Clan Cultivation: Starting from Foundation Establishment on Mount Luoxia

Once the signature was completed, the document trembled slightly, and the terms on it shone even brighter, clearly indicating that it had been connected to and taken effect with some kind of monitoring system of the Immortal Sect.

Instead of throwing the receipt and talisman back, Li Xiaoyao personally used his magic to carry the two items, and with a swift movement, flew to the two stewards.

He stopped several feet away, and presented the receipt and talisman with both hands, his movements respectful yet dignified.

"Fellow Daoists, please forgive me."

Li Xiaoyao spoke, his voice clear and sincere:

"It was indeed my oversight. I was so focused on the urgent matter of my family's relocation that I forgot about the established rules of the Immortal Sect, causing trouble for you two fellow Daoists."

"I feel really bad that you two have waited for me here so late at night."

As he spoke, he reached for the storage pouch at his waist with his free left hand, and two small but bulging brocade pouches embroidered with simple cloud patterns appeared in his hand.

Instead of handing over the ticket directly, he gently pushed the two brocade pouches towards Zhao Mingqi and Wei Xuan.

"This is a small local specialty of Yunzhou, with little spiritual energy. It is not worth mentioning."

"Consider this an apology to my two fellow Daoists, and also a way to thank you for your hard work in handling this matter."

Li Xiaoyao spoke naturally, as if it were just a normal exchange of favors:

"The Li family accepts this fine and will definitely go to the Good Deeds Pavilion within a year to pay it in full. We would never dare to trouble you two again."

Zhao Mingqi and Wei Xuan's eyes fell on the brocade pouch. With a sweep of their divine senses, they knew that each pouch contained ten thousand crystal-clear low-grade spirit stones, without the slightest discrepancy.

The two brocade pouches contained 20,000 low-grade spirit stones.

The two exchanged a glance, a knowing look flashing in their eyes.

Wei Xuan's formulaic smile seemed to have become slightly more genuine. Zhao Mingqi's serious expression also softened slightly.

Wei Xuan reached out and took the two brocade pouches. With a flick of his sleeve, they disappeared without a trace, his movements fluid and natural.

Only then did he accept the ticket and talisman pen offered by Li Xiaoyao, carefully examine the signature, confirm that it was correct, and nod.

"Fellow Daoist Li, you're too kind."

Zhao Mingqi spoke, his tone slightly softer than before:

"Rules are rules. Today's matter should be handled according to the law. It is our duty as the two of us."

"Since Fellow Daoist Li is reasonable, accepts the punishment, and promises to pay on time, this matter will end here."

"I hope that you will pay more attention to the regulations of the Immortal Sect in your future actions, so as to avoid any further complications."

"I will keep in mind my fellow Daoist's teachings."

Li Xiaoyao cupped his hands in greeting.

"Um."

Wei Xuan nodded and handed a copy of the ticket to Li Xiaoyao:

"Please keep this copy safe, fellow Daoist. You can use it to pay at the Merit Pavilion. Now that it's done, we won't delay your journey any longer. Please."

As they spoke, the two stepped aside to clear the way, their bodies shimmering with a faint blue aura, indicating that Li Xiaoyao could leave.

"Thank you both, fellow Daoists."

Li Xiaoyao said no more, put away the ticket copy, and turned to fly back to the cabin of the flying boat.

Before entering, he turned back one last time and nodded to the two deacons once more.

The hatch closed. The airship's array lit up again, and it slowly accelerated, passing by the two deacons before disappearing into the deep void ahead.

In the void, Zhao Mingqi and Wei Xuan did not leave immediately.

"This Li Xiaoyao is quite sensible."

Wei Xuan played with the memory stone in his hand and smiled faintly.

"His elder brother was able to establish his foundation with a pseudo-spiritual root and gain a preliminary foothold in a place like Bing-749, so he is certainly not a fool."

Zhao Mingqi gazed in the direction where the flying boat had disappeared:

"Nine thousand one hundred good deeds, that's neither a lot nor a little. It's just right at the line they can bear, yet they have to work hard to earn."

"It seems the higher-ups...have some ideas about their side?"

"Who knows?"

Wei Xuan put away the photo stone and the original signed document:

"We just follow the 'regulations' and collect 'compliant' fines."

"As for whether they can pay on time, and what happens after they do, that's not our business to worry about. Let's go back and report."

A flash of celestial light emanated from the two of them, and they vanished into the void as if they had never existed.

Inside the airship, the deathly silence was broken.

Li Xiaoyao returned to the main control array panel, his expression unchanged, even calmer than before.

But everyone saw what happened outside, saw the ticket, and saw the brocade pouch that Li Xiaoyao gave away.

Nine thousand one hundred good deeds! They weighed on everyone's heart like a giant boulder.

Li Mude's lips moved as if he wanted to say something, but no sound came out. Xiang Ping's wife clutched her bundle tightly, her face pale.

The hundreds of townspeople who had just boarded the ship were even more bewildered and uneasy. They had never imagined that simply leaving their hometown would bring such enormous trouble and debt to their hosts.

Li Xiaoyao offered neither explanation nor comfort.

He simply maneuvered the flying boat, following the landmarks, steadily heading towards "Thick Earth Golden Cliff".

After a long while, he slowly spoke, his calm voice echoing throughout the cabin:

"You've all seen it. This is the rule of the cultivation world, and it's the price my Li family has to pay for choosing this path."

"This debt is on the Li family's shoulders, and has nothing to do with you."

"What you need to do is, once you get there, use your skills, settle down, and put down roots."

"Only when we build a new home and stand firm will we have the ability to repay this debt and face more storms in the future."

"The road ahead is long, let's all take a break."

......

There was no sun or moon in the void, and no one knew how much time had passed.

The Void Flying Boat slowly landed on the flat ground of the rift valley in front of the Thick Earth Golden Cliff. The boat door opened, and more than 800 new immigrants filed out.

Most of them were simply dressed, their faces showing the weariness of a long journey, but their eyes sparkled with curiosity and anticipation for their unfamiliar new home.

Li Mutian and his sons and core clan members had been waiting for a long time.

"Mu De!"

Li Mutian strode forward and embraced his cousin tightly.

"Brother!"

Li Mude's eyes were slightly red. "Luoxia Mountain... has been mortgaged to the Immortal Sect as collateral for a fine. We have no way out."

"It's good that you're here."

Li Mutian patted him on the shoulder, turned to the crowd, and spoke in a steady, resonant voice:

"Fellow clansmen and fellow villagers! This place is called 'Bing-749', and it is filled with evil spirits. It is not a good place to live."

"But this place also possesses spiritual veins to rely on and mineral deposits to be mined, which are the foundation for the Li family's future endeavors!"

"From this day forward, all those under the Li family's command will be treated equally, working together to expand this land and build a new home!"

A commotion arose in the crowd, mixed with hushed whispers.

Li Xiaoyao stepped forward at the opportune moment and said loudly:

"Although this place is filled with turbidity and evil, my Li family has already mastered the basic method of transformation."

"Anyone with potential spiritual roots can choose a suitable cultivation method to begin with after testing!"

"Those who participate in land reclamation, construction, and combat will be awarded merit points according to their achievements, which can be exchanged for cultivation resources, cultivation technique guidance, and even Foundation Establishment opportunities!"

These words, especially the phrase "foundation-building opportunity," ignited a burning light in the eyes of the more than forty parents of children with spiritual potential in the group.

The resettlement of the new immigrants was coordinated by Li Changhu.

The stronghold of Houtu Jinya was rapidly expanded, with caves carved into the mountainside and wooden and stone houses built.

The more than 500 townspeople were mostly craftsmen and farmers, and under the organization of the Li family, they quickly got involved in the construction.

Li Xiaoyao personally oversaw the setup of the turbid energy transformation array.