Chapter 445: Departure, Trial Mission

Changfeng Xiaoyang waved his sleeve robe, and another azure porcelain bottle appeared in midair. He handed it to Xu Chuan.

"Little Friend Xu, you should be able to help him perfectly refine this Profound Sun Longevity Pill, right?"

"Rest assured, Senior. Leave this matter to me."

Xu Chuan put away the pill and handed the black porcelain bottle containing the Heavenly Longevity Pill to Xu Mingwei.

Xu Mingwei immediately knelt and kowtowed to acknowledge his master.

"Disciple Xu Mingwei greets you, Honored Master. Thank you for bestowing this pill."

"Good, good, good."

Changfeng Xiaoyang stroked his beard with a faint smile. With a gentle lift of his left hand, Xu Mingwei was automatically brought to his feet.

"Mingwei, this is a communication token. I will stay in Cloudstream City for seven days. Take these seven days to refine the Heavenly Longevity Pill and gather with your family.

"Must it be that long?" Xu Mingwei sighed emotionally.

He had not yet lived for two jiazi, or a hundred and twenty years, since his birth.

Previously in Dongxi, he rarely ever left the clan territory.

"Unless assigned a task or granted permission, World Guardians are generally not allowed to leave their stationed posts without authorization."

Xu Chuan did not ask further about the World Guardians.

Anyway, once Xu Mingwei joined them, they could communicate whenever he had free time.

No matter where he was, even in a grotto-heaven or a secret realm, the Clan Genealogy could still pull clansmen into the Xu Clan's Grotto-heaven.

That very day.

Xu Mingyuan, Xu Mingxuan, Xu Mingxian, Xu Deling, Xu Dezhao, and other core members of the Xu family learned of this news.

They all gathered in the Withered Glory Courtyard.

"No matter what kind of faction the World Guardians are, at least after refining the Heavenly Longevity Pill, Eldest Brother won't have to worry about his lifespan for now.

With Eldest Brother's talent, breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage within two hundred years shouldn't be too difficult."

"Congratulations, Eldest Brother!"

"Congratulations, Father!"

The rest of the family chimed in with their congratulations.

"It's just that only being able to come out once every few decades or a century makes the World Guardians seem a bit unreasonable," Xu Deling sighed.

"There's nothing to worry about. If you miss your father, just ask your grandfather for help. If it weren't for that, Father wouldn't have agreed so easily."

Xu Mingshu smiled and looked at Xu Chuan, asking, "Isn't that right, Father?"

"You're too clever for your own good," Xu Chuan chuckled.

"Grandfather has a way?" Xu Dezhao asked in surprise.

Xu Chuan smiled. "Dezhao, Chonghui, one of you is the Xu Family Head, and the other is the Young Family Head. It's time I told you both.

Our Xu family possesses a special grotto-heaven secret realm. I can use a secret method to pull your divine senses into the grotto-heaven so we can meet.

In the future, this grotto-heaven will definitely become the foundation and main base of our Xu clan's lineage."

"A grotto-heaven secret realm belonging exclusively to our Xu family?!"

Xu Dezhao exclaimed, exchanging a shocked glance with Xu Chonghui.

Chonghui looked at Xu Mingwei and the others, asking, "Grandfather, Granduncle, Grandaunt, have you all been inside?"

Xu Mingwei did not hide it, explaining, "Father arranges many important matters and communicates with us through the Xu Clan's Grotto-heaven.

Previously, there was no need for too many people to know about the grotto-heaven.

Therefore, only the second generation and a few from the third generation, like Deling and Deyue, were aware of it."

"It's the perfect time for both of you to experience it. In the future, if I am not in the residence, I might summon you using this method," Xu Chuan said.

He immediately used the clan genealogy to draw upon their divine senses.

"Do not resist," Xu Mingwei advised.

Xu Dezhao and Xu Chonghui immediately separated a wisp of their divine sense and entered the Xu Clan's Grotto-heaven.

A short while later.

Their divine senses returned, and their faces were filled with awe.

"That Dao Repository Pavilion must contain all our Xu family's ancient classics and cultivation methods, right? And the medicine garden is more comprehensive than any garden I've ever seen."

While shocked, Xu Dezhao's heart swelled with pride.

This was the heritage behind the Xu family's rapid rise.

Xu Chonghui said, "Great-Grandfather, with this Xu Clan's Grotto-heaven, not only the Dao repository and spirit medicines, but all kinds of resources can be stored inside.

This will be our family's greatest trump card.

Even if something happens to the Xu family in the outside world, with this foundation, we can rebuild at any time."

"It will remain like this for now. In the future, your true bodies will also be able to enter the grotto-heaven.

You might even be able to enter at will.

It won't be too late to transfer the majority of our family's resources into the grotto-heaven for storage when that time comes.

Right now, there are still many inconveniences."

"For now, can only Grandfather's true body enter?"

Xu Chuan nodded.

Xu Chonghui did not ask any further questions.

This surely involved massive secrets and restrictions that even his grandfather and the others likely didn't know about.

Afterward.

Xu Mingyuan looked at Xu Mingwei and asked, "Eldest Brother, are you taking Sister-in-law with you?"

"I will ask your sister-in-law for her opinion."

"Eldest Brother, you and Sister-in-law have a deep bond. She probably won't refuse.

Our Xu family is stable now, so there's no problem with you leaving.

Like Deling and Mingxian, they also hold identities as disciples of other sects.

It's impossible for them to stay in the Xu family forever.

Maintaining these connections is also crucial for the current Xu family."

Hearing this, Xu Chuan smiled faintly and praised, "Mingyuan, you always see things clearly.

By staying holed up in Azure Dragon Prefecture, our family could still advance a little further.

But constrained by resources, our development speed would inevitably be hindered.

Therefore, the family's next step is to branch out and expand.

However, the prerequisite for this is Mingxian comprehending more profound teleportation formations.

When that happens, using Azure Dragon Prefecture as our main base, the Xu family will establish branches across several prefectures in the Northwest Region.

This will further expand our clan's foundation."

Xu Mingshu looked at Xu Mingxian and asked curiously, "Mingxian, according to what Father said, when will this teleportation formation be complete?"

"Within six or seven years, I hope to reach the attainments of a half-step fourth-tier array master.

Within twenty years, I have a chance of becoming a true fourth-tier array master.

In thirty years, I might be able to set up such a teleportation array.

However, these kinds of formations consume a massive amount of materials. Setting up even a single one would require tens of millions of spirit stones in resources."

Xu Mingxian added, "Of course, if I have an epiphany or encounter other opportunities during this period, the timeline could be shortened significantly."

"Spirit stones are not an issue. We recently acquired a large amount of Demonic Dao dharma tools, magic treasures, and even high-grade magic treasures that are useless to our family.

They can be gradually auctioned off in Greedy Wolf Prefecture.

As for high-grade magic treasures, they will be taken to Profound Moon City.

Besides that, our Xu family must establish broader trade routes to sell the resources we don't need.

This will allow us to acquire spirit stones, materials, spirit medicines, and other necessities."

Everyone continued to discuss the future development of the family.

They pooled their wisdom and efforts.

Soon, they understood Xu Chuan's next target—Greedy Wolf Prefecture.

"When Greedy Wolf Prefecture invaded Heavenly Azure Prefecture back then, we could only drift with the tide.

Although Greedy Wolf Prefecture's defeat had a lot to do with our family.

The Greedy Wolf Sect relentlessly pressed us, treating our family as a thorn in their side and even attempting assassinations.

The storm may have passed, but now it's time for them to pay their debts!

Isn't that right, Grandfather?"

Xu Deling's eyes glinted with a cold light.

"Debts Must Be Repaid is our family creed. Many chess pieces have already been laid out. In a few years, it will be time for them to fulfill their purpose."

Xu Chuan stated calmly.

"It's a pity that by then, I will no longer be able to do anything for the family," Xu Mingwei lamented.

"Father, your daughter will handle your share on your behalf," Xu Deling declared.

"That's right, Father," Xu Dezhao agreed. "In a few years, your son will definitely achieve Divine Ability Core Formation!"

"And your grandson."

Xu Chonghui and Xu Jingwu also chimed in one after another.

Xu Mingyuan smiled. "Eldest Brother, your lineage produces prodigies in droves. What do you have to worry about!"

"Indeed."

Xu Mingwei let out a soft chuckle.

Not long after.

Everyone dispersed.

Xu Mingwei explained his situation to Yang Ronghua.

"Husband, you only have twenty to thirty years of lifespan left?!"

Hearing this part, Yang Ronghua's face turned ghastly pale.

She could accept such a fate for herself, but she couldn't bear it for her husband.

"During that battle, I had no other choice."

Yang Ronghua understood that the Xu family was more important to Xu Mingwei than his own life.

But she was still filled with sorrow. Wiping her tears, she asked, "Does Father have any way to help you recover this lost lifespan?"

"Don't worry, things have already taken a turn for the better."

Xu Mingwei then told her about Changfeng Xiaoyang accepting him as a disciple and gifting him the Heavenly Longevity Pill and the Profound Sun Longevity Pill.

"Madam, we will each refine one pill, and then I'll find a way to help you break through to the second stage of the Martial Dao. We will then have hundreds of years left to spend together."

"Actually, Husband, you don't need to go to such lengths for me.

Having lived for so many extra years, I am already perfectly content."

"But I want more. If you don't let Father help you refine the Profound Sun Longevity Pill, then I will refuse to refine the Heavenly Longevity Pill.

I'll just spend my remaining twenty or thirty years with you!"

Seeing the resolute expression on Xu Mingwei's face, Yang Ronghua was deeply moved.

She believed that he was absolutely not making empty promises.

'Perhaps the long passage of time will allow Husband to let go,' she thought.

Yang Ronghua finally nodded and said, "I will listen to whatever you say, Husband. Wherever you go, I will follow."

Xu Mingwei pulled Yang Ronghua into a tight embrace.

The next day.

Xu Mingwei took Yang Ronghua to see Xu Chuan.

Xu Chuan helped her refine the Profound Sun Longevity Pill, while Xu Mingwei went into seclusion to refine the Heavenly Longevity Pill.

Three days later.

Xu Mingwei's lifespan increased by two hundred and fifty years.

There was no longer a single trace of deathly aura on his body.

Another two days passed.

Xu Chuan emerged from seclusion, and Yang Ronghua was also glowing with radiant health.

Xu Mingwei and his wife went to pay their respects to Bai Jing, informing her of their impending departure.

"That's fine, Wei'er. You've been diligent and devoted in protecting the family all this time.

That was your father's expectation of you.

But as your mother, I only ever wanted you to live a quiet, ordinary life with the one you love.

That wish was difficult to realize.

Therefore, my only remaining wish is for you and Hua'er to live out this life safely and smoothly.

As for the matter of lifespan, you have no reason to feel guilty.

Immortality has never been my desire."

"Thank you, Mother." Xu Mingwei tightly gripped Yang Ronghua's hand. "Mother, actually, if you just mentioned it to Father..."

"He would definitely do it for you..."

Bai Jing raised a hand, stopping him from continuing. "Don't trouble yourself over the matters between me and your father."

"Your son understands."

Bai Jing looked at the couple with a comforting gaze, a satisfied smile gracing her lips.

Xu Mingwei knew that once he left this time, it was highly likely he would never see Bai Jing again in his lifetime.

The couple immediately knelt and kowtowed three times to Bai Jing.

"Mother, your little stone might not be able to return and fulfill his filial duties to you for decades or even a century. You must take good care of your health."

Bai Jing smiled gently. "With your father tending to me, my health is excellent.

You and Ronghua just leave with peace of mind."

This scene naturally fell under Xu Chuan's divine sense observation.

He let out a soft sigh, his heart suddenly feeling a bit turbulent.

Another two days later.

Changfeng Xiaoyang arrived once more and took Xu Mingwei and his wife away.

In the blink of an eye, the Xu family returned to peace.

With Xu Mingwei gone.

The Combat Hall was handed over to Ye Fan to manage.

Xu Chuan and the rest of the Golden Core cultivators devoted themselves to closed-door cultivation, while some of the Xu family descendants and disciples traveled out in the world.

Some were responsible for affairs within the city, while others joined the Xu family's demon hunting squads to slay demonic beasts in the Azure Dragon Mountain Range.

The younger generation of the Xu family gradually became known to outsiders.

Various mission systems were steadily being perfected.

All the disciples and Xu clansmen started becoming increasingly busy.

Among the vassal families, those who possessed immortal arts joined the various halls. Those who didn't formed their own demon hunting squads or opened shops in the Outer City to grow their businesses.

The Xu family allowed the vassal families to develop and expand on their own.

If they were ever to weaken to the point of holding no value in the future, they might be abandoned by the Xu family.

Of course, that would not happen now.

Regarding Xu Chuan's initial promise to help produce one Golden Core cultivator from each of the five families.

He naturally intended to fulfill this promise.

The various families were extremely cautious about selecting candidates, making sure to pick the most talented individuals in their clans.

Foundation Establishment clans faced considerable competitive pressure in Cloudstream City.

Fortunately, they were all vassals of the Xu family.

With this status, few people would dare provoke them right now.

However, the Zhou, Wang, Li, Zhao, and Qin families all understood that they ultimately had to rely on their own development to strengthen their clans.

Expecting to survive forever solely under the Xu family's protection was clearly unrealistic.

The same held true even for the Bai family, Li family, Chang Clan, Chen Family, and Gu family.

If they wanted to remain closely tied to the Xu family, they had to prove their own worth.

In the blink of an eye, over a month passed.

Xu Deling finally finished repairing Mo Wentian's high-grade defensive magic treasure, the Black Tortoise Shield.

"Grandfather, Senior Mo's magic treasure is fixed."

Xu Deling arrived at the Withered Glory Courtyard and cupped her fists in greeting.

Xu Chuan opened his eyes and saw a black tortoiseshell magic treasure floating in midair.

He glanced at it and said lightly, "In that case, make a trip to the Jade Bamboo Sea and return the magic treasure.

Also, take this bottle of mid-grade Azure Cloud Pills and this mid-grade Golden Origin Pill as gifts."

Xu Deling received the azure porcelain bottle and the yellow porcelain bottle, asking, "Grandfather, didn't you say that you traded his last promise to act in exchange for Senior Mo intervening?"

"If you were forced to intervene and had to give up your chance to enter the Ancient Battlefield, how would you feel?"

Xu Deling fell silent.

Blocking someone's cultivation path was akin to killing their parents; it was a deep-seated blood feud.

Xu Chuan glanced at her and laughed. "It's not as serious as you think. The Xu family's dominance is truly established now.

In Azure Dragon Prefecture, the Mo family cannot cause any ripples.

However, they are still a Nascent Soul noble family after all, so there's no need to offend them needlessly.

Moreover, our Xu family's main focus will ultimately be on Greedy Wolf Prefecture and the other prefectures in the Northwest Region.

Befriending a Nascent Soul noble family only brings benefits to our family, with no drawbacks.

Furthermore, when it comes to our plans against Greedy Wolf Prefecture, Mo Wentian might even serve as a helping hand."

Xu Deling looked thoughtful.

In the future, when the Xu family interfered in other prefectures, it would inevitably attract opposition from the Nascent Soul powers of those regions.

As time went on, the Xu family would face more and more Nascent Soul-level opponents.

If the Mo family were to turn against them at a critical moment, the Xu family would be attacked from both front and rear.

Of course, if the Mo family truly did something like that, Xu Chuan naturally wouldn't let them survive.

"Your granddaughter understands. I will go make the trip now."

After saying this.

Xu Deling conjured a streak of crimson escape light and flew toward the Mo family in the Jade Bamboo Sea.

To hasten her journey, she utilized her evasion divine abilities.

However, the evasion divine ability Xu Deling had comprehended was nowhere near Xu Chuan's level; she hadn't even reached the minor success stage.

Four to six hours later.

The Jade Bamboo Sea.

The Mo Clan's clan territory.

Outside the grand array.

Xu Deling's escape light landed, accompanied by the resonant cry of a phoenix.

Hearing the commotion, the patrolling guards of the Mo family's grand array rushed to the source of the sound from all directions.

"Ah, so it is the honorable Fairy Phoenix Plume. This junior failed to welcome you from afar."

The one speaking was a Mo family disciple who had previously met Xu Deling, allowing him to recognize her at a glance.

"Is the Fairy here to seek our Ancestor?"

"Did Senior Mo leave instructions beforehand?"

"Indeed. Half a month ago, the Ancestor ordered us to immediately report if anyone from the Xu family arrived.

Fairy, an elder will arrive shortly to escort you to the Ancestor's quiet cultivation place.

Please wait here for a moment."

Xu Deling gave a slight nod.

A few minutes later, a middle-aged man arrived.

It was none other than Mo Tingtao, who had recently accompanied Mo Wentian to attend the Xu family's family head succession ceremony.

"Fairy Phoenix Plume."

"Daoist Friend Mo."

The two greeted each other.

"Fairy Phoenix Plume, please follow me."

Xu Deling followed Mo Tingtao to the Ink Jade Bamboo Forest.

Upon meeting Mo Wentian in the bamboo hut there, Xu Deling cupped her hands in a bow. "Greetings, Senior Mo. This junior has come on my grandfather's orders to return your magic treasure."

With a flick of her sleeve robe.

The Black Tortoise Shield, along with an azure and a yellow porcelain bottle, floated into midair.

Xu Deling cupped her fists once more. "Besides that, I am here to express my gratitude once again for Senior Mo's assistance back then.

These mid-grade Azure Cloud Pills and this mid-grade Golden Origin Pill are our Xu family's tokens of appreciation."

Mo Wentian's eyes flickered slightly. He stroked his beard and smiled. "Daoist Friend Phoenix Plume is too polite. That was merely a transaction between your grandfather and me.

Your grandfather has already paid the remuneration.

There is no need for this.

Moreover, if it hadn't been for your father and your master, I'm afraid my injuries would have been far more severe."

Speaking of Xu Mingwei, Mo Wentian felt a surge of emotion and asked, "I wonder how Daoist Friend Mingwei is faring now? If he needs any help, feel free to ask my Mo family."

"Thank you for your concern, Senior. My father has already recovered and gone out wandering."

"Wandering? Going out to clear his mind is good," Mo Wentian nodded. "However, I absolutely cannot accept these pills."

"Why must you decline, Senior? When Grandfather requested your help, he didn't anticipate the situation escalating to such an extent. Consider this a gesture of apology.

I sincerely hope Senior Mo will accept them.

Otherwise, it will be difficult for this junior to answer to my grandfather when I return."

Mo Wentian pondered for a moment before replying, "Since it is Daoist Friend Withered Glory's kind intention, I will accept them."

With that, he waved his hand, and a green jade jar appeared on the desk.

The green jade jar automatically floated over to Xu Deling.

"This is Ink Jade Spirit Bamboo tea. I hope Daoist Friend Phoenix Plume will take this back to your grandfather. Since I accepted your pills, you should not refuse this gift."

Xu Deling thought about it and accepted the tea.

"Senior Mo, this junior still has sect matters to attend to and cannot stay long. I will take my leave now."

Xu Deling cupped her fists in farewell.

"Tao'er, see Daoist Friend Phoenix Plume out for me."

"Yes, Ancestor."

After returning, Xu Deling handed the jar of Ink Jade Spirit Bamboo tea to Xu Chuan.

Xu Chuan smiled faintly as he took it, simply remarking, "Mo Wentian has become increasingly cautious."

"Grandfather, is there a problem?"

Xu Chuan shook his head. "Since Mo Wentian accepted the pills, he has accepted our Xu family's goodwill. In the future, as long as our Xu family does not push him too far.

The Mo family will simply look to our Xu family's lead."

"Are there really so many twists and turns involved in this?"

Seeing the confusion on Xu Deling's face, Xu Chuan chuckled. "You're not cut out for this sort of politics. You're better off studying the path of artifact forging.

By repairing several high-grade magic treasures.

I imagine it has greatly benefited your progress in the Dao of Artifacts."

"I will definitely have something to show for it within ten years."

When speaking of her area of expertise, Xu Deling's eyes filled with confident brilliance.

It had only been a little over twenty years since she formed her core.

Not only had her cultivation advanced to the mid-stage Golden Core, but her artifact Dao attainments had not fallen behind either.

Even if another ten years passed.

Mastering the refinement of high-grade magic treasures in just over thirty years.

This speed was unmatched even in the history of the Heavenly Foundry Sect.

There was a massive chasm between mid-grade and high-grade magic treasures.

Because high-grade magic treasures were the standard gear of Nascent Soul cultivators, their innate power was exceptionally potent.

Thus, the difficulty of inscribing their artifact patterns was incomparable to that of mid-grade magic treasures.

"Of course Grandfather believes you. Our Xu family does not lack Golden Core resources now. I will fully supply you with pills for Golden Core stage cultivation.

That way, your cultivation base won't lag behind too much."

"Thank you, Grandfather. Deling understands. For the sake of the family, I will focus primarily on elevating my artifact refining attainments for now.

I will also do my best to keep my cultivation and strength up to par."

Xu Chuan smiled faintly and nodded.

Afterward, Xu Deling returned to the Heavenly Plume Sect.

That place was far more suited for artificing.

However, to ensure Xu Deling had a superior cultivation environment.

Xu Chuan had someone build a Cultivation Tower there.

Using a low-grade fourth-tier fire element spirit vein as the source of spirit power, it wouldn't be vastly inferior to the Xu Residence.

The Cultivation Tower was naturally open to the disciples of the Heavenly Plume Sect as well.

However, it required the expenditure of a significant amount of contribution points.

After all, a cultivation environment powered by a fourth-tier spirit vein was a luxury even Golden Core cultivators struggled to attain.

For Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment disciples, it was fully comparable to a heavenly grotto and blessed land.

Whether attempting to break through minor or major bottlenecks, it proved highly effective.

The Yan Family's Ancestor, Yan Wujin, even utilized the Cultivation Tower to shatter the shackles that had bound him for years, successfully stepping into the late-stage Golden Core.

Thereafter.

A Cultivation Tower was also erected in each of the four sectors of Cloudstream City's Outer City—East, South, West, and North.

Unlike the one at the Heavenly Plume Sect, these four were open to everyone.

And they accepted spirit stones as payment.

Each Cultivation Tower had six floors, with a varying number of cultivation rooms on each level.

The spiritual qi density ranged from low-grade second-tier to high-grade third-tier, and the required number of spirit stones varied per floor.

Even on the first floor, it cost ten spirit stones for two hours.

For the first three floors, the price tripled with each ascending level.

The fourth floor started at one thousand spirit stones.

The fifth floor cost two thousand spirit stones.

The sixth floor demanded four thousand spirit stones.

The power sources for these Cultivation Towers were high-grade third-tier Five Elements spirit veins, encompassing all five elements and rendering them perfectly suitable for the vast majority of cultivators to break through realms.

If used as a place for daily cultivation.

No amount of spirit stones could sustain such burning expenditure.

With these several Cultivation Towers, the number of Foundation Establishment cultivators in Cloudstream City would rise substantially.

Even those with pseudo spiritual root talent would see their chances of reaching Foundation Establishment increase by more than ten percent.

If they could obtain auxiliary pills, they truly had hope of reaching Foundation Establishment.

Furthermore, using the spiritual qi environment of a high-grade third-tier spirit vein to push for the Golden Core stage would slightly boost the success rate of core formation.

Thus.

Since the construction of the Cultivation Towers.

The Xu family's initiative had earned widespread acclaim, effectively winning over the hearts of the people.

As for the remaining fourth-tier spirit veins in Xu Chuan's possession, one low-grade fourth-tier water vein naturally went to improving Moyue's cultivation environment.

There was also an earth vein and a metal vein, which remained unused for the time being.

"I still need to accelerate my comprehension of the Dao of Creation."

After hesitating for some time, Xu Chuan finally utilized five portions of low-grade connate spirit objects—encompassing all five elements—to speed up his initial grasp of the Dao of the Five Elements.

Except for the "Profound Heaven Divine Refining Art" and the "Azure Wood Green Light Escape," he temporarily set aside all his other divine abilities.

He devoted all his effort to comprehending the Five Elements.

Once he achieved an elementary understanding of the Dao of the Five Elements, he would be able to truly cultivate the "Five Elements Creation Palm" and comprehend the transformative nuances of the Dao of Creation.

By comprehending just a sliver of it, he could fathom the Heaven-Mending Pill.

Once the Heaven-Mending Pill was successfully created, the Xu family descendants would usher in a further leap in their innate talents.

However, in the early stages, Xu Chuan only intended to select a portion of people to consume the Heaven-Mending Pill.

If everyone possessed a Heavenly Spiritual Root, it would be downright terrifying.

Of course, the Heaven-Mending Pill could only be consumed once.

Furthermore, its grade was directly tied to the depth of his mastery over the Dao of Creation.

If it was a low-grade pill, it would merely elevate one's talent to the level of an Earth Spiritual Root.

If it was mid-grade, the result would be a peak-tier Earth Spiritual Root.

However, if the consumer already possessed a peak-tier Earth Spiritual Root, a mid-grade Heaven-Mending Pill should be capable of boosting them to the Heavenly Spiritual Root tier.

Aside from refining the Heaven-Mending Pill, comprehending the true meaning of Five Elements Creation was valuable because the "Five Elements Creation Palm" itself was a Greater Divine Ability.

Even if he only achieved a minor success in it, it could still serve as one of Xu Chuan's trump cards.

This was far simpler than independently comprehending the Dao of Life and Death.

The former was a step-by-step process of cultivation and comprehension.

The latter was akin to crossing a river by feeling the stones.

It required him to glean insights bit by bit on his own.

The slightest deviation could cause him to stagnate entirely, and it might even warp into an entirely different Dao intent in the end.

This was exactly why inheritances were so critical.

Xu Chuan entered closed-door seclusion to comprehend the Dao of the Five Elements.

Xu Mingqing, Xu Deling, Xu Mingxian, and Xu Mingyuan were also dedicating all their efforts to mastering Pills, Artifacts, Formations, and Talismans, respectively.

Xu Mingqing and Xu Mingyuan simply needed to progress step-by-step.

However, Xu Deling and Xu Mingxian were in a much more pressing situation.

One needed to comprehend the forging methods for high-grade magic treasures as soon as possible, while the other had to quickly ascend to a fourth-tier array master and comprehend the fourth-tier grand teleportation array.

Both of their goals were inextricably linked to the Xu family's future development.

Therefore, neither of them dared to slack off.

It didn't matter if their cultivation bases fell slightly behind.

Once they met these benchmarks, they could temporarily dial back their respective studies and focus on comprehending divine abilities and elevating their cultivation levels.

Half a year flew by.

Many of the Xu family's systems had been fully refined.

Cloudstream City also grew increasingly prosperous.

Although it was second to Azure Dragon City in terms of sheer size, its level of prosperity was undisputedly number one.

This was not just because the Xu family oversaw it, but also due to the many fair systems they implemented, which benefited every cultivator in Cloudstream City.

Additionally, the comprehensive availability of various materials, pills, and spirit grasses ranked it first in Azure Dragon Prefecture.

There was even a chance to directly purchase magic treasures and third-tier talismans within the city limits.

Every three months, the Xu family would randomly select one of the four city sectors to host an auction, with a magic treasure or a third-tier treasure consistently serving as the finale piece.

Being so rich and overbearing was something only the Xu family could manage.

For this reason, there were plenty of people who chose to consign items at every auction.

This allowed the Xu family to covertly acquire a few rare materials and spirit grasses.

Ordinary materials and spirit grass resources were no longer of consequence to the Xu family; only truly rare items could earn their serious attention.

Even if they only managed to procure a single such item per auction, it was still a major gain for the family.

Meanwhile.

The trial tasks for the young descendants of the Xu clan had all been issued.

As long as they completed them, their resource quota for the following year would be maintained.

If they were confident, they could apply for higher-difficulty trial tasks.

Some were tasked with managing a branch of the Immortal-Ascension Pavilion and boosting its spirit stone revenue by thirty percent within a month.

Some were required to enter the Azure Dragon Mountain Range and hunt down a late-stage second-tier demonic beast entirely alone.

Others had to form a demon hunting squad and conduct three hunts while ensuring zero casualties among the members.

Still others had to challenge the geniuses of Golden Core noble families.

There was an immense variety of tasks.

They were all finalized after careful deliberation between Xu Mingyuan, Xu Mingxuan, Xu Dezhao, and Xu Chonghui.

The South Mountain Courtyard.

The residential area of Xu Mingwei's lineage.

"Brother, what is your trial task?"

Xu Jingyan found Xu Jingwu and said, "The family actually assigned me to be a product promoter at the Immortal-Ascension Pavilion for a month. And I'm not allowed to get a single customer complaint."

"If more than ten people complain, I fail the trial."

"What kind of task is this? I feel like the Family Head and the others are just torturing me!"

Xu Jingwu was slightly surprised.

He had heard that the clan was rolling out trial tasks, but he didn't expect to see one like this.

However, after considering it for a moment, he understood the task's true purpose.

"This must be specifically tailored by the clan after evaluating everyone's individual situations. Your temper needs grinding down, which is why you received this sort of task."

"Many people do have completely different tasks." Xu Jingyan nodded, but still couldn't help complaining, "But this is just too torturous."

Xu Jingyan looked at Xu Jingwu, her eyes curving into crescent moons as she smiled. "Brother, what's yours?"

"Mine is a long-term task: nurture at least fifty Origin Martial Realm martial artists for the family within thirty years."

"Ah, this..."

Xu Jingyan froze in shock. After a moment, she muttered, "Cultivation relies on oneself; how are you supposed to achieve that? Plus, martial artists are totally different from immortal cultivators."

"Immortal cultivators have realm-breaking pills like the Foundation Establishment Pill and the Jade Marrow Pill to brute-force their way to Foundation Establishment."

"But I've never heard of any external forces a Mortal-Shedding Realm martial artist can leverage to break into the Origin Martial Realm."

"Isn't that just deliberately making things impossible for you?"

"I'm afraid the only way that would be somewhat possible is if the pioneer of the martial dao, 'Jiang Wu', came back to life."

Hearing this, Xu Jingwu's mouth twitched.

'Did your mouth get blessed by the heavens or something?!'

"As expected of a prodigy-level task, simply terrifying. I wonder what Chongjian and Chongfei's tasks look like?"

Xu Jingwu had risen relying on himself since childhood. His disposition, perseverance, and innate talent were all exceptional.

Even if he wasn't assigned a prodigy-level task, he would have been completely fine.

Yet, Xu Mingyuan had symbolically arranged one for him anyway: to nurture martial artists for the Xu family.

This was a task only Xu Jingwu could accomplish.

Furthermore, in thirty years, there was a high probability that Xu Jingwu would reach the absolute limit of the Origin Martial Realm and could attempt to pioneer the third martial stage—the Origin Core Realm.

Right at that moment.

Xu Chongjian and Xu Chongfei also arrived at Xu Jingwu's courtyard.

From the looks of it, Xu Chongjian had been dragged over by Xu Chongfei.

"Jingwu, we came to see you. Oh, Jingyan is here too," Xu Chongfei said with a faint smile.

"Are you two also here because of the tasks?" Xu Jingwu looked over curiously.

Xu Chongjian wore a cold expression and replied, "I was dragged here by him."

"It's rare to see the three great prodigies of our Xu family's younger generation gathered together. However, if you want to know my brother's task, you have to tell us yours first," Xu Jingyan chimed in.

Xu Chongfei shrugged. "It's nothing worth hiding."

"Mine is to comprehend both Extreme Yang and Extreme Cold true intent to over thirty percent within three years."

"A cultivation task? That doesn't sound too difficult."

Xu Chongfei rolled his eyes, his voice raising a pitch. "Not difficult?!"

"Right now, among all the Foundation Establishment cultivators in our Xu family, you can count the number who have comprehended true intent to over thirty percent on one hand."

"Many haven't even been able to cross the threshold."

"Uh, is this true intent thing really that hard?"

"Achieving Divine Ability Core Formation is the mark of a Foundation Establishment prodigy. Before our Xu family rose to power, no one in Azure Dragon Prefecture had done it for hundreds of years. Many get stuck at seventy, eighty, or ninety percent of introductory true intent."

"With no hope of ever achieving Divine Ability Core Formation."

"Furthermore, over ninety percent of Foundation Establishment cultivators only begin comprehending true intent when they reach Foundation Establishment perfection."

"Including the Ancestor, and all the other elders too."

"But I managed to cross the threshold of divine abilities right at early Foundation Establishment, stepping onto the path of comprehending divine abilities."

As Xu Chongfei spoke, he looked rather immensely pleased with himself.

However, his innate talent and fortuitous encounters certainly gave him the right to be proud.

Xu Jingwu guessed that if Xu Chongfei had managed to comprehend both of his divine ability true intents to thirty percent back then, he wouldn't have been his match during the last clan competition.

"What about you?" Xu Jingyan looked at Xu Chongjian.

Xu Chongjian replied indifferently, "Test my sword against Profound Moon City!"