Family Cultivation: Rise of the Wilderness

Chapter 383 Three Lines of Defense
In recent years, the Li family has focused half of its efforts on the art of beast taming and the other half on Mount Dai.

Why does the Li family attach so much importance to Daishan?

This is because the legendary "Purple Shade Cave" and the Maojing Mine are both located in Daishan.

It's uncertain when the "Purple Shade Cave" will be revealed, so we'll leave that aside for now.

But the Maojing mine has become a veritable money bag for the Li family.

As the two situations became increasingly tense, and major merchants and caravans withdrew from Daishan, the Li family did the opposite. They moved almost half of the Shijinfang to the Maojing Mine and sent a large number of Qi Refining mid-to-late stage cultivators to Daishan.

Its purpose was to sell Maojing to various sects and factions.

Today, the Li family has seized more than 70% of the Maojing market in Daishan.

Whether it was the Zhenhun Sect, the Shengyi Sect, or their affiliated forces, they all placed their first choice for purchasing Mao Jing on the Li family, which made the Li family a fortune.

To this end, the Li family even planned to spend a lot of manpower and resources to open up the long mountain road between Xulong Township and Yuanmen Town, so as to facilitate the miners to transport Maojing ore back to Danggui Mountain, thereby improving the efficiency of the Li family's Maojing production.

This alone shows the effort the Li family has put into Daishan.

But the Li family never expected that their southern neighbors had also invested a great deal of effort in Pudong.

The Tongbei Sect is proof of this!
At this moment, the brows of the elders were furrowed into knots.

Li Xiangming's voice continued: "This mysterious force has already abducted many of my Li family's retainers and obtained a lot of intelligence. If they are hostile, they will become our greatest enemy. Judging from their deliberate pursuit of Xiangcheng, this hostility has already been revealed. Once Xiangcheng falls into their hands, with a little manipulation, such as having Xiangcheng die at the hands of Geng family cultivators, my Li family will soon be at war with the Geng family."

"You believe this mysterious force is the Qin family?"

Li Qianxiong narrowed his eyes and interrupted.

Li Xiangming shook his head: "It's too early to say who it is, but the Qin family is undoubtedly a prime suspect. At the very least, they are the ones in Pu County who most want us to fight the Geng family."

"Let's assume the mysterious force is the Qin family!"

Li Xiangming surveyed the crowd: "Given the Qin family's meticulous organization, their actions are far from spur-of-the-moment. The Tongbei Sect's collusion with the Huang family to attack Baolong Valley shouldn't be seen as a mere conflict of interest. After all, if this succeeds, my Li family will lose an ally, while the newly created Huang family has close ties with the Tongbei Sect. If the Qin family were to turn against us in the future, would the Huang family be willing to serve us?"

These words made everyone even more uneasy.

The Chen family was unwilling to submit to the Li family, while the Huang family readily submitted. Naturally, the Li family sided with the Huang family, which was the fundamental reason why the family turned a blind eye to the crisis in Baolong Valley.

However, if the Huang family's surrender is merely a pretense, and they later turn their guns on the Li family, then the Li family will have suffered a double loss.

No wonder Li Xiangming targeted the Huang family!

Although the methods were somewhat crude, if they could make the Huang family adopt a more respectful attitude and sever their connection with the mysterious force, it would undoubtedly be more in the Li family's interest.

Even if the newly appointed head of the Huang family is disobedient, it doesn't matter.

Since the Huang family is no longer powerful, if they dare to break away from the Li family, then the Li family's new vassal—the Chen family of Baolong Valley—will become their death warrant.

For a moment, even the elders looked at Li Xiangming with admiration.

Li Chenglu immediately stood up and said heavily, "All signs indicate that this mysterious force has already made a move against the Li family. If Xiangming hadn't gone to Baolong Valley, we would still be in the dark. I agree to increase our defenses in the south and we must not allow the Qin family or any other force to interfere in Pudong."

"That's right, Pudong doesn't welcome outsiders!"

The crowd responded enthusiastically.

The Li family had long regarded Pudong as their sphere of influence, and small families and sects were naturally welcome to settle there.

However, among the four major families backed by Puyin Mountain, the Qin family is the most powerful.

Once the Qin family establishes a foothold in Pudong, the threat to the Li family will undoubtedly be enormous.

Li Qianxiong frowned and tapped the table lightly.

The clan elders originally summoned Li Xiangming to give this rising star of the family a warning, as he had become somewhat "arrogant."

Unexpectedly, everyone quickly began to support Li Xiangming and even unanimously demanded a change in the family's development strategy.

However, Li Xiangming's speculation is within the realm of possibility.

This matter concerns the survival of the family, and as the head of the family, he cannot ignore it.

After a moment of silence, Li Qianxiong slowly said, "Pudong is our foundation. Regardless of whether the mysterious force is the Qin family or not, we must be prepared. I intend to establish an Embroidery Room in the Foreign Affairs Hall, dedicated to intelligence, assassination, and other covert work. Let Xiang Chuan take charge of it."

"According to legend?"

There were whispers among the crowd.

Li Xiangming also raised his head, a slight thought stirring within him.

Li Xiangchuan was among the first batch of Xiang-generation cultivators to serve the family.

When he was in charge of the animal trapping facility, Li Xiangchuan was his deputy, and their cooperation was quite smooth.

But their good fortune didn't last long. Li Xiangchuan led his team into the mountains to hunt demons, but they accidentally encountered the Illusory Night Butterfly and were almost wiped out.

Despite his timely arrival, the old man Li Qianzhong in the animal trapping house still died tragically, and he died by the body of Li Xiangchuan, who was under the influence of an illusion.

This incident had an extremely negative impact. When Li Qianxiong learned of it, he immediately dismissed Li Xiangchuan from his post and imprisoned him for three years after his injuries gradually healed.

Since then, Li Xiangming has never seen his third brother again.

Unexpectedly, Li Qianxiong has now reinstated Li Xiangchuan.

So it seems that Li Xiangchuan's mental state may have improved.

Those of the Xiang generation present all seemed somewhat excited.

Seeing that no one objected, Li Qianxiong continued, "It's unrealistic to expect a newly established embroidery workshop to resist the expansion of the mysterious forces. Do you have any other ideas?"

"I suggest establishing a stronghold in the south, setting up formations, and stationing cultivators there."

"We can reveal the Tongbi Sect's affairs to the Geng family. If the Geng family knows that there is a formidable enemy to their north, they will definitely be nervous and will most likely send people to patrol, which will help reduce our burden."

"Bai Lumen is the leader of Pu County, so we should continue to be on good terms with them and use them as external support."

"No, no, no, Bailu Sect is too far from Pudong. In my opinion, it would be better to strengthen ties with Shengyi Sect, use Mao Jing as a selling point, and seek their support."

"The formation of Danggui Mountain should also be strengthened, lest it suffer the same fate as Baolong Valley."

"The disciples of Qingmiao Academy and Xiufeng Academy need more practical combat experience. Why not send them to Puyin Mountain for training regularly? Of course, they should be supervised by elders."

Everyone chimed in with their own ideas and suggestions.

Li Qianxiong listened, but his gaze was fixed on Li Xiangming: "Xiangming, what are your thoughts?"

Li Xiangming pondered for a moment before replying, "The mysterious forces have a good plan. They planted the Tongbei Sect in Pudong in advance, perhaps to serve as a bridgehead for invading Pudong, or perhaps to make the Geng family be attacked from both sides. But no matter what, Meiling is in the middle, and the Tongbei Sect has penetrated deep into the territory alone. I have uprooted it, and the mysterious forces are still unaware of it."

"From this point of view, the role of the Geng family in Meiling is very obvious. We can continue to implement the strategy of allying with the Geng family, regard the Geng family as the first line of defense, and let them block the southernmost point. In this way, the forces of Punan cannot openly enter Pudong."

At this point, Li Xiangming took out a map of Pu County and pointed to the north of Meiling, saying, "This is the Huang family of Jinqianling. To the east is the Chen family of Baolong Valley. A little north of the Chen family is Xiaolan Valley. To the northeast of Xiaolan Valley is Huangquanze, where the Wusanmen of Jiming Mountain is located. To the west, there is a force called Woyunzhuang. To the northwest are the Qionghua Sect, Qixian Valley, and other sects, all the way to the Luo family of Shangqingyuan in the northwest of our Dangui Mountain. The future work of the steward can be entrusted to them, building a second line of defense for our Li family!"

“We will build another stronghold in the middle between Huangjia and Danggui Mountain, and use it as the center to expand to the left and right to build a third line of defense.”

As soon as Li Xiangming finished speaking, someone couldn't help but exclaim, "Brilliant! In this way, it will be almost impossible for Punan's forces to invade Pudong silently."

Upon hearing this, Li Qianxiong took it very seriously and personally rose to examine the map in Li Xiangming's hand. Li Xiangru, standing nearby, quickly added, "Patriarch, I think Xiangming is right. Using our family's vassals to build a defensive line saves both manpower and resources. We only need to occasionally mobilize them to search the surrounding area. A force as 'massive' as the Tongbei Sect simply cannot hide. We can also be fully aware of every movement in Pudong."

"I'm afraid it will be difficult to see results in the short term."

Li Qianxiong hesitated. Although the Li family was the only dominant force in Pudong, cultivators were always self-reliant. Unless something unexpected happened, who would be willing to submit to others?

For Dian Ke Fang, continuously subduing so many cultivation forces was undoubtedly extremely challenging.

Nevertheless, Li Qianxiong was still very happy. He was not afraid of difficult tasks, but he was afraid of having no ideas.

If Li Xiangming's three-line defense theory is put into practice, it will not only help prevent trouble from the hostile neighbor to the south, but will also have strategic significance for the Li family's control of Pudong.

Another point is that although the Dianke family is working very hard, the influence of Pudong is growing, and it is impossible for a small group of people to visit every family and faction. Li Xiangming's suggestion can be regarded as pointing out the direction for the Dianke family's future work.

Seeing that Li Qianxiong still had some concerns on his face, Li Xiangming immediately comforted him, "Patriarch, there is no need to worry too much. Although Tongbei Sect is hostile to us, it has only dealt with Baolong Valley over the years. This shows that the mysterious force behind it is not confident enough and does not even dare to reveal its identity. We should still have plenty of time to prepare."

Upon hearing this, Li Qianxiong nodded.

As the head of the family agreed, the voices in Changlin's room gradually became more unified.
-
"The sound of the bell resonates!"

After leaving Changlin House, Li Xiangru caught up with him.

Li Xiangming turned around and asked in surprise, "Fourth Brother, what's wrong?"

"What should we do with those Tongbei Sect children? The patriarch asked me to take care of them, but I'm completely clueless."

Upon hearing this, Li Xiangming was also somewhat embarrassed.

A small number of children who have been inoculated with the Heart-Eating Gu have not been deeply brainwashed and may still be saved.

But for some other children, there's not much that can be done.

Li Xiangru came to him, presumably because he had learned of their stubbornness and was completely at a loss.

"Can't we influence them through persistent, gradual effort?"

Li Xiangming asked a question.

Li Xiangru responded with a wry smile: "It's not just one or two people. The family really can't spare any manpower to teach them. Besides, Ma He said that even in ten or twenty years, they might not become normal people. The clan elders won't agree to keep them on Tailai Peak for such a long time."

Li Xiangming frowned. He had taken these teenagers in out of a moment of weakness, but now they had become a problem for the Li family.

These people all possess cultivation, making them valuable human resources.

But the Li family has no use for them at all.

Killing them would be a terrible sin; letting them go would only bring trouble to the Li family.

This is a dilemma!
After thinking for a moment, Li Xiangming slowly said, "Let's lock them up first, just keep them at the Beast Breeding Peak."

Beast Breeding Peak has a large number of beast cages, and its defensive capabilities are beyond question, so there is no fear of them escaping.

"That's all it can do."

"By the way, Ma He and the others still need to be observed for several months."

Li Xiangru pondered for a moment, nodded, and prepared to leave.

Li Xiangming called out to him, "Fourth Brother, I haven't thanked you enough for speaking up for me."

"I'm just passing by; I can't be of any help to you."

Li Xiangru smiled gently and patted Li Xiangming's shoulder again: "You're getting more and more capable. I've had high hopes for you ever since you became the chief scribe. The future of the Li family rests on your shoulders."

Li Xiangming chuckled: "Fourth Brother is joking. Who doesn't know that you are the first chief scribe of the Changlin branch?"

As Li Xiangru picked up his pen, something suddenly occurred to him, and he asked in a low voice, "How is Xiangcheng doing lately?"

Li Xiangming paused for a moment, then replied, "He went into seclusion as soon as he got back. He must have been quite traumatized. I don't know if it's good or bad for him to cultivate in his current mental state."

"It is said that he has already emerged from the shadows, but it remains to be seen whether Xiangcheng can emerge from them as well."

Li Xiangru sighed softly.

At that moment, another person walked over; it was Li Xiangzhen.

Li Xiangming saw the other person and waved.

"what happened?"

"Master, Vice Sect Leader Zhang is looking for you."

Zhang Min?

Li Xiangming was immediately troubled. Back in Baolong Valley, Zhang Min had asked to see him, but he avoided her and instead went to wipe out the Tongbei Sect before returning directly to Danggui Mountain.

Unexpectedly, Zhang Min was so persistent that she even tracked him down to the Li family's house.

"Take her to the Foreign Affairs Hall."

"Yes!"

Li Xiangzhen withdrew.

Seeing this, Li Xiangru also took his leave.

Li Xiangming paused for a moment, then went to the Foreign Affairs Hall and brewed a pot of hot tea.

Not long after, a tall female cultivator barged in. As soon as she saw Li Xiangming, she suppressed her anger and said, "Does the sect leader intend to put Long Yang to death?"

"Senior Sister Zhang, please don't talk nonsense. As the sect leader, how could I possibly turn against my own people?"

Li Xiangming raised his teacup, gesturing for Zhang Min to sit down.

Zhang Min stood ramrod straight, without uttering a word.

The scene fell silent. Li Xiangming looked at Zhang Min and knew very well that his senior sister suspected him of settling a personal score with the underground river and deliberately forcing Long Yang to leave, which was why she rushed over to question him.

After all, before he gave the orders to the Green Cloud Cave disciples, Long Yang was perfectly normal, and there were no unpleasant things between him and the Green Cloud Cave disciples.

Suddenly, Long Yang's personality changed drastically, and he committed many killings. Now he has even betrayed Green Cloud Cave.

From Zhang Min's perspective, this was clearly abnormal, even unbelievable.

However, many things are best left unsaid to outsiders.

Li Xiangming took a sip of tea and said calmly, "Long Yang has his own ideas, and I have my own ideas too. Senior Sister Zhang, you should worry about the spirit field."

Zhang Min was taken aback for a moment, wanting to refute something.

Suddenly, she caught a glimpse of the sect leader's token on the coffee table out of the corner of her eye, and her mouth, which was about to open, froze.

After a long pause, she turned away, feeling frustrated. After taking a few steps, she couldn't help but turn back.

Unbeknownst to her, she saw the shadow of her master, Fairy Green Cloud, in Li Xiangming.

(End of this chapter)