3: Second Life: First Steps on the Immortal Path (Part Two)

Spirit Gathering Pill?!

Hearing this, the pupils of the Xu Family members couldn't help but constrict slightly.

What a grand gesture!

Although the 3rd Layer of Qi Condensation is only one step away from the Mid-Stage of Qi Refining, that single step is like a heavenly chasm that has blocked countless Cultivators.

Some Cultivators with poorer luck might even be stuck here for several years, or even over a decade, before they can successfully break through. Wasting time on a Bottleneck like this can cause one to miss their prime cultivation period, severely damaging their future prospects.

The effect of a Spirit Gathering Pill is to assist a Cultivator at the 3rd Layer of Qi Condensation in successfully breaking through their Bottleneck to reach the Mid-Stage of Qi Refining.

For elderly Cultivators whose potential is exhausted and strength is waning, the effect of a Spirit Gathering Pill might only be to help them break through to the 4th Level of Qi Condensation, and nothing more.

But for a youth like Xu Yuan, who is still in the golden age of cultivation, the effect of a Spirit Gathering Pill is immeasurable. The golden time saved could even allow Xu Yuan's future to progress even further.

In other words, this Spirit Gathering Pill could almost be seen as directly increasing Xu Yuan's potential!

And when mentioning the Spirit Gathering Pill, one must mention its creator: the Alchemist!

Alchemists, as the name suggests, can refine various Medicinal Pills with special effects. However, Alchemists are extremely rare. Every Alchemist is recruited by various forces at any cost; there are very few Loose Cultivator Alchemists.

There isn't even a single Alchemist in the entire Thousand Cloud City!

All the Medicinal Pills in Thousand Cloud City are transported by Merchant Associations from other places. Not only are they expensive, but most are also just ordinary pills. Pills like the Spirit Gathering Pill, which can directly assist a Cultivator in a Breakthrough, are simply impossible to find.

Therefore, even though the Xu Family intended to collect a Spirit Gathering Pill to help Xu Yuan break through, there had been no news.

Who would have thought that the Wu Family had actually obtained one and was willing to give it to Xu Yuan as a gift!

However, the Wu Family bringing out such a precious Spirit Gathering Pill caused Xu Longpeng's expression to darken. Not just Xu Longpeng, but the six Xu Family Elders beside him also regained their senses after a brief moment of daze, their expressions turning unfriendly.

"No wonder Elder Wu insisted my son come here; he truly is calculating."

Xu Longpeng spoke in a low voice, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes.

"Why does Clan Chief Xu say that? I represent the Wu Family in bringing this precious Spirit Gathering Pill to gift to Young Clan Chief Xu Yuan, wishing to form a marriage alliance between our families. Does this not represent my Wu Family's sincerity?" Wu Xiong said with an innocent look.

"Uncle Xu, your niece emboldens herself to call you 'Uncle'. I have heard since childhood that Brother Xu Yuan is exceptionally talented and have long harbored secret feelings for him. That is why I begged my father to have Elder Wu bring me here to settle a Betrothal. I hope Uncle Xu will grant this."

Wu Mei's voice was soft as water, appearing pitiful and lovely. Her beautiful eyes gazed unblinkingly at Xu Yuan, sending flirtatious glances like a pure young girl who had fallen in love.

"Clan Chief Xu, I have watched the Second Miss grow up. I cannot bear to see her so deeply in love with Young Clan Chief Xu Yuan and suffering from lovesickness. I hope Clan Chief Xu will grant this." Wu Xiong maintained a very humble posture; to an outsider, he would certainly look like a kind Elder.

Seeing this situation, Xu Longpeng's gaze darkened even further.

"Enough! Everyone knows what your Wu Family is planning..."

Before Xu Longpeng could speak, the Xu Family's Third Elder, Xu Longfei, slammed his wooden chair and stood up, shouting angrily.

"Third Brother!"

Before Xu Longfei could finish, the Xu Family's Grand Elder, Xu Longsheng, scolded and interrupted him.

Xu Longfei glared resentfully at Wu Xiong but said nothing more, sitting back down in his seat.

Xu Longpeng, sitting in the main seat, closed his eyes and thought for a moment before slowly speaking:

"Elder Wu, this is a major matter that requires internal discussion within my Xu Family. Please take your leave for now."

"Naturally, naturally. As long as the Xu Family is willing to enter into a Betrothal, my Wu Family will certainly present this Spirit Gathering Pill with both hands."

Wu Xiong seemed to have expected this. After a smile, he led the Wu Family members away.

Soon, only the Xu Family members remained in the Council Hall.

"Clan Chief, the Wu Family has wild ambitions..."

As soon as the Wu Family left, Xu Longfei spoke up impatiently.

But before Xu Longfei could finish, Xu Longpeng raised his hand to interrupt him and turned to Xu Yuan, asking:

"Yuan'er, do you think we should agree to the marriage alliance with the Wu Family?"

Xu Yuan did not hesitate for a second and spoke decisively: "Father, the Wu Family has wild ambitions. We must never agree to this marriage alliance."

"Oh? Tell me your reasons."

Xu Longpeng seemed to have gained some interest and continued to probe.

"Father, the Wu Family Ancestor is currently in his prime. There are rumors that his strength is close to the Mid-Foundation Establishment Stage, giving him the reputation of being the number one expert in Thousand Cloud City. Meanwhile, our Xu Family Ancestor is currently in secluded cultivation to heal his injuries. The Wu Family has long coveted our Xu Family's assets. In my view, this visit from the Wu Family is a false marriage alliance but a true probe!"

"Hahaha, well said! 'A false marriage alliance but a true probe'." Xu Longpeng laughed heartily, then his gaze sharpened slightly. "That Spirit Gathering Pill can help you break through to the Mid-Stage of Qi Refining, and that Wu Family Second Miss is also a world-class beauty. Are you not tempted?"

"Naturally, I am tempted," Xu Yuan said frankly. "However, if we form a marriage alliance with the Wu Family, they might use it to uncover the truth about our Ancestor's condition. If the Wu Family Ancestor uses secret means to cause our Ancestor's downfall, our Xu Family would be nothing more than a delicious piece of meat before the Wu Family!"

"Using the excuse of being relatives by marriage, they could effortlessly seize our Xu Family's assets. In the future, our Xu Family would only be reduced to a subordinate vassal Family of the Wu Family. At that time, a mere Spirit Gathering Pill could be reclaimed tenfold or a hundredfold!"

"On the surface, it looks like I'm marrying the Wu Family Second Miss and gaining a Spirit Gathering Pill. In reality, I would be using the entire Xu Family as a dowry to marry into the Wu Family!"

"I, Xu Yuan, am a seven-foot-tall man. How can a great man living between heaven and earth be content to remain under others for long?"

Having memories of struggling in his past life, Xu Yuan naturally saw through the Wu Family's scheme at a glance and would not be easily fooled.

"Good! What a line: 'How can a great man living between heaven and earth be content to remain under others for long?' The Young Clan Chief is truly the Qilin Son of our Xu Family! What spirit!" Before Xu Longpeng could speak, Xu Longfei impatiently spoke up, giving a thumbs up. "Good, damn good!"

Xu Longpeng gave the Third Elder a frustrated look, then turned to Xu Yuan with a gaze full of gratification:

"I am relieved that you can see through this. However, you missed one point."

"The Wu Family's scheme this time is an Open Plot. If it succeeds, they can naturally uncover the Ancestor's secrets as you said. But if it fails, they can use it to drive a wedge between you and the Family, creating a rift."

"However, since you saw through the Wu Family's scheme yourself, it seems their plan has failed this time."

Xu Longpeng laughed heartily.

Hearing this, a look of contemplation flashed across Xu Yuan's face, and then he spoke in a deep voice:

"Father, I have a plan!"

"Oh?"

"Beat them at their own game!"