Chapter 210: Encountering a Demonic Cultivator, Zhou Sen's Last Wish, Approaching the Grand Assembly

"Look at the route you chose." Xu Chuan said with annoyance.

"Human-shaped materials delivered to our doorstep, how can we let them go!" Moyue didn't care in the slightest, grinning as he spoke.

"It's an eighth layer Foundation Establishment demonic cultivator pursuing two fourth layer Foundation Establishment cultivators. They seem to follow the beast taming path."

"Beast tamers?" Xu Chuan's brows furrowed slightly.

In just a moment.

Whoosh whoosh whoosh~

As withered leaves swirled down, two azure figures stumbled forward.

Behind them, dust and smoke rolled as a black-robed figure pursued like an ink shadow.

The azure-robed cultivator in front had disheveled hair at his temples, his robes stained with blood, with an azure fox beside him.

The other azure-robed cultivator had a vicious blood wound on his shoulder, clearly severely injured.

The black-robed demonic cultivator stood in the air.

His triangular eyes swept over Xu Chuan and Ren Xiaoyao.

Sensing they both only had aura fluctuations of the second layer of Foundation Establishment, he immediately laughed derisively, "Second layer Foundation Establishment dares come to the Azure Sea Forest.

Adding you two is just perfect.

With the essence blood of you four as catalyst, this old man will definitely break through to the ninth layer of Foundation Establishment!"

His wild laughter echoed in all directions.

Xu Chuan stood with hands behind his back, his azure robe fluttering.

His gaze fell on the blood patterns faintly visible at the black-robed cultivator's sleeve cuffs.

Ren Xiaoyao carried the Five Spirits Casket on his back, his lips holding a cold smile.

Though he said nothing, his entire body already emanated an oppressive sharpness.

"Fellow Daoist, don't go too far. We have no intention of interfering in your conflict!" Xu Chuan said.

"Since you've encountered this old man, you can only blame your bad luck!"

His figure suddenly lunged forward, bloody light bursting from his fingertips.

A blood-colored palm imprint had already broken through the air, carrying a fishy foul wind straight toward Xu Chuan's face.

The azure-robed cultivator shouted in alarm, "Fellow Daoist, be careful! This is the Blood Demon Palm. Touch it and it will corrode!"

Xu Chuan didn't retreat but advanced. With a seemingly slow sidestep, he precisely avoided the palm wind.

At the same time, the spirit casket on Ren Xiaoyao's back opened and five flying swords unsheathed.

Five-colored sword qi like meteors chasing the moon stabbed straight toward the black-robed demonic cultivator's ribs.

A flash of surprise crossed the black-robed demonic cultivator's eyes, followed by a cold snort.

His left palm flew about, blood light condensing into a shield, forcibly receiving the sword qi.

With a "ding" of crisp sound, the sword qi shattered. Ren Xiaoyao's form swayed slightly but took the opportunity to press closer.

"So you concealed your realm. I was wondering when second layer Foundation Establishment became bold enough to venture this deep into the Azure Sea Forest."

Surprise and suspicion flashed in the black-robed demonic cultivator's eyes, followed by a sinister laugh.

Blood mist permeated his entire body. Countless tiny blood needles appeared from nowhere, enveloping all four people.

The uninjured azure-robed cultivator shouted urgently. From his sleeve flew an azure phoenix phantom.

With wings spanning over a zhang, it cried clearly. Spiritual light burst forth from its entire body, blocking the blood needles in mid-air.

"We two come from the Great Liang Beast-Taming Zhao family. Many thanks to you two Fellow Daoists for helping resist the enemy!"

Additionally, beside him, the azure fox lightly howled, condensing dozens of wind blades with considerable power, heading toward the black-robed demonic cultivator.

"Spirit Taming family? The Spirit Taming True Scripture?"

"What a coincidence."

Xu Chuan had no time to think further. He formed hand seals to control the crimson and crystal blue flying swords while executing ice-fire secret techniques.

The twin swords pulled toward each other, rapidly rotating in the air.

Suddenly, they shot forth crimson-blue light beams.

Ren Xiaoyao also deployed the Five Elements Sword Array, its power not inferior to the azure-robed cultivator's and Xu Chuan's attacks.

As for the other azure-robed cultivator with the injured shoulder, he retrieved a yellow flying sword from his storage pouch. With one hand forming seals, he forcefully raised his magical power to unleash this top-tier magical artifact's power to its limit.

"Hmph!"

"Even if you four were mid-stage Foundation Establishment, what could you do to this old man!"

The black-robed demonic cultivator's blood light suddenly blazed intensely. The blood-colored palm imprint swelled to over ten zhang in size.

He actually blocked all four people's attacks.

Xu Chuan secretly transmitted, "Xiaoyao, together with me, use the Spirit Condensing Technique twice!"

"Yes, Grand Elder."

Faint light appeared at both Xu Chuan's and Ren Xiaoyao's brows.

Unfortunately, no one noticed at this moment.

Four divine consciousness spikes suddenly stabbed into the black-robed demonic cultivator's sea of consciousness.

He had no defense whatsoever.

Immediately, he grunted dully.

The blood-colored palm imprint's power suddenly dropped. The four people's attacks instantly shattered the blood-colored palm imprint, heading toward the black-robed demonic cultivator.

"Damn it!"

The black-robed demonic cultivator had no time to dodge. Forcibly enduring the divine consciousness pain, his body suddenly transformed into eight blood fienddows, fleeing in eight directions.

"You all remember this for me!"

Having broken through to mid-stage Foundation Establishment, Xu Chuan's divine consciousness power was not inferior to late-stage Foundation Establishment, even approaching Foundation Establishment perfection.

Under a surprise attack, he naturally could injure the black-robed demonic cultivator.

Unable to determine Xu Chuan and the other's origins.

Being able to master divine consciousness attack techniques, they definitely weren't simple. This was why he used blood escape to flee.

In the blink of an eye, he had vanished without a trace.

Moyue transmitted, "See? This is the Blood Demon Dao's quite famous Blood Fienddow Escape. Even with my current state, if I acted, I wouldn't have complete confidence in stopping him.

However, this person won't feel well either.

Once the Blood Fienddow Escape technique is used, without recuperating for one or two months, he fundamentally cannot recover."

The two azure-robed cultivators looked at each other, somewhat confused but they could also guess that Xu Chuan and Ren Xiaoyao must have done something to injure that old demon.

So they immediately clasped their fists, "Many thanks to you two Fellow Daoists!"

"Please tell us your names so we can repay you both in the future."

Xu Chuan waved his hand, "Meeting by chance on the water, no need for courtesy. We have also been harmed by demonic cultivators."

"I am Zhao Qingyan, and this is my uncle Zhao Guan'an."

The uninjured azure-robed cultivator retrieved a token from his storage pouch and handed it to Xu Chuan, "It's normal for you two to be inconvenient revealing your identities.

If you ever come to Great Liang, you can present this token to visit. My Beast-Taming Zhao family can do one thing for you two that doesn't harm my Zhao family's interests."

After Xu Chuan accepted it, the two bid farewell and left.

"The Great Liang Beast-Taming Zhao family... Grand Elder, could the Spirit Taming True Scripture in our clan come from them?"

Ren Xiaoyao remembered something and asked in surprise.

"Perhaps." Xu Chuan said, "The Beast-Taming Zhao family has similarly existed for a thousand years, not at all inferior to our Great Wei's first-rank families."

"Just a first-rank family."

Ren Xiaoyao's eyes brightened, full of determination, "Give our Xu family another twenty or thirty years, and we'll definitely catch up and even surpass them."

Xu Chuan smiled faintly without saying more, only saying, "Let's go. We should hurry back."

If it were before, it might indeed take twenty or thirty years to possibly match a first-rank family's foundation.

But now, having obtained the demonic cultivators' accumulated wealth, with Moyue freed from his seal, and having harvested abundantly in the Azure Sea Forest, finding heavenly materials like the Earth Heart Jade Marrow Mushroom.

Xu Chuan believed that in just over ten years they could achieve this goal.

When parting with Ren Xiaoyao, Xu Chuan gave him a Void Breakthrough Pill.

Through this experience, Ren Xiaoyao had improved considerably.

In a few months, he could also reach the peak of the third layer of Foundation Establishment and assault mid-stage Foundation Establishment.

With his aptitude, with the pill added, breakthrough would come naturally.

Returning to Dongxi, Xu Chuan cultivated quietly, occasionally having time to go teach at the Pill Refining Palace.

Just half a month later, the Zhou family sent someone with news that Zhou Sen's end was near and he wished to see Xu Chuan one last time.

Hearing this, Xu Chuan sighed softly and immediately set out for the Zhou family.

Outside Zhou Sen's bedroom, all his children and grandchildren knelt on the ground.

The setting sun leaked through the bamboo window, dyeing the area before the bed a dim yellow.

Medicinal qi and faint death qi coiled around Zhou Sen's body.

Xu Chuan walked slowly closer, his azure robe swaying lightly as his gaze fell on the withered old man on the bed.

"Great-grandfather." A young cultivator before the bed said in a trembling voice, gently stroking Zhou Sen's withered and bony hand back, choking up, "The Xu family's Grand Elder has arrived."

Zhou Sen's eyelids trembled, finally opening with effort.

His cloudy gaze swept over Xu Chuan, first blank, then welling up with a glimmer of brightness. His lips moved, taking a long time to squeeze out a weak voice.

"Senior Xu, you're looking younger and younger... truly enviable."

Xu Chuan smiled faintly, his voice gentle, "Indeed. But you're about to depart."

"You and I have been acquainted for decades. We can be considered pill Dao kindred spirits."

Recalling when Xu Chuan and Xu Mingxian first stepped onto the immortal path, seeking opportunities outside, they truly encountered pill Dao at the Zhou family.

Zhou Sen could be considered to have shown them kindness in recognition.

In the blink of an eye.

He had reached Foundation Establishment. Time could leave no trace on him, but that once famous pill refinement master of Yuehu Commandery was already near death.

Xu Chuan could clearly sense the death qi around him growing increasingly thick.

Now, he was merely clinging to his last breath.

"Kindred spirits? Senior Xu, can this junior request one thing of you?"

"Speak." After pondering briefly, Xu Chuan nodded slightly.

"This is my great-grandson, Zhou Zongdan. He has some talent. Could you occasionally guide him in pill Dao?"

Hearing this, Xu Chuan looked toward the young cultivator before the bed. In his early twenties, fifth layer Qi Refining realm.

A faint pill fragrance drifted around his body.

He deliberated briefly, then looked again at Zhou Sen. In his cloudy eyes was a trace of hope.

"Very well." Xu Chuan sighed softly, "I permit your great-grandson to come listen to lectures at my Xu family's Immortal Arts Hall Pill Refining Palace each month.

There will be approximately two teaching sessions per month, at the beginning and middle of the month. As for myself, I very rarely teach nowadays."

"This is also good. Zongdan, have you remembered?"

Zhou Sen's hoarse, low voice sounded.

"Great-grandfather, Zongdan will definitely not disappoint your expectations and will devote himself to studying pill Dao."

Zhou Zongdan knelt before his bed and kowtowed heavily.

"Many thanks, Senior Xu."

"Rest well." Xu Chuan said.

The corners of Zhou Sen's mouth lifted slightly, but the light in his eyes gradually faded bit by bit.

His head gently tilted to one side, his breathing ceased its rise and fall.

The setting sun had just finished falling, the dusk outside spreading into the room.

Xu Chuan looked at his face and sighed, "Fellow Daoist Zhou Sen, may your journey be smooth!"

"Great-grandfather!" Zhou Zongdan immediately wailed.

Ever since childhood when he showed some pill refinement talent, he had always followed Zhou Sen, personally guided by him.

Their ancestral relationship was deep. Moreover, Zhou Sen planned for him even unto death, planned for the Zhou family. He was filled with reluctance.

"Holding on with one last breath to wait for me, that was also hard work!"

Xu Chuan left the room and outside saw Zhou Qingfang.

Zhou Qingfang clasped his fists, "Many thanks to Fellow Daoist Xu for fulfilling Zhou Sen's wish. My Zhou family is immensely grateful."

"Zhou Sen was also a kindred spirit to me. I will naturally fulfill this small wish."

Then Xu Chuan clasped his fists, "Fellow Daoist Zhou, I shall return to Dongxi."

"Safe travels, Fellow Daoist Xu." Zhou Qingfang also clasped his fists in return and saw him off.

"Being a pill Dao master is good. In just a few years, he's almost caught up to my cultivation realm."

Zhou Qingfang was currently at the third layer of Foundation Establishment, while Xu Chuan displayed only second layer Foundation Establishment aura, just slightly inferior to him.

"With pills provided by the Xu family, my cultivation is indeed considerably faster. Unfortunately, there are still too few pills.

In another year or two, I should be able to reach the peak of the third layer of Foundation Establishment. I just don't know how many years the mid-stage bottleneck will trap me."

Zhou Qingfang's eyes rippled. He turned and returned to his meditation chamber for closed-door cultivation.

Xu Chuan returned to Dongxi and informed Xu Dezhao about Zhou Zongdan, having him make arrangements.

Half a month later, Zhou Zongdan arrived alone outside Dongxi.

He honestly followed proper procedures, having the patrol guards bring him to Xu Chuan.

The two cultivators guarding this restriction heard of his origins and let him pass.

After all, Xu Dezhao had already notified everyone.

Zhou Zongdan was brought to the Pill Refining Palace.

It happened that Shen Qingyi was teaching today. He found a seat, sat cross-legged, and quietly listened.

He quickly noticed that this female pill master of the Xu family had extremely deep pill Dao mastery.

Though he didn't know her pill refinement ability, in terms of fundamentals and understanding of medicinal property changes, she was not inferior to his great-grandfather Zhou Sen.

Pill Dao teaching not only explained pill Dao fundamentals but also answered questions.

Zhou Zongdan also raised several questions, which Shen Qingyi all answered.

He deeply admired her.

An hour later, the teaching concluded. Shen Qingyi rose and gracefully departed.

Zhou Zongdan asked the young cultivator beside him, "Who is this pill refinement master?"

"You're not from the Xu family?" The young cultivator asked in surprise.

"I'm a Zhou family disciple, specially permitted by the Grand Elder to come listen to lectures at the Xu family Pill Refining Palace."

"I see." The young cultivator said, "This is the Family Head's wife. You can also call her Master Shen."

"Master Shen's understanding of pill Dao is extremely deep. Is her pill Dao level second only to the Grand Elder?"

The young cultivator chuckled, "Among the two branches' pill refinement masters, Master Shen ranks last."

"Last? Are you sure you're not spouting nonsense?" Zhou Zongdan's eyes widened.

"Since Brother Zhou has been specially permitted to audit, don't ask around carelessly. Study well. Reaching Master Shen's level in the future is still possible."

Zhou Zongdan clasped his fists, "Thank you for informing me, brother. May I ask how to address you?"

"My name is Chen An, from the Chen family, a vassal family of the Xu clan."

"Brother Chen." Zhou Zongdan said, "May I ask when the Grand Elder will teach?"

"I heard that over ten years ago, the Grand Elder personally taught, but after training several pill refinement masters, he rarely teaches anymore.

It could be several months, half a year, or even two or three years."

"Thank you."

Zhou Zongdan clasped his fists in thanks, sighing in his heart at the unfortunate timing. However, even Xu family members rarely received Xu Chuan's guidance. He couldn't force it.

Being able to come study pill Dao at the Xu family Pill Refining Palace was already an opportunity Zhou Sen had obtained for him.

The Pill Refining Palace had many rooms for pill refinement apprentices to live in, plus many pill refinement chambers.

Zhou Zongdan stayed for two days and felt the Xu family Pill Refining Palace's atmosphere exceeded the Zhou family's by several times. He returned to the Zhou family once to request staying at the Xu family long-term.

After hearing this, Zhou family head Zhou Zongran naturally agreed, also sending a sum of spirit stones monthly as fees for Zhou Zongdan's pill refinement materials.

Xu Dezhao didn't refuse.

In just a few months.

Zhou Zongdan made small progress in pill Dao.

The Xu family's pill Dao lineage emphasized fundamentals. During his studies, he also started tempering himself from the beginning.

When Xu Chuan occasionally swept over with divine sense, he was also satisfied, "Worthy of being the one Zhou Sen entrusted even on his deathbed. True spiritual root aptitude with hope of Foundation Establishment.

Pill Dao talent is acceptable, and his willpower is also excellent. Patient and steady.

If he reaches Foundation Establishment, he should be able to help the Zhou family reach third rank."

Though the Zhou family had the true spiritual root genius Ye Xuehua, family strength depended not only on peak experts but also on the backbone.

That is, the number of eighth and ninth layer Qi Refining cultivators.

The Xu family's unique pill formulas were inaccessible to Zhou Zongdan, even if he swore oaths.

Then, at the beginning of this month.

The teaching person changed to Xu Mingqing.

Zhou Zongdan witnessed a truly transcendent pill Dao genius.

Several years younger than him, yet his pill Dao insights and pill refinement mastery were not inferior to his grandfather's.

He watched Xu Mingqing speak eloquently on the platform, silently vowing in his heart to someday also become one of the Xu family's teaching pill refinement masters.

At the same time, he also sighed, "The Xu family's foundation is unfathomably deep. Who knows how much it exceeds our Zhou family!"

"If we could become the Xu family's vassals, would my Zhou family have hope of becoming one of Great Wei's top families?"

This thought somehow arose in his heart, but he immediately extinguished it.

"My Zhou family is also a Foundation Establishment family, once Yuehu Commandery's overlord. We have our pride. The clan elders, family head, and even the ancestor could never agree."

Then he listened attentively to the lecture.

Several days later at Guangling Commandery, Azure Jade Peak.

The peak's summit was covered year-round with a thin layer of frost, with peculiar pines hanging from the cliff edges.

When dawn broke, spiritual energy on the peak seemed drawn by something, transforming into wisps of azure mist surging into the great hall at the mountain top.

Shortly after, a light shout came from within the hall, followed by spiritual energy transforming into waves rippling outward in all directions, soon returning to calm.

The one breaking through was precisely Ren Xiaoyao.

Having returned to cultivate for several months, he finally reached the peak of the third layer of Foundation Establishment, then used a lower-grade Void Breakthrough Pill to break through in one go.

With his aptitude, a lower-grade Void Breakthrough Pill was sufficient.

Ren Xiaoyao walked out from the meditation chamber. Xu Mingwei and Xu Mingxuan clasped their fists toward him, "Xiaoyao, congratulations on breaking through to mid-stage Foundation Establishment.

In your early thirties, this is probably unique in all of Great Wei."

Ren Xiaoyao showed no arrogance, "Without the Xu family's cultivation, there would be no Xiaoyao today.

Xiaoyao is willing to be the Xu family's ladder to the azure clouds, their umbrella against the heavens."

"Keep working hard!" Xu Mingwei patted his shoulder.

Ren Xiaoyao nodded, then clasped his fists toward Xu Mingxuan in congratulations, "Congratulations to Third Uncle for returning to Qi Refining perfection!"

"Indeed, it wasn't easy. By the way, regarding comprehending the Five Elements Sword Array, I'll still need your help, Xiaoyao. My talent and comprehension compared to yours fall far short."

"There are still less than two years until the Wuhua Dharma Assembly. It should be in time." Ren Xiaoyao said.

"Besides the original Mingxuan, Mingshu, and Mingxian, Father also plans to have Deheng, Deyue, and Mingqing participate in the Wuhua Dharma Assembly." Xu Mingwei suddenly said.

"Those three? Even by the time the Wuhua Dharma Assembly begins, they probably won't reach Qi Refining perfection, will they?"

"Deheng has a slight chance. Deyue and Mingqing should be able to reach late ninth layer Qi Refining.

Both their talents are transcendent. Deyue's mastery of ice element spells is superb, while Mingqing has outstanding talent in the wood element path.

Even if they're only at late ninth layer Qi Refining, they can handle Qi Refining perfection.

With fine-quality magical artifacts suited to them, they'll definitely become assets."

Xu Mingwei paused, then continued, "This time at the Wuhua Dharma Assembly, our Xu family will definitely amaze everyone!"

Xu Mingshu had the top-tier Black Evil Banner, no need for other magical artifacts.

Xu Mingxuan had the Five Spirits Casket, which was also sufficient.

Xu Mingxian was cooperating with Xu Deling to forge a simplified version of the Four Symbols Heaven Force Array artifact. In half a year, they would definitely succeed.

Xu Mingqing's was made from azure jade bamboo combined with other spirit wood materials, forging the Azure Jade Sword set of three fine-quality swords that could form a Heaven-Earth-Human Three Talents Array.

It was modeled after the Five Spirits Casket.

Though far less refined, Xu Deheng just needed normal attack and defense magical artifacts.

Only for Xu Deyue did Xu Deling plan to forge the Cold Soul Moon Wheel from the Supreme Yin Moon Splendor Art, which could later be upgraded to the Supreme Yin Moon Magnificence Wheel.

Xu Deling's artifact refinement mastery could naturally refine it, but unfortunately, she lacked cold attribute materials.

For this, Xu Chuan specially went to the Imperial City.

Through the Lei family, he traded with the Wang family for a piece of Cold Soul Stone.

To forge cold attribute fine-quality magical artifacts for the Wang family genius, the Wang family had searched for five or six such materials.

Hearing the Xu family wanted one, the Wang family was secretly surprised at the Xu family's connections. Not only had they formed marriage ties with the Tongshan Cao clan, they could even move the Lei family to negotiate for them.

After deliberation, the Wang family head ultimately traded one Cold Soul Stone.

Xu Chuan paid with one thousand-year spirit herb.

Thousand-year spirit herbs were a form of foundation for all families. Even the imperial clan would accept such trades.

Xu Chuan returned to Dongxi.

Two or three months later, Xu Deling successfully refined the Cold Soul Moon Wheel.

With this magical artifact, Xu Deyue's temperament became increasingly cold and elegant. Within the Xu family, she began to be called the Cold Moon Fairy.

More than a year passed in the blink of an eye.

During this time, Yun Zhongzi perished, and the jade slip he had given was also unsealed.

Xu Chuan obtained his complete pill Dao inheritance.

In terms of pill refinement, Xu Chuan considered himself already surpassing Yun Zhongzi, but regarding pill Dao insights, after viewing the jade slip's contents, he realized there was considerable distance.

The jade slip recorded fifty to sixty types of first-rank pill formulas, over twenty various types of second-rank pill formulas, plus three third-rank pill formulas.

Several pill refinement techniques, including methods more sophisticated than the Jade Liquid True Return Formula.

Plus a vast amount of pill refinement insights.

Xu Chuan spent over half a month digesting and absorbing it all.

For pills he had never refined, as long as the clan had materials, Xu Chuan refined them all once.

Soon, only half a month remained until the Wuhua Dharma Assembly.

Ren Xiaoyao and Xu Deling held down the Guangling branch and Dongxi main lineage.

Led by Xu Chuan, besides Xu Mingxuan, Xu Mingshu, Xu Mingxian, Xu Deheng, Xu Deyue, and Xu Mingqing, there was also Xu Mingwei plus over a dozen late-stage Qi Refining cultivators.

The rest could proceed as usual.

Xu Dezhao, Xu Mingyuan, and numerous other Xu family members all gathered at the Immortal Arts Hall plaza to see them off.

"Mingyuan, Dezhao, we'll be gone nearly four months on this trip. The branch and main lineage are entrusted to you both."

"Father, rest assured. With Xiaoyao and Deling holding the fort, basically nothing can stir up trouble."

News that the Xu family had produced another Foundation Establishment cultivator spread, causing an uproar across all commanderies.

Xu Deling could be considered to have come into the open.

In these two years, large numbers of mid-stage Qi Refining cultivators had advanced to late-stage Qi Refining.

Plus many new immortal sprouts from various families and those searched for from outside had also entered the Xu family, including over twenty early to mid-stage Qi Refining rogue cultivators.

Between the Xu family's two branches, late-stage Qi Refining cultivators numbered sixty to seventy.

Including early and mid-stage cultivators, there were over one hundred forty people.

In the past for the Dongxi lineage alone, the current number of cultivators together would probably be only eighty to ninety, and that included absorbed rogue cultivators.

In the time of a cup of tea.

"Brother Xu, are you ready?"

Outside the Xu family's Mist Array, a voice came.

It was precisely Zhou Qingfang, the two had previously agreed to depart together.

Xu Chuan looked back to survey the Xu family crowd, paying special attention to Cao Shengling's belly.

After over two years, Cao Shengling had finally become pregnant. In two more months, she would give birth.

Xu Chuan wouldn't witness the fifth generation's birth but now the genealogy was increasingly miraculous. Whenever an Xu clan member was born, he would sense it and could know each person's cultivation progress at any time.

Moreover, he had a feeling.

When the Xu family advanced to a third-rank family, when Xu Mingwei and the others all advanced to Foundation Establishment, there should be another change.

The genealogy fed on the Xu family's fortune.

The more prosperous the Xu family, the more miraculous the genealogy.

"Depart!"

Xu Chuan swept his sleeve. Everyone boarded the dharma boats and flew out of Dongxi.

Upon seeing Zhou Qingfang, he smiled and clasped his fists, "Brother Zhou, let's go."

"Then let's depart." Zhou Qingfang also smiled and waved.

Xu Chuan glanced at the Zhou family members. There were over a dozen, though probably only five would participate in the Wuhua Dharma Assembly.

After all, the Wuhua Dharma Assembly had age restrictions.

Those qualified were just five at Qi Refining perfection, including Ye Xuehua.

The rest were unremarkable. Only Ye Xuehua made Xu Chuan look twice more.

Sword qi surged powerfully around her entire body, as if wanting to burst through.

"I wonder what constitution Ye Xuehua has. She probably has confidence in assaulting Foundation Establishment right after entering the Wuhua Secret Realm."

He glanced from the corner of his eye at his youngest son.

Sure enough!

His gaze was fixed directly on Ye Xuehua.

He had gone to the Zhou family several times to show goodwill, but unfortunately was rejected each time.

"Watch your image, brat." Xu Chuan silently transmitted.

Only then did Xu Mingqing restrain himself, then replied, "Haven't seen Xuehua for a while. I lost my composure a bit. Father, please forgive me."

"Didn't you just go to the Zhou family three months ago?"

"Father, there's a saying that one day apart feels like three autumns. This has been over three hundred autumns."

Hearing this, Xu Chuan's face darkened. He couldn't be bothered to respond.

Unfortunately, back then it wasn't the Xu family who showed her kindness. Otherwise, the two might truly have hope.

He didn't know what arrangements the Zhou family would make for her in the future.

Xu Chuan felt the Zhou family's pond was too shallow for Ye Xuehua.

Just look at Ren Xiaoyao, also a true spiritual root genius, Ren Xiaoyao was only six or seven years older than her, but was already at the fourth layer of Foundation Establishment.

In another two or three years, advancing to the fifth layer of Foundation Establishment was possible.

"By the way, Brother Xu, what's the price for your family's dharma boats? I wonder if they're sold externally?" Zhou Qingfang suddenly asked.

Xu Chuan looked over, "If Brother Zhou wants them, naturally I can sell you a few, but formally selling externally will need to wait another two or three years.

As for price, lower-grade dharma boats are fifteen spirit stones, middle-grade eighty spirit stones, superior-grade five hundred spirit stones.

Given our friendship, I can give you a ten percent discount."

Xu Chuan's party numbered over twenty people.

Four people per boat.

Excluding Xu Chuan and Xu Mingwei, there were five superior-grade dharma boats in total.

Meaning they were worth three thousand spirit stones.

One could see the Xu family's wealth and this was just an insignificant part of the Xu family's foundation.

Regarding training artifact refiners, the Xu family spared no effort.

However, excluding Wu Mingsheng and Xu Deling, the strongest artifact refinement mastery belonged to Wu San.

He already had the level to refine superior-grade magical artifacts.

Once he broke through to the ninth layer of Qi Refining, the Xu family would promise him three lower-grade Divine Sense Pills and teach him the Artifact Control Formula.

With this help, Wu San refining superior-grade magical artifacts would become much easier.

It was estimated that upon returning from this trip, Wu San should have refined a superior-grade magical artifact.

The other nine artifact refinement apprentices.

Most could still only refine lower-grade magical artifacts, but two could already refine middle-grade magical artifacts, though not yet stably.

The Talisman Hall had seven apprentices.

The strongest were the Li Yuanhua siblings, both now able to draw middle-grade talismans.

Lu Feng could draw superior-grade talismans, but with low success rate.

The Xu family's superior-grade talismans mostly came from Xu Mingyuan's hand.

The Array Hall had even fewer apprentices.

Only four apprentices, with just one having entered the array Dao path. He was probably still one or two years of study and research away from independently deploying first-rank arrays.

This showed how much more difficult the array Dao was compared to others.

"Will Brother Zhou take some?"

"Let me consider it further."

Xu Chuan smiled and nodded.

Their party flew rapidly toward the Imperial City.

Three days later, dawn just breaking.

The Imperial City's south gate was already bustling with voices.

The vermillion lacquered city gate towered over three zhang high, its copper studs as large as bowls.

Cultivators came and went in an endless stream. There were family delegations, rogue cultivators coming to watch the excitement, and large numbers of spirit fruit and spirit herb merchants entering.

The Wuhua Dharma Assembly gathered Foundation Establishment families from all commanderies and vast numbers of cultivators.

It was a grand assembly of Great Wei!

The delegations from the Xu and Zhou families arrived side by side beneath the city gate.

Among the Xu family members, those below Foundation Establishment all had regulated attire, mainly divided into ordinary disciples and elders.

Disciples wore azure robes, elders wore black robes. However, they all wore jade tokens engraved with the character "Xu" at their waists.

The Zhou family was similar, many had similar colored robes and garments. Most distinguished which family they belonged to through special robe patterns or jade tokens.

Entering the Imperial City, they inquired at many inns, but all were fully booked.

Many courtyards had been rented out.

Zhou Qingfang was dumbfounded. He turned to look at Xu Chuan, "Brother Xu, could it be we came too late?"

Like the Xu family, the Zhou family was also participating in the Wuhua Dharma Assembly for the first time.

Xu Chuan spread his hands.

"I'll go ask at the Dan Hall. Perhaps some old friends will do me a favor."

Xu Chuan led everyone to the front of the Dan Hall.

He had someone pass word inside.

Before long, Xu Chuan's old acquaintance Steward Chen walked out from the Dan Hall and clasped his fists toward him, "Senior Xu, it's been a while."

The Xu family's reputation had risen in Great Wei, so Steward Chen had naturally heard of it.

"Steward Chen, have you been well all these years?"

"Still the same as always. On the other hand, Senior Xu, your bearing becomes more radiant with each passing day. I heard not long ago your Xu family produced a third Foundation Establishment cultivator?"

"Just a lucky junior with some talent."

Steward Chen nodded slightly, "Could it be you've come about lodging?"

"Indeed." Xu Chuan said with a wry smile, "There are still half a month until the Wuhua Dharma Assembly. We thought time was more than sufficient. Who would have thought... I've truly made a fool of myself before you, Steward Chen."

"Participating in the Wuhua Dharma Assembly is early, but this grand assembly gathers all of Great Wei's top powers. Disciples from various families exchange ideas or trade items, which will continue for some time.

Therefore, those familiar with this all arrive at least half a month early."

"I see." Xu Chuan sighed lightly.

After a moment, Steward Chen said, "Under the Dan Hall's jurisdiction, there are still a few vacant courtyards. You two can choose two. However, Senior Xu, you're no longer a Dan Hall supplier, so the spirit stones that should be paid must still be paid."

"That's only natural."

The lodging problem was smoothly resolved.

Two courtyards, adjacent to each other. Though the courtyards didn't have many rooms.

With several people per room, sitting in meditation and regulating breath at night would be more than sufficient.

Sunlight filtered through pine branches into the courtyard, casting dappled shadows across the ground.

Xu Chuan sat facing the courtyard, meditating and regulating his breath. Xu Mingqing and the others walked over and asked Xu Chuan for permission, "Father, may we go look around the area?"

"Mingwei, you go with them.

They can compete with others, but don't go too far, and don't be too ostentatious. Also, don't use the fine-quality magical artifacts in your hands."

"Father, I'll watch over them."

Xu Mingwei led Xu Mingxuan, Xu Mingqing, and the others participating in the Wuhua Dharma Assembly, along with several Xu family disciples, out.

Xu Chuan and some Xu family disciples remained in the courtyard.

Xu Mingqing suggested going together with the Zhou family, so they headed to the neighboring courtyard.

Zhou Qingfang naturally agreed and had Ye Xuehua lead the group to experience the Imperial City's prosperity.