Several days passed in the blink of an eye.
The Zhou family disciples who had entered the Xu family gradually integrated into their new life.
Their days were busy and fulfilling.
Even disciples with Pseudo Spiritual Roots could see a bright future ahead of them if they worked diligently.
Meanwhile, life continued as usual over at the Zhou Clan Estate. They only needed to hand over thirty percent of their quarterly profits as requested.
Zhou Qingfang and Zhou Zongyun both became elders of the Xu family.
Naturally, both of them swore soul oaths, forbidding them from revealing core information about the Xu family to anyone who had not taken the same oath.
This included details such as the number of Foundation Establishment cultivators in the Xu family, the clan's foundation, their overall strength, and the source of their top-grade magical artifacts.
The Xu family now possessed two major treasuries: the Qi Condensation Treasury and the Foundation Establishment Treasury.
The Foundation Establishment Treasury housed resources meant for the Foundation Establishment stage.
It was filled with various treasures required by cultivators at that level. There were over a dozen idle top-grade magical artifacts alone.
Some of these were obtained by slaying Foundation Establishment cultivators, while others were crafted by Xu Deling.
Opening the Qi Condensation Treasury only required the Family Head's token, but the Foundation Establishment Treasury required the simultaneous activation of both the Family Head's token and the First Elder's token.
The same applied to the Daoist Canon Pavilion.
The first floor contained ancient classics needed by Qi Refining cultivators and martial artists, including cultivation arts, magical arts, martial skills, secret arts, strange tales and legends, and the like.
The second floor could only be accessed by Foundation Establishment cultivators or those holding the Family Head's token.
As for inheritance classics related to the Dao of Alchemy, Dao of Artifacts, Array Dao, and Talisman Dao, one had to meet specific requirements before they could view or make rubbings of them.
Currently, the Xu family owned five or six spirit fields and medicine gardens in Guangling Commandery. Counting Dongxi, they had another three in Yuehu Commandery.
They were no longer lacking in resources like spirit rice or low-grade spirit grass.
The Jade Cold Pool was home to their high-grade medicine garden.
In addition to the Jade Cold Pool garden, Dongxi had another large medicine garden. It was newly established to accommodate Moyue, boasting a wide variety of flora.
The medicinal herbs and spirit grasses needed by martial artists and immortal cultivators were kept completely separate.
It did not take long for the news to spread across the commanderies that Cao Jinyan had sacrificed the lives of his clan's disciples to offer apologies to the Taiyuan Li family and the Langya Wang family.
Although those who did not understand the situation might think the Cao family disciples were simply bullying others with their power, anyone who had visited the Xu family knew this was merely a temporary expedient by the Cao clan to smooth things over.
Trading the life of a single Qi Refining disciple to salvage the Cao Clan's reputation was an exceptionally good deal.
The time of the new moon arrived in a flash.
Representatives from the Taiyuan Li family and the Langya Wang family arrived discreetly.
Both were elderly men. The elder from the Li family appeared somewhat thin and frail, while the Wang family elder was rather plump.
Draped in black robes and wearing hoods that obscured their features, they were escorted into Xu Chuan's study.
"How should I address you two Daoist friends?"
"From the Li family, Li Xingyan."
"From the Wang family, Wang Guangzhao."
"So it is the ancestor of the Li family and the ancestor of the Wang family gracing us in person. Please forgive my lack of a proper welcoming," Xu Chuan greeted.
"We are all Foundation Establishment cultivators. There's no need to be so polite, Daoist friend Xu. Calling each other Daoist friend is perfectly fine," Li Xingyan replied.
"Daoist friend Xu, let us dispense with the pleasantries and discuss the trade," Wang Guangzhao stated flatly.
Both men were at the peak of the sixth layer of Foundation Establishment.
In Xu Chuan's estimation, the vitality within their bodies was dense and abundant. They had at least sixty years of remaining lifespan.
Given the foundations of their respective families, they likely had figures of even higher seniority hidden within their ranks.
"Daoist friend Wang is quite straightforward. Then, have you both agreed to my conditions?"
"I have brought the inheritance copies," Li Xingyan declared. "As long as the items you are offering satisfy me, Daoist friend Xu, we can conclude the deal on the spot."
"The Wang family shares the same sentiment," Wang Guangzhao agreed.
Xu Chuan nodded slightly, offering a faint smile. "I am offering two things in this trade. The first is information regarding a great tribulation. The second is medicinal pills.
"However, I must ask you both to swear a soul oath first. You must vow never to leak the news of this great tribulation to the outside world for sixty years. Even within your own clans, you may only inform your fellow Foundation Establishment cultivators."
Li Xingyan and Wang Guangzhao exchanged a glance before complying.
"This catastrophe is known as the Demon Tribulation. It occurs once every five hundred years, initiated by a faction of demonic cultivators beyond our three kingdoms. During the last tribulation, over ninety percent of the immortal cultivator families and martial dao clans across all commanderies perished.
"Even those who barely survived were warned against leaking the truth, which is why there should be no written records of it in any of the commanderies.
"Only the first and second-rank families in the Imperial City, along with a few select third-rank families, are aware of this.
"As for who issued the gag order, I'm sure both of you know full well."
"Wait, if you claim there are no written records in the commanderies, how do you know about it, Daoist friend Xu?"
"The previous Chief of the Dan Hall informed me. We were close friends, and he treated me somewhat like a disciple," Xu Chuan explained. "Furthermore, I coincidentally verified the existence of the Demon Tribulation through the Lei family."
"A tribulation every five hundred years... How many years are left?" Wang Guangzhao asked, his brows tightly knitted.
"I do not know the exact timeline. Perhaps there are a little more than sixty years left, or perhaps less than that," Xu Chuan sighed. "Therefore, even at the risk of offending the Cao family, my Xu family must fight with everything we have to rapidly expand our strength.
"We do this in the hopes of preserving our clan in the future."
Li Xingyan and Wang Guangzhao both looked troubled, their expressions a mix of doubt and belief.
Xu Chuan didn't want to elaborate further. He continued, "As for the second item, the medicinal pills I am offering are Void Rushing Pills. There are three in total: one high-grade, one mid-grade, and one low-grade.
"If both Daoist friends agree to this trade, I will present a high-grade Void Rushing Pill on the spot, and we can agree on the terms and items to be traded.
"Later on, I will dispatch elders from my clan to your respective estates to finalize the exchanges.
"As for the mid-grade and low-grade pills, my Xu family will deliver them every two years when we send our people for further trading."
Three Void Rushing Pills for each family!
A sharp light immediately erupted in their eyes.
With a high-grade Void Rushing Pill, they would undoubtedly break through to the late Foundation Establishment stage in less than half a month.
"After completing these three transactions, if your families wish to continue, you may send representatives to Dongxi to discuss further terms," Xu Chuan added.
"Will we still be able to trade for more Void Rushing Pills after that?" Li Xingyan inquired.
"Void Rushing Pills are only used during the bottlenecks of the middle and late stages, so they won't be needed that frequently. Moreover, the ingredients for these pills are exceedingly rare. Given my Xu family's connections, it might take several years just to gather one or two sets of materials.
"To trade them, we must first set aside our own clan's needs.
"The main reason I can offer them this time is that our Foundation Establishment cultivators are still far from reaching their bottlenecks. If several of them needed the pill to break through, I'm afraid I wouldn't have any to spare."
The two nodded slightly, finding Xu Chuan's words perfectly reasonable.
After all, one couldn't play the generous benefactor when their own family didn't have enough to eat.
After deep consideration, Li Xingyan and Wang Guangzhao ultimately agreed to the trade with the Xu family.
If the Demon Tribulation was real, then elevating their own power was the best course of action.
Although their talisman and array inheritances were precious, they couldn't immediately boost their families' foundation. They required descendants with outstanding innate aptitude to make use of them.
Reaching the master level would demand countless resources, time, and energy.
Furthermore, these were merely inheritance copies.
If they wanted, the two families could make countless rubbings without suffering any actual loss.
Xu Chuan then summoned Xu Dezhao to join them and hammer out the specific details of the resource exchange.
From that point on, everything was entrusted to Xu Dezhao's handling.
"Daoist friend Li, Daoist friend Wang, these are the high-grade Void Rushing Pills. Please keep them safe." Xu Chuan took out two porcelain bottles and handed them over.
He cupped his fists and smiled. "I hope that the next time we meet, both of you will have reached late Foundation Establishment!"
"We will borrow Daoist friend Xu's auspicious words!" The two returned the gesture.
Following that, they pulled up their hoods and carefully departed.
Xu Dezhao spoke up, "Grandfather, I will go prepare the necessary arrangements. As for the envoys conducting the trade, who do you think is best to send?"
Xu Chuan looked at him and chuckled. "If you have a thought, just say it."
"For the Li family, I plan to send Third Uncle, Fifth Uncle, and Luo Qianshan. As for the Wang family, Father, Second Uncle, and Li Yuanhua and his sister will go."
"Acceptable."
This was a massive transaction. Although it was being conducted in secret, one could never be too careful.
If they could acquire some rare Array Dao materials, given Xu Mingxian's proficiency, he might be able to craft high-grade second-tier array tools or even refine a few sets of formation flags.
Carrying them around would make it highly convenient to set up formations at a moment's notice.
As for Xu Mingyuan, armed with the "Brush-Stroke Talisman Creation" fate talent, his success rate for drawing high-grade talismans exceeded ninety percent.
Because this talent also reduced the consumption of his divine sense during the drafting process, he could consecutively draw more than twenty of them without resting.
Currently, his primary focus was researching top-grade talismans.
If he could successfully comprehend and draft them, given his present talisman crafting aptitude, it wouldn't take long for him to drastically increase his success rate.
He would become a Grandmaster Talisman Crafter.
In Great Wei, talisman inheritances ended at top-grade talismans.
The Southern Heaven Region likely possessed higher-tier inheritances, but that was a matter for the future.
Upon returning to his clan, Li Xingyan gathered all the Foundation Establishment cultivators, discussed the trade, and shared the news about the Demon Tribulation.
Instantly, everyone was deeply shocked. They felt a dark cloud looming over their heads.
"Whether the Demon Tribulation is real or not, our Li clan must continue to fortify our foundation and elevate the strength of our disciples."
The one who spoke was an elder with pure white hair and beard.
Li Xingyan replied respectfully, "Grandfather, I plan to enter seclusion tomorrow to use this high-grade Void Rushing Pill and attempt to break through to late Foundation Establishment."
The Li family ancestor nodded slightly. "Once you reach late Foundation Establishment, you will join me in studying this top-tier second-grade array.
"I hope that by combining our efforts, we can successfully comprehend it within my final ten or twenty years.
"With a top-tier second-grade array protecting us, even a Golden Core cultivator's assault could be held off for a few hours. The safety of our clan will be tremendously enhanced."
"I understand," Li Xingyan acknowledged.
"Also, treat the transactions with the Xu family carefully. It is said that great tribulations give rise to figures of immense providence. Perhaps the Xu family possesses such great providence.
"The Xu clan is borrowing our array inheritance to bolster their Array Dao foundation. Similarly, we can borrow their pills to expand the power of our Li family's Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment cultivators."
"Yes, Ancestor."
The remaining six Foundation Establishment cultivators cupped their fists in unison.
The Li family had a total of seven Foundation Establishment cultivators, including the late Foundation Establishment Ancestor.
However, they had delayed advancing to a second-rank family out of fear of the Cao clan's suppression, terrified of falling short at the final hurdle.
The situation was quite similar over at the Wang family.
Though they had one less Foundation Establishment cultivator than the Li family, they also possessed a late Foundation Establishment Ancestor—a Grandmaster Talisman Crafter highly skilled in his craft.
Half a month later.
Dongxi.
"Father, Second Uncle, Third Uncle, and Fifth Uncle, you must tread carefully on your journey to the Langya Wang family and the Taiyuan Li family.
"There might be Cao clan informants embedded in those two commanderies."
Xu Mingxuan chuckled, "The round trip will only take three or four days. We'll head straight to their estates without dallying outside."
Xu Dezhao gave a faint nod. "Safe travels."
Xu Mingwei and the others split into two groups and departed.
A day and a half passed.
Xu Mingxian's group arrived outside the Taiyuan Li Clan's estate.
"Who goes there!"
Spotting the approaching figures clad in black robes and hiding their faces, the patrol disciples guarding the Li Clan Estate immediately drew their flying swords, levitating them threateningly overhead as they shouted.
Xu Mingxian raised his hand, presenting a black token inscribed with the character for 'Li' in faint gold.
"An Elder's token!"
The patrol captain instantly recalled the Family Head's instructions: if anyone arrived bearing a Li Clan elder's token, they were to be treated with the utmost respect and reported immediately.
"Ah, so it is esteemed guests. Please wait a moment while I open the entrance to the grand array."
The patrol captain retrieved a jade talisman and formed hand seals. The talisman floated in mid-air, glowing with a soft cyan light.
Suddenly.
A burst of cyan radiance shot out and struck the grand array's glowing barrier.
The barrier melted away like winter snow under the sun, instantly forming an entrance about three meters wide and tall.
"Li Qihui, escort these three esteemed guests to the clan's reception hall."
"Yes, Captain," responded a young cultivator in his early twenties.
Xu Mingxian's group followed Li Qihui inside. Meanwhile, the patrol captain turned to another guard beside him. "Go inform the Family Head that the guests he's been expecting have arrived."
"Understood." The man entered the estate and flew off on his sword in a different direction.
Inside the Li Clan's reception hall.
"Please wait here, esteemed guests. The Family Head should arrive shortly."
Xu Mingxian offered a curt nod.
Li Qihui cupped his fists and took his leave. Not long after, a middle-aged man dressed in lavish robes approached.
"Qihui, what are you doing here? Do we have visitors?"
Li Qihui nodded. "Yes, Uncle Zhengyang."
"Who is it?" Li Zhengyang glanced toward the reception hall with a curious expression.
"I'm not sure, but they seem quite mysterious. They presented one of our Li Clan's elder tokens upon arrival, and the captain was incredibly respectful."
"Alright, I understand. You may go."
Li Qihui flew off on his sword.
Right as he departed, a streak of light descended.
'The Family Head?!'
Li Zhengyang stroked his chin, watching in surprise as the Li Clan Head strode into the reception hall. Shortly after, a curtain of light rose, sealing off all sound.
By now, night had fully fallen.
Standing beneath a large tree, Li Zhengyang's figure blended entirely into the shadows.
'Holding an elder's token, yet they aren't being received by an elder?'
'The clan has been frequently mobilizing resources lately. Could it be related to these mysterious figures who arrived today?'
'Are we conducting a trade with another family?'
Li Zhengyang pondered for a moment, his thoughts churning. 'In all of Great Wei, there aren't many forces worthy of such solemn treatment from our Li family. The Langya Wang family, some third-rank families in the Imperial City, and a few second-rank or higher families.
'Right, and the Xu family.
'Who exactly are these guests?'
Inside the hall.
It was brightly lit with lamps and candles.
"I am Li Xiangfeng, Head of the Li Clan. How might I address you esteemed guests?" the Li Clan Head inquired.
Xu Mingxuan and the others pulled back their hoods, revealing their faces.
"I am Xu Mingxuan. This is my fifth brother, Xu Mingxian. And this is our Xu family's guest elder, Luo Qianshan."
"I did not expect two senior experts from the Xu family to personally visit. Our Li family is deeply honored."
Basic intelligence regarding the key figures of the Xu family was widely known among the aristocratic families of various commanderies.
"Family Head Li is too polite. I wonder if the trade resources have been fully prepared?" Xu Mingxuan asked.
"They are fully prepared," Family Head Li confirmed. "Our Li family rarely conducts transactions of such massive scale. If it were a frequent occurrence, I'm afraid we would struggle to gather everything."
"That is exactly why my father chose to conduct this in batches."
"I've also heard about the recent events involving the Xu family. Your First Elder's transcendent wisdom truly turned the tides."
"As long as Family Head Li doesn't blame our Xu family, that is enough. After all, the disciples of your esteemed clan were killed on their way to attend our family's ceremony," Xu Mingxuan said.
"Your Xu family merely sent invitations. The ultimate decision to attend was made by our Li family. How could we blame you? If we must blame anyone, it should be...
"Never mind, let us not discuss this matter further.
"Ancestor Xingyan informed me that when you arrived, our Li family must host you with the utmost hospitality.
"It is getting late. Why not rest here for the night to alleviate the fatigue of your journey?
"We can carry out the resource exchange early tomorrow morning."
"Acceptable." Xu Mingxuan thought it over and nodded. "Then please arrange a quiet, secluded place with few people around.
"The fewer who know about this transaction, the better."
"Understood." Family Head Li raised his voice slightly. "Someone, come."
A young man hurried into the hall.
"Escort these esteemed guests from the Xu family to the Azure Bamboo Garden."
"Yes, Family Head."
Xu Mingxuan and his companions pulled their hoods back on, cupped their fists toward Family Head Li, and followed the young man out.
It didn't take long.
They arrived in front of a courtyard.
"Esteemed guests, this is the Azure Bamboo Garden. It is a place specifically reserved for our Li Clan's distinguished guests. It is serene and elegant, protected by defensive arrays, and watched over by dedicated guards.
"Even our own Li Clan disciples are strictly forbidden from coming here to disturb you."
"Thank you for your trouble," Xu Mingxuan said mildly.
After settling them into their quarters, the young man returned to his post outside the reception hall.
Along the way, however, he bumped into Li Zhengyang, who once again probed for information about the newcomers.
"I heard the Family Head briefly mention that they seemed to be from the Xu family. I don't know anything else, Uncle Zhengyang, so please don't ask anymore."
"Haha, I just happened to see them and was a bit curious. I've been out for a stroll long enough, it's time for me to get some rest."
"Take care, Uncle Zhengyang."
The next day.
The golden sun rose in the east, shedding faint rays of morning light.
Once the two sides completed the transaction, Xu Mingxuan and his group departed.
More than a day later.
Xu Mingxuan's group and Xu Mingwei's group successively returned to Dongxi.
Among the acquired resources, the talisman-making materials were allocated to Xu Mingyuan.
Many of these were ingredients required for drafting top-grade talismans. At least for the short term, Xu Mingyuan wouldn't have to worry about lacking supplies.
It was also plenty for him to successfully comprehend the art of top-grade talismans.
The Array Dao materials were handed over to Xu Mingxian.
He entered seclusion that very day, using the materials for second-tier formation flags to craft high-grade second-tier flags.
Xu Chuan had informed him that it wouldn't be long before they ventured into the Hundred Thousand Mountains.
That was a place far more treacherous than the Azure Sea Forest.
Bringing high-grade second-tier formation flags along would add another trump card to their arsenal.
After sorting out the initial allocations, the remaining resources were categorized by Xu Dezhao, who planned to transfer them into the two great treasuries.
Xu Chonghui stood beside Xu Dezhao and respectfully asked, "Father, by trading pills and magical artifacts for such vast amounts of resources from Taiyuan Commandery and Langya Commandery, can our Xu family's reserves handle the drain?"
Xu Dezhao turned to him and smiled faintly. "Chonghui, to tell you the truth, even my father doesn't know the full extent of our Xu family's foundation.
"Especially when it comes to pills.
"Here in Dongxi, the alchemy attainment of your Sixth Great-Uncle and your mother alone is enough to sustain our current family. Yet, both of them combined cannot compare to your great-grandfather.
"How many pills he has stashed away, no one knows except him.
"The cultivation pills that I, your grandfather, and the others require are all procured directly from your great-grandfather. They have always been supplied in ample quantities, and they are always high-grade True Essence Pills."
"Great-grandfather's Dao of Alchemy is simply divine!"
"Come along. I'll take you inside the treasury to have a look. Once you break through to Foundation Establishment, the position of Family Head will inevitably fall to you.
"However, if you want the Family Head position to remain in our lineage generation after generation, you need to have more children and birth offspring with outstanding talent. Having only one son and one daughter is a bit too sparse."
Hearing this, Xu Chonghui scratched his head. "Father, didn't you only have me and my sister?"
"How can your generation be compared to ours!" Xu Dezhao stated solemnly. "Our Xu family's grand momentum is gradually forming! This is the time when we desperately need a massive number of clansmen!
"I've already picked out two women with cultivation aptitude for you. Both have Miscellaneous Spiritual Roots and hail from Guangling Commandery—one from the Cheng family and the other from the Hu family."
"Once you have more than seven children, I will stop urging you." The corners of Xu Dezhao's lips curled up slightly.
"Father—" Xu Chonghui groaned, his face scrunching in misery. "What do you think I am?"
"The great dao of human relations is the righteous path of heaven and earth. Do you have a problem with that?"
"I wouldn't dare."
"Marry them in two months."
Xu Chonghui opened his mouth to say something, but finding no way to defend himself, his words ultimately collapsed into a single sigh. "Understood."
Xu Dezhao patted him on the shoulder. "Don't worry, those brothers of yours won't escape either, nor will some of your uncles.
"This is the century-long childbearing plan personally mandated by your great-grandfather."
Xu Chonghui's mouth twitched slightly.
Afterward, Xu Dezhao began forming hand seals, channeling energy into the Family Head's token to unlock the Xu family's Qi Condensation Treasury.
Xu Chonghui followed Xu Dezhao through the magical artifact section. There were over two hundred high-grade magical artifacts on display, each brimming with spiritual light. None of them looked like ordinary mundane goods.
There were also seventy or eighty exquisite-grade magical artifacts—flying swords, bells, cauldrons, mirrors, shields, and various other tools, all displayed individually.
"Look here, Chonghui. All these magical artifacts are just sitting here collecting dust because the Xu family has too few members.
"As for disciples of different surnames or rogue cultivators, although our Xu clan will reward them, they must accumulate a great deal of merit just to earn a single high-grade artifact.
"As for the exquisite-grade ones, anyone below peak Qi Condensation shouldn't even dream of it.
"But for the members of our core Xu bloodline, reaching late-stage Qi Condensation earns an immediate reward of a high-grade magical artifact and a mid-grade defensive magical artifact.
"If one reaches the 9th Layer of Qi Condensation, they get at least two high-grade artifacts, along with a magic skiff.
"Those highly valued by the clan might even receive an exquisite-grade magical artifact.
"The same goes for our Foundation Establishment elders.
"The period of unrestrained generosity for our Xu family has passed. Previously, anyone who reached Foundation Establishment would be gifted a top-grade magical artifact, but from now on, only true members of our Xu bloodline will receive such treatment."
Xu Chonghui was absolutely stunned by the sheer number of magical artifacts stored in the treasury.
Yet he also realized his father was using this as another angle to persuade him to have more children. He couldn't help but sigh. "Father, I understand."
"Then in a few days, take a trip to Guangling Commandery with your Second Great-Uncle and Third Great-Uncle. You should at least meet them before the wedding so it's not a completely blind marriage," Xu Dezhao instructed.
"Yes." The resistance in Xu Chonghui's eyes had visibly lessened.
Aside from artifacts, there were also sections for pills and materials. Spirit stones were piled up box by box according to their five elements attributes, and there were quite a few talismans as well.
However, the least stocked items were array disks and the like.
After organizing the newly traded resources, Xu Dezhao left the treasury.
Xu Chonghui curiously asked, "Father, I know the pills are refined by Great-grandfather, Sixth Great-Uncle, and Mother, which is why we have so many.
"But the magical artifacts... this quantity rivals the combined sum of all the families in the entire Yuehu Commandery.
"In fact, in terms of exquisite-grade items, it surpasses them."
"That is entirely your aunt's doing. Very few in the clan know about this, and you are forbidden from spreading it outside," Xu Dezhao warned gravely. "Her attainment in artifact refining is likely on par with your great-grandfather's alchemy. She can easily be called the number one refiner in Great Wei.
"In the future, our Xu family will not only boast a Grandmaster Alchemist and a Grandmaster Artifact Refiner, but we will also have a Grandmaster Array Master and a Grandmaster Talisman Crafter.
"That day is not far off."
A sharp light pierced through Xu Dezhao's eyes, brimming with absolute confidence.
"I believe it too!"
"Let's go. I'll take you to see the Foundation Establishment Treasury."
Xu Dezhao was already gradually arranging for Xu Chonghui to take over the Xu family's affairs. However, he was strictly forbidden from leaking any information about the treasuries, even going so far as to swear a soul oath.
This was a heaven-defying sum of wealth.
If outsiders learned of it, it would bring apocalyptic disaster down upon the Xu family.
In comparison, the life of a single Xu clan member would be utterly insignificant.
Two days later.
Xu Mingyuan and Xu Mingxuan returned to Guangling.
They still had to oversee the construction of the Immortal Alliance.
This massive project would be completed in just a few months.
When that time came, the Xu family would rise to an even higher echelon.
Naturally, they would once again become the focal point of all Great Wei.
Upon arriving in Guangling, Xu Chonghui met the women from the Cheng and Hu families. They were in their early twenties and both mid-stage Qi Condensation cultivators. While their figures and features weren't peerless, they were still quite striking—one in a hundred beauties.
After spending two or three days with them.
Xu Chonghui returned to Dongxi, and the Xu family proceeded to send out betrothal gifts.
When Cao Shengling learned that Xu Chonghui was marrying two women at once, she did not say much, for she knew this day would inevitably come.
With the Xu family's current foundation, their clan population was simply too small.
As the primary wife, her status was firmly established. Naturally, she had to display the magnanimity appropriate for her position.
As for petty jealousy and infighting?
There had never been any precedent for such behavior in the inner courts of the Xu family. Almost everyone got along harmoniously.
This was because the resource allocations for the Xu clan's daughters-in-law were identical across the board, though naturally, there were distinctions between martial artists and immortal cultivators.
For immortal cultivators, regardless of whether they possessed a Miscellaneous Spiritual Root or a Pseudo Spiritual Root, their monthly cultivation resources were precisely the same.
As for the offspring, they were all incorporated into the Xu family's unified cultivation plan and were not counted as part of these personal allocations.
That night.
Xu Chonghui and Cao Shengling shared a rare moment of passionate intimacy.
Afterward.
Cao Shengling suddenly asked, "Husband, I heard the clan possesses Jade Marrow Pills. I wonder if there are any left."
Xu Chonghui looked at her in surprise. "Jade Marrow Pills are used to aid in breaking through to Foundation Establishment. My lady, you shouldn't be at that stage yet, right?"
"I am asking on behalf of my older brother. He has currently reached peak Qi Condensation. Even though my father is trying to figure something out, the chances of securing a Foundation Establishment Pill from the main lineage of the Cao Clan are extremely slim.
"Thus, my brother wrote to me recently, asking me to check if the Xu family might have a solution.
"Of course, we won't take the pill for nothing. The Tongshan Cao Clan is willing to exchange for it at thirty percent above the market price."
Xu Chonghui fell silent for a moment before replying, "You should know that your father and the other families in Tongshan Commandery suppressed our Xu clan's businesses there, forcing us to pull out."
Hearing this, Cao Shengling lowered her head. "I know," she sighed helplessly, "but they were forced by the main lineage. My father had no other choice.
"Otherwise, given his friendship with the First Elder, things would never have reached that point.
"If it weren't for that bond, he wouldn't have proposed a marriage alliance between our two families in the first place."
"I understand. That is why Great-grandfather and the others did not resist them too fiercely back then and directly relocated our trade guilds. Otherwise, with our Xu family's strength, we could have at least made them pay a heavy price.
"However, whatever sentiment we shared ends there."
"Is it truly impossible?"
Cao Shengling stared at Xu Chonghui with teary eyes, which proved entirely too much for him to bear. He pulled her naked body into a tight embrace. "Tomorrow, I'll go ask Great-grandfather.
"The materials for Jade Marrow Pills are virtually unparalleled in rarity. No one knows how many Great-grandfather managed to refine, nor how many are left."
"Thank you, Husband."
A beautiful smile blossomed on Cao Shengling's face.
"You beautiful disaster," Xu Chonghui murmured affectionately, using his hooked index finger to lightly scrape her delicate nose.
The next day.
The Jade Cold Pool.
Xu Chonghui arrived before the restriction and transmitted his voice through the array. "Great-grandfather, Chonghui has brought Wenjing to pay his respects."
He knew Xu Chuan adored Xu Wenjing, which was why he brought the boy along. He hoped that, for Wenjing's sake, his great-grandfather might be persuaded to part with a Jade Marrow Pill.
Hearing this, Xu Chuan opened his eyes and stepped out of his quiet room.
Moyue also poked his head out of the frigid pool.
Xu Chuan gently waved his sleeve, firing a streak of cyan light at the array's barrier. A gap immediately materialized, allowing father and son to enter.
"Old Ancestor!"
Upon seeing Xu Chuan, Xu Wenjing instantly called out in a crisp, clear voice.
He then sprinted toward Xu Chuan and threw his arms around his legs.
The cultivation of the Xu clan's descendants began shortly after birth. To strengthen their bones and fortify their physiques, they were fed specially processed Dragon Tooth Rice.
It was gentle enough to be digested and absorbed even by mortal children.
Once they were old enough for meat, their diet shifted to the flesh of demonic beasts.
Xu Chuan chuckled as he scooped the boy up, smoothly examining his bone structure in the process. "You've grown quite a bit sturdier."
"Of course! I train every single day."
"Hmm, what a good boy."
Following that, the boy spotted the dragon head poking out of the freezing pool. He immediately pointed at it. "Old Ancestor, look! A dragon, a dragon!"
Xu Chonghui bowed respectfully. "Grand Elder Moyue."
Moyue flashed his pure white teeth in a wide grin. "I love eating tender, plump little babies like you the most."
"Wenjing, call him Old Ancestor Moyue, and he won't be able to bring himself to eat you," Xu Chuan teased.
"Old Ancestor Moyue," Xu Wenjing called out, staring right at Moyue.
"Boring!"
Moyue immediately dived beneath the freezing waters, vanishing from sight.
"See? Your Old Ancestor Moyue ran away because he was too shy," Xu Chuan chuckled.
Suddenly, Moyue burst out of the water and flew right up to Xu Chuan. Hovering with his three-meter-long body, the flood dragon practically pressed his snout directly into Xu Chuan's face. "Damn you, Xu Chuan!" he roared indignantly. "Which eye of yours saw me acting shy?"
"This seat never gets shy!"
"Old Ancestor, I want to ride him."
"Beg him yourself and see if he's willing."
Xu Wenjing locked his large, round, teary eyes with Moyue's. The flood dragon quickly jerked his head to the left. "Just this once, and never again!"
A gentle stream of divine sense grabbed hold of Xu Wenjing, softly placing the boy atop his massive head.
"Hold on tight, little brat. Here we go!"
Moyue took Xu Wenjing soaring through the nearby airspace, filling the air with the boy's giggles and loud cheers of, "Old Ancestor Moyue is so awesome!"
"Great-grandfather, it feels like Grand Elder Moyue has been completely domesticated by you."
"Watch your words. If that old flood dragon hears you, he'll be shouting in my ear again."
Xu Chonghui shook his head and laughed, murmuring, "He acts just like an overgrown child. Do demonic beasts really behave like this?"
"The intelligence of second-tier demonic beasts is no inferior to that of humans. Reaching the third tier marks the true beginning of breaking past mortal limits. They care for their mates, offspring, and packs, possessing emotions no different from humanity's."
Hearing this, Xu Chonghui nodded slightly.
Xu Chuan looked at him and asked evenly, "Speak. What brings you to see me?"
"Nothing can be hidden from Great-grandfather." Xu Chonghui cupped his fists. "Soon, I will be marrying two more wives to produce offspring for the family.
"However, I feel quite guilty toward Shengling and wish to compensate her somewhat.
"It just so happens that her older brother wrote to us, asking if our Xu family has any Jade Marrow Pills left. He has already reached peak Qi Condensation and is seeking to break through to Foundation Establishment."
'So that's how it is.'