Chapter 247 - 253: Cleaning

Words : 1353 Updated : Oct 11th, 2025

"What should we do now?! Once discovered, those cultivators will definitely not let us go!" In some hidden corner, a few cultivators with looks of horror and unease huddled together like rats in a sewer, not daring to make the slightest noise. "Relax, our hiding place is so secretive, they surely cannot find it!" "If only we had left the marketplace earlier that day, we wouldn't have run into that group of demon cultivators, which forced us to practice forbidden spells!" Although most loose cultivators aspire to break through to higher realms, they know their limits, and would not choose to practice forbidden spells unless they were truly desperate. After all, in this world, cultivators still hold the absolute sway, while demon cultivators are generally despised and hunted in most regions. "Enough, it's too late for such talk now, let's focus on how to survive in their hands." The one with the highest cultivation among them chided in a low voice, "I have already investigated the identities of these cultivators; they are not disciples of Shen Leishan but from a Golden Core family thousands of miles away. They won't stay long. We just need to hold out until they leave." What people fear most is the utter despair of having no hope at all, and these words inadvertently brought them a glimmer of hope. Even if it was faint, it gave them the strength to persevere. In fact, after the great battle between the two sects ended, a group of demon cultivators who practiced forbidden spells left the various marketplaces and Immortal Cities. Yet some who didn't manage to leave in time or who took their chances ended up encountering Li Zhirui and his group. Meanwhile, standing aboard the Spirit Boat, Li Zhirui looked down at the marketplace below, his powerful divine sense sweeping through, only to find a few places with traces of demonic qi. "This is too few," Li Zhirui murmured to himself. Li Zhizhun, who was beside him, did not understand and asked, "What's too few?" "The demon cultivators in the marketplace are too few! My divine sense only detected a mere dozen or so." Li Zhirui couldn't help but lament, "No wonder the demon cultivators are never completely stamped out. With methods to hide their demonic qi, how could their lineage be easily eradicated?" Of course, this was just a rough sweep. If he were to use divine sense to probe each individual, it would certainly not escape Li Zhirui's notice. But such an approach would not only take a tremendous amount of time but also require the sealing of the marketplace to prevent any demon cultivators from escaping, which was clearly improbable. And besides this marketplace, there was an even more populous Immortal City waiting for him to deal with. "So what should we do now?" Li Zhizhun immediately grasped the trouble they faced and his expression turned to one of worry. Li Zhirui was also distressed. These people practiced methods specially developed by demon cultivators, and it wasn't just that they appeared unremarkable on the surface— even if they were to act, they could still conceal their demonic qi. Unless they were willing to expose themselves voluntarily or allowed divine sense to penetrate deeply into their dantian to search for the presence of demonic qi. After thinking for a while, Li Zhirui finally said, "Those who are deliberately hiding are likely problematic. Let's capture them first, conduct a thorough investigation, and then ask if they know of other demon cultivators." "If any do know, as long as the information is confirmed afterward, they might be spared this once." "Zhirui, is this condition perhaps..." Li Zhizhun had not finished speaking when he was interrupted by Li Zhirui, who smiled and said, "I only said I would spare them once, I never said I would let them off." "So that's it!" Li Zhizhun suddenly understood and immediately led the clan members to capture those cultivators who were hiding. "You all move suspiciously, I suspect you are demon cultivators, but I am not a person naturally inclined to cruelty. As long as it is confirmed you are not, you will be released. However, should anyone dare to make a move, they will be considered demon cultivators and killed without mercy!" Li Zhirui's indifferent voice enveloped the marketplace above, causing the demon cultivators to tremble with fear. Some even collapsed on the ground as if frightened out of their wits, but others flashed a fierce determination, ready to fight to the death. However, these cultivators, after all, came from the lower echelons and did not understand the might of a Golden Core cultivator. The moment they were about to make a move, they were discovered by Li Zhirui's divine sense. Were it not for wanting other cultivators to see that he was not a bloodthirsty person, Li Zhirui could have used a spell to kill them before they even made a move. There was also the matter of 'emerging with a justified cause.' The Li family wished to maintain a good reputation among loose cultivators, and some actions must occupy the moral high ground. So, it was only when their spells had just emerged that a beam of spirit light descended from the heavens, shattering the spells at their fingertips and, incidentally, reaping their lives. "Humph! Ignorant of your own impending doom!" With a burst of anger from Li Zhirui, a majestic presence poured out instantly. The entire marketplace seemed to fall into night, the chilling intent and murderous aura causing all cultivators to become restless and aware of the true strength of a Golden Core True Lord. At the same time, Li Zhirui sent a message to all clan members in the marketplace capturing cultivators, "Big brother, be careful. There are surely many demon cultivators still hidden among them. They might suddenly strike, threatening me with the lives of our clan members." Moreover, this also served as a trial for the clan members, for they were undoubtedly destined to deal with demon cultivators in the future, especially with Shen Leishan producing a Nascent Soul True Lord while Yin Wind Cave had not. According to Li Zhirui's own speculation, once Cloud Thunder True Lord secured his realm and Shen Leishan dealt with the hidden dangers in Myriad Thunder State, a summons would be issued to all vassals for an attack on Yin Wind Cave! After all, Yin Wind Cave had inflicted such considerable losses on Shen Leishan this time; if no retaliation was made, how could Shen Leishan gain a foothold in the region? And what would the many subordinate forces think? Therefore, allowing the clan members to personally experience the methods of demon cultivators was essential so they would be prepared should a major battle erupt in the future. The course of events unfolded just as Li Zhirui had predicted, with one demon cultivator killed by him failing to completely deter the others; they still harbored thoughts of gambling and luck. When the Li family cultivators appeared before them, they brazenly made their move, attempting to capture family members to use as a last-ditch opportunity for survival. Fortunately, they had been forewarned by Li Zhirui. Although a few were slow to respond and were injured, luckily, there were no fatalities. Upon seeing this, Li Zhirui suppressed the urge to act himself and let the clan members deal with these demon cultivators, just lifting the other captured cultivators before him to examine them one by one. Among these people, nearly seventy percent had practiced forbidden methods, while the remaining thirty percent had hid due to cowardice. After rooting out these demon cultivators, Li Zhirui promised everyone that as long as they exposed other demon cultivators, he would spare them this once. They were not fools; they knew the reliability of this promise wasn't high, but in their predicament, it was their only chance to live. Consequently, many demon cultivators chose to betray their fellows, in hopes of clinging to that slim chance of survival.

Chapter 247 - 253: Cleaning

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