Building a long-lasting family lineage starting with genealogy

Chapter 196 The Feng Family Patriarch: A Little Gambling for Fun
"The Xu family has gained power much faster than I expected!"

"I originally thought it would take at least forty or fifty years."

Zhou Qingfang thought to himself, but he was thinking about it in the way that ordinary aristocratic families develop.

However, the Xu family did not follow the usual path, but opened trading companies that spread throughout the entire Yuehu County.

While seemingly selfless and opening up avenues for advancement for various aristocratic families, the benefits he reaped from them were undoubtedly far greater.

However, even if other aristocratic families saw through this practice, they could not imitate it.

After all, the Xu family had put up real money, and the pills and magical artifacts were not fake.

The Zhou family does not have a top-notch alchemy master, nor a weapon refiner who can reliably produce high-grade magic weapons.

If you manage to produce a high-grade magic weapon after using a dozen or so materials, that's considered pretty good.

Whether it's top-grade pills or top-grade magic weapons, the Zhou family doesn't even have enough for their own disciples, so naturally they wouldn't trade them out.

Zhou Qingfang was certain that the Xu family would not stop there.

The reason there has been no action yet is certainly due to the lack of an opportunity.

In retrospect, this opportunity arose when a Foundation Establishment cultivator appeared in the Xu family.

Zhou Qingfang glanced at Xu Chuan's face again out of the corner of his eye.

It has come to this point.

Even if the Zhou family wanted to stop it, they were powerless to do so.

Perhaps, this has been the case ever since the Xu family became a family of cultivators.

"Xu Jiazhi is based in Yuehu County. I'd like to see how you can convince my Zhou family."

After all, the Zhou family's size is far greater than that of other prominent families in Yuehu County.

"What's wrong, Senior Zhou? Is there something dirty on my face?"

"Nothing much, the duel is about to begin. What do you think Mingwei's chances of winning are?" Zhou Qingfang changed the subject.

"Mingwei will not let his senior down."

"Brother Zhou, young friend Xu, do you two think you've already won this battle?"

"Senior Feng, you misunderstand. What I meant was that the competition in the late stage of Qi Refining should be very exciting and will not disappoint."

The patriarch of the Feng family chuckled.

The betting match was conducted in a fairly standard manner.

The first match was a contest at the early stage of Qi Refining, with both sides sending out players at the peak of the third level of Qi Refining.

However, judging from their appearance, they seem to be quite old, past thirty, and even approaching forty.

"They're all suicide squad members."

Xu Chuan sighed inwardly. Both families were determined to obtain the so-called treasure.

Just as he expected.

Not long after the two cultivators clashed, they both consumed pills that burned their life essence, and, not wanting to die even faster, they unleashed corresponding life-burning secret techniques.

All of a sudden.

The strength of the two cultivators soared to the sixth level of Qi Refining, even reaching a level comparable to the seventh level of Qi Refining.

However, even though his strength has increased dramatically, he is still essentially at the third level of Qi Refining. He has not yet developed divine sense and mainly engages in close combat.

Therefore, in the early stages of Qi Refining, the win rate against a corresponding Innate Martial Artist is not high.

Even with a low-grade magic weapon in hand, one can still be killed.

It wasn't until the middle of the story that cultivators began to completely overwhelm martial artists.

The surge in strength won't last long, at most a quarter of an hour.

However, Xu Chuan could tell that the middle-aged cultivator from the Zhou family seemed to possess considerable martial arts skills, and he suddenly revealed this trump card just as both sides' momentum began to wane.

This decisively broke the deadlock in the battle.

Taking advantage of this momentum, he killed him in just over ten moves.

"Zhou Jiasheng wins the first match!"

The middle-aged cultivator from the Zhou family wiped the blood from his face, walked up to Zhou Shaoyuan, and cupped his hands, saying, "Patriarch, I have won. I will trouble the family to take care of my family."

Zhou Shaoyuan's expression was serious, and he nodded slightly, saying, "The family will remember your contributions and will do its best to nurture your child."

"Thank you."

After he finished speaking, the life force in his body rapidly dissipated.

Her once full and jade-like face visibly sank, and her cheekbones stood out starkly against her pale skin, as if carved by a knife.

His once black hair turned white in just a few breaths.

His slender fingers curled up like withered branches, his nails tinged with the yellowish hue of aged Xuan paper, and cracks spread rapidly across his neck.

A few moments.

A peaceful smile played on his lips as he slowly leaned backward.

But Zhou Shaoyuan used his magic to hold him back and handed him over to the others, saying, "Take him back and give him a proper burial."

"Yes, master."

The Zhou family members showed no joy at their victory; instead, their expressions were extremely solemn.

"With such cohesion, the rise of the Zhou family is inevitable."

Xu Chuan sighed inwardly.

The Feng family patriarch also had the middle-aged cultivator from the Feng family who had died in battle taken away. He looked at Zhou Shaoyuan with a solemn expression and said, "Brother Zhou, let's begin the second round."

Zhou Shaoyuan waved his hand and said, "No need. My Zhou family will concede the second round and proceed directly to the late-stage Qi Refining competition."

The Feng family patriarch's pupils contracted slightly as he stared at Zhou Shaoyuan, but his gaze remained calm, revealing nothing more.

Then he glanced at Xu Mingwei.

"Brother Zhou, you trust this fellow Daoist who is only at the early stage of the ninth level of Qi Refining so much?"

"Whether we can win or not, we'll only know after the match. Does the Feng family need time to prepare?"

"No need," the Feng family patriarch said to someone beside him. "Go and invite the Grand Elder over."

After a while.

Then a tall, imposing middle-aged man in a purple robe strode in.

"Elder, this final battle is up to you."

The middle-aged man in purple robes was full of confidence, a confidence he had accumulated from defeating more than a dozen Qi Refining Perfection cultivators, which gradually solidified into the nascent form of an aura of invincibility.

"Qingyang, this person is not to be underestimated. He seems to be at the early stage of the ninth level of Qi Refining, but he gives me a strange feeling. I should act cautiously and find out his background before killing him."

"Yes, Ancestor," the purple-robed middle-aged man replied in his divine sense.

Xu Mingwei wears a restrictive array that can conceal him at the level of nine minor realms, making him undetectable even by Foundation Establishment divine sense.

After all, the Xu family has no shortage of cultivators with divine consciousness.

"Brother Feng, secretly giving pointers to your juniors before the battle? Are you that insecure?" Zhou Qingfang said with a faint smile.

The patriarch of the Feng family chuckled, not minding at all. "It's only natural that our Feng family would pay more attention to a Qi Refining stage cultivator who can make Brother Zhou wait."

"Moreover, your Zhou family conceded defeat in the second match and sent the Xu family to take the field. Young friend Xu, this is clearly an attempt to weaken your Xu family."

Zhou Qingfang and Xu Chuan both smiled faintly, remaining unmoved and indifferent.

The patriarch of the Feng family suddenly said, "How about we make a small bet on this battle, with the stake being a high-grade magic artifact?"

"A top-grade magic artifact has become a small bet in Brother Feng's words. He is truly wealthy and powerful, far beyond what my Zhou family can match."

The rumors that the Feng family has a master craftsman capable of forging high-grade magical artifacts are probably true.

The patriarch of the Feng family smiled without saying a word, and asked in return, "Brother Zhou, do you have no confidence in him?"

Zhou Qingfang smiled and said, "Since Brother Feng is in such a good mood, I, Zhou, will certainly accompany you. How shall we bet?"

"Let's bet on when they lose, and the one closest to the correct answer will win."

Zhou Qingfang pondered for a moment, nodded, and said, "Then I'll bet they can finish in half a quarter of an hour." The Feng family patriarch smiled and said, "Brother Zhou is truly confident. Then I'll bet a quarter of an hour. If it takes longer than half a quarter of an hour, then I, Feng, will win."

"Seniors, may I participate?" Xu Chuan suddenly asked.

Both the Feng family patriarch and Zhou Qingfang turned their gazes to him, revealing expressions of surprise.

"Young man, do you really want to participate? First, show me a high-grade magic artifact."

Xu Chuan smiled slightly.

The next moment, a high-grade flying sword appeared one after another and hovered beside him.

This is merely a walking aid for Xu Chuan.

"Interesting." The Feng family patriarch glanced at it and said indifferently, "Then you can also tell me a time."

"I bet nine arrows. If that cultivator from the Feng family can withstand nine arrows, then even if I lose, the Zhou family will also lose," Xu Chuan said.

Zhou Qingfang glanced at Xu Chuan thoughtfully, but said nothing more.

"What a fine nine arrows! I'd like to see how your Xu family's genius can defeat my Feng family's Grand Elder with just nine arrows!" The Feng family patriarch laughed angrily.

Feng Qingyang was a genius of the Feng family. He spent more than ten years to cultivate a special technique.

After reaching the peak of Qi Refining, one's magical power is 30% greater than that of other cultivators who have reached the peak of Qi Refining.

Moreover, the Great River Sword Technique he cultivated was known for its unparalleled and powerful attacks, as robust as a great river, and he also had a high-quality water-based magic weapon specially prepared for him by his clan.

An ordinary Qi Refining cultivator at the peak of their cultivation couldn't even last half a quarter of an hour in his hands.

The Feng family patriarch believed that Xu Mingwei must be extraordinary to be valued by Zhou Qingfang, which is why he guessed that Xu Mingwei could last for more than half an hour.

Xu Chuan smiled faintly and transmitted his voice to Xu Mingwei, saying, "Nine Arrows, your father has placed a high-grade magic artifact on you."

"Father, rest assured, although I have a strong feeling about this person, I have never let you down."

Then, Xu Mingwei looked at Feng Qingyang and said, "Let's fight in the air. We can't fight freely here, and we might accidentally hurt others."

“Okay.” Feng Qingyang nodded; this was exactly what he wanted.

The two ascended into the air on their swords, several dozen feet apart.

"My cultivation lies in archery." As he spoke, the Ink Dragon Bow appeared in Xu Mingwei's hand, and nine dark gold arrows were on his back, all of which were top-grade magic weapons.

The energy flows seamlessly, comparable to a fine magical artifact.

"A high-grade magic weapon set of bows and arrows?" Feng Qingyang's pupils shrank slightly; this was the first time he had ever seen this type of magic weapon.

Even the patriarch of the Feng family was slightly surprised.

"Ten top-grade magic artifacts, the Xu family is really generous. Could it be that the clan has recruited a master craftsman?"

"Is the Feng family patriarch interested? Then my Xu family welcomes the Feng family to come and trade. My Xu family trading company can also customize pills and magical artifacts."

The patriarch of the Feng family smiled faintly, then his gaze fell on the two people in the air.

Zhou Qingfang transmitted his voice, "Fellow Daoist Xu, Xu Mingwei should be more than just the ninth level of Qi Refining, right? With his talent and the Xu family's resources, he should have reached the peak of Qi Refining by now, after more than ten years."

"It's just a few petty tricks, nothing to be proud of, senior."

Feng Qingyang also stood on a high-grade flying sword and summoned a deep blue magic sword that resembled glass, its clanging sound like the roar of a river.

"My swordsmanship has defeated all the Qi Refining Perfection cultivators in Yunshan County. This is also the first time I have seen a cultivator who specializes in archery. I hope you will not disappoint me."

"You too."

After speaking, Feng Qingyang held the glass sword and gently swung it, drawing a perfect arc.

next moment.

Countless water vapors condensed, forming streams, each drop of water imbued with a wisp of sword energy.

The entire stream resembled a giant water sword, carrying an incomparably sharp force, heading straight for Xu Mingwei.

Xu Mingwei drew his bow to its fullest extent, his five fingers gripping the string like a golden eagle seizing a rabbit, his inner magical power surging and flowing wildly into the arrow.

A sharp screech rang out, as if it were about to tear the sky apart.

The dark gold arrow transformed into a ferocious black dragon, piercing through Feng Qingyang's Stream Sword in an instant. If Feng Qingyang hadn't dodged in time, his chest would have been pierced through.

Everyone present was horrified.
The Feng family patriarch's expression also changed slightly. He was certain that Feng Qingyang had not underestimated his opponent. This move was not weak; it could even defeat the spells of other Qi Refining Perfection cultivators.

Without a high-quality magical artifact, this move would be enough to injure him even at the peak of Qi Refining.

"What a terrifying archery trajectory!"

Feng Qingyang was also terrified; he had almost died.

"Early stage of Qi Refining Level 9? No, absolutely not!"

Feng Qingyang said, "Fellow Daoist, your strength is so formidable, why bother to conceal your realm to lower your opponent's guard? Why not show your true face?"

"It's just a habit. You always have to be careful when you're out and about."

Xu Mingwei smiled faintly, put away the concealment effect, and his aura surged, instantly spreading out the imposing presence of someone who had reached the peak of Qi Refining.

"Indeed, he has reached the perfect level of Qi cultivation."

“Fellow Daoist Feng, your swordsmanship seems to be mainly powerful and profound, but unfortunately it is not very effective against my archery. The first arrow was just a greeting. If you don’t go all out, I’m afraid you won’t have another chance.”

"Just as sharp and fierce as the archery you practice!"

Feng Qingyang said, "Then take my second sword strike, Gathering Streams into a River!"

Faced with an even more powerful sword aura, Xu Mingwei fired his arrow once more.

Of course, he didn't hold back with his first arrow either, but its speed and power were affected when it pierced through the stream, which allowed him to react and dodge it.

"break!"

The same attack, but the black dragon's momentum was even more ferocious.

Feng Qingyang's move "Gathering Streams into a River" was once again broken.

"Great Rivers and Mighty Rivers!"

As Feng Qingyang's expression turned solemn, his magical power surged, and as his moves changed, three sword rivers appeared in the air.

Three rivers converge to form the Yangtze River.

Its sword swept across the sky, its awe-inspiring power obscuring the heavens, and its overwhelming force chilled the hearts of those below. Even Xu Mingwei's expression changed slightly.

His dark cloak fluttered without wind, and beneath the rustling hem, his body trembled slightly.

"They really shouldn't be underestimated!"

"Two dragons playing with beads!"

Xu Mingwei nocked two arrows on the bow, the moment his fingers released them.

The two black dragons sped away, leaping into the river and riding the waves, constantly heading towards Feng Qingyang.

The immense sword force contained within the river could not be hindered in the slightest.

The entire river collapsed in an instant, turning into countless rays of light that dissipated.

However, Feng Qingyang dodged this attack as well. Even when Xu Mingwei manipulated his attack from behind to launch a sneak attack, Feng Qingyang managed to cleave it in two with a single sword strike.

"As expected of the Grand Elder of the Feng family, this battle was exhilarating!" Xu Mingwei laughed heartily. "I have one last move. Please enlighten me, Brother Feng. If you can withstand it, I, Xu, will concede defeat!"

Xu Mingwei retreated swiftly, nocking three arrows onto the Black Dragon Bow and pouring 40% of his remaining 50% of mana into it.

"I have never seen anyone break the Great Elder's 'Great River and Great Stream' technique before?" A Feng family disciple stared wide-eyed and murmured.

"Two arrows shattered the Grand Elder's 'Great River and Great Stream,' so what power must three arrows possess!"

"Who is this person? Is he really from a Qi-cultivating family in Yuehu County?!"

"Three Stars Reflecting the Moon!"

"Great Rivers and Mighty Rivers!"

The moment the two made their move, the Feng family patriarch transformed into a streak of light and disappeared from the spot, later reappearing beside Feng Qingyang.

He raised his hand, and a dark green shield flew out from his sleeve, swelling in the wind.

He stood in front of the two of them.

(End of this chapter)