Rebuilding the Immortal Cultivator Clan

Chapter 2061 1499: Openness (Part 2)

This was no small amount, so everyone was quite pleased.

"Did anything major happen during this period?" Li Debo saw him hesitating, clearly weighed down by something he couldn't easily speak of, and asked with curiosity.

"Clan Leader, after the sermon ended, that Profound Immortal Ancestor announced some news—he said an epochal upheaval is occurring in the Primal Spirit Realm! The realm is beginning to reject cultivators of the Immortal Tao!"

"What!?"

Everyone present was utterly shocked by this statement, unable to regain composure for a long moment.

If it were just some rumor or idle talk, they would have treated it as a joke and not taken it to heart. But now, these words came from the Primal Spirit Realm's 'number one Profound Immortal'!

His words, and spoken publicly at his own Profound Immortal grand ceremony—almost in front of the whole Immortal Tao—cannot be ignored. Nor can they be taken as a joke.

"What does Ancestor Rui think of this?" This was Li Debo and all the elders' first reaction—to seek Li Zhirui's guidance.

"Ancestor Rui said he is powerless as well, that all he can do is rely on the wisdom of future generations. But he also said, for now, this is merely the beginning of the epoch, the grand momentum hasn't formed completely yet, so the family needn't be overly anxious."

At this point, Li Debo and the others calmed down a bit. Since Ancestor Rui said so, perhaps the situation is not that dire, far from a point beyond redemption.

Moreover, this matter concerns the entire Immortal Tao. It should be addressed collectively, not something for the Li family to shoulder alone.

Thinking this way, they relaxed further. After all, if the sky falls, there are taller ones to bear the brunt. In terms of strength, the Li family isn't considered a top force in the East Continent Immortal Tao.

Especially now, with Profound Immortal Ancestors emerging one after another, the Li family can only be counted among the second-tier.

"Since Ancestor Rui says so, there's no need for everyone to be too worried. Maintain your usual mental state, strive to elevate your realm and cultivation. After all, at any time, only powerful strength allows you to better face various hardships." Li Debo said in a serious tone.

"Understood!"

Li Debo and the others didn't even think of suppressing the news, as it was impossible—the countless cultivators at the Profound Immortal grand ceremony all heard it, and sooner or later, the news would reach Shanhai State.

Besides, sometimes the more you try to forbid something, the faster it spreads, and easily grows more exaggerated as it's passed along, possibly causing even greater panic and chaos.

Rather than respond passively, it's better to take the initiative!

So the Li family directly made the news public, letting all cultivators within Shanhai State know about it.

At the same time, they attached Li Zhirui's words, urging everyone not to worry too much, to cultivate with peace of mind—perhaps there was a chance to witness the epochal upheaval firsthand.

And warn them all: if anyone causes trouble at this time, don't expect the Li family to show leniency!

It must be said, the Li family's response was quite effective. While other regions were unsettled due to Lin Changqing's announcement, Shanhai State remained calm and peaceful, appearing entirely unaffected.

And not far from Shanhai State, Cave Abyss State provided a particularly typical example!

Because they strictly sealed off the news from the start, yet before long, the full details came from Yunxia State. Then they started to harshly crack down and suppress cultivators spreading the news.

But the more they tried, the more impossible it became to stem the tide, and the rumors grew ever more outlandish!

From "the world is undergoing upheaval, rejecting the Immortal Tao," to "the upheaval is oppressing the Immortal Tao," then to "the upheaval erupts, and the Immortal Tao will be punished."

This whole progression took barely half a month!

Such rapid developments left even the Cave Abyss Sect unable to react in time.

If not for the sect's formidable strength, able to forcibly suppress disorder with overwhelming force, many places would have already fallen into chaos.

But even so, Cave Abyss State's more remote regions were already growing restless and unsettled.

...

Cave Abyss Sect, Sect Hall.

The Sect Leader, who had recently had some insights and so taken time for seclusion, never expected that upon emerging, he'd encounter this rotten mess!

Especially after fully understanding the origins and course of events, his expression turned extremely grim as he couldn't help but berate, "Dammit! What were you all thinking, doing such a foolish thing!"

"Sect Leader, we already know we were wrong, but with the current situation, please, you must quickly find a way to calm the unrest. Otherwise, if this drags on, the whole Cave Abyss State won't find peace." one elder said bitterly.

"Now, send large numbers of disciples out—fully disclose the original news, with not the slightest error or omission!"

After a moment's thought, he added, "The disciples must move in groups, no one is to act alone! If you encounter strong, lawless or resistant individuals, don't ask why, don't consider their origins—kill them on the spot!"

"Order all subordinate forces to send their cultivators to act together. If anyone refuses to cooperate, report directly to the sect and send people to assault their mountain gate or clan lands!"

With Cave Abyss State in such chaos, only forceful, hardline measures could suppress it thoroughly. As for any lingering negative effects, that would have to be addressed gradually in the future.

"This…"

Upon hearing this, the gathered elders showed hesitation—they hadn't expected the Sect Leader's methods to be so ruthless and terrifying. Would this really work? Wouldn't it worsen the unrest?

"Why are you still standing there?!"

The Sect Leader saw they hadn't moved and immediately barked angrily.

"Yes, yes!"

This was a Sect Leader whose tenure spanned thousands of years, respected, wielding absolute power. And having erred themselves, how could they dare resist? Each of them left in dejection.

And it was precisely under the Cave Abyss Sect's fierce suppression that those fear-mongering rumors finally faded.

But having endured this calamity, Cave Abyss Sect was left somewhat broken and weakened—a number of loose cultivators, fearing they might be implicated, had already fled the region.

"Sigh!"

When, after the storm, the Sect Leader tallied the losses and found the sect had suffered immense damage, he could only let out a weary sigh.

He still couldn't fathom how the elders had done something so utterly foolish!

Just because of their decision, Cave Abyss Sect's overall strength had declined greatly, but the largest impact was the mass exodus of loose cultivators.

One must know, loose cultivators are a crucial component of any faction's power!

Yet the Sect Leader had no other solution, only able to take things one step at a time.

...

Let's talk on the other side.

The Cave Abyss Sect's painful experience and the huge price they paid quickly spread throughout the surrounding state domains.

Especially those loose cultivators who escaped—describing the ordeal vividly, and sometimes even embellishing intentionally to make it sound even worse.

"Thankfully our family didn't make such a stupid mistake!" After reading about Cave Abyss Sect's tragic fate, Li Debo sighed with feeling.

Thankfully, he hadn't encountered such circumstances—otherwise, he'd be the one with a headache now…