Clan Cultivation: Starting from Foundation Establishment on Mount Luoxia

On what was once a barren plain, a continuous cluster of buildings suddenly appeared.

Although most of them are simple houses made of wood and stone, they are well-organized and have crisscrossing roads.

The most eye-catching feature is a three-story pavilion in the center, with a plaque hanging under the eaves that reads "Luoxia Pavilion".

Around the attic, three streets have begun to take shape.

The area is lined with shops on both sides, and although it is not exactly bustling, there are already cultivators coming and going.

Li Xiaoyao even saw several independent cultivators dressed in different clothes, haggling with the shopkeeper.

Li Xiaoyao pressed down the blue light and landed on the square in front of Luoxia Pavilion.

Immediately, clansmen on duty came forward to greet him. Upon seeing him, they were overjoyed: "Second Master! You've emerged from seclusion!"

Where is my elder brother?

"The patriarch is in the council hall on the third floor, talking with Young Master Xiang Ping."

Li Xiaoyao nodded and led Li Chijing straight inside.

As soon as they entered the attic, they heard Li Mutian's voice from upstairs: "...Xiang Ping, the accounts for this batch of ore from the Wan family need to be checked carefully. The 7% commission must be paid in full, not a single spirit stone can be missing."

"Don't worry, Father, I've checked it three times."

It was Li Xiangping's voice, much more composed now.

Li Xiaoyao smiled slightly and climbed the steps.

The council chamber doors were open. Li Mutian sat in the main seat, while Li Xiangping stood to the side, holding an account book.

The father and son looked up at the sound and were both taken aback when they saw Li Xiaoyao.

"Free and easy?"

Li Mutian stood up, a gleam of joy in his eyes, then looked him over. "Mid-Foundation Establishment stage?"

"Yes, brother."

Li Xiaoyao walked in with a smile, then looked at Li Xiangping and said, "Xiangping, you've reached the ninth level of Qi Refining? Not bad."

Li Xiangping quickly bowed and said, "Second Uncle!"

Li Mutian walked up to his younger brother, carefully sensing his aura. After a long while, he nodded.

"Good, the [Eternal Life Gate] is complete. It seems that replacing the Zhalong Vine core wasn't a waste of time."

"Thanks to my elder brother for overseeing the clan, I was able to go into seclusion with peace of mind."

Li Xiaoyao said solemnly.

The two brothers took their seats, with Li Xiangping and Li Chijing standing to their sides.

Li Mutian briefly described the situation in the market, which was largely consistent with what Li Changhu had said, except for some additional details:

"Anjia Refining Shop has the best business; independent cultivators love to have their magical artifacts custom-made there."

"The herbal medicine shop of the Hundred Herbs Group is second best, after all, in this turbid land, healing and detoxifying pills are a necessity."

"The talismans of the Wan family and the formations of the Wang family are gradually attracting repeat customers."

"What about the Xiao family?" Li Xiaoyao asked.

"Xiao Chuhuan opened a general store in the market, selling and buying everything."

Li Mutian said, "This man is tactful and has good relationships with everyone. However, he left three months ago, saying he was going back to his master's house on business, and he hasn't returned yet."

Li Xiaoyao pondered, "His cousin, Xiao Chulan... hasn't come again?"

"no."

Li Mutian shook his head. "However, Xiao Chuhuan came to see me before he left and asked me to tell his cousin that he had gone to Chuixing Post Station if he came.

This seemingly ordinary explanation is actually quite extraordinary.

Li Xiaoyao and Li Mutian exchanged a glance, both understanding what the other was thinking—Xiao Chuhuan was implying that Xiao Chulan might come, and might even seek out the Li family.

"We'll meet force with force," Li Mutian said calmly. "Our Li family has nothing to hide; we're not afraid of being investigated."

Just then, a commotion suddenly broke out downstairs.

Li Xiangping walked to the window, glanced out, and turned back to say, "Father, Second Uncle, the people from the Xuange Alliance have returned. It looks like they've made quite a haul, bringing back two cartloads of demon beast materials."

Li Mutian nodded: "Xiang Ping, go and greet them, and collect the stall fee according to the rules."

"Yes."

Li Xiangping responded and went downstairs.

Li Chijing also said, "Father, Second Uncle, I'll go help Third Brother."

Only the two brothers remained in the hall.

Li Mutian then asked, "Xiaoyao, now that you've emerged from seclusion, what are your plans?"

"Stabilize your realm and become familiar with the supernatural powers of the [Longevity Gate]."

Li Xiaoyao said, "Also, I plan to go to the mine to see Tongya and meet those natives."

"Tongya did indeed do something big."

Li Mutian said seriously, "After we were able to communicate, we learned a lot from the local people."

"Regarding the sanctuary... they call it the 'Land of Ancestral Spirits', saying that in ancient times, their ancestors sealed the 'Source of Impurity' there, which has been guarded by 'Guardians' for generations."

Li Xiaoyao frowned slightly: "The source of filth? Could it be the remnant of the ancient demonic calamity?"

"Very likely."

Li Mutian said in a deep voice, "Tongya also found out that every thirty years, the Sanctuary will experience a 'Blood Moon Tide,' which will briefly loosen the seal."

"If you calculate the time... there are still twenty-one years until the next one."

Twenty-one years.

Li Xiaoyao felt a chill run down his spine. Last time, during the Blood Moon Tide, they had stumbled upon it by accident and nearly perished.

If the seal does indeed loosen next time, as the indigenous people say...

"This matter requires careful consideration."

Li Mutian saw through his thoughts and said, "The most urgent task is to consolidate the foundation of our Li family."

"The market must be managed well, the cultivation of the clansmen must be improved, and resources must be accumulated. Twenty-one years... it's neither a long nor a short time."

Li Xiaoyao nodded: "I understand."

Outside the window, the setting sun casts its golden rays across the plains.

A month has passed in the blink of an eye, and the morning mist in Luoxia Market has not yet dissipated.

Li Xiaoyao stood on the third floor of Luoxia Pavilion, watching the streets below gradually awaken.

The fire in Anjia Blacksmith Shop was already lit, and the aroma of herbs from Baicao Tuan wafted in with the morning mist.

A few independent cultivators set up a stall on the street corner, displaying the materials from the monsters they had hunted the previous night.

Everything is running smoothly.

This scene inspired him to write poetry!

"Even in my youth I knew the world was full of hardships, yet I still allowed myself to..."

"Second Uncle!"

At this moment, Li Xiangping walked upstairs, interrupting his speech with several communication jade talismans in his hand:

"The Xiao family sent a letter saying that Senior Xiao Chuhuan has returned and would like to invite you to come over for a chat."

"Xiao Chuhuan is back?"

Li Xiaoyao turned around. "He's been gone for more than half a year... Where is he?"

"They say they have important matters to discuss in the backyard of the Xiao family's shop and ask you to go there alone."

Li Xiangping paused, then lowered his voice, "Second Uncle, I noticed his aura seems different this time... like he's broken through?"

Li Xiaoyao's heart skipped a beat: "I'll go right now."

The Xiao family's shop in Luoxia Market is located in the middle section of East Street. The storefront is not large, but it has a full range of goods, from low-level talismans to common pills and magical artifacts.

Li Xiaoyao bypassed the front hall and went directly to the backyard.

In the courtyard, Xiao Chuhuan was standing in front of a newly transplanted dead tree, holding a ball of water in his hand and slowly watering it.

The dead tree sprouted a tender bud at a speed visible to the naked eye.

Sensing Li Xiaoyao's arrival, Xiao Chuhuan withdrew his magic, turned around and smiled, "Brother Xiaoyao, it's been a long time."

Li Xiaoyao sized him up—after half a year apart, Xiao Chuhuan's aura was solid and steady, and the spiritual energy flowing around him already showed signs of Foundation Establishment.

"Brother Chuheng...you've broken through?"

"By sheer luck."

Xiao Chuhuan gestured to the stone table in the courtyard, "Please sit down."

The two sat down, and Xiao Chuhuan personally brewed tea. Amidst the fragrant aroma, he got straight to the point:

"Brother Xiaoyao, on this trip back to my master's family, in addition to raising supplies, guiding ordinary people and a few promising immortals, I also obtained something from the family."

He took out a palm-sized bronze token from his pocket and placed it on the table.

The front of the token is engraved with an ancient-style character "Xiao", while the back features a star map pattern with a bright spot highlighted in red.

Li Xiaoyao's gaze fell on the token: "This is..."

"Expeditionary Mission".

Xiao Chuhuan said solemnly:

"Xiao is now the pioneer of the C-937 demiplane, and has the authority to summon pioneering families within a 3,000-mile radius to jointly conquer the new plane."

Li Xiaoyao frowned slightly: "Recruitment?"