Chapter 391: The Rui Family (I)

Chapter 391: The Rui Family (I)

Li Xicheng wandered in the forest for a whole day. The clan soldiers complained endlessly, feigning illness and refusing to move. Li Xicheng continued on his own, with only about forty percent of the troops remaining, until they finally reached the hills bordering the Li Family's territory.

These hills contained a Qi Cultivation Realm spirit jade mine, jointly controlled by five Embryonic Breathing Realm families who mined for the Xiao Family, known as the Five Spirit Jade Families.

A few more li brought them into the territory of the Rui Family, which bordered the Li Family. There, they saw two small fields of Spirit Paddies. The remaining soldiers immediately scattered, jumping into the fields to pull up the paddies, leaving only a hundred or so following behind him.

"These are Spirit Paddies!" one of the soldiers shouted jubilantly.

The four previous groups of clan soldiers had passed by without touching the Spirit Paddies, but now it was being trampled on and destroyed in the blink of an eye. Li Xicheng reined in his horse and shouted a few reprimands.

Although Li Xicheng cherished the talented members of his clan and often provided them with money and food, he had no sympathy for these wastrels who tarnished the family's reputation. He continued riding along the narrow path, thinking to himself, The lazy and foolish ones already ran off on the way here. Now we have gotten rid of a batch of greedy and foolish ones, and what remains are...

As he was contemplating, a group of soldiers came forward, respectfully reporting, "Young Master, the formation has been broken. Please ascend the mountain."

Li Xicheng nodded and surveyed the terrain, then spurred his horse forward, wondering aloud, "With such a large spirit jade mine, why is the local earth vein and spiritual energy so impoverished?"

The spirit fields here were so poor that even the humblest Li Family member would not bother planting them. Yet, the Rui Family used them for growing Spirit Paddies. It was evident that the spiritual energy here was severely lacking. Li Xicheng thought to himself, This land probably takes seven or eight years to mature a single crop... No wonder the Five Spirit Jade Families haven't produced a single Qi Cultivator in all these years!

At Rui Family Peak.

The grand formation on Rui Family Peak had long since collapsed, not even broken by the Li Family. Chen Mufeng had symbolically attacked a few times, shouted out the Li Family's name, and the Rui Family had hastily opened their formation.

Li Xicheng, remembering his family's instructions, first went to check the spirit spring at the mountain's peak.

Li Xicheng stared at them, feeling a vague sense of unease. He waved them away, and Chen Mufeng, who already knew what it was, whispered with a grim expression, "This so-called rice meat was made from those who were fed rice, likely mortals refined through a secret method... Blood slices are just a refined term for blood qi."

Li Xicheng's face turned pale though he maintained his composure. The old head of the Rui Family, seeing their expressions, realized his flattery had backfired. He quickly stammered, "I did not know that your esteemed clan disdains these items! I beg your pardon! My name is Rui Qiongcuo... My ancestors were enlightened by the Xiao Family."

Rui Qiongcuo was trying to align himself with the Xiao Family for protection. Chen Mufeng merely threw him a glance and ignored his existence.

The Rui Family and the other families around the spirit jade mine were early vassals of the Xiao Family, mining for them. Though called vassals, they were more like mining slaves. Hence, surrendering to the Li Family was nothing to be ashamed of.

Even though the Xiao Family had not issued any official certificates, the Li Family would not annex its own supporter's vassals. Chen Mufeng, seeing Li Xicheng remain silent, also stood still.

Rui Qiongcuo was getting nervous. He knew about the attack on the Xiao Family but did not know their current status. He thought to himself, The Li Family is also supported by the Xiao Family... so maybe there won't be any problems?

As he was thinking this, another person arrived outside the hall. Rui Qiongcuo, who had not developed his spiritual sense, heard Chen Mufeng respectfully address the newcomer as Master, indicating the person was likely a Qi Cultivator. He quickly bowed his head in silence.

The newcomer was Li Qiuyang. Since these small families only had Embryonic Breathing Realm cultivators, it was not necessary for a Qi Cultivator from the main family to come, so Li Qiuyang was sent instead.

Li Qiuyang adjusted his robe which was still covered with snow, and appeared deep in thought, holding a light green, diamond-shaped piece of ore. He said softly, "I was ordered by the clan to investigate the spirit jade mine shared by the five families."

"Thank you, Clan Elder," Li Xicheng replied, noting Li Qiuyang's hesitant expression.

Li Qiuyang put the ore away and said sternly, "Since the Rui Family has joined our Li Family, you should adhere to our rules. You must no longer use humans as spirit materials to make rice meat or blood slices. Our family places great importance on this matter, so do not test us."

This matter was not honorable to begin with, and now that Li Xicheng had bluntly pointed it out, Rui Qiongcuo felt deeply embarrassed. He nodded repeatedly, inwardly complaining, How domineering... The Yu Family demanded blood qi as tribute, and now the Li Family bans rice meat. Each clan has its quirks, huh? But this land is so barren; without using the old and infirm as medicine... What else can we do?