186: Chapter 186 Li Clan Foundation Building Conference

Alchemy and beast taming are both practical cultivation skills.

...

As the setting sun sank into the lake, the horizon burned into a golden red.

The evening breeze passed through the forest, the rustling of the Spirit Tree leaves blending with the sound of the lake water lapping against the shore.

The night crept up from the lake surface inch by inch, wrapping Xuanling Island in a gentle, dark blue.

Warm yellow lights illuminated a pavilion on Xuanling Island. When Zhang Yuxi brought out the final dish from the kitchen, the heat, wrapped in a rich aroma, rushed towards them, filling the entire room with warmth.

Li Yunfeng had set the table and chairs early, arranging three sets of bowls and chopsticks neatly, and had even replaced the teapot with a pot of freshly brewed Spirit Tea.

He was busy running back and forth, helping his mother carry plates from the kitchen one moment, and poking his head out at the courtyard gate the next, looking for something. Zhang Yuxi laughed and shooed him back to sit down: "Your father isn't going to run away, sit down."

Li Yunfeng chuckled and sat by the table, but he couldn't stay still, occasionally turning his head to glance towards the kitchen, muttering: "Mom made so many dishes today..."

Li Changqing sat in the main seat, his gaze sweeping across the table full of dishes, a long-lasting warmth rising in his heart.

Steamed Spirit Fish, braised Spirit Pork, stir-fried beef with Spirit peppers, a plate of stir-fried Spirit bamboo shoots and Spirit mushrooms, a pot of tenderly stewed Spirit Chicken soup, a pot of Spirit Duck soup, two plates of pickled side dishes, and a large bowl of glistening Spirit Rice.

Most of these ingredients were harvested from the Spirit fields cultivated on Xuanling Island and the Spirit Fish raised in the lake. Although they could not compare to the delicacies in the restaurants of large trading hubs, they excelled in their freshness and home-cooked quality, each dish imbued with the warmth of life.

Zhang Yuxi untied her apron and sat at the table, casually picking up a piece of fish belly meat for Li Changqing's bowl, and then adding a spoonful of Spirit Chicken soup to Li Yunfeng's bowl.

Her movements were natural and deft, as if she had done this every day for the past ten years.

"Everything is grown and raised on the island; it's not as exquisite as the Spirit meals outside, so please make do with it."

Although Zhang Yuxi said to make do, her eyes held a hint of anticipation as she waited for Li Changqing to pick up his chopsticks.

Li Changqing picked up the piece of fish belly and put it into his mouth. The Purple Spirit Fish was tender and melted upon contact, carrying the unique sweetness of the Spirit Fish along with a hint of spiciness from the ginger strips, perfectly bringing out the Spiritual Qi inherent in the ingredient.

He chewed twice and swallowed, nodding sincerely: "Delicious, far better than those Bigu Pills in the Secret Realm by more than a hundred times."

Hearing this, Zhang Yuxi's eyes curved into crescents, and she added another spoonful of chicken soup for him: "Then eat more. You haven't had home-cooked food in ten years; there's plenty tonight."

Li Yunfeng had already buried his head and shoveled a large mouthful of Spirit Rice into his mouth, mumbling: "Dad, try these Spirit bamboo shoots. They were newly planted on Xuanling Island in the past few years. They just sprouted these past few days, and I dug them up this morning. They are so tender!"

As he spoke, he used his chopsticks to pile a large portion directly into Li Changqing's bowl, stacking it like a small hill. Then, realizing belatedly that his action was too eager, his earlobes heated up slightly, and he lowered his head to take a big gulp of soup to cover it up.

Li Changqing ate the chopsticks of Spirit bamboo shoots completely and nodded in praise: "Indeed tender, and the cooking time is just right."

Receiving the praise, Li Yunfeng's eyes immediately brightened, and he couldn't suppress the corners of his mouth. He then diligently poured a cup of Spirit Tea for his father: "Dad, have some tea. These are Green Spirit Tea leaves I dried myself; they aren't any worse than what's sold in the Wangshan Town market."

The Family of three sat around this small dining table, accompanied by the clinking of bowls and chopsticks, the bubbling sound of hot soup, and occasional casual conversation.

Outside the window, the lake breeze passed through the forest, the bamboo leaves rustling. In the distance, the faint sound of frog croaks could be heard. Everything was peaceful and serene, as if there had never been a Taixu Secret Realm in this world, and there would be no Righteous-Demonic War in the future.

The three chatted about daily life. After Li Yunfeng was full, he sat for a moment longer, then put down his bowls and chopsticks and stood up, rubbing his hands together: "Dad, Mom, you continue eating. I... I'll go out first to tidy up the Alchemy room."

After speaking, he didn't wait for them to answer and ran out in a flash. His steps were quick and light, sweeping out of the courtyard gate like a gust of wind. In the distance, one could still hear his footsteps running towards the back mountain and a whistle that he couldn't suppress due to his excitement.

The pavilion quieted down, leaving only the curling steam rising from the dishes. Zhang Yuxi gazed in the direction where Li Yunfeng had disappeared, shook her head slightly, and smiled: "This child, his temper is very impatient."

Li Changqing held his teacup, his gaze landing on the path outside the courtyard gate that had been swallowed by the night. The smile on his lips was gentle and lingering: "Impatience has its benefits. He is still young; guide him slowly."

Li Changqing put down the teacup and reached out, covering the back of Zhang Yuxi's hand resting on the edge of the table. His palm was warm.

Zhang Yuxi did not dodge, only slightly turning her face to look at him. Her eyes shimmered with a hint of moisture, then she curved her lips and gently interlaced her fingers into his.

Outside the window, Xuanling Lake shimmered with fine white light under the moonlight. The night breeze passed through the Spirit Peach forest, bringing the lingering scent of the last flowers.

The lights inside the pavilion were on, the warm glow leaking out through the cracks in the window, falling onto the bluestone ground in the courtyard, like the most stable coordinate in this world.

...

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

Qingfeng Mountain, Li Family Council Pavilion. All the Foundation Establishment Cultivators of the Family gathered together.

Li Changqing stepped into the main hall and bowed to the elders of the Family filling the hall.

He did not deliberately suppress his cultivation. The thick Spiritual Qi of the Late Foundation Establishment Stage naturally radiated from his body. His demeanor was composed and imposing like a deep pool or a towering mountain, without any concealment.

The sharp-eyed Li Xuance was the first to capture the fluctuation in his Realm. A flash of surprise burst from his eyes, and he exclaimed: "Changqing! You have actually broken through to the Late Foundation Establishment Stage? If I remember correctly, you are only seventy years old, right? You... this is the youngest Late Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivator in the thousand years since our Li Family was established!"

As these words fell, all the Foundation Establishment clansmen in the hall instantly turned their heads, their gazes gathering on Li Changqing, their eyes filled with shock and emotion.

Clan Chief Li Huaming sighed, his eyes full of gratification and certainty, and spoke slowly: "Changqing, as early as several years ago, I discussed with the elders in the Family, wishing to pass the position of Clan Chief to you. With the Family in your hands, the future will surely become more prosperous."

"Now that you have returned from the Taixu Secret Realm and your cultivation has broken through again, reaching the Late Foundation Establishment Stage, in terms of age, talent, Heart-Nature, experience, Family achievements, and strength, if you were to take over as Clan Chief, no one would have any objections."

Li Changqing's heart was clear and calm.

Zhang Yuxi had mentioned the discussion about the succession within the Family to him over the past two days, and he had no objections to it.

The chaotic times were approaching, and storms were about to rise. Only by occupying the position of Clan Chief and holding the power of the entire Family could he freely lay out development plans, allocate resources, cultivate the younger generation, and deter external enemies. For himself and for the Family, in the coming catastrophe, he would seek a path of survival and pave a great path to rise.

He nodded slightly and answered calmly, his voice steady and clear, resounding throughout the Council Pavilion: "To not hide it from the elders, my cultivation has indeed reached the Late Foundation Establishment Stage long ago, and I am not too far from the Peak of Foundation Establishment."

"As for the heavy responsibility of Clan Chief, as long as the elders and clansmen in the Family trust and recognize me, Changqing will accept this position and shoulder this heavy burden of the Family."