Rebuilding the Immortal Cultivator Clan Chapter 2185 - 1562: Vengeance (Part 2)

"That's a fantastic plan! Even if we can't obtain it ourselves, we absolutely must prevent him from hoarding it all!"

"Let's not all return to Cangming Immortal City. We should split up and operate independently. It would be best if we spread the word far and wide across all the nearby Immortal Cities. This will surely attract a vast number of cultivators."

"Agreed!"

The others readily concurred.

"May he perish within the ruins!"

These individuals harbored deep resentment towards Li Zhirui. One by one, they devised various stratagems, deciding on numerous ways to impede him with mere words, all while unleashing the purest hatred from their hearts; their mouths spouted venomous curses.

"Then, let's depart!"

As they spoke, the four immediately went their separate ways, each soaring towards a different Immortal City. They paid no mind to the injuries sustained from their recent skirmish—as long as their wounds wouldn't worsen, it was sufficient.

Before long, one of them reached the closest Immortal City, Cangming.

If he had a choice, he wouldn't have directly revealed the ruins' location; it was far too sudden and could easily lead others to suspect a trap.

However, to disseminate the information as rapidly as possible, he could no longer afford such concerns. He simply began distributing Jade Slips and Sound Transmission Talismans throughout the entire city, ensuring a multitude of cultivators learned of it swiftly, all while meticulously concealing his identity.

In truth, they had already commenced this process on their return journey to the Immortal City, leaving behind a considerable number of Jade Slips and Talismans in the hope that cultivators encountered along the way would find them and hasten their arrival.

This was to preempt a scenario where cultivators from the Immortal City arrived too late, only to find that all the Spiritual Objects within the ruins had already been claimed.

In a remarkably short period, the matter of the ruins exploded, plunging the entire city into a frenzy.

"What do you think? Are the ruins marked on those suddenly appearing Jade Slips genuine or a fabrication?"

"I suspect it's more of a trap, merely using the ruins as bait to lure a large number of cultivators. It's just that we're unaware of the mastermind's objective or any subsequent plans."

"Then we should steer clear of this commotion."

"But what if the ruins are real, exactly as described in the Jade Slips, filled with an abundance of precious Spiritual Objects? If we don't go, won't we be forfeiting this opportunity for nothing?"

"That..."

Upon hearing this, the others clearly began to waver, because if the situation truly matched the Jade Slips' descriptions—with numerous Spiritual Objects within the ruins—then abstaining from the expedition meant these treasures would forever remain beyond their grasp.

"How about we go and investigate just in case? If it turns out to be a trap, we can simply retreat once we realize it. At worst, we'll have merely wasted some time traveling; but if it's genuine, then we'll have struck it rich."

"Alright then, let's go, no more delays."

Numerous cultivators departed with this pragmatic mindset, following the map to seek out the legendary ruins.

And it wasn't merely low-level cultivators who received word; a number of Earth Immortals and even Heavenly Immortal Cultivators caught wind of the news. Some elected to investigate, while others simply scoffed dismissively.

As for the four Human Immortal Cultivators, upon witnessing the widespread movement of cultivators, they were filled with delight. The one who had suffered the most severe injuries appeared particularly gleeful, as if he could already vividly imagine Li Zhirui's tragic demise.

...

Li Zhirui, currently making haste towards the ruins' location, remained utterly oblivious to the conspiracy meticulously woven and rapidly taking shape specifically to ensnare him.

Thanks to the map's precise markings, he had not expended much time during his journey and easily ascertained the ruins' whereabouts.

"It's precisely here."

As he uttered these words, he directed an attack towards the seemingly ordinary patch of ground before him.

Crack—

A resounding cracking sound echoed, accompanied by a cascade of falling rocks. The original ground transformed directly into a gaping, pitch-black chasm in the earth.

These were, in fact, later modifications implemented by those four cultivators, intended to prevent the ruins from being prematurely discovered by other cultivators.

Their methods for concealing the ruins were quite effective; it had remained undetected for all these years, awaiting the moment one of them would take the decisive step, at which point they might finally seize the treasures contained within.

Unfortunately for them, their fortune soured; they ultimately encountered Li Zhirui, and all their elaborate efforts and preparations dissolved into nothing, falling into another's possession.

Once the hole materialized, he plunged in without the slightest hesitation.

After navigating through a section of a darkened passage, Li Zhirui finally laid eyes upon the true visage of the ruins.

An endless, vast underground cavern stretched out, enveloped by a dense layer of yellow Spirit Light.

This place bore no resemblance to a typical cultivator's Cave Mansion; it seemed more like the domain of a powerful entity that had met an unfortunate end, its current state a result of some unknown catastrophe.

Naturally, Li Zhirui's purpose for venturing here wasn't to ponder the origins of these ruins, but to seek out hidden treasures.

His immediate action was to strike and shatter the Defensive Array.

With a resounding thud, a massive handprint materialized on the yellow Spirit Light, causing it to tremble intensely but not break.

"Oh? This Formation possesses some substance to it."

The outcome sparked Li Zhirui's interest.

While he hadn't exerted his utmost strength to demolish the Defensive Array at first, the fact that it remained intact left him somewhat astonished. The grade of this Defensive Array was clearly quite high.

He promptly grew more serious and focused, launching another assault on the Formation. This time, he finally overcame the challenge posed by the Defensive Array.

Crack—

With a distinct sound, the Defensive Array disintegrated.

"An intruder detected! Annihilate!"

However, in the very next moment, a new obstacle emerged.

Several Puppets suddenly sprang to life, rising with the imposing stature of small mountains. Their frames appeared heavy and unwieldy, yet they propelled themselves towards Li Zhirui with astonishing swiftness.

He gave these Puppets no serious consideration; they were merely constructs equivalent to early Earth Immortal strength, devoid of Spiritual Intelligence, programmed only to execute predetermined actions.

With his current might, he was confident he could dispatch all the adversaries he'd encountered so far, provided he applied himself with a modicum of effort.

The Puppets advancing on Li Zhirui were abruptly ensnared by vines. These delicate-looking tendrils proved sufficient to bind them completely.

"Hm?"

Just as he was preparing to escalate his actions and fully subdue the Puppets, a sound from outside caught his attention.

"This must be the ruin indicated on the Jade Slip, correct?"

"That's right, this is the location. However, judging by the situation, it appears another cultivator has already entered."

"Exercise caution."

Mere moments later, Li Zhirui perceived the figures of these approaching cultivators.

"Who are you!"

Initially startled by his presence, they soon relaxed upon realizing he was merely a Human Immortal Cultivator, and loudly proclaimed, "Venture forth from here; this area has been claimed by us. Should you refuse, do not hold us accountable for any ruthlessness."

"How did you discover this place?"

Li Zhirui, unperturbed by their threats, inquired with indifference.

"What business is it of yours!"

"Urgh—urgh—urgh..."

In the blink of an eye, however, the group found themselves suspended by vines, flailing desperately in the air.

Sensing their life force ebbing away, they finally grasped that the individual before them was indisputably no ordinary Human Immortal Cultivator.

"I'll divulge everything, I'll talk; please release me quickly!"

With a heavy thud, they were deposited onto the ground, gasping for air in large, ragged breaths.

"How did you find this place?"

"We chanced upon a Jade Talisman on our journey bearing this location's markings, so we came here immediately, merely to try our fortune."

Yet, they had never anticipated it would actually be real!

Regrettably, a formidable expert had arrived before them, and they had found themselves in such a dire predicament in an instant.

"Were there many Jade Talismans?"

"There should be a considerable number. We discovered quite a few Jade Talismans along our return path alone."

Li Zhirui's previously placid expression hardened instantly. At this juncture, comprehension dawned upon him regarding the unfolding events.

It had to be those previous four cultivators, unwilling to allow him sole claim to the treasures within the ruins, who had resorted to this tactic for revenge, venting their accumulated hatred and resentment.

This turn of events was utterly beyond his expectations.