Chapter 479 384 Yu Mountain Dusk Clouds_2

In the era when the Serpent Jiao transformed into a dragon, the Yuan Clan let their opportunities slip away bit by bit, which was always a source of pain for many of the older members. Yuan Huyuan could only sigh repeatedly, finding himself at a loss for words.

Li Yuanjiao nodded slightly. The luck of the Yuan Family indeed wasn't very good, which dispelled some of his suspicions by one or two tenths:

'At least the "Liuyan Life-matching Extraordinary Method" itself isn't a trap, this technique is even more ancient than the history of Green Pond...'

He then took the spell into his hand. The other technique that the Yuan Family provided was a Qi Cultivation Technique for absorbing the "Chill of the Forest Abyss." He stored it away as well and took out the elixir, saying softly,

"Please, advanced cultivator from the honored clan, accompany me in demon hunting. Once the deed is done, I will hand over the elixir and have you remove the secret technique from the jade slip for me."

"Good!"

Yuan Huyuan nodded eagerly and replied,

"Esteemed nephew, please wait a moment! I have already invited a cultivator from our ancestors to come here."

The two waited for a while, and a burly man descended on the wind into the courtyard. With his whiskered cheeks and thick eyebrows, he gave Li Yuanjiao a look and said with a fist salute,

"I am Yuan Chengdun, greetings to the clan leader and Taoist Fellow!"

Yuan Huyuan introduced him,

"This is my clansman, Yuan Chengdun, with Immortal Foundation from the 'Fu Qingshan.' He is adept at subduing demons and suppressing evil spirits. Let him accompany the Taoist Fellow, a mere Pig Demon will surely be easily captured."

Yuan Chengdun had amassed quite a reputation during the demonic calamities. Li Yuanjiao had also heard of him and was pleased, offering a bow of respect.

"I've seen Taoist Fellow!"

Yuan Chengdun, with two short sticks on his back, was at the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage of cultivation. He seemed quiet and not fond of talking, merely nodding slightly in acknowledgment.

Li Yuanjiao casually asked a couple of questions before leading him to the lake.

...

The Li Family.

Li Yuanping sat highly in the Central Hall; to one side stood a young man with a tall frame and bushy eyebrows, looking very affable—it was Li Xihong.

The talent of the Chengming Generation was quite remarkable. Except for Li Yuexiang, who was under six years old and Li Yuanjiao's late-born daughter, whose talent was unknown, the rest of the direct lineage was not bad at all.

At over thirty, Li Xihong had reached the second layer of Qi Cultivation. He respectfully reported,

"...The issue at the mine has been solved... It was a Rat Demon... Uncle Qiuyang was sent..."

Li Yuanping listened to him carefully and advised patiently,

"Xihong, Green Crow Mine produces the most output and must be kept in our own people's hands. It was right to use Uncle Qiuyang... Every disturbance in the mine must be investigated thoroughly, as there could be people using demonic creatures to cover up tracks from stealing ores..."

Li Xihong bowed his tall frame thoughtfully and replied,

"I will bear it in mind."

"Good."

Li Yuanping nodded and continued,

"You should make a trip to Shanyue. I have found Li Jiman for you to talk with; Shanyue produces plenty..."

Li Xihong nodded in agreement, and Li Yuanping asked,

"Considering the time, most of the Chengming Generation are of age now. You have many offspring—any noteworthy talents among them?"

Li Xihong replied,

"All the progeny of the main and branch families have decent talents. Two of the collateral branches have been promoted to the main family because their offspring possessed Spirit Apertures, so now there are eleven in total, all cultivating on the mountain."

"As for those with noteworthy talent,"

Li Xihong paused for a moment and continued in a low voice,

"they all have the aptitude to carry out Qi Cultivation, but to speak of exceptional talents or temperament, none have stood out yet..."

Li Yuanping wasn't in a hurry and said warmly,

"With the new regulations in place, the four branches have grown closer. These children, growing up together on the mountain, living and eating as one—if only they are loyal to the family, they can become Qi Cultivators and key members of the household in the future. They don't need to have any exceptional abilities."

Li Yuanping glanced at Li Xihong beside him, still somewhat concerned, and explained in detail,

"The direct lineage cultivators of the main and branch families all cultivating on the mountain is precisely to facilitate mutual familiarity, so that in the future, when they are sent out to govern the Peak Mansion, as for Qingdu Mountain, with you and your brothers in charge, there won't be too many problems."

The uncle and nephew discussed carefully when someone came forward and reported respectfully,

"Reporting to the Family Head... Yuexiang's Xiao Muyun is here to visit!"

"Xiao Muyun?"

Li Yuanping was startled, then joyfully said,

"Quick, bring them in!"

And so a young boy came up, looking to be only about twelve or thirteen years old, with a Cultivation Level of Fetal Breathing Third Layer, dressed in black, he bowed steadily and said:

"Muyun pays his respects to Uncle!"

This boy was none other than the son of Li Qingxiao, the orphaned descendant of the Xiao Family, and Young Master of Yu Mountain, Xiao Muyun. Li Yuanping hurried down to help him up, took a close look, and seeing his composed expression and bright eyes, he praised:

"Good, what a presence, what a bearing."

Xiao Muyun clasped his hands humbly. To have reached the Third Layer of Fetal Breathing at the age of twelve or thirteen was indeed quite commendable. Li Xihong also came forward with a smile and said,

"It turns out to be my cousin."

Li Qingxiao and Xiao Muyun had been vigorously assisted by the Li Family. Xiao Muyun felt a natural closeness to the two, and Li Yuanping warmly said,

"Is there any trouble at Yu Mountain? Your second uncle has achieved Foundation Establishment, and if there's a need, our family will back you up!"

Xiao Muyun was deeply touched by his words and simply replied,

"Uncle! When my father and grandfather both fell, it was our family that extended help, made moves on many fronts, and provided Spirit Stones and Talismans to save my position as Family Head!"

"Now, Yu Mountain is entirely in the hands of my mother and me, with only some stubborn old folks left. I've come here to return the seventy Spirit Stones that were borrowed."

He took out a Storage Bag from his bosom and handed it to Li Xihong, saying respectfully:

"If there's anything the family needs, the Yu Mountain branch will certainly offer our full support!"

"Eh!"

Li Yuanping shook his head and answered,

"After all, Yu Mountain belongs to the Xiao Family. Too much interaction might give others leverage. You should concentrate on your cultivation, and breaking through to Foundation Establishment sooner will be the best help."

"Yes!"

Xiao Muyun responded emphatically. Li Yuanping then instructed Li Xihong,

"Take your cousin around for a walk, let him meet all your brothers."

Li Xihong clasped his hands in agreement, and the two of them left amiably. Only then did Li Yuanping open the Storage Bag. It contained eighty Spirit Stones, ten more than expected. Li Qingxiao had written a short letter filled with genuine sentiments and earnest words.

'With these eighty Spirit Stones, the shortfall in the family's Formation budget has been filled.'

Finally resolving the long-standing issue, he put away the Storage Bag, and his mood was unusually lifted.

Just as he had arranged matters, a clan soldier came into the hall and, with a subdued voice, said:

"Family Head, Elder is asking... does our clan still have any Tranquil Heart Spiritual Object?"

The Elder mentioned in his words was naturally Li Xuanxuan. With the Li Family suffering significant losses, only he could be considered an Elder.

Li Yuanping held back his words and said in a low voice,

"If necessary, I'll send someone to inquire at Qingdu Peak right away."

Li Xuanxuan was only about seventy years old, but having used the Life-Reducing Technique several times and suffered from three or four severe injuries, he had aged terribly, squandering year after year on the path of Talismans, refusing to relax.

Li Xuanxuan had little hope for progress; his current Cultivation Level was due to many fortunate opportunities. Now, he stubbornly forced his way into the path of Talismans, growing increasingly suspicious and paranoid.

Every time he practiced and meditated, many illusions would emerge. With a Heart Barrier in place, he needed the aid of Tranquility Pills to calm down.

The elderly man could no longer even draw Talismans properly, and he continuously consumed the family's Tranquility Pills, feeling as though he were wasting the family's Spirit Stones with each pill taken, hence he would draw Talismans more fervently.

Li Yuanping closed his eyes and sighed. Li Xuanxuan was now the oldest in terms of generation, and no one in the family could persuade him to take a break.

'Some Elixirs are of secondary concern... I'm just afraid... alas!'

The Li Family had invited someone to prognosticate, and Li Xuanxuan should have had eighty to ninety years of life expectancy, only halfway through a long life. Yet watching him exhaust himself in his obsession, it was feared he might lose a good ten years or more.

Lost in thought, Li Yuanping felt a chill throughout his body and couldn't stop coughing. After taking a sip of tea brewed with spiritual flowers, he suddenly realized:

"I don't have many years left either."

Feeling dizzy, he silently sat back in the chief seat, lightly tapping on the desk:

"Eleven people... all have hope for Qi Cultivation... Jingjie is about to establish her Foundation. In another thirty years, Ming'er will certainly be able to establish his Foundation, and the family will have fifteen or sixteen Direct Lineage Qi Cultivators... "

For some reason, Li Yuanping recalled the past Yu Family, and his heart sank slightly:

"Prosperity leads to decline... I wonder if this boy Xihong can manage the family well..."