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Chapter 1133: Chapter 1035: Determination_2
But those who should be pacified must still be pacified.
Under the emperor’s mediation, the civil and military officials have finally reached a consensus, starting preparations to deal with the attack of cultivators, as well as peace talks after the battle.
At the same time, various forces in Falling Star State are also gathering intelligence related to the Daqian Dynasty.
Among them, a large number of forces do not have conflicts with the Daqian Dynasty; it’s just that the sudden emergence of such a powerful ’evil neighbor’ nearby is concerning, and, for various reasons, it is necessary to understand the situation first.
If it turns out that demon cultivators have figured out methods specifically to counter cultivators, that would be troubling.
"How can a mere human country possess strength that rivals Mahayana, Tribulation-Transcending Cultivators? And it’s not just one!"
"Isn’t the strangest thing the fact that the spells and divine powers we use are greatly weakened by some mysterious force?"
Some common intelligence about the Daqian Dynasty has already spread among the cultivators, with many discussing the matter.
Li Zhirui did not participate in these discussions, because he held the complete Human Dao imperial methods, clearly understanding what was going on and why.
The reason he still remained in Falling Star State was first to see how the Immortal Realm forces around him would treat the Daqian Dynasty, whether they would thoroughly eradicate them or recognize their existence.
After all, he also wanted to let the Secular Clansmen of the Li family establish a small dynasty capable of self-preservation, so that the family’s cultivators stationed in various towns could return home.
Moreover, if a family member encountered misfortune, they might be able to become deities after death. Perhaps they could find a new path, and even if not, wouldn’t they have lived many more years?
Secondly, Falling Star State was about to become quite lively, and it was possible that Li Zhirui would find the opportunity he sought.
Dang, dang, dang——
What was originally thought to be a decorative clock in the center of the city suddenly started ringing, its sound spreading throughout the entire Immortal City; except for those in closed-door cultivation, everyone else heard it!
The Wang Family, which controlled the Immortal City, summoned all cultivators.
Their purpose was simple: to have everyone participate in the war to eliminate the Daqian Dynasty!
The reason? There wasn’t any.
Clearly, these great powers saw the massive impact that the existence of the Daqian Dynasty had.
With so many mortals gone, one couldn’t estimate how many fewer new disciples would be recruited each year, which could be deemed as undermining the foundations of surrounding cultivation sects!
Even for cultivation families that are less reliant on recruiting external disciples, they too need mortals to propagate their lineage.
Li Zhirui did not join the Wang Family’s forces. Until he had found a solution to counter the Human Dao’s magic network that suppressed the cultivators’ Mana, he didn’t want to go to war, because the disparity between the enemies and themselves was too great!
Li Zhirui did not wish to get injured in the battle; however, he would go to observe.
The situation like that of Immortal City of the Wang Family was not unique; most of the Immortal Cities in Falling Star State had initiated summonings and bounties, leading large numbers of cultivators towards the Daqian Dynasty.
The reason for setting out from Falling Star State was that it was the strongest region among the neighboring State Domains, and the current Daqian Dynasty was no longer something smaller forces could confront.
Moreover, their vassals were located between Falling Star State and the Daqian Dynasty, and many had already been destroyed.
If they didn’t avenge their vassals, what would the other vassals think?
An army of cultivators set out, with Cloud Boats suspended in the sky, and the various Spirit Lights generated by numerous cultivators flying independently, resembling twinkling stars in the night sky.
"They’re finally here!"
And the Daqian Dynasty’s army, which had long been stationed at the border, became extremely solemn upon the arrival of hundreds of thousands of cultivators. The number of cultivators was too great; the soldiers slightly outnumbered them, but there was a huge disparity in combat power!
However, since things had come to this, they could only go all out to face this significant battle.
Fortunately, not a single soldier fled.
"Fight!"
"Kill!"
With the soldiers’ rage, the Evil Qi between heaven and earth seemed to be mobilized, fierce beasts appeared above the heads of the soldiers, each endowed with various special Divine Powers.
The soldiers, fearless, initiated the attack; countless arrows, entwined sword energies... a sky-obscuring onslaught descended upon the cultivators.
"Aaaah!"
"Save me!"
It was only the first round of attack, and a large number of cultivators were accidentally hit. In an instant, nobody knew how many casualties there were — these mortals were more tricky and formidable than they had imagined.
Li Zhirui was also among the crowd. Even though he was positioned towards the back, there were still many attacks landing nearby. His quick reaction meant he was unharmed.
But some cultivators, who like Li Zhirui were just bystanders, weren’t so lucky. Some were wounded by stray shots and even hit in vital spots, dying instantly.
At this time, the flustered cultivators also organized a massive counterattack.
Spirit Light shone brilliantly, as if they had entered an Immortal Realm, a sight too beautiful for words!
But within the dazzling Spirit Light, there was a terrifying power capable of annihilating heaven and earth.
Faced with this strike, the soldiers had solemn expressions, yet remained calm and orderly.
"All men, heed my command! Follow my lead and strike down all before us!"
The roar of the Great General spread throughout the hundreds of thousands of troops, each drawing their swords.
"Charge!"
Hundreds of thousands of troops burst forth, but only unleashed an ordinary-looking blade qi.
Boom—
The two fearsome attacks collided, and a colossal explosion resounded throughout the entire Primal Spirit Realm, making many cultivators see stars.
But as the dust settled, the cultivators did not see the scene they had imagined.
The mortal soldiers who were closer to the explosion, although many were injured, were not seriously hurt and could still continue to fight.
"How is this possible?! The terrifying force from just now was actually blocked by those mortals."
Nearly all the cultivators watched this scene with their eyes wide and mouths agape, even doubting their vision, unable to believe those mortals could achieve such a feat.
But among the cultivators watching from the rear, apart from Li Zhirui who knew the reason in advance, a few Mahayana and Tribulation-Transcending Cultivators, relying on their powerful Spiritual Souls, noticed something peculiar.
"Just now, for a moment, it seemed as though a strange energy obstructed the powerful shockwave."
"I noticed as well. That energy is vast yet highly mixed, very peculiar, nothing like Spiritual Energy."
The few Great Abilities discussed among themselves, vaguely aware that this previously unseen energy was the reason this mortal nation possessed combat power comparable to high-level cultivators.
Just then, several white-haired elders suddenly appeared behind the army, manipulating strange energies, and actually began to dispel negative states from the soldiers and cast various blessings!
And the soldiers who had been dispirited soon became vigorous and energized once more.
’These must be the Healers recorded in the texts, right?’ Li Zhirui pondered silently.
Upright and honorable energy has a strong restraining effect on evil spirits but does not do much harm to cultivators, which is why they serve as support.
If they were facing a group of Demon Cultivators, perhaps these Healers would become the main force.
The battle never ceased; the thick scent of blood was so strong that it could be sensed for miles around.
But despite the fact that the cultivators should have easily overwhelmed their opponents, they were now at a disadvantage, and a large number of bodies on the battlefield were cultivators, not the mortals who used to seem like ants in their eyes.
This scene caused many cultivators to feel bewildered; could it be that the times were changing?
Li Zhirui, the sole cultivator who knew the inside story, coldly observed everything. The dead cultivators had no relations to him, and he would not entangle himself in their karmic repercussions.
Unless there was a significant benefit.
It was only because Li Zhirui’s own strength was too weak. Had he possessed the power of the Tribulation Transcending Realm, he would have directly stepped forward to make deals with the major powers, without any concern for karma!
Several hours later, the sun set, and the red sunset along with the blood-soaked earth unexpectedly harmonized, silently recounting the ferocity of the great battle.
"We lost!"
This battle defeated the spirits of many cultivators who couldn’t accept this reality.
If the previous few skirmishes with the Daqian Empire were lost, it could be said that they had sent too few cultivators, with insufficient strength.
But this battle could not be concealed by such excuses.
