Clan Cultivation: Starting with Building an Island Immortal City

40: Mission complete, building unlockedThe clamor and excitement of the New Year’s Eve banquet gradually subsided with the passing of the midnight hour.

Inside Linhai City, ten thousand lamps still glowed, and the lingering scent of wine and meat had not yet dispersed, but the core members of the Li Family had already gone their separate ways to rest, or remained steadfastly at their posts, patrolling the city and comforting the displaced.

In the study within the manor, the lamp burned brightly. Li Yinglong sat alone at his desk. Occasionally, the sporadic sound of firecrackers drifted in from outside the window, making the room seem even more tranquil.

He was not immersed in the glory of the myriad obeisances at the banquet just now, nor did he ponder too much the profound impact brought by the “Family Fortune Prosperity”.

His mind was calm, and his consciousness had subtly delved into the depths of his Sea of Consciousness, communicating with the System that had been silent for a moment.

[”Detected that the host has successfully promulgated and implemented the new policy of encouraging intermarriage and childbirth, greatly enhancing the internal cohesion and external attractiveness of the Family. The loyalty and sense of belonging of the Family members have significantly increased, meeting the deep requirements of ’What the People Desire’.”]

[”Mission Three: What the People Desire, Completed.”]

[”Family Rise Series Foundation Missions (three in total) have all been completed.”]

[”Overall Mission Rating: A-minus. The host successfully led the Family to complete the three major goals of Bloodline Awakening, Foundation Establishment of the Enterprise, and People’s Cohesion within the time limit, initially realizing the strategic transformation from a mundane aristocratic Family to a Cultivation Family.”]

[”Based on mission completion, the final reward is issued:”]

[”1. ’Spirit Concealing Mist Array (Elementary)’ has been permanently activated from its trial version. Current energy source: Low Grade Spiritual Vein (Nascent Stage). Concealment effect: Continuously effective against spiritual sense probing below the Golden Core Stage. Maintenance cost: Self-supplied by the Spiritual Vein, no additional input required.”]

[”2. Unlocked three basic Family building blueprints: [Dao Inquiry Hall], [Hundred Herbs Hall], [Hundred Artifacts Workshop] blueprints, along with detailed construction explanations and key points for Talismanic Inscription, have been issued to the System space. The host can access and review them at any time.”]

A series of cold and clear prompts sounded in Li Yinglong’s mind.

Even with his steady temperament, a hint of joy couldn’t help but flash in his eyes.

It’s done!

After nearly half a year, step by step, these three missions crucial to the Family’s Foundation were finally perfectly accomplished!

Especially the permanent activation of the Spirit Concealing Mist Array, which was like adding the most crucial insurance to the nascent Spiritual Vein enterprise on the isolated overseas island. From then on, they could develop with peace of mind, without constantly worrying about external prying eyes.

With a slight thought, three scroll illusions, neither silk nor paper, densely covered with profound runes and intricate structural diagrams, slowly unfolded in his consciousness, every detail clearly visible.

[Dao Inquiry Hall]: To be built at a Spiritual Vein node or a place where Spiritual Qi gathers. The main body needs to be made primarily of ’Azure Condensation Stone’ and ’Spirit Gathering Wood’. It contains a ’Small Spirit Gathering Array’ rune sequence, which can slightly increase the Spiritual Qi concentration within the hall, aiding cultivation. It also has several ’Quiet Rooms’ with ’Calming Heart Runes’ carved on the walls, which can assist in secluded cultivation, reduce the disturbance of Heart Demons, and be slightly beneficial when breaking through minor Realms.

[Hundred Herbs Hall]: Needs to be near a water source and a spiritual field herb garden. The structure needs to use ’Anti-corrosion Wood’ and ’Dust-purifying Rock’. It contains subdivisions such as ’Spirit-Nourishing Soil Beds’, ’Quenching Liquid Pools’, and ’Shady Drying Chambers’. Basic runes like ’Growth Promotion’, ’Anti-corrosion’, and ’Dew Gathering’ are embedded in the walls, which can optimize the preservation of spiritual plants, preliminary processing, and the environment for trial production of Low Grade Medicinal Pills.

[Hundred Artifacts Workshop]: Must draw from an underground fire branch or establish a ’Fire Gathering Array’ as its core. Built with ’Fire-resistant Bricks’ and ’Obsidian’ as its Foundation. Subdivisions include ’Forging Platforms’, ’Quenching Pools’, and ’Talisman Drawing Rooms’. Attached are basic rune arrays like ’Stable Earth Fire’, ’Sharp Metal and Stone’, and ’Constant Temperature Spirit Ink’, which can meet the needs for rough refining of Low Grade Magical Artifacts, Talisman drawing, and preliminary mineral refining.

The detailed blueprints were exhaustive, even marking the approximate material consumption required and the key points for inscribing various basic runes and the techniques for infusing spiritual power.

Li Yinglong carefully ”read” them, understanding everything in his heart.

These three buildings were precisely the foundational facilities the Family most urgently needed at present!

The Dao Inquiry Hall could accelerate the Disciples’ cultivation, the Hundred Herbs Hall could effectively utilize the semi-spiritual plants on the island, and the Hundred Artifacts Workshop could process the Yao Beast Materials obtained from hunting and attempt to refine Talismans and even simple Magical Artifacts.

The System’s gift was truly a timely help, just right.

”When I return to the island, I will immediately begin construction according to the blueprints. Azure Condensation Stone, Anti-corrosion Wood, and other Materials might be partially available at the Linhai City dock warehouses. For what’s lacking, I need to procure them quickly from surrounding cities and counties...”

He instantly began to plan the procurement of building Materials and the sequence of construction in his mind.

However, amidst the joy, a more realistic and urgent problem arose.

Having a hall without techniques was like having a pot without rice.

Even if the Hundred Herbs Hall had the ability to preserve spirits and prevent corrosion, without Pill Formulas, medicinal theories, and refining methods, Lin Xiaowan and others could only sigh helplessly at the ”sea soul moss” and other items, at most performing crude drying and grinding, unable to utilize them fully.

Even if the Hundred Artifacts Workshop had earth fire runes, without Artifact Refining techniques and Talisman drawing diagrams, Li Changxuan and others, with only Yao Beast Materials and a passionate heart, could only gaze at the furnace with a sigh, at most forging some mundane weapons.

Although the quiet rooms and calming heart runes of the Dao Inquiry Hall were good, the Disciples only Cultivated the Evergreen Art, a basic Cultivation Technique, and their spell techniques consisted of only one set of Five Elements Spirit Control Art, making their methods singular and lacking inSubsequent power.

”A clever housewife cannot cook without rice...”

Li Yinglong lightly tapped the table with his knuckles, muttering to himself.

The Family’s Foundation was too shallow, and its accumulation of Cultivation knowledge was almost nonexistent.

Relying solely on a nascent Spiritual Vein and a single Evergreen Art, they might be able to Cultivate a few Qi Refinement Stage Cultivators, but if they wanted to truly establish themselves and even develop long-term, various arts such as pills, artifacts, Talismans, formations, and spells were indispensable.

This knowledge could never be obtained by working in isolation.

At this point, his thoughts naturally turned to the three Cultivators imprisoned deep in the dungeon—Loose Cultivator, Old Ghost, and Charming Lady.

Their previous words resurfaced in his mind.

”Market... Thousand Mechanisms Hundred Know Sect...”

”Within those ’markets’ where Cultivators gather to exchange goods and communicate, there must be the classics and methods I seek!”

”Even if they are just some basic Pill Formulas, introductory Artifact Refining techniques, or Low Grade Talisman diagrams, they would be enough to solve my immediate problems and lay the initial Foundation for the Family’s various arts!”

His mind made up, his gaze suddenly sharpened.

Going out to explore was imperative!

Not only to solve the Family’s urgent need for various techniques, but also to verify the secrets of the so-called ”Spirit-Severing Land” and the ”Three Immortals Sect,” and even more, to open a channel for the Family’s future to interact with the outside world and acquire resources!

Secluded cultivation on an isolated island was not a long-term solution after all.

Immediately, he composed himself and began to calmly plan the details of this trip.

The first priority was the selection of personnel.

The Foundation of the overseas isolated island was newly established, requiring a strong person to oversee it to prevent unforeseen circumstances.

Li Qingzhu’s cultivation had reached the Fourth Level of Qi Refining. She was meticulous in thought, steady, and reliable. Having her stay on the island to manage the overall situation and supervise the construction of the three halls was most suitable.

Lin Xiaowan needed to tend to the herb garden and delve into medicinal theories, so it was not appropriate for her to move lightly.

Disciples like Li Changxuan and Li Changyun were at a crucial stage of Cultivation, and their combat experience was still shallow. The situation in the market was unclear, and taking them there rashly might cause trouble.

”It seems I must go alone this time.”

Li Yinglong made his decision.

His own Qi Refining Third Layer Perfection, if he could make a Breakthrough soon to the Fourth Level of Qi Refining, would be sufficient to handle general situations. Coupled with his experience from two lives, his Jianghu experience was seasoned, and he was cautious enough to handle matters, making it easier to act alone.

Next were the route and identity.

The ”route Jade Slips” found on Loose Cultivator and the others, which marked the locations of nearby markets and simple routes, now came in handy.

He took out the white Jade Slip he had obtained from Loose Cultivator and slowly immersed his spiritual sense into it.

A slightly blurry map, with several glowing points marking directions, appeared in his mind.

The closest market to Linhai City was to the southwest, across the Southern Foothills mountain range, about two thousand li away, in a marginal area called ”Blackwater Swamp,” named ”Marsh North Market.”

”Blackwater Swamp... I’ve heard it’s a vast marsh bordering the Hundred Clans of the Southern Border, with complex terrain, pervasive miasma, and few human traces. Setting up a market here is indeed a good place to avoid attention.”

Li Yinglong pondered for a moment and decided to make this his first choice.

As for his identity... ”A Loose Cultivator from overseas, who accidentally obtained a Legacy and has just embarked on the Dao, going to the market to exchange for some Cultivation resources.”

The reason was sufficient and natural, not easily arousing suspicion.

Finally, there was the preparation of supplies.

Gathering the supplies from several qiankun bags, there were no less than a hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones, as well as various Talismanic Incantations and a number of Low Grade Magical Artifacts.

Some Yao Beast Materials (obtained from hunting on the island), sea soul moss that was not old enough, and some exotic vine seeds (recently cultivated by Lin Xiaowan).

”These items are not of high value, but they might barely be sufficient to exchange for some of the most basic classics.”

”If necessary, I might have to use some of the Spirit Stones.”

In his spatial storage, there was also a portion of scraps he had chipped off the Spiritual Vein on the island, which were themselves raw Materials for Spirit Stones.

As night deepened, Li Yinglong burned the midnight oil, his plan gradually becoming more complete.