Rebuilding the Immortal Cultivator Clan

Chapter 105:6

”Finally back!” Li Zhirui sighed with deep emotion as he gazed upon Da Rong Island before him.

The exchange meeting had just ended, and Li Zhirui set off to leave the Yuanming Sect immediately, as did the other three alchemists.

The exchange meeting, which he had held in high hopes, underwent an unexpected change due to the sudden appearance of a first-stage Alchemist.

Even though Zhu did not give a perfunctory talk and shared his understanding of alchemy, the other four merely spoke briefly and the meeting was hastily concluded.

They were wary of the Yuanming Sectʼs strength and did not want to openly offend them, but they were also not willing to share their insights and experience to help train someone elseʼs disciples.

However, as Li Zhirui left Yuanming Mountain, he invited those two Loose Cultivators to visit Da Rong Island as guests. He genuinely wanted to engage with other alchemists to discuss the Tao of Alchemy and see if there were any gains to be made.

Upon returning to his clan, the first thing Li Zhirui did was to check on the clanʼs recent situation. Finding that everything was developing normally and that the Black Insect Plague had not affected the clan, he felt relieved and proceeded to contemplate the reformulation of the Hundred Herbs Pill.

Time hurried by, and with the rising and setting of the sun, three months had slipped away.

”Big brother has been in seclusion for over four months now, how come thereʼs still no sign of activity?” Li Zhirui said with a worried tone.

Li Shilianʼs brows were tightly knitted. He too was concerned about this matter, and since last month, he had occasionally come to check the situation.

If it werenʼt for the clear sensation of Li Zhizhunʼs presence and life force within the room, he would have thought of breaking through the formation.

But unbeknownst to them, Li Zhizhun didnʼt start cultivating with the Foundation Establishment Pill immediately after he got it. Instead, he first aided his Contracted Spirit Beast, the Liquor Monkey, in breaking through to the later stages of Qi Cultivation. Only then did he begin his own cultivation.

He had done this hoping that the Liquor Monkey would also advance in strength along with his breakthrough, reaching the eighth level of Qi Cultivation to save several years of time and resources, making it quicker to break through to the second tier.

Although Li Zhizhun knew that he would have little opportunity to go out and experience the outside world in the future, he did not give up on the pursuit of his own strength.

”Maybe Zhizhun is...” Li Shiren had just started to speak to change the subject when he sharply noticed a change within the room.

Spiritual Energy was surging towards them, forming a small Spirit Qi Vortex above the room, providing more Spiritual Energy for Li Zhizhunʼs breakthrough. It seemed, however, that even more Spiritual Energy was needed.

Not everyone has as many Spirit Stones as Li Zhirui, but fortunately, Li Zhizhun had the backing of his family, so he didnʼt need to worry about a breakthrough failure due to a lack of Spiritual Energy.

”Shiren, quick, adjust the formation and draw the Spiritual Energy over here!” Li Shilian said excitedly.

Li Shiren also wore an expression of joy and promptly took out the Clan Protection Arrayʼs Array Plate. Through some manipulation, he drew even more Spiritual Energy from farther away.

This was indicative of the Li familyʼs limited resources; in a more profound and resource-rich force, there would be no need for such measures as simply allowing the Cultivator to enter a Spirit Cave for seclusion would suffice.

Creating a Spirit Cave is a method both Earth Masters and Array Masters can learn, which allows for the construction of one or more chambers with denser Spiritual Energy, depending on the Spirit Veinʼs conditions.

Besides man-made Spirit Caves, there are also natural Spirit Caves within each Spirit Vein. The second-tier Spirit Vein belonging to the Li Family land had one, situated behind the hall where Li Shiqing was in seclusion.

As for the Spirit Caves of the other three Spirit Veins, they were all planted with relatively precious second-tier Spiritual Medicines and could not be made available for clan membersʼ seclusion.

Li Zhirui and the other two waited outside for several hours, finally sensing the dispersal of the Spiritual Energy. Shortly after, a surge of pressure, not yet well-controlled due to the recent breakthrough, emanated from the room!

”He made it!” Li Zhirui exclaimed happily.

Actually, from the moment the Spirit Qi Vortex appeared, the breakthrough was all but guaranteed, as it was the harbinger of Mana transforming into liquid.

”The sixth Foundation Establishment Cultivator!” Tears sparkled in Li Shilianʼs eyes. Before that mining vein conflict, the Li family already had six Foundation Establishment cultivators, and now, after more than a hundred years, they had finally regained their original numbers!

Although, in overall strength, there was still much to be desired, at least in terms of high-end combat power, there were no significant differences anymore!

And within less than a decade, Li Zhiyue, the familyʼs genius, would also make his breakthrough in Foundation Establishment!

If Li Shiqing succeeded in advancing to the Golden Core realm, then the strength of the Li family would reach an unprecedented peak since the establishment of the clan!

”Iʼm really looking forward to that day!” Li Shilian murmured wistfully.

The news of Li Zhizhunʼs breakthrough spread quickly within the family, and all the members were joyful, as the stronger the family was, the better they could protect them.

To make the family even happier, Li Zhirui, with a grand gesture, prepared to hold a family banquet, just like he did when he had his own breakthrough.

Li Shilian looked at Li Zhirui, who seemed eager to cast off his responsibilities as Clan Leader, and shook his head helplessly. Everyone had their own aspirations, and he couldnʼt force him.

And with Li Zhiruiʼs talent and flair, he indeed should not be hindered by the familyʼs trifles. He should be aiming for higher realms, leading the family to broader horizons!

About half a month later.

Li Zhizhun, having solidified his realm, formally emerged from seclusion. As he looked at his reflection in the mirror, he couldnʼt help but smile, knowing he would maintain this appearance for the next century or so, aging only when nearing the end of his lifespan.

”Big brother, congratulations on your Foundation Establishment breakthrough!”

On that day, Li Zhirui was unusually handling family affairs in the main hall. The moment Li Zhizhun entered, he was spotted by him. A sincere, brilliant smile crossed his face as he congratulated earnestly.

”Youʼre actually in the main hall?” Li Zhizhun feigned surprise.

After he came out of seclusion, based on what he knew of Li Zhiruiʼs character, he immediately went to his courtyard, but found no one there. Upon inquiring, he learned that Li Zhirui was dealing with matters in the main hall and had been doing so not just that day but every day recently.

”Hahahaha, even though Iʼm about to step down, I want to do a good job until the end, to leave a better family for you, big brother!” Li Zhirui laughed heartily.

During this period, Li Zhirui had been reviewing the family chronicle and the stories of heroic deeds he had ordered to be recorded, making sure there werenʼt any issues.

”Big brother, take a look at these two books.” Li Zhirui continued to explain the purpose behind his actions.

As Li Zhizhun flipped through the books and listened to Li Zhiruiʼs explanation, he couldnʼt help nodding continuously, commending, ”This is a great idea, it can enhance the cohesiveness of the family, as well as the membersʼ sense of identity with and pride in our family!”

Li Zhirui was taken aback. After the reactions of the other Elders, he hadnʼt thought Li Zhizhun would understand it, but now it seemed he might have underestimated his elder brother!

”Moreover, these two books can also be placed in the schools outside, to strengthen ordinary peopleʼs sense of belonging to the family.”

”Especially those outsiders, we must increase their recognition of and belonging to the family, so their descendants can be of our family both in body and spirit!” Li Zhizhun pointed out something that Li Zhirui had overlooked.

Indoctrination from a young age...

Li Zhirui couldnʼt help but remark, ”Big brother truly is more suited to handle these affairs than I am!”