Steady Progress

Because he cultivated a Top-Tier Cultivation Method.

Li Qianqing, who had just entered the Qi Refining Fifth Layer, possessed spiritual power in his sea of qi that was no less refined than that of an ordinary Qi Refining Sixth Layer cultivator.

With an advantage in spiritual power, he would find it easier to pass the Spiritual Energy Barrier during the Foundation Establishment process, thereby increasing his chances of successfully reaching Foundation Establishment.

After completing his breakthrough, he pushed open his door and began his daily work.

Although he had displayed astonishing Alchemy Talent, his task of tending to the Spiritual Fields still had to continue as usual.

Whether publicly or privately, the Lineage's core upper ranks claimed that his Alchemy Talent was roughly a tier above Li Ditu's.

Under such circumstances, they could not immediately exempt him from tending the Spiritual Fields. They had to keep up appearances.

Second Grandfather Li Ditu had told him that once he entered the Qi Refining Seventh Layer, he would no longer need to tend the Spiritual Fields. By then, his only task would be pill refining, and he would earn more Contribution Points as well.

While he was still in Mid-Stage Qi Refining, Li Ditu would devote himself fully to guiding and nurturing his alchemy skills. Once he entered Late-Stage Qi Refining, however, he would have to rely on himself alone.

The snow fell heavily today, and not even the shadow of an insect could be seen.

Weeding became his main task. No matter how heavily it snowed, those weeds could still grow and compete with the White Corn for spiritual energy and nutrients.

Just as he was about to finish tending the three mu of Rank 1 Low-Grade Spiritual Fields, Li Qianqing saw a figure passing in the distance.

Looking closely, he saw that it was Li Qianbao.

He was taking the path down the mountain.

By his calculations, Li Cunlan's lifespan limit would arrive in a little over two years. That would also be the time for him to make his move.

Everything was firmly in his grasp.

Before the crisis that would destroy the Lineage, the Li Family's future course held one minor crisis and one major crisis.

Li Qianbao's betrayal would only bring about the minor crisis. The major crisis involved the other two Foundation Establishment cultivation clans of Xiangshui Prefecture.

There were many Qi Refining stage cultivation clans in Xiangshui Prefecture, but only three Foundation Establishment cultivation clans. Aside from the Xiangshui Li Clan, there were the Jiang Clan and the Huang Clan.

Before the major crisis arrived, reaching Late-Stage Qi Refining would not be a problem for him. If he then rendered another great service, coupled with the importance the Lineage placed on him, influencing which side they chose during Clear Wind Valley's internal conflict would most likely not be an issue.

In his previous life, they had chosen the wrong side, causing the Li Family to be wiped out and reduced to dust in the river of history. He held no hatred toward Clear Wind Valley now, because in his previous life, he had destroyed Clear Wind Valley himself. At that time, he had been the terror of the entire Zhao Country Cultivation World, even branded a Demonic Cultivator.

After helping the Lineage weather its dangers in this life, what mattered was expanding the Lineage's power. Naturally, he would also claim every opportunity he had obtained in his previous life.

Li Qianqing withdrew his gaze and continued with the work at hand.

"Qianqing-ge!"

Having just finished weeding, he heard Li Qianyin calling him.

When he looked up, Li Qianyin was running toward him at great speed, clutching something like a pot lid in her hands.

At present, his greatest influence on the Li Family was putting Li Qianyin on the path of Artifact Refining ahead of schedule.

Unlike him, Li Qianyin possessed genuine Artifact Refining talent.

Li Qianyin's Artifact Refining talent was excellent, roughly on par with the Alchemy Talent Li Ditu had him display.

Li Qianyin's situation afterward would be the same as his. Once she entered the Qi Refining Seventh Layer, she would no longer need to tend the Spiritual Fields and could focus solely on Artifact Refining tasks.

Just like a year ago, Li Qianyin had not grown at all. She was still such a tiny thing.

Li Qianqing was now a full head taller than her. Not yet sixteen, he could still continue growing.

"This is the first magic tool I refined." Li Qianyin reached Li Qianqing and immediately raised the Low-Grade Magic Tool in her arms, waving it before him.

At the beginning of this year, Li Lilong had already prepared beginner refining tools and Fire-Starting Materials for his daughter.

"Wonderful!" Li Qianqing patted her head and praised her. "When others learn Artifact Refining, their first magic tool is an Offensive Magic Tool. You refined a Defensive Magic Tool, already putting you a cut above other Artifact Refiners."

Defensive Magic Tools were more difficult to refine than offensive ones. Beginners were strongly discouraged from making a defensive Low-Grade Magic Tool as their first creation.

Li Qianqing wanted to praise her, not criticize her over this.

He was the girl's older brother, not her master, much less her father. Some things did not need to be said. If Li Lilong were here, things might be different.

Most importantly, Li Qianyin had successfully refined a magic tool without failing. That alone fully deserved his encouragement.

"Hehe, of course."

After Li Qianqing praised her, Li Qianyin became even happier. Yet in the next moment, she took a step back, her face falling.

"Qianqing-ge, don't touch my head. I won't grow taller!"

She was still so concerned about her height.

Li Qianqing shook his head with a smile.

Comparing Li Qianyin from his previous life to the present one, Li Qianqing felt that her obsession with height had not changed in the slightest. Even a great power from a previous life like him could not change that.

"What are you laughing at?"

"Who told you that touching your head would stop you from growing? That's nonsense."

"Better to believe it exists than believe it doesn't. Anyway... Qianqing-ge, you're not allowed to touch my head again." Li Qianyin did not care about any of that.

"Fine." Li Qianqing nodded. "I promise you."

"Mhm, mhm." Li Qianyin was very satisfied. Then she handed the magic tool in her hand to Li Qianqing. "Qianqing-ge, this is the reward I'm giving you."

Only then did Li Qianqing begin examining the Low-Grade defensive magic tool Li Qianyin had refined.

Most brand-new Low-Grade Magic Tools sold for between four and ten Low-Grade Spirit Stones.

There would be no problem selling the Low-Grade Magic Tool Li Qianyin had refined for six Low-Grade Spirit Stones.

"Yinyin, I appreciate the thought, but you should exchange this Low-Grade Magic Tool for Contribution Points. First, I have no use for a Low-Grade Magic Tool right now. Second—"

"You touched me again! I'm not giving it to you."

Li Qianyin watched Li Qianqing's wicked hand reach once more toward her little head. His gaze seemed to reveal an elder's satisfaction with a junior.

This magic tool was meant as a reward for Qianqing-ge agreeing to her request. Since he had broken the rules, the reward was naturally gone.

Li Qianqing lowered his hand. It had been an instinctive action.

During the three years they had spent together on Changqing Mountain, Li Qianyin had been like a little kitten. She had greatly enjoyed having him pat her head, and would even rub against his hand from time to time.

His words had just been interrupted, so he continued. "Second, I've already reached the Qi Refining Fifth Layer, while you're still at the Qi Refining Fourth Layer. You're a Dual Spiritual Root cultivator, yet your cultivation progress is worse than mine. Think about it—if Fourth Uncle saw this, he would definitely think you weren't cultivating seriously."

Only now did Li Qianyin notice that her Qianqing-ge had already reached the Qi Refining Fifth Layer.

"After exchanging the magic tool for Contribution Points, go trade them for a Rank 1 Mid-Grade Qi Gathering Pill to aid your cultivation."

The Hundred Crafts of Cultivation were all means of earning cultivation resources. Increasing one's own strength was the foundation.

Li Qianqing hoped Li Qianyin could put more effort into cultivation.

If Li Qianyin cultivated a little more diligently, then with some maneuvering on his part, she might even enter the Foundation Establishment Realm before her father.