Family Cultivation: Rise of the Wilderness

Chapter 366 To Save or Not to Save
"It's been a while since I last saw you, Brother Geng, you're still as charming as ever."

Inside the Foreign Affairs Hall, Li Xiangming greeted a young cultivator dressed in a black robe, chatting and laughing.

Geng Shiheng, however, was very humble and kept flattering Li Xiangming: "Master Li is so young, yet he has already entered the Foundation Establishment stage. We are truly envious."

"Where."

Li Xiangming waved his hands repeatedly: "There are different levels of Foundation Establishment. My luck at one time is nothing compared to your esteemed brother Pei."

The evil green-robed man is adept at concealing his aura; as long as he doesn't give himself away, it's difficult for outsiders to detect his cultivation level, even if they're right in front of him.

However, the foundation-building ceremony is imminent.

The Geng family, being neighbors, also received an invitation from the Li family.

It was not surprising that Geng Shiheng learned of his cultivation level.

Li Xiangming also had some understanding of the Geng family's situation, knowing that the Geng family's prodigy of this generation, Geng Shipei, had also successfully established his foundation, several years earlier than him.

For a long time, Geng Shipei and Li Xiangren were hailed as the most renowned geniuses in eastern and southeastern Puxian County.

In the end, the two lived up to expectations and completed their foundation building one after the other.

In comparison, the younger generation of the Qin and Liu families is slightly inferior.

Li Xiangming knew his own family's affairs well. If he hadn't taken the Human Pill, it would have taken him at least two or three more years to reach the Foundation Establishment stage.

Even with the help of the evil Green Robe, the gap between him and Li Xiangren and Geng Shipei is still quite large.

Li Xiangren goes without saying; he is someone even Xuanli Zhenren values ​​highly. Therefore, Li Xiangming has always been very curious about Geng Shipei, who is on par with his elder brother.

However, the two have not had the opportunity to meet over the years.

When Geng Shiheng heard Li Xiangming mention Geng Shipei, he felt a strange sense of loss.

Once upon a time, his cultivation level, if not surpassing Li Xiangming's, was not far behind.

Now, it seems that only the third brother can stand shoulder to shoulder with him.

However, he quickly adjusted his mindset and said with a smile, "Master Li's cultivation has progressed so rapidly that even my elder brother praised him highly in person."

The two exchanged pleasantries for a while, until the tea on the table was almost cold.

Seeing that the other party was unwilling to reveal his purpose from beginning to end, Li Xiangming smiled and was even less in a hurry. He started talking about all sorts of things, and after half an hour, Geng Shiheng finally couldn't hold back any longer.

He gently turned the teacup, seemingly casually saying, "Master Li, it seems your family has recently been winning over quite a few surrounding forces?"

Li Xiangming raised his eyebrows and asked in return, "The Geng family's actions aren't small either, are they?"

As far as he knew, in preparation for the war with the Qin family, the Geng family had used various cultivation resources to win over the surrounding cultivation sects and families, investing far more than Dian Kefang had.

Furthermore, the Geng family reformed the guest elder system, lowered the threshold for becoming a guest elder, defined the types and levels of guest elders, and significantly increased the rewards for guest elders, which attracted the favor of many cultivators from other clans.

Finally, the Geng family selected hundreds of young women from among their ordinary clansmen and recruited them as sons-in-law throughout Pu County, causing a sensation.

Compared to the Geng family, the Li family's efforts to build their own power base are child's play.

Geng Shiheng shook his head: "The Geng family is only trying to protect themselves. Of course, it is understandable that the Li family wants to expand their influence. I have no objection. I just want to remind Hall Master Li not to make a foolish decision and bring trouble upon himself."

Li Xiangming narrowed his eyes: "Brother Geng's words seem to have a deeper meaning."

Geng Shiheng took a sip of tea and smiled without saying a word.

After a moment's hesitation, Li Xiangming stood up, took a few steps, and then turned back to ask, "Brother Geng, would you like to enjoy the scenery of Danggui Mountain with me?"

"I can't ask for it!"
-
Danggui Mountain runs north-south and has many peaks, but in the eyes of cultivators, there are few that can be described as steep and majestic.

Only the Xianzhao Peak before us seems to rise abruptly from the ground, soaring straight into the clouds, vying with the heavens for height, making it a sight to behold.

The mountain of Xianzhao Peak is almost at a ninety-degree angle, with sheer cliffs, rugged rocks, and ancient pines. The mountaintop is shrouded in clouds and mist all year round. When the sunlight shines through the clouds, it falls on the mountaintop and forms golden pillars of light, as if it were divine light left behind by the immortals.

"Xianzhao Peak, indeed fitting."

Geng Shiheng was in high spirits and kept praising the scenery all the way from the foot of the mountain.

"The scenery is beautiful, but without friends by my side, it is nothing to boast about. It is a great pleasure to be able to travel with Brother Geng today."

Li Xiangming chimed in from the side.

Geng Shiheng was pleased and smiled broadly: "Since we're not on Tailai Peak, I won't call you Hall Master Li anymore, is that alright?"

"Brother Geng, please feel free to do as you please."

Li Xiangming smiled slightly. When Geng Shiheng arrived at the Li family, he did not immediately pay his respects to Li Qianxiong, but met with him privately, the meaning of which was self-evident.

Judging from his words and actions, Geng Shiheng was trying every means to take the initiative, and his demands must have been enormous.

But what's the harm?
He wouldn't be tempted without sufficient benefits.

Geng Shiheng was unaware of Li Xiangming's thoughts, and sighed to himself, "I'm not afraid to tell you, Brother Li, that the Geng family is now struggling to survive on its own."

The conflict between Qin and Geng in the past dealt a heavy blow to the Geng family.

Although the Liu family later intervened and invited the two families to negotiate.

Both companies publicly agreed.

However, as Geng Shipei established his foundation, the Qin family immediately felt threatened and constantly provoked the Geng family in an attempt to create conflict.

Ultimately, the two sides only truced for three years before fighting again.

Although this time, the Geng family was determined to avoid battle and rely on formations to defend themselves and preserve their strength.

But once war broke out, all plans became obsolete.

Unable to breach Meiling, the Qin family devised a plan to eliminate the Geng family cultivators.

For example, attacking affiliated forces close to the Geng family, or raiding Geng family caravans abroad.

Once the Geng family sends reinforcements, a fierce battle with the Qin family is inevitable.

If left unattended, over time, all the forces around Meiling will distance themselves from the Geng family, and the Geng family's investments of the past few years will be wasted.

Being isolated is one thing, but the key question is, how long can the cultivation resources stored up by the Geng family last after being cut off from the outside world?
Therefore, the Geng family hopes to break this situation no matter what.

Ideally, someone from the older generation of the Geng family would break through to the Golden Core realm and directly subdue the Qin family with force, thus establishing their position as the overlord of the southeast.

However, such an opportunity is too slim.

The head of the Geng family could not place his hopes on Qi Fu, so he had to settle for second best and try to find a strong ally who did not rely on the Geng family for protection and could provide assistance to the Geng family.

The Li family was undoubtedly such a target, and Li Xiangming was well aware of this, but he said, "I have heard about the difficulties of the Geng family from the Li family. Perhaps we can ask the Bailu Sect to mediate a little."

"Bai Lu Gate?"

Geng Shiheng sneered, his face full of disdain.

Upon seeing this, Li Xiangming immediately realized that the Geng family had long ago dealt with the Bailu Sect.

But the result was not satisfactory.

No wonder, Bai Lumen was eager for these local sects and families to fight to the death and weaken each other, so that he could complete his great cause of unifying Pu County.

Li Xiangming sighed, "If Bailu Sect doesn't work, we can only turn to the Liu family. Since the Liu family was willing to mediate last time, they certainly won't be biased towards the Qin family this time."

Geng Shiheng's expression turned even more unpleasant.

Although the Liu family was neighbors with the Geng family, they had been linked to the Qin family through marriage for generations.

For the Liu family, the Qin family were their own people, while the Geng family were merely outsiders maintaining the balance of power.

Although the Geng family had contacted the Liu family, they never expected to rely on the Liu family to turn the situation around.

The family they truly saw as their lifeline was the Li family to the north.

This was also the purpose of his visit to the Li family.

Seeing that Li Xiangming was unmoved by reason and refused to mention the Li family, Geng Shiheng was so angry that he had no choice but to take out a sheepskin map from his storage bag, spread it on the ground, point to a certain place, and ask, "This place is a large swamp. I wonder if Brother Li has heard of it?"

Li Xiangming glanced at it briefly and immediately frowned: "Now that it's just you and me, Brother Geng, why don't you speak freely?"

Geng Shiheng first observed Li Xiangming's expression before slowly saying, "This marshland is nameless, but there is a mountain called Jiming Mountain, and on that mountain is a gate called the Five Scattered Gate. Now the Qin family is attacking the Five Scattered Gate, and Brother Li, as the head of the Foreign Affairs Hall, seems to know nothing about it. It's really strange!"

"The Qin family is attacking the Five Scattered Sect?"

Li Xiangming was somewhat taken aback. He subconsciously picked up the sheepskin map and took another look. Red Stone Valley and Chicken Cry Mountain were clearly far apart. He really couldn't understand how Granny Lai and the others could be involved with the Qin family.

"The Five Scattered Sect is in grave danger. Will your family offer assistance or not?"

Geng Shiheng's eyes were piercing.

　I took the kitten to the vet, so I won't be writing anything tonight, just one update.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)