Qi Gathering Pills were relatively common pills, so their price was fairly standard.
A bottle of superior-grade Qi Gathering Pills was about seventy spirit stones. Six pills were half a bottle, making it thirty-five spirit stones.
However, this was merely the quantity Xu Chuan produced from one furnace of pills.
Not counting the compensation for his pill refining labor, the Xu family netted over thirty spirit stones in profit from this transaction.
Having obtained six superior-grade Qi Gathering Pills, the Ge family was very satisfied. Xu Mingyuan was even more satisfied.
Among their group, only he and Xu Mingwei roughly knew the profit margin. The others like Xu Mingxuan and Xu Mingshu weren't too clear.
Among the Xu family members, there was one other person quite happy—Xu Deling.
This time, they traded for quite a bit of artifact refinement materials from the Ge family. Having researched the long boots and fly whisk magical artifacts previously and gained some insights, she planned to attempt refinement.
She transmitted this to Xu Mingyuan.
Ge Yanhua wasn't surprised. All Qi Refining families would cultivate their own pill refiners, artifact refiners, array masters, and talisman makers.
However, those who truly reached a level of bringing benefits to the family weren't many.
After all, learning immortal arts required a certain talent.
"Since that's the case, why don't you all stay at my Ge family first? I also need time to communicate with the other branches about trading with the Xu family. I hope dear nephew doesn't mind?"
Ge Yanhua had already discerned that among the Xu family members, Xu Mingyuan led.
"Naturally. Then we'll quietly await good news from senior."
"Xuanhong, I'll leave these people to your arrangements. Take good care of them and don't be negligent." Ge Yanhua instructed.
Ge Xuanhong patted his chest and laughed, "Mingxuan and I are close friends. Naturally, I won't neglect his clanspeople."
Ge Yanhua nodded, then left the hall.
"Mingxuan, everyone, come with me."
Along the way, Ge Xuanhong asked, "By the way, I still don't know how to address these clanspeople of yours, Mingxuan."
Xu Mingxuan seemed hesitant, but when a transmission came from Xu Mingyuan to his consciousness saying there was no problem, he smiled and said, "I was confused. This is my big brother, Xu Mingwei. This is second brother Xu Mingyuan. This is fourth sister, Xu Mingshu. The two young ones are both my big brother's children."
"All actual big brothers, nephew and niece?" Ge Xuanhong said in surprise.
Xu Mingxuan nodded slightly.
"I thought they were just ordinary clanspeople. How disrespectful of me." Ge Xuanhong immediately smiled and apologized.
Xu Mingwei smiled lightly, "You took good care of Mingxuan back then. My Xu family is also grateful. This porcelain bottle contains three grandmaster pills with good effects. Since Brother Xuanhong walks the martial path, please accept them."
"How could I accept this? Back then, it was Mingxuan who saved my life."
Xu Mingxuan smiled and stuffed the porcelain bottle into Ge Xuanhong's hands, "Brother Ge, why be polite with me? Don't forget what your father just traded with us. If my Xu family can even produce superior-grade Barrier Breaking Pills, what more martial Dao pills? However, these Grandmaster Martial Pills were researched by my Xu family's pill refining grandmaster themselves. They're unique to the Xu family. I don't know how their efficacy compares to your Ge family's. Just don't disdain them."
"How could I?" Ge Xuanhong couldn't decline further and immediately put them away, cupping his hands. "Thank you, Brother Mingwei."
Xu Mingwei nodded slightly.
Ge Xuanhong also observed the group and felt that each Xu family member had their own characteristics.
Xu Mingwei was steady but taciturn. Xu Mingyuan was good at socializing. Xu Mingxuan, though much more stable, still faintly showed his temperament from years ago.
Xu Mingshu was lively. Her attire gave people a heroic and spirited feeling that made eyes light up.
As for the two juniors, neither was very old. They were vigorous and spirited, with eyes full of confidence. They should be young geniuses the Xu family was focused on cultivating.
Therefore, he made a judgment in his heart: Though the Xu family is young, their future is bright.
After Ge Xuanhong settled the Xu family members, Xu Mingyuan accompanied Xu Deling as they followed him to the Ge family's artifact refinement room.
"Our third branch doesn't have outstanding artifact refiners, so we only simply built one room for our third branch disciples to attempt artifact refinement." Ge Xuanhong said as they walked.
"Uncle Ge, I feel like your Ge family's branches are all independent and don't interact much?"
"Young niece is truly intelligent."
Ge Xuanhong smiled, "Over a hundred years ago, our Ge family's four branches began developing separately, each responsible for their own gains and losses. Basically, only during clan competitions or when matters with major impact on the Ge family occur do we interact."
"Clearly one family, yet you feel as estranged as four separate families."
"What about your Xu family?"
"Our Xu family naturally loves each other and is united as one." Xu Deling smiled. Dimples appeared on her cheeks along with small tiger teeth, making her quite endearing.
Xu Mingyuan explained, "Our Xu family doesn't have many people. If we experienced ups and downs over one or two hundred years like the Ge family, who knows what form we'd develop into."
Ge Xuanhong nodded, "Yes. As families develop generation after generation, how could they always follow the founder's ideas? Moreover, different eras and encountering different matters will cause families to experience rises and falls, forcing them to seek better paths."
Before long, they reached the artifact refinement room. After Xu Deling entered.
Ge Xuanhong arranged for a servant to wait outside to guide her when she came out, then he and Xu Mingyuan returned to their lodgings.
Xu Deling borrowed the artifact refinement room for two to three days straight.
Using demon beast hide armor as the main material plus some other auxiliary materials, she refined a pair of Wind-Fire Boots.
Wind assisted fire's momentum. The speed they could burst with was seventy to eighty percent faster than the Wind Movement Boots obtained from Daoist Qinghe, almost approaching some middle-grade magical boots.
"Not bad at all. Big Brother already has Wind Movement Boots, so I'll give these to Father."
Xu Deling muttered a few sentences. Her slender jade hand pointed, collecting them into her storage bag. Then she opened the restriction and walked out.
"Miss Xu, you've finally come out. Lord Xuanhong has sent people to ask several times."
Xu Deling seemed a bit embarrassed, "This artifact refinement took longer than I imagined. Please lead the way."
"Miss Xu is too polite. This is what this humble one should do."
The servant immediately led Xu Deling toward the guest rooms. However, midway they encountered a young master heading toward the artifact refinement room.
"Seventh Young Master." Seeing the person walking toward them, the servant immediately stopped and bowed respectfully.
Xu Deling glanced at him. The youth was about the age of a young adult, wearing snow-white shark gauze robes that swayed lightly in the wind. The azure jade chi-pattern belt hook at his waist reflected flowing light. The suspended mutton-fat jade lightly tapped with his steps.
When his broad sleeves hung down, they seemed like flowing clouds unfurling, setting off an overall bearing like a piece of jade from Kunshan.
However, she only glanced once, then followed the servant away.
"Wait."
"What are Seventh Young Master's instructions?" The servant bowed with lowered head.
"Who is this woman? How have I never seen her before?"
"Replying to Seventh Young Master, this is Miss Xu from the Xu family. She's a clansperson of Lord Xuanhong's good friend and has been a guest in our clan these past few days."
The Seventh Young Master observed Xu Deling with apparent curiosity but didn't presume. Instead, he nodded, "You may go."
After they left, the Seventh Young Master turned to look at that red-clothed figure, his eyes seemingly showing unusual brilliance.
Xu Deling asked curiously, "Who was that person just now?"
"He's the Family Head's eldest son, born to Lord Xuantao's third wife, ranking seventh among his children. Therefore, we servants all call him Seventh Young Master."
"I see. Judging by his extraordinary bearing, he also seems to be an immortal cultivator."
The servant nodded, "This humble one doesn't know about that. However, among Lord Xuantao's over ten children, Seventh Young Master is the most outstanding with exceptional grace."
Xu Deling nodded. The two continued forward, soon reaching the guest room.
After the servant cupped his hands and bowed, he also left.
"Three days of refinement. Little Ling'er must have gained quite a bit this time." Xu Mingshu said with a smile.
"Aunt really understands me." Xu Deling grinned, dimples appearing again on her face.
With a wave of her hand, a pair of white-bottomed black-bodied long boots with crimson patterns on the surface flew from her storage bag.
"Magical boots." Xu Mingshu said in surprise. "Little Ling'er, you actually managed to create magical boots. Haven't you only been researching for a few days?"
"Actually, Ling'er has been researching various low-grade magical artifacts in the clan. It's just that magical boots and robes are relatively rare, and the clan doesn't have them either. This time with a reference object, refinement became much simpler. Moreover, Ling'er made some improvements so they not only borrow wind momentum but also possess fire momentum. Wind assists fire, making their speed seventy to eighty percent faster than these Wind Movement Boots."
As these words fell, everyone's eyes lit up.
"So Little Ling’er, who do you plan to give them to?" Xu Mingshu put her arm around her shoulder and smiled. "See how your aunt usually treats you?"
"Aunt is naturally very good to Ling'er, so Ling'er plans to give these Wind-Fire Boots to Father."
"Shouldn't you give them to your aunt?" Xu Mingshu said in astonishment. "Little Ling'er, you've learned bad habits. You're actually deceiving your aunt."
"Aunt, these are clearly men's long boots. You wouldn't mind?"
"I almost forgot. Then I'll let them go to Big Brother. Little Ling'er, remember to refine something better for your aunt."
"Leave it to Ling'er." Xu Deling patted her chest in guarantee.
Xu Mingxuan said, "Fourth Sister, you've said everything. I have nothing left to say. Little Ling'er, your third uncle also reserves a pair."
"No problem, Third Uncle."
"How come I suddenly feel the Wind Movement Boots in my hands aren't appealing anymore?" Xu Dezhao said gloomily.
"Stop fooling around." Xu Mingwei shook his head with a rueful smile, then patted Xu Deling's head. "Ling'er, Father appreciates your thoughtfulness. However, with Father's speed, at minimum superior-grade magical boots would help Father. So give these Wind-Fire Boots to your Second Uncle."
"To me?" Xu Mingyuan said blankly.
"Who told you to be the weakest here?" Xu Mingwei said indifferently.
Xu Mingyuan immediately couldn't refute. "Then thank you, Ling'er."
"Yuchen, how come you came to Third Uncle's place today?"
Ge Xuanhong looked at the refined young master before him, his eyes showing surprise.
He had no immortal cultivation talent and walked the martial path, while Ge Yuchen was the most talented among his elder brother Ge Xuantao's many sons.
He was also one of only two true spiritual root immortal cultivators in the third branch's Yu generation.
The martial path had always been looked down upon by the immortal path. Even clan juniors with pseudo spiritual root aptitude rarely came to visit him, let alone this immortal cultivation genius of the clan.
"Third Uncle is my elder. For Yuchen to visit you is only natural."
Ge Xuanhong stroked his chin. Hearing these words made him quite happy in his heart.
However, he also understood, no one comes to the temple without a reason. So he smiled lightly, "Speak directly if you have business. You're the family's genius. If there's anywhere Third Uncle can help, naturally I'll assist."
"Then nephew will speak directly. Today, Yuchen saw a woman in red clothes near the artifact refinement room. I heard she's a clansperson of Third Uncle's good friend. I'd like to ask Third Uncle to help introduce us."
"Near the artifact refinement room?" After pondering, Ge Xuanhong said, "You saw Xu Deling, daughter of the Xu family from Yuehu Commandery, also my good friend's actual niece. Her father is also temporarily staying in our residence."
"An immortal cultivation family from neighboring Yuehu Commandery?"
"That's right. Still a newly promoted immortal cultivation family."
"I've heard Yuehu Commandery hasn't produced a new immortal cultivation family in over a hundred years. This Xu family is no simple matter, actually able to stand out from such chaos."
"Taken a fancy to the young lady?" Ge Xuanhong said with a smile.
"Just that first meeting made eyes light up. By the way, Third Uncle, that Xu Deling appeared near the artifact refinement room. Could she also be an artifact refiner?"
"Not clear. Perhaps not yet qualified, just researching artifact refinement." Ge Xuanhong said indifferently.
"That's true. She looks a few years younger than me. If she became an artifact refiner, wouldn't I have wasted these past years?"
"Yuchen, work hard. You're a rare immortal cultivation genius our branch has produced, with some artifact refinement talent too. If someday you can become an artifact refinement grandmaster, our third branch's status might surpass the main branch. The family might even hope to advance to a Foundation Establishment family."
Ge Yuchen nodded with a light smile. "Yuchen won't disappoint Third Uncle, Father, or Grandfather, and won't disappoint the family."
After a pause, he continued, "About that Xu Deling..."
"Third Uncle will go help you probe indirectly in a bit. If the young lady is already betrothed, then you should give up."
"Thank you, Third Uncle."
Ge Yuchen then left. Shortly after, Ge Xuanhong also went to Xu Mingxuan's guest room.
At this time, Xu Mingwei and the others had each returned to their own rooms to meditate quietly.
"Mingxuan, it's me."
"Brother Ge? Come in." Xu Mingxuan said indifferently.
These guest rooms had no restrictions. After obtaining permission, Ge Xuanhong pushed the door and entered.
"Cultivating? Seems I've disturbed you."
"Not really. Brother Ge, what brings you here? Has Family Head Ge sent news?"
"My father's side should have a reply in the next day or two. Please be patient for two more days." Ge Xuanhong said.
Hearing this, Xu Mingxuan nodded.
"I heard your niece Deling came out of seclusion."
"Brother Ge's information is quite timely."
"A servant reported. When I heard, I hurried over. Is she resting in her room?"
"Mm, she should be in meditation and cultivation."
Ge Xuanhong nodded, then asked again, "By the way, I see Dezhao and Deling are both not young. Are they betrothed?"
Hm?
Doubt arose in Xu Mingxuan's heart. Inquiring about this, could the Ge family want to form a marriage alliance with our Xu family?
Different commanderies, even Foundation Establishment families rarely intermarried, since it didn't help their own forces much, let alone Qi Refining families.
After pondering briefly, he smiled, "Dezhao is already married with children. As for Deling, she's not yet married. However, she's ultimately not my daughter. Her marriage isn't for me to decide. So whether my big brother has betrothed her to someone, I'm also not too clear. I'd need to go ask him."
"Parental command and matchmaker's word, that's human nature." Ge Xuanhong nodded. "By the way, my elder brother has a son with exceptional talent and refined bearing. He'll reach adulthood next year. He'd be quite compatible with Deling."
"Your elder brother's son?"
"That's right. He also has immortal cultivation aptitude. His talent is outstanding, almost one of the candidates to be our third branch's future family head."
"A future family head candidate must have truly remarkable talent."
"That's right. He's also reached the age for marriage. I see Deling is excellent, and she's your actual niece. If she's not yet betrothed, this would be perfect, relatives becoming even closer relatives. What does Brother Xu think?"
"I'll need to ask my big brother about this before replying to Brother Ge."
Ge Xuanhong cupped his hands and nodded with a smile. "Then I'll trouble you."
He didn't stay long and left before long.
Xu Mingxuan pondered for a moment, then went to Xu Mingwei's room and transmitted via divine sense to call everyone else over then he informed them of what Ge Xuanhong had just proposed.
The others all felt it strange, but Xu Deling suddenly recalled the refined youth she'd encountered not long ago and frowned. "The Ge family's Seventh Young Master?"
"Ling'er, you know him?" Xu Mingshu said in surprise.
"I encountered him by chance when finishing artifact refinement. The servants said he was the eldest son of the Family Head's line, ranking seventh among his father's over ten children, born to the third wife."
"Third wife, over ten children, tsk tsk..."
Xu Mingshu heard Xu Mingxuan's tsking sounds and immediately glanced at him. "What, Third Brother, are you envious?"
"Fourth Sister, don't talk nonsense."
"I dare you. Otherwise, I'll tell Sister-in-law Wanqing when we get back!"
Xu Mingyuan smiled, "Fourth Sister, don't be so surprised. Your cousin Bai Hui has already married nine wives. Our Xu family descendants can't possibly all be monogamous. It's just that we few have been somewhat influenced by Father, plus we're basically busy with family matters or cultivation.”
“Otherwise, for the sake of strengthening the family, taking multiple wives and concubines to have more children would be the better choice. More births mean higher probability and numbers of immortal cultivators. If other great families were all like us few, their families probably couldn't have reached where they are now."
Hearing this, Xu Mingshu was speechless, not knowing how to refute.
"Second Brother, you're just like Father, whatever you say, people can't refute." Xu Mingshu sighed gloomily.
"Big Brother, what about Ling'er's marriage?" Xu Mingxuan looked at Xu Mingwei. "According to Brother Ge, Ge Yuchen should be one of the true spiritual roots of the Ge family's third branch this generation. As long as he doesn't perish, he'll very likely be the third branch's future family head."
"Third Brother, what do you think?"
"Having the Ge family seek to marry our Little Ling’er is impossible. We can only put them off by saying she's already betrothed."
Xu Mingwei nodded slightly.
Xu Dezhao teased with a smile, "Could this be our Xu family's tradition, every generation always has one woman who remains single?"
"Zhao'er, I think you're itching for a beating." Xu Mingshu said.
Xu Deling thought about it but still didn't mention her matter with Wu Shun'an.
If she could persuade Wu Shun'an and Wu Mingsheng, naturally Xu Chuan would make decisions for her. Xu Mingwei also wouldn't say much. But if not, she'd probably truly be like Xu Mingshu, leaving it to fate.
With her talent, she only had two choices: marriage into the family or remaining unmarried.
This was the maximum freedom the Xu family could grant.
Xu Deling understood this in her heart.
As a member of the Xu family, the family was most important. All other personal emotions must yield before family interests.
The next day, when Xu Mingxuan encountered Ge Xuanhong, he told him of this matter.
He only sighed slightly, feeling it was a pity, and said no more.
That afternoon, Xu Mingwei, Xu Mingyuan, and Xu Mingxuan were summoned by Ge family servants to the main hall.
Besides Ge Yanhua, there were three other elders of similar age. Two were at ninth layer of Qi Refining peak, the other at ninth layer of Qi Refining middle stage.
The Ge family definitely didn't have many cultivators who reached the ninth layer of Qi Refining. Seeing their dignified bearing.
Xu Mingyuan and the others guessed their identities.
They should be the family heads of the Ge family's other three branches then they heard Ge Yanhua introduce, "This is my Ge family main branch's family head, Ge Yansong. This is the second branch's family head, Ge Yanlin. This is the fourth branch's family head, Ge Yanguang."
Xu Mingwei and the others all cupped their hands and bowed. "Greetings to the seniors."
Ge Yansong swept his gaze over Xu Mingwei and the others, saying indifferently, "A Qi Refining family dares trade with families from other commanderies. Your Xu family's courage is quite bold. Aren't you afraid of having these trade goods swallowed?"
Xu Mingyuan said, "Senior Yansong needn't worry about this. Without some confidence, how would our Xu family dare? The seniors summoned us today, you should have decided to give our Xu family an answer, right?"
"What if we haven't?" Second branch Family Head Ge Yanlin said.
"Having stayed at the Ge family for many days, we should take our leave." Xu Mingyuan's response was neither servile nor overbearing. His peripheral vision took in the expressions of the four Ge family heads.
Even just one breath's change or the dilation of skin pores couldn't escape Xu Mingyuan.
Penetrating the Obscure and Illuminating the Subtle wasn't like mind-reading where he could hear others' thoughts, but rather observation of matters to the ultimate minutiae, already reaching the level of pointing directly to the essence.
This didn't only target people but also environmental changes and such.
This was also a change Xu Mingyuan only gradually discovered later. However, the most important aspect was still judging people's hearts.
After all, he was the Xu family Discipline Hall master and also controlled the Shadow Division, monitoring many vassal families and various families in Dongxi.
Seeing Xu Mingyuan and the others' attitude that they could accept whether trade with the Ge family succeeded or not, Ge Yansong's brow furrowed slightly. "If trade with my Ge family doesn't succeed, do you truly plan to trade with the Wei family?"
"Senior Yansong understands my meaning, nothing more than the four words 'conspiring with tigers.' But whether it can succeed still requires trying, doesn't it?"
"What arrogance!" Ge Yanlin snorted lightly.
Xu Mingyuan was unconcerned and looked at Ge Yanhua. "Seems the Ge family is unwilling. Then my Xu family won't force it."
"Dear nephew, please wait. It's not unwillingness, but rather the winds have been too tense recently. The Wei family, enraged for some unknown reason, is not only investigating cultivators from families in their own camp but also investigating people from the Feng family's side. And the Feng family is just letting it happen. If we trade with Qi Refining families from other commanderies at this time, my Ge family might be in danger and would also implicate your Xu family."
Xu Mingyuan and Xu Mingwei exchanged glances and transmitted, "Seems Guangling Commandery isn't a place to stay long. Though it's unlikely they'll trace it to us, we should still leave early."
"I'll follow your lead." Xu Mingwei responded.
"So that's how it is. What a pity." Xu Mingyuan sighed.
Ge Yanhua said, "Dear nephew, why not wait until after this tense period passes, and my Ge family will send people personally to Yuehu Commandery to trade with your Xu family. How about that?"
"This poses considerable risk to my Xu family. If discovered by Yuehu Commandery's immortal cultivation families, they'll suspect my Xu family has dealings with forces from other commanderies and wants to harm them."
Xu Mingyuan paused, then smiled again. "Unless the Ge family is willing to trade at prices twenty percent above market value. Then this transaction could still be done."