The ancestor is incompetent!

Chapter 231 Fifty Years

An utter silence fell over the main hall. The eastern sun shone through the wide-open doorway, illuminating the solemn, dark hall. The only sound was the rapid beating of everyone's hearts.

Shen Qingfeng, the peak master of Lingkuang Peak, murmured, "With my character and spiritual root, do you really think I can even dream of reaching the Golden Core stage?"

Wang Chaochen laughed and said, "Our ancestor was a person of great character and spiritual root. Moreover, at that time, the sky was filled with rosy clouds on Nanjue Island and the Heavenly Palace was locked. Our ancestor still planned for many years with his humble status and achieved the Golden Core."

Now that I follow in the footsteps of my ancestors, with a path ahead and light behind, why shouldn't I give it a try?

Xiang Xi, the youngest among the Nine Peaks, spoke with a resolute expression: "I am willing to give it a try, even if it means my death, I will have no regrets!"

Danfeng Peak Master Li Yiyan echoed, "I am also willing to give it a try. Whether I succeed or not, I will have no regrets."

The remaining people all responded in unison, and at this moment, the Nine Peaks Master completely and sincerely trusted the Sect Leader.

Wang Chaochen was quite pleased. Looking at the scene before him where everyone was of one mind, he continued, "Since that's the case, then please each peak master decide on the candidates for deputy peak masters. All miscellaneous affairs within the peaks will be handled by them, and everyone will go into seclusion for quiet cultivation."

Unless something major happens, the sect will not disturb your cultivation.

If you have any needs, please feel free to draw upon the spiritual resources from each peak. If you lack these resources, please inform me, and I will make arrangements for you.

Hearing this, everyone was deeply moved. In this way, even if the disciples in the sect were dissatisfied, they would only direct their resentment at Wang Chaochen. They sincerely said in unison, "Thank you for your great kindness, Sect Leader!"

……

More than a month later, several teams split off from the Qiling Sect's mountain gate and set off in all directions to serve as envoys to various regions.

Snow Chant Valley, Heavenly Demon Valley, Departure Sea, Reincarnation Realm, Illusory Sea Mirage Realm, and even the Northern Star Upper Heaven Mystic Palace are all within its boundaries.

However, not all of these forces are willing to form an alliance. For example, the Beichen Shanghuan Xuan Palace has no goodwill towards the Qiling Sect because of the Xiang family.

There's also Snow Chant Valley, which, although it has been of great help to the Qiling Sect, is unwilling to form an alliance.

Inside the Hall of Control, Wang Chaochen silently pondered as he looked at the messages gathered from all sides. Apart from the Heavenly Demon Valley and the Mirage Sea, the other sects were unwilling to form an alliance with the Qiling Sect.

However, it allows for the establishment of caravans, facilitating the exchange of goods and services and enabling each party to obtain what it needs. This is beneficial, as it makes resource gathering and other matters much easier for the Qiling Sect.

The spiritual resources of heaven and earth on the entire Southern Continent are limited. If one wants to nurture a Golden Core cultivator, it is extremely difficult to cultivate someone capable of reaching the Golden Core stage by staying in one place.

Wang Chaochen sat upright in the main seat, with stacks of jade slips piled up in front of him. The pale moonlight of the night shone into the hall through the crack in the door, and he fell into deep thought once again.

……

Snowflakes fell thick and fast, covering the mountains in white. A treasure ship sailed on the sea, riding the snow like a serpent. On the bow deck, a dozen disciples leisurely watched the wind and snow.

Li Chuanyi sat upright in an open room on the treasure ship, with a man in a green robe sitting beside him. He smiled and said, "Fellow Daoist Li, you escorted the caravan safely all the way. I will definitely thank you properly when we return to the sect."

Upon hearing this, Li Chuanyi chuckled and took a sip of the fragrant tea on the table. "You're too kind, fellow Daoist. I just happened to be passing by. It's good that I can take the treasure ship from the mountain gate and avoid the suffering of this heavy snow and freezing weather."

To be honest, I spent more than seventeen years in seclusion on Jingyuan Peak and knew very little about what was happening in the mountains.

Brother Xiwen has traveled between our sect and the Mirage Realm for many years as a merchant, so he must be very knowledgeable. Why don't you tell me more about it, saving me the time of asking around.”

Xiang Xiwen smiled and said, "I am honored that Chuan Yi thinks so highly of me. This is all I, a Foundation Establishment cultivator of the Human Path, can do."

"

“Brother Xiwen, there’s no need for such modesty. Our ancestor passed down the three foundation-building methods of Heaven, Earth, and Man, and he said that all three paths have the potential to produce a Golden Core, only the amount varies greatly,” Li Chuanyi comforted him.

This method of building a foundation in the three paths of Heaven, Earth, and Man is a technique that has only been passed down in recent years. It is a path to the Great Dao jointly developed by the Ancestor and the Ten Peaks.

Human Foundation Building involves taking elixirs and using precious talismans to enhance one's cultivation. This allows a disciple who has just entered the Qi Refining stage to reach the peak of Qi Refining within sixty years, and can also attempt to break through to the Foundation Building stage with the help of Foundation Building Pills developed by Danfeng.

This method is not only quick but also extremely low in risk. Even if the breakthrough fails, the body will not explode and the person will die. Furthermore, if the precious pill is used to adjust the formula, there is a possibility of a second breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment stage.

Of course, this method also has great drawbacks. Once you start practicing this special technique, not only will your magical power be weak and your spells limited, but your combat strength will also be the lowest among those of the same level.

Even if they reach the Foundation Establishment stage, they are still at the bottom, and their lifespan is only a fixed four or five hundred years. True cultivators in the mountains only refer to these Foundation Establishment cultivators as Foundation Establishment cultivators, and not as true cultivators.

"Alas, Brother Chuanyi, you are still the kind-hearted one." Xiang Xiwen sighed, "In recent years, almost every month, disciples in the mountains have chosen to take the Human Path Foundation Building method, and the number of people who have broken through has already exceeded the number of people in the past sixty years!"

Those true cultivators within the mountain gate ostracize those of us at the Foundation Establishment stage; we're constantly looked down upon.

Hearing this, Li Chuanyi hesitated for a moment, but still said, "Brother Xiwen, you don't need to think too much. After all, you are a Foundation Establishment cultivator, which is much better than a Qi Refining disciple."

Moreover, we both belong to one of the four great families, and with the support of our clans, we don't need to bear the debts incurred by the mountain sect. Living like this, managing affairs and enjoying the mundane world every day, is truly enviable.

"

“You’re right, I’ve been overthinking it. Since I’ve chosen the Human Path Foundation Establishment, I should cultivate diligently. Without the great virtue of my ancestor and the support of my clan, I’m afraid I’ll never even reach the Foundation Establishment stage in my lifetime.” Xiang Xiwen nodded and smiled freely. “But I’m curious, Brother Chuanyi, you can be considered a true cultivator of the Heavenly Path Foundation Establishment. Are the supernatural powers of true cultivation truly so wondrous?”

"When I was cultivating, the clan leader gave me guidance. Apart from taking two breakthrough pills for the middle and late stages of the breakthrough, I did not take any spiritual items. I visualized the Dao ginseng and relied on the blessing of the sect leader's good fortune and supernatural powers to cultivate supernatural powers by chance."

My supernatural power is from the Xin Jin lineage, called [Cliff Breaker]. It can command gold and jade treasures within hundreds of miles. If you, Brother Xiwen, do not possess supernatural powers, and you take a magic weapon or spiritual weapon made of iron or jade, its power will be greatly reduced for me. If your primordial spirit is weak, it may even be taken away by me.

"However, if they are both true cultivators, then it depends on the mutual restraint of their respective lineages and the level of their cultivation!" Li Chuanyi explained earnestly.

"I see. So, in that case, even if several late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators joined forces, they might not be a match for a true cultivator." Xiang Xiwen said with some envy. "That's just how it is. I was born with low spiritual roots and poor aptitude. If I had cultivated the Earthly Foundation Establishment method, even with the help of Foundation Establishment Pills, I would probably have died during the breakthrough long ago."

Li Chuanyi couldn't help but sigh, "The Ancestor and all the Peak Masters are truly of supreme virtue, benefiting countless disciples who are born with insufficient spiritual roots."

"Indeed, our Qiling Sect is now the number one power in the south. Since the number of Foundation Establishment disciples has skyrocketed, the spies from Wanzhou Mountain and Shishi Yinku have not dared to linger on the border." Xiang Xiwen said with great pride, "Since we broke through the old Mirror Abyss more than fifty years ago, the strength of our Qiling Sect has been increasing rapidly."

Not long ago, I heard that the Peak Master of Danfeng has broken through to a higher level! Now that you, his junior, have returned to the mountain, I must go and offer my congratulations.

"The Peak Master of Danfeng is someone countless disciples in the mountain long to meet in exchange for a spiritual elixir."

"Uncle Yi Yan has already broken through to the next level?" Li Chuanyi was surprised. "I spent twenty years honing my skills at the border and seeking enlightenment, and then secluded myself for seventeen years before finally breaking through to the fifth level. Uncle Yi Yan has already reached the seventh level!"

"Hehe, you didn't know this, did you?" Xiang Xiwen whispered, "I'll secretly tell you this because we were classmates when we were young and got scolded by the teacher together. My great-uncle once said that he was good at observing stars and predicting fortunes. He said that every peak master seems to have a different destiny and is no ordinary person, and so on. These are all mystical ancient sayings."

"Fate?" Li Chuanyi's heart stirred. The concept of fate was extremely mysterious, and even the millions of Daoist scriptures in the mountains rarely mentioned it. Only the old patriarch had once mentioned it to him earnestly: to become a True Person, one must seek one's fate.

It seems that the old clan chief summoned me back to the mountain for this very reason.

The Cloud-Glacial Treasure Ship sailed leisurely through the Gale Layer and descended from the heavy snow clouds. The disciple on board stopped the Spirit Communication Pearl that was transmitting Yuan Power by making a hand seal, and the treasure ship landed on Wanfang Square outside Qiling Mountain.

Li Chuanyi smiled and bowed to Xiang Xiwen in farewell. He then walked off the ship. Before him were hundreds of treasure ships, some flying away and others returning from abroad and docking here.

He glanced around and saw several merchant ships flying the flag of the Yuanzhen Li Clan. Many of his clan brothers who had reached the Foundation Establishment stage had formed a caravan, making a profit by trading between the Ten Thousand Demon Valley in the west and the Mirage Sea in the north, and then supporting the disciples of the clan.

I heard from Xiang Xiwen that the Wanzhuhai trade route in the south will soon be opened. With the Dugu family in the south as a stopover point, spiritual resources from the outer sea can be used by the disciples in the mountains through the caravan.

He walked along the paths between the mountain peaks, looking at the various signs erected along the way. The directions to each peak were very clear, and even though the roads were complex and numerous, he could still find his way.

Li Chuanyi couldn't help but sigh. The changes in the mountains were truly remarkable. The mountain roads were built for Qi Refining disciples. Now, the number of high-level cultivators in Qi Ling Mountain Sect is increasing, and the spiritual energy of heaven and earth is also becoming heavier. Ordinary early and mid-stage Qi Refining disciples can no longer fly as easily as before. He heard that every month, some disciples fall halfway through their flight and are seriously injured.

Such an incident could become a source of amusement for the disciples even in Fusang Square.

He passed through the peaks and arrived at Fu Peak. Although many disciples didn't recognize him, the pressure emanating from him prevented them from stopping him. It wasn't until he reached the outside of Qingyun Pool that he was stopped by two Foundation Establishment stage puppets.

Li Chuanyi couldn't help but take a second look. It seemed that Lingfeng's puppet-making technique had made significant breakthroughs. Although they couldn't create true cultivation puppets, they had already developed puppets for the Foundation Establishment stage.

He bowed deeply and said, "Yi requests an audience with the clan chief!"

A flash of white light appeared, and the two puppets spontaneously stepped aside, voluntarily opening the array's restrictions to allow him to enter.

Li Chuanyi was quite surprised. This puppet was somewhat similar to the spirit puppet he had seen before. Ordinary puppets did not possess such spirituality.

He slowly walked in and sensed that the spiritual energy of heaven and earth had suddenly become several times more concentrated, forcing him to take a few deep breaths, which made him feel refreshed and invigorated.

Reaching the pool, Li Chuanyi saw that the figure was still meditating cross-legged, just as he remembered. He couldn't help but admire the clan leader's asceticism.

"It is said that Yi has been in seclusion for over thirty years to hone his skills. Now, having been summoned by the clan chief, he has come to pay his respects!"

Li Hanxing, standing by the pool, opened his eyes. His aura was as deep and unfathomable as the ocean. He looked at the young man in front of him and chuckled, "You have indeed grown a lot. You haven't fallen behind in your cultivation even after all these years away."

"It is thanks to the clan leader's painstaking teachings that I have such a strong will," Li Chuanyi said sincerely.

He was originally just an outsider in the clan. Even though his spiritual root was discovered back then, he didn't have many opportunities to come into contact with the upper echelons of the sect. However, the clan leader valued him highly, not only helping him choose cultivation methods but also giving him guidance on his cultivation on many occasions.

"Seeing the changes in you now, I feel much more at ease. You have now cultivated to the fifth level, and with my help, in another thirty to fifty years, I think you will be able to cultivate to the upper level."

"When the time comes, I'll pass the position of Peak Master of Fufeng to you, and then I can finally rest easy." Li Hanxing's words startled Li Chuanyi. "Clan leader, what are you doing...?"

"Hehe, no need to worry." Li Hanxing chuckled, his aura as deep and unfathomable as an abyss. "I have already cultivated to the ninth level, and I will seek an opportunity to ascend to the throne within sixty years!"

"Ascension to the throne!?" Li Chuanyi was greatly shocked and hurriedly bowed, saying, "This junior congratulates the clan leader, may you surely achieve the Great Dao!"

“Whether it will succeed or not is still unknown, but regardless of whether it succeeds or not, the position of Peak Master of Fu Peak needs to be inherited. My Li family is in charge of both Pill Refining and Fu Peak, and the four major families are evenly matched. You still need to consider this position,” Li Hanxing explained.

"This... the position of peak master is not high enough for me, and according to seniority, Uncle Xiaochang should be in this important position," Li Chuanyi pondered.

“You know there’s such a person as him.” Li Hanxing frowned upon hearing this. “With his temperament, let alone managing a peak, he caused a huge mess when I was sent out to inspect the talisman inventory in various places not long ago. It even alarmed the sect leader, who had to send me out of seclusion to quell the situation.”

With such a rotten, unyielding nature, even though the peak master isn't currently involved much, someone in this position must possess a keen insight into the ways of the world, otherwise…

Let's not talk about him. Fortunately, he is honest and kind-hearted in his cultivation. He has already reached the sixth level and will soon be able to try to break through to the next level.

I don't expect him to become the head of the Li clan; it would be enough for him to be a powerful figure who protects the clan.

"Chuan Yi, from now on I will place the burden of the Li family on your shoulders. Are you willing to shoulder it?"

Li Chuanyi was shaken, his heart pounding. He looked up at the clan leader, who, despite still looking like a young man, still had eyes that revealed the vicissitudes of life after more than five hundred years of observing the world.

He took a deep breath, bowed respectfully, and said, "Junior Li Chuanyi, I am deeply grateful for the clan leader's kindness. I am willing to shoulder this heavy responsibility and will certainly live up to your expectations!"

"Good, I knew you had this mindset!" Li Hanxing laughed loudly, "The positions of clan leader and peak master are both burdens on the path of cultivation, and also the most indispensable destiny!"

(End of this chapter)