Clan Cultivation: Starting with Building an Island Immortal City

17: First visit to Ling Island, carelessness and miscalculationSeveral days of sailing passed in a flash.

Between the sea and sky, the mist grew thicker.

After several days of getting used to things, the young people on the ship were no longer as awkward as they were at first.

Under the coordination of Li Changyu and the leadership of Li Changyun, three groups rotated, hoisting sails, cooking, keeping watch, and recording; occasionally there was a flurry of activity, but they gradually got on track.

Cleaning the deck, tidying the ropes, preparing meals, and taking turns on night watch—everything was orderly.

After the initial chaos and adjustment, the ten young men and women had less of the bewilderment they felt when leaving home and more composure and capability.

During this time, they encountered a storm with slight waves, but everyone worked together to stabilize the ship, avoiding any real danger.

On this day, the sky was still dark, and the sea fog was particularly heavy.

Li Yinglong, who usually kept to himself, suddenly appeared outside the cabin.

He gathered everyone on the deck and pointed towards the deep mist ahead:

”The destination is almost here.”

Everyone’s spirits lifted, and they strained their eyes to look, but they only saw a vast expanse of white mist churning, making it impossible to distinguish between sea and sky; there was no place to land.

Li Changyun couldn’t help but wonder:

”Clan Chief, it’s all fog around us, no land to be seen...”

The other young people also exchanged glances.

Li Yinglong did not explain, only ordered Li Changyu to steer the ship directly into the mist.

The bow of the ship cut through the calm sea, plunging into the thick fog.

Instantly, the surrounding light dimmed, the temperature seemed to drop a few degrees, and the damp, cold mist enveloped them. They could only hear the sound of the ship breaking through the waves and their own slightly tense breaths.

Everyone instinctively drew closer, vigilantly watching the vast expanse of white around them.

After sailing for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the fog ahead suddenly thinned.

The next moment, the ship lurched violently, as if passing through an invisible barrier.

The view suddenly opened up!

A majestic, enormous island, like a sleeping ancient beast, abruptly crashed into everyone’s sight without warning!

In the center of the island, a dark brown volcanic peak, shaped like an overturned cauldron, pierced the clouds, its Aura imposing.

Nearby were white sandy beaches, and in the distance, dense, lush jungles, utterly different from the emptiness seen from outside.

”What?!”

All the young people collectively gasped, looking back in horror.

They saw that the path they had come from was completely swallowed by an impossibly thick, milky white mist, leaving no trace of sea or sky.

The mist rolled, as if alive, embracing the giant island, making it completely ”disappear” from the outside world.

”It’s a mirage, combined with the thick fog unique to this sea area, nothing to be surprised about.”

Li Yinglong’s voice sounded at the right moment, casually attributing everyone’s shock and confusion to a natural phenomenon, dismissing it with a single stroke.

Although everyone was inwardly horrified, hearing the Clan Chief’s words, they could only suppress their surprise and doubt, not daring to think too deeply.

The ship sailed to a shallow area dotted with reefs, unable to proceed further.

Anchor dropped, ship docked.

Two small boats were lowered, and everyone, in batches, transported the ship’s supplies, weapons, and the ten young people onto the island one by one.

Stepping onto solid ground, feeling an atmosphere distinctly different from that at sea, the young people curiously and cautiously surveyed this future ”Family Foundation.”

Li Yinglong, however, did not give them much time to adapt.

His gaze swept over everyone, finally settling on the distant, hazy outline of the volcano.

”Although this place is where our enterprise will be established, its development will not be easy.”

”Our landing site is at the foot of that volcano. The path there is deep with forests and dense with grass, far from an easy road. The insects and beasts within, long exposed to the anomalous Qi of the overseas region, have mostly mutated, and their ferocity far exceeds anything you have seen in your daily lives.”

”The old man and Qingzhu will go ahead first, transporting essential supplies to the foothills to select a site and establish a temporary camp. As for you all...”

He pointed to the pile of weapons and satchels left behind:

”Take these arms, fresh water, and food, and find your own way here.”

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone’s expressions changed.

Find their own way? A new test?

Li Yinglong’s tone grew colder:

”This island may seem peaceful, but it harbors hidden dangers. Many creatures in the forest, under the sand, and in the mountain streams, affected by the unique Qi of this place... have undergone mutations, and their ferocity far surpasses ordinary wild beasts from the outside world. How strong they are, you will have to experience for yourselves.”

”The road ahead is perilous. Make your own choices, support each other... or each seek to survive. Whether you can arrive is up to fate; life or death, it matters not.”

Having said that, he no longer gave them another glance. He and Li Qingzhu, who had been silently observing, each took their supplies and, with a few leaps, disappeared into the dense jungle not far away.

Only the children were left, looking at each other.

After a brief silence, Li Changxuan was the first to step forward, grabbing a thick-backed mountain-chopping saber, his brows filled with arrogance and confidence:

”A mere wilderness, what’s there to fear! Is the Clan Chief perhaps tricking us?”

”They’re just some beasts that drink blood and eat raw meat, perfect for testing my blade!”

Li Changyun stepped forward almost simultaneously, picking up his Family heirloom overlord spear:

”The Clan Chief is right, one must always walk their own path! How could mere beasts stump us martial artists?”

He had the best Foundation and the most solid grounding in the Family’s martial arts, full of confidence.

Thunder Frost silently checked a hard bow and two quivers of arrows, her movements crisp and efficient.

With these three strongest in martial prowess leading the way, the others’ fear greatly diminished.

They were all elites of the Li Family, having practiced martial arts since childhood, and hunting in the mountains around Linhai City was a common occurrence for them. They only thought this time would be more difficult; how could they truly fear wild beasts?

Li Changyu and Li Changyue exchanged glances. Although they felt the Clan Chief’s words might not be a simple scare tactic and had a faint sense of unease, seeing everyone’s high spirits, they found it inconvenient to say more, lest they dampen morale. They could only silently step forward to distribute and check the supplies.

Stone Iron Pillar hoisted a heavy, iron-bound wooden shield, his honest face full of seriousness.

Lin Xiaowan and Li Changxue also each chose a light short blade for self-defense.

Even the most timid, Li Changxing, picked up a short staff under Li Changyu’s encouraging gaze.

”Let’s go!”

Li Changxuan swung his long saber, taking the lead.

Li Changyun held his spear, guarding the flank, while Thunder Frost silently leaped onto a high rock, her sharp gaze sweeping into the depths of the forest ahead.

The team began to advance into the island.

At first, although the trees were dense, there was nothing unusual.

The air was filled with a strange, fresh scent of plants and a faint smell of sulfur, which slightly invigorated their spirits.

After walking for about half an hour, the view suddenly opened up, revealing a vast beach before them.

Waves gently lapped the shore, and the scenery was pleasant.

”Look! Crabs!”

Li Changyun suddenly pointed at a few small crabs crawling on the beach and laughed:

”They’re quite big, perfect for catching and roasting for a snack!”

The shells of those crabs had an unusual bluish-black sheen, and although they were only slightly larger than ordinary sea crabs, the patterns on their carapaces already looked ferocious.

Li Changxuan sneered:

”Is that worth making a fuss over? Watch me!”

With that, he was about to step forward, eager to claim the first credit.

But Thunder Frost was faster than him!

Her eyes were sharp, and she had already nocked an arrow and drawn her bow.

”Whoosh!”

An arrow pierced the air, precisely pinning a crab to the sand, its legs still struggling.

”Good archery!”

”Sister Shuang is amazing!”

Everyone cheered in unison.

Li Changxuan’s face darkened slightly, as if he felt his thunder had been stolen. He snorted and strode forward:

”Hmph! Catch a few more, wouldn’t soup be even better?”

Li Changyun also laughed:

”Just right to replenish everyone’s strength.”

Saying this, he was about to call a few people to go forward together.

The young people, their spirits relaxed, gathered around, chatting and laughing, just like on a hunting outing.

Only Li Changyu frowned slightly, his gaze sweeping over the seemingly random holes on the beach, then looking towards the larger shadows vaguely visible under the distant reefs. The unease in his heart suddenly amplified.

He urgently shouted:

”Wait! Something’s wrong here! Don’t scatter!”

His words had barely fallen!

”Crack!”

The sand beneath Li Changxuan’s feet suddenly collapsed!

A bluish-black crab claw, almost the size of a millstone and resembling giant shears, broke out of the sand, bringing with it a foul wind, aiming directly for his ankle!

At the same time, the surrounding sand began to churn as if boiling!

Dozens of mutated giant crabs of varying sizes, with ferocious carapaces and red glowing eyes, burst out of the sand.

Their claws opened and closed, looking menacing, launching a furious encirclement attack from all directions on these unwelcome guests!

”Oh my god! What the hell! Have these crabs turned into spirits?!”

In that instant, the world was suddenly overturned before the eyes of these young people!