Rebuilding the Immortal Cultivator Clan Chapter 1955: 1446: A Casual Move (2)

If fortune hadn't favored them with a narrow escape, the slaughter would have been far more devastating, and their own lives might not have been spared—perhaps they too would have perished.

"Damn it!"

"Those sly Outer Realm cultivators!"

…

Upon listening to that man's statement, the demon cultivators brimmed with indignation, showing intense rage—or more accurately, the fury born from fear and shock.

Simultaneously, they feared facing a similar fate themselves.

"We ought to dispatch someone to strike immediately. They've just endured a fierce clash; the Outer Realm beings have exhausted most of their mana, leaving their power at its lowest. By grabbing this opportunity to eliminate them, we can avenge the fallen." A demon cultivator suggested with enthusiasm.

"Yes, that's a solid plan. What are your opinions?"

Indeed, those invading Outer Realm beings had faced severe drain, and restoring their mana significantly in little time was out of the question. Launching an assault now could resolve the issue and secure victory in this battle phase!

"Absolutely, we must give them a harsh lesson. If not, won't we appear weak to the foes?"

Most demon cultivators concurred. With time of the essence, they swiftly decided.

Five Human Immortal cultivators would command a force of five thousand to wipe out that band of Outer Realm beings!

Their action was prompt, yet upon reaching the Li family's former camp, they discovered it utterly vacant!

"Curse them! Where did they go? Why have they vanished?!" A devil beast bellowed in frustration.

A closer inspection of the camp revealed that Li Zhixuan and her group hadn't scrambled away in disorder, but had executed a methodical withdrawal with precise preparations!

Thus, the camp showed no disorder; all was organized and in place—merely abandoned, devoid of any remnants.

"I wouldn't have expected such vigilance from them!"

A demon cultivator remarked with a sigh, "Let's head back. They anticipated us. Tracking won't be possible."

Regardless of their bitterness or ire, confronted by the barren site, they had no choice but to retreat dejectedly.

Nevertheless, prior to departure, certain devil beasts and demon cultivators unleashed their wrath on the leftover structures, blasting them with spirit light and turning them to rubble in an instant.

Rumble—

Yet mere moments later, an abrupt blast hurled them skyward!

In a flash, mangled limbs and fractured bones cascaded like a fierce storm— a gruesome, horrifying spectacle.

Once the detonation ceased, the demon force that had exceeded five thousand dwindled to merely thirty or forty percent, with most survivors gravely wounded—scarcely anyone escaped unharmed.

Fearing additional snares and seething with astonishment and rage, they dared not remain; in haste, they collected the injured devil beasts and demon cultivators and fled to their base.

Back at camp, the remaining demon cultivators and devil beasts, witnessing this outcome, surged with anger yet harbored hidden gratitude.

Thank goodness it wasn't my turn—or else, I might have joined the deceased.

…

In reality, that blast was the last trick the Li family had left them—no more ambushes awaited.

During the feigned retreat, Li Zhixuan and her companions had gathered all supplies and planted a formidable snare in the camp.

The activation? Any destruction via spiritual energy inside would trigger it!

She had set it up offhandedly back then—unsure if it would activate.

Should it fail, it would merely squander some Spiritual Objects; if it triggered, it could claim countless realm natives.

It was a bold wager—but Li Zhixuan triumphed!

The device felled three or four thousand, at the mere expense of a few Spiritual Objects.

Now, as Li Zhixuan guided her clansmen and loose cultivators toward their stronghold, she got a report from the trap-setter: it had exploded effectively.

"Got it, thanks."

Though unaware of the exact death toll, she knew it was substantial. After all, reclaiming the camp demanded a sizable troop—anything less would be folly, not warfare!

Her composure stemmed from lingering anxiety over their base. Should it have been lost, Li Zhixuan recoiled at the thought of the clansmen and loose cultivators slain due to her choices.

Truly, she had already accepted full responsibility in her mind.

It was her proposal to assault and claim Floating Light Realm—to dedicate it to the Heavenly Dao and cleanse their karma.

Should her actions lead to massive clan deaths, how could guilt not consume her?

Thus, Li Zhixuan focused solely on hastening to the base, to witness her people's safety firsthand—only that would grant her solace.

When Li Zhirui's envoy arrived with updates, he skimmed the base's status, assuring her all was fine, no rush to return, proceed with the strategy.

But with her concerns unresolved, Li Zhixuan ignored the counsel now that she was unburdened.

After hours of maximum-speed flight, their group at last spotted the far-off silhouette of their headquarters.

"Did the family truly defend the base? Or... did the natives overrun it?" Numerous clansmen pondered anxiously.

Yet upon spotting the recognizable family emblem and patrolling clansmen, relief washed over them, sparking wonder at how the base withstood a demonic host exceeding thirty thousand.

"Ancestor Xuan!"

The sentry cried out in astonishment, "Why have you returned?"

"News reached us of the family's assault by a massive force. I grew uneasy, so I dispatched reinforcements."

Li Zhixuan clarified, then inquired, "How fares the family now? What losses did we suffer?"

"Ancestor Xuan, your concerns are unfounded. With Ancestor Rui defending in person, how could that demon swarm overpower us? Losses are minimal—only a few hundred."

In a conflict of such magnitude, suffering just hundreds dead was an extraordinary achievement!

"For specifics, enter and see for yourselves."

"Ancestor Xuan, I must continue my watch. Pardon me, I can't linger."

He saluted Li Zhixuan, then pivoted to patrol anew.

Observing the walls—freshly built amid scarred remnants—marked by abundant battle scars, one could readily envision the battle's savagery and peril.

Such reflections stirred her awe—amid such dire straits, Li Zhirui had reversed the tide.

And the most startling aspect was their side's casualty figures.

Brimming with inquiries, Li Zhixuan passed through the entrance, allowing her returning clansmen and loose cultivators to disperse, while she made directly for Li Zhirui's cave mansion.

Ere long, she found Li Zhirui seated upon a stone stool.

"Jiu."

"I figured you wouldn't relax, and once matters there concluded, you'd rush back to assess our state."

"The conquest of Floating Light Realm originated from my suggestion. If the clan endured severe setbacks on my account, how could I endure it?"

That could scar her mind—a vulnerability poised to shatter unpredictably, forging a harrowing, indelible memory.

Li Zhirui gave a subtle nod. He comprehended, hence his vigil for her arrival.

"Jiu, how did you endure the assault, transforming it into this splendid triumph?" Li Zhixuan's curiosity burned, compelling the question.

He retrieved a jade slip and stated, "The details you seek lie within. Review it at your leisure. I must retire to restore my energy."

To confront that epic clash, Li Zhirui had long exhausted his body's mana, and solely to await her, he postponed full recuperation.