Third Generation Talent Seeking Follow-up Reads

"Dezhao—a gentleman esteems virtue, and his conduct shines brightly."

"Zhao'er, a fine name."

Xu Chuan burst into laughter, took Xu Dezhao in his arms, and made a "gurgling" sound to amuse him.

Xu Mingyuan and the others each took a turn holding the child as well.

Xu Dezhao's birth meant they were no longer the youngest generation in the family; they had become elders.

A shift in status naturally brought a change in mindset.

That day, Xu Chuan again rewarded the maidservants, household guards, and retainers with half a month's wages.

Let them share in the joy as well.

That night.

The stars were like ink, indistinct and unclear.

Before long, a fine drizzle began to fall from the sky.

"Husband, Shitou has already married and had a child. Shouldn't we next consider A Yuan's matter?"

Bai Jing nestled in Xu Chuan's arms, suddenly lifting her head to look at his face.

"I've already spoken to him about this."

"Yes, but months have passed with no movement."

Bai Jing's voice carried a hint of grievance, and she added, "Didn't you say the Wu, Fang, Wang, He, and Cao families are deliberately targeting our Xu family?"

"I've made inquiries. The Wu family has a young lady just at the age of maiden bloom, the second daughter of the third branch of the patriarch's line. I hear she's skilled in martial arts."

"If the two families form a marriage alliance, it could settle A Yuan's lifelong matter and also secure the Xu family's position in Qingjiang County more firmly. What do you think, husband?"

"I know you mean well for A Yuan, but I still hope he finds someone he truly likes."

Bai Jing immediately grew displeased. "It's all your fault. You demanded they maintain personal integrity. They're all direct-line young masters of great families, yet they don't even have a single maidservant for intimate service. Otherwise, I'd have held my grandchildren long ago."

"And you made A Yuan take charge of such a vast family business at such a young age, while pushing him to practice martial arts diligently. When does he have time to find a wife?"

Xu Chuan gave a wry smile, pulled her close, and comforted her, "Alright, alright, it's all my fault as your husband. Let's do as you say. You go talk to A Yuan yourself."

"Thank you, husband." Seeing Xu Chuan agree, Bai Jing's expression shifted. "Husband, shall this concubine help you tonight?"

"I prefer to do it myself."

With that, he turned over and lay atop Bai Jing, and they engaged in a bout of passion.

After Bai Jing had fallen into a deep sleep, Xu Chuan summoned the family genealogy.

The third page of the genealogy had already grown, but it was blank. Only when Xu Dezhao dripped his blood into the genealogy would his information appear.

Though there was no information yet, Xu Chuan could sense the destiny talents that had been born.

There were seven in total: [Divine Farmer Hundred Herbs], [Golden Koi], [Nine Palaces Dao Derivation], [Sword Heart Clear Understanding], [Qi and Blood Furnace], [Swift Wind Chasing Lightning], and [Penetrating Obscurity Illuminating Microcosm].

"[Qi and Blood Furnace] is best suited for the martial path. [Swift Wind Chasing Lightning] excels at comprehending movement techniques, greatly increasing speed."

"[Penetrating Obscurity Illuminating Microcosm] sees through people's hearts and perceives the essence of things. This talent cannot be casually passed on."

"[Sword Heart Clear Understanding]—the sword path does not distinguish between martial and immortal dao; it applies to both. But one obsessed with the sword is unfit to manage a family."

"[Divine Farmer Hundred Herbs]—those with this destiny talent excel at planting, recognize the medicinal properties of a hundred herbs, and can even refine pills. It suits me quite well."

Xu Chuan had specialized in agriculture since childhood, and under [Heaven Rewards Diligence], he had become a great scholar of farming, equally skilled in planting.

If he gained [Divine Farmer Hundred Herbs], it would surely be like adding wings to a tiger.

Recognizing the medicinal properties of a hundred herbs would allow him to develop medicinal dietary formulas better suited to aiding the martial path, becoming a foundation for the family.

Once he became an immortal cultivator, he could also refine pills for the family.

"[Golden Koi]—a luck halo. I'll leave it for the children and grandchildren."

Xu Chuan shook his head with a wry laugh, feeling he was being too greedy.

"[Nine Palaces Dao Derivation]—excels at deducing formations. A great formation could become the family's founding cornerstone, but it's still a bit early for the current Xu family."

The next day.

Bai Jing arrived at Xu Mingyuan's courtyard. He had already risen and was practicing martial arts in his own yard.

A household guard stood to the side holding a sweat towel, while a maidservant carried a tea cup, waiting to serve Xu Mingyuan after he finished.

"Madam."

The guard and maidservant bowed as they saw Bai Jing approach.

Hearing the sound, Xu Mingyuan stopped his movements, turned his head, and smiled. "Mother, why are you here so early? Where's Father?"

"Practicing too. Look what he's turned this whole family into—everyone up at dawn, all the same."

Bai Jing shook her head and let out a soft sigh.

"Mother, Father leads by example, so we sons naturally follow suit. Or would you rather we brothers all turn out like those noble family young masters in Qingjiang County?"

"Of course not, I was just venting. Mother came over because she has something to tell you."

"Go ahead, Mother."

"I've picked out the second daughter of the Wu Family Patriarch's second branch for you. In a couple of days, I'll invite Madam Wu and the Wu Family young lady to the Xu Family as guests. You'll meet her."

"You want me to meet a Wu Family young lady?" Xu Mingyuan said with a wry smile. "Mother, you know full well the current relationship between the Wu Family and our Xu Family."

"That's precisely why I want you to meet her. If there's a marriage alliance, it's bound to ease the tension between us, and it'll take care of your lifelong matter at the same time."

"Does Father know? He promised I could find someone on my own."

Xu Mingyuan had no choice but to bring up Xu Chuan, hoping to escape this ordeal.

"I knew you'd say that." Bai Jing's lips curled into a smug expression. "I consulted your father about it last night."

"But—"

"No buts. This matter is settled. I'll notify you when the time comes."

Bai Jing raised a hand to stop him. She knew her second son had a silver tongue, capable of talking the dead back to life. If she let him speak, he'd probably convince her in just a few sentences.

Bai Jing left Xu Mingyuan's courtyard directly.

Xu Mingyuan was agitated and couldn't continue either. He wiped his sweat, took a sip of tea, and immediately went to find Xu Chuan.

Xu Chuan was currently cultivating the Five Elements Creation Technique.

From Yin to Mao, face east and swallow the azure mist; from Si to Wu, face south and drink the cinnabar; from Shen to You, face west and sip the white dew; from Hai to Zi, face north and lap the dark ice; from Chen, Xu, Chou, Wei, guard the Yellow Court.

This was the Qi Gathering Art.

Absorb the five elements, supplement the deficiency of the spiritual root, complete the Xiantian creation.

There was also Inner Vision Visualization and External Scene Interaction.

Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter—never ceasing through the four seasons.

"Father."

Xu Mingyuan came before Xu Chuan, cupping his hands in a bow. Xu Chuan didn't stop his movements or open his eyes, only speaking calmly, "What is it?"

"Father, with your wisdom, you're asking what you already know."

His voice carried a hint of frustration.

Xu Chuan wasn't bothered and chuckled. "What harm is there in meeting her? It's your own fault for being too slow."

"Feelings can't just come on command. They need fate."

"Indeed, and here comes your fate."

"Your big brother and your sister-in-law fell in love at first sight. Could it be you want to follow their example?"

"I—"

Xu Mingyuan opened his mouth but didn't know how to argue.

Love at first sight was enviable, but if he held out for that, he probably wouldn't meet anyone until he was thirty or forty.

After all, he was busy with the family business. The people he met outside were mostly heads of wealthy merchant households—a bunch of old men. Could he expect to fall in love at first sight with them?

"Your situation only leaves you with matches of equal social standing to consider," Xu Chuan said. "As for feelings, you can learn to love after marriage."

"Your mother and I were the same."

Xu Mingyuan found himself at a loss for words.

After a moment, he let out a heavy sigh. "I'll agree to the meeting, but I have one condition, Father. The final decision is mine."

"Naturally."

"Thank you, Father."

Having secured what he wanted, Xu Mingyuan then went to Xu Mingwei's courtyard and told him about it as well.

Xu Mingwei burst into laughter. "Mother is doing this for your own good."

"The Wu Family is indeed a fine choice."

"Even you, Big Brother, say that. Looks like I can't escape it."

Xu Mingyuan spread his hands and resigned himself to his fate.