Rebuilding the Immortal Cultivator Clan Chapter 2189 - 1564: Fragment_2

"The most crucial point is that if we encounter that senior again, he might not overlook us as he did before."

Since it's now confirmed there are further trials ahead, these individuals are not yet adversaries, and thus are reluctant to linger and squander precious time.

However, if they were to venture deeper into the relic, that would present an entirely different situation.

Moreover, facing the assault of a Profound Immortal, they harbored little confidence in their ability to repel such a threat.

Consequently, nearly all the Heavenly Immortals were disinclined to court danger, opting instead to cease their exploration, exit the relic, and refrain from proceeding further, as it lay beyond their current capabilities.

Nevertheless, a select few Heavenly Immortals remained unwilling to concede defeat. After careful deliberation, they stepped through the portal leading to the next stage.

...

Meanwhile, Li Zhirui, having already breached the fourth level, was confronting the unique challenges of this particular tier.

Yet, this segment no longer involved simple duels with automatons but presented trials focused on alternative aspects.

Upon opening his eyes, he perceived a transformation in his surroundings; it was neither as if he remained within the relic, nor had he been expelled, but rather he found himself appearing within an opulent palace.

"Sect Leader! A dire catastrophe has unfolded! Cloud Mountain Sect and Poison Gu Sect have forged an alliance, preparing to launch a joint assault on our mountain stronghold!" Before Li Zhirui could even begin to process the situation, an individual burst into the grand hall from the exterior, their voice laced with urgent alarm.

‘Could this be a trial within the relic?’

This perplexing turn of events left him disoriented and without comprehension of the underlying reasons, compelling him to knit his brows and respond with a measure of uncertainty.

"Sect Leader! Our Sect stands on the precipice of ruin and dissolution! We implore you for guidance! How shall we navigate this impending crisis?" The messenger pressed once more, their plea growing more insistent.

"Convene all the Elders and Stewards immediately. This matter carries immense gravity and necessitates collective wisdom for resolution, ensuring no misstep occurs." Li Zhirui, eager to swiftly ascertain the precise circumstances, fabricated a pretext to permit the messenger's departure.

"Understood!"

Following the messenger's exit, he promptly unleashed his Divine Sense, extending its reach to encompass every hidden nook of the hall, diligently perusing all pertinent Jade Slips and ancient texts.

In less than the span of half a moment, Li Zhirui had assimilated a vast reservoir of knowledge, thereby grasping the predicament he now faced.

He discovered himself to be the Sect Leader of a powerful Heavenly Immortal faction known as the Qinghua Sect. Including himself, the sect boasted seven Heavenly Immortals and dozens of Earth Immortals, marking it as a considerable force.

As for the Cloud Mountain and Poison Gu Sects poised to attack, while their individual strength was somewhat inferior, their combined might, should they unite, would significantly surpass that of the Qinghua Sect.

This strategic imbalance was precisely the reason behind the messenger's evident panic upon entering the hall.

After Li Zhirui comprehended the gravity of his predicament, an unexpected voice resonated within his mind, eliciting a peculiar expression to cross his features.

"So, my subsequent trial involves guiding the Qinghua Sect safely through this calamitous period?"

Raising his eyebrows slightly, he mused aloud, "The more adeptly one performs, the higher the accumulated score, and this directly correlates to the ultimate inheritance received."

A profound curiosity now stirred within him regarding the formidable power wielded by the entity that established this inheritance relic prior to its eventual destruction...

The preceding trials had not particularly surprised Li Zhirui; they were, in his estimation, rather straightforward and lacked significant complexity in their design.

However, this current test left him utterly astonished, marking the first instance where he truly felt the immense might of that ancient power!

The reason for Li Zhirui's astonishment stemmed from his realization that he was not ensnared within an Illusory Realm; regardless of its sophistication, an Illusory Realm could never achieve such profound realism. Instead, he had entered a unique Spirit Realm meticulously constructed from fragmented historical echoes.

Or, to be more precise, it was a world severely fragmented and caught in an endless, repeating loop.

While initially resentful of being compelled into this situation, Li Zhirui was now genuinely captivated by the prospect of this inheritance!

The sheer ability to capture historical fragments and assemble a world from them was a feat undeniably beyond the capabilities of any mere Profound Immortal.

Whether a Golden Immortal could achieve such a marvel remained uncertain due to his limited comprehension of that realm, preventing him from offering a definitive answer, but at the very least, a Golden Immortal realm did exist.

Thus, even in the least favorable assessment, this still represented a Golden Immortal's inheritance!

For Li Zhirui, a cultivator whose Immortal Realm Cultivation Method remained incomplete, the allure of this inheritance held immeasurable significance.

In truth, relative to this monumental opportunity, matters such as causation and Karmic Force seemed utterly insignificant.

As he meticulously pondered strategies for resolving the Qinghua Sect's current crisis, a delegation of Elders and Stewards entered the hall, all offering respectful bows and greetings: "We pay our respects, Sect Leader."

"There is no need for such formality; please be seated."

Li Zhirui gestured dismissively and stated, "I presume you are all aware of the reason for this gathering. What are your insights on the present situation, or do any of you propose potential solutions?"

"Sect Leader, there are many conflicts and deep-seated grudges between Cloud Mountain and Poison Gu Sect. Will they truly cooperate as one? I highly doubt it!"

An Elder rose from his seat, proclaiming, "Therefore, we should seize this precise moment to sow discord between them, fostering mutual suspicion and preventing any unified front."

"Hmm, that is an excellent suggestion. Elder, please make immediate arrangements for someone to manage this crucial task."

Subsequently, Li Zhirui directed his gaze towards the other Elders, inquiring, "Does anyone else possess any alternative strategies?"

"We could concoct ambushes along their advance routes to deplete their forces..."

"Furthermore, let us summon the disciples currently stationed beyond the mountain gates back immediately."

...

These Elders put forth numerous plans that appeared quite promising.

Given Li Zhirui's limited familiarity with these two opposing forces, but recognizing the Elders' clearer understanding, he readily approved any suggestion that seemed remotely feasible and not utterly outlandish, permitting them to implement their ideas.

Even if these plans ultimately met with failure, it mattered little. They could still be compelled to retreat or engage in battle, thereby determining the final outcome.

With all these diverse arrangements in place, and Qinghua Sect benefiting from the inherent geographical advantage, victory should not have been a difficult feat.

Consequently, his initial assessment was that this trial would not pose a significant challenge and could be concluded with relative ease.

However, a sudden realization struck him – this was but a fragment of history, and the very ideas proposed by those Elders had been put into practice with actual effect!

Yet, upon re-examining his objective for this test, which was to guide Qinghua Sect through this perilous period, a chilling implication emerged.

This meant that, according to actual historical records, Qinghua Sect had ultimately failed!

With so many Elders collaborating, devising genuinely effective solutions, and still facing defeat?! Where could the critical error possibly lie?

"Have I overlooked something crucial?"

Li Zhirui's brow furrowed as he continuously replayed the scenario in his mind, meticulously searching for any potential vulnerabilities.

Abruptly, a spark of Spirit Light illuminated his thoughts, as if a sudden inspiration had struck. He rose swiftly, unleashing his Divine Sense to fully encompass the entire mountain gate.

The remaining Elders within the hall exchanged surprised glances, their expressions a mixture of bewilderment and intense curiosity.

They were utterly perplexed as to how their Sect Leader's cultivation could have progressed so dramatically, nor could they fathom the reason behind his peculiar action.

What is the most expeditious path for a formidable power to crumble?

Naturally, it stems from internal strife and betrayal.

This realization prompted him to suddenly scrutinize the entire mountain gate, searching for any traitors or hidden moles within their ranks.

As anticipated, Li Zhirui detected several cultivators exhibiting highly suspicious behavior. He instantly immobilized them with his Divine Sense, rendering them completely helpless.

"Go and apprehend the disciples I have marked. It appears they are moles from Cloud Mountain and Poison Gu Sect who have infiltrated our Sect!" he casually commanded a few of the attending Elders, instructing them to escort these suspicious individuals to the main hall.

He deliberately refrained from executing these disciples immediately, harboring a strategic motive: to utilize them as conduits for transmitting false intelligence to Cloud Mountain and Poison Gu Sect, thereby significantly undermining their strength.

Moreover, he intended to ascertain if any of the opposing forces' agents were lurking among the assembled Elders.

Li Zhirui harbored no illusions that mere disciples of ordinary status and cultivation could drastically alter the course of the battle.

They were likely just pawns. The true masterminds, he surmised, must be hidden within the middle and upper echelons of Qinghua Sect!

In mere moments, all the identified cultivators were brought into the hall.