Rebuilding the Immortal Cultivator Clan Chapter 2145 1542: Departure (2)

However, at this very moment, more pressing matters occupied their attention, leaving no time to instruct these two 'youngsters' who clearly lacked an understanding of hierarchy. Their gazes were swiftly retracted.

Observing that these powerful figures made no move, numerous other cultivators also began to depart in great numbers.

Despite the earlier declarations from many cultivators about remaining to witness the grand Earth Immortal battle, as the event loomed closer, fewer were inclined to stay.

After all, the battleground for such high-level cultivators posed extreme peril, with the potential to easily affect onlookers. The thought of losing their lives in such a manner would be exceptionally futile.

Tens of thousands of cultivators, fearing entanglement, surged away from the area.

In a remarkably short period, the once bustling portal of the secret realm was left with merely dozens of cultivators.

Yet, as the portal neared its dissipation, the identities of the three Loose Cultivator Earth Immortals remained unseen, and even fewer cultivators were willing to linger.

Ultimately, only a dozen or so Earth Immortals remained, stubbornly waiting, unwilling to concede defeat.

"Senior Brother Liu, do you believe it's possible they've already blended into the crowd and discreetly exited the secret realm?"

"The Earth Immortal cultivators who previously entered the secret realm were all accounted for..."

"What if they managed to conceal their cultivation bases?"

Even with the formations they had established to counter illusions in the vicinity, those formidable Earth Immortals might possess methods to evade detection by the formations.

If such a scenario were true, the formations they so painstakingly set up would prove utterly useless!

"This..."

The words rendered everyone speechless, their heads drooping in dejection.

"Sigh!"

"It appears we are fated to have no connection with those spiritual treasures."

An Earth Immortal let out a deep sigh, stating, "Let us depart."

The residual spiritual light at the secret realm's portal had already significantly dimmed. If they delayed their departure any longer, they risked being trapped within the secret realm.

As the final cultivator successfully returned to the Ten Thousand Rivers Realm, the portal completely vanished, and the secret realm once again receded from view.

...

Elsewhere.

Upon exiting the secret realm, Li Zhirui and Fu Chengguang intentionally moderated their pace, allowing the group who had conspired against them to draw near.

Given the extensive preparations made by the opposing side, it was incumbent upon them to play their designated roles in this unfolding scenario.

"They are here!"

The two simultaneously detected the approaching disturbance from behind, but having anticipated this development, they were not overcome by panic and maintained their composure.

Before long, a group numbering twelve individuals caught up to them.

"We hardly expected the two of you to be in such a rush to depart, and with such impressive speed! You certainly gave us quite a chase."

These cultivators appeared outwardly composed, yet their act of surrounding them clearly indicated malicious intent.

"What is it that you intend to do?" Li Zhirui inquired, feigning ignorance.

"Haha! Pretending to be clueless is not entirely a bad strategy; at least your demise will be slightly less agonizing."

Fu Chengguang's tone dripped with disdain. "Do you truly believe that with your current level of strength, you stand a chance against us?"

"Your individual strength is indeed praiseworthy, but with our sheer numbers, do you genuinely think we would harbor any fear of you?!"

"Cease this pointless exchange of words. Simply act, deal with them decisively, and then we can divide the spiritual treasures amongst ourselves," one cultivator stated impatiently.

"Attack!"

Upon the command, the Human Immortal cultivators launched their assault simultaneously, unleashing potent killing moves from the outset in a bid to swiftly overpower their targets.

Regrettably, their estimation of Li Zhirui and Fu Chengguang's formidable power was drastically underestimated!

One unleashed a barrage of vine attacks, while the other swiftly erected a defensive formation. With a single move each, they not only negated the lethal attacks from several Human Immortals but also ensnared them with tendrils, rendering them immobile.

Within a single exchange, the attackers came to the grim realization that the duo's strength was overwhelmingly superior, and they were outmatched. However, it was already too late; they were captured and entirely at the mercy of their captors.

"Esteemed fellow Daoists, we were blind and acted recklessly, offending you. We are willing to offer spiritual treasures in exchange for a chance at survival," one Human Immortal immediately pleaded in a humble tone.

"Indeed, my companion and I are not inherently cruel individuals who casually take lives. However, you have irresponsibly squandered a significant amount of our valuable time. If you wish to preserve your lives, a ransom must be paid."

Li Zhirui offered a smile. "Surrender all your storage magical treasures."

"What?!"

"Absolutely not! I would sooner embrace death than agree to such terms!"

"Without these spiritual objects, how many years would it take for us to advance our cultivation?"

His demand ignited fierce opposition among the group; none were willing to consent to this condition.

"There is no need for your agreement. We shall simply kill you, and the spiritual treasures will rightfully be ours anyway."

Fu Chengguang remarked impassively, "Let us not waste any further time. Dispatch them swiftly."

"Understood."

Though their bodies yearned to break free, internal restrictions rendered them immobile, their struggles merely delaying the inevitable end.

Instead of the anticipated torment, a moment of stillness preceded them looking up to see familiar magical artifacts held by their assailants.

Worse still, these were their very own storage magical treasures!

In the subsequent instant, an agonizing jolt struck their sea of consciousness, eliciting involuntary shrieks that echoed their unbearable pain.

They now understood: their divine sense imprints within the storage magical treasures had been forcefully obliterated.

As they attempted to regain their senses, searching for any sign of the two perpetrators, they had already vanished. Only the lingering restrictive spells served as proof that their experience was not a mere illusion.

"Hahahaha..."

One cultivator suddenly erupted into a fit of deranged laughter, a sound utterly devoid of mirth, instead filled with profound desolation and sorrow, leaving him utterly dispirited.

The thought of a lifetime's accumulated wealth being plundered with such ease, right before his eyes, and with no means to resist, explained his drastic reaction.

"Gone! Everything is gone! Our spiritual objects have vanished, and our cultivation path is now obstructed." He collapsed onto the ground, his lamentations a repetitive, mournful dirge.

"This is all your fault! If you hadn't been so avaricious, thinking those two were easy prey to rob, we wouldn't be in this dire situation!"

One cultivator hurled his accusations at his companion, seeking to alleviate his own crushing guilt.

"Blame me! Hahaha! If you weren't greedy yourself, why did you even join? Did I compel you?"

"You!" Feeling the sting of shame, he angrily lunged forward to strike.

"What?! You want to fight to the death? Go ahead, strike me!"

No one in the vicinity stepped in to mediate their dispute, each choosing to turn a blind eye.

A mere handful of individuals, yet they laid bare the full spectrum of human nature.

...

Unaware of the reactions of the other cultivators, Lee Zhirui and Fu Chengguang, the instigators of the event, would likely have remained indifferent even if they had known.

Having initiated this scheme and the subsequent chase, could they have truly expected to reap only rewards without any potential for failure, right?

"Fellow Daoist, our spoils from the secret realm are already quite substantial. I believe we should cease further exploration, locate a secure haven, and dedicate ourselves to cultivation and understanding the laws of this realm," Li Zhirui remained focused on his primary objective.

"I concur entirely," Fu Chengguang nodded in agreement.

While the allure of continued exploration within the Ten Thousand Rivers Realm was undeniable, as previously stated, their accumulated gains were already significant, surpassing those of any other participants who had entered the secret realm.

Therefore, their foremost priority now was to swiftly absorb their bounty, potentially allowing them to remain undetected within the realm for an extended period.

Perfection is an elusive ideal; they were content with their current fortunate circumstances.