Rebuilding the Immortal Cultivator Clan

Chapter 216 - 222: Shock

”It has been a year or two, and there still hasnʼt been any sort of movement from the Li family?” the Sect Leader of the Yuanming Sect asked with some confusion during a meeting.

”Is it possible that the Li family deliberately released false information previously to keep us anxious and uncertain, in order to gain more time for development? After all, breaking through to a Golden Core is not such an easy matter, is it?”

An Elder smirked and said, having felt all along that the news of Li Zhiruiʼs breakthrough to a Golden Core was fake—regrettably, no one had believed him at that time.

Some Elders started to waver. Just as he said, breaking through to a Golden Core is not such an easy matter, is it?

Otherwise, how could the Yuanming Sect have only produced three Golden Core cultivators up to now, and one of them had only advanced by taking a Gold Core Formation Pill?

”Sect Leader, it hasnʼt even been two years, so he canʼt have broken through so quickly, right?”

Furthermore, even if the news was fake, could they actually take action against the Li family?

Although the Li familyʼs strength was slightly inferior, if the two families were to truly come to blows, the outcome would definitely be detrimental to both sides!

And clearly, this was something neither family wished to see.

But just then, a Foundation Establishment disciple suddenly shouted outside, ”Sect Leader, Elders, I have urgent news to report.”

”Come in.”

The disciple rushed in instantaneously, and without caring for anything else, he blurted out, ”Sect Leader, the Li family has announced that Li Zhirui has successfully formed his Core and will hold a Core Formation Ceremony on Da Rong Island in half a monthʼs time!”

”Thatʼs impossible! Absolutely impossible!” the Elder responsible for monitoring the Li family immediately objected: ”I have never seen Tribulation Thunder descend upon Da Rong Island; how could he have possibly broken through to a Golden Core?”

But at this moment, no one paid heed to this Elder; everyone was stunned by the news.

Especially the Elder who had claimed the Li family was spreading false news—he was ashamed to the point of blushing crimson.

No one doubted this news, because since the Li family had dared to announce it publicly, it had to be true; otherwise, the Li family would lose all face!

”The Li family...” The Sect Leader paused for quite a while before finally speaking with bitter taste, ”They really are blessed by the Heavenly Dao!”

In just a few decades, they had grown from a Foundation Establishment family to a point where they now had three Golden Core members! In terms of the number of Golden Core cultivators, even the Yuanming Sect fell short of them.

Of course, the Yuanming Sect wasnʼt afraid either. After all, Jiang Tianming was at the Middle Golden Core Stage, and with so many Foundation Establishment disciples at his command, his foundation was deeper than the Li familyʼs.

Nevertheless, it was difficult to suppress a sense of discomfort, as well as envy and jealousy!

”It looks like, from now on, the Li family will be on an equal footing with us.” But if the Li family maintains its current rate of strengthening, itʼs feared that in less than fifty years, they will completely overtake the Yuanming Sect!

As for why Li Zhiruiʼs breakthrough had no Thunder Tribulation, itʼs simply because he didnʼt seclude himself on Da Rong Island, and outsiders naturally knew nothing of his breakthrough.

Of course, pondering over this now is of no significance.

And when the news of Li Zhiruiʼs breakthrough to a Golden Core spread, not only was the Yuanming Sect shocked, but all nearby powers and cultivators were stunned as well.

——

Time swiftly moved forward to half a month later.

On this day, the entire Da Rong Island was festooned in joyous celebration, with large red lanterns hung everywhere. Radiant smiles adorned the faces of all the clan members, and the ceremony was even more grandiose than the ones for Li Shiqing and Li Shilian!

Li Zhirui had also wanted to stop it, after all, this would surpass his two elders, but he was flatly rejected by both of them, who didnʼt mind in the slightest.

In their eyes, Li Zhirui represented the future and hope of the Li family, and they were eager to hold several such grand ceremonies.

One guest after another arrived, with weaker forces full of flattery and appeasement, knowing that the Yuanming Sect could no longer suppress the Li family.

And Golden Core cultivators from forces like the Yuanming Sect and Shen Leishan were much more enthusiastic than before.

Once all the guests had arrived, dishes full of flavorful Spirit Food were served up. In this regard, there was not much difference from the previous Core Formation ceremonies.

The difference lay in the fact that the Li family had spent a great deal of money to invite a music and dance troupe!

These musicians and dancers all had cultivation levels, and they practiced arts like the Spirit Music Tao and the Spirit Dance Tao, both niche skills that could help cultivators relax their minds and dispel distracting thoughts.

Just this music and dance troupe had cost tens of thousands of Spirit Stones, more expensive than the banquet itself.

Some cultivators from smaller forces watched the dancers on stage intently, feeling that the gifts they had brought were very worthwhile.

After the third round of drinks, a Golden Core cultivator from Shen Leishan suddenly spoke up, ”Itʼs said that a Hundred-Year Golden Pill cultivator can obtain a Heavenly Gifted Divine Power. I remember that Fellow Daoist is not very old. I wonder if itʼs possible for you to showcase your Divine Power for us to see?”

Many cultivators were hearing this rumor for the first time and looked up at Li Zhirui.

Moreover, with the resources and heritage of Shen Leishan, hadnʼt they produced a Hundred-Year Golden Pill cultivator? And among them, didnʼt anybody possess a Heavenly Gifted Divine Power?

A glint of darkness flashed in Li Zhiruiʼs eyes. Was Shen Leishan intending to draw hatred toward the Li family?

”I apologize for disappointing my fellow Daoist, but my fortune is shallow. I havenʼt been favored by the Heavenly Dao and do not possess a Heavenly Gifted Divine Power,” Li Zhirui said somewhat bitterly.

But the other partyʼs attention wasnʼt solely on Li Zhirui. He was also observing Li Shiqing and Li Shilian out of the corner of his eye, seeing their disappointed expressions, it seemed they believed his statement.

What he didnʼt know was that Li Zhirui had forgotten to mention this matter to the two elders and both Li Shiqing and Li Shilian also didnʼt remember it, as they had only heard Li Shiting mention it in passing.

”Fellow Daoist need not be saddened. It is rare to begin with. Given your talent, even without a Heavenly Gifted Divine Power, I believe you will achieve great things in the future!”

Hearing these words, Li Zhirui couldnʼt help but feel moved. He suspected there was more meaning behind them, but he didnʼt inquire further, for asking might not yield any answers and could even expose him, so he simply forced a smile.

By this time, the banquet was drawing to a close, and once the music and dance troupe had left, it was Li Zhiruiʼs turn to speak.

Like the two elders, he didnʼt talk about cultivation insights but chose to share experiences and understanding of spells, along with some combat experience.

Half an hour later, Li Zhirui fell silent, and the outsiders began to rise and take their leave.

The messy banquet hall was naturally tended to by specific clan members, and Li Zhirui followed Li Shiqing and Li Shilian to the rear hall.

”Do you really lack a Heavenly Gifted Divine Power, or were you deceiving that person?” Li Shiqing asked.

He was somewhat reluctant to accept it, as a single Divine Power could decide the outcome of a battle. Moreover, he believed that with Li Zhiruiʼs talent, it was impossible for him not to have a Heavenly Gifted Divine Power.

”Uncle really does have discerning eyes,” Li Zhirui said with a laugh.