Family Cultivation: Rise of the Wilderness

Chapter 91 Purple Cicada Cloud Sand
"Wait a minute, I believe you, I believe you, okay?"

Geng Shiheng practically gritted his teeth as he uttered those words.

He certainly didn't believe it, but the consequence of his disbelief was that the Geng and Li families started fighting.

The Geng family has already started a war with the Qin family of Red Stone Valley, and they are also having their energy tied up by the Mang Sect, making their situation very difficult.

The reason I secretly entered Puyin Mountain with Shizhe this time was to establish a relationship with the Li family and find a way to break the current deadlock.

But not only did the matter not go well, it also pushed the Li family to the opposite side and put the Geng family in a dilemma. If the Geng family were to fall because of this, wouldn't Geng Shiheng become the sinner of the Geng family for all eternity?

"Just believe it."

Li Xiangming chuckled, then turned his gaze to Geng Shizhe.

His attitude is clear: if you don't believe me, then fight.

He could never give up on Nie Rong, in any case.

Even if Nie Rong killed the Geng family, it was at the behest of Madam Zhen, and had nothing to do with him.

Why should he bear the consequences and hand over his protectors?
Both the Li and Geng families are families that have established their foundations in the Foundation Establishment stage, and they live relatively close to each other.

Li Xiangming understood perfectly that as long as he took a tough stance and kept Nie Rong by his side, Geng Shiheng, if he had any sense of the bigger picture, would have to compromise.

Are we really going to let the two families fight?

Of course, this is on the premise that Nie Rong has no connection with the Mangjiao sect.

This is the bottom line.

If he had admitted that Nie Rong was a puppet, the outcome would have been quite the opposite.

He himself came from a prestigious family and was well aware of the thoughts of the family's cultivators.

In the Geng family's view, Nie Rong, as part of the murderers, should be handed over to the Geng family for disposal no matter what, because it was a matter of face.

Just like when Li Xiangming was attacked by the "Four Tigers" of the Mang Sect and his fate was unknown, the Li family immediately took control of Qingyang Temple.

They are actually the same.

If Li Xiangming's soul talisman had been extinguished at that time, Qingyang Temple would have been uprooted immediately.

There's no particular reason; it's simply that the Li family needs to make a reaction to demonstrate their dissatisfaction.

So what if Qingyang Temple is innocent?

The Li family won't care; who asked you to get involved?

If the Li family does nothing, it will be a complete loss of prestige.

Everyone knows that the lives of the Li family members are not important, and there is no future in relying on the Li family.

Similarly, the Geng family must respond strongly to the Mang Cult's massacre of Geng Shicheng and others, and must make a big deal out of it. They must not only retaliate against the Mang Cult, but also get involved in anything related to the Mang Cult.

Not to mention that Nie Rong can walk and jump, the Geng family would not be lenient with even a single strand of Madam Zhen's hair.

Only by showing the crazy side of the Geng family will outsiders understand where the Geng family's bottom line lies.

Therefore, even if Li Xiangming manages to take Nie Rong away by chance, the Geng family will not let it go and will send envoys to Danggui Mountain to demand her return.

Ultimately, Li Xiangming had no choice but to consider the bigger picture and hand over Nie Rong's fate.

Li Xiangming was unwilling to suffer such a great loss, so he simply talked nonsense, confusing right and wrong, and severing Nie Rong's connection with the Mang Cult.

Whether you believe it or not is not important.

The important thing is that the Li family has given this explanation.

Anyway, it can't be wrong that Nie Rong comes from a poor family in the north.

As long as the Geng family investigates, they will definitely find Tang Xueyan, thus further confirming Nie Rong's identity as an enemy of the Mang Cult.

In this way, the Geng family will fall into self-doubt.

Surely no one would believe that Nie Rong, whose entire family was slaughtered, would be so foolish as to join the Mang Cult?

To break through this illusion, only a skilled puppeteer can step forward, see through Nie Rong's identity as a puppet, and reconnect Nie Rong with the Mang Cult.

But that's a story for later.

Li Xiangming was determined not to let Nie Rong appear in the public eye in his true form again.

Seeing that Geng Shizhe remained silent for a long time, Li Xiangming knew he was unwilling to give up, so he sighed to Geng Shiheng beside him: "It seems that Fellow Daoist Geng's cousin does not believe it, then I have no choice but to..."

"I believe it, I believe it too."

Geng Shizhe's expression changed rapidly, but in the end he was defeated by Geng Shiheng's frequent gesturing glances.

"Alright, swear an oath of faith that you will not attack me or Fellow Daoist Nie within the Puyin Mountain."

"how about you?"

"me too."

Li Xiangming knew full well that even if he had the upper hand, fighting the Geng family would be entirely detrimental. His previous tough stance was all for the sake of the current negotiations.

The three looked at each other, and at the strong insistence of the Geng brothers, Nie Rong also joined in. The four of them made a vow to each other, promising not to lay a hand on one another.

After making the vow, Geng Shiheng said in a low voice, "I hope this matter is only known to the four of us. Shizhe and I will pretend we never met Fellow Daoist Nie, and I also ask Brother Li to forget about Shizhe's actions. We have just met up at Puyin Mountain."

Upon hearing this, Li Xiangming narrowed his eyes, knowing that Geng Shiheng wanted to maintain the fragile relationship between the Li and Geng families.

If two families find out that their own juniors are fighting with the other side, regardless of the reason, the trust between them will be greatly reduced.

Human hearts are hard to fathom; how can we be sure the other party doesn't harbor resentment?
In this situation, even if both parties are willing to cooperate, it will be several years or even more than a decade later.

"no problem."

Li Xiangming was eager to know what the Geng family's so-called cooperation was and what it could bring to the Li family.

It seems that Geng Shiheng takes this matter very seriously. He not only took the initiative to back down, but also, despite Geng Shizhe's unpleasant expression, guaranteed that Nie Rong's matter would not be mentioned.

Moreover, when Geng Shiheng saw Nie Rong just now, although he was both surprised and angry, he did not act as forcefully as Geng Shizhe, and even seemed a little conflicted.

If the two had joined forces immediately, Li Xiangming wouldn't have been confident of maintaining his current dominant position.

This also indirectly shows that, in Geng Shiheng's mind, Nie Rong, this "enemy," was not enough to ruin this meeting with the Li family.

This is very interesting.

"Brother Geng, is the cooperation you just mentioned true or false?"

Li Xiangming softened his tone and took the initiative to ask.

Geng Shiheng glanced at Nie Rong beside him but did not speak. He was still very wary of Nie Rong, and there was no trust between them whatsoever.

Upon seeing this, Li Xiangming immediately dismissed Nie Rong.

With the righteous vow in mind, I doubt the Geng brothers would dare to make a move.

Of course, he also made preparations in secret, always on guard against the appearance of the Five Paths Ghost.

"Shizhe, you should go and rest over there too."

Geng Shiheng was quite sensible and took the initiative to let Geng Shizhe leave, laying a foundation of trust for their conversation.

"Brother Li, do you know about Purple Cicada Cloud Sand?"

Purple Cicada Cloud Sand?

Li Xiangming pondered for a moment and said, "I've heard a little about it, Brother Geng, please tell me more."

Cloud sand is a common mineral with many varieties. Some can be used to make tools, some to make ink, and some can even be used in medicine.

Purple Cicada Cloud Sand also has its own special uses; if he remembers correctly, it is a very high-level array material.

Geng Shiheng continued, "My family owns a cloud sand vein, which contains Purple Cicada Cloud Sand. After several years of mining, we have achieved some results. However, the sales of Purple Cicada Cloud Sand have become a problem. There are not many cultivators in Pu County, and the Pu Shui Market cannot absorb this batch of cloud sand. My family does not want to stockpile it for too long. I have heard that the Li family is close to the Hengyue Sect. I wonder if the Li family can sell the Purple Cicada Cloud Sand to Zhangning Prefecture?"

Selling Zichan Yunsha to Zhangning Prefecture?

"That shouldn't be a problem."

Li Xiangming thought about it for a moment and decided it wasn't a difficult task.

Although the Li family has been away from Zhangning Prefecture for some time, their connections remain, and some Li family cultivators are still active in Hao County.

Purple Cicada Cloud Sand is a valuable commodity; it would be strange if the Li family couldn't sell it.

"How much Purple Cicada Cloud Sand does your family possess?"

"Monthly yield of 30 jin (15 catties)".

"30 pounds?"

Li Xiangming was secretly alarmed. This thing was used to set up formations and was measured in taels. 30 jin of Purple Cicada Cloud Sand was quite a lot.

Moreover, the monthly output mentioned by Geng Shiheng is definitely an understatement; 30 jin should be the planned monthly sales volume.

No wonder they said they couldn't eat at Pushui Market.

"How would your family like to cooperate?"

Li Xiangming probed.

"We will bring the Purple Cicada Cloud Sand to Puyin Mountain and hand it over to your Li family. You can then resell it, and the profits will be split 20/80. How about that?"

Upon hearing this, Li Xiangming frowned.

He was not interested in the distribution of profits, because it was not something he could decide, nor was it something Geng Shiheng could decide.

Even if you speak eloquently here, you still need to arrange for a guest room to come and carefully consider every word when you get home.

However, Geng Shiheng's mention of Puyin Mountain made him suspicious: "The two families are going to cooperate in Puyin Mountain?"

(End of this chapter)