Since Li Su's arrival in this world, he has encountered two incidents of discovering spirit stone mines. The first incident occurred ten years after his arrival, during which the three major immortal sects took a significant amount of time to determine the distribution ratio of the spirit stone mine. The second incident happened sixty years ago.
On both occasions, Li Su chose not to participate in the excitement, instead focusing on developing his own family and increasing the number of descendants. This time, he has no intention of joining the commotion either. While he could acquire more spirit stones by doing so, Li Su believes that having more offspring is more valuable.
He sets himself apart from the wandering cultivators. Currently, he receives several hundred spirit stones annually, an amount that these wandering cultivators may risk their lives for and still not obtain. Consequently, when news of the spirit stone mine spread and many wandering cultivators began taking action, Li Su returned to the Li Clan.
"The Patriarch of the Li Clan is going to marry a fairy again!"
This news spread once more, with several fairies to be married this time. However, a few days after Li Su's return to the Li Clan, a well-dressed female cultivator from the Feixian Sect visited him.
"Senior Brother Li, a spirit stone mine has been discovered in Mangcang Mountain. Master is preparing to bring disciples there. We may have to compete with the other two sects and face demons as well."
"Each disciple who participates will receive a substantial reward in spirit stones. As a personally transmitted disciple of the sect leader, your reward will be even more generous. Master asked me to inform you. If you decide to go, we can depart now."
The female cultivator who arrived spoke. Li Su recognized her as Su Yun, the personally transmitted disciple of the sect leader. With a fifth-grade spiritual root, she was already considered a true genius among the three major immortal sects. At just thirty-something years old, she had reached the fourth level of Foundation Establishment. Advancing to the Golden Core stage in her lifetime shouldn't be a significant challenge. However, reaching the Nascent Soul stage depends on fate, which implies difficulty.
Of course, no one can predict events hundreds of years into the future. Several decades ago, Li Su found it difficult to even have a conversation with prodigies like Su Yun. But this time, the sect leader specifically sent Su Yun to inform him. Undoubtedly, strength is the key.
During the previous two disputes over the spirit stone mine, Li Su learned about them long after they occurred. No one from the Feixian Sect had informed him. This was understandable, as with his poor aptitude, the people from the Feixian Sect likely considered his participation to be futile. At that time, the sect leader's intentions were similar to Li Su's treatment of mortal concubinesensuring a good life for the other party in this world. However, there was still a distinction in their motivations, as the sect leader acted out of gratitude rather than deceit.
Therefore, despite Li Su's poor aptitude, he has never been expelled from the Feixian Sect.
Li Su's progress was impressive, despite previously disappointing the sect leader. However, they hadn't given up on him.
Yet, Li Su might disappoint them again.
In the coming year or two, he would be occupied with marrying several "fairies."
"Sister Su, there are many things I need to attend to at home. I'm afraid I can't go," Li Su said.
Now he could address Su Yun as "sister."
Su Yun nodded and handed him something. "Master forgot to give you this last time. He asked me to bring it to you. It will make your travels easier."
Li Su examined the itema small but extraordinary boat, a flying boat.
With infused spiritual energy, the flying boat could enlarge and accommodate multiple people.
Compared to flying with a sword, the flying boat was faster and more efficient.
Ordinary disciples in the Feixian Sect couldn't obtain such a boat.
"Thank you, sister, and please convey my gratitude to the sect leader... master," Li Su expressed.
He changed the way he addressed them, feeling indebted to the sect leader.
The sect leader had treated him well, and if there were future tasks requiring his assistance in the Feixian Sect, Li Su would readily help.
Whether he went or not this time didn't make much difference.
None of the three major sects desired a major war, and they wouldn't engage in actual combat.
The sect leader likely notified him to provide him with experience, as they hadn't given up on him and wanted to further cultivate him.
However, Li Su didn't require that kind of cultivation.
It would be better not to owe too many favors to others.
"Senior Brother Li, then I'll take my leave," Su Yun decisively stated and departed from the Li Clan upon realizing Li Su wouldn't accompany her.
Li Su bid her farewell.
After Su Yun left on the flying boat, Li Su returned to the Li Clan.
Over the next few months, Li Su married the female cultivators he had formed relationships with at the gathering of independent cultivators.
As the number of "fairies" he married increased, the population of the Li family grew while the number of ordinary women he took gradually decreased.
Li Su's limited energy was the primary reason for this change.
Having lived for over a hundred years, Li Su didn't view his concubines merely as tools for procreation.
Taking in more concubines recklessly would overwhelm him.
He had ample time to cultivate and strengthen himself calmly, without needing to go to extremes.
Taking extreme measures was a last resort and a sign of incompetence.
Furthermore, if Li Su were to act that way, it would tarnish his reputation. Instead of being admired, he would become a subject of ridicule.
With the growing population of the Li family and continuous offspring in future generations, even if the rewards diminished over time, the substantial growth in cultivation brought by the birth of descendants was noteworthy.
Another reason was that the "fairies" held greater appeal.
Especially with Li Su's current physique, he couldn't fully enjoy himself with ordinary people.
Thus, lively wedding ceremonies were held within the Li Clan.
Due to the substantial scale of the spirit stone mine, Li Su gained more attention.
Although he initially owed a debt of gratitude to the sect leader, now he owed them a favor.
Therefore, if necessary, Li Su wouldn't hesitate to assist them this time.
"Husband, the three major sects are currently clearing out the demonic beasts in Mangcang Mountain. It is said that these beasts are formidable, but the sects have divided the areas among themselves, so there have been no disputes so far," Ning Xiaoyu informed Li Su.
To gather information, Ning Xiaoyu made a special trip back to the Feixian Sect using a flying boat.
Mangcang Mountain is home to numerous demonic beasts, with rumors of fourth-level beasts comparable to the Yuan Ying stage lurking deep inside.
The levels of demonic beasts are straightforward: the first level corresponds to the Qi refining stage, the second level to the Foundation Building stage, the third level to the Golden Core stage, and the fourth level to the Yuan Ying stage.
Each level consists of ten layers, although there may be some variation in accuracy.
Powerful demonic beasts are cunning and possess high combat intelligence.
Consequently, it is estimated that clearing out the demonic beasts will require a significant amount of time.
As expected.
Several months passed, and Li Su had married three female cultivators while the three major sects were still engaged in battling the demonic beasts.
One couldn't help but wonder if the independent cultivators took advantage of the situation to gain any benefits.
On this particular day, another disciple from the Feixian Sect arrived at the Li family.
This person brought news from the sect leader, who wished to request a favor from Li Su.