"Another cave?" Xu Mingwei's expression was peculiar.
He saw that in the rock crevices of this cave grew slanting black ancient vines. On the vines hung dots of phosphorescent moss like ghostly fire, their dim light flickering on and off in the mountain wind.
The stone steps at the cave entrance had been worn smooth by time, yet bone powder accumulated in the corners.
Xu Mingwei stepped into the cave. A blast of cold air instantly struck him. Stalactites on the cave ceiling hung like inverted wolf fangs, the dripping water sounds echoing in the emptiness.
Scattered in the corners were many withered bones, mostly from beasts, but also some human bones.
Xu Mingwei thought secretly, in the nest of a Qi Refining demon beast, there might be immortal cultivators' skeletal remains. If so, there might be magical artifacts, storage bags, and such items.
He searched carefully.
What he first saw was a giant bird's nest built from withered branches and leaves. In the nest were three human-head-sized eagle eggs. The egg surfaces had azure patterns and emanated warm breath.
"Ah Live."
After withdrawing his gaze, he continued investigating the cave.
There were no weapons or such, but he discovered three small bags of gray brocade.
"Can't open them, must be storage bags used by immortal cultivators?"
"This harvest is truly considerable. It seems third brother's talent is indeed remarkable, seeking fortune and avoiding harm."
Xu Mingwei also sensed something. The five siblings all had exceptional talents, perhaps deeply connected to their father's origins.
However, regarding the hidden secrets within, though he understood in his heart, he didn't dare easily reveal them, only burying his doubts deep in his heart.
He knew clearly, if his father didn't speak, there were reasons for not speaking.
Xu Mingwei tucked the storage bags into his chest, wrapped the three eagle eggs separately with cloth, and stuffed some withered branches and leaves inside as cushioning then he untied the hemp rope from his waist and bound it to a stone pillar in the cave.
Drawing his bow toward the general direction where Xu Mingxuan and the others were, he shot an arrow. After it fell to the ground, everyone immediately pulled the hemp rope taut and tied it to a giant tree trunk.
Seeing the rope pulled taut, Xu Mingwei then secured the eagle eggs at his waist.
Fortunately, demon beast egg shells were hard and wouldn't easily break from light impacts.
He took out a curved iron rod, placed it on the hemp rope, gripped both ends tightly with both hands, and rapidly slid down along the rope.
Blue smoke immediately rose from the rope's surface but Xu Mingwei's descent speed was even faster. When he was several zhang from the ground, the hemp rope "whoosh" burst into flames, and he simply released both hands, leaping down.
Boom~
The ground trembled lightly.
A distance of several zhang naturally wasn't much for him as a grandmaster martial artist.
After the flames ignited on the hemp rope, they became uncontrollable, burning nearly the entire rope to nothing. However, after Xu Mingwei safely returned, Xu Mingxuan and the others cut the rope, leaving a section behind.
"Eldest brother, everything is as you said." Xu Mingxuan excitedly stepped forward.
"I merely picked up Father's wisdom."
Xu Mingxuan smiled and shifted his gaze to his waist, saying in surprise, "There are actually three eagle eggs."
"I hope they can all survive." Xu Mingwei looked around, "Let's go. The sky is darkening. It's time to return home."
By the time they returned to the Xu family, night had completely fallen.
Xu Mingwei placed the two Azure Fire Eagle corpses at the Jade Cold Pool, having Xu Mingshu and the others help guard them.
Several days later, Xu Chuan divined that Xu Mingwei was troubled about handling the Azure Fire Eagle corpses and hatching matters, and couldn't help but be surprised but he was very happy in his heart.
He and Xu Mingxian continuously accumulated resources outside, planning for the Xu family, while Xu Mingwei and the others lived up to his expectations, gradually strengthening the Xu family bit by bit.
When Xu Mingxian learned of this, he also showed a surprised expression.
Only half a month had passed since last time, yet Xu Mingwei and the others had already hunted two more flying demon beasts.
That very day, Xu Mingxian returned to the Xu family and stored the two Azure Fire Eagle corpses in his storage bag.
Xu Mingwei handed the three storage bags to him.
"All defective storage bags."
Xu Mingxian recognized them at a glance. Using divine sense to open them, he then took out what was inside.
One crimson flying sword, one beast-head black small shield, all low-grade magical artifacts.
There were also twenty-six spirit stones, three ordinary cultivation techniques, five or six technique manuals, and some worldly gold and silver items.
"Seems they were all ordinary rogue cultivators." Xu Mingxian glanced over and looked at Xu Mingwei, saying lightly, "I'll take the spirit stones. Leave the rest at home for eldest brother to handle."
Xu Mingwei nodded.
"Yunnu, when you return, help investigate how to hatch those Azure Fire Eagle eggs."
"This matter, I already know. Father asked someone about it. Place them in a warm room with two or three fire-attribute spirit stones around the eagle eggs. The spirit stones have already been brought."
As Xu Mingxian spoke, he slapped his storage bag. Fifteen fire-attribute spirit stones flew out, landing on the desk.
"This..."
"Better to be prepared." Xu Mingxian smiled lightly.
Xu Mingwei smiled and responded, "Very true."
…
Yuehu Market.
"Father, I've already brought back the Azure Fire Eagles."
"Mm. Handle it yourself. Leave the flesh, blood, and vital blood for me to refine Innate Blood Pills." Xu Chuan acknowledged.
The Azure Fire Eagle's essence lay in its feathers, which could be used to refine magical robes that made one as light as a swallow, considerably more precious than the crimson-scaled python's scales.
Of course, the flesh and blood usable for refining Innate Blood Pills fell far short of the crimson-scaled python.
"By the way, Father, we also obtained three defective storage bags. Besides twenty-six spirit stones, the remaining magical artifacts and cultivation techniques were left at home."
"Oh, there was this harvest as well."
Xu Chuan's divination wasn't omnipotent. After pondering briefly, he said, "Use these spirit stones to purchase a batch of spiritual medicines for me. Living under someone else's roof to refine pills ultimately isn't a long-term solution."
"Yes, Father."
Time passed swiftly.
Over the next half year, Xu Mingwei consumed high-grade Blood Pills and broke through to late grandmaster realm.
Xu Mingshu reached peak innate realm and completed her five elements spiritual roots. However, to improve her spiritual root quality, she still trained bitterly every day.
Xu Mingyuan stepped into late innate realm. Xu Mingxuan was at the peak of late innate realm, just one step away from peak innate realm.
Xu Dezhao, Xu Dewen, including Wu Tao and other juniors all made great progress.
Zhang Wanqing became pregnant again, somewhat delaying her cultivation.
The disciples of the Zhao, Qian, Sun, Li, Zhou, Chen, and Bai families had all matured.
Their ages ranged from seventeen or eighteen to just past twenty. Even those with the poorest aptitude had reached first-rate martial artist realm, and several had broken through to late peak Postnatal.
The Xu family dispatched them to manage family businesses in neighboring counties.
With the Xu family's vigorous support, all families soon took root and established themselves.
On one hand, they developed their own clan foundations. On the other hand, they managed businesses like Qianjin Workshop and Zuiyun Residence for the Xu family.
At the end of each quarter, the heads of each family must return to the Xu family in Dongxi Village, reporting all matters in detail to Xu Mingwei and Xu Mingyuan, presenting account books, and explaining gains and losses.
Xu Mingyuan also extracted himself from busy affairs to focus on martial Dao.
With more leisure time, Wu Rushan became pregnant again after Zhang Wanqing.
After several years, new life would once again be born in the Xu family. The estate became lively all over again.
…
Yuehu Market.
Zhou Clan's Pill Shop.
"Fellow Daoist Sansu wants to leave?"
Upon hearing the news, Zhou Sen immediately rushed from the Zhou family mountain gate to the Yuehu Market.
"I'm now not far from ninth layer of Qi Refining. Qi Refining great circle perfection is also just around the corner. I must ultimately plan for my future Dao path. Could it be that Elder Zhou doesn't want to achieve Foundation Establishment?"