Clan Cultivation: Starting from Foundation Establishment on Mount Luoxia

"Yes."

Xiao Chuhuan nodded, but then changed the subject, "However, I do not intend to use this power of forced conscription. I invited Brother Xiaoyao here today to discuss cooperation."

He took out a jade slip and pushed it over: "Bing-937, a newly emerged intermediate demiplane, about three thousand miles away from Bing-749."

"In these newly formed planes, the Heavenly Dao has just been established, and the natives are ignorant. Their highest combat strength will not exceed the Foundation Establishment level."

Li Xiaoyao scanned the jade slip with his divine sense, which contained a more detailed star map and some basic information.

"What does Fellow Daoist Xiao mean?"

"The Li family sent someone to join Xiao in the campaign of Bing-937."

Xiao Chuhuan looked at Li Xiaoyao and said, word by word, "The Li family may keep half of everything obtained—the captured natives, the collected rare and precious materials, and all kinds of spiritual items."

Li Xiaoyao's teacup paused slightly.

half.

These conditions are so generous they seem unreal.

"Is Fellow Daoist Xiao's statement true?"

"Absolutely true."

Xiao Chuhuan said frankly, "But there are two conditions."

"Firstly, the conquered territory belongs to the Xiao family, and the Li family is not allowed to establish a stronghold or relocate people in Bing-932."

"Secondly, if a spiritual vein is discovered, the foundation must not be damaged during mining."

He paused, then added, "Furthermore, there will inevitably be casualties in any expansion. If any member of the Li family perishes in the campaign, the Xiao family will not be liable for compensation."

"These things must all be made clear beforehand."

Li Xiaoyao remained silent for a moment, then put down his teacup: "Fellow Daoist Xiao, with such generous terms... why choose the Li family?"

"With the Xiao family's strength, it shouldn't be difficult for them to expand on their own."

Xiao Chuhuan gave a wry smile: "Brother Xiaoyao, you know that although I am surnamed Xiao, I am only a member of a collateral branch of the family."

"We have already given our all to obtain this Expeditionary Envoy Order, and we still owe a great debt of gratitude to the elders of our master's family."

"In my lineage, besides myself who has just reached the Foundation Establishment stage, there are two uncles who are in the early Foundation Establishment stage, as well as more than eighty Qi Refining stage members."

He looked at Li Xiaoyao with sincere eyes: "This is all the remaining strength of my lineage."

"More than a hundred people, exploring a mid-level demiplane... not too many, not too few."

"During the six months or so of Bing-749, Xiao observed the actions of various parties."

"The Li family operates with method and discipline, they do not bully the weak, they are not greedy for credit or reckless, and they have established markets and communities that connect various families. They have a grand vision. I feel at ease cooperating with such a family."

"Besides..."

Xiao Chuhuan sighed softly, "Although forced conscription can mobilize people, those conscripted are unwilling and may not be willing to help at crucial moments."

"What Xiao wants are allies who can fight alongside him, not menial laborers who just do the bare minimum."

That's very true.

After pondering for a long time, Li Xiaoyao said, "This matter is of great importance, and I need to discuss it with my elder brother. I wonder how long Brother Chuheng can wait?"

"Five days."

Xiao Chuhuan said, "Five days from now, the Xiao family will set off regardless of whether the Li family agrees or not."

"However, if Brother Xiaoyao is interested, it would be best to give us a definite answer within three days, so we can discuss the specifics."

"it is good."

Li Xiaoyao stood up. "I will give you a reply within three days."

Thick earth and golden cliffs, a council hall.

After listening to Li Xiaoyao's account, Li Mutian remained silent for a long time.

Li Changhu, Li Tongya, Li Xiangping, and Li Chijing stood at the lower end, each with a different expression.

"half……"

Li Xiangping couldn't help but exclaim, "Father, these conditions are too generous! The resources available to a new intermediate-level demiplane are incredibly abundant!"

"Even if it's only half, it'll be enough for the Li family to live on for decades!"

Li Tongya, however, was more cautious: "Third brother, the conditions are good, but the risks are also considerable. In expansion and conquest, casualties are inevitable."

"The Xiao family has made it clear that they will not bear any liability for casualties. If we lose any men..."

Fortune favors the bold.

Li Xiangping retorted: "But this time it's not a small-scale operation."

"The Xiao family sent over a hundred people. If we send fewer, it would be good to take half the spoils, but it would seem too petty in front of the Xiao family, and we might be looked down upon in future collaborations."

Li Changhu looked at Li Mutian: "Father, what do you mean?"

Li Mutian then slowly spoke: "I have been observing Xiao Chuhuan for the past six months."

"He acts with discretion, neither arrogant nor impatient. Although he is from a collateral branch of the Xiao family, he is not lacking in ambition. The conditions he offers should be credible."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over his sons: "But Xiang Ping is right."

"The Xiao family sent over a hundred people. If we only send a handful, we will not only lack confidence when dividing the spoils, but it will also make our Li family seem like we have no one."

"Then let's..."

Li Xiaoyao asked.

"Go, and go often."

Li Mutian made a decision: "Xiaoyao will lead the team, and we will select twenty elite collateral disciples—those with at least the fourth level of Qi Refining and combat experience."

"In addition, we will also pick out the thirty Qi Refining cultivators who have joined us in the past six months and let them see blood."

Li Tongya's eyes lit up: "Father, are you using this opportunity to train newcomers?"

"Exactly."

Li Mutian said in a deep voice, "Our Li family has established a firm foothold in Bing-749, but we have too few cultivators in the family, and we will have to expand in the future."

"With over a hundred members of the Xiao family leading the way in this exploration of a new dimension, the risks are relatively manageable, making it a good opportunity for training."

He looked at Li Xiaoyao: "Xiaoyao, what do you think?"

Li Xiaoyao thought for a moment and nodded: "Brother has considered everything very well."

"Twenty elite members from collateral branches, plus thirty outside cultivators, plus Tongya, Chijing, Scar Wolf, and the others... a total of over fifty people."

"This scale is neither overwhelming nor insufficient to demonstrate the strength and sincerity of our Li family."

"it is good."

Li Mutian said, "It's settled then. Xiaoyao, you should reply to Xiao Chuhuan that the Li family has agreed. You can discuss the specifics yourselves."

"But remember a few things: First, survival is paramount; retreat immediately if the situation becomes untenable; second, we must keep half of the resources we obtain, not a single spirit stone should be missing; third..."

He looked at Li Xiaoyao, his eyes deep: "Pay close attention to the Xiao family's tactics and teamwork."

"The Xiao family is, after all, a large clan, and even its collateral branches have things worth learning from."

"Furthermore, our foreign cultivators will be a touchstone this time—who is brave, who is cowardly, who can be cultivated, and who is useless. We will record them all."

"I see."

Li Xiaoyao solemnly agreed.

Three days later, outside Luoxiafang City.

The Xiao family's three flying boats were parked on the open ground, a whole size larger than the Li family's Wu-37 type, and their hulls were covered with array patterns.

Xiao Chuhuan stood beside the gangway of the main ship, with two slightly older cultivators behind him, both at the early stage of Foundation Establishment—his two uncles.

Further on, more than eighty cultivators from the Xiao family stood in formation, their cultivation levels ranging from the third level of Qi Refining to the perfect level of Qi Refining, but each of them exuded a calm and steady aura, clearly indicating that they had been trained.

When Li Xiaoyao arrived with the Li family's troops, Xiao Chuhuan's eyes flashed with surprise, which quickly turned into admiration: "Brother Xiaoyao, what a spirit!"

On the Li family's side, twenty elite members from collateral branches stood in two rows. Their cultivation levels were at least at the fourth level of Qi Refining, with most at the fifth or sixth level. Each of them had sharp eyes.

The thirty visiting cultivators were somewhat disorganized, but those selected were all experts at the mid-stage of Qi Refining or above.

In addition to core members such as Li Xiaoyao, Li Tongya, Li Chijing, Scarface, Iron Bow, and Poisonous Old Man, there are a total of fifty-three people.

"Brother Chuheng, you flatter me."

Li Xiaoyao cupped his hands in greeting, "Since it's a collaboration, the Li family will naturally do its utmost."

Both sides gave brief introductions. On the Xiao family's side, besides Xiao Chuhuan, a pioneer in the early stage of Foundation Establishment, there were also two uncles in the early stage of Foundation Establishment—Xiao Mingshan and Xiao Minghai.

Including the more than eighty members of the Qi Refining Clan, the total number is close to one hundred.

On the Li family's side, Li Xiaoyao, a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator, led a team of fifty-two Qi Refining cultivators.

With a total of over 150 people, the scale is already quite large.