NOVEL NEXT Chapter 464: 470
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Moreover, this matter benefited the family's development; personal grievances naturally had to be set aside temporarily.
Of course, the most important reason was that the Li family lacked strength; they could neither avenge their grudges nor resist the Devil Race on their own.
Had the Li family possessed several Nascent Soul True Lords, they would have already taken action against Shen Leishan; in a situation like the current one, they would not have needed to hesitate, directly using their overwhelming might to threaten the Devil Race.
Don't agree? Then simply seize the Secret Realm from them and drive the Devil Race out of the Great Void Province!
Although Li Zhirui felt somewhat dissatisfied in his heart, he currently had no other choice.
"Zhirui, take it easy; you are still young, and the family also needs time to develop," Li Shilian noticed his thoughts and spoke up to comfort him, "Commoners say that a gentleman's revenge is not too late if taken even after ten years, let alone us cultivators, who enjoy long lifespans?"
Li Zhirui slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air, his expression returning to calm, and said, "Elder Lian, you're right, I was getting carried away."
"Then let Great Primordial send someone to contact Shen Leishan and negotiate when to make a move," Li Shiqing said.
Li Zhirui added from the side: "I will personally lead a team to the Great Void Province; however, Taixu Secret Realm is a third-order Secret Realm, so if we dispatch Foundation Establishment clan members, their casualty rate would be terrifying."
"Let Zhixuan and Cheng Huo take some Mountain Guardian Spirit Beasts into the Secret Realm with them."
This was also an act of desperation; after all, the Li family only had six Golden Core cultivators, and among them, Li Zhiyue had left home and had not returned, and both Li Shiqing and Li Shilian were too old and lacked combat prowess.
That left only Jiang Fengwu, Li Zhixuan, and Li Chenghuo. Considering Jiang Fengwu's status, the choice had to be made between Li Zhixuan and Li Chenghuo.
Taking those Mountain Guardian Spirit Beasts was primarily to bolster their strength and ability to protect themselves; at the same time, they could also collect resources in the Secret Realm.
Of course, if you want a horse to gallop, you must first let it graze; apart from awarding them some resources, if the Li family needed any Spiritual Objects obtained in the Secret Realm, they would purchase them at a fair price.
The rest they could choose to use for themselves or sell to the Li family in exchange for Spirit Stones.
"That's the only way," Li Zhirui said with reluctance. His growth was frighteningly rapid, and the family simply could not keep up, after all, not everyone had fortuitous encounters or opportunities.
"I'll go back and ask Fengwu, Da Qing, and Xiaoqing if they're interested in going to the Secret Realm."
Although the number was still quite small, at least there were three more.
"Alright."
After discussing, the three of them began to act separately.
Li Shiqing informed Li Dayuan of the outcome, instructing him to send someone to contact Shen Leishan; Li Shilian, in turn, arranged for someone to bring Li Zhixuan back and told Li Chenghuo to prepare in advance.
Speaking of which, Li Chenghuo, who had obtained Smelted Sinmetal, had been in seclusion for the past few years, concentrating on crafting his Life-bound Magic Treasure.
In reality, about half a year ago, his Life-bound Magic Treasure had already been completed. It took the shape of a nine-story pagoda, which Li Chenghuo named Nine Flames Burning Heaven Pagoda, and whether for trapping people or for its lethal power, the effects were very impressive.
However, Li Chenghuo did not stop there. He continued to collect various types of Spiritual Fire through the family, integrating them into the pagoda to enhance its power.
If he could gather nine third-order Spiritual Fires, then the power of this pagoda would become extremely terrifying, likely enough to burn an ordinary Golden Core cultivator alive!
When Li Shilian came to him, Li Chenghuo was merging the latest third-order Spiritual Fire he had acquired—the Earth Core Poison Flame.
This was the second third-order Spiritual Fire he had obtained, the first being his Golden Core True Fire.
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Third-order Spiritual Fires are not commonplace Spiritual Objects—Li Chenghuo was quite lucky to have acquired the Earth Core Poison Flame so quickly.
Initially, Li Chenghuo wanted to ask Li Zhirui for the Nascent Soul True Fire. However, because the Nascent Soul True Fire was too powerful, it was fine for short-term storage, but over time, it would likely damage the pagoda's prohibitions.
With no alternative, Li Chenghuo had to give up this idea.
"Sir Lian? What brings you here to see me?" Li Chenghuo hadn't expected the visitor to be this elder who had long since retired, and he asked respectfully.
"The Great Void Province has a third-order Secret Realm that will open in half a year. The family is preparing to send people in to explore, and you and Zhixuan are the only two candidates. I've come to ensure you are properly prepared."
Afterward, Li Shilian informed Li Chenghuo about the Mountain Guardian Spirit Beasts, which would accompany them inside to enhance their ability to protect themselves.
"I understand. I will be ready!" Li Chenghuo did not refuse and nodded decisively in agreement.
By the time the half year had passed, he had integrated the Earth Core Poison Flame into his Life-bound Magic Treasure, further enhancing its power. Even if he faced a cultivator at the Middle Golden Core Stage, Li Chenghuo was confident he could repel them.
Furthermore, with several Mountain Guardian Spirit Beasts following him, even if he encountered someone at the Golden Core Late Stage, he would be able to escape safely.
A look of gratification appeared in Li Shilian's eyes, and he spoke gently, "Trust that the family will do everything to ensure your safety."
"Continue with your cultivation. I have other matters to attend to, so I won't disturb you any longer."
Li Chenghuo stood up to see Li Shilian out and then resumed his state of seclusion, eager to seize the time to enhance his strength as much as possible.
After all, preserving his life was the bare minimum. He needed to obtain as many resources as possible for his family from the Secret Realm.
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Meanwhile, back in his cave residence, Li Zhirui called Da Qing and Xiaoqing, who had been living outside, back inside, as he waited for Jiang Fengwu to return from the Array Hall.
"What's happened? Has something occurred?" Jiang Fengwu only heard that an Elder from Shen Leishan had visited, but she had not been informed of the details.
"Yes, there's something I need to discuss with you all," Li Zhirui said softly to the two devils and one person before him, "The Taixu Secret Realm is about to open, and our family plans to cooperate temporarily with Shen Leishan, pressuring the Devil Race to agree to our entry into the Secret Realm."
"But the family is now facing a problem—the number of people entering the Secret Realm is too few. So, I wanted to ask for your opinion on whether you would be willing to go to the Taixu Secret Realm."
Everyone has their own agendas, and Li Zhirui was no exception.
Despite the Secret Realm being rich in resources, it was also extremely dangerous. Even with thorough preparation, there was no guarantee of a safe return to Wanxian Island.
This was why Li Zhirui did not oppose the arrangement made by Li Shiqing for Li Zhixuan and Li Chenghuo to enter the Secret Realm—he knew that if it were not for those two, only Jiang Fengwu would be left.
Yet, this very Secret Realm might contain extremely precious Spiritual Objects. Relying solely on Li Zhixuan and the others, the likelihood of acquiring them was too slim!
Should these treasures fall into the hands of Shen Leishan or the Devil Race, it would not bode well for the Li family.
Both of these major forces had longstanding disputes with the Li family.
The Li family had carved out three provinces from Shen Leishan's territory, reducing their land by a quarter.
Moreover, the life span issue of Li Shiqing was also a consequence of a conscription by Shen Leishan.