Family Cultivation: Rise of the Wilderness

Chapter 43 The Nagabayashi Meeting

The pig demon was also in the nearby pen. When it saw the piglet being held in someone's arms, it became excited and started to squeal repeatedly.

This guy holds grudges.

Li Xiangming glanced at the pig demon, about to visit this "old friend," when he saw Li Xianghong slowly squat down next to the pig demon, patting its back and murmuring softly.

Soon, the pig demon quieted down and curled up in place.

After witnessing this scene, Li Xiangming clicked his tongue in amazement; this stubborn fellow had actually been tamed.

It seems that the rumors at home cannot be entirely trusted. Li Xianghong's beast-taming skills are obviously very impressive, at least much better than mine.

Then Li Xianghong took Li Xiangming to see other piglets. These piglets had lost some of the characteristics of "pigs" to varying degrees, and Li Xianghong called them "mutant species".

According to Li Xianghong, he used the method recorded in the "Compendium of Ten Thousand Spirits" and his own ingenious ideas to cultivate these "strange pigs" that do not have reproductive isolation. They are the key to the birth of pig demons into piglet demons.

"Can these methods be integrated into a standard process?"

Li Xiangming realized a crucial point: if they could artificially cultivate monsters, they wouldn't need to risk entering Puyin Mountain. They could simply train the monsters native to Danggui Mountain and sell them for a high price.

"That won't do. We must expand the pigsty and even introduce other types of monsters. Only through continuous experimentation can I find the pattern."

Li Xianghong said that he had only been working on this pigsty for a year, and although he was lucky enough to have a successful case, the probability of success was a mystery.

The size of the pigsty and the lack of manpower limited his further exploration.

Upon hearing this, Li Xiangming pondered, realizing that it was necessary to report the matter of the pig demon to the family head.

The Li family has no shortage of beast-taming traditions, but the reason why few people learn beast taming is because there was no opportunity to use their skills in the past.

However, in Puxian County, this view was completely overturned, and beast taming was considered a more promising profession than alchemy and weapon crafting.
-
Three days later, Changlinfang.

Li Xiangming looked around. There were quite a few people present, including Li Xiangren, Li Xiangru, Li Xiangyu, Li Xianghua, and eight others.

The reason why Li Xiangming did not immediately return to Changtai Township after returning to report on his work was to attend this Changlinfang meeting.

Unlike in the past, at this meeting, Li Qianxiong asked everyone to share their insights on the current structure of the family business.

However, before that, we need to discuss the important matters at the head of the family's disposal.

Li Qianxiong cleared his throat and said, "In the past two years, my family has been in contact with the surrounding minor forces, including the Luo family of Shangqingyuan, the Chen family of Baolong Valley, and the Lingwu Sect of Weiyang Mountain. Xiangli has been following up on this matter, and he knows it best."

Li Xiangli was in his twenties and already had a short beard, making him look very calm and reliable.

He immediately stepped forward and slowly introduced these forces to everyone.

The Luo family of Shangqingyuan is located in the northwest of Dangui Mountain. The family head, Luo Wantao, is said to have reached the Great Perfection of Qi Refining and is about to establish his foundation. Baolong Valley is located in the mountains south of Dangui Mountain. The family head is named Chen Zhonghe, who has the cultivation level of the eighth level of Qi Refining.

Although on the surface Chen Zhonghe's strength is inferior to Luo Wantao's, the Chen family still has several Qi Refining Level 9 cultivators, making its foundation much stronger than that of the Luo family.

Both families are old clans that moved from Zhangning Prefecture. Their ancestors included Foundation Establishment cultivators, but they have declined.

As for Weiyang Mountain, it is located in the northern mountain range of Danggui Mountain. It is a new sect founded by the sect leader, Master Lingwu.

Master Lingwu possesses early Foundation Establishment cultivation, and given his special geographical location adjacent to the Li family's mines, he is a key figure the Li family seeks to cultivate a good relationship with.

After Li Xiangli finished his introduction, Li Qianxiong continued, "The clan elders unanimously believe that we should further consolidate our relationship with the surrounding forces. I would like to hold a small gathering so that you young people can get together."

Li Qianxiong's words made everyone look at each other. In fact, they rarely went out after coming from Hao County to Pu County.

With so many things to do at home, and all the time off spent on spiritual practice, they had fallen behind their peers. Hearing this news, they were quite excited.

How big will it be then?

Li Xianglin couldn't help but ask. He had just been thinking of buying some talismans to keep on hand, but he felt it was a bit of a loss to exchange his merit points for the ones at home.

The gatherings in the cultivation world are ostensibly there to provide a place for cultivators to exchange ideas and hone their skills.

But most importantly, there are the markets that spontaneously form after the event; if they are large enough, you can find a lot of good stuff.

"It's hard to say, it depends on how many people there are."

Li Qianxiong shook his head. There was only one proper market town in Pu County: Pushui Market Town. In addition, larger forces such as Bailumen and Hongshigu might establish their own markets.

Then there are some secluded markets and workshops run by independent cultivators.

Overall, there aren't many places in Puxian County where you can buy cultivation resources.

Although the Li family cannot support an entire market town, holding a small gathering is still very attractive to the surrounding smaller forces.

When the time comes, it won't just be the Luo family, the Chen family, and the Lingwu Sect who come.

"This matter represents the reputation of our Li family, so we need to be well prepared. You all come and discuss the details."

Li Qianxiong gave the instructions.

With everyone talking at once, the question quickly turned to the selection of the venue.

"If there are too many people around, we can't let them go up Tailai Peak."

Li Qianxiong set a bottom line, and after discussion, the market was finally located in a valley on the west side of Danggui Mountain.

Li Xiangming felt a headache coming on after just one glance, as this place was very close to Changtai East Township, which he was in charge of managing.

As expected, Li Qianxiong had a good memory. Pointing to this spot, he said, "Xiangming, you are in charge of the site. Your accounting office can mobilize a lot of manpower, so you must complete the construction within two months."

Li Xiangming had no choice but to nod in agreement.

Then, some other things were discussed at the meeting.

Near the end, Li Qianxiong gestured for Li Xiangren to speak.

"Gentlemen, I have decided to leave the police force."

Li Xiangren's words were like a thunderclap, leaving everyone in Changlinfang speechless.

After a long pause, Li Xiangru said urgently, "Brother, the police station can't do without you."

Immediately, everyone realized what was happening, and the discussion erupted.

Seeing this, Li Qianxiong snorted and interrupted, "Your eldest brother has special matters to attend to, and I have already approved his departure. There's no need to argue. The important thing now is who will take over as the head of the police department."

Li Qianxiong's words made everyone swallow the words that were on the tip of their tongues.

Everyone looked left and right, but no one dared to answer.

Most of those present were members of the police force, but there was only one head of the force. Mentioning one of them would offend the others.

"Since no one wants to talk, let's vote anonymously."

At Li Qianxiong's instruction, Li Xiangren gave each person a blank sheet of paper, and whoever received the most votes would be elected as the new head of the hall.

A moment later, Li Xiangming blew on the writing on the paper to dry it, folded it up, and handed it over.

Li Qianxiong didn't waste any time. He unfolded the blank papers handed in by everyone and announced the vote count: "Li Xiangru has 3 votes, Li Xiangyu has 4 votes. Li Xiangyu is elected as the hall master."

Li Xiangming was not surprised by this outcome. Only these two people were qualified to succeed as hall master, but there were only seven votes out of eight people, which meant that one person cast a blank vote, which surprised him.

Who could be doing such a thing?
Li Xiangming secretly glanced at Li Xianghua, but the other party was very perceptive and immediately looked back at him with a calm expression.

Li Xiangming turned his head awkwardly and glanced at Li Xiangren, Li Xiangyu, and Li Xiangru.

The three men were all incredibly calm, especially Li Xiangru, who had just missed out on becoming the head of the hall, yet showed no sign of disappointment on his face, a stark contrast to his earlier eagerness upon hearing of Li Xiangren's departure.

Li Xiangming couldn't help but sigh, "They're all shrewd and cunning!"
In fact, the position of hall master should have originally been reserved for Li Xiangru, because he was the deputy hall master and should have been the first to inherit the position.

But who can blame Li Xiangyu for having a higher level of cultivation?
With Lee Sang-in secretly sabotaging things, such as having him secretly vote for Lee Sang-yu, Lee Sang-ru's ability to still get 3 votes under these circumstances already demonstrates his exceptional prestige.

As for why Li Xiangren wanted to hinder Li Xiangru, Li Xiangming had no idea. In any case, he was just repaying a favor and didn't care who succeeded as the head of the police department.

He guessed it was because of factions.

Li Xiangren and Li Xiangru are both from the first branch of the family. The fact that both branch leaders were from the first branch might have a negative impact on Li Qianxiong's opinion.
(End of this chapter)