Family Cultivation: Rise of the Wilderness

Chapter 218 Promotion
Changyang Valley.

After killing Ao Sheng, Li Xiangming was arranged by his family to cultivate in the valley.

Not only him, but many monks who participated in the operation were given leave and went into hiding.

Although doing so will have some impact on the operation of the family, it is worthwhile considering the risks.

If someone were to be accidentally set up outside and expose the Li family's plans, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Choosing the lesser of two evils, Li Xiangming thus gained three months of peaceful cultivation.

During this time, he continuously studied the array plate of the Nightmare God's Absolute Array.

After learning more, Li Xiangming was quite disappointed.

This item did not play the decisive role in the battle as he had initially hoped.

The fact that it pulls itself into a formation makes it unsuitable for combat.

If facing someone of similar skill level and with a resolute will, your trump card will instantly turn into a bad one.

However, Li Xiangming also discovered that it might have a remarkable effect on training his people.

The monsters in the Nightmare Divine Array feed on memories, which are mostly those of ancient cultivators who perished within the array. They possess all sorts of strange and bizarre spells and techniques.

Those who enter the battle formation can effectively improve their combat skills by fighting monsters.

Of course, those who enter the formation cannot stay in the formation for too long, otherwise they will become mentally and physically exhausted, and their lives will be in danger.

Based on these characteristics, Li Xiangming believed that it was entirely possible to allow cultivators at the Foundation Establishment stage or even higher to control the array plate and then cast the Nightmare Divine Absolute Array on juniors in the Qi Refining stage.

In this way, the master of the array plate is almost impossible to suffer backlash, and can kick the junior out of the array when they are in danger.

Perhaps this is the true purpose of this array plate.

"Brother Li, are you there?"

As Li Xiangming was pondering, a clear, crisp sound suddenly came from outside the door.

"Come in!"

Chi Youyan cautiously pushed open the door, peeked around tentatively, and then quickly went inside, where she began to skillfully wipe the tables and chairs.

For the past three months, Chi Youyan has been taking care of Li Xiangming's daily life.

Although Li Xiangming can live well on his own, a simple spell can make a room look brand new.

But Chi Youyan still insisted on cleaning manually, because it represented the Chi family's attitude.

Watching Chi Youyan's busy figure, Li Xiangming suddenly asked, "Youyan, would you like to learn alchemy?"

"Alchemy?"

Chi Youyan was stunned for a moment, then immediately realized what she meant and lowered her head: "I just want to stay by Brother Li's side."

This was the task given to her by Chi Jingchun and Chi Laiyong; it was her inescapable destiny as a member of the Chi family.

"You can also learn alchemy by my side."

Li Xiangming took out a jade slip, which contained the water-based alchemy technique given to him by the Qingyang Taoist.

He has already handed this item over to the family's library, and has gained a great deal of merit from it.

But he had a backup, thinking of making a deal with someone interested in this technique later.

As for himself, he has no intention of getting involved in alchemy.

"You are a water-elemental being with four spiritual roots, and you don't like cultivation, so learning some unorthodox methods is always a good thing."

Li Xiangming looked at Chi Youyan and said, "This is a rare water-based alchemy technique that ordinary people cannot obtain. I only brought it out because I trust you and the Chi family. If you achieve something, it will be of great benefit to you, the Chi family, and even me."

"Of course, if you don't want to learn, I won't force you."

"After all, alchemy relies on talent, and countless people have wasted their time on it."

Upon hearing this, Chi Youyan hesitated, for she had heard plenty of rumors about alchemists.

For a low-level cultivator like her, once she successfully learns alchemy, her status will immediately rise rapidly.

However, alchemy is an art that is easy to learn but difficult to master, especially water-based alchemy. Becoming an alchemist is no easy feat.
Moreover, once she got involved in alchemy, she had almost no time to stay by Li Xiangming's side.

Of course, there are fewer now.

The falling flowers are willing, but the flowing water is indifferent. Li Xiangming's heart is full of cultivation and his family, and he has never expressed any feelings of love for her.

She stayed in Changyang Valley, which meant she was wasting her time.

That's why Chi Youyan ran back to the Chi family last time. But Chi Laiyong couldn't understand her, or rather, even if he did, he wouldn't change her situation.

Thinking of this, Chi Youyan bit her lip and said earnestly, "I am willing to learn, thank you Brother Li for bestowing this method!"

"Ok!"

Li Xiangming handed over the alchemy technique to Chi Youyan and said, "I will have someone prepare an alchemy furnace for you. Water-based alchemy does not require earth fire, so it requires higher magical power. While you are studying alchemy, you must not give up cultivation."

"We can't afford to be as complacent as we are now."

“I promised your grandfather that I would protect the Chi family for twenty years, but whether the Chi family can continue to grow after me depends on Yong and you.”

After giving Chi Youyan some instructions, Li Xiangming was about to settle down and focus on his cultivation.

Suddenly, a familiar magical force swept across Changyang Valley.

"Fourth brother?"

Li Xiangming went out to greet them and immediately saw Li Xiangru and Li Qianyou beside him.

Li Xiangru stole a glance at Chi Youyan in the room and couldn't help but tease, "Xiangming, you're living a carefree life."

Li Xiangming smiled slightly and said nothing more.

Everyone in Changyang Valley knows that Chi Youyan has a close relationship with him, so explanations are useless.

"Why are you here? Did the head of the family give you an order?"

Li Xiangming asked curiously.

"There is indeed an order, but it's good news for you. The clan elders have approved your appointment and dismissal. From today onwards, you will be the deputy head of the Foreign Affairs Hall, and you won't have to stay cooped up in Puyin Mountain every day anymore."

Li Xiangru's tone carried a hint of bitterness.

Back when he was the deputy head of the police station, Li Xiangming was just a probationary member of the station.

Now we are on equal footing with him.

No, he is recovering from his injuries, but he does not hold any official position and his status is far lower than Li Xiangming's.

"I see."

Li Xiangming was also very happy, as the new position meant more resources and a greater say in family decision-making.

He had only recently broken through to the ninth level of Qi Refining, and it would still be a few years before he reached the Great Perfection of Qi Refining.

This is a good time to use the family's resources to find rare and precious materials or elixirs to subdue the evil Green Robe.

"Congratulations on your promotion to hall master, Uncle Qianyou."

After celebrating his own happiness, Li Xiangming immediately congratulated Li Qianyou, who was standing next to him.

Li Qianyou laughed and put his arm around Li Xiangming's shoulder: "We're old partners, no need for that."

Li Qianyou was once the deputy head of the Foreign Affairs Department, while Li Xiangming successively took charge of the Accounting Department and the Animal Catching Department. The two had worked together for a long time.

"From now on, the accounting office and the animal trapping office will be yours, while I will still manage the guest room and the market office. What do you think?"

Although he said it wasn't necessary, Li Qianyou was very polite to Li Xiangming, the rising star of the family, and even proposed to share the management of the Foreign Affairs Hall with him.

Li Xiangming hesitated for a moment, "Isn't this a bad idea?"

The head of the hall is the real leader. Although the deputy head of the hall has a higher position than the head of the hall, his main responsibility is to assist the head of the hall. If the deputy head of the hall directly manages the subordinate organizations, it will inevitably dilute the power of the head of the hall.

"It's alright. You're very capable, so you should naturally do more."

Li Qianyou, however, didn't care at all.

Having held a high position in the family for many years, he naturally understood the meaning behind Li Qianxiong's promotion of Li Xiangming to deputy head of the hall.

This Foreign Affairs Hall will eventually fall into Li Xiangming's hands.

She was merely a stepping stone for him to become the head of the hall.

Li Qianyou expressed no dissatisfaction with this.

Because it's obvious to everyone that Li Xiangming has the potential to reach the Foundation Establishment stage, and the family will do everything they can to nurture him.

Once Li Xiangming has established his foundation, his dissatisfaction will be meaningless.

It's better to do someone a favor so that you'll have an easier time in the future.

(End of this chapter)