Rebuilding the Immortal Cultivator Clan

Chapter 486 - 492: Win Over

By the time Li Zhirui heard news from Shen Leishan again, two months had passed.

During this time, Li Zhirui had been busy with one thing: transplanting the various Spiritual Objects obtained from the Secret Realm into his space, expanding his collection.

As for an excuse, it was easy to come by. Li Zhirui simply said he wanted to categorize the Spiritual Objects, make a registry, and see if he could derive inspiration from them to create new Pill Recipes. With such a reason, nobody doubted why he was doing this.

However, Li Zhirui wasnʼt deceiving anyone. During this process, he indeed had many bursts of inspiration. For example, he thought of using the fourth-grade Spirit Plant Stoneblood Grass as the main ingredient, combined with other Spirit Objects that supplemented oneʼs essence, to refine the Vitality Treasure Pill that strengthened oneʼs essence and body.

Of course, these were still just ideas; whether they would succeed or not, he wouldnʼt know until after he had experimented.

Besides that, there were the few fourth-grade Spirit Seeds Li Zhirui had obtained from Cloud Thunder True Lord.

Nurtured by the space, they had all successfully sprouted, but since Li Zhirui didnʼt have many Spirit Stones on hand, he couldnʼt force their growth.

Consequently, what kind of Spirit Objects they were remained unclear, but one thing that was certain was that they werenʼt Spiritual Medicines; they were some type of Spirit Plant.

Knock knock—

”Come in!” said Li Zhirui as he looked up.

”Uncle Shiling!” a Foundation Establishment clansman gently pushed open the gate and respectfully performed a salute, saying, ”The Clan Leader asks for your presence in the great hall.”

”Whatʼs happened?” Li Zhirui asked as he rose and walked toward him.

If it wasnʼt something urgent, Li Dayuan wouldnʼt have specially sent someone to fetch him.

”Cloud Thunder True Lord from Shen Leishan has arrived; I donʼt know anything else.”

Li Zhiruiʼs eyebrows twitched slightly. What could have made Cloud Thunder come to Wanxian Island so suddenly? Was it about the Taixu Devil Race, or perhaps the Secret Realm?

Li Zhirui quickly arrived at the exterior of the clan grounds and, upon seeing Cloud Thunder True Lord with a rather ill look on his face, he directly asked, ”May I know why you have come here this time?”

The relationship between the two factions wasnʼt close; they were even enemies, so there was no need for false pleasantries or inquiries about each otherʼs well-being.

”Not long ago, Shen Leishan and Profound Ice Sect reached a consensus regarding a matter in Great Void Province, preparing to join forces to drive out the Devil Race and reclaim Taixu. I wonder what the Li family thinks about this?” Cloud Thunderʼs eyes flashed with irritation—despite the strained relationship, surely they could have at least let him through the gate!

On hearing this, Li Zhirui was taken aback and asked with some uncertainty, ”Reclaim Great Void Province?”

It seemed that both factions had suffered significant losses in Great Void Province!

Li Zhiruiʼs guess was correct; the only ones who managed to return from Shen Leishan and Profound Ice Sect were a few Nascent Soul True Lords and a scattering of Golden Core disciples!

In other words, nearly ninety percent of their Golden Cores had perished during this expedition to the Secret Realm!

With such massive casualties, how could the two factions not be enraged?

”You have not misheard,” replied Cloud Thunder. If it were not for the need of the Li familyʼs cooperation, he would definitely not have been this agreeable!

Li Zhirui slightly lowered his eyelids to hide the sharpness in his eyes, his thoughts racing.

The Taixu Devil Race had been operating in Great Void Province for a century now, and although a new fourth-grade Great Devil had not emerged, the number of third-grade Devil Beasts had increased substantially compared to before, not to mention the lower-rank Devil Beasts.

The fact that they had to initiate a beast tide every two to three years to reduce the number of lower-rank Devil Beasts, showed just how large that number was.

Under these circumstances, even if Profound Ice Sect and Shen Leishan allied together, Great Void Province would definitely not be something that could be reclaimed quickly!

Even after enduring untold hardships to snatch Great Void Province from the Devil Raceʼs grasp, controlling it completely would still require a great deal of time and energy.

Moreover, reclaiming Great Void Province is not necessarily a good thing for the Li family. Although the Devil Beast tide every few years causes certain losses and casualties for the Li family, the gains are greater.

And by that time, it will make the Li family border the Profound Ice Sect!

If Shen Leishan and Profound Ice Sect join hands again, with the strength of the Li family, it would be impossible to wage war on two fronts, and they would only be able to abandon territories like Yunping and Guangqing, retreating to the safety of Wanxian Island.

Although the relations between the two families arenʼt that great, theyʼre not too bad either, and in the face of huge interests, what do a few small conflicts amount to?

”Thank you for the invitation, my friend, but the Li family is weak and dares not get involved,” Li Zhirui said sincerely.

Having heard the first part, Yun Lei knew what Li Zhirui was about to say, but a Nascent Soul level combatant could exert tremendous power on the battlefield, and he did not want to give up so easily. He laughed and said, ”My friend is too modest. The Li family is full of talents; itʼs not as weak as you say.”

”If you agree, we three clans will split the Taixu Secret Realm equally. Besides that, Shen Leishan and Profound Ice Sect will also agree to one condition within the Li familyʼs capabilities.”

This was already the bottom line for both clans in their effort to draw the Li family to their side. If Li Zhirui still did not agree, they would have to give up.

It has to be said, the terms presented by Yun Lei truly moved Li Zhirui!

Not to mention the secret realm, just the conditions laid out by the two clans, if used properly, could save the Li family at least a few decades of time spent accumulating their foundation!

But Li Zhirui understood something even more clearly: One should only do as much as oneʼs abilities allow.

The conditions they offered were indeed generous, but after a war that could be described as a raceʼs annihilation, the Li family did not know how many of its members would die!

These clan members are not weeds that you can cut down and expect to grow back quickly. They needed time, maybe decades, or even hundreds of years!

”Iʼm sorry, and thank you for the generous offer, my friend, but the Li family does not intend to get involved in this matter,” he said.

Yun Lei noted Li Zhiruiʼs expression, confident that he would not refuse the offer, but the answer he received was unexpectedly contrary to his expectations.

”Humph!” Yun Lei snorted coldly and said no more, turning around and leaving with a flick of his sleeve.

Li Zhirui stood still, watching him leave until Yun Leiʼs figure completely disappeared, then turned to Li Dayuan beside him and said, ”Dayuan, gather the elders in the grand hall to discuss this matter.”

”Invite Uncle and Elder Lian as well.”

”Yes!” Li Dayuan was somewhat nervous, not because he feared Shen Leishan would become furious and attack the Li family, but because the situation was changing and the Li family didnʼt have the strength to weather the storm and could only just manage to hold their own.

The few elders nearby felt anxious and uneasy.

Li Zhirui didnʼt concern himself with them, and instead, headed towards the familyʼs grand hall.

Before long, each seat in the grand hall, which had been empty, now had its owner.

”Zhirui, what happened that youʼve called us all here in such a hurry?” asked Li Shiqing, who arrived relatively late, as soon as he entered.

Uncle, just now, Cloud Thunder of Shen Leishan...” Li Zhirui repeated the events that had just taken place.

After hearing this, the people present showed various expressions. Some agreed with Li Zhiruiʼs decision, while others thought they should have accepted the offer.

Li Zhirui did not care about their opinions and went on to say, ”Although the family does not intend to get involved in this matter, we still need to prepare for the worst-case scenario, just in case.”