NOVPUB
Chapter 1011: Chapter 974: Ore Vein_2
And with the almost intact Island Defense Array of the Li family, the pressure faced by the clan members was relatively small, with no need to worry about the defense line.
After the two major forces personally took the field, the situation quickly reversed. The Sea Clan, which was originally at an advantage, suffered increasing casualties, and some of the islands they had occupied were recaptured by the cultivators. There were even signs of collapse, although they were sporadic and minor.
Anyone with normal intelligence could see the outcome of this situation.
Moreover, after this battle, it would be difficult for the Crab Devil clan to launch such a large-scale attack again, because there were no longer so many middle-rank Crab Devils!
In the successive battles, the heaviest losses were not among the low-rank Water Devils, nor the high-rank Water Devils, but rather those in the realms of Divine Transformation and Void Refinement.
The former were numerous; losing many didn’t matter. The latter were powerful, with many life-saving and escape techniques, making them difficult to kill.
Only the middle-rank Water Devils had neither the advantages of both sides nor the strength. They had a combination of the disadvantages but in smaller numbers and not much strength.
"Alas!"
The Crab Devil that had previously expressed a different opinion sighed, murmuring to itself: "I can only comfort myself that the ancestors are still alive, and that the Combined Body Cultivators do not dare to leave casually. That can be considered a contribution to the East Sea."
Thinking of this, the bitterness on its face grew even more intense.
If the Sea Clan had won the final victory in the war between the two camps, then they would have a chance to reclaim the Wanxia Sea Domain. But if the Immortal Tao triumphed, not just the Giant Pincer Crab clan, but hundreds of races in the near-sea area of the East Sea would lose their territories!
By then, in order to compete for a suitable habitat, a great war was bound to break out within the Sea Clan! And the ferocity of it might be no less than that of the battle with the cultivators!
’Perhaps, preserving the strength of our race now is a good idea.’ The thought suddenly popped into the Crab Devil’s mind and became unstoppable!
It couldn’t wait to end this battle that had a foreseeable outcome. Unfortunately, its influence was too insignificant, and its words were not taken seriously by its fellow clan members.
After some thought, it left alone and hurried back to the deep sea, hoping to seek the intervention of one of its ancestors—at the very least, to gain their approval, and then command its fellow clansmen to withdraw from the battlefield and preserve their strength.
"Please grant me an audience, Ancestor. I have a matter of great importance, concerning the lineage and survival of our race, and I hope to gain the approval of the ancestors."
It did not dare to barge in and could only shout continuously outside and ring the small bell hanging on the gate.
"What’s happening outside? Why are they incessantly ringing the Knocking Bell? Crab Qing, go and see," ordered the highest-ranked Crab Devil.
"Yes!"
A Crab Devil whose pincer was almost regrown left the Formation, and upon seeing the younger generation, frowned and said, "What’s your urgent matter? Speak quickly."
The Crab Devil knew that whether it could gain the ancestor’s approval depended on its performance now, so it immediately conveyed all of its thoughts and speculations.
"This matter concerns the survival of our people; I implore the ancestors to think it over."
Crab Qing frowned slightly. While the idea sounded good, such an important decision couldn’t be made alone! It had to go back and discuss it with the others.
"Wait here."
Having said that, Crab Qing turned and entered the palace.
"Has the situation outside become so dire? To the point where they have already started to consider the survival of the race after foreseeable defeat," the leading Crab Devil mused with deep emotions after listening.
"If there are no objections, let’s proceed according to that youngster’s idea."
Looking around at the others and seeing no one speaking up, the leader of the Crab Devils took out a commonly used Magical Treasure, to facilitate the command to other clan members from the sixth-order Crab Devil, saying, "Allow him to proceed."
The survival of their race held far more gravity in the eyes of many Sea Clan groups than a victory or defeat against the Immortal Tao!
This was true for the Yellow Scale Sea Serpent clan that had previously sought to preserve their race, and now for the Giant Pincer Thick Shell Crab clan as well. And this situation was certainly not limited to just these two cases!
With the support of the ancestors, that Crab Devil became particularly excited and immediately headed to the battlefield, ordering all clan members to withdraw.
"By what right do you command everyone!"
CLANG!
It stimulated the Magical Treasure and demanded, "Do I have the right now?"
Many sixth-order Crab Devils recognized this Magical Treasure at first glance. They looked at it incredulously—it had actually gained the support of the ancestors!
Some of the disgruntled Crab Devils immediately bowed their heads and said, "We obey your command!"
"Disagreements have erupted within the Crab Devil clan!"
Some sharp-eyed cultivators noticed this scene, but the next moment, the actions of the Sea Clan took many cultivators by surprise.
"The Sea Clan is retreating!"
Although the Sea Clan is currently at a disadvantage, they are far from being unable to confront the cultivators. Why would they retreat voluntarily?
Many cultivators couldn’t understand what was happening, but the end of the great battle brought joy to everyone.
"Such large-scale battles might no longer occur in the future," Li Zhirui said softly.
The Sea Clan’s voluntary retreat meant that they didn’t want to continue fighting and preferred not to suffer heavy casualties; naturally, they would not send a large number of Water Devils to attack in the future.
"Next, let’s see what happens in the other sea areas, especially the central battlefield." In any case, it didn’t have much to do with them anymore.
Li Zhirui could think of it, and of course, other cultivators could also see through their intentions.
Therefore, inside the Cave Abyss Sect, the issue of support once again led to disagreements and debates among those with different opinions.
"The Sea Clan’s voluntary retreat indicates that they have already planned to give up on regaining their territory, and those high-ranked Sea Devils will no longer participate in the war. We can also go help other sea areas now."
"This is all conjecture on your part. What if a Seventh Rank Water Devil appears while we’re away and suddenly launches an attack?"
Both sides held firmly to their views.
However, these matters had little to do with Li Zhirui and the Li family. They only needed to wait for the great battle to end.
"Ancestor Rui, can we start managing the five Spirit Islands promised by the Cave Abyss Sect now?" One day, an Elder suddenly approached Li Zhirui to ask.
"We can, but do you plan to establish Spirit Islands in this sea domain?"
Li Zhirui felt that this location was not very good; first, it was somewhat far from Mount Wanxian, and secondly, it was close to the Distant Sea, which would lead to frequent attacks from the Sea Clan in the future.
The Elder looked around as if worried about being overheard and spoke in a hushed voice, "Please, Ancestor Rui, cast a prohibition."
A hint of curiosity flashed in Li Zhirui’s eyes—could it be that something valuable was discovered on one of the islands? He simultaneously cast a sound-isolating prohibition.
"Speak without worry; no one will hear."
Still in a subdued voice, the Elder said, "Ancestor Rui, one of our clansmen accidentally discovered a large Spirit Stone Vein while exploring the islands!"
"A large Spirit Stone Vein?"
Even Li Zhirui felt a great fluctuation in his mental state upon hearing this news.
It is known that a large Spirit Stone Vein can yield at least ten billion Spirit Stones! And it’s relatively easy to nurture high-quality and even top-grade Spirit Stones!
"How many people know of this news?"
His immediate reaction was to keep it a secret!
A large Spirit Stone Vein might not be valued by the Cave Abyss Sect, but the Zhang Family would definitely not let it go, and the Li family currently lacked the strength to resist.
Yet, for the Li family, the significance of this large Spirit Stone Vein was extraordinary. With it, the Li family could rise rapidly and develop even faster!
Therefore, it was essential to ensure it was foolproof; the vein must not fall into other forces’ hands.
"Besides that clansman, only a few of us Elders and yourself, Ancestor Rui, are aware of the vein’s existence."
"Very well!"
Li Zhirui was quite relieved as the clansman who discovered the vein chose not to conceal it, and the Elders handled the matter appropriately.
"Do not publicize it, and do not begin mining. Let’s talk about everything after the great war is over!"
After pondering, Li Zhirui said, "For now, just manage the main island and slowly expand towards that island, so as not to attract the attention and suspicion of outsiders. In the future, we can link the main island with the mining island using the island itself."
