Chapter 216: Foundation Establishment Surge, Beast-Taming Zhao Family, Transaction

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

Xu Mingwei, Xu Mingyuan, Xu Dezhao, Daoist Yunding, and Wu Mingsheng all broke through in succession.

Daoist Yunding and Wu Mingsheng had the most difficult breakthroughs, after all their lifespans were approaching their limits. If Xu Chuan hadn't prepared thoroughly for them, they likely would have failed even with superior-grade Foundation Establishment Pills.

A single superior-grade Foundation Establishment Pill could increase the chance of Foundation Establishment by thirty percent.

Xu Chuan summoned them together to make arrangements.

"Mingwei, Mingyuan, you two should focus on cultivating peacefully in Dongxi from now on. Dezhao, you continue handling clan affairs. Once Chonghui breaks through to Foundation Establishment, you can then pass the family head position to him."

"Yes!"

Next, Xu Chuan looked toward Daoist Yunding and Wu Mingsheng, "Elder Yunding, Elder Mingsheng, you two will continue staying at the Guangling branch, responsible for pill refining and artifact refinement there. These are breath-concealing array instruments that can control and suppress your realm aura. Take them well, and continue presenting yourselves as Qi Refining perfection from now on."

Daoist Yunding and Wu Mingsheng accepted the jade tokens, exchanged glances, and cupped their fists, "Grand Elder, rest assured!"

"Also, all of you should go find Deling later. From now on, all Xu family Foundation Establishment cultivators can receive one free top-grade magical artifact."

Daoist Yunding and Wu Mingsheng's eyes brightened, and they cupped their fists again with smiles, "Thank you, Grand Elder!"

"For the Guangling branch, keep thirty percent of the spiritual herbs for second-rank pills and materials for superior-grade artifacts for you two to research and improve your skills. The rest needs to be transported back to the main branch."

"We understand."

Half a month later.

Xu Chuan planned to have Xu Deheng and Xu Deyue attempt Foundation Establishment. However, Xu Mingqing still had a knot in his heart.

"Mingqing, haven't you figured it out yet?" Xu Chuan summoned Xu Mingqing, intending to provide psychological guidance.

"Father, I..."

"Immortal cultivators pursue the immortal Dao and longevity. They should be free-spirited and open-minded."

Xu Chuan said, "Like Dewen, he falls for every woman he sees, already has nine wives and concubines. Like your eldest brother, second brother, and third brother, one excels in battle, one in strategy, one always trying to slack off. Your fourth sister is single and carefree. Your fifth brother is devoted to the immortal Dao."

"What about you? What kind of life do you want?"

Xu Mingqing had never thought about this so much. He looked at Xu Chuan, "Father, what about you?"

"I seek longevity, I seek for our Xu family to stand for ten thousand years, to exist eternally!"

"I heard eldest brother and the others say you had expectations for them. What about me?" Xu Mingqing asked again.

"You have an eighth-grade Yin Wood Bloodline and wood-element talent. You have extremely strong control over plants and are extremely sensitive to the medicinal properties of spiritual herbs. I once hoped you would inherit my pill Dao and carry on my legacy!"

"If you're unwilling, Father won't force you."

Hearing Xu Chuan's words, Xu Mingqing's mind felt like it had been struck by thunder. He realized he had been doing foolish things all along.

He immediately knelt down, "Father, your child is willing."

"Please Father, teach me generously. Your child will definitely inherit your legacy and not disappoint your expectations."

"What about Ye Xuehua?"

Bitterness appeared at the corner of Xu Mingqing's mouth as he cupped his fists, "Your child has come to understand during this time that from the very beginning, it was only my one-sided wishful thinking. If I continue to wallow in romantic entanglements, I'll only betray Father's teachings and the family's cultivation. Xuehua is exceptionally talented, but your child is not inferior either!"

"It's good that you've figured it out. However, you'll first study pill refining with me for three months before attempting Foundation Establishment."

"What about Deheng and Deyue?"

"They don't have as many messy complications as you. Their Dao hearts are currently quite pure, so Foundation Establishment shouldn't be a major problem for them."

"Your child understands."

During Xu Deheng's Foundation Establishment seclusion, Xu Mingyuan temporarily returned to the Guangling branch to oversee matters.

A month and a half later.

Xu Deheng and Xu Deyue emerged from seclusion.

Xu Deyue remained in Dongxi, while Xu Deheng went to the Guangling branch.

A grand ceremony was held for the succession of the family head position.

All the noble families of Guangling Commandery attended, presenting generous gifts.

After all, they had all heard about the Xu family's affairs.

The Xu family gained three more Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Wuhua Secret Realm, and the Xu family's Grand Elder's cultivation had surged even more, reaching middle Foundation Establishment.

If not for lacking a late Foundation Establishment expert, they could probably become a second-rank family.

Upon hearing this news, the Wei family trembled with fear and presented one-fifth of their family assets at the ceremony to establish good relations with the Xu family.

Many people speculated whether Xu Deheng had reached Foundation Establishment.

Because of Xu Chuan, the Xu family possessed methods to conceal cultivation realms. Even Foundation Establishment cultivators could disguise themselves as Qi Refining.

Such methods made the various families even more wary.

After all, this way, you simply couldn't know the Xu family's true foundations.

Perhaps a Xu family disciple at the seventh layer of Qi Refining was actually at the ninth layer.

Someone at the ninth layer might actually be at Qi Refining perfection, or even Foundation Establishment.

The merchant operations in Tongshan Commandery also expanded freely.

Now even without Cao Jinming's protection, no one dared to target the Xu family's merchant operations.

Two months later.

Seeing that Xu Deheng was handling affairs in an orderly manner, Xu Mingyuan also returned to Dongxi.

Cultivating, drawing talismans, teaching.

Living as a carefree elder.

Xu Derui and Xu Deqian also began taking on various Xu family affairs.

Among the Xu family's Chong generation, those who took the immortal cultivation path were almost all practicing the Five Elements Spirit Formula.

Many of the De generation had branched out, marrying more than one wife.

The Chong generation now numbered nearly thirty people.

Before long, Xu Mingqing also attempted Foundation Establishment.

With just an inferior-grade Foundation Establishment Pill and auxiliary pills refined from Earth Heart Jade Marrow Mushrooms, he easily achieved Foundation Establishment.

The Xu family reported to the Imperial City, requesting promotion to a third-rank family.

This time, the Immortal Supervisor who came was a Foundation Establishment perfection immortal cultivator.

He wanted to probe the Xu family's depths, but unfortunately didn't succeed.

The Xu family officially became a third-rank family and naturally needed to open the ancestral hall and make sacrifices to heaven and earth. However, they didn't plan to hold a grand ceremony.

After all, a third-rank family ceremony would require inviting at least all the noble families from various commanderies, and some families from the Imperial City as well. It was too troublesome.

After the sacrifice concluded, Xu Chuan suddenly felt the Blood Lineage Genealogy within his body stir.

Vast clan fortune poured in.

Two days later.

Xu Chuan's mind received a message from the genealogy: The probability of Xu family descendants being born with eighth-grade Five Elements attribute bloodlines increased to ten percent, with a chance of even producing Innate Five Elements Bodies.

Eighth-grade bloodlines were basically all top-tier true spiritual root aptitudes.

Every person born with such aptitude was definitely a Foundation Establishment seed.

Cultivating the Five Elements Spirit Formula, after reaching Qi Refining perfection their divine sense would transform into divine consciousness, and combined with the Five Elements Foundation Establishment Method, they could directly possess over fifty percent chance of Foundation Establishment.

They could succeed in Foundation Establishment without needing Foundation Establishment Pill assistance.

Based on the current number of Chong generation members, this meant that starting from the Wen generation, each generation would have at least three or four people with such aptitude and as the Xu family's clan fortune grew more prosperous, this probability and number would continue to increase.

"Innate Five Elements Body should be heavenly spiritual root aptitude, and probably not ordinary spiritual root purity either, likely reaching eighty or ninety percent. Such a physique could perform Five Elements techniques effortlessly, combined with Myriad Arts Profound Understanding, the future prospects would definitely be limitless."

Of course, Xu Chuan also understood such physiques were hard to come by.

He wouldn't foolishly just wait.

If descendants had suitable matches, he would also bestow this talent.

Nowadays, fewer and fewer talents were being born. He could only choose suitable recipients rather than distributing them casually as before.

Another half month passed.

Matters came to a conclusion.

Xu Chuan originally wanted to go out, but received an invitation from the Cao family, to attend Cao Yulong and Ye Xuehua's wedding in the Imperial City.

After brief consideration, Xu Chuan brought Xu Mingxian along.

…

Imperial City, Eastern District.

Xu Chuan and his companion arrived the day before the wedding.

First, they visited the Lei family.

Lei Yunzhao was currently meeting with the family heads of the Jiang and Lin families in his study.

Everyone knew that Zhou family's Ye Xuehua and Xu family's Xu Mingqing had a marriage agreement, yet the Cao family insisted on forcing Ye Xuehua to marry into the Cao family.

They found this matter strange, which was why they gathered to discuss it.

The three great first-rank families competed with each other occasionally but when facing this Cao family matter, they shared a common enemy.

"Family Head, Xu Chuan has brought his son Xu Mingxian to visit."

The voice of the Lei residence steward sounded outside the study.

"Xu Chuan?" Lei Yunzhao showed surprise.

Jiang family head Jiang Huarong raised an eyebrow and smiled, "The Xu family had a marriage agreement with the Zhou family but was rejected. Perhaps he knows the underlying reasons."

Lin family head Lin Chaofeng nodded, "That makes sense, and with the Xu family's current foundations, they barely qualify to be on equal footing with our three families."

"Since Brother Huarong and Brother Chaofeng both say so," Lei Yunzhao said, "Steward, bring Fellow Daoist Xu Chuan and his son to my study."

"Yes, Family Head."

"Brother Lei, Brother Lin," Jiang Huarong smiled, "Do you think the Xu family has already digested those three Foundation Establishment Pills?"

"To avoid being coveted, naturally they'd choose to convert them into strength early," Lin Chaofeng said, "If they perfectly utilized those three Foundation Establishment Pills, the Xu family's Foundation Establishment cultivators could reach nine."

"Indeed, but if the Xu family actually went to war with one of the second-rank families, they'd probably still fall short," Jiang Huarong said.

Lei Yunzhao and Lin Chaofeng both nodded slightly.

Before long, Xu Chuan and Xu Mingxian arrived at the study. Seeing that both Jiang family head and Lin family head were also present, they showed slight surprise.

Are they holding an alliance meeting?

"Brother Lei," Xu Chuan cupped his fists, then continued, "I've come at an inopportune time. I didn't expect Family Head Jiang and Family Head Lin would also be here. I hope I'm not disturbing you all?"

Lei Yunzhao swept over them with his divine consciousness. Seeing Xu Chuan was at the second layer of Foundation Establishment and Xu Mingxian at Qi Refining perfection, he couldn't help but smile, "Brother Xu, your concealment of cultivation is truly masterful. I can't see through it at all. Ordinary breath-concealing techniques can't achieve this, can they?"

"Just a minor trick. I came at an unfortunate time. Perhaps I should visit another day."

Jiang Huarong said, "No, we were actually waiting for Brother Xu."

"Waiting for me? For what matter?"

"Please sit and talk," Lei Yunzhao invited the two to take seats, then asked, "You've come to attend the Cao and Zhou families' wedding, correct? Brother Xu, do you know why the Cao family insists on having Ye Xuehua? What's so special about her?"

"About this..." Xu Chuan showed a conflicted expression.

Lei Yunzhao smiled, "Brother Xu's visit shouldn't be a simple courtesy call. Whatever you want, just speak up. Even if my Lei family can't manage it, Brothers Jiang and Lin are here."

"I came hoping to borrow some array formation texts. Would that be possible?"

"Yes," Lei Yunzhao agreed after thinking briefly.

"Thank you," Xu Chuan cupped his fists, "Regarding what makes Ye Xuehua special, I do indeed know something."

"She has earth spiritual root aptitude."

"Earth spiritual root?!" Jiang Huarong's expression changed, "I should have known, after all Cao Yulong also has earth spiritual root aptitude."

"The Cao family wants to produce another Golden Core!" Lin Chaofeng's pupils contracted.

Lei Yunzhao was also shocked, but looking at Xu Chuan, he asked in surprise, "Brother Xu isn't surprised. Had you already guessed?"

"I once saw relevant information in an ancient text. It seems when two people with earth spiritual root aptitude unite, a secret method can be used to promote the chance of their offspring having heavenly spiritual root aptitude. Only this possibility could make the Cao family act so shamelessly."

Lei Yunzhao said, "Brother Xu's wisdom is extraordinary indeed."

"Does Brother Xu know why the Cao family is so urgent?" Jiang Huarong suddenly asked.

"I have some guesses. It's because of the Demon Tribulation."

"What? You actually know about the Demon Tribulation?" Jiang Huarong exclaimed in shock, his face full of disbelief.

Xu Chuan's expression remained calm.

Xu Mingxian was also hearing the term "Demon Tribulation" from his father for the first time.

"All Imperial City families should have issued gag orders. How did you learn of it?" The Lin family head asked in surprise.

"All events leave traces to follow. However, the Demon Tribulation is still too distant for my Xu family."

Distant?

It's less than eighty years away!

Lei Yunzhao was momentarily stunned, then understood and smiled wryly, "Right, your Xu family has only developed for fifty or sixty years so far. We cannot say much about the Demon Tribulation, but since Brother Xu has learned of it by fate, you should prepare early."

Xu Chuan nodded, "Thank you for the reminder, Brother Lei. However, what I'm most worried about is the Cao family. My Xu family has developed too quickly. I fear being suppressed by the Cao family."

Lei Yunzhao sighed, "This is unavoidable. If development could truly proceed peacefully and amicably, how would we have ended up with just these few second-rank and first-rank families? However, you needn't worry too much. Unless you truly enrage the Cao family, they won't act openly and brazenly. If they casually exterminated families, we would have united in resistance long ago."

"In short, Brother Xu, just be cautious and on guard yourself," Lei Yunzhao continued, "Your earlier proposal to review array formation texts was probably to protect your clan grounds with arrays, right? This is indeed a good method. If you can set up a superior second-rank array formation, the Cao family will find it very difficult to act. Because they can't break a superior second-rank array formation with minimal effort, and if they use great force, it will become known to all. The gains wouldn't be worth the losses."

After learning the reason why the Cao family was marrying Ye Xuehua, Jiang Huarong and Lin Chaofeng departed.

Lei Yunzhao also instructed the steward to fetch some of the Lei family's array formation texts.

Xu Mingxian wanted the most advanced ones possible, so the Lei residence steward complied.

He mainly searched for records of third-rank arrays, and indeed found some.

"As expected, there are gains."

This information naturally came from Daily Divination.

The next day.

Xu Chuan dutifully attended the wedding.

Some of the Cao family's lackeys mocked the Xu family for overestimating themselves and competing with the Cao family for a woman.

Xu Chuan wasn't bothered at all.

In his eyes, these were nothing more than crude provocation tactics.

Just note them down in his little book.

There would always be a time for settling accounts in the future.

The Cao family held a grand wedding, and the betrothal gifts given to the Zhou family were truly substantial.

One Foundation Establishment Pill, two Void Breakthrough Pills, three bottles of superior-grade True Essence Pills, five bottles of superior-grade Barrier Breaking Pills, ten bottles of superior-grade Qi Nurturing Pills.

There was also one top-grade magical artifact, three superior-grade artifacts, and ten high-grade artifacts.

The Cao family had top-tier pill refining grandmasters and artifact refining grandmasters. The cost of refining pills and artifacts was far less than for ordinary second and third-rank families.

Presenting these items was nothing to them. However, after the Zhou family digested these, their overall strength could easily double.

Especially the Void Breakthrough Pills, which could quickly help Zhou Qingfang break through his current middle-stage bottleneck.

Otherwise, he might normally remain stuck at this bottleneck for ten years.

After all, many Foundation Establishment cultivators were trapped at the peak of early Foundation Establishment.

Many families developed ideas about these betrothal gifts, but no family currently dared to make a move.

Xu Chuan speculated that once Ye Xuehua gave birth to a heavenly spiritual root descendant, it might be the time when she would be abandoned or die.

It might also be the day great disaster befell the Zhou family.

The Xu and Zhou families were allies. The Xu family naturally wouldn't attack the Zhou family, but they also couldn't sacrifice the lives of Xu family Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment disciples to fight for the Zhou family's sake.

Who knew how many people would be eyeing this piece of meat that was the Zhou family by then.

After the wedding ended, Xu Chuan accompanied Xu Mingxian at the Lei family for three days.

Xu Mingxian had already finished reviewing those array formation texts, and then the two took their leave.

"How were the gains?"

On the way back, Xu Chuan asked.

"With those two third-rank array formation records, although they don't have complete array secret patterns, they can still provide me with considerable help. Within twenty years, I should be able to successfully deduce a third-rank grand array."

"You still need to focus on this matter, but don't neglect your own cultivation. Father will find ways to collect more array formation texts to help you."

"Thank you, Father."

Returning to Dongxi.

The next day, Xu Chuan set out with Xu Mingwei and Moyue for Great Liang.

To avoid drawing attention, they chose to travel through the Azure Sea Forest.

Along the way, they also conveniently killed three early Foundation Establishment demon beasts.

With Xu Mingwei present, Xu Chuan saved considerable effort.

Although he was only at early Foundation Establishment, he possessed a top-grade bow and arrow set. Combined with his self-created archery killing techniques, he could easily hunt even third-layer Foundation Establishment demon beasts.

This top-grade bow and arrow set was newly forged.

It used materials from the White Scale Flood Dragon, along with metal-attribute second-rank ores.

Silver scales were embedded in the bow body, gold thread lined the edges, and flood dragon sinew formed the bowstring.

There were still nine arrows, but only three reached the standard of top-grade magical artifacts.

They could activate secret techniques to unleash array formation power.

The other six were superior-grade artifacts.

Along the way, Moyue also praised Xu Mingwei's combat power, which was truly impressive among immortal cultivators.

More than half a month later.

The two stepped into Great Liang.

Great Liang was organized as an imperial dynasty and incorporated immortal cultivators into the imperial system. Corresponding official positions required corresponding realms.

Fourth-rank officials were early Foundation Establishment, third-rank were middle Foundation Establishment, second-rank were late Foundation Establishment, and first-rank were Foundation Establishment perfection.

Through this system, Great Liang's first-rank officials could mobilize tremendous power.

Moreover, due to cohesion issues, the Great Liang imperial Liu family's foundations were even deeper than Great Wei's Cao family.

Of course, if the dynasty collapsed, the speed of decline would also be the fastest among the three nations.

After making some inquiries, Xu Chuan headed toward Great Liang's Imperial City. However, the Beast-Taming Zhao family wasn't within the Imperial City.

Some powerful families occupied territories outside, claiming lands with abundant spiritual energy.

Almost every family had people serving as officials at court.

The Cao family had imitated this by establishing immortal officials in Great Wei.

A mountain range over a hundred li east of the Imperial City, nearly half of which was occupied by the Zhao family as their private domain for breeding and training spirit beasts.

After all, the Zhao family was a beast-taming family.

Core disciples all specialized in beast control.

As Xu Chuan and Xu Mingxian approached this mountain range.

Looking from afar, a pale gold light membrane covered the mountain boundary like a canopy, with cloud patterns flowing across the membrane.

Through the light membrane, tens of thousands of mu of spiritual fields could be seen spreading along the mountain terrain.

Spiritual energy flowed like light gauze between the field paths. Spiritual rice glowed with a faint glaze-like luster. Occasionally, snow-white spirit rabbits with scarlet jade rings around their necks leaped across the field ridges.

At the end of the spiritual fields, clusters of jade towers and palace halls were built along the mountain.

Under jade-built flying eaves hung bronze spirit beast wind chimes that tinkled in the breeze, attracting several ink-feathered falcons with wingspans over a foot to circle.

In the center of the palace cluster, a great hall constructed entirely of purple-veined jade was particularly striking. The column bases on both sides of the hall entrance were carved with patterns of coiling serpents holding pearls.

Beside the disciples standing guard at the entrance, demon beasts with lion heads and tiger bodies crouched, their bell-like eyes vigilantly scanning passersby.

On the bluestone path, several young disciples in green robes walked together. Some had crimson flame foxes at their sides, some had delicate azure birds perched on their shoulders, and some were followed step by step by blue-eyed spirit apes.

Xu Chuan arrived at the mountain gate.

Gray-blue stone steps extended downward, also connecting to the clan grounds.

Seeing Xu Chuan and his companion standing in the void and descending before them, the disciples guarding the mountain gate immediately stepped forward, "Greetings, Senior. May I ask who you are and what brings you to our Zhao family?"

"I've come to visit Elder Zhao Qingyan. This is his token!"

Xu Chuan produced a token. The disciple examined it, confirmed it was genuine, then nodded and returned it to Xu Chuan.

"This is indeed Elder Qingyan's token. Please wait here, Senior. This junior will have someone notify Elder Qingyan immediately."

A moment later, a green figure flew over, passed through the clan protection array, and arrived at the mountain gate.

"Fellow Daoist Xu, you've traveled ten thousand li to come here. Please enter the clan so we can talk!"

Xu Chuan nodded, "This is my son, Xu Mingwei."

"Qi Refining?"

Zhao Qingyan was slightly stunned. It should be Foundation Establishment, right?

Regarding the Xu family's performance at the Wuhua Trial, he had also heard.

"Both of you, follow me."

Xu Chuan and Xu Mingwei followed Zhao Qingyan, flying over spiritual fields and spirit lakes toward a certain palace hall.

"I'd long heard the Beast-Taming Zhao family was powerful. Seeing it today, the grandeur is truly extraordinary and admirable."

"Fellow Daoist Xu is too kind," Zhao Qingyan smiled faintly, "The building ahead is where I usually cultivate in seclusion."

At Main hall, great hall.

Xu Chuan and Xu Mingxian took their seats.

Zhao Qingyan sat in the host position, smiling as he asked, "Has Fellow Daoist Xu come because you need my help with something?"

"Although I'm not among the Zhao family's decision-makers, I still have some influence."

"I have some questions about beast-taming I'd like to ask."

"Oh?" Zhao Qingyan showed slight surprise, "Please ask, Fellow Daoist Xu."

"Regarding spirit beast advancement, for example from Qi Refining to Foundation Establishment, from Foundation Establishment to Golden Core, how should they be cultivated?"

"For spirit beasts advancing from Qi Refining to Foundation Establishment, similar to how we immortal cultivators forge immortal foundations, they also need to condense inner cores, which become the foundation for future cultivation. They emphasize bloodline talent. Spirit beasts with powerful bloodlines can advance naturally, like immortal cultivators with earth spiritual root or even heavenly spiritual root aptitude. Those with weak bloodline talent who want to become Foundation Establishment demon beasts need to use inner cores from Foundation Establishment demon beasts. Generally, after two or three cores, most can still become Foundation Establishment spirit beasts."

Xu Chuan said in surprise, "That's much easier than us immortal cultivators breaking through to Foundation Establishment."

"Perhaps, but each has their own difficulties."

"What about becoming Golden Core demon beasts?"

"Only by improving their own bloodline. Refined blood or inner cores from higher-tier demon beasts of the same species can help. Of course, spirit beasts that already have third-rank bloodlines can naturally become third-rank demon beasts once their foundations are sufficient."

"What about Nascent Soul stage?"

"Ancient texts record that third-rank perfection demon beasts must undergo tribulation lightning. Only by successfully passing through can they cross into fourth-rank, equivalent to Nascent Soul cultivators. Fourth-rank demon beasts are also called transformation demon beasts. Legend has it that demon beasts reaching fourth-rank perfection can completely transform into human form."

Xu Chuan asked many miscellaneous questions about spirit beasts.

Zhao Qingyan answered every question.

"By the way, what if a third-rank demon beast was severely injured, with lifespan near its end, and fell to second-rank strength, how could it recover?"

Hearing this, Zhao Qingyan frowned slightly, "Fellow Daoist Xu, your question is rather tricky."

"Though possible, it's actually very difficult to occur in reality. As for how to recover, I think it would require heavenly treasures matching that demon beast's attributes, or inner cores from third-rank demon beasts of the same attribute. Some third-rank pills would also work."

"What pills? Do you have the formulas? I also have a third-rank pill formula related to demon beasts that I could trade with the Zhao family."

"Fellow Daoist Xu saved my life. Copying a few pill formulas is nothing."

Zhao Qingyan said, "However, I still need to inform the family head about this matter. Please wait here for a moment, Fellow Daoist Xu."

"Thank you," Xu Chuan cupped his fists with a smile.

Zhao Qingyan immediately left the great hall to find the Zhao family head.

"Coming to ask about demon beast matters? Could the Xu family also have someone practicing beast-taming?"

"Perhaps, but his last question was very thought-provoking. It seems like a hypothesis yet doesn't. Family Head, do you think the Xu family truly has an injured third-rank demon beast?"

The Zhao family head pondered briefly, "The Xu family is ten thousand li away, not something our Zhao family should worry about. The pill formulas can be copied, and you can even tell him about that secret method to repay the favor for him saving you and Elder Guan'an. Additionally, if his pill formula is truly useful, we can trade for it too."

"Understood, Family Head."

Zhao Qingyan returned to the main hall and shared three third-rank pill formulas for healing demon beast injuries.

"These are indeed all third-rank formulas, but the main ingredients for each formula are very difficult to gather. You can only try your luck in dangerous places like the Azure Sea Forest."

Seeing Xu Chuan frown slightly, Zhao Qingyan said, "My Zhao family also has a secret method called the Five Spirits Reverse Core Method. By gathering inner cores from five second-rank peak demon beasts of different elemental attributes and performing the secret method, one of the cores can temporarily transform into a third-rank inner core."

After speaking, he also handed the copied version of this secret method to Xu Chuan.

"Consider these as repayment for saving my life that day. Please don't think it inadequate, Fellow Daoist Xu."

"How could I!"

Xu Chuan was quite pleasantly surprised inwardly.

Second-rank peak demon beasts were very difficult for even Foundation Establishment perfection cultivators to hunt, but Xu Chuan had Moyue as a helper, so it wasn't difficult.

After all, this was to help him recover, so he should contribute some effort too.

Xu Chuan then took out the Demon Spirit Pill formula and handed it over, "The Zhao family is a beast-taming family. This pill formula should be useful to you. Consider it a trade for the Five Spirits Reverse Core Method."

Zhao Qingyan glanced at it and immediately exclaimed, "Demon Spirit Pill?"

"You actually have the Demon Spirit Pill?!"

"Has Fellow Daoist Zhao heard of this pill?"

"Beast-taming families or sects have almost all heard of this pill's great reputation. For spirit beasts, it can be called a pill of fortune and transformation. My Zhao family has only seen relevant information in ancient texts. Moreover, yours even includes the refining method. This pill formula is too precious. I absolutely cannot accept it."

"Why not? This pill formula can only display its maximum effect in your Zhao family's hands. If you truly feel bad about it, just provide some additional compensation."

Zhao Qingyan's eyes kept glancing at the pill formula, "Very well, then I'll accept it. There will definitely be compensation, but I need to discuss with the family head and elders first. Fellow Daoist Xu, you and your son can rest at my Zhao family for the night. You can leave tomorrow."

"That's fine."

The main hall had cultivation quiet rooms.

After settling the two, Zhao Qingyan went to find the Zhao family head again.

Hearing that Xu Chuan possessed the Demon Spirit Pill formula, he immediately summoned all the other elders, including a Foundation Establishment peak top-tier pill refining master.

"After reviewing it, do you elders think this pill formula is genuine?" the Zhao family head asked.

"It should be authentic," the Zhao family's top pill refining master said, "Using demon cores, essence souls, and refined blood as main ingredients is indeed unheard of, but it matches the legends. However, the most crucial part is this secret method for refining the spiritual embryo. Without this secret method, the pill formula would just be waste paper. Even a pill refining grandmaster couldn't refine this pill. Moreover, that Fellow Daoist Xu Chuan specifically noted that second-rank demon beast materials can also be used. This old one heard he's a top pill refining master in Great Wei. Perhaps he's previously refined this pill using second-rank demon beast materials."

After a pause, he continued, "This pill formula is extremely valuable. If we can truly refine Demon Spirit Pills, it could help our Zhao family rapidly improve spirit beast strength. We could even cultivate a batch of spirit beasts with transformed aptitudes and higher growth potential."

After careful consideration, the Zhao family head looked at Zhao Qingyan, "Elder Qingyan, has Xu Chuan made any demands?"

"Not yet."

"This matter is hard to decide. Go ask him what he needs. As long as it's not too excessive, our Zhao family can agree."

"I understand," Zhao Qingyan nodded.

"The other elders, go out and hunt several early Foundation Establishment demon beasts for Elder Guihong to attempt refining, is that acceptable?"

"We'll go immediately."

After Zhao Qingyan returned, he had another discussion with Xu Chuan.

After thinking it over, Xu Chuan said, "I wonder if your family has any silkworm-type demon beasts? I've heard that silk spun by silkworm demon beasts can be used as material for magical robes, magical artifacts like bowstrings, and such. My Xu family would also like to cultivate some."

Hearing this, Zhao Qingyan secretly sighed at Xu Chuan's shrewd thinking.

Teaching someone to fish is better than giving them fish.

"Our Zhao family has three types: snow silkworms, blood silkworms, and dragon silkworms. Snow silkworm silk is relatively common, with most magical robe materials being this type. Blood silkworm silk, when refined into artifacts, can cause continuous bleeding and has blood-devouring effects. Dragon silkworms are the most precious. Their silk's toughness is several times that of snow silkworm silk. When refined into artifacts, it can improve their hardness. For example, between two identical high-grade defensive artifacts, if one has dragon silkworm silk refined into it, its defensive capability can reach top-tier among defensive artifacts. Of course, getting dragon silkworms to spin silk isn't easy."

"Which type does Fellow Daoist Xu want?" Zhao Qingyan looked at Xu Chuan.

After careful consideration, Xu Chuan raised his head, "Can I have all of them?"

"Uh..." Zhao Qingyan's eyes widened immediately.

"I only need a few pairs of larvae. My Xu family can slowly cultivate them ourselves."

"Larvae, well that's feasible. However, cultivating them won't be easy. Fellow Daoist Xu should be mentally prepared."

"I understand."

Before long, Zhao Qingyan delivered two pairs each of the three silkworm types, along with cultivation methods, to Xu Chuan.

Snow silkworms preferred cold environments and fed on spiritual herb leaves to grow.

Blood silkworms could also be fed spiritual herb leaves, but to grow they needed regular feeding of living creature blood. The higher the blood quality, the faster they grew.

Dragon silkworms needed to grow symbiotically with spirit beasts possessing flood dragon bloodline, absorbing flood dragon qi. Normally they'd be fed spiritual herb leaves, though not just any spiritual herb leaves would do. But every so often they needed to be cleansed with blood from flood dragon bloodline spirit beasts to grow and advance.

"They're indeed difficult to cultivate, but my Xu family happens to meet the conditions. We even have a slightly overqualified peak third-rank old flood dragon."

Xu Chuan thought to himself, then asked again, "By the way, Fellow Daoist Zhao, do you have any flood dragon bloodline juvenile beasts? I'm willing to trade one Demon Spirit Pill for one."