Rebuilding the Immortal Cultivator Clan

Chapter 2049 1493: Annexation (Part 2)

Moreover, a large number of loose cultivators chose to sell their spiritual objects to the Li family, either exchanging them directly for Spirit Stones, or trading for refined Pills, Magic Artifacts, and other spiritual objects.

In this process, as the Li family profited from both sides, they naturally reaped abundant rewards.

...

Let us turn to the other side.

East Continent, Yunxia State in the southeast.

This place, due to certain peculiar reasons, is shrouded year-round in swirling clouds and radiant mists, hence its name Yunxia—"Cloud and Mist."

But what is most renowned here is not its scenery, but the Immortal Dao power entrenched in this region—the Xiaxian Sect!

Unlike the Li family, this is a true Heavenly Immortal Great Power, with over a dozen Heavenly Immortals openly counted and more than a hundred Earth Immortals, a terrifying presence indeed.

However, in recent years, Xiaxian Sect has become exceedingly low-profile, seldom emerging in affairs, and secretive—none know what they are up to.

At first, their demeanor did not draw much attention from neighboring powers Yumen He Family and Cave Abyss Sect, but as time passed, it became unavoidable.

After all, these three great powers, occupying large tracts left by the Great Zhou Dynasty's relocation, now share direct borders, sending countless undercover agents and informants among each other.

Thus, any small movement cannot be concealed from the other two powers at all.

Yet this time, though they uncovered abnormal events in Xiaxian Sect, they were unable to find the true cause behind it.

The more mysterious, the more Cave Abyss Sect and Yumen He Family became invested; with relentless investigation, they finally obtained a rather imprecise piece of news not long ago: Xiaxian Sect intends to upgrade their Heavenly Immortal Rank Spirit Vein to Profound Immortal Rank Spirit Vein!

"Is it merely upgrading the Spirit Vein?" The leaders of the two families questioned the result, doubtful and unconvinced.

Though thus far, no power is known to possess Profound Immortal Rank Spirit Veins, and such is indeed precious, Xiaxian Sect's strength assures they need not worry about guarding this vein, there is no need for such cautious behavior.

Therefore, in the eyes of Cave Abyss Sect and Yumen He Family, Xiaxian Sect must be hiding a deeper secret; Spirit Vein upgrade is merely a smoke screen released deliberately.

No matter how they probe, they have yet to discover any other clues.

And recently, due to movements growing too intense, many undercover agents and informants were exposed, resulting in heavy losses.

Helpless, they could only retreat back into hiding, lest years of hard work be wasted because of this matter.

...

Yunxia State, Feiguang Mountain, inside the great hall of Xiaxian Sect.

"Sect Leader, the minor maneuvers from those two families have all died down," a certain Elder respectfully reported.

"Since that's so, leave them be. During this period, guard the Mountain Gate with all your strength, let no news leak out! Once the Supreme Elder successfully transcends tribulation, the situation in the Primal Spirit Realm will change," the Sect Leader replied, paying no further attention to the matter.

"The Sect Leader is correct. Once the Supreme Elder breaks through to Profound Immortal, we can suppress other powers and become the number one Immortal Dao force!"

"All those powers that once bullied our Sect will be crushed!"

A few Elders appeared indignant, as if having suffered immense grievances.

Seeing this, the Sect Leader frowned, speaking in a deep voice: "Do you truly believe the Supreme Elder will be the Primal Spirit Realm's first Profound Immortal?!"

"Is that not so? All these years, other than the Sea Clan's Profound Immortal birthed long ago, there's never been word of a Profound Immortal Thunder Tribulation."

"Alas!"

The Sect Leader sighed, saying: "There are many ways to conceal Thunder Tribulation, such as Array Masters setting up Concealment Great Arrays, or isolating a thousand miles, barring outsiders, then masking the heavenly secrets—no one would know someone is transcending tribulation."

He actually received hints of certain powers breaking through to Profound Immortal, though lacking concrete evidence.

But as long as there were rumors, he could not ignore them, not to mention clues half real, half false?

"Frankly, our Sect's former strength in the Immortal Dao was not at the apex, barely counted as in the first tier; now, since our Supreme Elder stands to break through, how could Supreme Palace, Biyou Palace and other leading Immortal Dao powers not have Profound Immortals as well?"

"This..."

The group of Elders were rendered speechless for a time by these words.

In fact, Li Zhirui observed that the growth rate of evil filth in the Primal Spirit Realm was too rapid—aside from his own deduction, one crucial factor was the increasingly numerous breakthroughs to Profound Immortal.

After all, he did not think much of it either; like these Elders, he had taken the matter quite simply.

"So even if the Supreme Elder breaks through to Profound Immortal, there will be no change in the local situation?" an Elder, faced with the gap between hope and reality, suddenly became crestfallen.

"There's still some change. For instance, the leader of Immortal Dao on the East Sea Shore will shift from Cave Abyss Sect to us!"

In former times, when Mount Kunlun's Immortal Dao Ancestral Court issued tasks and transmitted orders, it was all communicated via Cave Abyss Sect; henceforth, this seemingly useless duty would fall to their hands.

Boom!

As they discussed Xiaxian Sect's future, a sudden earth-shaking roar thundered in their ears.

Whoosh—

Soon after, a wild gale swept through, lifting sand and gravel, whisking away saplings and grass, painting heaven and earth with a pale yellow hue.

"Why are phenomena suddenly appearing inside the Mountain Gate?!"

"It's the Supreme Elder beginning tribulation transcendence!"

The Sect Leader extended his Divine Sense, instantly sensing the pressure descending from the Nine Heavens; shocked, he immediately began evacuating disciples.

Shortly thereafter, the first Tribulation Thunder struck down.

The Tribulation Thunder had no particular phenomenon, but the aura released was exceedingly powerful.

Even a hundred miles away, the observing cultivators could feel its terrifying pressure.

Facing the Tribulation Thunder directly, Lin Changqing's expression remained calm and cool, responding to the Thunder Tribulation with utmost composure.

He formed seals with both hands, and a wooden longsword appeared in his grasp, immediately transforming into a stream of light, flying straight toward the Tribulation Thunder.

Crack!

Logically, the sword should have been shattered to pieces, but instead, the Tribulation Thunder was split in two.

Then, as the Sword Light flashed, the Tribulation Thunder was cut instantly into fragments, completely dissipating at last.

"The Supreme Elder's strength is truly formidable!"

Many, even the Elders, were witnessing Lin Changqing take action for the first time; previously, they had no impression of him, naturally ignorant of his true power.

But soon, they realized and gained a precise understanding.

One after another, Tribulation Thunder kept falling, yet appeared to cause him no harm, as though he could pass the Thunder Tribulation in such tranquil fashion.

About two hours later, the final Tribulation Thunder split the sky, engulfing Lin Changqing completely.

"This—!"

All the cultivators witnessing this held their breath, hearts racing with tension.

Fortunately, not long after, Lin Changqing reappeared before everyone, looking only slightly battered, without any serious injuries.

"Gah gah gah..."

Just as the crowd breathed a sigh of relief, a strange laughter echoed through the heavens, and a black shadow descended, immediately diving into his Sea of Consciousness.

The Heart Demon Tribulation still remained!

"Damn!"

Yet as soon as the Heart Demon entered Lin Changqing, it emitted a piercing explosion, as if confronted by something unspeakably terrifying.

His vast Sea of Consciousness held a golden jade lotus at the center, with his own divine soul seated atop the lotus platform.

However, the divine soul's radiance was dim and looked frail, the result of Lin Changqing excessively taxing his own divine soul during Thunder Tribulation.

The Heart Demon was frightened because the lotus platform beneath the divine soul merged the two things it fears most: one, the Law of Purification; the other, Merit!