Clan Cultivation: Starting from Foundation Establishment on Mount Luoxia

In the following days, Houtu Jinya underwent its most rigorous and comprehensive "physical examination" since its establishment.

The inspection team of the Immortal Sect, led by Xiao Chulan and Li Daoyun, carried out their work with extremely high efficiency.

They examined all the documents and ledgers meticulously prepared by the Li family, from resource exploration records and spiritual field output data to array construction blueprints.

Then, they checked and inquired about everything, from the family member roster and cultivation progress to the list of material consumption, leaving no detail unchecked.

Li Mutian and Li Xiaoyao personally accompanied them, while Li Changhu, Li Tongya, Li Xiangping, and others were on standby to respond at any time.

Xiao Chulan mostly listened quietly, occasionally interjecting with one or two key questions, which often went straight to the heart of the matter.

Li Daoyun was responsible for more detailed inspections and records, and the eight late-stage Qi Refining disciples he brought were well-trained.

They each conducted on-site inspections of the mines, sacred fields, workshops, residential areas, and other places, and had brief conversations with some of the clansmen and immigrants.

The evaluation process was rigorous, but Xiao Chulan did not show any deliberate attempts to make things difficult.

On the contrary, he gave limited affirmation to the achievements the Li family made in a short period of time, especially in adapting to local conditions to transform the environment (such as purification formations and cultivation of pestilential crops), effectively absorbing and managing indigenous laborers, and the relatively clear division of responsibilities within the family.

"It is truly remarkable that we were able to gain a foothold in such a harsh environment and form the initial form of a virtuous cycle."

During a summary discussion, Xiao Chulan played with the red jade fan and calmly commented.

"The Immortal Sect's Expansion Order seeks precisely such resilient and pragmatic families."

Li Mutian and the others felt somewhat relieved, but they knew that the real test might not be coming yet.

Sure enough, one evening as the official inspection tour was drawing to a close, Xiao Chulan dismissed everyone around her.

Li Daoyun was left alone, and in a quiet room in the inner palace of Hou Tu Jin Ya, he summoned Li Mutian and Li Xiaoyao to a private meeting.

The indoor formation was quietly activated, isolating the inside from the outside.

Xiao Chulan casually sat at the head of the table, while Li Daoyun stood beside her.

The formulaic smile on his face faded, replaced by a more personal and enigmatic expression.

"Fellow Daoist Li, I apologize for bothering you with official business these past few days."

Xiao Chulan got straight to the point, her voice gentle:

"The sect's mission is largely complete, and I am well aware of your abilities in managing your households. When you return to the sect, there will be a fair evaluation."

"Thank you for your insightful observation, Deacon."

Li Mutian clasped his hands in greeting, but his heart remained completely at ease.

He knew full well that the final "test" was coming.

"No need for thanks, it's my duty."

Xiao Chulan waved her hand, her gaze shifting between Li Mutian and Li Xiaoyao.

His gaze finally settled on Li Xiaoyao, a hint of interest flashing in his eyes.

"However, aside from official business, I am quite curious about the two fellow Daoists, especially Fellow Daoist Xiaoyao."

Li Xiaoyao was startled, but his smile remained unchanged:

"Oh? I wonder what Steward Xiao is curious about? I am but a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator in the wilderness; what is there for you to concern yourself with, Steward?"

"Wilderness Foundation Building?"

Xiao Chulan chuckled softly, but did not answer directly. Instead, she slowly unfolded the fiery red jade fan in her hand.

He lightly brushed his fingertips across the fan ribs, and a blue light, like ripples on water, rippled across the fan surface.

The gentle, non-glaring light spread slowly like ripples towards the direction where Li Mutian and Li Xiaoyao were.

Li Mutian and his companion suddenly felt a slight chill all over their bodies.

It felt as if I had been washed by a gentle stream of water, without any discomfort or sense of threat, but my vigilance suddenly increased.

The blue ripples did not dissipate after touching the two bodies; instead, they seemed to flow back as if they were sentient, disappearing into the jade fan in Xiao Chulan's hand.

The next moment, two clear, small human figures slowly emerged on the smooth red fan surface, as if ink had been applied to them!

The illusory figure on the left was a stable and intense crimson color, with pure and concentrated light; it was Li Mutian!

Its attribute is clearly a single and pure fire element, and it should follow the "Yangming" path of "Yang Fire" or even "Yang Fire".

The phantom on the right is much more complex!

The four colors of light—red, gold, blue, and cyan—intertwined and blended, with the red (fire) light being the brightest and most eye-catching.

However, the three colors of gold, blue, and green are clearly distinguishable and flow between each other.

This creates a unique four-color mixed picture – a direct manifestation of Li Xiaoyao's possession of the four spiritual roots of metal, wood, water, and fire!

Xiao Chulan's gaze fell on the fan, especially on the four-colored illusory image of Li Xiaoyao. Her surprise deepened, then turned into understanding and appreciation.

He closed the jade fan, and the illusory image vanished.

"Fellow Daoist Li Mutian, your single fire spirit root is pure and fiery, and your foundation is solid. It is truly remarkable."

He first nodded slightly to Li Mutian, then turned to Li Xiaoyao, his tone carrying a hint of apology and a deeper inquiry.

"Fellow Daoist Xiaoyao... You possess the four spiritual roots of metal, water, fire, and wood, and their auras are intertwined, seemingly showing a compatibility. This is truly rare."

"I, Xiao, have taken the liberty of using this 'Lingxi Fan' to conduct a brief investigation. Please forgive any inconvenience caused."

"It is indeed impolite to investigate the spiritual root attributes of others, but seeing that you have extraordinary talent, I was tempted and couldn't help but verify it."

Li Xiaoyao was utterly shocked.

The jade fan in Xiao Chulan's hand is such a strange object, capable of silently probing the spiritual roots and secrets of others!

His secret of his four spiritual roots was completely exposed to the other party.

Indeed, heroes are as numerous as carp crossing a river; I am truly not to be underestimated!

He suppressed his emotions and gave two dry laughs:

"Your magical artifact is truly wondrous and admirable. Indeed, I am a person with a mixed aptitude of four spiritual roots; I have made a fool of myself in your presence."

"Please excuse my poor appearance?"

Xiao Chulan shook her head, her tone serious:

"On the contrary. Although the four spiritual roots are heavenly spiritual roots, their combat power at the same level is extraordinary."

"But those vast resources and opportunities are only available to true disciples within immortal sects or direct descendants of aristocratic families."

"Fellow Daoist, with such talent, age, and family background, you have successfully established your foundation, and the solidity of your immortal foundation is also of the highest quality."

"Such character, perseverance, and circumstances cannot be easily described with the words 'I'm ashamed'."

"Even within the inner sect of my Azure Sky Immortal Sect, there are only a handful of people with your talent and achievements. Fellow Daoist Xiaoyao, you are too modest."

These comments, coming from a member of the foremost aristocratic family in Yunzhou, carry immense weight.

Li Mutian listened from the side, feeling both proud of his younger brother and secretly becoming more wary.

Why does the other party value Xiaoyao's "special talent" so much?

Li Xiaoyao was also a little embarrassed by the praise, and scratched his head:

"It's all luck. The main reason is my older brother's support and the strength of our family."

"Luck is also a part of strength."

Xiao Chulan smiled noncommittally, then abruptly changed the subject:

"Now that my official business is finished, I've satisfied my curiosity. Now, I'd like to make a personal request to you two."