Building a long-lasting family lineage starting with genealogy

Chapter 186 Stone, Deep Affection Inevitably Leads to Pain (Please Subscribe)

Xu Mingyuan walked out carrying a sandalwood tray.

Xu Mingwei also walked up to Xu Dezhao. He picked up the purple-blue square seal on the wooden plate and said to Xu Dezhao, "Now that you are inheriting the position of family head, I have three words for you to remember."

"Father, please speak."

"First, the family must come first in everything!"

Second, remember family precepts and clan rules, but do not be bound by them.

"Third, unite and treat people kindly, and also educate and educate the clansmen, combining firmness and gentleness."

"I will heed Father's teachings!"

Xu Dezhao accepted the family head's seal with both hands. Xu Mingwei nodded slightly, quite satisfied, and then he and Xu Mingyuan stepped aside.

But Xu Chuan continued, "I humbly pray that our ancestors will bless us and that our Xu clan's lineage will endure forever."

Xu Dezhao knelt and bowed three more times.

"rise!"

Xu Dezhao stood up, holding the family head's seal in his hand.

Everyone in the Xu family, including their vassal families, bowed to Xu Dezhao and said, "Greetings, Patriarch."

The ceremony for the succession to the head of the family is now concluded.

Xu Dezhao was to meet with the heads of the vassal families as a way of making connections and getting acquainted.

As the crowd dispersed, Zhou Sen stepped forward, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Xu. With such a grandson, you are more than capable of inheriting the Xu family's legacy."

"To grow bigger and stronger, and create new glories."

This sounds familiar.

Xu Chuan smiled and said, "Thank you very much, Brother Zhou, for coming to witness the ceremony today. My Xu family is truly honored."

Zhou Sen also felt that the words sounded somewhat familiar.

The two looked at each other and laughed. Xu Chuan said, "Let's go. If you have something to say, let's talk in my study."

Zhou Sen nodded, glanced at Bai Jing, and couldn't help but think to himself, "When did Xu Chuan marry such a young woman?"

However, he didn't care, after all, he was just an ordinary person.

Moreover, he didn't need to pry into Xu Chuan's private affairs, since he himself had three or four family members, the first two of whom had already passed away.

But Xu Mingwei and his group were very excited.

After returning to the Xu family mansion, she asked, "Mother, how come you look so young?"

Bai Jing smiled and said, "My mother doesn't know either. Your father fed me a pill, and I took a nap. When I woke up, I was like this."

I have already instructed my family not to spread this matter outside.

Xu Mingwei nodded. “Mother is right. For ordinary people, immortal magic might work, but for cultivators, it’s not so easy.”

Bai Jing looked over in surprise, "What, is it so hard to turn back the clock?"

"Changing appearances may be possible, but I see that my mother's aura is full of vitality, just like that of a woman in her twenties. This is something that ordinary magic cannot achieve."

“That’s right,” Xu Mingyuan also said.

Xu Mingshu stepped forward with a grin and said, "Now when I stand next to my mother, people will definitely think we are sisters."

"You have no manners," Bai Jing scolded with a laugh. "You can ask your father about the details later."

"Yes, mother."

Xu Mingshu wrapped her arms around Bai Jing's and rested her head on her shoulder, saying, "Mother, it's so good that you look young again."

"My silly daughter." Bai Jing patted Xu Mingshu's head.

She was well aware of the concern everyone had for her.

But she also understands that birth, aging, illness, and death are common occurrences.

Before she came into contact with cultivators, she thought that immortal masters were not only powerful but also lived for a very long time. However, the truth was not so.

All mysteries cease to be mysterious once you get close enough.

The vast majority of cultivators only have a lifespan of two Jiazi (60 years), just like martial arts masters.

Unless those cultivators can break through to the Foundation Establishment stage.

However, this level of skill is rare even in the entire Great Wei Dynasty.

The entire Xu family was strictly forbidden from discussing the Grand Madam's affairs.

That's right. After Xu Dezhao became the head of the family, Yang Ronghua became the old lady, while she became the great lady.

The next generation will probably become our ancestors.

----------

study.

"Elder Zhou Sen personally delivered the congratulatory gift, which shows his sincerity. My Xu family thanks you in advance. However, I'm sure you came for more than just a gift."

“Fellow Daoist Xu is as insightful as ever,” Zhou Sen said. “This time, I also plan to stay at the Xu family’s residence for a while to discuss the Lesser True Essence Pill with you.”

After a moment's thought, Xu Chuan smiled and said, "Congratulations, Elder Zhou Sen, on reaching the advanced level of the Lesser True Essence Pill. Once you reach this level, you will have a chance to refine some ordinary second-tier pills into advanced-grade pills."

"Thank you." Zhou Sen clasped his hands and said, "Whether it can be accomplished depends on Fellow Daoist Xu's help."

"I can only offer guidance. Whether you can truly break through this bottleneck depends on your own comprehension, Elder Zhou Sen. After all, if guidance alone were enough, my Xu family would be overflowing with alchemy masters."

"Haha, that's true."

From then on, Zhou Sen stayed in the guest rooms of the Immortal Arts Hall and the Alchemy Hall.

Xu Mingwei and his group came to inquire about Bai Jing's matter.

Especially Xu Mingwei, since only his wife Yang Ronghua is an ordinary person, and she is over forty years old this year with graying temples.

"It's just a mysterious spell. Its core is the power of life. If you can't sense the power of life, then you can't learn it."

As he spoke, Xu Chuan gave them a demonstration.

Amidst the horrified gazes of the room, his tall and upright body seemed to be crumpled like a sheet of rice paper by an invisible hand, his skin collapsing and developing grooves at a visible speed, and his once jet-black hair turning frosty white from the roots.

He exuded an air of weariness from the passage of time.

His appearance aged so quickly, in just a few breaths.

After a few more breaths, Xu Chuan returned to normal, and could even turn back into his twentieth-year-old self if he wanted to.

"This technique is too profound!" Xu Mingshu's eyes lit up. "Father, I want to learn it."

“Difficult!” Xu Chuan shook his head and smiled, “When I was studying spiritual herbs, I had a sudden realization and discovered the power of life. After a long period of contemplation, I discovered how to use this power.”

Ultimately, this technique for preserving youth has become a secret.

It can alter one's appearance, youthfulness, and vitality.

Xu Mingxuan said, "No wonder, I felt that my mother's life force was so young. She could not only change her appearance, but also her life force. It was truly mysterious!"

"Can that increase lifespan?" Xu Mingwei asked.

Xu Chuan had to admit that Xu Mingwei was more devoted than he, as her father.

"The power of life can allow mortals to live a little longer, but there is a limit. As for cultivators, their lifespan is predetermined and cannot be changed."

Xu Chuan's ability to extend his lifespan is at most through the concept of "withering, flourishing, birth, and death."

At most, one can alter the appearance and life force of others.

"Father, this is enough. I also want to stay young forever like Mother," Xu Mingshu said coquettishly.

She was the most uninhibited among them.

Xu Mingwei and his group, on the other hand, cared about their reputation and were more reserved.

Xu Chuan glanced at them and smiled helplessly, "I'll use the age-preserving technique on you when I have time."

This technique can provide protection for ten years with just one treatment.

"Thank you father."

Seeing the disappointment in Xu Mingwei's eyes, Xu Chuan immediately said, "Mingwei, you stay. The rest of you go back."

Xu Mingyuan and the others all did as instructed.

"Father, what do you want with me?"

Xu Chuan didn't say much, and directly took out a jade box. The jade box had a restriction on it. This was a jade box that Xu Chuan had specially made for Xu Mingxian to prevent the loss of spiritual energy.

"What is this?"

"What you want most." Xu Mingwei's heart skipped a beat. "Father, this..."

"Find an opportunity to let Ronghua take it, preferably until she falls into a deep sleep, then help her refine the medicinal power. Don't say anything else, just treat it as a remedy to strengthen the body."

Xu Mingwei's eyes were slightly red as he bowed deeply, "Thank you for your kindness, Father."

This item only has one effect.

"My child understands."

Xu Mingwei put the jade box into his storage bag and then prepared to take his leave.

Xu Chuan thought for a moment and still advised, "Stone, deep affection will inevitably lead to hurt. When it's time to let go, don't be stubborn."

Upon hearing the name "Stone," Xu Mingwei's heart stirred.

"Yes, Dad."

Xu Mingwei nodded silently and then left the study.

Xu Chuan had made a vow not to reveal the news of Qinghua Pill, so he could only be so discreet.

That night, Xu Mingwei gave the Qinghua Pill to Yang Ronghua to refine.

While extending one's lifespan by sixty years may not achieve the dramatic changes in appearance like Xu Chuan's anti-aging techniques, it can still make one look slightly younger.

The change of the head of the Xu family caused quite a stir in Yuehu County.

Everyone was speculating about why the Xu family did this.

After all, the new head of the Xu family is quite young, about the same age as their patriarch's grandson.

However, there were few changes within the Xu family.

Xu Dezhao thus inherited Xu Mingwei's previous style.

Xu Mingwei, however, had an easier time, spending most of his time in the battle hall teaching spells, guiding combat, practicing magic, and honing his archery skills.

Xu Chuan then had Zhang Wanqing and Shen Qingyi stand beside him, watching him give guidance on advanced techniques.

It can also broaden their horizons in alchemy.

Zhou Sen sometimes observed the two of them refining pills and even gave them guidance.

He discovered that the two women had an extremely solid foundation in alchemy, surpassing even the vast majority of the Zhou family members currently learning alchemy.

"Fellow Daoist Xu, you have nurtured them very well. They do not blindly pursue alchemy, but instead focus on the basics, gradually refining and improving them from the most ordinary pills for mortals or martial artists."

In matters of teaching, I am truly ashamed of my own inadequacy.

Xu Chuan smiled and said, "It's just a teaching method. Elder Zhou Sen can learn it on his own. Methods are one aspect, but the key is the person."

Those who lack tranquility, perseverance, and dedication to alchemy will ultimately achieve limited success.

He stopped at the level of an ordinary alchemist.

“What Fellow Daoist Xu said makes sense. I will definitely make a good adjustment when I get back.”

Xu Chuan smiled.

He was actually partly lying. With his level of alchemy expertise, anyone willing to nurture him with all their might could reach the level of Zhou Sen seven or eight years ago, even with average talent.

After all, with his keen sensitivity and perception of medicinal properties, he was able to break down the refining process of a pill down to the level of every single breath.

Let Zhang Wanqing and the others know how long to extract the medicinal liquid, what temperature to use, how long to continue, the order in which the medicinal liquid is mixed, and when to condense the pills, as these factors will help with the quality and quantity of the pills.

Once these concepts are understood, mastered, and mastered, even someone with ordinary alchemy skills can refine high-grade pills.

Of course, at most one or two high-grade pills will be produced.

It's impossible to reach Xu Chuan's level.

It requires talent.

Moreover, both Zhang Wanqing and Shen Qingyi have cultivated the "Nine Flames Technique" and the "Jade Liquid True Technique," both of which are of great help to alchemists.

In ten or twenty years, the two could also become alchemy masters.

Xu Chuan firmly believes this.

Zhou Sen stayed at the Xu family for more than half a month and refined many Lesser True Essence Pills, but he was always a step short of a superior-grade pill.

Xu Chuan also personally demonstrated alchemy.

Unfortunately, Zhou Sen always made mistakes when refining it himself, and all his efforts were in vain.

Helpless, Zhou Sen had no choice but to take his leave and go back to think about it some more.

Before leaving, I met with Mr. and Mrs. Xu Mingxian.

"Husband, Elder, I'm going to see Elder Zhou Sen off."

Xu Chuan nodded, and after they left, he said softly, "What a pity."

"What is it that Father finds regrettable?"

"If Zhou Sen were ten or twenty years younger, his alchemy skills would probably be enough to enter the Alchemy Hall."

"His alchemy has already reached such a level?"

Xu Chuan looked at Xu Mingxian and smiled slightly, "Zhou Sen's talent in alchemy can only be considered above average, but his dedication and obsession with alchemy are top-notch, so his achievements are normal."

However, burdened by his family, he spent a considerable amount of time refining elixirs needed for his clansmen's cultivation and training Zhou family alchemists.

Zhou Sen and Zhou Zongni walked down the mountain and headed out of the fog.

"You've reached the fifth level of Qi Refining, not bad. Your father asked me to inquire how you're doing at the Xu family?" Zhou Sen said calmly.

"Elder Zhou Sen is very kind. Go back and tell your father that your daughter is doing well and is very comfortable in the Xu family. She spends most of her time cultivating, and the Xu family often provides her with cultivation resources."

It's a pity I have pseudo-spiritual root aptitude; otherwise, the resources the Xu family gave me would probably have been enough to help me advance to the mid-to-late stage of the sixth level of Qi Refining.

Zhou Sen nodded. "I heard you and Xu Mingxian only have one daughter?"

"In prominent families, male offspring are still the most important. If you and your husband can have a son with good potential, he should be able to enter the core of the Xu family in the future."

Just like Xu Dezhao.

This will only benefit the relationship between the Xu and Zhou families.

Zhou Zongni nodded slightly. "Zongni understands."

"Although I haven't had much contact with Xu Dezhao, he is indeed very intelligent and farsighted, and he has a natural leadership quality, much like his father."

He is indeed qualified to be the head of the family.

"But he's still too young. Did Mingxian tell you why he chose Xu Dezhao to be the head of the family?"

"I'm not entirely sure about the specifics, but it seems that the eldest brother himself doesn't want to be in that position anymore, while Xu Dezhao does."

"That's it? That's far too simplistic."

“I am not part of the core of the Xu family and have no access to them. Moreover, as far as I know, my eldest sister-in-law and second sister-in-law, whether they are talented or not, live their own lives and do not concern themselves with the Xu family’s affairs.”

“I understand.” Zhou Sen sighed softly. “I remember seeing Xu Dezhao at the Ascension Ceremony before. He was probably a martial artist, right?”

How did I suddenly become a cultivator at the fourth level of Qi Refining?

Zhou Zongni shook her head. "I don't know. She must have embarked on the path of immortality after that. She must have had spiritual roots to begin with. After embarking on the path of immortality, with the Xu family's supply of pills, her progress was naturally not slow."

"Too."

In the blink of an eye, the two emerged from the fog.

Zhou Sen said, "That's enough for now, Zong Ni. Get along well with Ming Xian."

"I will."

Zhou Sen nodded, summoned his flying sword, and rode away on it.

Zhou Zongni also flew back to Xianyitang Square and walked towards Xu Mingxian.

Xu Chuan had already returned to the Alchemy Hall.

"Husband."

"Does Elder Zhou Sen have any questions?" Xu Mingxian asked.

"When asked about Dezhao and why he suddenly embarked on the path of immortality, I gave vague answers, as I truly did not know."

And also...

A blush suddenly rose to Zhou Zongni's face, and after a moment she murmured, "He wants you and me to have a few more children."

"As expected, every family is eager to have children, so let's try harder then," Xu Mingxian said with a faint smile. "I'm going back to the Array Hall first, you should go back to your residence too."

"I understand, husband."

(End of this chapter)