Not long after Xu Chongming was born, the genealogy automatically recorded his information.
No aptitude, no bloodline.
This was normal. After all, Xu Mingyuan's lineage had no special individuals to begin with. However, with the Innate Five Elements Creation Art, once Xu Dejing gave birth to a true spiritual root, their future children would have a much higher chance of possessing immortal cultivation aptitude.
Furthermore, Xu Chongming would also cultivate it in the future.
Generation after generation like this, a genius with an innate true spiritual root would eventually be born, and even earth spiritual roots or heavenly spiritual roots were not impossible.
The same applied to Xu Mingwei's, Xu Mingxuan's, and Xu Mingxian's lineages.
"Wu Tao."
"Grand Elder." Wu Tao cupped his fists.
Xu Chuan looked at him with a smile, took out a porcelain bottle, and handed it to him, saying, "This is a Bone Strengthening Pill, a relatively rare medicinal pill that can strengthen a child's constitution and bone structure. Wait until Chongming is a few years older before giving it to him. It will allow him to advance by leaps and bounds after he begins cultivating the martial Dao."
Xu Mingxian stepped forward and also presented a jade pendant, "This jade pendant is a little trinket I refined. It contains array prohibitions and can withstand one strike from an early grandmaster."
"Thank you, Fifth Uncle."
Xu Mingxuan immediately put on a bitter face and said, "Father, Mingxian, you both give such extraordinary gifts right from the start. How are the rest of us supposed to present our gifts? This is forcing me to also go learn an immortal art."
Hearing this, everyone burst into laughter.
Xu Mingyuan smiled gently and said, "Why don't you come learn talisman making with me?"
"No, Second Brother, I think I'm doing quite well as I am." Xu Mingxuan quickly raised his hand with a smile.
"I don't have anything presentable either, so let Ling'er represent our family in giving gifts." Xu Mingwei also said with a smile.
"Yes, Father." Xu Deling stepped forward and handed Wu Tao a set of clothes and boots, saying with a smile, "These are a dharma robe and dharma boots. They can recognize their master by blood. After putting them on little Chongming, they will automatically shrink to fit his size. They're warm in winter and cool in summer. Although they can't block magical artifact power, few ordinary weapons should be able to pierce this dharma robe. The dharma boots can also make Chongming light as a feather."
Xu Mingshu's beautiful eyes brightened, "Automatic sizing, that's so convenient. But Ling'er, with you making these dharma robes and boots, the tailors in our Xu family will probably lose their jobs and cry themselves to death."
"Aunt, please don't tease me. Although this doesn't count as a magical artifact, refining it still requires specific materials. It's impossible to produce them endlessly."
Xu Chuan said, "It seems Ling'er, you've already designed everything."
"The new style armor and weapons for our Xu family guards are almost complete, and I've refined quite a few. However, those for cultivators still need consideration."
Xu Mingwei said, "Let's first produce the standard dharma robes and boots for each hall. If individuals have special needs, they can find you later to custom order."
Xu Deling nodded slightly.
Zhou Zongni looked around, secretly astonished.
Xu Chongming clearly appeared to be just an ordinary disciple with mediocre talent, yet everyone in the Xu family valued him so much.
Xu Chuan even specially took out a miraculous pill that could alter bone structure.
She had never even heard of such a medicinal pill, and the Zhou family didn't have it either and her own husband, Xu Mingxian, casually gifted a prohibited jade artifact that could withstand one strike from an early grandmaster.
An early grandmaster attacking with full force would be no weaker than a sixth layer Qi Refining cultivator without a magical artifact.
With this level of array mastery, could her husband be an array master?
Previously, she only knew that Xu Mingxian studied the array Dao, but wasn't clear about his specific array mastery level. Now, catching this glimpse, she knew his array attainments were extraordinary and likely at master level.
"Fortunately, my Zhou family is already allied with them. Otherwise, who knows what the future would hold."
Zhou Zongni ultimately came from the Zhou family and had been carefully cultivated. Even though she had now married into the Xu family, she still cared about her own clan.
More than half a month passed in a flash.
Xu Mingyuan had been learning the basics of talisman making for nearly a month.
He finally began formally making talismans.
"Elder Mingyuan, making talismans first requires a calm mind. You must maintain composure at all times, even if mistakes occur during the drawing process. Secondly, your hand must be steady, like Mount Tai, without any wavering."
"..."
As Lu Feng continuously recited instructions.
Xu Mingyuan had already eliminated distracting thoughts. His ears seemed not to hear Lu Feng's words. He picked up the talisman brush and began drawing a Fireball Talisman on the talisman paper.
He had privately practiced writing with an ordinary brush many times and could perfectly replicate it. However, when he truly began making talismans, he discovered it wasn't that simple. With each stroke, there seemed to be an invisible resistance blocking him.
Threads of divine sense also continuously flowed through the talisman brush, gathering at the brush tip and infusing into each stroke of the talisman.
"Elder Mingyuan, I haven't finished speaking yet. How are you..."
Seeing Xu Mingyuan completely focused and concentrated on drawing the talisman, Lu Feng immediately fell silent and observed carefully. He was secretly shocked.
More than halfway through the drawing, there were actually no errors or omissions.
The same type of talisman had no distinction between lower, middle, and upper grades. A low-grade talisman was a low-grade talisman, and an upper-grade was upper-grade.
Therefore, a drawn talisman must be perfect, without the slightest error or omission.
The grade of talismans was like magical artifacts, only representing the inherent power they embodied.
Arrays were the same.
Only in the pill Dao would the same medicinal pill have quality distinctions.
Different levels contained different effects.
"I didn't expect Elder Mingyuan to also be a talisman making genius!"
"The Xu family really has so many talented people. The Grand Elder is a pill Dao master. Xu Deling is said to have extraordinary artifact refining talent and will sooner or later become an artifact refining master. Elder Xu Mingxian single-handedly manages the Array Formation Hall and is responsible for all the arrays of the entire Xu family. His array attainments must be quite good. And now another Xu Mingyuan has emerged."
"Pills, artifacts, arrays, and talismans, could it be the Xu family has a collecting obsession?"
Lu Feng smiled gently, "But this is also normal. Every aristocratic family vigorously develops the hundred immortal arts. It's just that geniuses are hard to produce, and master-level expertise is difficult to cultivate. If other families knew, who knows how envious they would be."
"What the Xu family currently lacks is just a Foundation Establishment cultivator. As long as one Foundation Establishment emerges, they'll likely quickly become a third-rank, or even second-rank family in the future."
As for first-rank, Lu Feng didn't dare imagine.
After all, in Great Wei's thousand-year history, first-rank aristocratic families had never increased or decreased.
"Mm, there's an error. What a pity."
"Another mistake."
"Wait, pity what? This is Elder Mingyuan's first time drawing a talisman, and it's already close to perfect."
Lu Feng recalled when he first attempted talisman making, he had made errors after just a few strokes.
A moment later, Xu Mingyuan stopped his brush and looked at the talisman with no spiritual energy fluctuations, frowning slightly.
Lu Feng immediately smiled and pointed with his finger, "Elder Mingyuan, here, this place, and over there, you have slight errors. A total of six minor flaws. But Lu is certain that with Elder Mingyuan's talent, with more practice, you'll definitely succeed in drawing a low-grade talisman within two or three days. However, drawing talismans consumes quite a bit of divine sense. Your cultivation level is low, so you should rest first and practice again later."
"Thank you, Fellow Daoist Lu, for pointing out the errors." Xu Mingyuan cupped his fists then he continued with the next one.
Lu Feng shook his head slightly and sighed inwardly, "Those who don't heed the words of their predecessors will suffer right before their eyes. The divine sense of a fourth layer Qi Refining cultivator is still too weak."
If divine sense was depleted too heavily, a cultivator would also faint.
"Forget it, I'll stop him when he feels strained."
One, two, three...
As Xu Mingyuan drew talisman after talisman, he gradually became familiar with that resistance and pressure.
With each one, the errors decreased.
The sixth time.
Xu Mingyuan actually succeeded in drawing a low-grade Fireball Talisman.
Lu Feng's eyes nearly popped out.
Not only because Xu Mingyuan succeeded in drawing a low-grade talisman in just six attempts, but also because a fourth layer Qi Refining cultivator could actually draw continuously six times.
Moreover, each time was almost completely drawn to completion.
The divine sense consumption of this was much greater than discovering errors midway and abandoning the drawing.
Is this really fourth layer Qi Refining?
Or am I a fake sixth layer Qi Refining cultivator?
Seeing spiritual energy flowing across the talisman's surface, Xu Mingyuan knew he had succeeded.
Although perspiration beaded at his temples, the hand holding the brush was still steady as an ancient pine. His complexion showed no pallor, and a trace of a smile even appeared at the corners of his lips.
Indeed, Father's calculations are flawless.
Success on the sixth try, I should have some talisman making talent, right?
There's still nearly half my divine sense remaining. Let me continue drawing a few more. Talisman making still requires more practice. Practice makes perfect.
If Lu Feng knew what Xu Mingyuan was thinking, he would probably vomit blood on the spot.
Seeing Xu Mingyuan about to continue, Lu Feng immediately stopped him, "Elder Mingyuan, if you continue, your divine sense will likely be depleted and you'll faint on the spot. This is detrimental to yourself."
Divine sense depletion?
How is that possible!
Then Xu Mingyuan remembered that he only displayed fourth layer Qi Refining externally, so he turned and smiled, "Thank you for Fellow Daoist Lu's reminder. I just successfully made a talisman and was slightly excited. Now that I've calmed down, I do indeed feel somewhat fatigued."
He planned to practice more on his own after returning.
Lu Feng showed an expression that said, "That's more like it."
Xu Mingyuan said, "Actually, Fellow Daoist Lu must be very puzzled why I can continuously make talismans so many times. In truth, my Xu family has miraculous pills that enhance divine sense. Fellow Daoist Lu should know how precious such pills are to us cultivators who study immortal arts. I dare guarantee that as long as Fellow Daoist Lu continues to wholeheartedly serve my Xu family, you too will have the opportunity to obtain such medicinal pills."
"Pills that enhance divine sense?!"
"Can Lu also obtain them?"
"My Xu family never shortchanges those who dedicate themselves wholeheartedly to our family. Although this pill is precious, as long as your contributions are sufficient, you'll naturally have the opportunity to be granted one. Furthermore, Fellow Daoist Lu, you're currently at late sixth layer Qi Refining. If you can advance to peak sixth layer Qi Refining, you can directly receive an upper-grade Barrier Breaking Pill to help you break through to seventh layer Qi Refining. Of course, this pill is granted in advance, and Fellow Daoist Lu will still need to accumulate family contribution points after breaking through to make up for it. I believe that after Fellow Daoist Lu breaks through to late Qi Refining, your talisman making skills will definitely reach a higher level."
"That's certainly true!" Lu Feng immediately said, "The divine sense growth from breaking through to late Qi Refining far exceeds that from fifth to sixth layer. With powerful divine sense, not only can the number of talismans made increase, but the success rate will also improve."
"Then Fellow Daoist Lu should diligently polish your talisman making skills. I still have matters to attend to today, so I'll take my leave first."
"Farewell, Elder Mingyuan!"
Lu Feng saw him off with a smile, clearly having swallowed whole the grand vision Xu Mingyuan had painted for him, his eyes full of anticipation.
Xu Mingyuan returned to the Discipline Hall.
He drew another five or six talismans continuously and succeeded with two.
Only after feeling that his divine sense consumption was indeed quite substantial did he sit down to rest.
After more than an hour, he continued.
As time passed, Xu Mingyuan's talisman making success rate stabilized at twenty to thirty percent. He was already considered a proper talisman maker.
In just a few days, his success rate in drawing Fireball Talismans would definitely surpass Lu Feng's in one leap.
Of course, this was only for Fireball Talismans.
There were still many other talismans he needed to learn from Lu Feng.
Having him point out errors could greatly accelerate his speed in learning talisman making skills.
Xu Mingyuan didn't hide this and informed both Xu Chuan and Xu Mingwei.
Both were happy for him.
Xu Mingwei was even quite astonished, after all, Xu Mingyuan hadn't been learning talisman making for very long.
"This is talent. If everyone who learned talisman making needed three to five years to draw their first one, wouldn't there be almost no talisman masters in the world? The same applies to other immortal arts. Some people, when first attempting pill refinement, can successfully condense pills within a few batches. But some people take several years to barely become a pill refiner, and their pill Dao attainments improve slowly. After twenty or thirty years, they still can't stably refine middle-grade pills, let alone touch the pill Dao attainments required for upper-grade pills."
Xu Mingyuan nodded slightly, "Father is right. Your son will not be arrogant and will continue to delve deeply to add a talisman master to our Xu family."
"I truly look forward to ten or twenty years from now, when our Xu family has master-level figures presiding over pills, artifacts, arrays, and talismans. Every family disciple who goes out will be equipped with medicinal pills, talismans, array discs, and magical artifacts. We'll definitely far surpass other aristocratic families."
Xu Mingwei's eyes flashed with brilliance, full of anticipation.
Among Qi Refining families, spell inheritances and such didn't differ much. Without special talents, one could only rely on external objects to overwhelm others.
Of course, combat experience in spell battles also required focused cultivation.
Whether martial artists or cultivators, it was all the same.
After recuperating for more than half a month.
Xu Dejing continued cultivating the Innate Five Elements Creation Art and also went on duty at the Discipline Hall daily.
The child had wet nurses to care for him.
Zhang Wanqing's side was the same.
Of course, they would both accompany their children at night.
Three months passed in a flash.
Soon it was once again the annual tax payment day.
Before this, the Xu family had released quite a bit of Yellow Beam Rice and Blood Rice at the market's commercial establishments. Several aristocratic families indeed purchased them.
The price was double what it used to be but this was still better than having the imperial emissaries arrive and having to pay ten times the resources or spirit stones to make up the difference.
The Yuan family, Huang family, Lu family, and other aristocratic families were all somewhat incredulous.
Logically, after the insect disaster, every family's spirit rice suffered serious losses. Except for the Zhou family with their vast spirit fields, who might still have quite a bit of spirit rice to sell but why did the Xu family have any?
Could it be their family also had several thousand mu of spirit fields?
The Yuan family took the opportunity to sow discord, suggesting that perhaps the Xu family had created this insect disaster.
Several fifth-rank and sixth-rank Qi Refining families went to the Zhou family, wanting the Zhou family to uphold justice.
"If you family heads have evidence, feel free to present it. But if you don't, making baseless accusations, do you want to provoke another great war among the aristocratic families of Yuehu Commandery? Haven't you all been hurt enough from the war several years ago?"
Family Head Lu said, "Brother Zhou misunderstands. We only want to verify the truth. If it really was the Xu family's doing, how can we willingly endure such humiliation? Your Zhou family also purchased their so-called insect repellent potion, didn't you?"
Zhou Shaoyuan's brow furrowed slightly as he said indifferently, "The Xu family wouldn't stoop so low."
"But this is merely hearsay without proof." Family Head Yuan said, "We trouble Family Head Zhou to summon someone from the Xu family for clear questioning."
Zhou Shaoyuan shook his head, "My Zhou family will not participate in this matter. However, in seven days it will be tax payment day. Fellow Daoist Xu should be present. You can question him then if you wish. But you'll also have to bear the consequences yourselves. I've said all I have to say."
The Xu family's development in recent years had become increasingly rapid.
Zhou Shaoyuan had received much information. Beyond the commandery city and market, Xu family commercial establishments had also appeared in various county cities.
Their scale of operation shocked even the Zhou family.
If it were any other family, the Zhou family would not let it pass but the Xu family had already signed an alliance covenant with the Zhou family. Unless the Xu family wanted to ruin Xu Chuan's cultivation path, they wouldn't pose a threat to the Zhou family.
And Xu Chuan was as important to the Xu family as Zhou Qingfang was to the Zhou family.
The Zhou family's ancestor had also made clear long ago that the Xu family was no creature confined to a pond. The Zhou family need only refrain from interfering.
Zhou Shaoyuan took a light sip of tea. His peripheral vision swept around as he thought to himself, why do aristocratic families always want to find fault with the Xu family?
Because of jealousy?
Heh, their vision extends only that far but then again, if everyone were like Xu Chuan, there would probably be no place for my Zhou family in all of Yuehu Commandery.