Rebuilding the Immortal Cultivator Clan Chapter 2121 1530: Truth or Falsehood (2)

This approach might be effective, but it's undeniably ruthless.

It is widely known that, based on the information gathered thus far, at least ten thousand cultivators are en route to the Gloomy Swamp, and consequently, a vast number more are expected to arrive.

To suggest the extermination of tens of thousands of cultivators is an act of extreme cruelty. It disregards the practical realities and fails to consider the repercussions.

In the past, the Three Mysterious Sect, in their effort to conceal the Secret Realm's advancement, not only ambushed and eliminated numerous cultivators from rival factions but also deliberately left many of their own disciples within the Secret Realm. This created a false narrative of a fierce battle for treasures, leading to the demise of many within its confines.

This deception sowed seeds of suspicion among many factions. It took them years of meticulous investigation and repeated confirmation before they finally ceased their inquiries.

The reappearance of similar circumstances now could easily reignite those old suspicions, escalating the situation into something far more complex and troubling.

Moreover, the lives of tens of thousands of cultivators are not insignificant, especially when there isn't a major calamity befalling the land. No one would willingly shoulder such an immense Karmic Force.

"This plan is unworkable!" The Sect Leader declared, rejecting it outright.

The other Elders also harbored reservations about this strategy. However, when pressed for an alternative, they found themselves unable to devise a better solution, resigning themselves to silent contemplation.

The situation once again reached an impasse.

...

Meanwhile, on the other side...

A group of Loose Cultivators exhibited great enthusiasm and eagerness, clinging to the hope that the rumors of a High-grade Secret Realm within the swamp were true.

However, mere hours later, as the vanguard of these Loose Cultivators approached the swamp's perimeter, several individuals materialized before them, even before they could enter.

"This area is restricted. All unauthorized individuals must depart immediately!"

These figures bore grim expressions, their hearts filled with apprehension. Despite hailing from respectable backgrounds and possessing superior cultivation levels compared to the Loose Cultivators, their numbers were perilously small!

Should a conflict erupt, these few would be utterly outmatched. Even the presence of Earth Immortal Elders might not suffice to subdue such a large throng of Loose Cultivators.

Simultaneously, confusion clouded their minds. Why were so many Loose Cultivators converging on the Gloomy Swamp seemingly out of nowhere?

"Why are we forbidden entry?"

Perhaps emboldened by their sheer numbers, a resonant voice of dissent rose from among the Loose Cultivators, individuals usually hesitant to clash with Sect Disciples.

"Why can't we enter? Since when did the Gloomy Swamp, a land without a master, become your domain?"

Even before clarity could be achieved, the atmosphere crackled with tension, suggesting an imminent large-scale confrontation.

This sent a wave of fear through those few cultivators, concerned about becoming entangled in the conflict and facing the collective outrage.

Were it not for their sense of duty and the fear of sect repercussions, they would have already fled.

Fortuitously, several Earth Immortals arrived at that critical juncture.

The thousands of Loose Cultivators quieted down immediately, their previously audacious demeanor vanishing.

"Who are you people?! Why are you intruding upon the Three Mysterious Sect's Spirit Land?"

"Senior, may I inquire when the Gloomy Swamp became the territory of the Three Mysterious Sect?" A Loose Cultivator stepped forward, his eyes gleaming with an unusual intensity, showing no trace of fear.

The audacity of this individual stemmed, naturally, from Li Zhirui's covert influence. Otherwise, how could a mere Human Immortal Loose Cultivator dare to challenge multiple Earth Immortals?

"What are you, to dare question me?"

With a mere flick of his sleeve, the challenging cultivator was sent flying.

He crashed heavily to the ground with a sickening thud, writhing in pain.

Witnessing this display, the Loose Cultivators' faces contorted with fear and unease, thoughts of retreat beginning to surface.

"What are we afraid of! We vastly outnumber them, what is there to fear!"

"Precisely! And why have they stationed so many guards, with Earth Immortals overseeing? Doesn't this precisely indicate the presence of a Secret Realm here?!"

Sensing the morale beginning to falter, Li Zhirui swiftly incited several other cultivators to step forward, aiming to bolster their spirits and prevent the apprehension from spreading, thus averting thoughts of retreat among the Loose Cultivators.

The visages of the Earth Immortals grew increasingly grim. They had not anticipated that, even under such dire circumstances, someone would still dare to step forward.

"Indeed! Their obstruction only serves to highlight that a significant secret lies hidden here, doesn't it? If the whispers are accurate, our Sect won't need to fret over cultivation resources for many years to come!"

"Such a golden opportunity might never present itself again. Do you truly wish to see your own progress stagnate at the Human Immortality Realm?"

Perhaps genuinely galvanized, or possibly lured by the abundance of potent Spiritual Objects within the Secret Realm, an ever-increasing number of Loose Cultivators began to emerge.

Among this growing crowd, a scattering of concealed Earth Immortal Loose Cultivators made their appearance. Though they diligently masked their appearances, their underlying auras remained undeniably potent and could not be mistaken.

The situation, with surprising swiftness, devolved into a tense stalemate.

After a considerable period, as more and more Loose Cultivators converged upon the scene, cultivators affiliated with the Three Mysterious Sect and various other established powers also began to arrive.

However, this influx of cultivators did not prompt any of the existing factions to retreat or back down.

Following a brief but pointed exchange of words, Tu Sen and the other cultivators from the various Sects made the collective decision to momentarily concede ground, thereby attempting to break the prevailing deadlock.

"You persistently claim the existence of a Secret Realm within the Gloomy Swamp; we shall grant you a period of three days. Should you fail to uncover this Secret Realm within that timeframe, you will subsequently be forbidden from setting foot within this immediate area!"

Upon hearing these terms, Li Zhirui could not suppress a disdainful sneer; what a cunning and calculating proposition!

This particular countermeasure, he surmised, must have been conceived well in advance. It was no wonder so many cultivators had been observed diligently scouring the swamp in recent days, their objective being to conceal those crucial Array Pattern stones.

Regrettably for them, with his presence, having already meticulously memorized the locations of several stones, no matter how they attempted to conceal them, as long as their positions remained unaltered, it was utterly impossible to deceive him!

And if Li Zhirui was privy to this revelation, would the Loose Cultivators present within this Realm not also discover the truth?

"Very well! However, should we uncover any concrete clues pointing towards the Secret Realm, you are then unequivocally barred from impeding our entry into the Secret Realm for the purpose of exploration and treasure acquisition!"

Several of the Earth Immortal Loose Cultivators assumed the mantle of temporary leadership for their collective group. After engaging in a brief, but necessary, deliberative discussion, they ultimately decided to assent to the offered proposal.

After all, facing the opposition having already made a slight concession, persistence in their demands might very well escalate into an actual, unavoidable conflict!

"Agreed!"

Tu Sen and his cohorts exchanged glances, a flicker of hesitation crossing their features, before ultimately choosing to place their faith in their own superior capabilities, and thus, they gave their consent.

With the necessary permissions now secured, tens of thousands of Loose Cultivators surged into the depths of the Gloomy Swamp, actively seeking any trace or hint that might lead them to the Secret Realm. Some of the less discerning Loose Cultivators even commenced the clandestine acquisition of various Spiritual Objects.

Time inexorably marched forward, yet not a single one of the diligent Loose Cultivators managed to unearth any discernible clue pertaining to the Secret Realm.

Even when they followed the prevalent rumors with zealous determination and meticulously excavated the earth, they discovered not the slightest trace of any Array Patterns.

Furthermore, owing to the sheer volume of cultivators who had infiltrated the swamp, Li Zhirui and Fu Chengguang found it prudent to directly seal off their current cave, effectively neutralizing all surrounding auras to preclude any possibility of their identities being exposed.

"What course of action should we pursue now? Have we genuinely been misled? Is it possible that no Secret Realm actually exists within the confines of the Gloomy Swamp?"

Merely contemplating the potential repercussions of having provoked the formidable Three Mysterious Sect and the other powerful factions, a considerable number of Loose Cultivators experienced a wave of palpable fear, spreading through their ranks like an uncontrollable contagion.

This fear manifested most acutely in the form of several Loose Cultivators discreetly departing the area, their primary objective being to minimize their own exposure and presence.

"Fellow Daoist Wei, do you genuinely believe this pervasive rumor to be true?"

"It is most certainly true!" Wei Gongting, who had previously been violently propelled through the air by an Earth Immortal, declared through gritted teeth.

The surrounding Loose Cultivators observed him with expressions mingling pity and subtle ridicule upon hearing his adamant assertion.

They all clearly understood that if the Secret Realm remained undiscovered, while others might escape consequences, he, however, would be compelled to abandon this locale. Otherwise, he would undoubtedly face the severe retribution from the Three Mysterious Sect and the other aligned powers!

For a mere Human Immortal Loose Cultivator to confront the might of a Heavenly Immortal Power, aside from absolute annihilation, they could conceive of no other conceivable outcome.

And the fundamental rationale behind their decision to initially follow Wei Gongting was precisely because he was desperately seeking clues, was it not?

But now, it appeared highly probable that he was destined for a grim fate.

This was primarily due to the fact that only a single night and an additional half-day remained of the initially agreed-upon three-day period.

Moreover, tens of thousands of Loose Cultivators had already meticulously scoured every conceivable inch of the swamp, yet still, no definitive clues regarding the Secret Realm had been unearthed.

Despite all their efforts, nothing had been found!