Chapter 1229: 1083: Thunder Tribulation_2

Chapter 1229: Chapter 1083: Thunder Tribulation_2

The leading cultivator thought for a moment, then smiled and agreed, saying, “I imagine you’ve all had a tiring journey. The grand ceremony is about to begin, so please take a seat and rest for a while.”

“Thank you for your trouble!”

Li Xianxun and the others disembarked from the Spirit Boat and, under the guidance of an appointed person, arrived at a spacious plaza.

As one of the only two Mahayana powers, the Li family members had rather forward-facing seats.

However, remembering Li Taichang’s instructions, Li Xianxun pondered for a moment and said, “Fellow Daoist, this is a joyous occasion for your sect, and our placement is too forward, which seems a bit presumptuous. It would be more appropriate to move back a few rows.”

“Hahaha, fellow Daoist, it’s not something to be too concerned about.” The elder assigned as their host laughed heartily, quite pleased with this suggestion, but if he immediately agreed, it would seem the host was too eager.

After Li Xianxun’s repeated persuasion, the other party ‘reluctantly’ agreed and moved the Li family’s seats further back.

Once everyone was seated, Li Xianxun transmitted a reminder, “After the ceremony starts, focus on sampling the Spirit Food and listening to the Mahayana cultivator’s sermon. Don’t meddle in other matters!”

“Understood!”

Dong dong dong——

It wasn’t long before the deep sound of a bell rang, signaling the start of the ceremony.

“Greetings, Patriarch Yun Kong!”

Suddenly, a cultivator appeared on the previously empty cloudbed, elevated above the crowd, prompting everyone to rise and pay respects.

“No need for formalities.”

Yun Kong’s gaze swept over Li Xianxun and his group, unnoticed by anyone, even themselves.

“In this sermon, I will speak on the insights of Integration cultivation.”

Everyone’s faces lit up with joy; this was considered an excellent topic for a grand ceremony sermon, as most times, they would talk about unrelated methods and insights.

“The path to Integration lies in the Dharma…”

Even Li Xianxun and Li Mingyao listened intently, extracting methods beneficial for their cultivation.

After an hour, the sermon abruptly ended, leaving many Integration cultivators unsatisfied.

Such a short time couldn’t possibly cover Integration; Yun Kong only mentioned key points to be noted.

After the sermon ended, Yun Kong immediately vanished from sight.

What followed was the feast of the ceremony. Plates of Spirit Food with enticing color, aroma, and taste were laid out, tempting even those who had long ceased to eat mortal food to indulge.

After all, the pure and easily refined Spiritual Energy in these Spirit Foods was quite beneficial for one’s cultivation.

After drinking and reveling, and singing and dancing, the ceremony should have concluded, but clearly, the Baiyun Sect had no intention of doing so.

They promptly and high-profilely announced some forces which showed remarkable foresight and actively sought allegiance with them, rewarding them generously as compensation.

Li Xianxun and others watched coldly. Could the Baiyun Sect’s high profile act have the sole purpose of rewarding in public?

Sure enough, the Baiyun Sect directly named some forces, asking them on the spot if they were willing to submit under them.

“Ha!”

Among them, an elder force named Linghuan Mountain couldn’t help but sneer, saying, “We respect Patriarch Yun Kong, but to think you can subdue us so easily—isn’t that too far-fetched?”

“Even when Li Zhirui of the Li family broke through to Mahayana, he wasn’t this arrogant.”

This final remark was clearly an attempt to drag the Li family into the water.

Unfortunately, Li Xianxun and the others beside them, as if they hadn’t heard a thing, continued to focus on tasting the Spirit Food.

“Oh? Linghuan Mountain intends to defy Patriarch Yun Kong’s orders?”

The cultivators of Linghuan Mountain suddenly stiffened. If they were in their own sect, they naturally wouldn’t fear such words, but here, on Baiyun Sect’s territory!

If the Baiyun Sect wanted to make a move, their lives might be in jeopardy!

However, they hoped the Baiyun Sect wouldn’t be so audacious and shameless to attack them in front of so many cultivators.

“No, no, the matter is of great importance, and we cannot decide immediately. We hope your sect can grant us more time.”

With their lives under threat, they could only lower their heads and give in.

As for whether these forces would be willing to become vassals of the Baiyun Sect, that would depend on the Baiyun Sect’s tactics.

Once the matter concluded, Li Xianxun took his family members and bid farewell to leave.

But to his surprise, not long after flying out of the Baiyun Sect, several Integration cultivators appeared together in front of the Spirit Boat.

“May I ask why you fellow Daoists have joined forces to block our Spirit Boat?” Li Xianxun’s expression was not very pleasant.

“Please forgive us, fellow Daoist. We had no choice but to resort to this measure.”

Unwilling to waste more time entangling with them, Li Xianxun directly inquired, “Speak, what do you want to do?”

“Baiyun Sect is rampant and tyrannical. Ever since Patriarch Yun Kong broke through, they’ve been forcing many small forces nearby. They have now set their sights on us, so we ask that you return to inform them that we are willing to seek allegiance with the Li family!”

Li Xianxun raised an eyebrow, a mocking smile appearing on his lips, “Are you all planning to pit two tigers against each other to maintain your independence?”

“But have you considered that the Li family might not be inclined to intervene?”

With that said, he didn’t give them a chance to speak further, directly steering the Spirit Boat past them, flying into the distance.

Back then, they didn’t want to seek allegiance with the Li family, and now that they encounter a crisis, they think of the Li family? What do they take the Li family for?

“Alas!”

A certain cultivator sighed, “Sure enough, the Li family doesn’t want to intervene. Now we must unite to counter Baiyun Sect’s mad suppression.”

He had thought from the start that this plan was unwise, unlikely to gain the Li family’s assistance, and would instead offend them.

He couldn’t persuade the others, and now it seemed everything was as he had expected.

These forces, who originally had conflicts, now put aside their grudges because of Baiyun Sect, planning to join forces to get through the present crisis.

As to whether they will succeed, that remains unknown.

…

The Li family’s Spirit Boat flew across the sky at its fastest speed, returning to its own territory.

Upon their return, Li Xianxun recounted their encounter to Li Taichang.

“I didn’t expect the Baiyun Sect to be so arrogant and conceited. Or do they have some trump card to ensure victory, otherwise how could they act in such a manner?” Li Taichang frowned in thought.

To have endured for so many years, and even produced Mahayana cultivators, they definitely weren’t a mindless bunch, so there must be a purpose behind this!

It’s just that the Li family remains unaware.

“Keep an eye on Baiyun Sect’s actions, and don’t concern yourself with the rest.” Li Taichang thought for a moment and decided to leave it at that for now.

No matter what schemes Baiyun Sect has, they won’t risk antagonizing the Li family right now. Otherwise, if the Li family decides to intervene, they might become a thing of the past.

Seeing that his part was done, Li Xianxun took his leave to return to his cultivation.

This trip, apart from witnessing a Mahayana cultivator, involved mostly Integration cultivators, and his cultivation among them wasn’t particularly outstanding.

This gave Li Xianxun quite a shock, prompting a positive change in his mental state.

…

“They’ve started fighting?”

Half a month later, Li Taichang received news about Baiyun Sect and the surrounding forces, surprised that actual fighting had occurred, with both sides suffering heavy losses.

This showed that even with a Mahayana cultivator overseeing things, one shouldn’t be so arrogant, nor should one easily provoke wars between forces.

“Keep monitoring them; I want to see what methods Baiyun Sect has, daring to take action when they know it’s futile.”

However, Li Taichang’s attention soon shifted away from the distant battlefield.

Because above Mount Wanxian, vast clouds of tribulation had once again appeared!

“This scale…”

Many family members remembered the Thunder Tribulation from over a hundred years ago, immediately overwhelmed with joy, shouting, “An ancestor is breaking through to Mahayana!”

“That is the cave mansion of Shuo Ancestor in seclusion. She is about to break through to Mahayana.”

Actually, there was no need to shout; others reacted as well, quickly rushing towards the Tribulation Transcendence site, hoping to secure a good spot to observe, in hopes of gaining insights to advance their own cultivation.

Their overwhelming joy did not cloud their judgment; instead of getting closer, they stood further away to eliminate the risk of affecting the Thunder Tribulation.