Chapter 160: Candidate for Moon’s Cold Bright Yin, "Supreme Yin Moon Splendor Art"

Jade Cold Pool.

Xu Chuan's bamboo house.

"Grandfather, you were looking for me?"

Xu Deling settled into a cross-legged position on the meditation cushion opposite Xu Chuan.

"Early stage of seventh layer of Qi Refining." Xu Chuan smiled faintly, praising her, "Very good indeed, you have not disappointed your grandfather's expectations."

"Thank you, Grandfather."

Xu Deling was now sixteen years old, her body gradually maturing.

Her features were sharp as a frost-tempered blade, her pupils deep black like lacquer, the corners of her eyes slightly upturned with three parts sharpness, her nose suspended like a gallbladder, her lips thin and pale in color. Even without rouge or powder, she naturally possessed an imposing presence.

She wore a crimson gauze narrow-sleeved robe embroidered with gold thread in intertwining branch patterns, her dark hair bound high in a ponytail with madder-colored Wu silk.

Her attire was similar to her aunt Xu Mingshu's.

This was hardly surprising, as she had mostly followed Xu Mingshu since childhood and was naturally influenced by her. However, her features leaned more severe, like a knife's edge, more resembling Xu Mingwei.

Overall, her features resembled Yang Ronghua's, with a beauty that could topple cities and nations.

Extraordinarily graceful, brilliantly unmatched!

"Grandfather summoned me, could it be to arrange a marriage for me as well?" Xu Deling suddenly asked.

"Why would you think that?" Xu Chuan smiled gently.

"Sister Jing was about this age when her marriage was discussed."

"Then do you wish for this?" Xu Chuan naturally followed her line of thought.

Seeing her fall silent, Xu Chuan immediately understood somewhat. This girl probably already had someone she liked in her heart.

Xu Deling had encountered very few men outside the family. Could it be one of Wu Mingsheng's disciples?

They were too old.

Ling'er didn't lack for fatherly love, so there was no need to find a man so much older.

Could it be Wu Shun'an?

He was only a year older than Xu Deling, his appearance was quite outstanding, and he was exceptionally talented, though unfortunately he lacked immortal cultivation aptitude.

"Is it that Wu Shun'an boy?" Xu Chuan feigned anger, "He dares to court my Xu family's pearl! How bold! I'll have Elder Mingsheng break his legs right now!"

"Grandfather, no!" Xu Deling's expression changed as she blurted out.

But seeing Xu Chuan's face showed no real anger, she realized she had fallen into his trap. Her ears slightly reddened as she said, "Grandfather, you're too cunning."

"Truly, grown daughters can't be kept at home."

"Do you really like Elder Mingsheng's grandson?"

Xu Deling seemed to have made up her mind. Her expression firm, she nodded, "Yes, Grandfather."

Xu Chuan sighed deeply, "You've truly caught me off guard."

"With your talent and importance to the Xu family, your future is entirely yours to decide. Like your aunt, free in marriage. Who would have thought your grandfather would invite the wolf into his home. Wu Shun'an is indeed quite decent. It's normal for you, at this age, to experience first love."

"Grandfather will let me have freedom in marriage?"

"What else?" Xu Chuan said, "In our Xu clan, if someone with your level of talent isn't valued, then who can be? A great family clan will have its favorites. Though our Xu family prides itself on being more enlightened than many commandery families, we cannot possibly let all family children do as they please. That would only lead the family to the brink of destruction."

Xu Deling nodded slightly upon hearing this. Children of great families naturally carried pride in their bones due to their birth. Without proper restraint, corruption was inevitable.

"Grandfather, our Xu family is already ten, a hundred times better than other families. This is all thanks to Grandfather."

"Enough flattery. Trying to make Grandfather relent? That's not sufficient!"

"Grandfather, didn't you say you'd let Ling'er make her own choice?"

"That's correct, but there's one condition: you may only take in a husband, not marry out. If you can persuade Wu Shun'an and even Elder Mingsheng, I'll support it. If you cannot, your father won't agree either."

"But Elder Mingsheng has only Shun'an as a grandson. Wouldn't this cut off the Wu family line?" Xu Deling's expression changed.

"Ling'er, in our family's development, we must first consider ourselves. Only when our own interests aren't harmed can we consider others." Xu Chuan said flatly, "If you can't understand this point, then you've truly failed the teachings your father and aunt have given you all these years."

Xu Deling immediately understood she had misspoken. She bowed her head, "I apologize, Grandfather. Ling'er was thoughtless."

As the person with the strongest immortal cultivation aptitude in the Xu family, how could they allow her to marry out?

No great family would permit this.

Seeing her expression, Xu Chuan sighed softly, "Very well. If you can persuade the two of them yourself, I can convince your father to allow one of your children with Wu Shun'an to be adopted into the Wu family to inherit their line. However, Grandfather still advises you to wait until your relationship with Wu Shun'an is absolutely solid before bringing this up. Getting him to marry into our family won't be that easy."

Xu Deling immediately broke into a smile, looking up at Xu Chuan, "Thank you, Grandfather. Ling'er understands."

"From now on, I will definitely put the Xu family first in everything. If I truly cannot be with Brother Shun'an, Ling'er won't engage in childish entanglements."

"Good! This is the proper attitude for Xu family children!"

Xu Chuan nodded slightly, "I called you here for another matter. Recite this prayer once."

Xu Deling immediately complied.

Xu Chuan took the opportunity to bestow [Tempered Through Thousand Refinements] upon her.

"How is your magical artifact refinement study going? Any difficulties?"

Just recite it once?

Xu Deling was somewhat stunned, thinking Xu Chuan had some important instructions.

Nevertheless, she answered, "For offensive magical artifacts and ordinary defensive magical artifacts, I already have about a forty to fifty percent success rate. Currently, I'm learning from Master how to refine low-grade magical artifacts like robes. As for other matters, Elder Mingsheng doesn't know much more. Ling'er plans to learn middle-grade magical artifacts after mastering robe refinement."

"Don't rush." Xu Chuan shook his head slightly, "The more solid your foundation, the further you can go in the future."

"The Xu family can still support materials for low-grade magical artifacts. Right now, the clan doesn't need too many middle or upper-grade magical artifacts, so what you need to do is settle your mind and lay a solid foundation in the Dao of artifacts."

"The Dao Repository Tower isn't completely finished yet, but you can go find your father. Tell him it's my order to have him copy all the magical artifact refinement texts the Xu family has collected for you. You can study them thoroughly."

"But wouldn't that take an extremely long time?" Xu Deling was somewhat puzzled.

"Don't worry. The Xu family should be relatively stable for the next ten-plus years. You can research at ease. As for cultivation, Grandfather will prioritize providing you with high-grade Qi Gathering Pills so your cultivation speed won't slow down."

After a moment's thought, Xu Deling no longer declined. She cupped her hands, "Ling'er will respectfully follow Grandfather's words."

"That's all for now. For the rest, just find your father."

"Yes, Grandfather."

Xu Deling left the bamboo house. She still didn't know that from this moment, she possessed magical artifact refinement talent that many refiners could only dream of.

Later, when she discovered this, she thought it was the result of steady accumulation. Only when she later refined middle-grade and upper-grade magical artifacts did she realize her extraordinary nature.

When Xu Deling came to request magical artifact refinement texts, Xu Mingwei naturally wouldn't refuse. Even without Xu Chuan's instructions, it would have been the same.

In the blink of an eye, it was the tenth day of the fifth month.

The grand wedding of Xu Dejing and Wu Tao.

The Wu family had been equally joyful these past few days. Though it wasn't as grand as when the Shen family's daughter married Xu Dezhao, Xu Dejing was still the Xu family's eldest daughter. The mere matter of marrying in was naturally ignored by them.

After all, the Wu family didn't need Wu Tao to inherit the family business.

Over these ten-plus years, even nephews had been born, and two younger siblings had been added. The family could be considered flourishing.

As the father-in-law, Xu Mingyuan naturally couldn't slight the Wu family. He selected two with decent bone structure to join the Xu family cultivation program.

Eight months later.

Xu Mingxian and Zhou Zongni gave birth to a daughter, named Xu Deyue.

Yue, meaning moon, had the brilliance of moonlight, the pure cold of the Vast Cold Palace.

[Xu Deyue: Xu Family Third Generation]

[Age: One]

[Spiritual Root: All Five Elements present, Pseudo Spiritual Root]

[Talent: None]

[Bloodline: Ninth Grade Bloodline, Pseudo Water Bloodline]

[Realm: None]

"Water Bloodline. Indeed, families with long heritage will have special bloodlines to varying degrees. Kan Water belongs to Yin, quite suitable for the [Moon’s Cold Bright Yin] talent."

Xu Chuan pondered inwardly, temporarily listing Xu Deyue as the first candidate for this destiny talent.

"Coincidentally, the Su family's Dao Repository also contains a Foundation Establishment technique that includes Qi Refining called 'Supreme Yin Moon Splendor Art.' It's a top-tier cold Yin-attribute technique."

Judging by its name, it should be an ancient cultivation technique. He estimated the Su family likely discovered it in some ancient cultivator's cave dwelling.

Having obtained the Su family's Dao Repository, the Xu family's foundation had greatly strengthened.

If they had relied only on their own collection efforts, it would likely have taken decades or even a century to accumulate what the Su family had.

Other Qi Refining families only knew the Xu family had obtained thirty percent of the Su family's foundation, but they didn't know the Xu family had copied all of the Su family's Dao Repository.

This was actually far more precious than thirty percent of their foundation.

After all, a Dao Repository could be passed down through generations, while resources, if consumed without replenishment, would only last two or three decades at most.

With the Su family's Dao Repository, the Xu family members could learn vastly more techniques.

Over these two years, Xu Chuan had mastered several high-grade techniques, and had also covered middle and low-grade Five Elements types.

With [Heaven Rewards Diligence] and powerful divine consciousness, even high-grade techniques weren't difficult. At most, it took one or two months to master one.

Others selected techniques most suitable for themselves to learn.

Xu Deyue's full moon celebration.

The Xu family naturally invited the Zhou family, their in-laws. However, only about ten people from the Zhou family came, such as Zhou Zongni's parents, her elder brother and sister, and Zhou Sen.

After Zhou Sen arrived, he stubbornly stayed at the Xu family for half a month before returning to the Zhou family.

During this time, he constantly sought Xu Chuan's guidance on the pill Dao.

With Zhou Sen's obsession with the pill Dao, there was still hope he could stably refine second-grade pills.

After all, they couldn't possibly have the Xu family control all cultivation resources for their ancestor in the future. This wasn't what the Zhou family wanted.

Xu Chuan understood this clearly.

Moreover, the resources he traded with the Zhou family likely couldn't satisfy the needs of the Zhou family's ancestor, Zhou Qingfang.

The accumulation of power was secondary. For Zhou Qingfang, the faster he reached the peak of early Foundation Establishment, the earlier he could seek methods to break through the bottleneck.

Originally, cultivating on his own would take over thirty years to reach the peak of early Foundation Establishment.

If he couldn't break through the bottleneck, his achievements would end there.

With Xu Chuan providing True Essence Pills, the time to accumulate magic power could be shortened to within twenty years.

After all, it also took considerable time for the Zhou family to collect pill formula materials.

Of course, what Xu Chuan had them collect were only materials. As for the actual pill formula, he wouldn't inform the Zhou family. For them to deduce the real formula from just the materials would be impossibly difficult!

This was partly because some materials were precious and couldn't be used for extensive experimentation.

"These past days, thank you for Fellow Daoist Xu's guidance. This old one has benefited greatly." Zhou Sen cupped his hands.

"Elder Zhou Sen is too kind." Xu Chuan smiled lightly, then suddenly changed the subject, "But this isn't what the Zhou family wants, is it?"

"How about we make another trade between our two families?"

Zhou Sen's brow furrowed upon hearing this.

"What trade?" Zhou Sen asked.

Xu Chuan smiled, "Why must Elder Zhou Sen pretend ignorance? I know your Zhou family must have reservations about me controlling your ancestor's cultivation. Any great family clan would be displeased with this in the long run. You're only forced to accept it due to limitations in pill Dao attainment."

"Additionally, Elder Zhou Sen has been trying to deduce the True Essence Pill formula, haven't you?"

Seeing Xu Chuan lay it bare, Zhou Sen stroked his beard and laughed, "Fellow Daoist Xu's gaze is piercing, your mind meticulous as silk. This old one admires you!"

"Indeed, under our ancestor's directive, this old one has been attempting pill refinement based on the materials you had our Zhou family collect, trying to deduce the formula. However, none have succeeded. Without knowing the proportions of each material, trying to research the correct formula would require massive amounts of True Essence Pill materials for study. Unfortunately, this is nothing but a pipe dream for our Zhou family."

Xu Chuan said calmly, "The True Essence Pill formula is indeed precious. Probably only third-rank or higher families in the Imperial City possess it, and not every family has a pill refiner capable of refining True Essence Pills."

Zhou Sen remained silent, quietly listening.

"The Dan Hall is backed by the Great Wei imperial clan, so they naturally have various common pill formulas."

"But Fellow Daoist Xu, you must have sworn a Dao heart oath when learning such formulas. You surely can't betray your oath to teach me?"

"That indeed I cannot." Xu Chuan smiled gently, then continued, "However, I accidentally discovered a formula similar to True Essence Pills. It has sixty to seventy percent of True Essence Pill's efficacy, yet each formula portion requires only one-third of the True Essence Pill's materials. Elder Zhou Sen should know what this means."

Xu Chuan had already planned this step when he first made the trade with the Zhou family.

After all, everyone has a greedy heart that desires more.

The Zhou family's ancestor lacked pills to advance his Foundation Establishment magic power, so he would gladly agree to trade with the Xu family.

However, as time passed and greed grew insatiable, thoughts would arise that cultivation still wasn't fast enough.

Controlling the Zhou family ancestor's cultivation resources was only Xu Chuan's first step. His real goal was this Foundation Establishment powerhouse himself.

"What does Fellow Daoist Xu want?"

Zhou Sen's expression grew solemn. What Xu Chuan offered was truly tempting, forcing one to think deeply.

"A promise from your Zhou family's ancestor, and part of the Zhou family's Dao Repository."

"What promise? Which parts of the Dao Repository?"

"I want your Zhou family's ancestor to promise that during his lifetime, unless my Xu family actively invades the Zhou family, he will not take action against my Xu family, and he promises to protect my Xu family. As for the Dao Repository, aside from your Zhou family's own lineage transmissions, my Xu family can select portions we need."

"After all, my Xu family is just starting out. Our accumulation in this area is quite weak. Even though we obtained the Su family's Dao Repository, more is always better in such matters. Most of the time we may not need it, but perhaps in decades or a century it will have its use."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Sen fell silent again.

Although the ancestor had said to treat the Xu family courteously unless there was a life-or-death enmity, circumstances were unpredictable. Changes could occur in just one or two decades.

Now the Xu family wanted the ancestor's sworn promise. Once made, unless the ancestor didn't care about his own Dao path, he absolutely couldn't violate it.

As for the Dao Repository, the Xu family had obtained the Su family's centuries of Dao Repository, yet still wanted the Zhou family's.

Their vision was clearly far-reaching, already looking toward the future.

A Dao Repository represented foundation and heritage. Though not everything was useful, as Xu Chuan said, who knew when it might have purpose.

For example, the Dao of artifacts, the Dao of talismans, or special immortal cultivation techniques.

Once a related genius appeared in the clan, the Zhou family could potentially gain another lineage transmission.

Like him, having considerable achievements in the pill Dao. Since growing to his current level, aside from researching his own pill Dao, he vigorously cultivated the Zhou family's own pill refiners. Once this could be continued and passed down generation after generation, the Zhou family might even be called a pill Dao family in the future.

Xu Chuan's cultivation of Zhang Wanqing followed the same plan.

"This matter is significant. I cannot decide, but this old one will convey your thoughts to our ancestor."

After a pause, Zhou Sen continued, "Speaking personally, this old one hopes our Zhou family and your Xu family can mutually benefit and support each other, walking forward together."

"This is also my wish." Xu Chuan cupped his hands.

With that said, Zhou Sen rose into the air. At the Dongxi boundary marker, with the patrol guard's escort, he exited the mist array.

Then, flying on his sword, he transformed into an ink-green streak of light, heading toward the distant sky.

Xu Chuan dared propose this trade because he had thoroughly understood the Zhou family's current attitude toward the Xu family.

The Xu family was wary of the Zhou family, and the Zhou family seemed to be the same, their actions everywhere showing courtesy, as if deliberately befriending and investing.

This was the smart approach.

Actions filled with plunder and slaughter ultimately had limited growth.

If today you coveted someone's opportunities, forcibly seizing or even exterminating their clan, tomorrow when you weakened, you would inevitably be surrounded and attacked by others.

The Su family was a stark example.

What use was it to be glorious in Yuehu Commandery city for one or two hundred years?

In the end, weren't they exterminated, with no one knowing if any bloodline even remained?

Everyone had their own scales in their hearts, whether common folk or immortal cultivators.

If it was a family with whom they normally had good relations and to whom they owed favors, even if a Dao conflict occurred, most wouldn't be so ruthless as to eliminate all bloodlines.

Because circumstances were unpredictable, they also hoped others wouldn't do this to them in the future.

Though immortal cultivation was contending against heaven for life, against people for life, a path that defied heaven, one still left room.

"Sixty to seventy percent probability. If successful, the Xu family will have no worries in Yuehu Commandery for a hundred years and can gradually shift our gaze beyond Yuehu Commandery."

With a stable rear, the Xu family's development could proceed unobstructed.

Xu Chuan's vision encompassed all commanderies of the Great Wei.

…

Yuehu Commandery.

Zhou family.

As soon as Zhou Sen returned, he went to find Zhou Shaoyuan. Zhou Shaoyuan smiled faintly, "Elder Zhou Sen, did you gain anything from this trip to the Xu family?"

"Naturally, I did. Fellow Daoist Xu's pill Dao is profound. Five or six years ago, I could still glimpse his level, but now he gives me an unfathomable feeling."

"The deeper his pill Dao, the more beneficial for our Zhou family. It's just unfortunate he's not our Zhou family's pill refiner. If our Zhou family had someone like him, we could aspire to become a third-rank, even second-rank family."

Zhou Sen nodded slightly, "Family Head, come with me to find our ancestor. This old one has important matters to discuss."

"Important matters?"

"Concerning the future of both our Xu and Zhou families, and also concerning the pattern of Yuehu Commandery."

Seeing Zhou Sen's solemn expression, Zhou Shaoyuan pondered. He believed Elder Zhou Sen wouldn't speak such words without reason.

After a moment, he looked up seriously, "Very well, I'll go with you."

The Zhou family ancestor's secluded cultivation chamber.

Hearing the sound, Zhou Qingfang awoke from meditation. Looking toward the chamber door, his eyes briefly contemplated, then he waved his sleeve, sending a beam of light into the restriction light barrier.

Shortly after, the restriction light barrier dissipated and the great door slowly opened.

After Zhou Sen and Zhou Shaoyuan entered, the great door closed again and the restriction light barrier reactivated.

"Ancestor."

Zhou Shaoyuan and Zhou Sen both cupped their hands in salute to Zhou Qingfang.

"No need for formality. Sit."

Two meditation cushions appeared out of thin air on the floor. The two didn't hesitate, thanking him with cupped hands before settling into cross-legged positions.

"What matter brings you here?"

Zhou Qingfang looked at Zhou Shaoyuan, having assumed this family head sought him for something.

However, Zhou Shaoyuan turned his gaze toward Zhou Sen.

Zhou Qingfang looked at Zhou Sen in surprise, "You have something?"

After a moment, Zhou Sen sighed, "Xu Chuan has proposed another trade."

"Another trade?" Zhou Shaoyuan's expression grew grave, his brow furrowing, seemingly dissatisfied, "Could it be an excessive demand?"

"Not so." Zhou Sen said.

"What has he set his sights on in our Zhou family?" Zhou Qingfang said thoughtfully.

"Hmm? How dare Xu Chuan be so presumptuous, his greed insatiable?!" Zhou Shaoyuan immediately said angrily, "It hasn't been that long, and he already wants to make excessive demands!"

"Shaoyuan, don't be hasty. Let Zhou Sen finish."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Shaoyuan realized he had been impulsive. He immediately cupped his hands toward Zhou Qingfang, "Ancestor, please forgive me. Shaoyuan was rude."

He then fell silent.

Zhou Sen took a deep breath, then looked up directly at Zhou Qingfang, "He has set his sights on you, Ancestor, and on our Zhou family's Dao Repository."

Zhou Qingfang's pupils contracted, revealing a puzzled expression as he pondered, "Such behavior doesn't quite match his usual style."

After a pause, he continued, "On what basis does Xu Chuan dare make such a request?"

"Ancestor, you also know that Xu Chuan's True Essence Pill formula comes from the Dan Hall and cannot be privately taught to others. However, he possesses a formula similar to True Essence Pills. Though it only has sixty to seventy percent efficacy, it requires only one-third of the True Essence Pill formula's materials."

"Though I haven't seen it, I imagine the refinement difficulty will be lower than True Essence Pills, making it very suitable for our Zhou family's current situation. If we agree to this, our Zhou family can have Xu Chuan teach this formula, even quickly teach me to refine this pill. In the future, this old one can contribute to your cultivation, Ancestor, without being controlled by the Xu family at every turn."

Zhou Shaoyuan's eyes brightened.

Zhou Qingfang was the Zhou family's protective umbrella. The larger this umbrella, the further the Zhou family could go.

"The Xu family actually has such a formula. Ancestor, we..."

Zhou Qingfang stopped Zhou Shaoyuan from continuing, instead asking Zhou Sen, "Tell me specifically what he wants."

"He wants our ancestor to protect the Xu family during your lifetime, and unless the Xu family actively invades our Zhou family, you cannot take action against the Xu family. As for the Dao Repository, aside from our Zhou family's own lineage transmissions, they can select one or two portions."

Upon hearing these conditions, both Zhou Shaoyuan and Zhou Qingfang fell into deep thought.

They were not only considering how agreeing to these conditions would help the Zhou family, but also considering the benefits the Xu family would gain from this, and moreover, the gains and losses if the Zhou family moved against the Xu family because of this formula.

In the silent chamber, a full incense stick's worth of time passed.

Zhou Shaoyuan's expression changed uncertainly, while Zhou Qingfang's brow alternated between slight furrowing and relaxing.

"Zhou Sen, what is your opinion?" Zhou Qingfang suddenly asked.

"I observe that with this move, Xu Chuan intends to temporarily bind himself to our Zhou family. He should want to develop the Xu family without any worries."

Zhou Sen said, "The Xu family has two heaven-defying talents in Xu Mingwei and Xu Mingxian. Xu Chuan himself is also not to be underestimated. If our Zhou family excludes our ancestor, we only have the advantage of numbers, slightly ahead but unable to form an overwhelming advantage. Once without the ancestor's invisible pressure, the Xu family will have no more worries in Yuehu Commandery."

"Of course, if our Zhou family obtains this formula, our ancestor may potentially break through to middle Foundation Establishment within twenty or thirty years. The stronger the ancestor becomes, the better for the Zhou family's growth."

"Xu Chuan should have considered many factors before proposing this mutually beneficial trade."