Rebuilding the Immortal Cultivator Clan

"This place is the territory of the Li family on Mount Wanxian. Leave at once!" said an Elder, leading his clan members to block the cultivators of the Zhou Family.

"This is the sea domain occupied by the Zhou Family!"

"When we arrived here before, we never saw a single Zhou Family cultivator. It was a Land Without Master, and now the clan has brought it under control!" the Elder declared righteously.

"The island beneath your feet was built by the people of the Zhou Family."

"If that's the case, then why were no Zhou Family members seen here before? It was clearly a Land Without Master, so don't argue irrationally here."

"You!"

Facing the powerful Li family, the weaker Zhou Family was enraged, but dared not take further action and could only glare in anger.

But such an impotent act could not possibly make the Li family retreat. They stood there, expressionless, watching them from mid-air.

The Elder of the Zhou Family leading them remained silent for a long time before leaving with his clan without a word.

"Elder, we're just going to hand over that sea area to the Li family like this?!" a young cultivator exclaimed in defiance.

The Elder replied coldly, "What else? Do you want to fight the Li family and see the clan destroyed before you are satisfied?"

The strength disparity between the two sides was too great. The strongest patriarch of the Zhou Family was merely in the Mahayana stage, while the Li family had several Individual Immortals, including two Star Lords in the Realm of Human Immortality. What choice did they have but to retreat?

The young cultivator immediately fell silent, his face showing a mixture of humiliation and unwillingness.

"This world is survival of the fittest; lacking strength, and due to fear that the Sea Clan would defeat the Cave Abyss Sect, we fled the sea domain, losing our righteousness. It's no wonder others took the opportunity to invade."

Many forces, like the Zhou Family, evacuated the sea domain prematurely, but quite a few stayed and assumed the risk and have now reaped the rewards.

"Work hard in cultivation. If you can lead the clan to surpass the Li family, they will not treat us like this." The Elder had high hopes for him, as he was a rare genius in the Zhou Family for a century.

——

"Elder, are we just going to let them leave like this?"

On the other side, the members of the Li family watched the Zhou Family Spirit Boat sail away with some concern.

"What? Are you worried about the Zhou Family's retaliation in the future?"

The Li Family Elder waved his hand dismissively, saying, "As long as you cultivate diligently and gain enough strength, why fear retaliation?"

The Li family didn't completely eliminate them for two reasons: Firstly, there were several Immortal Dao influences involved, and it was impossible for the Li family to deal with so many cultivators, as this would attract more forces' vigilance and discontent.

Secondly, letting these forces exist applied pressure on the younger members of the family, urging them to grow.

"You are right."

Everyone nodded, not taking it to heart.

Similar scenarios occurred in several sea regions, where forces faced the strong Li family and had no choice but to back down reluctantly.

They were angry but could only choose to start over in sea regions outside of the Li family's control.

Fortunately, the Li family did not occupy too much territory; sea regions six hundred miles beyond were Lands Without Masters, giving these quick-reacting forces a chance to choose.

Later arriving forces had to opt for seas further from the East Continent, closer to the outer edge of the near-sea region.

Once the Sea Clan launched an attack, these outer forces would be the first to be hit, so many less powerful forces preferred to abandon the area, choosing to head north or south for a secluded inland sea rather than stay in such a dangerous place.

While the Li family and other forces divided up the sea regions, the Yumen He Family and Xiaxian Sect to the south were still caught in fierce battles with the Sea Clan.

Unlike the decisive Cave Abyss Sect, they were prepared for a long war, not only summoning more cultivators from their sect but also recruiting a large number of vassals and loose cultivators to withstand the onslaught of the million Water Devils together.

The war was extremely brutal, with countless beings falling at every moment, yet neither side chose to retreat. Even if it came down to the last person, they were determined to settle the conflict!

But gradually, the situation became increasingly unfavorable for the Sea Clan.

This was because the Cave Abyss Sect, after a brief respite, dispatched a large number of cultivators southward for reinforcement.

When it came to the conquest of near-sea regions, their goals were aligned, intricately connected, and they could gain considerable benefits, such as a large amount of compensation in Spiritual Objects, from assisting the Cave Abyss Sect.

"Is it going to be like years ago when the near-sea was stolen by cultivators again?" a Human Immortal Water Devil said dejectedly within the Sea Clan camp.

The current situation kept worsening for them. The sheer loss of Water Devils weakened their strength, and the gap continued to widen.

Especially the low-level Water Devils used as cannon fodder; the casualties were so severe it instilled fear in their hearts, with many breaking free from the Secret Technique's control, and even instances of escape.

Among them, lesser-populated tribes had suffered heavy losses, their Individual Immortals and Human Immortals began to protest, unwilling to send their clansmen into battle any longer.

Therefore, a dejected atmosphere pervaded the Sea Clan, causing immense weight on many Water Devils, as they felt it was impossible to defeat the cultivators.

However, the real decision-makers were those Earth Immortal Patriarchs; without their word, all other Water Devils had to remain here, regardless of the casualties.

"Elder Patriarch, do you think it's time to retreat? Various tribes have suffered too great a loss, some even down to under a hundred thousand members, fearing they can't protect their own territories anymore," a Human Immortal Water Devil bravely suggested.