Family Cultivation: Rise of the Wilderness

Chapter 88 Meetings and Conflicts

It's a pity that Li Xiangren, a Foundation Establishment cultivator, didn't stay, but that's not something Li Xiangming could decide.

On the contrary, he received Li Xiangren's summary of his foundation-building experience and felt that the visit was well worth it.

Over the next few days, he spent his time reviewing his notes and occasionally asking Li Qianxiong about the foundation-building process, comparing the two.

In this way, he quickly got a general idea and his enthusiasm for cultivation grew even stronger.

Time flies, and three months have passed in the blink of an eye.

The Li family's animal trapping sheds have begun to appear in Puyin Mountain, and their animal breeding sheds have also been greatly expanded, now housing fourteen new and experienced animal tamers.

That wasn't enough; the Li family was also recruiting beast tamers from other families.

However, these are the duties of the guest room staff and have nothing to do with the clerk's office.

Li Xiangming was happy to have some free time. Every day, besides clocking in at Changlin House, he would also show his face at Shangji House.

He spends the rest of his time cultivating.

But on this day, Li Qianyou, the deputy head of the Foreign Affairs Hall and also the manager of the Guest House, came to him and handed him a letter.

"Sent from the Geng family."

"The Geng family?"

Li Xiangming was surprised. He unfolded the document and looked at it. It turned out that Geng Shiheng was urging him to hunt the Ghost-Faced Dryad Moth together.

More than three months ago, Geng Shiheng sent a similar letter. At that time, Li Xiangming wanted to decline, after all, as the person in charge, he could not just go whenever he wanted, and he had to consider many things.

But when Li Qianxiong found out, he persuaded Li Xiangming to agree.

Since the Li family rescued Geng Shiheng last time, they have established a good relationship with the Geng family of Meiling.

The Geng family has been studying the Five Paths of Ghosts for generations and possesses considerable strength. Winning over the Geng family to deal with the increasingly complex situation in Pu County was a decision made after repeated discussions by the clan elders.

Unfortunately, the Geng family was busy dealing with the Qin family of Red Stone Valley and hunting down the Mang Cult, and had no time to deal with the Li family. The two families have only had simple contact so far.

If Li Xiangming could befriend Geng Shiheng, it might further deepen the relationship between the two families.

Li Xiangming understood and agreed to Geng Shiheng's request.

Geng Shiheng hadn't contacted him for over two years, but he sent two letters in the last few months, so the Geng family probably had similar thoughts.

Both of them carried part of their families' expectations.

Li Xiangming immediately replied with a letter, saying that he would be entering Puyin Mountain soon and asked Geng Shiheng to wait for him. He then handed the letter to the steward.

As the name suggests, the guest room is a place for receiving guests, but its functions go beyond that; it also shoulders the Li family's diplomatic missions.

Whether it was dealings and cooperation with Lingwu Sect, Qingyang Temple, Luo Family of Shangqingyuan, Chen Family of Baolong Valley, or Geng Family of Meiling, or the subjugation of affiliated forces such as Chi Family of Xiaolang Valley and Ji Family of Qingfeng Ridge, it was all the work of Dianke Fang.

As Li Xiangming left the guest room, he pondered that, according to what Geng Shiheng had said in his letter, he would bring a helper, so he should only bring one person as well.

Who should I bring?
After some consideration, Li Xiangming decided to prioritize safety and bring Nie Rong along.

In addition, they prepared a lot of pills and talismans, and also exchanged for a magic artifact called "Su Nian Silver Hoop" to resist the spiritual attacks of the Ghost-Faced Dry God Moth.

Now, he is gradually accumulating achievements.
-
three days later.

When Li Xiangming arrived at Qingyang Temple, the gates were tightly closed and the temple was deserted.

It seems that Master Qingyang has not returned yet.

After standing there for a while, Li Xiangming left and went to Monkey Valley, which was more than ten miles away.

This place got its name from the large group of monkeys that inhabit it.

The Li family drove away the monkeys and built a large camp there.

Currently, the animal trappers go into Puyin Mountain during the day to capture monsters, and return here to rest at night.

"Xiangming? What brings you here?"

Li Xiangru was very surprised to see Li Xiangming.

"To keep the appointment with the Geng family."

Li Xiangming did not hide anything and told him about Geng Shiheng's letter.

“I see. According to the Geng family, the place you are going to is located in the middle section of Puyin Mountain, a place that even we haven’t been to yet.”

Li Xiangru took out a somewhat rough map and frowned.

"Is it dangerous?"

"It's hard to say. Although the moth demons you're hunting are still on the outskirts of the mountains, with your cultivation level, it shouldn't be too dangerous. But at such a distance, the animal trapping house can't reach them."

Li Xiangru's meaning was clear: if Li Xiangming encountered danger, the animal trapping shed would have difficulty providing support.

"It's alright, as long as we confirm that this place is the outer perimeter."

Li Xiangming wasn't too worried.

Puyin Mountain, along with Qishan Mountain and Wumu Mountain, are known as the three major mountain ranges of Shunan Prefecture.

Most of the powerful demons inside had participated in the Nanbin War and were currently hiding deep in the mountains, feigning death.

Some do venture out to swim, but they are certainly few and far between.

Otherwise, Qishan and Wumushan would have long since become uninhabited areas, instead of becoming a playground for rogue cultivators. Of course, if the place Geng Shiheng arranged to meet wasn't on the outskirts, Li Xiangming would have a good reason to suspect the other party's motives.

"Fourth Brother, could you leave me a copy of the map?"

"Of course this is no problem."

Li Xiangru immediately handed the map in his hand to Li Xiangming; their animal trapping house had made many copies of this.

"Based on our experience these past few days, daytime is relatively safe, while at night a large number of dangerous monsters roam. If you want to hunt moth demons, try to do it during the day."

"I understand, thank you, Fourth Brother."

After bidding farewell to Li Xiangru, Li Xiangming proceeded along the outer perimeter of Puyin Mountain according to the map, with Nie Rong following closely behind.

Two days later, the two finally arrived at their destination and met Geng Shiheng, who was waiting there.

"Brother Li, how have you been?"

"All is well, thank you for waiting for me, Brother Geng."

Li Xiangming smiled and nodded, then looked Geng Shiheng up and down.

Two years had passed since they last met, and Geng Shiheng had become more mature and his cultivation had become more profound.

He originally had the cultivation level of the eighth level of Qi Refining, and was able to delay Nie Rong's fierce attacks. Now he is probably even more powerful.

Beside Geng Shiheng was a man of similar age who also appeared to be quite skilled in cultivation.

“This is my cousin, Shizhe.”

"So it's Brother Shizhe, nice to meet you."

Li Xiangming cupped his hands in greeting, and Geng Shizhe returned the gesture.

At this moment, Geng Shiheng also glanced at the man behind Li Xiangming, and his expression changed drastically as he recalled the humiliating memory of being captured.

"Nie Rong?"

His shocked and resentful voice quickly caught Geng Shizhe's attention.

Geng Shizhe had obviously heard of Nie Rong's name before, and hurriedly asked, "Shiheng, is this the person who injured you in the past?"

"Yes."

Geng Shiheng nodded slowly.

Upon hearing this, Geng Shizhe's gaze instantly changed, staring intently at Li Xiangming, almost grinding his teeth to powder: "Young man of the Li family, what do you mean by bringing people from the Mang Sect here? Do you intend to humiliate our Geng family?"

Li Xiangming was surprised by their strong reaction and quickly explained, "Brother Geng, please don't misunderstand. Fellow Daoist Nie is not a member of the Mang Sect. He used to submit to the bandits because he was under a spell. After being rescued by my Li family, he realized his mistake and has now severed all ties with the Mang Sect."

"really?"

"Absolutely true!"

Even so, Geng Shiheng's expression remained grim, and he didn't quite believe Li Xiangming's words.

He followed the Mang Sect all the way to Changyang Valley and witnessed firsthand how Nie Rong obeyed Madam Zhen's every word.

Now, who would believe that he is not a follower of the Manchu religion?
However, the Li family has a long-standing feud with the Mang Sect.

It is said that Li Xiangren, the young prodigy of the Li family, has his hands stained with the blood of the Mang Sect traitors.

Moreover, the Li family successfully rescued themselves from the clutches of the Mang Sect.

How could the two of them collude?
Geng Shiheng was completely baffled.

However, Geng Shizhe obviously didn't think that much about it. He only knew that the Mang Sect had killed Shicheng and that his family had ordered the extermination of all Mang Sect traitors.

Thinking of this, Geng Shizhe's magical power surged, and a yellow warrior jumped out from behind him, punching Li Xiangming.

"Oh!"

A huge crater appeared in the ground.

The yellow-clad warrior, having failed to achieve his goal, instinctively looked up.

At this moment, Li Xiangming and Nie Rong had already taken cover in mid-air.

Looking down at the Hercules Demon and the restless Geng Shizhe, Li Xiangming frowned.

Unexpectedly, the second meeting between the Li and Geng families would be presented in the form of a fight.

It's also my fault; I got used to having Nie Rong by my side.

Little did they know that Nie Rong had followed Madam Zhen for a long time and must have offended many people and forces.

The Geng family was one of them.

Otherwise, Geng Shiheng would not have risked following Madam Zhen.

He had completely forgotten this point, which led to Nie Rong and Geng Shiheng meeting.

Suddenly, Li Xiangming recalled the family head's words telling him not to rely too much on the puppet.

At that time, the head of the family tried to enlighten him, saying that Nie Rong was a double-edged sword, which could be used to protect himself, but also to cause trouble.

But he ignored the patriarch's words.

(End of this chapter)