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Chapter 704: Chapter 710: Giving Up
"Have you heard? The Qing Xuan Sect has been annihilated!"
"What?!"
"How is that possible? That was a sect that existed for over a thousand years, which once produced an Elder of Divine Transformation. How could it be silently destroyed?"
"It’s true. Qingxuan Mountain has been taken over by a group of Loose Cultivators, and the former disciples of Qing Xuan have become Loose Cultivators as well. Those vassal forces are also getting restless."
The destruction of the Qing Xuan Sect caused a huge reaction in the nearby areas. Everyone was initially shocked and in disbelief, followed by a profound fear.
Being able to annihilate the Qing Xuan Sect without a sound showed how formidable the enemy was. If they turned against us, would there be any chance for survival?
"Do you know what happened?"
"It is said that the Qing Xuan Sect had many cultivators who fell into the Demonic Tao, which attracted the attention of the Xuanfa Pavilion. They then slaughtered all the demon cultivators, and the massive sect just collapsed."
"But there have always been cultivators who fell into the Demonic Tao, why didn’t we see the Xuanfa Pavilion take action then?"
How could these lower-level cultivators know that demon cultivators could serve as sacrifices, resolving fate and Karmic Force? Not taking action against those lower-level cultivators, one reason is that the effects are not very good for weathering the calamity and not worth making a big fuss; the second is to deliberately let them grow.
"Alas! What a pity, such a great sect has fallen to ruins overnight."
Some felt regret, while others saw it as an opportunity, gathering a group of cultivators with the same thought and rushing to Qingxuan Mountain to see if they could obtain some Spiritual Objects.
Meanwhile, the Li family of Wanxian Island was also discussing this matter.
"Elder, it is said that the Scripture Pavilion of Qing Xuan Sect has not been destroyed yet; our family plans to send some members to collect various Methods."
Li Wenli had discussed this with the Elders, and everyone agreed. The reason he came to report to Li Zhirui was twofold: one was to hear his opinion, and the other to seek his support—for example, asking Xiaoqing to accompany them.
After all, among the vassals of the Qing Xuan Sect, there were several Nascent Soul powerhouses. If they missed this chance and did not have an equally powerful presence to lead, the Li family could hardly expect to obtain good Methods.
As for not expecting Li Zhirui to lead the team, it was because when he returned two days ago and handed over the Wuye Yunqi, Spirit Infant Fruit Tree, Dragon Blood Peach, and Transmission Talisman Array to the family, he made it clear that he had a very important task to do. In such circumstances, who would dare to disturb him?
"Go ask Da Qing, Xiaoqing, and Feng Peng to see who is willing to go. If none are willing, then ask Xiaoqing to make the trip. I will speak to him," Li Zhirui said with an impatient face. "In the future, discuss these matters with the Elders, and if you encounter something unsolvable, seek Da Qing and the others. Unless it’s a critical moment, don’t come to me!"
"Yes!"
Li Wenli quickly bowed his head in response, stood up, and left immediately, full of curiosity about what the Elder was planning to do to the extent of completely ignoring family affairs.
Could it be that he has found an opportunity to break through the Divine Transformation? Otherwise, his current situation made no sense.
If that is indeed the case... A trace of longing appeared in Li Wenli’s eyes.
Li Zhirui then returned to the quiet room, sitting cross-legged on the mat, continuing to ponder the Pill Recipe he had in mind.
This was the most difficult Pill Recipe he had encountered since he started practicing the Alchemy Dao because he was only at the Nascent Soul Realm while attempting to create a Precious Pill for the Divinity Transformation Realm. He had no idea where to start.
After a year of pondering without result, Li Zhirui suddenly realized that this was not something he could create at the moment. While he might be considered talented, he was not a prodigy whose name would live on through the ages.
"Sigh, I wish my strength matched my ambitions, but I must put aside this Pill Recipe for now," Li Zhirui said, looking at the Jade Slip in his hand that had only the final effects inscribed and a mere dozen or so words, and he sighed deeply.
Perhaps only after his breakthrough to Divine Transformation would he be able to realize this pill recipe. For now, he had no choice but to give up and should not waste time on this matter.
When Li Zhirui decided to temporarily give up on perfecting the pill recipe, his mindset actually made some progress.
"Ha! It seems that I’ve made the right decision," he said. Yet, his expression could hardly hide the bitterness.
——
But let’s get back to the point!
Xiaoqing, already impatient with staying on Wanxian Island, was eager to agree when she heard she could go out. There might even be a chance to witness Nascent Soul cultivators fighting, so she readily agreed and even wanted to persuade Da Qing to join her.
"You’ve been in the family every day, not seeing the vast sky. You’re bound to have melancholy thoughts. Why not come with me for a trip to relax your mind?"
Even though Da Qing seemed much better than before, Xiaoqing was still worried.
"Don’t worry about me," Da Qing said with a smile, shaking his head. "Just go ahead. Jiu and Aunt Fengwu are in seclusion and can’t come out, and the family needs me here to hold the fort."
"Isn’t Feng still here?"
Seeing his resolute face, Xiaoqing knew she could not convince him and had no choice but to leave, resigned.
"Because of me, I’ve caused everyone to worry for many years, which really shouldn’t be," Da Qing said to himself with a bitter smile.
Especially since Li Zhirui’s cultivation and his large impact were related. If Li Zhirui couldn’t breakthrough because of him, it would be an unforgivable fault of his own.
Over the years, as the young tortoises grew up healthy, the trauma that Mu Ling’er had caused him gradually healed.
Moreover, he was not heartless—how could he not see the things Li Zhirui and Xiaoqing had done for him over these years?
Da Qing, having gone through hardships, now carried a composure and calmness that resembled a deep and bottomless quiet pool, rather than merely a large lake as before.
——
Unable to persuade Da Qing, Xiaoqing had no choice but to pull Feng Peng along and lead a group of Li family members to Qingxuan Mountain.
By the time they arrived, a large battle had already taken place, and no one could gain the upper hand. The stalemate ensued once more.
The presence of the Li family attracted everyone’s attention as soon as they arrived.
"Why must everyone fight and kill for a few jade slips when the methods in the Scripture Pavilion could be copied?" said Xiaoqing with a smile.
"Your words sound nice, but if we do as you say, then the value of these cherished methods will be lost," someone sneered in response.
They could naturally tell that Xiaoqing was a Spirit Beast, and the Spirit Boat had the Li family’s emblem, so they addressed him with respect as "sir" instead of "fellow Daoist," and certainly not as a demon.
"Indeed, but as nobody can overcome anyone else, if we continue to be entangled like this, more and more cultivators will come. Eventually, a large-scale battle might break out," Xiaoqing said calmly.
"When a big battle erupts, surely some cultivators will fall. Do you really wish to risk your lives for a few easily-obtained jade slips?" Xiaoqing continued.
At these words, people looked at each other, at a loss.
A hint of surprise flashed in Feng Peng’s eyes nearby. She had never seen Xiaoqing like this before. It was completely unlike the image she had of her.
