Rebuilding the Immortal Cultivator Clan

Chapter 1246: Chapter 1092: Annihilation

”The spiritual energy between heaven and earth seems to have become denser again.” Li Taichang stood before the family’s grand hall, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon. This was clearly great news, yet his expression was anything but joyful, instead tinged with an air of worry.

”Clan Leader, a number of devil beasts have emerged from the northern Changli Mountain Range once again. Although our clansmen haven’t suffered heavy losses, this marks the fourth time this month that such an event has occurred!” An elder rushed forward, his face clouded as he spoke.

The month had only passed halfway—barely over ten days!

If this situation continued unchanged, over the next ten days, there might be four or five more instances of devil beasts descending the mountain, breaching the Li family’s northern territory, and causing considerable casualties among the clansmen who lived there.

The northern region of the Li family’s territory bordered the Changli Mountain Range, which stretched for millions of miles, separating the East Continent from the Northern Domain!

Back then, when the family’s strength had been insufficient, they refrained from expanding into regions outside the north. Besides, the northern terrain was mountainous and spiritual energy was sparse, making it unlikely to foster many devil beasts. For the secular clansmen, this was undoubtedly a stroke of fortune.

But who could have foreseen that, over the years, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth would rise, and then rise again. The once spiritually barren Changli Mountain Range now rivaled a second- or third-tier Spirit Vein.

”Moreover, the devil beasts that descended this time were not only greater in numbers but also significantly stronger, resulting in many secular clansmen losing their lives to the beasts.” The elder lowered his head, his tone heavy with sorrow.

After years of development, the population of secular clansmen among the northern mountains exceeded a million. Perhaps due to generations of hunting, these mountain-born clansmen were particularly resolute in temperament and physically robust.

Consequently, despite the Li family having few Sword Cultivators, Body Cultivators, or Martial Cultivators in the past, these years witnessed the emergence of numerous talents in these fields!

It was precisely for this reason that the family placed increasing importance on the northern territory.

After all, these three types of cultivators were exceptionally adept in matters of combat and slaughter.

”Damn these devil beasts!”

Upon hearing this troubling report, even someone as self-restrained as Li Taichang, with years of cultivation behind him, could not help but curse aloud.

After a long pause, Li Taichang’s voice sounded cold and resolute.

”Summon the entire clan for a meeting. Mobilize the army and carry out a purge of the devil beasts in the Changli Mountain Range. We cannot allow them to continue developing unchecked. If we do, they will undoubtedly become a major threat in the future!”

The elder, upon hearing these words, was filled with shock. He had not anticipated that the usually kind and mild-mannered clan leader would react so fiercely, rallying the army.

Judging by his tone, it seemed as though he intended to completely exterminate the devil beasts within the family’s portion of the Changli Mountain Range!

Most alarming of all, such a monumental decision had been made without consultation with the elders.

Li Taichang’s uncharacteristically abrupt behavior sparked the elder’s curiosities, but observing the clan leader’s frosty expression, he wisely refrained from speaking further.

Dong, dong, dong—

A deep, resonant bell sound echoed across Mount Wanxian, calling forth all clansmen who were not currently immersed in secluded cultivation to gather at the plaza.

”The devil race in the Changli Mountain Range has grown increasingly audacious in recent years, leading to significant casualties among our people. We cannot allow them to continue their reckless rampages. Therefore, I have decided to dispatch tens of thousands of clansmen into the mountains to purge the devil beasts!” Li Taichang’s cold voice reverberated in every clansman’s ears.

Boom!

The gathering erupted into a wave of astonishment.

All were aware of the troubles faced by the secular clansmen in the northern mountains, plagued by constant devil beast invasions, as many had gone to aid in hunting the creatures and protecting the populace.

But none had imagined that Li Taichang would issue such a decree in his capacity as clan leader.

Many among the clansmen failed to grasp the reasoning. Weren’t the devil beasts no stronger than third-tier at most—a mere nuisance? Why was the family treating the matter with such gravity?

Even the elders beside Li Taichang could not contain their shock. How could such a consequential decision have been made without prior notice?

Li Taichang observed everyone’s reactions, sighing inwardly.

The others might remain oblivious to the arrival of the Great Struggle era, but as clan leader, he was well aware. Although the devil beasts currently seemed weak, who could guarantee that further ascensions in spiritual energy wouldn’t occur?

If their strength advanced further, the beasts of the Changli Mountain Range would grow even harder to deal with. Better to strike now while their power was limited, to eradicate the threat and nip potential dangers in the bud!

”In one month’s time, the army will set forth to invade Changli and purge the devil beasts!”

Li Taichang’s voice was ice-cold and unyielding as he finished speaking and left immediately.

The clansmen erupted into a flurry of debates, their curiosity piqued by the clan leader’s fiery determination; they simply could not comprehend the reasoning.

Afterwards, the uninformed elders naturally sought out Li Taichang.

”Clan Leader, what is the true reason behind this sudden decree?” one elder asked candidly.

”If we do not eliminate the devil beasts now, while they have yet to grow strong, the cost of dealing with them later could be far greater!”

Noticing the dissatisfaction in their faces with this explanation, Li Taichang sighed. He could not yet voice the underlying concerns in his heart and could only state, ”This is a direct command from Ancestor Rui.”

The elders were stunned. The elusive Ancestor Rui, who had long ceased involvement in family affairs, would personally issue orders over such a seemingly minor matter? Could there truly be secrets here that they were not privy to?

As for whether Li Taichang might be lying, the elders never considered it–they trusted he would never dare feign authority.

The news of the Li family’s army mobilizing to eradicate the devil beasts within the Changli Mountain Range quickly spread throughout Shanhai State.

”The Li family chooses not to recruit us loose cultivators? Do they intend to resolve the vast number of devil beasts on their own?”