Chapter 387: The Three Families Meet

"Shadow Division member, Yuan, greets the Old Ancestor."

"You have suffered a grievance, Wuer," Xu Chuan said softly, looking at the young man from the Shadow Division standing before him.

"Compared to the Old Ancestor exhausting his mind and energy for our Xu Clan, it is nothing."

Xu Jingwu bowed with cupped hands.

"How have things been in the Shadow Division?"

"I have executed a few missions. It has been acceptable."

Xu Chuan nodded slightly. "You came to see me this time. Do you have a request?"

"The Old Ancestor has eyes as sharp as a torch. Your grandson knows that our Xu Clan's current actions are meant to preserve the bloodlines of the various vassal families."

He paused and looked directly into Xu Chuan's eyes. "I came to ask Grandfather to allow the Jiang Clan to enter Dongxi."

Xu Chuan smiled faintly. "If you view them as family, then they are family to our Xu Clan."

"However, remember that Jiang Wu is dead. You are currently Yuan, and in the future, you will be Xu Jingwu. You will never be Jiang Wu again. Do you understand?"

"Your grandson understands!" Xu Jingwu declared. "After that funeral, Jiang Wu ceased to exist in this world!"

Xu Chuan nodded. "I will have Xu Mingwei send someone to help you handle this matter. After they enter Dongxi, you may assist or guide them in the capacity of Jiang Wu's close friend."

"For the Jiang Clan to grow, they must still rely on their own efforts."

"Your grandson understands."

He bowed with cupped hands once more. "Thank you, Grandfather."

Soon after, Xu Jingwu left the Jade Cold Pool and returned to his own room.

Xu Chuan then informed Xu Mingwei of the matter.

Xu Mingwei immediately set to work.

It was not that the Xu Clan highly valued the Jiang Clan, but rather that they valued Xu Jingwu.

It was a classic case of loving someone and extending that care to everything connected to them.

A few days later.

At the Jiang Clan residence.

Ever since Jiang Wu perished, the Jiang Clan had become exceedingly desolate.

Parasol leaves fell in the courtyard, making the scene appear even more bleak.

On this day, a steady Foundation Establishment spiritual pressure quietly descended, alarming everyone in the estate.

The visitor wore a brocade robe with green patterns. His features were proper, and his bearing was composed. It was Xu Deheng's eldest son, Xu Chonghao.

Although he was not considered a top-tier genius within the Xu Clan, he still possessed a Mid Foundation Establishment cultivation.

Upon receiving the report, Jiang Feng, the Family Head of the Jiang Clan, hurriedly went to the main hall to welcome him.

His attitude was respectful, yet it carried a faint, barely perceptible trace of nervousness. "I was unaware that Senior Xu was gracing us with his presence. Please forgive me for failing to welcome you properly.

"May I ask what instructions Senior has for us today?"

Xu Chonghao took a seat and accepted the offered Spirit Tea.

He did not exchange too many pleasantries, merely looking at the current Jiang Clan Family Head with a peaceful gaze.

A moment later.

He got straight to the point. "Family Head Jiang, there is no need to be nervous.

"This one has come at the behest of my clan to officially invite Family Head Jiang and your dependents to relocate and reside in our Dongxi."

"Relocate to Dongxi?"

Jiang Feng blanked upon hearing this, his face revealing obvious doubt and confusion. "Senior Xu, this... please forgive this junior for speaking bluntly.

"My Jiang Clan has never had any particularly deep ties with your noble clan.

"In the past, when my elder brother was alive, although he had the honor of acting as a protector for a few martial artists of the Xu Clan, it ended there.

"Why extend such a generous invitation so suddenly?"

He paused, phrasing his next words carefully. "Our Jiang Clan currently resides in Guangling Commandery. While we are not a major clan, we live and work in peace, and our lives are acceptable.

"Dongxi is renowned far and wide, and this junior naturally yearns for such a place.

"However, relocating the entire family is no trivial matter.

"Without a necessary reason..."

The unsaid words were self-evident.

Xu Chonghao listened quietly, thinking to himself, 'After Jiang Wu perished, this Jiang Feng has truly grown quite a bit. His speech is tactful and cautious, no longer as reckless and direct as the rumors used to say.'

Thinking of that exceptionally talented and brilliant pioneer of the Martial Dao who had died young, a trace of pity could not help but well up in Xu Chonghao's heart.

If Jiang Wu were still alive, given his disposition, potential, connections, and prestige, the Jiang Clan might have had the hope of becoming the next Xu Clan in the future.

What a pity. In the end, he lacked a bit of providence.

Once Jiang Feng finished speaking, Xu Chonghao slowly opened his mouth.

"This matter was entrusted to us by your elder brother, Daoist Friend Jiang Wu, before his death. Knowing this, is Family Head Jiang still unwilling?"

"My brother?!"

Jiang Feng abruptly stood up, his face written with disbelief. "This—how is this possible? He has long since—Senior is saying that this was an agreement my brother made with your noble clan while he was alive?"

Xu Chonghao nodded, saying nothing more.

He retrieved a letter from his Storage Pouch and handed it over. "This was written personally by Daoist Friend Jiang Wu and entrusted to our Xu Clan.

"Family Head Jiang will understand upon reading it."

Jiang Feng accepted the jade slip with slightly trembling hands and cast his gaze over it.

The letter contained only a few short lines of text.

The vigorous and forceful strokes carried a faint, barely perceptible gentleness and lingering attachment. It was his brother's handwriting, which he couldn't be more familiar with: "To my younger brother, Feng.

"By the time you read this letter, I will likely have long since perished.

"If the unexpected happens, you may bring your dependents to reside in Dongxi.

"This is a favor I exchanged by assisting the Xu Clan in breaking through to the Origin Martial Realm.

"Dongxi is a paradise where one can live and work in peace. You may head there directly.

"The Xu Clan values their promises; they will absolutely not go back on their word.

"However, from now on, the future of the Jiang Clan will rest solely on your shoulders.

"If you face difficulties, you may seek a bit of assistance from the Xu Clan.

"But do not reach for a yard after taking an inch.

"How the Jiang Clan fares will depend entirely on your own development.

"If I were still alive, the Xu Clan would have answered to me, and this letter would never have seen the light of day.

"Lastly.

"Do not mourn me. Guard the family well.

"Your brother, Jiang Wu's final words."

Every word was like a hammer, striking heavily against Jiang Feng's heart.

It was as if he could see the deep-seated worry and reluctance hidden beneath his elder brother's resolute face when he penned these words.

His eye sockets instantly turned red, and hot tears welled up uncontrollably. He tightly gripped the letter, choking on his sobs as he muttered, "It's my brother's handwriting... It's my brother's handwriting!

"So all along, my brother... he had already..."

Xu Chonghao sat quietly to the side, allowing Jiang Feng to vent his emotions.

It took a long time before Jiang Feng managed to calm his turbulent emotions, wiping away his tears with his sleeve.

When he raised his head, a bit more decisiveness had appeared in his eyes.

He tucked the letter securely inside his robes, took a deep breath, and looked at Xu Chonghao. "Senior Xu, about this matter..."

"

"You can take your time to consider this matter."

Xu Chonghao smiled and said, "Our Xu Clan never forces others to do what is difficult. Whether you leave or stay, returning this letter to you can be considered returning an item to its rightful owner.

"There is no need to consider it. We will move!"

Decisiveness shone in Jiang Feng's eyes. "This is the opportunity my brother traded for. It is the escape route he paved for our Jiang Clan. I do not want to, nor can I, let his painstaking efforts go to waste."

A smile of approval appeared on Xu Chonghao's face. "Family Head Jiang is wise.

"Since that is the case, in seven days, please bring your dependents to our Xu Clan's Guangling Branch.

"At that time, this one will escort you to Dongxi."

"Many thanks, Senior Xu!" Jiang Feng offered a deep bow.

"It is within my duties. Family Head Jiang need not be polite. This one will take his leave."

Xu Chonghao stood up, and Jiang Feng hurriedly saw him out.

He escorted Xu Chonghao all the way outside the estate gates. Only after watching him transform into a streak of light and fly away did Jiang Feng slowly straighten his back.

The autumn wind swept through the courtyard, sending fallen leaves fluttering into the air.

He looked back at the residence where he had lived for many years, a myriad of emotions swirling in his heart.

Over the next seven days, the Jiang Clan residence was exceptionally busy.

Acting with lightning speed and decisive vigor, Jiang Feng began liquidating the family's assets.

Shops and farmlands—anything that could be sold was sold as quickly as possible, converted into easily portable Spirit Stones or resources.

A "For Sale" sign was also hung outside the estate.

The servants and maids in the estate had their wages settled one by one and were dismissed with kind words.

His wife was initially confused, but after Jiang Feng brought out his elder brother's final letter and carefully explained the situation, she immediately and firmly supported her husband's decision.

Seven days passed in the blink of an eye.

On the morning of the seventh day.

Jiang Feng's family of four rode in a simple and unadorned carriage, quietly departing from the Guangling Commandery city and heading toward the mountain gate of the Xu Clan's Guangling Branch.

Xu Chonghao was already waiting there.

He didn't say much, merely leading the four of them to a small Magic Skiff that looked plain on the outside but contained profound Spirit Power.

Jiang Feng brought his wife and children aboard the skiff.

Under Xu Chonghao's control, the Magic Skiff silently ascended into the air and transformed into a streak of light, rapidly flying into the distance.

Within a few hours, they arrived at Dongxi.

On the Dongxi side, a residence had been allocated for them to settle down in.

After Xu Chonghao finished escorting them, he returned to the Guangling Branch.

He informed his father, Xu Deheng, of the matter.

Xu Deheng then sent a message to Xu Mingwei.

"You have worked hard, Deheng."

"Eldest Uncle is too kind.

Ending the transmission, Xu Mingwei passed the news on to Xu Jingwu.

Xu Jingwu was not in a hurry to meet them.

Since they had already arrived in Dongxi, there was no need to rush things.

Later, visiting them in the capacity of a martial artist whom Jiang Wu had once helped would be perfectly natural.

A month passed like a white colt flashing past a crack, gone in the blink of an eye.

Above Dongxi, a Core Formation celestial phenomenon appeared once more.

Furthermore, Mei Yun and Xu Mingheng had achieved Core Formation at the same time.

No, to be precise, it was Xu Mingheng who was a step faster, with Mei Yun following right on his heels.

Therefore, it looked as if the two of them had achieved Core Formation simultaneously.

A Spirit Qi Tide surged forth madly.

Xu Chuan flung his sleeve robe, protecting the numerous Spirit Medicines in the Jade Cold Pool, and then stood with his hands behind his back, looking up at the five-colored Spiritual Qi vortex in the sky.

'Interesting,' Xu Chuan thought. 'Could it be that Mei Yun absorbed Mingheng's Providence at the critical moment, allowing him to break through in one fell swoop?'

Xu Chuan was only guessing.

He knew very little about Mei Yun's physique.

He hoped that he could gather more information through Mei Yun's breakthrough this time.

The residents of Dongxi, the children of the Xu Clan, and the youths of vassal families like the Zhou, Qin, Li, Wang, and Zhao were all engaged in widespread discussion.

"Just what kind of Secret Method does the master family possess to be able to help people break through one after another like this?" a disciple of the Zhao Clan asked.

A young man from the Zhou family replied, "Why couldn't it be that the Xu family members have supreme aptitude and extraordinary innate talent? After all, quite a few of them are at the bottleneck of Core Formation."

"Guessing all this is useless. This Li is merely curious about who it was that broke through the time before last, last time, and this time?"

The areas where their families resided were not far apart.

The young disciples of each family also saw each other frequently.

Thus, over time, they had all become well acquainted.

After all, they couldn't just stay cooped up in their rooms engaged in secluded cultivation forever.

"When the time is right to know, the master family will naturally inform us."

The Zhou family was the earliest vassal and the Xu Clan's most loyal subordinate.

With the Xu Clan's capabilities, they were still unable to conceal the Core Formation celestial phenomenon.

Therefore, the news could not be hidden.

It was only a matter of time before it spread throughout Great Wei, Great Jin, and Great Liang.

Two or three days later.

The Xu Clan's successive breakthroughs had truly frightened the Great Wei's Cao Clan.

Among the three families, their conflict with the Xu Clan was the deepest.

Next was the Sima Clan, who had once joined forces with the Xue Clan to attack Dongxi.

As for the Liu Family, they had always coexisted peacefully.

Their only clash had been the matter concerning the Zhao family not long ago.

But because the Zhao family became vassals of the Xu Clan, it led to a massive drain on the Zhao family's Providence.

To outsiders, it didn't seem like a major conflict, but to Liu Qiankun, the loss was not small.

Thus, he also harbored dissatisfaction toward the Xu Clan.

He simply didn't want to tear off all pretense of cordiality openly.

Cao Jiyi ordered the Cao Clan to send messages to the Sima Clan and the Liu Family, inviting their Golden Core Ancestors to Great Wei for a gathering.

In Demon-Controlling City, at the Sima Clan.

"Family Head, someone from the Cao Clan has sent a message. The Cao Clan Ancestor wishes to invite our Ancestor to gather at the Great Wei Imperial Palace on the twenty-third of September."

"Understood." The Sima Clan Family Head waved his hand, dismissing the messenger disciple.

He pondered for a brief moment before heading toward his Ancestor's secluded cultivation area.

On the other side.

In the Great Liang Imperial City.

Guards had also relayed the message from the Cao Clan to the Great Liang Emperor.

Five days later.

On the twenty-third of September.

Deep within the Great Wei Imperial Palace.

The doors of the Chengtian Hall, a place rarely used on ordinary days, were thrown wide open. Its Formations were fully activated, isolating it from all external probing.

The hall was vast and towering, with only four golden pillars coiled with dragons supporting the domed roof.

The floor was paved with black spiritual jade, clear enough to reflect one's image, yet exuding a chilling, sinister aura.

Cao Jiyi was already seated at the head position. He had changed into a solemn dark purple Dharma Robe. The sharp light flickering in his eyes made him seem even more sinister and profound.

His fingertips absentmindedly stroked the warm jade inlaid on the armrest of his chair as he waited.

A faint spiritual light flashed outside the hall, and two figures arrived almost simultaneously.

A grey shadow, like smoke, glided silently into the hall. It was precisely Sima Chengdao, the Golden Core Ancestor of the Great Jin Sima Clan.

Dressed in a simple grey robe, his aura was as restrained as an ancient well. Only when his eyes opened and closed did they flash as sharply as blades, sweeping over the hall's furnishings and Cao Jiyi.

A faint, mocking sneer hung at the corners of his mouth.

The other figure was dazzlingly majestic, dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe and wearing an Imperial Crown with Hanging Beads. It was the Great Liang Emperor, Liu Qiankun.

His steps were steady, walking with a dragon's stride and a tiger's pace. He brought with him an inviolable imperial aura. As he stepped into the hall, his gaze met with Cao Jiyi's and Sima Chengdao's for a moment.

Nodding slightly, he walked straight to the guest seat on Cao Jiyi's left and sat down, showing not the slightest bit of constraint despite being in another country's imperial palace.

"Daoist Friend Cao,"

Sima Chengdao was the first to speak indifferently. "Everyone has arrived. May I ask why you invited us here?

"It couldn't possibly be just to sip tea and discuss the Dao."

Cao Jiyi's expression remained calm, completely unmoved. "Daoist Friend Sima jests.

"I invited the two of you here today to discuss a matter that concerns the future survival of our three families—and even the entirety of Great Wei, Great Jin, and Great Liang."

He paused, watching as their expressions grew slightly solemn.

He continued, "I am sure you two have heard about the recent situation with the Dongxi Xu Clan. In the past half a year, three people have consecutively achieved Core Formation.

"Coupled with that Xu Chuan, who has always kept a low profile...

"Although there was no Core Formation celestial phenomenon for him, there is a high probability that he also quietly achieved Core Formation somewhere.

"At a conservative estimate, the Xu Clan now has at least five Golden Core Perfected Persons, both in the open and in the shadows!"

Cao Jiyi's gaze swept over Sima Chengdao and Liu Qiankun. "What does this mean? The two of you should be well aware.

"Relying on their own strength alone, the Xu Clan is already capable of contending against our three families combined—they might even surpass us!"

At this moment, both of them bore solemn expressions and remained silent.

Because it was the truth.

A moment later.

Cao Jiyi continued, "My Cao Clan has the deepest grievances with the Xu Clan. We have suppressed them many times. I only regret that we did not discover their wild ambitions sooner and strangle them in the cradle.

"The Xu Clan came to our door to humiliate us and severed my Great Wei's territory.

"This hatred and enmity is a matter of life and death."

After he finished speaking, he looked at Sima Chengdao again. "Back then, the Sima Clan allied with the Xue Clan to attack Dongxi, only to have many of your elites killed instead.

"The Xue Clan was exterminated because of this.

"It may seem like the grievances between your two families have been settled, but given the Xu Clan's protective nature and their tendency to avenge every wrong, do you really think they won't take advantage of the Great Tribulation to settle old scores?"

Sima Chengdao did not refute this.

If he hadn't been afraid back then that both sides would suffer utter defeat, allowing the Cao Clan and the Liu Family to take advantage of his weakness, with his Demonic Dao style, he would naturally have long since slaughtered his way into Dongxi, extracting the souls and refining the spirits of all the Xu Clan members.

Finally, Cao Jiyi's gaze landed on Liu Qiankun.

Liu Qiankun's expression did not change as he spoke indifferently. "My Great Liang has no enmity with the Xu Clan. Even if the Xu Clan wants to settle scores, it wouldn't be my Great Liang's turn, would it?"