I planted the spiritual roots for my people, and they bestowed upon me a body inscribed with incense

To Li Yuan's surprise, while Li Shouqian was cultivating, the iron-backed bear cub that Li Yuan had brought back actually slept obediently in Li Shouqian's yard.

For some unknown reason, during the few days that the Iron-Backed Bear stayed at the Li family's residence, apart from Li Shouqian, the Iron-Backed Bear ate very little spirit rice porridge when fed by others. However, when it came to Li Shouqian's side, the Iron-Backed Bear was both willing to eat and sleep.

Seeing this, everyone thought of putting the Ironback Bear in Li Shouqian's yard so that Li Shouqian could feed it. Li Shouqian naturally had no objection to this, as the cub of this second-tier demon beast was quite rare.

After spending some time in Li Shouqian's courtyard, Li Yuan went to the Li family's spiritual field. At this time, the spiritual rice in the field was beginning to sprout new shoots. These new shoots looked like they were growing well. As long as there was enough spiritual energy, the quality of the spiritual rice produced would definitely be much better than that on the market.

Looking at the lush and growing spiritual rice, Li Yuan felt extremely satisfied. However, it would be difficult to cultivate a Foundation Establishment cultivator with just these spiritual plants. If he wanted to establish his foundation, he would have to find a way himself.

Foundation Establishment spiritual items are rare to begin with. For a cultivator like Li Yuan with four spiritual roots, he estimates that he would need at least two Foundation Establishment spiritual items to assist him in breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage. Even the worst Foundation Establishment spiritual item, which can only enhance the Foundation Establishment effect by 20%, is beyond Li Yuan's means.

Even a Jade Scale Fruit whose medicinal effects have been significantly diminished would still cost 1,500 spirit stones. It would take at least twenty years to accumulate enough spirit rice from the spirit fields to make up for it. And yet, someone is still willing to sell this Foundation Establishment spiritual item.

Now that he has reached the ninth level of Qi Refining, since he cannot establish his foundation in a short time, he still needs to consider the younger generation in his family. He wonders if Li Shouyi has any spiritual roots. Also, as Li Shouchuan grows up, it is time to test him. If he does not have any spiritual roots, Li Yuan will have to find a way to help him.

As Li Yuan wandered around, he came to the edge of the village. Looking into the village, he belatedly realized that the bamboo mountain seemed to be growing taller.

Somewhat disbelieving, Li Yuan flashed to the top of the bamboo mountain. After observing for a long time, Li Yuan finally confirmed that the bamboo mountain was indeed getting taller. He didn't know if it was due to the influence of the earth's vein energy or something else, but compared to before, the bamboo mountain had risen at least two meters higher.

If this trend continues, Zhushan will surely stand tall among the mountains and become the tallest peak within a thousand miles.

Just as Li Yuan was feeling sentimental, the Xu family in Qingshan County arrived.

Xu Qingfeng was sitting cross-legged in his own secret room, with three skeletons lying quietly around him.

After Xu Qingfeng fought a fierce battle with the black-clad cultivator, he was seriously injured by him. Now his injuries are gradually recovering. However, not long after he went into seclusion, he heard something unexpected: Luo Tong of the Luo family in Suiyun County was actually a sword cultivator, and it was said that he was even a Foundation Establishment sword cultivator.

Xu Qingfeng initially didn't believe it, as he knew a bit about the two neighboring families. However, when these rumors reached the Wang family of Cuixia Mountain, someone from the Wang family actually came out to confirm that the rumors were true.

This forced Xu Qingfeng, who was in seclusion, to take the matter seriously. Xu Qingfeng had planned to take action against the two families after helping Prince Ouyang Suiguan obtain the spirit pearl, but now it seemed he had to visit the Luo family first.

Thinking of this, Xu Qingfeng shook the dust off his robes and then slowly walked towards Suiyun County.

Xu Qingfeng is now considered a Foundation Establishment cultivator, and it took him less than two hours to arrive at the Luo family's territory.

Xu Qingfeng's imposing aura kept the younger members of the Luo family from approaching. It wasn't until much later that Luo Tong slowly walked out of the Luo family.

"Haha, Senior Xu, what a rare guest! May I ask if you have something to discuss with my Luo family?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Qingfeng said gently:

"Haha, I've been so busy with cultivation that I haven't had a chance to contact Brother Luo in quite some time." Xu Qingfeng then said slowly, with a hint of dissatisfaction on his face:

"Brother Luo, you're too kind. How can we address each other as seniors? Just call me Brother Xu."

Upon hearing this, Luo Tong frowned, somewhat confused about what Xu Qingfeng was up to. However, Luo Tong didn't refuse Xu Qingfeng any face.

"Since Senior Xu puts it that way, then I shall address you as Brother Xu. May I ask what brings you to my Luo family, Brother Xu?"

Xu Qingfeng said slowly:

"Haha, Brother Luo, you flatter me. I've come here to discuss the development of Qingshan County with you. There's nothing else to it."

Upon hearing this, Luo Tong looked even more puzzled, but he still led Xu Qingfeng into the courtyard first.

"Haha, I don't quite understand what Brother Xu is saying. Let's sit down first." After saying that, he gestured to Xu Qingfeng to invite him to sit down.

After Xu Qingfeng sat down, he slowly said:

"Brother Luo, I heard that you are a sword cultivator, and a Foundation Establishment sword cultivator at that. It's not that both of our families are Foundation Establishment cultivators, but there are four immortal clans in Qingshan County. That's why I've come to discuss with you how to divide up the territory of Qingshan County."

Upon hearing this, Luo Tong slowly said:

"Brother Xu, do you have any plans? Are you suggesting we simply wipe out both families while we're masked, and then confiscate their supplies?"

"If that's the case, wouldn't it be no different from evil cultivators?"

"Brother Xu, don't you think so?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Qingfeng glanced at Luo Tong, then slowly said:

"Haha, Fellow Daoist Luo is joking. I meant to plan the development of Qingshan County, not to destroy the other two. Brother Luo, don't get the wrong idea."

Upon hearing this, Luo Tong couldn't help but sneer inwardly, but outwardly he maintained a smile.

"Haha, I misunderstood, Brother Xu, please don't take offense."

Xu Qingfeng nodded.

"Haha, it was my fault for not expressing myself properly earlier, which caused Brother Luo to misunderstand. Since Brother Luo, as a Foundation Establishment Sword Dao expert, has no interest in the planning of Qingshan County, then I naturally dare not make any moves."

Upon hearing this, Luo Tong sneered again. "They're actually putting such a high compliment on me."

"Haha. Fellow Daoist Xu is joking. Fellow Daoist Xu was the first to establish the Foundation, so you are definitely the number one in Qingshan County. As for me, I am still far behind Fellow Daoist Xu."

Seeing that Luo Tong was just dodging the question, Xu Qingfeng lost interest in continuing the conversation and turned to leave.

Just then, Xu Qingfeng, who was turning around the mountain, suddenly turned around and pressed his full power down on Luo Tong. Luo Tong calmly took a sip of tea, showing no discomfort at all from Xu Qingfeng's power. Instead, he looked at Xu Qingfeng with a calm gaze.

"Brother Xu, what's this?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Qingfeng immediately withdrew his attack.