Chapter 94: Today's Divination - Auspicious

"Third Master and his group have returned!"

Suddenly a loud shout rang out, its voice resonant as a bell, breaking straight through the clouds. Even the bronze bells at the Xu residence's eaves hummed in response.

The maids, servants, and guards working throughout the estate were startled into looking up. They saw the clouds and mist over the distant mountains actually scatter somewhat from the sound wave's impact.

They were carrying a crimson-scaled python six or seven zhang long, emerging from the mountains. Quite a few people saw them. Driven by curiosity, they followed all the way to the Xu family's entrance.

The snake's body was as thick as a wooden barrel, its scales gleaming with golden-red luster under the sunlight. The six or seven zhang long body undulated like burning clouds. Though the forked tongue was already stiff, it still emanated a fierce bloody stench.

"Such a large crimson snake. This is a demon beast, isn't it?" An old man leaning on a cane said in a trembling voice.

"Indeed. I didn't expect Third Master and his group could kill a demon beast. Truly impressive."

The crowd clamored noisily.

The watching children hid behind adults, unable to resist peeking out, "Father, look—the python's head has horns. Can snakes grow horns?"

In a moment, someone suddenly shouted, "The family head is here."

Everyone stopped making noise, opening a path one after another, cupping their hands respectfully, "Greetings to the family head."

The newcomer walked with a dragon's stride and tiger's gait, naturally commanding respect without anger. It was precisely Xu Mingwei.

Seeing this crimson-scaled python, his sword-like brows furrowed slightly, his pupils contracting. After carefully examining it, he said, "Everyone disperse. Third brother, fourth sister, you all first move this snake to the Jade Cold Pool."

Xu Mingxuan and the others understood. Such demon beasts were still best handled by immortal cultivators.

"Alright. Have my wife come over as well."

Xu Mingwei immediately instructed someone beside him, "Go invite Third Master's wife to the Jade Cold Pool."

Although Zhang Wanqing was also an immortal cultivator, she spent most of her time cultivating in the residence, also to conveniently care for Xu Deheng.

Not everyone could cast aside worldly matters and cultivate single-mindedly.

…

Jade Cold Pool.

When Wu Tao and Shen Qingyi saw the crimson snake, they were quite shocked in their hearts.

Even in death, it emanated a terrifying aura, far beyond what the two of them, small cultivators at layer one or two, could handle.

"Such a large crimson snake." Xu Dezhao's eyes brightened as he looked at Xu Mingxuan, "Third uncle, did you kill this?"

Seeing Xu Mingxuan looking quite pleased with himself, Xu Mingshu directly spoiled it, "Not so. We just played the fisherman."

"This time near Broken Fang Peak, we saw an azure eagle with a green flame burning atop its head fighting with this crimson snake. After a great battle, the crimson snake died under the azure eagle's talons and had its gallbladder taken. We took the opportunity to carry away the crimson snake's body."

"The crimson snake was approximately a late-stage Qi Refining demon beast. Its entire body of materials is quite precious even for late-stage Qi Refining immortal cultivators. Our Xu family picked up a bargain."

Xu Mingwei said in surprise, "Demon beasts have considerable intelligence. Would that azure eagle let this go?"

"That was all thanks to third brother's intuition. At critical moments, he's quite reliable, bringing us back safely."

"A small matter."

At this time, Zhang Wanqing was walking over with lotus steps. Though only in her early twenties, after several years in the Xu residence, she had developed the grace and bearing of an aristocratic family's wife.

"Sister-in-law has arrived."

"Third sister-in-law."

"Third Madam."

"Third aunt."

Xu Mingwei and the others spoke up one after another. Xu Mingxuan stepped forward to her side, grasping her snow-white, soft hand, saying gently, "Wife, you've come."

Xu Mingwei said, "Wu Tao, Qingyi, sister-in-law, this time the three of you work together to dissect this crimson snake. Collect all usable materials."

"Understood, eldest brother." Zhang Wanqing nodded in acknowledgment.

"Yes, family head." Wu Tao and Shen Qingyi bowed.

Xu Mingxuan added, "The crimson snake is a highly venomous snake. There should be a poison sac inside. Be careful not to rupture it. The flesh and blood is a great tonic for martial artists, containing abundant vital energy. The blood and flesh should be separated."

"Zhao'er, Wen'er, you two guard here. If there's news, come down the mountain to report to me. Also don't let other people disturb your third aunt and the others. Violators will be severely punished!"

"Understood, Father."

"Third brother, fourth sister, you and everyone else, follow me down the mountain to rest."

"Little White, you come with me too, lest you steal food!" Xu Mingshu tugged the white tiger's round ear.

"Roar~"

…

[Today's divination result: Auspicious. Xu Mingxuan and Xu Mingshu's group brought back a complete body of a seventh layer of Qi Refining crimson-scaled python from the Broken Fang Mountains.]

"A seventh layer of Qi Refining crimson-scaled python?"

"This luck is truly not bad. Heaven and earth all lend their strength when fortune comes. A few days ago in the market, I purchased a book called 'Heavenly Flame Art,' far superior to the likes of 'Fire Element Formula,' suitable for Ling'er to cultivate."

"I should also have Yunnu return home once."

Xu Chuan's eyes flickered for a moment, "Directly consuming the crimson-scaled python's flesh and blood would ultimately be somewhat wasteful. However, I still need to find a way to purchase an entry-level storage bag. Otherwise, the defective storage bag ultimately can't hold everything."

With the Zhou family's monthly salary, plus selling a portion of the pills obtained from refining six and taking one, he now had one hundred thirty-six spirit stones on hand.

As a eight layer of Qi Refining immortal cultivator and an alchemist proficient in pill Dao, he had only accumulated this many spirit stones in over two years. One could imagine how unsatisfactory life was for most rogue cultivators.

Of course, it wasn't that Xu Chuan lacked ability, but that he sought stability.

If truly no one interfered and he was allowed to act freely, purchasing spiritual herbs in large quantities and refining pills, by now he would probably have several hundred spirit stones worth of assets and could afford high-grade magical artifacts.

Numerous thoughts flashed through Xu Chuan's mind. Ultimately, he still decided to prioritize the family, first refining Innate Blood Pills.

That day, Xu Chuan went to Hundred Treasures Pavilion and purchased an entry-level storage bag for a full eighty spirit stones, with no negotiation.

Then he went to the Hundred Refinements Weapon Workshop to find Xu Mingxian, handed over the storage bag to him, and had him return home once.

"The relationship between Fellow Daoist Sansu and Fellow Daoist Yunming is truly excellent, making one envious."

Workshop Master Wu sat drinking tea and chatting idly with Xu Chuan.

"A life-and-death friendship of many years. Naturally, it's not comparable to ordinary relationships."

Xu Chuan took a shallow sip of spirit tea. This tea contained a trace amount of spiritual qi, though naturally it had no effect on him, a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator.

"By the way, Fellow Daoist Wu, before settling in the Yuehu Market, you must have traveled to quite a few places and markets."

"Does Fellow Daoist Sansu want to leave the Yuehu Market?"

"Though this place is stable, who knows when I could gather Foundation Establishment resources? Even if hope is slim, I still want to strive with all my might, so I won't regret this life."

"Fellow Daoist Sansu's determination to seek the Dao is quite admirable." Workshop Master Wu sighed slowly, "If Fellow Daoist has leisure, you might as well listen to this old man's story. If it can help you in any way, our acquaintance won't have been in vain."

Xu Chuan cupped his fists, "Many thanks."

"In earlier years, this old man also once single-mindedly pursued the Dao, traveling throughout the Great Wei seeking opportunities. I obtained weapon refinement skills by chance from a cultivator's cave dwelling, but after hitting walls many times and lamenting the hardships of being a rogue cultivator, I focused on research."

"Fortunately, this old man had some talent for weapon refinement, which is how my days improved."

"After several more years, I conceived the idea of founding a Qi Refining family. I married and had children, but my wife died early. Fortunately, my son had immortal cultivation aptitude and followed me in cultivation. After coming of age, he became Dao companions with a rogue cultivator. After giving birth to my grandson, they discovered his constitution was weak. The couple went out seeking opportunities. From that point on, they never returned, and their life lamps were extinguished."

"What dreams of an aristocratic family, in the end, all are empty. Originally worried about my grandson's life, now with Fellow Daoist's help, I've also resolved one of my concerns."

Although Xu Chuan sighed at the ups and downs of his life, what arose more in his heart was thoughts of winning him over.

Now that the Xu family had pill Dao and array Dao inheritances, if they also had weapon Dao, they need only endure patiently for over ten years before becoming an upper-tier existence among Qi Refining families.

"Carried away by momentary emotion, I've said too much. As for markets, this old man has been to the Imperial Capital, Longjiang Commandery Market, Guangling Commandery Market..."