Rebuilding the Immortal Cultivator Clan

ps: I've seen everyone's opinions on whether or not to include a female protagonist, and I will seriously consider the issue (actually, I came up with the storyline for the female protagonist on the way home).

After estimating the number of Spirit Stones needed to spur the growth of a century-old Spiritual Medicine, Li Zhirui gritted his teeth and took out a thousand Spirit Stones to bury around it.

A majestic flow of Spiritual Energy surged into the Spiritual Medicine which, under the effect of the space, did not harm the medicine.

As a result of the substantial nourishment from the Spiritual Energy, the Spiritual Medicine grew rapidly. In just a quarter of an hour, it sprouted, bloomed, and bore fruit.

Li Zhirui stared at the nine immature green fruits hanging from the branches, his face turning pale. Although they were not yet mature, as an alchemist, how could he not recognize this famous Spiritual Medicine?

"Sky Spirit Fruit!" Li Zhirui's heart was tremendously stirred; he never imagined that this Spirit Seed, which was added almost as an afterthought, would turn out to be the Spirit Seed of the Sky Spirit Fruit! Experience more on My Virtual Library Empire

The Sky Spirit Fruit, a second-grade Spiritual Medicine, doesn't need much introduction, just one statement: it is one of the three main ingredients in the concoction of the Foundation Establishment Pill, which is enough to showcase its value!

While Li Zhirui was in shock, those nine green fruits matured completely with the nourishment from the last few strands of Spiritual Energy, emitting waves of rich and fragrant aroma.

Li Zhirui's Divine Sense instantly withdrew, and he hurriedly took out a Jade Box to store six Sky Spirit Fruits, sealing them with Spirit Sealing Talisman. As for the other three, he planned to plant them in the space.

However, this time, he did not intend to use Spirit Stones to expedite their growth but let them develop slowly instead.

The reason Li Zhirui did not choose to hand them over to his family was that, first, the family had no current use for the Sky Spirit Fruits, and second, if the news leaked out, the Li family could not protect the Sky Spirit Fruits, and Li Zhirui would have no way to explain their origin.

After sealing the remaining three Sky Spirit Fruits in a jade bottle, Li Zhirui planned to find a chance to consume the flesh and then plant the seeds.

Since it was not possible to refine the Foundation Establishment Pill, the Sky Spirit Fruit flesh, which contained a lot of Spiritual Energy, naturally shouldn't go to waste.

When Li Zhirui picked all the Sky Spirit Fruits, the Sky Spirit Fruit Tree withered completely, turning into a piece of wood devoid of Spiritual Energy.

After dealing with it, Li Zhirui left the space and returned to his quiet room to begin comprehending the cultivation technique.

The sun rose and the moon set, and in the blink of an eye, a day went by.

Since a banquet was to be held today, and as the main character, Li Zhirui naturally could not stay in his room.

"Congratulations!" Li Zhizhun said with a smile.

Li Zhirui also smiled back, saying, "Has big brother made a breakthrough to the ninth layer of Qi Cultivation? I suppose in a few more years, I, too, will be able to drink a toast to big brother's success."

At the current rate the Li family was amassing Spirit Stones, it would take at most five years to gather enough to buy a Foundation Establishment Pill.

Perhaps it wouldn't take five years now, because Li Zhirui had made his breakthrough to Foundation Establishment, and his alchemy efficiency would be greatly improved.

If he could refine a second-grade Spirit Pill, then this timeframe could be further reduced.

It is worth noting that the price of a second-grade Spirit Pill is more than ten times that of a first-grade one.

Li Zhizhun made a few modest remarks and then took his leave. After all, they had too little interaction, lacked a close relationship, and simply had no topics to discuss.

"Jiu!"

A cold voice rang out, and Li Zhirui looked over to see Li Zhixuan dressed in black and with her hair tied in a ponytail, walking towards him.

Her appearance was still plain, but the coldness that seemed to keep people a thousand miles away added a different kind of charm to her.

"Congratulations on your breakthrough to Foundation Establishment, Jiu!" Li Zhixuan's dark eyes showed a hint of envy.

She had been cultivating for over three years now, yet she was still hovering at the second layer of Qi Cultivation without any progress.

To be aware, her peers of the same year, even those with Four Spiritual Roots, are now at the third level of Qi Cultivation.

And as for Li Zhiyue, who has the best aptitude, she's already at the fourth level of Qi Cultivation, and it's said that in a few months, she'll be able to break through to the fifth level.

This speed of cultivation is even faster than that of Li Zhirui, the Li family's previous genius!

The reason why Li Zhixuan is behind others of similar aptitude, despite the small difference in talent, is because she doesn't have a Contracted Spirit Beast.

Li Zhixuan is one of the few in the family who hasn't practiced the Wanling Sutra.

Ever since Li Zhixuan heard about Sword Cultivators, she has aspired to become one and has been working towards that goal. Indeed, she shows some natural talent in the way of the Sword Dao.

The Cultivation Technique that Li Zhixuan is practicing now is a Foundation Establishment Realm technique of the family called the Geng Metal Sword Skill, which includes its own swordsmanship. She was able to learn this set of nine sword moves in a short period, which proves her talent.

Unfortunately, because her realm isn't high enough, even if she has learned the sword moves later in the set, she doesn't have enough mana to use them.

Although Li Zhirui has just finished his retreat and is not very familiar with the family's current situation, by looking at Li Zhixuan's cultivation and expression, he could guess her recent state.

However, Li Zhirui didn't interfere because his status had changed; it would be inappropriate to step in now. Also, he didn't want Li Zhixuan to become too dependent on him as it wouldn't be beneficial for her cultivation.

"Practice diligently, and don't give up because of temporary difficulties. Don't harbor grievances because of this either. I hope you can take these tribulations as tests on the path of cultivation, and turn them into nourishment for your growth," he said.

Li Zhirui had more to say, but Li Shiqing and several Elders arrived, so he could only comfort Li Zhixuan with his eyes and step forward to greet the Elders.

With their arrival, the guests for the banquet were all present.

There were a total of eighty-nine clan members present. Those who were at the Marketplace had all returned to Da Rong Island, which is why the banquet was held in the evening.

As for those extra ten or so people, they were clan members who had discovered their Spiritual Roots in recent years.

And during this year's finished Spirit Root testing conference, two clan members of the Cheng generation emerged!

Their appearance signified that the Li family's legacy had reached the tenth generation! Even though Li Zhirui's generation had not fully matured yet.

Once everyone had arrived, Li Shiqing didn't immediately speak. Instead, he waited until everyone had had their fill before standing up and saying, "Today, we gather joyfully to celebrate Zhirui's successful Foundation Establishment!"

"At the same time, we are here to announce something," Li Shiqing said as he took out the seal and family annals, symbols of the Clan Leader's authority. "Zhirui will take over the position of the Clan Leader temporarily and act in place of the Clan Leader!"

The Elders, who had been informed beforehand, remained very calm, but the other clan members were all astounded.

They didn't expect Li Shiqing to step down as Clan Leader, and even less that Li Zhirui would be his successor, rather than Li Zhizhun, who had been by Li Shiqing's side for years and groomed as the successor.@@novelbin@@

Many also understood Li Shiqing's words, knowing that Li Zhirui wasn't truly the Clan Leader. He was only temporarily assuming the responsibilities of the Clan Leader and would step down when the time was right.

As for when that time would come, that depended on when Li Zhizhun broke through to Foundation Establishment.

Although the clan members were surprised by this outcome, no one stood up in opposition.

After all, Li Zhirui had built an excellent image in the family over the years and had made significant contributions to the family's development. He was very popular in the Li family, which held rather simple and honest values.

"Li Zhirui, step forward and receive the seal and family annals!"

Li Zhirui hurriedly composed his emotions, his demeanor utterly solemn and serious. He took them over meticulously, holding them above his head with both hands.

Li Shiqing declared loudly, "From now on, Li Zhirui is the family's Acting Clan Leader!"