Rebuilding the Immortal Cultivator Clan

"The public third-tier Secret Realm in Green Mountain State is about to open. What are your plans regarding this?"

For this matter, Li Shiqing summoned Li Zhixuan, Li Chenghuo, Li Chenglin, Li Chengwu, and Li Darong, who had a Golden Core breakthrough a year ago, to discuss it together.

Li Zhirui was also present, but he only sat on the side, listening, without intending to give any opinions.

At this point, two years had passed since Li Chenghua's failure to break through to the Golden Core.

His failure had delivered a heavy blow to the family members at the time.

Fortunately, Li Darong's successful breakthrough had uplifted spirits, dissipating the dark cloud that had loomed over the family.

Influenced by this, two members of the family in the late Foundation Establishment stage began secluded cultivation to attempt the Golden Core breakthrough, including the previous Clan Leader, Li Dayuan.

If they succeeded, then the number of Golden Core cultivators in the Li family would exceed the double digits for the first time!

In addition, the overall strength of the family had improved significantly over these two years, especially those who had returned from Green Mountain State, who had generally made progress.

However, Jiang Fengwu and Li Zhiyue, whom Li Zhirui had always been concerned about, still showed no signs of breakthrough. It was uncertain when they would see the hope of a breakthrough.

As long as one of them succeeded, the Li family wouldn't have to worry about Shen Leishan eyeing them covetously.

On the other hand, Li Zhirui paid special attention to the child who possessed the Xun Wind Spirit Body, Li Xianxun. Having just completed three years of study at the Spirit Wisdom Court, he was ready to begin formal cultivation. Li Zhirui sought him out to ask for his opinion.

Having spent three years at the Spirit Wisdom Court, Li Xianxun naturally knew Li Zhirui's identity. Even when facing him alone, although he was a bit nervous, he did not shrink back.

When faced with Li Zhirui's question, Li Xianxun was very calm and directly inquired about the strengths and weaknesses of the Wanling Sutra and the Taiyi Scudding Wind Path Scripture.

Although the children of the Profound Origin Realm generally matured early, someone like him was still rare. However, Li Zhirui was very satisfied, feeling that he was very good. He patiently pointed out the differences and pros and cons of the two cultivation techniques.

"I choose the Taiyi Scudding Wind Path Scripture," Li Xianxun declared, after careful consideration.

Even though the cultivation technique was incomplete, it still contained methods up until the early Nascent Soul stage, which could fully meet his current needs. If necessary, he could complete it later on.

Besides that, there was also the disadvantage of not enjoying direct guidance from the elders and having to explore on his own.

But the benefits were also very clear, firstly, the Taiyi Scudding Wind Path Scripture was the cultivation technique most suited to his Spirit Body, its cultivation speed only slightly inferior to the Heavenly Spiritual Root.

Secondly, none of his legitimate elders were cultivators! In other words, if he wanted to obtain resources, besides the monthly distribution from the family, he could only earn them himself.

As is well known, cultivating a Spirit Beast is not a cheap affair.

And the best the family could offer him was a third-tier Spirit Beast. Want to contract a fourth-tier Spirit Beast? Unless you have a father like Li Zhirui, it's almost impossible.

For those with lower cultivation levels, or those members who lack great ambition, a third-tier Spirit Beast was already completely sufficient. But Li Xianxun's goal was Ascension!

Therefore, a third-tier Spirit Beast was an obstacle to him.

After all, improving a Spirit Beast's bloodline rank was not an easy task. Even Li Zhirui, with his many opportunities, could not do it easily, let alone others?

Li Zhirui did not offer advice on Li Xianxun's decision, but rather directly transmitted the Qi Cultivation Realm technique to him and said, "If you have any questions about cultivation in the future, you can visit Preaching Institute Room No. 12 on the first and fifteenth day of the lunar month at the hour of Chen. I will be there to impart teachings and resolve your doubts."

The group of youths emerging from the Spirit Wisdom Court ultimately numbered a little over thirty who chose cultivation techniques other than the Wanling Sutra, with the majority being sword cultivators.

However, among these individuals, except for Li Xianxun, the talents of the others were rather ordinary, especially those influenced by Li Zhixuan; their chances of breaking through into Foundation Establishment were slim.

——

But back to the point!

The third-level secret realm Li Shiqing spoke of, being public property, had no Boundary Array set up, and it would appear automatically every two hundred years, allowing cultivators to enter at will.

Of course, this so-called "at will" was merely a figure of speech—in reality, the decision still lay with the three great powers of the original Spiritual Cloud Sect.

"According to the information obtained from the Spiritual Cloud Sect, this secret realm known as Green Wood does contain quite a few precious spiritual objects. I think it's worth entering for some experience," Li Zhixuan, as an elder, was the first to speak.

"Indeed, our family now has quite a number of Golden Core cultivators. Once we find each other in the secret realm, we would undoubtedly represent a significant force."

Individuals like Li Chenglin, Li Chengwu, and others were very enthusiastic about this secret realm.

The main reason was that they felt the spiritual objects were not satisfactory when refining their life-bound magic treasures and were taking this opportunity to see if they could secure better ones.

"Since you all are so eager, it wouldn't be right for me to refuse. Once we enter the secret realm, be extra cautious and make it a priority to meet up with our clan members," Li Shiqing prattled on extensively.

But for someone as conservative as him to take a rare leap of courage was surprising, as he actually agreed to let all the Golden Core members of the clan participate in this exploration of the secret realm.

Others might not have felt anything amiss, but Li Zhirui sensed something unusual. When everyone went their separate ways to prepare, he asked with doubt, "Uncle, why are you willing to let everyone enter the secret realm?"

"I'm old and don't have many years left to live. With the clan flourishing so well, I fear inadvertently ruining everything, so I've been thinking of preserving our achievements."

"But Zhixuan and the rest are still young! They have endless potential, and I shouldn't hold them back because of my own timidity."

Li Shiqing's insight was largely influenced by the return from the Spiritual Cloud Sect.

The scene of clan members advancing in their cultivation after their return deeply stirred Li Shiqing and led him to continually re-evaluate his own approaches.

Thus, this time, he decided to let go and allow them to make their own decisions.

Li Zhirui remained silent, unsure of what to say. Although Li Shiqing had consumed a life-extending spiritual object and gained an extra sixty years of life, he was once again showing signs of age.

"I believe you can lead the clan towards a bright future!"

"We will! We definitely will!" Li Zhirui said with utter certainty.

With him, Li Zhixuan, Li Chengsheng, Li Xianxun, and so many clanspeople striving for the growth and prosperity of the family, how could the Li family not become more prosperous and thriving!

Time in the mountains passed unknowingly, and in the blink of an eye, the day before the secret realm opened arrived.

Leading the expedition this time was still Li Zhirui.

After all, this was a resource-rich third-level secret realm, and there was no guarantee that people wouldn't harbor malicious intentions, so for safety, it was necessary to have a powerful individual in charge.