Chapter 184: Xu Chuan's Gift

"Rarely do you say something correct today."

Xu Chuan smiled faintly and looked at Xu Dezhao, "Do you want to become family head?"

"I..." Xu Dezhao's eyes glanced at his father, Xu Mingwei.

"No need to look at your father. You only need to ask yourself whether you're prepared to shoulder the heavy responsibility of being family head."

"As family head, you'll know all major and minor Xu family matters, including things usually hidden from you juniors, or even more secretive matters. If the various halls have major issues, they must also inform the family head, then convene the council of elders for a clan assembly."

"In any aristocratic family, the family head is one of the clan's core figures, representing the family's face."

Xu Dezhao fell silent, seemingly struggling internally, his fingertips unconsciously rubbing the edge of the table beside him.

The others remained silent one by one.

After a long moment, Xu Dezhao suddenly stood up. Sunlight from the window fell on his face, making his eyes flash with golden light.

Looking at him, one could feel a sense of security from his presence.

His fists clenched tightly, his eyes full of unwavering determination, having already made his decision.

"Grandfather, I want to be family head!"

"Please grant me this, Grandfather!"

Xu Chuan smiled slightly. Xu Mingwei and the other five all wore matching smiles.

Their smiles contained gratification.

Xu Deling was somewhat excited.

Looking at other aristocratic families, none had ever allowed someone under thirty to succeed as family head.

Most were in their forties or fifties.

After all, they were cultivators. It was normal for the previous generation's family head to hold power until their eighties or nineties.

As for the next family head, they might directly pass it to an outstanding individual from the generation after next.

"Big Brother, the son inheriting the father's position, congratulations." Xu Mingxuan cupped his fists in congratulation.

"Dezhao is still very inexperienced. He'll still need you uncles to guide and support him."

"Father, are you truly willing to give up the family head position? You're in your prime years. Among other aristocratic family heads, you're probably the youngest."

A flash of recognition appeared in Xu Mingwei's eyes as he smiled, "That's true, but don't forget that my Xu family came from the mortal world. I began serving as family head when I came of age. Now, calculating it, it's been a full twenty years."

Speaking, he glanced at Xu Chuan and said, "Actually, compared to qualifications for family head, among our generation, Mingyuan is more suitable. Thanks to Father's strong support and teachings, and thanks to Mingyuan's assistance, I was able to gradually improve and become accustomed to it."

He patted Xu Mingyuan's shoulder. Xu Mingyuan smiled back, "In mortal families, life is short. Establishing the eldest legitimate son is indeed best. Cultivators can fly through the heavens, and those with powerful strength can even match an entire family alone. Many families have experienced clan members betraying and fleeing. Therefore, to lead them, one must select someone people trust. Big Brother, your conduct and actions earn all our trust, and your strength crowns the entire family, so naturally it's still you."

"You always have so many words to block me." Xu Mingwei smiled and pointed at him, then said to Xu Dezhao, "Your father prefers combat, but because Grandfather required it, I continued serving as family head. Now with you, Dezhao, I can lay down this burden and focus solely on managing my Battle Hall in the future."

"So I've been delaying you, is that it?" Xu Chuan said playfully.

Hearing this, everyone immediately burst into laughter.

"Father, please don't joke." Xu Mingwei said helplessly.

"Enough joking. It seems everyone present agrees with Dezhao succeeding as family head."

Everyone nodded.

"Those who win hearts make everything easier!" Xu Chuan smiled faintly, "Don't disappoint your father and uncles' expectations. Today, they all intentionally yielded their positions to you. What you said today, they had already figured out long ago."

"Father, I didn't." Xu Mingxian said indifferently.

"Don't undermine me!" Xu Chuan smiled and scolded.

"Father, isn't it because you intentionally arranged it this way? We just went along with your intentions." Xu Mingyuan smiled.

"Your hides are all itching, aren't they?"

Everyone laughed heartily.

"On the first day after the year-end sacrifice, at the hour of chen, open the ancestral hall and offer sacrifices to our ancestors. Mingyuan, remember to transmit this news to the various vassal family heads, as well as the Chang and Yang families. Also inform the Zhou family of my Xu family's family head succession."

"Your son understands."

…

Liuyun County.

Chen family.

"Hmm, family head succession? Nephew Dezhao is going to succeed as family head?"

Chen Daniu looked at the letter in his hand, his eyes flashing with surprise, "It seems the main family is about to undergo major changes again."

The current Chen family in Liuyun County had already become the largest aristocratic family.

After all, besides Chen Daniu, this late Innate martial artist, there were also three Innate powerhouses.

Two of them were his descendants, and the other was a recruited guard with good martial arts talent who had now become an elder of the Chen family.

Chen Daniu also had his descendants marry with that person's descendants to improve the Chen family's offspring's aptitude.

The Bai family was the same.

As for the Li family, their foundation was in Qingjiang County.

Besides the Xu family, the Li family was Qingjiang's first aristocratic family.

With a mid-stage grandmaster martial artist presiding, that one person alone could sweep through an entire aristocratic family. However, the Li family started almost from zero, so their foundation was quite shallow.

Their clan population was also sparse.

If Li Er hadn't produced seven or eight children in one breath previously, the Li family might have become a single-line succession.

After all, Li Zhi didn't seem enthusiastic about this, having only one son and one daughter under his knee, roughly the same age as Xu Derong and his peers.

The Li family's martial fortune was still good.

Whether Li Zhi's descendants or his younger brothers and sisters, their martial arts aptitude was acceptable.

The two oldest had already entered the Innate realm.

The others also had opportunities.

Most of them married at seventeen or eighteen, the earliest at sixteen, and had already spread branches for the Li family.

In this aspect, they didn't follow Li Zhi's example. Each had three to five beautiful wives and concubines, with flourishing offspring.

In another ten years, their descendants' numbers would probably exceed the Xu family's.

As for the other Zhao, Qian, Sun, and Zhou families, they were slightly weaker but also had one or two Innate experts and many late Postnatal guards, ranking at the forefront of the county city.

The family head was one of the power cores.

The family head position's succession meant the power core was changing.

This related to each family's future, so they all treated it with great caution.

Of course, externally it would be different, but within the Xu family, the changes weren't major.

The family head could independently decide minor matters and vassal family affairs, but major matters still required approval from the council of elders.

This was a form of checks and balances.

…

After laying down the heavy responsibility of family head, Xu Mingwei seemed more relaxed overall, with a sense of mental clarity.

With this insight, he immediately went into seclusion.

Five or six days later.

Xu Mingwei emerged from seclusion, his cultivation finally reaching Qi Refining perfection.

Two days later, he took the Spirit Advancing Pill. His divine sense transformed, giving birth to divine consciousness.

The Zhou family, benefiting from Barrier Breaking Pills, had over twenty people at ninth layer Qi Refining, yet only six or seven at ninth layer Qi Refining perfection.

Zhou Shaoyuan was greatly shocked to learn that the Xu family's family head position was about to change.

After all, Xu Mingwei was still very young. Even having Xu Chuan as family head would be normal yet now they wanted to pass it to a youth who had just come of age.

"The Xu family's actions are truly incomprehensible."

"I remember Xu Dezhao is just a martial artist, right?"

Zhou Shaoyuan's brow furrowed slightly. After pondering briefly, he said, "Someone, go invite Elder Zhou Sen."

"Yes, Family Head."

The guard at the door cupped his fists, then immediately departed.

Before long, Zhou Sen entered the study and asked, "Family Head, you summoned me?"

"Elder Zhou Sen, the Xu family sent someone with news. Xu Mingwei is about to step down as family head and pass it to his son, Xu Dezhao. Since the Xu family notified us, my Zhou family cannot fail to show proper etiquette. Please Elder Zhou Sen, bring congratulatory gifts and make the trip on the first day of the new year for the ceremony. According to the letter, it's at the hour of chen. Elder Zhou Sen, don't forget the time."

Zhou Sen stroked his long beard and said, "Perfect. Old man currently has some confusion about refining upper-grade Lesser True Essence Pills. I'll take the opportunity to consult Fellow Daoist Xu Chuan."

"Upper-grade?!" Zhou Shaoyuan's face showed delight, "Elder Zhou Sen's pill Dao attainments have improved considerably."

"Although the Lesser True Essence Pill isn't as good as the True Essence Pill, it's also a second-rank pill. Being able to touch the upper-grade bottleneck, you're probably catching up to Xu Chuan."

Zhou Sen smiled and waved his hand, "There is progress, but catching up to Fellow Daoist Xu is difficult."

"Even if we can both refine second-rank upper-grade pills, Fellow Daoist Xu can probably quickly master and refine upper-grade pills for almost all second-rank pills. Old man is far inferior."

"Elder Zhou Sen, don't undervalue yourself. After Elder can refine upper-grade pills, you could go take the Dan Hall offering test. If you can pass, you can advance your pill Dao attainments in the Dan Hall. Didn't Xu Chuan also make rapid progress after going to the Dan Hall?"

"The Dan Hall?" Zhou Sen said quietly, "Let's discuss that matter later."

Zhou Shaoyuan nodded slightly.

…

The day before the year-end sacrifice.

The Xu family held a grand assembly.

Each person reported the year's achievements.

Wu Mingsheng said, "Grand Elder, Wu Da and Wu Er can already refine middle-grade magical artifacts. Wu San is also currently learning middle-grade magical artifact refinement. Deling is even more naturally talented. Even old man can't match the low-grade magical artifacts she knows how to refine."

"Excellent. Grant Wu Da, Wu Er, and Wu San each one upper-grade Barrier Breaking Pill. Hope they continue their efforts."

"Thank you, Grand Elder." Wu Mingsheng said, "However, old man has attempted twice to refine exquisite magical artifacts, but unfortunately both failed, wasting considerable materials. I feel deeply ashamed and dare not speak of continuing. Please Grand Elder, entrust this task to Deling instead. I believe with her talent, she will definitely be able to refine exquisite magical artifacts in the future."

After pondering a moment, Xu Chuan looked at Wu Mingsheng and said, "The matter of exquisite magical artifacts is of great importance. Ling'er indeed has opportunity, but the time is too long. The Xu family cannot wait. After this assembly ends, I will lend you a hand. Elder Wu, don't be anxious."

Assist me?

Wu Mingsheng immediately felt puzzled, but since Xu Chuan spoke, he could only trust him.

Refining exquisite magical artifacts was a huge threshold for artifact refiners. Anyone who could reach this level of artifact refining attainment would be welcomed by all the major Foundation Establishment families in Great Wei, including the imperial Cao clan.

They would even help him break through to Foundation Establishment so he could devote himself to researching peak-tier magical artifact refinement.

As a rogue cultivator, Wu Mingsheng being able to touch the threshold of exquisite magical artifacts alone was already remarkable.

It was just that he had previously made promises to the Xu family but couldn't deliver, making him feel deeply ashamed.

"How is the Array Formation Hall?"

Xu Mingxian said, "Acceptable. With the addition of Fellow Daoist Luo, he can help me somewhat."

Luo Qianshan also said, "Elder Mingxian's array Dao makes Luo admire him. I'm grateful to the Grand Elder for giving this opportunity, allowing Luo to follow Elder Mingxian. Luo believes that in a few more years, my array level will definitely improve considerably."

"Then Fellow Daoist Luo should diligently research arrays in the Array Formation Hall. If needed, please spare no effort."

"Naturally." Luo Qianshan cupped his fists.

"What's the current situation of the Talisman Hall?" Xu Chuan looked at Lu Feng.

Lu Feng cupped his fists and said, "Reporting to Grand Elder, currently the Talisman Hall has gained the talisman making genius Elder Mingyuan. Talisman production has increased considerably and should barely be able to sell in the market's commercial establishments. As for Lu, my cultivation has reached sixth layer Qi Refining peak. Currently, my success rate in drawing middle-grade talismans has improved somewhat compared to before."

"Thank you, Fellow Daoist Lu, for wholeheartedly teaching Mingyuan. Since you've reached sixth layer peak, there's no need to waste time at this realm. The clan grants you two upper-grade Barrier Breaking Pills. You must break through to seventh layer Qi Refining in one attempt."

Lu Feng's eyes filled with joy. His body trembled with excitement as he immediately cupped his fists, "Thank you, Grand Elder!"

Then Xu Chuan looked at Wu Zhen, "Fellow Daoist Wu, how has life been in my Xu family?"

"Very comfortable. Wu is fortunate to have chosen the Xu family."

"I heard from Mingwei that recently you've been teaching Battle Hall disciples combat experience. We're truly grateful."

"Wu is the Battle Hall's chief instructor. This is within my duties."

Xu Chuan nodded slightly and also promised, "When Fellow Daoist Wu reaches the ninth layer bottleneck, you can also freely obtain one pill for breaking through the bottleneck."

"Thank you, Grand Elder!"

The rest were ordinary clan affairs. Xu Mingyuan mentioned that many guards in the clan were stuck at martial arts bottlenecks, unable to break through.

There was also the matter of the family head succession.

After it ended, Xu Chuan kept Wu Mingsheng behind alone.

"Grand Elder." Wu Mingsheng cupped his fists.

"Sit down and talk."

"Yes."

Xu Chuan glanced at him and said indifferently, "You're now late ninth layer Qi Refining, not far from Qi Refining perfection."

"Thanks to the Xu family continuously providing upper-grade Qi Nurturing Pills."

"I don't understand artifact refining much, but I know that doing anything requires conviction. The stronger the conviction, the more likely success becomes. So Elder Wu, you must strengthen your own conviction."

"Yes."

Wu Mingsheng sighed inwardly. This was easier said than done.

"Conviction is mysterious and profound. It's not that saying 'I will definitely succeed' thousands or tens of thousands of times will actually make it happen, but rather it must arise from the heart."

Wu Mingsheng listened quietly.

"The way of the heart is equally mysterious, but it's influenced by external matters and objects."

"Like right now, Elder Wu has failed repeatedly and feels he's let down my Xu family. If we had you refine again at this moment, I dare assert with one hundred percent certainty you'd fail again, and even your success rate for upper-grade magical artifacts would decrease."

Wu Mingsheng nodded slightly.

His current state was indeed somewhat poor.

"But you'll be affected by failure, and you'll also have greatly increased conviction due to your own foundation."

Speaking, Xu Chuan slapped his storage bag, took out a porcelain bottle, and handed it to Wu Mingsheng, saying, "This is an upper-grade Divine Sense Pill. There are three inside."

"Upper-grade Divine Sense Pills?!" Wu Mingsheng's eyes immediately widened.

Having been in the Xu family these years, he naturally had heard of them, but these pills were extremely rare. Even few core Xu family members had taken them.

"Whether artifact refining, pill refining, arrays, or talisman making, powerful divine sense greatly benefits advancing immortal arts. It even provides assistance when breaking through the Foundation Establishment bottleneck. These three upper-grade Divine Sense Pills are enough to elevate your divine sense far beyond Qi Refining perfection level. Further up, it should only be divine sense transforming into divine consciousness."

Wu Mingsheng's eyes showed burning intensity, "Grand Elder, this..."

"This isn't a free gift. You also know how precious these pills are. Even with my Xu family's current foundation, our stored spirit herbs are only enough for a few portions of materials. Therefore, if you accept, you'll need to refine three exquisite magical artifacts without compensation in the future."

"I..." Wu Mingsheng hesitated somewhat, but thinking of the benefits it would bring him, he immediately gritted his teeth and said, "Good. Old man will definitely not fail this mission!"

"There's also this upper portion of the Nine Flames Formula, and this Control Artifact Formula. Ordinarily neither is transmitted externally. Today I grant them to Elder Wu to help your artifact Dao reach even higher."

Wu Mingsheng flipped through them briefly, immediately showing repeated delight.

The former enhanced divine sense control, allowing divided concentration to act as one. Combined with the upper-grade Divine Sense Pills, it was like adding wings to a tiger.

The latter allowed him to control artifacts more easily. Although not as good as the Nine Flames Formula, for artifact refiners, its utility wasn't small either.

"For these two, Elder Wu must make an oath prohibition, absolutely never transmitting them externally. Otherwise, your soul will shatter and you'll die."

Wu Mingsheng didn't hesitate and immediately made the oath.

When anyone in the Xu family's Dao Repository Tower selected cultivation methods or secret arts, they had to make oaths.

Therefore, he had no mental barriers.

Or rather, Xu Chuan bestowing these showed great kindness to him.

"After Elder Wu memorizes them, burn these transcripts to prevent any mishaps."

"Yes, Grand Elder."

"When Elder Wu reaches Qi Refining perfection with greatly increased divine sense and possesses both secret arts, I think you should have confidence in refining exquisite magical artifacts."

Wu Mingsheng cupped his fists in salute, "Wu will definitely not disappoint the Grand Elder's expectations!"

The two then both left the council hall and flew toward the Immortal Arts Hall.

The day of the year-end sacrifice.

For dozens of li around Dongxi, every household hung decorations, and fragrance filled the streets and alleys.

Young children played in the fields, old men chatted idly under eaves. Drums and music sounded, and sacrificial ceremonies were solemn.

On the mountain, the Xu residence, four generations gathered together.

Xu Derong, Xu Dejin, and these older juniors played with young children like Xu Deyue, Xu Deqian, Xu Chonghui, and Xu Chongming.

Xu Dejun, Xu Deheng, Xu Derui, and others conversed with each other, discussing their martial arts progress.

Later, Xu Dezhao, Xu Dejing, and Xu Dewen also joined in for sparring.

The elders like Xu Mingwei either accompanied their wives or chatted with others, commenting on the younger generation's martial arts.

Xu Chuan and Bai Jing silently watched these scenes, both smiling.

Before long, firecrackers resounded throughout every inch of Dongxi's land.

The white tiger raised its head to look at the colorful brilliant night sky, utterly helpless.

Humans were really boring enough.

Setting them off on this day every year.

Making the tiger lose sleep all night.

Glancing at the female tiger, might as well battle until dawn.

Late at night.

"Wife, you've entered my Xu family for forty-four years, achieving great merit through hard work. Your husband sends you a year-end sacrifice gift today." In Xu Chuan's hand appeared a palm-sized jade box.

"Why suddenly think to send me a gift? You didn't forget my birthday and are specially making up for it, did you?"

Xu Chuan laughed heartily, "Let's just say it is."

Bai Jing smiled and accepted the exquisite jade box. Her temples were already frosted with white, and fine wrinkles at the corners of her eyes layered like a folding fan.

Xu Chuan stood before her, his face smooth as a new inkstone.

One like a chrysanthemum about to wither on late autumn branches, one like a peach just blooming on March twigs.

They didn't resemble husband and wife, but more like mother and son.

She opened it to look. Inside was a cyan-white medicinal pill.

The cyan patterns on its surface were like rosy clouds, shining brilliantly. The moment the jade box opened, pill fragrance pervaded, filling the entire hall.

Smelling it invigorated one's spirit.

"A medicinal pill?" Bai Jing asked puzzled, "I haven't had any illnesses or pains recently. I don't need medicinal pills for treatment."

"This pill is incomparably precious. You needn't ask about specifics. If you want to accompany me and our children and grandchildren for a longer time, then take this pill."

"I..." Bai Jing fell silent for a moment, finally nodding slightly.

In the world, her attachments had become fewer and fewer. The Bai family was thriving, having become an aristocratic family, which could be considered worthy of the Bai family ancestors.

What remained were her husband, children, and that group of grandchildren, as well as the just-born great-grandchildren.

"I'll take it."

Bai Jing opened her mouth and swallowed it. Xu Chuan's sleeve swept, and her entire body went soft, losing consciousness.

Xu Chuan moved her to the bed.

This pill contained overwhelming life force that ordinary people couldn't bear and digest.

Therefore, Xu Chuan could only personally assist her in refining the medicinal power. To prevent her from feeling discomfort, he made her sleep.

Spending half the night, Xu Chuan also used a youth preservation technique he created from researching Withering and Flourishing Life and Death, allowing Bai Jing to return to youth, her appearance once again youthful.

After this, performing it once every ten years could maintain perpetual youth.

The next morning, Bai Jing awoke, her body feeling unprecedentedly relaxed.

Turning her head, Xu Chuan wasn't there.

She had long grown accustomed to this.

"Ah Li."

She called out softly, suddenly feeling her voice seemed somewhat wrong, but didn't pay much attention.

Until the middle-aged woman named Ah Li came in carrying washing water.

"Clang."

The basin fell to the ground, water spilling everywhere.

Bai Jing turned to look, her brows furrowing slightly, "What's wrong, Ah Li? Why so careless today? At the hour of chen, Dezhao will succeed as family head. We can't be delayed."

"What's wrong? Looking like you've seen a ghost. Why aren't you having someone come clean up?"

"Old Madam, your appearance..."

"What about my appearance?"

"It's exactly the same as when Ah Li first met you."

"What nonsense are you talking about? I'm already over sixty. Even sweet words won't excuse your mistake."

"No, Old Madam, what Ah Li says is true."

Bai Jing stepped forward, about to scold Ah Li, but saw in that puddle of water a reflection completely different from her usual appearance.

It was her lost youth!

Bai Jing found it somewhat hard to believe, but then thought of the medicinal pill Xu Chuan gave her last night.

So this is the gift my husband gave me.

Lost youth can return. Is this the means of cultivators?

"Don't be shocked. My Xu family is a cultivation family. Having some techniques to restore youthful appearance isn't anything strange. Forbid the servants from discussing this casually. If anyone dares leak it, execute them."

"Yes, Old Madam."

"Come help me with my appearance. Have servants handle this puddle of water."

"Yes."

Bai Jing's appearance caused quite a commotion. However, the voices were quickly suppressed.

…

Hour of chen.

"Open the ancestral hall, offer sacrifices to heaven and earth!" Xu Chuan's deep voice rang out.

The ancestral hall doors slowly opened.

The Xu clan members lined up neatly, entering the ancestral hall to burn incense and worship.

"Begin the family head succession ceremony!"

"Dezhao, come forward and kneel."

Xu Dezhao walked out from the crowd and knelt on the prayer mat in the center.

Xu Chuan recited, "The Xu clan has a son named Dezhao. In youth he possessed spiritual roots, in childhood he comprehended the profound. Coming of age, he entered the immortal path. In twenty years, he has already understood worldly affairs. Morning and evening attendance shows filial piety. Brotherhood shows even greater fraternal devotion..."

At the same time, Xu Dezhao held three incense sticks. The incense was raised above his head as he bowed three times toward the ancestral tablets.

"Before the Spirit Observance Hall, three incense sticks carry ancestral teachings. Below Azure Cloud Steps, one profound seal opens a new era. Present the family head seal!"