Chapter 1 Mystic Moon Island

The Cultivation World.

As part of the Endless Sea Domain, the vastness of Zhuilong Sea stretches across hundreds of thousands of miles.

The sea area is dotted with various islands, large and small, like stars scattered across the sky, too numerous to count.

Mystic Moon Island, a medium-sized island, has been under the control of the Cultivation Family, the Lu Family, for several hundred years now.

In a cave at the foot of the central Qingling Peak on Mystic Moon Island,

a man was sitting cross-legged on a mat.

The man appeared to be around seventeen or eighteen years old with an unrestrained temperament and handsome features. His eyes were slightly closed, and wisps of Spiritual Energy rose above his head.

"After over a month of seclusion, I've finally broken through to the sixth layer of Qi Refinement."

A moment later, Lu Li opened his eyes, feeling the mana within his body increased yet again, his face alight with joy.

He was originally an ordinary office worker on Blue Star, who had unexpectedly transmigrated to this sea area of the Cultivation World after getting drunk, having already been here for seventeen years.

From the initial nervousness and discomfort to now, he had completely adapted to this region of the Cultivation World.

Fortunately, his talents were passable, with the affinity of his Gold and Water Spirit Roots reaching 69 points, which was considered above average.

"I wonder if I can begin the initial refinement of this strange treasure now that I've broken through."

With a thought from Lu Li, an item shaped like a pot appeared in his hand.

The object was only as tall as a palm and looked completely unremarkable with its rust-covered surface.

If it weren't for the fact that this object had come with him through his transmigration, constantly in the depths of his mind, he might have believed it was nothing more than an ordinary item.

After years of nurturing it with his mana, he felt an ever-deeper connection with it and was just one step away from leaving his mark on it.

This filled him with a vague sense of anticipation.

Lu Li took a deep breath, and carefully began to channel his mana and Divine Sense towards the artifact to imprint it.

Just as his Divine Sense touched the body of the pot, something unexpected happened.

The entire artifact suddenly emitted a grey light and began to float from his hands, hovering in mid-air.

"I succeeded!"

Lu Li's face beamed with happiness.

As he had guessed, there were significant gains after this breakthrough.

Just then, the artifact suddenly transformed into a streak of light and rushed towards him. Before he could react, it disappeared into the depths of his mind.

"Demon-Refining Pot!"

A short while later, Lu Li stroked his chin, contemplative.

At that moment when the artifact had entered his body, a stream of information suddenly appeared in his mind.

"It looks like there's a high probability that this treasure is related to Demon Beasts."

With another thought, the Demon-Refining Pot reappeared in his hand.

He ran his hands gently over some beast engravings on the body of the pot, feeling a cool sensation from his fingertips.

Seeing nothing unusual, Lu Li opened the pot's lid to find its inside wasn't large and was completely empty.

At this sight, he suddenly had some plans in mind.

He then stored the Demon-Refining Pot and resumed his seated meditation for Qi Cultivation to consolidate the cultivation level he had just broken through.

Several days later.

With the buzzing of an Array, a young figure instantly appeared outside the cave, dressed in a flowing white robe.

Lu Li casually made his way to the middle of the mountain with his hands clasped behind his back.

Mystic Moon Island was named for its crescent-like shape.

The island, located on the southern edge of the Zhuilong Sea, covered more than a hundred miles.

Underneath the center of Qingling Peak on the island lay a second-order, mid-grade Spirit Vein, rich in Spiritual Energy.

Lu Li took a deep breath of the Spiritual Energy, and his entire body felt like it was on the verge of ascending, the Spiritual Energy growing more abundant the higher he ascended the mountain.

Along the way, he encountered several family cultivators, all smiles and amiable.

Family cultivators were often more united than those of Sects, even their competition was within rules.

"Brother Six, you've finally left seclusion."

Just then, a beautiful young woman approached on the mountain path.

The woman was about sixteen years old with a slim figure, wearing a green palace dress that gave her an agile look.

"Huh... Brother Six, did your cultivation level break through again?"

Feeling the stronger Spiritual Pressure emanating from Lu Li, Lu Yuling was surprised.

Lu Li smiled.

"By luck, I have broken through. Sister Nine, if you practice diligently, I'm sure you too can improve quickly."

Lu Yuling pouted in response.

"How can I compare with you, the little genius of the Lu Family? Although our Spirit Roots are not much different...

"I'm only at the fourth level of Qi Refinement, whereas you've reached the sixth level. I'm afraid only Sister Qing Qing can surpass you among the younger generation of the Lu Family."

"Are you heading to receive the offering, Ninth Sister? It would be good to go together with Sixth Brother,"

Lu Li smiled, then deftly changed the subject, fearing that they might otherwise get drowned in his resentment.

Lu Li, precocious from a young age, deeply understood the importance of strength in the Cultivation World and had practiced diligently since childhood.

Combined with his decent aptitude, he quickly surpassed his peers and earned the title of a young genius within the Lu Family.

As for the true situation, probably only he himself understood, for in terms of Spirit Root, he was far inferior to Lu Qingqing's eighty points of affinity.

His achievements to this day were all due to his painstaking cultivation.

A group of cultivators of the same age respected and feared him.

Remembering some interesting events from his childhood, Lu Li's lips curved into a slight smile.

While they conversed, they arrived halfway up the mountain.

A great hall built of green wood stood before the two.

A plaque several feet long hung above the doorframe, engraved with three big red characters: "Household Affairs Hall."

The two walked in side by side.

Inside the hall was very spacious and tidy, with a desk placed in the center.

A beautiful young woman lay lazily on a Taishi Chair behind the desk, her body undulating up and down with the rocking chair.

The air was filled with a faint scent of flowers and herbs.

"Third Aunt, we have come to collect this month's offering,"

Lu Yuling called out with a clear and pleasant voice.

Third Aunt, Lu Yuting, opened her eyes, her face hazy.

"So it's Yu Ling and Li, the lad. You're quite early today."

"Good day, Third Aunt."

Lu Li bowed with his hands clasped together, feeling somewhat helpless.

"Tell me, Li, who's more beautiful, me or your mother?"

Lu Yuting blinked, teasingly asking Lu Li.

Lu Li's expression turned slightly awkward.

"The youngster dares not to casually discuss his elders."

In his eyes, since Third Aunt Lu Yuting's failed Foundation Establishment, she had become rather eccentric.

As a direct granddaughter of the Family Ancestor from the older generation, Third Aunt Lu Yuting could be said to have been born with a golden key.

The Family Ancestor had even exchanged the only Foundation Establishment Pill of the previous generation for her.

However, contrary to her wishes, Lu Yuting ultimately failed at Foundation Establishment.

Although she broke through to the twelfth layer of perfect Qi Refinement because of it, there was still a vast difference from Foundation Establishment.

Hearing his words, Lu Yuting yawned and said, "Really boring."

Then she threw two cloth bags onto the desk.

Lu Li picked up one of them and, after checking its contents, was about to leave.

Suddenly, he saw Lu Yuling with a puzzled look.

"Isn't it 4 Spirit Stones and 4 Qi Refinement Pills for mid-stage Qi Cultivation? How come there's one missing of each?"

Lu Yuting smiled, "From now on, the stipend of everyone will be reduced for the coming years, except for Lu Qingqing."

"Of course, the portion for the Li kid will be made up by the Family Ancestor himself, he is the only exception."

"If you have the ability, you can also get the Family Ancestor to make an exception for you."

Lu Yuling's face paused, and she cast a somewhat resentful look at Lu Li.

Everyone agreed to share the hardships together, and yet you're the exception.

She gathered the Spirit Stones and left with Lu Li.

Watching their retreating figures, Lu Yuting fell into deep thought.

"This Li kid is extremely obstinate. I wonder what the Family Ancestor sees in him to make an exception."

Walking along the mountain trail, Lu Li became somewhat silent.

"It seems the Family Ancestor is planning to prepare for the Foundation Establishment Pill once more. The days ahead will probably be tough for our clan members,"

Lu Yuling spoke softly.

Lu Li also felt a weight in his heart.

This generation's Lu Family Ancestor, Lu Tiande, was already over one hundred and fifty years old, not far from the two hundred-year lifespan limit.

If no one could succeed in Foundation Establishment in the next decades, the fate of the Lu Family was not hard to predict.

Other cultivator families on nearby islands would not pass up such an opportunity.

At this moment, Lu Li felt an urgency within him.