Rebuilding the Immortal Cultivator Clan
Chapter 1247 - 1092: Annihilation_2

Chapter 1247: Chapter 1092: Annihilation_2

Many loose cultivators had waited for several days but still hadn’t heard any news about the Li family recruiting scattered cultivators, leaving them deeply disappointed.

"Are you truly clueless, or just pretending to be?!"

A cultivator nearby glanced at them disdainfully and said, "The devil beasts in the Changli Mountain Range are only second or third tier. With such weak strength, though perhaps numerous, the Li family has sufficient power to handle this with ease. Why would they waste spiritual objects, spirit stones, and resources recruiting the likes of us?"

"What a pity!" The man shook his head with regret etched across his face.

For these loose cultivators, obtaining enough resources for cultivation was no small task. Their options were limited: they could turn to a dangerous life of robbing cultivators, risking their lives at every turn.

Or they could hope for nearby powers to issue recruitment orders where they could offer their services in exchange for resources, though that too came with risk and no guarantee of stability.

"Even if we four can’t claim the Li family’s rewards, we can take matters into our own hands! The Changli Mountain Range, while home to weak devil beasts, may very well contain a wealth of spiritual objects."

"Indeed, indeed! You, Daoist, are truly wise beyond measure!" Many of the cultivators began singing praises.

"Has the Li family grown desperate, stooping so low as to direct their energy at weak, low-tier devil beasts? What a laughable sight!"

Just then, an obnoxious, grating voice broke through the lively chatter in the tavern, silencing the crowd.

The surrounding cultivators quickly retreated three steps, distancing themselves, worried that others might associate them with the speaker and bring unnecessary trouble.

The once-bustling and noisy tavern quieted almost instantly due to this comment.

"Ah, distinguished guest, this humble shop cannot afford to host someone as esteemed as yourself. Please, take your grace elsewhere. Today’s spirit food and spirit wine are on the house." The shopkeeper, noticing the situation, hurriedly approached and ushered the man out of the tavern with half-polite pushes.

...

The month passed in the blink of an eye.

Before the army set out, Li Taichang stood solemnly before tens of thousands of family members, addressing them seriously, "I know some of you think that the devil beasts of the Changli Mountain Range are too weak to pose any real threat to the family. But have you considered: what if these devil beasts are allowed to grow unchecked?"

"When that time comes, eradicating them will no longer be a simple matter! Do you wish to see devil beasts ravaging the family and slaughtering your kin?"

"No, we do not!" the crowd roared.

"For this battle, I will slay the most devil beasts!" one of them shouted with fervor.

Initially lacking enthusiasm, the clan members were now stirred by Li Taichang’s words, their fighting spirit set ablaze.

"I wish you all triumph in your endeavors—may fortune favor you, and may you return safely!"

As Li Taichang watched the Spirit Boat ascend and swiftly fly northward, he silently pondered, ’I hope this decision of mine proves to be the right one.’

Onboard the Spirit Boat.

"Clan uncle, many loose cultivators are following behind us. How should we handle them?"

"Do not stir up unnecessary conflicts; let them follow. The loose cultivators participating of their own accord is something we anticipated long ago, so there’s no need to address it directly."

Soon, the Spirit Boat carried tens of thousands of Li family cultivators to the foot of the Changli Mountain Range.

"Enter the mountains! Be cautious and avoid recklessness! Even a lion uses all its strength to hunt a rabbit. Do not underestimate these devil beasts solely because they are weak!"

Li Yunran, along with Li Yunzhuang and Li Yunluo from the same generation, repeatedly reminded the group.

They were considered the elites of the family’s "Yun" generation, now possessing Integration level cultivation. Their strength was not to be underestimated.

Their presence served two purposes: to ensure the safety of the group—conflicts with loose cultivators were inevitable, so they were there to protect the lives of their kin—and to hone their own abilities.

"Understood! We will heed your advice!"

The collective response of the cultivators echoed like a storm, shaking the wildlife in the mountain range to its core. Countless spiritual creatures scattered, amplifying the commotion.

"Charge!"

With a single command, tens of thousands of cultivators swarmed into the mountain range, slaying any devil beasts they encountered without hesitation. The faint stench of blood began to waft out from the forest, even reaching beyond the mountain range.

The loose cultivators, while not as fiercely combative, were no less enthusiastic. Their primary goal was treasure hunting, and they darted through the forests with impressive speed, searching for spiritual objects.

Low-tier devil beasts were of no concern to the Li family members; they could obliterate them with a mere wave of the hand.

It was only the sheer number of these beasts that made it impossible to clear them out in a short period of time.

Yet, after more than a month, the Li family cultivators returned to the clan aboard the Spirit Boat.

"Clan Leader, the mission was successfully completed! The devil beasts in this part of the mountain range have all been eradicated!" Li Yunran reported, his voice carrying a faint trace of exhaustion.

Though he hadn’t personally entered the fray, he had been engrossed in organizing matters, which proved to be even more taxing.

"You’ve all worked hard!" Li Taichang stood up, his expression sincere as he addressed the group.

"Even so, this approach only addresses the symptoms, not the root cause."

Li Yunran furrowed his brow. "We’ve killed off all the devil beasts for now, but it won’t be long before others emerge. And devil beasts from neighboring regions, seeing that this stretch of the mountains is comparatively safe, will surely settle here."

"By then, the mountains will once again harbor large numbers of devil beasts, continuing to threaten the family members living near the foothills."

Li Taichang fell silent for a moment before responding, "Yunran is right. However, as long as devil beasts come, the Li family will slay them—until they dare not come anymore!"

"That..."

"Clan Leader, isn’t such relentless killing a bit excessive? If we accrue too much karmic force, it may backfire on us," several elders spoke out anxiously in protest.

The considerable undertaking of purging the mountain range of devil beasts required mobilizing tens of thousands of clan members over the span of more than a month—exacting a heavy toll in manpower, resources, and finances.

And yet, Li Taichang was not satisfied?

To achieve the kind of deterrent he envisioned, ensuring that devil beasts from other ranges dared not venture near, would take an indefinite amount of time!

"The family can designate the Changli Mountain Range as a training ground for clan members who have completed their cultivation milestones. This way, it serves both as a place to hone their skills and helps manage the devil beast population," one elder suggested.

The Li family, like most powers, prescribed milestones for their juniors to "graduate" and explore the world.

The Li family’s requirements were not excessively high: juniors needed to reach the Golden Core Realm before leaving Mount Wanxian and exploring the surrounding territories of Shanhai State.

Only after reaching the Divine Transformation Realm could family members freely travel and train in the outside world.

This was a necessary precaution, given that the Primal Spirit Realm, being part of a Great Thousand World, housed beings with generally formidable strength. To ensure the safety of their kin, the Li family required high cultivation levels before they could venture far.

Li Taichang frowned but, seeing the resolute opposition of the group, reluctantly agreed to compromise.

"I know what you’re saying is reasonable. But sometimes, decisions can’t be made purely based on right or wrong."

He sighed. "Take advantage of the soaring spiritual energy and focus on your cultivation."

...

Meanwhile, after receiving the Enlightenment Star Stone, Li Zhirui had entirely immersed himself in its profound effects. Changing his initial hesitation, he wasted not a moment, delving deep into the Purification Principle.

Li Zhirui was like a parched field soaking up rainwater, replenishing himself.

With exceptionally high comprehension—a talent that allowed him to grasp the essence of something instantly—he thrived with the Enlightenment Star Stone, as if born for this opportunity.

Within just two short months, Li Zhirui’s cultivation skyrocketed to the peak of the Mahayana stage!

For the remaining ten months, Li Zhirui made full use of his time without any negligence!

As time slipped away and the Enlightenment Star Stone’s effects gradually waned, he faced moments of anxiety and unease. However, he swiftly overcame these challenges, emerging even stronger in his cultivation journey.

These mental breakthroughs only served to make further progress in his realm smoother.

As spring turned to autumn and heavy snow blanketed the world, the star stone, now with only about a month of efficacy left, bore witness to Li Zhirui’s ultimate success.

Forgoing gradual adaptation to the Thunder Tribulation’s power, Li Zhirui leveraged his remarkable comprehension to ascend directly, utilizing the star stone’s assistance to achieve in under a year what others could not—breaking into the Individual Immortal stage!