Family Cultivation: I Farm and Raise Fish under the Sea

"Jiujie often sells Demon Beast exuviae outside; do you know how much such a beast might fetch at auction?"

Lu Li's face was all smiles.

"Is this... a Water Ape spirit beast cub?"

Lu Yuling looked at the young beast before her, its white fur covering its entire body, a pair of eyes brimming with liveliness to the extreme, leaving her utterly astonished.

"This is a second-tier Demon Beast bloodline cub; Brother Six really has good fortune."

"A freshly born second-tier Demon Beast cub can usually sell for about four thousand Spirit Stones in the market. However, this cub is slightly older, so it might be worth over two thousand Spirit Stones."

Lu Li nodded.

He also knew that the younger the cubs were at the time of sale, the higher the price they commanded since it was possible to inscribe Blood Sacrificial Runes on them. The older the cub, the more fiercely it would resist, making the inscription more difficult.

"How about helping Brother Six make a trip to the market to sell it?"

Seeing Lu Yuling's somewhat envious expression, he spoke teasingly.

Lu Yuling was very torn upon hearing this.

The item was quite valuable, and she could not possibly ask Brother Six to give it away for free, after all, in the world of cultivation, personal gain was paramount.

Yet the moment she saw the young beast, she had taken a liking to it.

"How about Brother Six sells it to your little sister? I still have one thousand Spirit Stones, plus over six hundred family contribution points."

After saying this, she looked at Lu Li somewhat embarrassedly.

Lu Li smiled, "Just take this one to the auction house and sell it."

Upon hearing this, Lu Yuling's face darkened slightly, her heart filled with an indescribable discomfort.

Then she saw Lu Li's teasing expression and watched him take out another Water Ape cub from his Storage Bag, leaving her stunned.

"Let's do it as you just said, this one can be sold in the market for Brother Six."

Lu Li was all smiles.

Lu Yuling, realizing she had been teased, showed a face full of embarrassment and annoyance, "Brother Six just loves to tease people."

After saying this, she quickly stored the two Water Ape cubs in the Spiritual Beast Bag and then turned around, her face beaming with joy as she flew towards the mountain's exterior.

Seeing her hasty departure, Lu Li shook his head helplessly.

He returned to his cave and began his daily meditation and cultivation practice.

The next day, early in the morning.

Lu Li received a Communication Talisman from the old ancestor early on.

He did not dare to dally, getting up and flying toward the cave at the mountain peak.

When he arrived at the top, Old Ancestor Lu Tiande had already deactivated the Array around his cave.

Walking into the cave, he saw Lu Tiande sitting cross-legged on a meditation cushion, his complexion somewhat ashen.

"Li is here."

Hearing the noise, Lu Tiande slowly opened his eyes.

"I summoned you today to hear your thoughts on the upcoming strategic battle between the four families."

Upon hearing this, Lu Li's expression was one of reverence, "This junior will certainly do his best."

"Ah..."

Lu Tiande sighed softly, "This battle will determine the mining veins' shares for the next ten years, involving no minor interests, and the family's current financial situation is not very optimistic..."

"Old Ancestor, I know you have always kept a low profile. If we can achieve a good ranking this time, I will award you seven thousand family contribution points."

Lu Li's face was stunned, then he spoke respectfully, "This junior will certainly give his all. It's also an honor for the younger generation to contribute to the family."

Lu Tiande was very gratified by his words, "Since Old Ancestor Lu Changge founded the Lu Family here hundreds of years ago, this old man does not ask for much. I wish neither to glorify the family further nor to see its lineage come to an end here."

"You needn't worry too much, as long as I haven't fallen, those other families wouldn't dare to openly to confront you or anyone else directly."

Lu Li nodded, highly respectful.

Yet in his heart, he was thinking about those seven thousand contribution points; he had long had his eye on a set of second-tier Array Plates in the family treasure vault.

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Alas, it needed over eight thousand contribution points; this time, there finally seemed to be hope.

At this moment, Lu Tiande's tone shifted.

"However, in this upcoming competition of magic, it's unlikely that with your cultivation level, you will get first place."

As soon as Lu Li entered the cave, he had sensed Lu Li's Qi Cultivation at the ninth layer, which stirred a storm in his heart, though his face remained calm.

Lu Li clasped his hands: "Please enlighten me, Elder Ancestor."

Lu Tiande paused before continuing to speak.

"The Chen Family has been preparing for over ten years and has raised a spirit beast; by now, that Moon Howling Wolf has probably reached the tenth level of Qi Cultivation."

"With the strength of this beast, Chen Wuluo has greatly increased his power. Lu Qingqing, not skilled in magical combat, will likely find it difficult to contend. Whatever you need, just ask."

Lu Li nodded, "In this competition, talismans and Medicine Pills for restoring mana cannot be used, so I don't really have much to ask for."

At that moment, Lu Tiande suddenly produced a drop of Essence Blood.

"This is a drop of Essence Blood forced out by my Foundation Establishment Spirit Beast, which you might find useful."

Lu Li stared at the Essence Blood radiating a red glow in front of him, a look of surprise on his face: "This Essence Blood is extremely precious; I hope your spirit beast is unharmed."

During their conversation, the Iron Pillar in Lu Li's Spiritual Beast Bag became somewhat restless.

"My spirit beast will be fine after a period of rest, and besides, if I were to fall, my Lifebound Spirit Beast would perish as well.

"You've always been quick to accept advantages when they come your way; what's different this time?"

Lu Tiande chided with a smile and then handed over the Essence Blood.

Lu Li accepted the Essence Blood and then released the Iron Pillar.

A massive serpent appeared in the cave, its body covered with white patterns, its mouth slightly flattened, looking quite noble.

The moment Iron Pillar appeared, it immediately swallowed the Essence Blood from Lu Li's hands, then curled up on the ground, its face showing contentment.

"Is this... the aura of a White Python?"

The instant Iron Pillar appeared, Lu Tiande's face went blank.

Then after a moment, he shook his head.

"It's still lacking quite a bit, possessing only a very faint trace of 'Dragon Seed' aura."

"However, after this beast breaks through to Foundation Establishment, there's a very high chance it will transform into a 'Dragon Seed'. Its Divine Skills will be astonishing in the sea. You really are fortunate, young man."

Lu Li also showed a face of joy; Iron Pillar had only recently started to change.

After being fed a large amount of Spiritual Liquid, Spirit Fruit, and Demon Attraction Grass for a long time, Iron Pillar had slowly begun to transform.

Lu Tiande was also wreathed in smiles: "Though this beast is only at the ninth level of Qi Cultivation, it no longer fears the other party's Demon Beast."

"You have truly given Elder Ancestor a great surprise. With this spirit beast, even competing for first place is not impossible; I have indeed underestimated you.

"Heh heh... the other party's years of preparation will be for naught, and I am curious to know what Old Thief Chen's thoughts will be then."

Lu Li smiled slightly: "Elder Ancestor, do you have a Secret Technique to suppress Iron Pillar's aura?"

Lu Tiande pondered for a moment: "There is a method, drawing Array Talismans can suppress its aura. Once Elder Ancestor takes action, even Foundation Establishment Cultivators would be hard-pressed to detect it. Come here when you find time in the following days."

After speaking, he began to take out spiritual materials and get to work.

He picked up a piece of black Spirit Jade, ground it into powder, and then stirred it with spirit water.

After a quarter of an hour, he started to cast spells.

Lu Li watched Elder Ancestor's movements intently.

He saw the other party take out a talisman pen, dip it in spirit ink, then rapidly began to inscribe on Iron Pillar's body.

Not long after, countless mysterious Runes covered Iron Pillar's entire body and then were slowly absorbed into its flesh.

"All done. After just a few more days of inscription, it will suffice, though this method will only last for a few years."

Lu Tiande chuckled, then put away the talisman pen.

Lu Li then put Iron Pillar back into the Spiritual Beast Bag, and after talking for a bit longer, the two walked out of the cave.

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