Rebuilding the Immortal Cultivator Clan

Chapter 2053 1495: Guidance (2)

The reason for setting out so early is because he had no intention of using the Teleportation Array, but instead planned to follow the old method and travel by steering the Spirit Boat.

First, because this time the Li family had quite a number of people—over a hundred in total—if they were to use the Teleportation Array, the Spirit Stone expense would be far too great.

It was not that the Li family did not understand etiquette and propriety, bringing so many people to the grand ceremony; in fact, among them, the vast majority would not attend the banquet. Instead, they intended to take advantage of the moment when all Immortal Tao factions gathered at Yunxia State to sell various spiritual objects refined by the family, hoping to seize the chance to make a hefty profit.

Second, among these family members, quite a few were exceptionally talented juniors—Li Debo and the others hoped that Li Zhirui could offer them guidance along the way.

As for offering advice to his own juniors, he never refused; after all, the better these younger generations developed, the greater the benefit for the family.

Li Zhirui likewise did not wish to see the family he had watched—indeed, helped—grow and thrive, destroyed or left extinct someday.

Although, with the changing Heavenly Dao, the cultivators' living environment grew ever harsher, and while the Li family might not be able to coexist with heaven and earth, at least its time of existence could be prolonged.

...

Back to the present!

"Is everyone ready?"

Li Zhirui glanced at Li Debo, who was organizing the family members beside him, and asked softly.

"Ancestor Rui, please wait a moment, it will be done soon." He wiped away imaginary sweat from his forehead, hastened his pace, and urged the clan members to board the Spirit Boat quickly.

Yet, in the depths of his eyes, an uncontainable flash of anger passed through.

Fortunately, it was not long before everything was ready.

"Ancestor Rui, we're all set."

"Then let's depart." Li Zhirui did not concern himself with what had occurred, simply instructed someone to pilot the Spirit Boat.

With a whoosh, the Spirit Boat pierced the sky, leaving only a trail among the clouds.

After they left Mount Wanxian, Li Debo began investigating who had secretly stirred up trouble, almost delaying this journey.

...

The Spirit Boat sped across the sky, its speed astonishingly fast.

Even if they encountered Robbing Cultivators along the way, either the pursuers simply could not catch up, or else, upon recognizing the Li family insignia, dared not make a move and fled at even higher speed the first chance they got.

Perhaps outlanders were unfamiliar with the Li family, since the clan had always kept a low profile, but among the cultivators of Shanhai State and nearby, everyone knew the Li family well.

They knew that the Li family valued the protection of their clansmen most highly. Especially in cases like this, where large numbers of cultivators journeyed together, not only did they possess powerful offensive means—such as Talismans, Thunder Pills, and other spiritual objects—they also brought a special spiritual item capable of locking onto and tracking down anyone who killed members of the Li family.

If it were a lone Li family cultivator, the Robbing Cultivators might still risk it. But with groups this large, they absolutely did not dare act—unless they were confident they could escape the Li family's pursuit!

You should know, there was once a band of Robbing Cultivators who ambushed and killed a Li family merchant convoy of just over a dozen people. Within days, the Li family dispatched men to capture them and, while keeping them alive with Spirit Stones and spiritual items, inflicted over ten thousand cuts on their bodies before they finally died.

The Li family even recorded the entire process with Memory Stones and distributed them throughout every Immortal City and Marketplace in Shanhai State, playing them repeatedly at city gates and market centers for a full month!

Because of this, countless cultivators fled in terror overnight, leaving Shanhai State behind; the once-crowded streets grew noticeably desolate.

In truth, the Li family did not, as outsiders thought, protect their people excessively; if it was a normal fighting match, duel, or battle that led to death or soul dispersal, it was just a matter of inferior skill, and the Li family would not seek revenge.

But if it was an ambush, interception, or some sort of underhanded means, then the Li family would show no mercy whatsoever!

...

Back to our story.

And if those frantic, fleeing Robbing Cultivators knew that, within the Spirit Boat, a Heavenly Immortal was seated, they would surely feel nothing but relief in their hearts.

"So, you are the juniors favored by the Clan Leader and the Elders?"

Li Zhirui summoned these young ones before him, asked a single question, then began inspecting them carefully.

There were six in all—three men and three women—and all of the "Qing" generation.

These six juniors were exceedingly nervous at the sight of Li Zhirui, for he was the legendary forebear whose strength they'd heard of since childhood—an iconic figure.

If they could receive his pointers now, even just a word or two, it would certainly prove immensely beneficial to their future cultivation path!

After a while, Li Zhirui nodded inwardly. He noted the six were neither arrogant nor rash. Though nervous and expectant, they composed themselves quite well.

"Since you are juniors highly regarded by the family, as an elder, I cannot let you return empty-handed."

At these words, the six's faces lit up with joy, their hearts excited beyond compare.

"Now, tell me, what problems have you encountered in your cultivation? While we have time along the road, I shall answer your doubts."

"Many thanks, Ancestor Rui!"

The six hurriedly bowed in salute.

Soon after, the one who appeared eldest among them spoke: "Ancestor Rui, for us, which is more important—Taoist Practice or Cultivation? May I first focus on cultivation, improve my cultivation base, and then turn back to advance my Taoist Practice?"

These six were of a relatively junior ranking and not yet old—perhaps not even a hundred years of age. No matter how gifted they were, for now, they hovered at the Void Refinement and Integration Realms.

This speed of cultivation was honestly not fast. The environment they grew up in was far superior to when Li Zhirui was at the Mortal Realm. If they were disciples of a powerful faction, perhaps they would already be approaching the Individual Immortal Realm by now…

So, naturally, their questions sounded rather naive.

"A great tower rises from a level foundation, and Taoist Practice is that lowest cornerstone!"

You cannot build a tower halfway, then suddenly want to reinforce its foundation—that is impossible.

Likewise, so it is with cultivation!

Many things, once missed, remain forever lost. There is no chance to make it up.

Li Zhirui spoke earnestly: "Never imagine that having you comprehend the Laws and improve your Taoist Practice is a waste of time now. If you aspire high and wish to behold the broader vistas upon the path of the Great Tao, you must never neglect your Taoist Practice."

He did not deliberately lower his voice as he spoke. On the contrary, he augmented it with magic power so that all the clan members aboard the Spirit Boat could hear him clearly.

After all, all those on the Spirit Boat were Li Zhirui's juniors. To teach six people was to teach, to teach a hundred the same. There was no distinction to be made.

"Yes! Junior will bear this deeply in mind!"

"Ancestor Rui!"

Another young clan member spoke up, bowing: "Magical powers and spells are the means of protecting the Tao. The Yuanling World will not remain peaceful for long. Should I spend more time improving my abilities in this respect?"

Li Zhirui gave him an approving look. "To recognize this point at your age is very good."

Though these juniors had decent cultivation, in fact, this was their first time truly leaving Shanhai State.

It wasn't that they lacked experience, but rather, they had only ever traveled around Shanhai State, gaining little true knowledge of the Yuanling World.

Thus, their understanding of the broader world was limited. To raise such a question and realize that the Yuanling World will not be peaceful revealed this junior's perceptiveness…

"As you said, magical powers and spells are means of defending the Tao. The Great Tao is long and full of hardships—even dangers. Without great strength, how can you protect yourselves?"

Li Zhirui was not solely a proponent of Taoist Practice—his own strength was equally formidable. Indeed, were it not for his powerful combat ability, he would have perished who knows how many times over.

"If you truly do not wish to spend much time honing your strength, you may rely on external objects, such as magical artifacts, Talismans, and the like."

...

After that, Li Zhirui helped the others unravel their doubts as well.

And whether it was those six, or the other clan members aboard the Spirit Boat, all gained considerable benefit.