the niece of my friend. Her father is also temporarily staying at our residence."

"A family of cultivators from the neighboring Moon Lake County?"

"That's right, they're a newly established family of cultivators."

"I've heard that no new cultivation families have been born in Yuehu County for over a hundred years. This Xu family is no ordinary family; they managed to stand out from such a chaotic situation."

"You've taken a fancy to that girl?" Ge Xuanhong asked with a smile.

"She was quite a sight to behold at first glance. By the way, Third Uncle, Xu Deling appeared near the weapon-refining room. Could she also be a weapon refiner?"

"I'm not sure, maybe not even that yet, I'm just studying weapon crafting," Ge Xuanhong said calmly.

"That's true. She looks a few years younger than me. If she becomes a weapon refiner, then all the years of my learning will have been for nothing."

"Yu Chen, keep up the good work. You are a rare cultivation genius in our lineage, and you also have some talent in weapon crafting. If you can become a weapon crafting master in the future, our three lineages may be able to surpass the main lineage in status."

Even the family itself has a chance to be promoted to a Foundation Establishment family.

Ge Yuchen nodded and smiled faintly, "Yuchen will not let down Third Uncle, Father, Grandfather, or the family."

He paused, then added, "What about Xu Deling?"

"Your third uncle will try to subtly inquire later. If the girl is already engaged, then you should give up."

"Thank you for your trouble, Uncle."

Ge Yuchen left immediately, and Ge Xuanhong also set off for Xu Mingxuan's room a moment later.

At this time, Xu Mingwei and the others returned to their respective rooms to meditate and cultivate themselves.

"Mingxuan, it's me."

"Brother Ge? Come in." Xu Mingxuan said calmly.

These guest rooms had no restrictions, and Ge Xuanhong entered after receiving permission.

"They're cultivating. It seems I've disturbed them."

"No, what brings you here, Brother Ge? Is there news from the Ge family head?"

"My father should reply in the next couple of days, so please be patient and wait a couple more days," Ge Xuanhong said.

Xu Mingxuan nodded upon hearing this.

"I heard that your niece Deling has emerged from seclusion."

"Brother Ge's information network is quite accurate."

"A servant came to report, and I rushed over as soon as I heard. She was resting in her room?"

"Yes, they must be meditating."

Ge Xuanhong nodded, then asked again, "By the way, I see that Dezhao and Deling are both getting on in years, but are they married yet?"

Ok?
Suspicion arose in Xu Mingxuan's heart. He inquired whether the Ge family wanted to form a marriage alliance with his Xu family.
Even families that have established their foundations rarely intermarry, as it doesn't offer much benefit to their own power, let alone families that cultivate qi.

After pondering for a moment, he smiled and said, "De Zhao is already married and has a child. As for Deling, she is not yet married, but she is not my daughter after all, and I have no say in her marriage."

Therefore, I'm not entirely sure whether my elder brother has promised her to someone else; I'll have to ask him.

"It's only natural for marriages to be arranged by parents and matchmakers." Ge Xuanhong nodded and said, "By the way, my elder brother has a son who is exceptionally talented and refined. He will be twenty next year and would be quite a good match for Deling."

"Your older brother's son?"

"That's right, he also has the aptitude for cultivation. His talent is outstanding, and he is almost one of the candidates for the future head of our three lineages."

"The future head of the family must have extraordinary talent."

“That’s right, she’s of marriageable age. I think Deling is quite good, and she’s your niece. If she’s not yet betrothed, it would be a perfect match, strengthening family ties. What do you think, Brother Xu?”

"I will get back to you, Brother Ge, after I have asked my elder brother about this."

Ge Xuanhong clasped his hands in a fist salute, nodded, and smiled, "Then I'll leave it to you."

He didn't stay long and left soon after.

Xu Mingxuan pondered for a moment, then went to Xu Mingwei's room and used his telepathy to summon the others.

Then, I told them what Ge Xuanhong had just mentioned.

Everyone else was puzzled, but Xu Deling suddenly remembered the otherworldly young man she had met not long ago and frowned, saying, "The seventh young master of the Ge family?"

"Ling'er, do you know her?" Xu Mingshu asked in surprise.

"I ran into him when I came over after finishing the weapon refining. I heard from the servants that he was the eldest son of the Ge family head, the seventh among his father's dozen or so children, and the son of the third wife."

"Third Madam, more than a dozen children, tsk tsk."

Hearing Xu Mingxuan click his tongue, Xu Mingshu glanced at him and said, "What's wrong, Third Brother? Are you envious?"

"Fourth Sister, don't talk nonsense."

"I know you wouldn't dare, otherwise I would have told Sister-in-law Wanqing when I got back!"

Xu Mingyuan smiled and said, "Fourth sister, don't make a fuss. Your cousin Bai Hui has already married nine wives. It's impossible for the descendants of my Xu family to really be monogamous."

However, we were all somewhat influenced by our father, and we were mostly busy with family matters or spiritual practice. Otherwise, in terms of expanding the family, it would have been a better choice to marry more wives and concubines and have more children.

Having more children means that the probability and number of cultivators born will increase.

If other powerful families were like us, they probably wouldn't have made it this far.

Upon hearing this, Xu Mingshu was speechless, unsure how to refute it.

"Second brother, you're just like Father; you always say things that are impossible to refute," Xu Mingshu sighed dejectedly.

"Brother, what about Ling'er's marriage?" Xu Mingxuan asked Xu Mingwei. "According to Brother Ge, Ge Yuchen should be one of the true spiritual roots of the Ge family's three branches in this generation. As long as he doesn't perish, he is very likely to become the future head of the three branches."

"Third brother, what do you think?"

"It's impossible for the Ge family to ask for our Xiao Ling'er's hand in marriage, so we can only make up the fact that she is already betrothed."

Xu Mingwei nodded slightly.

Xu Dezhao chuckled and said sarcastically, "Could it be that this is a tradition of my Xu family, where every generation has a woman who remains single?"

"Zhao'er, I think you're asking for trouble," Xu Mingshu said.

Xu Deling thought for a moment, but still didn't reveal his affair with Wu Shunan.

If she can persuade Wu Shunan and Wu Mingsheng, then Xu Chuan will make the decision for her, and Xu Mingwei will not say anything more. But if she can't, then she will probably just leave it to fate, like Xu Mingshu.

Given her talent, she only has two options: marry into another family or remain unmarried.

This is the maximum degree of freedom the Xu family can grant.

Xu Deling was also aware of this.

As a member of the Xu family, the family is the most important thing. All other personal feelings must give way to the interests of the family.

The next day.

When Xu Mingxuan met Ge Xuanhong, he told him about this matter.

He merely sighed slightly, feeling only regret, and said no more.

afternoon.

Xu Mingwei, Xu Mingyuan, and Xu Mingxuan were invited to the main hall by the Ge family servants.

Besides Ge Yanhua, there were three other elderly men of similar age, two of whom were at the peak of the ninth level of Qi Refining, and the other was at the mid-stage of the ninth level of Qi Refining.

There are very few cultivators in the Ge family who have reached the ninth level of Qi Refining, judging from the dignified demeanor of the three of them.

Xu Mingyuan and the others then guessed his identity.

He should be the head of the other three branches of the Ge family.

Immediately, Ge Yanhua introduced, "This is Ge Yansong, the head of the main branch of my Ge family; this is Ge Yanlin, the head of the second branch; and this is Ge Yanguang, the head of the fourth branch."

Xu Mingwei and the others bowed and greeted the seniors.

Ge Yansong glanced at Xu Mingwei and the others, and said indifferently, "Your family, a Qi Refining family, dares to trade with families from other prefectures. Your Xu family is quite bold. Aren't you afraid that someone will swallow up the traded goods?"

Xu Mingyuan said, "Senior Yansong, there is no need to worry about this matter. If we didn't have some confidence, how could my Xu family dare to do this? You gentlemen have come to us today, so you must have decided to give my Xu family an answer, right?"

"What if there isn't?" asked Ge Yanlin, the head of the second branch of the family.

"Having stayed at the Ge family for so many days, it's time for us to take our leave." Xu Mingyuan's reply was neither humble nor arrogant, and his gaze took in the expressions of the four heads of the Ge family.

Even a slight change in breathing or the opening and closing of skin pores cannot escape Xu Mingyuan's notice.

【Insightful observation】is not about being able to hear what others are thinking like telepathy, but rather about observing things with extreme subtlety, to the point of directly pointing to their essence.

This applies not only to people, but also to changes in the environment and other factors.

This was a change that Xu Mingyuan gradually discovered later, but the most important thing was judging people's hearts.

After all, he was the head of the Xu family's Discipline Hall, and also in charge of the Dark Division, overseeing many vassal families and various families in Dongxi.

Seeing Xu Mingyuan and the others' indifferent attitude towards the Ge family's deal, Ge Yansong frowned slightly and said, "If the deal with my Ge family fails, do you really intend to make a deal with the Wei family?"

"I understand what Senior Yan Song means. It's nothing more than trying to get something from a tiger, but whether it will succeed or not, we'll only know after we try, won't we?"

"What arrogance!" Ge Yanlin scoffed.

Xu Mingyuan disagreed and looked at Ge Yanhua, "It seems the Ge family is unwilling, then my Xu family will not force them."

"Nephew, please wait. It's not that I'm unwilling, but the situation has been too tense lately. The Wei family is furious for some reason and is not only investigating the family cultivators in our camp, but also the people on the Feng family's side."

The Feng family, however, simply let it be.

If we were to trade with other Qi Refining families in other prefectures right now, my Ge family might be in danger, and it would also drag your Xu family down with us.”

Xu Mingyuan and Xu Mingwei exchanged a glance and whispered, "It seems that Guangling County is not a place to stay for long. Although it is unlikely that the investigation will trace back to us, we should leave as soon as possible."

"I'll listen to you," Xu Mingwei replied.

"So that's how it is. What a pity," Xu Mingyuan sighed.

Ge Yanhua said, "Nephew, why don't we wait until things calm down, and then my Ge family will send someone to Yuehu County to trade with your Xu family? What do you say?"

"This poses a considerable risk to the Xu family. If the immortal cultivation families of Yuehu County were to discover this, they would suspect that the Xu family has ties with forces from other counties and intends to harm them."

Xu Mingyuan paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "Unless the Ge family is willing to offer a price 20% higher than the market price, then this transaction is still worthwhile."

(End of this chapter)