Rebuilding the Immortal Cultivator Clan

Chapter 544 - 550: Return

In fact, Li Zhiruiʼs claim that he was about to make a breakthrough was no lie.

But before that, he needed to solve a problem, a very troublesome problem.

That was the severe injuries within his body!

From the fierce battle with Yun Lei and Qing Lei, it could be said that there wasnʼt a single part of Li Zhiruiʼs body, from flesh to spiritual soul, that was unscathed.

Considered individually, perhaps the wounds were not too serious, but the many injuries compounded, pulling one thread might move the whole body, resulting in Li Zhirui not daring to make any significant movements and thus very slow progress in healing.

The only thing that could be considered good news was that the injuries were no longer worsening.

——

”Are you planning to go out for training and seek the opportunity to break through to the Nascent Soul stage?” asked Li Zhiyue, watching Li Zhixuan, who was preparing to leave the clan with a sword in hand.

In her view, Li Zhixuanʼs actions were somewhat premature. How long had it been since she had broken through to the Golden Core Late Stage? And now she wanted to challenge a major bottleneck.

”Something like that,” Li Zhixuan replied with a noncommittal answer.

Of course, she knew that unless she encountered some tremendous opportunity, it was impossible for her to make a breakthrough to the Nascent Soul stage anytime soon.

Previously, Li Zhiyue had been troubled by her heart demon and Jiang Fengwu had been stuck at the Golden Core Late Stage for decades, without any news of a breakthrough.

Either of them had better aptitude than Li Zhixuan and were equally matched in terms of temperament and opportunities, yet even they had taken so long, so how could Li Zhixuan possibly succeed in a short time?

Therefore, Li Zhixuanʼs departure for training was certainly aimed at breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage, but it was also more about improving her own strength through the trials.

It just so happened that the familyʼs troubles and threats had been resolved and just the remaining affairs could be handled by Li Xuefeng and others, so she was not needed.

”Then go ahead, I will protect the family,” said Li Zhiyue, without asking any further, speaking calmly.

Since she had no gains after several years of seclusion, and it was likely to remain the same if she continued in the short term, there was no point wasting time on it, she could slow down for some time.

It was a good opportunity to make up for Li Zhiyueʼs obligations to the family.

Without a word, Li Zhixuan departed on her sword, while everyone else stood on the island to see her off.

After the demise of Li Shiqing and others, the highest in the family hierarchy were now Li Zhirui, Li Zhiyue, and Li Zhixuan.

However, with one in seclusion, one departing, and the remaining one indifferent to trivial matters and not meddling in the familyʼs affairs, the responsibilities fell to others.

Fortunately, Li Xuefeng and the others did not disappoint, and under their management, the family thrived.

——

”Itʼs time to go back!” declared Jiang Fengwu, stepping out of the cave dwelling she had rented specifically for healing, her face beaming with a smile.

After this period of treatment, she had fully recovered, and upon returning to Wanxian Island, she could begin her seclusion and strive to break through to the Nascent Soul.

”Taoist Jiang! I didnʼt expect to meet you again; what a twist of fate!”

Just as Jiang Fengwu was heading out of the city, a familiar voice suddenly rang out. Xie Changhong hurried over, looking at her with a face full of surprise.

A flash of surprise crossed Jiang Fengwuʼs eyes; she hadnʼt expected to encounter Xie Changhong again. She responded coolly, ”Long time no see.”

”After we split up and fled that day, did Taoist Jiang encounter any of the others?”

”No.”

Green Lotus State was vast, and finding someone in the vast sea of people was no easy task, especially since most of those teammates had likely perished at the hands of demon cultivators.

Xie Changhongʼs face showed disappointment, but it was fleeting. He then warmly invited, ”Fellow Taoist, let us join forces once again, recruit teammates, hunt demon cultivators, and earn resources, how about it?”

”Thank you for your kind offer, fellow Taoist, but I have been away from home for many years, and my injuries have not yet fully healed. Please find someone else,” Jiang Fengwu declined without hesitation. Her most important task now was to break through to the Nascent Soul stage!

Besides, she had already completed the purpose of her initial journey to Green Lotus State and saw no need to remain there any longer.

”Thatʼs truly a pity. If you change your mind, you can always come and find me,” Xie Changhong didnʼt insist. The reason he had extended the invitation was because of Jiang Fengwuʼs sudden surge of Spirit Sense.

But Spirit Sense wasnʼt always reliable, and since the other party had declined with such a perfect reason, there was no need for him to waste any more words.

However, neither of them expected that, not long after, Xie Changhong would encounter Li Zhixuan because he happened upon her slaying a demon cultivator, nagging persistently until Li Zhixuan joined his Demon Hunting Squad.

After parting ways with Xie Changhong, Jiang Fengwu smoothly left the Immortal City.

The journey was calm, without a single incident, and she returned to Wanxian Island without issue.

After all, being at the Golden Core Late Stage already counted as a first-rate force, possessing great strength. In the realm of cultivators, she was unlikely to encounter any danger.

However, as soon as Jiang Fengwu set foot on Wanxian Island, she was surprised to find that the Mountain Protection Array had changed!

If it werenʼt for the Spirit Birds soaring in the sky above and the Li familyʼs crest, she would have thought the place had changed owners.

At the same time, Jiang Fengwu also realized that her previous strong sense of unease wasnʼt only due to the dangers she had faced personally, but also because the Li family, or more specifically, Li Zhirui, with whom her destiny was intertwined, had also encountered danger!

She hurriedly entered the family grounds and rushed toward her cave dwelling, not noticing the changes in the surrounding environment at all.

When Jiang Fengwu saw the closed door of the room, she was even more certain of her guess.

”Mother! When did you return?”

Li Chengshuo, who was about to leave to submit a mission at the Array Hall, was surprised and happily exclaimed upon seeing Jiang Fengwu staring at the door in a daze.

”Just now.”

Jiang Fengwuʼs Divine Sense quickly refocused as she anxiously inquired, ”Has the family gone through a great battle? Is Zhiruiʼs injury serious?”

Speaking of this, Li Chengshuoʼs expression dimmed instantly and detailed the great battle between the family and Shen Leishan, not leaving a single detail out.

”Father said his injury isnʼt too serious and he has hopes of making a breakthrough. Thatʼs why he is in seclusion and told us not to worry.” As for Li Zhirui, whom Jiang Fengwu was most concerned about, she spoke of him separately at the end.

After hearing everything, Jiang Fengwu was stunned.

She had not anticipated such a tragic and cruel battle, with all the elder generation of cultivators from the family having fallen, and Shen Leishan, with its thousands of years of heritage, being destroyed as a result.

As for Li Chengshuoʼs final remarks, Jiang Fengwu remained skeptical.

She knew Li Zhirui well and understood that he was someone who tended to report good news but not the bad. Those words were surely meant to console Li Chengshuo and the others; the real situation was likely much more severe.

”Mother, your return is timely. The family has been clamoring to set up a new Island Defense Array, but without a leading figure of sufficient stature, progress has been slow.”

Li Chengshuo, without thinking too much, carefreely shared what she found important, ”Now that youʼre back, the position of main controller for the Island Defense Array can belong to no one but you!”