Family Cultivation: Rise of the Wilderness

Chapter 223 Seeking each other
Li Xiangming was very happy to have recruited Jiang Liang.

However, Jiang Liang was not accepted as a guest retainer of the Li family, and his salary was paid by himself, which was a considerable burden.

But that's not a problem; he has a large base of support in Puyin Mountain.

Just scrape off a little bit of grease.

The main issue is how to settle Jiang Liang, as Jiang Liang does not wish to appear before Master Lingwu.

This means that Li Xiangming cannot bring it with him.

Fortunately, Li Xiangming still had a foothold in Xiaolan Valley, and he planned to have Jiang Liang organize the Chi family to cultivate spiritual fields on a large scale.

"According to what Steward Li said, the Chi family doesn't have many cultivators, so it seems a bit unrealistic for them to want to open up a large-scale spirit field."

Jiang Liang astutely pointed out the flaw in it.

Li Xiangming pondered for a moment, then nodded in agreement: "This is indeed a difficult problem. However, I plan to recruit some kind-hearted rogue cultivators from Changyang Valley or Puyin Mountain to supplement the Chi family's strength."

"Will the Chi family agree to let rogue cultivators enter Xiaolan Valley?"

Jiang Liang spoke again, this was another issue that had to be considered.

How could the Chi family possibly agree to open their residence to outsiders?

"I have my own ways of getting them to agree."

Li Xiangming's expression was solemn: "But temporary agreement is not enough to solve the problem. The Chi family does not have enough strength to restrain these rogue cultivators. With both sides living in the same place, conflicts and contradictions are almost inevitable. Therefore, your task is to maintain the balance between the rogue cultivators and the Chi family cultivators and ensure that their power does not become unbalanced."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Liang gave a wry smile: "Manager Li is overestimating me."

This principle of balance is easier said than done.

"Brother Jiang has been in Lingwu Sect for many years, how could he not have any insights?"

Li Xiangming smiled slightly, full of confidence.

Unlike ordinary sect disciples, Jiang Liang has followed Master Lingwu since childhood.

However, Lingwu Sect is a newly established sect, less than ten years old, yet it already has over a hundred disciples.

Jiang Liang was involved in almost the entire process of building the sect, and his abilities and experience are beyond doubt.

With such absolute suppression of cultivation, it would be truly strange if they couldn't even manage an insignificant little Lan Valley.

Li Xiangming had always planned to expand the medicinal herb fields of Xiaolan Valley. With the help of the connections of Qingyang Temple, he hoped to turn Xiaolan Valley into a spiritual herb supply base like Green Cloud Cave, thereby gaining more benefits for himself.

However, as Jiang Liang said, Xiaolan Valley cannot maintain a large-scale spirit field on its own.

To achieve this, we must bring in outsiders.

However, this is also a threat to the Chi family.

If it weren't for Jiang Liang, he would never have brought this up.

"correct!"

After hesitating for a moment, Li Xiangming asked again, "Brother Jiang, have you ever considered founding your own sect?"

"To establish a sect?"

Jiang Liang looked astonished. "With my cultivation level, how could I possibly establish a sect?"

"Brother Jiang is being far too modest."

Li Xiangming chuckled and said, "Look at Pudong now, there are sect leaders everywhere, but how many of them truly surpass you in cultivation?"

"That's different. I don't want to mislead young people."

Jiang Liang shook his head again.

Seeing this, Li Xiangming stopped trying to persuade him.

Actually, the best solution would be for Jiang Liang to establish a sect and bring the rogue cultivators under his command.

He takes money to do things, and he works with the disciples of the sect.

The sense of belonging is very different.

From a management perspective, sects are also one of the best options.

However, establishing a sect is not a simple matter. It requires not only the strength to protect a region, but also wisdom, a sense of responsibility, and extremely high personal charisma.

Those hot-blooded rogue cultivators who raise a flag and call themselves sect leaders will find themselves unable to hold their positions for long.

Jiang Liang was clearly different from these people; he wouldn't act impulsively.

Seeing his reluctance, Li Xiangming did not force him.

The two continued their conversation and finalized the job details and compensation.
Subsequently, Li Xiangming took Jiang Liang to visit Li Qianhe.

I heard that Li Xiangming has been promoted to deputy director of the Foreign Affairs Department and is now my direct superior.

Li Qianhe was filled with melancholy.

He had worked hard for his family for decades, yet he was not as promoted as Li Xiangming, who had returned home and risen through the ranks in just ten years.

"I'll have to take good care of you from now on."

Li Qianhe's sour taste is authentic.

Li Xiangming was slightly taken aback, but then he understood Li Qianhe's feelings.

Li Qianhe was certainly happy for himself, but deep down he also felt a sense of resentment.

Because Li Qianhe was in his prime at that time.

He didn't say much, but directly stated the purpose of his visit.

Li Qianhe's tone became even more sarcastic: "Fine, fine, you've grown wings and now you're even investigating your father."

Despite this, he was still very cooperative and personally led Li Xiangming and Jiang Liang to inspect the various shops in the market. As they walked, he introduced them, saying, "Originally, we only had one spirit rice shop and one general store. Later, following the arrangements of our family, we partnered with Hua Lun to open a herbal shop."

"Soon after, with the support of the animal trapping house, he founded Ziqi Donglai."

"Three years ago, we partnered with Yuyuan to build Lingguang Pavilion, a place specifically for selling spirit pets."

"Last year, based on the adjustments made by the family and the city of Jinfang, we shut down the grocery store and transformed it into our Li family's stronghold in Pushuifang. We also closed the Lingmi store and renamed it Puyufang, where we sell Maojing."

"Currently, our Li family owns four shops and one business location in Pushuifang City, with one remaining shop vacant."

Li Xiangming nodded, expressing his approval of the family's business layout in Pushuifang City.

Lingmipu's income has been meager over the years, so closing it down is a wise move.

As for the general store, it was originally just a place where Li Qianhe and Li Xiangqing stayed, but now it has been transformed into the Li family's outpost, which is in line with the development of the situation.

The remaining Baicaofang, Ziqi Donglai, Lingguangge, and Puyufang each have their own unique features and profit points, making them all lucrative businesses.

After browsing around, Li Xiangming arrived at Puyufang and asked, "Are the Maojing from my family easy to sell in Pushuifang?"

"It sells well; Mao Jing has a market everywhere."

Li Qianhe led the two into the neighborhood and explained its layout in detail.

Li Xiangming glanced around casually and noticed that Puyufang's layout was rather simple, and he hadn't seen any customers for quite some time.

Li Qianhe explained, "We don't transport much Maojing (a type of mineral) to Pushuifang Market. We can only control sales to maintain relationships with some old customers, so there aren't many new customers. Our investment in Puyufang is also relatively small."

Li Xiangming nodded; he was aware of the matter as well.

Li Qianju, the manager of Shijinfang, had repeatedly applied to his family to increase the supply of Maojing in order to open up the market in Pushuifang.

However, all these proposals were suppressed by Li Qianxiong, and they were not even given the right to be discussed in the clan elders' meeting.

The reason is simple: Dai Shan has a greater need for the Mao Jing from the Li family.

Shengyimen not only offered prices 20% higher than the market price, but also served larger portions.

The Li family naturally couldn't give up Shengyi Sect or give up more spirit stones.

In fact, since the Zhenhun Sect and the Li family reconciled, the Li family still has to deal with the Zhenhun Sect's orders for Mao Jing (a type of medicinal substance), and even fewer can be transported to Pushui Market.

It will be difficult for Puyufang to play its due role in a short period of time.

Of course, in the long run, with the Li family developing the northern mines, the future of Puyufang is undoubtedly bright.

After leaving Puyufang, Li Xiangming and the others went to see the Purple Qi Coming from the East.

This restaurant is currently thriving and has already gained considerable fame, becoming the Li family's highest-earning business in Pushuifang City, without exception.

To support the "Auspicious Purple Qi from the East" initiative, the family even established a special "Spiritual Cuisine Room" to train their own spiritual chefs, ensuring that the restaurant's dishes were unique.

The Purple Qi Comes East is luxuriously decorated, a four-story building, resplendent in gold, and its capacity to accommodate far more customers than other shops.

There are six cultivators working here. Apart from two cultivators surnamed Li, the others are all cultivators from other surnames recruited from Pushui Market, mainly spiritual chefs.

“Puyin Mountain is famous and has all kinds of delicacies. We also benefited from it. When the guests heard that it was a monster from Puyin Mountain, they were very happy.”

Li Qianhe was smug; of all the shops he owned, he had devoted the most energy to Ziqi Donglai.

His strategy proved to be correct.

The monthly profit from Ziqi Donglai is no less than five hundred spirit stones. Although it is not as much as Mao Jing's income, it is more sustainable.

Li Xiangming was also pleased with this.

While the mining of Maojing is limited, Ziqi Donglai can be operated for a long time, becoming a stable source of income for the family.

Next, Li Xiangming arrived at Lingguang Pavilion, a shop jointly opened by the Li family and Yuyuan.

At that time, the Li family had no plans to sell their spirit pets.

Naturally, they wouldn't specifically open shops.

Cao Fuyi offered to donate 500 spirit stones to the Li family to establish the Lingguang Pavilion.

Furthermore, they do not want any operating rights or ownership of Lingguang Pavilion.

He simply hoped to borrow Lingguang Pavilion free of charge to sell his spirit pets.

Upon hearing this, the Li family exclaimed, "What a wonderful thing!"
I agreed almost without hesitation. However, things took an unexpected turn.

The Li family didn't actually lose money, but they were envious.

The spirit pets in Yuyuan are selling like hotcakes. A single spirit pet can fetch anywhere from a couple hundred spirit stones to four or five hundred spirit stones, or even more.

They only sold ten heads this month, and Yuyuan is making a killing.

The Li family could only watch helplessly.

You go to great lengths to sell the spirit pets in the shop, but the income isn't yours. Who understands that feeling?
At this point, Li Qianhe was heartbroken and cursed the Yuyuan vampires.

Li Xiangming smiled but didn't say anything.

Behind Yuyuan is the Cao family, which has a history of over a thousand years. Although this generation has declined somewhat and no Golden Core cultivators have emerged.

But its inherent strengths remain.

A family's heritage is definitely not limited to mundane things like spirit stones and magical artifacts.

It also boasts a rich cultural heritage and family wisdom.

No matter how corrupt or declining the Cao family may be, as long as their culture remains, intelligent people will continue to emerge.

Once these clever people gain power, they can at least ensure the Cao family's prosperity for one or two hundred years.

One or two hundred years later, new intelligent people will be born.

This is how a family with a thousand-year history has passed down its traditions from generation to generation.

Such a family might let others have some benefits, but it will never let itself suffer losses.

Lingguang Pavilion is a perfect example!
After visiting Lingguang Pavilion, Li Xiangming already had a clear understanding of the situation.

Shi Jinfang's work in Pushuifang is commendable.

Compared to at least ten years ago, the Li family's influence in Pushuifang City has greatly increased.

After confirming some figures with Li Qianhe, Li Xiangming felt he could report back to the family head.

Li Qianxiong was probably just saying it casually.

If he really wanted to investigate Pushui Market, he would never have sent himself.

Who doesn't know his relationship with Li Qianhe?

Thinking of this, Li Xiangming suddenly had a flash of inspiration and whispered, "Father, the family might send someone over again in the next two months."

"Still investigating?"

Li Qianhe was stunned, then realized what was happening.

Li Xiangming was a smokescreen set up by the family head.

The real messenger is yet to come!
Li Qianhe cursed inwardly, but was also a little scared. He secretly glanced at Li Xiangming.

Seeing this, Li Xiangming's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly asked, "You're not really up to something, are you?"

Li Qianhe wiped the sweat from his forehead and said in a low voice, "Working in the market inevitably requires bribing people everywhere. The budget given by the family is too small, so we have to be flexible. Otherwise, where would we get these shops?"

After a conversation, Li Xiangming understood.

Previously, the Li family did not care about Pushui Market and even gave up the income from it, leaving it to Li Qianhe as start-up capital for opening a shop in the future.

With spirit stones in hand, Li Qianhe and his group naturally felt very confident.

They handled things very well.

Especially when he opened the restaurant "Purple Qi Comes from the East", Li Qianhe misappropriated a large amount of spirit stones and advertised the restaurant everywhere.

In a very short time, the "Auspicious Purple Qi from the East" event was successfully launched.

However, when applying for the budget, his family felt that it was unnecessary to spend so many spirit stones and rejected Li Qianhe's application directly.

However, the spirit stones had already been spent, leaving Li Qianhe with a persistent deficit.

Not only is Ziqi Donglai like this, but apart from Lingguang Pavilion, which collaborates with Yuyuan, the other shops all have some problems to varying degrees.

Li Xiangming glanced helplessly at Li Qianhe: "The clan meeting is imminent, and this hole must be patched up. If you can't patch it up, then let me do it."

Li Qianxiong's decision to investigate Pushui Market was not a spur-of-the-moment thing.

Instead, a clan meeting is about to be held.

If the family's assets and income cannot be fully understood, then the clan meeting held every five years to make decisions is meaningless.

Therefore, the family has always been cautious about this matter.

Surprise inspections are a common occurrence.

Li Xiangming is only thirty years old, yet he has become the deputy hall master and a confidant of the family head, making his position sensitive.

If Li Qianhe runs into trouble, his position will definitely be affected, and he may not even be able to keep his current job.

Li Qianhe knew this too. He hesitated for a moment, then sighed and said, "I'll do it myself."

Upon hearing this, Li Xiangming said no more.

He believed that Li Qianhe knew what was going on.

Just as he was about to leave, a familiar voice suddenly came from outside the door. It was Cao Yanjun, whom he had parted ways with earlier.

"Young Master Li, please wait."

Cao Yanjun's voice was soft, yet carried a hint of heaviness.

Li Xiangming was somewhat surprised and asked, "What urgent matter does Miss Cao have to discuss?"

Cao Yanjun did not answer immediately, but instead gestured for Li Xiangming to follow her a little further away.

The two walked to a relatively secluded corner, and Cao Yanjun turned around, his face showing a hint of indescribable hesitation.

"Miss Cao, please speak freely."

Li Xiangming spoke in a gentle voice, taking the initiative to speak.

"I've come to you because I have a favor to ask. Do you remember Mumu?"

"I remember, he should have gone home by now, right?"

Cao Yanjun shook his head and said helplessly, "Xiaoya spent a lot of spirit stones to find Mumu and even incurred high-interest loans. Now she has no choice but to sell her cave dwelling, and now the two of them are homeless."

“Homeless?”

Li Xiangming was stunned, never expecting things to develop to this point.

Cao Yanjun continued, "Not only that, Xiaoya has been restless these past few days, which has delayed her work at Tianji Pavilion. Although Steward Xin agreed to help her find Mumu, he dismissed her without any mercy."

"The siblings are now not only homeless, but also have nowhere to go."

Upon hearing this, Li Xiangming frowned.

He knew that, according to the rules of the Bailu Sect, cultivators without a proper job or cave dwelling in Pushui Market could only stay for a maximum of three days.

If you exceed this time limit, you will be kicked out by the guards immediately.

They can only return after paying the city entry fee again.

Although the entrance fee is calculated per person, it is one spirit stone per person.

However, each stay is limited to a maximum of three days.

What's the point?

Repeatedly paying this spirit stone will only completely ruin a low-level cultivator like Nangong Ya.

What's worse is that nowadays, all sorts of people can be found outside the market.

If these people can abduct Nangong Mu, why can't they abduct Nangong Ya as well?
With Nangong Ya's cultivation level and the presence of a younger brother, leaving the market would not be easy for her.

Li Xiangming was silent for a moment before speaking, "What do you want me to do?"

He didn't have a deep impression of Nangong Ya and Nangong Mu.

Naturally, they also cannot deeply empathize.

In comparison, he cared more about Cao Yanjun's purpose in seeking him out.

Cao Yanjun said solemnly, "I came to you hoping that you could arrange for Xiaoya to work at Lingguang Pavilion. In return, I would like to give you a Demon Heart Grass."

Demon Heart Grass?
Li Xiangming's heart skipped a beat; this was a good thing.

Without the slightest hesitation, he immediately said, "No problem, I agree."

"Thank you very much."

Cao Yanjun breathed a heavy sigh of relief.

Li Xiangming smiled without saying a word. Arranging for Nangong Ya to enter Lingguang Pavilion was just a casual remark to him.

Cao Yanjun was clearly being overly cautious.

Even if she gives nothing, based solely on the relationship between the Li family and Yuyuan.

He won't refuse either.

Having obtained the Demon Heart Grass, Li Xiangming suddenly thought of something and couldn't help but ask, "Miss Cao, have you had any free time lately?"

Cao Yanjun nodded: "Yes."

Li Xiangming was overjoyed upon hearing this: "I wonder if Miss Cao would be willing to visit Danggui Mountain?"

"Angelica Mountain?"

Cao Yanjun was stunned for a moment, her face turning slightly red.

(End of this chapter)