Rebuilding the Immortal Cultivator Clan

Chapter 1333: Chapter 1135: Fallen_2

But the Earth Dragon had no regard for these mortals suffused with muddled breaths and bodies covered in filth, and it directly burrowed underground to digest the benefits it gained from devouring Li Mingyao.

This is why the earthquake suddenly ceased without any warning.

Yet, amidst the devastation, the shattered mountains and rivers, countless mortals were grieving to exhaustion, their eyes lifeless as they sat on the ruins, each one recounting the enormous calamity that the earthquake brought.

”It’s finally over!”

Through this ordeal, Li Zhirui finally confirmed that the earthquake was caused by the Earth Dragon.

But when he returned to Mount Wanxian, he heard some tragic news.

Li Mingyao had been ambushed by the Earth Dragon, devoured, and his Life Token had already shattered!

Li Zhirui’s expression froze slightly, the Li family had given birth to quite a few descendants with Heavenly Spiritual Roots over the years, but he hadn’t personally taught them.

However, for early ones like Li Xianxun, Li Mingyao, Li Yunran, he invested a lot of thought and effort into teaching and nurturing them, hoping they would grow to uphold the family’s banner together!

And indeed, they did not disappoint Li Zhirui’s earnest guidance; each had become emerging talents within the family, with cultivation now at least at the Integration Realm, and very likely to break through to the Immortal Realm.

Even setting aside these benefits, the emotions over the years were indeed deep.

But now, news of Li Mingyao’s demise had reached him.

”Alas!”

Li Zhirui sighed heavily and said, ”Build a cenotaph for Mingyao.”

Even if he wanted revenge, he had no target, as he had no idea where underground the Earth Dragon lurked, and not even an Individual Immortal like him had the ability to find it.

”Yes!”

Feeling somewhat dejected, Li Zhirui waved his hand and turned back to the Cave Mansion.

Sitting in lotus position on the mat, he neither practiced cultivation nor sought enlightenment, just quietly sitting there to calm his mental state.

The departed are gone, leaving the living as they are.

Li Zhirui did not wallow in sorrow for too long before restoring his usual state of mind, thinking that if the opportunity arose in the future, he would certainly slay an Earth Dragon to avenge Li Mingyao.

...

In the mundane world unbeknownst to Li Zhirui and others, tens of thousands of mortals saved by Li Mingyao before his demise spontaneously erected a Divine Temple for him.

Out of gratitude for his saving grace, these mortals brought their families and clansmen to frequently pay their respects.

And most would place a Divine Tablet at home, the slightly wealthier would have a deity statue, even if they didn’t burn incense, their gratitude would linger daily.

Yet, all who believed Li Mingyao was dead and gone were mistaken; indeed, he was not dead.

More accurately, he was not completely dead!

The Earth Dragon attempted to completely devour him, which meant it wanted not only the spiritual root inside Li Mingyao but also his spiritual soul.

But how could a newly born, currently chaotic and ignorant spiritual intelligence digest Li Mingyao’s spiritual soul that had already reached the Integration Realm?

Of course, it sounds easy now, just a few dozen words, but during the whole process, he was on the brink of death several times, exhausting every means to secure the final victory.

Although the Earth Dragon existed for an exceedingly long time, even if it previously had no spiritual intelligence or consciousness, once it awakened, traces of historical events would appear in its memory.

Such an enormous memory, instantly filled Li Mingyao’s spiritual soul, nearly bursting him.

Even though his spiritual soul still existed, he had completely lost consciousness, falling into a chaotic state.

Additionally, Li Mingyao had lost his physical body!

If there were no surprises, he would ultimately perish without even realizing it.

But at this critical juncture between life and death, a glimmer of hope appeared!

Li Mingyao’s benevolence and compassion saved him at this moment.

Those tens of thousands of mortals, plus their families and clansmen, as well as those influenced around them, amounted to nearly a million.

Even though few of these mortals were devout, their collective will was the sole beam of light for Li Mingyao in the dark!

He gradually regained his consciousness, and not only recalled his own memories but also saw the many traces left by the river of time on the Earth Dragon’s body over millions and tens of millions of years.

Of course, the latter is too vast, and Li Mingyao currently cannot fully digest it.

”I’m alive again!”

Li Mingyao was greatly excited; he hadn’t imagined that after being devoured by the Earth Dragon, he’d instead possess it.

Now, he was no longer human, but an Earth Dragon!

He could feel the world-destroying power within himself, unimaginably stronger compared to when he was still in the Integration Realm.

Although it’s hard to control because his spiritual soul isn’t that strong, a slight mistake carries the risk of losing control.

’The Earth Dragon’s shallow spiritual intelligence may also be due to too many and chaotic memories, and such tremendous power, both suppressing it at once?’

Li Mingyao calmed his chaotic thoughts and began to explore within.

This Earth Dragon was currently just over a hundred miles long, very small among dragons, maybe only thus could it break through a miracle and develop spiritual intelligence.

Then he noticed his body that was not completely digested, only the bones remained; instinctively, he secured it, sensing that it would be of great use to him in the future.

Aside from this, he found nothing else.

Yet he could feel there was a newfound strength within himself.

Li Mingyao didn’t know what it was, but knew this force pulled him back from the brink of death, thus deemed it harmless and chose not to pursue it.

...

Time flew by swiftly, a hundred springs and falls passed in a blink.

The Divine Temple that the mortals built for Li Mingyao was discovered by the Li family within a few years, and the Li family welcomed this, allocating some time to attend to the place.

Consequently, these temples didn’t languish with time but instead prospered with thriving incense.

Gradually, it became a kind of custom among Shanhai State mortals.

In this century, no new Individual Immortals emerged in the Li family, yet their strength significantly increased, firmly maintaining their hold as the rulers of Shanhai State.

During this period, the Sea Clan made an incursion once, but it was merely a common beast tide, lacking even a single Individual Immortal Realm Water Devil, posing no threat to the Li family and easily resolved.

Many at the time believed it was due to the heavy losses the Sea Clan suffered in the Wan Family State battle.

But the Li family more believed it was because the Sea Clan knew there would be no progress in the short term, so they’d rather send a batch of cannon fodder to free up more space.

Meanwhile.

Mount Wanxian.

The new Clan Leader Li Xinde was overseeing various family matters when suddenly, the ground quivered slightly.

Initially, he paid no mind, but as the tremors intensified, indicating another earthquake was about to erupt, he had to gather the Elders and simultaneously notify all family members to stay safe and prepare to descend the mountain to aid mortals.

But before the Li family could act, the tremors halted.

Suddenly, a solemn voice echoed through the heavens and earth.

”I, Li Mingyao, now accepted by the masses and recognized by the heavens, bestowed by the Heavenly Dao, ordain as the Earth God of Shanhai State!”

Boom!

A thunderous clap rang out from the flat land, marking the Heavenly Dao’s response to this declaration.

Soon, a grand, profound, and majestic aura emerged, allowing everyone to sense the mountain’s resolute immobility, the earth’s bounteous carriage of all, the rainclouds’ nourishing embrace, the forests’ verdant vitality.

This was an Earth God!

A divine of the great land.

Unlike the Mountain God or Water God previously sealed by the Li family, they were all subject to this newly born Earth God’s jurisdiction, even automatically becoming his subordinates!

Not to mention, this one was acknowledged by the heavens, a deity ordained by the Heavenly Dao.

However...

Li Mingyao, wasn’t he the ancestor who was ambushed and devoured by the Earth Dragon a century ago?

Li Xinde immediately thought of a possibility, that the Earth Dragon not only devoured the ancestor but also intended to assume his identity!

”This Earth Dragon dares! To humiliate my Li family so! Does it think that by becoming an Earth God, my Li family wouldn’t dare act against it?!”

It’s not surprising he thought this way, after all, Li Mingyao’s Life Token had shattered, and how could Li Xinde possibly believe he still survived?