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Chapter 946: Chapter 942: Rebellion
Although everyone kept their thoughts to themselves, they dared not say such things in front of the Zhang Family Cultivator.
They could only agree verbally, and some cultivators even loudly praised, saying that the Zhang Family was truly worthy of being an Integration Family, deeply comprehending the principles of the Heavenly Dao, causing Zhirui and others beside them to feel embarrassed.
The Lianxu Cultivator from the Zhang Family simply nodded with a smile, rightfully accepting everyone’s praises.
Fortunately, this shameless behavior did not last long, and they soon returned to the main topic, continuing to discuss how to deal with the Demon Cultivators and resolve the calamity in Wanzhu State.
It was then that Zhirui understood why the powerful Wanzhu State needed to seek help from the outside.
"You must all be curious, Wanzhu State has several Integration Families, why are they getting suppressed by Demon Cultivators and need to seek external help?"
The Zhang Family Cultivator explained, "It’s because they did not take our warnings seriously, unlike the Demon Cultivators who, upon learning about the situation in Shanyuan State from those who escaped, promptly took action using a potent yet highly contagious and limited Gu Poison, infecting nearly eighty percent of the cultivators!"
"As a result, the power of the cultivators greatly weakened. Although the Integration Great Powers were not affected, to protect their disciples and younger generations, they couldn’t act against the Demon Cultivators and could only defend their sect’s gates and lands, subsequently asking for help."
Zhirui was shocked, realizing how terrifying and harmful the Gu Poison must be to infect so many cultivators and to put such a strain on the Integration Great Powers.
It was also then that Zhirui understood that the Zhang Family wasn’t as despicable as he thought; their delayed action was due to the lingering effects of the Gu Poison, recklessly aiding would not only fail to save lives but also endanger their own.
As for why they didn’t require a specific number of lower-rank cultivators during the recruitment, Zhirui still couldn’t understand.
At the same time, he felt a growing worry.
While the Integration Great Powers were unaffected, Zhirui was only a Lianxu Cultivator and had brought along many Divine Transformation and Nascent Soul clan members. If they were poisoned, there would be no Integration Great Power to save them!
Zhirui was not the only one worried about this; someone immediately raised the question, "Is the Gu Poison still spreading in Wanzhu State at this time?"
"A month or two has passed, the Gu Poison has already lost its effectiveness."
"Do the Demon Cultivators not have a second batch of Gu Poison?" another Cultivator asked persistently.
The Zhang Family Lianxu snorted coldly and said, "Do you think this kind of Gu Poison is easy to concoct?"
If it weren’t for the Demon Cultivators bringing out the Seventh Rank Spirit-Decaying Worm Poison, the Zhang Family would have thought it was already lost, as it hasn’t been heard of in nearly a thousand or two thousand years.
"That is nothing but good news."
Although not everyone fully believed what he said, it at least provided some reassurance.
"If there are no other questions, then let’s gather everyone and enter Wanzhu State at noon tomorrow to swiftly eliminate the Demon Cultivators and relieve the local Cultivators from their plight."
He waited for a moment, and seeing no one else speaking, he reminded everyone again and then turned to leave.
The cultivators of various families gathered in small groups, discussing how to deal with tomorrow’s battle, helping each other, and so forth.
Zhirui recognized quite a few people, but since he wasn’t close to any of them, naturally he had nothing much to say and soon got up to leave the great hall.
Like him, there were a few other cultivators who kept to themselves.
"This Fellow Daoist, please wait a moment!" A middle-aged male cultivator suddenly called out to Zhirui.
He turned around, seeing the man was also in the Void Refinement Realm, and asked with polite but distant tone, "May I know what Fellow Daoist wants by stopping me?"
"My name is Tan Tao, and although it’s sudden, I have a matter to discuss and hope for your understanding."
"Zhirui!" After introducing himself, Zhirui directly said, "If Fellow Daoist has something to say, please speak frankly."
Tan Tao spoke, "I see Fellow Daoist also lacks close companions. In Wanzhu State, where Demon Cultivators abound, being alone is truly disadvantageous. Wouldn’t it be better if our two families joined forces to support and protect each other?"
"Unfortunately, I must disappoint you. I have brought many juniors with me to participate in the battle, hoping to use this experience against the Demon Cultivators to train them. It’s not convenient to join forces," Zhirui politely declined directly.
Teammates, even familiar ones, could betray each other when faced with sufficient danger and benefits, for the saying goes, ’better him than me,’ let alone temporary allies?
"Then I look forward to cooperating with you next time," Tan Tao didn’t insist, although he proposed a joint effort, Zhirui intentionally confused the concept.
His words had effectively given the answer.
"There will definitely be opportunities. I have other matters to attend to, so I must take my leave now," Zhirui bowed slightly and then strode away.
After returning to the Li Family Residence, the first thing he did was gather all the clan members and relayed the information he got from the Zhang Family Lianxu Cultivator, emphasizing that they would be going into battle the next day and everyone should prepare themselves.
"It’s finally starting!" A family member exclaimed.
They had initially signed up voluntarily, hoping to refine themselves through battle and thus advance their cultivation, but they hadn’t expected that the war would be delayed.
Seeing that the hundred clan members were all so eager, Zhirui didn’t want to say anything that might dampen their spirits, but instead continued to boost their morale.
After everyone left, only Li Chenghuo remained in the hall.
"You are the backbone of our family, even if all one hundred of us were to be sacrificed, it wouldn’t be as significant as your importance to the family, Uncle. So please prioritize your own safety!" Li Chenghuo said with utmost seriousness.
