Clan Cultivation: Starting from Foundation Establishment on Mount Luoxia

Li Xiaoyao ended his deep meditation and pushed open the stone door.

Inside the Luoxia Pavilion, Li Chijing sat calmly, his aura cool yet full of vitality, his foundation-building cultivation stable.

Beside him followed two strange little beasts, their bodies entirely ice-blue and with transparent, thin wings on their backs; these were the evolved forms of his spirit pets, the "Azure Wave Carp."

"Second Uncle!"

Li Chijing rose and bowed, then solemnly presented a treasure box carved from ten-thousand-year-old cold jade.

The moment the lid was opened, a soft yet magnificent azure light poured out like mercury, filling the room.

A pure and incomparably clean aura, brimming with vitality and the vastness of water, permeated the air, bringing a sense of tranquility and joy.

Inside the box, a strange crystal, about the size of a fist and shaped like a drop of solidified celestial spring water, lay quietly.

Inside the crystal, light and shadow flowed, as if a miniature forest and ocean were sealed inside, with the sounds of tides and rustling grass faintly audible.

"This item is called 'Ten Thousand Waves Azure Crystal'."

Li Chijing explained, his eyes also showing shock.

"It is a three-thousand-year-old ancient Azure Sea Tree that grows alongside the Tree Elder in the core area of ​​the 'Endless Forest' in the Spirit Soul Realm."

This wondrous object, formed naturally by absorbing the original wood energy and the purest water essence between heaven and earth, has reached the highest grade of the third rank.

The Tree Elder said, "This crystal contains a trace of innate water and wood Daoist essence. Its nature is extremely gentle and pure, making it virtually harmless and risk-free for forging an immortal foundation."

He paused, his expression turning extremely solemn: "Old Tree did not take any spirit stones or treasures, he only said... to exchange this for a favor from my Li family."

"It did not specify when or what, only that if fate allows, it will seek you out in the future."

Li Xiaoyao stared at the Myriad Waves Azure Crystal.

He could clearly feel the surging yet gentle, immense power within it, which resonated subtly with his own understanding of the "Xuan Di Gui Cang Pian".

This was exactly what he had longed for and what was most suitable for laying the foundation!

A favor has brought me this opportunity; the promise is heavy, but the path ahead is clear, and there is no room for hesitation.

"The Li family accepts this favor."

Li Xiaoyao accepted the cold jade box, his tone steady and powerful.

"Second Uncle, there's one more thing."

Li Chijing said in a low voice, "Regarding the Spirit Soul Realm, Senior Xiao Chuhuan mentioned that recently there seem to be other unknown forces loitering and spying in the nearby void, which may be related to Bing-749."

"It seems that there is only one year left until the Blood Moon Tide."

Li Xiaoyao's gaze narrowed slightly.

After twenty years of dedicated work, the family's strength has steadily increased, but the storms from the outside world are finally about to hit.

The Blood Moon Tide, like a mystery hanging in the northwest, attracts greedy or curious eyes.

"I understand."

He looked at Li Mutian and Li Chijing.

"I will immediately go into seclusion to refine this crystal and forge my fourth immortal foundation, the Gui Cang Abyss."

"The affairs of the family still need to be managed by the eldest brother. Chijing, now that you have returned, please assist your father as much as possible."

"If there are any unusual developments in the outside world, the best course of action is to maintain a stable position and preserve our strength. If necessary, we can seek assistance from the Xiao family, who are at the Spirit Soul Realm."

"Don't worry, Second Brother/Second Uncle!"

Carrying the jade box containing the "Myriad Waves Azure Crystal," Li Xiaoyao turned around and walked once again toward the cave that had been with him for twenty years.

The stone gate slowly closed behind him, shutting out his final words of advice and expectations.

The cave returned to silence, with only the pure spiritual energy flowing slowly within.

Li Xiaoyao sat down cross-legged, opened the treasure box, and the "Myriad Waves Azure Crystal" floated quietly, its azure light gently enveloping him.

There is still one year until the Blood Moon Tide.

Above the thick earth and golden cliffs, the flowing clouds drift and swirl.

Below the cliffs, the bustling market town remained as before, the mines roared incessantly, newly built houses stretched out in rows, and spiritual fields were crisscrossed by paths.

The family members were either practicing diligently in quiet rooms, training in the drill ground, or patrolling the territory on horseback. Everything was orderly and thriving, yet beneath this prosperity, a sense of impending storm was subtly revealed.

The Li family's twenty years of accumulation, cultivation, and perseverance will soon face a true test and trial.

The answer to all of this may lie in that defiled sanctuary, thousands of miles to the northwest, which has slumbered for countless years.

...........

The azure light rippled like water in the quiet room, gradually receding before finally disappearing completely into Li Xiaoyao's body, who was sitting cross-legged in the center.

He slowly opened his eyes, his gaze seemingly reflecting the ebb and flow of a deep blue sea, then instantly returning to the tranquil stillness of a deep pool.

Within the dantian and dantian, four immortal foundations reflect each other, forming a profound and mysterious scene: to the south, the [Xuanhuang Pass] is engulfed in raging flames; to the east, the [Changsheng Que] stands tall with towering green trees; to the west, the [Susha Mansion] hangs with chilling golden thunder; and to the north, a newly built palace, its entire body as deep blue as an abyss, seemingly capable of containing all waters, floats silently in the shadows—this is the fourth immortal foundation, [Guicang Abyss].

With the four basic elements established, a rudimentary cycle is subtly forming.

Although the lack of the central earth element prevents the true rotation of the five elements, the four symbols are complete, and the spiritual energy flows continuously, far more powerful, enduring, and dynamic than that of a single or dual-immortal-foundation cultivator.

A powerful aura rose from his body, indicating he had reached the seventh level of Foundation Establishment!

And instantly surged to the peak of the seventh level, even faintly touching the threshold of the eighth level.

However, with a slight thought, Li Xiaoyao forcefully suppressed, compressed, and repeatedly refined the spiritual power that was trying to continue to rise, making it more refined and solid, firmly fixing it at the peak of the seventh level, with a foundation as solid as a rock.

"Having established four foundations in succession is a great stroke of luck, but we must proceed with caution step by step. With the seventh level at its peak and four foundations perfected, our combat strength is sufficient to deal with the current situation."

"Blindly pursuing higher levels may actually undermine one's foundation."

Li Xiaoyao felt the surging yet effortless power within his body, and his mind became clear.

At this moment, he was confident that, within the Foundation Establishment stage, unless he encountered an opponent who also cultivated multiple attribute immortal foundations and had extremely profound attainments, he was no longer afraid of anyone.

He stood up, his aura completely concealed, making him appear like an ordinary person.

Pushing open the stone door that had been sealed for a year, the sunlight from the outside world poured in.

Outside the cave, a slightly hunched but still upright figure had been waiting for a long time; it was his cousin, Li Mude.

Twenty years have etched deeper lines on his face, and his hair has turned gray, but his eyes are still sharp.

"Second Brother, you've emerged from seclusion!"

When Li Mude saw Li Xiaoyao, a look of relief and joy flashed in his eyes, and he quickly stepped forward to pay his respects.

"Mude, thank you for your hard work."

Li Xiaoyao helped him up, his gaze sweeping over the somewhat desolate cliff top.

"Where are the others, Big Brother? The Blood Moon Tide...has it already begun, hasn't it?"

Li Mude's expression turned serious, and he quickly reported: "Second Brother, the blood tide has been rising for three days. Not long after the Patriarch went into seclusion, he began preparations."

"Half a month ago, most of the clan's ordinary people, women and children, as well as important supplies, were transferred to Chuyang City in the Spirit Soul Realm for temporary refuge via the Xiao family's flying boat. Young Master Changhu stayed there to take care of things."

"Now, only the necessary guards remain at Houtu Jinya. All the capable warriors have gathered at Luoxia Market."

"Tongya, Xiangping, Young Master Chijing, and Elder Chen (Scar Wolf) are all in the market right now, discussing countermeasures with the heads of the An family, Wang family, Baicao Group, and other families, as well as the leaders of several larger independent cultivator teams."