Chapter 153: My Brother-in-Law is Actually an Immortal Cultivator? The Betrothal Gifts

The patrol guard team went out to look, and immediately smiled, "So it's you two who've come. Follow us in."

The two carefully followed them through the mist array, then proceeded to the Xu family's main residence.

Yang Zhao briefly chatted with Xu Mingwei for a few moments, then took his family members away.

Upon leaving, Yang Shichang asked in surprise, "Huh, when did this mist appear here?"

Yang Zhao looked at him and sighed, "It was naturally set up by the Xu family. From this moment on, the Xu family has become an existence that my Yang family needs to look up to. Before long, they will become a new immortal cultivation family in Yuehu Commandery."

"Father, you're not confused, are you? I don't quite understand what you're saying," Yang Shichang said blankly.

"It's exactly what it sounds like," Yang Zhao said with emotion. "What my Yang family has struggled for hundreds of years without achieving, the Xu family is about to accomplish in less than twenty years since establishing their clan."

"Truly, worldly affairs are unpredictable!"

Yang Ruifeng, Yang Ruiyao, Wen Jing, and the others all showed shocked expressions.

After all, immortal cultivation families must be verified by the Great Wei Dynasty."

"You think you know so much." Yang Zhao glanced at her, his voice carrying slight reproach. "How could the Xu family not know this? Since they plan to establish an immortal cultivation family, they've naturally made complete preparations."

Yang Ruifeng said, "Grandfather, grandson is also curious. During this time at the Xu family, grandson didn't discover that anyone in the Xu family was an immortal cultivator."

"Your grandfather also couldn't see through it," Yang Zhao sighed. "Immortal cultivators are high and mighty. How could we martial artists know their methods?

I also only learned this after returning to the Yang family, from my grand-uncle's mouth. What can be confirmed is that Xu Mingwei is an immortal cultivator of extremely high realm, far surpassing Yang Yan, who has the highest realm in our Yang family."

"Brother-in-law is actually an immortal cultivation expert?!" Hearing this, Yang Shichang was suddenly shocked. His mouth opened wide enough to swallow an egg, his eyes rounded like copper bells, the muscles on his face knotted.

Then he suddenly clapped his hands and laughed, full of vigor, "Then who would dare provoke me from now on?"

Yang Zhao's face darkened.

Lady Yang shook her head with a smile.

Yang Ruifeng covered his face with his hand. What kind of father was this!

"What? Did I say something wrong?" Yang Shichang laughed awkwardly.

"You just go boldly cause trouble and see how many times Mingwei will indulge you!"

"Uh, Father, your son was just joking. Never mind that brother-in-law is now an immortal cultivator, even if he weren't, your son wouldn't easily ask him for help. Your son still has that much pride."

"Good that you know." Yang Zhao said, "Unless it's a difficult matter, there's no need to ask the Xu family for help."

"If I don't ask, I don't ask, but surely visits are acceptable? From now on, when I have nothing to do, I'll go visit my sister."

"As you wish." Yang Zhao said indifferently. Not objecting meant tacitly approving the matter.

People like Yang Shichang who had no schemes and had close relations with the Xu family would more easily gain the Xu family's favor.

The Xu family might help Yang Zhao and his household, but their attitude toward the entire Yang family was quite indifferent.

"Spending so much time at the Xu family, my sister didn't even tell me. Indeed, a married daughter is like water poured out," Yang Shichang said with emotion.

Wen Jing listened silently, her eyes flickering, as if plotting something.

However, Yang Zhao noticed her and said indifferently, "Wen Jing, don't think about currying favor, believing you can connect the Wen family with the Xu family. It won't work.

Even my Yang family, the Xu family wouldn't care about.

Mingwei has a good relationship with Shichang because they formed a friendship when both were humble. But he has no relationship with you. Do more and err more. If you provoke the Xu family's disgust, then your Wen family's century-old foundation will need to be careful."

Wen Jing's delicate body trembled, and she nodded, "Many thanks for Father's teaching. Daughter-in-law will remember."

"Shichang, when you go, you can bring Feng'er and Yao'er along. Mingwei treats our family rather warmly."

"Don't worry, Father."

Although Yang Zhao was now the Yang family head and also wanted to interact with the Xu family in a simpler capacity, it ultimately wasn't possible. He could only place his hopes on his son.

Yang Shichang and Yang Ronghua had been close since childhood, and back in Qingjiang, he'd also had considerable friendship with Xu Mingwei, Xu Mingshu, and other Xu family members. He could serve as a bond between the Xu and Yang families.

Time passed like a white colt flashing past a crack.

In the blink of an eye, spring turned to summer.

Under the blazing sun, heat rose in waves. Thousands of acres of paddy fields spread like emerald carpets, extending from the village head to the foot of distant mountains.

The rice had already formed ears half a foot long. The green and yellow ear heads hung heavily, and when wind passed, emerald waves surged with rustling sounds, mixing the clear fragrance of soil and rice flowers that drifted over the field ridges.

The field ridges wound like silver ribbons, dividing the paddy fields into square mirror-like surfaces. Water light rippled, reflecting blue sky and white clouds. Occasionally white egrets glided low, their wingtips breaking the water's surface, startling up strings of ripples.

Everywhere one could hear frog calls and cicada chirps, interweaving into summer's symphony.

Farmers wearing bamboo hats and straw capes bent at the waist in the fields pulling weeds. Beads of sweat slid down their cheeks, dripping into the fields and splashing up tiny droplets of water.

Children chased and played on the field ridges, startling dragonflies that stopped on rice ears. Red and blue wings flashed before disappearing into the vast green waves.

Besides the ordinary paddy fields, there was also a plot of fifty acres where the seedlings were barely a foot high and it was right next to the Xu family's main residence.

These were the spirit rice seedlings that Xu Chuan had cultivated, already successfully planted.

An array enveloped the spirit rice field on all sides, just a first-grade inferior defensive array. A late Qi Refining cultivator could break it with one strike, but this was only to prevent ordinary people from mistakenly entering or birds and beasts from coming in.

Xu Chuan personally tended this paddy field. Only after mastering spirit rice cultivation would he withdraw and pass on the key points and precautions of cultivation to others.

Currently, it was merely a test field.

Xu Chuan came to inspect it daily, which made him involuntarily recall his younger years when he had similarly devoted himself wholeheartedly to farming.

At this moment, Xu Chuan was right there.

Xu Mingwei suddenly flew in and landed beside Xu Chuan.

"Father, the gift list to be sent to the Zhou family is all prepared. Please review it."

"Do I really need to handle such a small matter?" Xu Chuan shook his head helplessly.

Xu Mingwei said, "After all, the Zhou family is the hegemon of Yuehu Commandery. The betrothal gifts should be proper, and moreover, it's Yunnu's wedding. Father should naturally make the decisions."

"Now you're starting to use words to block me too."

Xu Chuan smiled lightly. With a point of his finger, the gift list scroll flew before him.

This scroll had a dark silk brocade base, both ends equipped with red copper gilt chi-head shaft ornaments, with hanging dark and vermillion palace cords.

The scroll gradually unrolled until it was fully displayed.

Xu Chuan glanced over it and said, "Remove the magical artifacts, spirit stones, and spirit medicines. The Zhou family doesn't lack these. The mundane items don't need changing. The Zhou family won't care about those either.

For the rest, add three bottles of Innate Martial Pills, one bottle of Grandmaster Martial Pills, three bottles of Qi-Storing Pills, one bottle of Qi-Drawing Pills, plus one superior-grade Divine Sense Pill."

"All pills?"

"This is sufficient. Pills aren't valuable to our Xu family, but they are to the Zhou family.

This also displays our Xu family's foundation. Whether it's cultivating martial artists or immortal cultivator resources, our Xu family has a complete process.

The real betrothal gift is that one superior-grade Divine Sense Pill.

This is a second-grade pill. Even in the Imperial City, countless Foundation Establishment families seek it. Its value is considerable.

A marriage alliance, surely my Xu family doesn't need to spend several hundred or thousand spirit stones to seek a bride?

As for Mingxian, he's naturally indifferent by nature, like me, his heart set on the Great Dao. For him, marrying or not marrying are both acceptable."

"Your son has learned. I'll go back and modify it."

"Mm. After the betrothal to the Zhou family is announced, we can begin recruiting rogue cultivators, slowly strengthening our Xu family."

"Yes, your son understands."

With a wave of his hand, Xu Mingwei collected the scroll gift list, then rose into the air and headed toward his South Mountain Courtyard.

"It's a pity that limited by spiritual energy concentration, we can't plant on a large scale. Fifty acres is already the limit, but it's temporarily enough to feed several dozen immortal cultivators for a year."

Xu Chuan first formed seals and cast the Wood Spirit Formula to promote growth, then cast the Minor Cloud and Rain Technique to replenish the water level.

After inspecting once around, he went to the Jade Cold Pool.

Sometimes he observed and guided Zhang Wanqing in pill refinement, other times he cultivated the Soul Prohibition.

As for Blood Lineage Traction, Xu Chuan had already achieved great accomplishment.

Currently in the ancestral hall, all Xu family members had left a life lamp as well as a drop of special essence blood refined through the Blood Lineage Traction secret technique.

The life lamp determined their life state, while the essence blood was for tracking and searching.

What remained was the Soul Prohibition secret technique.

Xu Chuan was progressing fastest among all the Xu family members in learning it.

Soul Prohibition was currently at small accomplishment. Although it could be used on people, for the sake of safety, Xu Chuan planned to wait until this technique reached great accomplishment before finding someone to test it on.

Suddenly, a light sound came from the bamboo house where Xu Mingxian was. A fluctuation of cultivation power passed through the bamboo house's restriction, spreading outward like ripples.

"Ninth layer of Qi Refining?"

Xu Chuan raised his eyes to look at Xu Mingxian's location, the corners of his mouth curving slightly upward.

"Finally reached ninth layer of Qi Refining. Still somewhat slow."

Xu Mingwei had now reached late stage of eighth layer of Qi Refining, gradually catching up to Xu Mingxian.

Of course, Xu Mingxian had to research arrays and also set up grand arrays for the Xu family, so he was somewhat busier than Xu Mingwei.

After all, Xu family affairs weren't too complicated.

If it truly affected cultivation, he wouldn't have let Xu Mingwei take charge.

His divine consciousness swept over, and the cultivation realms of the others also came into view.

Although the bamboo houses all had restrictions isolating divine sense, they couldn't block divine consciousness's probing.

"Wu Tao is at mid-stage third layer of Qi Refining. In several months' time, this isn't slow for pseudo-spirit root aptitude. Shen Qingyi is at mid-stage fourth layer, also acceptable.

Zhao'er should be able to upgrade his spiritual root to true spirit root aptitude next year. Perhaps I should have him directly walk the immortal Dao."

After pondering, Xu Chuan made a decision. In a few days, he would discuss it with Xu Mingwei and Xu Dezhao.

Previously, they had decided to have Xu Dezhao walk both the immortal and martial paths together. If the Xu family were still in their previous state of quietly developing, that would be fine.

However, changes had come too quickly. The Su-Zhou conflict allowed the Xu family to rise with the tide, obtaining thirty percent of the Su family's foundation.

After being exposed to all the families in Yuehu Commandery, the Xu family no longer needed to hide.

After all, continuing to hide wouldn't reduce the wariness and greedy gazes of the various Qi Refining families.

Better to develop openly and above board, cooperate and join in marriage with the Zhou family, and intimidate all the families.

Although the Xu family's strength feared no Qi Refining family in Yuehu Commandery except the Zhou family, they should still maintain the proper low profile.

The Xu family's true combat power was their foundation and trump cards.

If they could rely on the Zhou family's deterrent power to intimidate, why would they need to have Xu Mingwei and the others kill to establish authority?

However, if there truly were conflicts in the future, then the Xu family naturally wouldn't be soft-handed either. They would let all the families know just how sharp the Xu family's blade truly was!

"Wanqing has true spirit root aptitude, mid-stage fourth layer of Qi Refining. That's a bit low, but she spends most of her time immersed in the pill Dao, which is also reasonable.

Ling'er is quite good though. Cultivating wholeheartedly, she's already reached mid-stage fifth layer of Qi Refining. It looks like she's almost approaching late stage."

"Mingshu is close to the peak of sixth layer of Qi Refining. It seems she's determined to get that superior-grade magical artifact."

Xu Chuan smiled lightly. He had previously said that whoever first reached seventh layer of Qi Refining would be granted a superior-grade magical artifact.

Even in the Zhou family, not all late Qi Refining cultivators had superior-grade magical artifacts.

Only eighth and ninth layer immortal cultivators normally did.

"Mingxuan seems to have just entered late stage sixth layer of Qi Refining. Mingyuan, I remember seeing him a couple days ago, should be at mid-stage sixth layer of Qi Refining."

As for the Breath Concealment Technique, currently only Xu Chuan had reached great accomplishment. The rest, even Xu Mingwei, were stuck at small accomplishment realm.

Small accomplishment could conceal two layers of realm.

Only great accomplishment could conceal three layers of realm.

"Mm, Wanqing, at the critical moment of pill condensation, you need to control the flame temperature more gently. Losing too much medicinal liquid will affect the number of pills formed."

"Yes, Father."

Zhang Wanqing nodded and began adjusting the flame temperature in the pill furnace.

Another half month passed.

The second day of the seventh month.

Xu Mingxuan led a contingent to the Zhou family to deliver the betrothal gifts. This group, besides Xu Mingxuan, had nine people, all innate martial artists, with the strongest only at mid-stage innate.

The martial artist path was similar to the immortal cultivation path. Neither could be accomplished overnight.

Even with the Xu family's precious martial Dao pills bestowed upon them, they still needed time to grow.

These people, in perhaps another four or five years, would become innate late stage martial artists one after another, or even innate perfection martial Dao experts, or perhaps one among them might emerge as a grandmaster.

In twenty or thirty years.

The Xu family's martial Dao foundation might surpass all the families in the commandery city, second only to the Zhou family.

Approaching the Zhou family's clan grounds, Zhou family guards were also patrolling nearby.

"Who goes there? Ahead is Zhou family territory. No trespassing. Violators die!" The guard captain's eyes shot out brilliant light, his tone firm and powerful, carrying some arrogance.

"Xu family, Xu Mingxuan, coming to deliver betrothal gifts for my younger brother."

"So it's members of the Xu clan. The news that a proud daughter of my Zhou family will join in marriage with the Xu family has already spread through the clan recently. Your Xu family is truly blessed. That young miss is the daughter our Zhou family head values most."

Xu Mingxuan's brows furrowed slightly, "So this is how it's being said within your Zhou family clan?"

He said nothing more, but cupped his hands, "Please let us through."

"Naturally."

"My Zhou family's clan grounds are not small. I'll have someone guide you."

"Much obliged."

Furthermore, news that someone from the Xu family had come to deliver betrothal gifts also reached the Zhou family head's ears.

Zhou Shaoyuan took the opportunity to request Zhou Sen.

After all, this marriage was facilitated by him, so he should naturally be present.

Zhou family main hall.

Xu Mingxuan was drinking tea when he saw a dignified middle-aged man and a crane-haired, child-faced elder enter. He immediately stood up and saluted, "I am Xu Mingxuan. May I ask how to address you two?"

Zhou Sen stroked his beard with a smile, "So you're Fellow Daoist Xu's third son. This old man is Zhou Sen, and this is my Zhou family head."

"Greetings to Elder Zhou Sen, Family Head Zhou."

"Sit."

Zhou Shaoyuan said indifferently, then sat in the host's seat. Zhou Sen also casually sat in a guest seat.

Seeing both had sat down, Xu Mingxuan took his seat.

His etiquette was thorough and proper, leaving no room for criticism.