Rebuilding the Immortal Cultivator Clan-Chapter 2008 - 1473: Thunderstorm

Among the many speculations, only a handful like the Sect Leader of Cave Abyss Sect truly understood the Li family's intention.

"They do not keep Heavenly Immortals residing in the world to bolster their prestige, but only hope that they may walk farther on the path of the Dao..."

He murmured to himself, his face full of reflection and admiration, sighing, "Such a humble Li family, and yet such boldness—truly admirable."

This method, for cultivators who seek the Great Tao, brings countless benefits. The clan wouldn't force retention, nor would they scheme purposefully.

Though he wished to follow suit, unfortunately within the sect, obstructions were innumerable; such a policy would never be allowed.

Like this Sect Leader, those able to see through the intentions behind this matter were few indeed—some, like him, felt sincere respect.

Others merely found it amusing: had the Li family possessed numerous Heavenly Immortals, strength overwhelming, such action might suffice—but now with only a few, to voluntarily cut off their own arm and weaken themselves seems utter foolishness.

No matter how outsiders viewed this affair, within the Li family there was little reaction; as things were before, so they remain now.

Even Li Debo had already prepared for Li Zhirui to transcend and leave not long hence.

The Li family now harbors little ambition; with Jiang Fengwu and Li Mingyao, two Heavenly Immortal Ancestors, and Da Qing, Xiaoqing and other Earth Immortal Ancestors, it should suffice to guard Shanhai State.

If all else fails, are there not a few clan ancestors deep within the starry sky? Though there has been no contact for years, they have not severed ties—at the critical juncture of survival, how could they stand idly by?

As for Li Zhirui, who returned to his cave mansion for secluded cultivation, naturally he was unaware that the Clan Leader had such thoughts.

His attention and spirit now were focused on the method Li Zhixuan left before her transcendence, the technique that had only begun to take shape.

If possible, of course he wished to complete it—after all, this method benefitted not only himself, but was also a fine inheritance for the clan.

So Li Zhirui was quite invested in it.

Besides, he had nothing else to occupy him; comprehending the Heavenly Dao Laws had brought no new insights, his cultivation couldn't advance, so all he could do was refine his mana.

If not for his current lack of merit, Li Zhirui would indeed have planned for early transcendence.

Therefore, now he had plenty of time; after all, waiting for the evil filth accumulating in Heaven and Earth to grow sufficient takes no small span.

He could cultivate in peace, but others did not possess such composure.

Li Zhixuan's transcendence had greatly stimulated Xiaoqing and Cang; as fellow cultivators of the same generation, while others have already set foot upon the pursuit of deeper Dao, they remained mired in the Earth Immortal Realm, unable to break through.

Back then, Xiaoqing developed a heart demon due to Li Mingyao's breakthrough, enduring a perilous Heart Demon Tribulation.

As the saying goes, surviving disaster brings fortune—in tempering his mind and Dao heart, he actually reached the standard for breaking through to Heavenly Immortal.

If Xiaoqing were an Immortal Tao cultivator, he would have begun tribulation long ago; yet he walked the Divine Path, and although his cultivation surged ahead, now he was constrained by Divine Path limits.

Cang's situation was much the same.

But divine position, divine rank, divine domain—none are easily resolved.

Divine position can be explored independently, but it's difficult; so many years of effort, yet neither has mastered a new divine position on their own; the higher the divine rank, the fewer there are—gaining a rank equal to a Heavenly Immortal requires great merit.

In comparison, the issue of divine domain is easier to resolve, but for both, there are no divine domains nearby easily conquered.

No need to mention Cang—he has occupied nearly all the land waterways connected to Shanhai State; any further, there is no water connection, and the sea is even trickier: east, south, north abound with formidable foes—he simply cannot seize them.

The same goes for Xiaoqing.

Thus, they now feel quite lost, not knowing where their path lies.

...

Meanwhile, after sending Li Zhixuan off, Shenling and Mu Qi did not return straight to the Demon Spirit Star Domain, but followed the others back to Mount Wanxian.

When Li Zhirui asked if they had business, they revealed the other purpose of their return to the clan.

To have their demon spirits sign contracts with the members of the Li Clan, to train and travel together in the Primal Spirit Realm, tempering themselves and refining their Dao Hearts.

Though the contract mentioned was not the life-binding type like the Wanling Sutra, but a common equal contract, the kind which would end someday.

After all, were the demon spirit clan bound too deeply with the Li family, they might become subordinate—something Shenling would never wish to see.

"You've finally come around." Li Zhirui gazed at Shenling for a long time, then smiled.

He'd once tried to persuade him, but at the time Shenling was wholly invested in the Demon Spirit Clan's revival, and Li Zhirui did not wish to press, lest it spoil their bond.

He hadn't expected Shenling and Mu Qi to lead their demon spirits off to the stars for survival, while Li Zhirui himself was absorbed in cultivation and other matters, resulting in little interaction—let alone anything else.

Shenling now felt somewhat embarrassed, a look of remorse on his face, mumbling, "Jiu, it was my ignorance back then—did not understand your good intentions."

"Your awakening comes not too late."

He had indeed squandered several thousand years, but from the perspective of a Heavenly Immortal's lifespan, it's negligible.