17: boiling

It seemed his System didn't have a beginner's gift package, but in reality, wasn't he one himself?

After all, because the System showed him as 'detached', the Li Family was only a pseudo-Golden Core Family.

But what if he 'truly joined' the Li Family?

Then wouldn't the Li Family be able to become a true Golden Core Family in one fell swoop?

By then, the Family Prosperity Value would surely be immense!

Thinking this, Li Xiangyun's eyes lit up, seeing a glimmer of hope to survive.

But the question was, what would count as truly integrating into the Li Family?

Looking at the System, Li Xiangyun once again fell into deep thought.

On the System, he was displayed as the Family Old Ancestor.

And the most important thing for a Family Old Ancestor is to be loved by everyone, or rather, to have everyone's approval... As he pondered, Li Xiangyun felt himself gradually realizing the crux of the matter.

After all, before this, the world had always known that he had a rift with the Li Family, had never returned to the Li Family, let alone cared for them.

Therefore, even though the Li Family produced him, a Golden Core Immortal Master.

The world didn't care, still treating the Li Family as a Foundation Establishment Family, including the previous Zhao Family and Tian Linfeng.

Now, although he had returned to the Family.

It had only been less than a day, and the news hadn't spread, so the world naturally didn't know about his return.

Perhaps they still considered the Li Family just a Foundation Establishment Family.

After all, reputation is also part of a Family's strength.

Just like Liu Bei, the 'Big-Eared Thief' from his previous life's Three Kingdoms era, he was clearly just a humble man, but by simply claiming to be a descendant of the Han empress, didn't people still flock to him?

The reason for this wasn't just the 'filter' provided by his imperial kinship?

The Cultivation world is the same; when out and about, although one's identity is often self-proclaimed.

But if you have an impressive background, and you announce it, who wouldn't be wary?

Thinking this, Li Xiangyun felt he had already understood the key to the situation.

But how to spread the news?

After all, he couldn't just find the Clan Chief and specifically ask him to prepare a welcome celebration for himself, could he?

Thus, Li Xiangyun thought of a lecture.

Even though he was just a Golden Core, and his Realm was only the third Realm in Cultivation.

He could still be considered a powerful figure in the Great Zhou Dynasty.

He believed a Golden Core's lecture would definitely attract many people.

By then, he would not only be able to spread the news of his return to the Family but also gather many offerings.

After all, who would miss an opportunity to curry favor with a Golden Core?

Furthermore, he might not know who gave, but he would definitely remember clearly who didn't.

With a plan in place, Li Xiangyun breathed a sigh of relief.

But the Materials that Fire Old mentioned still weighed heavily on his mind like a mountain.

To avoid any mishaps, Li Xiangyun also thought of the Sect.

He admitted that he had been somewhat arrogant before; he was careless and didn't react.

But he still had hope for salvation now.

So, Li Xiangyun could only thick-skinnedly send a sound transmission to the Sect, hoping they could help him collect some...

"Have you heard? The legendary Ice Peak Zhenren is going to give a lecture."

"This is a Golden Core Immortal Master! I believe even a few casual words from him would greatly benefit us, wouldn't they?"

"Ice Peak Zhenren? Isn't that an Elder of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect? Why would he give a lecture in our Purple Cloud City?"

"Oh, you don't know yet, do you?"

"This Ice Peak Zhenren's real name is Li Xiangyun, he is the Li Family Old Ancestor, who was away for several centuries and has only now returned to the Family."

"Who cares about all that? A major event like a Golden Core Immortal Master's lecture, I, Hu Han San, must at least join in the fun."

"You? Are you even worthy?"

"Is a Golden Core Immortal Master's lecture something you insignificant people can participate in?"

"Kid, you're looking for death!"

"How dare you! My father is Zhang Dahe!"

"Hiss~"

...As the news spread, Purple Cloud City, which had been peaceful for a long time, was like a stone dropped into a lake, stirring up monstrous waves.

In every street and alley, vendors and pedestrians were all discussing it.

And this news was rapidly spreading in all directions.

"Golden Core Immortal Master's lecture?"

In Green Cloud City, a seemingly ordinary young man, upon hearing this news, was somewhat moved.

The young man's name was Wang Ning, born into an ordinary Qi Cultivation Family in a mountain village, he managed to step onto the path of cultivation due to a half-incomplete Cultivation Technique preserved by his Family.

After cultivating diligently for several years, due to the Cultivation Technique's limitations, he reached a bottleneck and was forced to leave his hometown to pursue the Dao of Immortals.

Now, the drawback of his incomplete Cultivation Technique had manifested; Wang Ning's cultivation could neither advance nor could he switch to a different Cultivation Technique.

Therefore, he wanted to go to the Li Family and try his luck through the Golden Core Immortal Master's lecture.

It's just... Looking at himself, dressed in coarse linen and with not even ten Spirit Stones in hand, Wang Ning revealed a bitter smile.

How could he, in such a state, enter the Li Family?

However, this bitterness quickly turned into resolve.

Since he, Wang Ning, had left his home to pursue the Dao of Immortals, he would never be defeated by such a small difficulty.

After some thought, Wang Ning resolutely left Green Cloud City and headed to Qingxia Lake.

Green Cloud City and Purple Cloud City were both built by lakes.

The reason for this phenomenon was that this area was located in the southern part of the Great Zhou, near the Misty Swamp.

The Misty Swamp, one of the ten great Forbidden Grounds of the Netherworld, was composed of endless swamps and lakes.

It was designated a Forbidden Ground due to the large number of Yao Beasts living within it and the endless mist that perpetually hung over it.

Because of this, the lakes near the Misty Swamp would also often be shrouded in mist.

Purple Cloud Lake and Qingxia Lake were named for this reason.

Due to their proximity to the Misty Swamp, Purple Cloud Lake and Qingxia Lake were rich in resources, often attracting countless Cultivators to explore them.

But similarly, they also contained endless dangers.

If it weren't for a critical moment, Wang Ning would never have ventured into Qingxia Lake.

But alas, his problem had reached an urgent point.

If he relied solely on his savings, he didn't know how long it would take to afford a Golden Core Immortal Master to examine him.

The Golden Core Immortal Master's lecture was scheduled for ten days later; he had to find a sufficiently precious treasure within ten days to use as a stepping stone to enter the Li Family.

Thinking this, Wang Ning's eyes grew firmer, and his steps quickened a bit.

And there were quite a few people who shared Wang Ning's thoughts.

They all felt that Li Xiangyun's lecture was a heaven-sent opportunity; if they could use it to enter the Li Family and gain the favor of a certain Li Family woman.

Wouldn't they be able to ascend to heaven in one step and become a member of a Golden Core Family?

What's more, Li Xiangyun had also released the Materials he needed this time.

If someone could produce one of them, Li Xiangyun would be able to do something for them that did not violate morality or endanger life.

As soon as this statement was released, the entire Southern Barbarian Province was shaken!

Countless people were moved by it.

This was a promise from a Golden Core Immortal Master!

Whether it was for revenge or to become a disciple of a Golden Core Immortal Master, it would be a huge gain.

For a time, countless Loose Cultivators went mad, flocking to various mountains and lakes, just to be able to ascend to heaven in one step.

Even the various Families were somewhat tempted.

After all, while Li Xiangyun's Materials were precious, if they could be exchanged for a Golden Core Immortal Master's intervention once, it would not be a loss.

It could be said that Li Xiangyun was truly resorting to all means to survive!