Cultivating Immortality in Two Realms

Chapter 263 Dao Spirit

He accepted the explanation.

Ancient Shu, Xituo County, Qingli Mountain.

As the autumn wind blows, the fields turn golden.

Several spiritual farmers were harvesting spiritual rice, packing it into specially made burlap sacks, and loading the sacks onto the spiritual ship.

The emblem of the "Four Directions Chamber of Commerce" is also engraved on the surface of the spirit boat, shining brightly and radiating spiritual light.

The light was somewhat dazzling, causing an elderly man with a full head of white hair and a hunched back to squint.

"Shang Lin".

A soft voice called from the side; it was Fang Wujiu.

Compared to his aged-looking nephew, he appeared to be only middle-aged, creating a sense of incongruity.

After all, he had entered the Dao through Qi cultivation, and his body was light and healthy.

Fang Shanglin's Qi Sea and Dao Meridians were destroyed back then, rendering him unable to cultivate and leaving him as a frail and sickly mortal.

Over time, the differences will naturally become apparent.

Fang Wujiu looked at his nephew, his expression softening considerably: "Daoquan is a good boy. Daoyun also had his fate analyzed recently, right? How was it?"

Although this nephew suffered hardship in his early years, he escaped several subsequent wars, so it can be said that fortune and misfortune are intertwined.

After losing hope in his spiritual path, he took several concubines and had many children, including several clever-looking offspring.

"It has already been determined that you are destined for the [Water] element... Cultivating the [Water] element is best, and our family's 'Book of Viewing the Black Tomb' is also acceptable, although the progress will be slightly slower..."

When Fang Shanglin mentioned his daughter, a hint of tenderness finally appeared in his eyes.

"Hmm, we should really think this over... The [Water-Refining] technique, if we search carefully, we might find it... I'll come to the main house tonight, and we can all discuss it..."

Upon hearing this, Fang Shanglin's eyes flickered, realizing that there was probably something important to discuss.

Now that the Qingli Fang family only has two branches, their gathering for a clan meeting will likely determine the family's future fate.

……

That night.

The moon was bright and the stars were few; inside the main house of the Fang family, in a secret room.

Le Mingxue and Fang Wujiu sat at the head of the table, with their descendants below them all possessing cultivation.

Only Fang Shanglin stood to one side, looking listless.

He was a former monk and was allowed to attend, but he rarely expressed his opinions.

"Everyone's here..."

Le Mingxue glanced at the lamp on the table and lit it.

This lamp is made of purple wood. When lit, it produces a dim yellow flame that envelops the area in tranquility, creating an atmosphere of seclusion.

This is a magical artifact for cultivating qi – the "Hidden Sound and Concealed Form Lamp". It belongs to the [Kui Wood] family and was a treasure found in the Bai family's treasury during the last great battle in the Eastern Water Land.

As a Purple Mansion Immortal Clan, the Bai family of Dongshui has its own rules and regulations. This [Kui Wood] treasure is specifically used during secret discussions, and it is said to be able to avoid many dangers of being leaked.

Although the Fang family has a shallow foundation, they can still imitate others.

"At this clan meeting, let's first discuss last year's income and expenditure..."

Le Mingxue looked at Fang Wujiu beside her.

Fang Wujiu coughed and stood up: "Last year, our family harvested a total of 320 catties of spirit rice, three stalks of the Qi-cultivating spirit item 'Nine-Ear Rice,' and five 'Bright Stream Valley' fruits..."

His gaze swept over each member of the "Dao" generation, but his expression turned serious: "Five hundred and eighteen catties of spirit rice have been spent... Sister-in-law, the family rules need to be changed. My family isn't like the Bai family of Dongshui, a Purple Mansion Immortal Clan, where we can supply every member with spirit rice every day... In recent years, as the younger generation in the family has cultivated, the true Qi they've gained upon entering the Dao, and the daily spiritual resources they consume, have become an expense... We've gradually become unable to make ends meet, relying entirely on the profits from our eastern expedition back then to supplement our income. But such things can happen once or twice, but not three times..."

In fact, the second branch of the family has more offspring and the same amount of spiritual resources they occupy, but Fang Wujiu still has to step forward and set rules, otherwise the Fang family will go bankrupt sooner or later.

"If what you say is true, then what should be done?"

Although Yue Mingxue showed signs of aging, her expression remained calm and peaceful.

"In the future, we should establish rules that when a family cultivator enters the Dao, the family can provide true Qi, but it will be considered a family contribution and will be owed by the cultivator. He/She will need to repay it in the future, otherwise the family supply will be cut off... Spiritual rice and other spiritual resources must also be rationed, with more support only provided when breaking through or advancing through a barrier."

Fang Wujiu had already planned it out and explained the reform measures one by one: "Furthermore, we will support cultivators from each branch to go out and make a living on their own... even if it's just working as a handyman in the market, at least they can earn spiritual funds to bring home..."

"But in that case, it wouldn't feel like a family, but rather like a sect."

Le Mingxue murmured.

"Within three generations, kinship is naturally stronger, but after three generations, beyond the fifth degree of kinship, there isn't much kinship left. It's best to set rules beforehand to avoid future conflicts..."

Fang Wujiu sighed.

"The Bai family of Dongshui is able to support their clansmen because they occupy a treasure land. Their spiritual fields stretch for miles, and their annual harvests are as vast as mountains and seas... Compared to them, my family is like a firefly trying to compete with the bright moon. So be it."

Le Mingxue sighed. The two of them, who were of the highest generation, had discussed it and the matter was settled.

Fang Shangxuan didn't have a chance to speak, he could only glance at Fang Shanglin.

If it weren't for this person's squandering of wealth back then, the Fang family, with its rich heritage, could have lasted for at least another ten or twenty years.

"Alright, although the family has incurred many expenses, the 'Dao' generation of clan cultivators is thriving, and outsiders dare not disturb them, which is also a merit."

Le Mingxue looked at the "Dao" generation of the family and couldn't help but show a gentle smile.

Currently, there are seven cultivators of the "Dao" generation present, all of whom have cultivated to the Dao.

Most of them came from the second wife, which was unavoidable, since Fang Wujiu had married a mortal woman and had many descendants.

By the time it reached the grandchildren's generation, there were dozens of them. The Fang family had always had very good fortune, and among them, the best of the best were bound to produce several cultivators.

The most outstanding among them is named Fang Daoling. He has cultivated the "Book of Viewing the Black Tomb" and his cultivation of the "Ji Shui" has reached the eighth level of Qi Condensation. It seems that he is not far from the great perfection of the ninth level of Qi Condensation.

In comparison, the eldest branch currently only has two cultivators in the "Dao" generation, one of whom is "Fang Daoquan," who has reached the third level of Qi Condensation.

The other person was Fang Daoyuan, the son of Fang Shangning's adopted son-in-law, who had just reached the first level of Qi cultivation.

However, Fang Shanglin has had quite a few children over the years, and recently there is another one named Fang Daoyun, who is also qualified, but has not yet entered the Dao and is still young, so she was not invited to this clan gathering.

Mentioning this, Fang Wujiu's lips curled up slightly, and he continued, "However, I have a concern. Most of our family's cultivators cultivate the Water Virtue, which is always weak and easily suppressed... The family should allocate certain resources next year to purchase other cultivation methods and True Qi... At least we cannot exclusively cultivate the [Ji Water] lineage."

Fang Shanglin's ears twitched when he heard this, knowing that his second uncle was helping his daughter. His lips moved, but in the end, he didn't say anything.

"That's true... but ultimately it depends on one's own destiny. My family is close to the Water element. Besides the [Ji Water], we also need to prepare the [Shen Water], [Bi Water], and [Zhen Water] techniques. [Ji Water] is also known as 'Fountain Water,' which is water with good wind. [Shen Water] is the clear and cool water of newborn life, water of spiritual beauty. [Bi Water] is water hidden underground, water of vitality. [Zhen Water] is ocean water... In the family's scripture room, there are only a few [Bi Water] and [Zhen Water] breathing exercises... However, during the Eastern Expedition, when we broke through the Xuan Tu and Xuan Wu sects, we obtained quite a few Earth element techniques. And the Bai family also has a [Ji Water] foundation technique, cultivating 'Deer in the Forest'..."

Le Mingxue said, "In this world, metal and fire are flourishing. If you want to protect your family and life, it's best to cultivate these two paths. It's just a pity that these paths are rare. The closest one is the Zeng family, which cultivates the [Zui Fire]. I've heard that when the Yanbo Blessed Land opened, a sword cultivator surnamed Tian obtained the [Lou Gold] Purple Mansion Technique, which is the lineage of a great sword cultivator of the Purple Mansion... Besides that, there are many demonic cultivators in the ancient Shu land, all of whom are of the Earth or Wood element..."

As she finished speaking, a flash of disgust crossed her eyes: "Since I am in charge of the household, no one is allowed to cultivate [Stomach Earth]!"

Fang Shanglin remained silent, knowing that there was still a Dao Foundation Cultivation Technique called "Stomach Earth" in the family. In fact, his father, Fang Wuchen, had used it to achieve his Dao Foundation back then, but his mother deeply resented it and never mentioned it again.

"Actually, Earth Virtue is not bad. Since that great one ascended to the throne, Earth Virtue has found it difficult to control its blood and qi. Although its cultivation is slow, it has at least returned to the right path..."

Fang Wujiu glanced at his sister-in-law's expression and continued, "We can't cultivate [Stomach Soil], but we can still try cultivating [Di Soil], [Willow Soil], and [Female Soil]... However, [Di Soil] is mainly associated with epidemics, and [Female Soil] is also known as 'Grave Soil,' both of which are too closely related to the demonic path... [Willow Soil] is not bad. I've heard that there are Dao Foundation families in Shu who are skilled at cultivating plants with this method. If my family has a [Willow Soil] cultivator, the spiritual fields will produce more... That Master Xu, the leader of the Four Directions Merchant Guild, also cultivates [Female Soil]. Perhaps we could look in that direction..."

"As for the Great Sun and the Great Moon, such lineages are too lofty, like the Metal and Fire, beyond our reach..."

"Finally, there is the Wood Virtue. [Horn Wood] occupies the proper position of wood and is good at attacking and fighting... It is also an excellent lineage. [Well Wood] is also known as 'Osmanthus Wood' and is good at refining elixirs. [Kui Wood] is good at concealing. [Fighting Wood] is also known as 'Bridge Sinking Wood'... If one can obtain a lineage, it can all supplement my family's Daoist heritage."

Fang Wujiu looked at the many cultivators below: "Remember this, when you go out in the future, just spend a little effort searching... It would be best to find a foundation cultivation technique, and even if you don't have one, you must consume a fourth-level or higher True Qi, so as to avoid trouble in the future..."

"We will remember this."

The godson, nephew, grandson and granddaughter quickly bowed.

"Haha, so you actually want my family to become a Dao Foundation family."

Le Mingxue smiled and waved her hand: "Everyone, disperse... Shang Xuan and Dao Ling, please stay."

After the group of cultivators left, Fang Shangxuan bowed and said, "Auntie..."

"There are some things that are not suitable for you to say to your second brother, so I will say them."

Le Mingxue glanced at the newly closed secret chamber and the few people looking at Fang Daoling: "Daoling's aptitude and comprehension are the best among the 'Dao' generation. He has also cultivated to the eighth level of Qi Conquest. After he breaks through to the ninth level in the future, he should go to Wusheng Temple. That opportunity should still be given to him..."

"How can this be?"

Fang Wujiu declined briefly, but couldn't say anything more.

He and Yue Mingxue could never reach the ninth level of Qi Conquest in their entire lives, and Fang Shangxuan seemed to be in the same boat.

A family is like a boat sailing against the current; if it doesn't move forward, it will fall behind.

At this moment, it seems that only Fang Daoling remains.