Family Cultivation: Rise of the Wilderness

Chapter 49 Backer
After leaving Changlin House, Li Xiangming immediately went to the Fourth House to relay the family head's orders.

"You want me to be in charge of this rally?"

Li Chenglu pondered. He had long been in charge of the talisman room and rarely interfered in other matters.

On the one hand, he lacked energy, and on the other hand, he wanted to delegate power to the younger generation.

As an important member of the clan elders' council, he only needs to maintain his high position and lead the Qian generation of the four branches to control the family's power.

"Since it was your idea, you can make the decision. I'll have Qian Shi help you."

Li Chenglu said slowly, "A small gathering wouldn't warrant him showing his face in public."

Li Xiangming readily agreed, thanked his sixth uncle for his support, and at the same time admired Li Qianxiong's shrewdness and foresight.

The head of the family clearly knew that Sixth Uncle wouldn't actually show up, which is why he arranged for himself to be the deputy. The so-called deputy was actually the person in charge of the entire gathering.

The advantage of this was that Li Xiangming had more power and could control the gathering at will.

The bad thing is that there's no one to take the blame. If things go wrong, Li Qianxiong might hold a grudge against you.

Feeling pressured, he didn't even see Lee Sang-jeong, and immediately went to find Lee Sang-yu.

Changyang Valley is located in the heart of Danggui Mountain. Opening it to outsiders would inevitably pose risks, so the support of the police department is essential.

"A gathering in Changyang Valley?"

Li Xiangyu lowered his head in thought. He knew about this matter, but he didn't expect it to fall on Li Xiangming's shoulders in the end. He couldn't help but feel curious about the young man in front of him.

It is said that the other party grew up in Green Cloud Cave and returned home less than two years ago, but has already gained the trust and favor of the family head.

"I can only assign you a maximum of six people."

Lee Sang-woo said softly that he had just taken control of the police department and did not want to refuse the first cooperation with other departments.

"So best."

Lee Sang-myung expressed his gratitude, saying that the members of the police department were all performing their duties, and it was not easy to spare six people—although these six people could only be seen on that day.

Having resolved the security issues in Changyang Valley, Li Xiangming was about to return to Changtai Township to investigate the terrain of Changyang Valley.

At this moment, Li Xiangru suddenly found him.

"Xiangming, an old friend wishes to see you."

"Old friend?"

Li Xiangming was puzzled. Apart from his family, he didn't know many people in Puxian County.

"Has the Abbot of Qingyang Temple arrived?"

After thinking for a moment, he asked the question.

“You little rascal, you guessed it right the first time. The abbot of Qingyang Temple visited our Li family today and asked to see you.”

So that's how it is. Following Li Xiangru's directions, Li Xiangming arrived at Yiyuan Peak.

Yiyuan Peak is where the Li family's earth fire is located. The Li family's weapon-refining room and pill-refining room are located here, and members of the police station are stationed here all year round.

"Taoist Priest!"

Upon seeing the Qingyang Daoist who had been waiting for a long time, Li Xiangming laughed loudly and casually stuffed a bottle of spirit wine into the other's hand.

"It's been a long time since we last met. I've been thinking of you. This is just a small token of my appreciation."

Qingyang Daoist hurriedly waved his hand, declining several times before finally accepting the spirit wine, shaking his head and smiling, "Manager Li is too kind."

Since the incident last year, Qingyang Daoist knew that Li Xiangming held a high position in the Li family and was currently in an important position at Danggui Mountain. When they met again, he no longer addressed him as "Little Layman Li".

Li Xiangming could only sigh at this. From then on, in the eyes of Qingyang Daoist, he was inextricably linked to the Li family and was no longer the unknown friend from Pu River with whom he could chat and laugh.

"Did you come here this time for the Earth Fire, Daoist Master?"

Li Xiangming put aside his distracting thoughts and asked about the important matter.

"That's right, I want to try the Herb God Pill again."

Qingyang Daoist nodded in agreement.

Thanks to taking on apprentices, he applied to the Li family for earth fire seven times, and each time his application was approved.

However, the difficulty of refining the Herb God Pill was beyond imagination, and the first six attempts all ended in failure.

This time, he had something on his mind, so he quickly went to refine it for the seventh time.

"Master Dao's alchemy skills are extraordinary. Now he has made further progress and I believe he will be able to achieve his wish."

Li Xiangming said with a smile.

"Hehe, thank you for your kind words." The Green Sheep Taoist stroked his long beard. "Is Steward Li interested in alchemy?"

"Alchemy?"

Li Xiangming glanced at him in surprise. "The Dao of Alchemy is the foremost of all arts and crafts, and it has many benefits. I am naturally interested in it, but I know that I am dull-witted and dare not dabble in it."

Upon hearing this, Daoist Qingyang immediately took out a jade slip. "This is a water-based alchemy method that I accidentally obtained when I was young. Because it conflicted with my own studies, I did not study it."

"However, the principles of alchemy remain the same despite the myriad variations. Whether it is the fire method or the water method, the techniques are different, but the underlying principles are the same. If you are interested, you may wish to take a look."

Alchemy?
Or is it alchemy using water?

Li Xiangming was greatly intrigued. This thing might not be better than fire-based alchemy, but it was rare enough.

The Li family has passed down its traditions for over four hundred years, yet it has never included any alchemical methods based on water techniques.

"Such a valuable item is probably too much for me to accept."

Li Xiangming spoke slowly.

Although tempted, the Taoist Qingyang must have something in mind for parting with it.

His own cultivation and knowledge were inferior to others, and the only thing worth worrying about was the Li family behind him.

This matter concerns the Li family, so we must be cautious. As the deputy head, he doesn't want to give others cause for criticism.

"Manager Li, please don't misunderstand. This method doesn't involve my lineage. Since it's just sitting there anyway, I often use it to exchange ideas with fellow practitioners."

"I see."

Li Xiangming hesitated for a moment, then said, "I just came in a hurry and didn't prepare anything."

"Haha, I don't want to exchange anything. I was able to borrow the earth fire thanks to Manager Li's hard work. Consider this method as my token of appreciation."

The Taoist Qingyang laughed loudly, and then said, "If Steward Li feels bad about it, he might as well come and protect me."

"Protector?"

Li Xiangming was taken aback. With the cultivation level of Qingyang Daoist, why would he need a protector to refine a pill?

Moreover, the Green Sheep Daoist must know that he knows nothing about alchemy.

Li Xiangming quickly realized what was happening.

The so-called protection of the Dharma is just an excuse.

Qingyang Daoist is looking for a backer, and he's actually looking for himself.

For Qingyang Daoist, the Li family's earth fire and spiritual materials have become an indispensable part.

The idea of ​​bringing the two families closer together is not only being considered by the Li family, but also by the Qingyang Temple.

He himself was the key figure in the Li family who was favored by the Qingyang Taoist.

"Master Daoist, you overestimate me, don't you?"

Li Xiangming thought to himself.

However, Qingyang Daoist is not only an alchemist, but also a cultivator at the ninth level of Qi Refining. Befriending him would be entirely beneficial.

Li Xiangming immediately made up his mind and gently patted the other person's arm: "Rest assured, Daoist, I will definitely protect you."

Upon hearing this, Qingyang Daoist's eyes flickered, and he entered the alchemy room lent by the Li family to begin cleaning the spiritual materials.

Li Xiangming watched quietly from the side.

Soon, flames ignited in the alchemy furnace, and a wave of intense heat swept over. With a flick of his finger, the Green Sheep Daoist sent a dazzling array of spiritual materials into the furnace.

Li Xiangming glanced at it briefly and discovered that the first batch of pills he had refined was the Herbal God Pill.

He dared not disturb him, and even controlled his breathing to be barely audible.

Soon, the alchemy room returned to silence, and Qingyang Daoist himself closed his eyes, his divine sense completely falling into the alchemy furnace.

Only occasionally could one hear the whistling of magical energy and the churning of spiritual materials in the furnace.

Two days have passed.

Li Xiangming guided a wisp of magical power to his dantian, then sensed something and looked at the alchemy furnace.

Before the alchemy furnace, the Green Sheep Taoist's face turned inexplicably pale, or rather, he was nervous.

With a muffled groan, the furnace reacted immediately, and wisps of white smoke quickly billowed out from the furnace cracks.

(End of this chapter)