The Immortal Clan begins with deductive intelligence.

Chapter 41 Year-End

A moment later, Xu Changqing took the jade slip and casually tossed it to Xu Dayou, who was standing to the side.

"This sword technique follows a fierce and powerful approach, requiring little spiritual energy manipulation. It emphasizes overwhelming force with sheer power, which suits that simpleton Yan Feng perfectly."

Xu Dayou took it, but didn't look at it closely. He just chuckled and said, "If that kid knew he had this, he'd probably sleep with it."

"But this machete..." Xu Dayou looked at the blood-stained machete on the table, somewhat troubled. "This is stolen goods, the famous weapon of that Liu Sandao. If we take it out, it's like admitting guilt."

"Then let's melt it."

Xu Changqing didn't even lift his eyelids.

"Later, I'll have the blacksmith light the furnace and melt this knife and all those other useless magical artifacts into molten iron. I'll then forge a few new, handy weapons. Although their rank will definitely drop, it'll be safer."

Xu Dayou was delighted to hear this.

"Alright, we'll do as the clan chief says."

The harvest of this night was enough for the Xu family to catch their breath.

Days passed by in this seemingly calm atmosphere, but in reality, undercurrents were surging.

The Zhang family lost their goods and suffered casualties, so naturally they wouldn't let it go easily.

Within three days, the market was plastered with reward notices.

A wanted poster bearing the images of "Black Shark" and "Green Face" was displayed in the most conspicuous position.

Anyone who provides clues will be rewarded with fifty spirit stones, and anyone who takes the heads of "Black Shark" and "Blue Face" will be rewarded with two hundred spirit stones.

However, the portraits were really not flattering. One had a full beard and looked like a pig butcher, while the other only showed his eyes and it was impossible to tell whether he was male or female.

When Xu Dayou returned from gathering information at the market, he was laughing so hard he couldn't stand up straight.

"Clan leader, you didn't see it. The Zhang family steward's face was as black as the bottom of a pot. He was jumping up and down cursing, saying he would wipe out Black Wind Village."

"But there are at least eight or ten bandit strongholds called Black Wind Strongholds in this area of several thousand miles. If they investigate them one by one, they won't find anything by next year."

Xu Changqing was squatting in the backyard of the ancestral hall, loosening the soil around the purple-striped golden peach tree, and didn't even turn his head when he heard this.

"What about the Li family?"

"That old bastard Li Shan is quite composed. I heard that when the Zhang family went to question him, he was leading his clansmen in his own spiritual fields, crying poverty and saying that this year's harvest was bad and they couldn't even gather enough spiritual stones to pay tribute to the Zhang family. He put on quite a convincing act."

Xu Changqing patted the dirt off his hands and stood up.

"If he took the goods, he'd be an accomplice. He'd be even more afraid of being exposed than we are, so he'd naturally put on a convincing act."

"How are those two children?"

Xu Dayou's expression turned serious, and a hint of joy appeared on his face.

"I was just about to tell you some good news! Last night, Xiwen caught a cold, and this morning, Xiyue also got pregnant!"

"Oh?"

A hint of relief flashed in Xu Changqing's eyes.

Although it was half a month later than Xu Xining's, for children with four or five spiritual roots, this speed was already not slow.

It must be because he had been taking the Qi-inducing powder continuously, and the monster meat had replenished his Qi and blood.

"Let's go take a look."

The two entered the quiet room.

As soon as I pushed open the door, a stench hit me.

That is the acquired turbid qi that is expelled from the body after qi is drawn in.

The three children were sitting cross-legged on the prayer mats. Xu Xining had long since lost interest and was now idly picking at his toes.

Upon seeing the clan chief enter, he quickly withdrew his foot and pretended to be in deep meditation.

Xu Xiwen and Xu Xiyue, who were standing next to each other, had just finished their practice. Although their faces were dirty and covered in black ash and grime, their eyes were frighteningly bright.

"Chieftain!"

Upon seeing Xu Changqing, the two children immediately stood up to greet him.

"Please sit down."

Xu Changqing waved his hand, stepped forward, grasped the wrists of the two men, and channeled a wisp of spiritual energy into them to investigate.

Although the meridians are thin, the faint sensation of Qi is very real.

"good."

Xu Changqing released his grip, took out two low-grade spirit stones from his storage bag, and gave one to each person.

"Now that you have sensed the Qi, this is your reward."

"Hold it in your hand, but don't rush to absorb it. Nourish it with your spiritual power every day and feel the fluctuations of spiritual energy within. This will help stabilize your realm."

The two children held the spirit stones, their hands trembling, so excited they could barely speak.

These are spirit stones!

I'd only ever seen adults use them before, but now I have one myself!

Xu Xining pursed his lips, thinking the two of them were making a fuss over nothing.

"Alright, go back and wash up. You all smell so bad, it's making it hard for me to open my eyes."

Xu Changqing, unusually, made a joke and waved the two of them out.

As the three children ran away, Xu Changqing's smile gradually faded.

Thus, all three promising young talents of the Xu family have now crossed the threshold of cultivating immortality.

Although they are all still just kids who haven't even reached the first level of Qi Refining, this is undoubtedly the greatest joy for the Xu family right now.

Before we knew it, the year was drawing to a close.

Red lanterns were unusually hung on Cangwu Island.

Although the Xu family was poor, they still had to celebrate the New Year.

Especially this year, the children have become successful again, and their spirits are different now.

Xu Changqing stood with his hands behind his back under the corridor, watching several women washing steamers in the courtyard, preparing to steam rice cakes.

"Chieftain, this year's rice cakes are made with newly purchased spirit rice flour mixed with red dates. Shall I send you a couple of warm pieces later?"

A woman carrying a basin passed by with a smile on her face. The smile no longer held the sorrow of the past, but instead showed a glimmer of hope for the future.

"Okay, add more sugar."

Xu Changqing smiled and responded.

This lively atmosphere eased his long-held tension a little.

Two tables were set up in the main hall.

Although there were no delicacies, the aroma of the green spirit fish and monster meat stewing in those large pots wafted far and wide.

Xu Yanfeng was loudly demonstrating a wooden knife to a few of the younger children.

"Let me tell you, the essence of 'The Three Blades of Broken Waves' is all about momentum!"

"With this one strike, no matter what kind of demons or monsters they are, they'll all be cleaved in two!"

He struck a pose and then slashed down fiercely.

"Click."

The wooden knife snapped in two, splitting a nearby bench in half.

"Oh dear, you silly child!"

Jiang Rou, who was arranging the stew, was startled and almost dropped the plate of stew she was holding.

"You spendthrift! That's a mahogany stool passed down from your great-grandfather!"

Xu Dayou took off his shoes and chased after him, hitting him.

The whole room burst into laughter.

In the corner, Xu Yanzhen sat quietly, holding a peach wood talisman that was not yet finished being carved. His eyes were cold, but the corners of his mouth were slightly curved.

Xu Changqing sat in the main seat, looking at the lively atmosphere in the room, holding a wine cup in his hand, but not drinking.

The snow has started falling again outside.

Another year.

There was no Spring Festival Gala, no cell phones, and no heating.

But the feeling of dozens of people gathering together in a lively atmosphere isn't bad at all.

"Chieftain, would you like to say a few words?"

After finishing dealing with Xu Yanfeng, Xu Dayou sat back down, panting, and picked up his wine glass to make a suggestion.

The eyes of everyone in the room instantly turned to him.

There is reverence, gratitude, and above all, trust.

Xu Changqing stood up and raised his wine glass.

In this cruel world of cultivation, living, and living better, is the only truth.

"These past six months have been tough for everyone."