Chapter 174: Chapter 76: Everyone Hates the Fallen

The Liu family’s upper echelon felt a sudden tension upon hearing the news.

The Five Elders Association in the Sea Domain had devised a specialized Foundation Establishment method using parasitic Sea Demons, tailored to their circumstances.

The Liu family had studied this Foundation Establishment method in detail a few years ago and were initially thrilled as it promised to cultivate significant Foundation Establishment combat strength within the clan.

However, after careful investigation, they swiftly abandoned it.

Firstly, this Foundation Establishment method was akin to draining the pond to catch fish; once used, its potential was completely exhausted, leaving no possibility for future advancement and severing one’s path entirely.

Secondly, the lifespan was reduced by at least twenty percent compared to normal Foundation Establishment cultivators, and moreover, they would die painfully in the end.

Thirdly, it required a Water Element Spirit Root, and was not sold to non-indigenous Sea Domain cultivators.

Thus, this Foundation Establishment method was used only by the Sea Domain back then for survival, to enhance their combat strength against the surrounding Tier Two Sea Demons.

For ordinary cultivators, stepping into cultivation, who wouldn’t harbor a sliver of ambition toward the Great Dao in the depths of their hearts?

Even those with a lower-grade Spirit Root, even those trapped in a predicament, still hope for a chance to defy the heavens and prove the Dao.

But this Foundation Establishment method is equivalent to severing one’s path entirely, completely extinguishing even a faint hope.

Unless absolutely compelled, very few would be willing.

Despite the Liu family’s disdain for this unconventional Foundation Establishment method, the vast combat strength of the Foundation Establishment cultivators in the Sea Domain could not be underestimated.

Such substantial Foundation Establishment strength, even if confronted by their Tier Three Array, wouldn’t last long.

“Why have they come here?” Liu Zhengfeng hurriedly asked.

“I don’t know!”

“Investigate further!”

“Yes!”

The scout quickly departed, and Second Elder Liu Yuxiu’s eyes widened suddenly.

“Could it be… the incident from three years ago?”

“It’s possible. Though you retreated in time three years ago, Qian Jianghan is not someone who hesitates to betray; fears have long since informed them of our involvement.

And, looking across the entire Southern Domain cultivation world, perhaps only our Liu family is capable of deploying such a large-scale killing array!” Liu Zhengfeng pondered for a moment, nodding his head.

“Unexpected, that woman has been so patient, not showing any abnormality in these three years, and now, seizing the moment of our turmoil, she has arrived to attack.” The other high-ranking members suddenly realized.

“She’s been waiting all along!”

“This woman is not simple; when she strikes, it’s a deadly move!”

“Our reliance now is on the array. If the array is destroyed, they won’t need to strike; those we’ve driven out below will fight us to the death!”

“Let me take precious gifts and seek forgiveness!” Liu Yuxiu said after careful consideration.

Liu Zhengfeng waved his hand forcefully: “It’s too late! Haven’t you realized? This woman’s nature is quite ruthless; how could she easily let us go? Unless we battle it out, she won’t rest.”

“Then how should we respond?” Someone panicked.

“Elder Two, Elder Three, Elder Eight, you three fake pill-tier, lead all the clan’s Foundation Establishment strength to block them; they mustn’t attack the array.

Remember, kill the leaders decisively; it’s best to terrify them. Do not harbor a woman’s heart; strike first and strike hard.” Liu Zhengfeng pondered briefly and gave a stern command.

“Go check on Hongling, has the Earth Spirit Master broken through the second tier? In the critical moment, we’ll need her to act!”

Liu Zhengfeng had another secret trump card,

which was Liu Hongling.

Born to connect with the grand forces of heaven and earth, capable of sensing the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Veins.

However, only the second tier was awakened so far, enabling her to deploy barely Tier Two arrays, mostly supportive and defensive in nature; once Tier Three awakens, Tier Three killing arrays and illusion arrays can be activated effortlessly.

——

A hundred miles away on a barren mountain, Li Jizhou stood atop the crown of a towering tree, merging with it, waiting silently.

It’s better to teach someone to fish than to give them the fish.

Similarly, buying the High-tier Fire Gathering Array from the Liu family is less preferable than learning their Tier Two array inheritance.

The Liu family’s status in the Qi Kingdom has always been outstanding,

as the undisputed leader of arrays in the Qi Kingdom.

Legend has it that the Liu family was once a branch of a renowned array master from the Central Domain, their clan’s array inheritance being extremely high-grade, possibly having Tier Four transmissions.

However, trying to learn their inheritance is nearly impossible.

Non-direct line members of the Liu family are forbidden to train in the core array inheritance.

With Li Jizhou’s current strength and cards, he’s not yet at the point where he can openly ask for tutelage, and he’s not that kind of person.

At this moment, he simply holds onto a stroke of luck, observing for changes.

Without high expectations.

Half a day later, a burst of Fake Pill-level Magical Power erupted a thousand miles east.

Soon, magical power surged in that direction, the battle intense and sustained for a long time.

Not long after, the Liu family’s domain and Celestial City both raised massive Mana Shields.

Li Jizhou shared Gua Gua’s vision, seeing a large group of cultivators outside Celestial City casting spells in attack.

Having survived the killing array’s deadly intent in Celestial City, they dared not easily venture into Celestial City now, only casting spells outside.

As some buildings within Celestial City collapsed rapidly, destroyed, the Liu family had to raise an array.

Subsequently, chaotic attacks fell upon the array, causing significant commotion.

But it barely impacted the Tier Three array at all.

Even the Liu family members paid little attention.

Their focus was on the thousand-mile war with the Sea Domain cultivators.

Li Jizhou’s heart stirred, immediately connecting with Gua Gua.

As everyone bombarded the Celestial City’s array, Gua Gua spat out several Tier Two Array-Break symbols.

“Boom boom boom~” In almost an instant, the array reacted heavily.

The Liu family members were greatly shocked, hurriedly turning their attention here to probe the recent disturbance.

“Array-Break symbols! They actually have Tier Two Array-Break symbols!”

“Hmph, thinking Tier Two Array-Break symbols can break my Liu family’s Tier Three mixed array? Absurd.” Several Liu family members identified the cause and sighed in relief.

However, before they could relax, a louder noise came.

The entire array started shaking more violently.

Illusion, although Gua Gua’s trump card, its most proud innate gift, does not mean it’s weak in other aspects; now being a Tier Three Great Demon, even its body could overpower Fake Pills, and its Water Element magic attack carries True Core might.

With the recent discovery of the array’s weak spots by the Tier Two Array-Break symbols, Gua Gua’s attacks are now deadly.

No more than a quarter-hour, and the array will break!

“What’s going on? Who’s attacking the Celestial City’s array?” Liu Zhengfeng’s attention was drawn to the sudden change in the Celestial City’s array.

“Based on the array feedback, at least True Core level attack!”

“How could there still be a True Core Master fishing in troubled waters?”

The Liu family high-rankers immediately lost their composure.

“Withdraw!” As the Celestial City’s array was about to break, Liu Zhengfeng immediately ordered its withdrawal.

If the opponent dares enter the array, even a True Core Master can be ambushed.

“Patriarch, not good, Second Elder and his group are defeated; the Five Elders Association cultivators have three Fake Pill-tier Demon Beasts.”

“What! Three Fake Pill-tier Demon Beasts!”

“How ruthless is that woman! Have everyone retreat to the clan’s domain.”

“Quick, call Hongling!”

————

“Attack! Fellow daoists, with high-level assistance, this time we will certainly overthrow the Liu family and establish a new force. Hesitate no longer.” Outside Celestial City, over a thousand cultivators were exhilarated, all charging into Celestial City.

Few at the Foundation Establishment Stage,

Most were leftover Qi Refining Stage opportunists.

Seeing the suddenly withdrawn Tier Three array before him, Li Jizhou quickly had Gua Gua dive underground to watch from afar.

Through shared visions with Bai Yi, the entire engagement between the Liu family and the Sea Domain cultivators was witnessed.

Surprisingly effortless.

“No surprises, everyone pushes the collapsing wall; the Liu family is better suited for managing a family, not ruling a domain.” Li Jizhou felt relieved, activating his Divine Sense fully, monitoring the situation within the Liu family’s domain.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep