Lei Wuji's heart sank, and he hurriedly said, "Family Head, if you feel this is not enough, our Lei family can figure out other ways!
As long as we can trade for that Nascent Soul formation opportunity, we will pay any price, as long as our Lei family can afford it..."
Xu Chuan raised his hand, stopping Lei Wuji's urgent words.
"Elder Lei misunderstands. It is not a question of how many chips you offer, but rather that I cannot agree to this matter."
His gaze was calm as he looked at Lei Wuji. "Elder Lei should be aware of the current situation in Heavenly Azure Prefecture.
Currently, although the Lei family has an agreement with my Xu family to serve us for ten years.
But this is a transaction, or one could even call it an alliance.
If it weren't for this, Elder Lei knows very well what the outcome of the Lei family would be.
I promise that I will not interfere in any way with your Ancestor's attempt to reach the Nascent Soul stage.
When that time comes, my Xu family will naturally present congratulatory gifts and can prematurely end the ten-year mobilization period of the Lei family.
Our two families could then interact on equal terms."
Hearing this, Lei Wuji's expression eased slightly, but he knew the main point was yet to come.
Sure enough, Xu Chuan changed the topic. "However, I will also not actively provide any help. After all, the situation in Heavenly Azure Prefecture is gradually becoming clear.
If a newly advanced Nascent Soul cultivator were to suddenly appear, it could break the current balance. For my Xu family, that would not be a fortunate event."
These words were spoken bluntly and realistically.
Lei Wuji opened his mouth but found it hard to refute.
From the Xu family's standpoint, this was undoubtedly the safest choice.
With an extra Shapeshifting Great Demon standing guard, along with a peerless monster like Xu Chuan who could fight Nascent Soul cultivators across realms, the Xu family taking control of Heavenly Azure Prefecture was only a matter of time.
It would certainly be accomplished within ten years!
"Furthermore, let me speak from the bottom of my heart, Elder Lei. This Nascent Soul formation opportunity already has an owner."
Lei Wuji pondered for a few breaths, raised an eyebrow, and asked, "True Lord Fierce Sun?"
Xu Chuan smiled but did not answer.
He fell silent for a moment before asking with a bitter voice, carrying a final trace of reluctance, "Family Head, please forgive my presumption in asking one more question.
If there were someone suitable for attempting to reach the Nascent Soul realm within the Xu family, would you yield it?"
Hearing this, Xu Chuan smiled faintly. "Naturally not. I am not so generous as to be completely selfless. I will naturally prioritize helping my clansmen climb the Great Dao.
This is the foundation upon which a family establishes itself."
The answer was incredibly clear, severing all of Lei Wuji's illusions.
Even if the Xu family possessed a Nascent Soul formation opportunity, they would definitely give it to their own people first. If no one was suitable, they would trade it for the greatest benefit to the Xu family.
Both the Lei family and the Xu family were in Heavenly Azure Prefecture, so they were considered competitors.
Currently, although the Lei family was mobilized by the Xu family, how could Xu Chuan only focus on a mere ten years?
Not interfering with the Ancestor of the Lei family's attempt to form a Nascent Soul and seek the Dao was the greatest fairness the Xu family could give the Lei family.
Lei Wuji slowly stood up and bowed solemnly to Xu Chuan. "I understand the Family Head's words. Thank you for your honesty.
No matter what, our Lei family will certainly abide by the ten-year agreement with the Xu family.
As for the Ancestor's matter...
Sigh, we can only rely on his own fortune."
"It is good that Elder Lei understands." Xu Chuan also stood up and escorted Lei Wuji to the hall doors. "The Great Dao is difficult, and each must rely on their own opportunities.
Perhaps your Ancestor can break through the bottleneck on his own and prove his Nascent Soul Dao!"
"I will borrow your auspicious words, Family Head." Lei Wuji smiled bitterly, cupped his fists, and took his leave.
Watching Lei Wuji depart, Xu Chuan's gaze grew profound.
A Nascent Soul formation opportunity tugged at people's hearts, but he valued the family's stability and a controllable future much more.
Heavenly Azure Prefecture was gradually falling into his grasp, and he did not want any more variables to appear.
Moreover, he had also calculated that the Ancestor of the Lei family's heritage was slightly weaker compared to Mo Wentian. If he could cultivate a Divine Ability to perfection, he might have a sliver of a chance.
But that would require the assistance of a lightning-element Connate Spirit Object.
Unfortunately, lightning-element Connate Spirit Objects of this kind were exceptionally rare.
This time, the Xu family harvested over fifty Connate Spirit Objects, including high, mid, and low grades, as well as those of the Five Elements Attributes. However, outside of the Five Elements, they only obtained a single ice-element spirit object.
Heavenly Azure Sect.
"Grand Elder, we could not find a fourth-tier precious medicine to treat divine soul wounds." True Lord Green Wood and a group of Golden Core elders stood before Xi Daoyun, each hanging their heads.
Xi Daoyun sighed lightly. "Forget it, it is a matter of time and fate."
"Green Wood, you and Bingqian stay behind. The rest of you may disperse."
"Yes, Grand Elder."
Soon, only the three of them remained in the main hall.
Xi Daoyun swept his gaze over the two of them. "Regarding the Nascent Soul formation opportunity mentioned by Xu Chuan, what are your thoughts? Do you think it is real or fake?"
Seeing that both remained silent, Xi Daoyun called out, "Green Wood, tell me what you think."
"Grand Elder, your disciple believes it should be real. Xu Chuan is not the type to spout empty boasts."
Thinking of Xu Chuan, Xi Daoyun frowned slightly and said indifferently, "Then why do you think he did this? A Nascent Soul formation opportunity is precious; wouldn't it be better to save it for his own Nascent Soul formation in the future?"
"He definitely has some scheme in mind, but as for the goal of his scheme, your disciple cannot make sense of it for the time being."
"Indeed. The depth of Xu Chuan's shrewdness and the farsightedness of his vision are unparalleled in my thousand years of experience. Who can truly see what he is thinking?"
Pausing for a moment, he added, "Since the Nascent Soul formation opportunity is real, then this is the last chance for our Heavenly Azure Sect to turn the tables. I will use all of our heritage to fight for it.
However, within our Sect, both of you have a chance at forming a Nascent Soul, but there is only one opportunity."
Hearing this, True Lord Green Wood and True Lord Bingqian exchanged glances, then both lowered their heads in silence.
A moment later, True Lord Bingqian looked up and said, "Grand Elder, if our Heavenly Azure Sect can obtain that Nascent Soul formation opportunity, then give it to Senior Brother Green Wood.
I am confident that I can cultivate my Divine Ability to perfection, and when that time comes, I too can attempt to reach the Nascent Soul stage."
"Junior Brother, you..." True Lord Green Wood immediately looked over in surprise.
Xi Daoyun nodded. "Bingqian, it is very good that you took the initiative to step back. Then it is settled. If we obtain the Nascent Soul opportunity, it will be given to Green Wood.
Green Wood, follow me to my grotto-residence."
"Yes, Grand Elder."
Watching the two leave, True Lord Bingqian sighed softly. "The Heavenly Azure Sect is ultimately the Xi family's Heavenly Azure Sect!"
He immediately returned to his own grotto-residence.
He knew that even if he wanted to fight for it, as long as Xi Daoyun was alive, it would be impossible to outcompete True Lord Green Wood.
Even taking ten thousand steps back and assuming True Lord Green Wood didn't want to fight for it, Xi Daoyun and the entire Xi family would force him to.
This was the only way to continue the Xi family's glory.
Since he already knew the outcome, it was better to step back on his own and preserve their fellowship.
Xi Daoyun's grotto-residence.
Xi Daoyun flicked his sleeve robe, and a wooden box flew out, landing in True Lord Green Wood's hands.
"Grand Elder, what is this?"
"A high-grade wood-element spirit object. I had originally planned to leave it for the outstanding disciples of the clan in the future, but now our Xi family needs a new expert to stand guard.
It can help you comprehend the Myriad Wood Divine Ability. There is a considerable chance of comprehending it to perfection.
With this, you will barely be able to shoulder the heavy responsibilities of our Xi family."
"Grand Elder, you..."
"I won't hide it from you. With my injuries, even if I never fight again, I won't live past twenty years at most, perhaps even less.
If my Xi family weakens, countless people will inevitably want to take a bite out of us.
However, how could I let them have their way? If this contest ends in failure, I will use my millennium of accumulation to carve out a path of survival for my Xi family.
You should be aware that leaving certain things in the Xi family will instead bring immense disaster upon us.
It is better to use them as early as possible to enhance our own strength."
"Your disciple understands." True Lord Green Wood's heart was incredibly heavy.
"Go. Three months from now, at the high-level trade fair in Cloudstream City, you will accompany me."
"Yes, Grand Elder."
True Lord Green Wood left the grotto-residence, summoning a streak of light and flying toward his own grotto-residence.
His heart was filled with endless emotion.
No one could have imagined that the Heavenly Azure Sect, with a heritage spanning over two thousand years and remaining unshakeable, might actually meet its end at the hands of a new family that had only risen in the last two or three decades.
It wasn't just the Heavenly Azure Sect.
The major top-tier factions in Greedy Wolf Prefecture were also determined to obtain that Nascent Soul formation opportunity.
Their competition was far more intense than in Heavenly Azure Prefecture.
Especially Ancient Nether City. They had been destroyed by Qi Tianxiong in the past, and it took hundreds of years before they recovered and established Ancient Nether City.
They constantly dreamed of allowing the ancient Sect to reappear in the world, annihilating the Greedy Wolf Sect, and washing away their past humiliation.
There were also the three top-tier aristocratic families: Sima, Nie, and Chao.
With a millennium of heritage, they too wished to go a step further, just like the Mo Family.
Not long after.
The Golden Core stage cultivators who participated in the appearance of the Connate Secret Realm returned to their respective families one after another. While organizing their harvests, they pondered the matters of the Cloudstream City auction and the high-level trade fair.
Resources were ultimately just resources; most could not be directly converted into strength.
Therefore, they all intended to digest them in the near future, using them to enhance their own or their family's strength.
They dispatched many clan disciples to Cloudstream City to gather information.
At the same time.
A large number of rogue cultivators, and even demonic cultivators, arrived at Cloudstream City.
"Is this Cloudstream City?" an old demonic Golden Core cultivator looked at Cloudstream City and couldn't help but sigh in admiration. "I heard this city was established only a few years ago, yet it's already so prosperous.
The Xu family's methods are truly impressive.
Perhaps in another few decades or a century, they could completely surpass the Greedy Wolf Sect and become the number one power in both prefectures."
"Halt. Present your Cloudstream Token. If you do not have one, you must pay an entrance fee of one spirit stone to stay for a day. If you wish to stay long-term, you can apply for a temporary residence token.
With this token, you can check in at major inns, restaurants, and grotto-residences within the city..."
This old man was stopped at the city gate by an armored Late-Stage Qi Condensation cultivator.
He frowned, and a sliver of Golden Core pressure spread out, shocking everyone around him. The armored youth who had stopped him was even sent flying.
"It's actually a Golden Core cultivator!"
"He must have come after hearing about the auction and high-level trade fair."
"Perhaps he is someone returning from Grand Harmony Lake."
"What, does this old man also have to pay an entrance fee to enter the city?"
The captain of the city guard squad at the gate felt the Golden Core pressure, flickered over to the old man, cupped his hands, and bowed. "Greetings, Senior."
"A Golden Core cultivator naturally does not need to pay the entrance fee," the squad captain smiled and said. "However, you must still obtain a temporary residence token; otherwise, you will not be able to arrange accommodation.
Please abide by the rules, Senior. These are the regulations personally set by True Lord Withered Glory.
However, during the auction three months from now, this won't be necessary."
The old man frowned, then said indifferently a moment later, "Then hand the temporary residence token to this old man."
"Please take it, Senior."
The squad captain patted his storage pouch, took out a token, and presented it with both hands.
The old man took the token, flicked his sleeve robe, and strode into Cloudstream City.
"Everyone, continue lining up!"
The squad captain shouted softly, and order was immediately restored at the city gates.
The armored Qi Refining youth who had gotten back up looked indignant. "If he dares to mess around in the city, he will definitely suffer for it."
"Speak no more, this matter has nothing to do with you." The squad captain lowered his voice. "That old man is no ordinary Golden Core cultivator. His pressure emitted traces of baleful aura; he must be a demonic rogue cultivator.
The City Lord's Mansion already clearly stated that demonic cultivators from Greedy Wolf Prefecture would be coming for this auction.
You should be well aware of their tempers.
If you truly anger them, they'll slaughter you on the spot and walk away, and even the City Lord's Mansion wouldn't be able to do anything about it."
The armored youth shuddered and immediately cupped his hands in a bow. "Thank you for saving me, Captain."
"Don't mention it, we're all brothers."
"However, while on duty recently, no matter who you're dealing with, be more respectful. Otherwise, if you offend some senior expert, you won't even know how you died."
"Understood, Captain."
Not far away.
Xiao Zhan and his six companions observed quietly.
Among the seven of them, four had been recruited, the remaining three were controlled by Xu Chuan, and another three had been left behind to watch their base.
They too were Xu Chuan's servants.
No matter how muddled Xiao Zhan might be, he wouldn't leave outsiders behind in his main base.
"The Cloudstream Xu family is truly remarkable. With strict rules, they managed to develop in just twenty or thirty short years. Apart from the strength of True Lord Withered Glory and the others, they are also skilled in management and operations."
An elegant middle-aged man dressed as a scholar smiled faintly.
"President, let's go see how the Xu family's chamber of commerce is managed. Perhaps we can learn a thing or two," a bald man said with a chuckle to Xiao Zhan.
"Their key factor is still their strong strength; the effects of us learning from them would be miniscule," Xiao Zhan said indifferently. "However, we can go and see what good things the Xu family has.
It's the perfect time to dispose of some items on hand that we don't need.
As for those five Connate Spirit Objects..."
Speaking of this, a gleam flashed across the eyes of several people among the rest of the group.
"Four will go to this President, and one will be given to you, Scholar. The others will also receive appropriate rewards."
"Thank you, President." The Bloody-Handed Scholar cupped his fists with a smile, always maintaining his elegant smile.
The others revealed looks of envy.
However, this scholar-dressed person was also Xu Chuan's servant.
Don't Let Fertile Water Flow into Others' Fields!
How could Xiao Zhan easily distribute treasures like Connate Spirit Objects to outsiders? All of this required Xu Chuan's permission.
"Let's go. Enter the city."
That night, Xu Chuan sent a message to Xiao Zhan, instructing him to meet at the Immortal-Ascension Pavilion in the southern district tomorrow.
The next day.
Xiao Zhan let the others go out and wander around on their own.
Unhurriedly, he changed into a low-profile cloud-patterned brocade robe and went out alone, heading straight for the Immortal-Ascension Pavilion in the southern district.
Each of the four major districts—East, South, West, and North—had an Immortal-Ascension Pavilion, making it convenient for cultivators in their respective areas to buy and sell goods.
Although the Immortal-Ascension Pavilion couldn't monopolize all businesses, it was definitely the top choice for cultivators in Cloudstream City and foreign cultivators alike.
In the city established by the Xu family, naturally, the Xu family would eat the meat while the other factions drank the soup.
Their businesses involved not only the trade of immortal pills, talismans, arrays, and tools, but also inn accommodations, grotto-residence rentals, Cultivation Tower rentals, dharma robes and vestments, restaurants, spirit fish breeding, and more. It could be said that they covered every aspect.
And it wasn't just cultivator businesses; the Xu family also engaged in mortal trade.
Within Cloudstream City, it was impossible for everyone to be a cultivator.
Even when cultivators unioned, there was still a high probability of giving birth to a mortal.
Even within various families, mortals were the majority.
Because of spiritual qi, if mortals in Heavenly South lived comfortably, most could live to be seventy or eighty years old, and some long-lived individuals could even reach their nineties.
However, not every mortal practiced martial arts.
Some simply accepted their fate, raising children, running small businesses, and living an ordinary life at the bottom of the food chain.
But others formed gangs and factions, establishing mortal organizations to earn resources, show respect to, and win over cultivators, allowing themselves to go further on the path of the Martial Dao.
This was also to further expand their own power.
Although Cloudstream City had only been established for a few years, such mortal gang organizations had already emerged.
The Xu family did not stop them; for now, they were allowed to grow wildly to their hearts' content.
When the new Martial Dao truly spread into Heavenly South in the future, that would be the time for the Xu family to step in and restructure.
Before then, Xu Chuan would not allow anyone in the Cloudstream Xu family to cultivate the new Martial Dao, lest they be discovered.
Southern district, commercial trade area.
Xiao Zhan arrived before a magnificent pavilion. The nearby pavilions and shops stood closely together, but this one was particularly grandiose.
This pavilion was five stories tall, covered dozens of acres, and was entirely constructed from spirit wood.
With flying eaves and bracket sets, carved beams and painted rafters, faint spiritual light glimmered. Above the entrance hung an archaic plaque inscribed with three large characters flowing with Dao Rhyme—Immortal-Ascension Pavilion.
The Immortal-Ascension Pavilion was imposing, yet it did not feel aggressive and overbearing. Instead, it exuded a settled heritage and inclusiveness.
Xiao Zhan stepped inside.
The first floor was the most spacious, bustling with crowds and extraordinarily lively.
This area catered to Qi Refining stage cultivators. The shelves, counters, and display areas were filled with a dazzling array of first-tier pills, talismans, dharma tools, spirit herbs, ores, cultivation method jade slips, and more.
With a vast variety and reasonable prices, it was a popular spot for low-level cultivators to replenish their supplies.
Transactions were mainly conducted with spirit stones, but they also accepted trades for rare spirit herbs and spirit ores.
The second floor was much quieter, mainly catering to Foundation Establishment cultivators.
The quality of goods was noticeably higher. The dharma tools were all of exquisite grade and above, including peak-grade magical artifacts, and even one-pattern or two-pattern magic tools.
The pills were all second-tier, and occasionally, breakthrough pills would even appear.
There were a few independent private rooms here, providing a space for more private or large-scale trade negotiations.
The number of cultivators here was less than half of that on the first floor, but every one of them had a steady aura and refined gaze.
From the third floor upwards, a distinct spiritual power restriction enveloped the staircase entrance. Those without a cultivation at or above the Golden Core stage or holding a special token could not enter.
The third floor catered to Golden Core cultivators. The items on display were already considered exquisite. Third-tier pills, magic treasures, spiritual materials, and secret arts began to appear.
The trading methods were also more flexible. Aside from spirit stones, they began accepting bartering, or a combination of appraised items and spirit stones.
Here, there were elegant and secluded private rooms with complete restrictions, provided for distinguished guests to conduct private transactions.
The fourth floor had the same restrictions as the third. Although it mostly contained fourth-tier items or extremely precious third-tier items, almost all of them were treasures serving as the pavilion's foundation.
Golden Core stage cultivators could also go up.
After all, there were only so many Nascent Soul cultivators in the entire Heavenly Azure Prefecture, and it was highly unlikely they would come to buy things in person.
As for the fifth floor, it was not open to the public; it was the place where the core stewards of the Immortal-Ascension Pavilion handled their affairs.
Xiao Zhan was guided up to the fifth floor, waiting in a quiet room.
After just a moment, the side door of the quiet room slid open soundlessly, and a figure in a green shirt stepped in. It was none other than Xu Chuan.
His aura was restrained, making him look like a mortal.
"Greetings, Revered Lord!" Xiao Zhan immediately stood up, his expression respectful as he bowed deeply.
"Daoist Friend Xiao, there is no need for such formality. Take a seat." Xu Chuan sat down casually in the main seat and gestured with his hand.
Xiao Zhan sat down as instructed, took out a pre-prepared storage pouch, and presented it with both hands. "Revered Lord, this is all the harvest the Demonic Heaven Chamber of Commerce obtained from this trip to the Connate Secret Realm. Please inspect it."
Xu Chuan took the storage pouch and swept it briefly with his divine sense. The various resources inside were categorized and organized in perfect order.
He nodded slightly, placed the storage pouch aside, and asked, "How is the Chamber of Commerce developing? Is everything going smoothly?"
Xiao Zhan turned serious and began to report methodically. "To report back to the Revered Lord, the Chamber of Commerce is currently developing rapidly and gradually expanding outward.
Although we've encountered some plunder, it has only been minor skirmishes.
The refinement and sales of low-level pills, talismans, and dharma tools have formed a stable income, and the acquisition and auction business for mid-to-high-level resources is steadily expanding.
Currently, there are ten Golden Core cultivators in the Chamber of Commerce, including myself.
To ensure the dominance of our core members, I temporarily do not plan to recruit any other Golden Core cultivators, lest we be usurped as hosts."
Xu Chuan nodded slightly.
Xiao Zhan glanced at Xu Chuan and continued, "As for Foundation Establishment cultivators, there are over 360 in the early stage, over 100 in the mid-stage, and over 50 in the late stage.
There are also 32 who have reached the Perfected Realm.
There are over 1,600 at the Qi Refining stage."
Xu Chuan listened quietly, pondered for a moment, and said, "The momentum of development is indeed rapid, but pay attention to controlling your personnel. Loyalty is paramount.
Increase covert surveillance, and deal with any restless elements promptly.
Regarding the treatment of Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment cultivators, you can appropriately improve it to win their hearts.
Furthermore, the absolute highest authority within the Chamber of Commerce must be firmly grasped in your own hands."
"Please rest assured about this, Revered Lord. The others are merely at the early or mid-stages of the Golden Core realm. With the Scholar and a few others secretly befriending the remaining Chamber of Commerce elders, I can know their movements at any time."
Xu Chuan nodded, evaluated Xiao Zhan, and said, "Eighth Layer of Golden Core. This can be considered some progress, but it is still not enough."
As he spoke, he brushed his hand over his storage ring, and two porcelain bottles suddenly appeared on the table.
"Take these two bottles of pills. One contains high-grade Vast Origin Pills, enough for you to reach the peak of the Eighth Layer of Golden Core within ten years.
The other bottle contains five high-grade Golden Origin Pills. A single pill is enough for you to break through the bottleneck and step into the Ninth Layer of Golden Core.
You may decide for yourself how to distribute the rest as rewards to the other Chamber of Commerce elders.
In addition, regarding the five Connate Spirit Objects you obtained, that low-grade metal-element spirit object is useful to you. You may take it to comprehend a Divine Ability. Achieve Great Accomplishment with your Divine Ability as soon as possible."
Hearing this, Xiao Zhan was momentarily stunned, and then wild joy surged into his heart!
High-grade pills suitable for advancing the mana of a Late-Stage Golden Core cultivator, as well as high-grade pills for breaking through bottlenecks!
These were all rare treasures that were hard to come by.
He feared that even Nascent Soul powers would be unable to produce so many at once.
He hastily left his seat and bowed deeply again, his voice trembling slightly with excitement. "This subordinate kowtows in thanks for the Revered Lord's generous gift! I will certainly do my utmost to live up to the Revered Lord's expectations and manage the Demonic Heaven Chamber of Commerce well for you!"
"Your magic treasure is still a mid-grade magic treasure, right?"
"Yes, Revered Lord."
"Once your Divine Ability reaches Great Accomplishment, when we meet next, I can bestow upon you a high-grade metal-element flying sword magic treasure."
"Thank you, Revered Lord."
"Rise." Xu Chuan said indifferently. "Improve your strength as quickly as possible; the Chamber of Commerce needs you to truly stand on your own. As for the resources in this storage pouch..."
He paused, then continued, "Among the spirit herbs and spiritual materials, I will take a portion of those that are lacking or scarce in the Xu family's treasury.
You may bring the rest back yourself to be used for the subsequent development of the Chamber of Commerce, whether for trading or recruiting talents.
As for how to utilize them, deliberate on it yourself."
"Yes! This subordinate will remember!"
Xiao Zhan's heart remained agitated with excitement.
A high-grade magic treasure!
There were several Golden Core rogue cultivators in Greedy Wolf Prefecture who had achieved Great Accomplishment with their Divine Abilities, yet none of them possessed a high-grade magic treasure.
This showed how exceptionally precious it was!
Once he reached the Ninth Layer of Golden Core and his Divine Ability reached Great Accomplishment, it would be enough for him to establish a firm foothold in Greedy Wolf Prefecture.
Currently, although the scale of his faction ranked near the top.
If they were targeted by a genuine True Lord-level expert, the Demonic Heaven Chamber of Commerce would be put in a highly passive position.
Xu Chuan briefly explained a few more matters to take note of before concluding the meeting.
Xiao Zhan bowed and took his leave once again, quietly departing the Immortal-Ascension Pavilion as his figure blended into the bustling market streets.
With a combination of recognition, encouragement, rewards, and painting a grand picture of the future, Xu Chuan felt that even without the divine soul restriction, Xiao Zhan would work hard for him for quite some time.
To maintain this, he had to constantly manipulate him mentally until, deep within his soul, he completely accepted himself as a member of the Xu family.
Just like a certain dragon!
Since Xu Chuan's divine sense had not yet broken through to the Nascent Soul realm, trying to completely restrict a Tier 4 Shapeshifting Great Demon was still somewhat forced.
If the dragon desperately tried to break the spiritual contract restriction despite the backlash, he would still be able to do it.
Of course, the price would be immense.
Unfortunately for him, he currently had absolutely no such thoughts.
Although his rebellious and untamed nature still existed, that was only toward outsiders. Toward the Xu family's own people, he was quite caring.
He even looked after them as if they were his own nephews and juniors.
Xu Chuan would also no longer restrict him, because he knew that Moyue already treated the Xu family as his own lair, his own home.
After roaming freely and unrestrainedly outside, he would always return home.
"Profound Nether Grass. I didn't expect to get this spirit herb from Xiao Zhan. The opportunities in the Connate Secret Realm are indeed innumerable."
Xu Chuan sighed softly, lamenting that he hadn't been able to enter.
Many Golden Core cultivators might not even recognize this fourth-tier spirit herb.
It was the main material for refining the fourth-tier Profound Nether Pill, and the sole function of the Profound Nether Pill was to weaken the barrier of the Golden Core. Its value was comparable to the Tribulation-Crossing Pill.
Indeed, this was a pill used to assist in Nascent Soul formation.
For those Golden Core Perfection cultivators who hadn't even achieved Great Accomplishment with their Divine Abilities, the first step—nurturing the nascent infant within the core—was basically achievable by all.
But trying to shatter the core to give birth to the infant was an extremely difficult endeavor.
And the Profound Nether Pill was an ancient Nascent Soul formation pill used to assist with this exact step.
As for the Inner Demon Tribulation, it was endlessly bizarre, and it wasn't a given that stronger strength meant one would definitely overcome it. Some who hadn't achieved Great Accomplishment with their Divine Abilities also stood a chance of succeeding.
For them, this second step was actually the hardest.
"This Profound Nether Grass must be cultivated in large quantities. Perhaps I could try dividing the plant; with my Divine Ability, I should be able to keep it alive."
The corners of Xu Chuan's mouth curled up slightly. He flicked his sleeve robe, ignored the third-tier grand array restriction outside the Immortal-Ascension Pavilion, and directly transformed into a streak of green light, escaping into the distance.
Comprehending Divine Abilities was difficult. Xu Chuan felt that even among the descendants of his Xu family, it was impossible for everyone to reach Great Accomplishment or perfection with their Divine Abilities.
The Golden Core stage would become a massive bottleneck period.
The future number of Golden Core stage cultivators in the Xu family would not be small.
With the Profound Nether Pill, those ordinary Golden Core stage Xu clan disciples would also have a path to advancement.
Returning to the Xu Residence, Xu Chuan issued orders for the Xu family to collect the supplementary herbs for the Profound Nether Pill. Now that they had the main ingredient, the Profound Nether Grass, gathering the supplementary herbs would be much easier.
Of the seven types of high-grade spirit herbs, five were already present in the medicine garden of the Xu Clan's Grotto-heaven.
As for the Tribulation-Crossing Pill, it had three main ingredients: Tribulation-Crossing Lotus Seed, Bodhi Saliva, and Clear Heart Flower. The latter two had been harvested from the secret realm this time.
However, there were no Tribulation-Crossing Lotus Seeds.
Of course, what Xu Chuan wanted even more was a Tribulation-Crossing Heart Lotus. Every thousand years, it could produce nine Tribulation-Crossing Lotus Seeds. If he could obtain it, he would have a continuous supply of Tribulation-Crossing Lotus Seeds in the future.
But this lotus was an item of the fifth tier, even rarer than the Profound Nether Grass, and was nearly extinct in the outside world.
Perhaps it could only be found in the medicine gardens of Connate Secret Realms and certain ancient sect secret realms.
Several days later.
The Immortal-Ascension Pavilion in the eastern district sent a message: a demonic Golden Core cultivator had brought out a Void Spirit Stone, wishing to consign it for the Cloudstream City auction three months later.
The steward first went to Chen Changge, then to Ye Fan, and finally came to Xu Chuan.
"Void Spirit Stone?"
Xu Chuan's gaze slightly condensed. This was an extremely precious, special spirit object.
It couldn't be used directly for artificing, but for a top-tier Grandmaster Smith, it could be used to add spatial attributes to certain magic treasures, greatly increasing their power.
It could also be used to forge grotto-heaven magic treasures and open up small spaces.
These spaces were even capable of storing living creatures.
"Deling," Xu Chuan sent a message to Xu Deling, saying, "Someone at the Immortal-Ascension Pavilion in the eastern district has brought out a Void Spirit Stone to participate in the auction three months from now. Go and make a trip there.
See if our Xu family can acquire it in advance."
"Void Spirit Stone, that is an extremely rare material! Who brought it out?"
"A demonic Golden Core cultivator."
"Then it probably wasn't obtained from the Connate Secret Realm. Logically speaking, with the supervision of the four major Nascent Soul powers, there shouldn't have been any omissions."
"Perhaps they accidentally obtained it earlier. Make a trip. Grandfather wants to use this type of treasure for an experiment. If it proves useless, I will give it to you to try your hand at artificing."
"Understood, Grandfather."
Xu Deling ended the communication and immediately left the Heavenly Plume Sect, flying toward the Immortal-Ascension Pavilion in the eastern district.
At this moment.
Immortal-Ascension Pavilion, third floor.
Inside a private room.
A steward from the Wu clan with Foundation Establishment cultivation was entertaining the guest here.
Nowadays, there were dozens of people in the Wu clan lineage who had reached the Foundation Establishment cultivation, and some of the Wu clan's second generation had even reached the Foundation Establishment stage.
They had all been assigned to some of the Xu family's important industries.
Such as stewards of the Xu Residence, stewards of the City Lord's Mansion, stewards of the Immortal-Ascension Pavilion, and so on.
"Please wait a moment, Senior. This junior has already sent a message to the master family, and someone will come to discuss this matter with you immediately."
The demonic Golden Core cultivator was an old man of medium build with graying hair and beard. He wore a slightly worn dark robe with a few twisted, dark-red patterns embroidered on its hem.
His face was gaunt, his wrinkles as deep as gullies, and a grayish-white beard several inches long hung from his chin.
The old man's eyes were slightly closed, seemingly resting, but when he occasionally opened them, a deep gleam of light flashed in the depths of his pupils.
Sandalwood incense curled upward in the private room, filled with a deep silence.
The old man nodded slightly, showing no sign of dissatisfaction.
He could guess the Immortal-Ascension Pavilion's intentions. They probably meant to swallow up his material in advance, which was why they acted like this.
The normal consignment process simply required registration, taking the consigned item, and negotiating the fee to be collected for the consignment.
After about a tea's time, the restriction on the private room's door rippled slightly, and then soundlessly opened.
A tall, straight, and beautiful figure with a bit of heroic spirit stepped in. Dressed in a crimson-gold tight-fitting attire, she exuded an aura of nobility.
It was exactly Xu Deling, who had rushed over immediately after receiving the message.
Her gaze was calm as it fell upon the short-bearded demonic cultivator old man in the dark robe.
The moment Xu Deling entered the door, the old man also opened his eyes, and his deep eyes met Xu Deling's gaze in midair.
"I have kept you waiting, Daoist Friend."
Xu Deling's voice was clear as she walked to the main seat and sat down calmly. The steward quietly retreated to the door to stand guard.