Rebuilding the Immortal Cultivator Clan Chapter 1986 - 1462: Ahead of Schedule

From the outset, this strategy had been deliberated and settled upon among the Immortal Tao, and it was upheld consistently throughout the passing years.

Yet, the current circumstances had emerged, leading their troops—destined to battle the Sea Clan—to be deprived of enemies, thus hindering their swift clearance of karmic burdens.

At present, they were left to devise solutions independently for this grave issue, though the ongoing turmoil in the Primal Spirit Realm made it impossible to locate suitable foes right away.

The only option remaining was dispatching their disciples and family members to the East Sea in pursuit of any signs of the Water Devils.

For them, venturing into such uncertainty paled in comparison to clashing directly with the Sea Clan in fierce, blood-soaked combat. Even if casualties mounted higher, at least the dilemma would be decisively addressed without lingering doubts.

In stark difference, the Li family moved swiftly ahead, proactively pursuing the Sea Clan from the outset; as a result, numerous family members had already purged their karmic obligations.

Furthermore, upon hearing that the Sea Clan was unleashing full force in a brutal attack against the Demonic Tao in the Western Sea, Clan Leader Li Xiuyuan immediately issued directives for a massive push into the East Sea, grasping the moment to dissipate karmic force!

Exactly this bold resolve enabled the Li family to confront the crisis with composure, in contrast to the mounting panic gripping the other factions.

...

"Damn it! How on earth do we fix this mess now?"

A particular Heavenly Immortal from the Cave Abyss Sect had been hunting for ages yet failed to spot even one Water Devil at the Heavenly Immortal level, fueling his frustration and short temper.

In truth, this irritation signaled the infiltration of Tribulation Evil Energy into his form, starting to corrode his thoughts and spirit.

Instances like this were far from rare, as the realm brimmed with thick Tribulation Evil Energy; since he'd been constantly on the move without pauses for cleansing, it had built up within him, relentlessly devouring away.

Still, his condition wasn't critical yet; with a settled mind and a few days' effort, he could dispel it.

"It seems we can't linger in the East Sea anymore. Time to move to other places," voiced another Heavenly Immortal gravely.

Their early hesitation about traveling to the West Continent boiled down to one thing— the vast distance!

Stretching from the easternmost edge of the East Continent to the western extremity of the West Continent, the trek spanned the entire Primordial Spirit Land, demanding over half a year even aboard the swiftest spirit boat.

Over that extended span, nothing assured the epic conflict would persist.

Should they exhaust themselves arriving only to discover the fight concluded, it wouldn't just be a futile journey—much graver, they could forfeit the window to purge their karmic force!

Once the grand tribulation concluded, self-resolving the karma would exact a far steeper toll.

"The West Continent's way too distant; heading to the Southern Domain or South Sea areas makes more sense."

The proximity was far more appealing. Other complications? They chose to ignore them now.

"Hmm."

Following the Heavenly Immortals' directives, the once-formidable cultivators dominating the East Sea skies withdrew en masse.

At this point, the East Sea had been thoroughly combed through by them; virtually every discoverable Water Devil had perished under cultivator blades.

Were it not for their fear of amassing karma from ravaging the lands and skies, they would've stripped the seafloor bare, denying the Sea Clan even a lone spiritual treasure!

As the cultivators vacated the East Sea's overhead expanse, within the profound depths of a resplendent golden palace by the Sea Eye, an aged dragon radiating decay gradually unveiled its eyes.

The once-shadowy chamber flared into illumination.

Within lay no lavish adornments cherished by the Dragon Tribe, but rather myriad deep and elaborate dao patterns. Mere mortals would reel in vertigo or suffer their spiritual souls shattering from a single overwhelming peek!

These dao patterns served not to imprison the elder dragon, but to shield him, concealing his presence from the Heavenly Dao.

However, viewed differently, didn't this amount to a form of confinement?

"What a pity..."

He murmured just this enigmatic phrase, shut his eyes anew, and the majestic hall plunged back into obscurity.

Beyond the chamber, the pair tasked with observing and logging, oblivious to the full import, meticulously noted each utterance and gesture from within.

"Year 135,211 of the Heavenly Dragon Era, sixth month, ninth day, third quarter of the si hour: The Ancestor stirred and parted his eyes, uttering three words: ’What a pity.’"

Then, the duo turned statue-like, rooted in place without motion.

Should a Dragon Tribe Heavenly Immortal be there, they'd grasp the elder dragon's intent behind ’what a pity.’

When the great tribulation erupted, the Sea Clan promptly resolved to concentrate all might on recapturing the Western Sea and striving to infiltrate the West Continent's waterways.

Back then, one Dragon Tribe Heavenly Immortal proposed an alternative course.

It involved concealing thirty to forty percent of the Sea Clan far beneath the East Sea, remaining unseen.

Afterward, as Immortal Tao cultivators were compelled to abandon the East Continent—lacking Water Devils for karma cleansing in the East Sea—the concealed Water Devils could surge out, potentially reclaiming coastal zones and advancing deeper if fortune favored!

Unfortunately, scant few endorsed the proposal then. The elder dragon had backed it personally, yet failed to sway the Sea Clan’s overarching tactics.

Had they embraced it, reclaiming the East Sea coasts might have been just the start; they could have seized the prized continental waterways for the Sea Clan too!

But regrettably, their words fell on deaf ears.

In retrospect, a prime chance had been squandered entirely.

...

Simultaneously—

Atop Mount Wanxian, Li Xiuyuan got reports that the Cave Abyss Sect and fellow forces had departed the East Sea, their path pointing toward the Southern Domain.