Chapter 152: This is an Open Scheme, We Agreed to Be Lonely Together Until the End

With these low-grade spirit medicines, Xu Chuan once again began refining pills.

However, he didn't refine all the spirit medicines, instead leaving about seventy percent for Zhang Wanqing to practice with in the future.

Now, as long as they reached a deal with the Zhou family, they wouldn't be too short of low-grade spirit medicines in the short term.

Furthermore, the Xu family's medicine gathering team would be able to boldly venture to some of the mountains and secluded valleys filled with spiritual energy in Yuehu Commandery in the future, without needing to hide anymore.

Xu Chuan looked at the several spirit rice seeds floating before him, planning to spend time cultivating them.

It should be similar to cultivating ordinary rice seeds, first nurturing them into seedlings, then planting them in places containing spiritual energy.

However, since this was spirit rice, the main factor determining its growth should be the concentration of spiritual energy then he looked toward the medicine field.

"It should have been two days."

Xu Chuan gestured with his fingers like orchids, forming a wood-element hand seal.

Countless points of light, like falling dew containing stars, landed on every medicinal plant and spirit herbs's branches and leaves. All the medicinal plants and spirit herbs branches stretched and trembled, as if possessing spirituality.

After a moment, he formed seals again and cast a water-element technique.

Light dark clouds immediately gathered above the medicine field, and in an instant, a light drizzle fell, producing tinkling sounds.

A cup of tea's time later.

The dark clouds dispersed.

Although wood-element techniques included spells to promote spirit herbs growth, they couldn't be continuously activated and needed to follow the natural laws of digestion, absorption, and growth.

Being too frequent would be counterproductive.

Water-element techniques were the same.

Therefore, he would use a large-scale wood-element growth promotion technique once every two or three days, along with a spiritual rain.

The medicinal plants and spirit medicines in the medicine field were all flourishing.

Xu Chuan looked at this medicine field and nodded with satisfaction.

After another year, most of the spirit medicines would reach the minimum age required for pill refinement.

After this wave of harvest, Xu Chuan planned to separate the medicinal plants needed for martial Dao from the spirit medicines needed for immortal cultivation.

After all, ordinary medicinal plants absorbed and digested far less than spirit medicines. Planting them separately was most appropriate.

Zhou Sen and the others returned to the Zhou family.

"Shaocheng, you go rest. Grandfather needs to find the family head."

"Yes, Grandfather. This grandson takes his leave."

Zhou Shaocheng departed with four grandmaster guards.

The Zhou family didn't have many grandmaster realm guards either. Only those who were absolutely loyal and had excellent martial Dao talent would be specially cultivated to the grandmaster level.

Otherwise, it would be better to spend the pill resources on their own family members.

"Elder Zhou Sen, was this trip's matter handled properly? Did the Xu family agree to trade with my Zhou family?" Zhou family head Zhou Shaoyuan asked.

Zhou Sen's face showed helplessness, "There is a trade, but this trade is not that trade."

Zhou Shaoyuan was puzzled, "What do you mean?"

"Family Head, do you know who the Xu family's Grand Elder is?"

"The Xu family's Grand Elder? According to what my Zhou family has investigated, the Xu family has no such person at all?"

Zhou Sen said, "Xu Chuan, the previous generation's Xu family head, and currently the Xu family's Grand Elder. At the same time, he was once a guest elder of my Zhou family, the Daoist Sanshu."

"The Daoist Sanshu is actually him?!"

"How is this possible?!"

Zhou Shaoyuan's eyes showed shock.

"It's absolutely true. This old man has already met with him face to face," Zhou Sen said.

"With the Daoist Sanshu's pill refinement skills, plus the thirty percent of the Su family's foundation they obtained, then the Xu family's development will be unstoppable, unless right now we..."

A trace of ruthlessness flashed through Zhou Shaoyuan's eyes.

"No!" Zhou Sen raised his hand, "Fellow Daoist Sanshu is a Dan Hall member, and deeply valued by Yunding. Although he didn't stay long in the Dan Hall, how do we know he hasn't used his own pill refinement skills to establish many connections?

If he asks people to come assist, my Zhou family may not necessarily win.

Moreover, my Zhou family has never truly intersected with the Xu family, nor do we have any grievances. If we attack the Xu family like this, wouldn't we be walking the Su family's old path?"

Hearing this, Zhou Shaoyuan let out a long sigh and cupped his hands toward him, "Elder Zhou Sen speaks reasonably. I was too fixated."

"To deal with the Xu family, we still need to plan carefully for the long term."

"We can also mutually benefit," Zhou Sen said indifferently.

"Hmm? What do you mean?" Zhou Shaoyuan said in surprise, "With the Daoist Sanshu's pill refinement skills, the Xu family can completely develop within ten or twenty years. Their only weakness should be the number of immortal cultivators."

"Correct. The Xu family needs time to develop stably, while my Zhou family needs the Daoist Sanshu's pill refinement skills."

Zhou Sen looked at Zhou Shaoyuan, "This is the trade that Xu Chuan proposed."

"Family Head, you also know that this old man's pill refinement skills have no major issues refining first-grade pills, but when refining second-grade pills, although I can succeed, the success rate is too low. Plus second-grade spirit medicines aren't cheap either, so having this old man refine them will only waste the family's foundation.

But Xu Chuan claims he has a thirty percent pill condensation rate, and each time he condenses at least four or five pills, with a chance of producing middle-grade and superior-grade pills. This is exactly what our ancestor needs most right now."

"He requests that my Zhou family exchange one-third of the pills' value in first-grade pill materials, magical artifacts, spirit stones, and such for the trade. This old man believes this is feasible.

However, this old man didn't rush to agree, but came back first to ask our ancestor's opinion."

After pondering, Zhou Shaoyuan nodded, "This matter is significant. Elder Zhou Sen, you should immediately accompany me to see our ancestor."

Zhou Sen nodded.

The two immediately went to the quiet room where Zhou family ancestor Zhou Qingfang was in seclusion.

"Ancestor, Shaoyuan and Elder Zhou Sen have important matters to discuss with Ancestor. May we meet?"

The voice entered inside.

After a moment, the quiet room's stone door opened.

A rich spiritual energy rushed toward them.

This place was where the Zhou family's clan grounds had the densest spiritual energy, and also where Zhou Qingfang normally meditated and secluded himself.

In the entire Zhou family, only a handful of people knew of this place.

"Shaoyuan, Zhou Sen, what matter brings you to this old man?"

Zhou Qingfang still sat cross-legged on a cushion, in a meditative cultivation state, not even opening his eyes.

"Let Elder Zhou Sen speak," Zhou Shaoyuan said.

Zhou Sen immediately explained the matter of Xu Chuan wanting to trade second-grade pills with the Zhou family.

"Second-grade pills?!"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Qingfang's eyes opened, and immediately two beams of brilliant light shot out, bringing tremendous pressure to Zhou Shaoyuan and Zhou Sen.

"The Xu family's Grand Elder has such pill refinement skills? Wasn't it said that their Xu family was just a newly starting immortal cultivation family? Although geniuses like Xu Mingwei have appeared, there are very few immortal cultivators in the clan?"

Zhou Sen cupped his hands and revealed Xu Chuan's identity as "Daoist Sanshu."

Only then did Zhou Qingfang show an understanding expression.

After pondering for a long while, he suddenly said, "This Xu family's schemes are not small. They've hidden themselves until now before revealing their edge."

"In the Su-Zhou battle, Xu Mingwei of the Xu family saved me once. If my Zhou family has no reason, we cannot act against them. Now they're using pill benefits to exchange for cooperation, ensuring the Xu family can develop stably."

"Shaoyuan, the Xu family's strategic vision far surpasses yours."

"Ancestor, Shaoyuan is ashamed." Zhou Shaoyuan cupped his hands.

"You are already stronger than many family heads. As long as my Zhou family progresses step by step like this, our foundation will eventually grow stronger.

Unfortunately, there are always heaven-blessed talents in the world. This is not your fault."

After pausing, Zhou Qingfang continued, "Foundation Establishment cultivation progresses too slowly. The several spiritual energy nodes in my Yuehu Commandery are sufficient for Qi Refining cultivators to practice, but for Foundation Establishment, they are insufficient.

Either go to other commandery cities with denser spiritual energy, or the Imperial City, or rely on pills that advance cultivation. However, my Zhou family doesn't have a single pill formula for pills that advance Foundation Establishment cultivation.

This is an open scheme!

If my Zhou family wants to rapidly progress further, we need the Xu family's pill refinement skills. If the Xu family wants to rapidly develop stably, they also need my Zhou family's support.

It's truly an irresistible trade!"

Zhou Qingfang looked at Zhou Shaoyuan, "Pass my order: from now on, when dealing with Xu family members, my Zhou family must show courtesy. Unless it's a life-or-death feud, all grievances can be yielded."

"Ancestor, this..."

"The Xu family's potential is above my Zhou family's. When their Xu family produces a Foundation Establishment expert, their momentum will be unstoppable, with hope of reaching second-grade or even first-grade status.

This is also considering my Zhou family's future. You should set your sights further."

"But if the Xu family becomes arrogant and forgets their place..."

"Hehe, then this old ancestor has overestimated the Xu family, and they won't go too far either. But do you think someone with such long-term vision and patience would be so foolish?"

Zhou Shaoyuan hurriedly cupped his hands, "Shaoyuan understands. Tomorrow I will notify everyone."

"Ancestor," Zhou Sen suddenly said, "Earlier at the Xu family, I proposed a marriage alliance. Xu Chuan seemed not to refuse. Since Ancestor thinks so highly of them, why not have the Xu and Zhou families join in marriage, taking our cooperation a step further?"

"This is also a good idea. I imagine the Xu family also wants a marriage alliance to completely eliminate other families' covetousness. Of course, with the strength Xu Mingwei displayed at that time, I'm afraid there are no Qi Refining cultivators in all of Yuehu Commandery who could contend with him alone.

This move should also have the meaning of stabilizing my Zhou family.

Truly flawless!

Even if my Zhou family suddenly turned hostile and acted against them, I estimate they would also be prepared."

After Zhou Qingfang's analysis, fine beads of sweat seeped from Zhou Shaoyuan's brow. To be enemies with such a person, one probably couldn't sleep peacefully at night, fearing falling into their calculations at any unknown time.

"Zhou Sen, you have some friendship with Xu Chuan. The marriage alliance matter and the trade matter will both be left to you to handle."

"Zhou Sen understands." Zhou Sen cupped his hands.

"Mm, you may both withdraw."

"We take our leave."

Zhou Shaoyuan and Zhou Sen immediately withdrew from the quiet room.

On the road, Zhou Shaoyuan said, "Elder Zhou Sen, shortly I'll have someone organize the clan's eligible men and women. After you note them down, in a few days I'll trouble you to make another trip to the Xu family."

"This old man understands, but should the candidates be selected from those without immortal cultivation aptitude or those with immortal cultivation aptitude?"

"I was negligent. I'll have people list out both types of descendants. If the Xu family's marriage partner is a male of high status and an immortal cultivator, then we'll have a pseudo-spirit root aptitude clan member join the marriage. Conversely, if their marriage partner is also a female with immortal cultivation aptitude, then my Zhou family must also show sincerity."

"We'll follow the family head's intentions."

Several days passed in the blink of an eye.

Zhou Sen came to the Dongxi Xu clan again.

This time, he came together with the Seventh Elder, who was at eighth layer of Qi Refining.

Flying on swords, their speed was also fast.

"Why have we stopped advancing?" Seeing Zhou Sen stop before the mist, the Seventh Elder was immediately puzzled, "This mere mist array can only confuse mortals. How could it block your and my divine sense?"

"Seventh Elder, this array seems simple, but it contains profound mysteries. If you don't believe me, try it with your divine sense."

The Seventh Elder immediately probed the mist array with his divine sense, and his brows immediately furrowed.

"Divine sense interference?"

Zhou Sen stroked his frosty beard with a smile, "Exactly. Although it's not divine sense isolation, under divine sense interference, even we immortal cultivators would need to spend some effort to pass through."

The Seventh Elder pondered, "This Xu family is indeed not simple. No wonder my Zhou family must also establish good relations with them."

The two descended to the ground and, following the previous procedure, were led through the mist array by members of the Xu family patrol team, then proceeded to the Xu family's main residence.

Many places in the Xu family's main residence had restrictions that isolated divine sense.

Even if the Seventh Elder wanted to probe the Xu family's foundation, he couldn't do it.

Shortly after, both Xu Mingwei and Xu Chuan walked into the main hall.

Xu Chuan cupped his hands, "Elder Zhou Sen, and this is?"

"The Seventh Elder of my Zhou family, Zhou Xilin, of the same generation as me," Zhou Sen said.

"The Xi generation? Then Elder Zhou Sen, how are you..."

"Curious, right? There's no harm in telling you. This old man is not from the Zhou family's orthodox direct line, but from a declining branch family, born in the county town. Later, after my immortal cultivation talent was discovered, I entered the direct line.

This old man was too lazy to change my name, but my descendants follow the Zhou family's generational naming order."

"So that's how it is." Xu Chuan cupped his hands toward Zhou Xilin, "Elder Xilin."

"Master Sanshu." Zhou Xilin also returned the courtesy.

"Just call me Xu Chuan." Xu Chuan smiled lightly, then continued, "Please, both of you, sit."

Zhou Sen said, "On this trip, this old man has already obtained our ancestor's consent, willing to establish cooperation with the Xu family, and hopes both families can become marriage relatives, mutually helping and supporting each other in the future, developing together."

"'Mutually helping and supporting' is truly an overstatement. It's my Xu family relying on the Zhou family's protection."

"Marriage alliance?" Xu Mingwei said in surprise, "My Xu family has few people, and most are still young. There aren't many who can join in marriage with family descendants."

Zhou Sen stroked his beard with a smile, "This is no problem. My Zhou family naturally has people who can match."

Hearing this, Xu Mingwei looked toward Xu Chuan. Xu Chuan said, "My youngest son is not bad. Elder Zhou Sen and Elder Xilin might as well meet him before deciding who from the Zhou family will join the marriage."

"This is as it should be." The two exchanged glances, their eyes containing smiles.

Not long after, they saw a white-clothed man walking in from outside the hall.

His figure was tall and slender like a green bamboo standing in the wind. His white robe seemed woven from crushed moonlight, plain sleeves fluttering without a trace of dust. As he walked, his garments gently rose, like flowing clouds brushing over bluestone, naturally carrying a clear radiance.

A jade lotus crown bound his nine-foot-long black hair, with a few strands of loose hair falling by his ears, adding a gentle touch without appearing slovenly.

Those eyes, when he raised them, rippled with waves, seemingly containing bright moon and stars, pure without a speck of dust.

A mutton-fat jade pendant hung from a plain belt, its jade patterns flowing, swaying lightly with his steps. Occasionally it touched a square jade plaque at his side, producing a clear tinkling sound like chiming pendants.

On the other side hung a plain-colored storage bag.

He was truly of transcendent bearing, like an immortal descending to the mortal world. Even standing in a crowd, he was like a lone pine proud in snow, a bright moon suspended in the sky. At a glance, one could hardly look away.

Xu Mingxian was the most outstanding of Xu Chuan's five sons. His appearance was born unlike the Xu family's, and with this attire, he appeared even more transcendent.

Among the several people, only Xu Mingwei bore three parts resemblance to Xu Chuan.

Zhou Xilin was slightly stunned, secretly surprised that the Xu family had such an outstanding person. However, Zhou Sen said in surprise, "Fellow Daoist Yunming?!"

"Greetings to Elder Zhou Sen." Xu Mingxian smiled lightly and cupped his hands, then bowed to Xu Chuan and Xu Mingwei, "Father, Elder Brother."

"What's this? Elder Zhou Sen, you know him?"

"Haha, this old man should have thought of it earlier."

After speaking, Zhou Sen looked at Xu Chuan again, seemingly with complaint, "You hid this quite well."

"It's not too late to know now." The corners of Xu Chuan's mouth curved upward, "My son, Xu Mingxian."

"Late stage of eighth layer of Qi Refining?!" Zhou Xilin's divine sense suddenly swept over him, and he said in surprise.

"So fast? It seems your son's aptitude is even more outstanding than Family Head Xu!" Zhou Sen said.

Xu Mingwei smiled lightly, "Fifth Brother's aptitude is outstanding. Father loves him most."

"Elder Zhou Sen, does your family have a suitable person to match?"

Zhou Sen and Zhou Xilin exchanged glances, both showing difficult expressions.

After a moment, Zhou Sen said, "My Zhou family head has a young daughter named Zhou Zongni, twenty-six years old, with pseudo-spirit root aptitude. She is beautiful and dignified, with a sincere heart toward the Dao. She just reached fourth layer Qi Refining and is not yet married.

Brother Xu, what do you think?"

Xu Chuan looked at Xu Mingxian, "You decide for yourself. If you're unwilling, your father will choose someone else from the third generation."

Xu Mingxian pondered for a moment.

As a male of the Xu family, he naturally had the responsibility of continuing the family line. Now that the Xu family had become stable, regardless of whether the Xu and Zhou families would be friendly in the future or part ways.

At least right now, the Xu family needed such a marriage alliance to ensure there would be no worries for ten or twenty years, so they could develop with full effort.

Furthermore, he was now an elder and should lead by example.

Thinking of this, Xu Mingxian said indifferently, "Mingxian is willing."

Both Zhou Sen and Zhou Xilin showed smiles.

Such a young eighth layer of Qi Refining cultivator would undoubtedly become a Qi Refining perfection cultivator in not many years.

If placed in the Zhou family, he would definitely be a Foundation Establishment seed. The Zhou family would spare no effort to cultivate him into a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

"Excellent." Zhou Sen clapped his hands, "My Zhou family also has excellent direct line males in their twenties. Does the Xu family have any daughters to match?"

"My daughter Xu Mingshu, Elder Zhou Sen, you also met her some time ago. Her mother tried to arrange marriages for her many times, but she was unwilling, so let it be."

Xu Chuan smiled, "As for the third generation, the eldest granddaughter has already been promised to someone. The others are still young and will need another ten years or so to grow up before discussing marriage."

Zhou Xilin stroked his beard thoughtfully.

Zhou Sen smiled, "Being able to arrange such a match is sufficient to show Brother Xu's sincerity toward my Zhou family. The other marriage alliance can be postponed for now."

"Many thanks for Elder Zhou Sen's understanding." Xu Chuan cupped his hands with a smile, "Regarding the betrothal gifts and formal engagement, my Xu family will finalize it as soon as possible. However, the wedding can be delayed by a year or so. My Xu family is currently quite busy.

After things stabilize, we'll grandly celebrate both families' wedding. What do Elder Zhou Sen and Elder Xilin think?"

"Acceptable." Both nodded in agreement.

The Zhou family ancestor had already said to show courtesy to the Xu family, and they could agree to all but excessive demands and the Xu family's current attitude also showed that their ancestor's judgment was not wrong.

Therefore, Zhou Sen and Zhou Xilin were naturally willing to cooperate.

Even if the Xu family was unwilling to join in marriage, the Zhou family would still cooperate, at most feeling somewhat unhappy inside.

Not long after, Zhou Sen and Zhou Xilin left the Xu family.

At the Jade Cold Pool, seeing Xu Mingxian return, Xu Mingshu immediately came forward and said in surprise, "You've really decided to get married?"

"It's just marriage, not something earth-shattering. Previously I was just busy with cultivation. Now I'm close to great accomplishment, and our Xu family has also gotten on the right track. What's wrong with getting married?"

"We agreed to be lonely together until the end." Xu Mingshu said resentfully.

"Fourth Sister, you're overthinking." Xu Mingxian grinned, "You just slowly wait for your ideal man. Perhaps by the time my grandson marries, Fourth Sister, you'll still be alone."

"Hmph!" Xu Mingshu felt this statement had little harm but extreme insult. She said angrily, "I have Little White, Ah Da, Ah Er, and Ah San to accompany me. How could I be lonely?"

After speaking, she huffily returned to her bamboo house and closed the door to cultivate.

Xu Mingxian shook his head with a smile and also returned to his room to cultivate.

For him, marriage was just a diversion. Immortal cultivation was the real matter.

It must be said that Xu Mingxian, this twin brother, would soon marry. This matter still had some impact on Xu Mingshu.

The difference between two people remaining and only her remaining was vast.

For two consecutive days, Xu Mingshu was preoccupied and dejected. However, Xu Mingxuan, Xu Mingyuan, and the others all congratulated Xu Mingxian, and jokingly said if he didn't hurry up, his children would be the same age as eldest brother's grandchildren.

This was common in large families and clans.

For example, Zhou family head Zhou Shaoyuan was of the Shao generation, and Zhou Sen's grandson Zhou Shaocheng was also of the Shao generation, yet the two were more than thirty years apart in age. His children might be more than ten years older than Zhou Shaocheng.

Time passed day by day.

Xu Mingyuan, Xu Mingxuan, Xu Mingshu, Xu Deling, and others all obtained handy middle-grade magical artifacts.

Wu Tao and Shen Qingyi also each had two low-grade magical artifacts for attack and defense.

Zhang Wanqing focused on the pill Dao. Currently she didn't need such magical artifacts. The pill furnaces were all bestowed by Xu Chuan.

At present, she was still using a low-grade pill furnace, working to improve the pill condensation rate and quality of Great Martial Pills, while tempering her own pill Dao achievements.

With Xu Chuan's full effort in teaching, he was naturally quite strict.

Unless the pill condensation rate reached above fifty percent and she could refine superior-grade pills, she wouldn't advance to the next pill formula.

The pill formulas Xu Chuan held in his hands were probably enough for her to immerse herself in for most of her life.

And when Zhang Wanqing could skillfully refine Grandmaster Martial Pills, it meant she would also have the ability to refine immortal cultivation pills, including pills like Qi-Drawing Pills that advanced cultivation. She could also quickly master pill condensation.

At that time, Xu Chuan would naturally replace her furnace with a middle-grade pill furnace, or even a superior-grade pill furnace.

During this period, the Yuan family and some other Qi Refining families had sent people to investigate.

After martial artists came, none returned.

Later they sent immortal cultivators, but after their divine sense swept over, they finally understood the Xu family's depth and no longer dared to casually send people.

Because even immortal cultivators couldn't silently pass through this array. Trespassing on another clan's territory, even if killed, they had nothing to say.

However, if immortal cultivators suffered casualties, that loss would be great.

After all, cultivating immortal cultivators was much more difficult than martial artists. Their numbers were already scarce, and some had died in the Su-Zhou conflict.

Besides this special mist array that could interfere with divine sense, Xu Mingxian had also set up a first-grade superior defensive array.

With Dongxi Village's current spiritual energy, it could support half a day of operation.

This array was arranged behind the mist array.

Not only that, Xu Mingxian was also considering improving the mist array and incorporating warning restrictions. If it sensed cultivation power fluctuations, he could instantly know and respond accordingly.

Of course, to accomplish this would still require several years.

The array inheritance obtained from the ancient cultivator's cave dwelling back then had brought him tremendous benefits. If not for needing to cultivate daily and advance his realm, he would wish to invest all his time in researching and practicing various arrays.

One day.

Yang Zhao and Yang Shidao arrived. Seeing the mist enveloping all of Dongxi Village, their eyes met and both showed bitter smiles.

Fortunately, the Xu family had taken the patrol guard team's suggestion and made arrangements, setting up a special bell for visitors outside.

By ringing the bell, the patrol guard team would know.

If it were an ordinary mist array, one couldn't see clearly inside from outside, but could see outside from inside. However, Xu Mingxian had made slight modifications, giving the mist the effect of interfering with divine sense.

Previously, some effects of the mist array had also become ineffective.

It could be said: what is lost in one area is gained in another.