Rebuilding the Immortal Cultivator Clan Chapter 2152 - 1546: Brilliance

"Oh? Is that so?"

Within the secluded cave mansion, a voice abruptly echoed from another individual.

Following this, a streak of spiritual light traversed the space, and Li Zhirui's form materialized amidst the gathered people.

"You..."

The Earth Immortal cultivator reacted instantly upon uttering the first syllable, his demeanor shifting to one of profound respect. "Were you not in seclusion, Senior? To emerge so suddenly, do you have any instructions for us? We shall undoubtedly endeavor to fulfill them."

"Hehe!"

Li Zhirui couldn't suppress a cold chuckle at the man's swift change in attitude.

All cultivators present trembled involuntarily, their faces etched with fear and apprehension, dreading the possibility of their lives being forfeit.

"Rest assured, your lives are not forfeit at this moment."

After all, these Earth Immortals constituted the primary workforce for acquiring high-grade spiritual items and techniques. To eliminate them now would drastically diminish his potential gains.

"However, given your transgressions, a punishment is indeed necessary!"

The local spiritual beings, who had just begun to relax, tensed once more, fearing he would assign them tasks beyond their capabilities.

"Now that the external war has erupted, causing the prices of numerous techniques and spiritual items to plummet, your primary objective is to procure these very things. Only by accumulating a sufficient quantity will your punishment be considered complete."

As he spoke, Li Zhirui exerted a subtle pressure, elevating his aura by two or three levels, a minor increase that was nevertheless overwhelming, causing them to stagger and break out in a cold sweat.

"I care not whether you acquire them through Spirit Stones or by employing direct plunder; you must meet the objective I have set! Failure to do so will render your future days far less comfortable than they are now!"

With that, he vanished, abandoning the prior conversation.

For even if doubts lingered in their hearts, they lacked any means to voice them. Firstly, Li Zhirui and Fu Chengguang had infiltrated the ranks of the cultivators with a multitude of spies, ensuring that the actions and movements of others remained under their constant surveillance!

Secondly, an unseen restriction was woven into the formation, making it impossible for them to discuss the presence of the duo with any external parties.

Consequently, the pair harbored no concerns about their whereabouts being divulged. Li Zhirui's appearance served as a stark warning to all, urging obedience and discouraging any futile attempts to escape their control or delay the acquisition of techniques and spiritual objects.

However...

Back within the cave mansion, Li Zhirui's brow furrowed.

Due to the outbreak of the external war, Tribulation Evil Energy surged throughout the heavens and earth, creating an exceptionally unfavorable environment for cultivation!

This was the genuine catalyst for his premature end to seclusion; the warning issued to the cultivators was merely a secondary concern.

Knock, knock, knock—

A sudden series of knocks echoed from the entrance.

Li Zhirui understood immediately; Fu Chengguang had also perceived the shift in circumstances, emerging from his own seclusion to discuss the matter.

"Fellow Daoist, the Ten Thousand Rivers Realm is now saturated with Tribulation Evil Energy, rendering further enlightenment impossible. What course of action should we pursue?" Fu Chengguang inquired with urgency upon entering.

Had they not gone through immense trouble to seize the Beixuan Sect precisely for the purpose of cultivating in tranquility?!

Yet, scarcely three months had passed before the external world became so volatile that they were unable to continue their secluded enlightenment.

"Such a widespread war, affecting so much of the world, how could the two of us, beings from an outer realm, possibly resolve it?" Li Zhirui inquired with a hint of bitterness, shaking his head slightly.

They were powerless in this predicament, left only to await the war's conclusion or hope for intervention from high-level cultivators of the Ten Thousand Rivers Realm to restore peace.

"Furthermore, I fear the Heavenly Dao of this realm may attribute the cause of this sudden conflict to us..." He couldn't help but let out a sigh.

"This!"

Fu Chengguang was taken aback by his words. Initially dismissing them as absurd, closer consideration revealed a disquieting possibility.

After all, the root of this conflict stemmed directly from the two of them. Resolving this issue by expelling them from the Ten Thousand Rivers Realm would undoubtedly lead to a swift calming of the situation.

Considering this, it was highly probable that the Heavenly Dao of this realm would indeed make such a decision.

"If such a scenario were to materialize, would that not imply our time in the Ten Thousand Rivers Realm is drawing to a close?" Contemplating this, Fu Chengguang's brow furrowed.

They had resided in this realm for less than a year, spending the majority of their time within the Secret Realm, achieving considerable gains. However, the comprehension of the most crucial laws remained incomplete.

"Let’s hope the situation doesn’t reach that dire point," Li Zhirui expressed his helplessness regarding the matter.

With a shake of his head, he abandoned the thought and turned his attention, saying, "Since you are here, Fellow Daoist, let us divide the spiritual objects gathered over these past few months."

Some cultivators diligently pursued contribution value, leading to a substantial accumulation of spiritual objects over several months.

"Very well," Fu Chengguang, also disinclined to ponder such vexing issues, promptly initiated the sorting of the spiritual items.

In a mere two hours, the two successfully concluded the division of the spiritual objects.

Despite this favorable outcome, neither displayed discernible joy; rather, a subtle undercurrent of worry was apparent on their countenances.

"I shall not impede your cultivation, Fellow Daoist."

With these words, Fu Chengguang rose and departed.

"Cultivation? Alas!"

After his departure, a flicker of bitterness crossed Li Zhirui’s face, his sigh gently dissipating within the confines of the cave mansion.

In the present era, rife with Tribulation Evil Energy, how could it possibly remain conducive to cultivation!

Yet, their status dictated a passive stance; any other course would invite misfortune, leading to an unfavorable end.

Thus, they were compelled to retreat within the cave mansion, patiently awaiting the cessation of hostilities and the world’s return to normalcy.

Mere idleness, however, was not a viable strategy. To circumvent a life of torment, Li Zhirui retrieved several low-grade cultivation techniques, resolving to study them in depth.

Occasionally, he would familiarize himself with the readily available local spiritual objects, subsequently devising pill recipes and concocting pills.

This served a dual purpose: to glean some advantage and to occupy his time.

Not far away, Fu Chengguang was engaged in a similar pursuit, merely substituting pill concoction with the study of formations.

...

Meanwhile.

As one of the most tumultuous regions within the Ten Thousand Rivers Realm, Kong Mountain State was perpetually unsettled even prior to the war’s commencement. Rogue cultivators, intent on plunder, often lay in wait within concealed areas, poised to ambush unsuspecting travelers.

Following the outbreak of hostilities, Kong Mountain State experienced minimal alteration; it persevered in its chaotic state, remaining a hotbed of frequent skirmishes.

However, in contrast to the preceding period, the intensity of battles escalated considerably, and the number of cultivators meeting their demise surged dramatically, transforming the formerly bustling Da Kong Immortal City into a desolate expanse.

"Alas!"

A shopkeeper stood at his establishment’s threshold, his gaze fixed upon the sparsely populated street. He could not suppress a sigh, lamenting, "Curses! How could a war have erupted so suddenly! At this rate, I’ll barely earn enough to cover this year’s rent."