Chapter 74: Half a Lifetime's Journey to the Immortal Path

Great Wei border.

Ding Division camp.

"Captain Xu, there's a family letter and items sent for you."

"Thank you for your trouble."

After Xu Mingxuan returned to his tent, he first opened the family letter and read it, the corners of his mouth showing a smile.

"I never expected both Xueji and Yunnu would achieve it. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to return yet."

Afterward, he found four black porcelain bottles hidden rather secretively in the bundle. Opening one, he poured a pill into his palm.

"A light sniff—indeed, it's a Qi-Drawing Pill, and the quality seems very good."

Xu Mingxuan had once received a reward from Ge Xuanhong and consumed a Qi-Drawing Pill, so he was certain without doubt.

"What happened during these years I've been away?"

"Forget it, why think so much? Probably Second Brother found some money-making avenue again, causing the family wealth to explode, and also connected with a Qi-Drawing Pill source."

"Let me break through to the innate realm first. Any extras can go to Li Zhi and the others."

Xu Mingxuan felt no burden in his heart.

Things earned through one's own family's hard work naturally went to family members first. Only with surplus should one help others.

If he gave up his own chance to break through to the innate realm and instead helped others, that would be foolish.

"However, only Li Zhi has reached peak Postnatal realm. Brother Daniu and Cousin Bai Hui are only second-rate martial artists. I hope after they return home, they can receive focused cultivation. Only then might they reach peak Postnatal martial artist."

Xu Mingxuan put away the items, then went out to inspect the mining area.

After becoming Ge Xuanhong's personal guard, he relaxed considerably, no longer leaving early and returning late like other mining soldiers.

Periodic inspections were sufficient.

This also gave him more time to cultivate.

Over the past half year, several more pieces of Profound Iron Essence Mother had been discovered in other mining areas.

Xu Mingxuan had a premonition, the day to return home was approaching.

…

Stars shifted, seasons changed.

Dongxi Village, Jade Cold Pool.

On this day while Xu Chuan was in deep cultivation, he suddenly felt a wondrous change in his body. His spirit seemed guided, floating as if experiencing enlightenment.

On this day, Xu Chuan sat alone in the green pavilion when suddenly he felt the five qi surging within his body. A warm current rushed from his tailbone up to his crown.

In an instant, his spiritual platform suddenly brightened. His consciousness seemed drawn by heaven, floating as if approaching the great void, ineffably mysterious.

"The spiritual roots have been purified!"

Xu Chuan opened his eyes, filled with wild joy.

Taking advantage of this mysterious state, Xu Chuan immediately instructed Xu Mingxian that he was entering closed-door cultivation and had him guard the entrance. No one was to disturb him.

"Father, are you going to switch to the immortal path?"

Xu Chuan nodded slightly and instructed again, "Remember, don't let anyone come disturb me."

"Yunnu understands."

Xu Chuan immediately operated the secret technique in the "Innate Five Elements Creation Art," converting all his innate true qi into magical power.

When Xu Mingshu, Xu Mingwei, and Xu Mingyuan learned of this, they all attached great importance to it and wanted to protect Xu Chuan but they were refused by Xu Mingxian.

"Elder Brother and Second Brother, you shoulder the family's heavy burdens. Having Yunnu guard here is enough. As for Fourth Sister, please help teach Zhao'er during this time."

"That's good. Yunnu's strength is also not weak now, having reached mid innate stage. Moreover, this is our Xu family's territory. No need to worry too much."

Xu Mingwei spoke thus and quickly descended the mountain with Xu Mingyuan.

Five days later.

All of Xu Chuan's true qi had been converted to magical power, and he became a cultivator at the peak of the fifth layer of Qi Refining.

This process was irreversible.

From now on, Xu Chuan could only walk the immortal cultivation path.

However, among immortal cultivators there were also Qi Refining cultivators and body cultivation cultivators. If he had the opportunity to obtain body cultivation techniques, it wasn't impossible to pursue dual cultivation of law and body.

"Half a lifetime has passed, and I've finally embarked on the Qi Refining path!"

Xu Chuan opened the bamboo house door. Xu Mingxian heard the sound and immediately looked over with an excited face.

"Father, you've come out of seclusion."

"Thank you, Yunnu, for protecting me these past days."

"This is what Yunnu should do."

"Father!"

Not far away, Xu Mingshu also came before Xu Chuan in a few steps, still carrying the pitiful Xu Dezhao in her hand.

"Grandfather." Xu Dezhao cupped his fists very politely.

Xu Chuan picked him up and smiled, "Let's go down the mountain. Don't let others worry."

After embarking on the Qi Refining path, Xu Chuan could now cultivate immortal cultivation techniques and practice the spells in the "Everlasting Spring Art."

With the two great talent abilities [Heaven Rewards Diligence] and [Divine Farmer's Hundred Herbs], Xu Chuan's cultivation of the "Everlasting Spring Art" could probably match the cultivation speed of an earth spiritual root talent immortal cultivator.

Additionally, Xu Chuan considered whether to add another [Nine Palaces Dao Evolution] talent for his family but he also felt that since he was now focused on the pill path, he might not be able to divide his attention.

"Shitou, Ahyuan, Tantou, Xueji, Yunnu, only Yunnu is suitable to walk the array formation path."

After all, waiting for the next generation to grow up would still take over twenty years.

The Xu family's time was precious and couldn't be wasted.

…

Nighttime.

Autumn wind blew gently, moonlight like water.

Xu family banquet.

Three generations together, gathered around a round table eating.

Xu Mingwei and Xu Mingyuan had both established families. Usually, even when in the residence, they ate in their own courtyards.

As for Xu Mingshu and the others, they usually ate by Jade Cold Pool.

Having the whole family eat together like this was already extremely rare.

"It's rare to have everyone so complete this time. Shitou, you're the family head. Say a few words." Xu Chuan smiled faintly.

Xu Mingwei stood up, raised his wine cup, and said, "This time Father has made a breakthrough, so we're rarely gathered together. Let's all toast Father together."

"To Father (Grandfather)!"

Except for Bai Jing, all the younger generation stood to toast. As for Xu Dezhao and Xu Dejing, they drank fruit beverages.

Seeing this scene, Bai Jing lowered her head and wiped away tears.

"Mother, why are you crying?" Xu Dezhao sat beside Bai Jing and asked with concern, "Did someone bully Mother? Zhao'er is now a martial artist and will soon become a third-rate martial artist. I can help teach them a lesson."

Bai Jing's eyes held a smile as she lovingly touched his head, "Mother is crying tears of joy."

"Zhao'er, have you heard of crying from extreme happiness?" Xu Mingshu smiled.

"Of course I have." Xu Dezhao replied.

Xu Mingshu continued, "Elder Brother, Mother, Zhao'er truly is a heaven-sent talent, more outstanding than all of us. It won't take half a year before he becomes a third-rate martial artist."

Wu Rushan looked at Xu Dezhao with surprise, "With Zhao'er's such talent, I'm afraid he can break through to innate before sixteen. I've heard that even in the commandery capital, this belongs to the most talented tier."

Xu Mingwei laughed heartily, "If you keep praising him, this kid's tail will stick up."

"Worthy of being my eldest grandson." Bai Jing smiled and praised, then looked at Xu Mingwei, "What, can't Mother praise him once?"

"Mother is joking."

"Hahaha~"

Everyone burst into laughter.

Seeing Xu Dezhao being praised, Xu Dejing became a bit jealous and clamored, "Mother, Jing'er also wants to practice martial arts and can also protect Mother."

"Mm, Jing'er is also a good child."

After being praised, Xu Dejing contentedly continued battling with the tiger skin chicken feet in her hands.

Xu Mingyuan doted on her as he touched Xu Dejing's head, "Jing'er resembles her mother."

Bai Jing nodded, then continued, "Ahyuan, your elder brother's third child is about to be born. You and Shan'er only have Jing'er. It's still a bit thin.

You need to work harder."

"Mother, everyone's here. Why bring this up?"

Xu Mingyuan was slightly embarrassed, and Wu Rushan's ears also turned slightly red.

First being urged to marry, now being urged to have children, why am I being urged about everything?

He felt somewhat gloomy in his heart.

"Mother, Xueji isn't young either. Sister-in-law and Shan'er were this age when they married. You should hurry and find her a good family."

"Second Brother, that's not kind of you. How can you casually shift the battle fire to me!"

"Hahaha~"

Everyone was immediately amused.

"Besides, I'm so outstanding. How could anyone in Qingjiang be worthy of me? So I can only accompany Father and Mother until old age."

"Don't talk nonsense. How can a woman not marry? Your mother still wants to hold grandchildren from you."

"Let Xueji decide her own matters. We'll discuss it when she meets someone she likes. But there's one condition, the other party can only marry into the family." Xu Chuan suddenly said.

"Husband, isn't that a bit harsh? Which aristocratic family young master would be willing to marry in?"

"I have my own considerations. It's decided."

"Second Brother, see, I have no chance. So you and Second Sister-in-law should work harder."

Xu Mingshu teased with a smile.

"You girl, you've been spoiled by Father!"

"Hahaha~"