Chapter 193: Superior-Grade Magical Artifact Black Evil Banner, Dewen Remarries for True Love

In the artifact refining room.

Wu Mingsheng's beard and hair trembled as he patted Xu Deling's shoulder, his eyes full of approval.

Xu Deling cupped her fists, "Disciple has also gained tremendously. This artifact refining session should also help disciple in crafting superior-grade magical artifacts."

"Mm." Wu Mingsheng nodded. "Your master looks forward to the day you surpass me."

"Come, let's go report this good news to the Grand Elder."

The two immediately headed to the Pill Refining Palace.

"Another superior-grade magical artifact has been refined?" Xu Chuan seemed to guess something and smiled faintly.

Wu Mingsheng said nothing more. A flash of light appeared in his eyes as his storage bag opened in response.

A dark-colored array banner flew out into the air. Its surface was like ink-black night sky, with dark gold patterns appearing and disappearing like swimming dragons.

Most peculiar were those golden patterns—upon close inspection, they actually moved like living things, sometimes transforming into ancient runes, sometimes changing into mysterious trajectories.

They flowed endlessly across the dark banner surface, faintly emitting a dragon-like humming sound.

"This is the Black Evil Banner, a type of magical artifact recorded in the inheritance I obtained. When activated, it can condense black evil qi into flood dragon attacks and can also protect the body. Among superior-grade magical artifacts, it's considered quite exceptional. Moreover, this magical artifact is extremely simple to advance. If one can capture a Foundation Establishment stage demon beast containing flood dragon bloodline and use its essence blood to refine and fuse its spirit essence, it can become a top-tier magical artifact. The stronger the spirit essence, the stronger the artifact's power. Its potential is extremely great."

Wu Mingsheng stroked the Black Evil Banner as if caressing his own child, then looked at Xu Chuan. "I present this banner to the Grand Elder to repay the grace of the pills you bestowed upon me."

Xu Chuan nodded slightly and praised with a smile, "It seems Elder Wu's artifact refining accomplishments have greatly advanced to be able to craft such an artifact."

"Grand Elder flatters me too much," Wu Mingsheng cupped his fists, then looked at Xu Deling. "Thanks to Deling's help and ideas, otherwise even consuming five or six sets of materials would have made it difficult to refine this artifact. Deling's artifact refining talent is truly rare. Surpassing this old man is just a matter of time."

Then he cupped his fists toward Xu Chuan again, "The Xu family's fortune is now flourishing. When the Grand Elder achieves Foundation Establishment in the future, you will certainly break through the shackles in one stroke!"

"Then I thank Elder Wu for his auspicious words."

Xu Chuan received the Black Evil Banner Wu Mingsheng presented. Upon touch, the cold qi seemed to penetrate his bones. After observing it for a moment, he nodded with satisfaction. "Elder Wu has also worked hard this time. Rest and recuperate for a while. There's no need to refine superior-grade magical artifacts for now."

"Yes, Grand Elder. Then this old man will take his leave first."

"Elder Wu, take care. Ling’er, you stay for a moment."

After Wu Mingsheng left, Xu Deling asked curiously, "What does Grandfather need from Ling’er?"

"Regarding the ownership of this magical artifact."

"Grandfather won't keep it for yourself?" Xu Deling said in surprise. "This magical artifact, as Master said, is a rare treasure even among superior-grade magical artifacts. Advancing it to a top-tier magical artifact is also simple, and its upper limit is high. It might become the first top-tier magical artifact our Xu family crafts ourselves."

"Hearing you say this, Grandfather somewhat underestimated it," Xu Chuan stroked his chin and after careful consideration said, "However, I also plan to bestow it upon someone else."

"I called you to stay to ask if you want it?"

After pondering, Xu Deling shook her head. "No need to consider Ling’er. Right now, Ling’er is focused on cultivation and studying the artifact refining path. I basically don't leave the family and have no immediate use for it. Moreover, in another seven or eight years, Ling’er is confident I can craft even better superior-grade magical artifacts by my own power. Since Grandfather doesn't want it either, bestow it upon someone else. Ling’er believes Grandfather certainly has your own considerations, and everything is for our Xu family."

Xu Chuan smiled with satisfaction. "Our family's Ling’er is becoming more and more sensible."

"If there's nothing else, Ling’er will take her leave first."

Xu Chuan nodded.

He looked at the Black Evil Banner again, then put it away.

Xu Chuan planned to give this superior-grade magical artifact to whoever participated in the "Wuhua Dharma Assembly" in the future.

Of course, if it advanced to a top-tier magical artifact in the future, and he successfully advanced to Foundation Establishment stage but had no suitable top-tier magical artifact on hand, he would still take it back.

Giving a top-tier magical artifact to a Qi Refining stage cultivator to use was truly somewhat wasteful. They would have difficulty unleashing its full power.

Beast Taming Palace.

Xu Mingxuan rushed over from the Mission Hall in a flurry.

"Mingshu, my dear sister, are you here?"

Xu Mingxuan's voice echoed through the spacious Beast Taming Palace.

Soon, Xu Mingshu, dressed in bright red attire, emerged from the left corridor of the hall. Both left and right corridors led to the back mountain.

"Third Brother, what brings you here in such a hurry?"

"I heard the Azure Fire Eagles also have offspring? Are any natural-born demon beasts?"

Xu Mingshu rolled her eyes at him. "I thought something happened, you came in such a rush. They laid eggs half a month ago. They probably won't truly hatch for nearly two more months. If they're demon beasts, it might take even longer."

"So that's how it is," Xu Mingxuan smiled calmly. "Remember to pick the one with the strongest aptitude for your third brother."

"Big Brother and Second Brother both have spirit beasts. It should be this third brother's turn."

"I know, I know. I still need to go feed the little Blood Pupil Spiders."

The Blood Pupil Spiders had been born for over a year now. Xu Mingshu had designated an area for them to roam.

Now that region had many more spiders, seemingly attracted to the area.

Spider webs were dense, and there were quite a few poisonous spiders, making it one of the Xu family's major forbidden zones.

Little White's family and the Azure Fire Eagles, as well as the Red-Spotted Insects, all had their own territories. At first, they frequently crossed boundaries and provoked each other, but after Xu Mingshu gave them a stern lecture...

Each became well-behaved and orderly.

Naturally, the Red-Spotted Insects were the most numerous. Even with Xu Mingshu intentionally controlling their numbers, they had now reached several thousand.

The insect queen temporarily stopped laying eggs.

Otherwise, if their numbers reached hundreds of thousands, the Xu family would be eaten into poverty.

They usually ate fresh spirit rice leaves. As long as the stems weren't damaged, picking some to feed them was fine.

Moreover, they didn't need to eat constantly, once every ten days to half a month was sufficient.

When that time came, they could cast Wood Spirit Technique on the spirit rice to promote growth, and it would recover in a day or two.

The white tiger's other two cubs had gone out with it several times to learn hunting skills and had now graduated.

Additionally, it must be mentioned that Little White had found a new love.

Its family was gradually expanding.

…

South Mountain Courtyard.

"You want to marry the young lady from the Li family."

Yang Ronghua looked at the respectful Xu Dewen before her and said in surprise.

"Yes, Mother. I've met with Ruoxi several times. I feel our temperaments are compatible and we're very well-matched. Please make the decision, Mother."

Xu Dewen cupped his fists and bowed again.

Yang Ronghua looked at him and after brief consideration said, "The clan indeed hasn't established a rule prohibiting Xu family disciples from taking multiple wives, but so far, no one has set this precedent."

"Mother, then let your son be the first," Xu Dewen grinned. "Our Xu family needs to grow stronger. The more core clan members, naturally the better. Never mind the commandery capital, even the aristocratic families in the county all have more clan members than our Xu family."

"Moreover, your son and Ruoxi are sincere."

"What about Wenya?"

"Your son has lived with her for many years and also likes her."

"Then aren't you afraid that marrying the Li family young lady will make her jealous?"

"No, Ya'er is very magnanimous. She comes from an aristocratic family background and also knows that aristocratic family disciples cannot have only one wife. When she was first pregnant, she also asked me to take a concubine. It's just that at that time, your son hadn't met anyone I liked, so I refused."

Yang Ronghua deliberated for a while longer, then suddenly smiled. "So you're coming to me because you want me to persuade your father?"

Xu Dewen said somewhat awkwardly, "Mother still discovered it."

"Your son is afraid Father will directly refuse me, so I came to ask Mother's opinion first. If Mother is willing to speak up, Father will be more likely to accept."

"I understand. I'll discuss this matter with your father."

"Thank you, Mother."

After cupping his fists, Xu Dewen left the room.

He had already guaranteed to Li Ruoxi that he would marry her into the family.

After all, with the young lady, he had held her small hand, kissed her small mouth, just short of the final deep connection.

Yang Ronghua left and went to find Bai Jing, going together to Sea Sky Courtyard to find Wu Rushan.

They often gathered together to practice martial arts or chat about household matters.

Today, after martial arts practice ended, during rest time.

Yang Ronghua suddenly brought up this matter.

Both Bai Jing and Wu Rushan were startled then Wu Rushan covered her mouth and laughed. "Sister-in-law, Dewen is blazing a trail for the family."

"This is also a good thing. Actually, I originally wanted Mingwei and the others to take multiple wives, but they were too deeply influenced by their father. Plus, they're considered founders of the Xu family. Each one works tirelessly for the Xu family, their thoughts mainly on the family. If Dewen's generation can cast off this influence, that would be best."

Wu Rushan continued, "Right now the Xu family is already sufficiently stable. We should consider expanding the Xu clan's descendants."

"Most aristocratic families, after becoming comfortable, will have more and more family disciples indulging in pleasure. But as long as they don't bully merchants or seize common women, some indulgence is actually fine. Otherwise, what were the family ancestors working so hard to develop the family for?"

Bai Jing nodded slightly. "The Xu family's clan rules are strict. They're even stricter with Xu clan disciples than with vassal families and subordinate Dongxi families. If someone commits an offense, there are clan rules to punish them. As for other matters, there's no need to be harsh."

"Then I'll mention it to my husband when I see him."

That evening, Yang Ronghua told Xu Mingwei about this matter. He pondered briefly and said, "Wife, you handle it as you see fit. If the children like a young lady, as long as they're mutually compatible, taking several more wives is fine. This is also beneficial for the family."

"I understand."

The next day, Yang Ronghua called Xu Dewen and told him to bring the young lady home to meet everyone in a few days.

Xu Dewen was so happy his mouth couldn't close.

Soon, this matter spread.

When Xu Derui and the others saw Xu Dewen, they all said, "Brother Wen, I heard you're marrying a new sister-in-law. Congratulations!"

Xu Dezhao patted his shoulder. "You're also opening new ground for our Xu family. Well done."

"Could it be Big Brother is also interested?"

"Go, go, go. What are you thinking? Your sister-in-law and I are both busy with family affairs and have no leisure to think about such things. The rest of you, including younger brothers Rui and Heng, if you like someone in the future, feel free to take multiple wives. The family will definitely give full support. Of course, remember not to violate clan rules."

"Little brother understands. After all, I'm the deputy hall master of the Discipline Hall, so naturally I'm well-versed in the family's clan rules and regulations."

Several days later, Xu Dewen brought Li Ruoxi up the mountain.

At South Mountain Courtyard, Xu Mingwei's family had a simple meal together.

During this time, they also briefly inquired about the Li family's situation and asked after Li Er's health and such.

Li Er and his generation were basically all in their fifties and sixties now and most of them hadn't crossed the innate threshold. Their bodies were now gradually weakening.

Perhaps starting at some unknown time, they would pass away one after another.

"Tell your father to take good care of his health."

"Ruoxi understands. I believe Father will be very delighted knowing that Elder still thinks of him."

Not long after, the Xu and Li families discussed the marriage arrangements and finalized the betrothal gifts and other matters.

A month later, Xu Dewen formally married Li Ruoxi into the family.

The following year.

Xu Derui, Xu Deheng, and Xu Dejun also successively married.

Time passed quickly. In the blink of an eye, another three years went by.

Pill Refining Palace, quiet room.

This time, Xu Chuan had been in closed-door cultivation for nearly half a month.

Suddenly, he opened both eyes in the quiet room. Two nearly substantial beams of azure light burst forth.

Exhaling a long breath, a smile gradually appeared in his eyes.

"Heaven rewards diligence. Whatever one persists in, one will surely gain."

The Foundation Establishment bottleneck was even more solid than he had imagined, but after another five or six years of constant erosion, he now clearly felt the bottleneck loosening.

When he had just reached Qi Refining perfection, the Foundation Establishment bottleneck had been like a three-foot-thick steel plate.

Even if he exhausted all his strength, he probably couldn't push open even a crack in that great door.

Now it was only three inches thick.

Without borrowing additional assistance, he could push open a crack in the Foundation Establishment door. Combined with thousand-year spiritual grass assistance and divine consciousness power...

His Foundation Establishment success rate was about fifty-fifty.

"Finally reached this step. If I want to rely on talent to weaken the Foundation Establishment barrier again, it would probably take another forty or fifty years."

By that time, Xu Chuan estimated his breakthrough success rate could reach eighty or ninety percent.

It was just too long.

His current Foundation Establishment success rate was already enviable to countless Qi Refining perfection cultivators.

Even if it was just one or half a percent more, they would unhesitatingly attempt breakthrough.

Xu Chuan's gaze gradually became firm.

On the path of immortal cultivation, when one should forge ahead courageously, one must forge ahead courageously.

Hesitating and wavering, with thoughts not flowing freely, all matters would cease!

Xu Chuan walked out of the closed-door cultivation quiet room.

Coming to the great hall, a six or seven-year-old boy was sitting cross-legged on a meditation cushion. He seemed not to have entered meditation. Hearing the movement, he immediately opened his eyes. Seeing Xu Chuan, he got up and ran toward him, calling out joyfully, "Father, you've come out of seclusion."

This person was Xu Mingqing.

After he began cultivation, Xu Chuan had brought him to his side to personally teach him.

Now, after cultivating for over a year, he had also become a second layer of Qi Refining cultivator.

It was just that his nature was still at a playful age, and he often couldn't sit still to cultivate but his talent was quite high, so his progress wasn't slow.

"Not meditating and cultivating properly again?"

Xu Chuan looked down at his youngest son tightly hugging his thigh, his tone without the slightest hint of reproach.

Seeing him grin, he shook his head helplessly.

After patting his head, "Alright, hugging so tightly, what does that look like?"

"Father, I want a hug," Xu Mingqing said coquettishly.

"Just once." Xu Chuan laughed helplessly and held him in his arms.

"By the way, Father, Big Nephew Dezhao said Zhou Sen came by once. He seemed to have business with you, Father. He asked me to inform you when you came out of seclusion."

"Don't be so disrespectful," Xu Chuan flicked his forehead with a finger and laughed while scolding, "You should call him Family Head."

"But he's also Big Brother's son, so naturally he's my nephew."

Xu Mingqing wasn't afraid at all and argued his case.