Chapter 159: Yuehu Martial Alliance, Fourth Generation Born

The landscape among Yuehu Commandery's martial families changed due to the Chang and Yang families.

Many fifth and sixth-rank martial families banded together, fearing being targeted if isolated.

Numerous families below sixth-rank even formed a faction called the Jade Truth Alliance. The alliance had many innate martial artists and over ten grandmasters.

Although at most early grandmaster stage, even the Chang family at its peak would have to yield three points.

Not to mention that now all fifth and sixth-rank families had greatly declined in strength due to the Su-Zhou battle.

One of the founding families of the Jade Truth Alliance was the Zhong family. Over ten seventh-rank families joined hands, taking advantage of Yuehu Commandery's current chaos to rally many smaller families, forming a considerable force in Yuehu Commandery.

Qingjiang, Dongxi.

Xu Mingyuan received news from Yuehu Commandery, his lips curving into a meaningful shallow smile.

"The Jade Truth Alliance. The Zhong family and other seventh-rank families certainly have courage, rising with the momentum."

Unless there was major warfare, immortal cultivation families basically didn't bother with martial families, since they couldn't obtain useful resources from them, and winning them over would inevitably require offering incentives.

With their own resources already insufficient, how could they be generous enough to support others?

"A force without top-tier experts ultimately won't last long. However, this Jade Truth Alliance has given my Xu family a reminder. Regardless of which commandery city, martial families ultimately comprise the vast majority.

Trying to win them over when war arrives would only be due to coercion, done unwillingly."

Xu Mingyuan's eyes rippled with light, then he went to find Xu Mingwei.

"Mingyuan, you want to establish a force similar to the Jade Truth Alliance?" Xu Mingwei showed a contemplative expression upon hearing this.

"Indeed." Xu Mingyuan nodded, "Led by the Chang and Yang families, first divide and destroy the so-called Jade Truth Alliance, then create a Yuehu Martial Alliance, making the entire martial alliance work for my Xu family.

Of course, the vast majority of martial alliance families won't know our Xu family is secretly controlling it.

Through the martial alliance, our Xu family's harvest of related martial medicinal materials and common spiritual herbs will be several times what it was before, and we might even obtain one or two decent immortal cultivation resources.

For example, the Chang and Yang families also possess rare items we cannot produce.

And my Xu family only needs to provide some martial resources, perhaps not even one-tenth of what they offer up."

Pausing, Xu Mingyuan continued, "Most importantly, if in the future we also reach the 'Su-Zhou' stage with the Zhou family, this Yuehu Martial Alliance definitely won't be won over by forces other than ourselves."

"Of course, I also believe the Zhou family will definitely not be our Xu family's match in the future. This is just preparing for rainy days."

After a brief moment, Xu Mingwei's eyes looked at Xu Mingyuan, saying, "Good. We'll do as you say, but we must insert our Xu family's covert operatives into the martial alliance."

"This is inevitable."

"However, initially we'll need Father's help to refine large batches of martial pills. Relying on third sister-in-law alone probably won't be enough."

"About this matter, I'll speak with Father shortly."

"Much obliged, eldest brother." Xu Mingyuan cupped his hands and soon left Xu Mingwei's study.

After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Xu Mingwei went to Jade Cold Pool.

First, to inform Xu Chuan of this matter, and second, to discuss Xu Dezhao's marriage.

Two days ago, Xu Dezhao had already stepped onto the immortal path.

Xu Mingwei followed Xu Chuan's suggestion and ultimately didn't insist on having Xu Dezhao walk the same path as him.

Now that immortal cultivation resources weren't lacking, directly transitioning to the immortal path meant even reaching fifth layer of Qi Refining perfect stage, and after becoming familiar, he could break through to sixth layer of Qi Refining with pills.

True spiritual root aptitude cultivated quickly, and subsequent bottlenecks didn't need to be slowly polished like ordinary cultivators. He could push straight through to Qi Refining perfect stage.

"Mingyuan's idea is good. However many martial pills you need, just tell me the number. Handle Dezhao's matter as you see fit."

"Yes, Father."

Several days later.

News spread from Dongxi that Xu Dezhao would have his grand wedding in two months.

Aside from Xu family vassal families, only a few families received invitations.

It wasn't a family alliance marriage, just a junior's wedding.

If they grandly invited all of Yuehu Commandery's families every time, they'd be laughed at.

As for inviting the Chang and Yang families, naturally it was also to use the invitation as a pretext to discuss the "Yuehu Martial Alliance" matter with them.

There was also the Soul Prohibition.

Xu Chuan had already mastered it, and after testing, it caused no harm to people. This time, taking advantage of the wedding when people came to celebrate, he could set the prohibition.

The Xu family sealed all of Dongxi with the mist array, once again developing in a low-key manner.

Over a month after Xu Dewen broke through to sixth layer of Qi Refining, Xu Dezhao also became a Qi Refining sixth layer cultivator.

Time flew by.

In the blink of an eye, Xu Dezhao's wedding day arrived.

All of Dongxi seemed to become an ocean of excitement, filled everywhere with joyous laughter.

"Eldest brother, congratulations on your marriage with Sister Qingyi." Xu Dejing cupped his hands.

Xu Dezhao nodded slightly, "Thank you, Dejing. You and Wu Tao won't be far behind, right? I heard from Second Uncle that you'll also marry Wu Tao when you turn eighteen."

After speaking, he glanced at Wu Tao.

Wu Tao had already broken through to fourth layer of Qi Refining. Seeing the unusual look in Xu Dezhao's eyes, he immediately became somewhat flustered.

As for Shen Qingyi, his feelings had long been set aside.

Those two were indeed a match made in heaven. Why should he forcibly insert herself and cause himself pain?

Looking at Xu Dejing, sweetness also arose in his heart.

She already had a good girl by his side. Why disappoint her?

Xu Dejing's face flushed with embarrassment upon hearing this, her ears slightly red. She bit her teeth, saying, "I won't speak with eldest brother anymore."

Speaking thus, she pulled Wu Tao's sleeve corner and walked away.

Wu Tao smiled faintly, also cupping his hands in congratulation before leaving.

"It seems Dejing has fallen for Wu Tao."

Shen Qingyi smiled shallowly, "Wu Tao, like this concubine, has been nurtured by the entire Xu family since childhood, so he's naturally excellent."

After a group of people came in making a commotion, in the blink of an eye only the two of them remained alone in the bridal chamber.

On the rosewood table a zhang away, a gilded candle holder held an arm-thick dragon and phoenix candle. The left candle had a coiled dragon spitting pearls, the right candle a flying phoenix holding flowers. It could burn until dawn, symbolizing 'eternal brightness.'

One could also fight until dawn.

The entire room used deep red as its main tone. The curtains, bedding, and window decorations all adopted the "Five Bats Embracing Longevity" pattern in Suzhou embroidery, glowing with coral luster under candlelight.

Red silk wound around the beams, golden hooks suspended the curtains, the entire room filled with rosy joyous colors.

The bed was spread with a brocade quilt depicting mandarin ducks playing in water. Sichuan-embroidered phoenixes nested with intertwined necks on the crimson satin surface, the quilt corners adorned with pearl tassels that rolled with soft light at the slightest touch.

A dark red gauze canopy hung over the bed top, its edges embroidered with intertwining lotus flowers.

At the four corners of the bed hung gilded incense spheres, releasing the lingering scent of agarwood and storax.

"Pop~"

The candle flower suddenly burst with a soft sound, causing ripples in both their hearts.

"Wife, let us rest."

At this moment, Shen Qingyi's cheeks showed a camel-red color that spread to her ears, making them completely red.

She nodded with lowered brow, her voice like a mosquito's whine.

A wordless night.

Night ended, day broke.

Summer departed, winter arrived.

In the blink of an eye, half a year passed.

The "Jade Truth Alliance" that once had incomparable prominence in Yuehu Commandery city crumbled.

The Zhong family and two other top seventh-rank families that first started it were destroyed.

Most of the martial families from the original "Jade Truth Alliance" turned to join the "Yuehu Martial Alliance," led by the Chang and Yang families.

However, after the "Yuehu Martial Alliance" was established, it also showed no intention of devouring other families, keeping a low profile and developing quietly.

Nevertheless, other allied families remained cautious. At the slightest disturbance, they would unite with other family forces to suppress the "Yuehu Martial Alliance."

The "Yuehu Martial Alliance" gave them no opportunity whatsoever.

The commandery city welcomed a relatively peaceful period.

Before anyone knew it, Xu Chuan's sixtieth birthday arrived. However, he had no intention of holding a grand celebration, merely eating a family banquet and accepting blessings from his children and juniors.

Over a year later.

Xu Dezhao had a son, named Xu Chonghui.

The Book of Changes' Mingyi hexagram once stated, A superior man, in dealing with the masses, uses obscurity yet remains enlightened.

"Hui" was homophonous with "wisdom," concealing the idea of great wisdom appearing foolish.

When Xu Chonghui was born, Xu Chuan noticed the genealogy stirring. Sweeping it with divine sense, he found a fourth page had directly appeared, and unlike before, it didn't require blood to be recorded.

Now Xu Chonghui's information appeared directly on the fourth page.

"Could it be that last time when the Xu family advanced to an immortal cultivation family, fortune enveloped us and the genealogy improved?"

[Xu Chonghui: Xu Family Fourth Generation]

[Age: One]

[Spiritual Root: All five elements present, miscellaneous spiritual root aptitude]

[Talent: None]

[Bloodline: Ninth-rank top tier (Pseudo Fire Virtue Bloodline)]

[Realm: None]

"Ninth-rank top tier? Just one step away from becoming a Fire Virtue Bloodline?"

Xu Chuan pondered briefly, "Perhaps it's due to [Qi and Blood Furnace] that Dezhao's descendant's bloodline hasn't thinned but instead advanced further."

"Miscellaneous spiritual root aptitude is also quite good. Once the Innate Five Elements Creation Art is perfected, he can directly step onto the immortal path like Mingxian, without needing to wait for spiritual root purification.

Moreover, with this top-tier martial bloodline, his martial cultivation speed won't be much slower than Dezhao's."

Before long, the fourth generation's fate talent gestated.

This was also what Xu Chuan focused on most.

"[Copper Skin Iron Bones], [Moon's Cold Bright Yin], [Withering and Flourishing Life and Death], [Tempered Through Thousand Refinements]. Only four talents this time?"

Xu Chuan pondered. He also couldn't control the birth of the genealogy's fate talents.

After a brief moment, he was about to examine them carefully.

Xu Dezhao brought Chonghui over, and Xu Mingwei, Bai Jing, and others also came.

"Grandfather, you hold Chonghui too."

Xu Chuan smiled slightly, nodded, and received Xu Chonghui, examining him carefully.

After crying, he was now sleeping sweetly.

"Little Hui." Xu Chuan played with him a bit, smiling in praise, "He's blessed and has good aptitude too."

He looked at Xu Dezhao, joking, "Your grandfather has five children, and your father also has you five siblings. Let's see if you can continue this tradition."

Xu Dezhao rubbed his head, smiling bitterly, "Grandfather, you're making things difficult for me. Having children isn't something you can have just by wanting, and immortal cultivators have more difficulty producing offspring than mortals.

Look, Fifth Aunt still hasn't had any news."

Everyone looked toward Xu Mingxian and his wife.

At this moment, Zhou Zongni suddenly said, "A few days ago, I already sensed life force. It was just beginning, so I didn't tell anyone. I was planning to wait another month."

Xu Mingxian was also surprised.

"Good, good, good!" Bai Jing's face was full of smiles, "Mingxian will also have descendants. From now on, you must also shoulder a father's responsibilities."

"Yes, Mother."

Xu Mingxian cupped his hands, then took Zhou Zongni's hand, caressing it twice, softly saying, "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I truly only just sensed it, and besides, doesn't husband now know?"

The two smiled at each other.

"Congratulations, fifth brother."

Xu Mingwei, Xu Mingyuan, and others all congratulated Xu Mingxian.

"There's truly been one joyous event after another recently. In another two months, Jing'er will also marry Wu Tao. My husband and I have discussed it and set the date for the tenth of the fifth month."

Xu Chuan calculated with his fingers, nodding with a smile, "It's an auspicious day."

After the excitement, each family returned to their own courtyards.

Xu Chuan returned to his bedroom and only then examined the fourth generation's various fate talents.

[Copper Skin Iron Bones]: When martial arts reach the utmost realm, one can directly withstand the might of spells, or even magical artifacts, while possessing unparalleled strength.

[Moon's Cold Bright Yin]: Women possessing this talent will have constitutions tending toward yin cold. Cultivating yin-attribute or cold-attribute cultivation methods will yield progress by leaps and bounds.

[Withering and Flourishing Life and Death]: Can control the life force of surrounding plants. Between withering and flourishing, can promote growth or promote withering. Can also make oneself wither or flourish, either rejuvenating or maintaining youthful appearance despite white hair.

[Tempered Through Thousand Refinements]: Enhances magical artifact refinement talent, improving as magical artifact refinement mastery advances.

"Copper Skin Iron Bones, a martial body refinement talent. Its power goes without saying. Moon's Cold Bright Yin improves cultivation attribute class. In later stages, it should form special constitution bloodlines.

Since it's already indicated as most suitable for women, I'll find someone among the third or fourth generation."

"Withering and Flourishing Life and Death not only controls plants' life force but can also control the withering and flourishing of life. It should be a divine ability class talent. If I can use this to create a spell technique, its power will surely be astonishing. Reaching the extreme might even affect lifespan."

Xu Chuan didn't hesitate much and bestowed it upon himself.

Of course, this fate talent couldn't show effects overnight. It still required Xu Chuan's own research, and the range for controlling plant life force also needed him to improve.

"Tempered Through Thousand Refinements is undoubtedly an magical artifact refinement talent, improving as magical artifact refinement mastery advances. Could it be similar to 'once certified, forever certified'? A lower-tier version?"

Xu Chuan's brow furrowed slightly.

Simply put, once one's magical artifact refinement mastery reached the level of refining low-grade magical artifacts, thereafter when refining low-grade magical artifacts, whether speed, success rate, or quality would all improve.

It just couldn't possibly rely on this talent to achieve one hundred percent refinement. The foundation was still one's own magical artifact refinement mastery.

Additionally, it couldn't reach the level of exceeding ranks, but if magical artifact refinement mastery advanced to superior-grade magical artifacts or top-grade magical artifacts then one could refine superior products among superior-grade and top-grade magical artifacts.

The further along, the greater the enhancement in the magical artifact path!

For the other talents, Xu Chuan might need to wait or consider before bestowing them on others but for this fate talent, Xu Chuan immediately decided on the recipient—Xu Deling.

The Xu family's strongest genius in the truest sense, who was now learning magical artifact refinement from Wu Mingsheng. In nearly three years, she could already stably refine low-grade magical artifacts.

Her success rate was higher than all three of Wu Mingsheng's disciples.

She proceeded steadily without rushing to learn refining middle-grade magical artifacts, but continued researching low-grade magical artifacts, learning to refine other types of low-grade magical artifacts.

This even made Wu Mingsheng look at her with new eyes, saying her future magical artifact refinement mastery would definitely surpass his own.

Lower-grade magical artifacts refined by Xu Deling were already gradually placed on the shelves of the Hundred Refinements Weapon Workshop for sale.

After all, the Xu family didn't have many cultivators and didn't need large quantities of low-grade magical artifacts.

Only robes, defensive items, and special types would be collected into their own treasure vault.

Of course, Xu Mingxiu hadn't yet refined such items.

For Xu Deling to master refining various types of low-grade magical artifacts in a short time was extremely difficult.

With this [Tempered Through Thousand Refinements] fate talent, the improvement for her would be enormous, as it would be for the Xu family.

"Why is husband smiling? Are you happy for Dezhao and the Xu family?" Bai Jing asked curiously.

Xu Chuan heard this and looked over, smiling faintly, "Naturally so."

The next day, he summoned Xu Deling.