Clan Cultivation: Starting from Foundation Establishment on Mount Luoxia

The decision was made; all that remained was almost frantic preparation.

The ruins of the cave on the summit of Luoxia Mountain were simply cleared away, and a temporary meeting tent was set up.

The atmosphere inside the shed was heavy. Li Mutian sat in the center. The aura of the newly formed [Xuanhuang Pass] was not yet fully stable, but it already carried the decisiveness and authority of the head of a family.

"Only thirty days." Li Mutian's voice echoed in the shed. "In thirty days, no matter how well we're prepared, we must set off."

"The imperial decree will not be granted after its expiration date, and the timer for the flying boat rental voucher probably started from the moment we accepted the pioneering mission."

Li Xiaoyao unfolded a simple list, which listed all the resources the family could currently use; the handwriting revealed a sense of poverty.

"The inventory of the warehouse is complete. There are 743 low-grade spirit stones, 15 bottles of first-tier pills called 'Qi-restoring Powder,' and 8 bottles of 'Healing Ointment.'"

"Of the twenty-four first-tier magic artifacts, only eleven are intact and usable; the rest are all damaged."

"There are some spiritual grain and spiritual vegetable seeds, but the stock is only enough to feed a hundred people for three months. There are five jade slips of inheritance, including the complete 'True Yang Three Lights Technique', two basic spell models, a fragmented 'First Understanding of Herbs', and the foundation-building insights of [Xuanhuang Pass] that you just recorded, brother."

He paused, then emphasized, "This is all we have. And what we're facing is a completely unknown, potentially perilous, alternate dimension."

"All resources must be converted into immediate combat power and survivability."

Li Mutian declared decisively, "Apart from a small amount kept in reserve, the rest of the spirit stones will be used to purchase talismans, array plates, and pills!"

"If any magical artifacts are damaged, see if they can be repaired. If they can't be repaired, disassemble them to extract materials; they might be useful. Prioritize preserving the spiritual seed; it's one of the foundations of our existence."

"But Father," Li Changhu said with a troubled expression, "our family's shop in Luoxia Market has been mortgaged, and we have lost our biggest trading channel."

"Going to other markets is time-consuming, and without connections, making large purchases in a hurry might lead to price gouging and arouse suspicion."

"I'll go."

Li Xiaoyao stood up, his old green robe fluttering even without wind. "My Qi Refining Perfection cultivation is quite respectable in the surrounding small markets."

"I took the last bit of favors and tokens I had and went to 'Good Deeds Pavilion' and a few familiar independent cultivators to try and exchange them for something."

"The key items are defensive and warning talismans, detoxifying and miasma-removing pills, and... basic materials for spirit-gathering and early warning arrays, even the most rudimentary ones."

"Second brother, be careful."

Li Mutian gave him a deep look. "In these extraordinary times, money can be a powerful motivator. Don't reveal your true intentions, and don't try to force anything."

"I understand."

Li Xiaoyao nodded and took a storage bag from Li Mutian. Inside were most of the family's spirit stones and a few relatively intact magic artifacts—these were meant to be sold.

Simultaneously, mobilization within the family was launched. Li Tongya was responsible for compiling the personnel list and detailing the division of labor.

The selected monks, servants, artisans, and their families were temporarily housed in several larger courtyards on the mountainside. This was to facilitate management and to prevent the excessive spread of information, which could cause panic or unnecessary attention from the outside world.

Li Xiangping became the strictest instructor. He led a few mid-stage Qi Refining disciples from his clan who had some combat experience, and pulled out all the selected cultivators (whether late-stage or early-stage Qi Refining) to practice combined attack techniques day and night.

It's no longer just for show; it's about the simplest offense and defense transitions between groups of three or five, how to form a circular formation back-to-back when attacked, how to quickly release spells for cover, and how to retreat in alternating shifts.

"Remember! In this alternate dimension, you might not be facing cultivators who reason and fight with magic! You might be facing wild beasts, monsters, things you've never seen before!"

"If you react too slowly, if you hesitate even for a moment, you'll be the one who dies, and you'll also endanger your clan!"

Li Xiangping's roar echoed through the valley, his youthful vigor transforming into a stern and iron-willed intensity.

Sixteen-year-old Li Chijing was not given any special treatment and was also assigned to a small team composed of young people from the tribe to participate in training.

Li Mutian would only call him to his side in the evening to personally explain the key points of the Qi Refining Chapter of the True Yang Three Lights Technique, especially how to sense and absorb the possible different spiritual energy from Luoxia Mountain.

"Jing'er, your dual spiritual roots represent the future hope of the family. But hope needs time to grow."

"Your primary task on this trip is to survive, and your secondary task is to observe and learn."

"Observe how your father and brothers act, observe the environment, creatures, and even dangers of that unknown plane. Your eyes and mind may be more important than your magic."

Li Chijing nodded emphatically, his clear eyes now showing a hint of determination.

Li Xiaoyao returned on the tenth day, looking tired but relieved.

"I got some things in exchange." He placed several storage bags on the table:

"At the 'Good Deeds Pavilion,' I used my last favor and those few magical artifacts to exchange for two sets of incomplete array plates of the 'Minor Earth Warning Array.' Although the coverage area is only fifty feet and it requires continuous consumption of spirit stones, at least there is a means of warning."

"There are also thirty 'Golden Armor Talismans' and fifty 'Fire Crow Talismans,' all at the mid-to-late stage of Qi Refining. The more the better."

"I also purchased twenty bottles of 'Clearing Miasma Pills' from several old acquaintances. They are said to be used when exploring certain poisonous swamps, and I hope they will also be effective against the miasma in other worlds. I also have ten 'Swiftness Talismans' for escaping in critical moments."

He sighed, "That's all. Our savings are almost gone. The remaining spirit stones are only enough to keep the basic formations of the flying boat running for a while."

Li Mutian patted his younger brother on the shoulder: "You've worked hard. Having this is better than fighting empty-handed."

The recruitment of foreign aid, however, has not gone very smoothly.

Just as Li Xiaoyao had previously hinted, the promised "division of new territories" and "family guest status" were tempting, but the words "plane expansion" were enough to scare away the vast majority of cultivators.

In the end, only four rogue cultivators at the late stage of Qi Refining, after repeated deliberation (or perhaps having no other choice), came to Luoxia Mountain.

They were all solitary travelers, their faces weathered, their eyes a mixture of adventurous greed and fear of the future.

A scarred man wielding a knife, a taciturn archer, a thin old man with shifty eyes, and a woman with a dusty scout rat.

Li Mutian met with them personally. Without much preamble, he reiterated the dangers and potential benefits of the expedition and established a simple soul contract, agreeing to advance and retreat together in the early stages of the expedition and to distribute certain rights according to merits afterward.

All four nodded and signed the contract, thus binding themselves to the Li family's chariot, even though the chariot seemed so fragile.

As time passed, a tragic and oppressive atmosphere permeated Luoxia Mountain.

With parting imminent, a deep sense of sorrow and fear of the unknown permeates the family, among the cultivators and their mortal servants.

The heavy responsibility of staying behind fell on Li Mude's shoulders.

He is Li Mutian's cousin, with a cultivation level of six in Qi Refining. He is calm and steady, has a good reputation in the clan, and is also good at managing mundane affairs.

However, his cultivation level is limited, and he has no hope of reaching the Foundation Establishment stage.

"Mude," Li Mutian said as he sat facing Mude in front of the ruined cave dwelling on the eve of his departure, "I'm entrusting the family to you."

"After the Immortal Sect takes over, they will definitely send stewards, and they may even relocate other vassal families here."

"You must be patient, you must maneuver, you must protect the lives of these clansmen down the mountain, and you must ensure that the name of the 'Li family' is not destroyed."

"If...if we lose all contact for thirty years, then...you should make plans as soon as possible."

Li Mude's eyes were red-rimmed as he kowtowed heavily.

"Rest assured, Patriarch! As long as the Wood Virtue exists, the Li family's lineage will endure! We will burn incense daily to pray for the safe return of the Patriarch and all our brothers, nephews, and sons, so that they may achieve great things!"