Rebuilding the Immortal Cultivator Clan

Chapter 181 - 187: Invitation

”Is someone undergoing the Tribulation Transcendence over at Da Rong Island?”

”Tribulation Transcendence? Could it be that the Li family is about to see the emergence of a second Golden Core cultivator?”

”What sort of fortune does the Li family possess? In just a mere decade or two, two Golden Cores have emerged in quick succession, whereas it took the Yuanming Sect several decades to have their second Golden Core master!”

Just as everyone in the Li family was filled with concern for Li Shilian, a Spirit Boat passing by the sea happened to witness this scene, and a series of astonished shouts resounded.

However, they did not realize that encountering this Golden Core Tribulation was not a stroke of good fortune for them!

”Uncle, not far offshore there is a Spirit Boat with many cultivators on it,” Li Shiren said with a cold voice.

His Spirit Beast, the Jade Beak Eagle, had been patrolling nearby when it spotted this group of cultivators and immediately reported back to Li Shiren.

”Then I shall pay them a visit.” Li Shiqing nodded, his figure moved, and he transformed into Spirit Light, disappearing from sight.

The main reason for tension between the Li family and the Yuanming Sect began when the Sect refused to sell Foundation Establishment Pills to the Li family.

If they were to learn of Li Shilianʼs Tribulation Transcendence, thereʼs no telling what they might do, so it was best to keep the fact that Li Shilian had achieved a Golden Core breakthrough a secret, especially before he had firmly consolidated his realm.

One could easily imagine the fate that awaited those Loose Cultivators.

To Li Shiqing, these Qi Cultivation Loose Cultivators were nothing more than ants. In their horrified and disbelieving gazes, they were effortlessly slain by him, ensuring that not a single one escaped.

When Li Shiqing returned to Da Rong Island, only half an hour had passed. Li Shilian was still struggling against the third Tribulation Thunder, gritting his teeth to bear the thunderous power that was both destructive and creative, while trying to fuse his essence, energy, and spirit to form an undying true intention.

Li Shilianʼs face twisted in pain, but he dared not cry out, for fear that a single exhalation could lead to the failure of his tribulation.

Itʼs uncertain how much time had passed when suddenly, a powerful suction force erupted from within Li Shilianʼs Dantian. The tribulation clouds transformed into pure Spiritual Energy, pouring into his round and lustrous Golden Core.

”Heʼs succeeded!” Li Shiren and others were overjoyed. From now on, the Li family would have a second Golden Core cultivator, and they would no longer need to fear the Yuanming Sect!

Standing nearby, Li Shiqing also breathed a deep sigh of relief; it was good that the breakthrough was successful.

”Brother, Shiren, I need to go consolidate my realm. Weʼll talk in detail after I leave the Spirit Cave,” Li Shilianʼs voice carried through, and then he flashed into the Spirit Cave.

Li Shiqing said with a solemn expression, ”The matter of Shilianʼs Golden Core breakthrough must not be revealed by anyone, or they will face the punishment of our clanʼs rules!”

”Yes!” Everyone stiffened at his words, their smiles fading slightly, especially those who had been eager to boast—the thought quickly dissipated from their minds.

To everyoneʼs surprise, however, half a month later, the Yuanming Sect sent a Foundation Establishment cultivator to Da Rong Island.

”Bring him in, but do not let him come into contact with too many of our clan members,” Li Zhizhun said after pondering for a moment.

Shortly thereafter, a middle-aged man walked in and greeted with a bow, ”Liu Changli of the Yuanming Sect pays his respects to you, fellow daoist.”

Li Zhizhun stood up to return the greeting and asked, ”Fellow daoist, to what do we owe the honor of your sudden visit?”

”To think you, so young, have developed the Li family so well. Truly an accomplished youth!” Liu Changli did not answer his question, instead speaking with a face full of emotion.

A flash of dark light darted across Li Zhizhunʼs eyes. Could it be that the Yuanming Sect knew of Li Shileʼs Golden Core breakthrough and sent him here to gather information?

Thatʼs not right, for this matter, the Li family has done an extremely good job of keeping it a secret; itʼs virtually impossible that it could have been leaked.

After some casual conversation, Liu Changli finally stated his reason for visiting today, ”Not long ago, Master Jiang broke through to the Middle Golden Core Stage and had some insights. He wants to organize a banquet to discuss the Way with various seniors and to discuss an important matter as well.”

”I am here to invite the Li family to attend the banquet at Yuanming Mountain.”

”Middle Golden Core Stage?” Li Zhizhun exclaimed, somewhat losing his composure. He had originally thought that after Li Shilianʼs breakthrough, the Li familyʼs strength would barely match that of the Yuanming Sect, but now it seemed that the other party still held an advantage over the Li family.

And wasnʼt there a rumor that Jiang Tianming had sustained grave injuries and didnʼt have long to live? How had he now broken through to the Middle Golden Core Stage?

What he didnʼt know was that Jiang Tianming had indeed been injured, and the wound was quite serious.

But misfortune may be an actual blessing, possibly it was a case of things reaching an extreme and then reversing, perhaps Jiang Tianming had accumulated many years of experience and was on the verge of a breakthrough. After breaking and then re-establishing, he actually made the breakthrough!

However, because of the severe injury and the fact he had been dealing with wounds from the conflict with the Green Sword Sect, he had been out of sight for years.

Zhizhun was not privy to these behind-the-scenes details, but he knew that this banquet could very likely be a trap.

”Indeed,” Liu Changli said with a smile, as if he had just remembered something, ”Master Jiang also mentioned that this matter is of great importance and asked that the Li family not miss it.”

Zhizhunʼs expression turned ugly because the other partyʼs words were blatantly forcing the Li familyʼs hand, or else they would make the Li family suffer!

”I understand. I will inform Uncle about this,” Zhizhun said, his face cold as he asked, ”If Daoist has no other business, perhaps you would like to rest on the island for a while?”

”No need, I have to return to the sect to report this matter,” Liu Changli shook his head, a flash of disdain in his eyes, and then turned to leave.

”What exactly does the Yuanming Sect want to do? Have they only invited our Golden Core power, or are there other Golden Core powers as well?” Without a single clue, even if Zhizhun racked his brain, he couldnʼt come up with an answer.

Zhizhun gathered the Foundation Establishment cultivators and Li Shiqing on the island and shared the conversation heʼd just had with everyone.

”What do you think the Yuanming Sect wants to do?”

Li Shirenʼs expression was ugly as he said, ”Itʼs very likely they want to use this opportunity to annihilate us and then swallow up Da Rong Island.”

One must realize that Da Rong Island has undergone massive changes compared to its original state.

As for size, thanks to Li Shiqingʼs years of transporting islands, it has now extended nearly a hundred miles to the east.

Regarding spiritual energy, aside from the two third-grade Spirit Veins, there are also two second-grade Spirit Veins in the midst of advancing and several first-grade Spirit Veins in the east that are in the process of formation.

Once these Spirit Veins are formed, the spiritual energy of Da Rong Island will be even richer than that of Yuanming Mountain!

Although the Li family has a sparse population, it also has its advantages, such as being able to save a lot of Spirit Stones, which can be used for other infrastructure.

Faced with such a Spirit Island, it would be impossible for the Yuanming Sect not to be tempted.

”Second Uncle, are you planning to attend?” Li Shiting asked, frowning.

After giving it some thought, Li Shiqing shook his head and rejected the idea, saying gravely, ”Go to Yunping State and bring back the clan members. Before Shilian comes out of seclusion, no family members should leave Da Rong Island.”

With the third-grade Defensive Formation in place, it was nearly impossible for the Yuanming Sect to breach Da Rong Island unless they were willing to sacrifice a large number of disciplesʼ lives!