Clan Cultivation: Starting from Foundation Establishment on Mount Luoxia

Li Xiaoyao gave a low shout, and the precious mirror spun around and landed in his palm.

The mirror surface is clear, and five layers of shimmering light can be vaguely seen inside. The first layer is as red as fire, while the other four layers still appear illusory.

With a slight thought, a flash of red light appeared on the mirror, and a condensed "Mysterious True Fire" shot out, its power three-tenths stronger than when used barehanded, and it consumed less energy.

"This mirror currently only possesses the power of fire, but its foundation has already been established."

Li Xiaoyao's face was pale but filled with joy.

"As my cultivation improves in the future, I will continue to refine it, find a suitable spiritual object to open up the subsequent space, and complete the remaining imprints. Its power will be limitless."

When he came out of the pass, Li Mutian was already in charge of the overall situation.

"Brother, what's the situation with the swamp to the east?"

"Xiang Ping has conquered the area, killed the near-late-stage Bone-Rotting Crocodile leader, and obtained seven 'Purifying Water Lilies'."

Li Mutian said:

"This lotus does indeed have the effect of purifying water and soil, and Tongya is currently researching methods for transplanting and cultivating it."

"In addition, a small branch of the water-attribute spiritual vein was discovered at the bottom of the swamp. Although it is only of the first rank, it can improve the local environment."

Li Xiaoyao nodded:

"In this way, environmental transformation can proceed steadily. The most urgent task is to accelerate the exploration of mineral deposits and medicinal herbs, and accumulate resources to cope with the fine imposed by the Immortal Sect a year from now."

"And that 'Defiled Sanctuary'."

Li Mutian had a far-reaching vision.

"In the battle of the swamp, Xiang Ping captured several indigenous people. Through a long period of soul-searching and attempted communication, Tong Ya has initially mastered some of the indigenous people's commonly used vocabulary."

"According to the scattered testimonies of the indigenous people, the sanctuary was located a thousand miles to the northwest and was regarded by them as the 'place where the ancestral spirits slumber'."

"During the blood moon, eerie whispers are heard, and those who approach often go mad and die."

"Blood Moon..."

Li Xiaoyao pondered.

"The Heavenly Dao of this realm is half-dormant, the celestial phenomena are chaotic, and the cycle of the Blood Moon is difficult to predict. However, since it is a place of great calamity, it may also hold great opportunities. We must investigate with caution."

In the following months, the Li family pursued two initiatives simultaneously.

On the one hand, Li Changhu and Li Mude organized manpower to gradually transform the environment outward from Houtu Jinya as the core.

The water lily was transplanted to several small water sources and, together with a simple "water purification array," began to slowly purify the water.

The first batch of spirit fields were cultivated around the "Golden Fire Purification and Spirit Transformation Array" to test-plant crops resistant to evil, such as "Earth Vein Potato" and "Golden Pattern Valley" purchased from the post station.

Li Tongya's exploration team continued to make discoveries: two small "hematite deposits", one "copper concentrate vein", and three second-grade spiritual herbs, "Bloodthirsty Ginseng".

More importantly, a hidden "Earth Fire Fiend Vein" was discovered eighty miles west of the rift valley.

Deep within the evil veins, naturally formed "fire evil crystals" condense—this substance is an excellent material for crafting fire-attribute magical artifacts and can also assist cultivators with fire spirit roots in breaking through bottlenecks.

Li Xiangping led his combat team to clear out the surrounding indigenous settlements.

Those small tribes of dozens or hundreds of people were no match for Foundation Establishment cultivators and well-trained family battle teams.

Within three months, they wiped out six tribes and captured more than two hundred natives.

These indigenous people were placed under centralized custody, and Li Tongya attempted to educate and screen them. Some of the able-bodied men were incorporated into the labor service team to participate in heavy physical labor such as mining and road construction.

On this day, Li Xiaoyao was adjusting the Spirit Transformation Array at the array's core when Li Chijing rushed over excitedly.

"Second Uncle! I've broken through to the fifth level of Qi Refining!"

Li Chijing was only sixteen years old, but his dual spiritual roots of water and wood were indeed extraordinary. In addition, the "Little Moon Spiritual Energy" given to him by Li Xiaoyao and the "Autumn Lake Reflecting the Moon Technique" were a perfect match, so his cultivation progressed very quickly.

"good."

Li Xiaoyao smiled:

"The 'Autumn Lake Reflecting the Moon Technique' can be cultivated to the Foundation Establishment stage. You need to proceed steadily and not be greedy for quick progress."

"Pay special attention, this technique belongs to the water element and is of the lesser yin nature. It is slightly in conflict with the turbid and evil energy of this place. When practicing, you need to be within the range of the Spirit Transformation Array or wear the 'Purifying Heart Jade'."

"I've got it."

Li Chijing nodded, then whispered:

"Second Uncle, I heard from Third Uncle that there's a sanctuary in the Northwest... When should we go and explore it?"

Li Xiaoyao glanced at him:

"Are you curious?"

"Um."

Li Chijing's eyes gleamed:

"Brother Tongya said that place might be related to the ancient 'demonic calamity.' If we can figure out the truth about this world, it might be of great help to us in establishing ourselves here."

"This matter requires careful consideration."

Li Xiaoyao looked towards the northwest, his gaze solemn.

"The Blood Moon has not yet arrived; rushing there rashly could lead to unforeseen consequences. The priority now is to solidify our foundation and accumulate strength."

He patted his nephew on the shoulder:

"Chijing, you have the best aptitude and are the future hope of the family. Focus on your cultivation and don't worry about anything else. Your father and second uncle will take care of it."

As night falls, the thick earth and golden cliffs are dotted with lights.

The new immigrants have gradually adapted to their environment, and the sounds of children playing can be heard occasionally.

The light curtain of the Rock-Solid Golden Lock Array quietly enveloped the stronghold, isolating it from the evil influences and dangers of the outside world.

Li Mutian stood atop the cliff, gazing at the starry sky. The stars were sparse in this realm, and the moonlight was dim and yellow, quite different from Yunzhou.

Li Xiaoyao walked over slowly.

"Brother."

"Xiaoyao, what are your plans regarding the fine?"

"Nine thousand one hundred merits, according to the prices at the post station, would require resources equivalent to eleven thousand spirit stones."

"With our remaining savings and the discovered mineral deposits, it wouldn't be difficult to raise the funds if we were careful with our spending, but it would consume nearly half of the family's reserves."

Li Xiaoyao calmly analyzes:

"My intention is to prioritize the mining of 'Fire Fiend Crystal' and 'Fiend Blood Ginseng'."

"Although these two items are special products of this Turbid Fiend Plane, they are quite valuable in the eyes of some cultivators who practice special techniques or refine unorthodox magical artifacts."

"Next time I go to the post station, I will look for merchants who specialize in these kinds of niche resources, and perhaps sell them for a higher price than usual, so that we can reduce our consumption of regular resources."

Li Mutian nodded: "Okay."

"Furthermore, according to more detailed descriptions from the captured natives, a kind of 'Soul-Destroying Grass' grows in a specific area outside the sanctuary during non-blood moon periods."

"This herb can be directly refined into 'Soul-Destroying Pills,' which are invaluable treasures for those who cultivate evil and ghostly arts. If we can gather them, it will be another source of wealth."

"But the sanctuary may be in danger..."

Li Xiaoyao frowned.

"It is not necessarily necessary to go deep into the core of the sanctuary."

Li Mutian said:

"I can personally lead the team to establish an outpost a hundred miles outside the sanctuary when the next non-blood moon period is confirmed, and gradually explore and collect resources."

"If the risks are confirmed to be manageable and the returns to be substantial, then it is worthwhile to visit regularly."

Li Xiaoyao was silent for a moment, then said:

"My elder brother needs to stay at the base and oversee the overall situation. I will handle this matter."

"My natal magic weapon, the 'Four Seasons Mirror,' has just been completed. Although it only possesses fire-attribute abilities, it is also very useful for reconnaissance and responding to emergencies."

"Furthermore, my mastery of formations is far greater, so if there are any remaining restrictions around the sanctuary, I can deal with them more easily."

Looking into his second brother's resolute eyes, Li Mutian finally nodded:

"Alright. But we need to be fully prepared. You can lead the team to set off after Xiang Ping has cleared away all the indigenous threats within three hundred miles to the northwest."

"The team needs to be highly skilled and equipped with escape talismans, antidote pills, and calming talismans."

"Yes."

The two stood side by side on the edge of the cliff, gazing at this land, shrouded in murky mist yet brimming with possibilities.

The future of the family, the watchful eyes of the immortal sect, the secrets of the ancient times, the pressure of resources... a myriad of issues must be addressed step by step.

But at least, they have put down roots here.

The spiritual veins flow beneath their feet, the formations operate in the shadows, the clansmen are working diligently to build, and the younger generation is growing up strong.

This marked the beginning of the pioneering journey.