Chapter 120: If the Upper Beam is Crooked, the Lower Ones Will Be Too

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[Li Dazhu's mental state is unstable due to his inability to express his feelings.]
[Li Dazhu’s cultivation realm has fallen because Lin Qiao received a confession from another boy.]
"..."
Watching the messages about Li Dazhu popping up one after another, Li Shang’s mouth twitched.
This game’s characters were just as toxic as the comment section had described.
How old are they? Talking about love at this age, what nonsense.
Seeing that Li Dazhu’s melodramatic plot was showing signs of escalating, Li Shang could no longer sit idly by and immediately turned off the time acceleration.
Once his consciousness returned to his in-game body, he immediately summoned Li Dazhu.
"Tell me, what’s going on with Lin Qiao?" Li Shang stared straight into Li Dazhu’s eyes.
"This..." Upon hearing that Li Shang was asking about Lin Qiao, a flash of panic crossed Li Dazhu’s face, though he quickly masked it.
He pretended to think with a confused expression, and after a moment, he clapped his hands as if he had just realized something. "Patriarch, she is just an artifact-refining apprentice I study with. Is there something you need from her?"
Watching Li Dazhu act as if he were barely acquainted with her, Li Shang’s eyelid twitched. Had he not seen the system notifications, he might have actually fallen for this guy’s act.
"Speak. How long have you been secretly in love with her, and what is her background?"
Hearing Li Shang pierce through his little secret, Li Dazhu’s eyes widened, his expression going blank. Clearly, he had not expected his secret to be exposed.
Seeing Li Shang staring at him, Li Dazhu subconsciously lowered his head, not daring to meet his Patriarch’s eyes, his voice timid:
"It was a month ago..."
After listening to Li Dazhu recount how he met Lin Qiao, Li Shang rubbed his temples and said with some uncertainty:
"Just because she helped you pick up some herbs you dropped, you think Lin Qiao likes you back?"
Hearing Li Shang’s question, a look of bewilderment appeared on Li Dazhu’s face: "Patriarch, if that’s not liking someone, then what is?"
Li Shang covered his face, realizing Li Dazhu was already in too deep. He didn't dwell on that point but changed the subject: "Since you like her, why haven't you expressed your love to her?"
At this moment, Li Shang suddenly felt like a parent worrying about their child’s puppy love.
Li Dazhu shook his head at Li Shang’s words:
"It’s precisely because I like her that I didn't confess."
"Why?"
Li Dazhu’s answer left Li Shang—who had never been in a relationship himself—dumbfounded.
Why would you not confess just because you like someone? Isn't that just being a coward?
Li Dazhu didn't notice the change in Li Shang’s expression and explained: "To like someone is to silently watch them from afar and see them smile."
"..."
"Slap!"
Li Shang slapped Li Dazhu on the head: "Happiness my foot! You don't even know what liking someone is."
"What you think is 'liking' is just you lusting after her, and you’re a coward who has the heart for it but lacks the guts."
Hearing this, a look of defiance appeared on Li Dazhu’s face: "Patriarch, then tell me, what is loving someone?"
He felt that Li Shang didn't understand the meaning of liking someone at all.
Hearing Li Dazhu, Li Shang curled his lips and replied: "Love is eye meeting eye, skin rubbing against skin, and the exchange of bodily fluids."
Li Dazhu’s expression went blank, clearly not understanding a word of it.
Li Shang hadn't expected him to understand anyway. After indulging himself, he summarized based on his years of watching dramas: "If you like her, go chase her. If you can't get her, use a firmer approach. Don't come back regretting it after some other pig has trampled your cabbage."
Hearing this, Li Dazhu finally seemed to understand a little: "I understand. Thank you for your guidance, Patriarch."
Seeing that Li Dazhu grasped his meaning, Li Shang nodded with satisfaction: "Good, go back to your work."
After watching Li Dazhu leave the courtyard with a thoughtful look, Li Shang opened his attribute panel to see the results of the long time-skip.
"An average improvement of two realms?"
After reviewing everyone’s general cultivation levels, Li Shang nodded and clicked on Li Xia’s detailed data. He was curious because he had seen Li Xia awaken something called "Sword Intent."
[Sword Intent]: Increases damage from sword-type weapons by 20%.
"So it increases attack power?"
After reading the attributes, Li Shang stroked his chin and, after a moment of thought, began the acceleration again.
As of now, the effect of Sword Intent wasn't very significant; he considered it a late-game talent. He planned to let Li Xia go out for experience once he reached the tenth level of Qi Refining. He had seen people in the comment section mention that this could increase the probability of triggering special events, such as obtaining an inheritance from a great master or being carried off by a woman. It had both pros and cons, but to Li Shang, the benefits outweighed the risks. If they obtained a high-level cultivation technique, the whole family would benefit, and if they died, it was just one less person with mediocre talent—no great loss.
As Li Shang thought this, his consciousness detached from his body, and the speed of Lu City below began to accelerate.

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At the same time, a stream of event notifications appeared before him.
[You went out to earn spirit stones and accidentally obtained the Dharma Treasure: Jade Pendant - Red Carp.]
[Li Tian’s cultivation broke through to the third level of Qi Refining.]
[Li Dazhu successfully refined one fine-grade flying sword and sold it for 1 spirit stone.]
[Li Xia went out and encountered a demonic cultivator, sustaining heavy injuries.]
[Li Dazhu’s confession to Lin Qiao failed.]
[Li Xiu’er was favored by a Foundation Establishment-stage cultivator, Hong Yan, and taken as a disciple.]
[Li Dazhu grew resentful and kidnapped Lin Qiao.]
"..."
What kind of "corporate-level" understanding is this?
Li Shang turned off the acceleration and, with black lines on his forehead, tracked down Li Dazhu.
At this moment, Li Dazhu looked smug. Seeing Li Shang approach, he immediately said: "Patriarch, you were right."
"Right my foot!" Li Shang slapped him on the head, looking exasperated: "I meant a 'firmer approach' as in being more assertive, not kidnapping someone!"
"Patriarch, you knew?"
Hearing Li Shang call out his actions, a flash of panic appeared on Li Dazhu’s face, but upon hearing Li Shang’s follow-up, he calmed down and tried to explain: "But..."
Seeing him try to justify himself, Li Shang waved his hand to interrupt: "Let the person go, and give her a proper apology."
"Afterward, confine yourself to your room for a month of self-reflection."
"During this time, you are to stay in your room and focus on artifact refining. Don't go anywhere else."
After Li Shang finished, seeing Li Dazhu still wanting to speak, he gave him no chance and waved him away.
Once Li Dazhu left, Li Shang sighed. He felt exhausted. He had explained it so clearly; to think he could still misunderstand it, he was genuinely speechless.
"It seems I must establish strict family rules. There are few people now, so I can manage the education of the next generation, but once the family grows, I’ll be spread too thin."
Thinking of this, Li Shang returned home, took a pen, and wrote down one rule, but then didn't know what else to write. After all, he wasn't a real patriarch and had no idea how to restrict family members.
"Forget it, I’ll go to the comment section later and copy a set of family rules."
After simply offloading this task to the netizens, Li Shang began reviewing the events after this period of acceleration.
Li Xia was seriously injured but not in a vital area; he would recover in a month, so there was no need to worry.
Li Xiu’er was taken by a Foundation Establishment master, so they didn't need to worry about cultivation resources anymore. The only concern was whether she would betray the family after being away for too long.
"I still need Li Xiu’er to come back and visit the family often."
After making arrangements, Li Shang took out the jade pendant he had obtained. It was a Dharma tool—the lowest tier of equipment, but it possessed a very special function.
[Dharma Treasure: Jade Pendant - Red Carp]:
Cultivation speed +17%
Breakthrough probability +5%
Very good attributes; it could significantly reduce the time cost of early-game growth. The breakthrough probability bonus was also heaven-defying; reaching a new realm was never a 100% success rate, and failure carried the risk of Qi deviation or even death. This bonus would undoubtedly mitigate many risks. Li Shang was very satisfied with this tool and, without hesitation, equipped it himself. As the head of the family, his cultivation must be the strongest; otherwise, he couldn't keep things under control.
After clearing the loot, Li Shang began the acceleration again.
[Li Dazhu is confined, his mood is poor, breakthrough success rate reduced by 5%.]
[Li Xiu’er receives serious guidance from a Foundation Establishment cultivator, her cultivation leaps forward to the fourth level of Qi Refining.]
[Li Xia recovers from his injuries and, unwilling to let it go, goes out for revenge.]
[Li Dazhu is obsessed with artifact refining, efficiency increased by 20%.]
[You purchased a low-grade cultivation technique, 'Flame Formula', on the black market.]
[Li Xia battles a demonic cultivator, gains an epiphany, breaks through to the sixth level of Qi Refining, kills the demonic cultivator, and receives 100 spirit stones in bounty.]
...
Watching the daily information appearing, Li Shang operated the family panel directly.
[Low-grade: Flame Formula]:
Artifact refining speed increased by 23%
Cultivation speed increased by 11%
Combat power increased by 15%
After checking the info, Li Shang dragged it to the cultivation technique slot for every family member. This was far more effective than the basic Qi Refining Formula. It fully utilized the potential of their spiritual roots and provided a significant boost—calculating it out, it was over twice as efficient as the basic technique.

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"Huh? Why can't Li Tian equip it?"
Li Shang tried again, but discovered he couldn't equip the Flame Formula on Li Tian, which made him frown.
After comparing Li Tian’s attributes with the others, he found the reason.
Li Tian did not have a Fire Spiritual Root.
Therefore, he could not practice fire-based techniques.
"So that’s how it is."
Li Shang finally understood the initial choice of spiritual roots. While Five-Element Spiritual Roots were slower in cultivation speed than others, they possessed an advantage no other root had: the ability to practice any cultivation technique.
After setting up the techniques, Li Shang continued to focus on the notifications to avoid any accidents.
[Li Dazhu refines the Dharma Treasure: Weapon - Heavenly Fire Dragon Roar Sword.]
[Li Xiu’er sends a Pei Yuan Pill back to the family.]
[Li Xia encounters an ambush, kills his attacker, and obtains a fragmented treasure map.]
[Li Tian injures Xia Bo.]
[Li Tian is taken away by the City Lord’s mansion guards.]
[Li Dazhu is visited by Lin Qiao, his mood improves greatly, breakthrough probability increased by 20%.]
...
[Heavenly Fire Dragon Roar Sword]:
Combat power increased by 49%
[Pei Yuan Pill]:
Effect: 3 days.
Cultivation speed increased by 100%.
[Fragmented Treasure Map]:
A map recording the location of an unknown treasure.
After a brief look at the gains, Li Shang paused the time acceleration and hurried to the City Lord’s mansion to check on Li Tian’s situation.
After some inquiries, he learned that Li Tian had been arrested for disturbing the peace in the city. After spending a large sum of spirit stones, Li Shang bailed Li Tian out of jail.
"I’m sorry, Patriarch. I caused you trouble," Li Tian apologized guiltily.
"Tell me the full story."
Seeing Li Tian with his head lowered, Li Shang asked.
Seeing that Li Shang didn't scold him immediately, Li Tian felt relieved and told him everything. It turned out that Li Tian had seen a valuable item on Xia Bo and wanted to "borrow" it to take a look. When the other party refused, he attacked to seize it.
Li Shang was speechless after hearing the process.
He slapped Li Tian on the head: "Do you know where you went wrong?"
"I know. I shouldn't have been greedy and tried to rob someone else," Li Tian said, bowing his head. He felt he had brought shame to Li Shang.
"Wrong!"
Hearing Li Shang’s rejection, Li Tian raised his head in confusion, not understanding what other reason there could be.
Seeing Li Tian’s puzzled look, Li Shang shook his head:
"Seizing treasures to strengthen oneself is the law of the jungle in this world of cultivation."
"Your idea was correct, but your actions were wrong. You shouldn't have attacked in broad daylight."
"If you’re going to act, do it in a place where no one can see, and never reveal your identity. If necessary, kill them to silence them. Do you understand now?"
Li Shang said earnestly.
If a family wants to rise, they can't rely on conventional means alone. If he hadn't used a few tricks earlier, he would still be worrying about how to earn spirit stones.
Li Tian nodded blankly. He had never expected his Patriarch to support his methods.
Seeing Li Tian’s expression as if he had discovered a new world, Li Shang slapped his head again and continued to lecture:
"However, we must have a bottom line."
"Robbing everyone you see is no different from a demonic cultivator."
"As the saying goes: 'If people don't offend me, I won't offend them. If they offend me, I will wipe out their entire clan.' Do you understand?"
Li Tian nodded slowly, then asked: "But what if the other person has a treasure I want, but they don't offend me?"
"Then you create a conflict. For example, casually drop a valuable item in front of the target."
"Then do this, and do that..."