Rebuilding the Immortal Cultivator Clan Chapter 1827 - 1382: Return (Part 2)

"Consequently, for the foreseeable future, the Demonic Tao will lack the spare resources to move against us."

While these remarks did soothe the frantic nerves of the Elders, they failed to win their total agreement. Almost immediately, a voice rose in protest: "But this course of action offers the family no gain! Instead, it seems to invite one disaster after another."

The mass exodus of Loose Cultivators and vassal groups from Shanhai State would inevitably cause the clan’s projected revenues to crater. Furthermore, if this negative trend wasn't turned around quickly, the consequences could endure for a painfully long era!

After all, rival powers were bound to capitalize on this perfect window of opportunity, employing every tactic—such as slashing rental rates for Cave Mansions—to ensure these refugees stayed for good.

"On the contrary! This isn't a setback; it is a catalyst for the family's expansion."

Li Liangxiang shook his head, his expression turning solemn as he spoke. "Perhaps you haven't realized, but our clan population has grown excessively large. We are rapidly approaching the carrying capacity of our current lands."

"With so many Loose Cultivators departing, it is actually the perfect moment to restructure and establish additional family residences."

Had Da Qing not highlighted this reality to him, even Li Liangxiang might have missed it!

He wasn't the only one; many had completely ignored the question of just how many people the clan territory could actually support.

Considering Mount Wanxian possessed a Human Immortal Rank Spirit Vein alongside several Loose Immortal Grade Spirit Veins, most people simply couldn't fathom the clan population ever hitting the limit of the Spirit Vein’s capacity.

It seemed that in the entire Li family, only Xiaoqing had remained vigilant regarding this matter, carving out a chance for the clan to expand its housing without incurring massive debts.

Had those Loose Cultivators remained in Shanhai State, the family would have been forced to find ways to evict them, likely at a significant price. Now, their voluntary departure had saved the family that entire expenditure.

Once the logic was laid bare, the resentment within the Elders' hearts evaporated instantly. It was replaced by a flicker of embarrassment; they were tasked with the family’s growth, yet they had overlooked such a vital issue. In the end, it was Spirit Ancestor Qingpeng who had provided the solution.

After dismissing the group, Li Liangxiang sat back down, lost in thought over a single problem—how to throttle the clan’s birth rate!

This dilemma had plagued the family for many years.

As the family flourished and the Primal Spirit Realm ascended, the Spiritual Energy grew increasingly potent. This caused more and more newborns to be born with Spiritual Roots within their bloodlines.

Because the Li family functioned as a bloodline clan rather than a Sect based on the master-disciple bond, they couldn't simply deny a relative the path of Cultivation just because their talent was mediocre.

The inevitable result was a population explosion among the clan members!

While they could currently relieve the strain on Mount Wanxian by constructing new housing, this was merely a stopgap. They couldn't simply keep expanding every time the land became overcrowded, could they?

Shanhai State only had so much territory.

A fundamental remedy had to be found to solve this crisis and prevent the cycle from continuing indefinitely.

...

At the same time.

Far across the world in the West Continent, atop Rahu Demon Mountain!

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The sound of objects shattering rang out through the peaks for a full thirty seconds before falling silent.

The depth of their fury was palpable!

"Vile Li family! To think they would insult us so, dragging our honor through the dirt and stomping on it! I shall see them wiped from the face of the Primal Spirit Realm!"

"No! Death is too merciful for them. They should be made to beg for life in vain and pray for death in vain! Only by subjecting them to eternal agony, a fate far worse than death, can my rage be quenched!"

"I demand we mobilize our disciples immediately to show them our true power!"

The temperament of Demon Cultivators was far less stable than that of standard Cultivators. Having suffered such a slight from a mere 'insignificant' Heavenly Immortal Family, they found it impossible to restrain their boiling anger.

They roared in fury; if a member of the Li Clan had been present, they would have been slaughtered a thousand times over!

However, a few voices of reason remained among the chaos.

"Given our current circumstances, we cannot spare much of our strength. The Immortal Tao, the Sea Clan, and the Devil Race are all watching us like predators. The moment we show frailty, those three will strike without hesitation to settle old scores!" a Demon Cultivator cautioned.

But another Demon Cultivator immediately barked back with disdain, "Are you suggesting we simply play blind to this blatant disrespect?"

"Indeed! How much effort could a piddling family like the Li clan possibly require? Every day they remain standing is another day we live in shame!"

Seeing the mood of the room, the first Demon Cultivator fell silent. Words were useless now. Deep down, however, he held very little confidence in this venture.

Yet, before they could even begin their mobilization, they found themselves besieged!

It appeared the Sea Clan and the Devil Race had coordinated their efforts, launching a simultaneous assault!

These two factions, legendary for their overwhelming numbers, did not disappoint; over a million Devil Beasts and Sea Clan warriors surged from the south and west toward the West Continent.

Like a relentless tide, they consumed everything in their path. Any Demonic Tao followers who tried to stand their ground were instantly overwhelmed and turned into carrion.

Soon, even more dire reports arrived; the Immortal Tao was also mobilizing for war!

Faced with such terrifying opposition, the Demonic Tao completely set aside their grudge against the Li family. Survival was the only priority now; they had to endure this existential crisis before they could worry about anything else.

The once-subdued West Continent suddenly exploded with activity.

This wasn't the bustle of prosperity, however, but an atmosphere thick with the scent of blood, slaughter, and the frantic noise of impending death!

As news of the clash between the Demonic Tao and the alliance of the Devil Race, Sea Clan, and Immortal Tao spread, the Loose Cultivators near Shanhai State finally saw the truth.

The Li family’s earlier maneuvers hadn't been random; they had been calculated moves.

Regret quickly set in among the masses. In their rush to flee Shanhai State, many had sold off their long-term leases on Cave Mansions and Spirit Fields for pennies on the spirit stone, suffering massive losses!

Furthermore, the harsh local regulations and various penalties in their new homes made them yearn for the relative freedom they had enjoyed in Shanhai State.

Sadly, because they had signed long-term leases at high prices and couldn't get refunds, they were trapped. Unless they were willing to throw away all the Spirit Stones they had already paid, they wouldn't be leaving anytime soon.

At this moment, the Li family paid no mind to the regrets of those Loose Cultivators. Their focus remained entirely on the rapid construction of the new residences.

...

While events unfolded elsewhere.

Still within the Void Chaos, deep in a meditative state to refine his techniques, Li Zhirui remained oblivious to the great catastrophe hitting the Primal Spirit Realm or the family’s skirmish with the Demon Cultivators.

Because the surrounding chaos was so exceptionally still, his seclusion remained undisturbed, and he lost all track of time.

Yet, such deep, immersive meditation yielded great rewards!

The Chaos God Demon Dao Body Method he had been yearning for was finally fully conceptualized and perfected.

However, the technique came with steep requirements; one needed at least a Heavenly Immortal Perfection cultivation and a physical vessel strong enough to endure the crushing weight of Chaotic Spiritual Energy.

Thus, in the following period, Li Zhirui divided his time between comprehending the Laws, accumulating Mana, and tempering his physical body to prepare for his eventual evolution.

"Time truly escapes one! A millennium has passed in what feels like a heartbeat."

Li Zhirui performed a silent calculation and couldn't help but sigh. He truly hadn't realized how many centuries had slipped by.

"I should head back and see how the clan has progressed."

With those words, Li Zhirui’s form flickered and vanished.

The dull, gray expanse of the void was briefly illuminated by a flash of greenish-blue Spirit Light, which vanished as quickly as it had appeared.

Since his place of meditation was not far from the Primal Spirit Realm, the journey home would not take him long.