Clan Cultivation: Starting from Foundation Establishment on Mount Luoxia

"The foundation is the thick earth and metal energy, which forms the 'Rock-Solid Golden Lock Formation'."

"This formation requires Spirit-Nourishing Soil as its core, along with 108 refined earth-metal elemental array flags, which must be deeply embedded around the cave and into the rock walls at the cave entrance."

"Once activated, it can draw upon the earth's rich earth and metal energy to form a solid barrier that is difficult to shake for those below the Foundation Establishment stage, and even a strong attack in the early stages of Foundation Establishment will require time and effort."

"To conceal, one must stack the 'Concealing Breath and Hiding Form Array'."

"By grinding some of the Golden Scale Python's scales into powder, mixing them with minerals unique to this place, and inscribing concealment runes on the array flags, we can greatly suppress the fluctuations of spiritual veins and the aura of people, preventing them from being sensed by powerful beings in the distance."

"Transformation is the key. The turbid and malevolent energy here will still seep in through the cracks, which will be detrimental to non-fire and metal elemental people in the long run."

"Small 'Crimson Sun Purifying Talisman Plates' need to be set up around the outer perimeter of the formation and in the ventilated areas of the grotto. Using your [Mysterious Glory Pass] True Fire as a guide, they will continuously burn and purify the infiltrated evil energy, transforming it into relatively mild earth and metal spiritual energy."

He spoke slowly and clearly: "The most urgent task is to complete the basic framework of the 'Rock Solid Golden Lock Formation' and the 'Concealing Breath and Hiding Formation Formation' to ensure that this place is initially hidden and stable. The 'Crimson Sun Purifying Talisman Plate' can be added later."

Li Mutian nodded repeatedly upon hearing this: "Alright! We'll follow your plan. Just allocate whatever materials and manpower you need."

The deployment work began immediately.

Li Xiaoyao personally took charge, directing his clansmen to use the refining furnaces they carried and the earth fire (temporarily activated with fire-attribute spirit stones and talismans) to melt and shape some of the dark gold scales, tough beast bones, and specific earth-attribute ores, creating array flags about a foot long with intricate patterns.

Each array flag requires him to use his own pure magic power to initially nurture and activate it once it is formed.

Li Tongya led his men to precisely carve holes for burying the array flags, following the directions calculated by Li Xiaoyao, inside the grotto, outside the cave entrance, and even above the cliff wall.

Li Chijing and several meticulous clansmen were responsible for polishing the base of the array flags to ensure they fit the rock strata.

Poisonous Old Man and Willow Girl, along with the Tracking Rats, carefully explored the area around the cave to ensure there were no other hidden caves or weak points, while also collecting the special mineral dust needed to set up the concealment runes.

Li Xiangping, along with Scar Wolf, Iron Bow, and others, constructed more robust defensive fortifications around the mudflats and the flying boat, and arranged for people to take turns on guard duty to prevent any demonic beasts from being attracted by the landing or deployment of the flying boat.

Everyone was busy, and the sounds of clanging and magical fluctuations filled the cave.

Li Mutian sat in the center, monitoring the surroundings with his divine sense to prevent any accidents, while occasionally intervening to assist in smelting key materials with the true fire of the [Xuanhuang Pass].

For three days and three nights, without sleep or rest.

The moment the 108th earth-gold array flag was personally driven into the last pre-reserved hole in the rock stratum by Li Xiaoyao, and its energy was connected with that of the other array flags—

"Buzz!"

The entire grotto, and even the area within a radius of several dozen feet outside the cave entrance, trembled slightly!

An invisible force field, heavy and imbued with a metallic edge, quietly formed!

The light inside the grotto seemed to have stabilized considerably, and the dust particles floating in the air slowly settled.

Outside the cave entrance, the turbid evil energy flowed and encountered an invisible barrier, where it was slightly pushed aside and filtered.

"The Rock-Solid Golden Lock Formation is complete!"

Li Xiaoyao's face was somewhat pale, but his eyes were bright.

With a change of hand seals, the 108 array flag bases within the cave simultaneously lit up faintly, connecting with each other to form a complex light pattern, which ultimately converged on the spiritual soil in the center.

The Spirit-Nourishing Soil glowed slightly, and an even purer and richer spiritual energy spread out.

Immediately afterwards, he unleashed another set of spells.

On the array flags, the hidden runes inscribed with scale powder and mineral dust lit up one by one, emitting obscure fluctuations.

The originally obvious aura of spiritual energy inside the cave quickly receded, and from the outside, the fluctuations of spiritual energy here suddenly became weak and blurry, as if they had merged into the surrounding rocks.

"Concealment Formation, activate!"

With the double array superimposed, this spiritual vein node deep in the rift valley finally began to possess concealment and defensive capabilities.

"good!"

Feeling the stability of the formation, Li Mutian felt reassured.

"Second brother, you've worked hard. You should recuperate. Leave the purification talisman and its subsequent improvements to Xiang Ping and the others. You should prepare to establish your foundation."

Li Xiaoyao nodded without refusing. He walked to the Spirit-Nourishing Soil, sat down cross-legged, took out a pill to restore his mana and swallowed it, then closed his eyes to regulate his breathing.

The cluster of "Golden Fiery Heart Ore" enveloped by the restriction was suspended not far in front of him.

For the next two days, Li Xiaoyao hardly left the cave except for necessary meals.

He was adjusting his mind and body, repeatedly rehearsing every detail of refining the Golden Fiery Heart Ore and forging the Immortal Foundation in his mind, polishing his own state to the most perfect peak.

Li Xiangping led his men, under the guidance of Li Mutian, to set up simple "Red Sun Purification Talisman Plates" at key nodes on the outer perimeter of the formation and at the ventilation openings of the grotto.

These talisman plates are powered by fire-attribute spirit stones, and at their core is imprinted a wisp of Li Mutian's [Xuanhuang Pass] True Fire Mark, which can continuously emit a gentle purifying power to slowly transform the infiltrated turbidity.

On the morning of the third day, Li Xiaoyao opened his eyes, his gaze bright and clear, his aura perfectly smooth and flawless, without the slightest stagnation.

"Brother, I'm ready," he said calmly.

Li Mutian patted his shoulder heavily:

"Go for it! I'll take care of everything outside."

Li Xiaoyao took a deep breath and said no more. He reached out and the layers of restrictions enveloping the Golden Fiery Heart Ore opened.

When the last layer of restriction dissipated and the cluster of dark golden crystal cores was fully exposed to the air, a pure, violent aura of golden fire, seemingly capable of scorching the soul and bones, suddenly erupted!

If it weren't for the suppression of the Rocky Golden Lock Formation, this aura would have been enough to reach the rift valley!

Li Xiaoyao's expression remained unchanged. He held his hands in a circular motion, and his powerful and complete spiritual energy surged out, transforming into a rotating, semi-transparent furnace phantom that slowly enveloped and swallowed the Golden Fiery Heart Ore.

"Refine!"

He gave a low shout, and flames immediately burst into flames within the illusory furnace.

That was no ordinary fire, but rather the "Five Elements Refining True Fire" formed by him using the fire element among his four spiritual roots as the main element, activating the origin of the "True Yang Three Lights Technique", and then harmonizing the four elements of metal, wood, water, and earth!

The flames were pale gold, less majestic and intense than Li Mutian's Xuanhuang True Fire, but more subtle and ever-changing, and full of vitality.

As the Golden Fiery Heart Ore floated and sank in the Five Elements Refining Fire, its dark golden outer shell began to soften and peel away, revealing the even more dazzling core essence inside, which resembled a fusion of liquid flames and molten gold!

The terrifying golden fire energy frantically impacted the illusory furnace, emitting a hissing shriek!

Fine beads of sweat appeared on Li Xiaoyao's forehead, and his body trembled slightly.

Refining such a rare and wondrous object is extremely dangerous. Not only must one withstand the impact of its immense power, but one must also constantly resist the corrosive influence of its malevolent energy on one's mind.

He focused intently on his spiritual platform, fully activating his cultivation technique to guide the Five Elements Refining Fire to gradually burn, purify, and refine that essence, slowly merging it with his own magical power and his understanding of the Great Dao of "fire."

The temperature inside the cave rose sharply, and the air became distorted. Li Mutian retreated to the cave entrance, personally guarding it, his divine sense closely monitoring his younger brother's condition.

Time passed little by little.

One day, two days... the golden essence grew smaller and smaller, but its color became purer and brighter.

It gradually transformed into a dazzling, reddish-gold liquid that existed between matter and energy.

Under Li Xiaoyao's guidance, it began to flow towards his dantian along some mysterious trajectory!

Foundation laying, officially begins!