Chapter 99: Workshop Master Wu's Investment, The Three Azure Fire Eagle Brothers

"Foundation Establishment, who doesn't desire it!"

Zhou Sen sighed with emotion, gazing out the window, "Setting aside divine sense and magical power, just that additional one hundred twenty years of lifespan alone causes countless immortal cultivators to throw themselves at it like moths to a flame."

"Yet those who successfully step into this realm are without exception individuals blessed with talent, resources, and fortuitous opportunities."

Zhou Sen also knew that rogue cultivators differed from Qi Refining family clans. For a family clan to help one person establish their foundation, they would inevitably spare no effort. At the very least, the collection of the five elements' qi needed for Foundation Establishment would have dedicated personnel responsible for it.

Those attempting to break through to Foundation Establishment need not worry about other matters and could focus entirely on the breakthrough attempt.

Even so, there were few in Qi Refining family clans who successfully established their foundation.

Much less rogue cultivators.

Just collecting the five elements' qi in sufficient quantities for Foundation Establishment would take several years. If one failed the breakthrough attempt once and was fortunate enough to survive, they would have to start all over again from the beginning.

Xu Chuan was ultimately just a guest elder. Even if his alchemy talent was exceptional, the Zhou family could not possibly provide full support.

How could they possibly support an outsider?

"Forget it. Fellow Daoist Sanshu's heart for seeking the Dao is extremely resolute, how could this old man refuse? I simply feel some regret that in the future I will no longer be able to exchange insights on alchemy with you, Fellow Daoist."

"For Daoist Zhou Sen to think so highly of me truly makes this poor Daoist feel overwhelmed by such favor," Xu Chuan said with cupped fists. "If I find my pursuit of the Dao hopeless in the future, I will definitely come seek you out, Fellow Daoist."

Zhou Sen stroked his beard and sighed deeply, "I only fear that by then, this old man will no longer be among the living."

"Fellow Daoist, you may keep the guest elder token on your person. If you encounter danger and present it, perhaps it can save your life."

"Many thanks."

Xu Chuan and Xu Mingxian took their leave. Shopkeeper Zhou and Zhou Sen saw them off at the door.

Seeing the two walk far away, Shopkeeper Zhou finally said in a low voice, "Elder, are we just letting Guest Elder Sanshu leave like this?"

"What else?" Zhou Sen turned his head and glanced at him indifferently.

"Guest Elder Sanshu's alchemy talent is so high, naturally we should keep him here to continue refining pills for our Zhou family."

"How would we keep him?"

Shopkeeper Zhou fell silent and did not respond.

"Even if we forcibly detained him with martial force, he is a rogue cultivator, alone and without attachments. If he is unwilling to refine pills, could we actually compel him?"

"Alchemy is so delicate and precise. The slightest error results in complete failure. If his heart is not in it, even if we exhausted the Zhou family's spirit materials, he could ensure that not a single lower-grade pill succeeds."

"Better to maintain this relationship. In the future, if our Zhou family truly has rare pills we wish to refine, we can still seek his help."

"This subordinate was foolish," Shopkeeper Zhou said with cupped hands and lowered head.

"Remember, unless they threaten the Zhou family's interests, toward those with talent, our Zhou family disciples should treat them with respect and focus primarily on recruitment."

"This subordinate will remember. Many thanks for Elder's teachings."

"Pay closer attention to the movements of the Su family in the market. Their Foundation Establishment ancestor's lifespan is approaching its end. The debts from years past should be repaid by them."

Shopkeeper Zhou's eyes suddenly flashed with a gleam of sharpness mixed with a trace of hatred.

…

Before Xu Chuan and Xu Mingxian left the Yuehu Market, they made a trip to the Hundred Refinements Weapon Workshop.

Workshop Master Wu was not surprised that they were leaving.

In his eyes, neither Xu Chuan nor Xu Mingxian were too old, and both had the potential to assault Foundation Establishment.

Such individuals, before reaching the end of their rope, how could they give up on Foundation Establishment and, like him, remain in some market living out a peaceful life?

"This old man won't say much. Before parting, I'll give some small gifts as a bit of assistance for you two Fellow Daoists' future Foundation Establishment attempts. If you two are fortunate enough to succeed, I hope you will look after my grandson."

As he spoke, he handed a storage bag to Xu Chuan, then brought his grandson before them, "This is my grandson, Wu Shun'an."

"Shun'an, pay your respects to the two seniors."

"Shun'an pays respects to the two seniors," Wu Shun'an said with cupped fists.

"A refined and handsome child," Xu Chuan said with a nod and faint smile. "Then I'll borrow Fellow Daoist Wu's auspicious words."

After the two left the Yuehu Market, Xu Chuan examined the items in the storage bag.

"The 'Five Elements Qi Collection Method,' the 'Life Lamp Secret Art,' the 'Wu Clan Artifact Refinement Method,' and there's even a middle-grade pill furnace and a middle-grade magical artifact flying sword."

The corners of Xu Chuan's mouth lifted slightly, "Fellow Daoist Wu's gesture is quite substantial. Yunnu, the flying sword should be prepared for you. Take it. As for the pill furnace, this father will accept it without courtesy."

Xu Mingxian was delighted in his heart and put it into his storage bag, planning to find another time to refine and attune it.

Currently, he only had one lower-grade flying sword in hand, which was gifted to him by Xu Chuan. Even though he had spirit stones, he was reluctant to purchase one, instead using them for materials to research formations.

"Fellow Daoist Wu saw that if I establish my foundation, I will definitely establish a Foundation Establishment family clan, which is why he gave this 'Life Lamp Secret Art.' If I truly achieve Foundation Establishment, this mere secret art won't amount to much."

Xu Mingxian sighed with emotion, "They are all cunning old foxes."

"If they weren't cunning, how would they have survived until now? Yunnu, when you encounter people and situations in the future, you must always keep three parts vigilance."

Xu Chuan patted his shoulder, then continued, "However, this gift is ultimately useful to my Xu family, so naturally we must remember this kindness and repay it when we are able."

"I understand, Father. Where are we going next?"

"Let's go to Guangling first."

…

Dongxi Village, Jade Cold Pool.

Screech~

The cry of an eagle came. A two-foot-tall Azure Fire Eagle could be seen circling with spread wings in front of the bamboo house.

The white tiger with crimson-gold pupils under the black iron tree raised its head and glanced, yawned, and its silver-white whiskers trembled slightly.

Xu Mingshu heard the eagle's cry and walked out of the bamboo house, her face breaking into a smile as she said to the Azure Fire Eagle in the air, "Ah San, you've returned."

The Azure Fire Eagle landed on the eaves of the bamboo house, letting out "screech screech" calls.

Xu Mingshu listened while nodding, the corners of her mouth showing a trace of a smile, "You discovered another demon beast?"

"Little White, stop dozing off. We're getting an extra meal soon!"

Hearing "extra meal," the white tiger immediately got up, its crimson-gold pupils gleaming brightly.

Xu Mingshu immediately mounted the white tiger and went down the mountain to find Xu Mingxuan.

Zhang Wanqing's belly was growing larger and larger. Xu Mingxuan set aside one or two hours every day to accompany her.

As for the Azure Fire Eagles, they had hatched from eagle eggs back then. With the incubation method given by Xu Mingxian, all three eagle eggs successfully hatched.

According to the order in which they broke out of their shells, Xu Mingshu named them Ah Da, Ah Er, and Ah San.

She fed them with Innate Blood Pills, sometimes with meat from wild beasts, along with the Xu family's secret innate medicinal diet.

With such unreserved effort, the three Azure Fire Eagles grew rapidly.

In half a year's time, azure flames sprouted atop their heads, azure feathers gradually flourished on their bodies capable of withstanding ordinary blades and axes, and they could spread their wings to soar through the heavens.

Xu Mingshu had them soar throughout the Broken Fang Mountain range, hunting on their own while also scouting for demon beast tracks.

Ah San had returned to report.

…

Radiant Light Courtyard.

Xu Mingxuan held Zhang Wanqing's hand as they slowly strolled along the corridor.

"Third Brother, Third Brother."

Xu Mingshu's clear voice made both of them look in the direction of the sound.

"Xueji, slow down. Don't collide with your third sister-in-law, or else see how I'll discipline you!"

"You can't even beat me anyway," Xu Mingshu said with a grin.

"Hey, I certainly can't beat you, but I can call upon Elder Brother and Mother to deal with you."

Hearing this, Xu Mingshu snorted lightly, her lips curling slightly, "And you call yourself my third brother, unable to take a joke like this, constantly bringing up Elder Brother and Mother to pressure me. How boring."

"Your tongue is certainly sharp. Back then, we really should have let Li Zhi marry you to manage that mouth of yours."

"If you mention this matter again, I'm going to get angry!"

"Alright, alright, alright." Seeing Xu Mingshu's angry expression, Xu Mingxuan looked up and said, "So tell me, what do you need me for?"

"Ah San discovered demon beast tracks. I want to go hunt the demon beast with Wu Tao and the others. With you there, Third Brother, we can also seek fortune and avoid disaster."

"So you're using me as a lucky charm?"

Zhang Wanqing smiled faintly, "Husband, stop teasing Xueji. Can you really bear to see your only younger sister encounter danger?"

"This wife is safe in the Xu residence. If not for my condition being inconvenient, I would definitely want to go along and see. Otherwise, the spells I've learned all these years never have a place to be used."

"Third Sister-in-law is the understanding one."

Xu Mingxuan shook his head helplessly. He really had no way to deal with his younger sister.

In the entire Xu family, probably only Xu Chuan and his wife along with Xu Mingwei could keep her in check.