Rebuilding the Immortal Cultivator Clan

Chapter 64: Two Years (Please Support~)

”Zhizhun, stay a moment; the rest of you may return,” Li Shiqing spoke, as everyone else was dismissed.

The crowd was somewhat surprised by Li Shiqingʼs decision to keep Li Zhizhun, though he was also in the later stages of Qi Cultivation, he was rather ordinary apart from some talent in brewing Spiritual Wine.

Only Li Shiren and Li Shilian knew the reason why Li Shiqing asked him to stay.

When only the two of them were left in the main hall, Li Shiqing scrutinized Li Zhizhun for the first time with serious attention, causing the latter, who was initially clueless, to grow tense all of a sudden.

”Thereʼs no need to be so tense, sit,” Li Shiqing gestured with his hand and asked, ”Do you know why I have chosen to speak with you alone?”

”I do not,” Li Zhizhun shook his head honestly.

Li Shiqing did not beat around the bush, but told him straightforwardly, ”Shilian and Shiren have both recommended you to me, believing you are capable of assuming the role of Clan Leader.”

”Why? Zhirui is more suited for the position than I am,” Li Zhizhun said, puzzled.

Li Shiqing sighed with a hint of helplessness, ”You are right, but Zhirui has no desire to be the Clan Leader; he wishes to achieve greater things on the path of Immortal Tao. Therefore, he will only take on the responsibility temporarily from me after his Foundation Establishment breakthrough, acting as an Acting Clan Leader. Once a suitable person emerges, he will relinquish his authority.”

”So, you have chosen me as the Clan Leader?” Li Zhizhun was full of questions, but he had clarified this much.

Li Shiqing nodded, knowing if he disclosed the whole truth, it would make Li Zhizhun feel as though he was just picking up what Zhirui had discarded. However, he chose not to lie, for if the lie was exposed, it might be even harder for Li Zhizhun to accept.

”Then why do you wish to step down as Clan Leader?” Li Zhizhun understood Zhiruiʼs reasons for declining, but could not comprehend why Li Shiqing would want to resign from his successful position as the Clan Leader.

”I am preparing to enter seclusion and make a breakthrough to the Golden Core Realm,” Li Shiqing revealed without elaborating.

”After you go back, give it some thought. If you are willing, the familyʼs next Foundation Establishment Pill will be yours,” he continued.

Li Zhizhun was stunned by these words. Although it seemed that, apart from Zhirui, no one else in the family was qualified to compete with him for the Foundation Establishment Pill, what if a new late-stage Qi Cultivator emerged within the family in these few years? It seemed improbable, but it wasnʼt impossible.

Moreover, he could tell from Li Shiqingʼs words that the owner of the next Foundation Establishment Pill would undoubtedly be the next Clan Leader!

ʼBecoming the Clan Leader, huh? That doesnʼt sound too bad.ʼ He could not only receive the Foundation Establishment Pill but also control the direction of the familyʼs development.

The only issue was, becoming Clan Leader might leave him with less time for cultivation and no chance for travel, confining him to just the three acres of Da Rong Island, perhaps with an occasional visit to Yunping State.

But for Li Zhizhun, this was hardly a problem at all, for he knew full well that with his temperament and the Three Spiritual Rootsʼ talent, the likelihood of breaking through to the Golden Core Realm was practically impossible.

”I am willing to become the familyʼs next Clan Leader,” Li Zhizhun quickly made up his mind and gave his answer on the spot.

Li Shiqing slightly raised an eyebrow, nodded, and instructed, ”Then after you go back, focus on your cultivation, reach the perfection of Qi Cultivation as soon as possible, and then achieve Foundation Establishment.”

”In the future, you must come to the main hall every morning and learn how to be a Clan Leader by my side.” This was also to signal to the rest of the family that Li Zhizhun was the heir to the Clan Leader.

”I understand!”

From the next day on, Li Zhizhun would follow Li Shiqing and learn every day, making many people curious.

Given the preceding circumstances, most clansmen could tell that the next Clan Leader would likely be Zhirui. But now, Li Shiqing was suddenly grooming Zhizhun.

However, Li Shiqing quickly suppressed any rumblings about the matter, preventing the situation from escalating.

For Li Zhirui, this had no impact whatsoever, as he was now solely focused on quickly bringing his realm to perfection and then entering seclusion to break through to the Foundation Establishment.

To this end, Li Zhirui took up a life of seclusion, rarely venturing out for trials to hone his own strength, he never left Da Rong Island. Had it not been for the need to deliver Jade Spirit Pills, he wouldnʼt even have left his courtyard.

However, when he heard that Li Zhixuan had broken through to the first level of Qi Cultivation, he immediately found her and gave her the ten bottles of Jade Spirit Pills promised years ago, along with the Green Wood Sword.

Truth be told, Li Zhixuanʼs talent was truly poor. The spiritual energy accumulated in her body over three years could allow a child who had never cultivated to break through to the first level of Qi Cultivation in a short time.

For someone with good talent like Li Zhiyue, it took only a day or two, and for those with slightly inferior talent, about seven or eight days. Those with the worst, the Five Spirit Roots, needed half a month. Although Li Zhixuanʼs situation wasnʼt that extreme, it still took her twelve days to break through.

In reality, Li Zhixuanʼs level of cultivation talent was the most common and most widespread in the Li family, and this is also the norm for small clans in the cultivation world.

For families bound by blood relations, without a significantly large population of mundane family members, the probability of high-talent clan members appearing is relatively small.

Unlike sects, they can freely accept disciples without the constraints of lineage. As long as one has Spiritual Roots, thatʼs sufficient. With more people, the probability of disciples with better talent naturally increases.

”Cultivate well!” There was not much more Li Zhirui could say. He couldnʼt provide Li Zhixuan with an abundance of resources, not only because it wouldnʼt benefit her, but it might actually harm her.

”I wonʼt let Jiu down!” Li Zhixuan was definitely not one to shrink back from the current difficulties.

Li Zhirui smiled and nodded, exchanging a few pleasantries with her before returning to his small courtyard.

The next time he emerged, it was a month later.

”If you are cultivating, you shouldnʼt continue to refine Spirit Pills anymore to avoid distracting yourself.”

Li Shile said, ”Although the family doesnʼt have a real Water Method Alchemist, there are already several clan members who can refine Jade Spirit Pills. With them around, they can ensure the familyʼs interests.”

”Itʼs fine, I canʼt cultivate all day as it is, and these Spirit Pills are all refined when I have spare time,” Li Zhirui said with a smile.

Li Zhiruiʼs meridians still couldnʼt endure the long-term rush of Spiritual Energy. He could cultivate for a maximum of four hours a day before reaching his limit.

With the rest of his time, Li Zhirui was either refining Spirit Pills, practicing the Visualization Skill, occasionally playing with Da Qing in the space, or tending to the Spiritual Medicine, leading a very fulfilling life.

Hearing this, Li Shile had little more to say, so he changed the topic to discuss recent developments in the family.

”That little gal Zhiyue is cultivating fast and is about to break through to the second level of Qi Cultivation soon. She doesnʼt waste her impressive talent,” Li Shile said with a chuckle.

With Li Zhirui leading the previous generation and now the emergence of Li Zhiyue, many elders saw them as the hope for the familyʼs rise.

When Li Shile mentioned Li Zhiyue, Li Zhirui asked, ”Is she willing to form a contract with the Water Spirit Turtle?”

”Sheʼs very willing. Now weʼre just waiting for the Water Spirit Turtle to hatch so she can sign the contract,” Li Shile replied.

Li Zhirui nodded. After all, he had been the one who requested to buy the Water Spirit Turtle, so he was naturally more invested in it.

”Sir Yue, I should be heading back,” Li Zhirui said, after receiving the Spirit Stones and the materials needed for the following month, and took his leave.

As spring went and autumn came, with cold fading and heat arriving, two years passed by unnoticed.

After these two years of cultivation, Li Zhirui had reached the perfection of Qi Cultivation Completion and was only one step away from the Foundation Establishment Realm!