Family Cultivation: Rise of the Wilderness

Chapter 92 Locust Plague
"The two companies are collaborating in Puyin Mountain?"

Seeing Li Xiangming's concerns, Geng Shiheng quickly explained, "Purple Cicada Cloud Sand is valuable and inevitably attracts covetousness. Trading in the Puyin Mountains is the safest option."

Puyin Mountain is teeming with evil spirits and fraught with danger, but as long as one doesn't venture too deep, it poses little threat to powerful late-stage Qi Refining cultivators like them.

However, Li Xiangming did not believe this reason. In any case, Puyin Mountain was not a suitable place for cooperation.

The Geng family's insistence on coming here is probably to cover their tracks.

Whose cover is it?
Only the Qin family!

Li Xiangming seemed to be deep in thought. It seemed that the war between the Qin and Geng families had reached a fever pitch, and the Geng family did not even dare to send anyone to Pushui Market.

Although the Geng family claimed that Pushuifang City couldn't possibly consume 30 jin of Zichan Yunsha, Bailumen could.

Is the relationship between Bailu Sect and Hengyue Sect closer than that between the Li family?

Selling Zichan Yunsha to Bailumen would also save on brokerage fees.

The fact that the Geng family did not do so can only mean that the Geng family is currently unable to extricate themselves.

The Qin family cast a wide net around Meiling, keeping a close eye on the Geng family's every move.

The Geng family owns mineral veins and transports the ore back to the family to refine it into Purple Cicada Cloud Sand. However, if they take it to Pushui Market or Bailu Gate, they will inevitably face the Qin family's fierce encirclement and suppression due to the long distance involved.

The Geng family must have suffered losses before, which is why they thought of the nearby Puyin Mountain and sent people infiltrated there to find a market for Zichan Yunsha.

This is an open strategy. No matter how strong the Qin family is, they are only one family. They can block Meiling, but they absolutely cannot block Puyin Mountain.

“I cannot make the decision on this matter, but I will report it to the head of the family.”

Since the matter concerns two major families and could even affect the course of the war and disrupt the current situation in Pu County, Li Xiangming acted with great caution.

"Then I will trouble you, Brother Li. I hope you will convey to Patriarch Li that Meiling is very sincere."

As he spoke, Geng Shiheng took out a small bag from his waist and handed it to Li Xiangming.

Li Xiangming weighed it briefly and knew that there were no fewer than 50 spirit stones inside.

"I will convey Brother Geng's intentions truthfully."

Li Xiangming naturally wouldn't miss out on the benefits of getting something for free. He chatted and laughed with Geng Shiheng, completely forgetting the tense atmosphere they had just had.

Next, the two discussed some details, and finally talked about the Ghost-Faced Dryad Moth.

“This Ghost-Faced Withered God Moth has the cultivation of the late stage of Spirit Awakening. It is the overlord of this area and only appears at night. Brother Li may have to wait for a while.”

"Since that's the case, why not keep it to safeguard future transactions?"

Li Xiangming shook his head and offered his advice.

Since the Geng family did not come for hunting, the fact that the Ghost-Faced Dryad Moth is alive can actually reduce interference from other demon cultivators by leveraging its power.

“Brother Li is right. It’s better not to kill this demon.”

Geng Shiheng hesitated for a moment, then became happy. Since Li Xiangming was already thinking about the future, did that mean that the cooperation between the Geng and Li families had great potential?

Li Xiangming was unaware of Geng Shiheng's thoughts. Since there were no more demons to hunt, he immediately took his leave and left with Nie Rong.

Watching the two figures disappear into the distance, Geng Shizhe clenched his fists: "Shiheng, how can we face Shicheng if we just let Nie Rong go like this?"

"Of course it won't be settled so simply, but there are priorities, and you know the current situation at home."

Geng Shiheng slowly recalled: "Nie Rong was always an obedient follower and did not hold a high position. There were countless people like him in the Mang Sect. The Geng family could not afford to be attacked from both sides for the sake of such a minor character."

"In comparison, Madam Zhen, no, the Mang Cult was also instructed by the Qin family. The Qin family is our biggest worry."

"Once we get rid of the Qin family, hmph, what Mang Sect, what Madam Zhen, Nie Rong, none of them will escape."

Upon hearing this, Geng Shizhe sighed, knowing that he couldn't make a move against Nie Rong in the short term.

He always sought revenge, so he was unhappy. But Shiheng's words made sense. A family needs someone like him who dares to fight, but it also needs someone like Shiheng who considers the bigger picture.
-
Upon returning to Dangui Mountain, Li Xiangming immediately met with the family head, Li Qianxiong, and explained the Geng family's purpose.

"Selling ore for the Geng family?"

Li Qianxiong seemed thoughtful. "What's your opinion on this?"

"The Geng family's real purpose in selling ore is to obtain elixirs and talismans."

Li Xiangming replied that the Geng family and the Qin family had been fighting for years, cutting off not only their sales channels but also their supply of goods.

Compared to the Purple Cicada Cloud Sand, strategic resources such as elixirs and talismans are what they urgently need.

Once the Li family agrees to help the Geng family sell the Purple Cicada Cloud Sand, the Geng family will inevitably use the money to purchase a large amount of supplies from the Li family's channels to arm themselves, thereby improving the current war situation. Seeing that Li Qianxiong remained silent, Li Xiangming made his stance clear: "The Qin and Geng families have fought each other over the mineral veins. Currently, Qin is strong and Geng is weak. Properly helping the Geng family will help maintain the stability of Danggui Mountain."

Despite the recent unpleasantness with the Geng brothers, Li Xiangming still chose to support the Geng family.

If the Qin family were allowed to annex the Geng family and grow stronger, then even the secluded Danggui Mountain would be threatened.

On the contrary, by helping both sides maintain a state of war and depleting their manpower, the Li family can achieve stability.

"I'm afraid the Qin family will hold a grudge against us."

Li Qianxiong's brows furrowed into a knot.

The Qin family isn't stupid; they can't be kept in the dark by the Geng family forever.

There might be Qin family spies in Meiling right now.

Once the Li family is exposed in this deal, they will undoubtedly incur the Qin family's hatred.

The Qin family is powerful, and if they target the Li family because of this, it will inevitably cause great trouble for the Li family.

Even casualties.

Li Xiangming was also well aware of this, and even if he had more reasons, he could only suppress them at this moment and let the head of the family make the judgment.

Although marching into Puyin Mountain was dangerous, it was a choice made by the Li family themselves.

If it's really not possible, you can choose not to go.

However, once caught up in the war machines of the Qin and Geng families, the Li family was powerless to stop it, even if they wanted to.

The difference between these two is significant.

"Go and inform the clan elders to come to Changlin House."

After a long pause, Li Qianxiong spoke.

This matter is of great importance and cannot be decided by one or two people.

"Yes."

Li Xiangming turned around and walked out of Changlin Room. Just as he was about to go to the central courtyard, a young man with a hurried expression walked over.

"In charge?"

The young man was overjoyed to see Li Xiangming.

"Xiang Qi?"

Li Xiangming was surprised, not expecting Li Xiangqi to come to Changlin House.

As a cultivator from a branch lineage, the number of times he has come here can probably be counted on one hand.

"What's wrong? Why are you so anxious?"

"Something terrible has happened! Puxian County is suffering from a locust plague!"

"Locust plague?"

Li Xiangming's expression changed as he recalled the insect cloud he encountered on his way back from visiting Qingyang Daoist.

"Something happened in Changtai Township too?"

"That's right. Everything was fine in the morning. At noon, we received a call from Uncle Qianbai saying that there was a locust plague in the north. As a result, the locusts arrived in the afternoon, and there was no time to prepare."

"What's the damage?"

"There are no statistics yet, but we know that many villages have been attacked by locusts. People should be safe, but crops are..."

Upon hearing this, Li Xiangming felt a pang in his heart; he had made another fatal mistake.

He had previously seen the insect cloud and assumed that a great demon had been born, so he specifically reminded his family.

The family also sent people to investigate and strengthened security at Danggui Mountain.

But both sides overlooked the mortal world.

The autumn harvest is just around the corner, and the fields in Changtai Township are a golden yellow. But now, at this critical juncture, a locust plague has struck. Li Xiangming doesn't need to think to imagine the despair on the farmers' faces.

"Go and inform the head of the family first. After returning to Changtai Township, immediately summon Li Tong and the others to discuss countermeasures. I'll be right there."

(End of this chapter)