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Chapter 1212: Chapter 1075: Counterattack
Buzz—
The familiar portal to the Secret Realm opened once again, and numerous cultivators entered in succession.
"Is this the stronghold Li family built in half a year?"
The scenery of the stronghold wasn’t anything spectacular, but the formations enveloping the entire mountain surprised many knowledgeable cultivators.
Apart from the initially arranged Defensive Array and the fixed Teleportation Array, there was also a Mountain Protection Array intended for offensive purposes.
Li Chengshuo was kept in the Secret Realm for this very reason; the Li family needed her, second only to Jiang Fengwu as an Array Master, to set up a powerful Mountain Protection Array to guard against the risk of desperate Devil Beasts attempting mutual demise.
"This is truly impressive!"
A Qingzhu Sect Integration cultivator looked at the faint purple Spirit Light, sensing the lethal power of this formation.
In truth, many forces were aware of the Li family’s lack of deep foundations up to this point; their growth had been too rapid, leaving little time to cultivate high-grade Spiritual Objects, techniques, and proficiencies.
Yet, there were exceptions.
For instance, Li Zhirui’s alchemy and Jiang Fengwu’s mastery of formations ensured, with their presence, that the Li family could barely keep pace with their development in these two disciplines.
Besides, the cornerstone of Li family’s foundation—Beast Taming—was another significant factor.
The Spirit Beasts they were breeding now all boasted bloodlines no lower than fifth grade!
Were it not for the low fertility of high-ranked Spirit Beasts, even though the Li family had opted for Dragon-blooded Spiritual Beasts renowned for their reproductive prowess, it was still impossible to produce a large number of Spirit Beast Eggs and cubs. Otherwise, they could have raised the bloodline grade even further.
As for other techniques, the Li family also boasted some outstanding clansmen leading the charge, such as Li Mingyao, a Seventh Rank rune master.
Nonetheless!
Due to limited stronghold space, which could not accommodate the nearly ten thousand cultivators, many, after shaking off the dizziness from teleportation, joined forces with their sect members, clansmen, or familiar cultivators to leave the area.
"This Secret Realm exploration might well be our last chance offered by the Li family. Therefore, we must gather as many Spiritual Objects as possible," said a serious-faced Integration cultivator emphatically.
"Rest assured, Senior Brother, we’ve made all necessary preparations," replied another confidently.
Similar conversations occurred in nearly every group.
But as they began their exploration, they were shocked to discover that not only had the Devil Beasts’ numbers dropped significantly, their strength had diminished as well.
"What’s going on? Could it be that the Li family cleared out some Devil Beasts by themselves over the past six months?"
"If the Li family were that powerful, why would we even be allowed into the Secret Realm?"
Another shook his head, carefully surveying the surroundings before speaking: "It’s likely that the Devil Beasts are killing each other."
Only then did the group recall those eighteen Tiger Devil corpses.
"However, this phenomenon may only be present nearby. Further away lies the territory of other Devil Beasts, so don’t let your guard down!"
Indeed, as they left the Tigers’ former domain, they quickly encountered new Devil Beasts.
Compared to their first journey into the Secret Realm, however, they were better prepared this time. As they engaged, they found the battles far easier.
These cultivators could sense the changes clearly, and for the Li family, who understood the Secret Realm better and had dozens of members remain here for six months, this knowledge was evident.
Unlike others, the Li family’s cultivators wasted no time hesitating; they soared straight into the distance and engaged in brutal battles against numerous Devil Beasts.
With such an ostentatious display of aggression, the Devil Beasts naturally received word swiftly.
Weaker factions of the Devil Race, naturally, were profoundly worried, fearing they might come under attack from the cultivators. But groups like the Eagle Clan and Python Flood Dragon Clan were instead brimming with excitement.
For they saw a chance to escape the Secret Realm!
In fact, when Zhou Family cultivators had initially explored the Secret Realm, many Devil Beasts sought to locate an exit portal.
Although the Zhou Family’s strength was inferior, their caution prevented the beasts from finding an opening. After all, the emergence site of the Secret Realm was near the Zhou clan’s territory; endangering their entire clan was unthinkable.
Last time, several Devil Beasts even captured a few cultivators alive, hoping to extract the portal’s location. But upon reaching their destination, they were horrified to witness over a dozen Tiger Devils being slain. Terrified, they turned tail and fled immediately.
Nonetheless, from that incident, the Devil Beasts discerned the portal’s location. The Eagle Clan and Python Flood Dragon Clan secretly forged alliances while engaging the cultivators, waiting for an opportune moment to dominate the portal’s vicinity when it reopens.
At that time, they would be free in the great heavens and vast seas!
Several Seventh Rank peak Devil Beasts believed that once they escaped the Secret Realm, freed from its restrictive Laws, their accumulated experience would allow them to quickly break through to the Eighth Rank.
...
Rumble—
Throughout the past month, explosions echoed frequently across the Secret Realm, burying the lives of countless Devil Beasts and cultivators in its corners.
By a grand lake, Li Chengshuo, Yue, and Howling Moon led a group of clansmen in a joint endeavor to slay a Seventh Rank Python Flood Dragon.
Bang!
A water column descended from the sky, forcing Yue to retreat from near the beast’s body.
"If you’re so eager to die, I’ll gladly oblige—none of you will leave here alive!" growled the Python Flood Dragon menacingly, its eyes fixed on the Li family cultivators while its snake tongue flicked furiously, clearly treating them as prey.
Li Chengshuo’s demeanor was calm. With a raise of her hand, a Taiyin Cold Light descended, freezing the waves stirred by the Python Flood Dragon, the chill continually spreading, seemingly aiming to resolve the beast entirely.
