Chapter 178: First Love Is Mostly Bitter

Demon beast mounts were treasured commodities, especially mighty demon tigers.

They had watched Xu Mingshu ride the white tiger since childhood. To say they weren't envious would be impossible.

Now the Xu family also had beast control inheritance. As long as they learned the restriction techniques, plus raising them from youth, it would be easy to tame them into their own spirit beasts.

"Eldest Brother, even you!" Xu Mingshu huffed indignantly.

"Me, what about me?" Xu Mingwei touched his nose.

"Father, Second Uncle and Third Uncle are also eyeing Little White's offspring. However, currently only the ones in my and Auntie's arms are natural demon beasts."

Xu Mingwei looked over and immediately took a liking to the little black tiger in Xu Mingshu's eyes.

"Mingshu, this little one in your arms is good. Give it to me."

Xu Mingyuan wasn't happy. "Wait, Eldest Brother, it should be first come, first served."

"If that's the case, then I'm second brother, so the black-and-white striped tiger is mine."

"You two..."

Xu Mingshu trembled with anger. After a moment she took a long breath and said, "Fine, I'll give them to you cheaply. After I cultivate them for a few months, you can come back.

I'll teach you the Spirit Control restriction first."

"Worthy of being my magnanimous good sister." Xu Mingwei laughed heartily, "Hahaha!"

"What about me?" Xu Mingxuan pointed to himself.

Xu Mingyuan patted his shoulder as he walked past, "Urge Little White on, have him work harder. Maybe next year you can have your turn or wait for the Azure Fire Eagles."

"I'd rather wait for the Azure Fire Eagles. Flying spirit beasts suit me better." Xu Mingxuan smiled instead.

Everyone burst into laughter.

Shortly after, Xu Mingshu asked again, "Second Brother, is Dejing about to give birth?"

"Yes, counting the days, it should be next month." Xu Mingyuan said with emotion, "In the blink of an eye, our Xu family's next generation is gradually branching out."

Xu Mingwei nodded slightly.

Xu Mingxuan said, "In another two years it'll be Rui'er, Heng'er, and Jun'er's turn. Speaking of which, our Xu family marries quite late compared to other families.

Whether male or female, all are at least over eighteen."

"The rules Father set naturally have their reasoning." Xu Mingwei said.

Listening to the elders discuss, Xu Deling's thoughts drifted as she silently resolved, "It's time to make a decision. Xu family children should forge ahead bravely."

Several days later, Xu family back mountain.

"Deling, you were looking for me?"

"Brother Shun'an." Hearing this, Xu Deling turned around, her gaze directly meeting his eyes as she said, "Are you willing to marry into my Xu family?"

"Marry in?" Wu Shun'an's brow immediately furrowed.

"It's impossible for my Xu family to let me marry out. Even though your Wu family is currently attached to my Xu family, it's still impossible."

"Did the family head say this?"

"I haven't yet told Father or Mother about us. This is my grandfather's condition. He allows me to be with anyone and won't make me a pawn in family alliance marriages. However, the only condition is that the other party can only marry into my Xu family."

Hearing this, Wu Shun'an fell silent for a moment, then said haltingly, "I... I'm the Wu family's only heir. Deling, let me think about this matter. Perhaps I can have my grandfather plead with the Grand Elder."

Xu Deling shook her head, "It's impossible. Once my grandfather decides something, unless it concerns the Xu family's life and death, he absolutely won't easily change it."

"Let me think about it."

"Alright. Three days from now, same time, same place. I'll wait for your answer."

Xu Deling didn't reveal that Xu Chuan had agreed that if the two married, one of their sons could be adopted to inherit the Wu family business.

If Wu Shun'an truly liked her and was willing to marry into the Xu family for her sake then this would be a surprise for him.

If unwilling, Xu Deling planned to sever emotional ties, focus on cultivation, and think of nothing else!

Wu Shun'an felt troubled in his heart.

He returned to the Wu family.

That night, Wu Mingsheng returned home. Seeing him in such a state, he couldn't help asking, "What happened? Why so heavy-hearted?"

"Grandfather." Wu Shun'an stood up to greet him, then after a long silence said, "Deling told your grandson she wants me to marry into the Xu family."

Wu Mingsheng was slightly stunned, then became melancholic, "Deling is a clever and intelligent girl. I like her too. If you two can be together, Grandfather would naturally be delighted. However, Grandfather can also see that Deling isn't as simple as she appears. She's extremely important to the Xu family. Not marrying out is only natural."

"But Grandfather, our Wu family is now also attached to the Xu family and in Dongxi together. This still won't work?"

"If it were other Xu family women it might be possible, but probably not Deling."

"Why?" Wu Shun'an didn't understand.

"Several months ago, while browsing the Dao texts in the Dao Repository Tower, I discovered the Breath Concealment Technique. This technique can conceal one's realm. Grandfather suspects most Xu family members have concealed their realms.

Not long ago, I observed that Deling's realm seemed to have broken through to the fifth layer of Qi Refining. But what if she concealed three layers?"

"Three layers?!" Wu Shun'an exclaimed, "Then wouldn't that be... eighth layer of Qi Refining?"

"Deling is only eighteen."

"Yes, an eighteen-year-old at the eighth layer of Qi Refining. Grandfather has only heard of such prodigies in the Imperial City." Wu Mingsheng said, "Xu Deling is a Foundation Establishment seed of the Xu family, a heaven's favored daughter, a figure with prospects on the immortal path.

Even if Foundation Establishment families came to seek marriage, they wouldn't agree."

"However, the Xu family's style differs greatly from other families. They don't emphasize status, so you two had a chance to be together."

"Then Grandfather, what should I choose?" Wu Shun'an's face showed some pain and struggle, "I truly like Deling, but your grandson is the Wu family's only bloodline. If your grandson marries in, after a hundred years, what will become of our Wu family?"

Wu Mingsheng sighed deeply, "Grandfather won't force you. Make your own decision. If you truly choose to marry in, Grandfather won't blame you.

Grandfather will at most live another ten or twenty years. Your future life is your own. How to choose is entirely up to you."

"Didn't the Xu family promise to help Grandfather assault Foundation Establishment? Could it be..."

"Don't guess wildly. If the Xu family were faithless people, how would Grandfather have pledged allegiance? But even if I have true spiritual root aptitude, even if the Xu family is willing to bestow thousand-year spirit medicine assistance, the chance is still slim.

Otherwise, after the Su family, how could only Ancestor Zhou have broken through to Foundation Establishment in so many years?

Although I dare not say whether all Qi Refining families possess thousand-year spirit medicines, at least fifth-rank Qi Refining families certainly do."

After a pause, Wu Mingsheng continued, "The Xu family is willing to waste a Foundation Establishment opportunity on me, which shows the Xu family values loyalty and righteousness.

Shun'an, if you choose the Wu family, remember to pass down this ancestral instruction: the Wu family must never betray the Xu family for all generations. Flourish together, suffer together."

"Yes, Grandfather."

"As for Deling's matter, think it through yourself. Grandfather won't interfere with your decision."

After speaking, Wu Mingsheng returned to his own room.

Wu Shun'an remained in the hall, sitting until dawn.

Three days later.

Xu family back mountain.

Wu Shun'an came to the back mountain and saw Xu Deling standing on the hillside with her back to him, his eyes full of deep affection.

Xu Deling didn't turn around, her heart anxious, not daring to look.

Suddenly, she felt warmth against her back as a pair of strong arms encircled her waist like vines, fingers with calluses interlocking at her abdomen in an unbreakable knot.

Wu Shun'an's chin rested on Xu Deling's shoulder hollow, his breath carrying a mix of heat and iron scent as he said in a low, gentle voice, "Deling, let me... hold you like this one last time."

After speaking, Xu Deling felt a drop of warmth slide down the back of her neck into her collar.

Xu Deling looked ahead at the Xu family's thousand acres of good fields and Dongxi's myriad buildings entering her view, then slowly closed her eyes.

Tears streamed from the corners of her eyes.

Burying her bitter first love.

Dozens of breaths later.

Wu Shun'an released his interlocked fingers and stepped back three or four paces, bowing to her with cupped hands, "I'm sorry."

He lowered his head to look at the ground, not raising it for a long time.

Xu Deling also didn't cry, only saying flatly, "I understand. Ling'er wishes Brother Shun'an a smooth life and descendants filling the halls."

After speaking, she launched herself up. A crimson longsword rang out with a "zheng," circling once before steadying beneath her feet as she headed toward the Immortal Arts Hall.

Only then did Wu Shun'an raise his head to look. His eyes were now bloodshot.

Watching that graceful figure, he knew he would never forget that girl in red who smiled like morning clouds, innocent and romantic.

"Sister Ling'er, may you also soar upward from now on with a smooth immortal path!"

His murmured words were so low only he could hear them.

…

Immortal Arts Hall.

Xu Chuan's meditation place.

"Ling'er, why did you come?" Seeing two undried tear tracks on her face, Xu Chuan said in surprise, "Why were you crying?"

"You broke up?"

Xu Deling was immediately stunned, "Grandfather, what does 'broke up' mean?"

Xu Chuan smiled, "When two men and women who were mutually attracted separate before marriage, from then on the Great Dao stretches to the heavens with no further connection."

"Simply put, when feelings were good, you two couldn't wait to hold hands at all times. Breaking up means the feelings are shattered."

"Breaking up..." Xu Deling smiled bitterly, "Grandfather, your metaphor is truly apt and easy to understand."

Xu Chuan smiled faintly, "Come, sit by Grandfather's side."

Xu Deling complied. She felt very low.

Xu Chuan gently stroked her head, "Cry. Grandfather's shoulder is yours to lean on for a while."

"It's nothing serious. First loves at seventeen or eighteen, seven or eight out of ten are bitter. You're not the only one."

Xu Deling cried and laughed at the same time, "Grandfather, you're really strange. Ling'er has never heard of any family willing to let their own women associate with single men before marriage.

As if this were a great humiliation!

But our Xu family isn't like that, completely different but Ling'er likes the Xu family this way. From now on, I'll dedicate everything to the Xu family's development."

Xu Chuan smiled as he stroked her head, his eyes full of affection, "If Wu Shun'an doesn't cherish you, then find someone better."

"Ling'er doesn't want to think about these mundane matters now. I only want to focus on cultivation and concentrate on researching artifact refinement."

"It's all up to you."

Xu Chuan smiled. Still a child.

Saying to let go, but this also shows she can't let go in her heart. However, this is also good.

Focus on cultivation, the Great Dao awaits.

Xu Chuan spread his divine consciousness and saw Wu Shun'an walking down the mountain in a daze.

"Looks like it's not that he doesn't like her, but that he doesn't want to burden her. Wu Mingsheng saw the Breath Concealment Technique."

He believed that even if Wu Mingsheng guessed some Xu family members concealed their realms, he wouldn't speak of it.

The Xu family's current development momentum couldn't be easily stopped.

Until a certain moment when all their accumulated foundation would become the bridge for the Xu family's next advancement.

Whether the Wu family, the Li, Chen, and Bai vassal families, the Chang and Yang followers, or the rogue cultivators who joined the Xu family,

At this moment they were all on the same boat with the Xu family.

Flourish together, suffer together!

Xu Chuan glanced at Xu Deling but didn't explain. Wu Shun'an had already made his choice. Even if Xu Deling knew, it would only add to her troubles.

Better to cut it off cleanly. With no distractions, she could continuously refine herself in cultivation.

After the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, Xu Deling stood up and wiped away her tears, bowing to Xu Chuan with cupped hands, "Grandfather, please don't tell my parents about this. Ling'er won't consider romance again for a short time."

Xu Chuan nodded, "Alright. If there's trouble, just push it onto Grandfather."

"Thank you, Grandfather."

"Last time I had you design our Xu family's standard robes, boots, flying swords, and the guards' clothing and weapons. Do you have any results?"

Keeping busy would prevent overthinking.

"Still needs some time. However, the materials for robes and boots are quite special. Must be silk threads, spider silk, or other soft yet extremely tough materials."

"Ordinary non-graded robes are easy to say, but for graded magical artifacts, our Xu family's materials probably aren't enough."

"I'll have your second uncle collect them. We can also have the Mission Hall issue missions. Currently you can try refining a few sets of low-grade artifact robes.

Also, the guards' standard armor and weapons, you should refine them all. Don't look down on mundane weapons. If you can forge mundane weapons to perfection, it will also help your artifact refinement attainments.

Grandfather walked this path.

From mundane medicine and pathology, to researching medicinal materials, to analyzing pills and developing formulas myself.

Later stepping onto the immortal path and encountering true pill refinement, my pill refinement attainments advanced by leaps and bounds. Only then did I achieve today's pill master status.

Any immortal art's improvement requires daily accumulation bit by bit.

Among them, the pill and artifact paths, the mundane world also has the professions of medicine masters and weapon smiths. Though not as profound as the immortal arts, the Dao and principles within are interconnected."

"Thank you for Grandfather's teaching!"

This was transmission of the Dao.

In the immortal cultivation world, techniques aren't lightly transmitted!

Usually it's master-disciple transmission or bloodline inheritance.

In cultivating Xu Deling, Xu Chuan wouldn't hold back and would do his utmost.

He believed Xu Deling's future status in all of Great Wei's artifact refinement world would be like his own.

"Ling'er will study the artifact Dao well and won't look down on mundane weapons." Xu Deling said.

Of course, she also guessed some of Xu Chuan's thoughts, wanting her not to overthink.

Therefore her heart was even more moved.

Grandfather is so good at teaching!

No wonder Father, Second Uncle, Third Uncle, Auntie, Fifth Uncle, each of them respects Grandfather so much.

To them, Grandfather isn't only father, but also teacher, and moreover friend.

Blood connected, as father.

Leading by example, earnestly teaching, as teacher.

Emotional resonance, knowing them, understanding them, believing in them, this is friendship.

Toward Grandmother, they have family affection, respect, and filial piety.

In the entire Xu family, Grandfather is the most core figure, the link connecting everyone.

Xu Deling could imagine that if one day Grandfather suddenly wasn't there, over time Father and the others would definitely develop differences.

Perhaps they would end up like Guangling Commandery's Ge family, dividing into various Xu family branches.

After all, in her eyes, whether her father, second uncle, third uncle, aunt, or fifth uncle, all were extremely outstanding.

Any one person was sufficient to lead a family to glory for a time.

Thinking of this, Xu Deling suddenly straightened her posture, hands clasped at her abdomen, bowing deeply like a young bamboo, respectfully saying, "Ling'er believes Grandfather will definitely succeed at Foundation Establishment in the future and enjoy immortal longevity."

After speaking, she turned and left, walking toward the Artifact Refinement Hall where there were multiple specially constructed refinement rooms.

Xu Chuan was momentarily stunned, watching her retreating figure, then shook his head with a smile, "This girl, looks like she's fine. Just suffered emotional setback but still has energy to ponder these matters.

She also grown up.

"However, that's right. How could my Xu family's children be trapped by romance?"

The corners of Xu Chuan's mouth curved up, quite pleased.

All taught well by me!

For several consecutive days.

Xu Deling didn't step out of the refinement room once, though quite a few materials continuously went in, mostly mundane materials.

…

Qingjiang County city.

A carriage drove into the city, then stopped not far from the entrance.

From the carriage descended a young man and a young woman.

They were Ren Xiaoyao and Xu Mingyuan's second daughter, Xu Derong.

"You stay here and guard the carriage. You follow us to shop and help carry things."

"Yes, Miss Rong." Two guards bowed with cupped hands.

They all wore casual clothes, not the Xu family's standard uniform.

If they did, it would be too ostentatious in Qingjiang County. Countless shop owners would probably compete to curry favor.

The Xu family had long established discipline that they must not bully and dominate the market relying on the Xu family name.

Therefore, even when Xu family guards had days off and went to Qingjiang or other counties, they wore regular clothes.

This was also the simplest way to avoid being ostentatious.

Of course, if they encountered acquaintances and were recognized, there was no helping it.

Most Xu family members came from Qingjiang, some from counties around Qingjiang. Being recognized by some people was quite normal.

"Sister Rong, doesn't Dongxi now have its own market? Why must we come to the county?"

"Brother Xiaoyao, you really don't understand girls' hearts at all. Shopping is women's nature. The livelier the better.

The Dongxi market is certainly good with complete goods, but how can it compare to the county city?"

Xu Derong stopped, turned to look at Ren Xiaoyao, "You don't not want to accompany me, do you?"

"You already dragged me out forcibly. How could I be unwilling?"

"Good that you know."

Ren Xiaoyao had no way with his master's daughter who was only a few months younger than him.

A bit willful and spoiled, yet within the willfulness was innocence, kind-hearted, and somewhat clingy.

In the past, he had seen Hua Hua from the neighbor's house most, then Ying Ying, Yan Yan, and Fang Fang from the village.

Of course, besides Hua Hua, he hadn't managed to speak with the others, let alone physical contact.

Xu Derong held Ren Xiaoyao's hand and walked briskly forward.

Ren Xiaoyao, besides initially resisting, had now become somewhat immune.

Half an hour later.

"Sister Rong, how much longer do you want to shop? We should go back."

"Brother Xiaoyao, we've barely started." Xu Derong blinked her moon-like eyes at him, then smiled, "Just kidding. I know Brother Xiaoyao still needs to go back and cultivate.

Let's go look over there, then we'll head back."

"Alright then."

Just then, an amiable voice suddenly came from behind, "Second layer of Qi Refining. To have this realm at such a young age, your aptitude isn't low. Are you Dongxi Xu clan descendants?"

Ren Xiaoyao had naturally also cultivated the Breath Concealment Technique. His cultivation speed was much faster than others. In just half a year he was already approaching great completion.

The hair on Ren Xiaoyao's neck stood on end as he suddenly turned around.

He saw thirty paces away on the bluestone pavement, a figure in ink-green wide sleeves standing tall, clothes billowing to reveal moon-white inner garments.

The man appeared middle-aged with three neatly trimmed short beard strands. A pale yellow cloud-pattern vertical crown bound his raven-black hair. A mutton-fat jade hairpin horizontally pierced the topknot, emitting soft luminescence in the sunlight.

His posture with hands behind his back resembled bamboo greeting the wind, his bearing particularly striking in the crowd.

"What's wrong, Brother Xiaoyao?"

Xu Derong turned her head to follow Ren Xiaoyao's gaze, as did the guard.

They saw the middle-aged man approach, already before them in two or three steps.

"Who are you? Do you have business with us?" The guard moved Ren Xiaoyao and Xu Derong behind him, watching the other party warily.

"Don't be nervous, I mean no harm." The middle-aged man smiled amiably, then continued, "Moreover, I'm old friends with your Xu family.

I know your Xu family's old family head, and have dealt with brothers Xu Mingyuan and Xu Mingxuan."

"Old family head?" Ren Xiaoyao was somewhat puzzled.

"Young Master Ren, that's the Grand Elder." The guard explained, his wariness slightly relaxing.

Someone who had dealt with Xu Chuan must be from over ten years ago.

"Who exactly are you?"

"I am Xiao Changyuan."

"Xiao Changyuan..." The guard pondered briefly, then suddenly said, "You're Qingjiang's first Immortal Official?"

"Precisely."

Xiao Changyuan examined the youth and young woman before him, smiling faintly, "Who are these two in the Xu family? Xu family descendants? They've grown so big already."

"They are Elder Mingyuan's disciple and daughter." The guard bowed with cupped hands. Knowing the other was an immortal master, proper respect must be shown.

"I'm far away in Longjiang. When I heard an immortal cultivation family surnamed Xu had risen in a Yuehu Commandery county, I wondered if it was the Xu family I knew. Turns out it really is."

Hearing Longjiang, Ren Xiaoyao's pupils suddenly constricted briefly before returning to normal.

However, this didn't escape Xiao Changyuan's notice, "What's wrong, young brother? Have you heard of Longjiang Commandery?"

Ren Xiaoyao nodded but only said, "I've heard of it."

"Uncle Xiao has come from afar from Longjiang. You must be revisiting old haunts. We won't disturb your enjoyment. It's getting late and we should return home."

"Wait a moment." Xiao Changyuan said flatly, "Xiao does indeed have the intention of revisiting old places. However, I've already seen most of what I wanted to see.

Additionally, I came to visit the Xu family. Since nephew and niece are heading home, Xiao will accompany you. You don't mind, do you?"

How could Xu Derong possibly contend with such an old fox? She could only say helplessly, "Since Uncle Xiao is an old friend of our Xu family, you may naturally travel together."

The three rode the carriage back to Dongxi.

"Mist array?"

Seeing the heavy mist outside the carriage, Xiao Changyuan felt surprised.

The carriage passed through the mist array unimpeded.

"Xiao has been away these dozen years. Qingjiang has changed greatly, but your Xu family has changed even more. Or rather, all of Qingjiang changed because of your Xu family."

Ren Xiaoyao remained silent.

Xu Derong smiled sweetly, "Uncle Xiao, I don't know about this. Our clan descendants rarely go out."

Entering Dongxi, Xiao Changyuan clearly felt the spiritual energy was considerably more abundant than outside.

The deeper into the Xu family heartland, the more abundant the spiritual energy, already approaching the spiritual energy concentration near the commandery city.

"This Xu family has some means. No wonder they could leap from a small county clan to an immortal cultivation family. Secluded in a corner, though somewhat isolated, they can also skip the struggles of Yuehu Commandery's immortal cultivation families.

Moreover, the Xu family's foundation is probably far beyond what meets the eye. Able to establish a trading company, the Xu family's strength likely far exceeds ordinary Qi Refining families."