"Father, ever since Dragon Elephant Martial Arts School made its name in a single battle, many lineages have drawn close to our Xu Family. They've even sent their own disciples to train at Dragon Elephant Martial Arts School. There are sixty or seventy apprentices there now."
Xu Mingyuan looked at Xu Chuan in the Patriarch's seat in the main hall, unable to hide the joy on his face.
"What about Director Gu?"
"Director Gu is naturally selecting youths suited to Dragon Elephant Sect's inheritance." Xu Mingyuan lifted his teacup and took a shallow sip before setting it down. "But his standards are quite high. He hasn't found anyone suitable yet."
"What about that child Li Zhi? Is he still at Heavenly Dragon Martial Arts Hall?"
"I had him leave a few days ago. He's entered Dragon Elephant Martial Arts School now."
Xu Chuan nodded. "Li Zhi's talent is a little better than Tantou's. If he's trained by the standards of the Xu Family Direct Lineage, becoming Xiantian won't be a problem. He may even reach Innate Perfection, perhaps even challenge Grandmaster."
"You can have Director Gu train him well. If he thinks highly of him, Li Zhi may also take him as Master and deepen their relationship."
Xu Mingyuan was somewhat surprised. He had not expected his father to value Li Zhi so highly. Cupping his hands, he said, "Father truly sees far ahead and plans deeply. Your son admires you."
"By the way, has the blacksmith's shop been established?"
"Yes."
"Then have them forge a strong bow suitable for an Innate Martial Artist. Spare no expense with the materials. Whatever they need, find it for them, but remember to keep it secret."
"So that's how it is." Xu Mingyuan chuckled.
"You think you know again." Xu Chuan looked at his second son and shook his head with a smile.
"Other than Big Brother, who else in the family practices archery?"
"This is a gift for your brother. Will two months be enough?"
"Two months is more than enough, but..." Xu Mingyuan put on a wronged expression. "I haven't received a gift from Father since I grew up."
"This is not merely a gift. It is another hidden card of our Xu Family.
Shitou has reached Xiantian, and his strength has grown even greater. The Black Iron Strong Bow from before is already somewhat inadequate. Only something more powerful is worthy of him and can bring his strength to its fullest."
Xu Mingyuan was curious. "How strong can Big Brother be with a bow and arrows?"
"At long range, he should be able to kill a Late-Innate martial artist."
"Gasp—"
Hearing this, Xu Mingyuan's eyes widened in disbelief, and he drew in a sharp breath.
Xu Chuan was not speaking empty words when he made this estimation.
Though Innate True Qi was powerful and could leave the body, its range was limited. The farther it traveled, the weaker its power became.
Yet with Xu Mingwei's talent and mastery in archery, he could suppress Innate Martial Artists with his bow from several miles away, while they could not harm him in the slightest.
With his Innate Divine Strength, he could draw his bow and fire arrows for long periods. Arrows of that power and speed were also extremely difficult for Innate Martial Artists to evade.
One slight misstep, and they would be severely wounded or even killed.
"Such a trump card truly cannot be exposed lightly."
Xu Mingyuan trusted Xu Chuan, and his expression turned serious as well. "Father, leave this matter to me. I will definitely have them forge a strong bow that Big Brother likes."
Over the past two months.
Every lineage in Qingjiang County remained calm and peaceful.
The Xu Family's various businesses also developed steadily.
The tenth day of the eleventh month.
Xu Chuan gave Xu Mingwei the treasure bow Xu Mingyuan had commissioned.
"Big Brother, this treasure bow is truly rare. It took nearly two months to forge, and consumed no small amount of precious materials.
Its bow body was forged from a composite of Thousand Year Cold Iron and Water Sinking Wood, combining hardness and flexibility. Delicate frost flower patterns were carved into its limbs, inlaid with silver thread. Its bowstring was made from the finest Snow Silkworm Silk, while Lantian Jade was set into the bow's nocks."
Xu Mingwei gently stroked the treasure bow, his eyes filled with delight.
"As for these arrows, they are no ordinary things either. Their shafts are likewise forged from Thousand Year Cold Iron, and their fletching comes from the Exotic Silver Eagle. These feathers are light yet resilient, every one gleaming silver white. Their arrowheads are polished from obsidian, incomparably sharp."
"Second Brother, they sound extraordinary just from hearing about them." Xu Mingxuan said enviously. "I want one too."
"Then you'll have to ask Father. He was the one who had me make it. Besides, do you even know archery?"
Xu Mingxuan was instantly left speechless.
"Thank you, Father, and thank you too, A Yuan. I like it very much." Xu Mingwei spoke with heartfelt joy.
Xu Chuan smiled faintly. "Give it a name."
"This bow feels icy cold to the touch, so I'll call it the Frost Bow. As for these arrows, their silver feathers fly together, enough to pierce clouds and split the sky. They shall be called Cloud Piercing Arrows."
"Frost, Breaking Clouds. Good names." Xu Chuan said with a smile, "Father hopes you can use this bow and these arrows to guard the Xu Family and shoot through the hearts of our enemies."
"Yes, Father."
A little over a month later, it would be the Yearly Sacrifice.
After the Yearly Sacrifice, Xu Mingwei would reach twenty years of age.
At this time, Yang Ronghua was also nearing her delivery date, and the midwife had long since moved into the residence.
Half a month later.
Yang Ronghua gave birth to a son.
Xu Mingwei paced back and forth outside the room. Hearing the heart-rending cries coming from within, sweat streamed from his forehead in anxiety.
Even fighting an Innate Martial Artist had never left him like this.
His eyes were filled with worry.
Xu Chuan pointed at him and chuckled. "Madam, look at him. Your husband was just like that before, anxiously running around in circles outside. Now it's Shitou's turn."
Bai Jing pinched him hard. "Husband, be serious."
"Let go, let go. My mistake."
Xu Mingwei tried several times to rush inside, but Xu Chuan stopped him every time.
Xu Mingyuan was busy in Qingjiang County, while Xu Mingxuan and the others were all at Dragon Elephant Martial Arts School, returning to Xu Family Mansion only once every six or seven days.
Because Yang Ronghua was giving birth, Xu Chuan specially sent guards to call them back.
More than two hours later.
The doors opened, and a maidservant came out with a smile. "Patriarch, Madam, Young Master, the young madam has given birth to a little young master."
"Good, good, good!" Xu Chuan burst into laughter. Turning to Xu Mingwei, he said, "Hurry in."
Without another word, Xu Mingwei rushed into the main room. He did not even have time to look at the child before he arrived by the bed like a gust of wind, brushed aside Yang Ronghua's sweat-soaked hair, and tightly clasped her hand.
"Madam, you've worked hard."
Yang Ronghua smiled faintly. Although the Qi and Blood Pill had replenished her blood and vitality, she still looked utterly exhausted, her face somewhat pale.
At this moment, Xu Chuan and Bai Jing also entered.
Bai Jing took the infant wrapped in fine silk from the midwife's hands. Her eyes brimmed with affection as she gently rocked him. "My eldest grandson."
Xu Chuan also came over for a look, then said to Yang Ronghua, "Rest well."
"Yes, Father."
Shortly afterward.
Xu Mingwei's siblings arrived one after another.
"Has my eldest nephew come out yet?" Xu Mingyuan shouted boisterously before he had even entered.
"Keep it down. If you wake my eldest grandson, be careful or I'll throw you out."
"Father, now that you have a grandson, you don't love me anymore." Xu Mingyuan made a face. "Sure enough, love can be transferred."
"Hahaha!"
The others all burst out laughing.
"Let me see." Xu Mingshu leaned her head closer, then softly said, "I'm your Aunt. Call me Aunt."
"He was just born. How could he speak?" Bai Jing said with a smile.
"Shitou, have you decided what to name him?"
Xu Mingwei said, "According to the generational inheritance you established: 'Bright virtue reveres learning, auspicious fortune flourishes in brilliance; uphold goodness forever, and the world's blessings shall stretch far.' They belong to the De Generation."
"I hope that in the future, this child will become an upright and open man whose virtue shines brightly."
"Let him be called Xu Dezhao."
The Third Generation Talent was finally about to appear.
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