Chapter 256: New Major Families
Each family has chosen its own unique approach to advancement, focusing on sustainable, long-term growth.
This measured and strategic expansion has started to bear fruit, allowing each family to make its mark on Nexara.
Many new families have risen to prominence, distinguishing themselves in unique ways that set them apart.
These families are different from the ones seen in the leaderboard as these families are ones that have come under the spotlight recently and have become some of the well-known figures.
For example, the Fang family has focused solely on controlling and bonding with spiritual beasts, training these powerful creatures to become a part of their family and fight alongside them.
This singular focus has turned the Fang family into a dominant force across the western continent of Nexara.
Unlike other families that seek power in numbers, the Fang family has taken a different path, nurturing a smaller number of highly bonded spiritual beasts.
Each of these beasts is practically considered a family member, with strong connections to their Fang partners.
Fang elders invest decades, sometimes even centuries, forming deep, lifelong bonds with these beasts and training them to become extensions of their own spirits.
These beasts, raised from a young age alongside Fang family members, are not merely tools of war.
They are trusted partners, companions who share in the family\'s triumphs and challenges.
The Fang family\'s unique approach to beast taming has granted them a formidable reputation as protectors of the wilderness.
Many smaller sects and families from across Nexara come to them for guidance on beast taming, seeking to learn from the Fang family\'s methods.
An incident on the southern continent further influenced the Fang family\'s methods, prompting many cultivators on the western continent\'s southern side to adopt similar cultivation styles.
These cultivators cultivate symbiotic relationships with spiritual beasts, mirroring the Fang family\'s approach.
Like beastmasters in RPG games, they gain power by leveling up alongside their beasts, fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose in their cultivation.
Another family that has risen in prominence is the Lei family, widely known for their unparalleled mastery in weapon forging.
The Lei family has dedicated itself to crafting high-quality weapons that often become family heirlooms for mid-level families across Nexara.
Each weapon forged by the Lei family is the result of years of meticulous craftsmanship, with Lei blacksmiths using rare materials and specialized techniques passed down through generations.
Weapons from Lei forges are famed for their durability and spiritual resonance, which allows them to amplify the user\'s natural strengths by channeling qi more effectively.
Lei artisans often spend years perfecting a single weapon, treating each project with a sense of devotion and patience.
They understand that a cultivator\'s weapon is more than just a tool—it is an extension of themselves, a part of their journey and growth.
This approach has earned the Lei family widespread respect. Despite the time required to produce these weapons, cultivators seek them out for the exceptional quality and reliability they offer.
The Lei family\'s reputation has grown not from numbers or rapid production but from the undeniable quality that each Lei weapon represents.
This has strengthened the family\'s hold on the western regions and earned them the respect of Nexara\'s top warriors.
In the northern territories, the Xiao family has expanded its influence through mastery of array formation, an ancient art that creates intricate, long-lasting protective and supportive formations.
The Xiao family\'s expertise in this field is recognized worldwide, as they are counted among the most renowned formation masters.
These formations are far from common or easily crafted; they require years of study, dedication, and a deep understanding of spiritual energy.
Each member of the Xiao family undergoes rigorous training from childhood, learning to blend their qi with formation techniques that enhance defensive power or aid in cultivation.
The Xiao family\'s arrays have become central to many of Nexara\'s large cities, offering protection from potential threats and fostering stability in the regions they shield.
This slow but steady growth has given the Xiao family a quiet yet deeply respected presence across Nexara.
Their formations are revered as some of the finest, second only to those crafted by the Xu family, whose methods are legendary.
On the eastern side of Nexara, the Qiao family has gained considerable recognition for their skill in medicinal alchemy.
Unlike other alchemists who mass-produce potions, the Qiao family focuses on crafting high-quality remedies that enhance spiritual resilience and vitality.
Their approach provides cultivators with gradual, lasting improvements, fostering long-term health and endurance.
The Qiao family\'s clinics are few, but they are known for their exceptional care and expertise.
Visitors from distant regions come to them, seeking long-term treatments and recovery methods that address deep-rooted issues.
The Qiao family\'s approach to medicine is unique, with complex formulas that often require years to perfect and mature.
These remedies treat ailments that can hinder a cultivator\'s progress, helping them eliminate hidden dangers within their bodies that arise from years of cultivation.
As a result, the Qiao family has a subtle but widespread influence, cherished by cultivators who value resilience and endurance over quick fixes.
The clinics operated by the Qiao family have become sanctuaries of healing. Their treatments cater not only to physical health but also to the spiritual well-being of the cultivators, creating a balanced approach to healing that many in Nexara deeply appreciate.
Further east, in the secluded valleys, the Zhen family has made a name for itself as the master of soul cultivation.
The Zhen family is dedicated to refining the strength of the soul, a skill that few have mastered.
They teach techniques that deepen inner resilience and clarity, strengthening the soul over a lifetime.
Members of the Zhen family begin their training from a young age, spending years in meditation and learning the art of Soul Harmony, a unique method that fortifies the soul so it can be used in battle.
They are known in Nexara for their deep focus on soul cultivation, choosing inner strength and calm over outward power.
Living in the peaceful eastern region called the Silent Halls, they spend years refining their souls through meditation and spirit work.
By adulthood, Zhen family members have a calm and resilience that few can match.
This approach to soul cultivation not only fortifies the soul—a notoriously fragile aspect of any cultivator—but also makes them skilled phycic masters.
Though their influence may be quieter than some other families, the Zhen family\'s methods have earned them great respect.
Their soul cultivation techniques bring a stabilizing and balanced force to Nexara, creating a deep sense of trust and admiration from other families.
Each family\'s growth reflects a deliberate, disciplined approach that emphasizes depth and quality over speed or scale.
Through their unique areas of expertise, the Fang, Xiao, Lei, Qiao, and Zhen families have become some of the most talked-about forces in the world.
They work with smaller sects and families, creating a stable network founded on mutual respect.
Rather than seeking dominance, each family has adopted a supportive role, allowing their skills and knowledge to benefit all of Nexara.
This collaborative approach has built a foundation that enhances the world\'s strength as a whole.
Smaller families, sects, and guilds have found their own places within Nexara\'s society, complementing the work of the larger families.
Many of these groups focus on niche areas like spiritual agriculture, defensive talismans, and artifact refinement. Their contributions, though seemingly minor, add immense value to the wider community.
The cities of Nexara have evolved to reflect the values of patience, skill, and shared progress.
Guilds and academies, established with support from the top families, offer training in cultivation, alchemy, and combat arts.
These institutions encourage common citizens to develop their potential, regardless of their background.
While many guilds operate independently, they form alliances with the top families, granting even those without notable bloodlines the chance to pursue cultivation paths.
Each city now serves as a hub for learning, with specialized academies where cultivators can train, refine their skills, and seek mentorship.
This network of guilds and schools ensures that anyone with determination can grow, balancing the power between families and independent cultivators alike.
Through their influence, the top families have also begun collaborating with smaller groups, creating a world where competition exists but is tempered by mutual respect.
Conflicts do arise, but they are often resolved diplomatically or through controlled sparring matches.
The slow pace of growth across Nexara reflects the collective understanding that haste can lead to downfall.
The families have learned that building a legacy requires patience, commitment, and foresight.
These foundational values have created a society where cultivators and common citizens alike can strive for greatness, united under the guiding influence of the great families.