Clan Cultivation: Starting from Foundation Establishment on Mount Luoxia

Three days later, in the morning, inside the Hou Tu Jin Ya council hall.

"...Han Mo's insect-controlling reconnaissance confirmed that there are no longer any large-scale indigenous settlements within three hundred miles to the northwest, and the scattered demonic beasts are at most at the mid-stage of Qi Refining."

Li Xiangping pointed to the rough map and reported to the leader:

"The route has been basically cleared."

Li Mutian nodded and looked at Li Xiaoyao:

"In that case, Second Brother, you should choose a day to depart. The team should be of high quality rather than large; besides you, lead..."

"Father! I want to go too!"

Everyone turned around and saw Li Chijing standing at the entrance of the hall, his young face tense, his eyes shining with determination.

Li Xiaoyao frowned:

"Chijing, this journey is no ordinary one. Unknown dangers still exist outside the Holy Land, and your cultivation is still too shallow..."

"I've already reached the fifth level of Qi Refining! When Brother Tongya reached the seventh level, he was already exploring many dangerous locations with the team!"

Li Chijing disagreed.

"Second Uncle, you always said that cultivators need to experience hardships and see the world; they can't live under the protection of formations forever!"

"How can that be the same?"

Li Xiaoyao clicked his tongue.

"Your brother Tongya mostly goes to mining areas and spiritual veins, with clear goals and manageable risks. The Sanctuary, on the other hand, sounds sinister—blood moon, whispers, madness..."

"This scenario sounds like a high-risk dungeon. A newbie like you going in is just asking for trouble, isn't it?"

Li Chijing, however, stubbornly refused to speak:

"Second Uncle, I don't fully understand all your strange words, but I know you mean well. But it's precisely because it's dangerous that I should go!"

"My family is rooted here, and we will inevitably face the secrets of that sanctuary in the future. If I am always protected behind others, when will I be able to stand on my own?"

He turned to his father and knelt on one knee:

"Please grant me permission, Father! I will follow my second uncle closely, strictly adhere to his instructions, and never act on my own!"

Li Mutian looked at his young son in silence.

The boy's eyes were clear and firm, much like his own when he was young and insisted on venturing deep into Luoxia Mountain to seek opportunities, despite all advice against it.

After a long pause, he slowly spoke:

"Free and easy".

"Brother?"

"Let him go."

Li Xiaoyao was taken aback:

"But……"

Li Mutian raised his hand to stop him, his gaze falling on Li Chijing, and said in a deep voice:

"Young eagles must eventually leave the nest, and cultivators must always shed blood. Since your mind is made up, I will allow you to go with me."

He paused, then his tone turned stern.

"But remember three things: First, obey your second uncle's orders without question; second, don't be reckless in dangerous situations, prioritize survival; third..."

His voice softened, revealing a gentleness rarely seen on him:

"Come back safely."

Li Chijing's eyes were slightly red as he kowtowed deeply.

"I will remember this!"

Li Xiaoyao watched this scene and sighed inwardly.

Although he regarded Chijing as his own son and nephew, he always subconsciously wanted to protect the younger generation under his absolute protection.

But Li Mutian, the real father, chose to let the young eagle go and try to fly.

"Alright."

Li Xiaoyao shook his head helplessly.

"However, we need to agree on three rules—first, stay close to me the whole time and don't leave the ten-zhang radius; second, only attack when I tell you to, and run when I tell you to run, don't ask why; third…"

He rubbed his temples.

"Never mind, we'll add more information on the third route. Go and prepare; we'll depart at dawn tomorrow."

The following morning, a ten-person team quietly left Houtu Jinya.

Besides Li Xiaoyao and Li Chijing, there are also Scar Wolf (level 8 Qi Refining), Liu Gu (level 7 Qi Refining, skilled in rat scouting), Han Mo (level 6 Qi Refining, skilled in insect control for assistance), and five other capable mid-stage Qi Refining clansmen.

The team was lightly equipped, each carrying escape talismans, antidote pills, and calming talismans. Li Xiaoyao even hung the newly completed "Four Seasons Mirror" at his waist, which faintly shimmered with a red light.

The terrain to the northwest gradually became barren. The turbid and malevolent energy grew increasingly dense, and the air was filled with the pungent smell of metal mixed with scorched earth.

Irregular cracks began to appear on the ground, and occasionally dark red evil energy seeped out from the cracks.

Li Xiaoyao spread his divine sense, covering an area of ​​three miles in radius.

"Han Mo, release the 'Wind Listening Bugs' to cover a five-mile fan-shaped area ahead."

"Aunt Liu, have the 'Ground Rats' scout underground about a mile to the left and right of the group, paying particular attention to any hidden caves or traps."

"yes!"

Two grayish beetles flew out from Han Mo's sleeve and silently disappeared into the fog ahead.

Aunt Liu lightly patted the leather bag at her waist, and three palm-sized, glossy black rats scurried out and quickly disappeared into the ground.

The group advanced steadily. As Li Xiaoyao walked, he whispered instructions to Chi Jing beside him:

"By observing the direction of these cracks in the ground, one can roughly determine the flow direction of the earth's ley lines' of negative energy. Avoiding these 'negative energy nodes' can reduce unnecessary waste and trouble."

"The scorched woods to the left front seem quiet, but there are remnants of 'Ghost Owl' feathers on the treetops."

"These things like to live in groups. A single one may only have three or four levels of Qi cultivation, but when dozens of them pounce on you at once, it can be quite annoying."

"Let's go around it; there's no need to waste mana on these mobs."

Li Chijing took careful notes, occasionally asking questions:

"Second Uncle, does 'blue energy' refer to mana?"

"Yeah, that's about right."

Li Xiaoyao casually replied, then suddenly raised an eyebrow.

"Hey, we've got some work to do."

About a hundred feet ahead, three monsters resembling wild boars, covered in rock-hard armor, were arching over a dark red shrub.

The demonic beast's aura was around the fifth or sixth level of Qi Refining.

"It's a 'Rock Armored Warthog,' an earth-metal monster with thick hide and strong charging power, but it has low intelligence and is clumsy when turning."

Li Xiaoyao quickly made a judgment.

"Chijing, practice your skills. Remember, don't take a direct confrontation; focus on hit-and-run tactics, attacking your joints and vulnerable spots around your eyes and nose."

Li Chijing took a deep breath and drew the long sword from his waist—a first-tier low-grade "Autumn Water Sword" that Li Xiaoyao had used in his early years.

With a light tap of his foot, he unleashed his movement technique, drifting towards the horde of beasts like a wisp of smoke.

Sensing the threat, the three warthogs growled and turned around, with the largest one lowering its head to charge!

Li Chijing remained calm and composed, sidestepping and drawing his sword to make a shallow mark on the pig's side—it was indeed hard!

He changed his sword stance, switching from a thrust to a flick, the tip of his sword precisely aimed at the pig's eye.

The warthog closed its eyes and turned its head, the sword tip slicing across the corner of its eye, leaving a trail of blood.

The monster, writhing in pain and enraged, was then flanked by the other two.

Li Chijing flashed around as he unleashed the "Moon Shadow Step" technique attached to the "Autumn Lake Reflecting the Moon Technique".

Weaving through the beasts, his sword strikes were like moonlight pouring down. Although they were difficult to break through his defenses for a while, he managed to outmaneuver the three beasts.

"That's fine."

Seeing that it was about time, Li Xiaoyao raised his hand and pointed, and the "Four Seasons Mirror" flashed with red light!

Three thin streams of Xuanhuang True Fire shot out, precisely piercing the hind leg joints of the three warthogs.

"Awooo—!"

Amidst screams of agony, the three beasts' hind legs snapped, and they collapsed to the ground, their struggles in vain.

Li Xiaoyao stepped forward and patted his nephew on the shoulder:

"His footwork is good, and his sword moves are accurate, but he lacks decisiveness in killing."

"To deal with something as tough as this, you either need to find its weakness and kill it with one blow, or use crowd control spells to restrict it and then slowly wear it down."

"Most of your dozen or so sword strikes just now hit the carapace, which was a complete waste of your energy."

Li Chijing wiped his sweat and humbly accepted the instruction:

"Yes, nephew remembers."

"Go, give them a quick death. Remember, finish them off thoroughly."

The boy gripped his sword tightly and walked up to the nearest warthog. The beast's crimson eyes stared intently at him, emitting a threatening growl.

Li Chijing's hand trembled slightly, but remembering his father's words, he gritted his teeth and pierced the eye socket with precision, straight into the brain.

After killing three beasts, his face turned pale, but he forced himself not to show any fear.

Li Xiaoyao nodded:

"First time seeing blood, that's passing. Recuperate for half an hour, then we'll continue."