Clan Cultivation: Starting from Foundation Establishment on Mount Luoxia

"Second Uncle, you must be tired from your journey!"

Li Changhu also came forward, his eyes filled with anticipation as he looked at the supplies that almost filled the airship's cargo hold.

"It seems Second Uncle has gained a lot from this trip!"

"Of course!"

Li Xiaoyao laughed and patted Li Changhu on the shoulder.

"The fines have been cleared, the airship has been repaired and upgraded, and we've brought back almost everything we needed and could buy! That should keep us busy for a while."

In the following days, Hou Tu Jin Ya was plunged into a new round of busy work.

Li Changhu directed his clansmen to categorize and register the massive amount of supplies.

The cultivation manuals were sent to the newly opened "Scripture Pavilion," where Li Tongya was responsible for their initial sorting and protection.

Various spiritual plant seeds, cultivation tools, and spiritual beast and insect eggs are entrusted to specially selected clansmen with relevant experience for receiving, cultivation, and experimentation.

Elixirs, magical artifacts, and array materials are allocated or stored in the treasury as needed.

Li Mutian summoned the core members and listened to Li Xiaoyao's detailed report.

When he heard that the fine had been paid in full, the performance of the flying boat had been improved, and most of the targets on the procurement list had been achieved, a relaxed smile finally appeared on his serious face.

Especially when he learned that Li Xiaoyao had secretly acquired research notes on "Yisha" and suspected ancient relics, he nodded repeatedly.

"Xiaoyao handled this matter well. My Li family is new to this world, with shallow foundations, and information is of utmost value to us."

"These niche studies may not be useful right now, but they will definitely be of great use in the future."

Li Mutian praised him, then looked at Li Tongya.

"Tongya, you will be in charge of studying those classics and manuscripts."

"We must find out the key information that can be used to improve our race's cultivation environment here, enhance our strength, and even help us understand the nature of this world."

"If you need manpower or resources, just ask your brother Changhu directly."

"Yes, Father! Your son will do his utmost!"

With a thirst for knowledge burning in his eyes, Li Tongya excitedly agreed.

"Xiang Ping."

Li Mutian then looked at the third son.

"You are responsible for integrating the newly purchased magical artifacts and upgrading the team's equipment."

"Those elixir formulas and auxiliary medicines should be prepared and reliable clansmen should be arranged to try refining them as soon as possible."

"We will have no shortage of conflicts with the natives and the monsters of this place; elixirs and weapons are the foundation for our survival."

"I understand!"

At the end of the meeting, Li Mutian's gaze fell on Li Xiaoyao, and he pondered for a moment before saying:

"Xiaoyao, we've met the priests guarding the sanctuary before, and we have the deepest impression of the 'Strange Fiend' path they cultivate."

"Communicate more with Tongya, and combine this with the notes you brought back this time to see if they can be helpful to our clan's cultivation."

"In particular, Chi Jing's 'Autumn Lake Reflecting the Moon' and your own improvement of 'Four Seasons Mirror' have been inspiring."

"The lesser yin nature of Chijing may have something in common with some of the cold and malevolent energy in this place, and it needs to be guided properly."

"Don't worry, brother, I'll remember this."

Li Xiaoyao nodded.

He was indeed very interested in the approach taken by the gatekeeper priests, which combined the basic attributes of the five elements with the extreme characteristics of yin and yang.

This has a subtle connection to his concept of "Four Seasons Mirror" which is inclusive and ever-evolving.

The family's gears, thanks to this bountiful supply, have accelerated once again, becoming even more stable and powerful.

Inside the Sutra Repository, Li Tongya almost forgot to eat and sleep.

He first systematically categorized the first and second grade Five Elements Kung Fu techniques he had purchased.

An index is created based on the detailed attributes of the Five Elements, such as "Geng Metal, Ku Metal, Xiao Metal, Dui Metal, Qi Metal", "Geng Wood, Jiao Wood, Bao Wood, Zheng Wood, and Ji Wood".

This allows family members to choose the most suitable introductory cultivation method based on their own spiritual root characteristics.

At the same time, he began to study those volumes of third-grade classics and anonymous manuscripts in detail.

A few days later, filled with excitement and solemnity, he found Li Mutian and Li Xiaoyao.

"Father, Second Uncle! We've made an important discovery!"

Li Tongya spread out several jade slips.

"Combining the newly acquired ancient array analysis texts with that research note on 'Strange Fiends'."

"My initial deduction is that the remaining giant rune traces on the periphery of the sanctuary are..."

"It is very likely part of the foundation of a massive 'Five Elements Reversal Refining Array'!"

"Reversing the Five Elements to Refine Evil?"

Li Xiaoyao's eyes narrowed.

"Exactly!"

Li Tongya explained:

"Ordinary formations mostly use the principles of mutual generation and restraint of the five elements to harmonize spiritual energy and nourish all things."

"But this formation does the opposite; its core function is likely to forcibly extract and reverse."

"Refine the original, normal spiritual energy of the five elements of heaven and earth in this world, and transform it into the now pervasive, extremely mixed and chaotic 'turbid evil energy'!"

"The notes mention that some ancient evil formations or sealing arrays use similar principles to suppress or wear down some terrifying entity through extreme environments..."

Li Mutian abruptly stood up, his gaze sharp:

"You mean the Sanctuary isn't the 'source of defilement,' but rather a massive 'purification' or 'sealing' core?"

"Is it because of the side effects of reversing the five elements and refining spiritual energy that this realm's environment has deteriorated, becoming filled with turbid and malevolent energy?"

"And that gatekeeper priest isn't guarding the 'ancestral spirit,' but more likely... something sealed away, or the 'key' to maintaining the operation of this grand formation?"

This inference is even more astonishing and terrifying than the previous conjecture that the sanctuary was a source of contamination or an ancient battlefield.

Li Tongya nodded emphatically:

"Although there is no conclusive evidence, numerous clues point to this possibility being extremely high."

"If that's the case, then the truth about the ancient 'demonic calamity' in this world is probably far more complicated than we imagine."

"The secrets deep within the sanctuary must also be of great importance."

Li Xiaoyao stroked his chin and murmured:

"Goodness, if the Sanctuary is a giant 'sewage treatment plant' or 'sealing container'."

"Those gatekeeper priests are the administrators... Their 'exotic evil' cultivation level is probably the result of living in such an extreme environment for many years, adapting to and utilizing the dissipated evil energy."

"No wonder their power seemed to blend seamlessly with the environment here."

"This matter is of great importance, and for now, it is to be kept secret from just a few of us. It must not be divulged."

Li Mutian said in a deep voice:

"Tongya, continue your in-depth research, try to find more supporting evidence, and consider whether this formation can be used in reverse."

"Or perhaps some of its principles could be used to improve the environment of our tribe's strongholds."

"yes!"

While the family's top brass was alarmed by the secrets of the Sanctuary, external expansion efforts were also progressing steadily.

With new equipment and replenished elixirs, the morale of Li Xiangping's combat team soared.

He is now at the seventh level of Qi Refining, wielding a first-grade high-quality magic weapon called "Crimson Flame Blade". His movements are sharp and his combat experience is growing richer day by day.

With the assistance of experienced rogue cultivators like Scar Wolf and Iron Bow, he began to systematically wipe out the remaining indigenous tribes and powerful demonic beasts within a 500-mile radius of Thick Earth Golden Cliff.

Battles often present a one-sided, overwhelming situation.

The rigorous teamwork, superior equipment, and tactical skills of the new monks far surpass those of the natives who rely on instinct and rudimentary use of malevolent energy.

Although Li Xiangping was only at the late stage of Qi Refining, his swordsmanship became increasingly fierce thanks to his understanding of the fire attribute "Yang Huo" and Li Xiaoyao's guidance.

Even ordinary demonic beasts or native leaders at the eighth or ninth level of Qi cultivation could hardly withstand its power.

Large numbers of new prisoners and spoils of war were continuously sent back.