Dragon soars and elephant tramples, dividing Yin and Yang,
Water and fire in harmony, forging True Astral Qi.
Three passes and nine apertures connect heaven and earth,
In every breath, perceiving the primal chaos.
Xu Chuan recited the general outline of the Minor Dragon Elephant Technique, finding it obscure and difficult to comprehend.
Fortunately, however, it came with matching breathing mnemonics and twelve movement forms.
The breathing mnemonic went: Inhale through the nose as the Dragon ascends to the Baihui acupoint; exhale through the mouth as the elephant sinks into the Yongquan Point. The Triple Burner acts like a furnace forging true fire, a single breath of Qi circulating through the Microcosmic Orbit.
Xu Chuan began to practice according to the moves and postures described above.
The first move: Awakening of the Young Dragon's Spine.
Feet shoulder-width apart; when inhaling, both arms push upward like dragon horns (middle fingers aligned with the Baihui acupoint); when exhaling, sink the elbows and press the palms down (Laogong point facing the Yongquan Point)...
As the saying goes:
When the Dragon raises its head, it draws in purple Qi; when the Tail-Gate drops to the ground, it stabilizes the eight directions.
The second move: Elephant Trunk Scooping Water.
In a horse stance; when inhaling, the right arm coils upward in a spiral like an elephant's trunk (palm facing the face); when exhaling, chop the palm downward to the left.
The third move: Fire Dragon's Tail Whip.
...
Over the course of several days, his progress was mediocre.
The only difference was that his appetite had grown even larger.
Xu Chuan had the Talent 【Dragon-Spirited and Tiger-Fierce】; in terms of physical fitness, Qi and Blood, and stamina, he was in no way inferior to a Martial Artist.
Yet he also vaguely felt that this Minor Dragon Elephant Technique was no simple matter, and it might take years of persistent effort to see results.
In the blink of an eye, the day of Xu Mingxuan's one-month feast arrived.
Xu Chuan got busy early in the morning, setting up a large round table in the courtyard.
If that wasn't enough, he could borrow more from next door.
In addition, there was a square table and benches exclusively for the children, handcrafted by Xu Chuan himself.
In the evening.
The husband and wife were both busy in the kitchen when they suddenly heard familiar voices.
"My father-in-law and mother-in-law are here."
"Go ahead, husband. The dishes are all prepped, they just need cooking now. I can handle the rest."
Xu Chuan nodded and went out to greet the guests.
"Father-in-law, Mother-in-law."
Xu Chuan began entertaining them. The two Little fellows, who had originally been in the main hall watching their baby brother, ran out upon hearing the voices as well.
"Grandpa, Grandma," the Little fellows called out happily.
"Shitou, come let Grandpa hold you."
"Oof, you've gotten quite heavy! You're a big boy now."
"Grandpa, Ayuan wants a hug too."
Bai Fu smiled and lifted Xu Mingyuan up as well.
"Where is Jing'er?" His mother-in-law looked around.
"She's in the kitchen."
"Then I'll go help Jing'er out. You two men can chat." His mother-in-law chuckled and headed toward the kitchen.
Bai Fu and Xu Chuan went to the main hall to look at the sleeping Xu Mingxuan, gently rocking the crib.
"This thing is quite convenient. San Shu, your craftsmanship is truly excellent."
Xu Chuan merely smiled faintly.
"Now you have Tantou as well. Any plans for the future?" Bai Fu asked.
"After the one-month feast, I plan to expand the house first. After that, I'll consider their schooling and martial arts training."
"Food, clothing, shelter, and transport are of the utmost importance to us commoners. Only then should one consider books and martial arts. Hearing that you have such plans puts my mind at ease."
"I will still need your guidance from time to time, Father-in-law."
"You, honestly..."
Xu Chuan's little bit of flattery pleased him immensely.
Soon after, his brother-in-law Bai Hua, his sister-in-law Bai Fang's family, Uncle Chen and his wife, and Chen Ergou's family all arrived bearing gifts.
The courtyard instantly became lively and full of joyous atmosphere.
Four or five children were horsing around, shouting and running about, while the adults sat and chatted.
Those gathered in the courtyard were all Xu Chuan's closest friends and relatives.
Once the banquet commenced.
Xu Chuan raised his wine cup and stood up, speaking in a clear voice, "Thank you all for gracing my son Tantou's one-month feast with your presence. Allow me to drink first in your honor!"
With that, he tipped his head back and downed the cup in one gulp.
Wiping the wine from the corner of his mouth, he added, "Everyone seated here is a close friend or relative of mine. No need for polite formalities—tonight, please enjoy yourselves to the fullest!"
"Brother-in-law, just make sure you don't skimp on your own wine tonight!"
"Bai Hua, since you've said so, neither of us goes home sober tonight!"
Hearing this, everyone burst into laughter.
Chen Ergou and his brother-in-law hurriedly toasted, clearly aiming to drink Xu Chuan under the table, while Uncle Chen and father-in-law Bai Fu merely took polite sips.
Xu Yan and Bai Fang asked about Bai Jing's recovery, and the women ate and chatted, catching up on everyday matters.
The feast did not disperse until the bright moon hung high in the sky.
By the time Bai Hua and Chen Ergou left, their legs were completely wobbly; had their wives not supported them, they would likely have collapsed onto the ground and fallen fast asleep right there.
Bai Jing was tidying up in the kitchen.
Worn out from playing, Xu Mingwei and Xu Mingyuan had also returned to their room and gone to sleep early.
Xu Chuan went into the main hall and walked over to the crib.
After a moment of silence, he turned his hand over, and a book with a black cover appeared in his palm.
This was the Bloodline Genealogy, currently only two thin pages long.
Turning to the second page, he fetched a needle, pricked Xu Mingxuan's fingertip, and let a drop of blood fall onto the genealogy.
Instantly.
A line of text appeared out of thin air on the second page.
【Xu Mingxuan: Xu family Second Generation】
【Spiritual Root: Incomplete Five Elements, No Immortal Cultivation Aptitude】
【Talent: None】
【bloodline: None】
Above it were the genealogy records for Xu Mingwei and Xu Mingyuan, which were identical.
Among ordinary commoners, someone possessing immortal cultivation Aptitude, a special Talent, or a bloodline was almost one in ten thousand.
Xu Chuan was not disappointed.
Having been pricked, Xu Mingxuan began to wail loudly, drawing Bai Jing over.
The genealogy sank into Xu Chuan's body and disappeared.
"What happened?" Bai Jing asked.
"He's probably hungry. You nurse him; I'll finish cleaning the kitchen."
"Then I'll leave it to you, husband."
After finishing their respective chores, Xu Chuan and Bai Jing finally got into bed.
Bai Jing pillowed her head on Xu Chuan's arm and wrapped her body around him, lying on her side.
"Husband, regarding the gifts from each family today, the others all gave twenty or thirty wen, but Ergou's family gifted a whole tael of silver. I felt that was rather unusual. Do you know why?"
"A tael?"
Xu Chuan was slightly surprised as well, then chuckled. "I understand now. Just accept it with peace of mind."
"Earlier, I made a deal with Chen Daming, trading my Azure Jade Pear cultivation insights for a superior Internal Force Secret Manual and ten Qi-Blood Pills."
"Ergou's family must have copied the insights as well. Perhaps feeling indebted, they did this."
"You sold the Azure Jade Pear cultivation insights?!"
Bai Jing was so shocked that she pushed against Xu Chuan's chest and sat up, staring at him.
"Husband, you're being foolish! This is something that could be passed down through generations—how could you sell it?"
"An Internal Force Secret Manual isn't worth that either, and whether you can even master it is another story!"
Xu Chuan raised a hand to playfully scratch her delicate nose and smiled faintly. "Don't worry. Have you ever seen your husband suffer a loss?"
"While the cultivation insights are indeed useful, it depends on who is planting them. Moreover, the more we try to hoard such things, the more people will covet them. One day, our family might even suffer calamity because of it."
"Do you remember what I told you about the Xu Family not long ago?"
"Now, with Uncle Chen's family providing cover, no one will harbor such intentions in the short term."
"They will likely wait to see the results of the Chen family's planting. If they fail to grow them, they will give up; if they succeed and others want them, I can simply sell to them then."
"I see. Husband, you are so clever."
Whether due to drinking too much wine that evening or having such warm, soft jade in his embrace, he only felt an unbearable, burning heat rising within.
"Wife, your husband worked hard all day today. Aren't you going to reward him?"
Xu Chuan took her soft hand and guided it across his chest.