Building a long-lasting family lineage starting with genealogy

Chapter 391 Two Paths (Bonus Chapter for Monthly Tickets!)

"That's hard to say."

Lei Yunchao said, "Of the three families, my Lei family has had the most contact with the Xu family, but even now, my Lei family has not been able to see through the Xu family's true strength."

"I feel the same way," Lin Chaofeng said. "The Xu family is too mysterious."

"Perhaps they are more likely to survive the great calamity than the Cao family and their allies, otherwise, how could things be so calm?"

"Three Golden Core cultivators have been born in just six months. Is this what you call calm and peaceful?" Jiang Huarong said.

"But what else?" Lin Chaofeng countered. "The phenomenon of Core Formation is very difficult to conceal. If the Xu family has the ability, they will probably try every means to do so."

The three newly promoted Golden Core cultivators—isn't this a trump card to counter the great calamity and deal with the Cao family?

However, now it's an open secret.

Jiang Huarong thought for a moment and said, "Several months ago, some members of the Qin, Zhou, Li, and Wang families moved into Dongxi, and there was also the incident with the Zhao family of Daliang not long ago."

Isn't that a big enough commotion?

Those unaware of the impending calamity may not see anything, but anyone with discerning eyes can see that the Xu family is preparing to confront it.

"To make preparations, do we need to let ordinary people and children enter as well?" Lei Yunchao said calmly. "We don't know what kind of deal the five families made with the Xu family."

But in Lei's view, this was more like a form of protection.

Lin Chaofeng frowned. "Brother Lei, do you mean that they all knew about the Great Calamity of the Millennium and made a deal with the Xu family?"

Was the relocation of some clansmen to Dongxi solely for the purpose of preserving their bloodline?

Jiang Huarong was taken aback upon hearing this. "Doesn't that mean they're willing to wait to die? Wouldn't that cause chaos and uproar?"

"I guess only the higher-ups in the family know about this. Aren't all of our families the same?" Lei Yunchao said.

If the news of the great calamity were to become common knowledge by now, the world would have long been in chaos.

Lin Chaofeng said, "Given the relationship between your Lei family and the Xu family, could you allow some of our three families' disciples to enter Dongxi?"

Lei Yunchao looked at Lin Chaofeng, his eyes flickering as if he were thinking, "Relocating the entire clan is not very realistic, but this move may be feasible."

But whether it will work out or not, I'll have to go there myself.

"Thank you for your trouble, Brother Lei." Lin Chaofeng and Jiang Huarong bowed respectfully.

“Our three families have a thousand-year-old friendship, so this is too formal. I will go to Dongxi tomorrow.”

The next day.

Before the morning mist had dissipated, Lei Yunchao, alone, rode his escape light and quietly arrived outside the cave.

Looking around, one sees verdant mountains shrouded in mist, seemingly no different from usual.

However, with his Golden Core cultivator's divine sense sweeping over the area, he could naturally detect the fluctuations of the formation here.

"Is it a Tier 3 defensive formation?"

Lei Yunchao was slightly startled, secretly thinking, "Was this arranged by Xu Mingxian of the Xu family? Could he be one of the candidates to break through to the Golden Core stage this time?"

Just now.

"Who goes there? This is the important territory of the Xu family of Dongxi. Unauthorized persons are not permitted!"

Before he could get close, two patrols of armored soldiers, clad in black armor and exuding a fierce aura, appeared from the clouds.

The captain's eyes were like lightning, and the long halberd in his hand was faintly pointing at Lei Yunchao.

Although he was only at the peak of Qi Refining, he was not intimidated at all by the presence of the great formation behind him.

Lei Yunchao pressed down the escape light, revealing his true appearance. He clasped his hands and said, "I am Lei Yunchao of the Lei family of the Great Wei Dynasty. I have come to pay a visit to your Xu family ancestor. Please announce my arrival."

The captain clearly recognized Lei Yunchao, and his expression softened slightly.

But he remained professional: "So it's Master Lei. Please wait a moment."

He took out a communication jade talisman and whispered a few words.

A moment later, the jade talisman glowed slightly. The captain listened intently, then smiled and looked over. "I have obtained the patriarch's permission. Master Lei, please."

He stepped aside, then took out his token to open a gap in the formation.

"Bai Mu, take Master Lei to the main hall of the mansion."

"Yes, Captain."

"Thank you for your trouble." Lei Yunchao nodded and stepped inside.

The moment you step inside, the world changes!

A surge of pure and powerful spiritual energy rushed in like a tide.

With each breath, it felt as if every part of my body was being cleansed.

"This concentration of spiritual energy..."

Lei Yunchao felt the rich spiritual energy within the cave, and his heart was filled with surging waves of shock.

How could the Xu family have undergone such a drastic change?
Could it be that we've found a spiritual vein?!
"Young friend Bai Mu, when I came here last time, the spiritual energy in Dongxi didn't seem to be like this. How come it's become so rich in just half a year?"

Bai Mu smiled and said, "This junior is unaware of this; it is a change that occurred after our ancestor emerged from seclusion."

Seeing that he didn't want to say more, Lei Yunchao didn't press the matter further.

Bai Mu led him to the main hall.

"Senior, then this junior will take his leave now."

Bai Mu bowed and withdrew.

Lei Yunchao stepped in and sat down in the first seat on the left.

A moment later, a maidservant brought in some fine tea and fruit.

Then a streak of light arrived.

The person who walked in was not Xu Chuan, as Lei Yunchao had expected, but Xu Mingyuan.

He sensed that Xu Mingyuan's aura was as deep as the sea. He sighed slightly, his pupils suddenly contracted, and he stood up, clasped his hands, and said, "Fellow Daoist Mingyuan, congratulations on achieving the Golden Core."

Xu Mingyuan nodded slightly and returned the greeting with a faint smile, saying, "Fellow Daoist Lei, you are too kind. Please have a seat."

Lei Yunchao sat down in the guest seat.

Xu Mingyuan bypassed him and took his seat in the main seat.

Then he picked up the white jade teacup on the table and took a small sip.

After setting down his teacup, he said calmly, "Fellow Daoist Lei, you have come today not to reminisce. If you have any important business to discuss, please speak freely."

Lei Yunchao didn't intend to beat around the bush and said directly, "I do have something to ask of you."

Fellow Daoist Mingyuan is probably aware that the external situation has changed dramatically, with the Cao, Liu, and Sima families forming an alliance.

The day of great calamity is approaching.

My Lei family, along with the Jiang and Lin families, all feel uncertain about the future and are filled with unease.

"I have come today with great trepidation to inquire with the Xu family whether... they would allow some of the core members of our three families to temporarily reside in Dongxi to avoid any potential trouble?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Mingyuan's eyes flashed with understanding, and he looked at Lei Yunchao with a half-smile: "Fellow Daoist Lei, have you seen the Zhou, Qin, Li, Wang, or even the Zhao family?"

"Since some members of their clans have migrated to my Dongxi, do you think my Xu family is recruiting people to fight against the great calamity?"

"Others may think so, but Lei has dealt with the Xu family many times and knows that the Xu family has a very deep foundation."

You did this to protect them, so that their families could preserve their bloodline after the great calamity.

Lei wasn't wrong, was he?

Xu Mingyuan smiled faintly, "Fellow Daoist Lei is indeed a wise man. I enjoy dealing with intelligent people."

Lei Yunchao continued, "The Xu family's actions are benevolent and righteous. Our Lei, Jiang, and Lin families are willing to pay a certain price as compensation for avoiding trouble."

The Xu family can name their terms.

"cost?"

Xu Mingyuan gently shook his head and said, "Fellow Daoist Lei is probably reluctant to part with it."

The five families of Zhou, Qin, Li, Wang, and Zhao were able to enter Dongxi, but the price they paid was that they all became vassals of my Xu family, serving as masters of my Xu clan and obeying my Xu family's orders.

In addition, their respective lineages are indeed useful to my Xu family in terms of weapon crafting, beast taming, elixir making, formations, and talisman making.

Only then were they allowed to branch off and migrate into Dongxi to preserve their livelihood.

"vassal?!"

Even though Lei Yunchao was mentally prepared, hearing those two words from Xu Mingyuan's mouth still shocked him, and his brows furrowed deeply.

vassal!

This means completely abandoning independent status, with life, death, honor, and disgrace all depending on the master's will!
The Lei family is a prestigious family of Golden Core cultivators, allied with the Jiang and Lin families, though their strength is not as great as that of the Cao, Liu, and Sima families.

However, the combined strength of the three families is extraordinary and far beyond what ordinary Golden Core families can match!

Do you expect them to abandon their millennia-old pride and autonomy and become subservient to others?
Let alone his personal inability to make a decision, there must be overwhelming opposition within the Lei family itself. The Jiang and Lin families probably wouldn't agree either!
Xu Mingyuan took in the changes in his expression, but was not surprised.

"This road is the best way to preserve the largest population of your three families. If you wish, you can split off a branch and relocate to Dongxi with no more than five hundred people."

If you are unwilling.

Then there's only the second option left.

"What road?"

"A deal." Xu Mingyuan's voice remained calm and unwavering.

"How do we trade?" Lei Yunchao looked up.

Xu Mingyuan said, "My Xu family started out in business, and we have always been honest and trustworthy, which is well-known to all."

If you are unwilling to be a vassal but still want a spot under my Dongxi's protection, you must offer something that my Xu family can appreciate in exchange.

Or rare natural treasures and precious herbs.

Or it could be a unique and powerful cultivation technique, supernatural ability, or secret art passed down through generations.

Or perhaps it's the inheritance of various arts and crafts related to cultivating immortality.

All kinds of cultivation resources are available.

If applicable, five slots may be allocated to each company based on their intrinsic value.

"Five?!" Lei Yunchao exclaimed, his face turning grim. "Fellow Daoist Mingyuan, five spots... that's far too few!"

"Five are enough to preserve the most talented core disciples of your three families for decades to come."

Xu Mingyuan's voice was firm, but he quickly changed the subject, "Of course, if the three families can offer enough substantial resources to impress my Xu family, then..."

The number of slots may be increased at the discretion of the authorities, but at most... no more than ten people per clan.

Lei Yunchao remained silent, his mind in turmoil.

Five to ten slots are a drop in the ocean for a family like Jiang Leilin's that has a history spanning thousands of years.

As for the foundation that the Xu family desires, if the family is destroyed, it will only benefit the raiders.

It's not impossible for them to produce it.

One path is subservience, the other is the extremely limited and precious spots available.

No matter which option you choose, it's a dilemma!
But this is not because the Xu family is in a difficult position.

If other families can become vassals, why can't the Jiang, Lei, and Lin families become vassals?

In the eyes of the Xu family, they were no different.

Even for the Xu family, the three families were not as useful as the five families of Qin, Zhao, Zhou, Wang, and Li, who possessed a "special skill".

"This matter is of great importance and cannot be decided by Lei alone. It needs to be discussed in detail with fellow Daoists Jiang and Lin," Lei Yunchao finally said in a hoarse voice.

Xu Mingyuan nodded slightly to show his understanding, then added with a hint of amusement, "Fellow Daoist Lei, please feel free to discuss this."

However, Mr. Xu can let you know in advance.

Soon, the Xu family of Dongxi will completely seal off the mountain, isolating ourselves from the outside world, and focus on dealing with the great calamity.

No outside visitors will be seen at that time.

That's all I have to say. I hope Fellow Daoist Lei will act accordingly.

The mountain is closed!

Lei Yunchao's heart sank.

He took a deep breath, stood up, and solemnly clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Thank you for your frankness, Fellow Daoist Mingyuan. I understand."

They then returned to discuss how to send the Xu family their valuable resources as soon as possible.

"Walk slowly."

Xu Mingyuan remained seated and did not move, only uttering two words indifferently.

Lei Yunchao said no more and turned to leave.

Xu Mingyuan walked to the entrance of the hall and watched the light of his escape disappear into the distance. He murmured, "As expected, he is still not as good as his father."

He only allowed Chonghui to establish five areas, knowing that a maximum of five families would move in.

Zhou, Qin, Wang, and Li were too weak and, knowing the impending calamity, had no choice but to rely on the Xu family.

The Zhao family's decisive decision was likely due to the crucial role played by certain members of the family.

As he spoke, he looked at Zhao Qiyang, who was in seclusion in the Wuzi District.

"My father said that he has a trace of the Golden Core's potential, but I don't know if it's true or not?"

The Xu family made extensive preparations, and the individuals among them possessed profound knowledge and experience, which enabled them to successfully form their cores one after another.

Zhao Qiyang was merely a beginner at the Foundation Establishment stage, and he did not receive any resources from the Xu family. At most, he received a small amount of spiritual energy from the cave.

Logically speaking, the chance of breaking through to the Golden Core stage on one's own is less than one percent.

If it succeeds, it will truly be a blessing from heaven.

"Perhaps this is the rebound of the great calamity that my father spoke of."

As for the three families of Jiang Leilin.

After this conversation, Xu Mingyuan knew that they would never agree to become vassals.

His innate talent of "penetrating the hidden and illuminating the subtle" is comparable to supernatural powers and secret techniques in his ability to see into people's hearts.

"I wonder what kind of heritage these three families have accumulated over thousands of years. If there is anything that my Xu family is interested in, I believe my father will keep a few people from these three families to continue the bloodline."

Back to the capital of the Great Wei Dynasty.

Lei Yunchao immediately summoned Jiang Huarong and Lin Chaofeng and recounted what he had seen and heard during his trip to Dongxi, especially the two paths proposed by Xu Mingyuan: "vassalage" or "trade".

They also informed us without reservation of the news that the mountain was about to be closed.

"This is outrageous!"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Huarong slammed his fist on the table and stood up, his hair and beard bristling, looking furious.

"A vassal state? The Xu family has quite the appetite!"

"They're only offering five spots in the deal, and they want us to use our resources to exchange for them?"

"This is clearly taking advantage of someone's misfortune!"

"Too deceiving!"

"In my opinion, we should move to Daliang with the Cao family. At least we are on equal footing with them, and we can help out more when disaster strikes!"

Lin Chaofeng remained silent, his fingertips unconsciously tracing patterns on the table.

His brows were furrowed, clearly indicating that he was also struggling intensely.

Lei Yunchao waited until Jiang Huarong's anger subsided before slowly speaking, saying, "Brother Jiang, please calm down. Do you know just how dense the spiritual energy is inside that cave stream?"

He looked at the two of them and said, word by word, "Even the outermost ordinary area is comparable to the core cultivation area of ​​the Cao family's palace!"

According to Lei's perception, the area where the Xu family mansion is located likely has a spiritual energy concentration equivalent to a low-grade third-tier spiritual vein!

"A third-tier spiritual vein?!"

Jiang Huarong and Lin Chaofeng were both speechless, their faces filled with horror.

They found it hard to believe, but they also knew that Lei Yunchao had no reason to lie to them.

After all, the three families are all in the same boat!

"The Xu family's foundation is truly beyond what it used to be, and is now unfathomable."

Lei Yunchao sighed, "Of the three members of the Xu family who have reached the Core Formation stage, I estimate that two of them should be Xu Mingxian and Xu Mingyuan."

The third person is somewhat difficult to guess.

It could be Xu Mingqing, or it could be Xu Mingxuan and Xu Mingshu.

Although the conditions proposed by the Xu family are harsh, since they have made the offer, they will guarantee the survival of the most promising members of our three families.

And the Cao family…

After a pause, Lei Yunchao stared intently and said, "Cao Jiyi didn't mention any conditions, which is worrying. After all, we all know what kind of people we are."

Perhaps the Cao family will do something to send us to our deaths in this great calamity.

Wait until all three of our elite forces are wiped out.

It is estimated that our resources and strengths have become spoils of war for the Cao, Sima, and Liu families.

As for the rest of the clansmen, not a single one will survive.

　Thank you to fellow Daoist [Guanfu] for the generous donation!
　
(End of this chapter)