Family Cultivation: Rise of the Wilderness

Chapter 464 Visiting Relatives
"Master Guan?"

Li Xiangming raised an eyebrow. Master Guan of Baiqitang must be Guan Dongqing.

It is said that Guan Dongqing is arrogant and never flatters anyone. Even though the Li family is quite famous in Pudong, they may not be able to persuade him, especially in such a short time.

There's only one situation that could motivate Guan Dongqing to be so enthusiastic: the marriage between Guan Tianyou and Li Xiangping.

"The patriarch agreed?"

Li Xiangming couldn't help but ask.

Li Qianxiong understood his meaning and nodded slightly: "The steward's family is not of high status, but they can be considered a rising star in Pushui Market. Guan Tianyou is quite clever. Since Xiangping is interested, as an elder, I cannot object."

Li Xiangming smiled in response, but felt somewhat helpless inside.

The memory of Li Xiangren being forced into marriage is still fresh in my mind.

Without the help of her family, Min Ning would have had no chance to interfere in the relationship between Li Xiangren and Ye Yun.

Li Qianxiong's words clearly implied a "different stroke of the rage" attitude.

But who can blame him when Li Xiangren is the first person of the Xiang generation?

It wasn't just Li Qianxiong who pressured him; a group of clan elders and Li Xiangren's own relatives also pressured him. In their eyes, Li Xiangren should set an example for the family.

Li Xiangming suppressed his thoughts and skipped the topic.

It wasn't that he didn't want to speak up for Lee Sang-in, but he knew that even if he did, it would be meaningless.

There are three things that our family has always valued.

Firstly, it is due to blood ties; secondly, it is due to the inheritance of Taoist teachings; and thirdly, it is due to the peace of being laid to rest.

These are the only three things that the elders will never compromise on.

The marriages of the Li family members are related to the continuation of the bloodline, and thus rank fourth. Although Li Xiangren eloped with Ye Yun and even had two children, the elders did not consider it a big deal.

Isn't it normal for men to have multiple wives and concubines?

As long as Lee Sang-in's child carries the Lee family bloodline, it doesn't matter who the father is.

The more children the better!

Li Xiangming himself has been cricketed.

He and Cao Yanjun have been Daoist partners for several years, but they have no children yet. Li Qianhe has repeatedly hinted that he should take a concubine.

However, he did not agree because he was mindful of Cao Yanjun's feelings.

In short, the family gets involved in far too many things.

The more important a child is, the more attention the family pays to them. These younger generations have no power to resist the web of blood ties that binds them together.

"You should have a good rest."

Li Qianxiong and Li Xiangming chatted for a while about family matters, but then lost interest in talking.

Li Xiangming hesitated for a moment, but still said, "There is a monk named Liao Shen in the Demon Suppression Camp who is quite talented."

"Master Liaoshen?"

Li Qianxiong muttered something to himself and continued, "I know he was appointed as the deputy commander of the Demon Suppression Camp by you, but the Demon Suppression Camp is of great significance to my Li family and cannot be interfered with by outsiders. If you value his abilities, I can send someone to recruit him into the Service Department."

Upon hearing this, Li Xiangming fell silent.

He established the Demon Suppression Camp to unite the demon-hunting cultivators of Monkey Valley and work together to resist the beast tide. That's why he appointed Master Shen as the deputy commander, so that everyone could see that even outsiders could hold high positions and make their mark in the Demon Suppression Camp.

This move will surely boost morale and attract more demon hunters to join the demon-suppressing camp.

He didn't believe Li Qianxiong couldn't see this.

However, Li Qianxiong still decided to let the Li family take full control of the Demon Hunting Camp, which shows that the family's primary goal was no longer to defend Monkey Valley, but the Demon Hunting Camp itself.

Compared to a river valley, the hundreds of cultivators in the Demon Suppression Camp are the power that the Li family truly desires.

In this context, Master Liaoshen's talents were of no use.

Even if the Li family can't withstand the beast tide, as long as they can bring the Demon Suppression Camp back to Danggui Mountain, they will make a fortune.

However, Li Xiangming was not willing to accept this outcome.

The Li family looked down on Monkey Valley, but he had invested a great deal of effort in it.

However, he didn't say much. Given his current physical condition, anything he said would be futile.

It is likely that in the eyes of the higher-ups, their forceful defense of the beast tide in Monkey Valley was a mistake in itself.

The reason is simple: the beast tide will eventually retreat.

There's still a distance between Puyin Mountain and Danggui Mountain, and the monsters haven't even come to our doorstep yet, so why bother fighting them?

The loss of Monkey Valley was certainly a significant loss, but the personnel and resources spent supporting the front lines in Monkey Valley were also a major cost.

The reason his family agreed to this decision was less because they supported his idea and more because they supported him as a person.

As the chief scribe of the Changlin branch and the most important prodigy of the fourth branch, Li Xiangming was still one of the few Foundation Establishment cultivators. If he were to speak, it would carry no weight and would only harm the interests of the family head's lineage and the fourth branch.

Li Xiangming was fully aware of the higher-ups' thoughts.

The only option now is to recover from the injury and return to Monkey Valley.

As long as he appears in Monkey Valley, the Demon Suppression Camp will still follow his lead. If he orders the defense of Monkey Valley to the death, the family will grit their teeth and support him.

After figuring things out, Li Xiangming lay down on the bed with peace of mind.

Suddenly, he remembered something, struggled to his feet, and asked, "Master, have any mothers and daughters from Dangui Mountain come to visit?"

"Mother and daughter?"

Li Qianxiong frowned: "What mother and daughter?"

There's none?
Li Xiangming was slightly surprised.

When he took the Tongming Acupoint Fruit from Shi Fengxue, he instructed them to go to Dangui Mountain and wait for him to return it to its rightful owner.

Now, a full seven days have passed since he fell into a coma and regained consciousness. Logically speaking, the two of them should have reached Danggui Mountain by now.

Could it be that you no longer want the Fruit of Enlightenment and Mind?

After thinking about it, Li Xiangming felt it was unlikely.

This thing has a fatal attraction for demonic beasts. Although we don't know exactly what it is, it is undoubtedly a rare and precious item.

After a moment's thought, Li Xiangming recounted the whole story of the woman in the blue dress being chased by the beast horde.

Li Qianxiong was taken aback and quickly inquired about the details.

After a long while, his face flickered between light and shadow.

Shi Yuan's Daoist partner and daughter actually left Shengyi Sect?
And it is very likely that they ended up in the territory of Danggui Mountain!
"Master, this matter is worth our attention."

Li Xiangming cautioned, "Even if their identity is fake, we'll only be wasting some time. As the dominant force in Dainan, the favor done to Sect Leader Shi by Shengyi Sect is invaluable."

If the Li family can find Shi Fengxue and her daughter and provide them with temporary protection, they can gain this favor effortlessly, which will give them the upper hand in their cooperation with Shengyimen.

The relationship between the Li family and the Shengyi Sect has always been quite complicated.

Due to geographical proximity, the Li family has always been wary of the more powerful Shengyi Sect, while the Shengyi Sect, deeply embroiled in a war with the Zhenhun Sect, is also wary of the Li family taking the opportunity to betray them.

Furthermore, after learning of the existence of the Purple Yin Cave inheritance, the Li family repeatedly and secretly instigated conflict between the Shengyi Sect and the Zhenhun Sect.

Although these matters are highly confidential, who else but the Li family could have such great power in the Daishan area? It couldn't possibly be the Bailumen family in Pubei or the Qin family in Hongshigu in Punan, could it?
Shengyimen could more or less sense the malice coming from the south.

Therefore, they have not taken the initiative to establish good diplomatic relations with the Li family to date.

However, at the same time, the two sides are also long-standing partners.

Shengyimen needs Mao Jing from the Li family, and the Li family also needs Shengyimen, a client with abundant financial resources.

With the existence of the Flying Fox Cave as an internal route, the trade between the two sides was considerable.

Li Qianxiong was naturally well aware of this. In reality, the seemingly contradictory terms of suppression and cooperation are not actually in conflict.

As long as the bayonets don't bleed, who would pass up the opportunity to earn spirit stones?
After thinking for a moment, he slowly said, "I understand."

After watching Li Qianxiong leave, Li Xiangming pondered for a moment, and finally fell into a deep sleep at Cao Yanjun's urging.

I don't know how much time passed, but I heard voices again.

Li Xiangming suddenly woke up and saw a pair of small hands gently touching his forehead.

"Ji Min?"

Li Xiangming spoke in surprise.

Li Jimin was clearly startled. She quickly withdrew her small hand, put on a well-behaved look, and replied, "Uncle Nineteen!"

"Ji Min, try causing trouble again!"

Ye Yun's slightly stern voice came through.

Li Jimin, however, did not take it seriously. Instead, he climbed onto the bed and pressed himself against Li Xiangming.

"You kid."

Ye Yun was immediately startled and picked up Li Jimin, saying apologetically, "Xiangming, I'm so sorry to have bothered you."

Li Xiangming waved his hand: "Sister-in-law, you're too kind. It's just children playing around, it's nothing."

Ye Yun looked Li Xiangming up and down and sighed slightly: "I heard that you were fighting with a demon cultivator in the Bone Fusion stage and were injured, so I brought the children over to see you."

Upon hearing this, Li Xiangming turned his gaze slightly and indeed saw Li Jiye.

Li Jiye, who was over eight years old, stood quietly in place, a far cry from his mischievous appearance before he began his cultivation. He now seemed to have inherited some of his father's detached and indifferent temperament.

"Jiye, come here!"

Li Xiangming waved his hand: "Uncle Nineteen is checking your cultivation level."

"it is good."

Li Jiye agreed, walked up to Li Xiangming, and stretched out his little hand.

Li Xiangming took his pulse, and his eyes quickly revealed satisfaction.

In just over a year, Li Jiye's cultivation level had advanced to the second level of Qi Refining, and there was no sign of his mana becoming weak, indicating that he had been in the breakthrough realm for a long time.

This cultivation speed is no less than that of Li Xiangren.

However, Li Jiye's aptitude is that of a three-elemental root with fire as the main element, which is much inferior to his father's. His progress is likely due to the fact that Li Xiangren and Ye Yun have been shaping his physical constitution since childhood.

Li Xiangming then instructed Ye Yun: "The fourth level of Qi Refining is a hurdle. Once Jiye has reached the third level of Qi Refining, you can have him slow down, use fewer pills, and accumulate more time."

The Foundation Establishment cultivator gave her detailed instructions, and Ye Yun nodded repeatedly in agreement.

The two chatted for a while, but the conversation gradually died down.

Li Xiangming gave Cao Yanjun a wink.

Cao Yanjun hesitated for a moment, but still said, "Sister Yun hopes you can take care of Jiye."

Li Xiangming frowned immediately: "Sister-in-law, what do you mean by this?"

"Yanjun, take Jiye and Jimin down there."

Ye Yun silently closed her eyes.

Upon hearing this, Cao Yanjun took the hands of the two children, but Li Jiye was unwilling to move.

Ye Yun had no choice but to half-squat in front of him and try to persuade him for a long time.

In the end, both children were taken away.

"Uncle, to be honest, my life in the Li family wasn't easy."

Ye Yun took a deep breath and said in a heavy tone, "Xiang Ren said he is going into seclusion to try and break through to the mid-Foundation Establishment stage. I don't know when he will be able to come out. I want to go back to the Ye family to visit my relatives."

"Province relatives?"

Li Xiangming's heart stirred, and he immediately understood Ye Yun's plan.

With almost everyone in the Li family inclined to matchmake Li Xiangren and Min Ning, Ye Yun felt neglected and felt she could no longer stay in the Li family.

However, she was unwilling to give up on Lee Sang-in voluntarily.

So she came up with the idea of ​​taking her child back to her parents' home for a visit.

As long as the child is in their hands, it is unlikely that the Li family will deprive Ye Yun of her status.

After all, the Li family had to consider Li Jiye's situation.

If Li Jiye grows up and learns the truth about why the Li family drove his mother away, wouldn't he become an enemy of his family?
However, if Ye Yun's status cannot be removed, Min Ning will not be able to marry into the Li family.

Perhaps Min Ning herself is bold in love and hate and doesn't care that Li Xiangren already has a partner.

But the problem is, the Min family cares!
Xuanli Zhenren would never agree to his granddaughter remaining in the Li family as a concubine.

Therefore, as long as Ye Yun takes her child back to the Ye family, the stalemate between the two sides will continue indefinitely.

Ye Yun is already a married woman with children, while Min Ning is a virgin.

Clearly, Min Ning cannot afford to wait any longer.

The Min family won't let her drag this out indefinitely.

Li Xiangming couldn't help but sigh inwardly. Ye Yun's move of retreating to advance was brilliant. It not only preserved her own status but also shifted the pressure onto Min Ning and the Li family.

but
Will the Li family let Li Jiye leave?
Based on Ye Yun's request, Li Xiangming seemed to understand something.

Ye Yun paused for a moment, then continued, "I will take Jimin back, but it will be hard for Jiye to be without anyone to take care of him. Uncle, that's why I came to find you."

Upon hearing this, Li Xiangming gave a wry smile.
The old man in the family is no pushover either.

Perhaps they didn't see through Ye Yun's intentions, but they still kept a close eye on Li Jiye, this future "prodigy".

After a moment of contemplation, Li Xiangming slowly said, "My elder brother and sister-in-law have both been kind to me; Jiye and Jimin are also close to me. I regard them as my own children. As long as I am alive, I will not allow anyone to bully them."

"However, I still want to advise my sister-in-law. My brother is a sensible man and cannot be swayed by a little favor. It's just that he is influenced by the family and cannot fully understand. Once my brother comes out of the Awakening Cave, he will definitely sever ties with the Min family. The Ye family is far away in Luo County, Zhangning Prefecture. The journey is long and fraught with danger. Why should my sister-in-law go through all that trouble?"

"I certainly trust your older brother."

Ye Yun suddenly smiled: "But I haven't been back to the Ye family for several years. My grandfather doesn't have much time left, so I have to go back to see him. He hasn't seen Man'er yet. By the way, don't worry, Uncle Tong has agreed to escort me for a while."

Tong Wunan?
Li Xiangming was somewhat surprised, and then fell silent.

It seems that Ye Yun's plan has received strong support from Cao Yanjun.

Now that Tong Wunan's vital energy has declined to a certain extent, he stays in the Li family to live out his retirement. Unless there are special circumstances, he doesn't even show his face.

But in any case, with his Qi Refining Level 9 cultivation, escorting Ye Yun shouldn't be a problem.

Li Xiangming could only nod and say, "Since my sister-in-law has made all the preparations, I won't say anything more. When are you leaving?"

"In a few days."

Ye Yun did not reveal a specific date, only asking that Li Xiangming could give Li Jiye some guidance on his cultivation when he had time.

Li Xiangming had no objection to this.

If it's just about taking care of daily life, Ye Yun doesn't need to ask him for help.

Soon, Ye Yun turned and left.

Li Xiangming remained silent. Back then, Ye Yun resolutely followed Li Xiangren south to Puxian, and now she also chose to leave without hesitation. Her departing figure did not seem as lonely as he had imagined; instead, it gave him a sense of grandeur.

Just then, Cao Yanjun walked in and threw herself into Li Xiangming's arms.

Li Xiangming gently patted her back and said, "Let's have a child too."

(End of this chapter)