Building a long-lasting family lineage starting with genealogy

Chapter 178 Thriving, None Like Mine
Xu Mingyuan glanced at it and said with a faint smile, "The Ge family is making a big move, but do they only want to do a one-off deal with my Xu family?"

"No, it's just that the situation in Guangling County has been somewhat turbulent recently. The patriarch has discussed with the other patriarchs about reducing the number of transactions to avoid being targeted."

Surely your Xu family wouldn't want to provoke other prominent families in Guangling County because of this, would you?

The eldest elder of the Ge family stared into Xu Mingyuan's eyes and said again, "Moreover, it is quite a heavy burden for our Ge family to take out so many resources at once. If something goes wrong, the losses will be extremely heavy."

Xu Mingyuan nodded, his gaze falling once again on the transaction list.

Medium to high grade detoxification pills, healing pills, high grade barrier-breaking pills, medium to high grade refinement pills, and medium to high grade restoration pills.

In terms of traded resources, in addition to spiritual herbs, monster materials, and spiritual ores, there are also many spells and secret techniques.

"What are the techniques for the 'Soul Searching Technique' and the 'Bewitching Technique'?"

"If the difference in skill level between the two is not too great, the opponent can resist it. It can be successful when the opponent is severely injured and weakened, but it will have a certain impact on their soul. Only if the difference in skill level is large enough will it not cause too much damage."

For example, a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator can use it on an early-stage Qi Refining cultivator or a mortal, or a Foundation Establishment cultivator can use it on a Qi Refining cultivator.

The "Bewitching Spell" has similar requirements, but is even more stringent. A significant difference in cultivation level is necessary for a high success rate. Anyone affected by this spell will be able to answer all questions, and even when fully conscious, they will have no memory of these events.

Xu Mingyuan nodded slightly, thinking to himself: It's quite useful.

In addition, there are several other extremely valuable secret techniques, such as the fire-attribute foundation-building techniques "Burning Heaven Technique" and "Burning Blood Technique".

"It seems that the Ge family really values ​​this transaction, and even if it succeeds, they may not do it again for at least several years or even more than ten years."

This has been going on year after year, and even Foundation Establishment families can't keep up.

Without any magical artifacts, it seems the Ge family is on high alert. The Wei and Feng families may not cause too much trouble, but conflicts among the powerful families under their command will intensify.

What a clever scheme, shifting the conflict to the Qi Cultivation family in the opposing camp.

It's estimated that Wei Feng also provided quite a few good things.

Thinking of this, Xu Mingyuan thought to himself, "It seems that the instigation back then was ultimately effective. If it weren't for the current situation, the Ge family wouldn't have had to spend so many resources to quickly improve their own strength."

He began to estimate the price of these resources and elixirs.

These techniques are what remain uncertain.

These were all extremely valuable to the Xu family, and Xu Mingyuan did not want to haggle over them, so he set a high price for these techniques.

The eldest elder of the Ge family nodded in satisfaction, thinking to himself, "As expected, newly established cultivation families all value these Daoist texts. The Xu family is quite generous, charging more than 20% more than the market price."

After pondering for a moment, Xu Mingyuan smiled and said, "Given the Ge family's generous gesture this time, my Xu family will trade three high-grade Divine Sense Pills with the Ge family to show our friendship and hope that the Ge family will grow stronger day by day."

"Divine Sense Pill?" Elder Ge asked doubtfully. "I have never heard of this pill before. What is its function and what is its value?"

"One hundred spirit stones per piece, no bargaining."

Upon hearing this, the eldest elder of the Ge family nearly spat out his tea, his eyes widening as he exclaimed, "One hundred spirit stones per stone? Does the Xu family think the Ge family is a sucker?"

"Fellow Daoist Ge, please be patient. After you hear this, you will understand why this pill is worth one hundred spirit stones."

"Then please, Fellow Daoist Xu, give us a proper explanation!"

"I roughly estimated from the previous transaction list that it was worth more than the value of the pills, so the Xu family was willing to offer the Divine Sense Pill. This pill is not something that can be traded with just anyone."

Each person can only take three pills in their lifetime, which can greatly enhance a cultivator's spiritual power and also have an effect on achieving the perfection of Qi cultivation.

Even a low-grade pill requires fifty spirit stones.

Superior-grade pills are even more precious.

After all, this is a second-tier pill, and its refining difficulty is much greater than that of the True Essence Pill.

"True Essence Pill, Fellow Daoist Ge should know about it, right?"

"It can enhance divine sense? There's actually such a pill?!" The eldest elder of the Ge family was still somewhat suspicious.

"Fellow Daoist need not doubt this. My Xu family is honest and fair in our transactions. If the effects are not satisfactory, we are willing to compensate you with double the equivalent amount of spirit stones or resources."

Xu Mingyuan smiled and said, "Of course, if the Ge family is unwilling, my Xu family can add a few more bottles of high-grade Breakthrough Pills or Qi Gathering Pills."

However, it might not be so easy to trade for a high-grade Divine Sense Pill next time, unless I offer resources that would tempt my Xu family.

The eldest elder of the Ge family is at the ninth level of Qi Refining, so his vision is naturally extraordinary.

If what Xu Mingyuan said is true, then the value of this Divine Sense Pill far exceeds that of Qi Gathering Pills of equal value, enough to create a genius surpassing others of the same level.

And the Ge family is indeed lacking a true genius!

"Alright, let's trade for a top-grade Divine Sense Pill." The eldest elder of the Ge family made a decisive decision.

Xu Mingyuan's move was also intended to deepen their relationship. He was optimistic about the future of the Ge family, believing it would at least become a Foundation Establishment family.

"There are many pills needed, and my Xu family will need some time to prepare them. I will send Fellow Daoist Ge to stay at the foot of the mountain temporarily. Once the pills are ready, I will send them to you."

"Alright, please hurry. I must return to Guangling County within half a month at the latest."

After careful consideration, the eldest elder of the Ge family set a deadline.

"The Xu family will do its best." Xu Mingyuan clasped his hands in a fist salute and smiled calmly.

After settling the eldest elder of the Ge family, Xu Mingyuan went to find Xu Chuan, since Xu Chuan was currently the only one in the Xu family who could refine these pills.

"Half a month? Then I'll give it to them when the deadline arrives." Xu Chuan said calmly, "Half will be taken from the clan's inventory, and I'll refine the other half for them."

"Yes, father."

"However, it's quite generous of you to give away three top-grade Divine Sense Pills."

"I believe the Ge family has the potential to become a Foundation Establishment family, and they are not the kind of domineering and ungrateful family. Otherwise, I would never dare to do so."

"Forget it, we'll just refine more if we run out. The spiritual herbs the Ge family gave us this time, plus the reserves of my Xu family, should be enough to make two more formulas for the Advancement God Pill."

"Then I shall take my leave."

Xu Mingyuan left to continue handling affairs, and when he had nothing to do, he focused on cultivation.

Once the half-month deadline was up, the pills were handed over to the Ge family's Grand Elder.

The eldest elder of the Ge family also allowed the Xu family to inspect the transaction resources prepared by the Ge family.

Afterwards, both parties nodded in satisfaction.

"Fellow Daoist Xu, I will not linger at your Xu family any longer. Farewell."

"I'll see you out, fellow Daoist."

With Xu Mingyuan leading the way, the two flew directly out of the mist formation.

"Farewell!"

After speaking, the eldest elder of the Ge family transformed into a streak of light and instantly soared into the distant horizon.

The Xu family obtained the "Soul Searching Technique" and the "Bewitching Technique," and Xu Chuan, Xu Mingwei, and the others began to practice these secret arts again.

High-grade spells are sufficient for combat, but these kinds of secret techniques are always better the more you have.

Two months have passed in the blink of an eye.

The Xu family business was thriving, and even many independent cultivators came to Yuehu County after hearing about it.

See if you can trade for mid- to high-grade pills or magical artifacts.

Some independent cultivators even felt that the Xu family had great potential and wanted to join them.

The Xu family naturally made careful selections, inviting two mid-stage Qi Refining cultivators and one late-stage Qi Refining cultivator.

A Qi Refining stage cultivator named Lu Feng possessed some talisman-making skills and could reliably draw low-grade talismans, enough to teach the Xu family's disciples.

Another one is named Luo Qianshan, who is in the mid-stage of Qi Refining and knows some array formations. He can help Xu Mingxian a little.

The last one is Wu Zhen, who is at the eighth level of Qi Refining.

He wanted to settle down and felt that the Xu family might have more potential than the Zhou family, which is why he joined.

Of course, all three had been tested for character. Those who were unsuitable were eliminated immediately.

The one at the eighth level of Qi Refining joined the Battle Hall, while the other two naturally joined the Immortal Arts Hall.

Aside from receiving a free bottle of cultivation resources upon joining, all other rewards require personal contributions.

Of course, the resources within the Xu family are mostly high-grade pills.

That's enough to make them envious.

Therefore, they all worked sincerely for the Xu family.

The Xu family's reputation gradually spread to the neighboring county towns and became known to many cultivation families.

In their eyes, only the Zhou family in Yuehu County were worthy of respect, and now another promising cultivation family has emerged.

Or perhaps they are a newly established family of cultivators.

Of course, many prominent families also looked down on the Xu family's business practices.

The Yun family, a prominent family in Yunshan County who had previously made a deal with the Xu family, finally sent someone to trade with the Xu family after hearing about the Xu family's reputation in Yuehu County.

However, unlike the Ge family, their first transaction was less than one-tenth of the Ge family's.

Of course, the Xu family wouldn't turn them away.

All who come to our door are guests.

Doing business is inherently a long-term endeavor.

Seeing that the Xu family could actually produce these high-grade pills, the Yun family's doubts were dispelled, and they began to plan how to trade with the Xu family more often in the future.

Xu Mingyuan could guess a thing or two, but he didn't care.

As long as the Yun family needs these medicinal resources, they will inevitably trade with the Xu family time and time again.

Regardless of the circumstances, the Xu family made a fortune.

Xu Mingshu also used these resources to re-cultivate a batch of red spot worms, but the number was not large, only a few thousand. The focus was on cultivating the strength of individual red spot worms.

Only when some strong individual red spot worms appear can the red spot worm swarm not be easily defeated.

With the "True Scripture of Spirit Control", he finally knew how to cultivate spirit insects and even spirit beasts. It also recorded many mysterious and restrictive methods, far surpassing half of the "Scripture of Insect Control".

However, there are very few records of the cultivation of ancient strange insects, and there is no cultivation method for the Iron-Eating Flying Ant, which makes him feel quite helpless.

Therefore, the only option is to diligently feed them spirit iron and spirit ore, nurture them to adulthood first, and then consider increasing their numbers.

Xu Mingshu also informed Xu Chuan about this matter.

“This ‘True Scripture of Spirit Control’ should be one of the important inheritances of a certain beast-taming family in the Great Liang.” Xu Chuan pondered for a moment, then looked at Xu Mingshu and said, “The secret techniques on it can be practiced, but do not flaunt them.”

"Families with this lineage are definitely among the top in strength among Foundation Establishment families; they are either second-grade or first-grade families."

"I understand, daughter," Xu Mingshu said, nodding her head.

"By the way, has the tigress given birth?"

"It seems to be soon, probably in the next few days."

"It's been quite a while, far exceeding the normal gestation period for a female tiger. It seems she can give birth to one or two demon beasts directly. We should raise them well. We can also consider expanding the Azure Fire Eagle's population."

"With the current resources of my Xu family, nurturing them is no problem at all."

"Yes, father."

Three days later.

The tigress gave birth to quadruplets, two males and two females. One of the males and one of the females were demonic beasts, but their fur was quite peculiar.

One of them, with black and white stripes all over its body, is a female tiger.

The other tiger was completely black, except for the character "王" (king) which was light gold.

The rest were all female tigers with yellow and black stripes, but they were not ordinary wild animals and could be considered a different species.

The mother tiger received nourishment from the miraculous medicine and elixir, which greatly increased her wisdom, making her a different species.

"Xiaobai, what are you standing there for?" Xu Mingshu patted Xiaobai's body.

Ugh~ (None of them look like me.)
Xu Mingshu was taken aback for a moment. "It really is true. White hair is so cute. It's a pity that none of your descendants inherited it. But black hair seems to look more mysterious and noble."

The white tiger tilted its head, its golden eyes fixed on the four little ones who were curled up in a ball.

Is it really my child?
In just two or three days, the two little creatures, who were born as demonic beasts, opened their eyes.

Both inherited the white tiger's golden eyes.

As for the other two little ones, they will be about seven or eight days away.

Many members of the Xu family came to watch, marveling at the sight.

"Auntie, look at these two little ones, they wobble as they walk and keep falling down, they're so cute! Do they have names?"

"Not yet. I call them the eldest, second eldest, third eldest, and fourth eldest." Xu Mingshu said, "Black Tiger is the eldest, Black and White Striped Tiger is the second eldest, this is the third eldest, and that is the fourth eldest."

"Boss, come here."

Upon hearing Xu Mingshu's voice, Black Tiger turned his head and glanced at her, then actually swayed and walked over.

I also fell twice during that time.

Xu Mingxuan teased, "Second brother, doesn't this look like a mother teaching her child to walk?"

Xu Mingyuan also said with a playful tone, "It's similar, after all, our Mingshu can only use all her maternal love on them."

Xu Mingshu ignored him completely, and when Black Tiger got close, she hugged him tightly.

Black Tiger did not resist, letting himself be gently stroked, his golden eyes scanning the people around him as if recognizing them.

Xu Deling walked over and picked up the black and white striped tiger, but it kept struggling and couldn't break free.

Hearing it call out, Xu Mingshu smiled slightly and went over to soothe it, saying, "Second brother, we're all family here. Don't make a fuss, just like your brother."

"It's so quiet now, Auntie, you're amazing." Seeing the black and white tiger quiet down, Xu Deling also began to gently stroke its fur, just like Xu Mingshu.

"By the way, Ling'er, I heard that your sister-in-law has finally arranged your second brother's marriage? Whose daughter is she?"

“The second branch of the Chang family’s patriarchal lineage,” Xu Deling replied. “My second brother even took me to see her. She’s a beautiful young lady from a prominent family, and she also knows some martial arts, roughly at the level of a third-rate martial artist.”

"Why isn't it from the direct line?"

"Those who are of suitable age are already married. One of them is Ling'er's cousin, Yang Ruifeng. They do have a younger child, but he is only five or six years old."

Xu Mingyuan was extremely familiar with the situation of the vassal families, the Chang and Yang families, and so on.

"Just as my second uncle said, my mother doesn't care about whether the child is legitimate or illegitimate; as long as it's suitable, that's fine. My father agrees, and my second brother also thinks it's alright."

Xu Mingshu nodded and said no more, then looked at Xu Mingxuan and Xu Mingyuan: "What brings you two here today?"

Xu Mingxuan said, "Xiaobai is also a member of the family, so naturally I have to come and see his descendants."

Xu Mingyuan nodded in agreement.

His gaze lingered on the two little ones.

"Hmph, don't think I can't see through you. You're trying to take advantage of the eldest and second eldest brothers? Don't even think about it!"

Xu Mingshu immediately protected her son.

At this moment, Xu Mingwei also descended from the sky and said, "Ming Shu, does Xiao Bai have any offspring suitable for your older brother to have?"

When everyone heard this, they burst into laughter.

(End of this chapter)