"Trading a Demon Spirit Pill for a flood dragon bloodline juvenile beast?"
Zhao Qingyan was surprised again, thinking to himself, "Sure enough, Elder Guihong guessed correctly. Xu Chuan has indeed refined Demon Spirit Pills. However, flood dragon bloodline juvenile beasts have considerable potential. Even in our Zhao family, they're extremely precious spirit companions. We might only get two or three in several decades, or even fewer."
"This pill in my possession was made using a second-rank early peak demon wolf as material. Its quality reaches superior-grade, which gives an even higher chance of spirit beast transformation. If a first-rank late peak demon beast consumes it, even without transformation, it can advance to second-rank in a short time, and within ten years could even advance to second-rank middle stage."
"It truly has such effects?!"
"Didn't Fellow Daoist Zhao say earlier that this pill is a pill of fortune and transformation for demon beasts? It would be strange if it didn't have such effects, not to mention mine is superior-grade."
Xu Chuan smiled faintly, "However, Fellow Daoist Zhao should discuss this with your clan. After all, flood dragon bloodline spirit beasts are indeed precious. Not trading would be reasonable too."
Zhao Qingyan frowned slightly, "I understand."
"By the way, I'd like to look around and appreciate your family's scenery. Could someone guide us on a tour?"
"That's naturally no problem."
He then ran off again to discuss with the family head.
This entire day had been nothing but running back and forth.
Perhaps he should just have the family head meet with Xu Chuan face to face.
Zhao Qingyan silently complained to himself.
"He actually has a superior-grade Demon Spirit Pill?"
Both the Zhao family head and Zhao Guihong were extremely shocked.
"This..." Zhao Guihong's face showed astonishment, "This pill is complex and difficult to refine. Without seven or eight sets of materials or more, this old one wouldn't be confident of refining even one finished pill. As for refining superior-grade pills, that requires extensive practice."
"Just how powerful is his pill Dao? I'm afraid it far surpasses even the former Great Wei's first pill refining master, Daoist Yunzhong."
The Zhao family head was silent for a long moment before saying, "Xu Chuan is even more outstanding than Great Wei's rumors suggest. He not only conceals his cultivation realm well, but also restrains his pill Dao level. This Xu family's waters run deep."
"This time, he's showing goodwill to our Zhao family, perhaps also planning a fallback route," the Zhao family head speculated.
"What do you mean by that?" Zhao Qingyan didn't understand.
"The Xu family was exposed during the Wuhua Trial and will definitely be targeted and suppressed by the Cao family. Moreover, the Sima family's direct lineage might truly have been completely wiped out by Xu family members. Although Old Ancestor Sima is only speculating, he'll also keep an eye on the Xu family. If the Xu family can safely weather this, they'll naturally soar to new heights and may one day become the next Golden Core family. If they cannot, Great Liang and our Zhao family would be their fallback route."
"After all, Great Liang differs from both Great Wei and Great Jin, being more orderly. As long as the Xu family is willing to serve the Great Liang imperial dynasty, the Liu family should provide protection. Our Zhao family can play a connecting role."
"Starting with the life-saving favor, using the Demon Spirit Pill as bait, deepening step by step to promote a mutually beneficial relationship between both sides. Once our two families' interests are bound together, do you think if the Xu family truly comes to Great Liang seeking refuge in the future, our Zhao family won't help?"
"This Xu Chuan has such deep schemes, his vision already looking so far ahead!"
"A simple life-saving favor ends the karmic debt and that's it, but a long-term interest relationship can bind both sides on the same boat."
The Zhao family head sighed slightly, "He's certain our Zhao family can't refine Demon Spirit Pills, at least not in the short term."
"This old one indeed isn't very confident," Zhao Guihong also sighed, "However, we should still wait until the materials are gathered and I'll try refining a couple of batches first. If it truly doesn't work, then we'll trade with Xu Chuan. Then we'll see if the superior-grade Demon Spirit Pill truly has such miraculous effects."
Both the Zhao family head and Zhao Qingyan nodded slightly.
Xu Chuan ended up staying at the Zhao family for two days.
The Zhao family had abundant spiritual energy, making it a good place for quiet cultivation.
Aside from touring the Zhao family on the first day, the remaining time was spent meditating and cultivating in the main hall.
The Zhao family elders joined forces to hunt two early Foundation Establishment demon beasts.
Zhao Guihong began refining Demon Spirit Pills.
The first step was to successfully refine the spiritual embryo.
Each set of demon beast materials could be refined three times. If even this failed, there was no point in mentioning the subsequent fusion of thousand-year spiritual herbs and other materials.
However, even if the spiritual embryo was successfully refined, the materials needed for pill refining were extremely precious.
Although the Zhao family had deep foundations, they only stored about twenty-some sets of thousand-year spiritual herbs, with four or five sets brought out from the Wuhua Secret Realm.
Thousand-year spiritual herbs in the outside world weren't so easy to find.
There simply weren't enough for Zhao Guihong to practice with.
Zhao Guihong secluded himself for three days.
The first set of demon beast materials failed all three times.
Only on the third attempt with the second set of materials did he successfully refine the spiritual embryo then he began true pill refining but barely a tea's time had passed before the furnace exploded.
Fortunately, the spiritual embryo was preserved, but the other spiritual herbs were half-destroyed.
This left him extremely dejected.
At the same time, he understood the gap between himself and Xu Chuan.
"Could he have already reached the realm of pill refining grandmaster?"
Zhao Guihong thought to himself as he walked out of the pill refining room.
"How did it go?" an elder asked.
Zhao Guihong shook his head with a sigh, "Although this pill can use second-rank demon beast materials to replace third-rank demon beast materials, lowering the refining difficulty, it still falls within the category of third-rank pills. Moreover, the refining difficulty remains quite high. All aspects of pill refining mastery must reach an extremely high level. This old one is incompetent and fears disappointing the family's expectations."
"Elder Guihong, you've worked hard. Since that's the case, Elder Qingyan, you should go with me to discuss cooperation with Fellow Daoist Xu Chuan, and also see the effects of the superior-grade Demon Spirit Pill."
"This old one will also go," Zhao Guihong said, "This old one wants to see that Demon Spirit Pill."
"Mm, then Elder Guihong should come along too. The other elders can return to rest first. Too many people going would give Fellow Daoist Xu the bad impression that we're trying to use our power to pressure him."
After the other elders left, Zhao Qingyan said, "Which flood dragon bloodline spirit companion should we select?"
"Currently the clan only has three, right?"
"Let's give him that little black snake. Though its temper is stubborn and its flood dragon bloodline is only average, at least its spiritual intelligence is good. Fellow Daoist Xu should find it acceptable."
"Then I'll bring it over immediately."
Half a tea's time later.
The three went to the main hall.
"Fellow Daoist Xu, this is our Zhao family head, Zhao Qingran, and this is our clan's pill refining master, Elder Zhao Guihong."
"Greetings to you all, Fellow Daoists," Xu Chuan cupped his fists.
Zhao Qingran said, "Regarding the trade Fellow Daoist Xu mentioned earlier, our Zhao family has agreed."
As he spoke, he took out a spirit beast pouch from his chest. His finger lightly tapped it, and a streak of light shot out from the spirit beast pouch, landing on the ground.
It was a black snake covered in black scales, less than two feet long.
Its entire body's scales resembled black gemstones, with pale golden vertical pupils filled with cold intent.
After appearing in the outside world, it immediately coiled its body, raised its head to look around in all directions, flicking its forked tongue as if warning them not to provoke it.
Several inches below its snake head was a scarlet jade ring.
"Quite temperamental," Xu Chuan smiled faintly.
"This is a Black Scale Snake, a rare spirit beast of this lineage that awakened a trace of flood dragon bloodline. However, its temper is quite fierce. We originally planned to slowly tame it, but now we're trading it to Fellow Daoist Xu. This is the control method for the beast-taming ring. Without this ring, this beast will most likely flee. Fellow Daoist Xu must be careful."
Xu Chuan nodded, then collected it into his spirit beast pouch.
With Xu Mingshu's talent, taming this juvenile beast shouldn't be a major problem then he also took out a porcelain bottle from his storage bag and handed it to Zhao Qingran.
Zhao Qingran poured out the pill and gave it to Zhao Guihong to examine.
Zhao Guihong's eyes showed fascination as he carefully inspected it before saying, "It's definitely a superior-grade pill."
"Elder Qingyan, go find a disciple who owns a wolf-type spirit beast."
"Family Head, why not Elder Guan'an? His spirit companion died earlier, and his new spirit companion is precisely a Cyan Wind Wolf, which he's currently cultivated to first-rank late stage."
"That works too."
Zhao Qingyan immediately left and brought back Zhao Guan'an.
Zhao Guan'an didn't hesitate. He immediately released his Cyan Wind Wolf from the spirit beast pouch. Seeing the Demon Spirit Pill in Zhao Guan'an's hand, it instinctively yearned for it.
He fed the pill to the Cyan Wind Wolf.
In just moments, the Cyan Wind Wolf's aura surged upward, then it fell into slumber.
"This is a normal phenomenon. The pill's medicinal efficacy is too strong and needs to be absorbed slowly," Xu Chuan said.
Zhao Guan'an nodded in agreement, "Indeed so."
"This trip has been quite fruitful for me. I plan to return to Great Wei," Xu Chuan cupped his fists, "Our two families have affinity. If Family Head Zhao has any matters, you can come to Great Wei to find me for help."
Zhao Qingran pondered briefly before saying, "Demon Spirit Pills are indeed precious to our Zhao family, but our clan's pill refiners have limited abilities. Would Fellow Daoist Xu truly be willing to help?"
"The Zhao family's virtue and strength both earn my admiration. If I help the Zhao family, should my Xu family face difficulties in the future, the Zhao family would naturally help my Xu family as well, wouldn't you say?"
Zhao Qingran smiled slightly, "That's natural."
In just a few words, both sides tacitly agreed to an alliance relationship.
As for establishing a formal covenant, it wasn't quite appropriate for both sides.
First, both sides had only just begun contact. Second, both sides were separated by vast distances. Even if something happened, they couldn't provide timely assistance.
Simple interest exchanges were most suitable.
"If there are problems cultivating the little black snake and the silkworms, Fellow Daoist Xu can come to our Zhao family again to inquire. If that still doesn't work, our Zhao family can also gift a pair of adult silkworms."
Adult silkworms were all first-rank late stage.
Their value alone was extremely high, and adding the resources consumed to cultivate them to adulthood, a single pair would probably cost over a thousand spirit stones, or even more.
"Thank you."
Before long, Xu Chuan took his leave from the Zhao family.
Having obtained the Five Spirits Reverse Core Method, naturally the next step was to find second-rank peak demon beasts.
"Xu Chuan, you immortal cultivators are truly remarkable. You actually thought of such a method, using a secret technique to temporarily elevate a second-rank peak demon core to third-rank. Although this demon core is still somewhat lacking, after two or three times, I can also stably unleash third-rank early stage power."
"It needs two or three times?" Xu Chuan's brow furrowed slightly.
"This is obviously the simplest method. It's still easier than hunting third-rank demon beasts, isn't it?" Moyue transmitted, "Or you could find a way to obtain a third-rank inner core from somewhere."
"Second-rank peak beasts aren't found everywhere either. Last time in the Azure Sea Forest, we didn't encounter any for quite a while."
"That's because you were focused on training and searching for spiritual herb materials. If you charge directly into the depths, the probability of encountering second-rank peak demon beasts will definitely increase considerably."
At this moment, Xu Mingwei suddenly asked, "Father, is the Five Spirits Reverse Core Method truly so mysterious?"
"Though it takes shortcuts, the effects should be real."
"If that's the case, Father, do you think the Zhao family might be scheming for third-rank demon beasts?"
"Whether they have such plans or not, what does it matter to our Xu family? Our Xu family is the same. Any family with first-rank family foundations wants to cultivate a Golden Core expert. Unfortunately, our location is somewhat remote with too few resources. If we want to venture into the prosperous lands of the Tiannan Domain, we need at least Golden Core strength. Either someone with heavenly spiritual root aptitude must appear, or like the Zhao family and our Xu family, we must borrow the power of demon beasts."
Xu Mingwei nodded slightly.
"Let's go. I've heard that Great Liang has a Ten Thousand Serpent Valley spanning several hundred li, where snake-type demon beasts are the main inhabitants. It's extremely dangerous. Let's go take a look there."
Several days after they left, one of the Zhao family's Foundation Establishment perfection experts returned, bringing back news.
They had discovered a solitary earth-attribute second-rank peak demon beast somewhere in the Ten Thousand Mountains.
Within a few days, the Zhao family dispatched one Foundation Establishment perfection cultivator, two late Foundation Establishment cultivators, and three middle Foundation Establishment cultivators to encircle and kill it.
Xu Chuan and his companion mainly searched for second-rank peak demon beasts in the Ten Thousand Serpent Valley.
However, they occasionally hunted several second-rank demon beasts as well.
Among them was a second-rank middle stage Black Ink Flood Dragon. Xu Chuan planned to use it as material to refine a Demon Spirit Pill to cultivate the little black snake.
This place was dangerous, so Xu Chuan and his companion were extremely cautious.
Moyue's third-rank aura couldn't be casually exposed. If it attracted the third-rank demon beasts of Ten Thousand Serpent Valley, that would be troublesome.
Legend had it that the third-rank demon beasts in the core area of Ten Thousand Serpent Valley possessed flood dragon bloodline.
For Moyue now, such a beast would definitely be greatly nourishing.
In the blink of an eye, a month and a half passed.
"Second-rank peak demon beast aura, and it has some flood dragon bloodline. Over there!"
After sensing with all his senses, Moyue immediately directed Xu Chuan forward.
Upon arriving, they saw a twelve or thirteen zhang long crimson-scaled python.
Although it had flood dragon bloodline, the bloodline was thin, so no flood dragon characteristics manifested on its body.
"So it came out to hunt for food," Xu Chuan patted the spirit beast pouch, "This place isn't far from the Ten Thousand Serpent Valley core. It might be the offspring of a third-rank demon beast. We two will first help you lure it farther away. Then you can strike and kill it quickly, then carry us away swiftly."
"Alright."
Naturally, Xu Mingwei was most suitable for attracting the demon beast's attention.
The two stopped five or six li away.
Xu Mingwei immediately shot an arrow at the crimson-scaled giant python.
This arrow's power was formidable, but when it struck the crimson-scaled giant python's body, it only shattered a few crimson scales.
The impact's remaining force hadn't dissipated when the crimson-scaled giant python was already coiling the rear half of its body in pain, then suddenly raised its head and roared.
Its crimson vertical pupils were like two burning coals.
With a "swish," it locked onto Xu Chuan and Xu Mingwei.
The fury in that gaze seemed about to materialize.
Xu Chuan secretly gave Xu Mingwei a look, and the two immediately split left and right and fled.
The giant python was thoroughly enraged. Its tail struck the ground, sending shattered stones flying as it pursued relentlessly with its forked tongue flicking.
Xu Mingwei ran while repeatedly drawing his longbow from his back. Arrows from his quiver flew out in succession.
Some glanced off the giant python's scales with a "clang," while others specifically targeted unprotected areas on the python's neck sides.
Though they couldn't cause fundamental damage, they were as annoying as mosquito bites, both slowing its charging momentum and fanning its fury even higher.
After pursuing like this for dozens of li, the surrounding forest gradually thinned. They had already left the miasmic range of Ten Thousand Serpent Valley.
Xu Chuan suddenly halted and immediately patted his spirit beast pouch, "Moyue, quick battle, quick victory!"
Before the words finished falling, a blue light shot up from the beast pouch at his waist. When it landed, it transformed into a flood dragon over fifteen zhang long.
When its golden pupils swept over the crimson-scaled giant python, they were full of disdain.
Seeing the flood dragon's appearance, the crimson-scaled giant python instinctively shrank back.
This was innate bloodline suppression.
Moyue's dragon tail lashed like a steel whip, producing a sound of tearing through air as it struck viciously.
The crimson-scaled giant python immediately let out a painful hiss. Countless crimson scales on its body exploded, and even its snake bones cracked.
Then Moyue opened his mouth and spewed a freezing breath filled with ice shards, pouring it directly into the python's vital point seven inches down.
The cold air invaded along the wound, penetrating the meridians. In the blink of an eye, it was frozen into a rigid "crimson-scaled pillar."
Immediately after, one dragon claw pressed down hard, directly crushing its head.
It died on the spot.
Xu Chuan didn't hesitate. Without another word, he collected its corpse into his storage bag, then sat on Moyue's back.
Moyue rode clouds and mist, departing at extreme speed.
So fast that in a blink they had rushed out of the Ten Thousand Serpent Valley area.
Before long, a roar that shook the earth came from the direction of Ten Thousand Serpent Valley, as if some enormous creature had been completely awakened.
At the location where the crimson-scaled giant python died, a snake demon three times thicker than the crimson-scaled python, with a pitch-black body, came swimming through the void.
It flicked a tongue as thick as a bowl, its gaze sweeping over the mountain forest below.
Its divine consciousness spread out.
Finding the search fruitless, it raised its head toward the sky and let out an earth-shattering roar that even cracked the clouds in the sky.
But unwilling to give up, it carefully searched the surrounding area.
After an incense stick's time, unable to detect even a trace of human scent, it could only let out an unwilling muffled roar before returning to the core area of Ten Thousand Serpent Valley.
Though it had many snake sons and grandsons, only three had reached second-rank peak.
"As expected, you guessed correctly."
Moyue said in surprise, "If we had been a moment later, it might have been able to detect our location."
"Making more assumptions about everything is never wrong. Being prepared prevents trouble," Xu Chuan smiled faintly and stomped his foot, "Let's go. Let's visit the Azure Sea Forest again, then return to Dongxi."
"We're already far away. Quickly get off this lord's back. You two aren't qualified to ride this lord yet."
"How petty."
"Hmph!" Moyue snorted coldly. His body suddenly shrank to about a foot, then burrowed into the spirit beast pouch.
The two shared a superior-grade artifact flying boat, and their speed was truly quite fast.
Once Xu Deling refined a top-grade flying boat, it would probably be even faster than late Foundation Establishment cultivators flying at full power.
The Azure Sea Forest's range was larger than Ten Thousand Serpent Valley, making it even harder to search.
After a month with no results, they first returned to Great Wei.
However, their spiritual herb harvest was quite good, with several being rare items. They also got three second-rank demon beasts.
One was even second-rank late stage. Seeing they couldn't find second-rank peak demon beasts for so long, Moyue happened to discover it and used it as a punching bag.
Over ten days later, the two quietly returned to Dongxi.
Shortly after arriving, Xu Dezhao flew over.
"Grandfather, you've returned."
"Did something happen?"
"Half a month ago, cultivators attacked our Xu family. Fortunately, after the second-rank inferior array formation shattered, Fifth Uncle timely raised the Four Symbols Heaven Force Array," Xu Dezhao said.
"Do you know who it was?" Xu Chuan stroked his chin, falling into contemplation.
"Unknown, but their strength was extremely formidable. There were two people total, one at late Foundation Establishment, one at middle Foundation Establishment."
Xu Dezhao paused, then asked again, "Was it the Cao family?"
"Those who can easily deploy such a lineup aren't limited to the Cao family. Any second-rank family or above is possible, or it might even be cultivators from Great Jin."
"Great Jin? But they're not demonic cultivators, are they?"
"Who said Great Jin only has demonic cultivators? The families there are a mixed bag. It's just that demonic cultivators are the majority."
"How is the Guangling branch?" Xu Chuan then asked.
"We've already strengthened defenses!" Xu Dezhao said, "It's similarly protected by dual array formations."
Xu Chuan nodded.
Upon reaching Jade Cold Pool, Xu Chuan had someone summon Xu Mingshu and handed over the snow silkworms, blood silkworms, dragon silkworms, and the little black snake to her.
"What are these?" Xu Mingshu looked at these little creatures with considerable surprise.
The little black snake coiled its body and flicked its tongue at Xu Mingshu, then its pale golden vertical pupils looked toward Moyue in the cold pool.
Its body immediately trembled, standing frozen in place.
That faint pressure, originating from bloodline intimidation, made its soul tremble slightly.
"These were traded from the Beast-Taming Zhao family. These types of silkworms are extremely valuable. Once they mature, the silk they spin is all premium material. Here are the cultivation methods. The little black snake has a trace of flood dragon bloodline. You can cultivate it well too. I'll refine Demon Spirit Pills to help it improve its bloodline power."
"I understand, Father."
Seeing the little black snake staring blankly at Moyue, Xu Mingshu smiled, "Little black snake, envious, aren't you? Behave well and you'll have a chance in the future too."
The little black snake turned its head and flicked its tongue at Xu Mingshu.
"Two-legged sheep, I won't believe you. None of you are any good."
"Hey, this little fellow does have quite a temper," Xu Mingshu became interested and said to Moyue, "Uncle Moyue, give it a show of power."
"Little girl, you're actually ordering this lord around now."
That said, he still had to do it.
The flood dragon's pressure descended on the little black snake, immediately forcing it to prostrate on the ground, unable to move.
This was still a restrained result.
If done with full force, a mere first-rank early stage juvenile snake would be directly crushed to death by the pressure.
After several breaths, the pressure dissipated.
Xu Mingshu then took out a Spirit Beast Pill and placed it before the little black snake.
The enticing pill fragrance made it involuntarily swallow it.
"How does it taste? Isn't it very helpful for your growth? Now you know I didn't lie to you, right?"
"Hmph, it's just so-so. I'll tentatively believe you," the little black snake said, "Two-legged sheep, don't touch my head!"
After arranging these matters, Xu Chuan began refining pills.
Mainly Purifying Spirit Pills, Harmonizing Qi Pills, and Demon Spirit Pills.
Previously, Xu Mingxuan and the others had obtained quite a few rare spiritual herbs from the Wuhua Secret Realm, gathering the last main ingredient for Purifying Spirit Pills, Heavenly Fragrance Flowers.
They now had several sets of the rarer materials for Harmonizing Qi Pills as well, enough to refine four or five batches.
For Demon Spirit Pills, Xu Chuan planned to use the Black Ink Flood Dragon materials.
They currently had quite a few second-rank demon beast materials, but not many spiritual herbs.
Especially thousand-year spiritual herbs. Sometimes they were needed elsewhere too, so they couldn't all be used to refine Demon Spirit Pills.
Several days later, after finishing pill refining, Xu Chuan gave one Black Ink Flood Dragon Demon Spirit Pill to Xu Mingshu, then began cultivating.
Several months passed in a flash.
One day, Xu Chuan emerged from seclusion and casually performed divination, learning that the Sima family had sent someone to monitor the Xu family, an early Foundation Establishment cultivator.
Although the divination showed neither fortune nor misfortune, this matter was truly vexing and would pose future dangers.
Therefore, Xu Chuan didn't endure it.
Multiple Foundation Establishment cultivators surrounded and killed him.
They also directly reported to the Imperial City, claiming a demonic cultivator had infiltrated.
…
Imperial City, Cao family head's study.
Upon receiving the report from below, Cao Shengming immediately frowned, murmuring to himself in contemplation, "The Sima family made a move? And they were actually discovered and killed. They deserved to die. However, what does the Xu family mean by this? Are they warning that if my Cao family does the same, this will be the outcome?"
The Cao family had indeed made a move.
The last probing attack by late Foundation Establishment and middle Foundation Establishment cultivators was originally meant to see how many Foundation Establishment cultivators the Xu family would deploy in response.
It would be even better if they could cause some losses to the Xu family but the result exceeded his expectations.
The Xu family actually had dual grand array protection.
The first layer was second-rank inferior. With the combined efforts of late Foundation Establishment and middle Foundation Establishment cultivators, they broke through it in a few moves.
But according to the elder's report after returning, the array formation that appeared afterward was second-rank superior.
With a second-rank superior array formation as their clan protection array, unless the Cao family was truly determined to annihilate the Xu family, they really had no way to deal with them.
To easily break through this grand array, the Cao family would need to deploy Foundation Establishment perfection cultivators, two or three late Foundation Establishment cultivators, and seven or eight middle Foundation Establishment or higher cultivators.
Such a commotion would be considerable and couldn't be concealed and the Xu family hadn't done anything excessive so far. The Cao family couldn't easily find fault.
Covert targeting also had some difficulties.
After all, the current Xu family was no small matter.
If it were a fourth-rank family like the Zhou family, as long as the Cao family wished, they could quietly annihilate them.
"Since the Xu family's depths are difficult to probe, then let's suppress them!"
Cao Shengming immediately made a decision, "The families in Tongshan Commandery must be warned to suppress the Xu merchant operations and curb their development."
"Also, the Wei and Feng families in Guangling Commandery seem to have grudges against the Xu family. We can use their hands to eliminate some of the Xu family's outstanding disciples."
This was the Cao family's usual practice.
Many rapidly developing families had been suppressed this way.
Some couldn't withstand it and were destroyed. Others persevered and advanced further.
Like two of the current second-rank families who had struggled through such hardships.
…
Tongshan Commandery, Prince's Manor.
"Cousin Jinming, you understand the family head's meaning, don't you?"
"Cousin Jinyan, I understand. I won't have any further entanglements with the Xu family."
"Not only that, you must also unite with the other Foundation Establishment families in Tongshan Commandery to suppress the Xu family's merchant operations in Tongshan Commandery, making it completely impossible for them to continue operating."
Cao Jinming sighed slightly, "I understand."
"However, for those families, I'd trouble cousin to personally inform them. I fear my influence isn't enough to persuade them."
Cao Jinyan nodded.
After he left, Cao Jinming sighed again at length, "Brother Xu, this time I truly cannot help you."
Cao Jinming's wife, Yun Fei'er, walked over.
"If we do this, what about Lin'er? The Xu family won't target Lin'er, will they?"
Cao Jinming shook his head, "Based on my understanding of Xu Chuan, he wouldn't be so heartless."
"Family struggles make individual power insignificant."
"We can only see how the Xu family responds."
At the same time, Cao family Foundation Establishment cultivators visited both the Feng family in the Imperial City and the Wei family in Guangling Commandery.
Half a month later, Xu Dezhao received a report from the Xu merchant operation manager in Tongshan Commandery.
"Tongshan's Cao family and five major Foundation Establishment families have joined forces to resist our Xu merchant operations?"
Xu Dezhao's expression was grave. He hadn't expected such a dramatic change in just half a month.
"There are constant troublemaking rogue customers, marketplace patrol cultivators deliberately targeting us, and someone even tried to rob the merchant operation two nights ago?"
"The Cao family truly stops at nothing!"
Even as family head, this was difficult for him to decide.
He immediately convened a clan council and informed everyone of the Tongshan Commandery situation.
Xu Mingshu slammed the table, "The Cao family is going too far!"
"In the end, the arm can't twist the thigh," Xu Mingxuan sighed.
After pondering for a moment, Xu Mingyuan said, "Since there haven't been any losses yet, we can only avoid their momentum."
He looked at Xu Chuan, "Father, your child proposes withdrawing our people and resources from Tongshan Commandery."
"I also agree with Mingyuan's idea," Xu Mingwei said.
Xu Chuan nodded slightly, "Then let it be so. I, Mingwei, Mingxuan, and Mingshu, we four will make the trip to escort our Xu family disciples back."
That very day, they set out for Tongshan Commandery.
Although the various families in Tongshan Commandery had been coerced by the Cao family, they also didn't want to go too far.
The Xu family's potential was obvious to all. They had no mortal enmity with the Xu family, so there was no need to truly make enemies of them.
They believed the Xu family could also see who was truly behind this scheme.
At Tongshan Commandery marketplace.
When Xu Chuan and several others arrived, Cao Jinming, the Qin family, and other Foundation Establishment cultivators all came forward, politely greeting them on the surface.
"What brings Fellow Daoist Xu here?" a Qin family Foundation Establishment cultivator asked.
Xu Chuan smiled faintly, "I heard Tongshan Commandery hasn't been very peaceful recently. As a precaution, my Xu family is preparing to withdraw from this area, as it's quite far from our Yuehu Commandery after all."
"I see. If Fellow Daoist Xu has already decided, then we won't insist on keeping you."
As people were organizing, Cao Jinming suddenly transmitted, "Brother Xu, this matter was Cao's fault. Please don't blame me."
"I understand."
"Please take good care of Lin'er, Brother Xu."
"That's natural. Shenglin is my Xu family's daughter-in-law and thus also a member of the Xu family. She's already advanced to the eighth layer of Qi Refining."
"Thank you."
An incense stick's time later, the place was empty.
Xu Chuan, Xu Mingwei, and the others departed with the merchant operation personnel.
The Qin family Foundation Establishment cultivator murmured, "That Xu Mingwei appears to be at Qi Refining perfection. Do you think he's achieved Foundation Establishment?"
"Most likely."
"After all, the Xu family obtained a full three Foundation Establishment Pills from the Wuhua Secret Realm this time, practically the biggest winner."
"So what if they're winners? Hasn't it still attracted the Cao family's wariness and suppression? Aside from Yuehu Commandery and Guangling Commandery, the families in other commanderies probably won't trade with the Xu family anymore."
…
Guangling Commandery, a certain mountain range.
Xu Dewen, Xu Deqian, along with two or three of the Chong generation and several Qi Refining eighth or ninth layer rogue cultivators were training here.
"Roar." With a beast's roar, a first-rank early stage wolf demon crashed to the ground with a thunderous sound.
"Chongyan, Chonglei, Chongzhi, your coordination was excellent. Real combat truly is the best teacher."
Xu Deqian also smiled slightly, "Let's go. It's getting late. We should head back."
As they were preparing to leave, a whistling sound suddenly came from the distance.
Over ten immortal cultivators arrived on flying swords, stopping in the air above them.
Among them was one person standing in the void.
Xu Deqian's brow furrowed. He cupped his fists toward the Foundation Establishment cultivator in midair, "What business do you have with us, Senior?"
"We are of Guangling's Xu family, at Senior's command."
This Foundation Establishment cultivator wore a dark blue robe with gold-threaded edges. Middle-aged in appearance with a square face and robust build, his brow carried a trace of arrogance.
His eyes swept over them with a slight smile, "What business?"
"Naturally, to send you all on your way!"
Xu Deqian's expression changed. His hand swept over his storage bag, and a superior-grade defensive artifact and a superior-grade flying sword flew out.
"We have no grudge or enmity with Senior, do we? Aren't you afraid of provoking our Xu family?"
"No enmity?"
"Your Xu family truly is arrogant. Have you already forgotten about my Feng family so quickly?!"
Among them, a ninth layer Qi Refining cultivator smiled coldly, "Kill them all!"
"Today we'll use the blood of Xu family members to announce my Feng family's return!"
As his words fell, those cultivators riding flying swords all charged toward Xu Deqian, Xu Dewen, and the others.