Clan Cultivation: Starting from Foundation Establishment on Mount Luoxia

Inside the quiet room, he sat cross-legged.

Although the Four Symbols Immortal Foundation has been separated, the profound foundation and insights of the Four Symbols Daoist lineage have long been etched into our instincts.

The sharpness of metal, the vitality of wood, the endurance of water, the intensity of fire... all these artistic conceptions can be readily drawn.

More importantly, his fire spirit root has been re-cultivated with the inheritance given by the senior "Taiyue", and he has successfully forged the prototype of his second immortal foundation, the "Yexiao Terrace"!

It can now mobilize the magical power of the rosy clouds combined with the rosy light!

"Let's start with fire magic."

With a thought, Li Xiaoyao ignited a wisp of crimson-gold flame at his fingertips, its edges shimmering with iridescent light.

He abandoned fancy techniques and focused on the most basic fire magic: fireballs, fire arrows, fire walls, fire shields...

Within these basic frameworks, the ever-changing true meaning of [Yuxia Tian] or the veiled artistic conception of [Yexiao Tai] are incorporated.

Inside the quiet room, sometimes the raging flames transformed into a curtain of rosy light, sometimes the fire arrows scattered like light, and sometimes they condensed into a thin, resilient shield of rosy fire...

He pursues adaptability, controllability, and casting speed, striving to be able to quickly and stably employ effective methods in the realms where laws may be suppressed.

At the same time, he also tried to combine basic spells of different attributes in simple ways.

Water vapor condenses into clouds, obscuring the view, while golden needles imbued with the intent of thunder launch a surprise attack.

The earthen walls restrict movement, allowing for a coordinated attack with sharp metal energy...

Although it is not as powerful as one's innate divine ability, it is superior in its flexibility and adaptability, and does not rely on a single law system.

Time passed in preparation and waiting.

On the third day after checking into Chuixing Inn, the identity token delivered its first reply.

Xuan Ge Zhenren's reply came first, his voice cold and hard like the clash of metal: "I have received Fellow Daoist Shangyuan's message."

"The perilous borderlands are perfect for honing one's skills. However, I have other matters to attend to recently and am unable to join you this time."

"I wish you a safe journey, fellow Daoist. If fate allows, we shall meet again someday. Xuan Ge."

A straightforward refusal, without any hesitation or ambiguity.

Immediately following was Master Baichuan's reply, his voice gentle: "Fellow Daoist Shangyuan, I am deeply grateful for your invitation and kind invitation."

"However, I have only recently advanced to the Purple Palace realm, and my foundation in Taoism is not yet stable. I still need time to retreat into seclusion and consolidate my knowledge. I have no intention of traveling far and taking on dangerous journeys."

"I fear I may be unable to accompany you on your journey to the Realm Ruins. I wish you find a good companion and fulfill your wishes. Baichuan."

Both of the newly recruited contestants declined the invitation.

Just when Li Xiaoyao thought that his initiative to contact her might be fruitless, Master Shuyu's reply finally arrived.

The sound was clear and melodious, like ice spring water striking jade, carrying a serene rhythm:

"Respectfully submitted by Fellow Daoist Shangyuan: Shuyu respectfully replies."

"The mission to the Realm Ruins that you mentioned, fellow Daoist, is fraught with peril and unpredictable dangers, but also holds profound opportunities."

"The water-based cultivation method I practice may have some minor use in exploration and defense, and it may complement your technique of changing the color of the clouds."

"However, forming a team to venture into dangerous places is no small matter. One must know the person well before entrusting them with their life."

She paused, then continued, "At the edge of the desolate corridor, there is a celestial sect outpost called Zhixu Station."

"This place is closest to the New Realm Ruins, and many cultivators come and go for this purpose. I am currently staying at Zhixu Station. If you are interested, you may come to Zhixu Station for a meeting."

"How about we discuss the Dao at the Yuange Pavilion within the station, verifying each other's knowledge, and then discuss cooperation? I await your good news, fellow Daoist. Shuyu."

The message is clear: there is interest, but caution is advised; a meeting is requested at a post station near the mission location to discuss matters and assess each other.

The location was set at Zhixu Station.

"The Kan Waterway Lineage..."

Li Xiaoyao recalled the simple annotations in the list and pondered.

Water has no fixed shape; it can be both soft and hard, vast and all-encompassing. It may indeed complement the ever-changing nature of the sunset.

Moreover, the fact that the other party chose to meet at Zhixu Station clearly shows that they are very serious about the mission and have arrived at the front line in advance.

"Then I'll go to Zhixu Station to meet this Master Shuyu."

Li Xiaoyao made a decision.

The distance between Chuixing Post Station and Zhixu Station is not short; if one were to fly by physical means, it would take a considerable amount of time and magical power.

Fortunately, there are directional long-distance teleportation arrays between the immortal sect stations, which are specially designed for high-level cultivators to quickly travel to and from important nodes, but the cost is quite high.

Li Xiaoyao arrived at the teleportation hall of Chuixing Post Station, paid a considerable amount of spirit stones, and then stepped into the teleportation array leading to Zhixu Station.

The formation was activated, space distorted, and after a brief period of weightlessness and dizziness, he found himself in a completely different post station.

Zhixu Station is much smaller than Chuixing Post Station. The buildings are mostly constructed of dark gray, corrosion-resistant stone, with a rugged and sturdy style. It is less ostentatious and more somber and desolate.

Outside the post station, against the visible background of the void, one can vaguely see a boundless, gray area that seems to be composed of countless broken lights, distorted shadows, and dim stars.

That was the scene at the edge of the desolate corridor, a sight that inspired awe and fear.

A faint sense of oppression, emanating from the depths of the void, permeated the air.

There weren't many cultivators here, but most of them had a deep and condensed aura and wary eyes, clearly indicating that they were ruthless characters who had been active in dangerous areas for many years.

After a short while, Li Xiaoyao followed the instructions and found Tingyuan Pavilion, a small "Guantao Pond" artificially created on the west side of the post station.

The pavilion, built with jade as its foundation, has an elegant style and stands out as a unique haven in this rugged environment.

As soon as he stepped into the pavilion, he felt a vast, profound, all-encompassing, and surging water-related Daoist energy.

Following the Daoist rhythm, one could see a female Daoist, dressed in a sky-blue flowing fairy dress with wide sleeves, standing by the window overlooking the pond, gazing at the simulated waves rising and falling in the water.

She stood tall and straight, her dark hair tied up with a simple jade hairpin. Her profile was beautiful with a calm strength, and her aura subtly resisted the invisible desolation and oppression outside the window, yet seemed to embrace and dissolve it.

As if sensing the gaze, the female cultivator turned around.

She had a beautiful face, without any makeup, and her eyes were as clear as a cold autumn pool. Her gaze was calmly fixed on Li Xiaoyao.

"Is this Fellow Daoist Shangyuan? This humble Daoist is Shuyu. Greetings."

She nodded slightly, her voice as clear and melodious as in the message.

"I am Shangyuan. Greetings, Fellow Daoist Shuyu. Fellow Daoist has already arrived; thank you for waiting."

Li Xiaoyao returned the greeting with a cupped hand, while secretly sensing the other party's aura.

It is indeed a lineage of the Kanshui School, and its foundation is extremely solid and profound.

"Fellow Daoist, you're too kind. Please have a seat."

Master Shuyu led Li Xiaoyao to a futon in the pavilion, where they sat down. In the middle was a low jade table with two cups of tea, steaming gently.

Without much small talk, Master Shuyu got straight to the point:

"I invited you here for two reasons. First, this place is close to the desolate ruins, making it easier to sense the aura of those ruins. Second, I hope to have an honest discussion with you and verify each other's understanding."

"Within the Realm Ruins, dangers lurk everywhere. If we do not know the methods and character of our companions, rashly traveling together may harm both ourselves and others. What do you think, my friend?"

"That suits me perfectly."

Li Xiaoyao nodded, "Fellow Daoist is straightforward and frank; I agree. May I ask that you proceed?"

Without refusing, Master Shuyu extended her slender finger and gently touched the tea on the jade table in front of her.

A drop of tea was stirred by an unseen force and floated up.

Immediately afterwards, Li Xiaoyao felt the surrounding moisture seem to increase a hundredfold in an instant, and he could faintly hear the sound of tides in his ears.

That tiny drop of water suddenly expanded and evolved in front of Master Shuyu's fingertip!

It reflected the illusory image of an endless, gently rippling blue sea!

The sea is deep and its bottom is unknown. It may seem calm, but it contains a vast power that can support giant ships and swallow mountains.

The illusory figure was not ostentatious; it simply floated there quietly, yet it made the entire space inside the Listening Waves Pavilion seem damp and heavy, subtly contrasting with the desolate void outside the window.

"This is the manifestation of my fundamental Daoist principles, the prototype of the [Vast Ocean]."

Master Shuyu spoke gently, “The way of Kan water is both extremely soft and extremely hard; it can nourish things silently, and it can also shatter mountains and split rocks.”

"I value its vastness, inclusiveness, endurance, and penetrating nature."

"In defense, I can create endless water curtains and ocean shields to neutralize immense force; in exploration, I can use the pervasive water vapor to perceive subtle details and discern the finest nuances; in offense, I prioritize momentum over form, using continuous undercurrents, whirlpools, and immense pressure to defeat the enemy. However, attacking and breaking through enemy lines with lightning speed is not my forte."

She was not demonstrating specific supernatural powers, but rather the fundamental meaning and direction of the Taoist tradition, which was frank and clear.