Rebuilding the Immortal Cultivator Clan

Chapter 1577: Chapter 1257: Countermeasures (Part 2)

Anyway, Yuhong is also near the breakthrough edge. His study and enlightenment of the Three Thousand Laws are nearing completion, with not many laws left.

“The problem you’re facing now is unlikely to be resolved in a short time, so don’t rush. Let it take its course. Once the opportunity arises, you’ll be able to take this final step.” Before parting, Yuhong couldn’t help but advise.

“Don’t worry. The previous cultivation went smoothly without any big hurdles. Delaying a bit now can be considered the eruption of past issues at this moment.”

Li Zhirui himself was still able to take it calmly. He was neither troubled by lifespan nor threatened externally, giving him ample time and patience to solve this issue.

“That’s good then.”

Yuhong still had great faith in him. “I wish you smooth sailing, fulfillment of your desires, and an early return.”

“I also wish you an early breakthrough.”

Li Zhirui chuckled lightly and said, “I’m off.”

Before the words fell, he transformed into a streak of spirit light, leaving Mount Wanxian gracefully and calmly.

In the blink of an eye, he disappeared from sight.

After seeing him off, Yuhong occupied Li Zhirui’s meditation chamber, sat cross-legged on a mat, and began to comprehend the laws.

However, unlike the laws in the Minor Thousand World, the comprehension difficulty of the laws in the Primal Spirit Realm was more complex and troublesome.

The advantage was that the laws were more complete and comprehensive, more conducive to one’s growth.

But this applied to ordinary creatures!

For Yuhong, he didn’t need the laws to be so complete. He just needed to learn a bit superficially, and then gathering the Three Thousand Laws would be enough for him to break through to an Earth Immortal.

Therefore, returning to the Primal Spirit Realm to comprehend the laws was not a good thing for him and would instead delay his cultivation progress.

But as things stood, Yuhong could only forge ahead, hoping to complete himself and transcend tribulation.

——

At the same time.

Elsewhere.

Upon leaving Mount Wanxian, Li Zhirui did not slow his pace, speeding through the journey, reaching the borders of Cave Abyss State as fast as he could.

Only then did he become less conspicuous; he transformed into a Loose Immortal Realm cultivator with a completely different appearance and began to roam throughout Cave Abyss State.

A Loose Immortal level of cultivation was not uncommon in Cave Abyss State but wasn’t scarce either, and it could avoid many unnecessary small troubles.

Heading south all the way, it was only upon reaching the central area that Li Zhirui began to spread rumors that the Demonic Tao had secretly established underground palaces across multiple regions in the East Continent, seemingly plotting something significant.

He spoke quite vaguely, leaving enough room for imagination.

This was precisely why the rumors became easier to spread, especially as they included an aspect of fear relating to one’s safety, thus spreading more swiftly.

“Have you heard? The Demonic Tao is ambushing solitary cultivators everywhere. If caught, they won’t only drain your blood, strip your muscles, and remove your bones, they won’t even spare your spiritual soul!”

“Is that true? How come I’ve never heard such rumors? And it’s so brutal; did someone manage to escape from the demon cultivators?”

“Of course, it’s true! Many state domains in the North have been spreading it for a while. Lots of loose cultivators are in panic, not daring to act alone, resulting in a significant increase in team sizes.”

…

Sitting quietly on the side, Li Zhirui listened to their discussions, amazed at the speed at which the rumors spread.

He hadn’t even gone south, and the message had already reached the ears of many loose cultivators, entirely without his further intervention, as if an invisible hand arranged everything, significantly reducing his burden.

Settling the Spirit Stone, Li Zhirui continued his journey.

Along the way, he could see more and more cultivators traveling in groups, no longer acting alone as before.

This was all due to the power of the rumors he had spread!

Simultaneously, the number of cultivators on the road visibly decreased.

——

Deep within a hidden cave somewhere in Shanhai State.

“Damn it!”

“Who on earth spread our situation, causing the creatures we’ve been killing these days to be reduced by more than half? If this continues, when will we ever fill the Blood Pool to obtain precious demonic objects?”

“Now those loose cultivators have heightened their awareness and all travel in groups. Our dispatched disciples are too few to handle them; too many, and we risk exposure.”

“What should we do now? How should we counter the damage caused by the rumors?”

A few Human Immortal demon cultivators gathered, discussing how to solve the current problem, but in the end, they couldn’t come up with a suitable solution.

“Before finding a solution, temporarily use mortals as substitutes and instruct them to be careful, avoiding exposure at all costs, particularly the location of the underground palace. The consequences of such exposure should be evident to everyone.”

Reluctantly, the demon cultivators could only proceed this way.

But the Cave Abyss Sect was different. Upon hearing the rumors, their first thought was not about how to locate the underground palace but rather to trace the source of the information!

Their reasoning was mainly due to the concern that the demon cultivators might deliberately set them up, trapping the Cave Abyss Sect.

Especially when they couldn’t find the source, there was increasing suspicion that it was a ploy!

However, as the rumors spread wider and more intense, causing many loose cultivators to refuse to leave the Immortal City or some even to flee, the Cave Abyss Sect couldn’t remain inactive.

“The most important thing now is to calm the panic and fear among the loose cultivators and restore the prosperity of Cave Abyss State to its usual state!”

Otherwise, without the daily influx of a large number of spiritual objects provided by loose cultivators, every aspect of the Cave Abyss Sect would be affected.

Without spiritual objects, they could not refine magic artifacts and talismans to sell to the loose cultivators, thus missing out on a substantial profit in Spirit Stones.

For a large sect like Cave Abyss Sect, the daily expenses in Spirit Stones and spiritual objects were countless, and if the situation prolonged, they would be in danger.

“The best way is to prove that the rumored underground palace is false, fictional, and non-existent.”

In this way, without a foundational basis, the other content in the rumors would naturally crumble.

As for how to prove it, that’s simple enough.

With the reputation and prestige that Cave Abyss Sect had accumulated over countless years, as long as they forcefully push it and use some minor measures, like slaying a few demon cultivators, the situation would quickly stabilize.

However, this approach has a fatal flaw!

That is, the Cave Abyss Sect hadn’t actually searched. They were lying for the sake of the sect.

Once the lie is exposed, it would be a significant blow to the Cave Abyss Sect!

Not to say that the reputation built over countless years would be ruined overnight, but in the future, when they come out to prove anything, it wouldn’t be believed as easily as this time.

“This…”

The elders present all realized this problem; many were hesitant and unsure what to decide.

“Perhaps we should conduct a thorough search first, truly ensure there’s no underground palace, then have the sect confirm it?”

One elder suggested tactfully, offering a good proposal, “Moreover, the sect doesn’t need to come forward personally; just issue a bounty with a few precious spiritual objects. Countless loose cultivators would risk their lives for them!”

By doing this, even if an underground palace is found in the future, the damage to the Cave Abyss Sect would be minimal.

After all, the result would be created by countless loose cultivators, and the Cave Abyss Sect would only be placing their trust in them in choosing to believe it.

The only downside might be a slower effect.

“This idea is good!”

It received support and approval from most of the elders.

As a result, the Cave Abyss Sect immediately set things in motion.

Within a day, each Immortal City and Marketplace within the Cave Abyss State received the same news.

Soon, many loose cultivators knew it too.

After all, a large bounty order posted in the most conspicuous places would be hard to miss.

The content was simple: because of the rumors about the Demon Palace causing a panic, and due to limited manpower, the Cave Abyss Sect couldn’t immediately verify them; thus, a bounty order was issued.

Anyone who could prove the non-existence of the underground palace or find its location would receive a very generous reward.