Clan Cultivation: Starting from Foundation Establishment on Mount Luoxia

The sixty-day period for questioning is neither too long nor too short.

Under Li Mutian's strict orders, the entire Hou Tu Jin Ya was operating efficiently.

The results of the expansion were systematically reviewed: the cleared territories, the established strongholds, the discovered mineral and spiritual veins, the cultivated spiritual fields, the subjugated indigenous laborers, the cultivation progress of the family members...

Every item was meticulously recorded and compiled into a booklet, ensuring that the data was clear and verifiable.

Li Tongya has made significant progress in array formations and purification engineering.

It not only optimized the original "Golden Fire Purification and Spirit Transformation Array".

Furthermore, a small-scale "Five Elements Harmony Array" experimental field was successfully set up in the core spiritual field area, and the crop growth was significantly better than that of the outside world.

He carefully compiled some of his research findings, intending them to serve as evidence of how his family adapted to and transformed the environment of this world.

After undergoing reorganization and being equipped with new equipment, Li Xiangping's team has seen an improvement in both morale and combat effectiveness.

Several small-scale operations were carried out during this period, consolidating the safety zone within a 500-mile radius.

Li Xiaoyao, on the other hand, focused on his own cultivation and nurturing with the "Four Seasons Mirror".

When he had free time, he would also have in-depth discussions with Li Tongya about "strange evil spirits" and the changes of the five elements and yin and yang, so as to accumulate a theoretical foundation for the future improvement of the family's cultivation methods.

He also gave Li Chijing some pointers on his cultivation. The young man made rapid progress and had already faintly touched the threshold of the sixth level of Qi Refining.

Everything is proceeding smoothly, all in preparation for the inspection by the envoy from the Immortal Sect.

When the inquiry period was about halfway through, the specific message symbol lit up again, bringing more specific instructions:

The delegation of envoys from the Immortal Sect will arrive soon aboard a special flying boat.

The landing coordinates are located in a relatively flat wasteland about 300 miles east of Houtu Jinya.

The head of the Li family was instructed to prepare the site in advance so they could go and greet the guests.

Li Mutian immediately ordered his men to go to the designated coordinates, clear away the rubble, level the land, and set up simple markers and welcoming banners.

The day the sixty-day period ends.

At dawn, Li Mutian personally led his core clansmen and part of his entourage to the designated coordinates in the wasteland.

Li Xiaoyao, Li Changhu, Li Xiangping, Li Tongya, Li Chijing and others were all present, while the external cultivators such as Scar Wolf and Iron Bow also lined up solemnly behind them.

Everyone changed into relatively neat robes and waited for the celestial messenger to arrive.

The sun gradually rises higher, from the first light of dawn to high noon.

Apart from the howling wind and the pervasive murky air, there was no sign of any flying boats on the wasteland.

Li Xiaoyao kicked a pebble at his feet listlessly, then leaned closer to Li Mutian and muttered in a low voice:

"Brother, this envoy from the Immortal Sect is quite arrogant. He said he would arrive today, but it's been so long and we haven't even seen a trace of him."

"Could they be lost? Or do they think our remote, impoverished area isn't worth being punctual?"

Li Mutian gazed steadily at the horizon and said in a low voice:

"Keep quiet. The celestial messengers have their own rules and procedures; just wait patiently."

Just as Li Xiaoyao pursed his lips, preparing to mutter a few more words, Li Mutian's eyes suddenly narrowed!

In the distance, the ever-gray clouds suddenly began to churn violently, as if stirred by an invisible giant hand!

Immediately afterwards, the shadow of a colossal creature slowly broke through the clouds and descended!

That was a giant airship that was more than three times the size of the Li Jiawu-37 type airship!

The boat has a streamlined shape and is covered with a pale blue aura. Its surface is engraved with complex and mysterious runes, accompanied by the faint sounds of wind and thunder.

A huge flag hung from the bow of the ship, embroidered with the cloud-patterned emblem of the Azure Sky Immortal Sect, fluttering in the wind with an imposing presence!

"They're here!"

Li Changhu let out a soft cry.

Everyone perked up, straightened their backs, and kept their eyes glued to the giant airship that was slowly descending.

The airship landed silently, creating a shockwave, demonstrating an extremely high level of control.

The cabin door slid open silently, and a gangway extended down.

The first to emerge were eight cultivators dressed in uniform cyan outfits, exuding a powerful aura.

All of them were at the late stage of Qi Refining, with sharp eyes and uniform movements. They quickly lined up on both sides of the gangway, their eyes fixed straight ahead.

Then, a middle-aged monk dressed in a moon-white robe, with a calm face and three long wisps of beard, slowly walked down the gangway.

This person possessed a profound aura, clearly at the mid-Foundation Establishment stage, and wore a formulaic, faint smile.

Li Mutian and Li Xiaoyao exchanged a glance, a hint of doubt flashing through their minds at the same time.

According to the second message, the delegation should have consisted of ten people, so why are there only nine? This number doesn't match up.

However, the two did not show it on their faces, and led the crowd forward quickly.

"At the C-749 Expeditionary Site, Li Mutian, the patriarch of the Li family, leads his clan members to respectfully welcome the envoy from the Immortal Sect!"

Li Mutian stepped forward a few paces, cupped his hands in greeting, and spoke in a deep and resonant voice.

The middle-aged cultivator in white robes stopped and glanced at the Li family members.

His smile deepened slightly as he lingered on Li Mutian and Li Xiaoyao, the two Foundation Establishment cultivators, and returned their greetings:

"Fellow Daoist Li, you are too kind. I am Li Daoyun, and I am honored to serve as the Deputy Inspector of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for this inspection. I apologize for keeping you all waiting."

"Li Daoyun?"

Li Xiaoyao's eyes lit up, and a warm smile immediately spread across his face. He stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said:

"Oh my, what a coincidence! Fellow Daoist Daoyun, we're from the same clan!"

"This humble Taoist priest is Li Xiaoyao, and this is my elder brother. I never imagined that the deputy envoy who has come to investigate would share the same surname as us. What a coincidence!"

Upon hearing this, Li Daoyun's formulaic smile became more genuine, and he stroked his beard and chuckled:

"Oh? So you really are from the same clan with the same surname. What a coincidence. It seems that the Immortal Sect's dispatch of me here is also a matter of fate."

The atmosphere immediately became much more harmonious thanks to their shared surname.

Li Xiaoyao was naturally eloquent, and after a few pleasantries, he and Li Daoyun got along quite well.

Li Mutian also chimed in at the opportune moment, asking if the journey had been smooth and whether the person was adapting well to the turbid environment.

Li Daoyun answered each question in turn, appearing quite amiable.

During the conversation, he revealed that this inspection was mainly a routine matter, to assess the efforts and potential of the Kaiyuan family.

This will provide a basis for the subsequent allocation of resources by the Immortal Sect, so that the Li family will not be too nervous.

After chatting for a while, Li Daoyun changed the subject and said with a smile:

"I had a very pleasant conversation with my two fellow Daoists, but the sect's mission is of utmost importance."

"We've had a long journey. Why don't we return to your family's camp with you two to settle down first, and then discuss the exploration details?"

Li Mutian readily agreed.

"That is to be expected, Your Excellency."

He stepped aside and gestured for them to proceed, while casually asking:

"I wonder if you are resting on the boat right now, or if you are moving along with us?"

He was asking about the chief envoy of this inspection, the steward he had never met.

Upon hearing this, Li Daoyun gave a strange smile and waved his hand:

"My lord, he did not travel with us."

"Oh?"

Li Mutian and Li Xiaoyao were even more puzzled.

Just as Li Daoyun was about to explain, a blue jade pendant hanging from his waist suddenly vibrated slightly, emitting a soft light.

He looked down, and the smile on his face suddenly became somewhat subtle. He looked up at Li Mutian and the other man and said:

"Haha, fellow Daoists, look, isn't this a coincidence?"

He showed the jade tablet, and a line of tiny runes flashed across it. He explained:

"This is a message from the steward. He said... he has already arrived at your family camp."

"What?!"

Li Mutian and Li Xiaoyao were both speechless, their faces filled with shock.

Li Daoyun put away the jade token, his smile amiable, but a subtle glint flashed in his eyes:

"The steward has never been one to follow the rules."

"Three days ago, he left the post station alone, saying that he wanted to travel around and explore the landscape beforehand, and that we did not need to accompany him."

"I didn't expect him to move so quickly, already arriving at your precious place."

"Fellow Daoists, it seems we must hurry back, lest we keep the steward waiting."