Cultivating a family of immortals

Xu Jingheng, who usually appears very composed, was unusually silent for a moment before speaking:

"I asked my senior, and he said he wouldn't hurt me. I feel... he's telling the truth."

The Xu family remained silent.

Seeing that everyone was feeling a bit sentimental, Xu Jingsheng walked over to Xu Jingheng with a smile, grabbed his sleeve, and said:

"Brother, don't be afraid. You're an idiot anyway, the Xuan Yuan Sect won't do anything to you."

Everyone burst into laughter upon hearing this.

Xu Jingheng scooped up Xu Jingsheng and gave her two "hard" slaps on the bottom, saying:

"How dare you talk about your older brother like that! Believe me... I won't give you any more candy!"

Xu Jingsheng chuckled sheepishly, "If they don't want to give it, they don't have to. Grandpa will give it to us anyway!"

"Hey, this little one!" Xu Jingheng affectionately put her down, patted her head, and got down to business.

"Father, Grandfather, I'm also going to Ningyuan Zhize this time. Who from our family should go?"

Xu Jinglu poured tea for everyone and sat down next to Lin Wanxing, listening attentively.

This matter is of great importance. Xu Wanghe pondered for a moment and looked at Xu Changle.

Fang Shouzhuo already knew that Xu Changle was capable of cultivation.

Fang Shouzhou believed that Xu Changle's ability to cultivate since childhood was something that Xu Wanghe had kept hidden from him since he was young, since he was not as familiar with the Xu family as Wu Yuanzuo.

Currently, the person with the highest cultivation level in the Xu family is Xu Changle. Although he only has four spiritual roots, he has managed to reach the eighth level of Qi Refining thanks to the Qi Condensation Pills refined by Zhou Xingyao.

In the future, when he cultivates to the peak of Qi Refining, he will also need Foundation Establishment Pills to advance.

The Xu family absolutely has to go this time.

If I were lucky enough to obtain the [Primordial Soul-Gathering Mushroom], and nurture it with the little green bottle, it would definitely be several times better than ordinary spiritual herbs. If refined into pills, it might overflow, producing more than just one.

Xu Changle said solemnly:

"Since that's the case, then I'll go to the Xu family! But after I leave... if the Haoran Sect and the Chaoyang Sect have any designs on my Xu family..."

Fang Shouzhuo chuckled lightly:

"Chang Le, feel free to go. These two sects must be worried about this matter right now. If I'm not mistaken, their sect leaders will definitely go to Ningyuan Zhize this time!"

Xu Changle raised an eyebrow and said, "What does Senior Brother Fang mean...?"

Fang Shouzhou sighed and said:

"Since the last great battle, both Foundation Establishment cultivators have died before the Mo Chuan River. Without Foundation Establishment cultivators, the two sects' positions would be in jeopardy sooner or later. How could they not take action?"

Xu Jingheng nodded and said:

"That's right, that makes sense, Father. You should go this time. With me and the disciples of the Xuan Yuan Sect protecting you, you'll be fine!"

That made sense, but Xu Changle felt uncomfortable listening to it. She quietly looked at Xu Jingheng, then suddenly spoke up:

Did you hit Jing Sheng just now?

"Hmm? Father, what's wrong?"

Xu Changle smiled slightly, walked over, grabbed Xu Jingheng's ear, and scolded him angrily:

"Jing Sheng is your third sister. You not only don't cherish her, but you even hit her? I'll show you what the Xu family's rules are!"

Everyone burst into laughter upon seeing this.

"Father, you're settling a personal score on official business!"

"What's the point of reporting it?"

A moment later, as Xu Jingheng sat timidly to the side, rubbing his ears and not daring to say much, the group discussed the matter again.

Xu Wanghe pondered for a long time before finally saying:

"Let Chang Le go this time. The Xu family has Shou Zhuo guarding them. If those two sects dare to attack, I will risk my old bones to fight them to the death!"

After he finished speaking, the hall fell silent.

"This is the way of cultivation: if you don't advance, you fall behind. For the prosperity of the family, we must fight to the death and ensure its lasting success! Chang Le, go ahead and do your thing. I will protect the Xu family!"

After a moment of silence, Fang Shouzhuo spoke solemnly.

Xu Changle nodded emphatically.

"There's still a little over a month until the opening of Ningyuan Zezhi Land. I need to return to the sect tomorrow. Father, please come with me to the sect, get your spot, and then we'll set off together!"

"That would be best!" Xu Wanghe nodded in agreement.

Late at night, the Xu family gathered in a dark room.

Xu Wanghe spoke again about the Xuan Yuan Sect with concern, his eyes filled with worry.

"Guan Yi... what a fine child, harmed by those traitors from the Haoran Sect. I'm afraid the Xuanyuan Sect might also have such designs!"

Xu Changle and Xu Jingheng comforted Xu Wanghe.

Xu Wanghe is now over sixty years old, with wrinkles around his eyes. Even though his cultivation has reached the ninth level of the embryonic breathing stage, his advanced age makes cultivation much more difficult than for younger people.

If he doesn't advance to the Qi Refining stage, he'll have at most fifty years left to live.

As people get older, they become more talkative.

He held his eldest son and grandson's hands and kept talking.

Xu Jinglu watched from the side, feeling a surge of emotion.

So this is the Xu family.

His own father, grandfather, uncle, elder brother... all worked tirelessly for this family, unlike those despicable disciples in the Haoran Sect...

Thinking of this, Xu Jingluo stepped forward, gently grasped Xu Wanghe's hand, and said with a firm look in her eyes:

"Grandfather, rest assured, if the Xuan Yuan Sect truly harbors ill intentions, I will surely wipe them out completely once I have completed my cultivation!"

Xu Wanghe was taken aback, then smiled with relief.

"Very well, the Xu family should act like the Xu family!"

After another night of tender moments, everyone went to rest. It wasn't until the next day, when dawn was just breaking, that Xu Changle and Xu Jingheng left home together. Xu Jingheng threw out the spirit boat, and he and Xu Changle boarded it together, heading towards the Xuan Yuan Sect.

………………

Xu Jingtao stood at her doorstep, quietly watching the two figures disappear into the distance, a smile playing on her lips.

She started a fire and cooked a meal, steamed a basket of buns, cleaned the house, and then went to the backyard.

There is a small mound of earth here, which is freshly turned soil.

She placed the meat-filled buns in front of the mound of earth, thought for a long time, and decided not to erect a tombstone.

There's no monument erected, as if she were still alive.

However, she was afraid of the cold, so Xu Jingtao built another shed on the mound of earth and carefully tidied it up before looking down at the buns placed in front of the mound.

In just a short while, they all froze into ice blocks.

Xu Jingtao knelt down, her face already streaked with tears.

A short while later, Zhou Xingyao, carrying a bamboo basket, pushed open the door and came in. A hint of reluctance flashed across her face as she helped Xu Jingtao up.

"In my opinion, it would be better to resolve this by taking medication."

Xu Jingtao stubbornly shook her head and said:

"I feel nauseous every day this bastard is in my arms, I simply can't wait any longer..."

As she spoke, Xu Jingtao lowered her eyes and began to cry again.

Zhou Xingyao couldn't stop her, so she could only wait for her to make a decision.

After the time it takes for two incense sticks to burn, Xu Jingtao placed her hand on her lower abdomen, smiled foolishly, and her expression returned to calm.

She casually summoned her longsword and, without changing her expression, plunged it into her abdomen.

With a soft "pfft".

Blood gushed out immediately.

A trickle of blood seeped from the corner of her mouth.

Xu Jingtao laughed; she could feel that there was no longer any life in her womb.

That would be for the best.

Zhou Xingyao quickly used her spiritual power to stop the bleeding from the wound on her abdomen, then helped her back into the house and took good care of her.

After Xu Jingtao's paleness subsided slightly, Zhou Xingyao asked:

"Have you thought it through? Do you really want to go outside?"

Xu Jingtao smiled and said, "Staying in Guanyun Village and looking at the changed village, I still can't accept it. I'll set off as soon as I recover from my injuries."

Knowing there was no hope of dissuading her, Zhou Xingyao could only sigh and say, "You must be careful. Father said that if you are determined to go, you should put these things away carefully."

As she spoke, Zhou Xingyao took out a storage bag and handed it to Xu Jingtao. Inside were some Qi Condensation Pills, spirit stones, and a little gold and silver.

Xu Jingtao took it, a smile spreading across her face, thinking to herself:

"If I venture out and gain some opportunities or other things, I will repay the Xu family sooner or later..."