Dragon soaring, elephant trampling, dividing yin and yang, Water and fire in harmony, refining true essence. Three gates and nine apertures connecting heaven and earth, One breath in, one breath out, perceiving the profound mysteries.
Xu Chuan recited the general outline of the "Lesser Dragon Elephant Technique," finding it obscure and difficult to understand. However, fortunately there were accompanying breathing formulas and twelve postures.
The breathing formula was: Inhale through nose as dragon ascends to crown's Baihui point, exhale through mouth as elephant sinks to feet's Yongquan point. The three burners like a furnace refining true fire, one qi circulating the microcosmic orbit.
Xu Chuan began practicing according to the postures above.
First posture, Young Dragon Awakens the Spine.
Feet shoulder-width apart, when inhaling, both arms rise like dragon horns toward the crown (middle fingers pointing to Baihui), when exhaling, sink elbows and press palms (Laogong points toward Yongquan).
As the saying goes, when the dragon raises its head, it draws in purple qi; when the tailbone hangs to earth, it anchors all eight directions.
Second posture, Elephant Trunk Rolls Water.
Horse stance, when inhaling, right arm spirals up like an elephant trunk (palm facing face), when exhaling, chop palm downward to the left.
After several days, progress was mediocre.
The only difference was his appetite had grown larger.
Xu Chuan had the talent "Dragon Vigor and Tiger Strength." In terms of physical quality and qi and blood vitality, he absolutely wasn't inferior to martial artists but he also vaguely felt this "Lesser Dragon Elephant Technique" wasn't simple. Perhaps it would take years and months to see results.
In the blink of an eye, it was the day of Xu Mingxuan's full moon feast.
Xu Chuan got busy early, setting up a large round table in the courtyard.
When that wasn't enough, he borrowed from the neighbors.
Additionally, there were square tables and benches exclusively for the children, which Xu Chuan had crafted by hand.
…
Evening.
The husband and wife were both busy in the kitchen when they suddenly heard familiar voices.
"It's father-in-law and mother-in-law."
"Husband, go ahead. The dishes are all prepared, only the cooking remains. I can handle the rest."
Xu Chuan nodded and went out to greet the guests.
"Father-in-law, mother-in-law."
Xu Chuan began entertaining them. The two little ones had originally been watching their little brother in the main hall, but hearing the voices, they also ran out.
"Grandfather, grandmother." The little ones said cheerfully.
"Shitou, come let grandfather hold you."
"Oh my, you've gotten much heavier. You're a big boy now."
"Grandfather, Ahyuan wants a hug too."
Bai Fu laughed and lifted Xu Mingyuan as well.
"Where's Jing'er?" Mother-in-law looked around.
"In the kitchen."
"Then I'll go help Jing'er. You men chat." Mother-in-law said with a light laugh as she walked toward the kitchen.
Bai Fu and Xu Chuan went to the main hall to look at the sleeping Xu Mingxuan, gently rocking the baby bed.
"This thing is quite convenient. San Shu, your craftsmanship is really excellent."
Xu Chuan only smiled faintly.
"With Tantou added, what are your plans for the future?" Bai Fu asked.
"After the full moon feast, I first plan to expand the house, then consider literacy and martial arts training."
"Clothing, food, housing, and travel are all extremely important for us commoners. To consider literacy and martial arts training after that, with such arrangements, I'm relieved."
"I still need father-in-law's guidance from time to time."
"You really are..."
Xu Chuan's small flattery made him quite pleased.
Before long, brother-in-law Bai Hua, sister-in-law Bai Fang's family, Uncle Chen and his wife, and Chen Ergou's family all came bearing gifts.
The courtyard suddenly became lively, filled with joy.
Four or five children made a ruckus, shouting and running around, while the adults sat chatting.
Those in the courtyard were all Xu Chuan's closest relatives and friends.
After the feast began, Xu Chuan stood up holding his wine cup and said loudly, "I'm honored that all of you have come to my son Tantou's full moon feast. I'll drink first in respect!"
With that, he raised his head and drained his cup in one gulp.
He wiped the wine from the corner of his mouth and continued, "Everyone here is a relative or friend of mine, Xu Chuan. There's no need for polite words. Tonight, please enjoy yourselves to the fullest!"
"Brother-in-law, as long as you don't feel bad about your wine today."
"Bai Hua, since you say so, let's not return until we're drunk tonight!"
Hearing this, everyone laughed heartily.
Chen Ergou and brother-in-law rushed to toast, clearly intending to get Xu Chuan drunk, while Uncle Chen and father-in-law Bai Fu just had a symbolic drink.
Xu Yan and Bai Fang asked about Bai Jing's health. The women ate and chatted, engaging in casual conversation.
This drinking feast lasted until the moon was high in the sky before dispersing.
When Bai Hua and Chen Ergou returned home, their legs were weak. Without their wives supporting them, they would have fallen directly to the ground and snored away.
Bai Jing cleaned up in the kitchen.
Xu Mingwei and Xu Mingyuan were also tired from playing and returned to their room, falling asleep early.
Xu Chuan came to the main hall and walked to the baby bed.
After a moment of silence, he turned his hand and a book with a black cover appeared.
This was the Blood Lineage Genealogy, which currently only had two thin pages.
He turned to the second page, then found a needle and pricked Xu Mingxuan's fingertip. A drop of blood fell onto the genealogy.
Immediately, a line of text appeared out of thin air on the second page.
[Xu Mingxuan: Second Generation of the Xu Family]
[Spiritual Root: Incomplete Five Elements, no qualification for immortal cultivation]
[Talent: None]
[Bloodline: None]
Above were the genealogy records of Xu Mingwei and Xu Mingyuan, but they were all the same.
Among ordinary commoners, finding someone with immortal cultivation aptitude, special talents, or bloodlines was almost one in ten thousand.
Xu Chuan didn't feel disappointed.
Xu Mingxuan, having been pricked, began crying loudly, which attracted Bai Jing.
The genealogy burrowed into Xu Chuan's body and disappeared.
"What happened?" Bai Jing asked.
"Perhaps he's hungry. You feed him. I'll clean up the kitchen."
"Then I'll trouble husband."
After each finished their tasks, Xu Chuan and Bai Jing finally got into bed.
Bai Jing pillowed on Xu Chuan's arm, embracing him while lying on her side.
"Husband, today each family gave gifts. The others were all one or two taels, but Ergou's family sent fifteen taels in gift money. This concubine feels something is abnormal. Do you know what's going on?"
"Fifteen taels?"
Xu Chuan was also surprised for a moment, then smiled, "I understand now. Just accept it with peace of mind."
"Previously I made a trade with Chen Daming, exchanging the green jade pear cultivation notes for a superior internal energy manual and ten Qi and Blood Pills."
"Ergou's family must have also copied the notes. Perhaps they felt somewhat indebted, which is why they did this."
"You sold the green jade pear cultivation notes?!"
Bai Jing was so shocked she pressed on Xu Chuan's chest and sat up, her eyes looking at Xu Chuan.
"Husband, you're confused! This is something worthy of being passed down through the family. How could you sell it?"
"An internal energy manual isn't worth it either. Who knows if it can even be practiced successfully!"
Xu Chuan raised his hand and scraped her delicate nose, smiling faintly, "Don't worry. Have you ever seen your husband take a loss?"
"The cultivation notes are certainly useful, but it also depends on who plants them. Moreover, the more you hide this thing, the more people will covet it. Who knows, one day our family might suffer disaster because of it."
"Do you remember what I told you recently about the Xu family?"
"Now, with the Chen family as a cover, no one will have such thoughts in the short term."
"They'll probably all wait for the Chen family's planting results. If they can't grow them, they'll give up. If they do grow them and want some, I'll just sell to them then."
"I see. Husband is truly clever."
Whether it was because he had drunk too much wine in the evening or because of the warm, fragrant, soft jade in his arms, he only felt unbearably hot and restless.
"Wife, your husband worked hard all day today. Won't you reward him?"
Xu Chuan held her soft hand, traced it across his chest, and continued moving downward.
Bai Jing understood and slowly bent down.