Rebuilding the Immortal Cultivator Clan Chapter 2049 1493: Annexation (Part 2)

Additionally, countless loose cultivators opted to vend their spirit items to the Li family, either swapping them outright for Spirit Stones or bartering for refined Pills, Magic Artifacts, and various other spiritual treasures.

Through this exchange, the Li family gained profits from every angle, naturally harvesting massive gains.

...

Shifting our focus elsewhere.

East Continent, Yunxia State in the southeast region.

This area remains enveloped in swirling clouds and glowing mists throughout the year for unique reasons, earning it the name Yunxia—"Cloud and Mist."

Yet its fame stems not from the landscape, but from the Immortal Dao powerhouse dominating here—the Xiaxian Sect!

Unlike the Li family, this stands as a genuine Heavenly Immortal Great Power, boasting over a dozen known Heavenly Immortals and more than a hundred Earth Immortals—a truly fearsome force.

Nevertheless, in recent times, Xiaxian Sect has grown remarkably secretive, rarely involving itself in external matters, keeping everything under wraps—nobody knows their true intentions.

Initially, this behavior escaped notice from neighbors like Yumen He Family and Cave Abyss Sect, but over time, it drew inevitable scrutiny.

After all, these three dominant powers seized vast territories abandoned by the Great Zhou Dynasty upon its departure, now bordering each other directly, with spies and agents infiltrating endlessly.

Hence, no minor stir can hide from the watchful eyes of the other two.

Still, despite detecting odd happenings within Xiaxian Sect this time, they failed to uncover the real reason.

The deeper the mystery, the more Cave Abyss Sect and Yumen He Family dug in; through tireless probes, they recently snagged a vague intel: Xiaxian Sect plans to elevate their Heavenly Immortal Rank Spirit Vein to Profound Immortal Rank Spirit Vein!

"Just upgrading the Spirit Vein?" The heads of the two families scoffed at the findings, full of skepticism.

While no faction yet holds a Profound Immortal Rank Spirit Vein, making it incredibly valuable, Xiaxian Sect's might ensures they could defend it effortlessly—no cause for such extreme caution.

Thus, Cave Abyss Sect and Yumen He Family suspect Xiaxian Sect conceals a grander scheme; the Spirit Vein upgrade serves only as deliberate misdirection.

No further leads emerged despite their relentless efforts.

Lately, with probes turning too aggressive, numerous spies and informants got exposed, leading to severe casualties.

With no choice, they pulled back into the shadows to avoid squandering years of infiltration over this.

...

Yunxia State, Feiguang Mountain, within Xiaxian Sect's grand hall.

"Sect Leader, the petty schemes of those two families have quieted completely," an Elder reported deferentially.

"If that's the case, ignore them. For now, fortify the Mountain Gate defenses fully—ensure no information escapes! When the Supreme Elder triumphs over the tribulation, the Primal Spirit Realm's landscape will transform," the Sect Leader responded, dismissing the issue entirely.

"The Sect Leader speaks true. Once the Supreme Elder ascends to Profound Immortal, we'll dominate rival factions and claim the top Immortal Dao seat!"

"Every force that dared bully our Sect will face utter destruction!"

Several Elders seethed with rage, as though nursing deep-seated grudges.

Noticing this, the Sect Leader's brow furrowed as he intoned gravely: "Do you really think the Supreme Elder will become the Primal Spirit Realm's inaugural Profound Immortal?!"

"Isn't that the truth? Over these years, aside from the Sea Clan's ancient Profound Immortal, no reports of Profound Immortal Thunder Tribulation have surfaced."

"Alas!"

The Sect Leader heaved a sigh, explaining: "Countless methods exist to hide Thunder Tribulation, like Array Masters deploying Concealment Great Arrays, or sealing off a thousand miles from intruders while veiling heavenly secrets—no soul would detect the transcendence."

He had caught whispers of certain powers achieving Profound Immortal breakthroughs, though proof remained elusive.

Yet mere rumors demanded caution, let alone those blending truth and deception?

"Truth be told, our Sect's past Immortal Dao prowess wasn't peak level, merely scraping the top tier; with our Supreme Elder on the verge now, how could top dogs like Supreme Palace, Biyou Palace, and other elite Immortal Dao forces lack Profound Immortals too?"

"This..."

The Elders fell silent, stunned by his revelation.

In truth, Li Zhirui noted the Primal Spirit Realm's evil filth surging too swiftly—beyond his calculations, a key driver was the rising tide of Profound Immortal ascensions.

Like these Elders, he once viewed it lightly as well.

"Does that mean even with the Supreme Elder reaching Profound Immortal, nothing shifts in the region?" One Elder, dashed from dream to reality, slumped in despair.

"Some shifts occur. For example, East Sea Shore's Immortal Dao leadership passes from Cave Abyss Sect to us!"

In old days, Mount Kunlun's Immortal Dao Ancestral Court relayed missions and decrees through Cave Abyss Sect; from now on, that nominal honor lands in their grasp.

Boom!

Mid-discussion of Xiaxian Sect's prospects, a deafening blast rocked the air around them.

Whoosh—

Immediately, ferocious winds howled through, hurling dust and stones, uprooting young trees and foliage, draping the skies in murky yellow.

"Why have heavenly phenomena erupted within the Mountain Gate all of a sudden?!"

"It's the Supreme Elder commencing his tribulation transcendence!"

The Sect Leader swept out his Divine Sense, instantly detecting the Nine Heavens' descending might; alarmed, he swiftly ordered disciple evacuation.

Moments later, the inaugural Tribulation Thunder crashed down.

The Tribulation Thunder lacked flashy displays, yet its unleashed aura brimmed with overwhelming power.

Even from a hundred miles off, watching cultivators sensed its horrifying oppression.

Confronting the Tribulation Thunder head-on, Lin Changqing kept his face serene and steady, meeting the Thunder Tribulation with perfect poise.

His hands wove seals, summoning a wooden longsword into his grip, which morphed into radiant light and shot toward the Tribulation Thunder.

Crack!

By rights, the sword ought to shatter utterly, but the Tribulation Thunder cleaved apart instead.

Then, Sword Light gleaming, it diced the Tribulation Thunder into shards, which fully scattered away.

"The Supreme Elder's might is utterly terrifying!"

Countless onlookers, Elders included, beheld Lin Changqing's prowess for the first time; prior ignorance left them clueless to his true caliber.

Yet realization dawned swiftly, granting crystal clarity.

Tribulation Thunders plummeted one by one, failing to injure him in the least, as if he'd breeze through the Thunder Tribulation effortlessly.

Some two hours on, the ultimate Tribulation Thunder tore the firmament, swallowing Lin Changqing whole.

"This—!"

All spectators froze, pulses pounding in suspense.

Luckily, soon Lin Changqing emerged anew, merely disheveled, bearing no grave wounds.

"Gah gah gah..."

Just as relief washed over the assembly, eerie cackles resounded across the skies, a dark silhouette plummeting to plunge into his Sea of Consciousness.

The Heart Demon Tribulation lingered!

"Damn!"

But the instant the Heart Demon invaded Lin Changqing, it burst with a shrill detonation, as though facing an indescribable horror.

At his expansive Sea of Consciousness's heart sat a golden jade lotus, his divine soul perched upon its platform.

Still, the divine soul gleamed faintly, appearing weakened—from Lin Changqing overexerting it amid the Thunder Tribulation.

The Heart Demon quailed at the lotus platform below, fusing its two ultimate banes: the Law of Purification, and Merit!