Clan Cultivation: Starting from Foundation Establishment on Mount Luoxia

Time flows silently like an underground river at the bottom of a valley, and in the blink of an eye, nearly three years have passed.

The internal and external atmosphere of "thick soil and golden cliffs" has been greatly solidified.

The grotto has become a fully functional small fortress, and the formation is operating smoothly.

Although the spiritual energy still carries the murky undertones characteristic of this place, it has been purified by the talisman plate to make it suitable for cultivation.

In the few "experimental fields" near the Spirit-Nourishing Soil, the third-generation "Red Crystal Rice" has already sprouted ears. Although the yield is not high, it proves that the land in this world can be used to cultivate spiritual plants after conditioning.

Over the course of three years, the Li family thoroughly explored the area within a hundred miles, using the grotto as their center.

They also found two small mining sites and tamed several local low-level demonic insects for guarding and assistance.

Through frequent hunting and training, the overall strength of the clan's cultivators has steadily improved.

Li Chijing had already broken through to the fourth level of Qi Refining by borrowing the "Little Moon's spiritual energy," and is now at the fifth level. Li Xiangping and Li Tongya are stuck at the seventh level of Qi Refining, waiting for an opportunity.

Li Changhu has also reached the sixth level. The number of people in the clan who have reached the mid-stage of Qi Refining has increased to nearly thirty, showing initial signs of prosperity.

The various resources accumulated, after repeated screening, processing, and packaging, are now neatly stacked on the open mudflats, gleaming with various colors under the dim light of the day.

Refined fire copper ingots, bundles of processed demon beast materials, and sealed samples of spiritual plants.

There are also several unique mineral crystals found here, all of which are the result of three years of pioneering efforts.

Li Xiaoyao, dressed in a neat blue robe, stood beside the gangway of the flying boat.

His aura was more profound than it had been three years ago, and his Xuanhuang Pass Immortal Foundation was being nurtured more and more smoothly, giving him a subtle air of authority in every gesture.

Li Mutian led his clansmen to see them off, his gaze sweeping over the pile of supplies before returning to his younger brother:

"Second brother, this trip is of great importance. The goods worth 300,000 low-grade spirit stones are here. They are not only an answer to the Immortal Sect, but also the bargaining chips for our Li family in the future."

"The outer post station is set up by the immortal sect and has strict rules. You must be careful with your words and actions, make sure the handover is clear, and be sure to ask about the subsequent regulations for the flying boat and the details of tribute."

"Don't worry, elder brother." Li Xiaoyao cupped his hands, his expression calm. "I will handle things properly. Please take care of everything at home, elder brother and your nephews."

He then looked at Li Tongya: "Tongya, you are meticulous. Make sure to keep the detailed list and catalog of supplies you drew."

Then he looked at Li Xiangping and Li Changhu: "Xiangping, Changhu, the defense must not be relaxed. Do not expand the scope of the investigation for now. We will discuss everything after I return."

Finally, his gaze fell on Li Chijing, he nodded slightly, and said nothing more, his expectations unspoken.

"Take care, Second Uncle (Second Brother)!"

Everyone said in unison.

Li Xiaoyao said no more, turned and boarded the flying boat. The cabin door slowly closed, and the gray-black runes on the hull gradually lit up, emitting a low hum.

The flying boat slowly ascended into the air, and under the watchful eyes of everyone, it pierced through the perpetual murky fog above the rift valley and disappeared into the vast void, heading towards the "Outer Boundary Station".

Before the thick earth and golden cliff, Li Mutian stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the direction where the flying boat had disappeared, motionless for a long time.

Three years of development is just the beginning.

The celestial decree hangs like a sword in the sky, tying the fate of our families to the line. Whether this handover is a blessing or a curse, a gain or a loss, depends entirely on the outcome of Xiaoyao's journey.

The void was dark and gloomy, and the flying boat moved alone like a mustard seed.

The gray-black void airship sailed through it, with only the occasional faint specks of light, of unknown distance, flitting past the ship's side, indicating the existence of other planes or stars.

Li Xiaoyao sat cross-legged in front of the main control array of the flying boat, his gaze fixed on the faint path of light led by the immortal sect's Dao beacon.

Our destination is "Chuixing Post Station".

It is the nearest external transit and monitoring point set up by the Qingxiao Immortal Sect in this void region belonging to the "Bing-749" plane.

Its name is derived from the phrase "governing by doing nothing, passing on the torch from one spark to another," symbolizing the Immortal Sect's remote control and expectations for its numerous subordinate expansion points.

The journey was oblivious to the passage of time; only the extension of the light path on the array plate indicated the progress.

About half a month later, a stable light with a clear sense of order gradually appeared in the dark void ahead and rapidly expanded.

It was a strange complex of buildings suspended in the void.

The main structure is made of an unidentified grayish-white stone, with an ancient and heavy form, bearing a distinct style of the Immortal Sect.

The building was surrounded by a light blue, ever-flowing light shield, on which mysterious runes flashed from time to time.

Several flying boats of different shapes and sizes were slowly entering the "portals" reserved in the light shield, or quietly leaving through the portals and disappearing into the void.

Guided by the light of the guiding talisman, Li Xiaoyao's flying boat approached the pale blue light barrier.

A gentle divine thought swept across the airship, confirming the validity of the "Pioneer's Mark" and the airship rental contract. Then, the light shield silently cracked open, creating an entrance.

The airship slowly sailed in and moored on a spacious stone platform marked "Category C Temporary Mooring Area".

The stone platform is engraved with intricate spirit-gathering and stabilizing formations, which isolate it from external void erosion.

Stepping onto the stone platform, a pure and peaceful spiritual energy washes over you, invigorating your spirit.

The Chuixing Post Station was quite deserted, with few cultivators coming and going. They all walked in a hurry, their auras deep and concentrated. At the very least, they were at the late stage of Qi Refining, and Foundation Establishment cultivators were not uncommon.

Most of them wore robes with the cloud pattern insignia of the Qingxiao Immortal Sect, or uniform attire for stewards and guards.

A Foundation Establishment cultivator like Li Xiaoyao, dressed in an ordinary blue robe and traveling alone, stood out as an oddity, attracting a few brief and indifferent glances.

Li Xiaoyao remained calm, quickly discerned the direction, and headed towards the most conspicuous three-story stone hall in the post station.

The stone hall's plaque bears three simple, ancient characters: "Department of Delivery".

The hall was spacious and simply furnished. Several monks dressed in light blue robes sat behind jade tables, handling documents or conversing with monks who had come to complete their transactions.

Li Xiaoyao found a table where no one was queuing, stepped forward, and bowed, saying:

"I am Li Xiaoyao from the Li family of Luoxia Mountain in Yunzhou. I have come here with the 'Exploration Scroll' to complete the transaction and inquire about the renewal of the flying boat contract."

The steward behind the desk was a middle-aged cultivator with an ordinary face and a serious expression, whose cultivation level was around the ninth level of Qi Refining.

He glanced at Li Xiaoyao, then at the faintly glowing reddish-gold "Pioneer Scroll" mark on his waist, and nodded businesslike.

"Fellow Daoist, please present your talisman, lease agreement, and transaction list."

Li Xiaoyao handed over the jade slip he had prepared beforehand, and infused a wisp of magic power into the "Opening Talisman" mark, causing it to manifest a faint crimson-gold phantom for verification.

The steward took the jade slip, placed it between his eyebrows, and quickly scanned it with his divine sense.

A moment later, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes as he looked up at Li Xiaoyao:

"In the plane 'C-749,' the Li family of Luoxia... three years of development, 300,000 low-grade spirit stones..."

This number is quite good for a third-tier plane, especially for early pioneers, and the other side seems to be a small family.

"Exactly."

Li Xiaoyao nodded. "All the supplies listed have been brought and can be inspected at any time."

"Furthermore, the family has initially established the 'Thick Earth Golden Cliff' stronghold in this plane. The formation has been set up, the spiritual fields have been cultivated, and the clan is now stable. This is the detailed record."

He then handed over a jade slip.

The steward took it and examined it again. His expression softened and became more formal: "It is truly remarkable that your family has achieved such a harvest in such a turbid and evil place."

"Please wait a moment, fellow Daoist. The goods to be handed over need to be verified and valued by the 'Treasure Appraisal Pavilion' and compared with the inventory list. The case file also needs to be kept on file and submitted. This process will take about half a day."

He took out a numbered cyan jade token and handed it to Li Xiaoyao, "Fellow Daoist, you can use this token to rest temporarily in the post station, or you can go to the 'Post Station Market' to take a look."

"Once the verification is complete, we will send you a message. As for the details of the renewal of the airship contract and subsequent tribute, they will need to be discussed with you by the head of the department after the handover is confirmed."

"Thank you for your help, deacon."

Li Xiaoyao accepted the jade token, thanked them, and then left the delivery office.