Clan Cultivation: Starting from Foundation Establishment on Mount Luoxia

After a moment of contemplation, True Monarch Minghuang slowly asked, "That fourth-grade superior quality Flowing Cloud Silk you're wearing, was it left to you by that child, Canxia?"

Li Xiaoyao was taken aback, then nodded: "That's right. Senior Canxia gave this silk to me, instructing me to cultivate diligently and not to let down the path of Hongxia."

"Canxia... Taiyue..." Minghuang Zhenjun murmured this Daoist title, a look of admiration flashing in his eyes.

"That child was exceptionally talented back then, but unfortunately, he was fickle and switched to cultivating Earth element midway through his studies. The fact that he left the Flowing Cloud Silk to you shows that he had high hopes for you."

He then looked at Li Xiaoyao with a detached gaze.

"Little one, do you know why I treat you differently?"

Li Xiaoyao was taken aback, then pondered and said, "Because this junior has an empty certificate?"

"Yes, and not entirely."

True Monarch Minghuang smiled slightly, "Although there are few Void Certificates, there have been a dozen or so in the hundreds of thousands of years under the rule of the Immortal Sect. I have personally seen more than just you among the Void Certificate holders."

He paused, then continued:

When I judge a person, the first thing I look at is their character.

You know there's no way forward, yet you dare to go; you know the road ahead is fraught with peril, yet you do not retreat. This kind of unwavering resolve is more precious than any talent.

Li Xiaoyao was silent for a moment, then said softly, "This junior is just... unwilling to accept it."

Minghuang Zhenjun smiled, a very happy and gratified smile.

"Unwilling to accept it? Fine. What cultivators fear most is being content. Content with the status quo, content with mediocrity, content with 'that's just how it is'."

He looked at the faint outline of the immortal sect's core in the distance, his voice gradually lowering:

"Little children of the Lantern Festival, remember this day. Remember what you have seen and what you have learned."

"The road ahead is still long."

"I am very much looking forward to seeing how far your rainbow light can shine in the future."

Li Xiaoyao was deeply shaken and bowed deeply: "I will remember the teachings of the True Lord."

True Lord Minghuang nodded slightly, then turned and left.

The figure in the green robe gradually disappeared among the celestial mountains and pavilions, leaving behind a faint afterimage.

-

After True Lord Minghuang left, Li Xiaoyao and True Man Shuyu stood there in silence for a long time.

After a long pause, Shuyu asked softly, "What are your plans next, fellow Daoist?"

Li Xiaoyao pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "I will return to the Luoxia Realm first and go into seclusion to comprehend what I have gained this time. The insights I gained from the Sun and Moon Dao need time to digest."

Shuyu nodded: "Good. I also need to return to the Cold Sea Realm for seclusion. This time, all twelve forms of Taiyin have been displayed. If I can comprehend them all, my understanding of the Kan Water Dao will surely advance further."

The two exchanged a glance and saw the unspoken understanding in each other's eyes.

"Farewell." Li Xiaoyao cupped his hands in farewell.

"Take care." Shuyu nodded.

Two streaks of light, one rosy and one azure, parted ways in front of the Immortal Sect's mountain gate.

Li Xiaoyao did not immediately return to Luoxia Realm.

He stayed at the outer gate of the Immortal Sect for three days.

During these three days, he went to the Martyrs' Park and offered incense at the grave of his senior, Changqing.

Silently, he informed his senior that the Dark Abyss Demon Lord had been suppressed.

He went to the Good Deeds Pavilion to count and exchange the rewards of this mission, and also went to the Weapon Hall to find the True Man Chisong.

When True Man Chishong saw him arrive, he was first taken aback, then smiled and said, "Fellow Daoist Shangyuan, I heard you went to the depths of the Desolate Corridor with True Monarch Minghuang? How was it? How did you find it?"

Li Xiaoyao smiled slightly, said nothing more, and simply took out the Lava Axe he had obtained from Rongyue.

"This item is a high-grade third-tier item, which is incompatible with my Daoist lineage. I would like to ask fellow Daoist to help me exchange it for merit points, or exchange it for something more suitable for me."

Master Chisong took the Lava Axe, examined it carefully for a moment, and clicked his tongue, saying, "Good stuff, the material is not bad, it's just a pity that this person's refining technique is a bit rough. It can be seen that this person is a fellow practitioner of the old method."

Fortunately, the materials were of good quality. If placed in the Merit Pavilion, they could be exchanged for at least 80,000 merit points.

He looked at Li Xiaoyao, a hint of curiosity in his eyes: "What does fellow Daoist want? If it's merit points, this humble Daoist can give them to you directly. If it's something else..."

Li Xiaoyao pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "This humble Daoist would like to ask fellow Daoist to help me customize another spiritual artifact."

Akamatsu Jin raised an eyebrow: "Oh? What type?"

"Supportive skills," Li Xiaoyao said. "I currently have [Flowing Scenery] for offense, [Qixia Robe] for defense, and [Niexia Shoes] for escape."

Currently, we are still lacking a spiritual artifact that can assist in comprehending and stabilizing our Dao heart.

After pondering for a moment, Master Chishong slowly nodded: "This is not difficult. I can help you refine a 'Mind-Enlightening Pendant'."

Based on a high-grade, third-tier Pure Heart Jade, it is engraved with runes to calm the mind and soothe the soul, aiding in comprehending Taoist principles and resisting inner demons.

"How long will it take?"

"If all the materials are complete, it will take three months."

Li Xiaoyao nodded, left the Lava Axe in the Weapon Hall, paid a deposit, and agreed to pick it up in three months.

-

Three days later, Li Xiaoyao left the Immortal Sect's mountain gate, mounted his escape light, and headed towards the Sunset Realm.

The journey through the void was as silent and long as ever.

He sat alone amidst the emanating light, his body surrounded by shimmering glow, his mind replaying the scene he had witnessed in the void that day—

The Jade Rabbit gallops, crows flap their wings, the laurel tree unfolds, the ice phoenix cries out, the dark dragon coils, petals fall, the toad breathes, cold light shines through, magpies carry branches, butterflies flutter, the long river flows across, and the bright moon hangs high...

Fire dragons roar, fire snakes hiss, golden crows flap their wings, firebirds flock together, fire unicorns tread the air, fire lotuses bloom, fireballs rain down, fire dragons breathe, the god of fire descends upon the world…

The twelve Yin and nine Yang intertwine in the void to form mysterious Dao patterns.

That is the trajectory of the alternation of the sun and moon.

That is the principle of yin and yang in harmony.

That is the fundamental principle governing the operation of heaven and earth.

He closed his eyes, letting those images flow repeatedly through his mind.

After an unknown amount of time, a familiar glow appeared ahead.

We've arrived at Luoxia Realm.

-

Qixia Peak, Chengxia Hall.

Seeing the familiar glow descend from the sky, Li Mutian noticed it inside the main hall. He quickly went to meet it, looked it over, and only breathed a sigh of relief after confirming that it was unharmed.

"Second brother, how did the trip go?"

Li Xiaoyao smiled slightly, said nothing more, only saying, "It's alright, I've gained some insights, but I need to go into seclusion for a while."

Li Mutian nodded without asking any further questions.

He knew that since his second brother had said that, he must have gained something great.

"What about Chijing?" Li Xiaoyao asked.

Li Mutian said, "Everything is fine in Chaolitian. Chijing sent a message saying that the mountain-protecting formation has been 30% repaired, and the cultivators in this realm are gradually accepting the rule of the Li family."

Tongya stayed behind to continue surveying the spiritual veins. He estimated that in another six months, they would be able to determine the entire course of the main spiritual vein.

Li Xiaoyao nodded, feeling somewhat relieved.

He turned and looked at the ever-shining crimson sun on the horizon.

From the heavens at dawn to the realm of sunset, both realms are in my grasp.

The sun and moon expound the Dao, and the True Lord transmits the Dharma.

The path is becoming clearer, and the future looks promising.

"I'm going into seclusion."

He turned his gaze to Li Mutian, "It could take several months or even several years. Please take good care of things at home, elder brother."

Li Mutian patted his shoulder heavily.

"Go without worry."

Li Xiaoyao turned around and walked towards the secluded meditation room behind Chengxia Palace.

Behind them, dusk descended once more on the land of Luoxia.

The sky was ablaze with rosy clouds, a blend of crimson and purple, spreading out in layers like ink splashed by a celestial being.

The rosy glow fell upon him, as if bidding him farewell, or as if welcoming his return.