Rebuilding the Immortal Cultivator Clan Chapter 1980 - 1459: Disguise

In the following moment, Li Zhixuan's figure abruptly faltered, compelling her almost exhausted form to grasp Han Tong's Storage Magical Treasure before soaring to a close meteorite; she then concealed herself within it, her trace entirely disappearing.

Not long afterward, several Star Gods converged to inspect the area, eager to claim any remnants.

Observing the barren starry expanse, devoid of even typical meteors, the assembly drew in sharp breaths, struggling to accept the sight unfolding before them.

"The pair of Heavenly Immortals clashing here surely possessed immense might and dreadfulness, or else this kind of devastation couldn't have occurred." A Star God remarked with traces of fear still echoing.

Luckily, their arrival hadn't been too soon. Had it been otherwise, the mere ripples from the fight might have endangered them with harm or demise.

Indeed, shortly after the fierce confrontation between Li Zhixuan and Han Tong ignited, they detected the ripples. Immediately, one proposed lurking close by, aiming to benefit like fishermen at the close.

Yet ultimately, the majority opposed the notion, as the distant blasts from the skirmish alone filled them with terror, leaving them hesitant.

Thus, they remained watchful from a distance, venturing nearer only once the fierce surges of spiritual energy had subsided recently.

They had anticipated snatching some gains, yet now it appeared their hopes were misplaced—the site held nothing for them.

Merely faint, rapidly fading hints of Demonic Qi and Sword Qi revealed the natures of those who battled.

"What do you all reckon was the victor in this duel of two Heavenly Immortals?"

Each person held distinct views on this inquiry.

In general, the majority opined that the Sword Cultivator held a slight edge, though they suspected the fight ended without a clear triumph—likely leaving both severely injured.

...

On the flip side, within the Immortal Demon Battlefield—

A voice also posed the query, "Who do you believe will prevail in the fight between those two Heavenly Immortals?"

The bulk of cultivators and Demon Cultivators figured Han Tong, the Demon Cultivator, would overpower Li Zhixuan, given his evident superiority in initial skirmishes.

However, with no Life Token from either appearing, their fates remained unknown; conclusions relied purely on individual hunches.

Three months elapsed without word on either combatant.

By then, rumors emerged suggesting they might have mutually destroyed each other, or that Li Zhixuan, in her final moments, inflicted a dire blow on Han Tong, forcing him into hiding for healing.

Nevertheless, the event failed to ignite fervent debate among the masses—it resembled a minor wave, quickly receding.

That changed mere days later, when the pallid Li Zhixuan reentered the Immortal Demon Battlefield!

Her sudden reappearance left everyone dumbfounded, implying the mightier Han Tong had probably fallen!

"She turned out to be the survivor?!"

Shouts of astonishment burst from the gathering; this twist caught every soul off guard!

Not even the other Heavenly Immortals had foreseen such an ending.

"Well done, Fellow Daoist, in eliminating the Demon and fulfilling your karma." It took considerable time before a Heavenly Immortal approached with felicitations.

To their surprise, Li Zhixuan denied it, shaking her head and replying, "You overstate my deed, Fellow Daoist. I failed to end him—in truth, I barely fled with my life intact. Following this recovery phase, I've merely regained a fraction of my power."

She desired to leverage this disaster fully to erase her karma entirely, yet at least she needed to fell one or two additional Heavenly Immortals, or perhaps more Earth Immortals.

Regarding slaying those far beneath in cultivation, even numerous deaths wouldn't aid her and would instead heap burdensome karma onto her shoulders.

Were such limits absent, the ordeal would cease being a purge of demonic taint, devolving into a slaughter of the weak!

This very constraint prompted Li Zhixuan to deceive and project an image of weakened state.

Her aim was to lure Demon Heavenly Immortals into confronting her!

Upon hearing this, eyes of several attending Heavenly Immortals gleamed, as though devising their schemes.

Li Zhixuan observed every such glance, yet it mattered not if her foes were Demon Cultivators, Cultivators, or Alien Race beings; resolving her karma sufficed.

"Fellow Daoist, your injuries remain severe—why hasten back? Wouldn't it be wiser to return fully healed?" A Heavenly Immortal, detecting oddity, inquired while scrutinizing her expression for hints.

"In the midst of this grand calamity, healing proves difficult. I fear lingering too long in recovery might see the event conclude, so I rushed here in search of a fitting path to settle my karma."

While uttering this, authentic concern and remorse surfaced on her visage; it wasn't feigned, merely misread by the onlookers.

Thus, to the conclusion, that Heavenly Immortal found no discrepancy.

"It appears the calamity persists for a while yet. I'll retreat to heal a bit longer—goodbye."

Offering a brief incline to those present, she transformed into sword light and departed.

As a ruse, she needed to embody it thoroughly, avoiding glaring errors. A few extra days of waiting posed no issue.

...

Two narratives unfold in tandem—

Within Shanhai State, upon Mount Wanxian—

The once-vibrant and thriving clan estate grew noticeably subdued with the calamity's arrival.

Not due to any peril befalling the Li family, but merely because members had ventured forth to hunt appropriate foes for discharging their karma.