Chapter 190: Eighth-Rank Yin Wood Bloodline, Foundation Establishment Middle Stage Blood Pupil Spider

"Elder brother, as the saying goes, only mediocrities aren't envied. The same is true for families."

"No one wants a mountain above their head. Our Xu family is the same. Unless the power disparity is too great, leaving people helpless."

Xu Mingxian walked along and said calmly, "It's also because our Xu family has been too low-key, making the Yuan family think our Xu family obtained thirty percent of the Su family's foundation through luck.

Thinking our Xu family doesn't deserve these resources at all.

That's why they targeted us again and again."

"Of course, perhaps there was also an element of Father indulging and yielding, but Father wasn't wrong. Why should our Xu family's way of doing things need explanation to others?"

"Like the Zhou family, they only need to notify the other families when doing things. Would those families go ask for details?"

"Even if the other weak immortal cultivation families in Yuehu Commandery just develop quietly and act steadily, they can also reach the Yuan family's level.

If the Yuan family hadn't coveted the Su family's resources, and had even seen our Xu family's potential and befriended us, perhaps the two families might have even become in-laws, wouldn't they?"

"What do you think Father's next plan is after absorbing the Yuan family's ancestral grounds, strengthening the Xu family, and breaking through to Foundation Establishment?"

Xu Mingxian smiled, "Elder brother, are you testing me?"

"You know I'm not skilled at these things."

"Just chatting casually."

"Based on Father's temperament, his vision is extremely far-reaching. He's probably already seeing twenty years into Yuehu Commandery's future."

"Is he planning to control all of Yuehu Commandery?"

Immediately, Xu Mingxian refuted himself, "No, that's not right. Father has always been low-key. If Father succeeds in Foundation Establishment, the Xu family will inevitably attract much attention.

At that time, we'll need a more attention-grabbing target to draw the gaze of other commanderies away from our Xu family."

"Wait, Father wouldn't be thinking..."

"It seems you've guessed it. It should be about right. This path is what suits our Xu family."

Anticipation appeared in Xu Mingxian's eyes.

The two spent considerable time consolidating the Yuan family's resources. Some important places, such as where classics were collected and where family treasures were stored, all had restrictions set up and they weren't weak either.

However, it only took Xu Mingxian two or three quarters of an hour to break through them all.

As for the corpses of Yuan family members, they were all burned to nothing.

The blood mist gradually dissipated.

The two glanced at the Yuan family's ancestral grounds, then returned to the Xu family.

Xu Mingxian went to the Array Formation Hall.

Xu Mingwei went to find Xu Dezhao and handed over the items obtained from the Yuan family, having him organize them, set aside thirty percent for the Huang and Lu families, and sort the rest by category into the Xu family's treasury.

After that, the Huang and Lu families also hunted down the Yuan clan's collateral branches, as well as some members who weren't at the Yuan family's ancestral grounds on the day of the family's destruction.

The Xu family naturally also participated. However, the Huang and Lu families were in the open while the Xu family remained hidden.

If they still couldn't kill them all, then it was heaven wanting to preserve a thread of the Yuan family's bloodline.

The Yuan family's destruction caused quite a stir in Yuehu Commandery.

The families that had followed the Yuan, Lu, and Huang families to the Xu family, upon learning of the Yuan family's extermination, immediately selected high-grade materials from their family collections that very day and came to Dongxi to apologize.

The Xu family didn't want artifacts or pills, only spirit herb materials and rare secret technique classics, immortal arts inheritances, and the like.

These families all bled heavily.

One family even brought out a thousand-year spirit medicine they had collected.

The others also provided second-rank spirit materials and such, plus many spirit herbs and materials from Qi Refining late-stage demon beasts.

Only when Xu Dezhao personally promised them that the matter was settled did they breathe a sigh of relief.

Before coming, they had been terrified of following in the Yuan family's footsteps.

After this, the various families elevated the Xu family's status to the same level as the Zhou family.

Renovating the Yuan family's ancestral grounds was a massive undertaking.

The Xu family sent many people to demolish all the buildings in the ancestral grounds with devastating efficiency. This would take at least several months.

In Xu Chuan's plan, they would build spirit medicine gardens and spirit fields centered around the spiritual energy node.

For the entire ancestral grounds, Xu Mingxian would first set up a large-scale Spirit Gathering Array to continuously increase the spiritual energy concentration of this place.

Then set up a first-rank superior defensive formation.

With the help of the earth vein and the local spiritual energy, the formation could remain constantly active without needing to consume spirit stones like array disks.

As for other formations, they would be arranged separately after the spirit medicine garden here was established.

In the blink of an eye, it was time for the annual spirit tax payment.

This time, Azure Moon Platform was extremely gloomy, as if shrouded by dark clouds overhead.

Only the Zhou family and Xu family remained relatively relaxed and detached.

The flying boat arrived and again a new face.

This person was witty in conversation and willing to chat with the various families of Yuehu Commandery.

Of course, the arrogance in his eyes couldn't be hidden.

Clearly there was an element of seeking amusement, as if he enjoyed seeing the families fawn over him.

"If this envoy remembers correctly, Yuehu Commandery's families seem to be missing one. Which family didn't come today?"

Zhou Shaoyuan said, "Lord Envoy, the missing one is the Yuan family, but the Yuan family has already been removed from Yuehu Commandery."

"Removed? When did this happen?"

"Just half a month ago. Because it happened suddenly, we haven't had time to report to the Imperial City yet."

"What was the reason?"

"Because the Yuan family overestimated themselves." Xu Chuan cupped his fists, "Half a month ago, the Yuan family attacked my Xu family. They failed and were instead destroyed.

Of course, the Yuan family had already prepared this year's spirit tax long ago. My Xu family is willing to hand it over on their behalf."

"There's actually such a foolish family? Couldn't they even see the disparity between both sides?" The Imperial City envoy smiled lightly, but then his tone turned icy, "However, your Xu family is quite bold!"

"Knowing the spirit tax payment date was near, you still insisted on destroying the Yuan family?"

"Lord Envoy's words are mistaken. It was the Yuan family that wanted to destroy my Xu family!

They even united with two other families to attack, but those two families understood righteousness deeply and were moved by my Xu family. In the end, they turned sides on the battlefield and helped my Xu family destroy the Yuan family.

Otherwise, it would have been my Xu family that was exterminated that day."

"Turned sides on the battlefield? Which two families?"

The new Huang family head and new Lu family head immediately cupped their fists and identified themselves.

"Interesting. Tell me, how were you moved?"

The two looked at each other. The Huang family head said, "Previously we were deceived by the Yuan family, mistakenly believing the Xu family wanted to attack us, so we joined forces with them.

Then we were told the whole story and learned that it was actually the Yuan family that had long harbored ill intentions toward the Xu family. They just feared that even if they destroyed the Xu family, they would also suffer great losses, so they deceived our two families to join them."

"Our two families were ashamed to associate with them."

"What a good show indeed. It seems this envoy came too late, otherwise I could have witnessed it." The Imperial City envoy smiled again, "Since it wasn't the Xu family's fault, this envoy won't pursue it this time."

"But punishment cannot be avoided..."

After pondering, the Imperial City envoy said, "In that case, aside from paying the Yuan family's share, your Xu family's spirit tax this year shall be doubled. Do you accept this?"

Xu Chuan stood and bowed respectfully, "The Xu family willingly accepts this punishment and thanks Lord Envoy for his leniency."

These people from the Cao clan serving as spirit tax envoys were not to be underestimated.

The Imperial City envoy nodded slightly, then officially began collecting taxes.

The process was unremarkable. After collection, he didn't linger long and departed.

On the flying boat.

"Yuehu Commandery's situation is rather peculiar. I recall that Xu family should be a newly promoted family, but looking at how the various families present treat them, they seem to carry deep awe, including other families of the same rank.

It seems their status is equal to the Zhou family, which is a Foundation Establishment family and the Zhou family clearly doesn't mind either."

"Should this subordinate have someone investigate this Xu family?" The black-armored guard cupped his fists and bowed.

The Imperial City envoy shook his head and smiled lightly, "No need. To my Cao clan, Qi Refining families are merely weeds, one crop after another.

Only those who stand out and become Foundation Establishment families can enter my Cao clan's eyes."

"Let's wait until the Xu family manages to struggle out of the mud pit to discuss further. Or they might be destroyed by the Zhou family before truly rising, who knows."

"Yuehu Commandery's resources are nearly at the bottom among all commanderies. It can hardly support two Foundation Establishment families!"

"Young Master speaks truly!"

"Brother Xu, today was a close call."

"Indeed. How about we share a drink to celebrate?"

"Ha ha, excellent."

At this moment, the Huang and Lu family heads came forward and cupped their fists, "Family Head Zhou, Elder Xu, we still have matters at home, so we'll take our leave first."

"Please go ahead, no need for formalities."

The two looked at Xu Chuan again. Xu Chuan said lightly, "Have you received the resources promised to your two families previously?"

"We've already received them. The Xu family distinguishes clearly between gratitude and grudges. We accept this."

"That's good then."

Only then did the Huang and Lu family heads depart.

The other family heads also bid farewell to Zhou Shaoyuan and Xu Chuan one after another.

Seeing this change, Zhou Shaoyuan couldn't help but smile lightly, "Now, your Xu family can't stay low-key even if you want to. Everyone has already placed your Xu family alongside my Zhou family."

"Brother Zhou, please don't jest. Whether looking at the number of cultivators, clan members, family foundation, and so on, my Xu family is far inferior to the Zhou family."

Zhou Shaoyuan smiled lightly and didn't argue further, instead saying, "Looking at the current situation, Yuehu Commandery should be able to settle down for a while."

"My Xu family has never actively stirred up trouble."

"Zhou understands. You don't seek it, but it seeks you.

Many times it's unavoidable. When many families first became immortal cultivation families, they were the same."

After pausing, he looked at Xu Chuan, "But like your Xu family, not moving at all until moving like thunder, decisive and ruthless, my Zhou family is seeing this for the first time.

No wonder our ancestor thinks so highly of your Xu family."

"Xu greatly admires Senior Zhou's vision."

After chatting for a while, Xu Chuan also took his leave and returned to Dongxi.

Yuehu Commandery, as Zhou Shaoyuan said, did indeed calm down. However, this calm only meant the disappearance of conflicts between families.

Xu clan commerce continued to steadily release mid to high-grade resources, but because they were extremely scarce, the various families all wanting to strengthen themselves were still competing with each other.

Winter departed and spring arrived.

All things burgeoned forth.

Shen Qingyi, Zhou Zongni, and Bai Jing successively gave birth.

Shen Qingyi gave birth to Xu Dezhao's eldest daughter, named Xu Chongwan. She had no immortal cultivation aptitude.

Zhou Zongni gave birth to Xu Mingxian's eldest son, called Xu Deze. His aptitude was slightly inferior to Xu Deyue's, but still miscellaneous spiritual root aptitude.

Bai Jing also gave birth to a baby boy, Xu Chuan's fifth son, called Xu Mingqing.

His talent was quite outstanding.

Not only was he born with a true spiritual root, he also came with the talent [Supreme Green Spirit] and possessed an eighth-rank Yin Wood bloodline.

[Supreme Green Spirit] gave him extremely strong comprehension of the wood element. He was a natural genius at learning wood-element spells and secret techniques.

Moreover, if he was in a forest, he could make his aura completely merge with the surrounding trees.

Additionally, the clan happened to have recorded the Foundation Establishment technique of the "Wood Spirit Formula," which should be very suitable for him.

Xu Chuan was quite delighted.

He decided that when the boy began immortal cultivation, he would keep him close and teach him frequently.

After all, he was currently cultivating the "Wood Spirit Formula" as well.

Xu Mingxian and Xu Mingwei had previously cultivated metal-attribute Qi Refining techniques. Now that they had Foundation Establishment techniques, they also switched to cultivating their Qi Refining sections.

As for Xu Deying and Xu Dezhao, the former switched to cultivating the "Lesser True Yang Formula," while the latter cultivated the "Heaven Burning Formula."

Three months later.

The buildings of the Yuan family's ancestral grounds were all cleared away then another two months were spent opening up acre after acre of spirit fields and planting countless medicinal materials and spirit herbs.

They were still divided into medicinal materials needed for the martial path and spirit herbs needed for the immortal path.

This place also had a small lake. Xu Chuan had people raise spirit fish here as well.

The "Wood Spirit Formula" contained a secret technique called Wood Green Light Technique. Its effect on promoting plant growth far surpassed the wood-element spells Xu Chuan had learned before.

Of course, this secret technique was quite difficult to cultivate and required considerable comprehension of wood-element spells.

Currently, only he had learned it.

With this spell combined with his life force power, the medicinal materials and spirit herbs in Xu Chuan's medicine garden grew far faster than other families'.

Medicinal materials needed for the martial path could be harvested every three to four months. Some that required slightly longer maturation only needed seven to eight months.

Spirit herbs for the immortal path required at least five or six years.

At the current cultivation speed, they could be picked and refined into pills in just a few months.

Of course, some also required decades.

Xu Mingxian's array path attainments deepened day by day. He laid down layer upon layer of formations in this new Xu family medicine garden.

There were trapping formations, killing formations, illusion formations, and defensive formations.

Some precious spirit herbs even had second-rank low-grade formations set up around them.

Even if a Foundation Establishment cultivator wanted to enter this Xu family medicine garden to steal and pick herbs, it would be basically impossible.

Unless those entering also included an array master.

Ever since the formations were set up, Xu family guards patrolled and stood watch here daily.

Xu Mingxian also cooperated with Xu Deying to update the Xu family's restriction tokens. All tokens were bound to the owner's soul aura.

Simply put, one person per token.

If the user's aura didn't match the recorded aura on the token, it couldn't be used.

Xu Mingxian also refined aura-concealing restriction jade tokens. Even if Xu Chuan, Xu Mingwei, and the others investigated with divine sense, they couldn't discern the bearer's realm or cultivation.

Even blood qi fluctuations were hidden, making it impossible to distinguish whether they were martial or immortal path. However, these tokens currently weren't numerous and were only temporarily bestowed upon Xu clan members going out.

The Xu family now lacked no resources. Xu Deying's weapon path progressed very quickly. Now he was even researching the refinement of flying boats from the inheritance Wu Mingsheng had handed over.

Among them was a personal flying boat that could carry three to four people at most.

The other type was transport flying boats, divided into small, medium, and large. However, even small flying boats were quite challenging for the Xu family to refine. They consumed enormous amounts of spirit wood materials, the process was complex, and refinement was difficult.

As for personal flying boats, Xu Deying had already refined a low-grade flying boat. Its speed was comparable to riding a mid-grade flying sword.

If it was an upper-grade flying boat, it would probably be much faster than a Qi Refining perfection cultivator riding a sword.

Moreover, its magical power consumption was far less than wielding a flying sword.

However, in terms of control, users might need to put in some hard work before they could wield it as freely as a flying sword.

After all, the size was there.

Xu Mingyuan's talisman drawing efficiency and success rate now also surpassed Lu Feng's, though he knew fewer types of talismans.

The Five Elements Qi had been collected almost completely.

Only Wu Zhen hadn't returned yet.

If he were a rogue cultivator alone, it would take at least several years.

Another two months passed, Wu Zhen returned with five portions of fire-attribute Five Elements Qi, and brought back some news.

A spider demon beast colony had been discovered in Qingya Commandery. Rumor had it the strongest demon beast had reached Foundation Establishment middle stage. The Foundation Establishment family of Qingya Commandery was widely inviting cultivators to participate in demon hunting.

Xu Mingshu was curious about spider-type demon beasts and wanted to cultivate them. Xu Deying thought their silk should be usable as the primary material for robes.

After thinking it over, Xu Chuan had Xu Mingwei accompany the two on this trip.

…

Qingya Commandery.

Two commanderies away from Yuehu Commandery.

Whether in terms of Qi Refining family strength or Foundation Establishment family strength, this commandery was about the same as Yuehu Commandery.

Overall just slightly superior.

Its Foundation Establishment family was the Dongguo clan.

The spider demon beast colony matter was causing quite a stir in Qingya Commandery. They had already formed a considerable scale.

Not only was there a Foundation Establishment middle-stage spider ancestor, but also twenty or thirty Qi Refining stage spiders.

In the marketplace, people were also discussing this matter everywhere.

"I heard the Dongguo family sent dozens of Qi Refining stage cultivators to suppress them a few days ago, but they were defeated and fled. It looks like next time Old Ancestor Dongguo will have to act personally."

"Some rogue cultivators said that Foundation Establishment stage spider seems to have just laid eggs not long ago. The Dongguo family should be determined to get them."

"Of course. If cultivated well, that's a Foundation Establishment demon beast helper. But this type of demon beast isn't easy to tame. I heard that spider is extremely vicious, with three pairs of eyes that are blood-red.

Ordinary spider demon beasts all fear flames, but that spider doesn't. Its silk is also exceptionally tough. Even flames have difficulty burning it through. I don't know what species it is."

"So terrifying. No wonder the Dongguo family failed." Someone sighed, "But next time with preparation, it shouldn't be like last time, right?"

"Who knows!"

Xu Mingwei and the others collected quite a bit of information about that spider demon beast in the marketplace.

After summarizing, Xu Mingshu's face showed delight, "Elder brother, little sister knows what demon beast that is."

"Blood Pupil Spider, primarily fire attribute, extremely high resistance to fire-element spells. It can also spray venom with strong corrosive effects. Its carapace and legs are extremely hard, excellent artifact refinement materials.

Its silk is also impervious to ordinary water and fire, an excellent material for refining robes. The silk of Qi Refining late-stage Blood Pupil Spiders can serve as material for mid-grade robes.

Its toughness is such that even mid-grade artifact flying swords need to attack multiple times to sever it.

Foundation Establishment middle stage, that silk is sufficient to refine exquisite robes. Its other materials can also serve as one of the materials for top-tier artifacts."

Xu Mingwei shook his head with a laugh, "Don't think about the Foundation Establishment one. See if we can abduct a few early Qi Refining stage ones, or spider eggs."

Xu Deying said, "Those spider eggs, the Dongguo family should be watching very closely, right?"

"Cultivating this demon beast naturally starts best from the egg. Adults are very difficult to succeed with. Even if my strength far exceeds theirs, it might still provoke their fierce resistance.

Demon beasts all have considerable intelligence, especially wild ones. Many would rather die than willingly be enslaved."

"Then we can only steal the spider eggs?" Xu Mingwei pondered, seemingly weighing gains and losses.

"The 'True Spirit Control Scripture' has methods for cultivating Blood Pupil Spiders. If we can steal them and bring them back, it would be very beneficial for the family."

"I understand this too." Xu Mingwei's black eyes suddenly rippled, "The key is the Dongguo family."

After considering, he said, "Anyway, the Dongguo family will need some time before they attack again. First send word back and ask for Father's decision. Even if we decide to compete with the Dongguo family.

The family side also needs to make preparations."

"I was just thinking the same."

Immediately, Xu Mingshu had her Azure Fire Eagle Ah Da return to deliver the message.

With its flying speed, it could return to Dongxi in just two or three hours.

After receiving the letter and learning the circumstances, Xu Chuan pondered briefly before giving his reply.

On the other side, in the inn, Xu Mingshu opened her eyes and transmitted to Xu Mingwei, "Elder brother, I sense Ah Da isn't far from Qingya Commandery's marketplace. I'll go meet him."

"Be careful." Xu Mingwei replied.

Xu Mingshu went more than ten li outside the marketplace. Before long, she saw the Azure Fire Eagle flying over.

Taking the letter, she gently stroked its head in praise, "Ah Da, well done."

"Screech!"

Azure Fire Eagle Ah Da happily cried out.

Immediately, she put it into her spirit beast bag and returned to the marketplace.

Xu Mingshu handed the letter to Xu Mingwei, asking, "What did Father reply?"

"We can steal them, but we must be measured in our actions and leave room for maneuver."

"Our Xu family now doesn't need to fear ordinary Foundation Establishment families too much, but we also can't offend them to death. Competing for resources is very common in the immortal cultivation world.

Even if the Dongguo family becomes enraged over the stolen insect eggs and pursues to kill us, our Xu family has ways to maneuver."

"In that case, then our target is that Foundation Establishment spider's insect eggs. Once we obtain them, immediately ride the Azure Fire Eagle and leave. It's reached Qi Refining late stage, its speed is even faster than Qi Refining perfection."

Both Xu Mingshu and Xu Deying nodded.

Two days later, the Dongguo family's demon beast subjugation force assembled once more.

Led by Old Ancestor Dongguo, it consisted of Dongguo family disciples plus individual Qi Refining late-stage cultivators from Qi Refining families.

This time, rogue cultivators were excluded.

Last time they had gathered rogue cultivators to use their lives to scout out specific information about the spider nest.

Now that they knew considerable intelligence and had made preparations, these families naturally wouldn't let rogue cultivators profit.

"Ancestor, there are still some rogue cultivators following. Should we go drive them away?"

Old Ancestor Dongguo, dressed as a blue-robed old Daoist with a simple hair knot held by a peach wood hairpin, looked like he had crane-white hair but a youthful face, an immortal bearing.

"Just a few rogue cultivators, no need to mind them. If they dare to act, just kill them directly."

"This disciple understands."

Half an hour later.

Everyone arrived at the Blood Pupil Spider's location.

This place had a mountain peak. At the mountain's base was a huge cave, which was where its nest was located.

The surroundings were forest with faint mist drifting, obscuring vision.

"Everyone attack and draw the Blood Pupil Spiders out. The Foundation Establishment demon beast is for this old man."

"We respectfully follow Ancestor's command."

Seventy to eighty Qi Refining middle and late-stage disciples, all elite disciples of the Dongguo family and various Qi Refining families.

The next moment.

One fireball spell after another, like meteor fire rain, bombarded the nest entrance.

Bang bang bang~

The huge commotion immediately awakened all the Blood Pupil Spiders in the nest.

Hiss hiss hiss~

Countless sharp hissing roars transformed into sound waves, carrying waves of foul stench that surged wildly from the cave.

A rustling sound rose. In the blink of an eye, large numbers of Blood Pupil Spiders climbed out along the ground and mountain walls. Their movement speed wasn't slow either.

Besides demon beast spiders, there were also large numbers of poisonous spiders that, hearing the sound roar, came from all directions.

If bitten by them, one would also be poisoned.

Among them were quite a few types of highly venomous spiders.

"Kill!"

The cultivators charged toward those Blood Pupil Spiders.

Artifacts collided with hard carapaces and legs, exploding in showers of sparks.

The battlefield was quickly divided.

Almost all were two cultivators against one Blood Pupil Spider. If they encountered a powerful one, even three or four people joining forces was possible.

Before long.

Thud thud thud~

At the cave entrance, that zhang-tall giant spider appeared, its three pairs of crimson blood pupils captivating the soul.