Clan Cultivation: Starting with Building an Island Immortal City

62: A secluded paradise, where clan chief Longshi resides.Passing through the archway, the sight before them instantly brightened their eyes, and the shock in their hearts was beyond measure!

Within this mountain-top platform, it was not the flat training ground or settlement they had imagined.

Its terrain was quite unique, a massive natural depression, shaped like a giant, flattened sinkhole.

The pit was not deeply sunken but, following the natural contours of the mountain, formed several layers of vast, terraced platforms at varying heights.

The outermost layer, closer to the wooden wall, was relatively flat, with rows of orderly wooden and stone houses, mostly two stories, their roofs covered with large banana leaves or green tiles. Smoke curled from chimneys, clearly indicating a residential area for the Clan members.

Between the houses, flagstone paths connected them, and living water from a diverted stream flowed through, its sound a gentle gurgle.

Looking inward, the terrain gradually rose, forming several layers of expansive terraced fields. The furrows were neat, the soil dark, planted with grains, and also various exotic flowers and plants brimming with Spiritual Qi, even some low-lying Spiritual Plants. Clan members were working among them, conjuring clouds and rain with skilled hands, resembling a considerable Spiritual Plant garden.

Gazing further into the deepest part, a white ribbon of a waterfall cascaded down from a crevice in a higher cliff face, its flow not violent, like a silver river hanging upside down, pouring into a deep, emerald natural lake above the terraced fields.

The lake water overflowed, transforming into several streams that wound their way down, nourishing the terraced fields and the houses below, eventually flowing to an unknown destination.

With the lake and mountain scenery, orderly houses, layered terraces, and misty vapor, it was a vibrant, idyllic scene of a paradise untouched by the world!

Who could have imagined that on the seemingly inaccessible, mirror-smooth, isolated peak, such a vast, prosperous, and self-sufficient world was hidden!

The cleverness of its layout, the ingenious use of terrain, and the high level of survival wisdom were truly astonishing.

Li Yinglong stood for a long time, surveying this wondrous peak-top landscape, his heart stirring with emotion.

Previously, he had only thought that the Angry Dragon Clan defended themselves by relying on the natural defenses and the bravery of their exotic beasts. Now, witnessing the atmosphere within the Stronghold firsthand, he realized that for this Clan to stand firm here, there must be capable individuals within it, possessing extraordinary accomplishments in planning, governance, and production.

This journey to the Southern Border, it seemed, was far from simply acquiring a few ancient texts or Spiritual Plants; the lessons and inspirations to be gained might far exceed expectations.

Dragon Two saw Li Yinglong’s expression, knowing his astonishment, but did not point it out, laughing heartily:

”The Stronghold is rustic; please excuse its simplicity, Old Sir. According to our Clan’s rules, when guests arrive, they must first meet the Clan Chief. Please follow me; the Clan Chief is already waiting in the council hall.”

Li Yinglong composed himself and nodded:

”Thank you, Fellow Daoist Dragon, for leading the way.”

With that, he and Lin Xiaowan followed Dragon Two, treading the flagstone path, heading deeper into the Stronghold, which was built against the mountain and arranged in a staggered fashion.

Bamboo buildings were stacked in layers, spreading upwards along the mountain slope.

Thick vines coiled around the pillars, bearing small, unknown purple flowers that emitted a faint, fresh scent of plants and wood.

The path underfoot was paved with smoothly polished pebbles, with delicate moss peeking out from the cracks.

Within the Angry Dragon Stockade, there was a sense of peace and harmony.

As Li Yinglong and Little Wan followed behind Dragon Two and Aya, every Angry Dragon Clan member they encountered, regardless of gender or age, would stop, offer a simple smile, place their right hand over their left chest, and bow slightly.

There was no curious scrutiny in their eyes, only pure goodwill, flowing out as directly as a clear mountain spring.

Several barefoot, dark-skinned children ran past, laughing from the roadside. They weren’t afraid of strangers; instead, they stared at Lin Xiaowan with their big, round eyes, curiosity shining through, and let out clear laughter. A woman who heard them came over, smiling, and pulled them back to her side, also giving Li Yinglong and Little Wan an apologetic yet warm smile.

This scene lacked the strict hierarchy and sense of distance often found in large, prominent families. Instead, it resembled a harmonious, mutually supportive extended Family, filled with the warmth and solidity of human life.

The tension that had built up from days of travel and combat now involuntarily began to slowly ease.

Li Yinglong’s expression was calm, but he secretly marveled in his heart.

A Spiritual Vein is the root, and the human heart is the soil. It seems the Angry Dragon Clan understands this Dao well... After walking for a short while, everyone arrived at a slightly elevated, gentle slope in the center of the Stronghold.

On the slope stood a two-story bamboo building that was distinctly more ancient and solemn.

The old bamboo used for the building was dark brown, with a lustrous sheen, and countless vines clung to it like loyal guards, yet without appearing messy; instead, they formed natural patterns.

The roof was covered with thick, neatly arranged dry thatch, and the eaves curved slightly upwards, from which hung several strings of dried animal bones and dark-colored pottery bells. As the breeze passed, they chimed with a clear and distant sound.

In front of the building was a small plaza paved with bluestone slabs, meticulously clean.

”Old Sir, Younger Sister Xiaowan, this is our Clan’s council hall. Normally, when there are important matters to discuss within the Clan, or when distinguished guests like you two arrive, we receive them here.”

Aya pointed at the bamboo building, her words conveying respect.

The bamboo door was ajar. Dragon Two stepped forward, gently pushed it open, and gestured for Li Yinglong and his granddaughter to enter first.

A unique scent, a mixture of aged bamboo, dry herbs, and a clear incense, wafted towards them.

The hall was spacious and simple. In the center was a circle of smoothly polished tree stump stools, emitting a warm luster, surrounding a large, solid wood low table. The four walls were almost devoid of decoration, save for a massive circular wooden totem carving on the bamboo wall directly above the main seat opposite the entrance, its intricate patterns coiling and intertwining, subtly forming the shape of two Dragons intertwined.

Only one person was in the hall at this moment.

Hearing footsteps, the person slowly turned around.

This person appeared to be around sixty years old, with a face five or six parts similar to Dragon Two’s—likewise high cheekbones, deep-set eyes, and rigid features.

However, his stature was a full circle shorter than Dragon Two’s; though still robust, he lacked his brother’s imposing, colossal physique.

He was not wearing armor or elaborate robes symbolizing martial power, but rather a loose, indigo-dyed priestly robe, embroidered with intricate and ancient cloud patterns and botanical designs.

His long hair was tied back with a wooden hairpin, and a dark headband was tied across his forehead, with a smoothly polished, faintly glowing, dark blue, exotic gem embedded in its center.

His face was weathered, etched with the marks of time, his skin the common dark hue of Southern Border people, yet his eyes were exceptionally clear and warm, as if containing the Spiritual Qi of the mountains and forests, deep and peaceful.

There was no sharp, imposing Aura around him; instead, he exuded a peculiar, reassuring presence, as profound as the earth and as gentle as a spring breeze.

He simply stood there quietly, with a gentle smile on his face, as if he were entirely one with the bamboo building, with the mountain forest outside the window, and with the entire Stronghold’s atmosphere, naturally inspiring a sense of closeness and trust.

Upon seeing this person, Dragon Two’s normally rigid facial features instantly softened. He stepped forward and spoke respectfully yet intimately:

”Clan Chief, the esteemed guests have arrived.”

He turned to introduce them:

”This is Old Mr. Li Yinglong and his granddaughter, Little Wan. If not for Old Sir’s discerning Wisdom Eye, his insight into the conspiracy, and his righteous intervention, these two children, Aya and Yan Gang, would likely have suffered. Old Sir has also taken great care of the younger generation along the way.”

The elder in the priestly robe—the Clan Chief of the Angry Dragon Clan—had already slowly descended from by the window as Dragon Two spoke.

His steps were steady, landing without a sound.

His gaze gently fell upon Li Yinglong and Little Wan, carefully listening to Dragon Two’s introduction, with no trace of neglect or scrutiny in his eyes, only sincere welcome and genuine gratitude.

By the time Dragon Two finished speaking, he had approached. Facing Li Yinglong, he placed his right hand on his chest and bowed slightly, performing a Southern Border gesture of respect. His voice was mellow and warm, like a deep mountain stream:

”Esteemed guests have traveled far and endured hardships. I am Dragon Stone, the current Clan Chief of the Angry Dragon Clan, and also the Clan’s priest who serves the ancestral spirits and the earth. My younger brother’s words were brief, but the kindness of your assistance is deeply etched in the hearts of all of us in the Angry Dragon Clan. Aya and Yan Gang are my dearest nephews and nieces; Old Sir’s timely aid in their moment of peril, preserving them, makes this debt even greater. It is our Clan’s fortune that you two can grace our humble mountain Stronghold.”

His official speech carried a Southern Border accent, but his pronunciation was clear, his phrasing appropriate, and his tone sincere and not disingenuous, friendly yet not overly familiar, possessing the demeanor and bearing of a Clan Chief.

Li Yinglong instantly understood that this Clan Chief Dragon Stone and the giant Dragon Two were indeed brothers.

One was as formidable and fierce as a mountain, commanding martial power and defense; the other was as broad and profound as the earth, overseeing Legacy and the hearts of the people.

And Aya and Yan Gang calling Dragon Two ”Father” and Dragon Stone ”Elder Uncle,” with Dragon Stone explicitly stating they were his ”dearest nephews and nieces,” clearly indicated the brothers’ esteemed status within the Clan.

However, whether it was Dragon Two, the incredibly powerful ”Barbaric Blood Guard,” or Dragon Stone, the Clan Chief and High Priest, they appeared approachable and without arrogance.

It was no wonder that Aya and her companions handled interactions with others with such simplicity and lack of pretense, devoid of the arrogance and bad habits often seen in prominent families. It seemed to be a result of excellent Clan customs, passed down through generations.

This resonated with his own Family’s pursuit of ”winning hearts” and ”making the Clan a Family,” revealing an unexpected convergence.