Building a long-lasting family lineage starting with genealogy

Chapter 179 First love is mostly bittersweet.
Monster mounts are highly sought after, especially the majestic demon tiger.

They had watched Xu Mingshu ride the white tiger since they were little, so it was impossible not to feel envious.

Now, the Xu family also has the inheritance of beast taming. As long as they learn the method of restriction, and since they have been raised by their own family since childhood, it is easy to tame them into their own spirit beasts.

"Big brother, even you are one of them!" Xu Mingshu said angrily.

"What's wrong with me?" Xu Mingwei touched his nose.

"Father, Second Uncle and Third Uncle are also eyeing Little White's offspring, but so far only the ones in my aunt's and my arms are born as demon beasts."

Xu Mingwei looked over and immediately took a liking to the little black tiger in Xu Mingshu's eyes.

"Ming Shu, this little one in your arms is quite nice, give him to me."

Xu Mingyuan objected, "Wait, big brother, we need to follow the rules of first come, first served."

"I'm the eldest brother, so naturally I'll choose first."

“In that case, I am the second brother, so the black and white striped tiger is mine.”

"you."

Xu Mingshu was so angry that she trembled with cold. After a moment, she let out a long breath and said, "Fine, you've gotten off easy. Come back after I've nurtured you for a few months."

I'll teach you spirit control techniques first.

"She truly is my understanding and righteous sister." Xu Mingwei laughed heartily.

"And me?" Xu Mingxuan pointed to himself.

Xu Mingyuan patted him on the shoulder and walked past him, "Give Xiaobai a push, tell him to work hard, maybe you can get on the waiting list next year too."

Or wait for the Azure Fire Eagles and the others.

"I think I'll wait for the Azure Fire Eagle; flying spirit beasts suit me better," Xu Mingxuan said with a smile.

Everyone burst into laughter.

A few moments.

Xu Mingshu then asked, "Second Brother, is Dejing about to give birth?"

"Yes, judging by the dates, it will be next month." Xu Mingyuan said with emotion, "In the blink of an eye, the next generation of our Xu family is gradually spreading and growing."

Xu Mingwei nodded slightly.

Xu Mingxuan said, "In two more years, it will be Rui'er, Heng'er, and Jun'er. Speaking of which, our Xu family is considered to be getting married quite late compared to other prominent families."

Regardless of gender, they must be at least eighteen years old.

“The rules set by my father naturally have their reasons,” Xu Mingwei said.

Listening to the elders' conversation, Xu Deling's thoughts drifted, and she silently thought to herself, "It's time to make a decision. The children of the Xu family should all forge ahead."

a few days later.

The back hill of the Xu family.

"De Ling, you were looking for me?"

"Brother Shun'an." Upon hearing this, Xu Deling turned around and looked directly into his eyes, saying, "Would you be willing to marry into my Xu family?"

"Marry into the family?" Wu Shunan frowned immediately.

“My Xu family will never allow me to marry out, even if your Wu family is currently under the Xu family’s control.”

"Did the head of the family say that?"

“I haven’t told my father and mother about our relationship yet. It was my grandfather’s condition that I could be with anyone and that he would not make me a pawn in a marriage alliance between powerful families.”

The only condition is that the other party can only marry into my Xu family.

Upon hearing this, Wu Shunan remained silent for a moment before stammering, "I am the only heir of the Wu family, Deling. Please let me think about this matter. Perhaps my grandfather can plead with the Grand Elder."

Xu Deling shook his head and said, "It's impossible. My grandfather's decisions will never be easily changed unless they concern the life and death of the Xu family."

"Let me think."

"Alright, three days from now, at this time and place, I'll await your reply."

Xu Deling did not mention that Xu Chuan had agreed that if the two married, one of their sons could be adopted to inherit the Wu family business.

If Wu Shunan truly loves her, he is willing to marry into the Xu family for her.

That would be a surprise for him.

If he was unwilling, Xu Deling planned to sever all ties of affection, devote himself to cultivation, and never think of anything else!
Wu Shunan felt troubled.

They returned to the Wu family home.

night.

When Wu Mingsheng returned and saw him like this, he couldn't help but ask, "What happened? You seem troubled."

"Grandfather," Wu Shunan stood up to greet him, and after a long silence, said, "De Ling told me that he wants me to marry into the Xu family."

Wu Mingsheng was slightly taken aback, then felt a pang of sadness. "De Ling is a clever and quick-witted girl, and I like her too. If the two of you could be together, Grandfather would naturally be happy."

However, Grandfather could also see that Deling's situation was not as simple as it seemed; she was extremely important to the Xu family, and it was only natural that she did not marry out.

"But grandfather, my Wu family is now considered to be dependent on the Xu family, and we are both in Dongxi. Is this not acceptable?"

"Other women in the Xu family might be able to, but Deling shouldn't be."

"Why?" Wu Shunan asked, puzzled.

"A few months ago, while browsing through the Daoist scriptures in the Daoist Library, I discovered the 'Breath Concealment Technique.' This technique can conceal one's cultivation level, and my grandfather suspected that most of the Xu family members had concealed their cultivation levels."

Not long ago, I observed that Deling's cultivation level seemed to have broken through to the fifth level of Qi Refining, but what if she had concealed three levels of her cultivation?

"Three levels?!" Wu Shunan exclaimed in surprise, "That's... the eighth level of Qi Refining!"

"De Ling is only eighteen."

“Yes, at eighteen years old, she is at the eighth level of Qi Refining. Even my grandfather had only heard of such a prodigy in the capital city.” Wu Mingsheng said, “Xu Deling is the foundation-building seed of the Xu family, a proud daughter of heaven, and a promising figure for the path to immortality.”

Even if a Foundation Establishment family were to propose marriage, she would not agree.

"It's just that the Xu family's way of doing things is very different from other aristocratic families. They don't value status, which is why you had the opportunity to be together."

"Then grandfather, what should I choose?" Wu Shunan's face showed some pain and struggle. "I really like Deling, but my grandson is the only bloodline of the Wu family."

If my grandson marries into the family, what will become of the Wu family after I pass away?

Wu Mingsheng sighed, "Grandfather will not force you. You can decide for yourself. If you choose to marry into the family, Grandfather will not blame you."

Grandfather will only live for another ten or twenty years at most. The rest of your life is yours to choose, and how you make those choices is entirely up to you.

"Didn't the Xu family promise to help Grandfather break through to the Foundation Establishment stage? Could it be..."

"Don't make wild guesses. If the Xu family were treacherous, why would my grandfather have pledged allegiance to them? But even if I have the true spiritual root aptitude, and even if the Xu family were willing to give me a thousand-year-old spiritual medicine to assist me, the chances would still be slim."

Otherwise, after the Su family, how could only the Zhou family patriarch have broken through to the Foundation Establishment stage in all these years?

While I dare not say whether all Qi Refining families possess thousand-year-old spiritual herbs, at least fifth-grade Qi Refining families certainly do.

After a pause, Wu Mingsheng continued, "The Xu family is willing to waste an opportunity to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage on me, which shows that the Xu family values ​​loyalty and friendship."

Shun'an, if you choose the Wu family, remember to pass down the ancestral precept: the Wu family must never betray the Xu family; their fortunes will be intertwined, for they will share both glory and ruin.

"Yes, grandfather."

"Think about De Ling's matter carefully yourself. Your grandfather will not interfere with your decision."

After saying this, Wu Mingsheng returned to his room.

Wu Shunan sat in the hall until dawn.

Three days later.

The back hill of the Xu family.

When Wu Shunan arrived at the back of the mountain, he saw Xu Deling standing on the hillside with his back to him, his eyes filled with deep affection.

Xu Deling did not turn around, feeling uneasy and not daring to look.

Suddenly, she felt a warm chest press against her back, and a pair of strong, powerful arms wrapped around her waist like vines, with calloused knuckles forming an unbreakable knot in front of her abdomen.

Wu Shunan rested his chin on Xu Deling's shoulder, his breath hot and metallic, and whispered, "Deling, let me hold you like this one last time."

After she finished speaking, Xu Deling felt a warm drop slide down the back of her neck and into her collar.

Xu Deling looked ahead, and the thousands of acres of fertile land belonging to the Xu family and the thousands of mansions in Dongxi came into view. Then she slowly closed her eyes.

Two lines of clear tears slid down from the corners of her eyes.

It buried her bitter first love.

Tens of breaths later.

Wu Shunan unfastened his handcuffs, took three or four steps back, and bowed to him, saying, "I'm sorry."

He looked down at the ground, not raising his head for a long time.

Xu Deling did not cry, but simply said, "I understand. I wish you, Brother Shun'an, a smooth life and many children and grandchildren."

After saying that, she leaped up, and a crimson longsword rang out, circled once, and landed steadily at her feet, heading towards the Hall of Immortal Arts.

Wu Shunan then looked up and saw that his eyes were bloodshot.

Looking at that beautiful figure, he knew he would never forget that girl in red, with a smile as radiant as the morning sun, innocent and romantic.

"Little sister Ling'er, may you soar to great heights and have a smooth path to immortality!"

His murmurs were so low that only he could hear them.

Xianyi Hall.

Xu Chuan's place of quiet meditation.

"Ling'er, why are you here?" Xu Chuan asked in surprise when he saw the two tear tracks on her face. "Why are you crying?"

"broke up?"

Xu Deling was taken aback. "Grandpa, what do you mean by breaking up?"

Xu Chuan smiled and said, "Two people who were in love with each other separated before getting married. After that, they went their separate ways and had no further connection."

Simply put, when you're in a good relationship, you want to hold hands all the time, and breaking up means the relationship has broken down.

“Break up.” Xu Deling said with a wry smile, “Grandpa, your analogy is really apt and easy to understand.”

Xu Chuan smiled faintly, "Come, sit next to Grandpa."

Xu Deling did as instructed, but she was feeling very down.

Xu Chuan gently stroked her head, "Cry, you can lean on Grandpa's shoulder for a while."

"It's nothing serious. Seven or eight out of ten first loves at seventeen or eighteen are bittersweet, and you're not the only one."

Xu Deling laughed and cried at the same time, "Grandpa, you are such a strange person. I have never heard of any noble family that would be willing for their daughter to associate with a single man before marriage."

It was as if this was the greatest disgrace!

But my Xu family is different; we are completely out of step with them.

But Ling'er loves the Xu family this way, and from now on, she will dedicate everything to its development.

Xu Chuan smiled and stroked her head, his eyes full of doting affection. "If Wu Shunan doesn't cherish her, then we'll find someone better."

"Ling'er doesn't want to think about these mundane things now. She only wants to focus on cultivation and study the art of weaponry."

"It's up to you."

Xu Chuan smiled and said, "He's still just a kid."

Saying you've let go, little do you know that you can't truly let go of what's in your heart.

However, this is also good.

Focus on your spiritual practice, and the Great Dao will be within your reach.

Xu Chuan spread his divine sense and saw Wu Shunan walking down the mountain in a daze.

"It seems that it's not that he dislikes it, but rather that he doesn't want to delay. Wu Mingsheng has seen the 'Breath Convergence Technique'."

He believed that Wu Mingsheng had guessed that some members of the Xu family had concealed their cultivation levels and would not reveal it.

The Xu family's current momentum of development is not easily stopped.

Until a certain point, all that accumulated knowledge and experience became a bridge for the Xu family to rise again.

Whether it was the Wu family, the vassal families like Li Chenbai, the followers like Chang Yang, or the rogue cultivators who joined the Xu family.

They are all in the same boat as the Xu family now. Their fates are intertwined; they rise and fall together!
Xu Chuan glanced at Xu Deling but didn't explain. Wu Shunan had already made his own choice, and even if Xu Deling knew, it would only cause her more trouble.

It's better to sever all ties completely and focus solely on spiritual practice, so that you can continuously improve your skills.

After a stick of incense.

Xu Deling stood up, wiped away her tears, and bowed to Xu Chuan, saying, "Grandpa, please don't tell my parents about this. I won't be thinking about relationships for a while."

Xu Chuan nodded, "Sure, if there's any trouble, just blame it on Grandpa."

"Thank you, Grandpa."

"How's it going with the design of the Xu family's standard robes, boots, flying swords, and the guards' uniforms and weapons that I asked you to design last time?"

Being busy will prevent you from thinking about other things.

"It will take some time, but the materials for the robes and boots are quite special. They must be made of silk, spider silk, or other soft yet extremely tough materials."

"Ordinary unranked magic robes and cloaks are fine, but for ranked magic artifacts, my Xu family probably doesn't have enough materials."

"I will have your second uncle collect them, or we can have the Mission Hall issue a mission. For now, we can try to refine a few sets of low-grade magic weapon robes."

In addition, you should also forge the standard armor and weapons for the guards. Don't underestimate ordinary weapons. If you can forge ordinary weapons to the highest level, it will also help your own weapon forging skills.

That's how Ah Weng got to where he is today.

From mundane medicine and pathology to the study of medicinal materials, and then to the analysis of elixirs, he developed his own elixir formulas.

After embarking on the path of immortality and coming into contact with true alchemy, his alchemy skills improved by leaps and bounds.

That's how alchemists achieved their current status.

Improving any magical skill requires daily, gradual accumulation.

Among these, alchemy and weapon crafting are two separate professions, with pharmacists and weapon forgers existing in the secular world.

Although this is not as profound as celestial arts, the principles and theories underlying it are the same.

"Thank you for your guidance, sir!"

This is the transmission of the word.

In the world of cultivation, the secrets are not easily passed on!

It is usually one of two types: master-disciple inheritance or bloodline inheritance.

Xu Chuan will not hold back in nurturing Xu Deling and will do his best to do so.

He believed that Xu Deling's future status in the entire Wei Dynasty's weapon-refining industry would be the same as his own.

"Ling'er will study the art of weaponry diligently and will not underestimate ordinary weapons," Xu Deling said.

Of course, she also guessed Xu Chuan's thoughts and tried to stop herself from overthinking.

Therefore, I was deeply moved.

Grandma is such a good teacher!
No wonder my father, second uncle, third uncle, aunt, and fifth uncle all respected my grandfather so much.

For them, their grandfather was not only a father, but also a teacher and a friend.

Blood ties bind us, I am your father.

A teacher is one who sets an example and teaches earnestly.

Emotional resonance, knowing him, understanding him, trusting him—that is friendship.

For their grandmother, all they felt was affection, respect, and filial piety.

In the entire Xu family, Grandpa is the most central figure, the link connecting everyone.

Xu Deling could imagine that if her grandfather were to suddenly pass away one day, her father and the others would inevitably have disagreements over time.

Perhaps, like the Ge family of Guangling County, the Xu family will split into various branches.

After all, in her eyes, her father, second uncle, third uncle, aunt, and fifth uncle were all outstanding.

Anyone could have taken charge of a prominent family and enjoyed great prestige for a time.

Mind this.

Xu Deling suddenly straightened his posture, clasped his hands over his abdomen, and bowed deeply like a new bamboo shoot, respectfully saying, "Ling'er believes that Grandfather will definitely be able to successfully establish his foundation in the future and enjoy immortality."

After saying that, she turned and left, heading towards the weapon-refining hall, which contained several specially built weapon-refining rooms.

Xu Chuan was stunned for a moment, looking at her back, then shook his head and chuckled, "This girl, it seems she's alright now. She was just emotionally hurt, but she still has time to think about these things."

"You've grown up too."

"That's true, how could the children of the Xu family be bound by emotions?"

Xu Chuan's lips curled up slightly, quite pleased with himself.

It's all thanks to my own excellent teaching!
For several days.

Xu Deling hadn't even stepped out of the weapon-refining room, yet a steady stream of materials were being poured in, most of them ordinary materials.

----------

Qingjiang County Town.

A carriage drove into the city and then stopped not far from the entrance.

A boy and a girl stepped down from the carriage.

She was originally the second daughter of Ren Xiaoyao and Xu Mingyuan, Xu Derong.

"You will watch over the carriage here, and you will come with us to go shopping. You can help carry things when you go."

"Yes, Miss Rong," the two guards replied, bowing.

They were all dressed in casual clothes, not the uniforms worn by the Xu family.

If so, it would be quite conspicuous in Qingjiang County, and countless shops would probably vie to curry favor with it.

The Xu family has long had a rule against using their name to bully and monopolize the market.

Therefore, even when the Xu family guards had time off to go to Qingjiang or other counties, they always wore regular clothes.

This is also the simplest way to avoid being ostentatious.

Of course, if you run into someone you know and get recognized, there's nothing you can do.

Most of the Xu family members are from Qingjiang, and some are from surrounding counties, so it is quite normal for them to be recognized by some people.

“Sister Rong, Dongxi now has its own market, why do you insist on coming to the county town?” Ren Xiaoyao asked, puzzled.

"Brother Xiaoyao, you really don't understand girls' thoughts at all. Shopping is a woman's nature, and the more lively it is, the better."

The Dongxi market is certainly nice, and the selection is quite complete, but how can it compare to the county town?

Xu Derong stopped and turned to look at Ren Xiaoyao. "You don't want to leave me alone, do you?"

"You practically dragged me out, how could I not want to?"

"It's good to know."

Ren Xiaoyao was helpless against his master's daughter, who was only a few months younger than him.

She can be a little willful and capricious, but her capriciousness doesn't diminish her innocence; she's kind-hearted and a bit clingy.

In the past, the people he saw most often were Hua Hua from next door, followed by Ying Ying, Yan Yan, and Fang Fang from the village.

Of course, apart from Huahua, none of the others were able to speak, let alone have any physical contact.

Xu Derong took Ren Xiaoyao's hand and walked quickly forward.

Ren Xiaoyao was initially somewhat resistant, but now he's become somewhat immune to it.

Half an hour later.

"Rong-meimei, how much longer are you going to shop? We should head back."

"Brother Xiaoyao, this is nothing." Xu Derong blinked her moon-like eyes at him, then smiled, "I was just kidding. I know Brother Xiaoyao still has to go back to cultivate."

Let's go take a look over there, and then we'll go back.

"That's fine."

Just then, a friendly voice suddenly came from behind, "Qi Refining Level 2, you've reached this level at such a young age, your talent is quite impressive. Are you disciples of the Xu Clan of Dongxi?"

Ren Xiaoyao also cultivated the "Concealing Breath Technique," and his cultivation speed was much faster than that of the others. In just half a year, he was already close to mastering it.

Ren Xiaoyao felt a chill run down his spine and suddenly turned around.

Thirty paces away on the bluestone slab, a figure in a dark green, wide-sleeved robe stood against the wind, the white undergarment revealed as the robe fluttered.

The man was in his forties, with three neatly trimmed short beards. A pale yellow cloud-patterned crown bound his dark blue sideburns, and a jade hairpin ran across his hair, gleaming softly in the sunlight.

His posture, with his hands behind his back, resembled a slender bamboo swaying in the wind, making him stand out in the crowd.

"What's wrong, Brother Xiaoyao?"

Xu Derong turned her head and looked in the direction of Ren Xiaoyao's gaze; the guard was also looking in that direction.

The middle-aged man walked over and arrived in front of them in just a few steps.

"Who are you? What do you want with us?" The guards shielded Ren Xiaoyao and Xu Derong behind them, looking at them warily.

"Don't be nervous, I mean no harm." The middle-aged man smiled amiably, and then added, "Besides, I'm an old friend of the Xu family."

I know the former heads of your Xu family, the brothers Xu Mingyuan and Xu Mingxuan, and I've even dealt with them before.

"Old Patriarch?" Ren Xiaoyao asked, somewhat puzzled.

"Young Master Ren is the Grand Elder," the guard explained, and then his guard relaxed slightly.

To have had dealings with Xu Chuan, it must have been more than a decade ago.

"Who the hell are you?"

"My name is Xiao Changyuan."

The guard, Xiao Changyuan, pondered for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Are you the first Celestial Official of Qingjiang?"

"Exactly."

Xiao Changyuan looked at the boy and girl in front of him and said with a faint smile, "Who are these two from the Xu family? Are they descendants of the Xu family? They've grown so much."

"They are Elder Mingyuan's disciple and daughter," the guard said, cupping his fists in greeting. Knowing that the other party was a Celestial Master, he had to show them the respect due to him.

"I was far away in Longjiang when I heard that a family of cultivators had risen in Yuehu County. They were surnamed Xu, so I wondered if it was the Xu family I knew. I didn't expect it to be true."

Upon hearing "Longjiang," Ren Xiaoyao's pupils constricted briefly before returning to normal.

However, this did not escape Xiao Changyuan's notice. "What's wrong, young brother? Have you heard of Longjiang County?"

Ren Xiaoyao nodded, but only said, "I've heard of it."

"Uncle Xiao has come all the way from Longjiang, so he must be revisiting this old haunt. We won't disturb your enjoyment any longer. It's getting late, and we should head home as well."

"Wait a minute," Xiao Changyuan said calmly. "I have indeed come here to revisit this place, but I have already seen most of it before."

In addition, I have a visit to the Xu family. Since my nephew and niece are returning home, I will accompany you. I hope you do not mind.

How could Xu Derong possibly outmaneuver such an old fox? He could only helplessly say, "Since Uncle Xiao is an old friend of my Xu family, then we can travel together."

The three of them rode back to Dongxi in a horse-drawn carriage.

"A fog formation?"

Xiao Changyuan was surprised to see the thick fog outside the carriage.

The carriage passed through the fog without any obstruction.

“In the more than ten years since I left, Qingjiang has changed a lot, but your Xu family has changed even more. Or rather, the entire Qingjiang has changed because of your Xu family.”

Ren Xiaoyao remained silent.

Xu Derong smiled and said, "Uncle Xiao, I don't know about that. Our clan members rarely go out."

We entered Dongxi.

Xiao Changyuan clearly felt that the spiritual energy was much denser than that outside.

The deeper one goes into the heart of the Xu family's territory, the denser the spiritual energy becomes, approaching the concentration near the county town.

"The Xu family has some tricks up their sleeves. No wonder they were able to rise from a small clan in the county to a family of cultivators. Although they live in seclusion in a remote corner and are somewhat isolated, they can still avoid the struggles among the families of cultivators in Yuehu County."

Furthermore, the Xu family's true strength is likely beyond what we see at the moment.

"The fact that the Xu family can establish a trading company suggests their strength far surpasses that of ordinary Qi-cultivation families."

(End of this chapter)