After the path was cut off

The deduction that the heretical cultivator possessed the Golden Core technique led the two brothers to add another layer of complexity to their relationship, resulting in a heated debate.

Li Wangxiang was unwilling to accept this.

If he were to be the only one in the situation, he would naturally know to back down.

But now it involves his elder brother and the lives of more than 100,000 people in Baixi Town. How can he easily give up?

Moreover, after the Sun-Chasing Shuttle entered his body, most of the signs of his broken foundation had been suppressed. In addition, Xuan Li covered his aura, making it a perfect cover-up.

Foundation building complete—

As long as he isn't truly exposed, he can be.

Li Wangchuan, however, held on tightly and refused to let go.

In his view, the situation couldn't be clearer.

Li Wangxiang could not contact his master or his senior brother, which meant that most of Baixi Town had already been sealed off.

What's more, the person standing opposite is a Foundation Establishment Perfection cultivator who is currently seeking gold.

What can Li Wangxiang rely on now?

Even if we were to gamble, we should at least send out the seeds of life: Qinghan, Jingshan, and Qingfeng.

As for Xuan Li, he was not as nervous as the two brothers.

That heretical cultivator has a golden core standing on his head, but is there no one on Li Wangxiang's head?

Whether it was the Tianxuan Sect's cover-up of him, their secret delivery of the Sun Chasing Shuttle, or their step-by-step arrangements in the Rotten Water Abyss, it all shows that the Tianxuan Sect would definitely have something in store for Li Wangxiang.

When it really came down to it, it didn't believe that Tianxuan Sect would just stand by and watch Li Wangxiang die here.

not to mention--

A ready-made gold-seeking scheme is right in front of us.

If one could take a closer look at how the "seeking of gold" in this world works, it might be an opportunity for it to restore its strength.

So Li Wangxiang and Xuan Li agreed and took turns trying to persuade him, but the old man was like a cold and hard stone, and no matter what they said, he just wouldn't budge.

Later, Li Wangchuan ignored their advice and simply revealed the true state of Baixi Town little by little.

He worked almost non-stop from the first half of the night to the second half.

The origin of the twelve villages, why they were divided in this way, who is the village chief of each village, and what is the internal situation of each village;

From where were each group of refugees forced to come? Which branch stayed, and which branch scattered during the migration?

Who in the town can be relied upon, and who is already corrupt?

The traces of heretical practitioners that have been discovered over the years...

He explained it in great detail.

Every name, every piece of land, every old story must be explained tonight.

Later on, it was no longer like arguing.

It's more like...making arrangements for his death.

------------

The night was not yet completely over, and the chill before dawn was the most biting.

The simple wooden door of the Li residence was knocked on cautiously.

Du, du du du.

The voice was extremely soft, almost like a plea for mercy.

Li Wangchuan and Li Wangxiang exchanged a glance, their eyes both showing seriousness. This kind of knocking at this hour was definitely not from an ordinary town resident.

Before Li Wangxiang could release his divine sense, the light of the [Xuanli] mirror rippled slightly, projecting the scene outside the door onto the two of them.

It was a hunched old man, wearing a faded coarse cloth jacket, with a wooden face and empty eyes, like a walking corpse, surrounded by a black aura.

"His name is Wang Laoshi. He came here with other refugees more than 20 years ago. He has some skills, and his family of seven lives in the town, making a living by weaving baskets and brooms. He is usually quiet and kind, and is known in the town as an honest man," Li Wangchuan added ambiguously.

"This person was quite lucky; he moved several times, yet no one in his family perished."

Li Wangxiang had already scanned the area with his divine sense when an undisguised malice struck him, and Li Wangxiang instantly understood.

"This person is being controlled."

In a flash, Li Wangxiang had made his decision:

This technique cannot be broken.

Let's borrow this shell first and see who's hiding behind it.

He immediately sent a telepathic message to Jing Shan and the others who had noticed the commotion, signaling them not to act rashly. At the same time, he subtly flicked his fingertips, and a wisp of spiritual energy quietly lifted the door bolt.

The mirror, shimmering like ripples on water, vanished without a trace. Apart from the Li brothers, no one else could perceive its presence. Yet, the invisible protective force still enveloped this small area.

"Squeak—",

The main gate of the Li residence and the main hall gate were simultaneously flung open, completely exposing Wang Laoshi's cowering figure to the two brothers.

He moved his stiff legs, crossed the courtyard, and slowly walked into the main hall.

This person was still conscious. The moment he entered, he collapsed to his knees with a thud, his body trembling violently, his voice a desperate sob:

"Township Mayor..."

"Old man... I had no choice..."

Fear gripped him, and his subsequent words became incoherent.

However, the violent trembling soon stopped.

When he looked up again, the sorrow and despair on his face had completely vanished.

Instead, there was an unusual peace, tranquility, and even a touch of compassionate composure.

"Master Li, Fellow Daoist Li."

"It is finally time for this old man and the two of you to meet."

The voice was gentle and warm, not hostile, but rather like an old friend visiting.

This affected manner made Li Wangxiang feel nauseous and disgusted.

Speak your mind.

"There's no room for formalities between us."

"My name is Wang Xiande." The man was not offended and remained calm.

"The world gave me another nickname, calling me 'Blood Butcher'."

"You two need not be so hostile. I have read every letter you brothers exchange."

"Between the lines, there is deep affection for family and tireless dedication to Baixi Town, which often moves this old man to tears."

He sighed softly, seemingly with a hint of regret.

"In this world, it is hard to find a mortal leader like Master Li who is so selfless in his management and a pillar of strength. It is also hard to find a cultivator like Fellow Daoist Li who is so concerned about mortal clans."

"To be honest, I am extremely fortunate to have found you all."

"I have come here today in borrowed form only to express my feelings."

"I have no intention of exterminating them; it is all for the sake of achieving enlightenment. If you two are willing to give me half of your clansmen, you may take the other half with you. I will not stop you."

"how?"

Li Wangxiang was shocked and quickly tried to figure out what this evil cultivator was up to. But no matter what, evil cultivators were not people he could trade with.

He was resolute and decisive, without hesitation:

You've miscalculated.

"The people of Baixi Town are not some commodities to be sold at a high price."

"If you truly wish to take our lives, then demonstrate your abilities."

"Why be so stubborn, Fellow Daoist Li?" Blood Butcher's voice remained calm, yet it carried a chilling undertone.

"Baixi Town is already caught in the net. With a single thought, I can turn half of its inhabitants into food."

"Is this hellish scene truly what Fellow Daoist Li wished to see?"

As he spoke, his gaze fell on Li Wangchuan.

"Master Li, we've had a tacit understanding for so many years, have I ever truly overstepped my bounds?"

"Even if you ordered someone to 'invite' the woman to leave, it was only as a slight warning because you were suppressing the population too much."

"And as you know, those women who conceived did so not in pain, nor were they forced. I deliberately wove beautiful dreams for them, selected healthy and vigorous offspring, and once they were pregnant, I safely returned them—"

That's enough.

Li Wangchuan, who had been silently observing, could no longer suppress the anger and humiliation surging in his chest, and shouted angrily to interrupt.

The image of Xue's desperate and disgusted gaze before her death flashed before his eyes. Others might not know the extent of the humiliation those women who were sent back had endured, but he knew it all too well.

Whenever he thought of this, Li Wangchuan wished he could tear the man to pieces. How dare this man say such things so casually to his face!

"They are clearly doing things that trample on life, yet they still put on a face of doing favors for others."

"You dare to use the words 'seeking the Way'?"

"You ignorant ants! Just because you've climbed up to the true disciples of the Tianxuan Sect, you dare to bare your teeth and sneer?!" 'Old Wang's' voice suddenly rose, becoming sharp and shrill.

His facial features suddenly twisted, presenting a horrifying split—the left half of his face still maintained that eerie peace, while the right half of his face had his eyebrows raised, his mouth stretched to his ears, revealing his white teeth, and a completely different, violent and bloodthirsty aura suddenly erupted!

"Blood Butcher! Why waste your breath on these two lambs to the slaughter!"

The sound was rough and harsh, like sand and gravel grinding against iron.

"Listen up, you surnamed Li! I'm the 'Bone Chewing Demon'! I've been craving the taste of those fat sheep in your circle for far too long!"

"If you know what's good for you, do as my older brother says and leave half! Otherwise—"

"Heh heh, don't even try to say half of it. I'll make sure Baixi Town is a river of blood, barren and desolate!"

Li Wangxiang's eyes suddenly turned cold, and his killing intent almost materialized.

Two Foundation Establishment level heretical cultivators.

No wonder they dared to come to our door like this.

At this moment, the calm voice known as "Blood Butcher" rang out again, tinged with a hint of feigned reproach:

"Chew the bone, don't be impatient."

"In all things, harmony is the most important thing."

That half-serious face turned back to Li Wangchuan, and his tone revealed a nauseating admiration:

"Master Li, to be honest, I've been watching you from the shadows for decades."

"I have absolute admiration for your shepherding skills."

"Look at this, the population growth, migration, and cohesion... each link is interconnected, creating a continuous cycle. It has nurtured the people of this town to be strong and energetic, far superior to the roughnecks under my command."

As he spoke, he seemed to become more and more enthusiastic.

"Does Master Li know why I'm so fixated on these ordinary people in Baixi Town, instead of establishing a separate nursery?"

"Simply because people are inherently very different from each other."

"Those who are rich in emotion and resolute in will possess a quality of blood and soul that far surpasses that of those numb, lifeless corpses."

"And the people you raised—"

"Its 'quality'...has reached the pinnacle that the mundane world can produce!"

"This is a truly exceptional...fine wine!"

Li Wangchuan swayed violently, and the color drained from his face instantly.

"Fine wine—"

For decades, he devoted himself to the cause, struggling with painful choices time and time again, all to fight for a better chance of survival for his people. But all of this was described by the heretical cultivator as an achievement of "cultivating superior resources for them".

The principles he upheld throughout his life were completely distorted and trampled upon!

Why escalate to the point of armed conflict?

Blood Butcher seemed oblivious to Li Wangchuan's swaying figure and the surging grief and indignation in his eyes; his voice was like the whisper of a devil:

"We've been working together for decades and have a tacit understanding. Why not take it a step further?"

"The Li family, along with everyone in Baixi Town, can leave safely. I can even clear any obstacles in your path."

"And all we want is a long-term alliance."

When he said the word "covenant," he deliberately paused for a second, and the malice in his tone was almost cloying.

"From now on, Baixi Town will contribute 10% of its population to us every ten years."

Regardless of age.

"Just being alive is enough."

"In this way, the Li family will not only be able to rest easy, but also reap the benefits!"

"I know your ambition to build a paradise. My friend Chewing Bones and I can gather refugees from the Central Plains to continuously replenish your population."

"When necessary, they can even act as external forces to eliminate dissidents and consolidate your foundation in the Yunmeng Marsh!"

"And the price—"

"They're just a bunch of ordinary people."

"Fellow Daoist Li, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!"

The Bone Chewing Demon's voice echoed sharply:

"There's no better deal than this in the world! Don't miss this opportunity!"

"An alliance...?"

"To...offer?"

"The price... for mortals?"

Li Wangchuan murmured these words absentmindedly, each word like a red-hot steel needle, piercing deep into the morality and soul he had upheld throughout his life!

Those figures who fell while protecting women and children, those villagers he personally abandoned during the migration...

All the grief, self-blame, forbearance, and struggle were torn apart and exposed to the light of day by the other party in the most vicious and blasphemous way!

This is more than just treating life lightly.

Rather, it is a denial of Li Wangchuan's entire life.

"puff--!"

A mouthful of scalding blood gushed out, splattering a blinding crimson stain on the ground.

Li Wangchuan's withered fingers trembled violently as he pointed intently at the distorted face. His eyes were bloodshot, and with the last of his strength, he forced out a heart-wrenching roar from the depths of his soul:

"brute--!!"