Clan Cultivation: Starting from Foundation Establishment on Mount Luoxia

Three days later, at the External Affairs Hall of the Immortal Sect.

When Li Xiaoyao arrived, over a hundred people had already gathered outside the hall.

Some he recognized, some he didn't, but without exception, they all exuded the aura of the Purple Mansion.

He had barely set foot when he heard a familiar voice:

"Fellow Daoist Shangyuan."

Li Xiaoyao turned around and saw Xiao Xiting walking towards him.

This disciple of True Lord Pingyu Qingxu, with a late-stage Purple Mansion cultivation level, possessed an aura several degrees deeper than when they last met.

"Senior Xiting."

Li Xiaoyao bowed respectfully, "You've come too?"

"How could I not come to such an important event?"

Xiao Xiting chuckled, his gaze sweeping over the surroundings, "Guess how many people came this time?"

"How many?"

"More than 120 people."

Xiao Xiting said, "Among them, there are more than twenty people in the late stage of the Purple Mansion realm, and the rest are in the middle and early stages. The Immortal Sect is really serious this time."

Li Xiaoyao gasped.

One hundred and twenty Purple Mansions.

What does this mean? It's estimated that more than 30% of the Purple Mansion cultivators from the entire Azure Sky Immortal Sect have been mobilized.

"It seems that the Heavenly Demon Realm is even more serious than what's written on the token," he muttered.

Xiao Xiting nodded, about to speak, when another figure drifted over.

"Fellow Daoist Shangyuan, Senior Xiting."

Shuyu Zhenren, dressed in a green robe, smiled radiantly. She looked the same as before, but Li Xiaoyao could tell at a glance that she was only half a step away from the mid-stage.

"Fellow Daoist Shuyu," Li Xiaoyao said with a smile, "you've come too."

"Of course we'll come." Master Shuyu looked around. "I just saw Baichuan, Hanche, Muye, and a few others over there. It looks like we're going to form a big group this time."

Li Xiaoyao looked in the direction she pointed and indeed saw Master Baichuan talking with several people.

Bai Chuan looked up, met his gaze, and cupped his hands in a respectful gesture from afar.

Li Xiaoyao nodded in return and was about to go over to say hello when he suddenly heard a bell ring.

"when--"

Its sound was long and resonant, echoing through the void.

All the Purple Mansions looked up at the main gate of the Outer Affairs Hall.

Three figures slowly walked out of the hall.

The person in the lead was surrounded by a blazing, fiery light, and with each step he took, the void trembled slightly—Taiyao Zhenjun, a mid-stage Golden Core cultivator of the Sun Dao lineage.

Beside him stood a figure as aloof as the moon, his robes fluttering, and a faint fragrance of osmanthus wafting around him—Elemental True Monarch, mid-stage Golden Core cultivator of the Taiyin lineage.

The last person was slender, carrying a long sword on his back, with an ancient face and eyes like lightning—the True Lord Lingguang, a late-stage Golden Core cultivator in swordsmanship.

Three Golden Core cultivators.

The entire room fell silent.

Taiyao Zhenjun spoke first, his voice booming like a great bell:

"Gentlemen, I believe you all know why I have summoned you here today."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the more than one hundred Purple Mansion cultivators in the room:

"The Heavenly Demon Realm, a vast expanse of the Middle Thousand Planes, encompasses the Nine Heavens and Five Domains. Above it dwells the demon race, who call themselves the 'God Race,' residing in the Nine Heavens. Below, in the Five Domains, live hundreds of billions of human compatriots—who are regarded by the demon race as livestock, food, and sacrifices, enslaved for generations, their lives a living hell."

"The Immortal Sect has existed for tens of thousands of years, taking it upon itself to protect the human race. Now that we have heard this news, how can we sit idly by?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the atmosphere in the room suddenly became solemn.

The Elemental Lord stepped forward, his voice clear and cold as a spring:

"Preliminary investigations have revealed that the cultivation system in the Heavenly Demon Realm is divided into two types."

"Firstly, the demon race relies on their innate bloodline to cultivate demonic power and condense demon cores, following the path of innate bestiality."

"Secondly, some demons gather faith and cultivate 'divine power' by using tribal incense and sacrificial rituals, and call themselves gods. The source of their divine power is twofold: first, tribal believers, and second, human slaves."

When she said the words "human slaves," her tone became noticeably colder.

"Those so-called gods use humans as sacrifices, as food, and as playthings. In their eyes, hundreds of billions of humans are nothing more than talking livestock."

The entire room fell silent.

Li Xiaoyao clenched his fist.

When Lord Lingguang spoke, his voice was like the ringing of a sword:

"This campaign will be led by the three of us."

"There are three Golden Core demons in the Heavenly Demon Realm, who occupy the Upper Three Heavens."

"After the three of us enter, we will go straight for those three Golden Core cultivators and fight them deep in the void, preventing them from affecting the plane."

"Your mission is to conquer the lower three realms, the middle three realms, and the five domains."

His gaze, sharp as a sword, swept over everyone:

"The lower three heavens are inhabited by demigods, while the middle three heavens are inhabited by gods, with cultivation levels ranging from Foundation Establishment to Purple Mansion. Above the Five Domains, there are cities, tribes, and altars ruled by demons, as well as enslaved human compatriots."

"The Immortal Sect has mobilized 300,000 Foundation Establishment cultivators and 3 million Qi Refining cultivators to accompany you into the Heavenly Demon Realm. Their mission is to establish a foothold in the Five Domains, organize human resistance, set up strongholds, and gradually erode the power of the demon race."

"And your task—"

He paused, then spoke slowly and deliberately:

"Slay the demon's Purple Mansion, destroy the incense altar, and sever the foundation of the demon's rule."

"No time limit."

"How many people you can save and how much land you can occupy depends entirely on your abilities."

Li Xiaoyao was slightly taken aback when he heard the words "indefinite".

Xiao Xiting said in a low voice, "It seems that the Immortal Sect is determined not to give up until they rescue the humans from the Heavenly Demon Realm."

Li Xiaoyao nodded, a chill running through him.

The Elemental True Monarch continued, "After entering, the supernatural abilities of late-stage Purple Mansion cultivators will be suppressed by 30%—this is due to the limitations of the plane's laws and cannot be avoided. However, mid-stage and early-stage Purple Mansion cultivators will not be affected."

"Although the demon race in the Heavenly Demon Realm is numerous, they cultivate the old methods and their foundations are weak. You are all cultivators of the new methods of our Immortal Sect. In battles between people of the same level, your chances of winning are over 70%."

"But remember—do not underestimate the enemy. Although the old methods are crude, quantitative changes can lead to qualitative changes. The principle that many ants can kill an elephant is self-evident."

Lord Lingguang said, "There will be no unified command for this operation. You may form your own teams and enter the Five Domains or the Nine Heavens separately."

"But there is one rule—no killing of one another, no failing to save someone in distress. Anyone who violates this rule will be expelled from the Immortal Sect and never to be employed again."

The entire audience fell silent.

Li Xiaoyao looked at Xiao Xiting and Shuyu Zhenren, and the two of them were also looking at him.

"Together?" Xiao Xiting asked.

"I couldn't be happier." Li Xiaoyao cupped his hands in greeting. "With Senior Xiting leading the team, I can rest assured."

Xiao Xiting smiled slightly: "Fellow Daoist Shangyuan, you are too kind. If we join forces, we will be able to put up a fight even against a late-stage Purple Mansion cultivator."

Master Shuyu said, "Then, with Baichuan and the others added, we can make a team of ten, which should be enough."

As they were talking, Master Baichuan arrived with Han Che and Mu Ye.

"Senior Xiting, Fellow Daoist Shangyuan, Fellow Daoist Shuyu," Baichuan said, bowing. "We've gathered together again."

Xiao Xiting nodded: "Fellow Daoist Baichuan has come at the right time. All of you are at the early stage of the Purple Mansion realm, and you are a perfect match for Shangyuan and Shuyu."

Master Han Che maintained his cold expression but nodded. Master Mu Ye smiled憨厚ly: "I feel at ease following you all."

Seeing that everyone was starting to form teams, Lord Lingguang raised his hand and waved:

"Gather at the Void Ferry in three days. At that time, you will be given information jade slips about the Heavenly Demon Realm, location tokens, and rescue talismans. Those who fail to arrive by the deadline will be considered to have given up their mission."

"Now—let's disperse."

---

Three days later, at the Void Ferry.

A massive void warship hovered here, its hull over a thousand feet long, its entire body pitch black, and engraved with dense array patterns.

That was the Immortal Sect's "Conquest-class" warship, specifically designed for cross-dimensional warfare.

Beside the warship, 300,000 Foundation Establishment cultivators and 3 million Qi Refining cultivators were already lined up, filling the void with a dark, silent mass.

Li Xiaoyao stood on the deck of the warship, looking at those young faces.

Some gripped their ritual implements tightly with nervousness, some looked around excitedly, and some closed their eyes to rest and adjust their state.

The youngest looked no more than fifteen or sixteen years old, and the oldest no more than forty or fifty—in the world of cultivation, they were all young.

"What are you looking at?" Xiao Xiting walked over.

"Look at them," Li Xiaoyao said. "I wonder how many of them will come back alive this time."

Xiao Xiting was silent for a moment, then said, "It's better than being a slave over there."

Li Xiaoyao nodded and said nothing more.

Master Shuyu also came over and stood beside him, saying softly, "I heard that in the Heavenly Demon Realm, humans are treated as 'two-legged sheep,' and every year millions of young men and women are sacrificed for the enjoyment of those 'gods.'"

Li Xiaoyao's gaze sharpened.

"Sacrifice?"

"That's right," said Master Shuyu. "Those demons who cultivate the path of incense and gods need the power of faith."

"The purest faith comes from the most devout believers—but they don't cultivate believers; they directly enslave them."

"Keep humans in captivity and instill the idea of ​​'divine supremacy' from a young age, so that they will willingly give up everything."

"On the day of the memorial, the most devout are chosen and placed on the altar."

"They called it 'ascension to heaven'."

Li Xiaoyao remained silent for a long time.

Then he laughed.

It wasn't a happy laugh; it was the kind of cold laugh that gave you goosebumps.

"That's good," he said. "Perfect timing to test my new supernatural power."

Xiao Xiting glanced at him but didn't say anything.

In the distance, three figures appeared on the top deck of the warship.

Taiyao Zhenjun, Yuansu Zhenjun, and Mingjian Zhenjun stood side by side.

The voice of Taiyao Zhenjun resounded throughout the void:

"Boat."

"Set off."

The warship trembled slightly and slowly sailed into the void.

Li Xiaoyao turned around and looked in the direction of Luoxia Realm.

There, his family, his people, and his estate reside.

He knew that he had no idea when he would return.

But he knew even more that this trip was absolutely necessary.

"Just wait," he whispered. "When I get back, I'll bring you local specialties."

Xiao Xiting, who was standing nearby, heard this and his lips twitched.

"Specialty products? What kind of specialty products?"

Li Xiaoyao thought for a moment, then said seriously, "A demon's inner core? A god's head? Anything will do."

Xiao Xiting: "...You'd better not bring it."

Master Shuyu couldn't help but laugh out loud.

The warship sailed further and further away, gradually disappearing into the void.

Ahead lies a world rife with suffering.

Behind them lay the hopes of countless members of the Azure Sky Immortal Sect.

Of those who go, who knows how many will return?

But at least for now, they are all smiling.