63: The Chen family rises to power

"Everyone, rise."

Seeing this, Chen Xu spoke.

With that, he quickly stepped forward to help up his wives and concubines, then swept his gaze over Immortal Master Yuqing and Chu Xuan, instructing, "You two are responsible for screening the people outside."

"Anyone with a clean background and a special skill can be registered and employed as appropriate. Anyone with ill intentions or an unknown origin will be directly expelled. If they dare to resist, kill without mercy."

"Yes! We respectfully obey the Family Head's decree!"

Immortal Master Yuqing and Chu Xuan trembled with excitement. They knew this was both a test...

...and an immense authority bestowed upon them by the Family Head.

Chen Xu no longer paid attention to the commotion outside, leading his wife and children into the mansion's main hall.

As soon as she sat down, his wife, Bu Yifan, spoke impatiently, a hint of difficulty and a strange excitement on her face.

"Husband, this time... the commotion you caused was too great."

"Since yesterday, the invitation cards and Jade Slips our Chen Family has received have almost piled up into a mountain."

With a wave of Bu Yifan's hand, a large pile of shimmering Jade Slips and exquisitely crafted invitation cards appeared on the table.

"The three major merchant associations of the Great Feng Dynasty have all sent their chief managers, hoping to achieve the deepest level of cooperation with our Chen Family, with terms entirely at our discretion."

"Also, the top Cultivation Families from several surrounding prefectures, such as the Zhang Family, Li Family, and Wang Family... have all sent their Elders, offering generous gifts, hoping to form marriage alliances with our Chen Family."

As she spoke, Bu Yifan's expression became somewhat subtle: "Husband, they... their intention is to have the most outstanding direct daughters of their families become your... concubines."

Chen Xu picked up his teacup and took a light sip, unsurprised by this.

This was the Law of survival in the Cultivation world: the strong are respected.

Marriage alliance was the most direct and stable form of alliance.

The several other concubines chimed in excitedly.

"Yes, Husband, those families are so generous. I've seen the portraits of the women they sent; each one is like a Heavenly Immortal."

"But Sister Yifan said that our Chen Family is not what it used to be, so the standards for taking concubines must also be raised."

"We discussed it, and from now on, to enter our Chen Family, besides having peerless beauty, one's Spiritual Root Aptitude must at least be Earth Rank or above!"

As they said this, the faces of the concubines showed a proud sense of shared honor.

Once upon a time, they wouldn't even dare to imagine it.

That the Chen Family would one day have the confidence to make such demands of those high and mighty great families.

An Earth Rank Spiritual Root—in any Sect, that would be a Genius cultivated as a True Disciple!

Now, it was only enough to qualify as a concubine for their husband.

Bu Yifan added, "That being said, those true favored daughters of heaven are mostly proud and may not be willing to be concubines."

"However, there are also some Family daughters who, having heard of your deeds in the Qingyun Immortal Sect, admire your prestige and have actively expressed their willingness..."

"You can handle these matters as you see fit."

Chen Xu waved his hand, interrupting them, and stood up directly.

"I'm going to the Cultivation chamber first to tally the gains from this trip. Before I come out of seclusion, Family affairs will be jointly discussed and decided by you and Immortal Master Yuqing."

To him, female beauty was merely an embellishment; his own strength and the Family's Foundation...

...were the fundamentals for establishing themselves in this cruel world.

Looking at her husband's resolute back, a hint of infatuation flashed in the eyes of Bu Yifan and the several concubines.

This was their man.

Always knowing what he should do most... Chen Family, Cultivation Secret Chamber.

The heavy stone door rumbled shut, cutting off all sound from the outside.

Chen Xu sat cross-legged, the first thing he did...

...was to examine his Dantian internally.

On the System panel in his mind, text slowly appeared.

【Innate One Qi (Golden Core Peak Cultivation), Remaining Time: 0.】

The moment the words fell, an indescribable sensation of weakness...

...instantly swept through Chen Xu's entire body.

That majestic magic power, which had originally filled his limbs and bones, as if capable of destroying heaven and earth...

...vanished without a trace like a receding tide.

His Cultivation, from the lofty Golden Core Peak, instantly plummeted.

Returning to his true Realm—Foundation Establishment Peak.

Feeling the Spiritual Qi in his body, which was thousands of times weaker than before, Chen Xu's eyes showed no discouragement, but instead glowed with even more fervent light.

"Golden Core... Nascent Soul..."

He clenched his fists, feeling the power he had once possessed.

"This kind of power, one day, I will truly hold it in my hands through my own abilities!"

Having experienced the scenery at the Peak, who would be willing to remain at the foot of the mountain?

This experience not only did not make him dependent...

...but instead ignited the ambition and desire within him.

He knew very well that System rewards were ultimately external, diminishing with each use.

Only the strength cultivated within himself was eternal.

"The most urgent task is to form a Golden Core!"

Chen Xu took a deep breath, suppressing the surging thoughts in his heart, and turned his gaze to what was in front of him.

There, two Storage Rings floated quietly.

These were all the gains brought back by his two sons, Chen Daoxuan and Chen Daochu...

...from the so-called Purple Mansion Dao Lord Secret Realm.

His Divine Sense probed into them, and the next moment...

Even with Chen Xu's Heart-Nature, his breathing couldn't help but quicken slightly.

Whoosh—!

Inside the secret chamber, brilliant light burst forth!

Spirit Medicine piled up like mountains, appearing out of thin air.

They almost filled the entire spacious secret chamber!

The rich, almost tangible medicinal fragrance instantly permeated every corner. Just one breath made one feel refreshed, and one's Cultivation subtly improved.

"Earth-Grade Spirit Medicine... six thousand three hundred plants!"

"Heaven-Grade Spirit Medicine... seven hundred ninety-two plants!"

Chen Xu's Divine Sense quickly swept over them, arriving at a number that even he found deeply shocking.

"Haha... Hahahaha!"

Even with Chen Xu's firm Heart-Nature, he couldn't suppress the ecstasy in his heart at this moment, letting out a hearty laugh.

He'd struck it rich!

This was truly striking it rich!

Such a vast quantity of top-grade Spirit Medicine, let alone a small Foundation Establishment Family...

...even a famous great Sect like Qingyun Immortal Sect...

...would have to suffer greatly to produce so much at once!

With this batch of Spirit Medicine, his Chen Family would not have to worry about Cultivation resources for the next few hundred years!

Besides the Spirit Medicine, there were also more than a dozen Jade Slips shimmering with various colors of light.

Each one was a Heaven-Grade Cultivation Technique!

Among them, there were even two that directly pointed to the Soul Transformation Dao!

There were also seven or eight Magic Treasures of varying grades, the worst of which were High Grade Magical Artifacts.

Three of them even reached the level of Low Grade Magic Treasures!

This kind of Foundation was already completely comparable to some Golden Core Families with a Legacy of over a thousand years.

Finally, Chen Xu's gaze fell upon the ancient, simple green longsword.

myriad ages azure cloud sword!

He reached out and grasped this Spirit Treasure in his hand.

Buzz—!

The longsword let out a clear, ringing sword cry.

As if responding to him.

An incomparably sharp, terrifying Sword Intent, as if capable of severing space and time...

...came from the sword body.

Chen Xu could feel that this sword was acknowledging him.

"Good sword!"

He caressed the cold sword body, his eyes growing even more fervent.

With this sword, once he formed his Golden Core...

...his combat power would once again soar to a terrifying level.

By then, even against ordinary Early Nascent Soul Stage Cultivators...

...he would have the confidence to fight, or even kill them!

After tallying all the gains, Chen Xu began to calmly plan for the future.

"Qingyun Immortal Sect, my identity as a Grand Elder protecting the Sect cannot be wasted."

A cold smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

He had a premonition that soon, the Demonic Path would launch a large-scale invasion.

The entire Cultivation world of the Great Feng Dynasty would be plunged into war.

As the leader of the Righteous Path, Qingyun Immortal Sect would bear the brunt, and its ultimate fate would likely be the breaking of its mountain gate and the severing of its Legacy.

"Before they are destroyed, I will acquire the core Legacy of their Sect, which can be considered preserving a spark for them."

He had already arranged for Chu Xuan and others to establish an intelligence network covering the entire Great Feng Dynasty.

The focus was on monitoring the movements of the major Demonic Paths, in order to make arrangements in advance during chaotic times.

However, he also knew that one must eat one bite at a time.

Currently, his strength was ultimately only at the Foundation Establishment Peak.

Although he held the title of Grand Elder, if he were to truly touch the Foundation of Qingyun Immortal Sect...

...the Sect Master, who was as elusive as a dragon, would probably be the first to disagree.

"Therefore, I must first form a Golden Core!"

"Once I become a Golden Core Cultivator, and then, holding a Spirit Treasure, I go to 'borrow' Cultivation Techniques in my capacity as Grand Elder, I presume they wouldn't dare to refuse."

Having made up his mind, Chen Xu no longer hesitated.

He waved his large sleeve, carefully putting away all the Spirit Medicine, Cultivation Techniques, and Magic Treasures, categorizing them.

Then, he pushed open the door of the secret chamber and walked out.

Inside the main hall, Bu Yifan and several Guest Elder core members had long been waiting.

Seeing Chen Xu emerge from seclusion, everyone quickly stood up and bowed.

"No need for formalities."

Chen Xu walked to the main seat and sat down, his gaze sweeping over everyone.

"I called you here today to reward those who have rendered meritorious service."

As his words fell, he flicked his finger.

A Storage Ring flew to Bu Yifan's front.

"Inside are five million Low-Grade Spirit Stones, as well as some Spirit Medicine. All of it will be added to the Family treasury and managed by you. The cultivation of Family disciples, the distribution of Guest Elder offerings, and the expansion of various industries must not stop."

"Yes, Husband."

Bu Yifan took the ring, her heart shaken. Five million Spirit Stones! This huge sum was enough to expand the Chen Family's financial resources by more than tenfold in a short period!

Then, Chen Xu's gaze fell upon Immortal Master Yuqing and Chu Xuan.

These two were the first Guest Elders he had recruited.

They had always been loyal and diligent.

"Yuqing, Chu Xuan."

"Your subordinates are here!" The two quickly bowed, their hearts anxious yet expectant.

Chen Xu flipped his palm, and two shimmering Magic Treasures appeared in his hand.

One was a whisk, entirely woven from unknown silver threads.

It emanated sharp Metal-elemental Spiritual Qi.

The other was a Flying Sword, its blade crimson, with faint firelight flowing within.

They were clearly two Spiritual Artifacts!

"These two Low Grade Magic Treasures are bestowed upon you two. I hope that in the future, you will do more for the Family."

...Low Grade Magic Treasures?!

The moment Immortal Master Yuqing and Chu Xuan saw the two Magic Treasures, their eyes nearly popped out.

Their breathing stopped.

They never dreamed that the Family Head would make such an astonishingly grand gesture!

Low Grade Magic Treasures!

Those were treasures even Golden Core Immortal Masters dreamed of!

The two trembled as they took the Magic Treasures, overwhelmed with excitement.

They immediately knelt on the ground and kowtowed three times heavily to Chen Xu.

"The Family Head's grace of recreation, we will never forget!"

"From now on, my (Yuqing/Chu Xuan) life belongs to the Family Head! Through mountains of blades and seas of fire, we will not hesitate to die ten thousand deaths!"

Their loyalty, at this moment, was completely maxed out.

Chen Xu nodded with satisfaction; this was the effect he wanted.

A powerful Family not only needed top combat power but also a group of loyal core members who could stand on their own.

After rewarding the Guest Elders, he distributed some High Grade Magical Artifacts to the other Foundation Establishment Stage Family managers.

This also elicited a chorus of gratitude.

Having done all this, Chen Xu stood up, his gaze directed out the window.

The sky over Ninghai City was clear.

He knew that from today onwards, the era belonging to his Chen Family had just begun.

A storm sweeping across the entire Great Feng Dynasty was brewing.

And the center of the storm, at this moment, returned to tranquility... Qingyun Immortal Sect, Peak of the main mountain.

This was the Sect's Forbidden Ground, Flowing Cloud Platform.

The Flowing Cloud Platform was suspended tens of thousands of feet in the air, carved from a single piece of ten-thousand-year-old cold jade. Surrounding it, a sea of clouds churned, and fierce gales were as sharp as knives.

An ordinary Golden Core Cultivator would find their Divine Soul unstable if they stayed here for even a short while.

At this moment, the atmosphere on the Flowing Cloud Platform was even colder than the gales.

The oppressive feeling made it hard to breathe.

More than ten figures, all with white hair and beards, and auras as deep as the sea, were Nascent Soul Ancestors.

They surrounded a woman in palace attire in the center.

Each person's face was filled with anger.

The woman in palace attire was none other than the current Sect Master of Qingyun Immortal Sect, Murong Zhuyun.

Her appearance was exquisite, her temperament ethereal, like an exiled Immortal who did not eat mortal food.

But at this moment, facing the combined pressure of more than ten Nascent Soul Ancestors...

...her face also appeared somewhat pale.

"Sect Master! You must give us an explanation!"

The first to make a move was Ancestor Potian, who had been severely wounded by Chen Xu's sword.

His face was ashen, and his robes still bore traces of dried blood on his chest.

Even with Medicinal Pills, that ferocious sword wound...

...still throbbed faintly at this moment.

"Our Qingyun Immortal Sect has been established for thousands of years; when have we ever suffered such a great humiliation as today!"

"To be blocked at the mountain gate, with three Golden Core Elders killed and seven Nascent Soul Ancestors severely wounded!"

"Finally, not only did we not kill him on the spot, but we even had to revere him as a Grand Elder! This matter has already spread; where is the face of our Qingyun Immortal Sect?! How can we explain this to the Great Feng Cultivation world?!"

Ancestor Potian's voice was filled with humiliation and rage.

"Senior Brother Potian is right!"

Ancestor Yunliu followed closely, speaking.

He also suffered severe internal injuries in that battle, and his aura was still somewhat unstable at this moment, "That Chen Xu is merely a Golden Core Peak Cultivator. No matter how much of a Prodigy his Foundation is, his Spiritual Qi is ultimately limited!"

"With more than ten of us Nascent Soul Ancestors joining forces and setting up a net, we could have exhausted him to death! Why did you compromise, Sect Master?! Why empower others and diminish our own prestige?!"

They truly couldn't understand what the Sect Master was trying to do.

One must know that during this period, the entire Great Feng Cultivation world was circulating stories of Chen Xu's deeds.

The face of their Qingyun Immortal Sect was truly being trampled underfoot!