Building a long-lasting family lineage starting with genealogy

Chapter 202 Winning Over Cloud Peak, Foundation Establishment Ceremony (10k long chapter)

Yun Zhongzi's sincerity towards alchemy is worthy of Xu Chuan's respect.

While the tradition of alchemy is a matter of inheritance, it doesn't prevent the Xu family from charging fees.

After all, one has to pay tuition to the teacher when attending school.

Xu Chuan returned the Pill Hall token and went to see Master Yunding before leaving.

Upon hearing that Xu Chuan was leaving the Pill Hall, True Person Yunding was surprised and even suggested that he go with Xu Chuan to the Xu family for a while.

"The Chief really favors you; he doesn't want you to be trapped in the Pill Palace."

"That makes sense. Rumor has it that the Chief's time is up, and it's uncertain what will become of the Pill Hall in the future. At least, it's unknown how long it will take to produce another Pill Master like the Chief."

"With your talent and aptitude, staying in the Pill Hall will only trap you."

Xu Chuan smiled and said, "Fellow Daoist Yunding really thinks highly of me. Compared to the chief, I am still ashamed of myself."

"Fellow Daoist is going to visit my Xu family, and I will naturally welcome you with open arms. However, accommodation will not be free; you will also need to refine pills for my Xu family."

"You stingy bastard, you still try to exploit a dying man like me like this," Master Yunding said with a laugh.

"Fine, being with you is always more interesting than staying in the current Pill Hall, where undercurrents are surging and it's incredibly annoying."

Master Yunding is a rogue cultivator who has fully joined the Pill Hall, and it's not as simple for him as it is for Xu Chuan to leave.

Therefore, he left under the pretext of traveling.

He too was nearing the end of his life and was no longer valued in the Pill Hall.

Leave the Pill Hall.

Xu Chuan released a superior-grade magic boat, and True Man Yunding also took the opportunity to board it.

The two left the Pill Hall.

"By the way, Fellow Daoist Xu, I've heard that your Xu family has been quite restless lately. It's said that they've taken over the ancestral lands of a Foundation Establishment family in Guangling County, which is next to Yuehu County."

Is this about branching out or relocating the family?

As for branch lineages, the Xu family has only been a Qi Refining family for less than twenty years, which might be a bit of a stretch. And if they were to relocate, each prefecture would be almost autonomous, making it difficult for outside forces to integrate.

"Fellow Daoist Yunding is so considerate of my Xu family, I am truly moved. How about joining my Xu family and becoming a guest elder in the Dao of Alchemy?"

"Now, in my alchemy hall, I am the only elder. Although two are ready to graduate, most are still apprentices."

"Guest Elder? What is the monthly stipend in spirit stones?"

"My Xu family rarely uses spirit stones as a monthly salary; most of the money is given as cultivation resources."

"I have long since reached the Qi Refining Perfection stage, and I also have a high-grade alchemy furnace and a high-grade magic weapon, so I don't lack any cultivation resources."

"How about we offer you fresh spirit fish and spirit wine every day to satisfy your appetite?"

Xu Chuan turned around and met the bright eyes of Master Yunding. Master Yunding smiled faintly and said, "Fellow Daoist Xu understands me."

"Then so be it. When the supply can no longer be provided, I will leave."

"Then Fellow Daoist Yunding, you'll have to stay in my Xu family forever."

"Hahahaha~"

The two looked at each other and smiled.

Xu Chuan first went to Guangling County. He needed to see the situation of the Xu family branch with his own eyes before he could feel at ease.

Xu Chuan arrived outside the territory of the branch clan.

It's still the same fog array designed by Xu Mingxian.

Master Yunding swept his divine sense across the area and said, "This fog array has some tricks up its sleeve. It can even interfere with divine sense. My divine sense is far beyond that of a typical Qi Refining Perfection cultivator, and it has been affected to some extent."

After a short while, he added, "As expected of the ancestral home of the former number one family in Guangling County, the concentration of spiritual energy is quite good, enough to support the cultivation of your Xu family's Foundation Establishment cultivators."

"By the way, which member of your Xu family has reached the Foundation Establishment stage? That's an incredibly fast cultivation speed; their talent is truly remarkable!"

"You'll see him soon."

Xu Chuan, commanding the magic boat, charged directly into the mist.

Qingyu Peak.

Ren Xiaoyao suddenly opened his eyes, revealing a look of surprise. He immediately used his divine sense to transmit his voice to Xu Mingxuan, Xu Mingwei, and Xu Mingyuan.

"The Grand Elder has returned."

The group of people were delighted.

Xu Mingxuan immediately left the pass. Xu Mingwei and the others were not at Qingyu Peak, so they went to Qingyu Peak to pay their respects.

Xu Chuan arrived at Qingyu Peak.

The door of the main hall.

Xu Mingxuan and Ren Xiaoyao were already standing there.

"Father (Elder)." The two bowed with their hands clasped.

Neither of them restrained themselves, which is why Master Yunding was able to detect their cultivation levels.

One of them was clearly a Foundation Establishment cultivator, yet he also performed this grand salute to Xu Chuan.

Master Yunding was quite taken aback.

Then, two more middle-aged cultivators flew over. Their features bore a resemblance to Xu Chuan's, and they too called out "Father."

The group stood in a row, like children who had made a mistake, waiting for Xu Chuan to hold them accountable.

"You guys are really something. I've only been gone a short time, and you've already made such a big fuss. The news has even reached the capital."

“Father, the matter happened suddenly, but I do not regret making this decision,” Xu Mingyuan said.

“Father, it was all my decision. If you must punish someone, punish me alone,” Xu Mingwei said.

"Father, your child."

"What do you want to say? Are you also eager to take responsibility?"

"What I meant to say was that we were running out of cultivation pills, and Father's return was just in time."

Master Yunding was stunned.

Xu Chuan laughed heartily, "Since we've already done it, then so be it. My Xu family can still afford to offend a Foundation Establishment family that's on the decline."

"By the way, this is my father's good friend, True Man Yunding, who is also one of the Dan Hall's retainers. He has now been invited by my father to join my Xu family and become a guest elder in the Dao of Alchemy."

The group bowed and greeted Elder Yunding.

"Although the pulse was a bit rapid, everything seems quite stable to me, so I suppose you've handled it well."

Xu Mingyuan laughed and said, "With Father's previous teachings, the children are just imitating him."

"No need to flatter me, I suppose some of the problems have already been exposed."

"Indeed, we are somewhat short of resources in terms of pills, formations, talismans, and magical artifacts, and can only exchange resources with the main lineage."

In addition, there is a slight shortage of manpower. The core members of the Xu family are still too few, so we have to rely more on outsiders here. However, with my son overseeing things, their character is at least trustworthy for now.

"Before I return to Dongxi, I will refine a batch of pills. As for the magic artifacts, I will send a message to Elder Wu to come and oversee the matter. I will also have Wanqing bring two or three alchemy apprentices over."

Xu Chuan had already discovered which members of the Xu family were in this area through his divine sense exploration along the way.

"Yes, father."

What is the current situation?

Xu Mingyuan immediately told him his plan.

Master Yunding watched quietly, as if Xu Chuan had become a different person, no longer the alchemist he had met before who was dedicated to the study of alchemy, but a shrewd and calculating patriarch of a powerful family.

After listening to Xu Mingyuan's words, Xu Chuan nodded slightly, basically agreeing with his arrangements.

Guangling County is now in a stable state and there will be no problems in the short term.

However, Xu Mingwei, Xu Mingyuan, and Ren Xiaoyao will likely be stationed here for a long time, since the Wei family is not the Zhou family.

The situation in Dongxi is stable, so we don't need as many people.

then.

After leaving Qingyu Peak, Xu Mingyuan summoned all the current members of the branch to pay their respects to Xu Chuan.

Afterwards, Xu Chuan and Master Yunding stayed at Qingyu Peak to refine elixirs.

Master Yunding was utterly shocked.

"Fellow Daoist Xu, so you were just putting on an act all along?" Master Yunding said angrily, "I've always considered you my closest friend."

"When you're out and about, you always have to keep something in reserve; it's not good to be too conspicuous."

Master Yunding chuckled awkwardly, "Your personality is quite suited to being a rogue cultivator; you'd probably do quite well among them."

"Fellow Daoist Yunding is too kind."

Upon hearing this, Master Yunding rolled his eyes. "Does the Chief know about this?"

"This year, I had many discussions with the chief, and he naturally guessed my attainments in alchemy."

"Nine pills in one furnace, seven of them of superior quality and two of medium quality. Can a master alchemist achieve that?" Master Yunding looked at the pills floating in Xu Chuan's palm and marveled.

"No wonder your Xu family has risen to prominence so quickly!"

"By the way, what level have you reached in the Nine Flames Technique? You should have reached the seventh flame, right? No, perhaps even higher."

"etc."

Master Yunding stared at Xu Chuan and asked, "Then what is your cultivation level?"

“I once consulted the chief, and he said that to reach the Seven Flames level or above, one must at least be at the Foundation Establishment stage and possess divine sense.”

"Since Fellow Daoist Yunding has figured it out, please keep it a secret." Xu Chuan smiled slightly.

"Your Xu family's foundation is truly remarkable!" Master Yunding exclaimed, and then immediately vowed never to reveal anything about the Xu family.

"Thank you, fellow Taoist."

He stroked his long beard and said, "It's a pity that I'm too old. Otherwise, if I had joined your Xu family earlier, I might have had a real chance to establish my foundation."

"I have the formula for the Foundation Building Pill. It was obtained by Senior Yun Zhongzi through a fortuitous opportunity. He was able to pass it on to me, but its main ingredient is special and cannot be preserved."

Even if obtained by chance, it must be consumed or used for alchemy within a month, otherwise its efficacy will be greatly reduced over time, and it will be useless even if stored in a way that can isolate spiritual energy.

The main medicinal herb doesn't need to be very old, a few decades is enough, but unfortunately it can't be grown in most places; it requires abundant spiritual energy.

"Yes, that's why there are so few Foundation Establishment cultivators in our Great Wei. Apart from those with high talent or good fortune, the rest are stuck in the Qi Refining stage."

Xu Chuan thought of the "Wuhua Dharma Assembly" and the demonic tribulation.

Now that the Xu family has split into two branches, it would be a waste to merge them again; it would be better to focus on development.

The alchemy of Master Yunding far surpasses that of Zhou Sen, and he is alone. If he can take charge of this place, along with Wu Mingsheng, it will be enough to ensure that the Guangling branch has no shortage of mid-to-high-grade pills and magical artifacts.

It flourished just like Dongxi.

This also saves the need for constant transport of resources between the two sides.

After careful consideration, Xu Chuan looked at Yunding Zhenren seriously and said, "Fellow Daoist, how much life do you really have left? I remember you once said that if you could break through to the Foundation Establishment stage, you would also like to develop your family, is that right?"

"What, thinking you can still exploit me for a few more years?" Master Yunding teased.

Seeing his serious expression, he sighed and said, "It's no trouble to tell you, it's only been eleven or twelve years."

"That is not bad."

"Huh? You're alright?" Master Yunding paused slightly.

"Fellow Daoist Yunding, do you dare to take a gamble? If you refine pills for my Xu family from now on, my Xu family will help you establish your foundation and open your own clan."

Upon hearing this, Master Yunding's pupils contracted, and after a moment he laughed heartily, "Fellow Daoist Xu, please don't joke with me. If there is an opportunity to establish a foundation, wouldn't it be better to let one's own family member establish a foundation?"

With your assistance in alchemy, the Xu family should have no shortage of people reaching the Qi Refining Perfection stage in the future.

"I, Xu, have taken a liking to your character, temperament, and alchemy skills. If you can reach the Foundation Establishment stage, your alchemy skills will be able to advance even further."

"Wouldn't that mean I'd be completely bound to the Xu family from now on?"

"naturally."

"Fellow Daoist Xu, this matter is too sudden. Let me think about it."

After a while.

Master Yunding asked, "Is your Xu family truly confident?"

With the opportunity to establish one's foundation right before his eyes, True Person Yunding was naturally tempted. "I can say with certainty that thousand-year-old spiritual herbs have almost no impact on me, unless they are the kind of thousand-year-old spiritual herbs that are specifically used to break through bottlenecks."

"This opportunity is naturally the Foundation Establishment Pill," Xu Chuan said with a faint smile.

"The Wuhua Dharma Assembly?!"

“Exactly!” Xu Chuan said, “So, fellow Daoist Xu, would you like to make a bet?”

After much deliberation, Master Yunding concluded that since Xu Chuan dared to make the suggestion, he must have a good chance of obtaining the Foundation Establishment Pill at the "Wuhua Dharma Assembly".

The fact that the Xu family could rise to prominence so quickly suggests that their current resources are far more than what they currently possess.

Given his limited lifespan and aptitude, even if he were to seek refuge with any powerful family, they would not offer him the precious Foundation Establishment Pill.

Master Yunding's eyes flickered, and he finally looked up and said, "Very well, if the Xu family is truly willing to give me the Foundation Establishment Pill, I will become the Xu family's alchemist from now on and will never betray them, swearing this oath on my Dao heart."

“Fellow Daoist, you are so generous. I, Xu, also swear that if the Xu family obtains more than one Foundation Establishment Pill at the Wuhua Dharma Assembly, one of them will be given to you.”

Immediately, Master Yunding sighed slightly, "I came here to relax, but I never expected to find myself a master."

"But let's make it clear, if I fail to break through to Foundation Establishment, Fellow Daoist Xu—no, Elder, please don't blame me."

"This is a gamble for you, fellow Daoist, and it is also a gamble for my Xu family."

"Then I would like to trouble you to take charge of this place from now on and oversee the alchemy affairs of my Xu family's Guangling branch."

"I understand."

Not a few days.

Wu Mingsheng, Zhang Wanqing, along with two alchemy apprentices and two weapon crafting apprentices, arrived at the Guangling branch.

Xu Chuan will introduce the real person from Yunding.

Wu Mingsheng was astonished, secretly marveling at how Xu Chuan had managed to recruit a top-tier alchemy master from the Pill Hall.

Xu Chuan devoted himself to refining elixirs for three months at the Guangling branch.

They refined almost all the spiritual herbs that the branch had previously collected.

The people watching Yunding Zhenren were all numb.

More than 70% of them are top-grade pills. No wonder the Xu family has the resources to trade them outside of training their own disciples.

In addition, Elder Wu, who just arrived, is also a top-notch weapon crafting master who can forge exquisite magical artifacts.

Zhang Wanqing's alchemy skills are also quite good; she is already able to refine high-grade pills.

The Xu family's strong foundation reassured him somewhat.

Soon after, Xu Chuan returned to Dongxi.

There was no public announcement, because apart from a few people, most people did not know that Elder Xu Chuan had left, and thought that he was still meditating on the mountain.

Xu Dezhao, Xu Deling, Xu Mingshu, and Xu Mingxian all came to pay their respects.

"Father, you're finally back! Your daughter missed you so much," Xu Mingshu said with a smile.

“I have heard about what happened to you. From now on, Mingwei and the other two will stay in the Guangling branch until things are completely stable there.”

Xu Dezhao said, "Grandfather sent Elder Wu and Third Aunt over there to vigorously develop the industry, right? Elder Wu now has a certain success rate in refining high-quality magic weapons, which is enough to support the weapon refining needs of Guangling County."

But when it comes to alchemy, my third aunt and two alchemy apprentices probably aren't enough.

After all, compared to magical artifacts, the demand for elixirs is much greater.

Xu Chuan smiled and said, "That's why your grandfather stayed there for three more months."

"There will be no shortage of pills over there for the next few years. The low- and mid-grade pills that Wanqing and the others refine can be sold as low-end pills. The high-grade pills they refine can be accumulated and stored."

"Furthermore, my grandfather has officially withdrawn from the Dan Hall."

However, in exchange for the foundation-building pills for the future "Wuhua Dharma Assembly," I recruited a pill-offering servant, who was also a good friend of mine at the pill-offering hall.

With him in charge of Guangling, there's no need to worry about the elixirs anymore.

"Father has left the Pill Hall?" Xu Mingxian was astonished.

"Now that Senior Yun Zhongzi's lifespan is nearing its end, if he continues to stay in the Pill Hall, the Cao family will likely come knocking on his door and he will become their personal alchemist."

"I see."

“In the future, exchanging one Foundation Establishment Pill for one Pill Hall Master isn’t a bad deal, but only our Xu family would be willing to do that,” Xu Dezhao said after a moment of contemplation.

"Don't worry, even if you fail to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage, I have a way to remedy the situation."

Given the current situation, unless one truly fails to break through the barrier, there is no need to relearn the "Five Elements Spiritual Technique".

"Zhao'er, everything here in Dongxi can proceed as usual."

"Yes, grandfather."

Thereafter.

Xu Chuan practiced alchemy, research, cultivation, and nurturing spiritual herbs.

Xu Mingxian reported some information about the old dragon in Bihan Pool to him.

Xu Chuan just smiled at this, but he would take the time to go to Bihan Pool to chat with it.

After all, feelings are built up over time.

The Xu family established their clan here, and they are bound to it by fate.

Next March.

As the grass grew and the orioles flew, Xu Dezhao, following Xu Chuan's instructions, spread the news of his successful foundation building and reported it to the imperial city.

This immediately caused a huge uproar in Yuehu County.

I had heard before that the Xu family had produced a Foundation Establishment cultivator, and now with Xu Chuan added, they have two, surpassing the Zhou family in one fell swoop.

Many aristocratic families, feeling fortunate that the Xu family had produced two successive leaders, immediately arranged for their clansmen to attempt to reach the Foundation Establishment stage.

Unfortunately, none of them succeeded.

And a thousand-year-old elixir was wasted for nothing.

Apart from a shortage of clansmen and disciples with low to mid-level cultivation, the Xu family has officially become the overlord of Yuehu County.

Zhou family.

Zhou Zongran was shocked to learn of this and quickly informed Zhou Qingfang of it.

Zhou Qingfang seemed unsurprised and said calmly, "Fellow Daoist Xu has indeed successfully established his foundation. I just didn't expect the Xu family to find a young man with extraordinary spiritual root aptitude."

They've become a family of cultivators in less than twenty years, yet they've surpassed our Zhou family's decades of planning.

He sighed and said, "The Xu family will definitely hold a Foundation Establishment Ceremony. Go to the treasure vault and select ten spiritual herbs that are over a hundred years old."

A thousand-year-old spiritual herb, five sets of materials for refining top-tier magical artifacts, plus a complete Foundation Establishment cultivation manual.

"Ancestor, this..."

"I will personally go to celebrate the day of the Xu family's foundation-building ceremony."

Zhou Zongran said no more, clasped his hands and bowed, saying, "Yes, Ancestor."

Seven or eight days later.

The Immortal Supervisor then arrived at the Xu family.

"It's been many years since we last met. Fellow Daoist Xu has also reached the Foundation Establishment stage."

Xu Chuan clasped his hands in greeting and said, "Greetings, Immortal Supervisor."

"My name is Cao Yujie. Brother Xu, you can just call me Brother Cao. I've heard about your situation. I didn't expect you to have been a Dan Hall retainer. I wonder why you left?"

Xu Chuan said, "If I am to take charge of the family, it would be better for me to withdraw. After all, a Foundation Establishment family would be coveted if there were no Foundation Establishment experts to take charge."

"Your Xu family now has more than one Foundation Establishment cultivator."

"But my Xu family has also established a branch in Guangling, and we also need to build a foundation and take charge there."

Cao Yujie nodded slightly, said no more, and then went through the formalities.

For a fourth-grade Foundation Establishment family, Foundation Establishment is the most crucial step; as for Qi Refining members, the requirements are not so strict.

With him in charge, the family's growth is only a matter of time.

Even if there is only one Foundation Establishment expert, if they really let loose, it would be easy for their clan to grow to dozens or even hundreds of people in at least a few decades.

"Brother Xu, your Xu family's potential ranks among the top in the entire Great Wei. I look forward to the day when your Xu family reaches the third rank."

"When the time comes to move to the capital, I, Cao, can offer some assistance."

"Thank you, Brother Cao, but the third rank is still a long way off for my Xu family. Let's focus on the present first."

"That's true. It's not easy to go from the early to the middle stage of Foundation Establishment."

Cao Yujie then left with his men.

In his report on the Xu family, he wrote: "The Xu family has the potential to reach the highest rank." The Cao family's strict control over the promotion of aristocratic families is also a form of oversight.

It is clear that the Xu family has begun to catch the Cao family's eye.

However, they are currently busy with the "Wuhua Dharma Assembly".

This is true for many of the top-ranking families in the imperial city.

Those aristocratic families who are aware of the demonic calamity attach great importance to this "Wuhua Dharma Assembly" and spare no expense in cultivating suitable prodigies.

We invite top-tier weapon refiners to create exquisite magical artifacts tailored to their needs.

Those with profound strength and foundation even use special spiritual medicines to purify their magical power and expand its upper limit.

Five or six days after the Immortal Supervisor left.

The Xu family then sent out invitations to many families.

We invite all noble families of the seventh rank or above in Yuehu County to Dongxi to participate in the Xu Family Foundation Building Ceremony.

The various immortal cultivation families in Guangling County were also invited.

The territory of the Wei family.

"Ancestor, the Xu family has sent an invitation. What do you think, should our Wei family go or not?"

The patriarch of the Wei family glanced at Wei Changkong and said, "You decide. My lifespan is limited after all. From now on, you will make all the decisions."

If there is anything lacking, I will point it out again.

Wei Changkong thought about it for a moment, then began to consider it carefully.

Previously, the Xu family only had one Foundation Establishment cultivator, which was already quite troublesome. Now, they have added another one, and neither of them is over a hundred years old.

The speed at which their strength and foundation have improved is extraordinary, far surpassing that of the Wei family, which is currently on the decline.

Unless the Wei family can attract powerful external support, it will be difficult for them to stand against the Xu family.

At least for now, the Wei family must not give them any attitude, but should try their best to be on good terms with them.

Wei Changkong looked up at the Wei family patriarch and said, "Go, both you and I will go, and we must bring a generous gift."

Regardless of what the future holds, it will not diminish the Wei family's current desire to establish friendly relations with them.

"Then you may make the arrangements." The Wei family patriarch nodded slightly.

Wei Changkong nodded. "I will personally go to the treasure vault to select the items."

After saying this, he left the main hall.

The Wei family patriarch stroked his long beard, his eyes flashing: "The Xu family is truly an anomaly, rising to prominence at such a rapid pace."

However, while excessive attention can bring prestige, it can also bring misfortune.

After three months.

Dongxi was filled with celebration and excitement.

The fog also dissipated.

The grand formation of the Guangling branch was activated, and everyone headed to Dongxi.

Now, almost no one in the entire Guangling County would dare to provoke the Xu family. As for rogue cultivators, even those in the Foundation Establishment stage would not be able to break through this second-tier formation on their own.

Unless you are skilled in formations.

The formation set up by Xu Mingxian combines offense and defense.

Even a master of formations would need several days to break it.

“Grandpa, look! Many immortal masters have come to our Dongxi.”

A child pointed to the sky, and then streaks of light came toward them.

There are hundreds or even thousands of them.

On the ground, horse-drawn carriages also came from Qingjiang, orderly entering the Dongxi area along the main road.

Martial arts families, unable to keep up with cultivators, could only arrive in Qingjiang a day early and stay there, before rushing to Dongxi the next day.

The old man stroked his gray beard and said with a smile, "Today is the foundation-building ceremony of our main family. Many immortal masters and martial arts families will come to celebrate."

"Grandpa, what is the Foundation Establishment Ceremony?" the child asked, tilting his head.

"Foundation Building should be the realm of immortal masters, just like your older brother's martial arts training, which is divided into Acquired Martial Artist, Innate Martial Artist, and Grandmaster Martial Artist."

"Oh, are Foundation Establishment Immortal Masters very powerful?"

"The fact that they all rushed over to congratulate you says it all."

"Let's go, there's a grand feast being held in the village today."

Upon hearing this, the child's mouth immediately watered, and he hurriedly tugged at the old man's sleeve, "Grandpa, let's hurry up and go, or Da Mao and the others will eat us all."

The old man chuckled, and the grandfather and grandson walked hand in hand toward the center of the village.

The site of the Foundation Building Ceremony is also the location of the last Ascension Ceremony.

However, the scale has more than doubled.

The names of those who gave gifts were called out, and the gifts were read aloud.

"The Yang family has arrived!"

"The Yang family presents two century-old spiritual herbs and a piece of second-grade Xuan Iron Mother Stone to congratulate the Grand Elder on his advancement to Foundation Establishment and the Xu family on becoming a Foundation Establishment family!"

"The Chang family presents a second-tier spirit wood and a three-hundred-year-old spirit herb to congratulate the Grand Elder on his advancement to the Foundation Establishment stage, and to congratulate the Xu family on their advancement to the Foundation Establishment stage!"

Since following the Xu family, the Yang and Chang families have established the "Moon Lake Martial Alliance" and are now the leading martial arts families in the entire Moon Lake County.

Their foundations are growing rapidly.

After the passing of the Chang family's Grand Elder, a new Grandmaster was born.

Moreover, there are three or four more Grandmaster-level martial artists than before the "Su-Zhou War".

Yang Shidao recently reached the Grandmaster level.

After many years, the Yang family once again became a fifth-rank aristocratic family.

Innate martial artists and grandmaster martial artists are constantly being born.

In addition, three or four family members with the aptitude for cultivating immortality were born.

Once they grow up, with Yang Yan, a cultivator at the late stage of the eighth level of Qi Refining, overseeing them, they will be able to become a sixth-grade cultivation family.

However, they also want to learn from the Xu family and accumulate more wealth.

Many cultivation families, seeing their potential, have arranged marriages with them.

"The Zhou family of Yuehu County has arrived!"

"The Zhou family presented ten hundred-year-old spiritual herbs, one thousand-year-old spiritual herb, five sets of top-tier magic weapon materials, and a foundation-building technique, 'Earth Virtue Returning to Origin Technique'."

Congratulations to the Grand Elder on his advancement to Foundation Establishment! Congratulations to the Xu family on becoming a Foundation Establishment clan!

Upon hearing this announcement, many prominent families gasped in astonishment, exclaiming, "As expected of the Zhou family, they truly have a grand vision!"

"Brother Zhou, I've been waiting for you for a long time. Come over and have a chat."

Zhou Qingfang sat next to Xu Chuan, at the highest point of the ceremony.

Those sitting here are all cultivators in the Foundation Establishment stage.

Even Xu Mingwei, Xu Mingyuan, Xu Dezhao, and others were sitting below.

"Brother Xu, congratulations."

"Thanks to Brother Zhou's kind words and the foundation-building experience you gave me, otherwise I would have failed most of the time in this attempt."

Although Zhou Qingfang didn't quite believe it, these words were very comforting to hear.

"It's just a small contribution. Your Xu family already has a fellow Daoist who has successfully established his foundation, so you don't need my contribution."

thereafter.

Cultivation families from Guangling County arrived one after another to offer their congratulations.

"The Xu family has established a branch in Guangling County and occupied a Foundation Establishment clan territory. In a decade or two, they will surely become the number one Foundation Establishment family in the two counties."

"Isn't that the case now?"

"That's not necessarily true. After all, the two members of the Xu family are only newly promoted to Foundation Establishment, and their strength may not be comparable to that of the Zhou family patriarch and the Wei family patriarch."

Moreover, the Xu family has only been around for a short time, with few core members and even fewer early and mid-stage cultivators.

"Makes sense."

After a cup of tea.

"The Guards of Guangling County have arrived!"

"The Wei family presented seven hundred-year-old spiritual herbs, three three-hundred-year-old spiritual herbs, one thousand-year-old spiritual herb, three sets of top-tier magic weapon materials, three first-tier pill formulas, and one second-tier pill formula."

Congratulations to the Grand Elder on his advancement to Foundation Establishment! Congratulations to the Xu family on becoming a Foundation Establishment clan!

"Fellow Daoists, your generous gifts are truly an honor for me. Please come up and have a chat."

Apart from the Wei family patriarch and Wei Changkong, the rest of them were also seated in the second row, alongside the five sons of the Xu family, Xu Dezhao, Xu Deling, and the head of the Zhou family.

Next came the people from various prominent families, as well as the rest of the Xu family.

"Fellow Daoist Xu, it's our first meeting. I never expected you to be so young. It's a real surprise to me. It's a pity I didn't get to see you last time in Guangling."

"I am flattered by your presence. This must be your friend, Fellow Daoist Changkong."

"Greetings, Fellow Daoist Xu," Wei Changkong said, clasping his hands in greeting.

"Please, gentlemen, take your seats."

Half an hour later.

The ceremony officially began.

However, this time it was different from the last time; it was just some singing and dancing performances to add to the fun.

After drinking for several rounds of drinks.

Xu Chuan then said, "I thank you all for coming. My Xu family has also prepared some small gifts as a token of our gratitude."

"But you need to be in the top three in the following competitions."

"The competition is divided into martial arts master battles, Qi Refining Level 7 battles, and any battle."

"Among them, the age requirement for the Martial Arts Grandmaster Battle is under thirty-five, while the Qi Refining Level 7 Battle requires only that the cultivation level be met to participate."

As for the free battle, regardless of whether one is a martial artist or a cultivator, and regardless of age or cultivation level, anyone can step onto the stage.

"In the Grandmaster Battle, the winner will receive five bottles of top-grade Grandmaster Pills, the next winner will receive three bottles, and the next winner will receive one bottle."

The same applies to the battle at the seventh level of Qi Refining, but the reward becomes a high-grade Qi Gathering Pill.

In the final random battle, the top prize is a high-grade Divine Sense Pill, followed by a mid-grade, and then a low-grade.

"In a quarter of an hour, we will start with the Grandmaster battles, followed by the Qi Refining Level 7 battles, and finally the random battles."

Wei Changkong said, "Fellow Daoist Xu, your Xu family's ambition is quite impressive. However, regarding the arbitrary battle, Fellow Daoist Mingwei's strength is clear to all the families in Guangling County."

I'm afraid no one can rival him!

Xu Chuan smiled and said, "Fellow Daoist Changkong, rest assured, how could my Xu family be so stingy?"

He looked at Xu Mingwei and said, "Mingwei, you are the referee and are responsible for the safety of everyone during the competition. If anyone is in danger, you must stop them."

"Yes, Father," Xu Mingwei said, clasping his hands in a fist salute.

"Furthermore, if any member of the Xu family achieves a ranking, no reward will be given, and the spot will be moved up one place."

"Haha, Fellow Daoist Xu is indeed fair. I, Wei, have been judging a gentleman by my own petty standards."

A quarter of an hour later.

The Grandmaster Battle begins.

The Xu family members who participated were Xu Dewen and Xu Dejun, both sons of Xu Mingwei.

One of them is at the peak of the Grandmaster realm, and the other is at the middle stage of the Grandmaster realm.

After a battle...

In the end, it turned into a battle between the two brothers.

Of course, Xu Dejun could not possibly be a match for Xu Dewen.

A master under the age of thirty-five can reveal the depth of a family's martial arts training.

The highest level of martial artists from other aristocratic families reached was the mid-stage of Grandmaster.

Unfortunately, Xu Dejun missed the opportunity to develop a solid physical foundation in his childhood using the Strengthening Pill and Bone-Nourishing Pill.

Otherwise, it is possible to approach the perfection of a Grandmaster at this point.

Xu Dewen, on the other hand, spent four or five years cultivating the "Innate Five Elements Creation Technique" to develop and purify his spiritual root.

Otherwise, with his martial arts talent and the Xu family's upbringing, it wouldn't be difficult for him to reach the Grandmaster level before the age of thirty.

As for future Xu family disciples, at the very least, they should be able to reach the mid-stage of the Grandmaster realm by the age of thirty-five or thirty-six.

Fifteen minutes later, the battle for the seventh level of Qi Refining began.

The Xu family members who made their appearance were Xu Derui, who was at the mid-stage of the seventh level of Qi Refining, and Wu Tao, who was at the peak of the seventh level of Qi Refining.

This is even more intense than a Grandmaster battle.

Some elders from powerful families, envious of the superior-grade Qi Gathering Pill, stepped forward to participate.

There were also young cultivators in their thirties at the seventh level of Qi Refining wielding high-grade magic weapons.

The older generation of aristocratic elders have the advantage of more experience in combat, while the young geniuses of those aristocratic families mostly have high-grade magic weapons in hand.

However, in the end, a cultivator from the Cheng family of Guangling, aged thirty-five or thirty-six, won the top spot.

Wu Tao ranked second.

The third is a Qi Refining Stage 7 peak cultivator from the Ge family, who is in his fifties or sixties.

The next person to join was an elder of the Zhou family.

While high-grade magic artifacts are powerful, they also consume a lot of mana. If you have a mid-grade defensive magic artifact, you can easily block several attacks.

This battle also made each faction realize the shortcomings of their own cultivators.

Especially the Zhou and Wei families.

Because they are a Foundation Establishment family, no one dares to provoke them under normal circumstances, and most of the family members have only average combat experience.

The young cultivator brought by the Wei family was no more than thirty years old, but his cultivation had already reached the peak of the seventh level of Qi Refining. He was one of Wei Changkong's great-grandsons and a true spiritual root talent of the Wei family.

He possessed a superior magical artifact, but he was defeated by Wu Tao.

This made him feel frustrated.

The final random battle.

The first to take the stage was Wei Jia, who had reached the Qi Refining Perfection stage, prompting many cultivators to sigh slightly.

It's called "anything," but it's really just another way of saying "top-tier Qi Refining Battle."

After several rounds of competition.

Xu Dezhao stepped onto the arena with his sword.

As soon as the Azure Sky Sword was drawn, the longsword rang out, and its sword energy soared into the sky.

After three moves, he defeated his opponent and made him admit defeat.

What followed was a competition among those who possessed exquisite magical artifacts and had reached the Qi Refining Perfection stage.

Most Qi Refining families do not possess high-quality magical artifacts, and even if they do, they would not dare to openly expose them in such a setting.

If this were to attract the covetous eyes of these three Foundation Establishment families, there would be no way to complain even if we died.

Some of the exquisite magical artifacts from foundation-building families also came from this source.

Xu Dezhao defeated two top experts from the Zhou and Wei families in succession, making a name for himself in the Yuehu and Guangling counties.

Zhou Qingfang exclaimed with emotion, "Elder Mingwei truly has a worthy successor."

"He's the son of my friend Mingwei?!" Wei Changkong was shocked.

Zhou Qingfang smiled and said, "The Wei family is in Guangling County after all, so it's normal that they don't know. Besides being the head of the Xu family, Dezhao is also Mingwei's eldest son and Fellow Daoist Xu's eldest grandson. He is not yet forty years old."

The Wei family patriarch narrowed his eyes, looked at Xu Dezhao on the arena, and said, "Like father, like son."

He scanned the Xu family members, his eyes flickering uncertainly.

Xu Dezhao's selection might not necessarily mean he is the strongest member of the Xu family across three generations.

Two quarters of an hour later.

The Xu family's foundation-building ceremony has basically come to an end.

But at that very moment...

A member of the Discipline Team rode up on his sword, cupped his hands and said, "Elder, there's trouble going on down the mountain. They say they're members of the Wei family."

He is also a great-grandson of the Wei family who has achieved foundation building.

Wei Changkong's expression changed, and he scanned the area with his divine sense, but indeed he did not see the person.

He immediately clasped his hands in a fist salute to Xu Chuan and said, "Fellow Daoist Xu, my great-grandson must have lost the competition and is feeling a bit down. He probably didn't mean it."

"What did he do?" Xu Chuan asked calmly.

"He killed a grandfather and grandson at the foot of the mountain. When the discipline team went to capture him, several of them were seriously injured by him."

Fellow Daoist Xu

Xu Chuan raised his hand and said, "Fellow Daoist Wei, there's no need to say more. Let's go and see first. Perhaps it was someone from Dongxi who offended your grandson."

“Fellow Daoist Xu is right, I will definitely ask him for clarification.”

The group set off.

Upon seeing that the young man from the Wei family had shattered the low-grade defensive magic weapons of several members of the Discipline Team with his superior-grade magic weapon, and that several of them were injured.

Wei Changkong immediately shouted, "You bastard, who gave you permission to act so recklessly in the Xu family? Stop right now!"

When the young man from the Wei family saw his great-grandfather arrive, he immediately stopped fighting.

When the members of the Discipline Team saw the Grand Elder and his group pass by, they immediately stopped and bowed to Xu Chuan, saying, "Grand Elder."

Before Wei Changkong could ask, the young man from the Wei family stepped forward and said, "Great-grandfather, you must stand up for your grandson. I only accidentally killed two commoners."

The Xu family then became relentless in their pursuit of me, determined to arrest me and bring me to justice.

What kind of hospitality is this?!

Wei Changkong glanced at them and saw that the members of the Discipline Team were not seriously injured, and breathed a sigh of relief.

“Fellow Daoist Xu, my grandson was reckless. I apologize to you. Fortunately, the guards are all unharmed. Please take these healing pills to treat their injuries.”

In addition, some elixirs for improving cultivation were also given to them as compensation.

Do you like it? "

Xu Chuan glanced at the pills, then said calmly, "No rush. Let me ask you, why did you kill that grandfather and grandson?"

The young man from the Wei family glanced at Wei Changkong, who then scolded him, "Answer Fellow Daoist Xu's question honestly."

“Yes, great-grandfather.” The young man from the Wei family clasped his hands in greeting to Xu Chuan and said, “Reporting to senior, I was just feeling a bit bored and came out for some fresh air.”

As a result, the grandfather and grandson offended the younger generation. The younger generation only intended to teach them a lesson, but unexpectedly, they were not cultivators, and before they knew it, they had become...

Xu Chuan's face remained expressionless as he calmly said, "Look up at me, then say it again."

Upon hearing this, the young man from the Wei family couldn't help but look up and meet Xu Chuan's gaze.

But the next moment, his eyes began to glaze over.

Upon seeing this, Wei Changkong immediately exclaimed, "Fellow Daoist Xu, why did you use a mind-controlling technique on my grandson? Don't you believe what he said?"

"Rest assured, Fellow Daoist Wei, I would not harm your great-grandson's soul. Even if I did, I would heal him."

They might even give you a low-grade Divine Sense Pill as compensation.

After saying that, Xu Chuan looked at the somewhat dazed young man from the Wei family and continued to ask, "I'll ask you one more time, why did you kill that grandfather and grandson?"

"Because they are disgusting!"

“A commoner child actually ran over to me openly, with a disgusting smile on his face, and asked if I was a celestial master.”

Although the old man stepped forward to apologize, he was still disgusting.

The Xu family member who beat me seems to be the son of a commoner, which makes him even more detestable.

I told the child that I was a celestial master and asked him if he wanted to perform magic.

He clapped his hands and exclaimed that he wanted to see it, and thanked me.

So I used magic to send the grandmother and grandson down to earth.

To be able to see cultivation techniques before they die is a blessing they've accumulated over three lifetimes.

(End of this chapter)