Chapter 154: Father, Uncle Xu's Mask Has Fallen Off

"Fourth layer of Qi Refining."

Zhou Sen's divine sense swept over, and he secretly breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that geniuses like Xu Mingwei and Xu Mingxian were indeed just exceptional cases.

Zhou Shaoyuan's eyes flickered, sharing the same thought.

"Family Head Zhou, Elder Zhou Sen, this is my Xu family's betrothal gift list." Xu Mingxuan smiled faintly and patted the storage bag at his waist, taking out the betrothal gift scroll and presenting it to Family Head Zhou.

Family Head Zhou opened it and looked, his brows immediately furrowing slightly, then he let Zhou Sen examine it.

The Zhou family naturally didn't care about mundane betrothal gifts, which were merely formalities at most. However, this gift list contained entirely pills, which was truly unexpected.

"Young Friend Xu, these Innate Martial Pills and Grandmaster Martial Pills should be martial Dao pills researched by your father, correct?"

"That's correct." Xu Mingxuan nodded.

In terms of value, these pills added together were not insignificant.

"According to my father, this pill is an ancient pill that was completed by the Dan Hall. It's a miraculous pill that can increase the divine sense of us immortal cultivators, and is effective even for those at Qi Refining perfection.

Especially the high-grade Divine Sense Pill, its effects are particularly remarkable. Even in the imperial city, many Foundation Establishment families seek it."

"A pill that increases divine sense!" Zhou Shaoyuan's eyes lit up, revealing surprise.

Zhou Sen was also shocked, stroking his beard and sighing, "Worthy of being the Dan Hall, to be able to complete such a miraculous pill."

"This pill is ranked as a second-grade pill. Not only are the materials precious, but refining it is also extremely difficult. In the Dan Hall, only a handful of people can refine high-grade Divine Sense Pills."

Zhou Shaoyuan had been slightly dissatisfied with this gift list before, but now it seemed the true betrothal gift was this one high-grade Divine Sense Pill.

He smiled faintly, "The Xu family's betrothal gift, my Zhou family is very satisfied with. It also allows us to see Master Sanshu's pill refining ability. I believe our two families' cooperation will be very smooth in the future."

Xu Mingxuan took out several red-gold brocade boxes, saying, "Regarding the betrothal ceremony date, does the Zhou family have any requirements?"

Zhou Shaoyuan pondered, then said, "The betrothal ceremony will be set for September 20th, three months from now, held at the Guanghu Residence in the commandery city. My Zhou family will naturally invite the commandery city's aristocratic families to attend. What do you think?"

The Zhou family could easily discover that Guanghu Residence was a Xu family property.

Xu Mingxuan cupped his fists, "Then let it be so."

He didn't stay long and left with the Xu family guards.

When Xu Mingxuan returned to the Xu residence, he informed Xu Chuan, Xu Mingwei, and the others of this news.

Bai Jing didn't care how powerful the Zhou family was. In her heart, Xu Mingxian was getting married, and this was a great joyous occasion.

Moreover, she trusted that what Xu Chuan chose would certainly not be bad.

News of the impending marriage alliance between the Xu and Zhou families quickly spread throughout Yuehu Commandery city. All families of sixth-rank and above were on the invitation list.

Among these families were also Zhou family in-laws. However, this was the first marriage alliance since the Zhou family became Yuehu Commandery's hegemonic family, and the alliance involved the legitimate lines of both families, showing the Zhou family's emphasis on it.

The Qi Refining families in Yuehu Commandery had already been wary of the Xu family, and now even more so.

With the Zhou family backing them up, for a time they couldn't make a move against the Xu family, otherwise it would be slapping the Zhou family's face.

To deal with the Xu family, they could only take it slowly.

Three months passed in a flash.

In the blink of an eye, it was September 20th.

Xu Mingwei couldn't attend because he needed to guard the Xu family, and important juniors like Xu Dezhao and Xu Deyi were the same.

Most of the rest arrived at Yuehu Commandery a day early and moved into the Baiyu Pavilion.

This was also a Xu family property, an elegant garden lodge specifically for garden gatherings or residence.

With the Xu family members moving in, naturally they didn't receive other guests for the time being.

The next day, Guanghu Residence also didn't receive outside guests.

Only aristocratic families with invitations could enter.

"The Yuan family head with Lady Yuan and Young Master Yuan have arrived!"

"The Chang family head and Lady Chang have arrived!"

"The Yang family head, his wife, and their young master and others have arrived!"

Almost all sixth-rank and above families, whether martial Dao families or Qi Refining families, all came.

Among them were even families that had once stood on the Su family's side.

By inviting them, the Zhou family was showing their magnanimity and wouldn't target them. However, if they fought among themselves like dogs, the Zhou family wouldn't interfere.

After all, both sides had clan members die at the other's hands.

Even because some families had almost all their important combat forces die, these past few months they had quietly been swallowed up by other families.

The Yang family's Yang Shidao had stepped into the grandmaster realm, and Yang Yan had become a seventh layer Qi Refining immortal cultivator.

Although they suffered heavy losses in the Su-Zhou conflict, they had caught their breath and wouldn't be easily targeted.

As for the Chang family, their family head had died in battle, and the new Chang family head was Chang Wenhao, but the Chang family's grandmaster perfection expert was still alive, which also had deterrent power.

"Today, I welcome everyone for giving Zhou face by coming to attend my daughter Zhou Zongni and the Xu family's Xu Mingxian's betrothal banquet."

Family Head Zhou smiled and looked toward Zhou Zongni and Xu Mingxian, "Ni'er, Mingxian, today you two are the protagonists. Let the family heads present also meet you."

Xu Mingxian and Zhou Zongni both stood up, raising their wine cups, "The Xu family's Xu Mingxian (The Zhou family's Zhou Zongni) greets all the family heads."

After speaking, both drained their cups in one gulp.

Xu Mingxian at this time used the Breath Concealment Technique to restrain himself, still at the eighth layer of Qi Refining realm.

Zhou Shaoyuan gestured for them to sit down, then smiled faintly, "Zhou is very gratified that my daughter can marry a genius like Mingxian.

Xu Mingxian is not only the Xu family's immortal cultivation genius, having reached the eighth layer of Qi Refining at a young age with prospects of Foundation Establishment in the future.

Not only that, he is also the youngest son of the Xu family's Grand Elder Xu Chuan."

Pausing, Zhou Shaoyuan continued, "Everyone, do you know that our Grand Elder Xu has kept an extremely low profile? I imagine you only know him as the Xu family's Grand Elder."

Hearing this, Xu Chuan smiled faintly without much reaction.

However, most of the aristocratic families didn't know that Xu Chuan was now the Xu family's Grand Elder, only knowing his identity as the Xu family's former family head.

After all, the Xu family kept their own information wrapped too tightly. Since the Cloud Mist Grand Array was laid down, almost no one could gather intelligence from Dongxi Village.

Even gathering intelligence in Qingjiang, it was only fragmentary and only information the Xu family allowed to be released.

"Actually, his other identity, I believe you've all heard of, is none other than our Yuehu Commandery's most mysterious pill refining master, Master Sanshu."

"Master Sanshu? The rumored mysterious pill Dao guest elder of the Zhou family, the pill refining master whose pill refining skill surpasses even Elder Zhou Sen?"

Everyone discussed animatedly, all turning their gazes toward the Xu family.

Even some families that had been dissatisfied with the Xu family obtaining thirty percent of the Su family's resources now had thoughts of befriending them.

"No wonder the Xu family could rise so quickly. With such a pill Dao master, any family could achieve this, right?"

The Zhou family had rapidly strengthened their foundation over the past few decades because Zhou Sen emerged and coincidentally, Zhou Qingfang had luckily succeeded in breaking through to Foundation Establishment, which gave them the strength to contend with the Su family.

"After more than a hundred years, this Xu family will be another Zhou family."

"Not necessarily. The Xu family has just obtained thirty percent of the Su family's foundation. If development goes smoothly, it won't take a hundred years to reach the strength and foundation the Zhou family once had."

"That may not be so. It also depends on whether the Zhou family can continue to tolerate the Xu family's existence."

The various families each had their own thoughts.

The Yang and Chang families were especially shocked.

Yang Shichang turned to look at his father Yang Zhao, "Father, did your son hear correctly? Uncle Xu is actually a pill Dao master, and judging by his reputation, quite a great one at that."

Yang Yan smiled cheerfully, "Nephew Shichang, it's normal that you don't know the name Master Sanshu, but the immortal cultivators in Yuehu Market all know it.

He was once a guest elder for the Zhou family, and in a short time his fame rose, becoming a renowned pill refining master in Yuehu Market. Elder Zhou Sen also said his pill Dao level was above his own.

Unfortunately, he only stayed in Yuehu Market for a relatively short time before disappearing.

Everyone thought he was a rogue cultivator who went to travel in other parts of Great Wei.

Who would have thought he was actually the Xu family's Grand Elder.

I heard that the Xu family's current prosperity was created by his hand?"

"That's correct." Yang Shichang nodded in amazement, "I thought my brother-in-law was already the Xu family's most remarkable figure, but I didn't expect Uncle Xu to be."

"Xu Chuan is a pill Dao master, Xu Mingwei is rumored to have extremely strong combat power, and today's Xu Mingxian who is having his betrothal with the Zhou family is also a rare immortal cultivation genius.

The Xu family is truly not simple. In the future, they may truly be able to divide Yuehu Commandery equally with the Zhou family."

Yang Yan murmured.

Yang Zhao's eyes were also full of wonder.

"Brother Xu, won't you say a few words?"

Zhou Shaoyuan looked toward Xu Chuan, who smiled faintly, "I dare not accept the title of master. The Xu family, as one of Yuehu Commandery's aristocratic families, only hopes to develop amicably with all families."

This betrothal banquet let the various families recognize the Xu family's foundation and potential.

Of course, this was only thirty to forty percent of the Xu family's potential.

Things like Xu Mingxian's array Dao, the true spiritual root aptitude of several others in the Xu family, Xu Deyi's talents, and so on were also where the Xu family's potential and foundation lay.

The betrothal was just announcing the relationship between the Xu and Zhou families.

As for the wedding ceremony, Xu Chuan had already negotiated with Zhou Sen to wait another year or so.

The Zhou family also understood that the Xu family must be busy accumulating strength and ascending to become an immortal cultivation family, so they didn't say more and agreed.

Time slowly passed.

Nearly eight months passed in the blink of an eye.

The Zhou family collected over a dozen sets of pill materials and handed them to Xu Chuan for pill refining.

Among the pills Xu Chuan refined, there were low-grade, middle-grade, and even high-grade pills.

The Zhou family was very satisfied.

Xu Chuan was also satisfied, maintaining his usual practice of withholding quite a bit.

The low and middle-grade pills could be sold in other commanderies, while the high-grade ones would be kept for now, for when Xu family members achieved Foundation Establishment in the future.

As for the immortal cultivation market, the Xu family hadn't yet established a shop in Yuehu Market.

First, they still had too few personnel.

Second, Xu Chuan wanted to be more prudent, waiting until their strength advanced further.

However, at the latest when the Xu family officially ascended to become an immortal cultivation family, they would certainly send people to establish a presence in Yuehu Market.

One day, Xu Chuan went to Yuehu Market.

Looking at Yuehu Market, which hadn't changed much, he even felt somewhat nostalgic. However, this visit wasn't for reminiscing but for other important matters.

Yuehu Market, Hundred Refinements Weapon Workshop.

"Is Workshop Master Wu in?" Xu Chuan asked the workshop's apprentice.

"Master is resting, Master Sanshu!"

"You still remember me."

"Of course. I'll go fetch Master right away. Master Sanshu, please wait here for a moment."

The workshop apprentice seemed somewhat excited and immediately went to the workshop's back hall to invite Workshop Master Wu out.

"Fellow Daoist Sanshu, no, now I should call you Grand Elder Xu." Workshop Master Wu cupped his fists with a faint smile, "It's been a while."

"It seems Workshop Master Wu has also heard about my Xu family's affairs."

"The Xu family is so outstanding, who in all of Yuehu Commandery doesn't know about it?"

Workshop Master Wu laughed twice, then stroked his beard, "However, this old man indeed didn't misjudge back then. Fellow Daoist Yunming should be your youngest son, Xu Mingxian, right?"

Xu Chuan nodded slightly, no longer concealing it.

Seeing him acknowledge it, Workshop Master Wu sighed, "Your Xu family truly has limitless prospects. Did Fellow Daoist Xu come to find Wu for something this time?"

"I'd like to invite you to join my Xu family and become our Xu family's weapon Dao guest elder."

Xu Chuan stated his purpose directly.

Workshop Master Wu was slightly stunned, clearly not having anticipated this situation.

"Fellow Daoist Xu is truly frank, but the Zhou family also once invited Wu, and I refused them as well. Does Fellow Daoist think your Xu family can currently offer something that would move my heart?"

Xu Chuan smiled faintly, as if containing heaven and earth within, "Ordinary things naturally wouldn't move you. Since parting ways with you these years, I haven't yet had the chance to congratulate you on stepping into the ninth layer of Qi Refining."

"What's there to congratulate? Isn't Fellow Daoist Xu already at Qi Refining perfection?"

"If you join my Xu family, you will naturally receive corresponding resources, with hope of attempting Foundation Establishment."

"Foundation Establishment?" Workshop Master Wu's eyes revealed a helpless look, "This old man has long given up on that thought. I'm already over ninety years old. Even if I can live to my lifespan's limit, going from early ninth layer of Qi Refining to Qi Refining perfection, even with pill assistance, would take over ten years."

"Low and middle-grade pills naturally have minimal effects, but if using large quantities of high-grade Qi Gathering Pills for cultivation, you could reach Qi Refining perfection in five or six years. At that time, my Xu family can assist you in attempting Foundation Establishment once."

Workshop Master Wu's eyes immediately burst with brilliant light, incredulous as he said, "Assist Wu in attempting Foundation Establishment?"

"Fellow Daoist Xu isn't joking, are you? You would need it more than I would."

"Using spirit medicines to attempt breakthrough has a somewhat low success rate for me. I want to accumulate for another ten or twenty years, waiting until I have better certainty before attempting."

Hearing this, Workshop Master Wu understood that the Xu family helping him attempt Foundation Establishment would be assisted by thousand-year spirit medicines.

However, thousand-year spirit medicines were also extremely precious. Any family would keep them for their own Qi Refining perfection clan members to use.

Although Yuehu Market occasionally had thousand-year spirit medicines appear, each time they were frantically competed for by aristocratic families, and rogue cultivators simply couldn't compete.

Workshop Master Wu had originally given up on thoughts of Foundation Establishment, but now hearing Xu Chuan mention it, this thought seemed to reignite.

Of course, he wouldn't make a decision so quickly.

"If I agree, then my grandson and three apprentices..."

"It's up to their own wishes. If they all join, my Xu family naturally welcomes them. You must have heard that my Xu family wants to ascend to become an immortal cultivation family, but having just started, our number of immortal cultivators is still insufficient.

Joining at this time, my Xu family will focus on nurturing them.

Of course, immortal cultivators must be tested for character. If their character is poor, then even with some talent, my Xu family won't accept them."

Workshop Master Wu nodded slightly, "Let me consider this matter further. I'll reply to Fellow Daoist Xu in a few days."

"That's natural."

Then Workshop Master Wu said, "My actual name is Wu Mingsheng. Fellow Daoist Xu, don't call me Workshop Master Wu anymore."

"Haha, Fellow Daoist Wu."

Xu Chuan cupped his fists with a smile and left before long.

Several days later.

Wu Mingsheng called his three weapon refining apprentices before him, asking, "Your master has something to tell you."

The oldest apprentice, Wu Da, bowed respectfully, "Master, please speak directly."

"After consideration, your master plans to join the Xu family and become a guest elder of the Xu family. What are your thoughts? Are you willing to go together?"

Wu Da said, "The Xu family, currently the most sought-after in Yuehu Commandery? I heard the Xu family obtained thirty percent of the Su family's foundation, but their own number of immortal cultivators is quite small."

"Master, I'm willing." Wu San said.

Subsequently, the other two also agreed.

"Good." Wu Mingsheng nodded slightly, "Your master will make this clear first. Fellow Daoist Xu once told me that to join the Xu family, one must first pass a test. If you can't pass, the Xu family won't accept you.

You must not harbor resentment."

"Yes, Master."

Two days later.

Everyone from Hundred Refinements Weapon Workshop went to Qingjiang's Dongxi Village.

After the Xu family's examination, Wu Mingsheng's three apprentices had acceptable character, so they were all accepted.

The three of them all had their families destroyed and were found by Wu Mingsheng. Seeing they had immortal cultivation talent, he kept them by his side.

All three took Wu Mingsheng's surname Wu.

Among them, Wu Da and Wu Er had pseudo spiritual root aptitude, while the youngest Wu San had miscellaneous spiritual root aptitude.

Wu Da was already over forty years old, at the peak of the third layer of Qi Refining, barely able to forge middle-grade magical artifacts, though with low success rate.

Wu Er was twenty-seven years old, at the late stage of the second layer of Qi Refining, able to forge low-grade magical artifacts.

Wu San was eighteen years old, at the second layer of Qi Refining, and hadn't yet truly forged a low-grade magical artifact.

As for Wu Shun'an, he was now sixteen years old. With Wu Mingsheng's help, he now had second-rate martial artist strength.

Although unable to forge magical artifacts, he similarly followed Wu Mingsheng in weapon forging.

His weapon forging talent was praised by Wu Mingsheng. Unfortunately, he had no cultivation aptitude, otherwise in the future his mantle might be inherited by him.

Regarding that Hundred Refinements Weapon Workshop, Xu Chuan had Wu Da and Wu Er temporarily manage it, planning to reconstruct it later.

Of course, he also bestowed Barrier Breaking Pills and Essence Nurturing Pills that improved magical power cultivation.

The two were moved to tears with gratitude.

Wu San had some potential and was kept by Wu Mingsheng's side to study weapon Dao with focus.

Xu Chuan sent Xu Deyi to become an apprentice under his tutelage for weapon refining.

Wu Mingsheng was very fond of Xu Deyi and wholeheartedly taught him.

The materials the Xu family had previously accumulated also found their use.

More than a month passed in the blink of an eye.

"The Grand Elder wants to upgrade the Family Head's Ink Flood Dragon Bow to a fine-quality magical artifact?"

Wu Mingsheng examined the Ink Flood Dragon Bow, then raised his eyes to look at Xu Chuan and Xu Mingwei, then pondered.

"High-grade magical artifact, this old man might be able to attempt it. However, for fine-quality magical artifacts, this old man has never yet forged one, mainly because I haven't had large quantities of second-tier materials to practice with."

"This elder will find a way to handle this matter." Xu Chuan stroked his short beard.

Two days later.

Xu Chuan went to the imperial city.

Returning to the Dan Hall again, all past memories flashed before his eyes.

"Elder Sanshu, you've returned from your travels?"

Steward Chen discovered him and immediately came forward with a look of surprise.

"Steward Chen, it's been a long time."

"It has been some years. If not for your life lamp still burning, I would have thought you had perished outside. These years, the profit share from the Divine Sense Pills has all been kept for you by the Chief."

Xu Chuan was quite surprised and immediately cupped his fists, "Many thanks. Is the Chief in?"

"On the third floor." Steward Chen said, "By the way, the Chief took in a true spiritual root personal disciple two years ago. His cultivation talent is excellent, and he also has a wood attribute constitution with considerable potential in pill Dao.

At that time, the Dan Hall was truly lively for a while."

"Thank you for informing me. I'll go see the Chief."

After speaking, Xu Chuan walked toward the third floor.

After sending a sound transmission inside.

Shortly after, the restrictions opened, and a twelve or thirteen-year-old youth appeared before Xu Chuan.

Wearing a green robe with a simple appearance, like a farmer's son, his cultivation was at the second layer of Qi Refining. By the looks of it, he should have just started cultivating not long ago.

"Elder Sanshu, Master asks you to enter."

Xu Chuan nodded slightly and followed behind him. Before long, he saw Daoist Yunding.

Daoist Yunding could be called his benefactor, and Xu Chuan was very grateful in his heart.

Xu Chuan bowed respectfully, "Sanshu greets the Chief."

The youth stood to one side, curiously examining Xu Chuan. After all, from his master's mouth, he had mentioned Xu Chuan many times, saying his pill Dao talent was extremely outstanding.

Daoist Yunding stroked his beard with a faint smile and nodded, "Please sit."

With a wave of his hand, a cushion appeared out of thin air behind Xu Chuan.

Xu Chuan immediately sat cross-legged.

"Not having seen you for several years, Fellow Daoist Sanshu has actually reached Qi Refining perfection. This progress is truly quite fast." Daoist Yunding said, "This is my newly accepted personal disciple, Wei Dao."

"Young Friend Wei has entered the second layer of Qi Refining shortly after beginning cultivation. This aptitude is excellent. I heard he has a wood attribute constitution?"

"Indeed, but it's not that remarkable a constitution, just an affinity with plants and some sensitivity to medicinal property changes."

Xu Chuan smiled faintly, "We pill refiners happen to need precisely this kind of sensitivity. Congratulations to the Chief on accepting an outstanding successor to your mantle."

"My young disciple is still immature and needs your guidance."

"With the Chief here, my meager attainments would just make a fool of myself."

"Still so modest." Daoist Yunding shook his head with a smile, "How long do you plan to stay at the Dan Hall this time?"

"I can't stay more than a few days." Xu Chuan said, "Regarding this matter, please forgive me for my concealment."

"Concealment?"

"My true name is Xu Chuan, from a small family in Yuehu Commandery. To seek development for my family, I traveled under the guise of a rogue cultivator.

Now my Xu family's ascension to an immortal cultivation family is imminent, and I fear I won't have time to attend to the Dan Hall's matters. Please forgive me, Chief."

Hearing this, Daoist Yunding fell silent. After a moment, he sighed deeply, "So that's how it is. No wonder you were unwilling to completely bind yourself to my Dan Hall. Behind you are numerous family descendants, which is indeed unavoidable.

But the path of aristocratic families is not easy to walk. There are many life-and-death struggles. Although my Dan Hall's reputation is usually useful, if the opponent is determined to perish together with your family, this reputation won't be useful.

Moreover, my Dan Hall is a neutral force and absolutely does not participate in aristocratic family disputes."

"I understand. I came today to return the Dan Hall Elder token. No matter what happens to my Xu family in the future, we absolutely won't implicate the Dan Hall."

Daoist Yunding waved his hand, "That's not necessary. I invited you to join the Dan Hall purely because I valued your pill refining achievements. This has nothing to do with which family you come from."

"Of course, if you don't refine pills for my Dan Hall, then don't expect to receive your stipend." Daoist Yunding joked again.

Xu Chuan smiled, cupping his fists, "Many thanks, Chief."

"This time coming to the imperial city shouldn't just be to visit this old man at the Dan Hall, right?"

"The Chief is wise. The family needs some spirit medicines and some weapon refining materials. My Xu family has just started, and I'm the only one with some connections, so I had to come to the imperial city to try my luck."

"For this matter, you can have Steward Chen handle it. He's responsible for my Dan Hall's miscellaneous affairs and often deals with various aristocratic families and forces. The expenses can be deducted from your Divine Sense Pill profit share. If it's not enough, you can make up the difference yourself."

Daoist Yunding said, "Additionally, since you've decided not to be at the Dan Hall year-round, many Dan Hall elders have complaints about your profit share. So starting this year, your share will be canceled. Do you have any problems with that?"

"I'll follow the Chief's arrangements in everything." Xu Chuan smiled faintly.