Clan Cultivation: Starting from Foundation Establishment on Mount Luoxia

Li Xiaoyao walked alone to the edge of the camp, gazing at the distant world gradually sinking into twilight.

Spirit Realm... Pokémon World... Five Alliances...

All of this was so bizarre, yet so real, unfolding before my eyes.

He had a vague premonition that this exploration might completely change the Li family, and even change himself.

Three days later, at sunrise.

The phoenix appeared outside the camp right on time.

It hovered in the air, its flames receding, appearing even more majestic and awe-inspiring than it had been three days prior.

"Are you ready?"

The thought came through.

"Ready."

Li Xiaoyao and Xiao Chuhuan each carried prepared gifts, followed by ten elite soldiers—five from the Li family and five from the Xiao family. The rest remained at the camp.

"Let's go then."

The phoenix turned and flew northwest. "Tianqi Peak is in the center of the Spirit Soul Realm, about eight thousand miles away from here."

It didn't fly fast, clearly accommodating the flight speed of the passengers.

Li Xiaoyao and Xiao Chuhuan flew through the air, while the other ten followed in a small flying shuttle.

Along the way, Phoenix would occasionally stop to introduce the regions they passed through.

As they passed a vast swamp shrouded in thunderclouds, the phoenix gestured for them to take a detour:

"This is Raize, the territory of the Thunder Beast King. It has a bad temper, so it's best not to disturb it before the gathering."

Li Xiaoyao could see a huge figure churning in the thunderclouds deep in the swamp, its scales occasionally flashing with blinding lightning.

As they flew over the endless snow-capped mountains and icy plains, the biting wind made even the flow of spiritual energy sluggish.

"This is a frozen kingdom after a snowfall. She doesn't like crowds and usually only leaves during gatherings."

Deep within the icy plains, a palace sculpted entirely from ice appears and disappears, its beauty seemingly otherworldly.

As you traverse the vast primeval forest, ancient trees reach for the sky, and vines grow like dragons.

"The forest is the domain of the Tree Elder. It is one of the oldest beings in the Spirit Realm, possessing profound wisdom."

The forest was quiet, but Li Xiaoyao could sense countless "gazes" hidden among the branches and leaves, silently watching the group of passersby.

Finally, we passed a huge mountain range with jagged rocks, its body a bluish-gray color and incredibly hard.

"These are the mountains of the Stone Ancestor. When it sleeps, the entire mountain range is its body."

As if to confirm the phoenix's words, one of the mountain peaks suddenly "moved," and several boulders rolled down before returning to calm.

An aura of someone at the third or nearly fourth level of Foundation Establishment emanated faintly from the depths of the mountains.

Li Xiaoyao was shocked. Each of these allies exuded a profound aura.

Fortunately, they chose communication instead of a direct attack.

After flying for a whole day, at dusk, a peculiar mountain peak appeared ahead.

Unlike other mountains, it is not steep and rugged, but rather has a regular conical shape with a flat, mirror-like summit that glows with a faint golden light in the setting sun.

The mountain peaks were surrounded by colorful clouds and mist, so rich in spiritual energy that they were almost tangible.

"Tianqi Peak".

The phoenix's voice carried reverence, "The center of the Spirit Realm, the gathering place of the Five Alliances. Legend has it that this is where the first ray of spiritual light fell when the world was born."

It landed on the mountaintop platform.

The platform is extremely wide, with a diameter of over a thousand feet.

The ground is a warm, white jade, smooth as a mirror, reflecting the clouds in the sky.

In the center of the platform, there are five naturally formed stone seats, arranged in a pentagonal pattern, each with a different design.

They correspond to the five elements: fire, lightning, ice and snow, forest, and rock.

Three parties have already arrived.

To the due east, an ancient tree, its entire body verdant and its branches and leaves like a canopy, stands quietly.

It has no obvious facial features, but the lines on its trunk naturally form an aged yet kind face. The Tree Elder.

To the due north, a woman whose entire body is made of crystal-clear ice and who wears an ice crown sits on an ice and snow chair.

Her face was stunningly beautiful yet expressionless; her eyes were icy blue, as if capable of freezing the soul. After the snow.

To the due west, a "giant" made of countless stones sits on a rock chair.

It has no delicate features, only two deep holes serving as eyes, exuding a heavy, earthy aura. The Stone Ancestor.

The phoenix walked to the fiery throne in the due south direction, spread its wings, and slowly sat down.

Crimson flames rose from the seat, encircling it and adding to its majesty.

Only the Thunder Seat in the due west direction remains empty.

"Thunder Beast King is late again."

Shi Zu emitted a muffled sound, not spoken, but rather syllables produced by direct vibration of the air.

But what's amazing is that everyone can understand what it means.

"It has always been like this."

The sound after the snow is as clear and cold as an icy spring, "always the last to arrive, to show how important they are."

The old tree's branches swayed gently, making a rustling sound, as if chuckling: "Young people are always so impatient. Wait a little longer."

Li Xiaoyao, Xiao Chuhuan, and the others stood at the edge of the platform, under the watchful eyes of more than a dozen people, feeling immense pressure.

The old tree spirit spoke first, his aged voice resonating directly in everyone's hearts:

"Phoenix, are these the 'outsiders' you spoke of? Creatures completely different from us?"

"Yes, Tree Elder."

Phoenix replied, "They come from beyond this world, they know how to communicate, and they respect life."

"I think perhaps we could try to get them to join our alliance and work together to protect the Spirit Realm."

After the snow, her icy blue eyes swept over the crowd, her gaze lingering on Li Xiaoyao for a moment longer:

"The aura emanating from them... is complex. It has the intensity of flames, and the vitality of the forest. Interesting."

Stone Ancestor snorted, his voice like rolling stones: "Not of my kind. How can I trust them?"

"Stone Ancestor, have you forgotten the original intent of the alliance?"

The old tree said slowly, "The purpose of protecting the Spirit Realm is to safeguard the life and balance here, not to distinguish between different races."

"If they truly want to protect this place, why turn them away?"

"Easy for you to say."

Shi Zu retorted, "What if they sabotage and steal resources in secret?"

Phoenix spoke up: "Therefore, agreements and oversight are necessary."

"We can make a contract with them, delineate the areas where they can operate, and specify the types and quantities of resources they can collect."

"If anyone disobeys, all five parties will jointly punish them."

These words were blunt, but they also made it clear that cooperation is possible, but rules must be followed.

As they were talking, the sky suddenly darkened.

Rolling thunderclouds surged in from the west, lightning flashing wildly. From within the clouds, a colossal creature slowly descended.

It resembles a giant lion, but has the head of a dragon. Its body is covered with bluish-purple scales, and it has a pair of wings made of lightning on its back. Its four claws tread on lightning.

It was even larger than a phoenix, and its aura was both violent and majestic.

Thunder Beast King.

It landed on the lightning chair, crackling with electricity, and its pair of golden vertical pupils scanned the entire area before finally settling on Li Xiaoyao and the others.

"Oh? Two new little guys? Trying to establish themselves on our turf?"

Li Xiaoyao stepped forward: "Exactly. We hope—"

"Stop talking nonsense!"

Thunder Beast King interrupted, "Want to take root? Let me see if your fists are hard enough first!"

It suddenly looked at Stone Ancestor: "Old Stone, don't just stand around! You take that kid in the blue clothes, let's fight them a couple of times! We'll talk after we win!"

After a moment of silence, Shi Zu slowly stood up: "Agreed."

The situation has suddenly become tense!

Phoenix frowned: "Today we're discussing an alliance—"

"Fighting is the best form of alliance!"

The Thunder Beast King didn't care at all. "Old Stone, are you going to fight or not?"

Shi Zu looked at Xiao Chuhuan and said in a deep voice, "If you can withstand a hundred of my moves without being defeated, then I will acknowledge that you are qualified."

The old tree spirit's aged voice rang out: "A friendly spar is fine. This old woman also wants to see the skills of these outsiders. But let's stop here and not take lives."

"Then let's fight in the sky, lest we destroy this platform."

After the snow, she spoke softly, raised her hand, and a staircase of ice extended from the platform into the sky.

Without saying a word, the Stone Ancestor's massive rocky body roared into the air, and with each step, a stone step solidified beneath his feet, leading straight up into the clouds.

Xiao Chuhuan bowed to the representatives of the five parties, his figure transforming into a streak of azure light, and followed closely behind.