Family Cultivation: Rise of the Wilderness

Chapter 445 Support
"Although abandoning the Maojing mine was Xiangming's idea, my elder brother and Xiangyu also jointly reported it, which is enough to show that the situation was urgent at the time. If this move failed, would it be unfair to only blame Xiangming?"

Just then, Li Xianghua stood up and said in a deep voice, "Furthermore, the Maojing Mine has been discovered by the demonic beasts and has been besieged. There's no guarantee it won't be besieged a second time; Monkey Valley, on the other hand, remains safe. Isn't guarding the valley and waiting for reinforcements the right thing to do? Just because Xiangming is in charge of Monkey Valley, you judge him to have ulterior motives? I cannot agree with that. Or is it a good strategy if my Li family abandons both the Maojing Mine and Monkey Valley before the demonic beasts arrive and slinks back to Dangui Mountain?"

Li Chengweng frowned instantly: "Xianghua, don't be so unreasonable. You saw Xiangming's letter. He clearly wants the family to give him their full support to protect Monkey Valley."

"So what? Shouldn't the family guard Monkey Valley?"

Li Xianghua looked directly into Ninth Uncle's eyes, his gaze unwavering.

"Xiang Hua, stop your insolence!"

Li Qianting quickly interjected and reprimanded him.

The second branch of the family had no grudges against Li Xiangming and was happy to see a new prodigy emerge in the family. If Li Xiangming were in danger, the second branch would do everything in their power to help him.

But the second wife also had to suppress Li Xiangming.

There's no other reason than that the fourth branch of the family has developed too quickly!
The ranking of the direct lineage of the Li family is based on the strength of the several Hui generation members who established their foundations back then.

The third and fourth wives are inferior to the first and second wives in terms of both strength and background.

In particular, during the Battle of Nanbin, all members of the Hui generation who had reached the Foundation Establishment stage died in battle, except for Li Huinan.

The third and fourth branches of the family lost their central leadership, their status plummeted, and their influence was only slightly better than that of the branch families.

Although the second wife's family also suffered significant losses, they produced a son named Li Chenggeng.

It should be noted that when Li Chenggeng was young, he was a genius who could openly and secretly compete with Li Chengkang.

Although Li Chenggeng lost to Li Chengkang in the competition for the position of family head, the second branch of the family flourished under his protection and kept a close eye on the first branch.

Coincidentally, Li Qianxiao, the most promising successor to Li Chengkang in the eldest branch of the family, encountered a bottleneck and failed to achieve his goal of establishing a foundation multiple times. This ignited the desire of the second branch of the family for the position of head of the family.

However, just as the second branch was making great strides, a Li Qianxiong suddenly emerged from the third branch. He repeatedly made outstanding contributions on behalf of the Li family on the Nanbin battlefield, and his cultivation level even reached the Foundation Establishment stage.

And so, the second wife's dream of becoming the head of the family was completely shattered.

But the birth of Lee Sang-woo gave the second wife renewed hope.

If the generation with the character "Qian" is not good enough, who says the generation with the character "Xiang" is not up to par

Over the years, the second wife's family has been promoting Li Xiangyu. They have given him everything that others have, and the second wife's family has even squeezed out resources from other members of the Xiang generation to give to Li Xiangyu.

The purpose was to allow Li Xiangyu to establish his foundation first, thereby securing his position as the next head of the family.

However, the second wife miscalculated once again.

Lee Sang-in, from the eldest son's family, began to show his talent from a young age and was deeply favored by Lee Hwi-nam. Even with Lee Sang-yu's exceptional talent, he was still no match for him.

However, the second wife did not give up.

Back then, Li Chengsu also overpowered Li Chengkang and Li Chenggeng. What about now?

The second branch of the family dared not hope that Li Xiangren would get into trouble, but still placed high hopes on Li Xiangyu, after all, the position of head of the family had not yet been decided, hadn't it?
Unexpectedly, another man named Li Xiangming emerged from the fourth branch of the family.

Li Xiangming not only possesses astonishing talent and cultivation, but he is also adept at handling family affairs, making him seem unlike a typical member of the Li family.

The second wife immediately felt a sense of crisis.

Li Xiangyu was already at a disadvantage compared to Li Xiangren, and when compared to Li Xiangming, his image of diligent cultivation even became a weakness—in the end, the head of the family was still more popular with those who were skilled in singing and dancing.

What made things even more agonizing for the second wife's family was that it wasn't just Li Xiangming who was rising in power, but also the entire fourth wife's family.

Li Chenglu controlled the Talisman Array Room, Li Qianshi was in charge of the Service Department, Li Xiangming of the Xiang generation once became the head of the Foreign Affairs Hall, and young people such as Li Xiangfeng and Li Xianghong respectively controlled the Beast Capture Room and the Beast Breeding Room.

Some time ago, after careful consideration, the head of the family gave the quota for the Daigo Cave, which was originally allocated to the second branch of the family, to the junior, Li Xiangcheng.

Fang Tou Li Chengweng was sullen for several days because of this.

If things continue like this, won't the fourth wife be able to ride roughshod over the second wife?
Li Xiangming is indeed the pride of the family. The second branch of the family hopes that he will have a smooth career and give back to the Li family, but they absolutely do not want the fourth branch of the family to gradually take control of the Li family's discourse power under the brilliance of Li Xiangming.

It's not just the second wife who doesn't want to; the first and third wives feel the same way.

Li Qianting understood that the three elders' joint accusation was not intended to punish Li Xiangming, but rather to force the fourth branch of the family to submit, and even to take the opportunity to extort benefits from them.

As long as the fourth branch of the family fails to develop, Li Xiangming will never become the head of the family.

After all, the first and second wives wouldn't abandon Lee Sang-in and Lee Sang-yu and turn their support to Lee Sang-myung of the fourth wife.

The second branch of the family should simultaneously support Li Xiangyu's rise to power, suppress the fourth branch, and win over Li Xiangming, their strategist. This is the only way forward for the second branch.

Li Xianghua has always been intelligent and has trained at the Shouyu Hall for several years, so he should have been able to see these things.

Now that they're openly defying him, how could he not be anxious?
Hearing his father's reprimand, Li Xianghua raised his head slightly, seemingly wanting to say something but then stopping himself.

But in the end, he didn't say anything more.

Li Chengsu, who was standing to the side, suddenly stood up and said angrily, "The siege of Maojing Mine was too sudden. We were also caught off guard. If Xiangming hadn't set off from Monkey Valley to provide support in time, Maojing Mine would probably have been breached long ago, and even Qianxiao would have been in danger of losing his life."

"Xiang Ming, together with Xiang Ren and Xiang Yu, slew two Burning Sky Violent Apes and captured a Lion Demon in the early stage of Bone Fusion. Such a great achievement deserves a great reward. How can he be punished for abandoning the Maojing Mine?"

"As for supporting Xiangming in defending Monkey Valley, it's not an irreversible decision! Don't forget that Monkey Valley is still perfectly safe right now."

Li Chengsu looked around at everyone, his gaze lingering for a moment on Li Chengweng's face: "Even if the demonic beasts launch a full-scale attack on Monkey Valley and things are hopeless, do you think Xiangming will stop you from leaving?"

After saying that, he paused and added, "I heard that when Xiangming went to support Maojing Mine, he brought a large group of demon-hunting cultivators with him. Now they have returned from Daishan, exhausted, but my Li family has abandoned Monkey Valley because they think it is not worth defending. What should these people think?"

"You all know that being a demon hunter is not a good profession. Even if these people don't complain about the Li family, as independent cultivators, once they leave Monkey Valley, their refuge, they will disappear like dandelions in Pu County. Expecting them to return to Puyin Mountain in the future? That's unrealistic! How do you consider the effort and resources that the Li family has invested in the Demon Hunter Guild and these demon hunter cultivators?"

In the more than one hundred years of the Li family's history, there has only been one young patriarch.

That's Li Chengsu!

Although Li Chengsu failed to become the head of the family, he also failed to achieve his goal of establishing his foundation.

But his prestige was no less than that of Li Chengkang, Li Chenggeng and others.

Moreover, Li Chengsu also held the title of clan elder.

His words immediately sparked a flurry of discussion among the members of Changlinfang.

Even Li Qianxiong's brows were tightly furrowed.

The outbreak of a beast tide in Daishan is a major event that cannot be ignored!

However, it wouldn't be enough to shake the foundation of the Li family.

After all, the great demons at the Tribulation Core stage have not yet shown themselves.

Perhaps Shengyi Sect, including Zhenhun Sect and other sects of Daishan, will not be able to drive away or resist the beast tide in a short period of time.

However, the Bailu Sect, which sees Puxian County as its own, cannot allow the monsters to run rampant.

Even if all else fails, Pu County still has Hengyue Gate as a backer.

For the two prefectures, a mere beast tide was nothing more than a minor ailment.

If we consider the entire history of the struggles in the Heng Kingdom, it doesn't even deserve to be recorded.

Li Qianxiong is not worried that the beast tide will impact the political landscape of Puxian County.

The demonic beasts arrived suddenly and aggressively, catching the Heng Kingdom cultivators off guard and causing them to be somewhat disorganized. As the saying goes, play to your strengths and avoid your weaknesses.

In his view, it was a wise move for Li Xiangming to abandon the Maojing Mine and lead his remaining forces to retreat to Monkey Valley.

But he remained hesitant about whether or not to defend Monkey Valley.

Since we're going to retreat, let's retreat to Danggui Mountain.

This is the opinion of the clan elders.

It is an indisputable fact that Monkey Valley has no formations or arrays.

The fact that the monsters are not attacking Monkey Valley now does not mean they won't in the future.

Li Jiaqiang is fighting monsters in Monkey Valley, and he must have suffered heavy casualties.

He had originally intended to consolidate his power, protect himself, and observe the situation, but Li Chengsu's words awakened him.

The Li family's interests in Puyin Mountain have long since extended beyond the qualification to "hunt demons".

Thanks to Li Xiangming's past efforts, the Li family has opened many businesses in Monkey Valley. Although they are not as profitable as the shops in Pushui Market, they still make a considerable profit.

Of course, according to Li Xiangming, the Li family should pay the most attention to the Puyin Mountain Guild Hall, which allows direct interaction with merchants, and the Demon Hunting Guild, which is closely related to demon hunters.

Compared to the former, he actually cares more about the Demon Hunter Guild.

Because demon hunters can both make money in the mountains and commit murder and arson.

The reason he sent Li Xiangming back to Puyin Mountain was to gather more strength for the Li family in order to deal with the imminent threat from the Qin family.

Judging from Li Xiangming's actions of leading over a hundred demon-hunting cultivators to support the Maojing Mine, this kid's work has been remarkably effective.

However, if the Li family abandons Monkey Valley at this time, the demon-hunting cultivators who have been recruited will soon be scattered under the impact of the beast tide.

This was an outcome he did not want to see.

As Li Xianghua and Li Chengsu spoke in turn, the members of the four branches of the family immediately became enthusiastic, each contributing their own words to support Li Xiangming's request to be stationed in Monkey Valley.

The elders of the first, second, and third branches of the clan, however, glared and refuted the arguments repeatedly.

In no time, Changlinfang was in complete chaos.

"enough!"

Li Qianxiong shouted loudly, sweeping his sharp gaze across everyone present.

An aura of authority unique to those in power swept over us.

The Changlin family gradually quieted down, and even the clan elders were no longer agitated.

After a moment's thought, Li Qianxiong said in a deep voice, "Xiangru, reply to Xiangming that you agree to his request to guard the valley. Xiangyu will also stay in Monkey Valley, but Xiangren and Qianxiao must return. I will select fifteen late-stage Qi Refining cultivators and thirty-five mid-stage Qi Refining cultivators from the Guarding Hall and the Service Institute, along with fifty vassal cultivators from various families above the mid-stage Qi Refining level, for a total of one hundred people. Qianshi will lead the team, with Xianghua as his deputy, to support Monkey Valley. Tell him to make good use of this force."

"Yes!"

Li Xiangru, with a stern expression, bowed and took his leave.
-
As the sun sets, the sky is tinged with a faint golden-red hue.

In the northeast corner of Xiaolang Valley, dozens of acres of spiritual fields stand neatly arranged.

Between the ridges of the fields, the medicinal herbs sway gently in the wind, emitting a faint fragrance.

Chi Youyan squatted by the field, her hands supporting her chin, her bright eyes half-open and half-closed, her long eyelashes casting fine shadows on her cheeks.

"Youyan!"

A gentle voice called out, and Chi Youyan immediately opened her eyes, stood up, and waved: "Sister Tang, I'm here!"

Tang Xueyan had already seen her and smiled gently: "Are you that sleepy?"

Chi Youyan stuck out her tongue and said somewhat embarrassedly, "I almost messed up Sister Tang's important matter. Luckily, the frost aphids didn't come just now."

Tang Xueyan glanced at the nearby spiritual herbs, then gently patted Chi Youyan's head: "Thank you for your hard work!"

"Sister Tang, why are you also learning from those spirit farmers and growing spirit herbs?"

Chi Youyan asked in confusion.

Tang Xueyan remained silent for a moment before replying, "I've heard that the Fairy Dew Orchid has a miraculous effect on repairing the soul and can fetch a high price in the cultivation world. Since I have nothing else to do, I might as well plant some."

"Oh!"

Chi Youyan responded, but quickly added, "But I heard from my fourth brother that the survival rate of the Fairy Dew Orchid is very low, and even experienced plant masters often find it troublesome. Moreover, the Fairy Dew Orchid is particularly prone to pests. Today you have to guard against grass moths, and tomorrow you have to be wary of leaf aphids. It's not easy!"

"Indeed."

Tang Xueyan bent down, checking the fairy orchid seedlings at her feet, and replied softly, "If it weren't for the guidance of the spirit plant master from Green Cloud Cave, I wouldn't dare to plant them. The frequency of frost aphids has been very high these past two days, and I've been guarding them for several days now. Luckily, you're here to take over for me."

"I'm glad I could help Sister Tang..."

Chi Youyan was about to continue chatting when she noticed a child, about half a year old, cautiously walking over.

"Xiao Qingchi?"

Chi Youyan quickly waved and asked, "Why did you come here?"

Xu Qingchi first bowed to Tang Xueyan, then smiled shyly at Chi Youyan and said, "I've come to say goodbye."

"Goodbye?"

Chi Youyan's delicate nose wrinkled slightly: "Where are you going?"

"Monkey Valley".

Xu Qingchi did not hide anything: "The sect leader issued a summons, and all disciples of Green Cloud Cave are to rush to Monkey Valley. It seems that there is a disturbance caused by the monsters in Puyin Mountain."

"You're so young, why are you going?"

Upon hearing this, Tang Xueyan's face instantly darkened.

Xu Qingchi scratched his head: "Originally, I didn't need to! The vice sect leader even tried to persuade me, but I'm the sect leader's top disciple. All the other senior uncles went to fight the demon beasts, while I was hiding in Xiaolan Valley. I was afraid that it would tarnish Master's reputation, so I volunteered..."

"absurd!"

Tang Xueyan interrupted, wanting to say more, but then she remembered that Xu Qingchi was a disciple of Green Cloud Cave, while she was an outsider, and for a moment the words stuck in her throat, and she couldn't say them.

However, Chi Youyan grabbed Xu Qingchi's arm and asked anxiously, "What about the Chi family? Are they going too?"

Xu Qingchi recalled for a moment and nodded: "It seems we're going too. Patriarch Chi has already packed our bags."

"Why didn't you notify me?"

Chi Youyan muttered a dissatisfied remark. Thinking of Li Xiangming, whose image in her mind had become somewhat blurred, she suddenly felt a strong urge and decided to leave the spirit field in a hurry.

"Sister Chi!"

Xu Qingchi called out, but received no response, and his face turned pale.

Did I say something wrong?
He turned back to look at Tang Xueyan again. Compared to Sister Chi, who took great care of him, Sister Tang often seemed unapproachable. He felt a little awkward and said, "Sister Tang, if there's nothing else, I'll go back now?"

(End of this chapter)