Family Cultivation: I Become a Mirror-Chapter 243 - 224 Several Lifetimes of Planning (21)_2

"Just a Loose Cultivator."

The shopkeeper wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and repeatedly apologized. Li Tongya shook his head indifferently, seeing that the man was quick-witted, he threw out an ambiguous comment, saying,

"Keep the news to yourself for now, in a few years I'll come back to check on this place."

The shopkeeper's eyes lit up, and he nodded repeatedly. Li Tongya took to the air, riding the wind and vanishing above the market square. It was only then that the shopkeeper wiped off his sweat and murmured with a stirring in his heart,

"If we had the backing of a Foundation Establishment Noble Family, we could move closer to the center of the marketplace without being sidelined every day."

The apprentice stepped forward a few paces and asked in a low voice,

"Shopkeeper, how do you know if this person is not a Loose Cultivator… Wouldn't that mean we've brought a tyrant upon ourselves to exploit us?"

The shopkeeper chuckled and said in a low voice,

"The senior was looking for Precious Medicine right off the bat. How could a Loose Cultivator afford such things? Moreover, his bearing is majestic; at first glance, he is someone with a high position. At the very least, he's got a small temple or shrine... You all still have much to learn!"

"Yes!"

The apprentice responded softly, and the group began to joyfully tidy up the medicinal materials.

————

As Li Tongya soared on the wind, the marketplace of Guanyun Peak below shrank smaller and smaller. He contemplated,

"My family backs onto a mountain that produces plenty of medicinal materials and Spiritual Objects. We also need a shopfront in the market. Besides, with the Alchemy Technique and Pill Furnace at home, we're looking at continuing the alchemy lineage. These medicinal materials are essential. This person is astute and bold; let's keep him as a possibility for now, he might come in handy later."

Li Tongya reflected on the reactions of the people around him, and a deep sense of emotion welled inside of him. Previously, he only considered Foundation Establishment Cultivators noble, not realizing it went to such an extent. Back when Si Yuanbai descended from the clear sky, the Li brothers could only bluff their courage, but now that he himself had achieved Foundation Establishment, he had become someone of the same rank. Everyone was calling him 'Elder Ancestor,' and he would be considered a Peak Master-level figure even in Green Pond Sect.

"Three Sects and Seven Doors, with the most being Green Pond's Thirty-Six Peaks, roughly forty Foundation Establishment members. It's said that Jin Yu Sect and Tai He Sect have more than fifty Foundation Establishment members, with the remaining Seven Doors having even fewer, totaling around fifty or sixty. Along with the various Noble Families and Loose Cultivators, Yue Country's Foundation Establishment cultivators should number around two hundred."

In all of Yue Country, with millions of people and tens of thousands of Cultivators, just over two hundred are at the Foundation Establishment level, which shows their nobility. Although the Li and Xiao Families could not compare, they were now quite substantial among other families with the addition of the Talisman Seed, and in the Li Family, only Li Xuanfeng was in sight for achieving Foundation Establishment.

"As for Zifu..."

Li Tongya sighed to himself, having met so many people; apart from his fourth brother Li Chijin, only An Jingming could be said to have the potential for Zifu. Including those he had met briefly, perhaps Ning Wan could be added to the list.

"Xuanxuan and Xuanling naturally lack Spirit Apertures, and are cultivating through the Talisman Seed; reaching Qi Cultivation is already with many blessings. Xuanfeng's nature is too fierce, and his thoughts too wild; he may slay demons and slay monsters, but fearing Zifu may be beyond his reach."

"Yuanjiao and Qinghong have better talents, but not to an astonishing degree. With the Talisman Seed to bolster them, they should have a chance at Foundation Establishment, but Zifu remains elusive. Who knows how many generations it will take for the Li Family to produce such a person."

He sighed softly in the open sky, inwardly chastising himself for dissatisfaction, murmuring,

"With a couple of Foundation Establishment members, the family could continue safely, gradually increasing our foundation. It took the Xiao Family three hundred years to produce a Zifu; my family has not even reached a hundred years, so it's pointless to rush."

Gathering his thoughts, Li Tongya began to ponder the matter of the Precious Medicine again, thinking to himself,

"Of these Noble Families, the Xiao and Yu Families can't be approached for inquiries. Fei Clan is as modest as my own, and I have never interacted with the Yuan Family, but..."

Suddenly, Li Tongya's eyes brightened as a location came to mind. He thought,

"I could go there to inquire and have a chat with the person there. After all, we're neighbors, and it would be ideal to establish a good relationship."

Having decided, Li Tongya took to the wind and headed west.

————

"Li Yuanjiao!"

Li Qinghong came forward with a smile, her crisp voice startling Li Yuanjiao out of his thoughts. Annoyed, he grunted and said angrily,

"Li Qinghong! Can't even call me 'brother' after not seeing me for three years?!"

"Hehe."

Li Qinghong planted her spear on the ground, its red tassel dancing in the air, her bright red robe fluttering slightly in the wind. She laughed and said,

"Are you thinking about my future sister-in-law?"

Li Yuanjiao's expression turned awkward, he snorted, and the corners of his mouth curled up before he drew his sword and, with a laugh tinged with feigned anger, said,

"Still talking back, hey? Quickly call me brother!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he lifted his sword to block Li Qinghong's cold spear. They fought for dozens of rounds, laughing all the while. Li Qinghong's spear technique had greatly improved, which made Li Yuanjiao repeatedly raise his eyebrows, but he didn't let up, taunting,

"Is this all you've learned after all those years at the noble families?"

Li Qinghong didn't retort verbally, but her spear technique grew even more intense. Both adopted the River Rapids Step but neither had perfected it; each used a combination of full and half-moves, taking turns gaining the upper hand. Unable to gain a decisive advantage, they ended with a laugh and a cessation of their techniques, sitting down to chat.

"Qinghong, your spear technique has particularly improved, and your cultivation level has also greatly increased. These three years at the Fei Clan weren't for nothing," said Li Yuanjiao seriously, which Li Qinghong answered with a smile,

"Brother, you have no idea. The concentration of Spiritual Energy on the Hanyun Peak of the Fei Clan is incomparable to our home, and their territory is vast with many peak heads. No wonder they can cultivate so many Qi Cultivators."

Li Yuanjiao wiped off his sweat and sheathed his sword, saying with a laugh,

"Exactly. If our family didn't have Huaqian Mountain and Shanyue's support now, where would we get the continuous supply of Spirit Rice? We wouldn't even be able to afford the tribute, not to mention the elders, and even us younger ones would probably have to delay our breakthroughs by another three or four years."

As their eyes met, Li Qinghong spoke softly,

"What you've said is very true. In Qinghong's view, if it weren't for the expansion and prosperity of the clan, how could the various branches and surnames be as compliant as they are now? People seek profit and fear death. It's through our ancestors' deterrence and the elders' incentives that we can maintain control in the long run."

"I hadn't thought a daughter of the family would share such insight,"

Li Yuanjiao teased before becoming serious, saying,

"You've hit the nail on the head. The Yuan Qing generation will be led by you and me in the future, once our eldest brother is no longer here. We need to be well-prepared to keep control over the various branches and surnames."

Seeing Li Qinghong's agreement, Li Yuanjiao felt quite appreciative, experiencing a sense of camaraderie. Suddenly remembering something, his expression changed, and he said gravely,

"I heard from the elders that you want to cultivate the 'Purple Thunder Secret Essence Technique?' Father also wanted me to persuade you. If Qinghong has any hesitations, feel free to share them."

Li Qinghong nodded slightly and spoke in a low voice,

"Exactly. The technique is powerful and fierce, and it's a perfect match with the family's magic artifacts. I've always loved the spear; how could I not be tempted? Since Yuanyun has taken over the lineage, I now have my freedom. It's just that I can't become the heir, nothing more serious."

Li Yuanjiao could only nod. The siblings had both made progress over the past three years. Through their conversation and assessment of characters, they both had nothing but praise for each other. Li Yuanjiao looked up and saw a streak of light approaching from the east, and he said,

"Uncle is returning from demon hunting. That Jin Geng Longbow really catches the eye."

Li Qinghong, however, looked a bit disheartened and spoke softly,

"Brother, don't laugh at me, but I'm also someone with high aspirations, and I understand him best. Uncle, with his techniques of slaughter, is trapped in this small world of Lijing Mountain; he must feel frustrated."

"Someone like him ought to charge forth like the heroes in stories—indulging in fights and feuds—but he's confined to the mountains, naturally feeling stifled. It's just that he never complains about it,"

Li Yuanjiao paused, wondering about this for the first time. He raised his eyebrows and asked softly,

"Do the elders... know about this?"

Li Qinghong pursed her lips and replied,

"How could they not know? They see everything, but the situation forces them to remain silent. Each elder has their own difficulties, all for the sake of the family."

Li Yuanjiao fell silent, clenching his sword hilt tightly, and after a long while, he sighed,

"For our clan, generation after generation has schemed to reach the heights of the Immortal Clan."