Rebuilding the Immortal Cultivator Clan

"Dong dong dong—"

Successive nine deafening bell tolls resounded, unceasingly spreading throughout the entire Wanxian Island.

This was a special set of magical instruments, crafted by Li Chenghuo. As long as one of the large bells sounded, the others would respond in kind. Hence, whenever something significant happened on Wanxian Island, different numbers of bell tolls would spread the news in all directions.

Nine tolls signified either a Monster Tide or an attack by evil cultivators, with the last and final, the tenth toll, signifying the life-or-death survival of the clan!

"Is this a Monster Tide coming?" Many members of the clan, within the family grounds, looked up towards the east. Some impulsive members immediately took flight in that direction, while others began making preparations for war.

After all, for most members, the Monster Tide that came every decade or so was a moment that could accelerate their growth and obtain a vast amount of resources!

Unless they lacked resources or were worried about injuries leading to their downfall, the vast majority would rush to the chain of islands in the east to battle the Water Devils.

Seated in the family hall, Li Dayuan, upon hearing the bell tolls, felt an inexplicable sense of unease. He muttered to himself, "The last Monster Tide was only four years ago, why has another one erupted so soon?"

Not only him, but Li Shiqing, Jiang Fengwu, and others also sensed an unusual and uneasy aura.

Li Shiqing, who hadn't shown himself for several years, took the rare step of appearing in public and said solemnly, "For this battle, Li Zhixuan will lead a thousand Qi Cultivators and a hundred Foundation Establishment Cultivators to the island chain to partake in the battle, while the rest wait within the family grounds for orders!"

At this moment, he was greatly relieved. If it weren't for Li Zhixuan's timely return, then this strange Monster Tide would have to be faced by either him or Li Shilian, the two averagely-powered old men!

The Elders, upon hearing this, revealed expressions of confusion as they couldn't understand why the participation of family members in the battle was being restricted. Normally, during the Monster Tide, the family would come out in full force, competing with Loose Cultivators for this rich feast of resources.

However, despite being reclusive, Li Shiqing still held a revered status within the family and an unwavering prestige, which led the Elders to nod in agreement.

Li Shiqing said nothing more and vanished from the hall in the blink of an eye. The following matters were arranged by Li Dayuan.

But he didn't return to his cave dwelling; instead, he knocked on the door of Li Zhirui's courtyard.

"Uncle Grandfather?! What brings you here?" Li Chengshuo, who opened the door, looked surprised at the elderly man before her. She was just about to head to the east to fend off the Monster Tide.

"I need to speak with your mother."

Jiang Fengwu also promptly came out to greet him and after showing her respects, asked, "Elder, do you want me to oversee the Great Array on the island chain?"

"No!" Li Shiqing shook his head, his eyes deep as he looked at her and transmitted secretly, "You must stay with the family to oversee the Clan Protection Array!"

Jiang Fengwu's pupils suddenly constricted. Without rushing to respond, she led him to a nearby pavilion and then said to Li Chengshuo, "Go back first."

"Oh." Always obedient and standing to the side, hoping to eavesdrop, Li Chengshuo was quite disappointed, but she didn't dare to disobey.

The two seated themselves, and a thin layer of Spirit Light enveloped the pavilion, isolating their voices from the outside.

"Elder, what's happening?"

Li Shiqing shook his head, his face dark and indistinct, "I don't know why, but there's a sense of disquiet in my heart. This Monster Tide has come too suddenly and strangely!"

It was precisely because it was just a premonition in his heart that he did not say more, only instructing the majority of the family's strength to stay within the clan's territory! That way, even if someone wanted to make a move against the Li family, the losses would not be too severe.

However... it might mean letting down the clan members in Yunping State and Guangqing State.

Li Shiqing sighed inwardly, with the situation uncertain, he could not order the clan members who were stationed in the two states, across various Spirit Lands, to retreat to Wanxian Island.

"But over these years of the family's development, there hasn't been any power around us that harbors enmity!" Jiang Fengwu furrowed his brows and said.

In his heart, Li Shiqing actually had a guess. If someone really wanted to make a move on the Li family, then it would only be the high and mighty Shen Leishan! Because no other power had the strength to completely annihilate the Li family.

"During this time, pay extra attention. The moment you sense something wrong, immediately activate the Clan Protection Array!"

Looking at that pale and serious face, Jiang Fengwu nodded solemnly, "Rest assured, the defensive power of the Starlight River Array is astonishingly strong. If it's fully deployed, even a Nascent Soul Cultivator would have to spend quite some effort to break through the Great Array."

"With your words, I feel relieved." Li Shiqing looked slightly more relaxed, paused, and then asked, "What's the situation with Zhirui right now?"

"I don't know, there hasn't been any news for the past few years."

"Sigh!" Li Shiqing let out a deep sigh, pondered for a long time, and finally gritted his teeth and said, "If the family encounters an unforeseen disaster, then forcefully awaken him and gather a group of clan members to leave through the secret passage."

As for what the secret passage was and where it was, he did not say!

It was a secret known by no more than five people in the entire family!

——

Meanwhile, Li Zhixuan, who rushed to the archipelago with more than a thousand clan members, looked at the sea before her, which was starting to turn dark, and her already indifferent face grew even colder.

"Send people to Yunping State and Guangqing State to summon a large number of Loose Cultivators, as well as the family's vassal forces. The Cultivators on Wanxian Island are not enough!"

Li Zhixuan keenly noted the issue at hand, knowing that the family could not send more clan members, she decisively turned her attention to the Loose Cultivators and vassals.

"Yes!" Several Cultivators flew towards the west with the utmost speed.

"Perhaps, we should prepare to retreat, give up the archipelago, and even the Red Pine Marketplace!" she thought to herself, her gaze towards the ocean seem to perceive a vast net, encroaching from all sides towards Wanxian Island!

Tens of thousands of Water Devils were coming with the waves. Even before they got close, they stirred up layer upon layer of massive waves, continuously battering the levees and the hearts of the Cultivators.

"Hahahahaha! Li family! I, Lan Jiao, will definitely avenge the past! I will see to your destruction amidst the beast tide! As the islands collapse and shatter, all of your clan members will become my blood meal!"

Lan Jiao, standing in the midst of the beast tide, laughed wildly, as if he had already seen the torn islands and the wailing Cultivators scattered everywhere.

Li Zhixuan, who was in the distance, also noticed this third-order Water Devil, a glint of murderous intent flashed in her eyes, gripping the third-order Spirit Sword tightly, she murmured, "As long as I kill you, this beast tide will no longer be a threat!"

The ferocity and fearfulness of the beast tide lay in the low-ranking Water Devils being controlled without a speck of rationality.

If it were a previous beast tide, the Li family would not have resorted to such measures. After all, while beast tides were treacherous, they not only brought abundant resources but also served to temper the Dao hearts and wills of the clan members through war.