Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation

Following Xiaoqiao’s guidance, Li Ji’an used the dozen Second Tier Breaking Ban Talismans originally intended for Red Stone Wanderer, choosing a spot where they could most affect the main array, and then retreated with Xiaoqiao.

As they detonated from a distance, a crack was torn open in the outermost array of the Liu Family, causing Spiritual Qi to leak out.

For ordinary arrays, once a crack is torn open, unless someone emerges to withstand external attacks and make emergency repairs, the array’s collapse is imminent.

However, the Liu Family’s Ring Array isn’t so simple. Once one array is broken, the other arrays can quickly fill the gap, giving the Liu Family time to repair.

For now, this is all Li Ji’an could manage.

Even if he used all his Breaking Ban Talismans, it would only create a few more such cracks at most, without the possibility of breaking the array, and instead easily divert the Falu Alliance’s focus.

Unless Gugu could remove the array base from within, destroying the array hub.

But if that happens, Gugu would undoubtedly be exposed.

The reason Gugu has avoided the thorough searches of the Liu Family over the years, aside from an extraordinary gift for concealment that even Early-stage True Core cultivators struggle to detect, is due to its discipline in not using Demon Power.

However, once Demon Power is used, the Killing Array capable of slaying True Core cultivators in the Liu Family would pose an inevitable death for Gugu.

Now, they could only rely on Qin Henian’s group to be effective.

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”To report to the Patriarch, the northwest corner of the main array has been breached. The crack spans three zhang, with the aura of a Second Tier Breaking Ban Talisman remaining, precisely at a weak point in the array, suggesting the work of at least a Late Period Second Tier Array Master!”

”Report! The bandits have gathered at the northwest corner, but are wary of an ambush and are still testing.”

”The Repeating Array has been activated to thirty percent, and there is currently no further risk of damage to the main array. Array Masters within the clan have begun repairs. Should more be activated?”

...

In an instant, the Liu Clan became busy.

Fortunately, they were prepared. All arrangements proceeded in an orderly manner; though urgent, it was not chaotic.

”Activate the Repeating Array to sixty percent, command half the clan’s Array Masters to proceed to the northwest corner, and the rest to maintain their duties without leaving at will. Focus on defending against Breaking Ban Talismans.”

”Double the Spirit Stone reserves at each array hub. From this day forth, the clan prohibits cultivation that consumes Spiritual Qi; all resources are to support the array base.”

”Prioritize finding the person who breached the array!”

...

Liu Changgeng appeared calm and composed in front of his clansmen, issuing orders without hurry or impatience.

Only after they had departed did his expression turn grave.

”Late Period Second Tier Array Master! Second Tier Breaking Ban Talismans!”

”In all of Cangyun State, who but Master Hu of the Biyun Sect could be a Late Period Second Tier Array Master?”

”Second Tier Breaking Ban Talismans are restricted in Cangyun State; who could produce so many at once?”

”Could it be the traitor who fled years ago? Liu Xiangshan?”

”Possessing such array skills and wealth, could it be a helper Qin Henian brought from the Outer States?”

...

Two months of minor skirmishes by the Falu Alliance had led the Liu Clan to become somewhat indifferent, but this sudden strike had made them tense again.

Besides this unknown High Tier Array Master, they were even more anxious about the subsequent impacts of the breach in the main array.

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”The Liu Clan’s Grand Array is about to break. On the day of the breach, the Falu Alliance will have first claim to the spoils. Non-alliance members are not allowed to enter!”

”If you don’t join the alliance now, when will you?”

”Alliance Leader Qin’s aspirations will rise to the skies, and rewards will be distributed based on merit!”

”Fellow cultivators, to eradicate the Demon Dao, it is our duty as cultivators to rally without hesitation.”

”Alliance Leader Qin has decreed to accommodate those who find it inconvenient to reveal their identities. Thus, those joining the Falu Alliance need not show their true faces...”

Qin Henian stood in midair, observing the clan protection array torn open below and watching the ”subordinates” recruiting cultivators in his name, his expression growing more and more suspicious.

”A High Tier Array Master? Large quantities of Second Tier Breaking Ban Talismans, bearing a grudge against the Liu Family yet unwilling to reveal themselves... Could it be my older brother’s descendant?”

Suddenly, a gleam flashed in his eyes.

After years of investigation, he’d uncovered fragments of information from the internal strife within the Liu Family, learning that Liu Jingchun’s only son, Liu Yuanhua, had fled.

With a hundred years gone by, it’s likely he’s returned to exact revenge.

”That little brat, causing trouble for his uncles and aunts before even meeting them!” Piecing everything together, Qin Henian suddenly found himself invigorated.

The dissatisfaction he’d felt over being used as a pawn in recent times began to alleviate significantly.

If it truly was Liu Yuanhua, he wouldn’t mind being used as a pawn.

”Charge with me!” In a moment, Qin Henian’s momentum swelled, shaking off all distracting thoughts as he led the charge.

...

Half a month later,

Li Ji’an stood at the back of the crowd, watching more and more cultivators join the Falu Alliance, while observing through Gugu the terror within the Liu Family, and a smile curled his lips.

”Yan Xiao?” Suddenly, a Foundation Establishment cultivator with a disguised appearance rushed toward the front lines, and Li Ji’an’s Divine Sense pierced through the disguise.

It was indeed the third Foundation Establishment Ancestor of the Yan Family from the Desert.

This didn’t surprise him, as he had already seen three Desert Foundation Establishment cultivators so far; the first to arrive was Zheng Mosheng of the Zheng Family, who had been observing early on until the day the Liu Family’s array broke.

No reaction from the Biyun Sect had been seen so far, and once more cultivators joined the Falu Alliance, he joined without hesitation.

Apart from that, Li Ji’an also noticed Liu Jiuqian in disguise.

Of course, what slightly surprised him most was the elder from the Liu Family’s branch, who had also secretly joined the Falu Alliance a few days ago to contribute to breaking the Liu Family’s main lineage.

”Boom~”

”Crack!”

As more and more cultivators joined, the commotion at the Liu Family’s clan protection array grew louder and more frequent.

The number of cultivators joining the Falu Alliance now far exceeded the Liu Family’s expectations, and besides the escalating cost of maintaining the grand array, all the Ring Arrays had been fully activated.