Rebuilding the Immortal Cultivator Clan

"It's finally over!" Looking at the beast tide retreating into the sea, a Loose Cultivator exclaimed with a tone full of relief.

He had never participated in the defense against a beast tide before, but he heard from some older Loose Cultivators that this year's beast tide was the largest in scale, with numbers several times greater than in previous years!

If it hadn't been for the Yuanming Sect dispatching a large number of Cultivators, even two Golden Core Cultivators, the original defenders would not have been able to hold the island chain.

Moreover, there were also many Water Devils passing through the island chain, which at first were attracted to Da Rong Island by the Devil-Attracting Liquid.

But as the Devil-Attracting Liquid lost its effect, their targets became Red Pine Island, Nine Springs Island, and a few other islands.

Despite the three families having previously evacuated the mortals along the river and harvested the Spiritual Objects in advance, the loss was still devastating.

The only consolation was that they had managed to escape in time, hiding before the beast tide reached the islands, so there were no casualties.

"It's a pity that there were too many Water Devils later on, making it impossible to continue deploying the Devil-Attracting Liquid; otherwise, the Li family's situation would have been even more pitiful," said Patriarch Jiang with a face full of regret.

"Yes, it's really too bad," agreed Patriarch He.

Patriarch Zheng did not join in the conversation and even seemed somewhat indifferent, "Gentlemen, the beast tide has just ended, Red Pine Island is in shambles, and I must work on the aftermath; I really don't have time to chat with you both."

"Out of consideration for our past relationship, I kindly advise you both to forget these matters and not to speak of them as if they're just gossip. Moreover, it's not impossible for the Li family to investigate and find out the truth."

If it weren't for the Li family's great influence, necessitating the three families to stick together for warmth, he wouldn't even bother with these two fools.

The faces of the two Clan Leaders stiffened, and with an embarrassed smile, they acknowledged that they had indeed been a bit overexcited at the thought of the Li family being greatly weakened.

"Gentlemen!" said Patriarch Zheng with a heavy tone, "Even if the Li family has suffered heavy losses this time, do you think those Foundation Establishment Cultivators will have perished because of it? As long as they live, the threat from the Li family has not diminished in the slightest!"

As for Li Shiqing, who was in retreat attempting to break through to the Golden Core, not just them, but most of the forces in Yunping State, did not believe he would succeed, so they didn't consider him a threat.

Although they were not particularly familiar with the Li family, they knew very well the difficulty of reaching Core Formation; in the centuries-long history of their families, there were ancestors who tried to break through to the Golden Core.

But without exception, they all failed! Li Shiqing, himself from a Foundation Establishment background, how could he succeed?

The beast tide this time was more dangerous than in previous years, and many Cultivators had fallen, but there were no reports of any Foundation Establishment deaths. Their ability to preserve their lives was much stronger than that of Qi Cultivation Cultivators.

"Brother Zheng is right; as long as those Foundation Establishment Cultivators live, the Li family remains our greatest threat," Patriarch Jiang agreed, buttering him up before asking, "I wonder, brother, what are your plans now?"

Patriarch Zheng did not reply immediately but instead said, "After you two return, inquire more about the Li family's situation. We can discuss it later."

"Then we will take our leave," said the two Clan Leaders, looking at each other before standing up and leaving Red Pine Island.

After the two men left, Patriarch Zheng's indifferent demeanor changed to one of urgency, "Quick, gather the Spiritual Objects and prepare to leave Red Pine Island!"

During the Water Devil rampage, the Zheng family members sent to find the Spirit Vein had returned, with the leading Foundation Establishment Cultivator bringing back one piece of good news and two bad ones.

The good news was that they had indeed found an ownerless Spirit Vein, but the bad news, firstly, was that the Spirit Vein was near the Demon Cultivation Sect's Yin Wind Cave, making the surrounding environment more dangerous than that of Red Pine Island.

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Another was that on their way back, they saw from afar the Jade Beak Eagle of the Li family, carrying cultivators away into the distance.

If it weren't for the second piece of bad news, Patriarch Zheng might have hesitated a bit and not decided to leave Red Pine Island immediately after the beast tide ended.
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But once the Jade Beak Eagle appeared, he really couldn't guarantee that the Li family hadn't learned about the three families' use of the Devil-Attracting Liquid.

Assuming the worst-case scenario, that would mean the Li family had discovered the Devil-Attracting Liquid arranged in the sea, and then traced it back to the three clans. In their anger, they might decide to take action against them!

They might not take immediate action, but there would come a day, and by then, it would be too late to leave.

As for why he didn't tell the other two clan leaders about this information, firstly, the more people who knew, the easier it was for secrets to be leaked, and secondly, they also needed someone to cover for them.

——

"The casualties and losses have all been accounted for. The clan will provide significant compensation to the families of those who fell or were seriously injured on the battlefield," Li Zhizhun announced to all the clanspeople in the square in front of the great hall.

The compensation awarded by the family for those who had fallen would go to their wives and children, and a ceremony symbolizing honor was organized for them.

"Clan Leader, this matter was the doing of the Zheng family—I want to know when we will strike and eliminate them!" Suddenly, a clansperson stood up and asked loudly.

Li Zhizhun sighed in his heart. Before this, he had anticipated such a scene would occur today.

After all, Li Shiren had spoken about the issue in front of so many clanspeople before, and the news had already spread throughout the family.

"After discussion among the Elders, we've decided not to take action against them for the time being," Li Zhizhun conveyed the decision of the Elders.

The reasons for not taking action were clear to all Elders, but these clanspeople hadn't thought that far ahead.

Especially those closely related to the clanspeople who had fallen. Hearing this decision, they couldn't contain their dissatisfaction and anger, and they loudly questioned, "Why not take action? Are we not planning to avenge them?"

"Because the Yuanming Sect is there! Because our family's strength isn't strong enough!" Li Zhirui stood up with a stern face.

Moreover, to suppress the excitement and anger of the few clanspeople, he employed the aura of someone in the Foundation Establishment Realm.

"Are you satisfied with this reason?"

The reason Li Zhirui stepped forward was that his imposing presence still lingered, and Li Zhizhun's authority was not yet sufficient.

Also, he currently held no official position within the clan, so even if he displeased the clanspeople, it wouldn't matter and wouldn't hinder him.

"Do you think we don't feel sorrow or grief over the death of those clanspeople? But we cannot lose our reason because of it!" Li Zhirui's gaze was icy as he looked around, his words like a bucket of ice water to calm them down.

Li Zhizhun glanced at him apologetically and said solemnly, "Here, I and all the Elders promise everyone that we will settle this account with them sooner or later! They will pay with their blood!"

Thanks to the concerted efforts of Li Zhirui and Li Zhizhun, the clanspeople became much calmer, at least not clamoring for revenge anymore.

"There are many tasks to be done in the clan during this time. Everyone, please get busy," Li Zhizhun said, ending the all-clan meeting immediately upon seeing the change in atmosphere.

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