Rebuilding the Immortal Cultivator Clan

Chapter 534 - 540: All Injured

Thunder tore through the sky, the immense energy seeming capable of shredding everything to pieces.

Li Zhirui calmly summoned clouds, and in no time, a downpour enveloped miles around, with mist thickening into shields of water and Profound Ice, blocking the attack.

”After your breakthrough, your strength doesnʼt seem to have increased all that much!”

Li Zhirui appeared relaxed and content, but in reality, he had nearly spent a tenth of his mana on this!

If it hadnʼt been for his role as an Alchemist, with ample Spirit Pills to replenish his mana, Li Zhirui wouldnʼt have had the confidence to do so.

But the effect seemed quite good, at least bluffing Qing Lei into believing that Li Zhiruiʼs strength was not much different from his own.

”Indeed! Brother Yun Lei is right; we canʼt let this continue unchecked!” Qing Leiʼs expression became more serious, and without any hesitation, he stimulated his inner mana, launching a full-powered attack at Li Zhirui.

Roar!

Thunderclaps carrying heavenly might, seeming to sweep away all in this world, even those low-level cultivators in the skies above were subjected to the terrifying pressure, roaring as they struck at Li Zhirui.

Li Zhiruiʼs expression remained unchanged, but his eyes grew serious. He could withstand this strike, but the cost would be too great. Not daring to show off any longer, he hastily executed an unperfected Water-Wood Evasion Skill, instantly moving several miles away from his original position.

”What kind of Escape Technique is this?” Qing Lei frowned.

The spell seemed somewhat similar to the Water Escape Skill, but it wasnʼt exactly the same, and it was more convenient to perform and faster.

”What goes around comes around! Be careful, friend!”

The pouring rain suddenly changed, a faint killing intent spread within the rain, the chill pervasive. Even though Qing Lei had put up defensive spells, he was still infiltrated by the chill, which clung to him like a malignant growth, merging into his blood and spiritual energy.

Qing Lei perceived the invasion of the cold at the very first moment and controlled his mana to expel it.

But he hadnʼt expected the chill to be far more difficult to contend with than he imagined, and it was increasing steadily. In just a moment, Qing Lei keenly sensed his movements becoming considerably slower than before.

At this rate, it wouldnʼt be long before heʼd become a living corpse!

At that point, life or death would be at the mercy of Li Zhirui!

”What the hell is this wicked spell?” Qing Lei, though proud of his broad knowledge, couldnʼt handle this spell.

Of course, Qing Lei could not recognize this technique, as it was something Li Zhirui had learned from the Inheritance Jade Slip of the Mingdao Sect, called Call of the Ghostly Cold!

Perhaps it shouldnʼt be called a spell, witchcraft was more fitting.

Witchcraft lost for countless years!

The Mingdao Sect used to be a top force dominating a region, but even so, only this witchcraft was passed down.

While spells require mana as support, witchcraft does not; mana serves only as a primer, the essence lies in the sacrificed Spiritual Objects.

To gain the powerful Ghostly Cold Energy, the Spiritual Objects that Li Zhirui had sacrificed previously were at least third-grade, and not few in number. If converted into Spirit Stones, they would amount to at least a million!

As time went by, Qing Leiʼs complexion gradually turned cyanotic and rigid, with even a bit of frost hanging from his eyebrows, and his reactions slowed considerably.

Qing Lei, clearly the stronger of the two, was now being suppressed by Li Zhirui, retreating in a sorry state.

ʼIf this continues, I might die at the hands of Li Zhirui!ʼ

Qing Leiʼs heart raced uncontrollably, acutely aware that his attack had failed, and he had lost miserably and thoroughly!

”Retreat!”

Although his pride did not allow him to retreat, and Qing Lei was well aware of the huge impact a retreat would have on his disciples, in the face of life-threatening danger, everything else was illusory.

The disciples of Shen Leishan below, upon hearing Qing Leiʼs words, were suddenly stunned in place, their faces filled with disbelief.

”Why retreat? Could it be that Uncle Qing Lei is no match for the Li familyʼs True Lord?!”

The Li family cultivators within the formation, seeing this scene, naturally wouldnʼt miss the great opportunity to weaken their enemyʼs strength and launched lethal attacks without hesitation.

In just a few breathsʼ time, over a hundred Shen Leishan disciples had died.

”Retreat!”

Qing Lei roared, using all his strength to repel the pressing Zhirui, no longer daring to delay and immediately turning into a flash of Spirit Light to escape.

Those lower-ranked cultivators might not have been able to see the Spirit Light, but the Golden Core Elders saw it all too clearly.

Their complexions changed drastically in an instant; they couldnʼt believe that Uncle Qing Lei was actually fleeing in such a disgraceful manner!

”Quick, leave!”

The Sect Leader reacted in time and shouted loudly, ”Everyone, retreat back onto the Spirit Boat!”

The once ferocious Shen Leishan army instantly lost morale, with all disciples frantically racing towards the Spirit Boat, terrified that if they were even a moment too slow, they would end up as corpses.

”Oh oh oh!”

”Weʼve won!”

The Li family cultivators below shouted excitedly and exuberantly.

Only a few people, like Li Shiqing and Li Zhixuan who knew the true situation, watched Zhirui, who stood in the sky, with worrisome expressions on their faces.

”Puh!”

Zhirui didnʼt pursue the victory, but instead, turned around and returned to Wanxian Island, immediately entering his cave abode and violently spitting out a mouthful of fresh blood, his face pale and frightening.

Clearly, he had not been injured in the previous battle, but now he looked half dead.

The reason lay in the fact that the sacrificial offerings required to cast witchcraft, besides Spiritual Objects, include the casterʼs own life force, and even their destiny!

And this is the fundamental reason why the powerful and unpredictable witchcraft had become lost—its cost was too great!

According to the Inheritance Jade Slip, ancient witches capable of catching the sun and grabbing the moon, or moving mountains and filling seas were common, yet they often failed to achieve immortality, and some even had lifespans shorter than that of ordinary mortals.

Zhirui lay on the cushion, and it took a good while before he felt a bit of strength return, forcing himself to take out a Spirit Pill for healing and silently waiting for the medicine to take effect.

”Xue Feng, we have only achieved a temporary victory. Organize the clan members now and have them recover their condition quickly. Whatever Talismans and Spirit Pills that are needed, fetch them from the storeroom. If there arenʼt enough, arrange for the clan members to make them!”

Li Shiqing said with a serious face, ”The war has not ended! This is just the beginning!”

Li Xuefeng, who had been showing a joyful expression, immediately vanished, nodding seriously in response, ”Youʼre right! I will make the arrangements, please rest assured.”

”Youʼve worked hard,” Li Shiqing said with a fatigued expression.

He, who already had not much lifespan left, was incredibly weary in both body and spirit after a fierce battle.

”Please rest well!” Li Xuefeng immediately spoke up to take his leave upon seeing this.

After he departed, Li Shiqing, struggling against his fatigue, looked towards Li Chengsheng and Li Chengshuo, the siblings, and asked, ”Zhirui is alright, isnʼt he?”

”Father went back and locked himself in his room, saying only that we shouldnʼt worry about him,” the siblings said, their faces full of concern.