Chapter 447 - 251: Devouring the Demon King, the Zhou Family Borrows a Turtle

’Not many of them are under the Water Abyss Turtle King’s direct control.’

Li Chang’an swept his Divine Sense over the crowd, carefully probing them.

The ones under direct control were mostly the Zhou Clan’s Foundation Establishment Cultivators. Since this group formed the family’s upper echelon, controlling them meant controlling the entire Zhou Family.

If Li Chang’an wished, he could also use the Wood Seed Technique to control these Zhou Clan Members and make the Zhou Family his subordinates.

But he had no desire to divert so much of his Divine Sense.

"Sever!"

He unleashed the Golden Soul Sword Transformation Technique, forming countless small golden swords that shattered the remnants of the Water Abyss Turtle King’s Divine Sense within their bodies, completely restoring their freedom.

Afterward, he released the numerous Little Demons and Great Demons.

The Zhou Clan Members each found the Spirit Beast that had controlled them, then re-forged their Spirit Contracts to break free from the control.

With that, the entire Zhou Family had essentially returned to how it was before the Demon Beasts took control.

Zhou Dingrong and the many members of the Zhou Family bowed in unison to thank Li Chang’an.

"Thank you, Daoist Li."

"Thank you, Elder Li..."

"..."

A chorus of thanks rose and fell, echoing for a long time without end.

Li Chang’an did not shy away, accepting their bows with a clear conscience.

"Everyone, what happened today must be kept strictly to yourselves. Do not mention it to any outsiders."

"Daoist Li, rest assured, we all understand!"

Zhou Dingrong and the others nodded, swearing an oath on their Dao Hearts then and there.

Afterward, Li Chang’an and Zhou Dingrong left the Zhou Clan Territory together, heading for the hiding place of Zhou Yi’an and his group.

Along the way, Zhou Dingrong asked about the Water Abyss Turtle King.

"Daoist Li, how do you plan to deal with that Water Abyss Turtle King?"

"Kill it, of course!" Li Chang’an said calmly, glancing at him.

"What, is Daoist Zhou reluctant to part with this Old Demon King?"

"That’s not it, it’s just..."

Zhou Dingrong paused, a worried expression on his face.

He sighed. "The Zhou Family hasn’t produced a Core Formation Cultivator in all these years. We’ve relied entirely on a Tier Three Demon Beast to maintain our facade as a Golden Core Family. Now that the Spirit Rock Rat King is dead, if this Water Abyss Turtle King also dies, the Zhou Family will have no Tier Three Power."

The Zhou Family was now in the same predicament the Mo Family had faced before.

The Mo Family, at least, still had Mo Qingxue.

Mo Qingxue’s successful breakthrough to Core Formation was enough to extend the Mo Family’s glory for another four hundred years.

But the Zhou Family’s situation was much worse.

The Zhou Family originally had several Golden Core Seeds who were prime candidates for Core Formation, but they had either died in the wars between Sects or perished while resisting the Water Abyss Turtle King.

Though the Zhou Family still had talented members, none were anywhere close to Core Formation.

This was the reason for Zhou Dingrong’s worry.

"Daoist Li, what do you think I should do?"

He was truly at his wit’s end and couldn’t help but ask Li Chang’an, an outsider, for advice.

Li Chang’an didn’t have a good solution either; he certainly couldn’t just give the Water Abyss Turtle King back to the Zhou Family.

The two talked as they walked.

Gradually, they approached the Ancient Cave Mansion where Zhou Yi’an and the others were hiding.

...

Meanwhile, inside the Ancient Cave Mansion, the atmosphere was heavy.

Li Chang’an had yet to return, and a bad feeling began to spread among them.

"I’m afraid Daoist Li isn’t coming back."

"Let’s wait a little longer. Daoist Li is prudent and never acts without confidence."

"That’s right! Everyone, don’t forget, Daoist Li has the nickname ’Turtle.’ When it comes to self-preservation, none of us can compare to him..."

Sensing the grim atmosphere, Zhou Sheng tried to lift everyone’s spirits.

But the mood in the Ancient Cave Mansion did not improve.

Li Chang’an might be called a ’Turtle,’ but his opponent was a genuine, ancient turtle!

Because of this, no one was very optimistic.

But...

At that very moment,

Li Chang’an’s laughter echoed from outside the Ancient Cave Mansion.

"I don’t even know who gave me this ’Turtle’ nickname for it to become so widely known."

"Daoist Li?"

Joy washed over the faces of Zhou Sheng, Zhou Yi’an, and the others as they rushed out to greet him.

When they saw Zhou Dingrong standing beside Li Chang’an, their smiles grew even wider.

Everyone understood that he had most likely succeeded!

But they were still a bit uneasy.

"Daoist Li, what was the result?"

"Fortunately, I was successful."

With a casual wave of his hand, Li Chang’an sent a ray of Spiritual Light flying from his Spirit Beast Bag. It crashed heavily to the floor of the Ancient Cave Mansion and took the form of the Water Abyss Turtle King.

Seeing the Old Demon King, the Zhou Clan Members were both surprised and utterly shocked.

Just a moment ago, a sliver of doubt had remained in their hearts—the fear that Li Chang’an might also have fallen under the Water Abyss Turtle King’s control.

But now, with the proof laid out before them, all their doubts vanished.

"Daoist Li, your strength is extraordinary. I am truly impressed!" Zhou Yi’an said sincerely.

To suppress a Tier Three Demon King as a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

In the past, such a feat would have been unthinkable, yet Li Chang’an had accomplished it.

If word of this got out, it would surely shake the entire Southern Domain Cultivation Immortality Realm.

Li Chang’an, however, seemed unfazed.

"This is nothing special. The Celestial Prides from the Nascent Soul Sects all have the strength to defeat a Golden Core master while at the Foundation Establishment stage."

"But Daoist Li, you aren’t from a Nascent Soul Sect. You are merely a Loose Cultivator."

This was precisely what Zhou Yi’an and the others admired most.

To have reached this stage as a Loose Cultivator... they couldn’t begin to imagine the hardships he must have faced.

Next, the Zhou Family members present also swore oaths on their Dao Hearts.

They all knew that if word of this got out, Li Chang’an would undoubtedly be targeted by some powerful figures.

Li Chang’an was the Zhou Family’s benefactor; they would never repay his kindness with malice.

Furthermore, if the news were to leak, the Zhou Family’s own weakness would be exposed.

At this moment, the many Zhou Clan Members all realized they faced the same problem.

"If we kill this Old Demon King, our Zhou Family will have no Tier Three Power."

"What should we do?"