Family Cultivation: Rise of the Wilderness

Chapter 486 Changes in Situation
Inside the room, a fireplace burned softly, and the aroma of sandalwood filled the air, creating a tranquil atmosphere.

Shi Fengxue lay on the soft brocade quilt, her eyes half-closed, but she couldn't fall asleep. Suddenly, she heard a faint sound of footsteps, and she immediately got up and listened intently.

The footsteps grew clearer and clearer, finally stopping outside the door, followed by a slightly muffled knock and a soft call: "Feng Xue, are you asleep?"

"Mother?"

Shi Fengxue quickly got out of bed and opened the door. She saw a woman in a blue dress standing wearily outside the door.

"Mother, it's so late, why aren't you asleep yet?"

Shi Fengxue asked softly, her two small hands grasping her mother's large hands.

"How can I sleep?"

The woman in the blue dress sighed, raised her hand and gently stroked Shi Fengxue's forehead, her tone full of helplessness: "Mother went to see the head of the Li family, but even after midnight, she was not summoned. All that time was wasted."

"mother!"

Shi Fengxue knew her mother was wronged, so she clenched her little hand even tighter.

Since leaving Shengyi Sect, they have gone through many hardships. First, they were chased by a beast tide in Daishan. Then, following the advice of the Bailu Sect disciples, they went south to Monkey Valley, only to be chased even more fiercely by the beast tide.

Having finally given up the Enlightened Heart Fruit and gained a chance to catch his breath, he got lost on his way to Danggui Mountain and encountered powerful monsters one after another, suffering greatly.

Fortunately, Brother Li was an honest man. He not only led away the beast tide on his own, but also notified the Li family to search for them.

Eventually, the two were found by cultivators from the Li family and settled in the Li family's residence—Tailai Peak.

Tailai Peak is very safe!

At first, she and her mother were very excited, thinking that they had finally made it through.

After all, the beast tide hadn't reached this area yet, and the Li family was a prestigious clan. As long as they were willing to pay a hefty sum to have the Li family escort them to Qingju Mountain, they could expect a turn for the better.

But the problem lies with the Tongming Qiaoxin Fruit.

Several days have passed, and Li Xiangming, who borrowed the Tongming Acupoint Fruit, has not returned, causing them to dare not leave Dangui Mountain at all, and inevitably giving rise to a sense of fear.

No one understood the value of the Enlightened Heart Fruit better than them. Even if Li Xiangming couldn't open the seal and didn't know what was inside, how could the other party, with their shrewdness, not guess the preciousness of the contents of the box?

If Li Xiangming were to become greedy, the lives of the mother and daughter would be in grave danger!

The reason is simple: their identities have been exposed. To prevent retaliation from the Shengyi Sect, Li Xiangming's most likely course of action is to eliminate them completely.

Considering that the Li family specifically sent people to search for them, a chill ran down my spine upon closer examination.

Worried, the mother repeatedly questioned the Li family about Li Xiangming's whereabouts, but the answer she always received was that Li Xiangming was defending against the beast tide near Puyin Mountain and his return date was uncertain.

The mother was not satisfied with this explanation.

But in her view, it was actually something to be happy about.

Since Shengyimen was also besieged by the beast tide, Brother Li's willingness to resist the beast tide would alleviate Father's pressure to some extent, which is a good thing!
However, more than ten days have passed.

Her initial excitement had long since dissipated.

On one hand, the life of a dependent kept her restless; on the other hand, both her father and mother seemed to have underestimated the scale of the beast tide. To appease the mother and daughter, the Li family would occasionally send them battle reports from Monkey Valley to analyze Li Xiangming's return date. Judging from these reports, the beast tide in Monkey Valley showed no signs of abating; on the contrary, it seemed to be growing stronger, not to mention Daishan.

How is Father doing?
Recalling the nightmare from the first half of the night, Shi Fengxue felt even more panicked. She raised her face and whispered, "Mother, I just dreamt that Shengyi Gate was breached by a beast tide, and Father..."

"shut up!"

The woman in the blue dress quickly covered Shi Fengxue's mouth, then angrily slapped the back of her hand: "You child, why do you keep saying such unlucky things? Your father is all-powerful, he will definitely be able to protect Lingyue Peak!"

Shi Fengxue winced in pain but dared not argue, only nodding aggrievedly.

Upon seeing this, the woman in the blue dress felt a pang of tenderness and embraced her tightly, though her heart was filled with mixed emotions.

Shi Fengxue's worries were exactly what was on her mind!
A while ago, she met disciples of the Bailu Sect in Dainan and breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that the siege of Lingyue Peak would soon be lifted. But these past few days, she witnessed the Li family resolutely reject the Bailu Sect's invitation to join forces, and suddenly lost her confidence.

She herself came from the Wang family of Qingjushan and knew very well that powerful families always fought only when they were sure of success, and especially liked the wolf pack tactic to defeat their opponents in an overwhelming manner.

With the White Dew Sect taking the lead and major sects such as the Tiger Subduing Temple and the Morality Sect cooperating, they should theoretically have a sure victory against the beast tide at Lingyue Peak.

However, the Li family rejected this excellent opportunity to build their reputation.

The only explanation is that the Li family believes the current Bailumen coalition is not stable enough.

This shows just how bad the calamity of Dai Mountain had become!
In the past two days, she has stopped asking about Li Xiangming's return date. Instead, as the wife of the Shengyi Sect leader, she made many promises and pleaded with the Li family to send reinforcements to join forces with the Bailu Sect to save the Shengyi Sect.

As a result, Li Qianxiong got tired of listening and refused to let her in.

"Mother, how about we go to Green Orange Mountain?"

Shi Fengxue was unaware of the blue-skirted woman's efforts these past few days. Seeing how exhausted she was, she couldn't help but mention Qingjushan Mountain—she knew that her mother had always wanted to go back to her parents' home to see her maternal grandfather and the others.

"Then what should be done with your Clear Mind Fruit?"

"At worst, I'll just give up on it."

A resolute glint flashed in Shi Fengxue's eyes: "Anyway, I don't need it now."

"absurd!"

The woman in the blue dress immediately rebuked her.

From childhood, she and Shi Yuan raised Shi Fengxue in seclusion, preventing her from contacting the outside world and even refusing to teach her magic. Their aim was to maintain Shi Fengxue's pure heart, hoping that one day, this child would be able to develop a clear and enlightened mind.

The Clear Mind Fruit is the key to this plan that has been in the works for over a decade.

According to ancient records, the Bright Mind Fruit has extraordinary effects. Monsters can make the most of it after consuming it, but ordinary people or Qi cultivators will not only not benefit from it, but will also be unable to withstand its power and die from bleeding from all seven orifices.

Only cultivators at the Foundation Establishment stage or above can barely suppress this rare treasure.

However, once a cultivator reaches the Foundation Establishment stage, their path to enlightenment becomes clearer, and their mindset becomes more complex. Although the Enlightened Mind Fruit can still enhance comprehension, the probability of achieving the Enlightened Mind Fruit is greatly reduced.

Fortunately, this won't trouble the cultivation world.

Once the alchemist refines the Clear Mind Fruit into the Seven Aperture Exquisite Pill, not only Qi Refining cultivators but even children without cultivation can easily control it. Furthermore, the medicinal power of the Clear Mind Fruit will not be lost; on the contrary, due to the presence of numerous auxiliary ingredients, its effects are even more outstanding.

That is why, after obtaining the Clear Mind Fruit, she and Shi Yuan did their best to search for the auxiliary ingredients for the Seven Apertures Exquisite Pill.

To improve efficiency, she also asked the Wang family of Qingjushan to help.

Finally, perseverance paid off, and the last auxiliary ingredient was found.

The problem is that a small portion of the auxiliary ingredients are in the hands of the Wang family. The Wang family hopes that she will go to Qingju Mountain to refine pills, so that the Wang family can also get a share of the Seven Aperture Exquisite Pill.

Whether it was to get her daughter to take the Seven Aperture Exquisite Pill as soon as possible or to help her family, she was more than willing. But Shi Yuan was not happy about it. He hoped to rely on the power of Shengyi Sect to slowly gather the medicinal materials and leave the excess Seven Aperture Exquisite Pills in Shengyi Sect as a foundation.

The two had conflicting ideas, and she ultimately couldn't persuade Shi Yuan otherwise, so she had to compromise.

Unexpectedly, not long after, a beast tide swept through Daishan.

Fearing that her years of hard work would be in vain, she took a risk and took the Enlightened Heart Fruit and a group of auxiliary medicines with her, intending to go to Qingju Mountain to help Shi Fengxue achieve the Enlightened Heart.

Now that Shi Fengxue says she doesn't want it anymore, how can she not be anxious?
Especially after she discovered that Shi Fengxue was no longer as obedient as before after coming out, she noticed that Shi Fengxue was no longer as compliant as before.

She couldn't help but scold Shi Fengxue for a long time until the other girl lowered her head and remained silent for a long time. Only then did she breathe a sigh of relief: "Fengxue, do you know how much your mother has paid for you? You must listen to me! Go to sleep and stop thinking nonsense."

"Yes!"

Shi Fengxue turned away dejectedly. Just then, a flurry of footsteps sounded outside the door.

The woman in the blue dress turned around in surprise, pushed open the door, and was met with a cacophony of sounds from all around.

Meanwhile, more than ten streaks of light flashed past above Tailai Peak.
-
"Boom!"

"Dong Dong!!"

The long, resounding bell tolled through the sky, and many members of the Li family who were either fast asleep or meditating suddenly opened their eyes and rushed out of their homes.

The entire Tailai Peak was filled with people, especially the central courtyard, which was brightly lit almost instantly.

"Dad, what happened?"

Li Xiangzhen hurriedly walked out of the room and happened to see Li Qianhe walking around while putting on his clothes.

Li Qianhe's expression was solemn. He glanced back at his son and whispered, "It's the Zhenyue Bell! Seven rings. Although it's not a matter of life and death, something major must have happened that shakes the foundation of our family. Quickly, come with me to the ancestral hall!"

Ancestral hall?

Lee Sang-jeong gasped.

Although the ancestral hall is open to the Li family and anyone can pay homage to the ancestors at any time, the ancestral hall meetings are limited to the clan meeting held once every three years.

There are occasional exceptions, but these are usually due to emergency situations where a clan meeting is convened ahead of schedule.

In other words, only the clan council is qualified to summon hundreds of Li family cultivators.

Now, without any prior notice, the clan has rung the Zhenyue Bell and forcibly summoned all clansmen to the ancestral hall. Anyone unaware of the situation would think that an enemy has invaded.

He dared not delay and followed behind Li Qianhe, hurrying towards the court.

Along the way, the disciples of the Guardian Hall hovered in mid-air to maintain order, which made him even more terrified.

Please note that Mount Tailai is a no-fly zone!
"Qianhe, you're here too?"

A middle-aged monk with a smooth head approached.

Li Qianhe immediately asked, "Qianting, what happened? Why is your family reacting so strongly?"

Li Qianting shook his head and pointed to Li Xiangzhen behind Li Qianhe: "He should know better than I do."

"I?"

Li Xiangzhen was greatly surprised, but quickly realized what was happening and hurriedly replied, "I am off duty today and am not on duty in the guest room."

At this moment, another person rushed over; it was Li Qianyou.

"Qianyou!"

Li Qianhe quickly called out and, together with Li Qianting, rushed over.

Knowing the purpose of their visit, Li Qianyou immediately said in a deep voice, "Qianliang told me some inside information. It was urgent intelligence from Daishan: Shengyi Gate has been breached!"

"what?"

Li Qianhe was shocked and asked, "The Shengyi Sect has a history of nearly a thousand years, and it has been breached by the beast tide just like that?"

Li Qianyou's expression was strange: "It wasn't a beast tide... but it could be considered one! In any case, the Zhenhun Sect played a dishonorable role in it. The beast tide broke through Lingyue Peak and began to advance in the west and south, while the Shengyi Sect ruins... were occupied by the Zhenhun Sect."

"Soul Suppressing Sect..."

Li Qianhe and Li Qianting looked at each other in bewilderment.

After a while, Li Qianting suddenly thought of something and hurriedly asked, "What about Bailu Sect? I heard that Bailu Sect has formed a coalition and is currently rescuing Shengyi Sect. Are they just going to sit idly by and watch Shengyi Sect be destroyed by Zhenhun Sect?"

There is no room for two tigers in one mountain!
The two major sects of Dai Mountain perfectly exemplify this statement.

For many years, the Zhenhun Sect and the Shengyi Sect have been like fire and water, constantly at each other's expense.

Although many people died, it brought stability to the entire Pu County. Now that one of the two tigers has been lost, the remaining one has become the tiger king. Who will restrain its ambition?
Bailu Sect would never want to see this situation unfold and would step in.
“That’s the key!”

Li Qianyou lowered his voice: "The Bailu Sect's camp was massacred, and Wen Zhengju was torn apart by five horses, dying a gruesome death. Ma Houchen's whereabouts are unknown. Only Hua Lun was not in the camp and escaped the calamity. Even the Fuhu Temple and Daode Sect, which came to support us, suffered heavy losses. The leaders, Huangye Daoist and Liyuan Daoist, died on the spot."

Upon hearing this, it was as if a cold wind had suddenly risen, biting and piercing. Li Qianhe couldn't help but shiver.

That's Wen Zhengju!
Elder of the White Dew Sect, a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator!

This person was modeled after Li Chengkang of the Li family, and he died so easily?
Moreover, the simultaneous death of three Foundation Establishment cultivators must be the most shocking news since the establishment of Pu County.
Suddenly, Li Xiangzhen interjected, "Of the four allied forces, only the Zhenhun Sect did not come to the aid of the Bailu Sect. Instead, they cooperated with the beast tide to launch a large-scale attack on the Shengyi Sect. After the Bailu Sect finds out, they probably will not be willing to withdraw from Daishan."

Li Qianyou glanced at him, a look of admiration in his eyes: "You do have some of your brother's keen insight. But right now, the Bailu Sect is probably having a hard time sleeping and eating..."

"quiet!"

Before the words were finished, a loud shout rang out.

Li Qianhe and the others looked up and realized that they had arrived at the ancestral hall.

The area was packed with members of the Li family, creating a tense atmosphere.

Li Qianxiong, short in stature, stood in front of the ancestral hall, yet he did not appear sleazy at all; on the contrary, he looked imposing.

He glanced at the crowd and said in a very heavy voice, "Today, the sounding of the Zhenyue Bell marks a momentous change in Puxian County, one that has not been seen in a century. We cannot afford to dawdle."

"Master, what exactly happened?"

Some people were still unaware and couldn't help but ask loudly.

Li Chengdian immediately stepped forward and said in a hoarse voice, "The news came from both the Dianke and Jinyifang departments that in just one day, the Mangjiao attacked the Bailumen's camp in Daishan, and the Zhenhunzong also broke through Shengyimen with the help of the beast tide. Now the beast tide has split, with one part heading north, intending to sweep across Daibei, but most of it is surging southwest, threatening Monkey Valley and my Li family."

He paused, took a breath, and continued, "Furthermore, with the Zhenhun Sect annexing the Shengyi Sect, their next target will either be the Yeshan Daode Sect or our Li family. The Li family faces threats from both the Qin family and the Zhenhun Sect simultaneously. How should we handle this? More importantly, the Mang Sect has declared war on the Bailu Sect! They left a declaration at the Bailu Sect's camp, stating their intention to replace the Bailu Sect. Within days, this declaration, along with the news of Wen Zhengju's death, will spread throughout Pu County. Regardless of whether the Mang Sect can achieve this, the Bailu Sect's prestige has already plummeted, and all the cultivation forces in Pu County will be restless, with some lawless elements even indulging in revelry! In such chaos, where will our Li family go?"

As soon as Li Chengdian finished speaking, the ancestral hall erupted in an uproar.

Just half a day ago, everyone thought the beast tide was just a minor ailment, but who would have thought that the entire Puxian County would suddenly be plunged into turmoil?
Li Qianhe's expression changed drastically. Ignoring the disciples of the Guardian Hall from trying to stop him, he rushed out and shouted urgently, "Patriarch, a large number of demonic beasts are heading south! What should Xiangming do?"

It's important to understand that the reason the Li family was confident in Li Xiangming's ability to defend against the beast tide was because Li Xiangming claimed that the beast tide from the direction of Monkey Valley was not a significant threat, and that even if there were three or five Bone-Merging Demon Cultivators, the Demon Suppression Camp would still be able to put up a fight.

The beast tide at Lingyue Peak consisted of more than twenty Bone Fusion Demon Cultivators.

Even if only a large portion of them went south, Li Xiangming would be reduced to dust in the surging tide of beasts.

Knowing Li Qianhe's deep love for his son, Li Qianxiong slowly said, "I have already sent someone to inform Xiangming that he must abandon Monkey Valley and retreat to Danggui Mountain."

At this point, Li Qianxiong looked up at Li Chengzhi and instructed, "Seventh Uncle, you go into the Tihu Cave yourself and have Xiangren come out of seclusion immediately."

Upon hearing this, Li Chengzhi's expression turned somewhat grim: "Patriarch, Xiangren, he..."

"What's up with him?"

Li Qianxiong frowned, his tone tinged with impatience.

Li Chengzhi immediately lowered his head: "Didn't Ye Yun leave the family? Xiang Ren seemed to sense it and followed her out, just before noon."

"what?"

Upon hearing this, Li Qianxiong flew into a rage, veins bulging on his forehead, staring intently at Li Chengzhi: "Why didn't you report to me? Do you, the head of the family, even consider me a member of your main branch?"

(End of this chapter)