Building a long-lasting family lineage starting with genealogy

Chapter 228 Cao Jinming's Decision, Ye Xuehua's Departure.

Jade Mushroom Pills certainly exist; however, only low-grade Jade Mushroom Pills were auctioned off initially.

He still has medium-grade and high-grade items in his possession.

A mid-grade pill can increase the chance of Foundation Establishment by 15%, while a high-grade pill can increase it by 20%, making it comparable to a mid-grade Foundation Establishment Pill.

The original Earth Core Jade Marrow Ganoderma was extremely potent, so Xu Chuan divided it into three portions and combined it with other spiritual herbs to refine it.

Twenty pills were formed.

However, even if a jasper mushroom from the Earth's Core is hundreds of years old and refined into a superior grade, it would probably only increase the Foundation Establishment effect by about 10%.

Of those, more than 10% are over a thousand years old.

After all, the ingredients for this pill are incomparable to those for the Foundation Establishment Pill.

And a 5,000-year-old chalcedony mushroom from the Earth's core would probably be hard to find even once in the entire Great Wei Dynasty.

Dangerous places like the "Forest of Qinghai" are also very difficult.

If one had a five-thousand-year-old spirit wood, it would be sufficient to use it as the main material for a magic weapon of a Golden Core cultivator.

"You really love your wife."

Xu Chonghui scratched his head: "Isn't this a tradition of our Xu family?"

Well, I've gotten myself caught up in the drama.

Thinking about it, it really did come down from him.

"Cao Shengyang, fine. Then let's make this deal. It will be worth three thousand spirit stones, and we'll trade top-tier magic weapon materials. One of them must be spirit wood."

Ideally, the remaining five elements should also be present.

Three thousand spirit stones are enough to trade for more than ten sets of top-tier magic weapon materials.

However, pills that help one break through bottlenecks in a major realm are indeed worth the price.

And yet, there's still no market for it despite its price.

The Cao family of Tongshan either needs to obtain the Foundation Establishment Pill from the main branch of the Cao family, or they need to find a way from the Xu family.

It's quite clear that the Xu family has a higher chance of winning.

As for other prominent families, even if they did have them, the Cao family of Tongshan would never be able to obtain them unless they robbed them.

No noble family in any county would be so short-sighted.

How can a few documents compare to a future Foundation Establishment stage cultivator?

Xu Chonghui was overjoyed and immediately cupped his hands, saying, "Thank you, Great-Grandfather!"

Xu Chuan shook his head and chuckled, then took out a porcelain bottle and handed it to Xu Chonghui, saying, "Don't be silly and send the pills over there. Have the Cao family of Tongshan send the materials over."

Also, the news must not be leaked.

Don't be so soft-hearted. If you give in to any woman who asks for your help in the future, the Xu family will be ruined sooner or later.

We need to weigh the benefits that the other party brings to our Xu family.

The Cao family of Tongshan has a profound foundation, and Tongshan County is rich in materials for refining weapons. This is the fundamental reason why I agreed. Do you understand?

"Thank you for your teachings, great-grandfather. I will keep them in mind and will always put the interests of the Xu family first!"

"Hmm." Xu Chuan nodded slightly.

Then he shouted into the air, "Mo Yue, they should go back."

Mo Yue landed on the ground and put Xu Wenjing down.

Xu Chonghui beckoned to him, and Xu Wenjing jogged over.

"You ungrateful little devil!" Mo Yue gritted his teeth and said.

"What do you mean, ungrateful wretch? It's not like you gave birth to that child," Xu Chuan chuckled.

Mo Yue was speechless for a moment, then angrily darted into the icy pool with a "whoosh".

Xu Wenjing said blankly, "Ancestor, I haven't said goodbye to Ancestor Mo Yue yet."

“Jing’er, just say it, he can hear you.”

Xu Wenjing nodded his little head and shouted loudly, "Ancestor Mo Yue, Jing'er will come to play with you again next time."

After saying this, he left Bihan Pool with Xu Chonghui.

As soon as they left, Mo Yue popped his head out again, looked at their backs and said, "You human kids are so much fun."

"We were all like this when we were little."

"When you grow up and have your own ideas, things change."

"This is what growth is."

"Just like fledgling eagles that eventually leave the nest, what about you dragons?"

Mo Yue was taken aback upon hearing this, and after a moment of thought, he said, "We are born at the late stage of the first rank, and can support ourselves. If our bloodline is even purer, we can even reach the second rank shortly after birth."

“Well, in terms of bloodline, humans really can’t compare to dragons,” Xu Chuan sighed.

"That's right!" Mo Yuelong raised his head, looking particularly proud.

"Enough of this small talk, I need to continue my cultivation. We'll head to the 'Ten Thousand Mountains' in a while."

"We should have gone there a long time ago; it's a paradise for monsters!"

After Xu Chonghui returned, he told Cao Shenglin about the matter. Cao Shenglin was overjoyed to hear this, "The Grand Elder actually agreed?!"

I will write to my elder brother now and have them prepare the materials for refining the weapon, and send them over for the transaction in a few days.

Xu Chonghui nodded slightly.

a few days later.

Tongshan County.

The palace hall.

Cao Jinming returned from the capital, his face contorted with anger, and sat down in the main seat.

At this moment, Cao Shengyang walked into the hall.

"Father, what's wrong? Is things not going well in the capital?"

Cao Jinming sighed and said, "I've been ridiculed so much, with people saying I'm just average. Never mind, there's no point in saying more."

I've finally seen their true colors.

Although our Tongshan branch also shares the surname Cao, they now only regard us as vassals.

They order people around at will and never offer any benefits!

He paused, then said with regret, "If only I hadn't offended the Xu family. Considering my friendship with Xu Chuan, I might have been able to get some pills like the Jade Mushroom Pill from him to help me break through to the Foundation Establishment stage."

Cao Shengyang said, "Father, not long after you left Tongshan County, I wrote to my sister and asked her for help."

My brother-in-law is, after all, the next head of the Xu family. If he speaks up, perhaps he can persuade the Xu family.

"You!" Cao Jinming pointed at him, "Aren't you making your sister's situation in the Xu family even more awkward?"
Don't forget, because of what happened last time, our two families don't have much of a relationship anymore.

Your sister has probably been criticized by the Xu family quite a bit.

Now they're shamelessly making her beg for the Jade Dew Pill."

Cao Jinming slammed his hand down and let out a long sigh.

"Even if there is only a sliver of hope, I do not want to give up. I have been at the peak of Qi Refining for several years, but with my aptitude and foundation, even with the assistance of thousand-year-old spiritual herbs, the chance is only a little over 20%."

If it fails, the next attempt will only be more difficult.

There might not even be a chance for them to reach the Foundation Establishment stage again!
Father, I want to try with even greater certainty and succeed on the first try!

“Who doesn’t want to succeed on the first try!” Cao Jinming shook his head and sighed, “It’s just that I don’t have the face of your great-grandfather.”

Just then, a guard dressed in black armor walked into the hall and said to Cao Shengyang, "Young master, this is a letter from the young lady."

"Did Lin'er send this? Let me see it quickly."

After Cao Shengyang took it, he waved his hand and said, "You can go now."

The guard clasped his hands in a fist salute and left.

Cao Shengyang opened the letter and saw that it read:

[Elder brother:]
Seeing this letter is like seeing you in person. My sister has already asked my husband to take care of the matter you entrusted to me. He obtained a Jade Mushroom Pill from the Grand Elder.

My husband told me that this pill requires our Cao family to trade top-tier magic weapon materials worth three thousand spirit stones.

"What did your sister say in her letter?" Cao Jinming asked in surprise when he saw the ecstatic look on his face. "Could it be that it's done?!"

He stepped forward, took the letter, and began to read it.

"Good good!"

"As expected of my daughter, she always thinks of the Cao family. Yang'er, you should thank your sister properly this time."

As for the materials, I will go and prepare them now.

We rushed to Dongxi as quickly as possible, lest anything untoward happen.

"Thank you, Father!" Cao Shengyang's eyes gleamed. "With the Jade Mushroom Pill, I am confident that I will be able to advance to the Foundation Establishment stage!"

"Hahahaha~"

Cao Jinming laughed heartily, "Of course I believe you!"

"However, it seems that Xu Chuan still cherishes the friendship between us. If he has no interest, no matter how much my son-in-law begs, he probably won't get it."

"That should be the case," Cao Shengyang nodded.

"It seems that in this matter of the Xu family and the Cao family's main line being at odds, my Tongshan branch still has to stand with the Xu family."

We've already made one mistake; we can't afford to make the same mistake twice!

"What about the main branch?"

"Just give them a verbal response; isn't that how they treat us?"

Three days later.

Dongxi.

The main hall of the Xu family.

Xu Dezhao, Xu Chonghui, and Cao Shenglin received Cao Jinming and his son here.

“Fellow Daoist Cao, Chonghui has already told me why you two have come. He originally did not want to have any further dealings with your family, but out of respect for Chonghui and his wife, he will make an exception this time.”

"Thank you, Patriarch Xu."

As Cao Jinming spoke, he turned to look at Cao Shenglin, "Lin'er, how have you been these days?"

"Father, I am doing well at the Xu family, so you don't need to worry."

"Mid-stage of the eighth level of Qi Refining, which is indeed not slow for your age."

Cao Jinming then clasped his hands in a fist salute to Xu Dezhao and said, "The Xu family has gone to great lengths."

"Let's get down to business," Xu Dezhao said, waving his hand.

Cao Jinming nodded slightly and handed over a storage bag. Xu Dezhao opened it and glanced at it, "They are indeed all top-grade magic weapon materials."

After speaking, Xu Chonghui saw Xu Dezhao nod in acknowledgment, so he patted his storage bag, took out a porcelain bottle, and handed it to Cao Jinming.

He poured a round, plump pill, brimming with spiritual energy, into his palm.

"It's the Jade Mushroom Pill!" Cao Jinming smiled. "Thank you, Patriarch Xu, for granting my Cao family this favor."

"Don't bring up the Cao family. These days, the mere mention of the Cao family's name gives my Xu family a terrible headache!"

Cao Jinming looked slightly embarrassed, but still said, "They are them, but I, Cao Jinming, swear that I will never listen to their words again and target the Xu family."

If necessary, messages can also be secretly passed to the Xu family.

Xu Dezhao glanced at Cao Jinming, nodded slightly, and then said, "Now that the deal is done, I must say I have other important matters to attend to. Chonghui, please entertain your father-in-law."

"Yes, father."

Xu Dezhao left.

Cao Jinming looked at Xu Chonghui and said, "My dear son-in-law, it's been many years since we last met. You've also reached the Qi Refining Perfection stage. It seems that it won't be long before you can also attempt to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage."

"No rush, my father intends for me to accumulate more experience."

“I see. I suppose your father has his own plans.” Cao Jinming was just going along with what he said, completely lacking the majesty of Prince Cao that Xu Chuan had first met.

"By the way, how is your great-grandfather? I'd like to pay him a visit."

The only way to re-establish diplomatic relations with the Xu family is to persuade Xu Chuan.

Cao Jinming was well aware of this.

Xu Chonghui hesitated, a troubled look on his face.

Cao Shenglin immediately explained, "Father, the Great Elder now lives a secluded life, cultivating in seclusion. Only a few people in the entire Xu family, such as the Patriarch, Foundation Establishment Elders, and Grandfather's generation, can see him often."

The younger generation only gets to see each other during the year-end clan gathering or other important events.

"Oh, I see. That's a real shame."

Just then, Xu Chonghui suddenly said, "Wait, my great-grandfather just sent me a message, wishing to see you, my father-in-law."

Cao Jinming's face lit up with joy, and he clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Thank you for your trouble, son-in-law."

"Lin'er, you stay here and talk to your brother-in-law. I'll take your father-in-law over there."

"Mm." Cao Shenglin nodded.

Xu Chonghui led Cao Jinming to the study, where Xu Chuan was already waiting.

Xu Chonghui then waited at the door.

"Brother Cao, do you need something from me?" Xu Chuan asked casually.

"I would like to represent my lineage in re-establishing diplomatic relations with the Xu family. I wonder if Brother Xu would be willing?"

"How will we establish diplomatic relations?" Xu Chuan smiled and looked up.

"Secret transactions take place once a year or even once every two years, with prices negotiated at 10% above market value."

Besides, if the main branch of the Cao family in the imperial city wants us in Tongshan County to target your Xu family, I can pass on a message.”

Seeing Cao Jinming's serious expression, Xu Chuan asked in surprise, "Brother Cao, aren't you afraid of being discovered and offending the main branch of the Cao family?"

"When has the main branch of the Cao family ever treated us kindly?!" Cao Jinming's voice was tinged with anger. "The main branch's secrets are never shared with us branch branches, so there's nothing to leak."

As for the rest, if they were discovered, it would at most be a slip of the tongue, and the servants would pass the message on.

"As they are all of the Cao family bloodline, they dare not slaughter each other at will."

"The ministers under the emperor are dissatisfied, and the relatives and collateral branches of the clan harbor resentment. The fortunes of the Cao family have begun to decline, and this is a sign of disintegration."

Xu Chuan analyzed the situation secretly, lowered his head and pondered for a while before raising his head and saying, "Brother Cao, my Xu family will not suffer any loss in this deal, and may even benefit from it. How could I possibly refuse?"

"Haha, thank you, Brother Xu. Shall we settle this matter between our two families?"

"Okay," Xu Chuan nodded.

With the matter settled, Cao Jinming did not stay at the Xu family's house for long.

A moment later, he left with Cao Shengyang.

Xu Chuan informed Xu Dezhao and his son about the matter, and then stopped paying attention to it.

The Xu family has no shortage of alchemy materials and has also opened up channels for trading array resources and talisman-making resources.

Now that the final step of refining materials has been completed, it's exactly what Xu Chuan wanted.

"Once the matter of the Immortal Alliance is settled, I can devote myself fully to the matter of Mo Yue."

Imperial City.

Cao family.

While Cao Yulong was cultivating, guards suddenly came.

"Young Master Yulong, the lady is about to give birth. The head of the family sent me to inform you."

Upon hearing this, Cao Yulong's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and he suddenly stood up, his face beaming with joy: "That's wonderful!"

"My son is finally about to be born!"

He immediately turned and opened the door to the quiet room, then headed towards where Ye Xuehua was.

We arrived at the door.

Cao Shengming, along with the First Elder, the Second Elder, and several other elders of the Cao family, were also waiting there.

Cao Yulong bowed to each of them.

"Yulong, if Ye Xuehua really gives birth to a child with a heavenly spiritual root this time, you will be a meritorious person of my Cao family, and all resources will be doubled. The ancestor has also agreed to bestow a complete talisman treasure upon you."

Cao Defeng, the eldest elder of the Cao family, said to him with a smile.

"Thank you, Elder! Thank you, Ancestor!" Cao Yulong was overjoyed.

Resources are easy to find, but talismans are something that very few people in the entire Cao family possess.

The last time it was given to me was because of the "Wuhua Secret Realm", and it was a talisman that I only had two or three uses left.

inside the room.

"Madam, use a little more force!"

"Come on, ma'am!"

The midwife kept encouraging them.

However, Ye Xuehua clearly sensed that her magical power was constantly being depleted.

She fears she will fall from the Qi Refining Realm after the child is born.

Furthermore, his spiritual root seemed to be fading.

"So that's how it is. This is the Cao family's plan: to use me as a stepping stone to fulfill their wish for their prodigy!"

No! I will never let you succeed!

Ye Xuehua immediately used her secret technique – Green Wood Withering.

This is a secret technique at the Foundation Establishment level of the "Green Wood Sword Manual," which is extremely difficult to cultivate.

Once infected, a withered tree seed will be planted in the dantian, continuously absorbing all the host's magical power until all magical power is gone, leaving the host like a mortal.

Ye Xuehua was extremely talented, and it took her a long time to master the skill.

If she were to implant the seed in her own child, he would almost certainly never have the chance to cultivate again in this lifetime.

Unless she personally retrieves the withered tree seed, or a wood-elemental cultivator skilled in the Dao of Withering and Flourishing breaks the spell.

The withered greenwood has another characteristic: if the host dies, the caster can take the seed of this withered wood, integrate it into their own body, and make it their own nourishment, causing their strength to increase dramatically.

Of course, if the caster dies and the withered tree seed is broken, it will become nourishment for the host, which is a great blessing for the host.

“My son, don’t blame your mother for being heartless and letting you live among the Cao family and serve them. I would rather you suffer cold looks and mistreatment and see their ugly faces.”

But you must live on, no matter how difficult it is.

If you meet a good teacher in the future, you will surely soar to great heights! Ye Xuehua had heard some things about Xu Chuan from Xu Mingqing. He created his own magic that could preserve youth and change one's appearance.

If she guessed correctly, it was indeed the cycle of life and death of the wood element.

Casting the Green Wood Withering Technique consumes a great deal of magical power.

The infant was placed under a secret spell, continuously drawing upon her power.

Ye Xuehua's cultivation level dropped not long after!
Qi Refining Completed!

Eighth level of Qi training!

Qi Refining Stage 7!

Until he fell to the early stage of the seventh level of Qi Refining.

She also felt that there was a problem with her own spiritual root, and that she might have completely lost her spiritual root aptitude.

It may even have fallen into the state of mixed spiritual roots.

At this moment, the child in Ye Xuehua's womb finally stopped drawing strength from her.

"Madam, push harder, we can see the young master's head!"

"Madam, push harder!"

A few moments.

A loud cry echoed throughout the room and reached outside.

Everyone outside looked delighted.

Ye Xuehua fainted completely due to exhaustion.

Cao Shengming, Cao Yulong, the eldest elder of the Cao family, and others entered with smiles on their faces.

Cao Yulong glanced at Ye Xuehua only once, and then didn't look at her again.

The rest of the people were even more so.

In their eyes, Ye Xuehua was merely a tool to give birth to a son for the Cao family.

"Elder, shall we test your spiritual root aptitude?" Cao Shengming asked Cao Defeng.

Cao Defeng, holding the infant in his arms, turned to look at him and waved his hand, saying, "No rush. The effects of the secret technique are still present. It will take at least three months for it to completely stabilize."

Only then would testing for spiritual roots be accurate.

Cao Shengming nodded.

Cao Yulong also asked, "What about Ye Xuehua?"

"Her foundation and resources have made her the pride of our Cao family. She's almost ruined. But for the sake of her being the child's mother, let her live on in her wretched state."

"My Cao family isn't so poor that we can't even afford to support a good-for-nothing."

“However,” Cao Defeng’s gaze fell on Ye Xuehua on the bed, “in order to prevent her from resenting my Cao family and instilling bad ideas in the child.”

She forbade Yulong to see the child even once, and ordered him to marry another obedient woman from among the Cao family's vassals to raise and care for him.

"The Grand Elder's considerations are thorough; we will follow the Grand Elder's lead."

Cao Shengming and Cao Yulong said respectfully.

The next day.

Ye Xuehua slowly woke up and found herself in a simple dwelling.

I got up and went to the courtyard, where I saw weeds growing everywhere and fallen leaves covering the ground, indicating that it had been neglected for a long time.

Looking up at the sky, one could see a semi-transparent curtain of light, appearing and disappearing.

This small courtyard was completely sealed off and isolated by the array.

She sensed her cultivation level and physical condition: "Early stage of Qi Refining Level 7, damaged immortal foundation, obscured spiritual root, and atrophied divine consciousness."

"What a wonderful secret technique!"

A cold smile crept across her lips. "But what will your expressions be when you realize that all your schemes have come to naught?"

A breeze blew by.

The cold wind blew towards the tall maple tree in the courtyard.

The red leaves fluttered and danced in the air, as splendid as the morning glow.

She knelt down in the direction of Moon Lake County, kowtowed three times, and murmured, "Master, your disciple bids farewell. Thank you for your guidance over the past twenty years."

"I have witnessed different kinds of splendor in this life. Although it is not perfect, I have no regrets!"

After getting up.

Ye Xuehua's palm strike was as heavy and fierce as iron, and it landed on his heart without hesitation.

As a muffled thud rolled out of her chest, a hot, metallic taste welled up in her throat, and the next instant she bent over and vomited a mouthful of blood.
Blood droplets splattered on the bluestone steps, blooming into tiny red plum blossoms.

More of it was splashed onto her plain light green dress, like a bucket of burning cinnabar, stinging the eyes.

She staggered to the old maple tree.

Crimson maple leaves were falling softly, landing on her sweat-dampened temples.

She sat down with her back against the maple tree.

The light and shadow before my eyes began to sway, and within the blurry outline, the figure of Xu Mingqing appeared.

Ye Xuehua suddenly smiled.

That faint smile was as light as a firefly among the maple leaves, still lingering at the corner of her mouth, and she slowly loosened her hands that were hanging by her sides.

The wind rustles through the maple branches.

Amidst the rustling sound, her breath grew weaker, and finally, she fell silent along with the fallen leaves covering the steps.

at the same time.

In the Zhou family's Lamp Pavilion, the lamp belonging to Ye Xuehua suddenly went out.

The Zhou family disciples were shocked and quickly reported the matter to the family head. Zhou Zongran then sent someone to the Xu family to inform Zhou Qingfang.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Qingfang's body trembled violently.

"Xuehua really predicted it herself?!"

"The Cao family!"

He forced out two words through gritted teeth, his voice low and strained.

His hands were clenched tightly, his knuckles turning white from the force.

Xu Chuan patted him on the shoulder and sighed, "Elder Qingfang, please accept my condolences. Nephew Xuehua made a sacrifice for the Zhou family. This was the path she chose herself."

Your Zhou family should protect yourselves and pretend you know nothing about this matter.

Let bygones be bygones!

Zhou Qingfang looked up at Xu Chuan and nodded, saying, "Elder, I understand!"

He then went to the square outside the Elders' Hall and said to the messenger, "Keep everything in the Zhou family as usual."

"Yes, old man."

The messenger from the Zhou family returned immediately.

a few days later.

When the guards came to deliver food, they discovered Ye Xuehua leaning against a maple tree.

Upon closer inspection, they discovered that the person was already dead.

He immediately reported to Cao Yulong.

When Cao Yulong arrived and saw this scene, his face was cold, and he said indifferently, "They're really ruthless!"

"Find an ice coffin, place it there, and leave it in this place. Remember, do not let the news get out!"

"This is a joyous occasion for the Cao family; we must not allow this matter to affect the mood of the other elders."

"Yes, Young Master Yulong!" the guard said, clasping his hands in greeting.

Three months have passed in the blink of an eye.

When it was time for the Cao family to test the child's spiritual root aptitude.

The child was named Cao Zhenyi.

In one of the main halls of the Cao family, eighteen dragon-carved pillars support the dome.

At this moment, in the main hall, Cao Shengming was dressed in a dark brocade robe, his silver hair at his temples clearly illuminated by the candlelight, and he was holding Cao Zhenyi in his arms.

Cao Yulong, Cao Defeng, and many other elders of the Cao family are here.

They all wanted to witness the talent of the Cao family's prodigy.

On a rosewood table not far away, there was a tray with a transparent sphere on it.

Cao Defeng looked at Cao Yulong and said with a faint smile, "Yulong, you are the child's father, so you should test it yourself."

"Yes, Great Elder."

Cao Yulong stepped forward, holding a silver needle between his fingers, and carefully pierced the baby's delicate fingertip.

A drop of crimson blood hung suspended, but with a slight flick of his wrist, it fell steadily toward the sphere.

The moment the blood droplet touched the sphere, it seemed to be sucked in and disappeared instantly.

The hall fell silent suddenly, and even the crackling sound of the candlelight was exceptionally clear.

All the elders held their breath and stared intently.

Cao Yulong's hands, gripping the needles, were damp with a thin layer of sweat, his gaze fixed intently on the spirit-testing bead.

Suddenly, a very faint purple hue appeared deep within the crystal, like a crushed star.

Immediately afterwards, the purple halo spread at a visible speed, extending outward from the core until it filled half of the sphere.

"It really is a Heavenly Spiritual Root!" An elder with white hair and beard laughed heartily, his voice trembling with excitement. "Our Cao family has finally produced another Heavenly Spiritual Root. There is hope for a successor to the Golden Core stage."

"Still 80% purity of spiritual root!"

Cao Shengming and Cao Yulong also looked excited.

Cao Defeng had a big smile on his face.

The elders all gathered around Cao Zhenyi, praising him repeatedly.

A few moments.

Cao Defeng said, "Shengming, Yulong, come with me to see the Ancestor. We must tell him about this matter."

"No need, I already know."

A deep voice echoed in the hall.

Then a figure appeared at the entrance of the main hall.

Everyone looked over and bowed respectfully, saying, "Greetings, Ancestor!"

The Cao family patriarch stepped forward and arrived in front of Cao Shengming in a few steps, while the other elders stepped back.

Cao Shengming handed the child over.

The Cao family patriarch took the baby, looked down at it, and smiled faintly, “Fire-type constitution, wood generates fire, no wonder the purity of the spiritual root can reach 80%.”

They are much taller than I was back then.

"Thanks to the blessings and protection of my Cao family!" Cao Shengming said respectfully, "Would the Ancestor wish to accept Zhenyi as a disciple?"

"It's not too late to let him follow me after he has established his foundation."

"Yes, old man."

But the next moment.

The Cao family patriarch's expression suddenly changed, and his brows furrowed deeply.

Upon seeing this, Cao Defeng asked in surprise, "Ancestor, what has happened?"

A sudden wave of oppressive power spread out, causing everyone in the hall to feel a weight on their shoulders.

The crowd immediately knelt down, repeatedly crying out, "Ancestor, please calm your anger!"

"We don't know what we did to offend you!"

"You didn't know?" The Cao family patriarch's face grew even more ashen. "How did you protect this child? You didn't even know he had been implanted with a secret technique?"

"What secret technique?"

Everyone was bewildered.

"Cao Defeng, come and see for yourself!"

Cao Defeng stood up, took the child, and probed his body with his divine sense. After a short while, he discovered a faint green tinge in the child's dantian.

It is closely connected to his dantian.

"A wood-based secret technique? How could this be?!"

"Moreover, this secret technique contains a trace of withering power, and this child..."

"Cao Shengming, Cao Yulong, what exactly happened?!" Cao Defeng turned to look at them, his voice filled with anger!

“Ancestor, Grand Elder, this matter was absolutely not our doing. By the way, Ye Xuehua, it must be that bitch!” Cao Yulong said.

Cao Defeng was filled with resentment, but he knew that this was not the time to pursue the matter. The most urgent task was to help Cao Zhenyi get rid of the secret technique.

Otherwise, such a promising young talent of the Cao family would be wasted.

The Cao family made considerable sacrifices for his birth.

"Ancestor, can you unravel this technique?"

The Cao family patriarch coldly said, "Either the caster himself can undo the spell, or we need to find a cultivator skilled in this art, or a Golden Core cultivator of the Wood element."

"Cao Yulong, since Ye Xuehua used this secret technique, you should quickly make her undo it. If she has any requests, my Cao family will grant them!"

Cao Yulong's body trembled violently.

"Hurry up and go!"

"Reporting to the Grand Elder, Ye Xuehua has already committed suicide!"

"died?!"

The crowd was in an uproar.

The Cao family patriarch snorted coldly and immediately turned and left.

"It seems you are not suitable to be the head of the Cao family. If this child cannot recover, you will remain a leisurely elder!" Cao Defeng gritted his teeth in hatred, his cold gaze sweeping over Cao Shengming.

"Do any of the other elders have any objections?"

"I will obey the Elder's orders."

The second elder of the Cao family shifted his gaze, "Then who will temporarily assume the position of family head?"

"Let's discuss this matter again in a couple of days!"

Two days later.

The Cao family held a clan meeting.

The purpose was twofold: first, to elect a new head of the Cao family; and second, to invite all Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Great Wei who practiced wood-based cultivation techniques to the imperial city.

The new head of the family is from the lineage of the Second Elder, named Cao Jinsheng, who is also Cao Yuchen's grandfather.

Within the Cao family, there were naturally some who practiced wood-based cultivation techniques.

However, only two or three people reached the Foundation Establishment stage, and they were only at the initial stage of Foundation Establishment.

Others with cultivation levels ranging from late-stage Foundation Establishment to peak Foundation Establishment are mostly of the fire or metal element.

They all investigated Cao Zhenyi's situation, but were helpless against the withered tree rooted in his dantian.

"Elder, Second Elder, we have never seen this secret technique before, but we can sense a power of withered wood, which is completely opposite to the boundless vitality in wood-based spells."

This power is extremely unorthodox within the wood element, and should be a technique recorded in ancient cultivation methods.

The techniques we have learned do not involve this.

"Go down," Cao Defeng said, waving his hand.

"Yes." The group bowed and took their leave.

“Ye Xuehua is dead. He was Zhou Qingfang’s disciple and it is very likely that he practiced the same cultivation method as Zhou Qingfang.” Cao Defeng looked at Cao Yulong and said, “Go to Yuehu County and invite Zhou Qingfang here.”

"The Zhou family might also be behind Ye Xuehua's affair!" A hint of hatred flashed in Cao Shengming's eyes.

"Don't do anything reckless!" Cao Defeng shouted sternly. "The Zhou family is no longer a place you can just mess with as you please. Moreover, the most urgent task is to break the secret technique on Zhenyi!"

"Understood," Cao Shengming replied.

Cao Yulong left immediately.

Besides Zhou Qingfang, they also sent people to invite other Wood-type Foundation Establishment cultivators.

But in all the prefectures of the Great Wei, they only knew of six or seven such people.

Moon Lake County, Dongxi.

Outside the formation.

Cao Yulong stood in the void and transmitted his voice into the formation, saying, "Cao Yulong of the royal Cao family, please invite Fellow Daoist Zhou Qingfang to come out and meet me."

Just a moment.

The news spread throughout the entire Dongxi area.

Xu Dezhao, Xu Mingwei, Zhou Qingfang, and almost everyone else knew about it and gathered together.

“I’ll go out and see what he wants from me,” Zhou Qingfang said.

Xu Dezhao nodded.

At this moment, a voice was heard.

It belongs to Xu Chuan.

"Elder Qingfang, you don't need to go out. Mingwei, go and tell Cao Yulong that Elder Zhou is grieving the death of his beloved disciple and is unable to see him one last time, so he has entered seclusion."

Tell him to come back in a while!

"Yes, father."

Xu Mingwei replied and immediately rushed out of the formation to relay what he had said.

"What does this mean? How could it be such a coincidence?!" Cao Yulong stared directly at Xu Mingwei and said, "I don't believe it!"

"Let Cao go in and investigate!"

"What, is this how the Cao family bullies others? Trying to force their way into another's territory?!" Xu Mingwei said indifferently, "Does that mean I, Xu, should also make a trip to your Cao family's territory?"

"you"

"Fellow Daoist Cao, please leave!"

(End of this chapter)