Clan Cultivation: Starting from Foundation Establishment on Mount Luoxia

Deep within the rift valley, beside that second-tier earth-metal elemental spiritual vein.

Li Xiaoyao used the remaining aura of the "Golden Fiery Heart Ore" as a guide, combined with the thirty-six "Purifying Stones" and seventy-two "Guiding Copper Stakes" he purchased from the post station.

A "Golden Fire Purification and Spirit Transformation Array" was set up.

The formation covers three acres of land in the core area of ​​the spiritual vein, and operates by drawing power from the spiritual vein.

It can slowly peel away and transform the metal, fire, and earth-attribute evil energy from the pervasive turbid evil energy, generating mixed spiritual energy that can be absorbed by low-level cultivators.

"The formation is newly formed. It can convert 300 cubic meters of turbid energy and generate about 100 cubic meters of spiritual energy each day, which is only enough for 20 Qi Refining stage cultivators to practice daily."

Li Xiaoyao reported to Li Mutian:

"To expand the scope and improve the entire rift valley environment, we need to find more spiritual materials such as 'purifying stones' or find natural 'energy-dispelling acupoints'."

"Let's solve the cultivation problem in the core area first."

Li Mutian nodded.

"The modification of the surrounding environment requires long-term planning. How is the exploration going over Tongya?"

Li Tongya is leading a team to survey the terrain of the rift valley.

The spread of turbid and malevolent energy follows a pattern—the more the earth's veins converge and the richer the mineral deposits, the denser the turbid and malevolent energy becomes.

They discovered several small "inauspicious veins," which, if forcibly altered, could cause disturbances in the earth's energy, so they could only mark them temporarily.

We will sort it out again after our cultivation level improves or our array formation skills advance.

"Father, we've made a discovery on my fourth brother's side."

Li Xiangping strode over, still carrying the murderous aura of having hunted down a demonic beast.

"Chijing led the team thirty miles east and discovered a 'miasma swamp'. Strange lights flickered in the center of the swamp, which appeared to be a natural 'purifying water lotus' type of spiritual plant growing there."

"But a large number of 'Bone-Rotting Crocodiles' lurk in the swamp, and one of the leaders has a demonic aura that is close to the late stage of Qi Refining."

"The water lily can purify water and soil, which is exactly what is needed to improve the environment."

Li Mutian pondered for a moment:

"Xiang Ping, you will take Scarface Wolf, Iron Bow, Poison Old Man, and ten mid-stage Qi Refining clansmen and go to wipe them out in three days. Be careful, and if things don't go well, retreat immediately."

"yes!"

......

In the newly opened secluded cave deep within the thick, golden cliffs, Li Mutian sat cross-legged.

Several materials were floating in front of him:

A piece of "Mysterious Iron Earth Core", three strands of "Lava Fire Essence", a bottle of "Millennial Stone Milk", and a strange fragment of a bone talisman seized from the indigenous priest.

The immortal foundation he forged, [Xuanhuang Pass], is intensely stable and adept at both offense and defense.

The idea behind the natal magic weapon is to forge a "Mysterious Prison Suppressing Tower" in the shape of a "gate" that can change at will and suppress all enemies.

Li Mutian formed hand seals, and the [Xuanhuang Pass] Immortal Foundation manifested within his body.

A crimson-gold wall phantom appeared behind him, radiating a heavy and scorching aura.

He opened his mouth and spat out a mouthful of his natal true fire—the Xuanhuang True Fire—enveloping the "Xuan Iron Earth Core."

After three days of burning fire, the Earth's core gradually softened and turned into a dark red liquid.

Li Mutian used his divine sense as a hammer and true fire as a furnace to begin forging its form.

Each hammer blow embodies his understanding of the Daoist principles of "suppression," "stability," and "fiery intensity."

On the seventh day, the foundation of the tower was completed. It was square in shape, with golden patterns faintly visible on a dark red background.

Li Mutian introduced "Lava Fire Essence," which was then incorporated into the tower's body, causing it to emit a crimson glow and its temperature to rise sharply.

He then dripped in "millennial stone milk," the milky white spiritual liquid seeping in and harmonizing the fire element, causing the texture of the tower to change from scorching to warm and substantial.

Finally, his gaze fell on the fragment of the bone talisman.

This item comes from an indigenous priest and contains eerie, malevolent curses and resentment from the earth's veins.

Li Mutian pondered for a moment, but did not directly refine it—the origin of this thing was unknown, and rashly integrating it might pollute the essence of the magic weapon.

He then used true fire to envelop and burn it, peeling away the purest strand of "earth vein evil source". Although this source is turbid evil, it was generated by the heaven and earth of this place and is pure in essence.

"Use their soil to build my foundation."

Li Mutian introduced this evil energy into the base of the tower.

The tower trembled slightly, and fine earth patterns appeared on its surface, subtly echoing the earth energy of this demiplane.

"The prototype is complete, and it is named 'Xuanhuang Prison Suppressing Tower'."

Li Mutian finished his practice, and the pagoda transformed into a three-inch pagoda that fell into his palm, warm and slightly hot.

"In the future, you will need to continuously integrate earth, metal, and fire elemental materials and absorb the earth fire's malevolent energy in order to gradually advance. Once you reach the third rank, you may be able to manifest the 'Prison Suppression' divine power."

When he emerged from seclusion, his face was slightly pale, clearly indicating that he had suffered considerable damage. Li Xiaoyao was already waiting outside the cave.

"Brother."

"Hmm. I need to recuperate for half a month. Xiaoyao, it's your turn."

Li Mutian handed over a jade slip.

"This is my experience in weapon crafting, which you may find useful."

"Thank you, elder brother."

Half a month later, Li Xiaoyao entered the same cave. His concept for his natal magic weapon was completely different from Li Mutian's.

Li Xiaoyao possesses four spiritual roots, which formed the foundation for the immortal Xuanhuang Pass. He can transform into the "Xuanhuang Golden Guard" on the pass walls.

However, he was well aware of his own spiritual talent and knew that if he wanted to make further progress in the future, he needed to find a path that was inclusive and open to diverse influences.

The natal magic weapon he wanted to refine was a precious mirror called "Four Seasons Mirror".

This mirror is ingeniously conceived: the mirror body is composed of five layers, yet it contains five relatively independent spatial prototypes.

The first layer corresponds to his already mastered fire-attribute immortal foundation divine power, which can be imprinted within it, allowing him to unleash its power amplified through magical treasures.

Once he has cultivated the immortal foundation and divine abilities corresponding to the other metal, wood, water, and spiritual roots, he can imprint them into the subsequent mirror layers one by one.

When facing an enemy, one can use this mirror as a pivot to simultaneously unleash supernatural powers and spells of different attributes, creating endless variations that can defeat any enemy.

The materials were already prepared: a piece of "Illusory Crystal Sand Mother" (second-grade, upper level, with spatial containment), three ounces of "Void Pattern Silver" (second-grade, middle level, to stabilize the spatial structure), a "Dividing Spirit Jade" (used to divide and control the core), a bottle of "Demon Beast Essence Liquid", and several kinds of five elements auxiliary materials.

Li Xiaoyao meditated and adjusted his breathing to bring himself to peak condition.

He first used the Xuanhuang True Fire to melt the "Illusory Crystal Sand Mother" and the "Void Pattern Silver". The two slowly fused together to form a liquid crystal cluster with a flowing silver halo.

Li Xiaoyao fully opened his divine sense and, like a skilled craftsman carving, pulled the crystal cluster into a circular mirror blank.

The initial blank of the mirror was as thin as a cicada's wing, yet it was indestructible.

This is the first step – shaping.

The second step is to construct the space.

Li Xiaoyao activated the "Dividing Spirit Jade," and his divine sense, like silk threads, split into five strands, carefully probing into the interior of the mirror blank.

Based on his concept, he used his divine sense as a guide and his true essence as ink to outline five tiny and independent spatial nodes inside the mirror blank.

This process is extremely mentally taxing and requires a profound understanding of the principles of space. Fortunately, he was highly skilled in array formations, which enabled him to barely manage to do it.

It took seven days for the five spatial nodes to be stabilized. Although they were only in their infancy, they already had the potential to grow.

The third step is to imprint supernatural powers.

With a thought, Li Xiaoyao saw the phantom image of the [Xuanhuang Pass] immortal foundation appear behind him, with flames flickering on the pass's walls.

He pointed a finger and carefully extracted a wisp of the "Mysterious True Fire" divine power origin contained within the immortal foundation, slowly guiding it into the first spatial node of the mirror blank.

"Buzz—"

The mirror trembled slightly, and suddenly a layer of crimson fire patterns appeared on its surface, spreading out a scorching aura.

In the first layer of space, the fire elemental divine power was successfully imprinted!

The fourth step is to imbue it with spirituality and adaptability.

Li Xiaoyao evenly sprinkled the "Demon Beast Essence Liquid" onto the mirror. The essence liquid seeped in and merged with the mirror, giving the magic weapon the most basic responsive spirituality.

At the same time, the resistance to the evil energy of the local monsters contained in the essence liquid also makes the "Four Seasons Mirror" naturally adaptable to the turbid and evil environment of this world.

Finally, he bit his tongue and spat out a mouthful of blood essence containing the essence of his four spiritual roots. The blood essence transformed into a misty blood fog that enveloped the treasure mirror.

The blood mist slowly merged in, and the mirror's radiance became inward, creating a close connection between him and his bloodline, a spiritual bond.

"The four seasons revolve, reflecting the five elements. Accomplished!"