"Xu, please tell me honestly: can he reach the Houtian Peak?"
Yang Shichang's expression was solemn as he asked in a deep voice.
Xu Chuan usually warned Xu Mingwei to keep a low profile, but after some thought, he nodded as well.
"Houtian Peak at eighteen. He truly has the Potential of a Grandmaster."
He was one year older than Xu Mingwei, yet he had only reached the level of a First-class Martial Artist.
Though the number of Acupoints that needed to be opened between First-class Martial Artist and Houtian Peak was not great, the difficulty was far from low.
"Xiantian is still a distant prospect, let alone Grandmaster," Xu Mingwei said with a sigh.
Yang Shichang smiled. "Actually, there is a shortcut to Xiantian. With Qi Gathering Pills, one can introduce qi into the body and comprehend the Power of Heaven and Earth, accelerating the path to becoming an Innate Martial Artist."
"That is how the outstanding disciples of the great Families in the Prefecture City do it."
"Qi Gathering Pills—how does one obtain them?"
"They are exceedingly rare in county towns. Even in the Prefecture City, they are controlled by the great Families. They require a cultivator's methods to refine, and a single pill costs three thousand taels."
"Furthermore, Qi Gathering Pills cannot guarantee that one will successfully comprehend the qi of Heaven and Earth. They only raise the odds slightly. Usually, one needs more than a dozen pills to have any hope of success."
"Even the most gifted person in the Prefecture City over the last ten years used three pills."
"Has no one succeeded in comprehending it on their own?" Xu Mingwei asked curiously.
"Of course there are such people, but it is very difficult. Among a hundred Xiantian in the Prefecture City, only one successfully comprehends it on their own." Yang Shichang glanced at Xu Mingwei and smiled. "Still, the earlier one breaks through in Martial Dao, the farther one can go in the future."
"After all, once one passes sixty, the blood and qi begin to decline. At that point, it is basically impossible to break through again."
"If our two Families become related by marriage, then with your talent, it would not be impossible for my father to obtain a few Qi Gathering Pills from the Lineage to help you break through."
The Yang Family thought highly of the Xu Family, and highly of Xu Mingwei.
But they would not provide precious resources such as Qi Gathering Pills for no reason. If they became relatives by marriage, however, that would be another matter.
"This matter still requires my Father's decision."
"Xu, you really are something. My sister admires you so deeply and refuses to marry anyone but you."
"Brother Shichang, who are you saying refuses to marry whom?"
Xu Mingshu's light laughter drifted over. A tall figure and a small figure came walking along the corridor ahead.
The taller one was graceful and slender, like a lotus rising from the water. The smaller one was lively and adorable, her crescent-moon eyes glinting with mischief.
They were Yang Ronghua and Xu Mingshu.
"Sister, I think Xu has no intention of marrying you. You should choose another fine Husband."
"Brother, what are you saying? Brother Mingwei would never betray me. We have long since pledged ourselves to each other."
Xu Mingwei and Yang Ronghua met each other's eyes and smiled faintly.
Over the past three years.
The Xu Family and Yang Family had grown quite close.
They visited each other often, and the juniors of both Families had become very familiar with one another.
Yang Ronghua and Xu Mingwei had both developed feelings for each other.
Everyone else saw it clearly and considered them a golden boy and jade girl.
"I would never let down Sister Ronghua." Xu Mingwei spoke as though swearing an oath. "I will break through to Xiantian as soon as possible, fulfill Father's requirements, and then bring Three Letters and Six Betrothals, ride in an eight-bearer bridal sedan, and marry Sister Ronghua into my home."
"Hahaha!" Yang Shichang suddenly burst into laughter. "Xu, you said that yourself."
"My Younger Sister and I will be waiting, then."
"Xiao Xueji, let's go see your Little White. We should not stay here and interrupt their heart-to-heart talk."
Xu Mingshu blinked. "Then let's go. It just so happens that I can show you how formidable Little White is!"
Yang Shichang sparred with Little White for a while.
Sure enough, he was no match for the Exotic White Tiger. After being thoroughly beaten around, he had Xu Mingshu clapping and cheering.
Of course, Xu Mingshu would not truly let Little White hurt him.
Otherwise, she would not be able to answer to his Godfather and godmother. Once they returned home, both girl and tiger would face severe punishment, and the White Tiger might even lose all chance to go outside again.
Before long.
Xu Mingwei and his Younger Sister returned to Dongxi Village.
The Xu Residence had now expanded to over a hundred mu. Its buildings were magnificent, and it had truly begun to possess the bearing of a great Family.
Xu Mingwei told Xu Chuan about the Qi Gathering Pills.
"I will discuss this matter with your Uncle Yang, and I will also have A Yuan make inquiries."
"As for marriage, you two are still young. There is no need to rush; waiting another year or two will be fine."
Xu Chuan smiled at Xu Mingwei. Xu Mingwei nodded. "Father is right."
"Make proper preparations for establishing the clan."
"This will be the great day when our Xu Family formally becomes one of the Qingjiang Noble Family."
"Shitou understands the importance of it."
That night.
Qingyun Street, Yang Family.
"Husband, what happened today that has made you so happy?" Madam Yang poured wine for Yang Zhao, curiosity written across her face.
"A letter arrived from the Lineage. A position has opened up in the Prefecture City, and we can return there."
"Really?"
"Uncle sent the letter personally. How could it be false?"
"Madam, let us drink a few more cups tonight."
"Yes, Husband."
After three cups.
Madam Yang took out an invitation. "The Xu Family had Mingyuan deliver this invitation. In half a month, they will establish their clan and open the Ancestral Hall, inviting us to attend the ceremony."
At those words, Yang Zhao's expression froze.
"What is it?" Madam Yang asked in surprise.
"The rise of the Xu Clan has been so swift! In the blink of three years, they are already establishing their clan," Yang Zhao sighed.
"It is indeed rapid. Yet the Xu Clan is no longer what it once was. Their foundation may not be deep, and their years are few and their clan members not yet numerous, but their wealth, strength, and network of connections are truly not to be underestimated," Madam Yang said with a nod.
"Once all five sons marry and establish themselves, the clan will immediately flourish, and its foundation will stand firm."
Yang Zhao agreed, but his expression was unlike before.
Madam Yang noticed the difference and asked, "Why is it that whenever the Xu Clan is mentioned this year, husband's expression changes? You were never like this in the past."
Yang Zhao sighed softly. "Uncle sent a letter today, ordering me to contend for the post of Prefectural Commandant. But there are many competitors, and the Chang Clan Families are watching like tigers eyeing their prey."
"To succeed, I must have the Wen Family's support."
"The Wen Family has produced several Prefectural Commandants. Though they cannot compare to the Chang Family or our Yang Family, they are still deeply rooted and broad-branched, with a profound foundation."
"Therefore, Uncle suggested that we form a marriage alliance with the Wen Clan."
"At present, I am the Yang Family's strongest candidate for the post of Prefectural Commandant."
"This is a good thing!"
Knowing that this concerned her husband's future, Madam Yang's eyes brightened with delight. "Chang'er has reached the age for marriage as well. It would be fitting for him to marry a woman of suitable age from the Wen Family."
"Wait, Husband, do you mean to marry Hua'er to the Wen Family?"
Yang Zhao nodded, his voice grave. "Chang'er and Hua'er will go together—one will marry, and one will be given in marriage. Both arrangements will be carried out at the same time."
"That way, our bond will become bond upon bond, and only then will the Wen Clan be willing to fully support my bid for Prefectural Commandant. With the Yang Family and Wen Clan joining hands, only then can this struggle for the post be foolproof."
"This..." Madam Yang's face suddenly showed the same expression Yang Zhao had worn earlier.
Though nothing had been formally stated, the Yang Family and Xu Family had long shared an understanding: when the time was right, Xu Mingwei would marry Yang Ronghua into his home.
Yang Zhao had always been fond of the idea of forming a marriage alliance with the Xu Family. Moreover, Xu Mingwei possessed both virtue and ability, making him an excellent match for Yang Ronghua.
Yet now, faced with this choice, he found himself caught between his future and his daughter's happiness.
"But Hua'er... Chang'er told me that the two are deeply in love. They have already sworn vows as vast as the sea and firm as the mountains, to the point where he will marry no one but her, and she will marry no one but him."
"Nonsense! What do children know of the ways of the world? How could there be vows that last forever?"
Yang Zhao slammed his hand down on the table, his voice stern and fierce. It was impossible to tell whether he was angry that his daughter had privately pledged herself for life, or grieving that his future required him to sacrifice her happiness.
"Husband, is there truly no other way?"
Madam Yang loved her daughter dearly. Thinking of how Hua'er would be heartbroken upon hearing such terrible news, tears welled at the edges of her eyes.
"And how could I not cherish Hua'er?"
Yang Zhao was helpless as well. With a long sigh, he said, "But even if I were willing to abandon my future, how could I answer to Uncle and Father? This matter does not concern me alone. It concerns the rise and fall of the entire Yang Family.
The Yang Family raised and taught me. How could I turn my back on my clan?"
"Why not say only that Chang'er has yet to be betrothed, while Hua'er has already been promised to someone else? The betrothal gifts have been delivered, and all that remains is to choose an auspicious day for her to marry into his home. Husband has always thought highly of the Xu Family, saying that it will surely become Qingjiang's Top Clan in the future.
If Hua'er is married to the Wen Clan, a rift may arise in the relationship between our two Families, and the efforts of many years will all go down the drain.
Husband, please think it over again and again."
Yang Zhao heard this and pondered for a long while before saying, "Madam is right.
The Xu Family possesses extraordinary potential. One day, it may not fall short of our Yang Family.
Tomorrow, I will return to the Prefecture City and discuss with Uncle whether another eligible woman from the clan can be married to the Wen Clan, or whether a daughter can be adopted under my name and married in Hua'er's place."
Hearing this, Madam Yang broke into a smile.
Before you continue