Chapter 373: Shock

The news spread like wildfire, instantly igniting the entire Li family.

From top to bottom, whether cultivators or their mortal relatives, everyone was fervently discussing this sudden and massive event of dividing the family.

Under the eaves of the corridors, inside the teahouses, and during breaks in cultivation...

Arguments among the Li family descendants could be heard everywhere.

"Separating a branch to go to Dongxi? This is a great opportunity!"

A young disciple with a somewhat immature face but burning eyes exclaimed excitedly, "What kind of atmosphere does the Xu family have? Prodigies are as common as clouds!

"Only by entering such an environment and aligning ourselves with them will we know the vastness of heaven and earth, and realize that geniuses are as numerous as carp crossing a river!

"By chasing after them, even if we only get slightly closer, our generation can also be called geniuses!"

"Hmph, how short-sighted!"

"Although it is true that we are a vassal family to the Xu family, given time to accumulate our heritage and unleash our potential, it is not impossible for us to give birth to a Golden Core stage cultivator.

"When that time comes, we can naturally shake off the title of vassal and become truly independent!

"Why rush to send our own elites to others?"

"Exactly!" someone nearby chimed in. "I also cannot understand why the ancestor and the clan elders would agree to such a foolish matter that is practically crippling our own foundation!

"If we send all the good seedlings to Dongxi, who will support the master family of our Li clan in the future?

"Are we just giving up on our future?

"Are we no longer accumulating our heritage?"

Someone else, after thinking calmly, remarked, "The clan elders have always acted with deep deliberation.

"This resolution must have underlying considerations that we are unaware of, perhaps restricted by oaths that cannot be spoken plainly.

"In my view, this might not necessarily be a bad opportunity.

"I heard that within the Dongxi Xu Clan, although the rules are strict, it is also relatively fair.

"As long as one's talent is sufficient and their performance is outstanding, even disciples of different surnames might receive resources and nurturing comparable to the core descendants of the Xu Clan.

"If one can truly stand out from the crowd there..."

"But that is still living under someone else's roof after all! How can it be as comfortable as being in our own home?"

"Comfortable? Without strength, being comfortable is just looking at the sky from the bottom of a well! How can our Li family compare to the Xu family's resources, cultivation methods, and broad vision?"

"I still feel it is inappropriate..."

"I actually want to go and try..."

There was widespread discussion, with no consensus reached.

There were those who longed for the grand spectacle of the Xu family and desired a higher platform, and there were those who believed the family could rise independently.

The entire Li family, and even the Qin family and Wang Family, were immersed in this noisy atmosphere mixed with excitement, doubt, unease, and anticipation.

Half a month passed in a flash.

At the martial arts arena of the Li family, banners fluttered in the wind and a sea of people gathered.

All the cultivators in the clan, regardless of their cultivation level, along with their direct mortal relatives, almost all who could attend had gathered here.

It was a densely packed crowd, numbering in the thousands.

The air was filled with an indescribable solemnity and restlessness.

Li Xingyan, previously the cultivator second only to the Li family ancestor.

He had now become the new Li family ancestor.

His cultivation had reached Foundation Establishment Perfection.

Standing on the high platform, his hair and beard were completely white, and his expression was grave.

He scanned the massive crowd of clansmen below, circulating his mana, and his voice spread clearly across the entire venue.

"Regarding the matter of separating a branch and relocating to Dongxi, over the past half month, I assume all of you have considered it repeatedly and have made up your minds.

"Before the public decision today, this old man will say a few final words."

He paused, his voice growing even more solemn. "This opportunity is extraordinary.

"It is a special grace granted by the Xu family in consideration of our Li family's loyalty as a vassal.

"Relocating to Dongxi means living in the same place as the descendants of the Xu Clan, being able to spar and compete with them, and experiencing the true demeanor of the prodigies from an aristocratic family.

"Furthermore, one can receive the nurturing and resources of the Xu family's system.

"For the younger generation with Earth Spirit Root aptitude, riding this favorable wind, in the future... there might be a glimmer of hope to touch the Great Dao of the Golden Core!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the breathing of several people below the stage suddenly quickened.

Li Xingyan shifted his tone, "Our Li family today appears strong, with many Foundation Establishment cultivators emerging.

"However, if we want to independently produce a Golden Core stage cultivator, it is impossible without the perfect alignment of timing, location, and unity, not to mention the need for at least two or three hundred years of profound heritage accumulation.

"Perhaps... we would also need to wait for the birth of a peerless genius with Heavenly Spirit Root aptitude.

"Perhaps some clansmen feel that our Li family can slowly accumulate, and eventually, when the water arrives, a channel is formed."

His gaze was like lightning as it swept over the crowd. "But have you ever thought that the Xu family, in just a little over sixty years, has already surpassed the accumulation of ordinary aristocratic families over hundreds or even a thousand years!

"The speed of their advancement is beyond imagination.

"Over these years, they have kept a low profile not because they lack capability, but because they simply disdain ordinary boasting.

"What true aristocratic family grandeur looks like can only be truly experienced by personally entering Dongxi!"

"In a century or two, this old man cannot predict what heights the Xu family will reach, but I am certain that if we can enter Dongxi and follow the steps of the master family...

"Then, their heights will become the future heights of our Li family branch.

"Even the branch might one day become the main lineage!

"This choice is not only about individual futures, but also an important opportunity concerning the future providence of our Li family!"

"That is all."

Li Xingyan took a deep breath and pointed to the clearly divided areas on the left and right of the martial arts arena. "Those who are willing to join the branch and relocate to Dongxi, please stand on the left.

Those who are unwilling, stand on the right.

Begin... your choice!"

As his voice faded, the martial arts arena was initially quiet.

Immediately after, it erupted into an uproar even louder than before.

Thousands of clansmen looked at each other, whispering rapidly with their friends and family nearby. Expressions of struggle, hesitation, and determination flashed across their faces... all varying greatly.

A moment later, people started to move.

At first, it was in twos and threes, and then more and more followed.

The figures diverged like the turning of a tide.

It was clear to see that the vast majority of the clansmen walked to the right.

Meanwhile, those heading to the left were mostly young faces.

Among them were the two members of the Li family with Earth Spirit Root aptitude; one had already reached Foundation Establishment, while the other was only seven or eight years old.

The parents of this young child also chose to go to Dongxi with him.

Because they believed that with their son's talent, he could receive better nurturing within the Dongxi Xu Clan.

Half an hour later.

In the left area stood about three hundred people. There were men and women, old and young, but it consisted mainly of youths, strong adults, and children.

On the right side, a dense crowd of several thousand people had gathered, silently looking across at the other side.

The disparity was massive.

Watching this scene, a trace of complex and inexplicable emotion flashed through Li Xingyan's eyes.

'Forget it. Fortunately, many outstanding descendants are willing to go to Dongxi. It is hard to predict what the great tribulation will be like, and the Xu family has not explicitly stated it, but it is obvious they are not optimistic about other families.

'The Xu family is willing to protect some of our people because they value our Li family's accomplishments in formations.

'Zhou Qingfang was right. Instead of everyone perishing in the great tribulation, preserving a portion of the elites is already the best outcome.'

With this thought in mind.

He turned to a Late Foundation Establishment cultivator next to him, who was about fifty years old.

This person was the current Li family head, Li Yuanxing.

He also had some interactions with the Xu family in his early years, and last time, he was the one who went to the Xu family to respectfully welcome Xu Chuan out of seclusion.

"Yuanxing," Li Xingyan's voice was calm, "step down from your position as the family head of the main lineage.

From now on, you will serve as the family head of the branch family.

In half a month, lead them to Dongxi."

"Ancestor, what about you..."

Li Xingyan waved his hand and said, "Someone must hold down the fort in the family and face what is to come together with them."

Li Yuanxing felt a deep sorrow in his heart that he could not speak of to others.

But for the sake of the family's survival, he cupped his hands and responded, "Yuanxing accepts the order! I will do my utmost to protect the branch lineage and not fail the ancestor's trust."

This felt like a final farewell!

However, apart from them, only one or two other Li clansmen present were aware of the truth.

The Qin family and Wang Family also selected the members of their branch lineages in a similar manner.

In both cases, the number of people was less than five hundred.

On the Xu family's side, Xu Chonghui had already ordered people to start construction long ago.

In the empty lands of Dongxi, five zones were marked out to build inn-like structures.

They were essentially built to accommodate five hundred people each.

As for why there were five zones, it was strictly instructed by Xu Chuan.

In just over half a month.

The construction of the five zones was completed.

Every room had a restriction that blocked sound and spiritual sense probing, requiring corresponding tokens to activate or deactivate the seals.

During these days.

The changes in Dongxi were immense.

Xu Mingxian, using the Jade Cold Pool as the center, installed a Mid-Grade Three-Tier spirit vein.

This caused the spiritual qi in the Dongxi Xu Clan to surge over the past month.

Many cultivators and martial artists all felt it.

Xu Chonghui also spread the word, urging those facing a bottleneck to seize the opportunity, especially Peak Qi Condensation cultivators who lacked resources and were trapped by the Foundation Establishment bottleneck.

From top to bottom in the Xu family, the descendants, guards, recruited disciples, and others added up to several hundred people.

One after another, they went into seclusion to charge at Foundation Establishment.

The High Grade Tier 3 Cloud Heaven Illusionary Array and the Tier 3 Low-Grade Azure Underworld Formation had both been deployed.

The Azure Underworld Formation was on the outside, and the Cloud Heaven Illusionary Array was on the inside. Cloud mist grew in thick clusters, and without a guide, it was entirely impossible to enter.

The Xu family had already initiated the mode of sealing the mountain.

The first to arrive were the nearly two hundred Zhou family clansmen led by Zhou Zongdan.

Upon seeing Zhou Zongdan and the others arrive, a Xu family guard immediately stepped forward, cupping his fists. "Alchemist Zhou, I heard that the Zhou, Li, Qin, and Wang families are all splitting off branch lineages to move into the Xu family.

It seems you are the one serving as the family head for the Zhou family's branch lineage, right?"

Zhou Zongdan nodded slightly. "Indeed, it is me."

As he spoke, his gaze swept towards the sky. He felt that the faintly visible pale azure light screen gave off a sense of immense heaviness, making his heart tremble with fear.

"Brother Chen, has this Dongxi clan protection grand array changed?"

"Foundation Establishment cultivators are indeed sharp. Elder Mingxian just replaced it not long ago."

He took a few steps forward, leaned close to his ear, and whispered, "According to the rumors I've heard, this seems to be a Tier 3 formation!"

"A Tier 3 formation? Doesn't that mean it's the same grade as the Great Wei Imperial City?!"

The guard captain surnamed Chen smiled. "I do not understand formations either, but it should be so."

He was a martial dao seedling sent by the vassal Chen family of Chen Ergou, and he was only one step away from the Origin Martial Realm.

A moment later.

A gap appeared in the azure formation light screen.

The Zhou family procession entered in an orderly manner.

And under the guidance of a guard, they headed to the place where they would be residing.

"This spiritual qi density?!"

Not long after entering, the Zhou family members began exclaiming one after another.

"Family Head, I feel like my bottleneck has already loosened!" a young man from the Zhou family at Peak Qi Condensation said.

The guard leading the way at the front smiled and said, "This past month, hundreds of Peak Qi Condensation members in our Dongxi Xu Clan simultaneously charged at Foundation Establishment, and right now over a dozen have already succeeded on their own.

"With a little more time, there should be even more.

"I heard people say that within this year, our Dongxi will be able to add at least a hundred Early Foundation Establishment cultivators."

The Zhou family members all immediately widened their eyes.

"Now that you have come inside, you can also enjoy this treatment. I guarantee that you won't be able to find another place in the entire world with spiritual qi as rich as our Dongxi Xu Clan."

"The ancestor was indeed right! Only by following the Xu family can our Zhou family go further in the future!"

"These five zones all have the same specifications. Each zone can accommodate five hundred people in total, so you can choose for yourselves."

"Then we will choose Zone A," Zhou Zongdan said.

The Xu family had dedicated personnel here to explain some rules to them, and then they distributed the tokens and other items.

Half an hour later.

Everyone had selected their rooms.

Zhou Zongdan went to pay his respects to Xu Mingqing, but upon arriving at the Pill Refining Hall, he was informed by Zhang Wanqing that Xu Mingqing was already in seclusion at the Jade Cold Pool.

That place was the core of the Xu family.

There were actually not many people among the descendants of the Xu Clan who had the qualifications to go there.

Although he was Xu Mingqing's disciple, without permission, he naturally could not go.

"Zongdan, the spiritual qi density in our Dongxi Xu Clan has sharply increased. During this time, you should cultivate with peace of mind and improve your realm," she advised.

"Thank you for the reminder, Elder."

The members of the Zhou family knew that this opportunity was hard to come by, so most of them stayed inside their rooms to cultivate. Only a few who were curious about the Xu family wandered outside.

But within a few days, they too became fully immersed in their cultivation.

The spiritual qi density across all of Dongxi was divided into three levels.

The area surrounding the Jade Cold Pool had reached Mid-Grade Three-Tier, while the various peaks and the Xu Clan's main mansion had reached Tier 3 Low-Grade.

The small town at the foot of the mountain, as well as the area for the Zhou family branch, reached the level of a Two-Tier Spiritual Vein. Moreover, the density was still slowly increasing, and eventually, it should be able to reach High Grade Tier 2.

This was already a cultivation environment comparable to ordinary Golden Core Aristocratic Families in the Azure Dragon Prefecture.

Compared to the Cao Clan, the Sima Family, and the Liu Family, this environment was even a tier better than where their Golden Core ancestors cultivated.

For the four great families of Zhou, Qin, Li, and Wang, this was absolutely a massive opportunity.

Seven or eight days later.

The Li family, Wang Family, and Qin family arrived one after another.

Just like the Zhou family members, they were wide-eyed with curiosity and amazement, taking in the sights like country folks visiting a grand palace for the first time.

"If the other clansmen knew that Dongxi had a cultivation environment with such spiritual qi density, they would probably be overwhelmed with regret."

An excited young man from the Li family exclaimed.

"Yes, this is too incredible!"

"Even the descendants of the Cao Clan probably don't have such a cultivation environment. I reckon only Golden Core ancestors get to enjoy this."

"Even if the Xu family doesn't bestow any resources, this spiritual qi cultivation environment alone is worth countless resources."

Li Yuanxing also felt that every cell in his body was jumping for joy.

Cultivating in this environment, he was confident that he could advance from Seventh-Layer Foundation Establishment to Foundation Establishment Perfection within ten years!

"It wasn't like this the last time I came here. What did the Xu family do?"

Li Yuanxing did not ask too many questions, knowing that this was definitely a confidential secret of the Xu family.

After leading his clansmen to settle down, he began cultivating.

The Qin family and Wang Family did the same.

As for the other vassal families of the Xu family.

Because the scales of the Chen Family, Qingjiang Li family, Guangling Ge Clan, Bai family, and Gu family were too small, it was fundamentally difficult for them to form a branch lineage on the scale of the Zhou family and the others.

However, the Xu family still allowed them to send their promising young talents inside.

Xu Mingxuan's daughter, Xu Deyun, also led the descendants of her lineage back to the Xu family.

Time passed in a hurry.

In the blink of an eye, another half month went by.

During this month and a half.

The souls of Xu Mingyuan, Xu Mingshu, Xu Mingqing, and Xu Mingxuan successively underwent transformations.

Xu Chuan had Xu Mingyuan, Xu Mingqing, and Xu Mingxuan go into seclusion together to cultivate and comprehend divine abilities.

This was solely because the Golden Koi fate talent not only brought good luck to its owner, but it also influenced those around them.

The two of them had divine abilities that were only one step away from being ready for Divine Ability Core Formation.

When it came to bottlenecks, sometimes things fell into place naturally, but other times, they could also be overcome with a bit of luck.

As for Xu Mingshu, after familiarizing herself with her transformed soul, she began preparations for Core Formation.