Family Cultivation: Rise of the Wilderness

Chapter 298 Inheritance and Sect Leader

Li Xiangming's primary purpose in coming to Hao County was to find the Enlightenment Spring.

But losing contact with Lee Sang-in was something he hadn't anticipated.

Li Xiangren was not only a member of his clan, but also a powerful assistant in the struggle for the Enlightenment Spring.

If his cousin had been around, he wouldn't have acted so timidly.

Therefore, finding Li Xiangren was also his top priority.

However, things developed too quickly, leaving him no time to consider the issue.

Even now, Fairy Green Cloud is in seclusion recuperating from her injuries, and it's still unknown when she will emerge.

He then had the idea again.

With Li Xiangming's support, Zhang Min was very happy and began to plan the route into Green Cloud Cave.

Just then, a faint voice called out: "Come here!"

"It's Master!"

A look of surprise flashed in Zhang Min's eyes. Ignoring her injuries, she hurriedly got up and ran towards the source of the sound.

Li Xiangming didn't dare to be negligent and followed closely behind. The two of them arrived at the hot spring cave together.

The restrictions on the cave entrance had disappeared, and Fairy Green Cloud was meditating cross-legged in the hot spring beneath the alchemy furnace.

"Master, you've emerged from seclusion?"

Zhang Min immediately stepped forward and carefully helped Fairy Green Cloud up from the hot spring.

Green Cloud Fairy looked extremely haggard. She slowly stepped out of the hot spring, her damp clothes being dried by her magic, rising into wisps of mist, making her look ethereal.

Li Xiangming turned his head to show respect, but just as he looked away, Fairy Green Cloud's voice rang out again: "Xiangming, how are your injuries?"

"I'm fine, I have some internal injuries, but they don't affect my mobility."

Li Xiangming confessed truthfully.

His injuries mainly came from the Six Yin False Divine Finger and Zhao Yue's thunder magic.

Both of these caused considerable damage to his meridians.

Although he took medicine to treat his internal injuries and practiced breathing exercises several times afterward, his condition only improved somewhat.

To fully recover, you need to rest for at least a year and a half.

And this is a condition that can only be met upon returning to the Li family.

So for the past few days, he has ignored his injuries and focused all his energy on absorbing spiritual energy to restore his magical power.

Upon hearing this, Fairy Green Cloud nodded and replied, "You can stay here, and I will help you heal."

"Then what will you do, Master?"

Li Xiangming was very surprised and couldn't help but turn around.

He could tell that Fairy Green Cloud was not in good condition.

Fairy Green Cloud was silent for a while before shaking her head: "My body is already at its limit and is not worth further treatment."

"what?"

Zhang Min, who was standing nearby, exclaimed in astonishment. She quickly grabbed Green Cloud Fairy's arm, her eyes filled with disbelief: "Master, what nonsense are you talking about?"

Li Xiangming also stood there, stunned and at a loss.

Green Cloud Fairy gently patted Zhang Min's hand and sighed, "Little Min, I know my own body best. I underestimated the leader of the Mang Sect; his strength far exceeded my imagination."

"How...how could this be?"

Zhang Min's voice trembled; she clearly could not accept this outcome.

These past few days she had been hoping that her master would emerge from seclusion and lead the remaining disciples to reclaim the Green Cloud Cave's territory.

She had so much more to say, about her innermost thoughts, the conspiracy of Shanyun Sect, and Shao Zhen's betrayal.
But now, it seems it's all too late.

She had always regarded her omnipotent master, the pillar of Green Cloud Cave, as someone about to fall.

Thinking of the twists and turns and hardships she had experienced these past few days, Zhang Min felt as if all her strength had been drained away. She collapsed to the ground, tears streaming down her face: "Master, you will be alright."

Seeing Zhang Min like this, Fairy Green Cloud felt a mix of emotions.

She gently wiped away Zhang Min's tears, her voice soft: "Life and death are predestined, there's no need to be too sad. I've dedicated my life to pursuing the Dao, working diligently, yet I've only lived for a little over 150 years. Now that I think about it, I should have spent more time with you all."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Min could no longer hold back her tears and cried uncontrollably.

Helpless, Fairy Green Cloud looked at Li Xiangming and continued, "Xiangming, my days are numbered. I called you here today to give you my last instructions."

Li Xiangming was still trying to process this sudden news.

He never expected that the powerful Fairy Green Cloud would be so badly injured by Hou Xianbo's divine thought avatar.

Recalling the scene outside Changyang Valley years ago, Li Xiangming couldn't help but feel a lingering fear.

If Li Qianxiong hadn't chosen to compromise back then, the Li family would probably have lost a Foundation Establishment expert.

"Master, is there really no other way?"

Li Xiangming snapped out of his daze and quickly said, "I know of a Blood Aperture Stone. If Master needs it, I am willing to borrow it."

"Bloodstone?"

A hint of surprise flashed in Fairy Green Cloud's eyes. "This item is indeed a treasure for healing. If I really have it, my injuries might be able to recover by 70% or 80%."

Zhang Min immediately replied with a sob in her voice, "Master, Junior Brother Li and I will go find the Blood Aperture Stone for you right away..."

"No need."

Green Cloud Fairy gently waved her hand, interrupting Zhang Min's words, "If it's just to prolong my life, I have my own way. But Hou Xianbo has already destroyed my foundation, and my dantian is riddled with holes. Even if it can be repaired, my cultivation in this life will hardly make any progress, and it may even regress to the Qi Refining stage. For me, such a future is not as good as passing away now."

"But……"

Zhang Min wanted to say something more, but Green Cloud Fairy's gaze made her stop speaking: "Little Min, don't embarrass your teacher."

Zhang Min opened her mouth, but couldn't say anything more.

Fairy Green Cloud continued, "After I die, keep everything simple and bury me in this underground cave. What I worry about most is Green Cloud Cave."

"Green Cloud Cave is not only the culmination of my life's work, but also the important place where I passed on my master's mantle. I don't want to see it disappear like this."

Green Cloud Fairy turned her gaze to Zhang Min, "You are my true disciple, with considerable prestige in the sect, and your talent and cultivation are also quite outstanding. I originally intended to pass the position of sect leader to you."

"But now Green Cloud Cave is facing a crisis. The disciples are scattered, their fates unknown, and even the spiritual veins may have been seized by outsiders. You are gentle and kind, and being a woman, it may be difficult for you to use ruthless methods to completely win people's hearts. Therefore, I plan to pass the position of sect leader to Xiang Ming. His cultivation is comparable to yours, and it is only a matter of time before he reaches the Foundation Establishment stage. He has been working hard for Green Cloud Cave these past few days, which shows his sincerity. With the Li family as your backing, even if it is difficult to take back Green Cloud Cave for the time being, you can take shelter from the storm in the Li family for the time being."

"I?"

Li Xiangming was greatly shocked, just as shocked as when he heard the news that Fairy Green Cloud was about to pass away.

He couldn't help but say, "I am only a nominal disciple of Green Cloud Cave."

"In the face of strength, status is worthless."

Fairy Green Cloud glanced at Li Xiangming: "Although Xiaomin has the status of a true disciple, as long as she fails to establish her foundation, it will be difficult for her to convince everyone. But you are different. You have the support of the Li family behind you, so you can use their power to your advantage."

Upon hearing the phrase "borrowing the tiger's power," Li Xiangming looked somewhat embarrassed.

But as Fairy Green Cloud said, after Zhang Min left Green Cloud Cave, she was just an ordinary Qi Refining Level 9 cultivator. Even if the disciples were willing to believe in her, what could she lead her fellow disciples to do?

Handing over the leadership to Li Xiangming would be completely different. It would allow them to seek strong support and reclaim Green Cloud Cave, or they could move to Dangui Mountain and have the means to make a living.

Nevertheless, Li Xiangming was still quite surprised.

He did nothing, yet he picked up a sect leader as a nominal disciple.

Moreover, as a member of the Li family, even after becoming the head of the Green Cloud Cave, he would still prioritize the Li family.

Fairy Green Cloud couldn't possibly be unaware of this.

This is as surprising as Qingyang Daoren handing over Qingyang Temple to Li Xiangshu instead of Sun Siyan.

"You don't want to?" Seeing that Li Xiangming did not agree for a long time, Fairy Green Cloud's eyes narrowed.

Li Xiangming quickly came to his senses and replied, "This disciple is willing!"

After saying that, he secretly glanced at Zhang Min, feeling a little guilty.

After all, this position should have belonged to my senior sister.

But gaining a Green Cloud Cave for free would be of great benefit to both him and the Li family.

Moreover, this was decided personally by Fairy Green Cloud, so he had no reason to refuse, whether in terms of status or morality.

"it is good!"

Fairy Green Cloud took out a token that was neither gold nor stone from her storage bag and handed it to Li Xiangming, saying with satisfaction, "From today onwards, you will be the head of Green Cloud Cave."

Li Xiangming took the token. The front of it was inscribed with the three large characters "Green Cloud Cave," while the back had some exquisite engravings.

Is this the sect leader's token of Green Cloud Cave?

Li Xiangming respectfully prostrated himself on the ground: "This disciple will certainly bring glory to the sect and revitalize Green Cloud Cave."

Green Cloud Fairy's expression was solemn as she continued, "If I have the chance, I want you to kill Hou Xianbo, wipe out the Mang Cult, and avenge me."

In this situation, Li Xiangming naturally could not refuse, and immediately responded loudly: "This disciple is irreconcilably opposed to the Mang Cult, and will definitely find a way to eradicate the Mang Cult in the future."

"very good!"

Fairy Green Cloud seemed quite satisfied and nodded. Then she turned to Zhang Min and said, "Xiao Min, don't blame your master for being biased. I've only known your junior brother Li for a few days. This is the best arrangement for Green Cloud Cave."

Zhang Min's face was still wet with tears. She knelt down and said in a choked voice, "This disciple dares not disobey Master's orders and will obey Master's arrangements in everything."

Fairy Green Cloud nodded gently, then took out a long sword and handed it to Zhang Min: "This sword is called 'Plain Shadow'. Although it is a mid-grade magic weapon that I have long since abandoned, it was a coming-of-age gift from my master. My master used this sword to encourage me to cultivate. I think that I have not given you anything over the years, so today I will give this sword to you, hoping that you will not forget your original intention and continue to cultivate."

"Master, I."

Zhang Min burst into tears.

Fairy Green Cloud waved her hand: "Take it, and then let me and your Junior Brother Li have some things to discuss."

Zhang Min knew this was a crucial moment concerning the succession of the sect leader. Despite her reluctance, she forced back her tears and staggered away with 'Su Ying' in her arms.

Looking at Zhang Min's haggard figure, Li Xiangming couldn't help but sigh.

He knew that from Zhang Min's perspective, the pressure she was under was enormous.

Ultimately, she did not receive the reward she deserved.

"come here."

The voice of the Green Cloud Fairy rang out again.

Following her instructions, Li Xiangming stepped into the hot spring and sat down cross-legged.

The array in the hot spring was activated, and the spring water became scalding hot with rising steam. Even Li Xiangming, a cultivator at the ninth level of Qi Refining, couldn't help but feel uncomfortable.

The Blackwater Serpent seemed to sense the discomfort as well, and it emerged from his Taoist robe and crawled onto his neck.

"Your spirit pet is quite good."

Green Cloud Fairy made a comment.

Although Li Xiangming was grimacing from the burns, he understood that the spiritual energy contained in the spring water was very beneficial to cultivation, so he endured the pain without daring to complain.

Upon hearing Fairy Green Cloud's words, he asked curiously, "Master, can you tell its origins?"

The Blackwater Serpent is a rare and powerful monster, but descriptions of it are mostly of its adult form, which is enormous. Very few people have actually seen what it looks like as a cub.

Although there are many secrets about cultivation, the physical characteristics of the Black Water Serpent from its cub to adulthood are recorded in detail.

However, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of snakes with features such as black back, white belly, and inverted triangle shape.

If it weren't for Chi Jingtong's accurate intelligence, even if Li Xiangming saw the Blackwater Serpent, he wouldn't dare to think it was a strange beast.

Fairy Green Cloud clearly hadn't thought too much about it. She shook her head and said, "When I saw it chasing the Enlightenment Spring before, I knew it was no ordinary creature. Now that it can sense the temperature of the spring water, it's enough to prove that this demon is extraordinary."

"Temperature?" Li Xiangming asked in surprise.

Fairy Green Cloud smiled slightly: "The formation beneath your feet is called the Flame Spirit Refining Heart Formation. Those who are sensitive to spiritual energy will feel even hotter in this formation, as if they are in a refining furnace, but at the same time, the effects of cultivation will be more significant. Conversely, those who are not sensitive to spiritual energy, or mortals who cannot absorb spiritual energy at all, will feel no different temperature in this formation than usual."

"I see."

Li Xiangming finally understood why Fairy Green Cloud didn't enter the spiritual vein, but instead hid in this underground cave to cultivate.

While the spiritual energy within a spiritual vein is abundant, it is generally unusable by ordinary people.

Just like when he was in seclusion in the Daigo Cave, although spiritual energy was everywhere, he could only absorb a tiny fraction of it.

For a Qi Refining cultivator like him, there is not much difference between cultivating on Tailai Peak and in Tihu Cave.

The reason for insisting on the Nigu Cave is, of course, related to the cultivation environment.

In the Awakening Cave, he could feel more at ease, free from external interference, and with the personal guidance of Li Huinan, a cultivator at the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment, where else could he find such treatment?
However, the Flame Spirit Heart Refining Array fundamentally improves the efficiency of cultivation.

It can accelerate the flow and activity of spiritual energy within the formation, indirectly enhancing the efficiency of cultivators in absorbing spiritual energy.

This is similar to the effect of the Spirit Gathering Array, but the effect of the Flame Spirit Refining Heart Array far surpasses that of the Spirit Gathering Array, at least ten times greater.

No wonder they had to endure such intense heat.

With the Flame Spirit Refining Heart Array as its foundation, and combined with the natural spiritual spring in the underground cave, Fairy Green Cloud's cultivation efficiency is so high that even spiritual vein lands can hardly match it.

Li Xiangming really wanted to know who set up this formation. If he could bring the technique of the Flame Spirit Refining Heart Formation home and have Li Xianghua set it up in the Tihu Cave, it would definitely bring about earth-shattering changes to the cultivation environment of the Tihu Cave.

Before he could speak, Fairy Green Cloud tossed out an exquisite jade porcelain bottle and said, "The sect leader of Green Cloud Cave cannot rely solely on the Li family's magic. I will teach you some of the sect's secret techniques, but before that, you must heal your injuries."

Upon hearing this, Li Xiangming felt a surge of excitement.

He had long coveted Fairy Green Cloud's magic, and he felt that both the Six Yin Divine Finger and the spell to release the dragon were very suitable for him.

Unfortunately, he was just a nominal disciple before, and had never even heard of cultivation, let alone practice it.

As for the Li family's library, it doesn't have such advanced water-based magic.

To date, the most powerful single-target spell he has mastered is "Phantom Waves," which he learned from Li Xiangcheng.

This spell, which was originally just a fancy trick, has become his unique trump card after ten years of research and improvement, incorporating more illusion elements.

"Thank you Master!"

Li Xiangming hurriedly thanked him and then untied the flower-shaped lid of the porcelain vase.

There was only one pill in the bottle, but it was unusually large, almost the size of a duck egg.

"This is?"

Li Xiangming exclaimed in surprise; he had never seen such a large pill before.

The Green Cloud Fairy's voice carried a hint of reminiscence: "This pill is called the Ginseng and Harmony Pill. It was left by my master and has miraculous effects on cultivation and healing. When I was injured two years ago, I was reluctant to take it. I never expected that I would later obtain your Yellow Dragon Pill. Perhaps this is a predestined fate. Now this pill is of little use to me, so I am giving it to you. I hope you can make good use of it."

"Ginseng and Coptis Pill?"

Although Li Xiangming had never heard of this elixir before, he could sense its extraordinary nature from Fairy Green Cloud's description.

He hesitated for a moment, but finally put the pill in his mouth.

The ginseng pill melted instantly upon entering his mouth, transforming into a warm current that quickly flowed into his lower abdomen, bringing him an unprecedented sense of comfort.

"What an amazing feeling."

Li Xiangming sighed inwardly, the effects of this pill far exceeding his expectations.

At this moment, Fairy Green Cloud's voice rang out again, tinged with seriousness: "Meditate diligently and refine this pill. This pill is extremely precious; do not waste it."

As she finished speaking, the Flame Spirit Refining Heart Array seemed to operate even faster.

As if drawn by the surrounding spiritual energy, it surged forth and gathered around Li Xiangming.

Li Xiangming dared not be negligent. He suppressed his distracting thoughts and began to concentrate on refining the elixir.

(End of this chapter)