Building a long-lasting family lineage starting with genealogy

Chapter 237 The New Golden Core (Seeking votes at the end of the month!)

"Some people left five hundred years ago."

"How many times has this happened?" Xu Chuan asked solemnly.

"It started more than three thousand years ago, I suppose. As for who proposed this plan, I am too low-level to know," said the ancient locust tree's treant clone.

"Perhaps it is a powerful demon in human form, perhaps it is a cultivator or demon cultivator from among you humans, or perhaps it is the result of a joint discussion among the three parties."

Otherwise, this place would not have become a battlefield where the three forces clashed.

Experiencing similar things over and over again, like an inescapable cycle.

Xu Chuan slowly closed his eyes, his heart filled with sorrow.

Oh!

He cupped his hands towards the wooden doll and said, "Thank you for telling me the truth, senior."

Don't you feel hopeless?

"Despair, bottomless despair!"

"But I firmly believe that there is always a glimmer of hope at fifty, and you, senior, are the only way out for my Xu family."

"As for this cycle of reincarnation," Xu Chuan looked up at the sky, "I also believe that one day someone will wield a sword to sever this cycle of reincarnation and stop the tragedy from continuing!"

“You are a unique person. I think you might be carrying some kind of great fortune,” the treant clone said.

"Senior is too kind. Regarding the transplanting, I still have a question. The spiritual energy in the area where my Xu family lives is thin, and I'm afraid it won't be able to provide it with sufficient spiritual energy and nutrients."

Every bit of wool we can get is a bonus.

The tree-man clone smiled and said, "It's alright."

He took out a dark-colored bonsai from somewhere. The copper basin contained earthen-yellow spiritual soil imbued with spiritual energy, and a locust tree sapling was planted on the soil.

"I have prepared it. You can carry it with you and drip a drop of spiritual liquid on it every now and then until it is fully awakened and transformed into a demon."

You can return it to me then.

"Senior, this soil..."

"I obtained it from a certain demon clan. It is called Xuanhuang Spirit Soil. Legend has it that it was formed when a wisp of innate Xuanhuang Qi fell into the soil and can accelerate the growth of spiritual plants."

Even if it becomes a second-tier wood sprite, it will still be of considerable use.

Xu Chuan was slightly disappointed, then took the dark-colored bonsai, glanced around, and asked, "Senior, do you have any other instructions?"

"None yet."

"Then may I borrow this precious place to cultivate for a period of time?"

"Do as you please."

The area is rich in wood-elemental spiritual energy, which can accelerate one's cultivation speed by several times.

Xu Chuan chose a piece of green rock, sat cross-legged, and silently began his cultivation.

The dark-colored potted plant was placed beside him.

Mo Yue communicated with Xu Chuan telepathically, telling him to contact her if he needed anything, and then returned to Mirror Lake.

The objectives of this trip have all been achieved.

With the Fox King and Tree King won over, and with their own nemesis, the Flood Dragon King Mo Yue, the Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Xu family no longer need to worry about encountering third-tier demonic beasts that might attack them.

As for the rest, he couldn't force the Fox King and the Tree King to provide protection.

----------

at the same time.

The dispute over the spirit stone mines on the border of the Great Wei is becoming increasingly fierce.

Dozens, even hundreds, of late-stage Qi Refining cultivators from both countries died in the battle, while seven or eight Foundation Establishment cultivators from each country also perished.

The news was also received by the Jin Dynasty.

Many cultivators from the Great Jin Dynasty were eager to make their move.

This is the time.

Upon hearing of this, the Blood Clan's patriarch, having broken through to the Golden Core stage, traveled to the border of the Great Wei Dynasty.

Having witnessed numerous deaths, the cultivators of Great Wei and Great Liang ultimately decided to determine the ownership of this medium-sized spirit stone mine through a competition.

That's right. It has been determined that the spirit stone mine here is a medium-sized spirit stone vein.

Golden Core cultivators were all secretly watching.

It's just that, given their status, it's inconvenient for them to get involved.

They all wanted to monopolize this spirit stone mine.

The Great Wei and the Great Liang agreed to three matches, one for each of the nine levels of Qi Refining, the other for the early stage of Foundation Establishment, and the other for the middle stage of Foundation Establishment.

Each competition has five participants from each side who will defend their title. The one who remains standing on the stage at the end is the winner.

In the first Qi training battle, the Great Wei emerged victorious.

In the second battle during the early stages of Foundation Building, the Great Liang suffered a pyrrhic victory.

Halfway through the third round, the sky within a ten-mile radius suddenly turned blood red, leaving everyone astonished and uncertain.

Why did the sky suddenly turn red?

"Bloodlust. Everyone be careful, a demonic cultivator practicing the Blood Demon Path has broken in," an elder in the late Foundation Establishment stage warned.

Everyone felt a chill and immediately became alert.

"Impossible! Blood energy covering such a large area is something no Foundation Establishment stage demonic cultivator could do!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a series of eerie and terrifying laughs echoed from all around.

"Jie Jie Jie~"

"The ancestor had just broken through to the Golden Core stage when he discovered a medium-sized spirit stone vein, which belongs to the ancestor!"

Upon hearing the words "breakthrough to the Golden Core stage," all the cultivators present turned pale.

"Someone has broken through to the Golden Core stage?!"

"They're actually demonic cultivators from the Great Jin Dynasty!"

In the arena.

As the blood and qi surged, a violent hurricane suddenly arose, swirling with the crimson blood qi, and flying rubble across the platform.

The cultivators from both Liang and Wei felt as if they had been struck by a hammer, their bodies momentarily frozen, before being blown away by a gust of wind and falling off the arena.

All the onlookers saw was a mass of blood energy condensing in the center of the arena, eventually transforming into a figure, a young man in his early twenties.

Her hair was like congealed blood, hanging down to her waist, each strand shimmering with an eerie red light like glass. When it moved without wind, it seemed as if blood beads were flowing and rolling down between the strands of hair, turning into wisps of blood mist upon touching the ground.

Her face was as white as powder, yet it had a rosy glow, as if it had been carved from blood-red jade. Her eyebrows slanted upwards towards her temples, and the corners of her eyes had a natural rosy hue.

His eyes were like blood-red glass, and as he moved, tiny blood-red lines could be seen moving within them.

She wore dark-patterned blood-red brocade, with embroidered blood-red lotus flowers on the hem.

He glanced at the crowd and snorted coldly.

Instantly, countless crimson waves of energy surged forth from his body, like ten thousand horses galloping or a fiery dragon soaring.

No one dared to meet his gaze, and they all bowed and said, "Greetings, Senior."

"I want this spirit stone vein, Ancestor. Do you have any objections?"

His voice was like a booming bell, yet it also carried a youthful, clear, and eerie quality, cutting through the gale and penetrating everyone's eardrums.

As soon as he finished speaking, the pressure of the Golden Core, along with the Yin energy of the Blood Demon Path, suddenly swept across the surrounding area.

The crowd below the stage felt a sudden heaviness on their shoulders, as if a thousand-pound boulder was pressing down on them. Those with weaker cultivation staggered and knelt on the ground, their faces ashen.

Even those Foundation Establishment cultivators clenched their fists, veins bulging, throats tightening, unable to utter a single word; their eyes were filled with fear and resentment.

Suddenly.

Everyone immediately felt the pressure ease.

Suddenly, several figures appeared in the air.

To the east is the Cao family's Golden Core Ancestor, and to the south is the Emperor of Liang, the Liu family's Golden Core Ancestor. Beside them is a cloud of mist, with what appears to be a dark shadow within it.

"Ancestor!"

"His Majesty!"

The people from Wei and Liang bowed to the two men, their eyes filled with optimism as if they had seen saviors.

"They were all hiding in the shadows, why are they all showing up now?" The blood-robed youth sneered.

"A mere newly promoted Golden Core cultivator, do you think you're invincible?" The Liu family patriarch sneered, his expression unfriendly.

"You want to kill me?" The blood-robed youth laughed. "With the Blood Escape technique, if this old ancestor wants to leave, none of you can stop him!"

"Moreover," he suddenly shouted in all directions, "Brother Sima, are you just going to stand by and watch the people of our Great Jin be bullied like this?!"

"Hahaha, it really is you, Fellow Daoist Xue! You actually lived for over a hundred years thanks to secret techniques, and even managed to successfully form your core?!"

"Incredible! Absolutely incredible!"

A dark shadow suddenly appeared in the western sky.

It was none other than the patriarch of the Sima family of the Great Jin Dynasty.

In the blink of an eye, the Golden Elixir of the Great Wei, Great Liang, and Great Jin arrived together.

The blood-robed youth glanced at the group in the air and smiled wickedly, "Since everyone who's supposed to come has come, why should we share this spirit stone mine with the rest of us? How about we split it equally among the five of us?"

Many prominent families' expressions changed simultaneously.

They all paid a heavy price to compete for this mineral vein.

In the end, it was all for nothing?!
The patriarchs of the Cao and Liu families exchanged a glance. If they joined forces, along with the third-tier demonic beasts of the Zhao family, suppressing the Golden Core cultivators of the Sima and Xue families would not be a problem.

but.
"What, Fellow Daoist Cao and Fellow Daoist Liu, do you two still want to join forces?" The blood-robed youth raised the corner of his mouth and said, "Are you really going to make enemies with us over a few spirit stones?"
If we were to break off relations, it wouldn't be good for any of us.

As for the other powerful families, do they think they can resist us?

Ultimately, this medium-sized spirit stone mine was divided equally among the Cao, Liu, Zhao, Sima, and Xue families.

The remaining Foundation Establishment families all met a tragic end.

The news that the Blood Clan's patriarch had extended his life by a hundred years and obtained the End-of-Life Pill spread throughout the Great Wei, Great Liang, and Great Jin.

In terms of strength at the Golden Core level alone, the Great Jin Dynasty has become the strongest, followed by the Great Liang Dynasty, with the Great Wei Dynasty at the bottom.

Upon hearing this news, both the main branch of Xujiadong Creek and the branch of Guangling looked solemn.

This is because the Xue family and the Xu family also have some grudges against each other.

Although it was just a grudge between the elders of the Blood Clan and them, given the practices of demonic cultivators, now that they have become a Golden Core Clan, they might cause some trouble.

The Xu family members inherited Xu Chuan's character, and were very cautious in both their actions and thoughts.

Even the slightest sign will be considered in advance.

Dongxi.

"Ming Shu, go to the 'Azure Sea Forest' and find Elder Mo Yue. Tell him to inform Father about this matter. The situation is changing too quickly; please ask him to return and oversee things."

"Understood, Second Brother."

Xu Mingshu immediately departed on the Purple Thunder Azure Fire Eagle.

Although Xu Ying was at the peak of the mid-stage of the second tier, he possessed both lightning and fire attributes, making him no weaker than a late-stage second-tier demon beast. In addition, there was Xu Bai, a true late-stage second-tier demon beast.

She herself is at the mid-Foundation Establishment stage, and she has cultivated tens of thousands of red-spotted spirit insects and more than two thousand iron-devouring flying ants, which is enough to rival a seventh-level Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Just over two days.

She then arrived at "Qinghai Forest" and blew a dragon whistle.

This whistle is specifically used to communicate with Moorish people.

Otherwise, the "Qinghai Forest" is too large, making it difficult for the Xu family to find it, and it is also teeming with monsters, making it extremely dangerous.

Acting too recklessly will only harm yourself.

In Mirror Lake.

Mo Yue opened his eyes and thought to himself, "The Xu family is looking for me?"

Without much thought, he rushed out of Mirror Lake and flew away into the distance, riding the clouds and mist.

Having won over the three-tailed white fox and made a deal with the ancient locust tree king, he can now roam freely throughout the entire "Qinghai Forest".

Even if it were a three-tailed white fox, she wouldn't dare to easily trespass on the territory of the ancient locust tree king.

"Ming Shu, what brings you here? Am I taking you to the Yunjin Mountains again so your stupid cat can cultivate?"

Mo Yue spread his divine sense and soon found Xu Mingshu.

“Uncle Mo Yue, something bad might happen at home. Someone in the Great Jin Dynasty has advanced to the Golden Core stage, and it’s from a family that has a history of feuds with my Xu family.”

"Practicing the Blood Demon Path?" Mo Yue thought for a moment. "I have some recollection of it. It seems to be because he saved the Zhao family cultivators."

"One Cao family, one Sima family, and now there's the Xue family." Mo Yue was speechless. "Does your Xu family want to make enemies of the whole world?"

"Uncle Mo Yue, stop joking around and hurry up and inform my father. My second brother is worried that someone from Da Jin might come and cause trouble, so he wants my father to go back and take charge of the situation."

"Little girl, how dare you be so disrespectful!" Mo Yue bared his teeth at her, then mentally connected with Xu Chuan.

Xu Chuan woke up from his cultivation and, upon hearing what Mo Yue had said, frowned slightly and replied, "Bring Ming Shu here to pick me up, and you can also come back to the Xu family with me first."

After making the contact, Xu Chuan, carrying the dark-colored bonsai, came to the ancient locust tree king and bowed, saying, "Senior Tree King."

"What is it?" A deep, resonant voice rang out, followed by a flash of green light, and the treant's clone appeared.

"There is trouble in the clan, and I intend to leave."

"What's the trouble?"

“Since this involves a Golden Core stage power, I must return to my clan to oversee things.”

The tree-man clone looked at Xu Chuan, then glanced at the seedlings in the pot, and sighed softly, "You want to ask me for help?"

I will not get involved in your human conflicts.

But our deal has just been finalized, and I can't just stand by and watch something happen to you."

As he spoke, the entire ancient locust tree shone with a vibrant green light.

A short while later, a branch flew towards Xu Chuan.

"This branch can injure at least a mid-stage Golden Core cultivator with a full-force attack from me. It will dissipate after the attack. Make good use of it yourself."

This is all the help I can give you!

"Thank you, senior!"

Xu Chuan was overjoyed.

The mid-stage Golden Core cultivator mentioned by the Tree King must be someone who possesses a magical artifact.

It seems that the true strength of the Ancient Locust Tree King is absolutely comparable to the peak of the third tier.

Realm is one thing, combat power is another.

Just as humans use various external means, it is normal for someone in the early stages of Foundation Establishment to kill someone in the later stages.

Such treasures are mostly rare and extremely uncommon.

soon.

When Mo Yue arrived, Xu Chuan left with him and returned to Dongxi.

Xu Chuan summoned Xu Mingwei, Xu Mingyuan, and other core members of the Xu family who were building their foundations.

"Father, I did not mean to disturb your cultivation. It is just that the Great Jin has gained another Golden Core cultivator, and he is from a family with some grudges against our Xu family."

Given the demonic cultivators' usual practices, now that the Great Wei is weak, they might no longer be so cautious and could very well intrude into the Great Wei to cause trouble for my Xu family.

Xu Mingyuan said with a solemn expression, "The Sima family was initially troubled by the lack of evidence and was wary of the Cao family of Wei, so they dared not openly send people to question them."

The same applies to the Xue family.

If they unite to exert pressure, the Cao family will probably turn a blind eye.

They were even quite pleased to see this situation.

Xu Chuan looked at Xu Mingyuan and smiled slightly, "Mingyuan, you have thought this through very thoroughly. Now tell me your plan."

"I think we must prepare in advance. If the Sima family and the Xue family really send people, kill them!"

"and then."

"If a Golden Core cultivator comes, it would be best to kill him if possible. If not, we must at least intimidate everyone!" Xu Mingyuan said, "Our Xu family is no longer the Xu family it was decades ago."

"I believe that the Xu family's foundation, prestige, and connections are sufficient to support a Golden Core cultivation family. This is a perfect opportunity to elevate the Xu family to the very top of the aristocratic families."

Upon hearing this, Xu Chuan glanced at the others expressionlessly and asked calmly, "What do you all think?"

“Father, I agree with my second brother’s idea!” Xu Mingwei said, “If no one comes to disturb us, our Xu family can continue to keep a low profile as always.”

But if anyone dares to extend their claws, then chop them off!

Xu Mingxian said calmly, "Although I have not yet fully comprehended the third-order formation, I have no problem with the top-tier second-order sealing formation. Even a Golden Core cultivator would have to expend considerable effort to break it."

"Father, as long as the Sima family and the Xue family don't send Golden Core cultivators, just leave them to us. Ah Ying is comparable to a late Foundation Establishment cultivator, and Xiao Bai can fight against a Foundation Establishment Perfection cultivator."

There's also the eldest brother's bow and arrows, and the second brother's top-tier talismans.

"Even if we summon Xiaoyao, with four or five late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators and seven or eight mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators, we can still kill them all."

Xu Dezhao said, "Aunt, Elder Xiaoyao is going to be stationed at the Guangling branch. Wouldn't it be inappropriate to call him here?"

“The demonic path has always been selfish. If our Xu family can attract a Golden Core cultivator, it must be because they are interested in a peak second-tier dragon,” Xu Mingyuan said.

Seeing them discussing it, Xu Chuan suddenly felt a sense of relief, as if he could let go.

"Then let's do as you say." A slight smile appeared on his lips. "The cultivators below the Golden Core stage are yours to handle."

If the Golden Core cultivator arrives, then let him become a stepping stone for our Xu family!

Xu Mingxian set up another protective array for the clan and refined a top-tier second-order array flag.

The rest of the people continued their practice as usual.

After three months.

The Great Jin Blood Clan held a Golden Elixir Ceremony and sent out invitations widely.

The Xu family also received it.

But Xu Chuan had no intention of going.

In the past, if I received such an invitation, I would have to go even if there was danger.

Not going would give the Golden Core families an opportunity to cause trouble.

One month later.

Families who received the invitations went to the event.

The Zhao family didn't want to go, but since the Xue family had come last time, they had to send someone this time.

Xue Wuxiu, the third elder of the Xue family, originally intended to embarrass the Xu family. He even killed some of the Qi Refining disciples who had followed them.

But to everyone's surprise, the Xu family didn't come!
This really angered him so much that his face turned pale.

"Brother Wuxiu, your Xue family is at the height of its power today. Who has angered you to this extent?"

The visitor was the head of the Sima family, with a cultivation level of the seventh stage of Foundation Establishment.

"Brother Sima," Xue Wuxiu said, cupping his fists, "it's natural that someone has disregarded the Xue family. We sent them an invitation, and now they dare not come!"

"Oh." The head of the Sima family was surprised. "There are still aristocratic families with such audacity?"

“But I see that the Cao family, the Liu family, and the Zhao family have all sent people here.”

“It’s the Xu family,” Xue Wuxiu said, staring at the head of the Sima family.

“That Xu family of Great Wei?!” The Sima family head narrowed his eyes upon hearing this. “They are indeed very bold.”

"According to the information I have received, the Xu family has repeatedly humiliated the Cao family in the Great Wei Dynasty, forming alliances and rallying a bunch of ants to create some kind of alliance."

This made the Cao family hesitant to act rashly, fearing they might harm the innocent.

"Such a thing actually happened?!" Xue Wuxiu looked surprised. "The Cao family is really going downhill. If it were in our Great Jin, anyone who dared to provoke us like this would be wiped out."

"Powerful families are like bamboo shoots after a spring rain; even if one generation dies out, new ones will spring up again the following year."

"Therefore, the turmoil in our Great Jin has never stopped. I guess this is also the reason why Great Wei and Great Liang resist our demonic cultivators from entering the country."

Once discovered, they will shout for its destruction.

Xue Wuxiu remained silent.

After a moment, he thought of something and said, "Brother Sima, I remember that your Sima family seems to have some grudges with the Xu family, right?"

"Indeed, there are some things I want to ask clearly. My son, Sima Xiangyan, and his group all perished in the 'Wuhua Secret Realm.' Both the Xu family and the Cao family had encountered my son's team."

The most suspicious.

However, there is no evidence whatsoever, since none of them bear any imprints of the Sima family's secret techniques, nor any magical artifacts crafted by the Sima family.

Otherwise, my Sima family patriarch would have killed him on the spot.

Later, I sent people to secretly infiltrate the Great Wei to investigate the Xu family's secrets, but unfortunately, they never heard from them again.

Ultimately, it all came to nothing.

"It can only be said that the Xu family is meticulous and extraordinary." Xue Wuxiu said, "Brother Sima, I bet that the death of all your Sima family members in the secret realm was probably the work of the Xu family."

"Do you have evidence?"

"Evidence? Do we demonic cultivators need evidence to do our things?!" A sinister glint flashed in Xue Wuxiu's eyes. "Just arrest the person from back then and search their soul!"

The head of the Sima family remained silent, pondering deeply.

"Back then, the Sima family was wary of the Cao family of Wei, which is why they dared not send people into Wei to cause trouble for the Xu family."

But now, my Great Jin Golden Core level is the strongest.

The Great Wei Dynasty was supported by only one Golden Core cultivator.

If our two families join forces and go to the Xu family openly and legitimately, while also informing the Cao family in advance, do you think the Cao family will turn a blind eye?

"Let us suppress the Xu family as we please."

The head of the Sima family pondered and said, "The Xu family is not weak; it is no less than a first-rank aristocratic family."

"But their foundation is still shallow, isn't it? They are all at the first level of Foundation Establishment, and there are probably only two or three at the middle stage of Foundation Establishment. Only the peak second-tier dragon is someone to be wary of."

We can each send one Foundation Establishment cultivator to be responsible for restraining that dragon.

Four more late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators and eight mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators were dispatched.

If the Xu family is unwilling to cooperate with the soul search, then take direct action. Even if the Xu family has a second-tier high-grade formation, they won't be able to hold out for long.

Brother Sima, I've heard that the Xu family possesses abundant cultivation resources, even surpassing those accumulated by first-rank aristocratic families.

After thinking it over, the head of the Sima family felt that Xue Wuxiu's method was feasible.

As long as the Cao family tacitly agrees not to interfere, and the two families jointly mobilize their forces exceeding those of a first-rank aristocratic family, even if they cannot destroy the Xu family, they will certainly gain something.

In the territory of the Great Wei, they also need sufficient reasons to do things.

And both of them happen to have this reason.

“Alright, I will discuss this matter with the clan elders when I get back. After all, it involves a lot of combat power, and it’s not something I can decide alone,” said the head of the Sima family.

"Of course." Xue Wuxiu nodded and smiled. "Then I, Xue, will await your good news, Brother Sima."

Xue Wuxiu is the elder's younger brother and wields immense power in the Xue family.

As long as his elder brother is persuaded, it shouldn't be a problem for the Xue family to mobilize these people.

As for the Blood Clan's Golden Core Ancestor, he didn't even show up at the Blood Clan's Golden Core Ceremony, which shows his indifferent nature.

Xue Wuxiu's plan has an extremely high success rate; it could succeed against any first-rank aristocratic family in the Great Wei.

Therefore, five or six days later.

The Sima family and the Xue family then agreed to discuss the details of the matter.

As for attacking, that would be the location of the Xu family's main branch, Dongxi.

After all, most of the Xu family members who entered the "Wuhua Secret Realm" were in Dongxi, while the Xue family's invitation was for Xu Chuan. If they wanted to blame someone, they should go to Xu Chuan.

Therefore, Dongxi was chosen.

Half a month later.

The Cao family received a letter from the Xue family.

"Elder, this is a letter from the Xue family of the Great Jin Dynasty, for you to open personally. The Xue family says they will be waiting for your reply in the capital."

Cao Dezhang glanced at it, took it, opened it, and his pupils contracted slightly. Then, he raised an eyebrow and sneered, "Has the Xu family's good luck run out?"

"The Sima family and the Xue family are actually going to join forces to hold someone accountable."

"What you said is quite reasonable."

"Xu family, it's not that my Cao family is inactive. Who told you to be so bold as to offend three Golden Core forces?"

Cao Dezhang immediately wrote a letter and handed it to the guard, saying, "Give it to the Xue family."

"Yes, Great Elder."

The Xue family sent someone back to the Great Jin Dynasty with a letter.

Upon reading the contents of the letter, Xue Wuxiu laughed and said, "Go and invite Patriarch Sima here."

Half an hour later.

The head of the Sima family arrived.

"Brother Sima, look, this is the reply from the Cao family's eldest elder."

The head of the Sima family took it and glanced at it. It read: "If there are grudges, you may come and settle them. But if you attack any other aristocratic families, the Cao family will hunt you down to the ends of the earth!"

"The Cao family is still cunning and calculating. Regardless of whether we succeed or not, the Cao family can extricate themselves completely without any karmic consequences based on the last sentence."

Xue Wuxiu laughed and said, "Well, Brother Sima, when shall we make our move?"

"Seven days from now, on September 26th, we will travel together to the Great Wei!"

"Good! That's great!" Xue Wuxiu laughed heartily. "Then it'll be September 26th!"

On the other side, there's Dongxi.

Bihan Pool.

Xu Chuan condensed a drop of life-giving liquid at his fingertips and dripped it onto the locust seedling in the dark potted plant.

Its greenness was quickly absorbed.

Then the seedling shook a few tender leaves, seemingly quite comfortable.

"Its spirituality is not weak, but it's still far from being fully intelligent." Xu Chuan sighed slightly. "It seems this transaction won't be easy."

Having completed his work for the day, Xu Chuan collected a wisp of life force from all the plants and spiritual trees in Bihan Pool to replenish himself.

Then he quietly cultivated himself until midnight.

"Another neutral hexagram? Could it be that the Xue family isn't planning to come?"

"Logically speaking, if we join forces with the Sima family, they should think we're guaranteed to win and even be able to plunder my Xu family."

"Hurry up and come, I've been waiting for ages!"

"We must not disappoint the Xu family members who are eager for battle."

After this event concludes, Xu Chuan plans to formally relinquish control of the Xu family. He will dedicate himself to cultivation until he reaches the Foundation Establishment stage, and then head to the Southern Tian Region.

The elder has already made his choice.

In the early years, I had considered having the eldest son take over, but in the end, the second son, Xu Mingyuan, was more suitable.

As for Xu Mingwei, he plans to secretly establish a group of protectors and make him their leader.

Those who join the Path of Protection are unknown to even the leaders, elders, and patriarchs, except for the chief.

Its duties are to protect the young members of the clan, to maintain peace and tranquility within the clan, and to ensure the perpetual order of the Xu family tradition.

Nothing else needs to be changed.

Xu Chuan's plan was also a precautionary measure.

The Xu family's road ahead is still long, and he doesn't know if things will remain as harmonious as they are now, or if power struggles and factional conflicts will arise.

Putting aside distractions, Xu Chuan continued his spiritual practice.

The seventh day.

"I'm coming!"

Looking at the divination results, Xu Chuan remained calm and composed.

"Two cultivators at the Foundation Establishment Perfection stage, four at the late Foundation Establishment stage, eight at the mid Foundation Establishment stage, and sixty cultivators at the eighth or ninth level of Qi Refining."

They certainly seemed confident of victory!

"Mingwei".

Xu Chuan transmitted his voice to Xu Mingwei and said, "Go to Guangling and have Xiaoyao, Mingxuan, Elder Qingfang, and all members of the Xu clan who have reached the late stage of Qi Refining or above return to Dongxi."

Upon hearing this, Xu Mingwei knew that the enemy was coming.

Judging from their deployment, this will be a tough battle.

"Yes, father."

Without any hesitation, Xu Mingwei immediately set off for Guangling.

Xu Chuan also informed Xu Mingyuan, Xu Dezhao, and Xu Chonghui, telling them to be prepared today.

The hour of Wei (1-3 PM).

As the sundial cast its shadow, the mountain winds around Dongxi suddenly subsided.

A group of people arrived from the distant sky, outside the Cave Creek Formation.

They were all dressed in black robes or blood-red robes.

They weren't in a hurry to attack. Instead, they sent out a young man dressed in black robes, who shouted, "Summon your Xu family's Grand Elder and Foundation Establishment Elder! The Sima family and the Xue family of the Great Jin Dynasty have come to visit!"

"What are the people of the Great Jin doing here in my Great Wei?"

No sooner had the young man in black robes finished speaking than Xu Chuan's voice rang out.

Then, streaks of light arrived in front of the great array's light barrier, confronting the cultivators from the Sima and Xue families.

Since they've opted for courtesy before resorting to force, the Xu family isn't in a hurry to make a move.

The Xu family's lineup was also quite strong, with nine Foundation Establishment stage cultivators, including Xu Chuan, and others, plus Qi Refining Perfection stage cultivators like Xu Chonghui.

Behind them were the elite members of the Xu family, including members of the De and Chong generations, as well as members of affiliated families such as the Zhou family, independent cultivators, and immortal talents recruited by Yuehu County.

They were all at least in the late stage of Qi Refining, numbering fifty or sixty in total.

In addition, there are more than fifty grandmasters.

Xue Wuxiu glanced at them and a cold smile appeared on his lips. "What use are a few more Grandmasters? One mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator is enough to hold off two or three early-Foundation Establishment cultivators, and one late-Foundation Establishment cultivator can handle two or three mid-Foundation Establishment cultivators."

The extra Foundation Establishment cultivators would only be a massacre against these martial artists.

"Our Great Wei does not welcome demonic cultivators!"

"Personal grudges have nothing to do with the positions of the righteous and the demonic. Your Cao family of the Great Wei royal family also allowed us to come and resolve personal grudges."

The head of the Sima family said, "With this matter settled, we will not stay in Wei for a moment longer!"

"Using you to attack my Xu family seems like a decision the Cao family would make, but is it just a personal grudge?" Xu Chuan smiled faintly, "Your actions are more than just a personal grudge."

The head of the Sima family said, "This is, after all, the territory of the Great Wei. We must be careful. Having a few more people here will only put our minds at ease."

Having said that, he continued, "I won't waste any more words with you. I'll ask you this: in the 'Wuhua Secret Realm,' did my son, Sima Xiangyan, die at the hands of your Xu family?"

"The various factions within the secret realm fight to the death, but once they leave, all grudges are forgotten. What is the purpose of your Sima family bringing up this old matter again?"

"You can only say yes or no. If you don't, once we break through your Xu family's great formation, I, the patriarch, will capture one of them for soul searching."

Xu Chuan glanced at him coldly, then turned to Xue Wuxiu, "Elder Xue, what brings your Xue family here?"

"My Xue family, a prestigious Golden Core clan, sent you an invitation, yet you ignored it. Do you not respect my Xue family?"

"Why should I go just because someone invites me? What kind of logic is that?"
My Xu family is not a vassal of your Xue family!

Even if the Cao family, the ruler of my Great Wei, were to invite me, I, Xu, would still have the right to refuse.

"I've heard that you, Xu Chuan, are eloquent and persuasive, and it's true!" Xue Wuxiu said coldly, "By order of my Xue family patriarch, I'm bringing you, Xu Chuan, to my Xue family to apologize!"

The head of the Sima family was equally assertive, saying, "By order of my Sima family patriarch, I am bringing your Xu family members who participated in the 'Wuhua Secret Realm' to my Sima family for questioning!"

"If anyone disobeys, arrest them immediately!" the two said in unison.

Xu Chuan simply replied, "Those who offend the Xu family..."

"kill!"

"kill!"

"kill!"

(End of this chapter)