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Chapter 654: Chapter 660: Set Off
Li Zhirui hoped their strength would be strong enough because only then could they ensure their own safety in the Secret Realm of Wanxian, even to protect others.
"In the coming year, I will keep training with you and correcting any issues in a timely manner."
When it came to training, Li Zhirui definitely did not hold back because of their identities; after each session, the siblings were covered in wounds, looking thoroughly miserable.
In the beginning, Jiang Fengwu would come to watch, but after seeing how pitiful the siblings were, she stopped coming.
She knew it was for their own good, so she couldn’t bring herself to say words of discouragement, but her heart ached for them, so she chose to stay away to ease her mind.
However, although the siblings seemed to be in a dire state, they were actually only suffering from superficial injuries, which, when treated with spirit pills, would heal in a day or two.
Moreover, Li Chengsheng and Li Chengshuo were not dull-witted. They absorbed lessons and experience from each battle, enhancing themselves.
As time went on, the siblings were able to last longer and longer under Li Zhirui’s onslaught.
By the time Li Xianxun broke through to the Middle Golden Core Stage and joined in, they were already able to hold out for half an hour!
"Xianxun, the Taiyi Scudding Wind Path Scripture you cultivate primarily focuses on adaptability, swiftness, and unpredictability. Don’t solely pursue sharpness and attack," Li Zhirui advised.
To better understand Li Xianxun’s situation, Li Zhirui extended their first sparring session a bit longer.
After all, he had not cultivated the Scudding Wind Path Scripture himself, unlike the Wanling Sutra, and therefore could not as quickly identify issues.
"Thank you for the guidance, Ancestor!" Li Xianxun nodded thoughtfully, a spark of inspiration flashing in his mind; he might have indeed misunderstood before.
Li Zhirui was naturally very satisfied with the three, Li Chengsheng included. Not only did they possess excellent temperaments and intuition, but they also understood his teachings and quickly implemented corrections.
After one year of arduous training, all three had significantly improved their strength. Coupled with various spiritual objects prepared by their family, they now had a means of self-preservation even in the formidable Secret Realm of Wanxian.
And at this time, there were still more than three years before the opening of the Secret Realm.
However, due to the great distance of Wanxian Island from the Secret Realm, to avoid any unforeseen circumstances and ensure that the three wouldn’t miss out, Li Zhirui decided to set out in advance.
"How about I take them to the Central Region instead?" Jiang Fengwu suggested.
She made this suggestion because she didn’t want to delay Li Zhirui’s cultivation; after all, the round trip would take two to three years on the road alone. Add to that their early departure and the time spent in the Secret Realm, it might be five years before they saw each other again.
During this period, cultivating would often be inconvenient, which would once again delay Li Zhirui’s breakthrough to the later stages of Nascent Soul.
"It’s okay, it’s just a delay of a few years," Li Zhirui said, shaking his head to refuse Jiang Fengwu’s proposal.
One reason was that her strength was relatively poor, and if they encountered danger, she certainly wouldn’t have the confidence to deal with it as he would; the other was because her Contracted Spirit Beast, Feng Peng, was attempting to break through to the fourth rank. How could she not be at its side during such a critical moment?
Another reason was that the Island Defense Array on Wanxian Island could only unleash its greatest power with Jiang Fengwu present. If she were absent, the efficacy of the array masters, even with an Array Plate, would be greatly reduced.
"By the way, Da Qing won’t be accompanying me on this trip. If there’s anything you need, you can go to him," Li Zhirui reminded her.
Da Qing naturally preferred calm to activity, and with his mate Mu Ling’er pregnant, he was even less likely to leave Wanxian Island.
Speaking of which, this would be her and Da Qing’s second litter. Their first, the spirit turtles, were born when she first arrived on Wanxian Island and most of them had already signed contracts with the clan members.
Over the many years since then, in order to avoid depleting her mana and damaging her foundation, she hadn’t considered giving birth, even when she conceived.
Moreover, at that time, Da Qing was only a third-rank spirit turtle with a lower bloodline, so the offspring would also be third-rank, and Mu Ling’er did not want her children to be limited to the third rank.
In order to break through to the fourth rank as soon as possible, she had given a strand of her Spiritual Soul to Li Zhirui, thereby binding her life and death to another’s will.
But in exchange, she received a wealth of resources to accelerate her own growth.
"I understand, don’t worry."
Her husband and children were about to set out on a dangerous journey. Should any mishap arise... 𝘯𝑜𝘷𝘱𝘶𝘣.𝘤𝘰𝑚
The consequences would be unimaginable!
How could Jiang Fengwu be at ease with this?
Li Zhirui saw the heavy worries in her heart and smiled. "Do you still not know my strength? Unless a Divine Transformation ancestor personally makes a move, no Nascent Soul cultivator can hold me back."
"I know, but this journey is not just for you alone; there are Sheng and the others too!"
Speaking bluntly, should they truly encounter danger, the three of them would be nothing but a burden, hardly able to lend a hand and likely to impede Li Zhirui instead.
"Isn’t Xiaoqing with us? Even I can’t catch up to his speed. If we really come across danger, he can take Sheng and the others and escape first, and we’ll regroup later," Li Zhirui reassured her.
If that still didn’t work, he could just knock them unconscious and stow them in his space, freeing himself from any encumbrance.
Of course, he couldn’t possibly voice this thought out loud.
"But..."
"Alright, we leave first thing tomorrow morning. Get some rest early tonight."
Having said that, he then pressed Jiang Fengwu down beneath him.
For a moment, the spring was rippling, and their passion was intertwined like clouds embracing the rain.
The next morning.
Li Zhirui stood with Li Chengsheng and the others on one side, facing Jiang Fengwu, Da Qing, Li Darong, and other senior family members.
"Da Rong, while I am away, if you encounter any problem you can’t solve, you can seek out Fengwu or Da Qing."
Li Zhirui spoke earnestly, "The family is in your hands now!"
"Elder, please rest assured, I will stand guard over our home until you return." Li Darong instantly felt a tremendous pressure descending upon him.
Although he had been Clan Leader for many years, throughout this period, Li Zhirui had been stationed on Wanxian Island, safeguarding his rear flank, and he could always seek help immediately for any difficulties.
This was the first time that Li Zhirui would be traveling abroad for several years.
He had nothing much to say to Jiang Fengwu and Da Qing, as everything that needed to be said had been discussed previously.
"Check one last time, have all the spiritual objects been brought along?" Li Zhirui turned around and asked.
"Ready," the three replied in unison.
"Then let’s set off."
Li Zhirui was the first to board the Spirit Boat, with the three hurrying after him.
"Go back! It won’t be many years before we return."
Before his voice had even faded, he activated the Spirit Boat. In an instant, like a rainbow streaking across the sky, it flew out for miles in the blink of an eye.
Soon, the Spirit Boat was out of sight.
"Let’s go. Jiu and the others have already flown far away," Da Qing said, seeing everyone still standing motionless, and took the initiative to speak up.
