The hall once again descended into a deathly silence.
The anger on Jiang Huarong's face was gradually replaced by a look of struggle.
He was not truly stupid; he just found it hard to accept being "extorted" in such a manner.
Lin Zhaofeng raised his eyes and looked at Lei Yunchao. "Brother Lei, in your opinion..."
"At this matter of life and death, our three families should stop hiding and tucking away our heritage. We must save as many as we can. As for the Cao Clan..."
"I would rather stay behind and defend the Imperial City. If we truly cannot hold it, we will abandon the city and flee for our lives.
"Submitting to fate here might actually give us a higher chance of survival than following them to the Great Liang Imperial City."
Jiang Huarong and Lin Zhaofeng exchanged a glance.
They had finally made their decision.
"My Jiang Clan feels the same, otherwise we would not have agreed to yield the core formation opportunity to you back then."
"Alright. In that case, Brother Jiang, Brother Lin, go back today and sort through your clan's heritage. Bring everything, even the items you do not know the use of.
"Even if we do not know, perhaps the Xu family does."
"We will listen to you, Brother Lei. We will return and sort things out immediately, then head to Dongxi together tomorrow."
The next day.
Lin Zhaofeng and Jiang Huarong once again gathered at the Lei family.
Afterward, Lei Yunchao brought the two of them along, riding an escape light as they quietly headed toward Dongxi.
In less than an hour.
They arrived outside Dongxi.
"Perfected Person Lei, you have come again. And these two are?" the captain of the armored patrol guards asked.
"They are the family head of the Lin family and the family head of the Jiang Clan."
"I have heard much about you," the guard captain said with a faint smile. "Please enter, you three."
They were once again led to the main hall of the Xu Clan Main Estate.
"Brother Lei, it is indeed just as you said. The spiritual qi in the Xu family is unbelievably dense. They must have secretly found a Third-Tier Spiritual Vein over these past few years,"
Jiang Huarong transmitted his voice.
"Naturally. Why would I deceive you on such a major matter?"
Inside the main hall of the Xu family.
The three of them took their seats.
The spiritual qi on the mountain was even richer than at its base, causing their minds to sway in awe.
Jiang Huarong and Lin Zhaofeng felt that if they cultivated in such an environment, they might actually have a chance at successfully breaking through to the Golden Core stage.
A short while later.
Maidservants served spirit tea. The fragrance of the tea mingled with the spiritual qi, and just catching a whiff of it was enough to clear their minds.
They suppressed the stirring emotions in their hearts and sat quietly, waiting.
Before long, two figures slowly walked in.
The man in the lead wore a plain cyan robe. His expression was peaceful, and his gaze was as deep as an abyss. It was none other than Xu Chuan.
Following closely by his side was a middle-aged man in a cloud-patterned brocade robe. He possessed a calm and steady demeanor—it was Xu Mingxuan.
His gaze swept over Lei Yunchao and the others before he stopped paying them any mind.
Xu Chuan took his seat at the head of the hall, with Xu Mingxuan standing just behind him.
"You three Daoist friends have traveled far. During your last visit, this one was at a critical juncture in secluded cultivation and could not welcome you personally, so I had my son Mingyuan host you instead. If he was lacking in manners, please do not take offense," Xu Chuan said with a smile.
Lei Yunchao hurriedly cupped his hands. "Fellow Daoist Xu, your words are too heavy. It was us who presumptuously intruded upon you."
Jiang Huarong and Lin Zhaofeng quickly echoed his sentiments, their attitudes extremely respectful and cautious.
After a brief and polite exchange of pleasantries.
Knowing that Xu Chuan disliked empty words, Lei Yunchao signaled the other two. The three of them each took out a previously prepared storage pouch from their robes.
"Fellow Daoist Xu."
Using his mana, Lei Yunchao lifted the three storage pouches and floated them over to the table in front of Xu Chuan. With a solemn expression, he said, "This is the combined heritage that my Lei family, along with the Jiang Clan and the Lin family, can offer.
"Please take a look and see if there is anything the Xu family needs."
"You are too polite, my friends."
Xu Chuan gave a faint smile and nodded. Without any visible movement on his part, the three storage pouches lifted into the air on their own, hovering about a foot in front of him.
He extended his divine sense, sweeping it over the three bags.
The contents were not piled up in a mess; rather, they were neatly categorized.
Everything was properly stored in jade boxes and jade slips.
"There isn't actually that much here."
There were thirteen stalks of rare Third-Tier spirit medicine of various types. The most precious among them was the Moon Soul Grass, capable of repairing damage to the soul.
It was highly effective for Golden Core Stage cultivators.
As for the rest of the spirit medicine, they were already planted within the Xu Clan's Grotto-heaven.
There were over twenty sets of Third-Tier forging materials. While considered rare within the Land of Imprisonment, they were nothing special in the outside world.
There were only three sets of Fourth-Tier materials.
A fist-sized chunk of Star Iron, a small bottle of Earth Core Flame Marrow, and a segment of Ten-Thousand-Year Sinking Yin Wood.
These few items were somewhat interesting.
They could be considered rare treasures.
Of course, in the hands of the Lei, Lin, and Jiang families, these things were of little use.
Only a high-grade Third-Tier blacksmith could perfectly utilize Fourth-Tier materials to forge a High-Grade Magic Treasure, or even a Top-Tier Magic Treasure.
'This lotus seed is withered and pitch-black, without a single trace of vitality or any spiritual qi fluctuations. They actually brought this as well?'
'However, it looks somewhat familiar.'
But since most lotus seeds looked roughly the same, and this particular seed had long lost its original appearance, Xu Chuan didn't pay too much attention to it.
'There are several artifact fragments carrying an obscure and ancient aura. They should be remnants of a Top-Tier Magic Treasure or even a Spirit Treasure, but they are severely damaged and have lost all their spirit power. Their research value is far greater than their practical use.'
'Five cultivation methods... Is this the "Sword Scripture"?'
Xu Chuan focused on examining it. Although it was a fragmented text, it contained pure Sword Dao from the Ancient Era.
Unfortunately, there were only three chapters.
And even those three chapters were partially incomplete.
'Never mind. This technique should provide some inspiration for Chongjian. There might be hope of completing it in the future.'
The rest of the items weren't particularly special.
The Xu family did not lack cultivation methods.
The "Five Elements Creation Scripture" itself consisted of five top-tier cultivation methods.
While the techniques brought out by the Lei family, Lin family, and Jiang Clan were all from the Ancient Era, unless they were extremely rare, they wouldn't be of much use to the Xu family.
Following Xu Mingxuan's cultivation of the earth-attribute method and his advancement to the Golden Core stage, the Golden Core section of the "Five Elements Creation Scripture" was now completely whole, save for a very few divine abilities.
There were three jade slips containing divine abilities and secret arts.
One was the cultivation manual for the Earth-Traversing Golden Light Art, a top-tier escape divine ability.
Among all the escape techniques recorded by the Xu family, its speed was easily ranked number one.
This divine ability was complete, but the remaining two were fragmented.
Even so, they were extremely rare and caught Xu Chuan's eye.
One was a fragmented chapter of the Purple Firmament Thunder Method, containing only the sections on drawing and controlling thunder.
The other was a fragmented manual of the Azure Sky Yellow Springs Finger, containing only the first three stances.
However, this finger-technique divine ability was actually founded upon the intent of death.
The conceptual level was so profound that merely reaching the beginner stage would be enough to stump the vast majority of people.
Yet, it was perfect for Xu Chuan, as he could use it to comprehend the Dao of Death.
Finally, there was a secret art found in the Lei family's storage pouch, titled the Nether Puppet Thread-Pulling Secret Art.
This was not a method for crafting a puppet.
Rather, it was an incredibly sinister soul-controlling secret art from the Demonic Dao, capable of manipulating both living humans and corpses.
It could even allow the user to sense and influence the targets from hundreds of miles away.
It was suited for someone with a powerful divine sense who excelled at divided focus and multi-tasking.
Xu Chuan guessed that it was likely the secret art section of some Demonic Dao cultivation method, which probably contained a secret method for splitting one's divine sense, similar to the "Thousand Spirits Art".
This aspect was quite similar to a puppet mastery inheritance.
To control a large number of puppets, one absolutely needed this type of specialized talent.
Precisely because he was well-suited for it, Xu Chuan had thought about delving into the Dao of Puppetry, but unfortunately, he hadn't had the time to do so until now.
After pondering for a moment, Xu Chuan already had a plan in mind.
However, he still turned to Xu Mingxuan beside him and said, "Mingxuan, take a look as well."
Following his father's instruction, Xu Mingxuan also extended his divine sense into the storage pouches.
A moment later, his eyes flickered, and he sent a voice transmission. "Father, the 'Sword Scripture', that Withered Black Lotus Seed, the three divine abilities, and the Nether Puppet Thread-Pulling Secret Art.
"These few items hold the greatest value for our Xu family.
"The rest are optional."
"The black lotus seed?"
Xu Chuan's heart stirred.
The items Xu Mingxuan selected were roughly the same as the ones he had his eye on, with the sole exception of that withered black lotus seed.
"Mingxuan, do you think there is something special about that lotus seed?"
"This child doesn't recognize it, but I feel that it shares an affinity with you, and it will be quite useful to our Xu family. Among the items I just mentioned,
"this lotus seed gave me the strongest reaction, fluctuating wildly up and down.
"I assume this item is extremely difficult to revive, but if it survives, it will be an absolute supreme treasure. And that sliver of life-giving hope lies with you, Father."
Xu Chuan was secretly astonished.
He had only just bestowed the Golden Koi upon him.
For Mingxuan to say such a thing could only mean that this lotus seed was the most precious item the three families had presented.
Of course, that was assuming Xu Chuan could bring it back to life.
His eyes rippled slightly as he looked up at Lei Yunchao and the other two, stating, "I will accept all of these."
Xu Mingxuan froze, his pupils shrinking slightly as he thought to himself, 'Father is truly on another level. Why would an adult choose when they can simply take it all?'
Even those magic treasure fragments could be given to Xu Deling for research.
She could perhaps even extract a trace of material essence from them.
After all, they were all materials used to forge Top-Tier Magic Treasures or even Spirit Treasures, making them highly valuable.
Lei Yunchao and the others were also taken aback.
Weren't they supposed to just pick a few items?
Why did he want everything?
Did the Xu family actually find worth even in those broken fragments?
Seeing their confusion, Xu Chuan smiled and said, "Since this is the sincere goodwill of Daoist Lei and the rest of you, this one naturally cannot bear to refuse. Even if these items are of little use, there is no harm in accepting them."
The corners of the three men's mouths twitched.
It was the first time they had heard someone speak of their greed while acting so bold and confident when they were in the right.
'Whose goddamn goodwill is this?'
If the Xu family hadn't demanded it, what family would easily offer up their own heritage?
In truth, Xu Chuan acted this way simply to conceal what he was genuinely interested in.
"However, as for the cultivation methods, divine abilities, and secret arts, my Xu family can make a rubbing for you to take back."
Why not just leave the originals with us?
Jiang Huarong opened his mouth, desperately wanting to ask that question.
But when the words reached his lips, he swallowed them back down.
Given their current situation, their three families were the ones begging for a favor. What right did they have to object?
Lei Yunchao and the other two looked at each other and mutually agreed. Lei Yunchao then said, "We will do as you say, Fellow Daoist Xu."
Xu Chuan nodded slightly.
Pausing for a moment, he added, "In exchange, my Xu family can grant your Lei, Jiang, and Lin families ten spots each.
"Within seven days, bring your selected individuals to Dongxi. Someone will be here to settle them in.
"If you miss the deadline, the offer expires."
Ten spots!
This was exactly the maximum limit Xu Mingyuan had mentioned previously!
Relief washed over Lei Yunchao and the other two, followed immediately by a surge of complex bitterness.
They had paid with so many of their absolute best treasures, and in return, they only secured ten spots for each family.
But it was still better than five.
Lei Yunchao exchanged a glance with Jiang Huarong and Lin Zhaofeng.
They stood up in unison and solemnly cupped their hands toward Xu Chuan. "Thank you for fulfilling our request, Fellow Daoist Xu!
"Words cannot express our gratitude for this great kindness. Our three families will engrave this in our hearts!
"Within seven days, we will definitely deliver our selected candidates!"
"Mhm." Xu Chuan gave a slight nod, saying no more.
Lei Yunchao and the other two tactfully took their leave.
Once again, Lei Yunchao piloted his escape light, carrying the two of them away.
This was the epitome of a quick round trip.
Inside the main hall, Xu Chuan handed the artifact fragments, materials, and the rubbings of the cultivation methods, divine abilities, and secret arts to Xu Mingxuan, instructing, "Give the materials and the broken artifacts to Deling. Store the rest in the family's Dao Repository Pavilion."
"Yes, Father."
Xu Mingxuan cupped his hands and departed.
Seeing him leave, Xu Chuan's body flickered as he vanished from the spot.
He hadn't fled using an escape technique, but rather entered the Xu Clan's Grotto-heaven.
First, he planted the spirit grass, and then he carefully scrutinized the utterly lifeless Withered Black Lotus Seed.
"No matter how I look at it, it doesn't seem to hold any vitality at all."
Xu Chuan attempted to nourish it with life energy, but it showed absolutely no sign of absorbing it.
"Little Huai, would you say this lotus seed is alive? Can it still be saved?"
As his voice faded.
A tree branch stretched out, slithering over to gently stroke the surface of the lotus seed with its leaves.
A jade-green glow lit up and flowed into the lotus seed.
Yet, it was still of no use.
"Master, this lotus seed should be dead."
"So it truly is?"
"But for plant-based lifeforms like us, death is not necessarily a true end."
"You mean like A Withered Tree Encounters Spring? But withered wood still holds a miniscule trace of vitality, one that ordinary people just cannot sense."
"Then what about Lightning-Struck Wood?" Xu Huai asked.
"That should be a similar situation. Its charred trunk might sprout new branches and leaves a few months later. I imagine it's because the thunder carried a sliver of pure vitality.
"A trace of which was retained by the trunk.
"And by relying on this vitality, it can..."
"Wait. Thunder carries vitality. That's right! The ultimate intent of death may also harbor hidden vitality. The lotus seed has withered and died, and I cannot detect any life within it.
"It is simply because, from my current perspective, it is beyond saving.
"But if my Intent of Life and Death completely reached the beginner stage, Minor Success, or even Great Accomplishment, and Perfection... would the lotus seed appear differently in my eyes?"
Xu Chuan seemed to fall into some kind of epiphany.
By the time he snapped out of it, four to six hours had already passed.
"If I can revive it using the Dao of Withering and Flourishing or the Intent of Life and Death, I might be able to truly step onto the path of Wither and Flourish, Life and Death.
"My Intent of Life and Death would certainly achieve a significant breakthrough as well.
"Even if I cannot fully reach the beginner stage, I will undoubtedly have a direction."
Xu Chuan gave a self-deprecating smile. "Mingxuan really hit the nail on the head. This item truly does share an affinity with me."
"It seems the position of the family's treasure appraiser will belong to no one but him in the future."
Xu Chuan soaked the black lotus seed in a spirit spring to see if there would be any changes.
Reviving it was likely not something that could be done in a short time. Therefore, Xu Chuan was in no rush; he planned to try every possible method first.
Meanwhile, Lei Yunchao was being extremely cautious.
One of the reasons he used an escape technique to bring Lin Zhaofeng and Jiang Huarong was to evade the eyes and ears of the Cao Clan.
This was something only he could accomplish.
At such a critical juncture, one naturally had to be exceedingly careful.
Despite the Cao Clan appearing set on relocating to Great Liang, they were still secretly monitoring the every move of the Lei family and the others.
It was just that they assumed the Lei, Lin, and Jiang families were hesitating over whether or not to head to the Great Liang Imperial City.
They were completely oblivious to the truth.
The three families had already connected with the Xu family.
If the Cao Clan knew, there was no telling whether they would make a move against the three families.
Inside the Lei Clan Main Hall.
Lei Yunchao turned to the other two and said, "Brother Lin, Brother Jiang, we must be extremely prudent with our selections this time. Innate talent, moral character, and disposition must all be thoroughly considered.
"In Dongxi, they will fully witness the strength of the Xu family, and they will soon learn of the terrors of the Great Tribulation.
"They will likely guess that those of us left in the outside world might perish.
"Therefore, disposition and perseverance must be our absolute top priorities.
"At the very least, among these ten people, there must be someone capable of bearing the heavy burden of our respective families.
"This is my humble opinion. What do you two think?"
Lin Zhaofeng and Jiang Huarong exchanged a glance and replied in unison, "Excellent!"