Family Cultivation: Rise of the Wilderness

Chapter 321 Curling Court

Welcome Peak, located halfway up the mountain.

Pan Chen led the Li family to a beast field.

Inside the beast arena, different spirit pets were tucked away in twos and threes.

Li Xiangming saw more than ten common riding pets, such as the Divine Wind Steed, Kunlun Elephant, and Sand Sea Camel, as well as noble flying spirit pets such as the Calamity-Crossing Eagle and the Water-Fire Welcoming Crane.

As Pan Chen introduced the spirit pets, he explained, "The Nine Heavens Cloud Concealment Formation is difficult to traverse, but riding these spirit pets will make things much easier. They are well-trained and can transport you to Xinyuan Peak at top speed. There's no need to worry about safety either; our Yingke Peak guarantees that the demonic beasts within the formation will never attack them."

Xinyuan Peak was the purpose of the Li family's trip and also the Daoist temple of Xuanli Zhenren.

But after hearing Pan Chen's words, Li Xiangming felt uneasy.

Sure enough, Pan Chen said with a smile, "We should have escorted you all there, but as you can see, Welcoming Guest Peak has limited manpower and cannot attend to everyone. We can only trouble these spirit pets."

"Forgive my boldness, but I recommend the Water-Fire Welcoming Crane. It's our Hengyue Sect's signature spirit pet. No matter how high or far it flies, the Water-Fire Welcoming Crane is incredibly stable. When it spreads its wings, it's both majestic and beautiful. Everyone who's ridden it raves about it. And the price is cheap—only ten spirit stones to rent such a rare flying spirit pet."

Pan Chen spoke fluently and at length, leaving Li Xiangming in a daze.

Cao Yanjun was also quite surprised and couldn't help but ask, "Is it necessary to rent a spirit pet here to go to Xinyuan Peak?"

Pan Chen glanced at the two of them, paying particular attention to Cao Yanjun's stunning face, but he quickly regained his composure and said without changing his expression, "That's not it. Our Welcoming Guest Peak would never ignore our guests. As soon as we have some free time, we will escort you there immediately, but until then, I'm afraid you will have to wait patiently."

Li Xiangming was speechless for a moment. What did he mean by "a little bit of free time"?

Isn't it up to you guys to decide?
Furthermore, the reason outsiders come to Baoquan Peak is precisely because they are in a hurry to do business with Hengyue Sect.
This delay means nothing can be accomplished.

In the end, I had no choice but to compromise and opt to rent a spirit pet.

Li Xiangming was caught off guard; he never expected that Hengyue Sect would use the Nine Heavens Cloud Concealment Formation to run a ferry business.

Li Qianshi, on the other hand, was used to it.

Although his expression wasn't very good at the moment, he didn't question it.

Through his negotiations, the Li family rented three Divine Wind Steeds at a price of 2 spirit stones each. Li Xiangming and Cao Yanjun rode one together, and the two elders each rode one.

As for welcoming the crane with water and fire, even though Pan Chen blurted it out, Li Qianshi didn't want it.

Renting this thing for 10 spirit stones? Are you stupid?

Soon, the four of them left Yingke Peak.

Throughout the journey, Li Chenggeng's face remained extremely gloomy.

Li Qianshi was also somewhat dissatisfied: "This Yuan Hai is truly a sycophant who treats people differently based on their status. Last time we came, when Master Xuanli was present, this fellow showered us with compliments and personally escorted us to Xinyuan Peak. Now that Master Xuanli is not here, he puts on airs and even takes our spirit stones. With such a character, no wonder he is only fit to guard the gate."

After listening, Li Xiangming secretly glanced at Li Chenggeng.

Li Chenggeng was not good at scheming and disliked formalities, but he was quite attentive when negotiating with Yuan Hai, apparently because he had been treated with courtesy during his last visit.

However, Yuan Hai completely ignored Li Chenggeng's overtures, smiling on the surface while secretly arranging for Pan Chen to "extort" the Li family.

No wonder Li Chenggeng was so angry.

This wasn't Yuan Hai deliberately targeting the Li family; most people seeking an audience with the Hengyue Sect probably received the same treatment.

Whether this was a deliberate act by Hengyue Sect or Yuan Hai's attempt to line his own pockets remains unknown.

However, one thing is certain: the spirit pets on Welcoming Peak are indeed remarkably effective in traversing the Nine Heavens Cloud Concealment Formation.

Li Xiangming and the others didn't need to figure out the direction at all; they arrived at Xinyuan Peak smoothly in just half a day.

However, such a smooth process also made Li Xiangming feel a little sorry for himself.

He had been planning for a long time in Puyin Mountain, doing a lot for independent cultivators and creating a favorable market environment.

Even so, they didn't exploit the independent cultivators much.

Yet Hengyue Sect, despite being so close, dared to accept six spirit stones from the Li family.

That's incredibly dark!
Compared to Hengyue Sect, Li Xiangming felt that he was a great philanthropist.

It seems I need to learn more from them.

Upon arriving at Xinyuan Peak, a middle-aged cultivator dressed as a scholar stopped Li Xiangming and his companions.

However, upon seeing the travel permit, the middle-aged cultivator acted quite friendly. He first helped the Li family store the Divine Wind Steed—that's right, Xinyuan Peak also has a spirit pet arena, and it seems that traveling with spirit pets is a common thing in Baoquan Mountain.

Even members of the Hengyue Sect themselves dared not rashly traverse the Nine Heavens Cloud Concealment Formation.

After the handover of the spirit pets, a slightly younger cultivator arrived: "Are you a guest from Dangui Mountain? I am Han Yunhao!"

Another Foundation Establishment cultivator!
Li Xiangming clicked his tongue in amazement and greeted the other party.

After a conversation, Li Xiangming learned that Han Yunhao was not a disciple of Xuanli Zhenren. He had come to Xinyuan Peak with a request, but he did not reveal what it was. However, according to Han Yunhao, he had been living at Xinyuan Peak for four years.

Li Xiangming also noticed that the other disciples were very respectful to Han Yunhao. Although he was not a disciple of Xinyuan Peak, he had a high reputation here.

"Brother Xiangren's injuries have improved, so you all don't need to worry too much."

Han Yunhao knew that the Li family had come for Li Xiangren, so he revealed a lot about Li Xiangren's recent situation and personally led the group to the curling garden where Li Xiangren lived. In a short time, he won the favor of the Li family.

Ice Pot Garden is very large. Although it has the word "ice" in its name, everywhere you look there are exotic flowers and plants, as well as small bridges and flowing water. It is no less than the Spring Breeze Residence of Green Cloud Fairy. Many out-of-season flowers also bloom very brightly here.

Cao Yanjun liked it very much and watched it intently.

Han Yunhao smiled and said, "If this fairy likes them, I will go and ask if I can pick some."

"Thank you for your kindness, Fellow Daoist Han. I'll just take a look."

Cao Yanjun quickly shook her head. The Cao family of Qingliang Mountain had strict family traditions, and she had received family education. Since Han Yunhao could not make the decision, she could not ask for it no matter how much she liked it. Otherwise, if the garden owner disagreed, it would be embarrassing for more than just one or two people.

Li Xiangming then asked, "Who is the owner of this Ice Curling Garden?"

"Junior Sister Min Ning is Elder Min's granddaughter."

Han Yunhao did not hide anything.

Li Xiangming was stunned and couldn't help but look at Li Chenggeng.

If he remembers correctly, this name should have a lot to do with Lee Sang-in.

Li Chenggeng had visited Xinyuan Peak before and knew this perfectly well. He didn't say anything, but shook his head at Li Xiangming.

Seeing this, Li Xiangming could only sigh.

Min Ning was Lee Sang-in's former fiancée. After their marriage was dissolved, Lee Sang-in avoided Xuan Li Jinren for a time, but now he has moved into Min Ning's house.

Ye Yun's image inexplicably flashed through his mind.

At this very moment, Ye Yun is on Tailai Peak, perhaps living in fear and anxiety.

But Li Chenggeng told him not to interfere in the matter.

Li Xiangming was helpless in the face of this.

The Li family wanted to add another line of marriage partners, a move that would benefit the family, so he couldn't possibly stop them.

Furthermore, he dared not criticize Lee Sang-in.

Li Xiangren had shown him great kindness.

The Ice Curling Garden reacted swiftly to the arrival of the Li family, with a large group of people coming out to greet them. Leading the group was none other than the owner of the place, Min Ning.

Min Ning is young and beautiful. Although she is slightly inferior to Ye Yun in appearance, her cultivation has reached the ninth level of Qi Refining. With Xuanli Zhenren as her backer, she will soon be able to establish her foundation.

Therefore, Min Ning's confidence and refined demeanor far surpassed those of the gentle Ye Yun.

At least half of the Xinyuan Peak disciples who came with the Li family admired Min Ning.

Min Ning was very humble in front of Li Chenggeng, addressing him as "Third Uncle" repeatedly, which made Li Chenggeng smile.

The atmosphere became very harmonious for a moment.

Who is this young lady?

Suddenly, Min Ning noticed the handsome Cao Yanjun, and a hint of hostility flashed in her eyes.

Seeing that she had misunderstood, Han Yunhao quickly introduced, "This is Fairy Cao, the Daoist partner of Xiang Ren's cousin."

As he spoke, Han Yunhao looked at Li Xiangming, somewhat embarrassed.

He did not ask Li Xiangming's name just now.

Li Xiangming remained calm and replied with a smile, "I am Li Xiangming, greetings to Fairy Min."

"Oh, you're so lucky."

Min Ning nodded slightly, not paying much attention to Li Xiangming, who belonged to the Xiang generation.

After the two sides met, she had her servants arrange a banquet while she personally led the Li family to see Li Xiangren.

Lee Sang-in's location was in a side room deep inside the curling garden, and Lee Sung-kang was also nearby.

"Resonance?"

Li Chengkang was not surprised to see Li Chenggeng.

But upon seeing Li Xiangming, he couldn't help but stand up: "You're back?"

Li Xiangming quickly stepped forward and respectfully cupped his hands to Li Chengkang, saying, "I'm sorry to have worried you, Second Uncle. I'm back safely."

"Just come back!"

Li Chengkang's expression quickly calmed down.

He beckoned Li Xiangming to follow him.

This subtle movement immediately caught Min Ning's attention.

(End of this chapter)