Family Cultivation: Rise of the Wilderness

Chapter 369 Questioning
In a certain place in Pudong, more than thirty cultivators stood in shadow, scattered around on guard.

Li Xiangming, who was in the lead, was lost in thought.

Suddenly, a white light flashed across the horizon, and a white-haired old man with a sturdy face swept over.

"Fifth Uncle!"

Li Xiangming immediately stepped forward to greet him.

Li Chengsu looked around at the people, somewhat surprised, then nodded and replied, "The Geng family acted as promised, the Qin family has already retreated, and the siege of Jiming Mountain has been lifted."

"How's the battle going?"

Li Qianshi, who was standing next to him, quickly asked more questions.

Li Chengsu shook his head: "How can we know the details in a short time? The Geng family probably won't reveal anything for the time being. But judging from the situation, the Qin family must have suffered considerable losses; at least a few of the Qi Refining cultivators who came with them must have escaped."

"The Qin family is too arrogant. They traveled all the way to Pudong, only to suffer such a huge loss."

At this moment, Li Jihu interjected with a gloating tone.

Li Xiangming glanced at him and said, "As long as the Foundation Establishment cultivators don't die, the Qin family's strength won't be greatly diminished. However, this is irrelevant to our purpose here. Ji Hu, would you be willing to scout ahead for us?"

Li Jihu immediately patted his chest and said, "Please rest assured, Master, I'll set off right away."

After watching Li Jihu and the others enter the swamp, Li Xiangming looked at Li Qianshi and asked, "Uncle Qianshi, shall we wait for you here?"

"Don't worry, Xiangming. Our Logistics Department won't even let a fly in."

Li Qianshi solemnly promised.

Upon hearing this, Li Xiangming nodded slightly.

This place is very secluded; it is a narrow path that Li Chengsu explored for several years before discovering, and it should not be seen by outsiders.

But he wanted to play it safe and didn't want any remnants of the Qin family lurking nearby and discovering them.

After giving a few instructions, Li Xiangming led the main force, following behind Li Jihu, and gradually ventured deeper into the marshland.

The marshland was vast, but with Li Chengsu's intelligence and his presence, the journey was very smooth.

Even if some monsters occasionally caused trouble, they were all wiped out by Li Jihu and the others in front.

"Ji Hu is a promising child. I should have let him stay in Xiufeng Academy for a few more years."

Li Chengsu felt a little regretful.

Li Xiangming smiled and said, "If Fifth Uncle is so kind, why not offer some private guidance?"

When Xiufeng Academy was established, Li Jihu was qualified to be admitted given his age and cultivation level.

But he had already joined the animal trapping guild and was beginning to make a name for himself in Puyin Mountain.

Now that he's leading an entire demon-hunting team, it would be somewhat inappropriate to leave him to his own devices.

After listening, Li Chengsu pondered for a moment and then remained silent.

The group quickly arrived at their destination.

Upon arriving on the island, Li Xiangming immediately ordered his cultivators to surround Jiming Mountain.

The people he brought with him this time were quite a mixed bunch.

The group included key personnel transferred from the Foreign Affairs Hall, disciples of the Guard Hall personally brought by Li Xianghua, and two assistants, Li Qianshi and Li Jihu, who had just returned home from Hao County.

Li Qianshi, needless to say, selected many elites from the Logistics Department.

Li Jihu also has his own demon-hunting team.

Although they were not subordinate to each other, under the leadership of Li Xiangming, a Foundation Establishment cultivator, their orders were strictly obeyed, and there was a rather stern and imposing atmosphere.

The Five Scattered Sect disciples patrolling the island were all terrified and panicked when they saw the sudden appearance of unfamiliar cultivators. They rushed towards Jiming Mountain in a frenzy.

After a long while, a few cultivators with impressive auras flew over.

"Young Master Li?"

"Taoist priest?"

Li Xiangming stared in astonishment at the newcomers. Five of the newcomers were present, but there was also an old Taoist priest beside them. It was none other than the Qingyang Taoist priest, whom he knew very well.

However, before the two could catch up, Zhang Can asked, somewhat angrily, "What does Hall Master Li mean by this?"

Li Xiangming and his group not only surrounded Jiming Mountain, but also did not hesitate to take action.

Among the Five Scattered Sect disciples, many with low cultivation levels suffered minor injuries.

Li Xiangming glanced at him and sneered, "Fellow Daoist Zhang, you still have the nerve to ask me? I would like to represent the Li family and ask you what your intentions are?"

Grandma Lai and the others looked at each other in bewilderment.

The Flower Monk quickly smoothed things over, saying, "Let's talk this out. We're all on the same side. Why make such a fuss and start a big fight?"

"One of our own? I'm afraid the Li family's good intentions will be taken for granted."

Li Xiangming's expression was unfriendly.

At this moment, the corpse-driver suddenly asked, "Have you come here for the Qin family?"

"What do you say?"

Li Xiangming retorted, then swept his gloomy gaze over the five wandering men: "The Qin family is besieging Jiming Mountain, why don't you try to inform the Li family?"

The other four then realized that Li Xiangming had come to question them. Xie Daoren immediately explained, "The Yellow Springs Marsh is filled with poisonous miasma. We obtained another formation and assumed that the Qin family would not be able to break in, which is why we did not inform you."

In fact, when they learned that the Qin family was searching in the vicinity, they were really worried and scared for a while, and at one point they even considered giving up on Jiming Mountain and running away.

At this time, a monk surnamed Geng suddenly visited Jiming Mountain, persuading them to stay, and solemnly guaranteed that the Qin family would stay for a month or so at most before returning.

Then everyone decided to wait and see.

Things were progressing as expected. The Qin family cultivators ventured deep into the Yellow Springs Marsh every day, but they still hadn't found Chicken Cry Mountain. They were about to get through this period, so why would they think of informing the Li family?

Rather than believing that the Li family sent people to guard the island, they were more worried that the Li family would collude with the Qin family cultivators outside to wipe out the Five Scattered Sect in one fell swoop.

"Array?"

Li Xiangming was unaware of Xie Daoren's thoughts, and simply asked coldly, "We have already landed on the island, where is the formation?"

Master Xie opened his mouth and looked at Zhang Can and the others.

Zhang Can's face had long since turned as black as charcoal. With so many members of the Li family on the island, the formation they had set up outside the island hadn't detected anything amiss.

"Humph."

Li Xiangming snorted heavily, then angrily said to Li Chengsu beside him, "The Five Scattered Sect is incapable of defending Jiming Mountain. I was blind and misplaced my trust in them. For now, we have no choice but to take back the Spirit Pool and apologize to the Clan Head."

Upon hearing this, the expressions of the five independent cultivators changed drastically.

Granny Lai was the first to urgently say, "Master Li, back when I was in Dai Mountain..."

"Fellow Daoist, come here!"

Li Xiangming extended his palm to stop the other party from speaking, and said in a deep voice, "It's not that I didn't give you a chance. Jiming Mountain is a rare spiritual land and an important foundation for my Li family. I took a huge responsibility in renting it to you."

"But what was the result? It hasn't been long, and you've already offended the Qin family, putting Jiming Mountain in danger."

"If it were cultivators from the Qin family who landed on the island today, you could run away as fast as you could, but you can't escape Jiming Mountain! Once the Spirit Pool falls into the hands of the Qin family, have you ever thought about how much the Li family will have to pay to return it to its rightful owner?"

At this point, Li Xiangming's voice became even more furious: "Leaving aside the importance of the spirit pool, even the spirit farmers who rent the spirit fields from my Li family will report to the Li family and request assistance if they encounter a demon beast that they are unable to deal with, in order to ensure the safety of the spirit fields."

"And you? Knowing that the Qin family is coming with overwhelming force, knowing that Jiming Mountain is in imminent danger, you would rather negotiate with outsiders like the Geng family than report to the Li family. Do you even consider the Li family as your master? Or do you consider Jiming Mountain your own?"

Li Xiangming, who usually maintained a calm demeanor, suddenly erupted in anger, displaying the imposing aura of someone long accustomed to a high position. Those around him immediately felt an invisible pressure bearing down on them.

Even the elderly Mrs. Lai couldn't help but feel thirsty.

Moreover, Li Xiangming's magical power was not to be outdone, constantly overflowing from his green robe and surging about, pushing his aura to its peak.

In just a few breaths, an overwhelming sense of oppression surged forth, causing the five scattered individuals to break out in a cold sweat.

Some of the Five Scattered Sect disciples below trembled violently and collapsed to the ground. "Foundation Establishment?"

The Taoist Qingyang was extremely surprised, but he did not say anything to disturb him. However, Sun Siyan next to him squeezed his palm. He looked down and found that his disciple was staring intently at Little Li.

Granny Lai and the others were completely taken aback by Li Xiangming's progress to the Foundation Establishment stage. They were all terrified and quickly bowed to Li Xiangming, pleading, "Hall Master Li, please calm your anger! We would never dare to covet the Spirit Pool of Jiming Mountain!"

"Take me to see the Spirit Pool!"

Li Xiangming ignored their nonsense and interrupted them directly.

"Yes Yes!"

Zhang Can's previous anger vanished, replaced by a submissive demeanor, and he led the way.

Li Xiangming didn't follow, but instead greeted the Qingyang Taoist on the other side: "Taoist Master, it's been a long time."

"Young Master Li's words and actions already show the demeanor of a head of household."

"Please excuse my poor appearance, Taoist priest."

Li Xiangming sighed softly, then looked at the girl beside Qingyang Daoist and raised his eyebrows: "Is it Siyan?"

"It is indeed my apprentice."

Qingyang Daoist smiled and said, "Siyan, haven't you greeted your Brother Li yet?"

However, Sun Siyan seemed somewhat reserved and hid behind Qingyang Daoist.

Qingyang Daoist patted Sun Siyan's hand.

Sun Siyan then came out with her head down and timidly said, "Hello, Brother Li!"

Perhaps it was due to her age, but Sun Siyan's figure had become tall and slender, with a beautiful head of long hair that carried a faint fragrance.

However, at this moment, she deliberately tossed her long hair in front of her face to obscure her features.

Li Xiangming couldn't see clearly and didn't care. For some reason, the child seemed to have been afraid of him since he was a child.

"Why is the Taoist priest at Jiming Mountain?"

Li Xiangming quickly changed the subject.

The Taoist Qingyang then recounted his recent situation in detail.

"A female cultivator in black wielding a powerful magic spear?"

Li Xiangming immediately pictured Qin Zhengru's furious face.

This woman's Ganglong Spear left a deep impression on him.

"A cultivator from the Qin family?"

Qingyang Daoist pondered for a moment: "At the time, I was guessing that the two people who attacked Siyan were extraordinary. I didn't expect them to be cultivators from the Qin family of Red Stone Valley. The reason I held back was actually to minimize the damage and leave."

"However, the child who was with Siyan was seriously injured and had difficulty moving. Following his directions, I sent him to Jiming Mountain. The fellow Daoists of the Five Scattered Sect were very hospitable to me and invited me to stay for a few days to pick spiritual herbs on the island."

Upon hearing this, Li Xiangming immediately understood the cause and effect.

Jiming Mountain is a place that nurtures spiritual pools and is rich in spiritual energy, naturally giving rise to a great many spiritual herbs and medicines.

Even though Li Chengsu had been entrenched in power for many years, how much could he possibly plunder on his own?
The Five Scattered Sects then moved in, but only for a mere two years.

Therefore, in the eyes of the Taoist Qingyang, Jiming Mountain is a place of great feng shui.

When the Five Scattered Sect deliberately concealed the Qin family's affairs and invited Qingyang Daoist to pick spiritual herbs under the pretext of "repayment," wouldn't any normal person be unable to resist the temptation?
As for Qin Zhengru, let's not even mention that Qingyang Daoist didn't know her identity at the time.

Even if they knew, they probably wouldn't care seeing two Qi Refining cultivators.

What a magnificent Five Scattered Sect!

Li Xiangming laughed in exasperation. Granny Lai and the other rogue cultivators had actually managed to cultivate to this level; they were no ordinary people.

From the Li family's perspective, they might think they are incredibly foolish.

However, from the perspective of the Five Scattered Sect, the hatred with the Qin family is irreparable, leaving them with only two options: escape or prepare for war.

Running away would be tantamount to becoming a stray dog ​​again.

Preparing for war is meaningless, because no matter what, the Five Scattered Sects cannot possibly contend with the Qin family.

At this time, the Five Scattered Sect falsely claimed that the Li family was a "vassal" and colluded with the Geng family, which was hostile to the Qin family. They also concealed the truth and recruited a Foundation Establishment cultivator to oversee Jiming Mountain.

It's fair to say that they did a lot.

The only family not notified was the Li family.

But their concerns are not unfounded.

If the Li family had known beforehand that the Qin family was going to attack Jiming Mountain, given the temperament and personality of the clan elders, they would very likely have chosen to sell the Five Scattered Sect in exchange for handing over the "real culprit" in order to protect the Spirit Pool.

Judging from these points, these five old guys are incredibly shrewd; their adventurous yet cautious steps were perfectly timed.

If the Geng family hadn't demanded benefits from the Li family, but instead intervened in the Qin family's revenge on their own, then the Five Scattered Sect might have actually been able to successfully resolve this crisis without the Li family's knowledge.

Seeing that Li Xiangming hadn't followed, Zhang Can stopped in his tracks, looking terrified.

The other individuals also shared the same sentiment.

Li Xiangming looked at them and took a deep breath.

Nobody is a fool. The Five Scattered Sect members are originally unruly, independent cultivators from other places, and they have no sense of belonging to the Li family or Pu County.

The Li family wanted them to guard Jiming Mountain while offering them benefits in return.

Little did they know that they were constantly thinking about how to get rid of the Li family and even take over Jiming Mountain for themselves.

The same applies to Green Cloud Cave and the Chi family of Xiaolan Valley; everyone only wants to serve themselves.

What he wants to do is not to display force or bestow favors.

These things work in the short term, but become insignificant in the long run.

Only systems and interests can constrain and drive them over the years.

"Let's go!"

Li Xiangming led his clan's cultivators into Jiming Mountain, passed through a steep rock wall, and arrived at the location of the Spirit Pool.

It was as cool as ever here. He first released the Black Water Serpent and let it dive into the spirit pool.

After a while, "Little Black" turned back and flicked its tongue.

Li Xiangming immediately understood that the Spirit Pool was no different.

In fact, the Qin family died before they could even begin their mission, and they didn't even find Jiming Mountain, so of course they didn't have the chance to destroy this place. The reason he insisted on coming here was simply to show that he valued the Spirit Pool.

"The Qin family has been defeated, and Jiming Mountain is safe for the time being."

"Retract the Blackwater Serpent," Li Xiangming said calmly.

"really?"

Grandma Lai and the others were pleasantly surprised.

Fearing they would give themselves away, they didn't dare show their faces outside and were unaware of the Qin family's defeat.

Li Xiangming's eyes were clear and calm: "That's true, the Qin family could come back at any time. With your strength, you ultimately can't hold onto Jiming Mountain. The family has already decided to take back Jiming Mountain, unless..."

"Unless what?"

Master Xie hurriedly pressed for more information.

"Unless you can recognize your own identity and understand your place."

Li Xiangming's expression was calm, like a still, undisturbed pool before him.

(End of this chapter)