Establishing a Clan in the Eastern Wilderness: A Daily Divination, Cultivating Longevity in a Grotto

Under Li Changsheng's command, three thousand clansmen boarded the ship in an orderly manner.

Although crowded, the cabin was clean and tidy, and everyone had a fixed berth.

During the process of settling the tribespeople.

Li Changsheng noticed that the treasure ship had six decks.

Besides the top floor where the immortal masters reside, the Li family occupies the third and fourth floors, and one floor is empty.

"Five families..." he thought to himself, "but I wonder what the situation is with the other families."

Li Changsheng returned to his cabin.

after awhile.

A soft knock came from outside the door.

open the door.

A girl who looked to be about thirteen or fourteen years old stood outside the door.

The girl wore a light blue dress, had delicate features, and large, bright eyes that sparkled with liveliness and curiosity.

Her cultivation level was actually at the second level of Qi Refining, which was even higher than Li Changsheng's.

"Clan Chief Li, I apologize for disturbing you."

The young girl bowed with her hands clasped in greeting, her voice clear and melodious.

"I am Du Liuniang, the head of the Du family. Our fiefdom is in Qinglan County, the same as the Li family's, so we will be neighbors from now on. I have come to pay my respects."

Li Changsheng's heart skipped a beat, and he stepped aside to avoid it.

"Chief Du, you're too kind. Please come in."

The two sat down in the simple cabin.

Du Liuniang was straightforward; after a few pleasantries, she got straight to the point:

"Chief Li, to be honest..."

Sixth Sister came here to ask if the Li family had any extra 'spirit hoes' to exchange for?

Although our Du family received our ancestor's storage bag, which contained some spirit stones and cultivation techniques, we lacked farming tools. Upon arriving in our fiefdom, our cultivation levels were low, and for the first few years we could only rely on planting red marrow rice to make a living. But this red marrow rice requires a spirit hoe to efficiently cultivate the spirit fields…”

Li Changsheng listened, his mind racing.

Our ancestor, Li Muxian, fell into the Dragon Abyss.

That was a place where even the Immortal Master of the World-Suppressing Bureau shook his head and said, "Ten out of ten will die," so naturally, the storage bag was nowhere to be found.

So although the Du family was poor, they at least had some start-up capital.

The Li family was truly destitute.

Aside from the Jade Spirit Fruit Tree, they couldn't even afford the spirit stones to buy Red Marrow Rice seeds, let alone a spirit hoe.

"It seems we have no choice but to use that spiritual plant."

The woman before me, Du Liuniang, has clear eyes and speaks directly; she doesn't seem like someone with deep ulterior motives. If I can befriend her, I'll have more support in Qinglan County in the future.

"Clan Chief Du, please wait a moment." Li Changsheng stood up.

They took the soil bag from the inner room and carefully removed the Jade Spirit Fruit Tree.

As soon as the glistening white fruit tree appeared, a faint spiritual energy and fruity fragrance filled the cabin.

Although the fruit has been picked, the branches and leaves are still as exquisite as jade carvings, shimmering with a spiritual light.

"This is... a mid-grade first-tier spiritual plant!"

Du Liuniang's eyes lit up, and she couldn't resist taking out the Lark Chart and examining it closely:

"Judging from its shape, it seems to be a 'Jade Spirit Fruit'? This kind of spiritual plant has a long fruiting cycle, but its fruit can improve the magical power of low-level Qi Refining cultivators!"

Li Changsheng's face timely revealed an expression of reluctance and heartache:

"Clan Chief Du has a good eye. This tree will bloom and bear fruit again in three years. I originally intended to keep it as part of the family's heritage... but now the family is newly established and everything needs to be rebuilt. If Clan Chief Du needs it, we can make a deal."

Du Liuniang pondered for a moment and said:

"What does Clan Chief Li need? We do have extra red marrow rice seeds, and we can give you fifty catties, enough for the first year of cultivating ten acres of spirit fields. As for spirit hoes... our Du family can order four, and we'll give two to your Li family."

Li Changsheng looked at the book in Du Liuniang's hand and said:

"I also want the 'Hundred Spirits Atlas' in Chief Du's possession, as well as the magical texts related to cultivating red marrow rice."

Du Liuniang was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and said:

"That's easy. The Hundred Spirits Atlas is based on the fragments of the Myriad Spirits Atlas left by my ancestors. It records the characteristics and habits of common first and second-tier spirit plants and creatures, so it's not a particularly precious inheritance. As for planting techniques, I have the basic 'Spirit Rain Technique,' 'Fertile Soil Technique,' and 'Growth-Promoting Incantation,' but they're all common stuff and not worth much."

As she spoke, she decisively took out three books from her storage bag and pushed them, along with the "Illustrated Compendium of the Hundred Larks," in front of Li Changsheng:

"I brought backups of all of these. I originally intended to exchange them with other families. Clan Chief Li, please feel free to take them."

Li Changsheng took it, glanced at it briefly, and saw that there were still several first-tier spells for combat. His impression of Du Liuniang improved even more.

"In that case, the Jade Spirit Fruit Tree shall belong to Clan Chief Du."

Du Liuniang carefully put the fruit tree into her storage bag, a hint of embarrassment on her face:

"Clan Chief Li, to be honest, I think our Du family actually benefited from this deal. ... How about this: if the Li family encounters any difficulties in the future, our Du family will definitely help within our capabilities!"

She spoke sincerely, and Li Changsheng could tell that this was not just polite talk.

"Clan Chief Du, you flatter me. It's just a matter of mutual benefit," Li Changsheng said with a smile. "From now on, since we'll both be in Qinglan County, I hope our two families will stay in touch and support each other."

"Of course!" Du Liuniang nodded emphatically, her smile bright. "Then I won't bother you any longer. Clan Chief Li, you should also get some rest. In ten days, the treasure ship will stop at the Yulin River for half a day, at which time you can get off the ship and get some fresh air."

After seeing Du Liuniang off, Li Changsheng closed the door.

Within his sea of ​​consciousness, the Book of Destiny once again emitted a familiar vibration:

[Family Luck Value: 13/100]

...

...

A month later.

The Cloud Shuttle Treasure Ship slowly descended on the banks of the Yulin River and hovered three zhang above the ground.

Wooden gangways were lowered from both sides of the ship, and the immortal master's voice echoed throughout the entire vessel:

"We will anchor for half a day to replenish our water supply. You may disembark and rest, but you must return to the ship by the beginning of Shenshi (3-5 PM). We will not wait for you after that time."

Li Changsheng and Chen Wenyuan exchanged a glance and nodded slightly.

The two mingled among the first group of tribesmen to disembark, discreetly slipping away from the crowd and quickly heading upstream.

"Chief, where are we going?"

"Three miles upstream, deep in the reed marshes." Li Changsheng continued walking.

The two walked briskly along the riverbank.

The Yulin River is wide and has a gentle current. Reeds grow on both banks, reaching up to half a person's height.

They walked for about three miles.

Sure enough, a particularly dense reed bed appeared ahead, and when the wind blew, the reed flowers looked like snow.

Chen Wenyuan suddenly reached out to stop Li Changsheng, signaling him to be quiet, and pointed to the depths of the reeds.

Through the gaps in the reeds, a small clearing could be vaguely seen.

In the open space, a snow-white foal with two pairs of transparent, thin wings on its back was huddled shivering beside a shallow pit. The foal had a deep wound on its left foreleg that exposed bone; the blood had dried and turned black, clearly an old injury.

On the other side of the open space.

A massive, thick-skinned, long-trunked gray elephant stared intently at the Pegasus calf with its small eyes, emitting a low growl.

"A first-tier, early-stage cloud elephant!" Chen Wenyuan's eyes flashed with joy, but he quickly calmed down. "This thing is thick-skinned and powerful, not easy to deal with. However, it's not very intelligent and is easily provoked. Clan leader, I'll lure it away, and you can take the flying horse with you."

Li Changsheng shook his head, his sharp gaze sweeping over his surroundings:

"No, brother-in-law, we can't let this cloud phenomenon go either."

The Li family is lacking everything now.

This cloud elephant is a treasure trove—its ivory, hide, and meat can all be sold for spirit stones.

His gaze fell on the edge of the clearing, where the ground sank slightly and was covered with a thick layer of dead leaves and loose soil.

"Brother-in-law, look over there."

Chen Wenyuan followed his gaze, and after careful examination, his eyes lit up: "It's a trap!"

Li Changsheng and Chen Wenyuan exchanged a glance; their years of hunting experience allowed them to instantly reach a tacit understanding.

Chen Wenyuan took a deep breath and pulled out several throwing knives from his pocket.

He crouched low and quietly circled around to the side and behind Yunxiang.

"Hey!"

With a low shout, the throwing knife shot out and accurately struck the cloud elephant's relatively vulnerable earlobe area!

"Awooo—!"

The cloud elephant, in pain, suddenly turned around, its small eyes flashing with ferocity.

Chen Wenyuan remained calm and threw another flying knife, which hit Yun Xiang's trunk. He then turned and ran!

Enraged, the cloud elephant galloped away, giving chase with a thunderous roar.

Chen Wenyuan nimbly leaped over the pit.

Cloud Elephant, with its limited intelligence, never suspected a trap beneath its feet and charged straight at it—

"boom!!"

The fallen leaves and loose soil collapsed, and the massive body of the cloud elephant suddenly plunged into a natural pit about two zhang deep, with sharp stone edges at the bottom!

at the same time.

Li Changsheng darted out like a cheetah, heading straight for the flying horse cub!

The foal was startled and struggled to stand up and run away, but its injured leg made it stagger.

Li Changsheng moved with incredible speed, rushing forward in the blink of an eye. He scooped the foal into his arms and gently cradled it. The foal initially tried to kick, but Li Changsheng slowly channeled a gentle spiritual energy into his palms, soothing it softly in his voice:

"Don't be afraid, I'm here to save you."

Perhaps it was the spiritual power at work, or perhaps it sensed the kindness, but the little pony gradually calmed down, its big, wet eyes looking timidly at Li Changsheng.

On the other side, the cloud-like creature in the pit struggled more and more violently, and the soil and rocks on the pit walls began to loosen.

Without pausing for a moment, Chen Wenyuan formed a hand seal—the "Sharp Metal Technique" recorded in the "Basic Techniques" he had obtained from Du Liuniang. Although he had only practiced it for a month, he could barely draw upon a trace of metal-type spiritual power.

A faint golden light gathered at his fingertips, condensing into a sharp blade of energy about an inch long.

"go!"

The air blade pierced through the air, precisely striking the cloud elephant's wide-open mouth and penetrating its throat!

"Awooo—!"

Yunxiang shuddered violently, blood gushing from his mouth and nose. After struggling for a few moments, he finally collapsed to the ground, motionless.

After catching his breath, Chen Wenyuan was about to go down into the pit to collect his spoils.

"Wait," Li Changsheng suddenly said, his voice turning cold.

He slowly turned around, his gaze sharp as a knife, shooting towards a towering ancient tree more than twenty paces away that would require three people to encircle.

"You've been watching for so long, shouldn't you come out already?"

There was a moment of silence behind the tree.

A short, stocky, middle-aged man with a fierce face emerged from behind the tree; it was Cheng Laosan, who was also on the treasure ship. He was at the second level of Qi Refining, and at this moment, he crossed his arms and looked at Li Changsheng and the other man with a half-smile.

"Chief Li has such keen perception."

"However, now that one of you has exhausted your spiritual energy and the other is only at the first level of Qi Refining, I'm afraid you won't be able to enjoy the Cloud Elephant and the Flying Horse."

He took a step forward:

"Hand them over, and I, Cheng Laosan, might spare your lives. Otherwise... in this desolate wilderness, even if two people die, the immortal master won't be able to find anything."

Chen Wenyuan's expression changed, and he mustered his strength to stand in front of Li Changsheng.

A faint smile played at the corners of Li Changsheng's lips:

"Fellow Daoist Cheng, you're quite arrogant. But... who said there are only two of us?"

The voice just fell.

From the reeds on the other side, a clear female voice rang out:

"Cheng Laosan, three against one, aren't you putting on the wrong show by begging for mercy?"

The reeds parted.

Holding a slender sword shaped like a willow leaf, Du Liuniang slowly stepped out and stood to the side and behind Cheng Laosan, forming a triangular encirclement with Li Changsheng and Chen Wenyuan.

Cheng Laosan's expression changed drastically: "Clan Chief Du, are you trying to meddle in other people's business?"

Du Liuniang smiled slightly: "Clan Chief Li is my friend, so his affairs are naturally my affairs."

With three against one, my chances of winning are extremely low.

"Fine, fine!" Cheng Laosan gritted his teeth, turned around and left.

"Stop!" Li Changsheng stopped the man. "Clan Chief Du, this man has already shown murderous intent towards us. We cannot let him live. Releasing a tiger back into the mountains will only lead to endless trouble."

Du Liuniang shook her head and said, "Clan Chief Li, after all, he didn't really make a move. We'll all be in Qinglan County from now on, so it's better to resolve conflicts than to let them fester..."

Li Changsheng frowned.

The main fighting force right now is Du Liuniang. If she is unwilling to kill, forcing her to take action may cause unforeseen circumstances.

"Cheng Laosan," Li Changsheng said slowly, "we can let you go, but you have to offer something in exchange for your life. If you satisfy us, today's matter will be over."

Cheng Laosan's eyes practically spit fire: "Li Changsheng! Don't push your luck!"

Li Changsheng remained unmoved, merely watching him indifferently. Du Liuniang slightly raised the slender sword in her hand, and Chen Wenyuan also forced himself to stand up straight, assuming a fighting stance.

The three men's encirclement was gradually tightening.

Cheng Laosan's forehead veins throbbed, his fists clenched and unclenched, finally pulling something from his pocket and slamming it to the ground:

"My Cheng family's storage bag isn't on me! I only have this one! Take it or leave it!"

It was a palm-sized, pink hairpin shaped like a butterfly, emitting a faint spiritual energy fluctuation.

Du Liuniang stepped forward, picked it up, examined it briefly, and said:

"The first-tier low-grade magic artifact, 'Butterfly Love Hairpin,' only has the effects of calming the mind and providing slight protection. Moreover... its spiritual energy attribute is more yin and gentle, making it only suitable for female cultivators."

Cheng Laosan sneered, "This is it! Take it or leave it!"

Du Liuniang looked at Li Changsheng. Li Changsheng nodded slightly.

"Alright, Fellow Daoist Cheng, please." Du Liuniang stepped aside to make way for him.

Cheng Laosan glared fiercely at the three of them, especially Li Changsheng, his eyes filled with such venom that it was almost tangible. He said nothing more, turned and strode away, quickly disappearing into the depths of the reeds.

"Clan Chief Li, I'm sorry," Du Liuniang said apologetically, "I... I still can't bring myself to kill him. After all, he hasn't actually made a move yet..."

"Chief Du, please don't take it to heart." Li Changsheng shook his head. "We already owe you a favor for showing up to help. Killing or not killing each has its advantages and disadvantages. It's better this way; at least we've received compensation."

He glanced at the butterfly hairpin and said, "Clan Chief Du, please keep this magical artifact."

Du Liuniang was taken aback: "How can this be? I didn't do much today, I just stood around..."

"Clan Chief Du, listen to me," Li Changsheng said solemnly. "First, this magical artifact is only suitable for female cultivators; neither my brother-in-law nor I can use it. Second, after today, Cheng Laosan will definitely hate us to the bone. Our two families are now practically bound together. With this artifact for protection, you'll be safer."

He paused, then said sincerely, "I will forever remember your kindness today. Please accept this hairpin as a token of our alliance."

Looking into Li Changsheng's clear and sincere eyes, and then at the exquisite hairpin in her hand, Du Liuniang finally nodded:

"Alright, then I won't stand on ceremony. If the Cheng family dares to cause trouble in the future, the Du and Li families will stand together!"

"We'll stand together!" Chen Wenyuan echoed in a deep voice.

The three of them didn't linger any longer. Chen Wenyuan, having regained some strength, went down into the pit, tied the cloud elephant's corpse with a rope, and together with Li Changsheng, pulled it out. Li Changsheng, meanwhile, held the now docile flying horse cub.

After quickly cleaning up the scene, the three of them swiftly returned to the treasure ship with their spoils.

During the journey, Li Changsheng's thoughts sank into his sea of ​​consciousness.

The Book of Destiny trembled slightly, and new information flowed through it:

[Pegasus: Early Stage 1 (10/100), with the potential to advance to Stage 2]

[Family Luck Value: 19/100]

The resentful look in Cheng Laosan's eyes flashed through Li Changsheng's mind. Still worried, he focused his thoughts on the Heavenly Book of Fortune in his sea of ​​consciousness:

"Today's divination result is clear!"