"Ling’er, when attempting Foundation Establishment, it's best to have a clear spiritual platform with no distracting thoughts. If you still have even a trace of unresolved feelings in your heart, you may develop inner demons during the attempt."
Xu Chuan looked at Xu Deling.
"Grandfather, are you referring to my matter with Wu Shun'an?" Xu Deling said indifferently. "I've long since let it go."
"Let it go? Is that truly so? You can deceive this old man, but you cannot deceive your own heart."
"Ling’er is certain she's already let him go," Xu Deling said firmly.
"Then have you ever thought about why he didn't choose you? Was it truly just because of the Wu family?"
Xu Deling's body trembled slightly, then she said, "This has nothing to do with me. Your granddaughter gave him a chance back then, and he's already made his choice."
"What if that choice was for your sake?"
"For me?"
"Just as I thought. My guess was correct. You still have unresolved feelings, just hidden in the deepest part of your heart."
"If this knot in your heart isn't removed, your chances of Foundation Establishment this time will likely decrease."
"Grandfather, I..."
"The so-called three stages of cultivating the heart: seeing mountains as mountains, seeing mountains as not mountains, and seeing mountains as mountains again. You only see that Wu Shun'an rejected you, that he didn't choose you. This isn't true release."
"Grandfather, how do you know this? Did you go ask Wu Shun'an?"
"No. That day when you two parted ways, I used my divine consciousness to observe. After you left, he was completely lost, as if a piece of his heart had been hollowed out."
"He..."
Hearing this, ripples appeared in Xu Deling's heart.
"Why... would it be like this?" Xu Deling couldn't help but ask.
"Because you are the Xu family's proud daughter, destined to walk the immortal path, and may even go very far. While he is merely a blade of wild grass in the mortal world. For you to stop for him is his fortune. But after understanding everything, even if reluctant, he had to cut ties, no longer becoming your obstacle. Wu Shun'an only wants your immortal path to be smooth this lifetime!"
Xu Deling's mind was in turmoil, completely unlike the state needed to attempt Foundation Establishment.
Xu Chuan didn't intentionally want to disturb her. Having experienced mental obstacles himself, he knew this was both tribulation and fate.
Perhaps Xu Deling could still succeed in this attempt but letting her completely understand the causes and conditions would only benefit her.
Xu Deling fell silent.
"Go see him one more time. Then you'll know what truly counts as letting go."
"Yes, Grandfather."
An impulse arose in Xu Deling's heart, wanting to go ask him face to face for clarity.
She left Xu Chuan's quiet room and flew down the mountain.
Xu Chuan silently thought, "Wu Shun'an, help Ling’er one more time."
Previously, Xu Deling had only frozen her heart.
It appeared her Dao heart was untainted but it wasn't true release.
Xu Deling flew above the Wu family residence. Her divine consciousness swept over it, and everyone's faces and smiles in the entire courtyard were imprinted in her mind.
Seeing Wu Shun'an and his wife playing with their child, her heart ached for no reason.
She was even somewhat afraid to face this but she also recalled Xu Chuan's earlier words, go see him one more time and make a clean break.
Xu Deling remained suspended in the air for the time of a cup of tea before finally descending to appear before Wu Shun'an and his wife.
The moment Wu Shun'an looked up, his pupils suddenly contracted as he froze in place. However, Lady Li said in surprise, "Immortal Zhu, why have you suddenly come?"
She knew Xu Deling had deep ties with the Wu family, she was Grandfather Wu Mingsheng's disciple.
"Are you here to find Grandfather? He's not home."
Wu Shun'an came to his senses. "If Deling was looking for Grandfather, why would she come to the house? She must be here as a guest. Please, come inside."
Xu Deling walked before Wu Shun'an's son and asked, "What is this child's name?"
Lady Li said, "Wu Xiling. My husband chose it. He hopes he will rise on the wind and soar straight to the clouds."
"This is our eldest son. There's also a younger one inside being cared for by the wet nurse."
"Why are you saying so much? Go inside and bring out tea."
"Yes, husband."
Wu Shun'an smiled. "I've made you laugh, Deling."
"Auntie, you can fly. Are you an immortal from the mountain?"
Wu Xiling looked up, his eyes full of excitement.
Xu Deling crouched down to pat his head and smiled. "Auntie isn't an immortal, just a cultivator."
"Auntie, you're so beautiful, even prettier than my mother. You're just like a real immortal fairy."
"Such a sweet mouth."
As they chatted, Xu Deling's heart gradually calmed.
She didn't ask Wu Shun'an a single question, but Wu Xiling's name explained everything.
"Wu Shun'an likes Xu Deling?"
"Rising on the wind, soaring straight to the clouds, is this also his expectation for me?"
The ice in Xu Deling's heart gradually melted, as if merging into it all.
Cultivators are also human. Emotions can still be hurt, and they also want to escape but at this moment, she felt release.
There is a kind of love, watching from afar, wishing her well in everything and what she could do was respect his choice, let go, and then not disturb him anymore.
Once possessed, finally forgotten in the rivers and lakes.
An enlightenment in the mortal world.
At this moment, Xu Deling's Dao heart became clear.
"I should go."
"Won't Immortal Zhu stay a while longer?" Lady Li said.
"What nonsense are you saying? Deling, you may go as you please," Wu Shun'an said.
Xu Deling smiled broadly.
This smile reminded Wu Shun'an of the smile on Xu Deling's face when he first met her.
Xu Deling rose on her sword into the air.
Wu Xiling waved his hand. "Goodbye, Auntie Deling! Next time, take me flying again!"
"Brother Shun'an, thank you, and take care."
Xu Deling's voice echoed in Wu Shun'an's mind. He was stunned for a moment.
Just as he wanted to say something, Xu Deling had already disappeared at the horizon.
Only a murmur remained in his heart: Sister Ling’er, take care.
…
Pill Refining Palace, Xu Chuan's quiet room.
"You've returned." Seeing her peaceful expression, Xu Chuan smiled faintly. "It seems you've done it."
"Cultivators and mortals are essentially the same, but many times more persistent, because they can do more than mortals."
"Saying you've let go is easy, but truly letting go in your heart is difficult."
Xu Deling clasped her hands before her chest and bowed deeply. "Thank you for Grandfather's teachings, allowing Ling’er to understand her true heart. From now on, my Dao heart is clear."
"Go then. It's time to attempt Foundation Establishment."
"Yes, Grandfather."
Xu Chuan had already explained all matters regarding Foundation Establishment to Xu Deling.
Pills refined from thousand-year spiritual grass had also been prepared for her.
Xu Deling looked at Xu Chuan and said again, "Grandfather, Ling’er will definitely achieve Foundation Establishment and return."
With those words, she headed to the commandery capital medicinal garden for closed-door cultivation.
Xu Chuan watched her depart, murmuring to himself, "The commandery capital medicinal garden is still too far. I should think of a way to increase the spiritual qi of the clan territory."
If not, the best option would be to relocate the entire Xu clan to the commandery capital medicinal garden area.
After a while, Xu Chuan transmitted a message to Xu Mingxian, asking him to come by.
"Father, what do you need from your son?"
"Mingxian, research how to extract spiritual qi from the Three Absolute Dragon Locking Grand Array to increase Dongxi's spiritual qi concentration."
Xu Mingxian's eyes flickered. Without saying much, he simply nodded. "Your son understands."
…
A month and a half later.
Xu Deling successfully entered early Foundation Establishment. Her immortal foundation, like Xu Chuan's, was a crimson-gold artifact cauldron.
Upon returning, she first went to see Xu Chuan.
"You haven't disappointed my expectations," Xu Chuan said indifferently.
"Thanks to Grandfather's guidance, allowing me to understand my true heart before attempting. Otherwise, this attempt might truly have failed," Xu Deling said with cupped fists.
"Another day, record your breakthrough experience for future generations to reference and learn from."
"Yes, Grandfather." Xu Deling nodded, then continued, "After returning from Foundation Establishment this time, I feel Dongxi's spiritual qi is somewhat insufficient. For daily matters, there's no problem, but for advancing cultivation, I'm afraid there will be difficulties."
"I understand. This matter is already being considered for resolution. Including the pills we Foundation Establishment cultivators need to advance our cultivation—I only have enough for six or seven years."
Xu Deling was slightly shocked. "That much?"
"Second-rank pills are precious. The material prices and rarity far exceed first-rank pills, so we cannot just consume superior-grade pills like during the Qi Refining stage."
"Ling’er never thought this way." The corner of Xu Deling's mouth twitched slightly.
All consuming superior-grade pills?!
These were pills for daily cultivation, not for breaking through bottlenecks or the like, which had quantity limits.
Even first-rank aristocratic families or the imperial clan probably wouldn't be so extravagant.
"As long as you're not picky," Xu Chuan said indifferently.
What the hell does being picky mean!
Xu Deling complained wildly in her heart.
This was like top-tier magical artifacts, regardless of whether they matched one's main cultivation attribute, any Foundation Establishment cultivator who encountered one would definitely try to obtain it.
"Take these pills first. They're enough for over half a year. Continue advancing your artifact path. For now, conceal your cultivation as eighth layer of Qi Refining."
"Ling’er understands." Xu Deling stored all the porcelain bottles Xu Chuan gave her into her storage bag, then cupped her fists. "Then Ling’er will first go visit Father and Second Uncles."
"Go ahead."
News of Xu Deling's breakthrough was known to only a very few in the Xu family.
Xu Mingxuan found the commandery capital area inconvenient. After Xu Mingxian developed the Five Elements Condensing Origin Array, he had him create an array disk that could be used at any time.
Xu Chuan had also prepared quite a few Five Elements Condensing Origin Pills, all superior-grade pills, temporarily enough for one or two years of his cultivation.
Of course, when refining, there were inferior and medium-grade pills, though not many.
They were either fed to spirit fish or spirit beasts.
This pill had balanced Five Elements qi. Most living beings could consume it, and it also had the effect of regulating internal Five Elements.
Another half month passed.
Xu Mingxian informed Xu Chuan that spiritual qi from the Three Absolute Dragon Locking Grand Array could be extracted at any time.
"Father, this method is equivalent to opening a small crack in the Three Absolute Dragon Locking Grand Array. Afterward, it will continuously leak."
"If so, will the flood dragon in the array break free?"
"Currently, no. If that flood dragon still has Golden Core stage strength, the array seal should last another fifty to sixty years. If he only has Foundation Establishment stage strength left, then lasting two or three hundred years isn't a problem."
"With this crack, in just five or six years, we can reach the spiritual qi level of the underground stone rooms at the medicinal garden. In ten to twenty years, surpassing the Zhou family shouldn't be a problem."
"Can it be repaired?"
Xu Mingxian nodded. "Of course. It just won't be as good as before. But if estimated based on Golden Core strength, lasting over a hundred years is no problem."
"That's enough. Then prepare to take action."
Xu Mingxian nodded.
The two went to Jade Cold Pool.
The array formation authority at Jade Cold Pool was very high.
Currently, only Xu Mingxian, the Xu family head, and Xu Chuan could directly pass through.
This time, besides increasing the clan territory's spiritual qi concentration, Xu Chuan also wanted to converse with that third-rank flood dragon again.
If they could make it serve the Xu family, that would naturally be best.
Xu Mingxian entered Jade Cold Pool and finally completed the previously mentioned arrangements after several days.
Strands of pure spiritual qi continuously leaked from the grand array, entering the earth veins, permeating the air, enhancing the Xu family clan territory's spiritual essence.
If the clan territory's spiritual essence was deep, then over time, even the descendants of Dongxi's ordinary residents would see an increase in the number born with immortal cultivation aptitude.
The Three Absolute Dragon Locking Grand Array developed another flaw, and a permanent one at that.
This change was naturally noticed by the third-rank flood dragon.
A trace of fine divine consciousness immediately passed through the crack and came outside.
Regarding being cut off mid-conversation with Xu Chuan last time, he was extremely displeased.
"Hmm? Array restrictions that isolate divine consciousness? How long has this seat been asleep?"
The third-rank flood dragon's voice rang out above Jade Cold Pool. This time he didn't use divine consciousness communication but spoke directly.
This was Xu Mingxian's first time hearing the third-rank flood dragon's voice.
Deep, full of authority.
He came to Xu Chuan's side and stood quietly.
"Unable to breakthrough Jade Cold Pool's restriction? It seems this flood dragon's separated divine consciousness is only comparable to Foundation Establishment. This is good, it saves him from constantly spying on our Xu family."
"Oh, human junior, you've achieved Foundation Establishment? How do you look younger than when this seat last saw you?"
"A trivial little technique, not worth mentioning. By the way, Senior, how have you slept these past dozen years?"
The flood dragon fell silent, somewhat displeased in his heart.
A human junior whose aptitude didn't look particularly good had actually achieved Foundation Establishment in just over ten years.
He also knew that humanity's true geniuses could generally succeed in Foundation Establishment in their twenties, and when he last saw Xu Chuan, he was already over fifty.
Xu Chuan smiled faintly and continued, "Now my son has torn open a small crack in the grand array. This conversation won't be suddenly interrupted like last time."
"He's a boy with decent array talent. Continue working hard to break open more cracks in the grand array. When this seat emerges, I won't treat you poorly," the third-rank flood dragon said from on high.
Xu Mingxian remained unmoved.
"Boy, you dare not listen to this seat's words? Do you believe that when this seat emerges, I'll annihilate your father and the entire Xu family?"
"Before that, I will completely seal you dead within the grand array until you die of old age!" A trace of severity flashed through Xu Mingxian's eyes, killing intent in his voice.
"Hateful boy!" The third-rank flood dragon seemed about to rage.
At this moment, Xu Chuan smiled. "Senior, don't be angry. What my son said is correct. You should understand your own situation. You don't have much lifespan left. Without our clan's assistance, you have no hope of escape."
Hearing this, the third-rank flood dragon quieted for a moment, then said, "Last time you spoke to this seat about a mutually beneficial method. How is it mutually beneficial?"
"Our clan helps Senior escape, and Senior serves our Xu family."
"This is impossible! Wanting to drive this seat around, don't even think about it, you human junior!"
"Senior is truly naive. I thought you would agree, then try to find a way to backfire against the spirit beast restriction."
"You... how could this seat not think of that? If so, then this seat..."
"Isn't Senior afraid our Xu family will find a spirit beast restriction that can completely suppress third-rank flood dragons?"
"You small clan junior, are you toying with this seat?!"
The third-rank flood dragon immediately reacted.
"But this is our Xu family's bottom line. If Senior can agree to this condition, subsequent conditions like freedom and such can also be discussed. If not, Senior should only have second-rank strength left, right? In a few decades, our Xu family can have seven or eight Foundation Establishment cultivators and may be able to hunt Senior. Senior, you also know that battles between human cultivators and demon beasts are very normal, so our killing you should be understandable."
Understandable my ass!
Understandable and then peacefully let you surround and kill me?!
"A few decades, producing seven or eight Foundation Establishment cultivators, do you think you're a Golden Core aristocratic family?"
"If Senior doesn't believe it, we can make a bet. If our Xu family has eight Foundation Establishment cultivators within fifty years, Senior will willingly serve our Xu family."
"You human junior are very cunning. This seat won't believe you."
Xu Chuan didn't mind and said indifferently, "Then Senior can choose between being hunted to death or dying of old age."
Seeing no response, Xu Chuan looked up at the sky. "It's getting late today. In a few months, we'll come visit Senior again. I hope Senior will have already thought about how to die."
With those words, he signaled Xu Mingxian to leave Jade Cold Pool with him.
Only the third-rank flood dragon remained, raging impotently for a while before shrinking back into the grand array.
"Father, were you just toying with that old dragon?" Xu Mingxian's eyes held an uncomprehending look.
"Correct. To subdue it, we must grind down its temperament. Moreover, from his previous conversation, we can also tell he truly only has second-rank strength left. In a few decades, with our Xu family's foundation, even if his body is tough, we should have a chance to kill him."
"But is such an old dragon really valuable? Trying to help him recover would be extremely difficult, right?"
"Indeed, but you must also admit that its value alive and serving us is highest. If it dies, dragon saliva, dragon blood, dragon scales, etc. can no longer regenerate. Most importantly, it might become an opportunity for our Xu family to advance to a Golden Core aristocratic family in the future."
Xu Mingxian pondered thoughtfully. Seeing this, Xu Chuan smiled. "This matter isn't urgent. Our Xu family should continue walking however we should walk."
"Father's thorough consideration, your son admires it."
This was just a small episode in the Xu family's current development.
Xu Mingwei, Xu Mingyuan, Xu Mingshu and the others had reached Qi Refining perfection. Their realm could no longer advance, so they could only practice spells, secret techniques, or teach younger generations.
Those like Xu Mingyuan, Xu Mingshu, and Xu Mingxian who possessed immortal arts could invest more time in these areas.
Xu Chuan temporarily refined the Xu family's only top-tier magical artifact, the Profound Ice Awl.
As for wanting other top-tier magical artifacts, they would either need to travel and encounter Foundation Establishment ancient cultivator cave opportunities, or go to the imperial capital.
At some large auction meetings, top-tier magical artifacts would appear, and even talisman treasures were possible.
Thousand-year spiritual medicines were even more common.
Of course, there was also requesting those peak artifact refining grandmasters who could craft top-tier magical artifacts to take action.
But this cost wasn't lighter than competing with others at auction meetings.
Foundation Establishment cultivators without top-tier magical artifacts would definitely be at a disadvantage if they fought other same-realm cultivators.
Xu Deling didn't even have a superior-grade magical artifact.
Therefore, Xu Chuan didn't plan to expose Xu Deling's existence at this time. He would have her continue researching artifact path until she could craft top-tier magical artifacts.
Time flew by—two months.
Xu Derong and Ren Xiaoyao married.
Shortly after, Xu Deyun married out, marrying Chen Daniu's son.
Xu Chuan also heard they seemed to have fallen in love freely and gotten together.
Xu Mingxuan didn't stop it and let her marry out.
As for Xu Dejin, who was similar in age, she had married into the Zhou family last year—to Zhou Shaoyuan's grandson, who had no immortal cultivation talent.
The Zhou family naturally also wanted their descendants to have more with immortal cultivation aptitude, so those with excellent aptitude would generally marry female cultivators from other families.
Of course, if not as the primary wife, it didn't matter.
The Xu family would naturally never let their daughters become concubines for others, which is why they selected from Zhou Shaoyuan's grandsons those without immortal cultivation talent.
Not long after, Xu Dewen's newly married third wife also gave birth to a baby boy, named Xu Chonglin.
The eldest was Xu Chongyan, the second was called Xu Chongshan.
He currently had three sons under his knees, all boys.
Moreover, his first and second wives were pregnant again, with only a month's difference in their pregnancy terms.
His progeny was flourishing, he could be called the Xu family's number one.
Xu Dezhao still had one son and one daughter. Xu Dejun later had another, currently having two sons: Xu Chonglei and Xu Chongguang respectively.
The former was five, the latter two.
Xu Derui and Xu Deheng currently each only had one son, named Xu Chongzhi and Xu Chonghao, both three years old.
Time flew by. Nearly three years passed.
Xu Derong and Ren Xiaoyao gave birth to their eldest son, Xu Chongkai. His aptitude was outstanding, with spiritual root purity of thirty-eight percent, second only to Xu Mingqing.
Several days later, Xu Chuan helped his divine sense transform, allowing him to prepare for Foundation Establishment matters.
Shortly after, Ren Xiaoyao returned to Longjiang Commandery once to relocate his parents' and grandfather's graves to Dongxi.
Three months later.
He attempted Foundation Establishment and very smoothly became an early Foundation Establishment cultivator.
With one more Foundation Establishment cultivator, the number of True Essence Pills in Xu Chuan's hands decreased again.
Although he had also collected some materials over these three years and refined more True Essence Pills, altogether there should be enough for seven or eight years.
To maintain the cultivation advancement speed of three people, pills were indispensable.
Currently, collecting only in Yuehu Commandery was insufficient to support Xu Chuan and the other two's long-term cultivation.
Under his instructions, Ren Xiaoyao had already gone out seeking opportunities, basically only returning to Dongxi once every two or three months.
Although he didn't have a top-tier magical artifact, Xu Deling's artifact path accomplishments had broken through over three years and she could craft superior-grade artifacts. She and Xu Mingxian worked together to create magical artifacts suitable for Ren Xiaoyao.
Ren Xiaoyao cultivated the "Azure Force Sword Formula" and was quite satisfied with his previous magical artifact set "Heavenly Origin."
Therefore, what Xu Deling and the others crafted was the Five Spirits Casket.
This had ready-made refining methods, making it simpler.
If they had to redesign a new superior-grade magical artifact set themselves, it wouldn't be easy.
The Five Spirits Casket was extremely difficult to craft, five elemental attribute superior-grade flying swords, one of each, and the casket itself was also a superior-grade magical artifact.
Corresponding array formations also had to be inscribed to allow the Five Spirits Casket to nurture the flying swords, create connections with the flying swords themselves, and form a Five Elements Sword Array through the array formation.
But controlling it and unleashing maximum power depended on the user's own comprehension.
Ren Xiaoyao himself was very satisfied with it.
There were also Condensing Origin Technique, Condensing Spirit Technique, Five Spirit Shield, and other spells from the "Five Elements Spirit Formula" that Xu Chuan had transmitted to him.
After comprehending them, his strength increased considerably.
Especially the divine consciousness attack method attached to Condensing Spirit Technique—combined with powerful divine consciousness, it could definitely gain an advantage in Foundation Establishment cultivator battles.
Xu Chuan and Xu Deling both remained at Dongxi.
One researching and refining pills.
One advancing artifact path, trying to quickly reach the level of crafting top-tier magical artifacts.
Currently, Zhang Wanqing had begun taking responsibility for refining pills for Xu family cultivators, while Shen Qingyi was responsible for refining pills for martial artists.
Besides these two, there were three pill refining apprentices currently learning pill Dao from them.
Xu Chuan himself mainly refined first and second-rank pills that were more difficult to refine, occasionally also conducting pill Dao instruction.
Ordinary pills were gradually being delegated to them.
Although this would lower the quality of Xu family pills, this was an inevitable process.
Fortunately, both now had some probability of refining superior-grade pills.
Higher than ninety percent of Yuehu Commandery's pill refining level.
Pill reformulation indirectly also affected some of the trading company's interests, but the problem wasn't major.
The trading company's main pill profits still came from inferior and medium-grade pills.
Other aristocratic families' pill shop profits basically couldn't compare with the Xu family trading company's, even the Zhou family couldn't.
If Zhang Wanqing and Shen Qingyi continued their pill refining skills, becoming pill refiners at Zhou Sen's level in seven or eight years would be no problem.
Additionally, Xu Chuan had even cultivated a pill Dao successor.
His youngest son, Xu Mingqing.
With his innate Yin Wood bloodline and bearing the Supreme Green Spirit destiny, his control over plants was extremely strong. Not only did he learn pill refining quickly, his comprehension of wood-element spells was also very high.
He had now already comprehended the Azure Wood Azure Light Technique.
He could replace Xu Chuan going to the medicinal garden to cast spells, promoting spiritual grass growth.
Of course, he could only cast it once, since he was currently only at late fifth layer of Qi Refining.
Being able to comprehend a first-rank superior-grade spell at mid Qi Refining stage showed his comprehension and talent far exceeded ordinary people.
The Artifact Refining Hall, Talisman Hall, and Array Formation Hall had also added several apprentices.
Wu Da, Lu Feng, and Luo Qianshan were naturally happy, since teaching apprentices in the Xu family could earn generous family contribution points.
If there were those with decent aptitude, they could even receive additional superior resource rewards.
Over three years, the Xu family had also conducted transactions with Guangling's Ge family, Longjiang's Xiao family, and Yunshan's Yun family, but mostly for resources suitable for the Qi Refining stage.
Because these bulk transactions all involved superior-grade pills in considerable quantities.
Therefore, only Xu Chuan could personally refine them.
They exchanged quite a few resources. For the Xu family now complete with pills, artifacts, arrays, and talismans, they could make the best use of everything, creating benefits exceeding ten times their value.
But the vast majority were resources suitable for Qi Refining cultivators.
Not many were useful for the Foundation Establishment stage.
The Xu family had already begun specifically requesting certain spiritual grasses over a hundred years old, spiritual iron ores, etc.
As for talisman materials, currently Xu Mingyuan and the others were still at a low level and couldn't use high-end materials. Arrays had the smallest material requirements among the four arts.
The most important thing was comprehension and inscription of array formations.
Even when crafting array disks or some array artifacts, only ordinary materials were needed.
"Mingwei, I plan to make a trip to the imperial capital soon."
Xu Mingwei was currently cultivating the "Nine Flames Formula" at the Battle Hall. Besides this secret technique, he had already comprehended all the others like Condensing Spirit Technique and Condensing Origin Technique.
Most others in the Xu family were the same.
"Father, what's the purpose of this trip?"
"The pills needed for the Xu family's Foundation Establishment stage are gradually decreasing. Yuehu Commandery's resources aren't particularly abundant to begin with. The materials we can trade for are definitely not many. And the Ge family and others are just Qi Refining aristocratic families after all."
Xu Mingwei naturally didn't know the remaining quantity of pills in Xu Chuan's hands. He said in surprise, "Has it already decreased to this extent?"
"Yes, only enough for seven or eight years."
Xu Mingwei immediately fell silent.
Still seven or eight years of pills?
According to the Xu family's daily pill consumption frequency for cultivation, with three Foundation Establishment cultivators, the corner of Xu Mingwei's mouth twitched slightly as he sighed helplessly inwardly: Father always has this inexplicable sense of crisis.
Seven or eight years' worth of cultivation pills for three Foundation Establishment cultivators.
That would be enough for one of them to break through several layers continuously and reach the fourth layer of Foundation Establishment, right?
Among Great Wei's twenty-two commanderies, cultivators who had reached mid-Foundation Establishment could almost be counted on one hand.
"Then Father, be careful on this trip."
"Mm. Before I leave, I'll leave behind a jade token. Come get it later. It contains a trace of my divine consciousness. As long as you crush it, I will sense it. But it should only be used for important matters."
"Your son understands."
Xu Chuan made slight preparations.
Shortly after, Xu Mingwei arrived at the Pill Refining Palace.
Half an hour later, Xu Chuan quietly left Dongxi, piloting a superior-grade boat toward the imperial capital.
At this time, Xu Mingwei also notified Xu Dezhao and the others.
With Xu Chuan's current Foundation Establishment magical power plus the superior-grade boat, his speed was much faster than traveling to and from the imperial capital before.
It took only about a day and a half to reach the imperial capital.
Imperial capital, southern district.
Dan Hall.
The name Grandmaster Sanshu had long not appeared in the imperial capital, and by now, various aristocratic families had almost forgotten it.
Only the Lei family and Dan Hall knew.
"Who are you?"
Seeing someone actually pass directly through the Dan Hall's restriction and arrive inside, Steward Chen came forward to inquire curiously, "Which apprentice are you? Why has this steward never seen you before?"
Xu Chuan now appeared to be in his twenties. Combined with not having been to the Dan Hall in a long time, Steward Chen couldn't recognize him for a moment.
Xu Chuan looked at Steward Chen and smiled faintly. "It's been years since we parted. Steward Chen has now also entered the ninth layer of Qi Refining. Congratulations."
"Who exactly are you..." Steward Chen was slightly surprised, his brows furrowing as he thought silently, "I must have seen this person before. In the imperial capital, so young yet at the ninth layer of Qi Refining, but with plain, unremarkable looks... Is there such a person?"
Xu Chuan smiled. With a flick of his sleeve robe, a Dan Hall elder token flew out, hovering before Steward Chen.
On one side of the token was carved the character "Dan," on the other "Thirteen."
"Thirteenth Elder?!"
Steward Chen's eyes widened, full of surprise.
"How did you..."
"Just a small technique to make myself look younger."
"Greetings to Thirteenth Elder." Steward Chen immediately cupped his fists and bowed.
Although their realms were similar, Xu Chuan was a Dan Hall elder, with status far above his.
"Is Fellow Daoist Yunding still here?"
"He is, but I recently heard he failed to break through to Foundation Establishment. His mood isn't good. He's not in the hall at the moment."
"What about the Chief?"
"The Chief happens to be teaching today. Thirteenth Elder can go look over there. It probably hasn't ended yet."
Xu Chuan nodded slightly and cupped his fists. "Thank you."
"Thirteenth Elder is too kind."
As soon as Xu Chuan left, pill refining apprentices came over to inquire, "Steward Chen, who was that Thirteenth Elder? I've never seen him in the Dan Hall before."
Steward Chen glanced at him. "He can be considered a legendary figure in our Dan Hall, but now he basically isn't at the Dan Hall. Alright, all of you get back to your work."
"Yes, Steward Chen."
Several pill refining apprentices cupped their fists and left then he murmured in a low voice, "This Thirteenth Elder hasn't come to take advantage again, asking our Dan Hall to help collect materials and resources, has he?"
Xu Chuan arrived at the teaching room.
This was open to the public.
So he walked right in, found an empty meditation cushion in the last row, and sat cross-legged.
Daoist Yunding naturally noticed Xu Chuan but couldn't recognize him for a moment.
Only after a short while did he remember it was Xu Chuan, and his mouth couldn't help but curl up slightly. However, only a quarter-hour passed before the teaching ended.
As Dan Hall Chief, the Dan Hall naturally wouldn't force Daoist Yunding to teach. Mostly when he was occasionally in the mood, he would lecture pill refining apprentices on pill Dao basics.
Many apprentices cupped their fists in thanks, then slowly left in order.
"Come with me," Daoist Yunding transmitted.
Xu Chuan followed Daoist Yunding to the third floor of the Dan Hall, his meditation location.
"Greetings to the Chief."
"Fellow Daoist Xu Chuan, it's been over a dozen years since we last met, yet you've become younger," Daoist Yunding said.
"I comprehended a minor technique that can control my own vitality and appearance."
Hearing this, Daoist Yunding was quite surprised. He had never seen such a technique.
Seeing his interest, Xu Chuan immediately demonstrated the aging and youthening transformation process.
After pondering briefly, Daoist Yunding sighed with emotion, "This technique nearly transcends the category of spells. Going further, it might touch upon the Dao of life and death. You've obtained a great opportunity!"
He stroked his long beard, his eyes showing a gratified smile.
"If the Chief is interested, this junior can guide Senior in practicing it."
"No need. This technique is obviously not an ordinary spell. If it were my earlier years, I would certainly seek instruction, but now..."
Xu Chuan nodded. "Why don't I see Young Friend Wei?"
Daoist Yunding sighed slightly. "The dazzling flowers gradually deceive the eyes."
"Young Friend Wei is associating with people from Foundation Establishment aristocratic families?"
"Although his pill Dao talent is good, he lacks the spirit of being obsessed with pill Dao. At most in his lifetime, he'll reach my level."
Xu Chuan smiled. "Being able to reach the Chief's level is already what countless pill refiners in Great Wei dream of."
Daoist Yunding shook his head with a smile. "You're a peculiar person. Your nature is clearly full of worldly sophistication, yet your pill Dao accomplishments advance rapidly. But you can still guard your original heart. You know what should be done and what shouldn't."
"Thank you for the Chief's praise."
"Speak. You're not peacefully developing your family in Yuehu Commandery, what are you here to do this time?"
"As a Dan Hall elder, naturally I should occasionally show my face and make some contributions."
"Slippery!" Daoist Yunding laughed and scolded. "You clearly want to take advantage of your profound pill refining accomplishments to steal some food from the Cao clan's hands."
Having his inner thoughts exposed, Xu Chuan's expression didn't change as he delivered another flattering remark. "The Chief is brilliant!"
"However, I've also heard your Xu family is developing quite well in Yuehu Commandery, and you just became a Qi Refining aristocratic family not long ago. You shouldn't be lacking resources."
As expected, the older, the shrewder.
"Actually, actually..." Xu Chuan didn't quite know how to continue making things up.
Even saying he was seeking Foundation Establishment resources for the Xu family's future probably wouldn't be believed by anyone.
"Rest assured, I have no interest in struggles between aristocratic families and won't be a blabbermouth. But if you don't want to say, I won't force you either."
"Actually, it's that our Xu family needs Foundation Establishment resources. A younger generation disciple fortunately broke through to Foundation Establishment, but Foundation Establishment resources are scarce in Yuehu Commandery and difficult to collect. After all, there's also the Zhou family, a Foundation Establishment aristocratic family there."
"Your Xu family actually has someone who achieved Foundation Establishment?" Daoist Yunding said in surprise. "Then wouldn't your Xu family soon be able to advance to a Foundation Establishment aristocratic family?"
"We only advanced recently. We don't plan to publicize it right now, since the number of cultivators in the clan is truly too few."
"This sounds more like the truth."
"Then just go accept tasks yourself. Anyway, you just need to submit the stipulated quantity of pills."
The Dan Hall naturally also had considerations in this regard, so the quantities arranged for most elders would at most have slight surplus.
Even the former Second Consecrated Elder Xu Zhen, after completing a pill refining task, would only secretly accumulate a dozen or so pills. If they were second-rank pills, even fewer but Xu Chuan's pill refining skills exceeded theirs by far too much.
When he came to the Dan Hall, it appeared he came to do tasks, but actually he was completely coming to restock.
He kept more pills for himself than what he submitted.
"By the way, since you're here, help me with something. Wei Dao's pill skills have improved recently and he seems to have become arrogant. Help me knock him down a peg."
Xu Chuan thought about it and nodded. "As the Chief arranges."
Afterward, Xu Chuan temporarily stayed at the Dan Hall and began his restocking plan.
Several days later.
Daoist Yunding arranged for Wei Dao to compete with Xu Chuan.
Many elders and apprentices came to watch. Wei Dao was full of confidence but ended up defeated, leaving him quite disheartened.
Under Daoist Yunding's guidance, only then did he begin staying at the Dan Hall to research pill Dao again.
Just how long this could last was hard to say.
After Xu Chuan completed several tasks, he had accumulated some second-rank pills like True Essence Pills and Azure Spirit Pills.
He also secretly refined some Spirit Advancement Pills.
The Dan Hall didn't always have second-rank pill tasks.
When he had free time, Xu Chuan would also wander around the marketplace district.
…
Half a month after Xu Chuan left.
On the Dongxi side, the Ge family sent someone again.
But this time, it was the Ge family Fourth Branch Grand Elder who came. Xu Mingyuan only chatted a few sentences before guessing the other party had come alone without informing the Ge family's other three branches.
Therefore, the transaction volume wasn't much.
This made Xu Mingyuan somewhat hesitant.
At the same time, outside Dongxi's mist array.
"Such a remote place actually has an immortal cultivation aristocratic family occupying it?"
Five cultivators were in the air. One middle-aged man showed surprise.
Another gray-white-haired elder pondered, then said, "Could this place be the Yuehu Commandery Xu family's clan territory?"
"Xu family?"
"You should have heard of the Xu Clan Trading Company."
"The one in Yuehu Commandery that occasionally trades superior-grade pills and even superior-grade magical artifacts? They're actually holed up near a county capital?"
The gray-white-haired elder said, "It seems the ones secretly helping the Ge family are the Yuehu Commandery Xu family."
"They actually rashly interfered in another commandery's disputes. Their courage is quite large!"
"Their ambitions are also considerable," another person said.
"Haoyong, you go back first and report this matter to the family head. Have him inform the Feng family. This Xu family isn't easy to deal with, and they're a Qi Refining aristocratic family from another commandery. The Feng family needs to handle it. We'll first surround and kill Ge Yanzhong, seize the resources he traded for, then probe the Xu family's strength by the way."
"Yes, Second Elder."
Bai Haoyong immediately departed on his sword toward the distance.
The remaining four from the Bai family didn't rashly intrude but planned to ambush outside.
…
Xu family reception hall.
"The Ge family can also be considered our Xu family's old customer. Although Fellow Daoist Ge concealed this from the other branches this time, we'll accept this transaction. The clan happens to have stock. Wait here a moment. I'll go retrieve it."
"Haha, Fellow Daoist Mingyuan saw through me." The Ge family Fourth Branch Grand Elder was slightly embarrassed.
Xu Mingyuan retrieved the pills and traded with him, saying, "Fellow Daoist Ge, this is just this once. Frequent comings and goings will also bring danger to our Xu family."
"This old man understands. I'll take my leave now." The Ge family Fourth Branch Grand Elder cupped his fists.
"Safe travels."
Under the escort's guidance, the Ge family Fourth Branch Grand Elder exited the mist array. Just as he flew out on his sword less than a li, suddenly several flying swords attacked him.
He immediately released a medium-grade shield to rotate around his body.
He barely managed to block this surprise attack.
If the attackers had been any closer, he probably wouldn't have had time to react.
"Who goes there?!"
Following a loud shout, four people from the Bai family came on swords and surrounded the Ge family Fourth Branch Grand Elder.
The patrol guard team naturally discovered this scene and immediately had someone send a signal.
A red, eerily beautiful lotus flower blazed in the sky above Dongxi.
Countless people all saw this scene.
"An enemy attack?!"
Dongxi residents outside, whether old farmers or young people, all hurried home.
This was something the Xu family had agreed upon with them long ago.
If they saw a red lotus signal, ordinary people should quickly return home and not go out.