Building a long-lasting family lineage starting with genealogy

Chapter 382 Decision (Bonus Chapter for Recommended Votes!)

Zhao Qingran stepped into the cave.

After passing through a short passage, we arrived at a rather spacious cave hall.

The interior was simply furnished, with only a few pearls emitting a soft glow.

At the head of the table, an elderly man with sparse white hair and a face full of deep wrinkles sat cross-legged on an old gray futon.

Its aura was obscure and unclear.

This person was none other than Zhao Qiyang, the patriarch of the Zhao family.

On either side below, there are two low tables and cushions.

"sit down."

Zhao Qiyang slightly raised his eyelids and said in a calm voice, "I don't have any spiritual tea to serve you, so please make do with what you have."

"Sixth Uncle is joking."

Zhao Qingran sat down on a futon on the left as instructed and asked with concern, "Uncle, you have been in seclusion for two years. I wonder if your attempt to break through to the Golden Core realm has been smooth?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Qiyang's lips curled into a bitter smile.

He let out a long sigh, a sigh that seemed to carry the weight of a chronic illness: "The crystallization of magical power has stopped at seventy percent."

The remaining 30% is like being stuck in a quagmire, making it difficult to make any progress.

As for the final breakthrough to the Golden Core stage, that's probably hopeless in this lifetime.

Zhao Qingran's heart sank as well.

Remembering something, he asked with a glimmer of hope, "What if there's abundant spiritual energy to assist us?"

"A second-tier spiritual vein might help me complete the remaining crystallization of mana within six months."

However, if one wishes to gain some benefit from breaking through the bottleneck of the Golden Core stage…

Zhao Qiyang slowly shook his head, a hint of longing for resources and helplessness in his eyes flashing across his face.

"It must be a third-tier spiritual vein!"

"However, looking around, it seems that only dangerous places like the Qinghai Forest possess such a place."

"The Forest of Qinghai..." Zhao Qingran murmured, "Even if it exists, it must be occupied by a powerful demon."

"Alright, let's not talk about this old man's affairs anymore."

Zhao Qiyang waved his hand and refocused his gaze on Zhao Qingran.

Though showing signs of age, it remains sharp.

"Tell me, what is it that has put you in such a difficult position, and even disturbed my seclusion?"

Zhao Qingran's expression turned serious, and he immediately began by visiting the Xu family.

He recounted Xu Chuan's recruitment remarks, his alarming assertion that the millennium calamity was vastly different from the five-hundred-year calamity, and his own verification of the matter with the Emperor of Liang, among many other things.

This includes the fact that the Xu family possesses a third-tier grand formation, which could help the Zhao family produce a Golden Core cultivator in the future.

Upon hearing the terrifying details of the Millennium Calamity, Zhao Qiyang suddenly opened his half-closed eyes.

His pupils contracted, and a look of shock and awe flashed in his cloudy eyes.

Clearly, this matter was completely beyond his previous understanding.

The cave fell into a long silence, with only the faint glow of the luminous pearl flowing silently.

Zhao Qiyang stroked his beard and lowered his head, lost in deep thought.

After a long while, he raised his head.

He stared intently at Zhao Qingran.

Though his voice was hoarse, it conveyed an unwavering determination: "Choose the Xu family!"

Zhao Qingran's body trembled slightly as she looked over.

“Becoming a vassal will naturally damage one’s reputation, and many clansmen will inevitably feel resentful.”

Zhao Qiyang spoke slowly, each word seemingly weighed with immense weight, “But compared to the annihilation of the entire clan and the extinction of a thousand-year heritage, which is more important?”
Besides, if we bet right, the Xu family really does have such extraordinary abilities...

My Zhao family will then be able to rise to prominence by taking advantage of this opportunity.

At that time, truly joining the ranks of Golden Core families and making our clan truly powerful will no longer be an unattainable dream!
Qingran, in extraordinary times, does extraordinary things.

"This concerns the fate of the clan; there's no room for hesitation or indecisiveness!"

Zhao Qingran took a deep breath.

The patriarch's decision coincided with his deepest inclinations.

It also dispelled his last trace of confusion.

He stood up and solemnly cupped his hands in greeting: "Since Sixth Uncle also thinks so, Qingran knows what to do."

I will do my best to persuade the elders of the clan, and as soon as possible begin selecting branch clan members, organizing important traditions, and preparing for the relocation to Dongxi.

Zhao Qiyang nodded slightly, a relieved smile on his face: "Go ahead and do it. This old man of mine can still look after the family for a few more years."

"Sixth Uncle," Zhao Qingran suddenly thought of something and said, "If this matter can be accomplished, perhaps you can also move to Dongxi to cultivate in seclusion."

Qingyan once said that the spiritual energy within the cave was so rich that even the dark clouds lingered there.

Although I haven't seen it in person, I guess its spiritual vein is at least a second-grade high-quality one, or even... possibly a third-grade spiritual vein.

This could be of great benefit to your completion of mana crystallization, and even your breakthrough to the Golden Core stage.

A glint flashed in Zhao Qiyang's eyes, his hand stroking his beard paused slightly, and then he said calmly, "You shall arrange all of these matters."

If the Xu family is unwilling, then there's no need to force them.

"Yes, Sixth Uncle, then Qingran will not disturb your cultivation any longer."

Zhao Qingran bowed again, then turned and left the cave.

Leave this place.

Zhao Qingran sent a message to Zhao Qingyan, informing him of the ancestor's decision and his own resolve.

Zhao Qingyan was overjoyed upon hearing this, "Even the ancestor agrees, so the chances of persuading the rest of the clansmen are even greater."

"No, persuading the tribesmen requires careful consideration, after all, the matter of vassalage is complicated."

“Patriarch, why not lure them with benefits?” Zhao Qingyan said, “Tell them that your suspicions about the Xu family are true, such as that the Xu family is confident in helping people advance to the Golden Core stage through a third-tier spiritual vein.”

That's why members of the Xu family have successively reached the Core Formation stage.

You can also tell me about the situations of the Zhou, Qin, Li, and Wang families.

"this is a good idea!"

After a brief discussion, the two decided on a strategy to persuade their tribesmen.

The next day.

The Zhao family held another clan meeting.

This event was very large in scale, with all the Foundation Establishment Elders present.

Dozens of Qi Refining disciples with good aptitude and potential from the clan also appeared at the meeting, including two Qi Refining geniuses with Earth Spiritual Roots.

One of them was named Zhao Yeshuang, who was only twelve years old and had reached the fifth level of Qi Refining.

The other one is named Zhao Yemo, seventeen years old, at the ninth level of Qi Refining.

For a prominent family like the Zhao family, resources for Qi Refining stage cultivation are naturally plentiful, so the gap between them is not too large.

It usually begins to unfold gradually during the foundation-building stage.

When qualifications are similar, the key factor is the supply of resources.

"quiet."

Zhao Qingran sat upright in the main seat, exuding majesty.

A soft shout silenced the quiet conversations in the hall.

His gaze swept across the entire room, taking in the varied expressions of everyone present, and he said slowly, "Today, I have gathered the core of the entire clan here."

The matter at hand concerns the continuation of my Zhao family's thousand-year-old lineage.

This concerns the life, death, and future of every member of the clan present and their descendants.

He stopped his preamble and directly revealed the whole story of the millennium calamity.

The Foundation Establishment elders already knew about it at the last clan meeting, so they all looked completely unperturbed.

But the Qi Refining disciples were in an uproar.

"There's even a beast tide?!"

"Even the Liang royal family isn't very confident they can weather this storm?"

Following that, Zhao Qingran offered the Xu family protection for some members of the Zhao family, but only if they became vassal families.

This made even the other Foundation Establishment elders restless.

One by one, they applied to join the battlefield!

"Vassal? My Zhao family has been established for nearly a thousand years. When have we ever needed to be subservient to others?!"

"Absurd! The Xu family has only risen to prominence in the last few decades. Even if they have produced two Golden Core cultivators, what merit or ability do they have to dare to make my Zhao family their vassal?!"

"Patriarch! This is absolutely unacceptable! What will become of the dignity of the Zhao family? What will become of the honor of our ancestors?!"

A cacophony of voices arose, with opposition and doubts surging forth like a tide.

The reaction was particularly strong from several white-haired, highly respected elders in the late Foundation Establishment stage.

Their faces flushed red, their hair and beards bristled, clearly feeling immense humiliation.

Many of the younger disciples also showed expressions of resentment and indignation.

They seemed to have completely forgotten their fear of the great calamity.

Faced with the overwhelming opposition, Zhao Qingran did not try to suppress it. Instead, she sighed slightly and showed an expression of deep sympathy.

"Elders and fellow clansmen, please calm down."

When our patriarch first heard about this, his thoughts were exactly the same as yours!
Although my Zhao family is not a true Golden Core family, we are only one step away from it.

They are a renowned and ancient clan of the Great Liang Dynasty; how could they easily become subservient to others?

Such actions, which damage the clan's dignity, are something the clan head neither desires nor approves of!

His words calmed many of the indignant elders down a bit, and they turned their attention to him.

However, Zhao Qingran suddenly changed the subject, "However, the conditions offered by the Xu family are really... too generous!"
The offers were so generous that even the head of the family couldn't help but be tempted and had to carefully weigh the pros and cons!

As soon as these words came out.

Many Foundation Establishment elders were curious and therefore did not interrupt Zhao Qingran.

His eyes gleamed as he scanned the crowd: "According to Elder Qingyan, the Xu family is very likely to possess a complete third-order spiritual vein!"

The spiritual energy is so rich and pure that it rivals a secret realm!

One day of practice there is probably equivalent to half a month of hard work outside!

Upon hearing this, the hall fell silent.

Many people, especially those Foundation Establishment elders and young geniuses who were stuck at a bottleneck and craved spiritual energy, couldn't help but have their eyes blaze with intense light.

Third-tier spiritual vein!

These are cultivation conditions that even the Great Liang Imperial Palace might not possess!
Zhao Qingran pressed his advantage, continuing to tempt, "Secondly, the Xu family's foundation is far deeper than outsiders imagine."

They seem to possess secret techniques or unique resources that can significantly increase the chances of achieving the Core Formation stage!
You might as well think about why, in recent years, only the Xu family has been able to produce new Golden Core cultivators one after another.
This is no coincidence!
Their accumulated resources and methods have likely already surpassed those of the Cao family of Wei, the Liu family of Liang, and even the Sima family of Jin!

Now, even the most stubborn elders showed expressions of surprise and doubt, and began to think seriously.

If that's the case, the Xu family's resources are truly terrifying.

Seeing that everyone's attitude was softening, Zhao Qingran played his final trump card: "Ancestor Xu personally promised that if my Zhao family is willing to become vassals, a branch of our excellent bloodline will be transferred to Dongxi."

Not only can we use its precious land and formations to safely avoid this great calamity of a thousand years and preserve the Zhao family's heritage.

Furthermore, in the future, I can fully assist one of my Zhao family's geniuses in breaking through to the Golden Core stage!

"boom!"

The hall erupted in uproar once again.

But this uproar was completely different from the previous anger.

It was filled with shock, ecstasy, and disbelief!

"Aid in the formation of the Golden Core? Is this really true?!"

"These...these conditions..."

"The reason why the four families of Zhou, Qin, Li, and Wang willingly became vassals and sent branches of their lineage to Dongxi is because of this."

Zhao Qingran continued, "This is an opportunity, and now this opportunity is placed before our Zhao family. It's up to us to decide whether to seize it or not."

He surveyed the entire room, taking in the rapidly changing expressions on everyone's faces.

Especially the relatives and elders behind Zhao Yeshuang and Zhao Yemo, their breathing became noticeably heavier.

"Of course, this matter is of great importance, and the title of vassal is certainly not honorable."

If any elders or clansmen have doubts or are unwilling to comply, I, the clan head, can understand.

After all, the Xu family made it clear that they would not force anything and would await our clan's reply within ten days.

Even if it doesn't work out, the Zhao family and the Xu family will still be allies.

Of course, with the great calamity approaching, the Xu family would not have the resources to help our Zhao family.

"It is certain that protecting the Xu family of Dongxi will be a priority."

After a pause, Zhao Qingran finally asked, "Everyone, this matter is of great importance, so please consider it carefully."

The hall fell into a heated murmur of discussion and argument.

Opposition still exists, but it is no longer one-sided.

More and more people began to seriously weigh the pros and cons, especially the "Golden Core opportunity" and the "Third-Order Spiritual Vein," which had a fatal attraction for those with outstanding talent and their supporters.

Zhao Yeshuang's great-grandfather, an elder at the eighth level of Foundation Establishment, couldn't help but ask, "Patriarch, is there any further evidence to support the claim that the Xu family helped people form their core?"

What is the success rate?

Zhao Qingran was prepared and calmly replied: "How could the Xu family reveal such a secret? As for the success rate, who dares to guarantee anything about cultivation?"

Even if my Zhao family is well prepared, I dare not say that I can definitely help my clansmen achieve the Core Formation.

But if an opportunity arises, one should not strive for it.

That would be an even more hopeless path to the Golden Core realm!
Elders, do you agree with what I've said?

Many elders nodded slightly in agreement.

Upon hearing this, many of the elders who had been hesitant gradually became more determined.

Even though the Zhao family is a clan, it is divided into several factions.

If a certain sect produces a Golden Core cultivator.

For the next few hundred years, this faction will certainly dominate.

This might even lead to the division of the main vein into branches and tributaries.

The Cao and Liu families were like this: the main branch of the clan lived in the palace, while the branch clans lived in the capital city, or even moved to other places, leaving them to fend for themselves.

The Zhao family meeting ended amidst a heated and complex debate, failing to reach a resolution immediately.

After three days of fermentation.

At the next clan meeting, the situation gradually became clear.

More than 80% of the Foundation Establishment Elders and outstanding members of the family have clearly expressed their agreement to accept the Xu family's conditions, become vassals, and branch out to move into Dongxi.

The remaining 20% ​​mostly remained silent or reluctantly accepted the situation.

There are very few fierce opponents left.

With the resolution passed, the next steps are more complicated and more likely to cause conflict.

Because the choices made by the branch members represent life and death, and also their future prospects.

The argument resumed, this time more specific and pointed.

"My lineage is small in number but exceptionally talented, so we should have more spots!"

"Hmph, my branch has made enormous contributions to the family's business; how can we abandon it now?"

"Why only relocate a portion? Since the Xu family has a third-tier grand formation, why can't we allow our entire clan to temporarily take refuge? We can just pay a higher price!" someone suggested whimsically.

Zhao Qingyan, who had been listening in silence, stood up and said coldly, "Rules are rules!"
On what grounds should the Xu family protect my Zhao family, which comprises tens of thousands of people?

If this precedent is set, what will the Zhou, Qin, Li, and Wang families think?
What do Xu's other vassals, relatives, and friends think?

When they all flock to Dongxi, do they think the Xu family runs a charitable organization?

If it were my Zhao family, and anyone related to us by marriage, the entire clan would come to seek refuge with us.

Would we accept it all?

Zhao Qingyan paused for a moment, then glanced at the others.

Anyone whose eyes met his did not dare to look him in the eye.

(End of this chapter)