Chapter 182: Alliance of Three Families, the Xu Family's Countermeasures

"Since Brother Zhou has spoken to this extent, we won't insist."

Family Head Yuan cupped his fists and said, "However, please don't let the Zhou family shield the Xu family because of marriage relations."

"Brother Yuan can rest assured, my Zhou family's word is as good as gold."

"Then we've intruded. Farewell."

The heads of the Yuan, Huang, and Lu families, along with the other aristocratic family heads, all departed.

Among these aristocratic families, some truly had suspicions, but others had set their sights on the Xu family, especially the Yuan family.

This insect disaster allowed them to find the Xu family's vulnerabilities and also got the Zhou family to agree not to interfere.

As long as they contacted enough families, he didn't believe they couldn't swallow up this newly risen Qi Refining family.

The medicinal pills and magical artifacts flowing from Xu family's commercial establishments truly made the Yuan family's eyes burn with envy.

To intercept or even kill him would probably require at least three ninth layer Qi Refining cultivators, and all would need upper-grade defensive magical artifacts for protection.

…

Yuan family.

Council hall.

A late Qi Refining elder spoke up and asked, "Family Head, are we truly going to move against the Xu family? Judging from the Xu family's commercial establishments, their foundation is truly not shallow."

Family Head Yuan said, "It's not shallow, but the Xu family has only a dozen or so cultivators. Even if they recently recruited three rogue cultivators, they definitely don't reach twenty. Most of them are early to middle stage cultivators. Now is the best time to devour the Xu family. With Xu Chuan, that pill refining master, even using medicinal pills to pile them up, he could elevate all the Xu family's cultivators to late Qi Refining. If we don't eliminate them now, my Yuan family will probably not even be able to shake them."

After pausing, Family Head Yuan continued, "Moreover, how do you know the Xu family isn't eyeing my Yuan family? Apart from the two spiritual energy nodes controlled by the Zhou family, my Yuan family's ancestral land has the most abundant spiritual energy. Have you forgotten how many aristocratic families have been defeated or even exterminated due to disputes over spiritual energy?"

"Ten or twenty years from now, are you elders willing to hand over my Yuan family's ancestral land?"

"This..."

Everyone fell silent. Many felt that Family Head Yuan's words made sense.

The Xu family's various actions in recent years clearly revealed their ambitions.

"Will the Zhou family just let the Xu family carry on like this?" an elder questioned.

Family Head Yuan's eyes flashed with helplessness, "If I haven't guessed wrong, the two families have definitely privately established a covenant of mutual non-interference."

"The Zhou family is willing to do that?"

"Don't forget that Xu Chuan is a pill Dao master far surpassing Zhou Sen. Offering conditions the Zhou family cannot refuse is also reasonable. I think it must involve that Foundation Establishment cultivator's cultivation in the Zhou family."

The Yuan family's Grand Elder said, "If so, any family would be willing to agree."

"As long as the Zhou family's ancestor grows stronger, the Zhou family will become more prosperous, and they may even have the opportunity to cultivate the next Foundation Establishment cultivator, continuing their position as the hegemon family."

"The Grand Elder speaks correctly." Family Head Yuan said, "If the Xu family wants to progress further, they will inevitably need to change to an ancestral land with more abundant spiritual energy. Otherwise, it won't be conducive to the family's cultivators' cultivation in the future."

Many elders were persuaded by him and agreed one after another to attack the Xu family.

"However, this matter must be handled prudently and planned gradually. We must rally enough allies, otherwise, because of your actions, my Yuan family might face great calamity." After pondering, the Yuan family's Grand Elder said gravely.

"Naturally!" Family Head Yuan also said solemnly, "I would never let my Yuan family fall into danger and have our foundation of several hundred years destroyed in one moment."

Since they guessed that the Xu family would eventually make a move against the Yuan family, the Yuan family naturally wouldn't sit and wait for death.

Disputes over ancestral lands were almost fights to the death.

Unless one family was willing to voluntarily yield. However, the Yuan family couldn't possibly fancy Dongxi. Only if the Yuan family yielded their own ancestral land would it be possible.

But the Yuan family had occupied this spiritual energy node and managed it for two to three hundred years. How could they hand it over!

Seven days later.

The various Qi Refining families once again gathered at the Zhou family's Azure Moon Platform.

This time, the Xu family still sent Xu Chuan.

The Zhou family arranged it so that even the seating hadn't changed.

After Xu Chuan took his seat, Zhou Shaoyuan transmitted to him, "Brother Xu, the Yuan family, Huang family, Lu family, and quite a few other aristocratic families suspect that the previous insect disaster is related to the Xu family. Is this true?"

Xu Chuan smiled in response, "Brother Zhou jests. My Xu family clearly helped the various families defend against the insect disaster, only collecting some fees in passing. This is very reasonable, right? After all, my Xu family never forced any family to buy our Xu family's insect repellent potion."

"I naturally trust the Xu family. However, these families seem unwilling. You'd better be careful later. My Zhou family has already made clear to them that we won't interfere in this matter. Of course, if they want to harm Brother Xu on my Zhou family's territory, my Zhou family also won't allow it."

"Thank you for informing me."

About half an hour later, the same magical artifact flying vessel came from the distance and stopped above Azure Moon Platform.

This time, the imperial emissary was not the same person as last time, but that Foundation Establishment elder was the same one.

Flowing emissaries, ironclad Foundation Establishment cultivators.

The imperial emissary didn't say much. As soon as he arrived, he had the armored guards on either side begin collecting taxes, clearly just going through the motions.

Having experienced last year's shadow, each family submitted spirit rice from within the past two years.

In the time it took to drink a cup of tea, the process was complete.

"Not bad. It seems after last year's lesson, you've all become obedient."

The imperial emissary said indifferently, then returned to the flying vessel with the others.

The next moment, trailing a long azure stream of light, they swiftly departed.

"Family Head Zhou, now that tax collection is complete, we should also take our leave. However, before that, Yuan has something he wishes to verify with Fellow Daoist Xu."

Xu Chuan smiled faintly, "Family Head Yuan is too polite. Feel free to ask whatever you wish."

Xu Chuan sipped his spirit tea, his expression calm.

"As everyone knows, this year our Yuehu Commandery inexplicably experienced an insect disaster, causing severe losses to each family. We nearly couldn't gather this year's spirit taxes. As far as I know, in all of Yuehu Commandery, only your Xu family's Xu Mingshu knows the beast taming way. Every family, even the Zhou family, suffered huge losses, yet your Xu family clearly wasn't affected by the disaster. Recently, your Xu family's commercial establishments even sold large quantities of spirit rice externally."

Many family heads all looked toward Xu Chuan, their faces showing suspicious expressions.

Xu Chuan put down his teacup and looked at Family Head Yuan with narrowed eyes, "Is Family Head Yuan suspecting my Xu family? Then does your Yuan family have solid evidence? If not, may Xu consider this as your Yuan family provoking my Xu family?"

Family Head Lu said, "Fellow Daoist Xu, please don't misunderstand. It's just that these consecutive events are too coincidental, making people inevitably suspicious. As long as Fellow Daoist Xu provides evidence proving it wasn't the Xu family's doing, we will all apologize."

"Exactly." Family Head Huang also chimed in.

Several sixth-rank Qi Refining family heads joined in as well.

"A mere apology wanting to clear my Xu family's name is not enough."

"What does Fellow Daoist Xu want?" Family Head Yuan asked.

"Formally come to my Xu family to apologize in person, plus five hundred spirit stones. My Xu family can let this matter pass. Otherwise, everyone who accused my Xu family here today, my Xu family will remember each and every one."

"Five hundred spirit stones per family?!" Family Head Yuan's pupils contracted slightly as he said indifferently, "The Xu family has quite an appetite."

If they truly let the Xu family succeed, wouldn't they instantly gain seven or eight upper-grade magical artifacts?

"You can also use upper-grade magical artifacts, or equivalent spirit herbs and demon beast materials to offset the cost. As for medicinal pills, the pills refined by your families' pill refiners needn't be brought before my Xu family to embarrass yourselves."

Xu Chuan swept his gaze over everyone, "Now, whoever else has doubts, feel free to step forward. After determining the number of people, Xu will give you evidence."

The Yuan, Lu, and Huang families exchanged glances with each other.

Several sixth-rank families developed thoughts of retreat. One of them said, "Fellow Daoist Xu misunderstands. Since you say so, I naturally believe this matter wasn't the Xu family's doing."

"I also believe it wasn't the Xu family's doing."

Xu Chuan sneered inwardly. No matter when, whether immortal or mortal, there were always fence-sitters.

What remained were three fifth-rank aristocratic families.

Family Head Lu transmitted, "Brother Yuan, what should we do now? I never expected this Xu Chuan to be so difficult to deal with. Originally, we were the ones threatening, yet with just one sentence, he turned it around to make things difficult for us. Five hundred spirit stones worth of resources isn't too much, but it's not little either. It's just enough to make us feel the pain, yet not something we can't produce."

"Yes, stuck in the middle." Family Head Huang also said, "The main thing is that the insect disaster has already passed. Even if the Xu family truly had problems, all the problems have likely been covered up. I think we should just let it go today."

"Brother Huang speaks reasonably. What does Brother Yuan think?"

Both of you have backed down, what else can I do?

Fight alone?

"Fine, let's do as you two say. However, you two should also feel the Xu family's strength now. Their Xu family is still holed up in the county's rural areas. As long as the Xu family aspires to become a Foundation Establishment family, spiritual energy nodes are absolutely essential. Apart from the two spiritual energy nodes occupied by the Zhou family, our three families' ancestral lands have the most abundant spiritual energy."

Family Head Yuan didn't say much more, leaving it at that.

He believed the Lu and Huang families would make a decision.

Not just these two families either. He would subsequently continue to rally and persuade other fifth-rank families.

He didn't believe that no matter how deep the Xu family's foundation was, they could simultaneously face sieges from five or six fifth-rank families!

Family Head Yuan looked at Xu Chuan, then cupped his fists with a slight smile, "Since Fellow Daoist Xu has such confidence, perhaps we truly misunderstood. Yuan will personally apologize to you here."

Family Head Lu and Family Head Huang both did the same.

"My Xu family is not petty. Since you three family heads are all so reasonable, let this matter be dropped. However, remember this lesson and don't make baseless suspicions again."

"Haha, certainly." Family Head Yuan's face was full of smiles. He then cupped his fists toward Zhou Shaoyuan, "Brother Zhou, we'll take our leave first."

"Take care, I won't see you out." Zhou Shaoyuan also cupped his fists.

Family Head Yuan turned around, his face immediately becoming gloomy, a cold smile appearing at the corners of his lips as he departed on his sword.

Xu Chuan, let's see how much longer your Xu family can be arrogant.

One after another, the Qi Refining family heads departed. In the blink of an eye, only Xu Chuan and Zhou Shaoyuan remained.

Zhou Shaoyuan stepped forward to stand shoulder to shoulder with Xu Chuan, his gaze also watching those departing figures, "Yuan Chenggang, among the Yuan family's successive family heads, isn't the most talented and strategically brilliant, but he's still above average. He acts cautiously and carefully, able to bend and stretch. It's just that his nature always carries cunning and ruthlessness."

He turned to look at Xu Chuan, "Your Xu family has probably completely offended the Yuan family this time. I see that the Huang family and Lu family seem to show signs of allying with the Yuan family."

After hesitating briefly, he continued, "Do you need my Zhou family's assistance?"

Xu Chuan looked at Zhou Shaoyuan, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly, "If my Xu family were truly an unremarkable aristocratic family, the Yuan family couldn't persuade other families even if they wanted to. But ever since my Xu family obtained thirty percent of the Su family's resources, all the seeds of disaster were already planted. Even if my Xu family publicly stated at this time that we absolutely have no plans for the spiritual energy nodes around the commandery city, no one would believe it."

Hearing this, Zhou Shaoyuan's mouth twitched slightly, his heart full of complaints.

Developing so rapidly, and every so often taking out upper-grade medicinal pills and upper-grade magical artifacts for trade.

Even my Zhou family isn't this domineering and spreading commercial establishments throughout the entire commandery city and all the county cities.

What does this mean?

Any discerning person can see it clearly.

If my Zhou family's ancestor hadn't made an oath with you and signed a covenant, my Zhou family would have probably already made a move.

Xu Chuan seemed to see through his thoughts and smiled as he cupped his fists, "These past few years have been thanks to the Zhou family's deterrence that allowed my Xu family to pass through several years of stability. This is already sufficient."

"Does your Xu family truly have confidence?" Zhou Shaoyuan's face was extremely grave. He could foresee that at least three fifth-rank families would join forces to deal with the Xu family.

Perhaps even more. However, if the Xu family won.

Their resources and foundation would probably truly be comparable to the Zhou family's.

What they lacked would only be the number of cultivators and Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Of course, with the Xu-Zhou covenant in place, the Zhou family would also be happy to have such a strong ally.

Xu Chuan smiled without speaking and pointed at the sky.

"I'm off."

Xu Chuan, hands clasped behind his back, departed on his sword.

"Heaven knows?" Zhou Shaoyuan muttered.

Today's events, he told Zhou Qingfang about them. Zhou Qingfang smiled and said, "No need to interfere."

Zhou Shaoyuan ultimately dismissed his doubts and let the Zhou family become a spectator to this aristocratic family turmoil.

Several days later.

The heads of the Huang and Lu families pondered deeply on Family Head Yuan's words, and worry arose in their hearts.

If the Xu family truly wanted to seize a spiritual energy node, they would naturally target the Yuan family but the Yuan family's strength and foundation were indeed much stronger than other fifth-rank families. They weren't so easy to gnaw on.

If they were the Xu family, they might target either the Huang or Lu family instead.

The spiritual energy of their ancestral lands was also passable. However, if the Xu family didn't make a move, they couldn't guess which family the Xu family would ultimately target.

This was like having a sharp sword hanging over their heads, making them unable to eat or sleep peacefully.

After clan councils.

Both the Huang and Lu families agreed to ally with the Yuan family.

The three family heads all made oaths that regarding dealing with the Xu family, they would advance and retreat together.

"Brother Huang, Brother Lu, the Xu family's foundation has never been displayed to others, but analyzing the resources produced by Xu family's commercial establishments, it's estimated to be even deeper than my Yuan family. These past few years have been enough for the Xu family to digest much of the Su family's foundation. So before truly making a move against the Xu family, our three families should rally more aristocratic families. As long as there are huge benefits to be gained, I believe they will eventually be tempted."

Family Head Lu said, "Brother Yuan, aren't you worrying a bit too much? Our three families together, just our late Qi Refining cultivators alone exceed the number of all the Xu family's cultivators."

Yuan Chenggang said seriously, "This is a Dao struggle, a fight to the death. No amount of preparation is excessive. Neither of you wants your families to face crisis due to defeat, right?"

Family Head Huang nodded and said to Family Head Lu, "Brother Lu, Brother Yuan is most cautious. We should follow Brother Yuan's advice."

Family Head Lu nodded slightly.

Yuan Chenggang said, "It's not that I'm cautious, but rather that the Xu family has this confidence. On the surface, the Xu family only recruited three rogue cultivators, but what about in secret? The Xu family obtained thirty percent of the Su family's foundation, and they have a pill refining master who can stably refine upper-grade medicinal pills. As long as they recruit, which rogue cultivator would refuse? If you two were rogue cultivators, would you refuse?"

The two exchanged glances, revealing bitter smiles, and both shook their heads.

"Moreover, don't forget that the Xu family has two geniuses, Xu Mingwei and Xu Mingxian. If they wield exquisite magical artifacts, how troublesome would they be? Exquisite magical artifacts are precious. Yuan can reveal that my Yuan family has no artifacts of this grade."

"My Huang family also doesn't have any."

"My Lu family also hasn't had such fortune."

"But the Xu family has at least three." Yuan Chenggang said with certainty.

Of course, what he could confirm was only the Black Tortoise Seal from the former Su family head Su Yuanze. He said this to stir up their greed.

"As for upper-grade magical artifacts, with Wu Mingsheng, they have at least a dozen or more. Otherwise, they wouldn't have so many that they could put one or two in their commercial establishments. As long as materials continue flowing, upper-grade magical artifacts will continue flowing."

"Back then, my Huang family also extended an invitation, but Wu Mingsheng was completely unwilling."

Yuan Chenggang smiled, "He even refused the Zhou family. How would he regard your Huang family? But for the Xu family to recruit him, apart from being optimistic about them, they must have made him a promise he couldn't refuse."

Family Head Lu pondered, "You mean the Xu family will help Wu Mingsheng reach Qi Refining perfection, then attempt Foundation Establishment? The Xu family truly makes grand gestures. Even the Zhou family wouldn't do this unless Wu Mingsheng were an artifact refining master who could refine exquisite magical artifacts."

"If he truly had that ability, what would he be doing in our Yuehu Commandery? He would have long gone to the imperial city to join a first or second-rank family, or even the imperial Cao clan." Family Head Huang said with a light laugh.

"In any case." Yuan Chenggang said, "In the short term, we shouldn't make any moves. Delaying for one or two years is fine. After rallying enough aristocratic families and making sufficient preparations, we'll catch them completely off guard."

"Good, let's do as Brother Yuan says!"

Xu Chuan returned from the Zhou family with a plan in mind.

He didn't hide it from Xu Mingwei and the others, calling over Xu Mingwei, Xu Mingyuan, and the other five, as well as Xu Dezhao and Xu Deling.

He informed them of this matter.

After hearing Xu Chuan's words, they all fell silent, their faces grave.

Each mentally compared their own combat strength with the three families of Yuan, Lu, and Huang, calculating what their chances of victory were.

They naturally understood the Xu family's advantages, but the disadvantages were also obvious, namely the number of personnel and this was the advantage of the Yuan, Lu, and Huang families.

They estimated that just the late Qi Refining cultivators from the three families combined exceeded all of the Xu family's cultivators.

"Father, while they haven't made a move yet, let me visit each family and strike first!"

Xu Mingwei deeply felt the threat of the three families joining forces, making him uneasy.

If a great battle truly erupted, the Xu family currently couldn't afford to lose anyone, which was not what he wanted to see.

"Big Brother, I'll accompany you." Xu Mingshu also said, then looked at Xu Mingxian, "Mingxian, you come too. If we encounter arrays, we'll need you to quickly break through them."

Xu Mingxian glanced at Xu Chuan, then after pondering said, "I'll follow Father's arrangements."

"Big Brother, Mingshu, don't be impulsive." Xu Mingyuan said, "This matter isn't urgent. I think that while we're wary of the three families joining forces, they're also wary of my Xu family. The three families definitely won't want to suffer mutual destruction with my Xu family. Otherwise, it would give others opportunities. So they'll continue waiting, rallying more aristocratic families until they can eliminate my Xu family with absolute certainty. This timeframe could be several months to a year and a half."

Xu Mingshu said, "Then isn't it even better to strike now? We'd catch them completely off guard."

"Aunt makes a good point, but I feel our Xu family has many matters developing at full speed. Fighting with the Yuan, Lu, and Huang families at this time isn't wise, or at least isn't beneficial to my Xu family's overall situation."

Hearing Xu Dezhao's words, Xu Deling also said, "I agree with Big Brother. Father, Ling'er is currently too busy researching artifact refining to spare time to fight with the Yuan, Lu, and Huang families."

Xu Mingshu looked at Xu Mingxuan, "Third Brother, your intuition is most accurate. Say something."

Xu Mingxuan smiled bitterly, "Mingshu, Second Brother also said this matter will take at least several months to a year and a half to occur. I can't possibly sense fortune and misfortune that far into the future."

Xu Chuan closed his eyes, appearing calm and composed, quietly listening to their debate.

Xu Mingyuan had the most delicate thoughts and was the first to notice Xu Chuan's peculiarity.

"Father single-handedly developed the Xu family to where it is today. He should be the person most concerned about the family. Is he now confident, or is he waiting for us to discuss a result?"

After pondering, he cupped his fists toward Xu Chuan, "Please Father make a decision."

Hearing this, everyone also cupped their fists toward Xu Chuan, "Please Father (Grandfather) make a decision!"

Xu Chuan opened his eyes, his gaze sweeping over them as he smiled faintly, "You haven't even debated a few conclusions yet, and you're already asking me to decide?"

Xu Mingyuan said, "Currently, there are three conclusions. First, take preemptive action against the Yuan, Lu, and Huang families, catching them off guard. Second, use Dongxi as a natural barrier, quietly wait for them to attack, and defeat them with the help of grand arrays. Third, prioritize family development and find ways to turn swords into plowshares."

"Just these three?" Xu Chuan said indifferently.

"Father, what else could there be?" Xu Mingshu asked, puzzled.

"Are none of these three to Father's liking?" Xu Mingwei pondered.

Xu Mingyuan also began thinking deeply.

The quiet room fell silent.

A moment later, Xu Mingwei and Xu Mingyuan almost simultaneously thought of something, their eyes brightening.

Just as they were about to speak at the same time, they noticed the other also had something to say.

"Second Brother, you speak."

"No, Big Brother, you go ahead."

Xu Mingwei nodded and looked at Xu Chuan, "Fourth, make them turn on each other, fighting among themselves. But this is very difficult."

"Exactly." Xu Mingyuan said, "Big Brother and I thought of the same thing. Since the three families have joined forces, they must have made oaths, at least regarding dealing with our Xu family, to advance and retreat together. Trying to divide them with benefits is very difficult."

Xu Chuan smiled slightly, "At least your minds haven't become rigid. You several should learn more from your Big Brother and Second Brother."

Then he looked at Xu Dezhao, "Dezhao's overall perspective is getting better and better. Fighting at this time is indeed detrimental to our Xu family's overall development."

"As for Deling, you can focus on researching the artifact Dao. You needn't worry about these matters."

Xu Deling felt slightly embarrassed, "Grandfather, Ling'er was speaking nonsense earlier. If the family truly faces danger, how could Ling'er only care about myself?"

"Rest assured, Grandfather isn't comforting you." Xu Chuan said kindly, "If you achieve great mastery in the artifact Dao, that would be most beneficial for the Xu family. Whether it's the pill Dao or artifact Dao, or anything else, when its attainments reach a certain level, it's enough to support an entire family on its own. Look at Grandfather, I'm a living example."

Xu Deling seemed to understand something and cupped his fists, "Ling'er will absolutely not disappoint Grandfather's expectations."