Chapter 157: Announcing to Heaven and Earth, Each Family's Foundation

Over three months.

Xu Mingwei broke through the peak of eighth layer of Qi Refining and, with the aid of a superior Breakthrough Pill, advanced to ninth layer of Qi Refining, though he still displayed only eighth layer cultivation.

Xu Mingshu and Xu Mingxuan successively reached the peak of sixth layer of Qi Refining and similarly broke through to seventh layer of Qi Refining with Breakthrough Pills, but only revealed fourth layer standards.

Pills for breaking through bottlenecks, like Divine Sense Pills, also had usage restrictions, but different types of pills could be stacked.

For example, Qi Refining seventh, eighth, and ninth layers could be broken through using superior Breakthrough Pills.

As for the middle three layers' realms, if one's aptitude was insufficient, one could consume superior Barrier Breaking Pills to quickly break through bottlenecks.

However, ordinary immortal cultivators basically only heard of Barrier Breaking Pills and Barrier Breaking Pills were far weaker in effect than Breakthrough Pills.

Yet Barrier Breaking Pills were already extremely precious, rarely sold outside, and even if encountered, they were only ordinary low-grade Barrier Breaking Pills with considerable failure rates when breaking through the seventh layer bottleneck.

Not to mention the eighth and ninth layer bottlenecks afterward.

Conveniently waiting for their time limit to arrive and naturally dying.

The others also made considerable progress. Xu Dezhao had already completed spiritual root purification and was only waiting for the Ascension Celebration to pass before stepping onto the immortal path.

Xu Dewen was currently at the peak of fifth layer of Qi Refining and could break through to sixth layer of Qi Refining at any time.

Zhang Wanqing, while busy with pill refinement and cultivation, maintained roughly the same cultivation speed as Shen Qingyi, a cultivator with miscellaneous spiritual root aptitude, both now at the peak of fourth layer of Qi Refining.

Wu Tao was at the peak of third layer of Qi Refining.

To quickly break through to fourth layer of Qi Refining, with his pseudo spiritual root aptitude, he could only consume Barrier Breaking Pills.

Fortunately, the Xu family did not lack such pills.

If insufficient, Xu Chuan would refine several furnaces himself, enough for the next seven or eight years of use.

After all, a person typically could only consume one Barrier Breaking Pill every few years and the number of Xu family cultivators was still quite small.

Those in the Xu family who walked the martial path also made progress. Xu Dejing had already become a first-rate martial artist and would likely advance to innate by age eighteen.

As for Xu Dewen, he had broken through to innate before last year's ancestral ceremony.

An innate martial artist under sixteen years old would be among the most outstanding martial prodigies in any commandery city.

Earlier than this could only be someone like Xu Dezhao, who possessed both a special bloodline and special martial talent.

Such people were even rarer among various families than true spiritual root talents.

On the eighth day of the second month.

Xu Mingyuan, Xu Mingxuan, and Xu Mingshu accompanied Xu Mingxian to the Zhou family to fetch the bride.

Xu Chuan and Xu Mingwei remained here to receive guests.

The family servants, maids, patrol guards, and protectors all proceeded in orderly fashion, as if they had rehearsed countless times.

They dared not have the slightest negligence at this moment, lest they bring shame to the main family.

If mistakes occurred, they would likely be cursed by countless colleagues poking at their spines.

"Family Head Chang and Grand Elder Chang of the Chang family have arrived!"

"Brother Haowen, please come inside. Someone will lead you to your designated seats."

"Many thanks."

Chang Haowen smiled and cupped his fists. The gifts had already been handed to the gift reception area in front, where people specifically affixed labels to each family's gifts, matching them to their seats.

This celebration naturally wasn't held within the Xu family estate.

Rather, it took place at a spacious area in Dongxi, near the stream, where a thirty-three-step white stone altar platform had been constructed.

Along the central pathway on both sides stood nine-meter-tall stone pillars carved with dragons and phoenixes, their heads atop the columns facing each other.

Every eleven steps had a small plaza.

On the left and right sides were arranged half-zhang-long green tables with two cushions behind each, seating approximately two people together.

The highest area naturally had seats for important figures from the Xu and Zhou families.

The middle was arranged for various Qi Refining families and some martial families.

The lowest level was for commandery families with no relationship with the Xu family, as well as some wealthy merchant families from Qingjiang who had previously dealt with the Xu family.

The Wu family was also among them. They could now only look up to the Xu family.

There were also vassal families.

This wasn't because the Xu family didn't value these vassal families.

Rather, if the other Qi Refining families were all arranged in one place, it would inevitably make people feel the Xu family also considered them vassals, inviting gossip.

"Family Head Yang arrives with his entourage!"

"Father-in-law, brother-in-law, Brother Shidao, you've come. Please, inside!"

The arrivals were Yang Zhao and his son, along with Yang Shidao and Yang Yan, four people in total.

Such an occasion couldn't possibly involve bringing the whole family, which would only invite ridicule.

Several people cupped their fists to each other, then were led by servants to the right side of the middle plaza, positioned just in front of the Chang family.

"Family Head Yang."

"Family Head Chang."

Yang Zhao and Chang Haowen nodded to each other in acknowledgment, then ceased their idle chat.

"Family Head Yuan has arrived!"

"Family Head Huang has arrived!"

One after another, family heads from Qi Refining families arrived.

The seats on the lower plaza gradually filled with more people.

Those from the Zhou family who arrived early also took their seats, most entering the seats on the second-tier plaza.

At the hour of si.

Suddenly, the nine-layered celestial jade ornaments rang out in unison!

"Look quickly, the newlyweds are here!"

Someone shouted, and everyone turned to look toward the horizon.

They saw more than ten streams of colored light cutting across the sky, clouds automatically parting where they passed as the group headed toward the thirty-three white stone altar platform.

In a moment, two figures landed on the red silk carpet at the very bottom of the altar platform, while the others landed on the topmost plaza.

Xu Chuan and Xu Mingwei both rose and cupped their hands, saying, "Family Head Zhou, Elder Zhou Sen, we have been waiting for you."

"Haha, it is our fault for nearly delaying the auspicious time."

"Please sit!"

"Please!"

Maids brought forward a large red embroidered ball with red silk ribbons extending from both ends, each held by Xu Mingxian and Zhou Zongni.

The next moment, the sound of ceremonial music resonated in all directions.

Xu Mingxian and Zhou Zongni slowly ascended the stone steps covered with red carpet.

The cloud patterns on their ceremonial robes floated in the sunlight, and the clear sound of the paired fish jade pendants at their waists clashed together, mingling with the ceremonial music.

Congratulations came from both sides.

When they reached the eleventh-step plaza, the master of ceremonies' voice penetrated the wilderness, "The marriage of Xu and Zhou, a match made in heaven!"

"Bow to heaven and earth!"

The two turned and bowed slightly toward the vast heavens and earth.

Proceeding to the twenty-second-step plaza.

"Show respect to elders!"

Xu Mingwei and the others stepped aside, leaving only Xu Chuan and his wife along with Zhou Shaoyuan and his wife.

Xu Mingxian and Zhou Zongni again bowed slightly upward.

At the thirty-third step.

"Husband and wife bow to each other!"

After the two completed their ceremony, the master of ceremonies' clear voice rang out again, "The ceremony is complete!"

Everyone rose, holding wine cups, toasting from afar toward the thirty-third step, "We all congratulate Young Master Xu Mingxian and Miss Zhou Zongni on their great marriage. May you two enjoy eternal harmony and pursue the immortal path together!"

Xu Chuan also raised his cup, saying, "Thank you all, let us drink this cup together!"

Everyone drained their cups in one go before taking their seats.

"Today is not only my son's grand wedding with Family Head Zhou's daughter but also my Xu family's Ascension Celebration. At noon, the Xu clan will pray to heaven and earth, formally announcing our establishment as an immortal cultivation family.

Afterward, there will be martial and immortal path competitions with small prizes. We hope all families will actively participate."

A martial family head asked, "Elder Xu, I heard the martial competition's first prize is six Grandmaster Martial Pills. What are these pills like?"

Xu Chuan smiled faintly, saying, "The Grandmaster Martial Pills are pills I specifically researched based on martial artist characteristics, similar to the Qi Gathering Pills consumed by cultivators in the late Qi Refining stage. The materials are precious and unique to my Xu family.

They have considerable benefit for grandmasters improving their strength."

"Of course, the Qi Refining families present all have deep foundations and likely possess such pills in their clans. As for which is superior, only those who have consumed both types can make comparisons."

"What about the Divine Sense Pills?" someone from a Qi Refining family asked. "This old one has never heard of such pills."

Zhou Shaoyuan and Zhou Sen both looked at Xu Chuan, not expecting him to be so generous as to offer Divine Sense Pills.

"Divine Sense Pills, as the name suggests, enhance a cultivator's divine sense. They are even effective for Qi Refining perfect cultivators. These pills come from the Great Wei's Dan Hall."

In just a few words, waves stirred in the hearts of all the Qi Refining families present.

"They can actually enhance the divine sense of Qi Refining perfect cultivators?"

"So they're from the Dan Hall, no wonder!"

"These aren't first-grade pills, are they?"

Xu Chuan nodded slightly, "Indeed, these are second-grade pills, and they're difficult to refine, containing multiple second-tier spiritual medicines to have such miraculous effects."

Family Head Yuan's eyes also burned with desire. He glanced at Xu Mingxian, his gaze flickering as he said, "I heard earlier that both competitions only allow participants under thirty-three years old. Although all families present have talents, who can compare with worthy nephew Mingxian?"

Everyone fell silent at these words.

Reaching eighth layer of Qi Refining in one's early thirties, who in Yuehu Commandery or even the surrounding commanderies could compare?

Xu Chuan stroked his short beard, smiling faintly, "You all jest. None of my Xu family's direct members will participate in these two competitions. Otherwise, wouldn't that give the impression of toying with everyone?

The prizes for these competitions are only to thank all families for attending.

May the capable from each family obtain them!"

Only then did everyone feel reassured.

Although some families noticed the Xu family seemed to want to assess each family's talents, regardless of whether it was the Grandmaster Martial Pills personally researched by Master Xu Chuan or the Divine Sense Pills from the Dan Hall that could enhance divine sense strength, all families were tempted.

Even knowing it was bait, they couldn't help but take a bite.

After all, if obtained, it could genuinely improve the strength of clan grandmasters and cultivators.

In the blink of an eye, noon arrived.

All families retreated below the thirty-three white stone altar platform.

Xu Chuan and Bai Jing stood at the very front.

Behind them were Xu Mingwei and his wife, Xu Mingyuan and his wife, Xu Mingxuan and his wife, Xu Mingshu and Xu Mingxian and his wife.

Further back were the Xu family's third generation, divided into five rows, with Xu Dezhao at the head, arranged from left to right in descending order of age.

This was also the first occasion where all Xu family clan members appeared together.

The various Qi Refining families coming today also had the intention of probing the Xu family's foundation.

What the Xu descendants were like naturally held the greatest importance to each family, as this represented whether the Xu family's future could continue its glory.

"That girl is quite good, fifteen or sixteen years old and already at third layer of Qi Refining. She must have miscellaneous spiritual root aptitude."

"Most of the descendants are martial artists. Is it really just coincidence that all five Xu sons have immortal cultivation aptitude?"

"Those other few are recruited rogue cultivators, right? Also all at the third and fourth layers, not much of a threat."

"If the Xu family's first and second generations don't produce Foundation Establishment cultivators, or if they don't subsequently have many descendants with immortal cultivation aptitude, they'll likely decline after a hundred years."

The various Qi Refining families had their own thoughts.

Presiding over this ceremony was Gu Yiping.

"Ascend the altar platform!"

Xu Chuan led the Xu clan members and Xu vassals to begin climbing the steps.

At the same time, Gu Yiping unrolled the prayer text scroll in his hands and slowly recited it.

"Here is the Xu clan, people of Dongxi in Qingjiang, rising from humble beginnings, shouldering hoes under stars for decades, passing down farming and scholarship through the family. Subsequently, with pill heart knocking on the heavenly path, now receiving Great Wei's favor, names inscribed in the pill register, advancing from a dusty mortal clan to an immortal cultivation family, we specially purify ourselves with fasting and burn incense, sincerely reporting to heaven."

Just at this moment—

Contemptuous laughter came from the distant horizon.

Arriving in an instant, three gray-robed, hooded figures appeared, riding on swords.

"What Xu clan, nothing but chickens crying and dogs stealing, putting on airs, false benevolence and false righteousness. We three brothers have come today specifically for revenge. Even if we can't kill your descendants, we'll make your Xu clan lose face!"

The voice carried magical power, like thunder exploding, spreading throughout all of Dongxi.

Everyone revealed astonished expressions, raising their eyes to look but not a single person showed any intention of intervening.

The three acted decisively and ruthlessly, forming hand seals while speaking. Each person cast three or four fireballs, directly dropping them toward the pile of Xu family servants.

After casting their spells, they turned to flee, finding it thrilling.

The three communicated through divine sense.

"Just showing our faces, setting a fire and running, we easily get dozens of spirit stones. This is too profitable."

"But won't this offend the Xu family too deeply?"

"We're leaving Yuehu Commandery immediately. Could the Xu family really have the ability to cover the sky with one hand and hunt us across all of Great Wei's commanderies?"

"Exactly. Only servants will die, not Xu clan core disciples. Do you really think they'll spend great resources to fight us to the death?"

Seeing more than ten fire-element spells about to explode in the crowd.

A flash of lightning appeared, and Xu Mingwei flashed into midair. With just a wave of his sleeve, an overwhelmingly powerful magical force erupted, directly sweeping away more than ten fire-element spells.

They finally exploded sequentially in midair, becoming brilliant fireworks.

No one had expected Xu Mingwei's speed to be this fast.

Zhou Shaoyuan's pupils constricted slightly.

Family Head Yuan's heart grew uneasy.

"Do you think my Xu family is a place where you can come and go as you please?"

The voice transmitted.

The three turned to look and saw their own fire-element spells all exploding in the air, causing their souls to flee in terror.

"What speed is this, covering one or two li in an instant?!"

"Run quickly!"

The Ink Flood Dragon Bow had already appeared in Xu Mingwei's hand.

Seeing him draw the bow, Zhou Shaoyuan's brow twitched, involuntarily recalling the scene from the Su-Zhou conflict when Xu Mingwei shot and killed Su family head Su Yuanze.

"Of all people to provoke, they had to provoke the Xu family!"

He sighed inwardly but also looked around, thinking perhaps the mastermind was among the many Qi Refining families present.

The Xu family was forbearing and low-key, absolutely impossible to provoke rogue cultivators.

Once provoked, they absolutely wouldn't leave them alive.

"Swoosh swoosh swoosh~"

The sound of arrows rang out.

Three arrows fired simultaneously.

In an instant, the three gray-robed figures were all heavily wounded, unable even to maintain flight on their magical artifacts, falling from the air one after another.

Drops of blood gleamed with eerie light in the sunlight.

Xu Mingwei controlled it well, missing their hearts by an inch or two. Though not fatal, the wounds were still severe.

If the three recklessly moved their magical power, the surging force would likely tear their wounds and completely injure their hearts.

Xu Mingwei rode his sword over, condensing magical hands to bind the three and brought them to the foot of the altar platform. He said to Family Head Yuan, "Family Head Yuan, my Xu family still needs to continue the ceremony, so I'll trouble you to help guard them for now.

After announcing to heaven and earth is complete, my father will interrogate them."

Family Head Yuan's brow furrowed slightly, thinking, Why me?

Could it be the Xu family knows this was my Yuan family's doing?

That's impossible?!

"Since Family Head Xu has said so, I'll take on this task. However, these three are so severely wounded, they probably won't last long."

"No matter!"

A contemptuous smile appeared at the corner of Xu Mingwei's lips as he turned and returned to the formation.

Xu Chuan said flatly, "Continue."

The various families weren't fools either. Thinking carefully, they felt there was deep meaning in this.

Zhou Shaoyuan also sneered coldly.

So it was the Yuan family.

Indeed, only the Yuan family here dared have such audacity but how did the Xu family learn the mastermind behind the three so quickly, seemingly knowing already?

Could they have planted an insider in the Yuan family?

But Gu Yiping continued his recitation.

"Tracing our clan source, ancestor Xu Yougong settled in Dongxi, diligently building the family. The legacy's transformation has left descendants with hearts toward the path. Observing our clan fortune, the Xu clan has a son named Chuan who obtained immortal affinity by chance and stepped onto the immortal path."

Xu Chuan ascended to the twenty-second-step plaza.

"Examining our clan virtue, we aid disaster victims with Fasting Pills and slay demons to protect our homeland. Though we have no outstanding achievements, we maintain trickles of goodness."

At this point, Xu Chuan and all core clan members had reached the thirty-third-step plaza.

"Xu clan members, kneel!"

Everyone knelt.

"First, we announce to heaven and earth to witness our sincerity. We do not use arts to seize creation but match immortal affinity with virtue!"

Xu Chuan and the others all kowtowed together.

"Second, we announce to our ancestors to comfort your spirits. Our humble family is now listed in the immortal register, may you smile in the netherworld!"

They kowtowed a second time.

"Third, we announce to the common people to witness our original intention. Though the Xu clan ascends to the cloud realm, we will never forget when Qingjiang's waters were turbid!"

They kowtowed a third time.

"The ceremony is complete!"

With these words, Xu Chuan and the others all rose.

He walked to the forefront of everyone at the thirty-third step, looking down below.

When his voice arose, it was like rolling thunder, spreading in all directions, throughout the mountains and fields, this sound was everywhere.

"I announce that from this day forth, my Xu clan officially becomes an immortal cultivation family of Yuehu Commandery!"

"May all families bear witness!"

With these words, Xu Chuan felt the genealogy in his consciousness suddenly tremble, enveloped by streams of white qi.

Zhou Shaoyuan was the first to cup his fists, saying, "May the Xu family pass down through generations, enjoy continuous blessings, and attain longevity!"

"May the Xu family pass down through generations, enjoy continuous blessings, and attain longevity!"

"May the Xu family pass down through generations, enjoy continuous blessings, and attain longevity!"

The other Qi Refining family members and martial family members successively voiced their congratulations in unison!

The sound broke through clouds and pierced the sky, reaching directly to the ninth heaven!

In a moment, Xu Chuan looked toward Family Head Yuan with a smile, saying, "Family Head Yuan, those three people my son Mingwei captured earlier, are they still alive?"

Family Head Yuan naturally couldn't let them remain alive.

"Unfortunately, they've already died. Otherwise, Elder Xu could still interrogate them."

"Is that so? That truly is a pity." Xu Chuan said, "Does anyone recognize these three?"

"They appear to be three rogue cultivators. I once saw them in the market." A family elder at late Qi Refining said.

"Rogue cultivators." Xu Chuan murmured, then continued, "Family Head Yuan, since these three died in your hands, their corpses shall also be disposed of by you.

These three falsely slandered my Xu family on this important occasion. Remember to grind their bones to dust and scatter their ashes."

The last four words carried especially heavy emphasis.

Family Head Yuan's eyes flickered, seemingly unconcerned, but the informed elder beside him already felt chills down his spine.

"Naturally, these three deserve death!" Family Head Yuan said.

The Xu family didn't want to make too much trouble today. This action was also a warning to the Yuan family.

If there were further actions in the future, today's fate for these three would be the Yuan family's future fate.

Incidentally, this also intimidated the other families.

"Let's not speak of this matter. All of you have come to celebrate my Xu family, so naturally you should enjoy yourselves. Return to your seats. In a quarter-hour, the martial competition will begin."

In the blink of an eye, a quarter-hour passed.

Under Gu Yiping's direction, martial competitions began on the open ground below the altar platform.

One after another, powerful martial artists at the middle and late stages of the innate realm took the stage.

Before long, grandmasters in their early thirties appeared.

Martial family heads shook their heads and sighed one after another. Their foundations could only cultivate innate martial artists.

As for grandmaster martial artists, most relied on their own talent to advance.

Some fifth-rank martial families might have connections to trade for grandmaster martial resources from immortal cultivation families, but most families had no such channels.

Li Zhi soon also took the stage.

As the head of the Li family, a Xu family vassal, he naturally attracted attention from all families.

After defeating one opponent, his next adversary was Zhou Shaocheng.

Zhou Sen stroked his beard and smiled faintly, saying, "Elder Xu Chuan, if the first prize goes to my Zhou family, don't feel bad about your pills."

"Elder Zhou Sen, your grandson is indeed excellent, but Li Zhi is also battle-hardened. Who wins and who loses is hard to say."

"Haha, then let's wait and see."

Everyone watched the two compete with great interest.

Li Zhi first cultivated his family's inherited Dragon Fist, then after advancing to innate, switched to cultivating the Innate Dragon Elephant Formula, having been tempered on the battlefield.

In terms of combat judgment and adaptability, he was naturally more experienced than many family young masters.

After several dozen moves.

Zhou Shaocheng exhausted his various techniques and seemed to begin repeating them. Seeing this, Li Zhi no longer held back. Various profound techniques unfolded in his hands, changing moves continuously, instantly trapping Zhou Shaocheng.

After more than ten moves, the sound of dragons and elephants roared, and Zhou Shaocheng was sent flying on the spot.

"Elder Zhou Sen, I told you the outcome was uncertain." Xu Chuan smiled faintly.

Zhou Sen shook his head helplessly, "My grandson usually spars with guards, but ultimately lacks practical combat experience and life-or-death struggles."

"Li Zhi was once conscripted and participated in the battle with Great Liang over ten years ago."

"No wonder he's so experienced, with no fixed moves yet able to be patient. Shaocheng's loss isn't unjust."

Gu Yiping's voice rang out, "This match, Li Zhi wins."

"Is there another challenger? If after three minutes there's no response, the martial champion will be Li Zhi."

Xu Chuan's gaze darkened slightly as he scanned each family.

An early grandmaster in his early thirties seemed to be the limit of martial talent for Qi Refining families, but those truly possessing outstanding martial aptitude, when cultivated by Qi Refining families, still had a chance of advancing to middle grandmaster stage in their early thirties.

It was just extremely rare.

"I'll go."

In a moment, someone leaped down, arriving before Li Zhi, cupping his fists and saying, "Huang family, Huang Zhenlong. Please instruct me."

Upon first contact, Li Zhi was forced back several steps, surprise showing in his eyes as he said, "Middle grandmaster stage?"

Huang Zhenlong didn't answer. He took a step forward, each move carrying thick innate true qi.

Even with slightly inferior combat experience, relying on the might of innate true qi, he could overcome ten techniques with one force, pressing Li Zhi.

After several dozen breaths, Li Zhi's arms were already trembling slightly. He immediately said, "I concede."

Then he retreated into the crowd.

Chen Daniu came forward and patted his shoulder, saying, "What a pity. Who would have thought there'd still be a middle grandmaster in his early thirties? Otherwise, this championship would have been yours."

Li Zhi smiled faintly, lowering his voice to say, "I was just throwing out a brick to attract jade."

Afterward, there were several more matches, all competitions among middle grandmaster stage martial artists.

"Who would have thought five or six families all have middle grandmasters under thirty-three? The other families should be similar, certainly having one or two middle grandmasters at thirty-five or thirty-six.

Generation after generation like this, the accumulated foundation truly cannot be underestimated."

Finally, the six Grandmaster Martial Pills were claimed by the Huang family.