Family Cultivation: Rise of the Wilderness

Chapter 397 Thoughts

This is a warning to the Li family!
If the Li family and the Geng family join forces to attack Qin Zhengyi, then the Liu family will completely sever all cooperation with the Li family, including but not limited to the Burning Fiend Pill.

Conversely, if the Li family maintains restraint, then there is a possibility that the cooperation between the two families regarding the Burning Fiend Pill could be further developed.

Seeing Li Xiangming accept the Burning Fiend Pill, Liu Shiyin turned to Li Qianxiong and sighed softly, "Patriarch Li, we cultivators have just experienced the Nanbin War, and we should prioritize peace! Besides, if we let them cause trouble in public, it would be a loss of face for you, wouldn't it?"

Li Qianxiong's expression was grim as he weighed the pros and cons repeatedly in his mind.

Qin Zhengyi came with the intention of suppressing and humiliating the Li family. He and Li Xiangming were well aware of this, but they could not directly retaliate.

Firstly, this is Li Xiangming's Foundation Establishment Ceremony, which is attended by thousands of cultivators. As Liu Shiyin said, allowing outsiders to fight here would only be a loss of face for the Li family.

Secondly, Qin Zhengyi has a special status. If they were to attack him here, the Qin family would inevitably launch a full-scale attack on Danggui Mountain. However, the Li family is not yet prepared for war.

Thirdly, the Qin family also sought a protective talisman for Qin Zhengyi—the lives of Li Qianliang and his entourage who were sent to the Huang family. The Li family could not remain indifferent to the safety of their own members.

But the Geng family was different. They were overjoyed to see the Qin and Li families at odds. Geng Shiheng even gave up a Qi Refining Level 9 zombie just to annoy Qin Zhengyi. The corpse driver of the Five Scattered Sect also had a zombie of the same cultivation level, which was made from a Qin family cultivator who died in battle.

When Qin Zhengyi saw the zombie in Geng Shiheng's hand, he couldn't help but think of the tragic fate of his family members being turned into zombies. Then, thinking of the Qin family's unsuccessful attack on Jiming Mountain and the subsequent sneak attack by the Geng family, resulting in heavy casualties, how could he not be furious?
As long as Qin Zhengyi takes action against the Geng family cultivators, the Li family cannot stand idly by.

This would further exacerbate the conflict between the Qin and Li families.

However, the Liu family saw through this plan.

Liu Shiyin intervened immediately, instantly bringing Li Qianxiong, who had been hesitant, to his senses.

The hatred between the Qin and Geng families is irreconcilable, and the Qin and Li families are about to become enemies as well. At this moment, Li Qianxiong is naturally determined to fight against the Qin family.

However, he had to consider the influence of the Liu family.

Although the Liu family is an ally of the Qin family and is now determined to protect Qin Zhengyi, they at least maintain a public neutrality in the conflict between the Qin and Geng families.

If he and the Geng family cultivators confronted Qin Zhengyi in full view of everyone, it would be sending a strong signal to the outside world that the Li and Geng families had formed an alliance and were determined to fight the Qin family to the death.

In this way, the Liu family will inevitably feel threatened and completely side with the Qin family, thus creating a situation where the four major families in the southeast are fighting against each other.

The Qin family was already powerful, putting immense pressure on the Geng family. Now, they are even willing to reveal the identity of the mysterious force and come to denounce the Li family, showing the confidence to fight two against one.

Once the Qin family receives the full support of the Liu family, given their style of doing things, they will likely immediately march into Pudong to attack the Li family.

This is undoubtedly the worst possible outcome for the Li family.

After a moment of silence, Li Qianxiong snorted coldly: "Your Liu family certainly likes to play the peacemaker."

"Not at all, we just don't want to see us fighting amongst ourselves and letting outsiders benefit."

Liu Shiyin waved his hand, then turned to Geng Chengjie: "Senior Geng, you should also consider this. In my opinion, there is still room for reconciliation between the Qin and Geng families. The Liu family is willing to mediate, and I hope Senior Geng will give me some face."

Geng Chengjie frowned, glanced at Li Qianxiong again, and finally let go of Qin Zhengyi's arm.

For a time, the five Foundation Establishment cultivators inspected each other, each with their own thoughts.
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Zhao Zhen, who had been watching all this from afar, turned around and smiled, "Elder Hua, the situations in Pudong and Punan are already in a mess. Can your Bailu Sect rest easy now?"

Hua Lun glanced at him but didn't say anything.

As an elder of Shengyi Sect, and since Daishan, where Shengyi Sect is located, belongs to Pudong, he also contributed to the chaos in Pudong.

However, this person seems quite optimistic.

Even though Dai Shan was beaten like this, he could still laugh.

Seeing that Hua Lun did not respond, Zhao Zhen gently stroked his beard and hair again and sighed, "The cultivation world is ultimately dominated by young people. The four major families in the southeast have all produced outstanding talents, but our sect seems to be slightly inferior."

Upon hearing this, Hua Lun also fell into deep thought.

Perhaps it was because Xuanling Zhenren's talent was too amazing that he absorbed the fortune of Bailu Sect, causing Bailu Sect to decline generation after generation.

This is also why Bailumen has been hesitant to make a decision to expand.

Even if Pudong were willing to submit and welcome Bailu Sect, wouldn't it still need to accommodate three or five Foundation Establishment cultivators in such a vast territory?

But now, the White Dew Sect is entirely supported by these old guys. Very few of the younger generation are capable of reaching the Foundation Establishment stage.

If any of them were to meet with misfortune, and no one could fill the vacancy left by a Foundation Establishment cultivator, then the territory they had seized would quickly slip out of control.

The lack of follow-up efforts perfectly describes the current state of affairs at Bailu Gate.

In comparison, the four major families in the southeast are in a much better position.

Although he could not fully comprehend the power struggle on the platform, there were young people among the Qin, Li, Liu, and Geng families.

With his insight, it wasn't hard to see that the Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Geng and Liu families were merely performing guard duties; the real leaders were the younger generation.

As for Qin Zhengyi and Li Xiangming, who have already established their foundations, their influence is even more undeniable.

The young people from these aristocratic families have already shown their talent, while the Bailu Sect is still painstakingly searching for and cultivating excellent spiritual root seeds.

"We must provoke a war among the four families in the southeast."

Hua Lun sensed a threat and secretly made up his mind.

Zhao Zhen kept observing Hua Lun's expression, and a smile involuntarily crept onto her lips.

The Li family was watching the spectacle at Daishan, unaware that the flames of war had already reached their own doorstep.

Shengyi Gate also needs some firewood.

Just as he was gloating, the situation on the field changed again.

An old Taoist priest with an air of otherworldly grace gracefully stepped onto the stage, cupped his hands, and said, “We have gathered here today for the Foundation Establishment Ceremony. Does anyone have the heart to discuss the Dao? If so, this old Taoist priest is willing to wait a moment; if not, please make room for this old Taoist priest and Layman Li.”

Upon hearing this, everyone on the stage looked embarrassed.

Liu Xianyi politely returned the greeting, saying, "I apologize for disturbing you, Daoist Master."

Immediately afterwards, he and Liu Shiyin left the high platform first.

Seeing this, Geng Shiheng also left the stage with Geng Chengjie.

Knowing he shouldn't stay any longer, Qin Zhengyi turned and left.

Li Qianxiong narrowed his eyes and followed closely behind.

Even though he had decided not to take action against Qin Zhengyi in Changyang Valley, he would not let Li Qianliang and the others leave until he was sure of their safety.

Soon, only Li Xiangming and Qingyang Daoist remained on the field.

"Thank you for helping me out of that predicament, Taoist priest."

Li Xiangming bowed in thanks, a hint of fatigue showing on his face.

The twists and turns of this foundation-building ceremony far exceeded his expectations, making him think that blood would be spilled on the stage and the ceremony would have to be stopped.

However, the Liu family's intervention brought the conflict averted.

The intervention of the Qingyang Taoist brought it back on track.

Qingyang Daoist gently waved his whisk. He was quite old and experienced, so he could naturally see the tense atmosphere on the stage where they were locked in a fierce battle.

He had no interest in, nor did he want to get involved in, the conflicts among these powerful families.

As a friend, he didn't want to see the only foundation-building ceremony in Xiao Li's life ruined by some power struggles and tricks, so he stepped forward to help.

"You are Welcome."

The Taoist Qingyang smiled slightly and said in a calm tone, "Speaking of which, it has been a long time since I had a heart-to-heart talk with Layman Li. Today is a fine day and a beautiful scene, perfect for us to drink and chat."

(End of this chapter)