Clan Cultivation: Starting from Foundation Establishment on Mount Luoxia

Three days have passed since the lightning tribulation dissipated, and the "Thick Earth Golden Cliff" has changed its appearance inside and out.

Beside the Spirit-Nourishing Soil, Li Xiaoyao sat cross-legged, his early Foundation Establishment stage now stable.

Li Mutian was leading his men to reinforce the "Rock Solid Golden Lock Formation." The formation was set up by Li Xiaoyao, and its grade was capped at second rank, which was sufficient to guard this cave.

The flying boat was still on the beach, and inside the grotto, there was the clanging and clattering of stone chambers being carved out, using stones from the rift valley and bone fragments left behind by the Golden Scaled Serpent.

"Father, Second Uncle."

Li Tongya brought over the jade slip, his brows furrowed. "I just checked the flying boat rental agreement. We only have three years to use it for free. Two months have already passed since we received the imperial decree."

Li Xiaoyao nodded.

Li Tongya continued, "Every three years, the flying boat has to be returned to the nearest 'outer post station,' or we have to pay an exorbitant price in spirit stones to buy it out. Our family's current resources..."

He shook his head. "Even if you sold all the family property, it wouldn't be enough to cover a small portion of the cost."

"There's also the task of establishing a beacon," Li Chijing added from the side, "We have to gain a foothold within thirty years, and half of the output from the first year must be handed over. If we exceed the time limit or damage the flying boat... we'll be removed from the Immortal Register, and our property will be confiscated."

The atmosphere suddenly became heavy.

Li Mutian looked at Li Xiaoyao: "Second brother, what do you say?"

Li Xiaoyao thought for a moment: "Three years is not a long time. The flying boat is our most important asset right now, and we can't afford to lose it."

"That task was both a noose around the head and a whip lashing the back."

He got up and walked to the cave entrance. "The first year is the most important. We have to really put down roots here, be able to hold on to ourselves, and produce something."

"That way, even if the spaceship is returned in three years, we'll still have a place to catch our breath."

"Second Uncle, what should we do?" Li Xiangping asked anxiously.

"Three things," Li Xiaoyao said, holding up a finger. "First, make this place more secure. Tidy up the formation again, dig where needed in the grotto, and create barriers where necessary. Try planting some of the spirit grains we brought next to the spirit-gathering soil, and see if they can survive."

"Secondly, go out and scout ahead. Form a small team to find better water sources, other mines, and grasses. Also, keep an eye out for traces of locals or old ruins. Food is essential for survival."

"Third, toughen your fists."

His gaze swept over his nephews. "Changhu is at the fifth level of Qi Refining, Xiangping and Tongya are at the seventh level, and Chijing is only at the third level. Among the remaining clansmen, there are less than twenty at the mid-stage of Qi Refining. Our family's foundation is still weak. We need to train more and find a way to get more equipment."

He glanced one last time at the flying boat on the beach: "Regarding the flying boat... try to figure out how to take care of it over the next three years, it might come in handy later."

"Do as my second brother says."

Li Mutian made the decision: "Xiang Ping and Chang Hu, you two keep an eye on things inside the grotto. I'll lead the exploration team."

"Tongya, you take Chijing and Dusou and find a way to refine more usable magical artifacts and talismans. Get moving, time waits for no one!"

Everyone was assigned a task and got to work.

Li Xiaoyao focused all his attention on adjusting the formation. Li Xiangping led his men, digging stones with great effort.

Li Tongya and Li Chijing set up a shed next to the flying boat and tried to make some rough drafts with those scales and bones.

Three days later, Li Mutian, along with Scar Wolf, Iron Bow, Liu Gu, and five clever tribesmen, went out of the valley to scout ahead.

Seven days later, they returned with some news: two seepage points were found upstream, and the water was cleaner than the underground river; a dark red vine was found downstream, and its fruit had a slightly scorching appearance; there was a slope in the middle of the rift valley, with piled stones that didn't look natural, and there were also animal bones with very old knife and axe marks on them.

Li Mutian said, "It seems there might have been someone who knew how to use weapons here before."

These words made everyone's hearts tighten.

Li Xiaoyao took the red vine fruit and examined it: "The Martian energy is impure, but it should grow quickly. If nurtured properly, it might be usable."

He put down the fruit. "Those old marks... remember them for now, don't scare yourself unnecessarily."

With the exploration yielding results, everyone knew better where to focus their efforts. Building a base and exploring the route were done alternately.

A month later, the grotto was starting to take shape: a thick, scale-like wooden door had been installed at the entrance, and more than a dozen stone rooms had been partitioned inside, providing places for discussions, cultivation, sleeping, and storing things.

Beside the Spirit-Nourishing Soil, Li Chijing carefully planted a few seeds of "Red Crystal Rice".

That day, Li Xiaoyao came out of the quiet room and walked to the Spirit-Nourishing Soil: "Chijing".

Li Chijing quickly stood up: "Second Uncle."

"Where have you progressed in your cultivation?"

"The third level of the Qingbo Technique has been completed. To break through to the fourth level, I need to find a suitable water-attribute spiritual energy to guide me."

Li Xiaoyao smiled and took out a jade bottle emitting wisps of white steam from his storage bag:

"Your second uncle prepared it for you long ago. This is called 'First-Grade Lesser Moon Spiritual Energy,' which belongs to Lesser Yin and is compatible with the water-based techniques you practice."

Li Chijing's eyes lit up, and he took it with both hands:

"Thank you, Uncle Xie! This is precious."

"I got this from trying my luck opening 'blind box spirit jars' when I used to go to the market in my younger days."

Li Xiaoyao waved his hand, "You've successfully broken through to the next realm. Once your foundation is stronger, your second uncle and your father will try to find you an authentic Shaoyin Daoist foundation-building method."

Li Chijing gripped the jade bottle tightly and bowed deeply.

At this moment, Li Mutian and Li Tongya returned from outside. The group entered the small stone house where they were discussing matters, and Li Xiangping and Li Changhu also arrived.

Li Mutian sat down and glanced at his sons: "I have two important things to say. First, our family's power isn't strong enough."

"Your second uncle and I have reached the Foundation Establishment stage, but you brothers are at different levels: Changhu is at the fifth level, Xiangping and Tongya are at the seventh level, and Chijing is about to break through to the fourth level. There are less than twenty people at the mid-stage of Qi Refining below. We need to get this group of people in the middle stage up as soon as possible."

Li Xiangping patted his chest and said, "Don't worry, Father. I'll take care of the training and hunting trips. We'll prioritize using the best resources and those with potential first."

"Okay, you take the lead in this matter, and Changhu will help out."

"The second thing," Li Mutian's voice deepened, "is the three-year time limit for the flying boat. Almost a year has passed."

"In the third year, we need to send someone to take a flying boat with a batch of goods to the 'outer post station'."

"First, we need to report back to the Immortal Sect and let them know we weren't lying down; second, we need to ask what will happen to this flying boat in the future and how we will pay our tribute."

He looked at Li Xiaoyao: "Second brother, you'll have to make a trip there then."

Li Xiaoyao nodded: "It's my turn. The things I bring... can't be too little to make it seem like I haven't done anything, but I can't empty my savings either."

Li Tongya continued, "This year we explored the surrounding area for about 300 li and found three usable water sources, one small copper mine, and two places where sunken gold stones are found."

"The fire vine fruits, monster materials, and miscellaneous herbs and ores I've collected are roughly worth around 300,000 low-grade spirit stones at market prices. Should I pick some of the better ones to take?"

Li Xiaoyao did the math: "It's the first time we're handing it over, let's take it all, it'll make it seem like we have a lot of stuff."

"For the next two years, we'll keep the rest for our own use, and also as a reserve for future payments."

"become."

Li Mutian decided, "Tongya, once Chijing breaks through the border, the two of you should put your things away together."

"Xiaoyao, familiarize yourself with the long journey by airship beforehand, and prepare all necessary emergency supplies. This concerns whether our family can truly establish itself here, so we can't afford to make a mistake."

"I understand," Li Xiaoyao replied.

"And another thing," Li Mutian looked out of the cave, "those old traces... are still a problem."

"We're not strong enough to go forward yet, so let's not stretch our reach too far. It's more important to secure this 'thick soil and golden cliff' area within a hundred miles."

"Once Xiaoyao returns from the post station, we'll be more confident and can then plan for the future."

With the matter settled, everyone felt a sense of responsibility, but also a sense that there was a glimmer of hope ahead.

Deep within the grotto, in a small chamber, a misty vapor filled the air. Li Chijing calmed his mind and guided the "Little Moon Spiritual Energy" into his meridians, slowly flowing towards the threshold of the fourth level of Qi Refining.