Chapter 188: Changes in Yuehu, Choices Given to the Huang and Lu Families

Three days later.

The Xu family held a vassal ceremony, inviting all vassal families to observe.

Wu Mingsheng publicly presented the artifact Dao inheritance.

Not long after, Wu Da, Wu Er, and Wu San successively took wives.

Although the Xu family promised protection for two hundred years, the Wu family also had to strive themselves, producing more descendants with cultivation aptitude.

The collection of the Five Elements Qi involved finding places where the Five Elements Qi were abundant and using secret methods to collect the essence of the five elements.

Water element qi naturally required collection at lakes, rivers, and such.

Dongxi happened to have a lake and because they raised spirit fish and had some water plants that produced slight spiritual energy, collecting there was sufficient.

Wood element qi—Broken Fang Mountain Range had lush vegetation.

Therefore, this was entrusted to the well-traveled Wu Zhen.

Earth element qi was also simple, beneath their feet was endless earth, available anywhere.

As for metal element qi, they needed to find a mineral vein.

In the Broken Cliff Mountain Range, the Xu family had discovered several, though they were all ordinary veins. Collection would be more troublesome, but there was no need to leave Dongxi to search like Wu Zhen.

If a spirit iron mine were discovered in Yuehu Commandery, it would definitely trigger a bloody storm. However, like spirit stone mines, these were rare.

Most were buried deep underground.

During this period, the Xu family's development hadn't slowed at all.

Xu family commercial establishments completely took root in all county cities.

The upward mobility ladder was opened, and all families were excited.

In county city commercial establishments.

Martial arts techniques cost only one hundred taels, innate techniques five hundred taels, greatly lowering the martial arts threshold.

Besides purchasing with silver, if one had rare items, they could bring them to the commercial establishment for appraisal and exchange.

After all, with so many people in a commandery, perhaps some commoner had obtained fortune without knowing it.

Of course, this possibility was quite low.

Besides techniques, there were also Qi and Blood Pills, medicinal diets, Aperture Opening Pills, Qi-Drawing Pills, and such, all clearly priced.

Grandmaster Martial Pills were also available but not as many as in the commandery city commercial establishments.

Currently, the Xu family didn't release many resources above innate level. Their priority was still cultivating their own people; they only released some when they had surplus.

For resources below innate level, there was no major problem.

The Xu family's business was spread throughout the commandery and counties, having long accumulated countless wealth and medicinal resources needed by Postnatal martial artists.

Besides accumulating more foundation, the Xu family opening commercial establishments also laid intelligence networks, collecting information from each county city.

If there were major discoveries, the Xu family could know at the fastest speed.

In any case, no matter what, every commercial establishment the Xu family opened brought massive profits.

They then took a portion of resources and wealth to give back to the people, ultimately forming a virtuous cycle.

While the Xu family developed rapidly.

Yuan, Lu, and Huang were all privately contacting other Qi Refining families or martial arts families.

Some Qi Refining families were tempted but most martial arts families refused because the Xu family opened wide opportunities, letting many martial arts families see hope for clan advancement and family promotion.

They even contacted the "Yuehu Martial Alliance."

The current "Yuehu Martial Alliance" had developed into a massive organizational force in Yuehu Commandery, with nearly forty percent of martial arts families in the commandery city joining.

Alliance members traveled everywhere, collecting spirit herbs, medicinal materials, and materials, exchanging them for martial arts resources or even cultivation resources.

Perhaps some perceptive families discovered that the "Yuehu Martial Alliance" wasn't simple behind the scenes, definitely not just controlled by the Chang and Yang families on the surface but even if they guessed it was related to the Xu family, they wouldn't speak out.

As long as it benefited their own families, who cared who they worked for?

Could they possibly go back to the past, looking at the faces of major cultivation families, begging for those tiny, meager resources without success?

…

Yuan family.

The Huang family head and Lu family head were both present.

"The Xu family acting this way has completely won the hearts of all martial arts families in our Yuehu Commandery. Previously, when they saw us, they wagged their tails and begged like dogs seeing food. Now, although they still greet us with smiles, their attitude is completely different. You could say they've stood up from the bones, as if one day they too can be our equals."

Family Head Lu kept muttering, full of frustration.

Family Head Huang sighed, "Must admit, the Xu family really has grand gestures."

"Releasing resources in every county city, can the Xu family really sustain this?" Family Head Yuan smiled coldly. "What kind of nature do these families have? Don't we know? Each one is an unfed wolf cub. Now they seem to favor the Xu family, but once the Xu family can't keep up supply, they might turn and bite. However, I suppose the Xu family won't live to see that day."

Family Head Lu's eyes brightened as he looked at Yuan Chenggang, "Brother Yuan has good news?"

Yuan Chenggang stroked his beard and smiled faintly, "Three families have already agreed to send late Qi Refining experts from their clans."

"Just that?" Family Head Huang frowned slightly.

"Brother Huang, think about it, the Xu family is currently on the rise. All families are counting on trading for upper-grade medicinal pills and upper-grade magical artifacts from Xu family commercial establishments. How would they truly bet everything on us? However, having more late Qi Refining experts is still good. What do you both think?"

Family Head Huang and Family Head Lu exchanged glances and nodded slightly.

Then Yuan Chenggang continued, "The Xu family is developing too fast. Now Xu family commercial establishments have appeared in every county city. Their intentions are clear as day, they're aiming for the entire commandery city."

"I've noticed this too, but what makes Lu curious is why the Zhou family remains unmoved. Could it be the Zhou family is orchestrating everything behind the scenes?" Family Head Lu rubbed his chin, pondering.

"This doesn't match the Zhou family's usual style." Yuan Chenggang shook his head. "The Zhou family is already Yuehu Commandery's hegemon. In terms of stability, the previous way was best. There's no need to open wide opportunities for commoners, ordinary families, and martial arts families. One family dominating with strict class divisions is more conducive to their rule over Yuehu Commandery. As for letting a hundred schools of thought contend, if not handled well, the Zhou family could also get burned."

"Then isn't the Xu family afraid that too many families rising in Yuehu Commandery will one day turn on them?"

Family Head Huang voiced the doubt in the other two's hearts.

This was also something they couldn't figure out.

Looking at all of Great Wei, no family had ever acted this way.

Reform Yuehu Commandery and improve the overall strength of Yuehu Commandery?

But one misstep, and this would be catastrophic disaster, triggering unrest far deeper and more far-reaching than the previous "Su-Zhou Struggle."

Previously, it only involved commandery city martial arts families and cultivation families but with the Xu family doing this, once chaos erupted, it would encompass all of Yuehu Commandery, from the commandery city to county cities, even rural areas would be drawn in.

Yuan Chenggang frowned in thought and said, "No matter what, if the Xu family continues developing like this, forget about Yuehu Commandery's future, at least our three families will bear the brunt first."

Speaking, his eyes flashed with cold light as he looked at the other two family heads. "Brother Huang, Brother Lu, we must act within two months at most. We must spare no cost in rallying experts from other families. Two months from now, near the eve of when our cultivation families pay taxes, the Xu family shouldn't expect us to launch a surprise attack at such a critical juncture."

Family Head Huang showed hesitation on his face.

He even somewhat regretted rashly making an alliance oath with the Yuan family that day.

Now in the same boat, he could only be swept along by the Yuan family.

"Good, we'll do as Brother Yuan says." The two said one after another.

…

Zhou family.

Zhou Qingfang's quiet cultivation location.

"Ancestor, the Xu family's schemes have gradually become clear, but Shaoyuan can't understand why the Xu family would do this. Perhaps it benefits the Xu family. But once chaos erupts in the future, the turmoil will definitely be profound. It might even cause Great Wei's Cao clan to intervene. Last time our struggle with the Su family involved most families in the commandery city and already triggered the Cao clan's warning. With the Xu family doing this..."

He paused, then after thinking continued, "Could it be the Xu family has experienced too little and hasn't thought through the possible consequences? Should our Zhou family intervene?"

Zhou Qingfang repeatedly pondered but also couldn't see the true intention behind the Xu family's actions.

He looked at Zhou Shaoyuan and said, "No rush now."

"In just a year or two, chaos won't occur. At least it will take decades or a hundred years, when those ordinary families and county city families truly develop, before what you describe might happen. Let's observe for now."

"For now, still focus on the matter between the Yuan, Lu, and Huang families and the Xu family."

"Yes, Ancestor."

Yuehu Commandery's originally calm situation was stirred into murky waters by the Xu family's actions.

All cultivation families couldn't see clearly but for bottom-tier families, they seized every opportunity and continuously climbed upward.

Benefiting from this, the Xu family had thorough knowledge of every county city's situation.

They even received several rare two-to-three-hundred-year spirit medicines from county cities, along with several precious second-rank ore stones.

There was also information about some demon beasts.

After learning of it, the Xu family issued tasks and dispatched people to investigate.

Once news was confirmed, they immediately organized forces with Xu Mingwei personally leading the team.

Demon beast material acquisition increased several times compared to before.

Many families with some wealth exchanged for considerable martial arts resources to cultivate family disciples.

The number of young martial artists in each county city suddenly surged.

Even the number of innate martial artists increased by dozens.

They benefited, and the Xu family benefited even more. Seven or eight late Qi Refining demon beasts, just their materials alone were enough to refine many middle and upper-grade magical artifacts.

The variety of spirit medicines in the Xu family's spirit medicine garden also increased considerably. However, whether martial arts manuals or resources, for commoners they were still unattainably high.

Not everyone was Xu Chuan with that money-making mindset and ability but how could Xu Chuan not know the potential of commoners?

Therefore, Xu family commercial establishments in all county cities had one rule: if one lacked sufficient silver, they could freely test bone structure and aptitude.

If they met the Xu family's requirements, they could enter the Xu family and receive cultivation.

Now, throughout all of Yuehu Commandery, perhaps some didn't know the Zhou, Yuan, Huang, or Lu families, but absolutely no one didn't know the Xu family.

Their reputation had long spread throughout all of Yuehu Commandery.

Including their past benevolence toward people, how Dongxi residents lived and worked in peace and prosperity, lived affluently like a fairyland, this too gradually spread.

Previously, the Xu family only rallied commoners in counties around Qingjiang County. Now the Xu family let loose and cast a wide net.

During this time, hundreds of children and youths without roots entered the Xu family.

They even discovered thirty or forty people with cultivation aptitude.

Other families looked down on them and wouldn't expend effort cultivating from scratch but the Xu family had many resources and few people. What they wanted was clean backgrounds and loyalty to the Xu family.

These people all satisfied that, so the Xu family had no reason not to accept them.

In ten or twenty years.

Among these people, some might establish marriage relations with the Xu family or become famous throughout Yuehu Commandery!

Time passed in a flash to October.

Family Head Yuan rallied several more families. Family Heads Lu and Huang also recruited some people.

They just waited to select an appropriate opportunity.

The three families then prepared to strike but little did they know, the three families' frequent comings and goings were all observed by some sparrows.

These sparrows were all controlled by Xu Mingshu.

"Father, these past months, the Yuan, Lu, and Huang families have visited many martial arts families and cultivation families, but we don't know specifically which families were rallied."

"Controlling ordinary sparrows to obtain this news is already quite good. If they were demon beasts, they'd probably be discovered quickly." Xu Chuan smiled faintly.

Xu Mingshu nodded, then continued, "They haven't moved for several days. Are they planning to hold off temporarily, wait until after paying taxes, and look for an opportunity next year?"

"Hard to say. Perhaps this is just a facade to confuse us. In reality, it's the sign before the storm arrives."

"This soon? I thought they'd prepare thoroughly for at least a year or more. Have they already gathered enough strength to firmly overwhelm my Xu family?"

"In this fight to the death, naturally the more trump cards the better." Xu Chuan glanced at Xu Mingshu and smiled faintly. "But my Xu family's actions are too big and scared them."

"That's true." Xu Mingshu grinned. "Even the Zhou family is probably restless."

"Although I don't know their exact timing for taking action, everything has signs. Mingshu, from now on, have the three Azure Fire Eagles watch the three families. No need to get close. If any family raises their array light barrier, that should be the sign they're about to strike."

"Activate arrays?"

"People worry about gains and losses. Even going to risk their own lives, they want to protect the safety of clan elders and children."

"Father makes sense." Xu Mingshu nodded and immediately complied.

After just four or five days.

Sure enough, both the Huang and Lu families raised array light barriers. The clans were also unusually vigilant, as if guarding against surprise attacks.

After learning this, Xu Chuan's lips curved up. He immediately summoned Xu Mingwei and Xu Mingxian, and the three together went to the Huang family.

Outside the Huang family's clan land.

Xu Chuan transmitted into the interior. Huang family guards immediately reported this news to Family Head Huang.

Family Head Huang's face immediately turned pale, his pupils flashing with alarm. "Why are they coming to my Huang family at this time? Could it be..."

However, the three from the Xu family who came had extraordinary identities.

One Grand Elder, one former family head, one Xu family genius.

If he didn't see them, it would only make people think he had a guilty conscience.

Family Head Huang immediately went forward, his face already restored to normal, showing no abnormality.

Bringing the Huang family's Grand Elder and top three elders, he came before the array light barrier to confront Xu Chuan's trio.

He cupped his fists and said, "Brother Xu, why did you suddenly come with your son?"

"I'm curious too. On a whim, I came to visit the Huang family. Why did the Huang family suddenly raise array prohibitions? Could it be you recently suffered external attacks?"

Old and cunning, trying to extract information from me?

Family Head Huang immediately went along with his line of thinking. "That's correct. Recently, a late Qi Refining rogue cultivator attacked my Huang family and injured some clan members. Unfortunately, he escaped. To prevent my Huang family from suffering more losses, we activated the array."

"Is that so?" Xu Chuan smiled faintly at Family Head Huang. "My Xu family now has some connections. Perhaps we can help the Huang family investigate."

"This is my Huang family's own matter. No need to trouble the Xu family."

"Alright. Then please, Family Head Huang, open the array prohibition and let us in for a chat."

"Does Brother Xu have business?"

"Even without business, we can strengthen relations. Could it be the Huang family is unwilling and intent on opposing my Xu family?"

Family Head Huang's heart skipped a beat, feeling unsettled. Forcing a smile, he said, "How could that be? I naturally welcome Brother Xu, this pill refining master, to visit. If we could trade my Huang family a few bottles of upper-grade medicinal pills, that would be even better."

With things said to this extent, Family Head Huang had no choice but to open the prohibition, let them enter, then led them to the main hall.

The Huang family's Grand Elder, Second Elder, and Third Elder were also present. However, their attention was constantly on Xu Chuan's trio.

Family Head Huang looked at Xu Chuan and asked seriously, "Brother Xu came to my Huang family, what important matter brings you? Please speak plainly."

Xu Chuan was unhurried, picking up his teacup and taking a light sip, then opened by saying, "Since Brother Huang has no ill intentions toward my Xu family, I'm relieved. I came to invite the Huang family to join hands with my Xu family to deal with the Yuan family together."

Family Head Huang and all the elders' pupils contracted as they looked at each other.

"What does Brother Xu mean? My Huang family and Yuan family have no grudges. Why would we strike at the Yuan family?"

"But the Yuan family has repeatedly provoked my Xu family. This time I heard they even contacted many people, preparing to strike. How can my Xu family continue tolerating endlessly?"

Xu Chuan gently set down his teacup and said indifferently, "Therefore, I feel that for Yuehu Commandery's stability, it's better to let the Yuan family completely disappear."

"This..."

"Brother Huang won't agree? Do you think my Xu family has no chance of victory?"

Family Head Huang found it hard to speak.

Xu Chuan said, "But in this matter, the Huang family might not be able to refuse."

"Why?" The Grand Elder, also at ninth layer Qi Refining, snorted coldly and looked at Xu Chuan's trio with an unfriendly expression.

"If the Huang family doesn't act, then my Xu family can only resolve the Huang family together." Xu Chuan said lightly, yet his tone carried certainty.

"Xu Chuan, your Xu family is too domineering!" the Second Elder said. "Even the Zhou family wouldn't do this. You clearly came to invite us, but if my Huang family doesn't agree, you want to deal with my Huang family?"

"If this spreads, let's see how you can establish yourself in Yuehu Commandery!"

"Hehe."

Xu Mingxian laughed coldly, his eyes flashing with disdain. "Why is it like this? Doesn't your Huang family know in your hearts?"

"My father is giving the Huang family one chance. After all, previously your Huang family never had ill intentions toward my Xu family. Otherwise, ending up with the same fate as the Yuan family would be deserved."

"You—" The Second Elder's eyes widened, wanting to say something but unable to speak.

After all, the matter of the Huang family allying with the Yuan and Lu families was secret.

Family Head Huang's face also darkened. "It seems Brother Xu's visit today has bad intentions. Then forgive my Huang family for not hosting you."

"Brother Huang, do you truly want to bet the entire Huang family? If so, I won't say more today and will turn and leave."

Family Head Huang's face turned iron blue.

What's going on—casually threatening to exterminate clans at every turn?!

He felt that if he didn't get clear answers today, he probably wouldn't be able to sleep peacefully afterward.

"What exactly do you want?"

"On the day the Yuan family attacks my Xu family, turn on the Yuan family with the Lu family and destroy them. Their clan land goes to my Xu family. Thirty percent of resources, you and the Lu family split it."

Family Head Huang and all the elders' faces showed horror.

"You, you all—"

The three Huang family elders immediately released their magical artifacts. Three flying swords hovered above their heads, continuously ringing.

Xu Chuan's trio showed no change in expression.

A khaki-colored square seal appeared at some point, floating in Xu Mingxian's palm, emanating yellow light.

Family Head Huang said in a dark voice, "Brother Xu, your Xu family truly has good methods. But you three came alone today, aren't you afraid you'll all stay in my Huang family?"

Xu Chuan shook his head and smiled, then stared calmly at Family Head Huang. "Brother Huang, you overestimate your Huang family."

"I said before, I'm giving the Huang family one chance. Unwilling to accept it? Then my Xu family naturally has the capability to destroy both your Huang family and the Yuan family. Having my Xu family gain another clan land and a fifth-rank cultivation family's resources isn't bad either. It's just that my Xu family has always been clear about gratitude and grievances. Your Huang family previously never had enmity toward my Xu family. Why you're like this now, I also understand clearly. I can tell you plainly, the Yuan family must be destroyed. My Xu family has no interest in your Huang family's clan land. You were deceived by the Yuan family and insist on betting your family, my Xu family doesn't persuade those seeking death with kind words!"

The Grand Elder's face was extremely grave and vigilant. "How do you know your Xu family will definitely win?"

"My Huang, Lu, and Yuan families joining forces, plus rallying some other families, even the Zhou family must be cautious or even yield. Just based on your Xu family?"

Xu Chuan didn't say much more. He immediately took out a token from his storage bag and tossed it to the Grand Elder.

"Dan? Thirteen? This is?"

Xu Mingwei said indifferently, "My father is the Dan Hall's Thirteenth Elder. It's precisely because of this that the Zhou family was willing to privately ally with my Xu family."

"With my father's connections, plus the Zhou family, as long as he opens his mouth with promises, all families in Yuehu Commandery's commandery city will stand on my Xu family's side."

Family Head Huang couldn't believe it. He seized the token from the Grand Elder's hand and examined it repeatedly, murmuring, "Dan Hall Thirteenth Elder, Dan Hall Thirteenth Elder?!"

Then he smiled self-mockingly. "No wonder at the last tax collection, the imperial emissary opened by asking about you and only took Xu Chuan seriously."

"What a Dan Hall Elder, what a Xu family!"

Xu Mingxian said indifferently, "My Xu family has always been low-key, naturally too lazy to go around telling people."

Low-key?

Extending hands into the commandery city and all county cities, this is low-key?

Opening wide opportunities, wanting to rally all families' hearts, this is low-key?

What kind of low-key is this?!

"With things said to this point, I won't say more. But I think the time left for your Huang family to consider shouldn't be many days, right?"

Several Huang family members' hearts suddenly trembled.

They all had the same thought, how did he know?

"According to what I said before, the Huang family can also get fifteen percent of the Yuan family's resources. Of course, if your Huang family insists on binding with the Yuan family to test my Xu family's hardness, that's up to you. I've also stated the consequences of taking action. Your Huang family can choose for yourselves. We'll be waiting for you in Dongxi."

Xu Chuan stood up, about to leave, but his steps paused. He turned and smiled, "Backing down won't work. Having walked this path, if the Yuan family isn't destroyed, then you can only accompany them in burial."

Having said that, Xu Chuan's trio departed.

They didn't even notice that the Huang family's array hadn't stopped Xu Chuan's trio at all.

This was also a warning to the Huang family!

After leaving the Huang family, Xu Chuan brought the two to visit the Lu family as well, also having the Lu family choose for themselves.

At Huang family hall, the atmosphere was extremely tense, the air so oppressive it seemed suffocating.