Chapter 572: Finding Calm Amid Chaos

"Brother Li, go back and rest up—don't worry about battlefield matters."

Nie Nie Siming, Yuan Xiong, and several others gathered around Li Rui.

"You all must be extra careful."

Li Rui said.

Indeed.

He had already received special permission from the Elders' Council and would return to Donghai City to recuperate immediately.

This was, of course, his calculation.

To outsiders,

a Purple Mansion cultivator who took a direct hit from a Dao Body cultivator surviving at all was already a miracle; serious injury was only expected, and it wasn't just one witness—many Fire Fengcheng cultivators had seen it and could testify.

Besides,

a Purple Mansion cultivator who withstood a Dao Body cultivator's palm strike had accomplished a great feat.

Not to mention Li Rui had brought out numerous cultivators alive.

He had earned merit—and was wounded in the process.

The Elders' Council had no reason to refuse.

The effect of Li Rui's arduous retreat with over a hundred Fire Fengcheng cultivators began to show.

Or rather, he had already been laying the groundwork to extract himself.

The Jiazi Extermination campaign was gradually slipping out of control, and he had not yet revealed his true realm—he was still just an outstanding Purple Mansion cultivator, still able to leave; if he truly became a Dao Body cultivator, leaving would become far harder.

Li Rui patted Nie Nie Siming on the shoulder: "Stay alive."

"Mm."

Nie Nie Siming and Yuan Xiong both grinned and nodded.

Li Rui had already told them that if they wished to leave, they could use escorting him back to Donghai City as an excuse.

Yuan Yuan Dingting could not leave.

But Nie Nie Siming and Yuan Xiong still could.

Yet both refused.

No way—they had excellent talent and were martial cultivators; missing this Jiazi Extermination meant waiting another sixty years, and they weren't willing to wait.

They still hoped to break through to Purple Mansion during this Great War between Dao and Demon.

Everyone has their own path.

Li Rui didn't press further.

If he cultivated the martial Dao himself, he might be even crazier than those two brothers.

That same day, he departed the island aboard a flying vessel.

Good fortune favored him.

He returned safely to Donghai City.

As soon as he entered the Marquis Wu'an's residence, Tan Hu, Ge Hong, and two others came out to greet him.

"Big Brother." *3

All three had received word and wore expressions of deep concern.

"No serious harm."

Li Rui waved his hand casually.

He was faking it.

To make the act convincing, he hadn't even told Ning Ning Zhongtian the truth—this was the safest approach.

The cultivation world was nothing like the small cavern realm.

Too many tricks, and soul-searching methods were commonplace.

Knowing too much would only endanger these brothers of his.

"Have there been any incidents in Donghai City these past days?"

Li Rui asked as he walked into the room.

Tan Hu shook his head: "All the demon cultivators have joined the front lines—the city has been peaceful, nothing happened."

He and Ge Hong and the others had not yet entered the Penetrating Mystery realm.

Their combat power was too low.

They'd only be cannon fodder, so from the start, Li Rui hadn't taken them along.

Now that he was the elder, he naturally helped whoever he could.

Life in Donghai City was quiet.

Only those who had endured great battles understood how precious such peace was.

He stayed for over ten days.

One day,

the Elders' Council's reward finally arrived in Donghai City.

"Elder Li has achieved great merit, bringing glory to the righteous path—congratulations."

And the one delivering the reward—

Li Rui had met before.

It was Shi Shi Xueyan, the True Disciple from Shenxiao City who had come to Donghai City with Wen Su Xuan and Fu Rui that day.

Looking at the jade token in Shi Shi Xueyan's hand,

Li Rui's eyes flickered with surprise.

He hadn't cared much about the Elders' Council's reward, since publicly he was only a Purple Mansion cultivator, so the reward would surely be suited only for that realm.

He was already a Dao Body cultivator—he naturally looked down on it.

But as he took the jade token and examined it briefly,

'Interesting.'

Li Rui's interest stirred.

Shi Shi Xueyan promptly spoke: "Elder Li, this jade token is crafted by Bao Hua Pavilion—it grants a thirty percent discount on spirit treasures purchased there, and elevates your access level, allowing you to buy Dao Body realm magic treasures."

The name Bao Hua Pavilion—

Li Rui had certainly heard of it.

It was the immortal market operated by Taihuazhou's foremost forging sect, filled with countless spirit treasures.

The role of magic treasures in cultivation needed no elaboration.

Though Li Rui did not cultivate through artifacts, acquiring auxiliary magic treasures would still be immensely useful.

He had long intended to purchase some.

But he had always lacked the means.

Now the opportunity had come to him.

This Bao Hua Pavilion jade token was like a certificate of honor—not actual spirit stones, yet an immense benefit.

'I didn't expect the Elders' Council to be so generous.'

Li Rui stroked the jade token, thinking to himself.

He guessed it was because the Great War between Dao and Demon was growing increasingly intense, and his influence in the Southeast Theater was considerable—after all, great rewards produce brave men.

They were using Li Rui as a model to inspire other cultivators to fight harder.

Shi Shi Xueyan's eyes flickered with envy.

This jade token was something she had long sought but could never obtain.

She had also heard rumors of the Southeast Theater's events.

Li Rui was now famous—even Shenxiao City had heard of his achievements.

This Elder Li had accomplished a remarkable feat and survived a Dao Body cultivator's strike.

That was real, undeniable ability.

Now, looking at Li Rui, she could no longer muster even a trace of arrogance.

'Are all those from the small cavern realms this powerful?'

Shi Shi Xueyan suddenly felt insecure.

Especially when compared to her deceased senior brother Fu Rui.

Both were Purple Mansion cultivators—her senior brother had perished, while Elder Li had remained low-key, yet now stood at a realm she could never attain.

In the future, Li Rui might well secure a place among the Twelve Immortal Halls of Shenxiao City.

And besides Li Rui,

Gao Tianxia and Yuan Yuan Dingting were even more renowned.

The Jin Ting Small Cavern Realm was producing prodigies, making Shenxiao City's cultivators seem dull by comparison.

Li Rui chuckled: "Miss Shi, we've prepared spirit delicacies—why not eat before you leave?"

Shi Shi Xueyan shook her head: "I must return to the city to report—no need to trouble you further."

Li Rui did not press her.

Shi Shi Xueyan summoned her magic treasure and floated away gracefully.

Looking at the Bao Hua Pavilion jade token in his hand,

Li Rui's lips curled slightly upward.

Wait until things settle, then go to Taihuazhou.

But before that.

You must first gather enough spirit stones, or else you'll just enter a treasure vault and stare helplessly.

Cultivation knows no years.

Before he knew it, Li Rui had spent five years recuperating in Donghai City.

During that time.

The Jiazi Extermination grew fiercer; even some cultivators from Shenxiao City who had no need to fight were forced to the battlefield.

Yet he, having earned merit and been wounded, ironically gained a temporary respite.

As for the situation on the battlefield.

He didn't miss a single detail.

Every few days, Nie Nie Siming would send him updates via voice talismans.

In short.

The various parties had truly lost their tempers.

Even Dao Jun-level experts had intervened—more than once.

On this very day.

Li Rui received another message from Nie Nie Siming.

This message was brief.

Only five characters.

"Father Yi has broken through."

(End of Chapter)