Chapter 167: Failed Schemes, Steady Progress

"Thank you for your trouble, Second Elder. I now know of this matter and will discuss with the Old Ancestors how to deal with the Wei family."

"Yes, Family Head." The Second Elder cupped his hands. "The Wei family probably doesn't yet know our Feng family has learned of this. If we attack now, we'll definitely catch them off guard and severely damage some of the Wei family's people."

Feng Wande glanced at him and waved to stop him, "Second Elder, no need to say more. The Old Ancestors will make their own decisions on this matter. You should go back and rest first."

The Second Elder's eyes rippled slightly. After bowing slightly, he left the study.

Half an incense stick's time later, Feng Wande flew on his sword to Green Jade Peak.

The Feng family Old Ancestor and Feng Xiuyuan also learned of this news.

"So it's truly real." Feng Xiuyuan sighed slightly, his gaze turning toward the Feng family Old Ancestor.

After a moment of silence, the Feng family Old Ancestor said, "Our Guangling Commandery is ultimately different from Yuehu Commandery. Their families each operate independently with fierce competition, while we haven't had a family extermination incident in nearly two hundred years. I'll make a trip to the Wei family myself and have a showdown with Old Ghost Wei. If he's unwilling, then our Feng family will ensure all of Guangling Commandery has no peace starting tomorrow!"

His words carried ruthlessness and determination!

Feng Wande immediately cupped his hands respectfully, "Respectfully seeing off Old Ancestor."

Then the two were seen flying through the air, disappearing in an instant into the faint clouds and mist.

Ancient scriptures once stated: Those who achieve Foundation Establishment, their qi penetrates the twelve-story tower, azure clouds grow beneath their feet, and they can roam the heavens without relying on external objects.

At this realm, qi permeates the entire body, resonating with heaven and earth. They can ride the void and control the wind, roaming heaven and earth freely without needing to rely on magical artifacts.

Of course, with magical artifact assistance, their speed could naturally be even faster.

Above the Wei family's clan territory.

The Feng family Old Ancestor and Feng Xiuyuan stood in the void, overlooking below.

"Old Ghost Wei, an old friend has come to visit. Won't you come out to meet?"

His voice was mighty, spreading throughout the entire Wei family.

In just a moment, two streams of light flew out from somewhere in the Wei family, arriving before them in the blink of an eye.

Some disciples looked up but could only see their forms without being able to hear clearly what they said.

"That's the Feng family Old Ancestor. Why have they suddenly come to our Wei family? Could they want to attack us?" After pondering briefly, the Wei family head immediately had someone activate the clan protection grand array.

Though this array was only a second-rank low-grade defensive grand array, temporarily blocking Foundation Establishment cultivators wouldn't be too problematic.

Seeing the grand array activate, the Feng family Old Ancestor swept a light glance, not too concerned.

The Wei family Old Ancestor's brow furrowed slightly. "Old Ghost Feng, what are you doing at my Wei family? And bringing a junior too. You're probably not here as a guest, right?"

The Feng family Old Ancestor smiled, "I came to congratulate your Wei family on producing another true spiritual root aptitude genius."

The other middle-aged Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Wei family's eyes showed vigilance, "Whether my Wei family has such a genius has nothing to do with your Feng family, right?"

The Feng family Old Ancestor smiled slightly, "It's irrelevant, but if this person entered the Dan Hall and became the Dan Hall chief's personal disciple, then it concerns my Feng family."

Hearing this, both Wei family Foundation Establishment cultivators' pupils immediately constricted.

"Your Feng family knows?" The Wei family Old Ancestor said, "I suppose so. There's no wind that doesn't leak in this world. My Wei family indeed has someone from a remote county collateral branch taken as a personal disciple by Daoist Yunding. However, he has basically no sense of belonging to my Wei family. Old Ghost Feng, you're worrying unnecessarily."

"Is that so?" The Feng family Old Ancestor said, "Then how about all those present today make an oath? You and I, our two families' conflicts shall not allow other Foundation Establishment forces to interfere. Otherwise, our Dao paths will be severed, and our souls will be tormented daily by inner demons, unable to die peacefully."

As these words fell, the other middle-aged Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Wei family said, "On what basis must we make an oath just because you say so? Do you think my Wei family is an appendage of your Feng family?"

"Wei Changkong, my Old Ancestor is conversing with your Old Ancestor. You have no place to interrupt. If you want to fight, we can go elsewhere for battle. I, Feng Xiuyuan, will gladly oblige."

Seeing his forcefulness, Wei Changkong's face immediately alternated between green and white.

"Changkong, don't be rash." The Wei family Old Ancestor raised his hand.

"Yes, Old Ancestor."

The Wei family Old Ancestor looked at the Feng family Old Ancestor's face. His eyes seemed to carry a kind of resolution. After pondering, he said, "Brother Feng, why must you be like this? You and I, our two families are fine now. In the past century or two, my Wei family has sometimes suppressed your Feng family, and your Feng family has sometimes suppressed us. Though there are conflicts, we've never truly lost our tempers."

"Yes, this is also to suppress others and prevent another Foundation Establishment family from emerging in Guangling Commandery. After all, our Guangling Commandery's resources aren't abundant enough for three Foundation Establishment families to divide equally."

The Feng family Old Ancestor said indifferently, "But now it's different. What kind of force the Dan Hall is, you and I both know. Though it's neutral, behind it stands Great Wei's imperial Cao clan. I've heard this Wei Dao is extremely talented, especially promising in the pill Dao. He'll probably become the Dan Hall's new chief in the future, perhaps even stepping into the Foundation Establishment stage. One promise from him could make quite a few Foundation Establishment families work for him. How can this not worry my Feng family?"

"Brother Feng, you're truly overthinking this." The Wei family Old Ancestor said, "Wei Dao grew up from childhood in a remote county collateral branch. He has no deep sense of belonging to my Wei family."

"Then why did you bring his relatives to the clan and care for them with standards for direct descendants?"

The Feng family Old Ancestor said, "Even if Wei Dao is truly as you say, by caring for his relatives, you're merely trying to use this favor to make him repay you. Brother Wei, for the future peace of both our clans, this oath must be made today. Otherwise, prepare for all-out war. My Feng family must severely damage or even destroy your Wei family before Wei Dao matures. Only then can we be at ease. Ten-some years should be enough for our two families to determine superiority."

The Wei family Old Ancestor's brows locked tight, also extremely angry. "Brother Feng, are you truly insisting on this?"

"Or you can have Wei Dao make an oath to absolutely not interfere in our Guangling Commandery affairs."

The four people's auras all released, colliding with each other in a standoff.

The surrounding space seemed to solidify, terrifyingly quiet, like before a storm.

After a long while, the Wei family Old Ancestor sighed, "Fine. You and I, our two families compete, each relying on our own abilities. We absolutely won't let other Foundation Establishment forces interfere. If we violate this oath, our Dao paths will be severed, and we'll be tormented daily by inner demons!"

The Feng family Old Ancestor smiled lightly, "Brother Wei, this is the best choice for both our families!"

All four Foundation Establishment cultivators made the oath.

Only then did the Feng family Old Ancestor and Feng Xiuyuan leave, returning to Green Jade Peak.

Wei Changkong gritted his teeth unwillingly, "Old Ancestor, this is too stifling."

"So what if it's stifling? Old Ghost Feng has already resolved to die. If we didn't agree, in the upcoming all-out war, my Wei family couldn't bear it. Even if we luckily won, you and I would definitely lose one person, perhaps even both die. My Wei family's enormous foundation, without Foundation Establishment to suppress it, do you think it wouldn't be like the neighboring Yuehu Commandery's Su family, devoured clean by wolves?"

The Wei family Old Ancestor sighed, "Our Wei family and the Feng family's strength gap isn't large. Though we indeed intended to borrow Wei Dao's power, he hasn't matured yet. It'll take at least several decades. But this is also good. Maintaining the status quo, my Wei family won't have too great a crisis."

"One must give to gain."

Wei Changkong ultimately had to accept this result, but he was still unwilling, "This matter should be confidential. Those who know are few. I must investigate how their Feng family learned of it and ruined my Wei family's great plan. That person must atone with death!"

The Wei family Old Ancestor shook his head helplessly, but this was a small matter. He let Wei Changkong do as he pleased.

Another four to five days passed.

Xu Mingyuan walked through the market but didn't sense any signs of impending great battle.

He looked up at the sky, thinking silently, "Seems it failed. The Feng family forcibly reached some agreement with the Wei family. That truly was a wise choice."

"In the end, I understood too little and was too hasty."

If Xu Mingyuan had three to five years to lay the groundwork, this plan might have succeeded.

Not long after returning to the inn, Xu Mingwei came to his room. The market's movements couldn't be hidden from him either.

"Big Brother."

"Though this path is convenient, there are too many variables. You don't need to worry too much."

"Big Brother, do you think I'm unwilling to accept it?" Xu Mingyuan smiled, "Though the instigation didn't succeed, from it we can see both families' conduct prioritizes stability. The Wei family was forcibly pressured by the Feng family and must feel unwilling. However, lacking a pill refining grandmaster, their industry will definitely be affected. Unable to compete with the Feng family, the Wei family in a weaker position remains our cooperation partner. Of course, provided they don't know about our behind-the-scenes actions. Besides this, the Feng family and Ge family are also possibilities."

Xu Mingwei looked into Xu Mingyuan's eyes, "Then next, which force do you plan to contact first?"

Xu Mingyuan nodded, "Steady progress. The Ge family first. Their foundation and strength are truly not weak. They must harbor ambitions to stand alongside the Wei and Feng families."

"That's a good choice." Xu Mingwei smiled lightly, "We'll do as you say. But if risks arise, we immediately leave Guangling Commandery."

"I understand." Xu Mingyuan said.

The next day, Xu Mingyuan and the others once again went to the Ge family's third branch.

Main hall.

This time, only Ge Yanhua and Ge Xuanhong were present. Ge Yanfeng had gone out on business.

"I heard you all have matters requiring my Ge family's help?" Ge Yanhua said indifferently, but inwardly muttered, it's not about the life-saving grace compensation from last time, is it?

"Family Head Ge can rest assured. The life-saving grace last time was merely a small effort. My Xu family never truly expected compensation. You needn't mind."

Xu Mingyuan seemed to see through his thoughts. "This time we're looking for you because we heard the Wei family is recruiting outstanding pill refiners?"

"That's correct. Do you want to recommend someone?"

Ge Yanhua breathed a sigh of relief.

"No. Rather, we want to see if we can trade pills with the Wei family."

"Pill trade?" Hearing this, Ge Yanhua fell silent. After a moment, he said, "The Wei family has produced two pill refining grandmasters. Trading pills with them is unlikely."

"How will we know without trying?" Xu Mingyuan said, "Of course, if the Ge family is willing to trade with us, that's naturally fine too. But I fear if news leaks, your Ge family will be regarded with suspicion by the Wei family."

Xu Mingyuan used retreat to advance.

Ge Yanhua pondered, stroking his short beard, "My Ge family isn't far from becoming a Foundation Establishment family. We've long been regarded with suspicion. Otherwise, how could last time's incident have occurred? You all needn't worry about this. However, what pills can your Xu family offer for trade? If it's just one or two bottles total, you'd better sell them in the market. Moreover, my Ge family also has pill refiners. We're not particularly lacking in low-grade pills."

Xu Mingyuan smiled lightly, "Detoxification Pills, Jade Dew Pills, Qi Nurturing Pills, Qi Recovery Pills, Qi Gathering Pills, Essence Recovery Pills, these common pills we all have, and all are middle to superior grade. Additionally, we also have Barrier Breaking Pills and such, though these types are more precious."

"You even have superior-grade Barrier Breaking Pills?"

Xu Mingyuan smiled lightly and took out a porcelain bottle from his storage bag, casually waving it to send it before Ge Yanhua.

He opened the bottle stopper and looked inside to see three round, plump pills of excellent quality.

Precisely superior-grade Barrier Breaking Pills.

Among first-rank pills, those for breaking through bottlenecks were almost the most difficult pills to refine, far more difficult than Qi Gathering Pills.

Of course, those rare first-rank extraordinary pills didn't count.

Ge Yanhua was greatly surprised. After putting the stopper back, he returned the porcelain bottle.

"Your Xu family's pill refining grandmaster's pill Dao level is truly not low. Producing three superior-grade Barrier Breaking Pills at once, I've heard that even the Wei family's former pill refining grandmaster only occasionally produced a few batches containing superior-grade Barrier Breaking Pills. There are rumors that pill refiners who can refine superior-grade Barrier Breaking Pills can already refine second-rank pills."

He looked deeply at the Xu family members. "No wonder dear nephew dares propose trading with the Wei family. Your Xu family's future is limitless."

After a pause, Ge Yanhua said, "I'll take these three Barrier Breaking Pills."

Superior-grade Barrier Breaking Pills were rare opportunities that could help late Qi Refining cultivators at peak bottlenecks break through with some probability. This could reduce years of bitter cultivation.

Of course, many immortal cultivators were stuck at bottlenecks for more than just a few years.

Some for decades, or even never breaking through again.

"Equivalent spirit stones, spirit medicines, demon beast materials, ores, secret techniques, superior-grade techniques, even demon beast eggs, demon beast cubs, all can be traded."

Ge Yanhua's eyes brightened. In terms of pure spirit stones, the Ge family didn't necessarily have too many. Some reserves still needed to be used to activate grand arrays.

However, after thinking carefully, he felt it made sense.

The Xu family was a newly promoted immortal cultivation family with shallow foundations. If not for the fortune of producing a pill refining grandmaster, they probably couldn't have become an immortal cultivation family at all. Even if they could, it would require over a century of planning and accumulation.

Moreover, Yuehu Commandery's situation differed from Guangling Commandery's and wasn't too friendly to newly promoted immortal cultivation families. Without powerful allies backing them, they'd probably be devoured clean.

"No problem. How about thirty spirit stones per pill?"

Before departing, Xu Chuan had also told Xu Mingyuan the general value of these pills.

However, different commandery cities would have differences.

Superior-grade Barrier Breaking Pills, in Tongshan Commandery, one of the top-ranked great commanderies, were about twenty-four spirit stones each. But in Guangling Commandery, few could refine them, and even fewer flowed into the market.

Therefore, thirty spirit stones per pill wasn't strange.

"This pill is precious. However, my third brother often says Brother Xuanhong cared for him much in the army. Then we'll go with the price of thirty spirit stones."

Ge Yanhua smiled slightly and sent someone to bring some demon beast materials, some ores, plus some spirit herbs to complete the transaction.

"Dear nephew, since you even have superior-grade Barrier Breaking Pills, you probably also have superior-grade Qi Gathering Pills."

"We have them, but very few. After all, the clan also has late Qi Refining cultivators who need superior-grade Qi Gathering Pills to advance their cultivation. What this junior has are mostly middle-grade pills."

"However many you have, I'll take them all. As for whether to formally establish stable trade with the Xu family going forward, I still need to discuss with the other branch heads of my Ge family before deciding."

"Naturally." Xu Mingyuan hadn't expected to succeed in one attempt. If the Ge family truly were so thoughtless, they probably couldn't have survived until now.

Afterward, Xu Mingyuan produced six superior-grade Qi Gathering Pills to trade with the Ge family.

Ge Yanhua also inspected them. Their quality was even a few points better than the superior-grade Qi Gathering Pills he'd seen before.