Rebuilding the Immortal Cultivator Clan

Chapter 296 - 302: Breakthrough

”Youʼre back?” Li Shiqing looked up toward Li Zhiyue, who had just pushed the door open, and asked with a smile, ”Seeing that you have returned safely puts my mind at ease.”

As for whether she had broken through her bottleneck, or why she had returned so late, he didnʼt ask.

But Li Zhiyue, upon seeing Li Shiqingʼs current state, couldnʼt help but freeze, her voice trembling as she asked, ”Uncle, whatʼs happened to you?”

”Itʼs just old age, itʼs nothing, Iʼm fine.” Though he said this, a hint of desolation still flashed in his eyes.

Li Shiqing appeared to have accepted and come to terms with his situation, but in reality, he hadnʼt; he still felt sadness and heartache, but he never had any regrets.

Li Zhiyue, of course, didnʼt believe this, but seeing that he didnʼt want to talk about it, she didnʼt press further. Instead, she said, ”Uncle, during my time away for training, I successfully broke through my bottleneck. Iʼm planning to enter seclusion soon to attempt advancing to the Golden Core Realm!”

”Great, great, great!” Li Shiqing heard this and was overjoyed, repeatedly expressing his approval, and said, ”Tomorrow weʼll gather Zhirui and the others, let them share in the joy too.”

Li Zhiyue felt a bit embarrassed; she was confident in herself, but what if? If she didnʼt make a breakthrough after a long time, it would be quite embarrassing!

”By the way, Iʼll introduce you to your Aunt Fengwu.”

”Hm?” Li Zhiyue was startled, quickly realizing and asking in surprise, ”Jiu got married?”

”Yes, just a short while ago.”

Moreover, Li Zhirui had successfully advanced to the Middle Golden Core Stage that very night, becoming the Li familyʼs first, and only, Middle Golden Core Stage cultivator!

Actually, even Li Zhirui himself hadnʼt expected to break through on the spot. He originally thought that after the dual cultivation with Jiang Fengwu on their wedding night was over, he would seriously enjoy the conjugal bliss.

But who could have anticipated that at the moment of yin and yang convergence, a strong surge of mana erupted? Both of them used all their strength to absorb this mana to strengthen themselves.

As a result, Li Zhirui advanced to the Middle Golden Core Stage, and Jiang Fengwu made further progress, saving herself years of arduous cultivation.

But letʼs get back to the point!

After they had talked a bit, Li Zhiyue took her leave, thinking it over, she didnʼt rush home but instead went to find Li Shiting, wanting to understand why Li Shiqing had changed to such a state.

Once she learned the ins and outs of the situation, she fell into a prolonged silence, her thoughts unsettled.

”Itʼs up to you now to diligently cultivate and seek vengeance for your second uncle,” Mrs. Tingʼs reassuring voice carried a hint of bitterness.

Perhaps she truly wasnʼt destined for the Golden Core; despite years of attempting every method available, she had not had a single breakthrough inspiration or opportunity, and she could only watch helplessly as the younger generation surpassed her.

”Mrs. Ting, are you giving up?” Li Zhiyue responded quickly, hastily saying, ”You could travel more; maybe youʼll encounter an opportunity for a breakthrough.”

”Mm,” Li Shiting acknowledged with a sound, but it didnʼt ignite any hope in her desolate heart, and she forced a smile, ”Alright, youʼve just come back, so hurry home and rest.”

The next day, in the familyʼs grand hall, Li Zhiyue met her new Aunt Fengwu—Jiang Fengwu, and feeling the depth of the otherʼs cultivation, surprise arose in her heart. Now understanding why Li Shiqing was so happy, everything became clear.

Marrying a Golden Core cultivator and gaining an additional Golden Core for the family out of nowhere—how could he not be happy?

”This time, Zhiyue has returned to attempt to advance to the Golden Core, so the family will allocate a Spirit Cave for her use...” Li Shiqing pronounced lightly, looking to the head of the hall.

”What!?”

”Zhiyue is about to breakthrough!”

”Itʼs truly a joyful occasion.”

Others, upon hearing this news, immediately started whispering among themselves, creating an especially lively scene.

”No problem, when the time comes, Iʼll protect you, ensuring you wonʼt be affected by any external disturbances,” Li Zhirui promised with a smile.

”Right, I almost forgot to introduce you. This is my Dao companion Jiang Fengwu, and this is my clan sister Li Zhiyue.”

”Greetings, sister-in-law!” Li Zhiyue politely offered her respects, then asked, ”Should I breakthrough at home? What if Yuanming Sect interferes?”

”Donʼt worry, Yuanming Sect has become a thing of the past, vanished with the wind. Now, the Li family rules Yunping State!” Li Shiqing gave her a brief rundown of the situation,

After that, the group discussed several other matters. Since most people were already gathered, it didnʼt matter to hold a meeting right then and there.

The most important amongst these matters was the planning of an auction!

The reason for this was to attract cultivators from other places to participate, to acquire a large number of Spirit Stones, and perhaps even to take the opportunity to collect some precious Spiritual Objects.

However, this couldnʼt be rushed, as the Li family didnʼt yet have any Spiritual Objects impressive enough to offer. They would need to accumulate them gradually.

As everyone dispersed, Li Zhirui gave Li Zhiyue a Jade Slip, saying, ”This contains my insights on Core Formation. After you return, donʼt rush into seclusion to breakthrough; contemplate it thoroughly first.”

”Of course, these are just my insights, they may not prove effective for you. Also, donʼt rely too heavily on these insights, and donʼt let them influence you too much.”

”Thank you, Uncle Jiu.”

”Weʼre family, thereʼs no need for thanks,” Li Zhirui said, then left with Jiang Fengwu.

The couple was currently busy with a matter, that is, finding a skill that best suited Jiang Fengwuʼs talents.

As for how to find it? The approach was simple: trace the pattern to find the horse. For instance, in talisman making, observe whether she made significant improvements with each attempt. If so, that indicated her talent was not bad, and she could continue down that path.

Jiang Fengwu wanted to choose a skill primarily because Li Zhirui persuaded her, or more precisely, because she was deeply attracted to the Spirit Stones involved in the skills!

Jiang Fengwu, who came from the background of a Loose Cultivator, had a fixation on Spirit Stones and was averse to having Li Zhirui pay for everything.

Among these, Alchemy was the fastest way to make money, and with Li Zhiruiʼs guidance, Jiang Fengwu quite favored it, starting to refine Spirit Pills with great enthusiasm.

Unfortunately, she lacked talent in Alchemy.

She could refine first-tier Spirit Pills solely based on her cultivation in the Golden Core Realm, but even so, both the quantity and quality of the Spirit Pills were rather mediocre.

After trying Artifact Refining, talisman making, Beast Taming, and even cultivation, the couple explored these skills, only to find that Jiang Fengwu did not show any particular talent in them either.

If one really had to say, her talent in talisman making was relatively better. If all else failed, she could opt to become a Talisman Maker, lay a solid foundation for a few years, and then gradually improve. With Li Shiqingʼs guidance, perhaps she could become a third-order Talisman Maker.

”No worries, thereʼs still Formation, and besides, there are other lesser-known skills,” Li Zhirui comforted her immediately, seeing the look of disappointment on Jiang Fengwuʼs face.

”Am I useless, really dumb? I canʼt learn anything,” Jiang Fengwu, once proud and confident among Loose Cultivators, having been shaken by recent experiences, was starting to doubt herself.