Rebuilding the Immortal Cultivator Clan

Chapter 397 - 403: Separation

Boom—Boom—Boom—

The moment the Secret Realm of Wanxian closed, a deafening roar exploded nearby, and everyone knew that this secret realm, which only opened once every three hundred years, had closed today.

”Given Jiuʼs strength, this secret realm shouldnʼt pose too much of a problem for him, and he is certain to acquire considerable gains,” the woman dressed in black with a giant sword on her back muttered softly, looking up at the sky with a cool expression on her face.

”She must have participated as well, right?” A trace of unwillingness flickered in Li Zhixuanʼs eyes.

This ʼsheʼ referred to Li Zhiyue, whom the clan members often compared her to.

The gap between the two had already been significant, and now that Li Zhiyue had participated in this trial, it had widened even further.

While Li Zhixuan was still circling within the Foundation Establishment Realm, Li Zhiyue was preparing to challenge the late stages of the Golden Core!

Fortunately, these blows had not harmed Li Zhixuan; instead, they had made her resolve even more steadfast.

—

Meanwhile, Li Zhirui and Li Zhiyue had first left the Immortal City boldly, only to return quietly—after all, the Secret Realm had just closed, and the surrounding area was not as peaceful as it appeared.

”Jiu, what happened that made you change your mind?” Li Zhiyue asked curiously.

Li Zhirui shook his head silently. He hadnʼt changed his mind; there was just an unavoidable reason for returning.

”Donʼt dwell on this matter. Letʼs talk about what you encountered in the secret realm,” Li Zhirui said.

Li Zhiyueʼs face darkened considerably, but she recounted her experiences in full detail, skipping over the initial part, which, nevertheless, Li Zhirui noticed.

He wanted to offer comfort, but the events had already passed, and it wasnʼt good to bring them up again. Instead, he turned to ask about Li Zhiyueʼs gains in the secret realm.

”I barely passed the third level of the trial and exchanged for an exceptional-grade Hundred Vermilion Pill. I plan to refine and absorb it after my wounds heal to improve my strength,” Li Zhiyue said, with a hint of frustration in her voice.

In fact, she was far from content because she had come incredibly close to passing the fourth level. She was only a step away from the Nascent Soul Pill; how could she suppress the dissatisfaction in her heart?

As for first and second-tier spiritual objects, they were also somewhat beneficial to the current Li Zhiyue,

”Rest well and donʼt rush your cultivation,” Li Zhirui advised without much comment, simply pulling out several vials of spirit pills as a gesture.

Li Zhiyue nodded. The trial was over, and since her discontent would change nothing, she had no reason to dwell on it. ”I understand, thank you, Jiu!”

”Jiu, why did you take me away from our previous courtyard?”

Li Zhirui didnʼt speak of his experiences in the secret realm but simply smiled and said, ”Although we were very careful, our entry into the secret realm was ultimately noticed. That place wasnʼt safe, and if we had continued staying there, we might have found quite a few followers by the time we left.”

”Youʼre right, Jiu. On my way back, I encountered two cultivators fighting fiercely over a treasure from the secret realm, only to both end up injured and fleeing,” she agreed.

The magnitude of their fight had inevitably drawn the attention of other cultivators, and as a result, they were so engrossed in their intense combat that neither gained any advantage. Even to escape the encirclement of other cultivators, they had to use their life-saving trump cards, resulting in a disastrous loss.

”Once youʼve recovered from your injuries, weʼll set off for Wanxian Island,” Li Zhirui said.

Upon hearing this, Li Zhiyueʼs expression faltered slightly as she said with some embarrassment, ”Jiu, I wonʼt be going back.”

”I plan to stay in the Central Region to temper myself and enhance my strength as much as possible, while also looking for opportunities to reach the Nascent Soul.” Li Zhiyue especially thought of the latter, as the center of the Profound Origin Realm, where countless miracles occurred daily, she naturally wanted to stay.

Li Zhirui couldnʼt object to this desire of hers; how could he hinder Li Zhiyueʼs ambition to improve?

”Alright then, just take good care of yourself, and prioritize your safety above all else.” He planned to give her a defensive talisman refined by ʼLiu Siheʼ when he left. With that talisman, as long as she didnʼt encounter a Nascent Soul cultivator, her safety would be ensured.

”Hmm, then Iʼll go back and heal.”

On the way back to her room, Li Zhiyue was immensely curious about Li Zhiruiʼs experiences in the Secret Realm, but since he didnʼt speak of them, she felt it inappropriate to pry.

But one thing was certain, the stages Li Zhirui had cleared were much more than hers!

After meeting with Li Zhiyue, Li Zhirui began to prepare for his return to Wanxian Island. After all, since she wasnʼt coming with him, there wasnʼt much preparation needed.

However, Li Zhirui had some regrets in his heart, the main one being that he hadnʼt found Li Zhixuan. After so many years without seeing her, he didnʼt know if her situation was good or bad, or if she had broken through to the Golden Core.

”Li?” A few days later, Wang Daozhi, who had made up his mind, came to visit again.

But when he knocked several times and waited for a long time to no avail, Wang Daozhi realized that Li Zhirui had already left — and without saying goodbye!

”Huh!” Wang Daozhi sneered coldly, his face turning very gloomy, whether because he felt used and discarded by Li Zhirui or for some other reason.

Time flew swiftly by, and in the blink of an eye, two to three months had passed.

One day, Li Zhiyue walked out of the meditation chamber to find Li Zhirui sitting in the courtyard. ”Jiu, what are you doing?”

”Have you left seclusion?” Li Zhirui looked up at Li Zhiyue and, seeing that the scars on her body had faded or disappeared completely, he felt much more at ease.

Upon hearing his words, Li Zhiyue instantly realized why Li Zhirui was in the courtyard — he was preparing to leave, but had not yet departed because she was still in seclusion.

”Jiu, when do you plan to return?”

”In a couple of days, Iʼve purchased some spiritual objects in the Immortal City, and I havenʼt collected them yet.”

The second task given to him by the family, due to the fierce targeting of hundred-year Golden Core cultivators by various powers, had been prematurely and sloppily concluded. During this time, Li Zhirui had been working tirelessly on this matter.

As the days and the moon rose and fell, the time for parting quickly arrived.

”Jiu, have a safe journey, and please send my greetings to Uncle and the others.”

Li Zhirui nodded and secretly transmitted a message: ”You must be careful while you continue to temper yourself in the Central Region. If possible, it would be best to change your appearance.”

Li Zhiyue was startled at first but soon understood and nodded in agreement.

”Then Iʼm leaving, you should go back.”

With a simple farewell, Li Zhirui spoke and then guided the Spirit Boat to fly towards the east.

This time, he had planned his return route well in advance, intending to pass through as many Immortal Cities and marketplaces as possible. He would buy some spiritual objects unique to the Central Region or rare and expensive in the Eastern Region, spending the large sum of Spirit Stones given to him by the family. With that, his mission would be considered completed to perfection!