Rebuilding the Immortal Cultivator Clan

Chapter 57: Helplessness

”Has the mastermind behind the marketplace attack been found?” the Sect Master of Yuanming Sect asked with a composed expression.

It wasnʼt that he wasnʼt angry about the incident, but several days had passed since that night, and much of the fury in his heart had dissipated.

”No, we canʼt find any other clues.” The clues that could be found all pointed to Demon Cultivators, which made people feel uneasy, as if the Demon Cultivators were being framed.

Although Demon Cultivators act on whims, that is just the surface; in reality, they value benefits greatly and seldom take unprovoked action unless there are sufficient benefits involved.

Despite Yunqing Marketplaceʼs prosperity and bustle, it is only significant within the bounds of Yunping State; within ten thousand li, the marketplace doesnʼt rank at all!

Moreover, the most valuable Spiritual Object received by the marketplace in recent times was a tier-three Blood Essence Stone.

Objects of such level are not without value, but they arenʼt worth a Demon Cultivator traveling across a state to Yunqing Marketplace.

Whatʼs most important is, if a Demon Cultivator had indeed been behind the attack, the corpses littering the marketplace, the rivers of blood—they wouldnʼt exist, because to a Demon Cultivator, these are all excellent resources for cultivation or materials for crafting demonic artifacts.

”We still need to focus our suspicions on our old adversaries,” the Sect Master murmured softly and asked, ”Has there been any news from the Green Sword Sect?”

The black-clad cultivator below shook his head and said, ”The news weʼve received does not indicate any unusual activities from the Green Sword Sect recently.”

”Is that so?” The Sect Masterʼs eyebrows knitted slightly. Could it really not be the handiwork of the Green Sword Sect? A sudden thought struck him, ”Has Zhang Yun sent back any messages?”

Zhang Yun was the only Foundation Establishment disciple that Yuanming Sect had sent to infiltrate the Green Sword Sect, and he would only make contact for matters of great importance.

This time was no exception.

But it wasnʼt that the matter wasnʼt significant, rather Zhang Yun had died and therefore could no longer send messages to Yuanming Sect!

And because of the uniqueness of the Life Token, Yuanming Sect was still unaware that Zhang Yunʼs identity had been exposed and that he had been killed by the Green Sword Sect.

”This matter requires further investigation from you all; I always feel that thereʼs more to it.” Ever since the marketplace attack, he had an ominous premonition that something worse was about to happen.

”Yes!” The black-clad cultivator responded and immediately blended into the shadows, vanishing from sight.

With a faint sigh, the great hall once again fell into silence.

----

After spending three entire days cleaning up Yunqing Marketplace, about twenty to thirty members of the Li family returned to Da Rong Island, exhausted.

”Are you all right?” Li Shiqing asked with deep concern.

After Li Shiren returned from Jiang Tianming, Li Shiqing had arranged for a family member to go back to the clan with a report, including the situation at the marketplace, the punishment they received, and a request for a few clan members to come and help.

Most importantly, he instructed Li Shiqing to ensure Da Rong Island was well defended to prevent anyone from taking advantage.

In fact, before Li Shirenʼs message had arrived, some Loose Cultivators had indeed joined forces to attack Da Rong Island, and their fate, as one might expect, was to become corpses.

It was from these Loose Cultivators that Li Shiqing and others learned about the marketplace incident. Just as they were about to send aid, the family members from the marketplace returned.

After getting a clear understanding of the situation, Li Shiqing finally breathed a sigh of relief and had Li Shilian lead the family members to help, while he and Li Shiting remained to oversee the clan.

Now seeing that all the family members had returned, Li Shiqing truly felt at ease.

”Weʼre okay, all the family members are safe.” Except for Li Zhirui.

That nightʼs battle left Li Zhirui extremely injured, as he forcefully refined the Spirit-Replenishing Pills without considering the endurance of his meridians, resulting in their damage; a mere three days was not enough for him to fully recover.

”You all go back and rest first, we can talk about everything later,” Li Shiqing initially wanted to ask Li Shiren for more details, but seeing the profound fatigue in his eyes, he had to let go of his previous intention.

Not to mention Li Zhirui standing next to him, pale-faced. Li Shiqing worried he might faint at any moment.

Cleaning up the marketplace didnʼt seem like a tough job, but the everywhere presence of bloodstains and corpses, along with the numerous collapsed shops, made the task far from simple.

Furthermore, Jiang Tianming only gave them three days. To complete the task, everyone had to relentlessly use their spells day and night, until they were all utterly exhausted.

Li Zhirui walked slowly back to his small courtyard and fell heavily asleep on his bed.

The next day, when Li Zhirui opened his eyes, it was almost noon.

However, after sleeping, he felt much better. It was as if his damaged meridians were somewhat healed.

”This trip outside really was too unlucky!” Now thinking back, Li Zhirui felt utterly dejected. He had merely gone to the marketplace to buy some Spirit Seeds but ended up involved in a major assault on the marketplace—and whatʼs worse, he had also been injured!

The experience truly frightened him. If Li Shiren had returned even a moment later, the Formation would have been broken!

Even though several of his uncles desperately helped him block those frenzied Loose Cultivators, given Li Zhiruiʼs physical condition at the time, he would likely have not survived long in that chaotic marketplace.

”I definitely wonʼt leave Da Rong Island until Iʼve broken through to Foundation Establishment!” Li Zhirui declared resolutely.

Though breaking through to Foundation Establishment wouldnʼt necessarily guarantee complete safety, at least if a similar incident occurred, Li Zhirui would possess the strength needed to respond more effectively.

Chirp!

Da Qing, sitting beside him, seemed to pick up on Li Zhiruiʼs thoughts and quickly voiced agreement, nodding earnestly. Even though several days had passed, the memory still frightened him immensely.

”You,” Li Zhirui shook his head and chuckled. But that was just Da Qingʼs nature—he didnʼt want to change him, nor was there a need to. For fighting, having him was enough.

Moreover, after breaking through to Foundation Establishment, he would be able to contract a second Spirit Beast!

Concerned about insufficient resources? With the space at hand and his Alchemy on the right track, Li Zhirui wasnʼt too worried about that aspect.

...

In the Li familyʼs main hall, Li Shilian and the other Elders gathered together to listen as Li Shiren detailed the situation at Yunqing Marketplace.

”Judging by the clues we have, the attackers are likely Demon Cultivators. They incited the Loose Cultivators, not only attacking the marketplace but also killing the Yuanming Sectʼs stationed Cultivators and looting the storeroom,” Li Shile couldnʼt help but say.

Li Shiren nodded; he had the same thought, but he hadnʼt shared his guess earlier to avoid influencing others.

”Demon Cultivators?” Li Shiqingʼs expression turned grave. Demon Cultivators were no trifling matter, and their various strange and unpredictable methods were virtually impossible to fully guard against.

Li Shiqing sighed inwardly; even if they knew that this was the work of Demon Cultivators, what could the Li family do?

If Demon Cultivators indeed wished to move against the Li family, with their strength, they wouldnʼt be able to fend them off.

”Be extra cautious in the coming days. Shiren, for the next few days, take the family members who have contracted flying Spirit Beasts and patrol the nearby seas. If you notice anything unusual, report back to me immediately,” Li Shiqing instructed, then decided to leave the matter at that. As he had said before, if they truly faced them, the Li family wouldnʼt stand a chance.

”When can the two shops in the marketplace reopen?” Li Shiqing asked another matter, one of great importance to the Li familyʼs development.