Clan Cultivation: Starting from Foundation Establishment on Mount Luoxia

Upon returning to the Immortal Sect headquarters, Li Xiaoyao first went to the External Affairs Hall to hand in his mission.

The complete information from the rubbing of the stone tablet was presented, and the steward checked it item by item, which took a full hour.

Finally, a brand-new jade slip was handed to him—mission completed, and Xuanxinjian's waiting time was deducted by fifty years.

Originally there were 167 people, now there are 117.

"How much longer do we have to wait?" Li Xiaoyao asked.

The deacon checked and said, "Senior, at the current rate, sixty or seventy years should be enough."

It's similar to before. Because the people in front are also deducting points, the line has moved forward as a whole, but his relative position hasn't changed much.

Li Xiaoyao put away the jade slip and left the Outer Affairs Hall.

He stood on the steps, looking at the fading sunset on the horizon, and suddenly didn't know where to go.

Returning to his cave to cultivate? Polishing his third divine ability? He was restless and didn't want to go back.

"Young friend from Shangyuan."

The voice of True Monarch Minghuang came from behind.

Li Xiaoyao turned around and saw Zhenjun walking out of the side door of the Outer Affairs Hall, holding a scroll of bamboo slips in his hand. He didn't know if Zhenjun had just finished his business or was waiting for him.

"Have you handed in the mission?" asked True Monarch Minghuang.

"It's paid."

"Was the waiting time deducted?"

"It's been deducted. But we still have to wait sixty or seventy years."

Minghuang Zhenjun nodded, rolled up the bamboo slip, and put it into his sleeve.

He glanced at Li Xiaoyao and suddenly said, "Since you don't want to go into seclusion, don't be idle while you wait. Go and take a look at Xiao Wuju's Outer Heaven."

Li Xiaoyao was taken aback: "The Outer Heavens?"

"It's the illusory world that was opened up when Wuju attained enlightenment." True Monarch Minghuang stood with his hands behind his back. "He said that place is called Wuyoutian, but we all call it Wujutian. Now, most of the Purple Mansions under the Immortal Sect's rule have registered their characters there. Go and take a look; you might find something useful."

Li Xiaoyao seemed to be deep in thought. He remembered what was said on the day he attained the Dao of Freedom—that all those at the Purple Mansion level under the Great Universe could sense the guidance of the Outer Heaven of Carefree Heaven through the power of their own Law. In the Outer Heaven, they could manifest both real and illusory forms to communicate and discuss the Dao with fellow Daoists, trade, and even teleport items across time and space.

"Thank you for the reminder, True Lord. I will go now." He bowed with his hands clasped.

Minghuang Zhenjun nodded, turned around, and disappeared.

Li Xiaoyao returned to his cave, sat cross-legged, and closed his eyes to sense his surroundings. A surge of power emanated from his body, connecting with some mysterious node in the void.

The node was neither too far nor too near, seemingly suspended directly above the Immortal Sect's headquarters, yet also existing in every corner.

With a thought, he was drawn upwards by a gentle force—his consciousness was ascending.

When he opened his eyes again, he was already standing in front of a majestic city gate.

The plaque above the city gate reads three large characters: "Worry-free Heaven".

There were no guards on either side of the city gate, only a faint light screen. A line of text floated on the screen: "Those who enter this gate may transform at will."

Li Xiaoyao tentatively stepped across the light barrier. A cool sensation swept over his body, as if something was scanning him.

Immediately afterwards, a virtual panel appeared before my eyes—somewhat similar to the amusement park's system panel, but simpler and more rustic.

"Please select your avatar's appearance, aura, and power of laws."

Li Xiaoyao looked at the options on the panel and suddenly smiled. This is interesting.

He can transform into anyone, as long as he doesn't exceed the scope of the Purple Mansion rank.

He thought for a moment and didn't make any major changes—he simply made his appearance more ordinary, suppressed his aura to the early stage of the Purple Mansion realm, and chose the "Sunset Glow" law, which was similar to but not quite the same as the Rainbow Glow.

The world inside the door is like a slowly unfolding scroll painting.

The sky was a pale gold; there was no sun, yet there was light. The light came from all directions, evenly scattering across every inch of the land.

The ground was paved with pure white jade, clean and spotless. In the distance, there were mountains, water, pavilions, and waterfalls.

Nearby is a spacious square, bustling with people.

Li Xiaoyao stood at the edge of the square, momentarily dazed. This was no longer some otherworldly realm; it was clearly a city that never sleeps.

The True Immortals of the Purple Mansion, dressed in various colored Taoist robes, gathered in twos and threes. Some were talking, some were trading, and some were sparring. But those sparring were not real fights. Instead, each of them manifested a phantom image and exchanged blows in the air, drawing cheers from the onlookers.

"Is this your first time here, fellow Daoist?"

A voice came from the side. Li Xiaoyao turned his head and saw a young Taoist priest in a blue robe smiling at him.

This Taoist's aura was at the early stage of the Purple Mansion realm, and his appearance was handsome, but Li Xiaoyao could tell at a glance that this was not his true appearance.

"The first time," Li Xiaoyao nodded.

"No wonder." The young Taoist pointed to a huge stone tablet in the center of the square. "Let's go take a look at the rules first. All the rules of Wuyou Heaven are on there, so we don't make a mistake and get kicked out."

Li Xiaoyao thanked him and walked to the stone tablet.

The stele is inscribed with more than a dozen rules, the top one of which reads: "Those who enter this heaven are all fellow Daoists. They must not utter evil words or harm others; those who violate this rule will be expelled."

The following rules are about the transaction: no fraud, no forced buying or selling, and violators will have their trading qualifications revoked.

The last clause reads: "All transactions are guaranteed by Wuyoutian. Transcending time and space to transfer items requires each party to consume a wisp of the power of law."

After reading it, Li Xiaoyao secretly admired it.

Wuju, this outer realm, is not only a social space but also a trading platform. Moreover, it is guaranteed by its own rules, making it safe and reliable.

As he was looking around, a commotion suddenly broke out behind him.

"The Unfettered True Lord has arrived!"

"where?"

"Above the square!"

Li Xiaoyao looked up and saw a figure descending from the sky.

White hair like a waterfall, red clothes fluttering, a red lotus between her brows shining brightly—that is true freedom.

He landed on a high platform, nodded slightly to the crowd, and his gaze swept across the square before suddenly stopping on Li Xiaoyao.

"Fellow Daoist Shangyuan?"

Li Xiaoyao was taken aback. He had clearly changed his appearance, suppressed his aura, and altered his power of laws, so how could he still be recognized?

Wu Ju floated down from the high platform and landed in front of Li Xiaoyao, a smile on his lips: "Don't be surprised. I created this world. No matter who comes or goes, no one can hide it from me. No matter how you hide your true aura or how you change the laws, that wisp of celestial trace is unique, and I recognize it."

Li Xiaoyao smiled wryly: "I wanted to keep a low profile."

"No need to be modest here." Wu Ju waved his hand and turned to walk deeper into the square. "Come on, I'll show you around. I'll also tell you about the ins and outs of my Worry-Free Heaven."

Li Xiaoyao followed. The two crossed the square, walked across a long white jade bridge, and arrived at a pavilion in the middle of a lake.

The lake was like a mirror, reflecting the pale golden sky, with several white cranes circling above it.

"Worry-Free Sky is divided into three areas."

Wu Ju stood by the pavilion, pointed, and said, "That's the free public area."

He pointed towards the square, "Everyone is there exchanging ideas, discussing, and learning from each other. Go there to find whoever you want to talk to."

He then pointed to a cluster of buildings to the east: "That's the trading area. There are shops, stalls, and auction houses. You can buy things from the Immortal Sect's Merit Pavilion here, but the prices are about 10% higher than outside—after all, you have to factor in the teleportation costs."

"This is the closed-door training area for simulated battles."

He pointed to a mountain range shrouded in mist to the west, "Inside there are countless independent spaces that can simulate various environments and opponents. You can cultivate in seclusion inside, or you can challenge others to battles. All the damage inside is fake, but the insights gained are real."

Li Xiaoyao looked at the misty mountains and a thought struck him.

Wu Ju saw through his thoughts and smiled, "Go if you want. But I suggest you go to the free area first and get to know some fellow Daoists. Tianwaitian has been open for almost a year, and most of your old acquaintances have registered. Jin Pan, Shu Yu, Bai Chuan, Han Che, Mu Ye... are all there."

Li Xiaoyao was taken aback: "Fellow Daoist Shuyu is here too?"

"They're here." Wu Ju pointed towards the square. "They're probably sitting at that tea stall over there right now. Let's go."

He patted Li Xiaoyao on the shoulder, and his figure disappeared into the sky above the lake.

Li Xiaoyao stood in the pavilion, looking at the bustling square, and suddenly smiled.

He strode toward the square.