Clan Cultivation: Starting from Foundation Establishment on Mount Luoxia

Li Xiaoyao nodded, his elder brother was indeed meticulous in his actions.

"How is the situation?"

Li Mude's face showed worry: "The situation is not optimistic. In the past three days, the direction of the Northwest Holy Site has been filled with malevolent energy, resembling a black column of smoke, visible for hundreds of miles."

"The surrounding earth veins have fractured, and countless turbid and malevolent energies are gushing out from the cracks in the ground, more than ten times denser than usual."

"What's more troublesome is that many monsters mutated by evil energy seem to be lurking underground, and now they are crawling out one after another. We call them 'evil beasts'."

"These evil beasts are of low intelligence, extremely ferocious, and have an extremely keen sense of spiritual energy and blood. They will frantically attack any living thing in their field of vision, regardless of whether it is a cultivator, a mortal, or a demon beast."

"Most of the beasts that appeared in the first two days were at the early stage of Qi Refining, and many of them have already been wiped out by the various patrol teams."

"But since yesterday, sporadic sightings of demonic beasts with the aura of mid-stage and even late-stage Qi Refining have appeared... I'm afraid that those at the Foundation Establishment level will appear sooner or later as well."

"Moreover, according to the patrol team's observation from a distance, there are indeed unfamiliar flying ships appearing in the void near the sanctuary. They should be 'relic hunters' or spies from some forces who have come after hearing the news."

"They only care about the ruins of the sanctuary itself; they probably won't even glance at the ferocious beasts ravaging the ground or our lives."

Li Xiaoyao's eyes turned slightly cold. Just as he suspected, the vultures had arrived, and war was about to break out on the ground.

"Let's go to Luoxia Market."

The two rose into the air, transforming into streaks of light and heading straight to the southeast.

The current Luoxia Market is far larger than the one Li Xiaoyao saw last time.

The city walls were heightened and reinforced, and the array patterns engraved on the surface were significantly upgraded, shimmering with a stronger spiritual light.

Multiple barricades and trenches were set up outside the city, and the newly arranged battle formations could be vaguely seen.

The atmosphere in the market was heavy. The cultivators on the streets walked hurriedly and looked vigilant. The number of patrol teams had increased significantly.

The central Luoxia Pavilion is now fully activated, its array formations activated, and it is filled with spiritual light.

The atmosphere was solemn in the largest council chamber on the top floor of the building. The long table was filled with people.

To the left of the main seat sat Li Mutian, his aura deep and composed, his fifth-level Foundation Establishment cultivation allowing him to sit firmly on the throne.

Following them are Li Xiangping (Foundation Building Level 3), Li Tongya (Foundation Building Level 1 - Guicangyuan), Li Chijing (Foundation Building Level 1 - Qiuyuehu), and Scar Wolf Chen Xiaofeng (Foundation Building Level 2 - Tianjinzhou).

Apart from Li Changhu, who stayed behind to guard the rear, all the elite members of the Li family are here.

On the right are representatives of other forces: An Chi, head of the An family (a sword cultivator in the mid-Foundation Establishment stage), Wang Shouzhuo, head of the Wang family (a cultivator in the early Foundation Establishment stage, skilled in formations), Su Wan, leader of the Hundred Herbs Group (a cultivator in the early Foundation Establishment stage, an alchemist), Wan Yongnian, head of the Wan family (a cultivator at the peak of Qi Refining, primarily engaged in commerce), and the leaders of two other loose cultivator alliances with a large number of members, each with a Foundation Establishment cultivator in charge—Hong Lie, leader of the "Iron Blood Alliance" (a cultivator in the early Foundation Establishment stage, a body cultivator), and Zhao Qingyun, leader of the "Qingyun Society" (a cultivator in the early Foundation Establishment stage, a magic cultivator).

Before everyone lay a huge simplified map of the C-749 plane, with the "Defiled Sanctuary" area in the northwest corner prominently marked in dark red.

Li Mutian spoke in a deep voice: "...Gentlemen, the blood tide has been rising for three days, and you have all witnessed the situation firsthand."

"The sanctuary has undergone a strange change, with malevolent energy erupting and countless evil beasts emerging from the earth's veins."

"Although what has appeared so far is mainly low-end, the trend is worrying."

"According to the investigation by the cultivators of my Li family, there is a more powerful and chaotic aura stirring deep within the earth's veins."

"As for those 'guests' in the void, he snorted coldly. They only have eyes for the relics and treasures, and they would never care about the lives of us cultivators on the ground."

"The ferocious beasts don't care which sect you belong to; they'll attack on sight."

"If we continue to fight individually, defending our own small territories, our strength will be scattered, and we will be defeated one by one sooner or later."

"At that time, let alone sharing in the sanctuary's bounty, even preserving our own foundation will be in question!"

An Chi tapped his knuckles on the table, his voice firm and resolute: "Fellow Daoist Li is absolutely right."

"These ferocious beasts are utterly irrational, knowing only destruction and devouring; they are the common enemy of all cultivators. The An family agrees to unite and fight this calamity together!"

Wang Shouzhou stroked his beard and said, "The evil aura is pervasive, and the earth's veins are unstable. Nearly half of the monitoring arrays that my Wang family has set up outside have been destroyed."

"It is indeed difficult to cope with this by relying on the strength of one party alone. Joint deployment and concentration of resources are the best strategy."

Su Wan sighed softly, "My Hundred Herbs Guild excels at alchemy and healing, and can handle logistical support, but combat is not my forte. I am willing to follow along and provide medicinal support."

After exchanging glances with the other leaders, Wan Yongnian also expressed his willingness to participate in the alliance.

Given the prevailing trend, no one wants to face this increasingly obvious threat of the beast tide alone.

"good!"

Li Mutian's gaze swept over everyone. "Since everyone agrees to the alliance, I propose that we immediately establish the 'Anti-Evil Alliance'."

"Elect a leader to unify the allocation of cultivators and resources from all factions, establish a joint defense line around Luoxia Market, eradicate the invading ferocious beasts, and, when the opportunity arises, investigate the root cause of the changes at the Holy Land in order to resolve or contain this calamity!"

Electing a leader? The atmosphere in the hall tensed slightly.

The position of leader means greater power, but it also means bearing the greatest responsibility and risk.

An Chi looked at Li Mutian and said directly, "Fellow Daoist Li is the local lord, and the Li family is the most powerful. Moreover, there is Fellow Daoist Li Xiaoyao... He must be about to emerge from seclusion."

"I believe that the Li family is the most suitable to hold the position of leader of this alliance."

His words were half approval and half a test. It was no secret that Li Xiaoyao was in seclusion attempting to break through to the late Foundation Establishment stage; his success or failure would directly impact the Li family's standing.

Just as Li Mutian was about to speak, the hall door was suddenly pushed open silently.

A figure in a blue robe entered the hall, his calm demeanor instantly drawing everyone's attention.

"Free and unrestrained!"

"Second Uncle/Second Master/Fellow Daoist Li!"

The members of the Li family showed surprise and delight, while the leaders of other forces had different expressions, staring intently at the second master of the Li family who had been in seclusion for twenty-one years.

Li Xiaoyao nodded slightly to his elder brother Li Mutian, then looked at everyone in the hall, cupped his hands and said, "I am late, please forgive me."

His aura didn't seem to undergo any earth-shattering changes, but those with sharp eyes, like An Chi and Wang Shouzhuo, could vaguely sense a profound and unfathomable harmony and weight.

Considering the purpose of his seclusion... An Chi and the others felt a chill run down their spines.

"Second brother, it's just in time for you to emerge from seclusion."

A look of satisfaction flashed across Li Mutian's eyes as he vacated the seat next to the head of the table.

"That's roughly the situation. You are all discussing how to unite against the evil spirits and elect a leader."

Li Xiaoyao did not take the main seat, but stood beside Li Mutian. His gaze swept over the dark red markings on the map, and he slowly spoke: "The calamity of the Fiend Beasts originated from the anomaly in the Holy Land, and concerns the survival of the plane; it is not a matter for one family or one clan. A united front against the Fiend Beasts is imperative. As for the Alliance Leader…"

He looked at Li Mutian: "My elder brother has been in charge of the family for many years. He is calm, capable, and highly respected."

"In this alliance, my Li family is willing to follow the orders of our eldest brother and contribute six Foundation Establishment cultivators and two hundred Qi Refining disciples. We will also share all the necessary supplies to jointly build a defensive line."

These words not only demonstrated the Li family's full support for the alliance, but also naturally passed the position of alliance leader to Li Mutian, while highlighting the Li family's strength—six Foundation Establishment cultivators!

This doesn't even include the Xiao family allies who might remain at the Spirit Soul Realm. Everyone in the hall was shocked.

Li Mutian was certain that his second brother was setting the tone for himself and the Li family.

He no longer declined, and solemnly said, "Since you all trust me, I, Kida, will temporarily assume the position of alliance leader. I will do my utmost to overcome this difficult time together with you all!"

Seeing the Li family's clear stance and demonstrated strength, An Chi took the lead in bowing and saying, "The An family is willing to obey Alliance Leader Li's orders!"

"The Wang family seconded it!"

"The Herbs Group seconded that!"

Other factions have also expressed their views. At this critical juncture, a strong and responsible leader is always better than a disorganized group.

"good!"

Li Mutian's spirits lifted, and he pointed to the map to begin making arrangements.

"Since we are united, we need to have unified commands."

"I propose that we construct three lines of defense, with Luoxia Market as the core. The first line of defense will be located at 'Qinggangpo,' thirty li outside the market, and will be..."

The meeting proceeded intensively and efficiently, with personnel allocation, resource coordination, formation coordination, and intelligence transmission... resolutions were quickly formed one after another.

Li Xiaoyao listened quietly, but his gaze kept drifting towards the northwest.