96: Chapter 96 New Family Rules

After a thorough review and inventory, the current cultivation Legacy reserves of the Li Family were clear at a glance.

The clan now possessed eighteen Second Grade Cultivation Techniques, twenty-five Second Grade Spells, sixty-eight First Grade Cultivation Techniques, and seventy-two First Grade Spells, in addition to one rare Profound Rank Spirit Spell and four Yellow Rank Spirit Spells, firmly supporting the cultivation Foundation of all the Cultivators in the clan.

Furthermore, regarding the Hundred Arts of Cultivation, the current Foundation of the Li Family was growing increasingly robust.

They possessed one Third Grade Peak Talisman Making Legacy, one Second Grade Peak Formation Legacy, one Second Grade Medium Grade Formation Legacy, as well as one Second Grade High Grade Beast Taming, one Second Grade Medium Grade Spirit Plant, and one Second Grade Low Grade Artifact Refining Legacy each; every one of these was a precious skill capable of nourishing the Family for generations.

The First Grade skill Legacies were even more comprehensive, including three First Grade Spirit Plant, four First Grade Alchemy, five First Grade Artifact Refining, three First Grade Formation, one First Grade Vein Seeking, two First Grade Beast Taming, and three First Grade Talisman Making Legacies.

As his fingertips brushed over the dense list of details on the Jade Slips, the fatigue that had accumulated between Clan Leader Li Huaming's brows from days of toil slowly dissipated, replaced by a deep sense of gratification.

Books, classics, Cultivation Techniques, and skills were never just cold text; they were the fundamental cornerstones for a Cultivation World Family to take root in the world and flourish step by step.

He curled his fingers slightly, steadily tucking the three Jade Slips recording the Family's Foundation into his sleeve, then raised his eyes to look at the ethereal Spiritual Qi mist flowing between the mountains outside the window, the sharp light in his eyes settling as he had already determined the path ahead in his heart.

If Cultivation Techniques and Spells were the Foundation for a Cultivator to establish a Family, then the Hundred Arts of Cultivation were the wings for the Family to take flight.

Having been baptized by the brutal beast tide, the Li Family's Foundation had surged, and its Origin Qi was gradually recovering; it was now the best time to break the old and establish the new, regulate Family rules, and cultivate talent on a broad scale.

Three months had passed since the outbreak of the beast tide. Except for Li Xuance, who was still stationed in Wangshan Town, the remaining three Foundation Establishment Cultivators of the Li Family were all gathered in the solemn Family Council Chamber.

Now that the pressure on the Wangshan Town defense line had greatly diminished, Li Changqing was also able to free up his time.

The three of them consulted behind closed doors for a full two hours, repeatedly weighing the pros and cons, and finally decided on a brand-new set of rules for nurturing talent.

Starting from the following day, the old restrictions on resource requisition were abolished: the number of First Grade cultivation skills that Qi Refining Cultivators could claim for free was increased from the original one to two; the quota for First Grade Spells was expanded from three to five, all provided free of charge to the entire clan, without consuming contribution points or costing Spirit Stones.

At dawn the next day, the morning light broke through the thin mist in the mountains, and the heavy ancient bell on the main peak square of Qingfeng Mountain rang out with a boom.

The dull, deep toll of the bell echoed through the valley, layer by layer, piercing through the swirling Spiritual Qi mist and spreading throughout the entire Li Family territory.

All the clan members remaining in the Family heard the sound and felt a stir in their hearts; they successively put down the tasks at hand, gathered at the main peak square, and stood in Formation.

Everyone looked up at Clan Leader Li Huaming, who stood on the high platform with a steady posture and profound bearing, their eyes filled with confusion and anticipation as they secretly guessed the purpose of this clan gathering.

Clan Leader Li Huaming's gaze swept heavily over the young, simple, and eager faces below the platform, and his voice was steady and resonant, drowning out the faint noises of the crowd:

"From today on, all Li Family Qi Refining clan members may claim three First Grade cultivation skills and five First Grade Spells free of charge. From now on, all cultivation Legacies will follow these new regulations!"

The moment his voice fell, a subtle yet enthusiastic commotion instantly erupted in the square.

The old Family rules were strict; Qi Refining Cultivators had low cultivation bases and scarce resources, and could only learn one cultivation skill and three Spells for free.

If they wanted to cultivate an additional Legacy, they had to spend hard-earned contribution points or precious Spirit Stones to exchange for it, which ordinary low-level clan members simply could not afford.

Now that the Family had broken the rules to lift restrictions and bestow such grace, the intention was obvious—the Family intended to increase resource investment, cultivate low-level talent in batches, and thicken the Family's Foundation.

Amidst the crowd, countless young clan members' eyes suddenly brightened, and a burning flame of hope ignited in their eyes.

Many of them had average Spiritual Roots and slow cultivation progress, but they had a particular passion for the Hundred Arts, such as Talisman Making, Artifact Refining, and Spirit Plant, and studied them with dedication.

The Family's new policy undoubtedly gave them more opportunities to explore.

On the high platform, Clan Leader Li Huaming took in the joy and emotion of the clan members and nodded slightly.

He knew clearly in his heart that this was just the first step in the Family's rise.

In the chaotic Cultivation World, where the weak are prey to the strong, only by widely recruiting talent, letting a hundred flowers bloom, and cultivating specialized Cultivators could the Li Family stand firm and ensure the eternal continuation of its Legacy in this cruel world.

As the current Clan Chief of the Li Family and a Foundation Establishment Cultivator guarding the clan, his duty was to protect this Family business obtained through blood and lead all the clan members toward a higher and further future.

...

After the meeting ended, Li Changqing went to the Family's Treasure Pavilion to exchange for a batch of Second Grade Talisman Making Materials.

He did not immediately set off to return to Xuanling Lake, but instead turned and walked toward the temporary courtyard where the surviving orphans of the Zhang Family were settled.

The four young siblings in the courtyard stood timidly under the veranda, their brows still carrying the frailty and confusion of having lost their home and Family.

Watching the forlorn appearance of her younger siblings, Zhang Yuxi felt a sore and swollen sensation in her nose, and her eyes quietly turned red, but she clenched her fingertips tightly, forcibly holding back the tears in her eyes.

She turned slowly, bowed deeply to Li Changqing, and said with a gentle and sincere tone, devoid of any distance: "Thank you, Husband."

This form of address had long since shed the polite forbearance of their first meeting at the tea house, and was now filled with the trust and reliance that had been completely surrendered after experiencing a desperate situation.

Li Changqing nodded slightly, then summoned the Innate Martial Artist on duty here, his tone calm but carrying an indisputable majesty: "Assign two Body Tempering Martial Artists with steady temperaments and reliable conduct to look after the daily life and diet of these children; take good care of them, and do not allow any negligence."

The Innate Martial Artist was slightly surprised, not understanding why Li Changqing was particularly attentive to the down-and-out Zhang Family orphans, but seeing Zhang Yuxi standing quietly by Li Changqing's side, he instantly understood, respectfully accepted the order, and turned to make arrangements immediately.

The four Zhang Family orphans were all around ten years old, all possessing Three-Inch Spiritual Roots, with average talent, solid Foundations, and strong plasticity.

Especially the three young girls, who had gentle temperaments and pure Spiritual Roots; when they reached the age of maturity, they could be brought into the Li Family through marriage and completely integrated into the Li Family lineage.

After properly settling everything, Li Changqing then took Zhang Yuxi and departed on his artifact to head to Xuanling Lake.

The flying boat left Qingfeng Mountain and sped through the air.

Zhang Yuxi stood quietly half a step beside Li Changqing, gazing at the mountains, rivers, fields, and layered peaks rapidly receding beneath her feet, her heart filled with complex emotions.

After half an hour of rapid travel, the unique, moist water vapor of Xuanling Lake, carrying the fresh scent of grass and trees, rushed toward them, refreshing their hearts.

Li Changqing landed steadily on Xuanling Island with Zhang Yuxi.

When passing through a blooming field of purple hibiscus, a strange, low humming sound suddenly rang out from deep within the forest.

At first, the sound was faint and weak, like spring thunder hidden beneath the clouds, vibrating low, almost imperceptible.

In an instant, the entrance of the quiet Spirit Bee hive suddenly erupted with a sky full of purple light.

That was not the wind; it was hundreds and thousands of Purple Spirit Bees flapping their wings in unison, their billions of wing blades vibrating and intertwining, coalescing into a surging, dynamic wave of Spiritual Qi.