Family Cultivation: I Become a Mirror

Han Shizhen spoke at length and observed Li Yuanjiao's facial expressions intently, while Li Yuanjiao just sipped his tea and nodded in agreement.

"This way, the sect gets the meat, and Noble Families get the soup, yet still hold the moral high ground— I hear that such an item is very useful in your dominions."

With a joking tone, Han Shizhen smiled and said:

"These years, the Devil Cultivators must have fattened the aristocracy quite a bit? I heard they are so rich that they drip with wealth, even Fetal Breathing has over a dozen Spirit Stones. We are indeed very envious!"

Li Yuanjiao gave a deep laugh and responded:

"We have killed some Devil Cultivators."

Han Shizhen glanced at Li Xijun and saw that this young man was also smiling and nodding more naturally than Li Yuanjiao, which finally convinced him:

'The Li Family truly has some background in Green Pond, Yuanjiao's thoughts are deep and unreadable, but Xijun is too young, his foreknowledge is quite obvious.'

With this in mind, his smile became even warmer as he continued:

"Therefore, I say, all the Spirit Mechanisms are in those Immortal Mountains, other places have many mortals and few Cultivators, how many Foundation Establishment can there be? And how many will be on the brink of death from Spell Battles? This Wanling Flower should indeed be sold off to the East Sea!"

Li Yuanjiao nodded and politely followed up with:

"I wonder, Taoist Fellow, how do you propose we split the profit?"

"Straight to the point!"

Han Shizhen laughed:

"Ten Spirit Stones per flower, seven for me and three for you!"

Both Li Yuanjiao and his nephew were taken aback by his audacity to mark up the price fivefold. Li Yuanjiao pondered silently, while Li Xijun immediately said:

"Senior, aren't you being a bit too greedy?"

Han Shizhen shook his head confidently:

"The aristocracy could also try selling them on their own. I fear that the moment news gets out today, your outlets will be attacked and destroyed by tomorrow! The East Sea does not conduct business by the same principles as you do!"

"My family takes on the risk of selling these Spiritual Objects and attracts all covetous gazes onto ourselves! If it wasn't for our significant influence in the East Sea, we wouldn't dare undertake this!"

Having been to the East Sea himself and having his own considerations, Li Yuanjiao then said:

"Let's split it fifty-fifty."

"The most I can do is sixty-forty," Han Shizhen firmly said:

"I am a forthright person and dislike haggling; what I say is what it will be."

"Alright, but I do have one condition."

Li Yuanjiao nodded, and Han Shizhen looked at him seriously:

"Taoist Fellow, please speak."

Li Yuanjiao spoke evenly:

"I require forty percent of the proceeds from the sale of the Wanling Flowers. Taoist Fellow, you mustn't sell the four Spirit Stones that belong to me at inflated prices to make a massive profit on your end."

Han Shizhen was stunned, as if his thoughts had been read. He laughed in a muffled voice to cover his embarrassment and heartily said:

"Alright, alright, alright, Taoist Fellow doesn't think like the cultivators from within the lands. Your way of thinking is much like our East Sea folks!"

The two discussed for a while and set the amount of goods for the next year. Li Yuanjiao reminded:

"Remember, this flower must not hear the sound of weeping; if it hears it, it withers. And it must not come into contact with gold and jade..."

Han Shizhen nodded to show that he remembered and exchanged a few words of courtesy, then he abruptly said:

"I wonder if your sister, Li Qinghong, has been wed?"

Li Yuanjiao, now accustomed to his manner, bluntly stated:

"My younger sister practices a special cultivation technique and cannot engage in the acts of marriage, I hope for your understanding."

"I was too presumptuous," replied Han Shizhen, his expression unchanging as he nodded slightly. Li Yuanjiao took a sip of his tea and quietly asked:

"Taoist Fellow Han... I wonder, does the East Sea have a place for our mainland Noble Families to settle and branch out?"

When Li Yuanjiao visited the East Sea, he searched, but these Noble Families, after all, were under the Three Sects and Seven Doors and openly could not establish themselves overseas. It was likely not done under their own names.

Now with Han Shizhen, a local authority, present, Li Yuanjiao naturally wanted to inquire thoroughly.

"Of course, there are."

Han Shizhen shrugged and replied:

"Not many. Mostly it's the Zifu Immortal Clan. Ordinary Noble Families, even if they have enough Foundation Establishment Cultivators, rarely establish themselves overseas… they only hold a place in the markets, that's all."

"The East Sea is not like the inland seas; the islands there cannot cultivate Spirit Rice, and dangers lurk everywhere. The marketplaces have been regulated by the Three Sects and Seven Doors, forbidding their establishment. Once you build a power overseas, it no longer falls under the jurisdiction of the Three Sects and Seven Doors—who would let you return? Each Immortal Foundation is accounted for; the Three Sects and Seven Doors aren't foolish."

Han Shizhen looked at his face, gently shaking his head:

"Although there are indeed opportunities to exploit, the Three Sects and Seven Doors aren't overseeing it very strictly. Still, the profits are not significant. Many Noble Families have retreat plans overseas, but very few are truly invested in cultivating them."

Li Yuanjiao nodded to himself, inquired about some news, and Han Shizhen answered each query, then took his leave with his companions.

Li Yuanjiao escorted them out of the territory, returned to the mountains, and finally showed a smile. Li Xijun congratulated him, saying:

"Now we have more than ten extra Spirit Stones. Our family can now have a surplus of twenty Spirit Stones each year, which will make many things much more convenient for us."

"Indeed!"

Li Yuanjiao nodded to himself, saying in a deep voice:

"His talk of the magical disaster… it's quite interesting. It should be the perspective of the great overseas families on the disaster, something to consider."

"Exactly."

Li Xijun spoke up and said:

"The Zifu within the inland sea, although in cahoots, are not entirely of one mind. The matter of the magical disaster is led by the Master of Green Pond. With the various factions vying for power, there might be other calculations at play."

After a while of conversation between the uncle and nephew, Li Xijun said:

"The Talisman that great-uncle has been drawing is almost done."

Li Yuanjiao ordered:

"About your great-uncle's matter, I'll have to trouble you to accompany him. Close up for your breakthrough, then set off afterward."

"Yes, uncle, rest assured."

Li Xijun answered and then turned to enter the Qingdu Cave Mansion to begin his seclusion.

Li Yuanjiao sat alone in the courtyard, sipping tea, pondering in his mind:

"Qinghong is about to leave seclusion… Kongheng has a Foundation Establishment Cultivation, and their travels should take no more than half a year; it shouldn't lead to any mishaps…"

He sat in his seat for a few moments, lightly setting down the Jade Cup, and finally made up his mind:

"It's just for less than half a year. I might as well follow them on the Mysterious Pattern Spiritual Mist. There's no outstanding figure in the Chengming generation; Xijun is the one bridging past and future. Nothing must happen to him."

Immediately, he called for Li Wushao, gave him a few instructions to help look after the house, and then took out the Sword Canon to read, waiting for Li Xijun and the others to set off.

...

After leaving Qingdu Mountain, Han Shizhen and his companion headed north, and the hefty man following said:

"My lord, it seems that the members of the Li family have the intention to establish a foothold overseas."

Han Shizhen nodded and said softly:

"That's not surprising. Their family has a background in Green Pond, which allows them easy access to the East Sea. It's normal for them to seek a route of retreat. How many powers in the East Sea are retreats from inland?"

"What's more, the Sword Sect, Pure Unity Taoism, and Red Reef Island are fighting relentlessly over the Qing Song Temple ruins, plunging into chaos. It's the perfect opportunity to venture into the sea. If I were Li Yuanjiao, I'd be considering the same idea."

The brawny man nodded in agreement, voicing his concerns:

"I just hope their family has the sense to keep a low profile and not foolishly settle near our territory… Only recently have our two families started to bond. It would be a shame if this ruins our relationship."

Han Shizhen shook his head, resolutely saying:

"Certainly not… I see Li Yuanjiao as a cautious and low-profile person. If his family were to settle, they would choose a deserted island rarely visited by people. They'd rather endure hardship and effort than expose themselves."

The man sighed, lamenting:

"This poor desolate place, when could our family ever establish itself in the inland sea?"

"Wait for the ancestor to reach Zifu,"

Han Shizhen replied, smiling:

"It's not without chance. The inland sea is peaceful and prosperous, with the Three Sects maintaining order; who wouldn't be envious? Aren't Tang Yuanwu and Changxiao both from overseas? When the time comes, the Seven Doors can certainly include the East Sulphur Sect, or at the very least, add another Immortal Clan Han."

"As for the Li family,"

Han Shizhen said:

"After all, they're locals. It's beneficial to make connections. If our family has a chance to ascend, we'll need the support of these Noble Families. Even if the ancestor fails to break through, we can ask for a few Foundation Establishment cultivators to guard the islands."

"Yes!"

The man answered with great respect, speaking softly:

"My lord's considerations are thorough."

Han Shizhen wasn't paying attention to the flattery, showing some hesitation:

"The incident involving the Qing Song Temple ruins is getting bigger and bigger. I just hope it doesn't draw the meddling of the Three Sects… It's better to let the Sword Sect, Pure Unity, and Red Reef keep entangling like this, so we can have more comfortable days."