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Chapter 1197: Chapter 1067: 200_2
𝑛𝘰𝑣𝘱𝑢𝑏.𝘤𝑜𝘮
For this matter, the family did not interfere excessively, only offering some persuasion. If they insisted on their choice, the family would respect it.
After all, facing Thunder Tribulation is not an easy feat. Over the years, countless members of the Li family have fallen under its might!
However, there was one condition: if the family faced the danger of life and death, they must join the battle.
But regardless, over the past two centuries, the strength of the Li family has seen immense growth.
And with these benefits naturally came drawbacks.
The most obvious being the wariness and targeting directed at the Li family by the Qingzhu Sect.
However, the Li family now has more than a dozen Integration cultivators. Coupled with the seventh-rank top-grade Mountain Protection Array, the Qingzhu Sect dared not attack outright.
As for those covert tactics, the Li family did not fear them but instead retaliated several times over.
Other than that, the Li family refrained from proactive provocations or expansionist moves and instead steadfastly guarded their existing territory.
Concerning this, the previous Sect Leader of the Qingzhu Sect once remarked: "Cautious and prudent, calm and self-restrained—this has become the ethos of the Li family, embedded in the bloodline of every one of their cultivators."
For if their positions were reversed, they would surely not remain as composed and conservative as the Li family. While not necessarily claiming vast swathes of territory, they would at the very least actively expand outward.
It should be noted that the Qingzhu Sect, the He Family, and the Huoyang Sect were originally powers of Wanzhu State. Within Wanzhu State, they too had enemies, and the relationships among the three were far from harmonious.
The Li family could have easily formed alliances and gained greater advantages for themselves. Yet, the Li family did nothing.
At the beginning, the three factions even worried that the Li family was scheming in secret, laying traps. Their anxiety lasted quite some time, only to find out in the end that nothing happened, causing all three to breathe a sigh of relief.
The reason behind the Li family’s restraint and determination to avoid unnecessary trouble was to ensure a peaceful and stable environment for Li Zhirui to attempt a breakthrough to the Mahayana realm!
Now, two centuries have passed, and Li Zhirui has finally reached the critical juncture.
But just then, Shen, who had been in seclusion for years, suddenly broke through to the seventh rank!
Up to this point, of the five Spirit Beasts Li Zhirui originally contracted, only Da Qing, who had accompanied him the longest, had yet to achieve a breakthrough.
In truth, compared to the other Spirit Beasts, Da Qing’s foundation was the weakest. After all, back when the Li family was merely a small Foundation Establishment clan, securing a third-grade Spirit Beast for Li Zhirui was already their limit.
However, Da Qing was not perturbed by this, maintaining a steady disposition and continuing his secluded cultivation.
He was like a boulder perched on a seaside cliff—steadfast and unyielding, no matter the ravages of wind and rain!
Mount Wanxian.
"Shuo, are you sure that Father said after two hundred years in seclusion, he would have a chance to break through to Mahayana?" Li Chengsheng asked anxiously once more.
"Such an important matter—how could I possibly have remembered it wrong?"
Li Chengshuo rolled her eyes at him and said, "The timing of a breakthrough during seclusion is always an estimate. Who can guarantee no deviation at all?"
"Let’s go. Judging by the situation, it seems Father may not be able to break through today." When the sun began to sink, Li Chengshuo was the first to stand up.
The family now had more than a dozen Integration cultivators, and the duty of overseeing Wanling Island no longer fell solely on her and her mother to alternate.
Furthermore, Li Zhirui had returned to Mount Wanxian years ago, where the Spiritual Energy was richer and the defenses stronger.
"Let’s go."
BOOM——
No one expected that just as the siblings took a few steps forward, a powerful surge erupted behind them, directly blasting them off their feet, completely unprepared.
"What is this..."
The siblings barely had time to assess their injuries before exchanging glances, seeing unrestrained shock and overwhelming joy in each other’s eyes.
The Integration cultivators stationed near the cave immediately rushed over upon sensing the unusual energy fluctuation.
Though no significant external phenomena were observed nearby, the heavy, tense atmosphere made them realize straight away that something extraordinary was happening.
"Quick!"
Jiang Fengwu was the first to react, immediately issuing orders: "Clear the surrounding area. Make sure no traces of any other cultivator’s presence remain. Alert all Clan Leaders and Elders and ensure they watch over those with ulterior motives within the clan—no information must be leaked."
Though the Qingzhu Sect and others did not attack them directly, spies and infiltrators were a recurring issue that could never be completely eradicated.
Of course, the Li family engaged in similar tactics themselves.
At this critical life event for Li Zhirui, every effort was made to conceal it for as long as possible, leaving no room for interference.
CLOMP, CLOMP, CLOMP——
Soon after, the Jade Bell, which had remained silent for many years, began to ring.
Many among the clan members were unaware of what was happening, astonished that the long-unused Jade Bell would suddenly chime.
When most of the clan had gathered, the Clan Leader solemnly announced that Li Zhirui was about to face the Thunder Tribulation of the Mahayana realm!
"What?!"
A stone cast into still waters caused waves of shock to ripple among the crowd. The disbelief, astonishment, and emotions varied from person to person.
"No wonder! So it turns out Ancestor Rui is about to break through, which explains the massive commotion."
The reason for such an extensive assembly was that when Li Zhirui faced his tribulation, a portion of the Mountain Protection Array would be opened to allow the Tribulation Thunder to descend.
Fearing any opportunistic intrusions, especially from the Qingzhu Sect and its associated factions, the Li family decided to rally all their members to safeguard Li Zhirui during this pivotal moment.
...
"The range of a Mahayana Thunder Tribulation is truly this vast?" Jiang Fengwu looked up at the sky, where a mass of tribulation clouds spanning several acres loomed, unavoidably fostering a sense of uneasiness in her heart.
From the moment they realized Li Zhirui’s tribulation was near until now, an hour had passed, yet the tribulation clouds continued to gather. The prolonged wait only highlighted the terror of a Mahayana Thunder Tribulation.
RUMBLE——
After another quarter of an hour, the first bolt of Tribulation Thunder finally struck.
Sitting at the center of the tribulation site, Li Zhirui held several top-grade Precious Pills in his mouth, prepared to consume them instantaneously should time become too tight to do so later.
Fixating seriously on the descending lightning, he rapidly executed hand seals, condensing streams of Spirit Light into alternating shields of Water and Wood.
The Tribulation Thunder smashed through layer after layer, yet it was ultimately drained of its power by the countless shields.
The second bolt of Tribulation Thunder gave Li Zhirui no time to breathe and struck down immediately.
Once more, the shields radiated Spirit Light, protecting him from the thunder’s impact, though they were completely consumed in the process.
The third bolt...
The fourth bolt...
The fifth bolt...
With each strike, the Tribulation Thunder grew increasingly powerful. The streaks of lightning tearing through the heavens were terrifying enough to send shivers down the spines of Jiang Fengwu and the others, even from miles away. What more of Li Zhirui, who had to withstand it directly?
"The Mahayana Thunder Tribulation is truly monstrous!" Li Chengshuo muttered, as she herself was in the late Integration stage, soon to approach perfection and beginning to consider her own path forward.
Unfortunately, due to the distance and their inability to probe with Divine Sense, they could not clearly perceive Li Zhirui’s condition. All they could see was that his body bore no visible, severe injuries.
Under the anxious gazes of onlookers, the sixth strike of Tribulation Thunder descended.
Li Zhirui’s expression was grave—the intensity of this strike surpassed the previous ones by several measures. Fortunately, he had a contingency plan prepared.
Channeling his Mana in torrents, a sphere of Thunder Light materialized in his palm, which he immediately hurled at the incoming bolt.
The explosion resounded with a deafening boom, the shockwaves so forceful that even Jiang Fengwu and the others could feel them from a distance.
Though the powerful attack did not completely shatter the tribulation bolt, the remaining force was insufficient to breach the defenses of his life-bound Magical Treasure, the Thousand Spirits.
"Just three strikes left!"
Assessing his Mana reserves, now less than thirty percent, Li Zhirui knew that even this was thanks to the rough refining of the top-grade Precious Pills in his mouth. Without them, his reserves would be even more depleted!
He swiftly retrieved a small Jade Bottle, uncapped it, and took a deep gulp.
Inside the Jade Bottle was the Ten Thousand Year Jade Marrow he had spent an exorbitant fortune to obtain—millions of Spirit Stones for just two small bottles. This miraculous elixir could replenish Mana almost instantly.
At this critical moment, Li Zhirui no longer cared about the value of such Spiritual Objects. He was determined to use every means necessary to survive the tribulation and ascend to become a Mahayana cultivator!
Even though his Mana was fully restored, he kept the top-grade pills in his mouth, prepared for anything.
All these actions were completed in the span of a single breath.
The moment the Precious Pills touched his tongue, the seventh bolt of Tribulation Thunder descended like a dragon tearing through the skies.
