The Immortal Clan begins with deductive intelligence.

"Alright, get me a bottle."

Without further hesitation, Xu Changqing counted out 110 spirit stones from his storage bag and pushed them over.

Money can be earned back, but if it hinders the development of those children, then it's a case of penny-wise and pound-foolish.

The shopkeeper quickly collected the spirit stones, turned around and took out a small white jade bottle from the medicine cabinet behind him, handing it to Xu Changqing: "Alright, fellow Daoist, please keep this safe, take care."

Xu Changqing took the medicine bottle, put it in his pocket, and didn't stay in the store for long before turning around and blending into the crowd.

"We need to go to three more."

Xu Changqing wandered through the intricate alleys of the market, found a secluded corner, and turned his black robe inside out, transforming it into a dusty old coat.

Then he went to a few more shops.

Luck is neither good nor bad.

The good thing is that I managed to buy the medicine, but the bad thing is that the prices at each store were more outrageous than the last, and in the end, the bottle cost me 115 spirit stones.

Once he had collected four bottles of Qi-Inducing Powder, Xu Changqing's storage bag, which had just bulged, deflated by more than half.

The Demon-Slaying Embankment was damaged, causing medicine prices to skyrocket and sects to expand their recruitment.

These events, when pieced together, clearly indicate that the situation is not looking good.

It seems I not only need to buy this Qi-inducing powder, but I also need to make sure the younger kids in the family take it and start practicing.

If things really get chaotic, having a sword in hand is better than being an empty-handed lamb waiting to be slaughtered.

Xu Changqing strode towards the market exit, but his mind was preoccupied with something else.

Since drug prices have skyrocketed, perhaps I should keep the demon core of that Iron-skinned Bull in my possession.

The demon core of the Iron-skinned Bull is warm and potent, and is excellent for nourishing blood and qi. If used to refine "Qi-strengthening Pills", it will have a remarkable effect on healing injuries.

If I sell it now, I'm afraid I'll lose some money.

Just then, a commotion suddenly broke out ahead.

A group of people surrounded a young man in brocade robes like stars around the moon, completely blocking the already narrow street.

Xu Changqing didn't want to join in the fun, so he slipped to the side and hid under the eaves of a shop, intending to wait until everyone had passed before leaving.

But when he looked up, the young man's appearance made his pupils shrink slightly.

Zhang Xianzu.

The eldest son of the Zhang family who has just emerged from seclusion.

This man looked to be no more than twenty-five or twenty-six years old, and he had a handsome appearance, but his slanted eyes revealed a sinister look that ruined his overall appearance.

He wore a light purple robe, with a warm jade pendant hanging at his waist, and was playing with a folding fan in his hand, which made him look rather pretentious in the dead of winter.

"Young Master, this 'Mysterious Iron Shield' is a second-tier low-grade defensive magic weapon. With it, you will be absolutely safe on your journey to the Demon-Slaying Dike."

The attendant beside him was all smiles and trying to appease him.

"Experience? Hmph, it's just a trip to the embankment, a chance for those old guys to see what it's like."

Zhang Xianzhu held a small black shield, about the size of his palm, and casually tossed it around, looking completely nonchalant.

"My Zhang family is now quite prominent. If my cousins ​​can enter the outer sect at this mountain opening ceremony, who in this hundred-mile stretch of water will dare to disrespect my Zhang family?"

The surrounding lackeys immediately echoed their sentiments, their flattery rising and falling.

"Of course!"

"Our Zhang family is about to produce another dragon!"

Zhang Xianzhu was pleased to hear this, a smug smile appearing on his lips. He casually tossed the black iron shield to his follower behind him.

After he finished speaking, he casually glanced at the crowd around him.

Xu Changqing was dressed in a black robe, with only his eyes showing.

Zhang Xianzhu stared at him for a moment, then looked away without any interest.

They don't even dare to show their true faces, so why should I even glance at them?

The crowd escorted Zhang Xianzu away.

Watching the arrogant backs of those people, Xu Changqing reached out and touched the four bottles of Qi-Inducing Powder in his pocket.

"A second-tier magic weapon, they really have deep pockets."

But Zhang Xianzhu's words just now indicated that the Zhang family was also aiming for the mountain opening ceremony.

Moreover, judging from this, Zhang Xianzhu still needs to go to the Demon-Slaying Dike to be gilded.

This might not be a bad thing for the Xu family.

As long as the Zhang family focuses most of their attention on the Demon-Slaying Dike and the Mountain Opening Ceremony, Cangwu Island can enjoy a month or two of peace.

The Xu family is now like a small, broken boat in a storm, and what they need most is a moment to catch their breath.

If we can get through this period and wait for those four children of the "hope" generation to have their spiritual roots tested, and if one or two of them are truly capable enough to enter the Qinghe Sword Sect, then the Xu family can finally stand up a little.

Xu Changqing pulled himself out of his thoughts, pressed down his straw hat, and didn't linger in the market. He picked up his tattered flatboat and headed back through the wind and snow.

It was already late when we returned to Cangwu Island.

As soon as they landed in the courtyard, Xu Dayou appeared out of nowhere, holding a steaming ceramic bowl in his hand.

"Chieftain, you're finally back!"

Xu Dayou shoved the bowl into Xu Changqing's hands; it was a bowl of spirit rice soup with scallions floating on top.

"This was just brewed. The younger ones have all had some, so I left you a bowl of the thicker kind."

Xu Changqing picked up the glass and took a sip, feeling much warmer.

"Is there anything wrong at home?"

"It's only been a short time, what trouble could possibly arise?"

Xu Dayou grinned, then gestured towards the fishpond in the southwest corner, lowering his voice:

"This afternoon, that old woman San Shun came and made a scene, saying that she had ruined him by watching over the fishpond and wanted to take him back, but Rou'er stopped her."

Xu Changqing handed the empty bowl to Xu Dayou and wiped his mouth.

"It's time to go see them."

The annual tribute has been submitted two days ago.

Not only did the Zhang family not receive any messages from those two, but they also watched helplessly as the Xu family handed over the golden-scaled fish. They must be wondering about it right now.

Did the juice from the Rotten Vine actually work?

Where did the Xu family get this golden-scaled fish?

Once a person becomes suspicious, they can't help but reach out to probe.

Xu Changqing couldn't allow the Zhang family to send any more people, or for them to resort to violence out of desperation.

"Uncle Dayou, you should go and rest first. I'm going to the fishpond."

Xu Changqing walked slowly toward that direction with his hands behind his back.

At this moment, by the fishpond, in that drafty thatched shed.

Xu Sanshun and Xu Tiezhu have been forced to stay here and guard for four days and four nights.

For the next four days, Xu Changqing seemed to have forgotten about the incident, and apart from having someone deliver food, he didn't show up at all.

This is pure torture.

It wasn't just the physical cold, but also the fear in my heart.

The two of them had been talking about it a lot these past few days, their hearts were about to give out from all the ups and downs.

"The clan...the clan chief has arrived!"

Xu Tiezhu, who had been staring at the intersection, suddenly shouted and scrambled to his feet.

Xu Sanshun also shuddered, quickly rubbed his stiff face, and forced out a smile that was uglier than crying.

Xu Changqing walked to the front of the shed and looked at the two tribesmen who were frozen like quails, a hint of guilt on his face.

"Uncle Sanshun, Uncle Tiezhu, you've really had a tough time these past few days."

Xu Changqing sighed and reached out to pat the dry grass clippings off Xu Sanshun's shoulder.

"I haven't had a chance to visit you these past few days. I've been running around like crazy because of that tribute matter."

"That's right, that's right, the clan chief has gone to great lengths for our family."

Xu Sanshun, with a broad smile, tentatively asked:

"Chieftain, I heard that the envoy from the upper sect took away the golden-scaled fish? Does that mean we can have a good New Year?"

Xu Tiezhu also pricked up his ears, his hands clenched tightly inside his sleeves.

"The annual tribute has been paid, but these fish..."

Xu Changqing's expression changed from guilt to sorrow, and even showed a hint of weariness that was hard to hide.

Xu Sanshun and Xu Tiezhu exchanged a glance, their hearts skipping a beat.

what does this mean?

Could there be another unexpected event?

Xu Sanshun's eyelids twitched, but a strange excitement welled up inside him. He quickly asked, "Chief, what do you mean? I think these fish... haven't they been doing well these past two days? They were quite eager to eat when I fed them just now."

Xu Changqing looked around before lowering his voice and adopting a sincere and open manner.

"It's not that easy. Although the fish disease seems to be cured on the surface and the fish have been frolicking for two days, this solution only treats the symptoms, not the root cause."

Xu Changqing paused, then held up a finger and waved it in front of the two of them.

"This fish looks lively and jumping around now, but its insides are already rotten. It will die within ten days."