Clan Cultivation: Starting from Foundation Establishment on Mount Luoxia

The steward, a smiling old man, understood immediately upon hearing this and said:

"Is this your first time visiting the Outer Realm Inn, fellow Daoist?"

"You may not know this, but my Chuixing Post Station oversees countless exploration points below. Most of the rare treasures and spiritual materials obtained from exploration and discovery in various places are handed over and processed here first."

"By the time these treasures have changed hands several times and reached the large markets or merit pavilions directly under the jurisdiction of the immortal sects in the rear, they have already been resold and increased in price by the second, third, or even more hands."

"With one checkpoint on the left and another layer of commission on the right, how can the price not increase at each level? Since this place is one of the sources, it's naturally cheaper."

"So that's how it is!" Li Xiaoyao suddenly understood.

Although the outer post stations seem remote, they are the first gateway for many scarce resources to flow into the immortal sect system, which explains the difference in prices.

This also means that if the family can make a discovery in "C-749" in the future, it will be more cost-effective to exchange directly here.

After a round of purchases, most of the 8,700 contribution points had been spent, leaving only a few hundred.

Li Xiaoyao felt much more at ease, as these inheritances and resources were the foundation for the family's development over the next few decades.

Finally, on a whim, he went to a corner of the post station where a "temporary gathering area for monks" had spontaneously formed.

This place is like a loose job fair, where freelance monks often gather seeking temporary employment or something to rely on.

Li Xiaoyao revealed his Foundation Establishment cultivation level and his identity as a "Terrain Development Envoy," stating that his family was establishing a new stronghold and sincerely recruiting guest elders or long-term partners, with excellent benefits.

However, upon hearing that they were going to the infamous desolate and turbid place "Bing-749", most of the independent cultivators looked hesitant and shook their heads in reluctance.

After a busy half-day, only two people responded to the call for help.

One of them was a taciturn young cultivator named Han Mo, who was at the sixth level of Qi Refining.

He claims to be skilled at controlling insects to detect and set traps, and all he asks for is a safe place to cultivate and basic necessities.

The other person was an old man with a hunched back and a weathered face, who called himself Xu Laoquan and was at the seventh level of Qi Refining.

During the conversation, he showed considerable expertise in identifying minerals and processing low-level spiritual plants, stating that he only wanted to earn some spirit stones to buy pills to prolong his life, and that he was willing to sign a short-term contract of three years.

Li Xiaoyao observed that the two men were struggling with their breathing, seemingly trapped in a bottleneck, and their desires were practical, unlike those of cunning individuals.

Now that the family is in need of manpower, they have made a simple soul contract with the two, agreeing to return to "Thick Earth Golden Cliff" together, and to give them rewards and limited protection based on their contributions.

With everything settled, Li Xiaoyao lingered no longer. He piloted the flying boat, which he had renewed for three years, and sailed out of Chuixing Post Station, disappearing into the void of his return journey.

Inside the ship, he took stock of what he had gained on this trip: completing a key transaction and preserving his identity; extending the spaceship's lease by three years; and learning the cruel truth and potential opportunities of the other plane.

By exhausting contribution points, the family obtained crucial cultivation techniques, resources for cultivation, defensive artifacts, and a batch of spiritual materials; in addition, two potentially usable rogue cultivators were recruited.

The road ahead is shrouded in mystery, with both a deep crisis stemming from the damage to the world's very origin and a distant opportunity promised by the Immortal Sect.

However, the resources at hand are much more abundant than three years ago, and the inheritance of family traditions is also taking shape.

The Void Flying Boat pierced through the turbid clouds and slowly landed in front of the "Thick Earth Golden Cliff" mudflats.

The hatch opened, and Li Xiaoyao stepped out first, followed by the silent Han Mo and the hunched Xu Laoquan.

Li Mutian, who had been waiting since hearing the news, led his men to greet him. His eyes swept over his younger brother and he knew that this trip would be fruitful. He felt relieved.

"Second brother, you've worked hard."

Li Mutian stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over the two people behind him.

"Brother, I have not failed you."

Li Xiaoyao cupped his hands and gave a brief introduction:

"These two are fellow Daoists Han Mo and Xu Laoquan, whom I met at Chuixing Post Station. They each have their own strengths and are willing to help my Li family expand. We have already signed a short-term contract."

Li Mutian nodded, and some clansmen led Han and Xu to arrange temporary accommodations and familiarize them with the environment.

Before he could rest, Li Xiaoyao was invited into the council hall of the grotto, which had been expanded several times.

Inside the hall, Li Mutian, Li Xiangping, Li Changhu, Li Tongya, Li Chijing, as well as the core members who were temporarily staying at the camp, including Scar Wolf, Iron Bow, Poison Old Man, and Liu Gu, were all present.

All eyes were on Li Xiaoyao.

"Second Uncle, did the trip go smoothly? What was the situation like at the Immortal Sect's post station?"

Li Xiangping was the most anxious.

Li Xiaoyao retrieved the jade slip, and a phantom image of the Chuixing Post Station appeared, detailing the handover, contribution points, and renewal of the flying boat contract.

When it was mentioned that "Bing-749" was actually a "demiplane" severely damaged by the demonic calamity, with its origin damaged, its heavenly path half-submerged, and its upper limit limited to the Foundation Establishment stage, the entire hall fell into a deathly silence.

"The demonic calamity... its very essence is damaged... no wonder!" Li Tongya trembled.

Li Xiangping clenched his fist, his eyes burning with fighting spirit.

"Ruins are just right! Only in such a place can my Li family rise to power!"

Li Mutian raised his hand to suppress the agitation:

"Manager Wang's revelation of the truth serves as both a warning and a hint. The dangers in this world have increased dramatically, and crises coexist."

"The Immortal Sect promised that successful pioneers might have the opportunity to restore their original essence in the future... This is just a pie in the sky, and for now, we should proceed cautiously."

He looked at Li Xiaoyao: "Second brother, what about the follow-up and the supplies exchanged?"

Li Xiaoyao nodded and began to show off what he had obtained.

He first solemnly took out the jade slip containing the "Autumn Lake Reflecting the Moon Technique" and gave it to Li Chijing, offering a few words of encouragement. Li Chijing was moved and bowed deeply.

He then took out the Five Elements Basic Techniques, Foundation Spiritual Energy, Elixirs, Array Plates, Magical Tools, Spiritual Materials, etc., and briefly explained their uses and allocation.

Finally, when the reason for the low prices outside the border was mentioned, everyone suddenly understood.

With resources at the forefront, especially the third-grade foundation-building inheritance manual, the atmosphere in the hall was lively.

"good!"

Li Mutian said twice, "With this foundation, there is truly hope for inheritance! However, with resources at hand, we must make good use of them. Now that the road ahead is clear, the old strategies should be adjusted."

He got up and went to the topographic map, emphasizing the words "thick soil and golden cliffs" with his finger.

"First and foremost, strengthen the foundation! The new formation will be deployed and nested within the old one. Basic techniques will be taught to select individuals, prioritizing those who are truly needed."

"Xiang Ping, Changhu, and Tongya, with the newly acquired resources, strive to achieve the final stage as soon as possible!"

"Secondly, accelerate exploration! Now that we know the upper limit, ordinary threats are greatly reduced. Expand the scope and clarify the objectives: find water sources and spiritual veins; search for ancient ruins, minerals and plants, especially those related to the primordial demonic disaster; actively explore other intelligent beings and make judgments early! Han Mo and Xu Laoquan are assigned to the exploration team."

"Finally, prepare for battle and build up strength! Strength is our only reliance. The weapon-refining workshop will operate at full capacity, the hunting teams will expand their training, and the family contribution system will be refined with detailed rewards and punishments!"

The order was clear, and everyone responded with a resounding roar.

Over the next few months, "Thick Earth Golden Cliff" operated efficiently. With the new formation in place, the spiritual energy became even purer.

The young men took away the basic training methods and recited them morning and evening. Li Chijing went into seclusion, his breathing deepening day by day. Li Xiangping and others made great progress in their cultivation.

The exploration team was led by Li Mutian and Li Xiaoyao in turns, and they went on separate expeditions.

Hundreds of miles upstream, a tributary of an underground river was discovered, and efforts began to divert the water. On the opposite bank of the wasteland, a vein of "Yin Sha Iron" was discovered beneath wind-eroded rock pillars.

The biggest discovery came during a long-distance expedition to the southeast. Li Xiaoyao led a team deep into the broken hills covered with giant fossils.

In the sheltered valley, one can see the remains of a simple hut and the ashes of a recently lit campfire.

"Someone's there!"

Li Xiaoyao signaled to conceal himself, spreading his divine sense. Han Mo released several gray beetle spirit insects that disappeared into the rock crevices.

A moment later, the spirit insect transmitted a blurry image: three figures digging for tubers in a strange forest several miles away.

Li Xiaoyao seized the opportunity to encircle them. The three figures realized what was happening and tried to escape, but they were already surrounded.

Upon seeing his face, everyone was stunned.

Humanoid creatures with dark gray-brown, rough skin, short and hunched, with slender limbs, large heads, sunken eyes, and cloudy yellow pupils.

Wrapped in animal hide fibers and wielding a stone axe and bone spear, he growled hoarsely at Li Xiaoyao and the others, filled with fear and hostility.

"Native inhabitants!" Li Xiangping's eyes sharpened. "Their intelligence seems low?"

Li Xiaoyao scanned the area with his divine sense and frowned slightly: "The weak and chaotic spiritual energy within the body is mixed and resembles turbid evil, not the proper path. The spiritual intelligence is obscured, and the structure of the soul is abnormal."

"Take it back to camp!"

Li Xiaoyao gave the order. This may be the key to unlocking the ancient secrets of the beings in this realm.

The three locals struggled and roared fiercely, but were easily subdued, their meridians sealed, and they were taken back.