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Chapter 827: Chapter 833: Quiet
But he had forgotten, at the time when those disciples reported the matter, his ambiguous attitude—even the suggestive words that tempted them to act secretly.
It was only because the Li family didn’t want to make a big fuss; otherwise, this Sect Leader might have been taken to Profound Ice State to work as a miner.
Meanwhile, such occurrences were taking place throughout Wanxian Province.
Some, like this Sect Leader, reluctantly paid the compensation in Spirit Stones, despite being unwilling, but there were forces that refused to do so, even wanting to attack the Li family cultivators who came to collect the stones.
Fortunately, when they undertook this task, Li Mingzi had warned them to be extremely careful, always ready to act at a moment’s notice.
After all, there are always some who take risks, and the Golden Core cultivators cultivated by the Li family cannot die under such circumstances.
For those forces unwilling to submit, the Li family abandoned their previously mild approach, sent a large number of cultivators to break through sect defenses, and forcefully collected the debt, taking away every cultivator of the entire force!
The already unstable Wanxian Province became even more panic-stricken and resentful with the Li family’s actions, prompting a large number of Loose Cultivators to flee elsewhere, and even some vassals considered relocation. n𝚘vp𝚞𝚋.com
But the Li family did not stop their collection efforts because of this!
Loose Cultivators come and go and would return in a few years for the sake of profit; after all, they can buy cheap Spiritual Objects in Wanxian Province, where there are several suitable Territories for Qi Cultivation, Foundation Establishment, Golden Core cultivation, and resource acquisition.
Moreover, the Li family has never been harsh or exploitative toward Loose Cultivators—just this point alone is something many places cannot manage.
In the eyes of many great forces, Loose Cultivators are like wild grass to be stepped on at will, not treated as people at all.
So, at most, the Li family will earn a little less from Loose Cultivators over the next few years; it will not have a significant effect.
As for those forces considering relocation or moving, that’s of even less concern.
Firstly, unclaimed Spirit Veins in the wilderness are rare, and even if there are any, they are mostly newly formed First-Order Spirit Veins that have not yet been discovered.
Without a Spirit Vein, there is no stable environment for disciples and clan members to cultivate. Do they expect to go to the Immortal City or Marketplace? It would cost who knows how many Spirit Stones just for one day.
Secondly, countless Loose Cultivators want to establish power, but simply cannot due to the lack of a Spirit Vein. As soon as they vacate those Veins, the Li family can establish a Vassal Force there at any time.
Alternatively, the Li family could take direct control and develop it, and now the Li family is not lacking cultivators.
In fact, those forces thinking of relocating were just talking without actually taking action.
While part of the clan was busy collecting Spirit Stones, another portion of clan members on Wanxian Island dutifully handed over the benefits they had pilfered from the family.
Considering that many clan members had already used up the resources, Li Mingzi, after some thought, decided to have them contribute to the clan’s development to make up for the shortage of resources.
And so, a month bustled by.
"Ancestor Rui, here is the list of clan members who have handed over resources, along with their estimated value," Li Mingzi offered, respectfully presenting several Jade Slips.
Li Zhirui reached out and took them, scanning through quickly with his Divine Sense, murmuring, "Thousands of clan members, tens of millions of Spirit Stones! They really have some nerve!"
"I think there are still some clan members who are hoping to get lucky. Have the Dark Department investigate thoroughly and bring out a few severe cases for a fair trial!" Li Zhirui said coldly, after suppressing the rage within him.
Li Mingzi’s eyes filled with bitterness, but she could not defy the order and could only agree.
When she had initially told Li Zhirui about Li Mingkui’s matter, she had not anticipated it to be so serious and to have such widespread implications!
After making an example of a few, another group of clan members handed over resources.
"Do you think Ancestor Rui is planning to completely break up our factions?"
In several places on Wanxian Island, the various factions of the Li family were discussing whether, after decisively and sharply dealing with one major faction, Li Zhirui would continue.
"It’s possible. Why else would Ancestor Rui say those ambiguous words?"
"Actually, I think the opposite. Ancestor Rui has no such plans, those words were just a warning to us, a reminder to be honest in the future."
That person spoke confidently, continuing, "Because Ancestor Rui knows that the issue of factions is unsolvable. If we were to be forcibly dismantled, we would inevitably regroup for various reasons."
"The principle of guiding rather than blocking is something Ancestor Rui surely understands."
These words calmed some cultivators, as most people tend to take a rosier view of things.
And so time passed swiftly amidst instability and silence; before they knew it, three years had gone by.
After sorting out family trifles, Li Zhirui went into seclusion, quietly refining Primal Qi in the Spirit Realm, elevating his Realm.
For a Nascent Soul Cultivator, three years is too short to make much progress.
Nevertheless, cultivation is a process of perseverance, like the constant dripping of water through stone; Li Zhirui accepted this well, and his Mental State did not fluctuate.
"According to my current pace of cultivation, I may breakthrough in a hundred years, but at the same time, I need to prepare for the Wind Fire Inner Tribulation," Li Zhirui muttered to himself.
The Wind Fire Inner Tribulation is a significant barrier in the process of Nascent Soul cultivation. Only by resolving them can one progress further.
Yet at the same time, they are an indispensable part of training. Without the tempering of the Wind Fire Inner Tribulation, the Spiritual Soul cannot become a Sun God!
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"I’ve finally returned."
After traversing mountains and rivers, enduring various hardships for several years, Jiang Fengwu at last returned to Wanxian Island from the central regions.
Now, her condition was several times better than when she was in the Capital of Ning Country. Her eyes shone brightly and her aura was faint, as if she might merge into heaven and earth at any moment.
This was Jiang Fengwu’s greatest achievement over the past three years; she had successfully completed the Divine Union with Heaven and Earth!
Next, all she needed to do was step by step—choose the Laws, influence the Laws, imprint her essence, and finally detach from the Sea of Laws.
After completing these steps, only the last one remained: Tribulation Transcendence!
"I wonder how Sheng and Shuo are doing." Jiang Fengwu thought of her children with concern, not so much for Li Zhirui.
Because with Li Zhirui’s status and strength, there was no need for her to worry.
When Jiang Fengwu stepped onto Wanxian Island, she was surprised to find that the number of clan members seemed to have decreased!
Over the years, the Li family’s cultivator growth had always been very high. After she had left for so many years, Wanxian Island should have had a considerable number of cultivators; why was there now a discrepancy?
"Could it be that a great war has broken out?"
