Family Cultivation: Rise of the Wilderness

Chapter 326 Conquer
The next day, as dawn broke.

Li Xiangming and Cao Yanjun accompanied Zhang Min to Zhenfu Pavilion.

Zhenfu Pavilion is a well-known talisman shop in Yingyue Market. Zhang Min has been helping out here for the past few months.

Of course, she didn't have the talent for making talismans; instead, she was here to help make Xuanwang paper.

Xuanwang paper is safer and more reliable than ordinary jade pendants for transmitting intelligence. Even the Li family uses it, not to mention large sects like Hengyue Sect.

They not only used Xuanwang paper, but also had a huge demand for it.

However, the disciples of Hengyue Sect are devoted to the Dao and naturally do not delve into these trivial skills.

Therefore, the Xuanwang paper produced at Hengyue Gate was mostly purchased from outside markets.

And that is the business opportunity.

Zhenfu Pavilion recognized this opportunity and specially introduced the technology and process of manufacturing Xuanwang paper. In addition to selling talismans, it also specially supplied Xuanwang paper to Hengyue Sect.

"Senior Sister Zhang has indeed learned a good skill."

Li Xiangming said half-jokingly that Zhang Min had been working at the Zhenfu Pavilion for more than three months. Although he dared not say that he knew everything about Xuanwang Paper, he must have his own insights.

However, she shook her head helplessly: "I'm just copying what I've learned. If I really wanted to make Xuanwang paper, I simply couldn't do it by myself."

This is not an understatement; the production of Xuanwang paper is extremely complicated. From scratch, a single sheet of paper requires hundreds of processes and takes four to five years to complete. If only one sheet of Xuanwang paper were sold, it would be a huge loss.

To make a profit, we must expand the production line, achieve mass production, and sell more at lower prices.

However, this would result in even more staggering costs, which are simply unaffordable for ordinary cultivators.

Even Zhenfu Pavilion, if it weren't backed by Hengyue Sect and had no worries about selling its products, wouldn't dare to easily get involved in this business.

“It seems that there are not many people selling Xuanwang paper in Puxian County.”

Suddenly, Cao Yanjun interjected.

Li Xiangming glanced at her and pondered for a moment.

Cao Yanjun had lived in Pushui Market for several years, so he was naturally very familiar with the situation there.

Currently, most of the Xuanwang paper produced in Pushuifang City originates from Hao County.

Hao County is home to numerous religious sects, and Xuanwang paper enjoys a large market there.

However, Puxian County fell short of expectations.

Although the forces in Pu County have sprung up like mushrooms after rain as Dahuang Town has been fully opened up, the vast majority of them are still Qi Refining forces. They can hardly even continue their cultivation, so how could they consume Xuanwang Paper?
Only the Bailu Sect, and the Zhenhun Sect and Shengyi Sect, which were at war, had a strong desire to purchase Xuanwang Paper.

Even within the Li family, only a few institutions, such as Changlinfang, used Xuanwang paper.

This might be an opportunity.

After thinking for a moment, Li Xiangming decided to suppress his thoughts.

The business of selling Xuanwang paper is not impossible, but the market is not mature enough at present.

He watched Zhang Min enter the True Talisman Pavilion. After a while, Zhang Min came out and sighed softly, "I have failed Zhao Yue's good intentions."

Although the True Talisman Pavilion is short of people, why would it recruit outsiders like those from the Green Cloud Cave?
Actually, Zhang Min got this job through Zhao Yue's introduction.

At that time, Master Xuanli brought the group from Green Cloud Cave back to Hengyue Sect, including Zhao Yue, Long Yang, and other disciples of Shanyun Sect.

In order to find the Enlightenment Spring, Xin Yuanfeng conducted an investigation into these people.

But none of them had ever seen the Enlightenment Spring.

Zhang Min, the only one who knew the whereabouts of Fairy Green Cloud, also kept her mouth shut.

The investigation quickly reached a stalemate.

With Li Xiangren's presence also in the picture, Xin Yuanfeng couldn't treat Green Cloud Cave with the same ruthlessness he would show to an enemy.

Ultimately, the investigation came to nothing.

However, although the investigation yielded no results, Hengyue Sect did not intend to release the Green Cloud Cave disciples so easily.

Under the pretext of protecting Green Cloud Cave, they settled everyone in Yingyue Market.

Yingyuefang Market is a prime location, so living here is not cheap.

At first, Hengyue Sect paid rent for Green Cloud Cave, but soon abandoned it.

Left with no other choice, Zhang Min and the others had to move to the relatively cheaper Qiyun Pavilion.

Even so, the "Bing Shiyi" cave dwelling of Qiyun Pavilion requires 5 spirit stones per month.

Although there were more than ten people in Green Cloud Cave, they lost all their possessions during their capture. They didn't even have any magical artifacts to protect themselves, let alone spirit stones.

In order to have a place to stay, the disciples of Green Cloud Cave had no choice but to find work in the market.

Unfortunately, Yingyue Market is extremely xenophobic. Since you are not a relative of a Hengyue Sect disciple, you are not trusted at all here.

In the end, no one found a job.

Seeing that they were about to be kicked out of Qiyun Pavilion, Zhao Yue begged her senior brother from Xinyuan Peak to secure some opportunities for everyone in Zhenfu Pavilion.

In the end, Zhenfu Pavilion only recruited Zhang Min and Long Yang.

But for Green Cloud Cave, this was already a turning point, a new path opening up.

Zhao Yue helped Green Cloud Cave in order to help Long Yang.

Because Long Yang also had nowhere to go.

Master Xuanli, having accepted a new disciple, naturally did not want her to dwell on the past.

His disciples understood immediately and forbade Long Yang from setting foot on Xinyuan Peak.

Every time Long Yang meets Zhao Yue, an "accident" occurs.

After two or three times, how could Long Yang not understand Xin Yuanfeng's attitude?

So he deliberately kept his distance from Zhao Yue and mingled with the disciples of Green Cloud Cave.

It was also because of Long Yang's sensibility that Zhenfu Pavilion "accepted" him and Zhang Min.

After learning all this, Li Xiangming was filled with emotion.

Long Yang approached Green Cloud Cave for Zhao Yue's future.

Without Zhao Yue and Long Yang's help, Green Cloud Cave would not have been able to support such a large group of people in Yingyue Market.

Former enemies have reconciled in such a dramatic way.

Of course, all of this was largely due to Zhang Min's willingness to compromise.

After all, only a few disciples, such as Zhang Min, were harmed by Shan Yun Sect.

In most people's eyes, Shanyunmen has already merged into Luyundong, and the two are essentially one.

"What do you think of Long Yang, Senior Sister?"

Li Xiangming asked in a low voice.

Zhang Min was taken aback: "I don't know."

"Doesn't Senior Sister hate him?"

Li Xiangming continued to ask.

Zhang Min paused for a moment, then shook her head: "Rather than hating Long Yang, I hate Shanyun Sect. But Uncle Shanyun and Master have both passed away, so I don't know who to hate."

Li Xiangming sighed inwardly.

After learning of Shanyunmen's conspiracy, Zhang Min was determined to save Green Cloud Cave.

However, after all that has happened, both her beloved Green Cloud Cave and the scheming Good Cloud Gate have vanished into thin air.

At this moment, she inevitably fell into a state of despair.

If it weren't for the dozen or so people around her relying on her, she probably would have collapsed long ago.

"What about Shao Zhen?"

Li Xiangming changed the subject, having learned from Yin Feng about Shao Zhen's various acts of betrayal.

Upon hearing that familiar name, Zhang Min clenched her fists: "He is the only one I will never tolerate."

Upon hearing this, Li Xiangming understood what was going on with Zhang Min.

Since there is still hatred in their hearts, they can still be used.

"Don't worry, Senior Sister, Shao Zhen won't get away," Li Xiangming gently comforted her.

The three then returned to Qiyun Pavilion.
-
Inside Qiyun Pavilion, the disciples of Green Cloud Cave gathered together, each with a worried expression and a troubled heart.

Fang Renkui looked around, stood up and paced a few steps, then sat down again, trying to suppress his inner anxiety, and asked in a deep voice, "What exactly are you thinking? Do you really want to let that kid ride roughshod over us?"

No one spoke.

Fang Renkui's face grew increasingly grim, and he turned his gaze to Mao Jingze: "Second Senior Brother, you are the most senior here, and everyone respects you. Why don't you step forward and say a few words?"

Mao Jingze opened his eyes and sighed, "I'm already a cripple, what else is there to say?"

He knew that many people present hoped he would step forward and become the second leader of Green Cloud Cave.

But he was well aware of his situation.

Since being deliberately targeted by Shao Zhen, his injuries have never been treated. Later, he was severely tortured by the Star Absorbing Village, which destroyed his foundation. Without a great opportunity, he will never be able to make any progress in this life.

Making him the sect leader would not only fail to revitalize Green Cloud Cave, but would also drag everyone down.

Mao Jingze's words made the atmosphere in the cave even heavier.

Just then, Long Yang, who had been sitting cross-legged in the corner, suddenly spoke up: "If you don't want that kid to take the position, I can be the sect leader instead."

"I bother!"

Fang Renkui immediately stood up and angrily rebuked, "How dare you, a member of the Shanyun Sect, speak like that?"

A mocking glint appeared in Long Yang's eyes: "You don't have the guts to be the one, and you're not willing to let someone else do it. What else can you do besides be a troublemaker?"

"you"

Fang Renkui flew into a rage and rushed up to Long Yang.

Long Yang sneered and struck out with his palm, the magical power roaring, and the two of them retreated at the same time.

Long Yang only took two steps back, while Fang Renkui took a full four steps back.

"In terms of cultivation, you are utterly useless."

Long Yang looked disdainful, while Fang Renkui was furious and wanted to regain his dignity.

A soft sound came from the doorway.

Without saying a word, Yin Feng went up to open the door.

Upon entering the cave, Zhang Min was taken aback when she saw Long Yang and Fang Renkui facing off. Then she gave a bitter laugh: "We've all fallen to this state, and you're still fighting amongst yourselves. How can Green Cloud Cave not be defeated? If Master were to see this scene from heaven, she would probably regret founding the sect."

Zhang Min's words were very harsh, and all the disciples of Green Cloud Cave present showed expressions of shame.

Even Fang Renkui lowered his head and dared not speak.

After a moment of silence, Zhang Min said, "I have resigned from my job at the True Talisman Pavilion. Whether you acknowledge Junior Brother Li as the sect leader is none of my business, but I have accepted my master's dying wish and dare not disobey it."

As soon as he finished speaking, many people looked up, their faces filled with confusion.

Zhang Min's decision to quit her job was undoubtedly a sign that she had decided to leave with Li Xiangming.

Without Zhang Min, how could these penniless disciples survive in Yingyue Market?

Mao Jingze sighed, slowly stood up, and cupped his hands to Li Xiangming, saying, "Mao Jingze is willing to serve Sect Leader Li."

Mao Jingze's statement immediately caused an uproar.

Everyone, look at me and I'll look at you.

A young man with prominent nasolabial folds stepped forward and knelt down, saying, "Your subordinate, Luo Changqing, pays respects to Sect Leader Li."

Luo Changqing was Zhang Min's confidant, and Yin Feng hesitated for a moment before following suit.

Before long, half of the people in the cave were kneeling down.

The remaining half also gradually compromised.

Fang Renkui stood there, his face turning red and white, looking extremely embarrassed.

Li Xiangming ignored him and said to the crowd, "Since you acknowledge me as your sect leader, I will not let you live under someone else's roof. Pack your things, and we will leave Hengyue Sect in the next two days."

"Where is the sect leader taking us?"

Luo Changqing looked up and asked.

Li Xiangming glanced at him, knowing he had the cultivation of the ninth level of Qi Refining and was a talented person, so he explained, "Let's go back to Dangui Mountain."

"Aren't you going back to Green Cloud Cave?"

At this moment, Yin Feng asked a question timidly.

Li Xiangming shook his head: "The Green Cloud Cave has been sealed off by the Hengyue Sect. I have already submitted an application to them, but there will be no result for a while. Moreover, in your current state, you cannot return to the Luoyang Mountains. You should know that the Star Absorbing Village is right next door."

Upon hearing this, everyone present fell silent.

Is there anything more tragic than not being able to go home?
Mao Jingze asked slowly, "Does Hengyue Sect allow us to leave?"

In fact, the disciples of Green Cloud Cave had long wanted to leave Hengyue Sect.

Wherever you go, even if you become an outlaw, isn't it better than staying in Yingyue Market?

However, without the Hengyue Sect's approval, no one in the entire Yingyue Market dared to rent riding pets to them—even though they couldn't afford to rent them anyway.

However, without specially trained riding pets from the Hengyue Sect, they simply couldn't escape the Nine Heavens Cloud Concealment Formation.

Hengyue Sect had the idea of ​​besieging them and seeing who would be the first to succumb to the pressure and reveal the news of the Enlightenment Spring.

"I will discuss this matter with Master Xuanli, so you can rest assured."

Li Xiangming replied casually.

Mao Jingze and the others exchanged glances and fell silent.

The fact that Li Xiangming was able to lead everyone away demonstrates that his ability as the sect leader surpasses that of everyone present.

Even Fang Renkui, who had been stubbornly defiant, had silently knelt down in the crowd at some point.

At this moment, Long Yang stepped forward, cupped his hands in greeting, and said, "Please, Sect Leader Li, take me away."

Li Xiangming narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing the other person: "In what capacity will you come with me?"

Long Yang looked up: "Disciple of Green Cloud Cave."

Li Xiangming remained silent.

In his heart, he was still somewhat averse to Long Yang.

After all, the other party had once ambushed him in an underground river.

If Zhang Min can forgive and forget, how can he, as the sect leader, hold onto these past events?

Regardless, Long Yang is a Qi Refining Perfection cultivator with outstanding strength.

If we can win this person over, it will be of great benefit to both myself and the Li family.

After a pause, Li Xiangming asked, "Where is your Senior Sister Zhao? Are you sure you don't want her to stay here alone?"

Long Yang smiled and said, "She's in a better situation than I am."

Seeing his former fellow disciples become disciples of Golden Core cultivators, while he himself was trapped in Yingyue Market, doing nothing and struggling to survive, let alone pursue his cultivation path, Long Yang must have been suffering immensely.
No wonder someone as proud as him would willingly consider himself a disciple of Green Cloud Cave, just so he could leave this place.

Li Xiangming stared intently at the other person: "I know everything you've done in the past. Shanyun Sect is gone, and Green Cloud Cave is no longer the Green Cloud Cave it used to be. Do you understand what I mean?"

Long Yang paused for a moment, then knelt down: "This disciple understands."

Seeing this, Li Xiangming nodded in satisfaction: "From now on, you are a disciple of Green Cloud Cave. Remember your identity."

After saying that, he looked at Zhang Min and said, "Senior Sister Zhang, thank you for your help."

"You're too kind, Sect Leader. You can just call me by my name from now on."

Zhang Min was the last to kneel down, but her attitude was the most sincere.

Li Xiangming personally helped her up and said to everyone, "From today onwards, Green Cloud Cave will temporarily appoint a deputy sect leader, Zhang Min. If I am not present, she will decide all matters concerning Green Cloud Cave. You must not disobey her."

The group looked at each other, somewhat bewildered by the decision.

But Zhang Min's prestige in Green Cloud Cave was much higher than Li Xiangming's.

If Li Xiangming hadn't been holding the sect leader's token, the position of sect leader should have rightfully belonged to Zhang Min.

Everyone was very accepting of her, and they were all delighted to see her appointed as the vice sect leader. They all knelt down and bowed to Zhang Min, saying respectfully, "Greetings, Vice Sect Leader!"

(End of this chapter)