Rebuilding the Immortal Cultivator Clan

"Alright, if you have any problems with cultivation, come find me again tomorrow."

Inferring a formation was no easy task; it exhausted the mind greatly, and even though Jiang Fengwu was a Golden Core Cultivator, she couldn't sustain it for too long.

Fortunately, Jiang Fengwu had extraordinary talent for formations. Within just two or three years, she had successfully integrated a new Starlight River Array.

The new array incorporated the properties of wood growth and profusion. Mountains and rivers nourish wood, while wood in return consolidates mountains and rivers, thus enhancing the defensive power of the formation by a notch.

The reason Jiang Fengwu focused on researching the defensive path was not only due to Li Zhirui's extraordinary combat power but also considering Da Qing. Although Da Qing excelled at defense, it was only in the early stages of the third order. Hence, in a secret realm filled with cultivators at Golden Core Perfection, it likely wouldn't withstand for long.

In addition, offensive formations required higher control and luring enemies into the formation, so defensive formations were more suitable overall.

——

Early the next day, Jiang Fengwu pushed open the door of her room and subconsciously looked up at the quiet chamber where Li Zhirui was in seclusion.

"Who knows when you'll come out of seclusion." And once you do, what realm will your cultivation have reached?

If she could, she would persuade Li Zhirui not to take the risk and enter such a dangerous secret realm, but Jiang Fengwu knew this was impossible.

Because it concerned not only Li Zhirui's future but also the future of the entire family and thousands of cultivators!

Now, she only regretted why she hadn't tried harder to form her Golden Core before the age of a hundred. If she had, she could have entered the secret realm with Li Zhirui, providing mutual support for each other.

Jiang Fengwu suppressed the numerous thoughts in her heart, and after the siblings left the house, she began to guide their cultivation. Although she hadn't cultivated the Wanling Sutra, her insight as a Golden Core Realm cultivator still allowed her to provide valuable guidance.

Years passed by in a blur in the mountains.

During this time, Li Zhirui had come out of seclusion once, entrusting his family to collect some spirit materials to strengthen his life-bound magic treasure, Thousand Spirits.

Today marked his second time emerging from seclusion, aiming to gather spirit materials again and incidentally to sell the various spirit pills he concocted during his retreat to his family.

Since Li Zhirui refined the Hundred Vermilion Pill a few years ago and advanced his cultivation to Golden Core Perfection, he focused entirely on refining his mana and polishing his Golden Core, striving to boost his true strength.

In his spare time, he would concoct spirit pills as a way to pass the time; alchemy also consumed mana, which in turn had a refining effect on it.

Li Zhirui came out of seclusion just as Jiang Fengwu was giving guidance to the siblings in the morning, and the family of four was thus reunited.

"Zhirui, are you ending your seclusion this time?" The two children, standing behind Jiang Fengwu, also looked at Li Zhirui with anticipatory eyes.

They hadn't seen him in several years and truly missed him.

"Yes, for the next year or two, I won't be going into long seclusions anymore."

However, short-term seclusions would still occur frequently since he needed to integrate spiritual objects into Thousand Spirits and concoct Spirit Revitalizing Pills, Blood Replenishing Pills, and other spirit pills.

By that time, there would only be a few years left before the opening of the secret realm, and he would have to leave the family to travel to the central region where the secret realm would open.

There were no teleportation arrays on this journey, so one had to either travel on foot or take a cloud boat from some of the major powers, and doing so would take two to three years.

Therefore, to avoid troubles on the road and missing the opening of the secret realm, cultivators from other domains would set off early.

"Awesome!" Even though Li Chengshuo had grown into a teenager, he remained unchanged, as enthusiastic and excited as when he was little, clapping and cheering with joy.

Li Chengsheng, on the other hand, had grown into a graceful and aloof young man.

Facing the joyous expressions of his wife and children, Li Zhirui felt somewhat embarrassed; he didn't seem to have been a good husband or father.

Yet Li Zhirui had to admit that in his heart, The Great Tao always took precedence!

Of course, it wasn't that he didn't care about them; it was just that, aside from their safety, everything else seemed somewhat insignificant compared to the Great Tao he pursued.

"These are the Jade Spirit Pills I previously refined." Li Zhirui took out dozens of jade bottles and earnestly cautioned, "Taking these spirit pills can indeed enhance your cultivation speed, but you must not neglect the fundamentals and foundation because of it, or everything will be like flowers in the mirror, the moon in the water, not lasting long and having no connection with The Great Tao."

Li Zhirui's rapid progress in cultivation was greatly related to his practice of consuming spirit pills. However, after each use, he would spend time removing the pill toxins, refining his mana, which is why he had a solid foundation; otherwise, whether he could form his golden core was questionable.

"Understood, Daddy, don't worry!"

Li Chengsheng spoke seriously, "Please rest assured, Father, I will take good care of Shuo."

Li Chengshuo immediately jumped up, yelling with bared teeth and brandished claws, "I don't need your supervision!"

Jiang Fengwu stood to one side, her gaze tenderly watching the two children play-fighting, her face wearing a gentle smile, with no intention of stepping forward to stop them.

This scene made Li Zhirui's mood relax a lot, the urgency in his eyes seemed to have faded much, and even his state of mind went through some changes.

As a fellow cultivator at the Golden Core Realm, Jiang Fengwu noticed the change in Li Zhirui, turned around with slight surprise, but Li Zhirui just smiled faintly and didn't explain. His Dao-heart now had something new to pursue and protect, and that was his family!

"You've worked hard these years, my lady," Li Zhirui approached and whispered.

Jiang Fengwu's cheeks turned slightly red, and she pushed him a bit embarrassedly, "The children are still here, be mindful."

Li Zhirui laughed softly, turned around, and looked at the little ones who had calmed down, as if they had discovered some secret, and asked, "Did you just see that?"

"No, no, we didn't see anything!" Li Chengshuo shook his head repeatedly, pulling Li Chengsheng by the hand and walking outside. Only when they reached the doorway did he shout, "Mom and Dad, continue on, we won't disturb you!"

And then he quickly opened the courtyard door and hurriedly ran out.

"This mischievous little imp!" Li Zhirui laughed helplessly.

"It's so embarrassing, to show such affection in front of the children," Jiang Fengwu's fair cheeks blushed in waves, looking exceptionally beautiful!

Li Zhirui wrapped his arms around her, resting his chin on her shoulder, guiltily saying, "I haven't been good to you over the years—I've always left everything to you. Once the secret realm business is over, I will spend quality time with you and our two children."

"I know the immense pressure and responsibilities you bear," Jiang Fengwu smiled after a moment of silence, "I've never resented or blamed you for it."