Chapter 1407: Chapter 1172: Journey_2

And these wars, most of which are caused by the conflicts between those who migrated from the Daqian Dynasty and the local forces.

…

While the Human Dao Dynasty was busy sowing and expanding its overall strength, the Li family was also busy reclaiming the territories they had originally lost.

Without the interference of the Cave Abyss Sect, this action proceeded very smoothly.

In the face of the powerful Li family cultivator army, those forces displayed an obedient attitude, with no signs of resistance.

Without even a single Independent Immortal among them, and lacking the help of the Cave Abyss Sect, resisting the Li family was no different from courting death.

‘Offering rice and wine to welcome the royal army.’ These eight words became the most truthful portrayal.

Moreover, their previous actions provided the Li family with a good reason for settling accounts!

To prevent similar situations in the future, the Li family expanded its directly controlled territory outward, establishing a five-hundred-mile outer defense zone, trying to keep the flames of war away from the core heartland as much as possible.

As for the forces originally existing on this five-hundred-mile-wide territory, they were all expelled, taking a small compensation to the west, where the Li family’s control was weakest, to reestablish their families/sects.

By the time the Cave Abyss Sect responded, the Li family had already restored its original vast territory.

This made the Cave Abyss Sect quite angry but helpless, as the southern Great Zhou Dynasty and another wave of Human Dao forces seeking to establish a nation on the sea, along with the eastern sea area, had drained much of their energy, leaving them somewhat unable to attend to the Li family.

Even the Cave Abyss Sect cannot comfortably handle multi-line conflicts; they still have to make some trade-offs.

Compared to the ideological disputes with the Human Dao Dynasty, the racial grudges, and territorial struggles with the Sea Clan, the Li family seemed less important.

After all, the threat from the Li family doesn’t even cast a shadow now, which no one knows how many years or it might not ever occur.

Suppressing them occasionally was inconsequential, but since there were more important enemies to deal with now, the Cave Abyss Sect was unwilling to waste effort on the Li family.

And it was precisely in this peaceful external environment that the Li family developed rapidly for decades.

Although no new Independent Immortals were born during this period, quite a few clan members in the Integration and Great Vehicle Realm emerged, not to mention members from other realms, which made the Li family’s hierarchy more stable.

“Alas!”

Seated cross-legged on a meditation mat, Li Zhirui, who had been in seclusion for many years, couldn’t help but sigh, as he encountered a bottleneck while breaking through the late stage of the Independent Immortal.

This made him, who had walked smoothly without obstacles since breaking through as an Independent Immortal and never worried about bottlenecks, a little bewildered.

“Perhaps it’s really time to venture out and experience for a while.” Li Zhirui murmured to himself.

Although he had not lacked practice, most were battles, always confined to between the family and the Cave Abyss Sect, and he hadn’t been far to broaden his horizons for a long time.

Thinking of this, Li Zhirui began to prepare for the upcoming journey.

Family affairs were handled by Li Xinde and others, and safety was guarded by Jiang Fengwu, Da Qing, and others, so he didn’t need to worry, only needing to prepare ample spiritual objects for himself.

A month later, a day before departure, Li Zhirui only informed everyone of his decision.

They were not worried about his safety, but rather concerned that without a superior power to suppress, some bad things might happen to the family after he left.

“In the south, there are the Great Zhou Dynasty and the Da Xiao Dynasty, and the eastern Sea Clan has also been dormant for years, recently stirring restlessly. The Cave Abyss Sect simply has no energy to deal with the family, one must be cautious against the Sea Clan.

In short, be careful and just focus on safeguarding the family.” Li Zhirui reassured everyone.

Seeing their expressions strengthened his resolve to travel!

Li Zhirui himself did not expect that staying in the family for so many years had led to such strong dependency on him from the family!

But upon thinking carefully, it’s normal for this situation to occur.

Since he broke through as an Independent Immortal, he almost never left the family for too long, and he handled all major affairs, so how could the clan members not become dependent on him?

“Then may Jiu/Ancestor Rui have smooth sailing and achieve all that you wish.”

“You must also cultivate diligently and not slack off!”

Seeing Li Zhirui’s determination, everyone did not continue to entangle and soon took their leave.

That night, without alarming anyone, Li Zhirui quietly left Mount Wanxian.

He had no specific destination, summoning a cloud to ride, drifting with the wind. After all, the main purpose of this journey was to broaden his experience and polish his Dao Heart, without needing much training in terms of strength.

Drifting leisurely like this for a few months, Li Zhirui finally landed.

Upon taking out the Jade Slip map, he was somewhat surprised, murmuring to himself: “I didn’t expect to arrive at Red Water State.”

This land, where countless mortals were buried, now, although belonging to the Cave Abyss Sect and Yumen He Family, neither seemed to have any intention of completely dispelling the air of resentment here.

They only cleared some of the surface resentment and then set up formations, opening up a clear land in the Spirit Vein, allowing them to cultivate and plant spiritual objects in peace.

“How could these two forces make such foolish moves?” Li Zhirui said incredulously.

One must know that the infinite resentment in Red Water State is not just against the Devil Race but also against the cultivators!

Resenting the cultivators for standing by without saving them, resenting them for letting them become food for Devil Beasts.

It was merely due to the presence of the Devil Race before that this part of the resentment didn’t manifest, but now it’s rising rapidly!

If they don’t resolve it, they might suffer the consequences themselves.

Thinking for a moment, Li Zhirui didn’t voice a reminder but went to Great Zhou, letting them seize the opportunity to give the Cave Abyss Sect a bigger disaster.

Any chance to trouble the Cave Abyss Sect, he was very keen on, and as for whether Great Zhou believed it or not, Li Zhirui didn’t care.

Dropping a move casually, Li Zhirui once again rode a cloud and drifted with the wind.

But what he didn’t know was the amount of loss caused to the Cave Abyss Sect by the information he left!

“Everyone, what do you think of this suddenly appeared letter and its contents?” The new King asked calmly.

“Most likely it’s true, and we should consider whether we can benefit from it.”

“We can seize this opportunity to drive the Cave Abyss Sect out of Red Water State and occupy it! By then, the territory of the dynasty will expand by half; it can accommodate more citizens and will push the dynasty towards becoming an empire.”

Almost all the officials present had similar thoughts.

The reason is that many here hail from Red Water State, the children of that era.

Whether out of public interest or personal interest, they all hoped to take Red Water State.

“Good! Since it’s so, let’s reorganize the army, and at the same time engage those wizards to evoke the power of resentment in Red Water State against the Cave Abyss Sect.”

The young King was always full of confidence, believing everything was within grasp.

“Yes!”

Although the Great Zhou Dynasty’s actions were somewhat concealed, they did not escape the eyes of the Cave Abyss Sect, who thought the Great Zhou Dynasty intended to take the initiative, and also started organizing an army to resist.

But the development of matters was beyond their expectations; the Great Zhou Dynasty was not targeting Cave Abyss State, but the other side—the Red Water State!

The cloud of resentment was ignited, and the cultivators originally residing here, without any guard, were terribly injured.

It was precisely at this moment, the Great Zhou Dynasty dispatched an army, began attacks, and occupied Red Water State.

The power of the Cave Abyss Sect in this place was already significantly weakened, taken by surprise; they lost a large amount of territory.

By the time they realized, it was already too late, the Great Zhou Dynasty had established a Human Dao Law Net in such a short time!

“Everyone, how do you view this suddenly appearing letter and its contents?”

“It’s possible to use this opportunity to expel the Cave Abyss Sect from Red Water State and have them target the resentment forces there.”

The young King appeared full of confidence, commenting: “Can’t let the Great Zhou Dynasty have free reign. We should also consider whether we can profit from it.”

Remarkably, all the officials present were eager, hoping to seize Red Water State for themselves.

“No! We cannot allow the Great Zhou Dynasty to come in and take over! The resentment in Red Water State is huge. We cannot let them succeed and lose lives unnecessarily.”

The elders stood silent, waiting for their anger to be vented.

“Alright then! With that, we wish Jiu/Ancestor Rui smooth sailing and the fulfillment of your desires.”

“You all should cultivate diligently and not slack off either!”

Seeing that Li Zhirui had made up his mind, everyone did not persist and soon took their leave.

That night, without alerting anyone, Li Zhirui quietly left Mount Wanxian.

He had no specific destination in mind, called a cloud to ride with the wind, as the main purpose of his journey was to gain knowledge and to temper his Dao Heart, not so much to train his strength.

Drifting peacefully for a few months, Li Zhirui finally descended to the ground.

Taking out the Jade Slip map, he was a bit surprised and muttered to himself, “I didn’t expect to reach Red Water State.”

This land, which has buried countless mortals, although it now belongs to the Cave Abyss Sect and Yumen He Family, neither seem intent on fully dispelling the air of resentment here.

They just cleared some surface resentment, established a formation, and opened a clean area in the Spirit Vein for cultivated and planted Spiritual Objects.

“How could these two great powers do such a foolish thing?” Li Zhirui exclaimed incredulously.

It’s well known that the boundless resentment in Red Water State is directed not just at the Devil Race but also at the cultivators!

The resentment is against the cultivators for their inaction while watching them fall prey to Devil Beasts.

Though the presence of the Devil Race suppressed it before, the resentment was always there, and now it erupts with full force!

The consequence was that the original residents who were living there perished.

At this moment, the Great Zhou Dynasty dispatched their army, launching attacks and claiming Red Water State.

The Cave Abyss Sect’s presence in this area was already weak, and when they tried to respond, they found it was too late, for the Great Zhou Dynasty had erected a Human Dao Law Net in such a short time!

Seeing no end to the calamity, they finally reaped the self-sown seeds of their negligence.

“Everyone, how do you view this suddenly surfaced letter and its contents?” The young King confidently posed the question.

“It seems genuinely serious, and we should explore if there is any profit to gain.”

“Now is our chance to oust the Cave Abyss Sect while stirring the resentment in Red Water State against them.”

The young King always brimmed with self-assurance, firmly believing that everything was within reach and under control.

“Yes, Your Majesty!” said the gathered elders, waiting in silence for his frustration to abate.

“No! We cannot allow the Great Zhou Dynasty to come in and take over Red Water State while we sit idle!”

The elders remained silent, awaiting him to vent his anger.

“Then may Jiu/Ancestor Rui have smooth sailing and fulfill all your wishes.” they finally offered, as they observed Li Zhirui’s firm resolve to depart.

“”