Chapter 253 - 259: Prologue

Words : 1326 Updated : Oct 11th, 2025

``` And, as expected, the news that Shen Leishan had joined forces with the Wood Spirit Sect, Xuanfa Pavilion, and other major powers to take action against Yin Wind Cave spread before long. "Shen Leishan is planning to make a move so soon?" Upon hearing this rumor, many Loose Cultivators felt surprised; they could guess that Shen Leishan would inevitably deal with Yin Wind Cave, but this was too quick. The Nascent Soul ceremony had just ended, and they had already begun preparations. Moreover, they had even joined forces with nearby powers like the Wood Spirit Sect. "With such a lineup, Yin Wind Cave will definitely not be able to hold off the attack!" "Yeah, but this is also good news for us. With the vast territory of Yin Wind Cave available, we'll be able to access more resources!" some Loose Cultivators said excitedly. "You're thinking too far ahead!" Others among the Loose Cultivators, more pessimistic, complained angrily, "By the time the great battle breaks out, we'll definitely be sent to the front lines, serving as cannon fodder. Whether we can survive or not is uncertain!" With those words, silence suddenly fell over the scene. "Damn Shen Leishan! If it weren't for..." Before the person could finish speaking, the surrounding Cultivators immediately left at the fastest speed to avoid trouble. It was precisely this commotion that made him realize the enormity of the treasonous words he had just uttered. A trace of fear appeared on his face as he quickly covered it and fled. Because of his half-spoken words, the rest had no more interest in idle chatter, and the usually bustling tavern became extremely subdued. However, Li Zhirui, who was still in Myriad Thunder Immortal City hoping to purchase some Spiritual Objects before the news spread completely, also heard this news. What puzzled him, however, was that the news of Shen Leishan and Profound Ice Sect's alliance seemed to be deliberately concealed. "It looks like Shen Leishan plans to use the Profound Ice Sect as a surprise force to catch Yin Wind Cave off-guard," Li Zhirui guessed to himself. He shook his head and stopped thinking about these matters, since with the Li family's power, they couldn't access the upper echelon's information. Moreover, at this time, the prices of Spiritual Objects in numerous shops surged, so Li Zhirui no longer stayed in Immortal City and headed straight back to his clan. Half a day later, Xiaoqing landed on Wanxian Island, and Li Zhirui used his powerful Divine Sense to summon all the high-ranking members of his family to the main hall to discuss important matters. "What has happened to make you summon us like this?" Li Shiqing arrived the fastest, his face unable to hide his concern. "I'll explain after everyone arrives," Li Zhirui added, "Don't worry, it's not targeting us." After a good while, once everyone had gathered, he began, "Shen Leishan is preparing to make a move on Yin Wind Cave!" "What?!" "So soon! According to everyone's predictions, Shen Leishan would need at least a few years to clean up the Demon Cultivators in their territory. Aren't they afraid that these Demon Cultivators will take advantage of the situation?" Li Zhirui sighed and explained, "Because they have found allies, several strong allies, so they don't need to expend all of their resources against Yin Wind Cave as we had speculated." "Are you talking about the Wood Spirit Sect, Mysterious Fire Fan Family, and the Spiritual Cloud Sect?" Li Shiqing immediately thought of these three forces. "Not just them! There's also Xuanfa Pavilion, as well as the Profound Ice Sect!" "Hiss!" The everyone couldn't help but gasp. They could understand the first three and even Xuanfa Pavilion; it was nothing more than using power to pressure or profit to tempt them. ``` But why would the Profound Ice Sect, a power even stronger than Shen Leishan and with little contact with Yin Wind Cave, want to get involved in this matter? "It seems like a transaction between the two parties, with the Profound Ice Sect agreeing to handle Yin Wind Cave for Shen Leishan. In return, after the matter is concluded, Shen Leishan will help to recapture Great Void Province." However, for some reason, Li Zhirui always felt that there was more to it than met the eye. After a moment of silence, Li Shiqing spoke up, "These affairs don't concern us much, and we need not pay them any mind. Zhirui, you should discuss how many of our family members need to be dispatched to war." "Two Golden Core True Ones, ten Foundation Establishment cultivators, and fifty Qi Cultivators." Li Zhirui said resolutely, "These are the numbers our Li family needs to send into battle." "That's too many!" Li Chengmo frowned. It was bearable for Qi Cultivators, considering the family now had several hundred, but as for Foundation Establishment cultivators, the Li family had only a little over thirty, and now a third of them were to be deployed! One could foresee that, given the ferocity of the upcoming battle, the casualty rate would undoubtedly be high. For the lower-ranked cultivators, total annihilation wasn't out of the question. "This is Shen Leishan's decree, we cannot defy it!" Li Zhirui said with a wry smile. In fact, compared to other factions, the number the Li family was asked to send was quite small; the Yuanming Sect had to dispatch five more Foundation Establishment cultivators than they did. Of course, the more people sent into battle, the higher the Merit Points. After the war's end, the rewards would be richer. However, the Li family was a cultivation family bound by blood rather than a cultivation sect. They couldn't possibly sacrifice the lives of their kin for a modest reward. "Make preparations, amass a large quantity of Spirit Pills, Talismans, and other Spiritual Objects to minimize casualties among our people," Li Shiqing said firmly, not allowing himself to sink further into pessimism. "Cheng Mo, announce this decision publicly and let the family members volunteer for participation." "Yes!" After some thought, Li Chengmo asked, "Is it possible to use Loose Cultivators to replace our family members in the battle?" Many brightened up at those words, thinking, yes, if Loose Cultivators were used in place of their family members, then their kin wouldn't be in danger! The issue now was whether these Loose Cultivators would be willing to step in for the Li family disciples and face certain death. If it were family cultivators going into battle, there was a slim chance of survival, but for Loose Cultivators, hope was nearly nonexistent! "No," Li Zhirui interjected, putting an end to the fanciful ideas swirling around. His answer was as cold as ice. Shen Leishan had anticipated this possibility and had specifically stated beforehand that Loose Cultivators could not be used as substitutes. To them, whether vassal forces or Loose Cultivators, all were cannon fodder meant to be sacrificed. "However, we could recruit Loose Cultivators into our ranks to earn more Merit Points, but we would need to provide them with the required Spiritual Objects during the war," Li Zhirui added. If they were 'voluntarily' responding to Shen Leishan's call to arms, everyday, these fighting Loose Cultivators would receive five Spirit Revitalizing Pills and several Talismans, and even Standard Magical Weapons if their own were heavily damaged. "Let's forget it!" If their own kin might not get enough support, it didn't make sense to add to their burden. Li Shiqing sighed with regret and then asked, "When does Shen Leishan plan to take action?" "In three months." "For this period, our family's crafted Spiritual Objects will only be sold after our own needs have been met," Li Shiqing exhaled heavily, continuing, "From here on, it's going to be tough on everyone!"

Chapter 253 - 259: Prologue

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