Clan Cultivation: Starting with Building an Island Immortal City

39: The clan prospers, and marriage and childbirth policiesHalf a month passed in a flash, like a white steed galloping past a crack.

Inside and outside Linhai City, the atmosphere ofSevere had completely faded, replaced by the hustle and bustle of reconstruction and a hidden, vibrant vitality.

The Li Family, with swift and decisive action, eliminated all opposing forces and annexed ownerless properties, thereby gaining complete control over all affairs big and small within and outside the city, becoming the undisputed uncrowned kings.

The matter of Clan Chief Xia Donghai’s ’martyrdom’ in Linhai City, orchestrated by the Li Family, was reported through official channels and dispatched via post horses to the distant, and likely now beleaguered, court of the Great Xing Dynasty.

However, with beacon fires raging across the Central Plains, millions of displaced people, warring feudal lords, and a weakening imperial authority, who had the leisure to concern themselves with the change of a city chief on the East Sea coast?

The official document sank into the sea, never to be heard from again.

From then on, Linhai City completely became the Li Family’s Linhai City.

On this day, inside the Li Mansion’s deliberation hall.

Li Qingshan, holding a thick stack of account books and documents, was reporting to Li Yinglong, who was seated at the head of the table.

”Father, the properties within the city originally belonging to the Lin Family, Xia Family, and their associates, including docks, shops, fleets, rural estates outside the city, and mines, have all been inventoried and taken over, registered, and incorporated into the Family’s public assets. All accounts are clear and verifiable.”

”The original managers and shop assistants have been carefully vetted, and those retained have had their contracts renewed. Reward and punishment regulations have also been promulgated and implemented. Currently, all industries are operating as usual, and morale is gradually stabilizing.”

His tone was steady and his presentation clear, revealing the competence of someone capable of handling affairs independently.

”In the previous battle, a total of thirty-seven Family guards and servants were killed or injured, with eleven severely wounded and disabled. Compensation for those who died in battle has been disbursed at double the highest rate. Their families have been prioritized for light duties within the Clan, and their children will be supported by the Clan school until adulthood. The injured have been treated by renowned physicians, with all expenses covered by public funds, ensuring proper care.”

”Here is also a list of meritorious individuals and their rewards. Please review it, Father.”

Li Qingshan presented a silk scroll filled with names and rewards.

Li Yinglong did not take it; he merely cast a fleeting glance and then waved his hand, saying:

”Since mundane affairs have been entrusted to you, you shall make the decisions. As long as rewards and punishments are fair, you need not report every single matter to me.”

His words indicated a complete delegation of authority.

Li Qingshan felt a slight warmth in his heart and respectfully replied:

”Yes, Father.”

He hesitated slightly, lowering his voice a few degrees:

”There’s one more thing... regarding my second brother, Li Qingchuan... how should he be dealt with? He’s still confined in the dungeon, what do you think...?”

Li Yinglong slightly raised his eyelids, his gaze profound:

”He harmed his own kin and brought wolves into the house; his crime is unforgivable. However, he is ultimately your and Li Changyu’s blood relative. I shall entrust this authority to Li Changyu. He shall decide how to deal with him. Tell him not to consider my reputation, but only to... act without shame in his heart.”

Li Qingshan’s body trembled slightly, instantly understanding his father’s profound meaning.

This was the final test for Li Changyu, and also for him to personally sever this twisted familial bond, achieving complete clarity of his Dao Heart.

”Son... understands.”

He bowed deeply and retreated.

That afternoon, deep within the dungeon.

Li Changyu stood alone outside the cold cell.

Inside the cell, Li Qingchuan was curled up in a corner on a pile of straw, his clothes tattered, his face gaunt, and his eyes hollow, completely devoid of his former arrogance.

Hearing footsteps, he looked up blankly. Upon seeing who it was, a strong desire to live suddenly erupted in his cloudy eyes. He scrambled to the bars, hissing:

”Rain! My son! You’ve come! You’ve come to save your father, haven’t you?!”

”Your father was wrong! Your father was deluded! Please, on your father’s behalf, beg the Clan Chief! Beg the Clan Chief to spare my life! I’m willing to be a laborer! I’m willing to never leave the mines for the rest of my life! Just please, leave me a way to live!”

He cried and pleaded bitterly, tears streaming down his face.

Li Changyu watched him quietly, his expression calm, devoid of joy or sorrow.

After a long silence, he slowly spoke, his voice so calm it was chilling:

”Father, do you know that if the Clan Chief had not returned that day, or had been even half a step late, our entire Li Family would now be scorched earth? Mother, aunts, uncles, and those old servants who watched us grow up... all would have been dismembered because of your actions?”

Li Qingchuan’s crying stopped abruptly, his face deathly pale.

”The Clan Chief has entrusted the authority to deal with you to me.”

Li Changyu continued, his gaze like ice, piercing Li Qingchuan’s heart:

”Tell me, what should I do? Should I bend the law for personal gain, pardon your crime, and chill the hearts of all who bled and sacrificed for the Family? Or should I uphold justice by eliminating a close relative, to rectify the Family law and comfort the heroic spirits?”

Li Qingchuan was struck as if by lightning, collapsing to the ground, his lips trembling, unable to utter another word.

He had never imagined that he would place his son in such a cruel dilemma.

Li Changyu closed his eyes, took a deep breath, then opened them again, his gaze now filled with resolute clarity.

He took out a Medicinal Pill bottle from his embrace and gently placed it outside the bars.

”This is a ’Dispersing Cultivation Pill’.”

”Take it, and all your cultivation will vanish, leaving you frail and sickly, but your life will be preserved.”

”I will send you to the Northern Border mines. There is a secluded estate of the Family there, where someone will look after your food and daily life. You can... live out your remaining years there.”

”This is the last filial piety I, as a son, can offer.”

With that, he did not look at Li Qingchuan again, turned, and walked away with resolute steps.

Behind him, Li Qingchuan’s desperate wails and roars faded into silence.

Li Changyu stepped out of the dungeon and looked up at the sky. The sunlight was dazzling. A flicker of moisture seemed to pass through his eyes, immediately replaced by deep resolve.

The knot in his heart was severed, his Dao Heart clear...

Time flew by, and the Lunar New Year’s Eve arrived.

Inside Linhai City, lanterns and colorful decorations adorned every street, ten thousand homes were lit, and the city buzzed with activity, sweeping away the gloom of previous days.

The gates of the Li Mansion were wide open, and along the long street in front, banquets were set up for several miles, with an endless stretch of tables and chairs.

Large woks were set up, with plump chickens, fat ducks, whole pigs, and whole lambs simmering, their aroma wafting everywhere.

White steamed buns and fine rice were plentiful, and the mellow strong liquor was available for all.

The city’s residents, villagers from the surrounding areas, and even displaced people stranded there, could all take a seat, drink heartily, and feast to their hearts’ content.

Members of the Li Family moved among them, offering diligent hospitality, creating a harmonious and warm scene.

Inside the main hall of the mansion, a grand feast was naturally held for the Clan.

Li Yinglong sat at the head table, with core Clan members and capable managers seated in order, clinking glasses, and exchanging joyful chatter.

In a corner of the main hall, a quiet table was specially set.

Loose Cultivator, Old Ghost, and Charming Lady, all dressed in clean new clothes and neatly groomed, though pale-faced, with their cultivation abolished and resembling Mortals, were invited to this table.

The dishes and wine on their table were no different from the others.

The three of them felt uneasy, silently eating with their heads down, completely out of place with the surrounding revelry.

Li Yinglong’s actions were not out of benevolence, but rather to display his magnanimity and confidence under absolute control, and also a silent deterrent.

After three rounds of drinks, the atmosphere was at its peak.

In Li Yinglong’s mind, the System’s prompt arrived as expected:

【Detected that the host has completely controlled Linhai City, the Clan’s prestige is growing daily, and the people’s hearts are aligned, greatly enhancing the Family’s prestige. Current Prestige: Dominating One Region (3000/10000)】

【Family Prestige stage elevated, received promotion reward: Clan Luck enhancement effect upgraded!】

【Original 【Enduring Clan Luck】 (Group Buff) upgraded to 【Prosperous Clan Luck】 (Group Buff)】

【Effect: 1. All Family members (including affiliated non-kin personnel) Cultivate speed increased by 15% (original 10%); 2. When Family members intermarry with other external clans, the basic probability of their offspring possessing a Spiritual Root or special constitution is permanently increased by 0.01%】

【Note: This probability is influenced by multiple factors such as the Bloodline and Aptitude of both parents, and the Spiritual Qi environment of the region. 0.01% is the basic guaranteed increase】

”0.01%!”

Even with Li Yinglong’s calm demeanor, a tempest couldn’t help but surge within his chest!

Do not underestimate this mere 0.01%!

This place was a region devoid of Spiritual Qi; for thousands of years, the probability of living beings developing a Spiritual Root was almost nonexistent!

This 0.01% was a Breakthrough from zero! A qualitative change from nothing to something!

It meant that the Li Bloodline, from this point on, truly possessed the Legacy foundation to embark on the path of Immortals!

As long as there were enough Clan members and the scope of intermarriage was wide enough, generation after generation, offspring with Spiritual Roots would surely begin to appear!

The foundation for the Family’s longevity was laid here!

After the ecstasy came an unprecedented sense of urgency and ambition.

He must seize this opportunity, vigorously encourage childbirth, widely accept excellent Bloodlines from outside families, and expand the Clan’s base population!

He abruptly raised his cup and stood up.

All eyes in the hall instantly focused on him.

”Everyone!”

His voice, echoing through the rafters, silenced all clamor.

”Today is a joyous day of reunion, and I am deeply gratified! However, the prosperity of the Family is not the result of a single time or place; it requires a long-term vision to bless future generations!”

His gaze swept across the hall, finally resting on the bustling long street outside, his voice carrying both inside and out:

”Recently, I observed the celestial phenomena at night and felt the vigorous surge of our Family’s Luck, an opportunity unprecedented in a thousand years! Therefore, I hereby promulgate new regulations, for all members of our Li Clan, regardless of direct or collateral lines, and also including all external friends who are devoted to our Li Family!”

Everyone held their breath, straining to listen.

”From this day forward, for all eligible men and women of the Clan who marry, the Family will bestow a ’Marriage and Childbirth Fund’ of one hundred taels of silver and three mu of fertile land, as a foundation for their new home!”

”When a new wife becomes pregnant, she will be given one ’Fetal Protection Pill’, and her diet during pregnancy will be cared for by designated Family personnel, with monthly nutritional subsidies!”

”Upon the birth of an heir, regardless of gender, they will be immediately recorded in the Clan register, awarded fifty taels of ’Upbringing Fund’, one hundred catties of monthly grain, and ten bolts of cotton cloth! For the first three years, there will be monthly grain subsidies!”

”If this child exhibits Cultivation talent, regardless of its quality or strength, they will be immediately promoted to a cultivation candidate, and all Clan resources will be poured into their training! Their parents will both receive generous rewards: a mansion and ten mu of fertile land!”

The three tiers of rewards, progressively escalating, from encouraging marriage, to ensuring childbirth and upbringing, and finally to the discovery and heavy reward of Geniuses, formed a complete and enticing chain of incentives!

Inside and outside the hall, there was first a moment of silence, followed by thunderous cheers!

”Clan Chief is wise!”

”Long live the Li Family!”

The Clan members themselves were overjoyed. Such strong encouragement for childbirth and generous rewards for offspring meant that their branching out was not a burden, but rather an opportunity to earn merit and rewards!

If their future offspring truly had an immortal destiny, it would be an immediate ascension!

The outsiders were even more uncontrollably excited. This meant that if they could integrate into the Li Family through marriage, their descendants would have the chance to leap through the Dragon Gate!

This was no longer a simple act of benevolence, but a gift of hope for the future!

”We respectfully obey the Clan Chief’s command!”

”Thank you, Clan Chief, for your great kindness!”

The wave of cheers swept across the entire city.

Everyone raised their cups, facing Li Yinglong, bowing sincerely, their eyes burning with fervor, their loyalty soaring to an unprecedented high.

Li Yinglong stood before the hall, receiving the adoration of thousands, his heart surging with heroic ambition.

The prosperity of the Clan begins today!