Chapter 198: Foundation Establishment Pressure, Unmatched Eloquence, Pig Teammates and Transactions

Seeing that red lotus, Xu Mingyuan's pupils contracted. He almost immediately guessed that people from the Ge family's enemy aristocratic families in Guangling had followed.

"Truly short-sighted, only seeing the benefits from trade but not the danger behind it."

But since things had reached this point, scolding them to their faces wouldn't help.

Of course, more importantly, the Xu family now had the confidence and didn't fear any Foundation Establishment aristocratic family around them.

They just wanted to be cautious and wait until Xu Deling could craft top-tier magical artifacts before exposing themselves.

At that time, the Xu family's three Foundation Establishment cultivators would each have at least one top-tier magical artifact. They could then continue with the Xu family's next step in their plans, even if conflicts arose with Foundation Establishment aristocratic families in other commanderies.

They could intimidate and subdue them.

He rose on his sword into the air, flying toward outside Dongxi.

Several streaks of light flew beside him from the Battle Hall, Immortal Arts Hall, and Family Head Palace respectively.

Xu Mingxian immediately activated the first-rank superior-grade defensive array.

Xu Mingyuan took the opportunity to explain to them that the enemy should be the Ge family's opponents, and there shouldn't be too many coming.

Quite a few cultivators rose into the air looking into the distance, discussing among themselves, "How could there suddenly be an enemy attack?"

"Could it be a false alarm?"

"There's actually someone in Yuehu Commandery who dares attack the Xu family?"

Xu Dezhao's voice suddenly rang out, spreading throughout Dongxi. "Everyone need not panic. Ordinary people should stay at home. Martial artists and cultivators should all stand by where you are."

"Yes, Family Head!"

Everyone responded in unison, like thunder.

Several people came outside the mist array and saw four people surrounding and attacking the Ge family Fourth Branch Grand Elder.

Although he was at late ninth layer of Qi Refining, the four opponents were all late-stage Qi Refining cultivators, and among them, the gray-white-haired elder was even at mid ninth layer of Qi Refining.

The Ge family Fourth Branch Grand Elder's face was flushed red. He could barely hold on.

Given time, he would definitely be killed by them.

"Bai Zhenlong, you're truly despicable!"

"Who told you to go out alone and be discovered by my Bai family? If we don't kill you now, when should we?!" Bai Zhenlong laughed coldly.

Watching this scene, Xu Mingwei said, "Several of you intercepting and killing people at our Xu family's doorstep is somewhat inappropriate, isn't it?"

"Fellow Daoists of the Xu family, for the sake of our two families' friendship, help me this once. My Ge family will be eternally grateful."

Hearing this, Xu Mingyuan said, "Fellow Daoist Ge, your Ge family's Fourth Branch broke the rules themselves. If the four branches had discussed, acted carefully, and made full preparations, it definitely wouldn't have come to this."

"This matter is my Fourth Branch's fault, but our Ge family's four branches prosper together and fall together. For the sake of the other three branches, please help me."

Bai Zhenlong said, "I advise your Xu family to think clearly about the consequences."

"This matter is between aristocratic families in our Guangling Commandery. Both our families also have Foundation Establishment aristocratic families backing us. If your Xu family takes action today, you'll be opposing both my Bai family and the Foundation Establishment Feng family! Rashly interfering in another commandery's affairs—even if your Xu family has deep ties with Yuehu Commandery's Zhou family, the Zhou family has no reason to help. After all, your Xu family broke the rules first."

Xu Mingwei and the others exchanged glances.

The Xu family could either interfere or not interfere in this matter.

Not interfering, if this Ge family Fourth Branch Grand Elder died, he died. It was the Fourth Branch's own carelessness that brought this calamity. The Ge family couldn't blame the Xu family.

Interfering was naturally for the Xu family's reputation.

Having their trading partner killed right at their doorstep, if word of this spread, how could the Xu family conduct trade with other forces in the future?

Several people seemed to hesitate.

But at this moment, Bai Zhenlong continued, "I advise all of you to think carefully. If you truly anger the Feng family, all the efforts your Xu family made to advance to a Qi Refining aristocratic family will come to nothing. You might even face clan extermination! This place will also be razed to the ground, turned to scorched earth!"

Hearing these words, cold light flashed through all five of Xu Mingwei's group's eyes as they all looked at Bai Zhenlong together.

"What, not convinced? Do you really think your Xu family can stand against the Feng family, against the numerous Qi Refining aristocratic families of our Guangling Commandery?"

"Those who threaten to exterminate our Xu family, the grass on their graves is already taller than they are!"

"Today, you must die!"

Light flashed in Xu Mingwei's hand as the Ink Flood Dragon Bow and arrows appeared.

Four arrow shafts were nocked on the bow.

Whoosh whoosh whoosh!

In just the blink of an eye.

Two of the four Bai family members died on the spot. They were both at the seventh layer of Qi Refining.

They tried to block with medium-grade flying swords, but unexpectedly, the flying swords were all shot through.

The other two, because they had superior-grade magical artifacts that blocked momentarily, only had several ribs broken from the impact, their internal organs injured.

Both Bai Zhenlong and the other person showed expressions of shock.

"You're only at the eighth layer of Qi Refining. Why is your attack so terrifying?! Could what you're holding be a superior-grade set magical artifact?"

The Ge family Fourth Branch Grand Elder was badly frightened and quickly moved away and this was merely Xu Mingwei's ordinary attack.

"Run!"

Bai Zhenlong's eyes flickered as he immediately shouted.

The two split up to escape, but how could their speed compare to Xu Mingwei's arrows?

This time, Xu Mingwei even used his killing moves.

One "Twin Dragons Playing with Pearl" each, blasting them to death.

Sweat continuously seeped from the Ge family Fourth Branch Grand Elder's forehead. He wiped it, saying, "Thank you all for taking action to help."

Xu Mingyuan asked, "Are all the people who came here? Did anyone go back to report?"

"Those who attacked this old man are all here, but whether there are others, this old man doesn't know." Sweat also seeped from his neck and back.

He was afraid the Xu family might kill him in displaced anger.

If he truly died, the Xu family only needed to blame it on the Bai family, and no one would disbelieve it.

After a moment, Xu Mingyuan said, "Fellow Daoist Ge, there's a considerable possibility that someone from the Bai family already went back to report. This matter arose because of your Fourth Branch and is a troublesome matter for our Xu family. Therefore, your Ge family will definitely need to give our Xu family an explanation in the future. Of course, secretly trading with another commandery is also trouble for your Ge family."

"So you'd better hurry back."

"Thank you for Fellow Daoist Mingyuan's magnanimity. I'll return immediately and have our Ge family's four branches discuss countermeasures at once."

The Ge family Fourth Branch Grand Elder cupped his fists. "Even if the Bai family has someone who went back to report and invites the Feng family, my Ge family can also invite the Wei family."

"Farewell!"

Xu Mingshu said indifferently, "Second Brother, you're just letting him go like this?"

"Even I can guess this matter will definitely be quite troublesome for our Xu family."

"What, you still want to keep him? Besides venting anger, what use would killing him serve?" Xu Mingyuan said. "The probability of the Feng family coming to demand an explanation isn't low. I have Xiaoyao's divine consciousness jade token in hand. I can have him return immediately just in case."

"I also have Father's jade token," Xu Mingwei said. "But currently, it's not too bad yet. Send someone to the Zhou family to invite the Zhou family ancestor. We might be able to mediate and resolve this."

"If that really doesn't work, we'll just have to expose one person."

"If we really have to choose, let it be Xiaoyao."

"I'll be responsible for comforting the clan members," Xu Dezhao said.

Xu Mingwei nodded.

"In any case, if the Feng family's Foundation Establishment cultivator and Bai family people come, I'll talk with them. If we can avoid fighting, we'll try not to fight. But if we really must fight, then we'll swallow that Feng family!"

A trace of severity flashed through Xu Mingyuan's eyes, but no one objected.

Several people were even eager to try.

…

Before Bai Haoyong even entered the Bai family's clan territory, a young Bai family disciple flew over. "Elder Haoyong, the family head requests your presence in the council hall."

"I know." Bai Haoyong nodded, but felt puzzled inwardly. "When did the family head develop fortune-telling abilities?"

Bai family council hall.

After Bai Haoyong walked in, almost all the elders were present.

He cupped his fists. "Family Head."

"Why did only you return alone?" The Bai family head said. "Where are Second Elder and the others?"

Bai Haoyong was stunned for a moment, then replied, "Second Elder had me return first to report. They were going to surround and kill the Ge family Fourth Branch's Grand Elder, Ge Yanzhong."

"Family Head, what happened?"

The Bai family Grand Elder said, "It seems Second Elder and the others were killed after you left. But how could Ge Yanzhong alone possibly kill all four of them?"

"What? Second Elder and the others are all dead?!" Bai Haoyong's pupils constricted sharply, showing an incredulous expression.

"Elder Haoyong, quickly tell us what happened. Where did you track Ge Yanzhong to?"

Sweat seeped from Bai Haoyong's forehead, his spine turning cold.

If he had left later...

Coming to his senses, he hurriedly bowed. "We went to Yuehu Commandery, to a remote county area. According to Second Elder's speculation, that should be the Yuehu Commandery Xu family's clan territory. If Second Elder and the others truly met with mishap, it must be related to the Xu family."

"Xu family? The Xu family that runs the Xu Clan Trading Company?" the Grand Elder said.

"Correct." Bai Haoyong nodded, then continued, "Second Elder felt the Xu family wasn't simple, so he had me return first to report to the family head and notify the Feng family to have them target them."

The Bai family head pondered for a moment, then said, "Matters in another commandery are indeed difficult to handle. The Feng family must get involved. I've heard the Xu family is quite wealthy, not an ordinary Qi Refining aristocratic family. The Feng family should be happy to get involved."

He glanced at the Bai family Grand Elder. "Grand Elder, personally make a trip to the Feng family. Inform them about the Ge family and Xu family matters. If the Feng family has a Foundation Establishment stage expert take action, have someone return to notify us. I'll personally lead twenty to thirty family disciples to rush to the Yuehu Commandery Xu family. The Xu family killed three of our clan's elders—this matter demands an explanation! But if the Feng family only sends a few Qi Refining stage elders, then you and several other family disciples can go see the situation."

The Bai family Grand Elder nodded. "The family head's considerations are thorough. We'll proceed as you say."

Shortly after, the Bai family Grand Elder headed to the Feng family.

As the Feng family head was deliberating after hearing about this matter, Feng Xiuyuan suddenly appeared and looked at the Bai family Grand Elder. "You say the Ge family is colluding with the Yuehu Commandery Xu family?"

"Yes, Senior." The Bai family Grand Elder nodded.

"I remember hearing the Xu family has two grandmasters in pills and artifacts."

The Feng family head said, "Indeed so. That pill refining grandmaster is from the Xu family, while the artifact refining grandmaster was recruited."

"A Qi Refining aristocratic family dares to extend its hand into our Guangling Commandery. Their ambition and courage are both considerable. This old man has some free time, so I'll make a trip to the Xu family."

"Yes, Ancestor. I'll immediately arrange for several elders and over a dozen disciples to accompany you."

Feng Xiuyuan nodded slightly.

When Foundation Establishment cultivators traveled, they needed a proper entourage.

Hearing this, the Bai family Grand Elder's eyes flashed as he cupped his fists. "Senior, the Xu family killed four of my Bai family's elders. My Bai family head is also currently gathering forces to demand an explanation. Please allow my Bai family to follow."

"Mm." Feng Xiuyuan nodded slightly.

Before long, Ge Yanzhong returned to the Ge family.

The Ge family's four branch heads immediately convened a meeting for discussion.

The heads and grand elders of the four branches were practically scolded bloody.

After deliberation, Ge Yansong personally made a trip to the Wei family, wanting to persuade them, but the Wei family was completely unmoved and even held the Ge family accountable.

Fortunately, the Wei family didn't do anything to the Ge family.

The reason Ge Yansong made this trip was, first, because this matter had already been exposed. Before long, all of Guangling Commandery would know that the Ge family's recent increase in strength and foundation was due to trading with the Yuehu Commandery Xu family.

Proactively confessing was better than being held accountable by the Wei family afterward.

Second, he also wanted to help the Xu family but unfortunately, the Wei family didn't want to intervene in this matter.

He was also helpless.

Finally, the Ge family's four branches decided to each send two or three elders leading four or five disciples to rush to the Xu family to provide support.

…

Zhou family.

Xu Mingwei came personally.

After all, his daughter Xu Dejin had married Zhou Shaoyuan's grandson, bringing the two families closer.

"Fellow Daoist Mingwei, what brings you to this old man?"

Two years ago, Zhou Shaoyuan had already retired from the family head position.

Currently serving as Zhou family head was no longer from his branch but from Zhou Qingfang's line, named Zhou Zongran.

In his early fifties, Qi Refining perfection.

Currently, Zhou Shaoyuan served as an idle Zhou family elder.

Neither the Zhou family head nor the Zhou family Grand Elder were the original people anymore.

They were all over ninety years old and had now retired to make way for younger Qi Refining perfection cultivators.

As for Zhou Sen, he was already over a hundred years old.

Less than ten years of lifespan remained.

Time flew like a shuttle, always a new generation replacing the old.

"I'd like to invite Senior Zhou to make a trip to our Xu family," Xu Mingwei said with cupped fists.

"Why is this?" Zhou Shaoyuan frowned. "The ancestor is in seclusion. Unless it's a major matter, we won't disturb him."

"A Foundation Establishment cultivator from Guangling Commandery's Feng family might come to our Xu family to cause trouble. According to our previous alliance agreement, if a Foundation Establishment cultivator comes to target our Xu family, we can request Senior Zhou to take action."

"Could it be the Feng family learned your Xu family extended its hand into Guangling Commandery?"

"Our Xu family merely conducted normal trade with people. How can that be called interfering in another commandery?"

"Very well. Regardless of why, this is indeed part of the alliance."

"Come with this old man to see our Zhou family head. I no longer control the Zhou family and cannot directly see the ancestor."

"Thank you." Xu Mingwei cupped his fists.

After Zhou Zongran agreed to inform the ancestor, Xu Mingwei returned to the Xu family.

Previously, Ren Xiaoyao, who was deep in some Great Wei mountain range, sensed the divine consciousness jade token he left at Dongxi had been destroyed after killing a Qi Refining perfection demon beast.

"Something happened in the clan?" His brows furrowed slightly.

He immediately stored the entire demon beast into his storage bag.

Two flying swords circled once in the air, then flew back into the Five Spirits Casket behind him then he rose into the air while releasing a superior-grade boat, piloting it toward Dongxi Xu clan.

For a time, the Ge family, Feng family, Bai family, Zhou family, and Ren Xiaoyao who was outside were all heading toward the Xu family.

The Xu family's first-rank superior-grade array formation remained activated.

Innate realm and above martial artists as well as fourth layer and above Qi Refining cultivators all assembled.

In the blink of an eye.

The Xu family's innate martial artists had grown from a mere seven or eight to over two hundred.

Grandmaster-level martial artists, not counting Xu family clan members, also numbered over twenty.

The strongest should be Gu Yiping and Xu Dewen. The former, with the help of superior-grade Grandmaster Breaking Pills, broke through his own aptitude limits to achieve grandmaster perfection.

Xu Dewen had reached late grandmaster stage.

He wasn't far from grandmaster perfection either.

Ever since Grandmaster Breaking Pills appeared, the Xu family's grandmasters had successively begun appearing in explosive numbers.

In a few more years, they might double.

Innate martial artists would also become increasingly numerous. The next generation was also successively growing.

Over two hours after Xu Mingwei returned to the Xu family.

Feng Xiuyuan brought Feng family cultivators and Bai family cultivators to the skies above Dongxi. This time, Xu Mingwei and the others didn't rashly go out but instead stayed within the array formation.

The Bai family Grand Elder led Bai family disciples in a preliminary attack on the array formation, causing a tremor.

This was merely a greeting then he spoke, his voice transmitting into the array formation.

"Xu family clan members, listen well. Hand over the person who killed my Bai family's elders, and this matter can be discussed. Otherwise, once the grand array is broken, the Xu family faces clan extermination!"

Xu Dezhao smiled coldly and said to Xu Mingxian, "Fifth Uncle, disperse the obscuring mist. I want to see how they dare to boast about exterminating our Xu family."

Xu Mingxian nodded, his eyes cold to the extreme.

He formed hand seals with both hands. A beam of azure light shot straight into the clouds, then the mist gradually dispersed.

At this moment, both sides could clearly see each other's formations.

Outside the Earthen Defense Array in the air, fifty to sixty cultivators all stood on various colored flying swords. Most wore azure robes, with some in dark green and crimson robes.

The lowest were at the sixth layer of Qi Refining.

Inside the grand array, only thirty-some cultivators were in the air. Leading them were Xu Mingwei and the others, including Zhang Wanqing, Shen Qingyi, Wu Tao, and others.

On the ground were over two hundred innate realm martial artists, led by Gu Yiping and Xu Dewen.

The innate martial artists all wore black armor, wielding war blades and shields, ready for battle.

Grandmasters wore silver armor.

Gu Yiping and Xu Dewen wore dark gold armor.

All their armor was personally crafted by Xu Deling with extremely strong defensive power.

The Xu family's current cultivators weren't just the thirty-some in the air. Some were still young, others were only at the second or third layer of Qi Refining, so they hadn't been brought out.

If everyone came, there would already be close to forty-some people.

Feng Xiuyuan swept his gaze over them, slightly surprised, because there were only two people at the ninth layer of Qi Refining and above.

One was Wu Zhen, who had just stepped into the ninth layer of Qi Refining several months ago. The other was Wu Mingsheng, who was at Qi Refining perfection but already a hundred years old.

Seeing the Xu family's foundation, the Bai family Grand Elder said disdainfully, "We'll give you ten breaths. If you still don't hand over the person, we'll forcefully attack your Xu family's Clan Protection Grand Array."

"Ten, nine, eight..."

Xu Mingyuan smiled lightly. "Senior Feng, with your Feng family present, how can you allow a Qi Refining aristocratic family to speak so arrogantly before you? Could this be your Feng family's meaning? Or must your Feng family also listen to the Bai family's words?"

"You're quite eloquent, but your people killed Bai family members first. It's normal for them to come demanding justice. Moreover, they're not with our Feng family. They came for revenge. My Feng family came to inquire about something."

"Understood. Then do you inquire first, or let the Bai family seek revenge first? If the latter, please have Senior Feng and the Feng family cultivators move far away. If blood splashes on you shortly, it won't be a comfortable matter."

Xu Mingyuan neither servile nor overbearing tested the Feng family's bottom line.

Hearing this, Feng Xiuyuan's brows furrowed. This truly wasn't a pleasing question.

If the former, the Bai family's might would vanish completely. If the latter, it would be completely cutting ties with the Bai family.

If they truly fought and the Feng family took action, they would be hypocrites who say one thing and do another, damaging the Feng family's reputation.

Between two evils, choose the lesser.

Better the Bai family lose face than his Feng family.

Casually exterminating a fifth-rank Qi Refining aristocratic family in Yuehu Commandery would be slapping the Zhou family's face.

The Zhou family might not be his Feng family's match, but if they acted to help the Wei family, combined with the Feng family ancestor's approaching deadline, this wasn't good.

"Step back," Feng Xiuyuan said indifferently.

The Bai family Grand Elder glanced at him and immediately complied, retreating to the Bai family formation.

The Bai family head hadn't come, he needed to guard the family but to intimidate the Xu family and extract maximum compensation, most Bai family elders and elite disciples had come.

"Your Xu family's ability to rise indeed has some capability. You must have produced several geniuses. What's your name?"

"Replying to Senior, this junior is Xu Mingyuan."

"Good. This old man will ask you, did your Xu family kill the Bai family elders?"

"This junior doesn't recognize any Bai family elders."

Bai Haoyong immediately said, "You're lying! I and Second Elder clearly followed Ge Yanzhong to your Dongxi Xu clan."

"Why were you tracking Fellow Daoist Ge? He and our Xu family are acquainted. Can't he come visit our Xu family as a guest?"

Xu Mingyuan's words were sharp. "The matter between your two families—what does it have to do with our Xu family? Moreover, if we truly killed Bai family elders, why didn't Fellow Daoist Bai die?"

"That's because Second Elder had me return first to report. Otherwise, I would definitely have died at your Xu family's hands too!" Bai Haoyong's eyes glared angrily.

However, Xu Mingyuan merely smiled lightly in response, turning to look at Feng Xiuyuan. "Senior, you've also heard. This Fellow Daoist Bai didn't witness it personally. How can his words be trusted?"

"Then why does your Xu family have such a formation?"

"Senior heard the Bai family's words earlier, didn't you? They opened their mouths threatening to exterminate our Xu family. May I ask, if enemies came murderously charging to your Feng family's Clan Protection Grand Array, what would your Feng family do?"

What a difficult junior to deal with!

Feng Xiuyuan's brows locked tightly, furrowing into a "川" character between his eyebrows.

"So your Xu family truly hasn't been secretly helping the Ge family?"

"I don't understand what Senior means by 'helping.' Our Xu family and Ge family are on good terms. Mutual assistance, isn't that normal?"

"This old man means transporting large amounts of resources to the Ge family, supporting their growth to oppose my Feng family."

Xu Mingyuan smiled again.

"Do you believe your own words, Senior? Would your Feng family be so kind as to not cultivate your own family disciples but instead help other aristocratic families grow stronger? Isn't this the joke of the century?!"

"Why don't your Feng family also kindly donate some cultivation resources to our Xu family? Honestly, our Xu family is quite lacking."

The Bai family Grand Elder said, "Xu Mingyuan, don't deflect and confuse the issue. Senior Feng's meaning is whether your Xu family has been secretly trading resources with the Ge family."

"May this Xu ask—hasn't your Bai family traded with other aristocratic families? Haven't your clan disciples purchased pills from marketplace pill shops or magical artifacts from artifact workshops?"

Xu Mingyuan continued, "Our Xu Clan Trading Company now has some reputation. Quite a few rogue cultivators even specifically come from other commanderies to trade with our Xu family. Should we refuse people who come? Senior Feng, do your Feng family's shops conduct business this way?"

If they could directly retreat with words, that would naturally be best for the Xu family.

Based on the current situation, Xu Mingyuan felt that as long as the Zhou family ancestor arrived with people shortly to make the Feng family's Foundation Establishment cultivator wary, they should retreat.

At this moment, not only was Feng Xiuyuan in difficulty, but the Bai family Grand Elder was also in difficulty.

Aristocratic families of cultivators being on good terms and exchanging resources was all too normal.

If they used this as grounds, they would have no justification.

But just at this moment, Bai Haoyong suddenly swore an oath to the Bai family Grand Elder and Feng family Foundation Establishment cultivator. "Grand Elder, Ancestor Feng, please believe me. I dare swear it was definitely the Xu family who murdered Second Elder and the others. Second Elder told me he would ambush Ge Yansong near this area, then take action to probe the Xu family's strength."

Although these words weren't very convincing.

The Bai family Grand Elder saw an opportunity.

The corners of his mouth curved up as he looked at Xu Mingwei. "Your Xu family admits you didn't kill my Bai family's Second Elder, but your words are empty. Why not swear a Dao heart oath publicly? If you dare, then my Bai family misunderstood, and I'm willing to publicly apologize on behalf of the Bai family."

Xu Mingwei, Xu Dezhao and the others' expressions changed slightly.

Xu Mingyuan said calmly, "Is one apology enough? You take out thirty percent of the Bai family's foundation, and have your Bai family head, Grand Elder and others publicly apologize to our Xu family before numerous Yuehu Commandery aristocratic families. Otherwise, how can our Xu family establish itself in Yuehu Commandery in the future? Won't everyone be able to run to our Xu family's clan territory and threaten to exterminate our Xu family?"

"You're dreaming?!" The Bai family Grand Elder gritted his teeth viciously.

Xu Mingyuan sneered. "May I ask Senior Feng, if someone ran to your Feng family's doorstep loudly shouting about exterminating your Feng family, what would your Feng family do? Would you let them lightly say 'it was a misunderstanding' with one apology and let it pass?"

Feng Xiuyuan fell silent but this attitude represented everything.

The Bai family Grand Elder glanced at him and knew the Feng family wouldn't easily step in to support the Bai family.

His face turned iron blue, as if making some kind of gamble. "Fine. As long as you dare swear an oath, afterward we'll do as you say."

Xu Mingyuan's eyes flashed, seeming surprised.

Quite ruthless, but...

"This Xu suddenly feels it's still somewhat light."

"You still think it's not enough? Could your heart truly have ghosts!"

Xu Mingyuan shook his head. "I feel your Bai family came with ill intentions this time. I want all your Bai family people present to swear an oath. That you came to our Xu family only to seek clarification, not to exterminate our Xu family or divide our Xu family's resources. If you have such intentions, may inner demons entangle you in the future, spirit and soul both perishing in death."

"You..."

"You swear first, confirming you absolutely have no improper designs on our Xu family. Otherwise, this enmity will be to the death."

The Bai family Grand Elder naturally wouldn't agree again.

Because they followed the Feng family here, a large part of the reason was to seize some of the Xu family's resources.

If they truly swore an oath, wouldn't the Bai family elites present not live much longer?!

Dao heart oaths couldn't deceive oneself.

Once sworn, daily cultivation would have inner demons entangling, and breaking through bottlenecks would be several times more dangerous than others.

After all, cultivating immortality was cultivating the Dao, and also cultivating the heart.

"Xu Mingyuan, no matter how silver-tongued you are, if you can't produce evidence, my Bai family will today determine it was your Xu family who killed my Bai family's elders. Search your conscience—if your Xu family had four elders killed for no reason, you also wouldn't let any suspect go, would you?"

The Bai family Grand Elder seemed about to break the jar.

Xu Mingyuan didn't bother with him, looking at Feng Xiuyuan. "Senior Feng, what else do you want to ask?"

Just at this moment, a voice rumbled from the distance.

"Fellow Daoists of the Xu family, don't worry! You saved my life, my Ge family will definitely repay this favor!"

Xu Mingyuan and the group's faces all turned black upon hearing this.

Pig teammate?!

The Bai family Grand Elder was stunned upon hearing this, then laughed heartily. "It seems the Ge family, afraid my Bai family would act against your Xu family, came to provide support! Xu Mingyuan, I want to see what you have to say now."

"Senior Feng, it was the Xu family who killed my Bai family's elders! Please uphold justice for my Bai family."

Before long, over twenty Ge family cultivators came on swords.

They stopped not far from the Bai family people, confronting them.

Ge Yanzhong swept his gaze over everyone.

Wait, something's wrong. Why does the Xu family look unwelcoming toward us, while the Bai family seems extremely welcoming?

Isn't this backwards!

The Ge family Third Branch Grand Elder Ge Yanyun looked at Xu Mingyuan. "Fellow Daoist Mingyuan, we're not late, are we?"

"Haha, not late, not late at all! Just now the Xu family was adamantly denying they killed my Bai family's elders. You're truly the Xu family's good allies, coming from afar to send them off!"

All the Ge family members' expressions changed. Had they inadvertently done more harm than good with good intentions?

Ge Yanzhong regretted it so much his intestines turned green.

"Second Uncle, this..." Xu Dezhao looked at Xu Mingyuan.

"Forget it. Despite all calculations, we didn't calculate the Ge family would be this foolish!" He looked at Xu Mingwei. "Big Brother, prepare for battle."

"Since we're fighting, then let's keep them all here. The Feng family is just a declining Foundation Establishment aristocratic family. The Feng family ancestor's deadline approaches. Once he dies, the Feng family is finished."

"Father will probably be angry with us when he finds out."

"No matter. If Father blames us, I'll take full responsibility."

"If so, then I'll go to Jade Cold Pool to prepare to activate the grand array. If the timing is right, notify me," Xu Mingxian said.

"Sorry to trouble you, Mingxian."

Xu Mingxian nodded and flew toward Jade Cold Pool.

"I intended to give your Bai family a way out, but you wouldn't take it. You can't blame our Xu family then. Senior Feng, you won't intervene, will you?"

"Those Bai family people came to our Xu family's territory to kill people. What's the problem if our Xu family killed them?"

"If you don't want to die, then stay properly in your clan territory and don't go out."

"Since you're going out adventuring, dying anywhere is normal. I'm right, aren't I, Senior Feng?"

"Correct," Feng Xiuyuan said indifferently. "But previously you said your Xu family hasn't been helping the Ge family oppose my Feng family. This old man now doesn't dare believe it."

"Does Senior Feng also want to act against our Xu family?"

"Foundation Establishment experts cannot be insulted!" Feng Xiuyuan said indifferently. "Today I was nearly deceived by a few words from you, a junior. If I don't punish your Xu family somewhat, where would this old man's face be?"

"Senior, please tell us—what kind of punishment? You don't also want to threaten to exterminate our Xu family at every turn like the Bai family, do you?"

"Ten superior-grade magical artifacts, three superior-grade magical artifacts, twenty bottles of superior-grade Qi Nurturing Pills, and ten bottles of superior-grade Barrier Breaking Pills will suffice."

"Senior Feng truly has a good abacus, but wanting our Xu family to voluntarily hand them over is impossible. If you want them, just come and take them by force!"

Invite them into the trap so we can catch them in the jar!

"Attack and break this array!" The Bai family Grand Elder immediately commanded all Bai family disciples to attack the Earthen Defense Array.

"You dare?" Ge Yanyun said sternly.

Feng Xiuyuan lightly glanced at the Ge family members, and immediately a pressure descended on their heads, making their expressions change.

Divine sense transforming to divine consciousness was a qualitative change.

This pressure could even leave early Qi Refining cultivators with almost no ability to resist.

"Your Ge family's matters will be settled with you later. If you dare take action today, don't blame my Feng family for bullying the weak and not giving the Wei family face."

Ge Yanyun and Ge Yanzhong looked at each other, difficulty showing in their eyes.

With a Foundation Establishment cultivator leading, the Xu family today faced more misfortune than fortune but if they took action, most of those who came would also be buried here.

Finally, Ge Yanyun said, "Fellow Daoist Mingyuan, my Ge family has wronged the Xu family, but my Ge family also acted unintentionally. Please don't blame us. You can clearly see their reasons for coming. My Ge family was merely the catalyst, what they've set their sights on are the Xu family's resources and wealth. But this old man cannot let these Ge family elites die in vain."

With those words, his face ashamed, he cupped his fists toward Xu Mingyuan and the others, then waved his sleeve robe. "We're leaving!"

The Ge family members came in a hurry, stabbed the Xu family in the back, then because they cherished their lives, left in a hurry.

The friendship between the two families had now reached its end.

"Third Brother, you're careless in choosing friends," Xu Mingshu looked at Xu Mingxuan.

"Big Brother Ge is Big Brother Ge. The Ge family is the Ge family. I've always distinguished clearly. Moreover, preserving strength for the family can only be called a wise move."

Xu Mingyuan said indifferently, "Mingshu, stop being sarcastic. Mingxuan is right. No aristocratic family would let their family disciples die in vain. With Feng Xiuyuan present, under Foundation Establishment pressure, they couldn't display seventy percent of their strength. They'd probably be slaughtered clean within a cup of tea."

"However, there's no need to trade with this Ge family anymore in the future."

Boom boom boom!

The Earthen Defense Array violently fluctuated.

Seeing this, Feng family disciples also took action one after another. The grand array was in critical danger.

Just at this moment, another voice rumbled from the distance, carrying Foundation Establishment pressure.

"Fellow Daoist, coming to my Yuehu Commandery without visiting my Zhou family, instead attacking a newly advanced Qi Refining aristocratic family in our commandery, this is somewhat unreasonable."

Shortly after, six or seven people came on flying swords.

All were at the ninth layer of Qi Refining and above, including two at Qi Refining perfection.

"Brother Zhou." Feng Xiuyuan cupped his fists toward him. "It's not that my Feng family wants to make things difficult. It's truly that your commandery's Xu family is too bold, actually extending their hand into our Guangling Commandery. They're even helping the Ge family grow stronger to oppose my Feng family. Tell me, how can my Feng family swallow this anger? Where is a Foundation Establishment aristocratic family's dignity?"

"For the sake of my Zhou family's face, how about letting this matter pass?"

"Brother Zhou's face, naturally Feng will give it. As long as the Xu family hands over the compensation I mentioned earlier, this matter can pass."

"Ten superior-grade magical artifacts, three superior-grade magical artifacts, twenty bottles of superior-grade Qi Nurturing Pills, and ten bottles of superior-grade Barrier Breaking Pills. Senior Zhou, do you think our Xu family can agree?"

Hearing this, Zhou Qingfang's brows furrowed slightly. "Brother Feng, you're going too far. Even for us Foundation Establishment aristocratic families to produce this much would seriously damage our vitality, let alone a Qi Refining aristocratic family. How about three superior-grade magical artifacts, three bottles of superior-grade Qi Nurturing Pills, and one bottle of superior-grade Barrier Breaking Pills?"

"Brother Zhou, you're really taking the Xu family's side. Not a single item Feng mentioned can be reduced. I've heard your Zhou family has deep ties with the Xu family. If your Zhou family is willing to produce them, my Feng family doesn't mind either."

Zhou Qingfang's expression darkened slightly. "Brother Feng insists on having your own way?"

"So what if I do?"

Both sides were somewhat at daggers drawn. Zhou Qingfang swept his gaze over the Xu family members but didn't see Xu Chuan. He immediately transmitted to Xu Mingwei, "Where's your father?"

"Father went to the imperial capital," Xu Mingwei replied.

"How does your Xu family plan to respond? I once said I could assist the Xu family but wouldn't fight to the death with other Foundation Establishment aristocratic families for the Xu family."

"Please stall for another half hour, Senior."

After deliberating, Zhou Qingfang agreed. He said to Feng Xiuyuan, "The Xu family is at least my Zhou family's in-law relatives. If Brother Feng insists on having your way, Zhou cannot stop you. But allow me to try persuading them once more. After half an hour, if there's no result, Brother Feng can do as you please."

Feng Xiuyuan didn't think much of it. "Feng will give the Zhou family this face."

"Open the restriction and let this old man and others enter."

Xu Mingyuan immediately complied, activating his token. The token spouted a beam of yellow light that fell upon the Earthen Profound Yellow Array.

A gap immediately appeared on the light screen's surface.

Zhou Qingfang immediately led everyone inside.

Shortly after, that gap closed again.

"Senior Feng, letting Zhou family people enter like this, will they..." the Bai family Grand Elder said softly.

"If the Zhou family truly wants to help, what difference is there between inside and outside the array?" Feng Xiuyuan lightly glanced at the Bai family Grand Elder and said indifferently, "However, this old man believes the Zhou family wouldn't fight desperately with my Feng family for the Xu family's sake."

"The immortal path values selfishness. If not for themselves, who would be willing to fight desperately with all their might?"

"Senior Feng speaks reasonably," the Bai family Grand Elder said. "Just like the Ge family, didn't they also flee in disgrace?"

"Hopefully the Xu family's resources won't disappoint this old man." Feng Xiuyuan's gaze was distant as he looked toward the scene of Dongxi within the grand array. "This place truly looks quite nice."

Inside the grand array, Xu family main hall.

"How are you few thinking? What is your father doing in the imperial capital?"

Zhou Qingfang swept his gaze over Xu Mingwei's group of five. "Did Fellow Daoist Xu successfully attempt Foundation Establishment?"

Xu Mingyuan said, "Let's set aside Father's matters for now. This junior currently has a transaction to discuss with Senior."

"Transaction?" Zhou Qingfang smiled in surprise. "In this regard, you're truly like your father. In such circumstances, the first thing upon meeting is wanting to make a transaction with me?"

"What does Senior think of the Feng family compared to the Zhou family?"

After deliberating briefly, Zhou Qingfang said, "The Feng family successively produced two Foundation Establishment cultivators. Although their peak period has passed and they're gradually declining, their foundation is at least fifty to sixty percent stronger than my Zhou family's. If you want my Zhou family to fight the Feng family to the death, this old man won't agree."

"Then what if this junior is confident that our two families cooperating could swallow the Feng family?"

"You're confident you can kill Feng Xiuyuan? Although this old man's strength has grown over the years, at most I'm evenly matched with him."

"Senior only needs to say whether you're willing to cooperate."

Zhou Qingfang looked at Xu Mingyuan, falling into silent contemplation.

Even if Xu Chuan successfully established foundation, he was in the imperial capital and probably couldn't make it in time. Does the Xu family have another trump card?

Interesting.

The Xu family finally doesn't want to endure anymore?

He stroked his long beard, very curious about what the Xu family's foundation was that could help him kill a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

"If we can kill him, this old man is naturally willing to cooperate. But swallowing the Feng family won't be easy. Moreover, how will the Feng family's resources be divided then?"

"Very simple. Whoever kills the Feng family's Foundation Establishment cultivator gets the lion's share. As for how many resources can ultimately be divided, it depends on how much we actually obtain after conquering the Feng family."

Zhou Qingfang's knuckles lightly tapped the table, producing "dong dong" sounds.

After a moment, he said, "Good. Let's do as you say. Looking at you, you seem to have everything under control. Tell me your strategy."

…

Jade Cold Pool.

Xu Mingxian sat cross-legged by the pool's edge. A phantom flood dragon figure hovered in midair.

"Boy, it seems your Xu family has encountered trouble. As long as you release this seat, whatever enemies there are, this seat can easily help you eliminate them."

"Did you hear? This seat is talking to you!"

"Your father at least treats me with respect. How are you, this boy, so impervious to persuasion!"

Xu Mingxian opened his eyes and said indifferently, "You only need to consider the matter my father proposed last time. Everything else is useless no matter how much you say."

"Our Xu family already has another place to settle. At worst, we'll leave and seal the array in the pool dead. Then in two or three hundred years, we'll come back to see if you've died. If you're dead, we'll make good use of your dragon scales, dragon horns, dragon tendons, dragon claws, dragon teeth, dragon blood, dragon heart, etc. These are all the top-tier artifact refining materials in the cultivation world."