Rebuilding the Immortal Cultivator Clan

Chapter 166 - 172: Escape

The Purple Patterned Emerald Bamboo guarded by the Devil Beast is a very special Spirit Plant which initially grows as a first-order plant, but after a hundred years, it becomes second-order; and after five hundred years, it advances to third-order.

It is said that if the Purple Patterned Emerald Bamboo can grow for a thousand years, it will join the ranks of fourth-order Spirit Plants!

And this is not its limit; it can continue to grow, but to become a fifth-order Spirit Plant, it must grow for at least three thousand years!

This bamboo is as tough as steel and naturally possesses lightning, making it highly suitable for refining offensive Magical Treasures, such as Spirit Swords and staves.

Because of this characteristic, it is almost impossible to find Purple Patterned Emerald Bamboo in the outside world, yet unexpectedly, Li Zhirui came across it here.

To prevent causing a large disturbance and attracting nearby Devil Beasts, the second-order Devil Beast was quickly slain by Li Zhirui and his two companions, and then they swiftly gathered the Purple Patterned Emerald Bamboo and vanished from this stretch of forest in an instant.

In the following days, Li Zhirui spent his time fighting and fleeing. Fortunately, he relocated after each success, avoiding pursuit by third-order Devil Beasts until now.

However, today, as Li Zhirui prepared to leave his hiding place, he suddenly saw a streak of Spirit Light speeding past in the distance, which scared him into immediately halting his actions and exerting all his effort to operate the Cicada Breathing Skill, to avoid being detected.

”Why struggle in vain, adding to your own suffering?” Jin Yuʼs voice, arrogant and bullish, echoed nearby.

Yet, at his side, there stood no fewer than six third-order Devil Beasts, with such a lineup, how could any Cultivator not flee?

Li Zhiruiʼs heart raced uncontrollably, not daring to move a muscle; he pricked up his ears to listen to their conversation.

”Jin Yu, youʼve got some nerve, daring to join forces with Secret Realm Devil Beasts in an attempt to wipe out us Cultivators. Once we get out, I will definitely ask my master to destroy you, then report back to the Sect and exterminate your Golden Wing Peng Bird clan!”

The Cultivator tried to invoke his Sectʼs influence, indicating his high status within the Profound Ice Sect, hoping that Jin Yu would hold back out of caution, but paradoxically, his words only hardened Jin Yuʼs resolve to kill.

”Damn it!” The Cultivator saw immediately that this approach was futile, cursed under his breath, and then took a pitch-black pill from his chest.

”In my hand is a third-order Geng Metal Thunder Pill, you donʼt want to let me live, then letʼs die together!” His face full of madness, not in the least bit jesting.

Seeing that Jin Yu and the others dared not press closer, a trace of elation flashed through the manʼs eyes, as though he saw a glimpse of hope for survival.

”Die with me!” He roared as he threw the Thunder Pill forward, using the Mana attached to its surface to detonate it.

Boom!

A thunderous explosion that shook the earth erupted, and the terrifying lightning, unbound, spread swiftly in all directions, moving too fast for anyone to escape. Jin Yu and the others had no choice but to employ various methods to weaken and counter the lightning.

While the original intent had been to end things together, the Cultivator who initiated the explosion was now nowhere to be seen, clearly having planned this escape all along.

Jin Yu cursed softly and led the other Devil Beasts away, in search of their next prey.

As for the possibility of news leaking, causing Cultivators to hide or leave the Secret Realm prematurely?

He had already arranged for several third-order Devil Beasts to guard the exit. If anyone rashly charged through, even Golden Core Cultivators would have a rough time.

Meanwhile, Li Zhirui, who still hid in the tree canopy and overheard the conversation, was suddenly overwhelmed by a mix of shock and anger.

”How could this be!” Li Zhirui said dumbfounded, his mind filled with many questions, such as what method that giant bird used to command so many third-order Devil Beasts.

But, facing such circumstances, Li Zhirui had no power to resist; he could only go with the flow and look for an opportunity to leave the Secret Realm.

But it goes without saying that Jin Yu must have set multiple ambushes at the Secret Realmʼs exit, just waiting for Cultivators to throw themselves into the net.

Li Zhirui could only take one step at a time and look for an opportunity to escape the Secret Realm, as for what he might encounter after leaving, he had no time to think further.

Following the guidance of the Spirit Light in his Sea of Consciousness, Li Zhirui sped across the ground toward the northeast. Although this meant his speed was slower, he made less noise and attracted less attention.

”Get out of the way!”

A wild boar suddenly charged out from the woods, blocking Li Zhiruiʼs path and infuriating him on the spot. A torrent of spells poured forth, and within less than half a minute, he had slain it under a relentless barrage of attacks.

After a long and arduous journey, Li Zhirui stopped in his tracks just short of his destination.

He couldnʼt see any danger ahead, but his wildly throbbing Spirit Sense told Li Zhirui itʼd be best not to take another step forward.

Li Zhirui hid on a large tree, exerting all his strength to conceal his presence, blending into the color of the branches. He peered through the gaps to observe the situation outside.

Li Zhirui waited for a long time until another Cultivator finally arrived. That person seemed to notice nothing and headed straight for the exit of the Secret Realm.

Whoosh!

Suddenly, a thick tree root lashed out as if to snatch him off the ground. However, the Cultivator was more skillful and with a swift dodge, he evaded the reach of the roots.

By this time he was less than thirty feet from the exit. One more breathʼs time and he would be able to break free.

Unfortunately, the appearance of a large tiger with distinct markings and a crow with pitch-black feathers shattered the possibility of his escape.

ʼThere are at least three fifth-order Devil Beasts!ʼ Li Zhirui couldnʼt help but take a sharp breath. With his strength, facing a single fifth-order Devil Beast would require all his effort just to escape, let alone three.

And that was only the ones that had revealed themselves; there could be more beasts lurking in the dark, waiting for their moment to strike.

If the Cultivators wanted to leave the Secret Realm, they had to work together, pooling the Cultivators near the exit to potentially repel the Devil Beasts.

But there was no such leading figure among the Cultivators!

Moreover, under the current circumstances, any Cultivator who showed their head would likely be attacked by the Devil Beasts immediately.

ʼWhatʼs the best course of action now?ʼ Li Zhirui pondered silently, continuously contemplating how to break the stalemate.

Time ticked away, and another day passed as the sun rose and set.

As time went on, Li Zhirui became increasingly anxious, knowing that the more Cultivators who died within the Secret Realm, the faster Devil Beasts that hunted Cultivators elsewhere would gather here.

By then, trying to leave the Secret Realm would be many times more difficult than it was now!

”Fellow Daoists, since we are all here, why not show yourselves and join forces to break through the Devil Beastsʼ blockade?” Evidently realizing this, not only Li Zhirui, a Golden Core Cultivator revealed himself and called out loudly.

Following his appearance, several Cultivators emerged, including four Golden Cores and two Foundation Establishments.

It was clear that more Cultivators were becoming aware of the Devil Beastsʼ movements and everyone was trying to find a way out.

Li Zhirui hesitated for a moment and then leaped down from the treetop. He couldnʼt be sure whether he had already been detected or not; instead of being dragged out, he chose to step forward.

And indeed, he saw this as a good opportunity to leave the Secret Realm.