Chapter 681

Chapter 681: Spirit Rabbit

A massive light curtain appeared above the High Platform.

Within the light curtain was a map centered around the Evil Shadow Leopard Tribe’s holy city, spanning thousands of miles.

"This time, our target is still the outskirts of the holy city, but this battle will be far more dangerous than the last," Li Lei Hu said calmly, standing on the High Platform.

He felt a flicker of pride; ever since mastering that technique, his presence had grown more commanding.

His calm and composed tone especially carried an air of authority, like a true master.

"I made a bet with the outer sect’s chief—this time, we’ll compete based on the average points earned in this battle."

"If we win, ten percent of the points earned by the outer disciples this year will go to us."

"If we lose, we’ll forfeit our cultivation quota for the Five-Color Mountain Peak."

"Do you know why I took this bet? Because last time, our average points were lower than the outer disciples’."

A powerful aura radiated from Li Lei Hu.

"I won’t say much more. If we lose again this time, we might as well hang our heads in shame."

His words resonated with all the third-generation disciples.

They felt a deep sense of embarrassment. Despite enjoying the privileges of the inner sect, they had been outperformed by the outer disciples.

"Chief, it’s not that we didn’t try. In the last battle, there were too many beasts, and we couldn’t give it our all," one third-generation disciple protested.

"A loss is a loss. No excuses."

"The Grand Elder once said, ‘To know shame is to find courage.’ The path of cultivation is full of ups and downs. If you can’t accept that, how will you ever walk the wide road or serve the sect?"

"So, fellow disciples, let’s strive together!" Li Lei Hu said, clasping his hands in a gesture of solidarity.

In the distance, Butcher Li chuckled.

"That little rascal’s starting to sound like a leader," Butcher Li said with a grin.

"Your son’s over a thousand years old, and you still call him ‘little rascal’?" Following Shadows teased.

"In my eyes, he’ll always be my little rascal," Butcher Li replied, his gaze fixed on his son on the High Platform, pride shining in his eyes.

He had become a father late in life, only embarking on the path of cultivation afterward. Some habits from his mortal days were hard to shake.

To him, his son’s achievements were as impressive as those of a top scholar in the mortal world—a parent’s pride knows no bounds.

Just then, the communication artifact of Butcher Li and Following Shadows chimed.

"Grape’s issued a task. Let’s head back to the Tian Puppet Division and organize the mission," Butcher Li said.

As the director and deputy director of the Tian Puppet Division, they were responsible for coordinating large-scale combat operations.

Meanwhile, Xu Fan was relaxing in his courtyard, enjoying a massage from the Jade Light Beast King.

"Grand Elder, how’s my technique?" Jade Light Beast King asked with a smile, though a hint of nervousness flickered across her face.

Her delicate hands worked skillfully on Xu Fan’s shoulders, employing various techniques.

A subtle flow of strange powers seeped from her jade-white hands into Xu Fan’s body, soothing and nourishing his soul.

Xu Fan relaxed with a comfortable expression.

"Go ahead, what’s on your mind?" Xu Fan asked again.

The Precious Artifact Rabbit Clan had now fully integrated as a subordinate beast race of Hidden Spirit Island.

They were the type that wouldn’t leave even if chased, and many ambitious members of the clan were eager to join the Hidden Spirit Sect.

"Grand Elder, there’s a small clan near the Evil Shadow Leopard Tribe’s territory. Could we bring them into the demon division of the Hidden Spirit Sect?" Jade Light Beast King asked, a bit shyly.

"What small clan? You know the requirements for becoming a subordinate race of the demon division," Xu Fan replied, his eyes half-closed as he enjoyed Jade Light Beast King’s massage, looking completely at ease.

"The Spirit Rabbit Clan is a branch of our rabbit clan. They’re known for their gentle nature and hold no grudges against the human race," Jade Light Beast King explained confidently.

"Spirit Rabbit Clan?" Xu Fan seemed intrigued.

"Spirit Rabbits love cultivating spirit herbs and spirit materials. They used to rely on the Moon Spirit Rabbit Clan, a holy clan among us rabbits, but unfortunately, they were wiped out by the Evil Shadow Leopard."

"After that, the Spirit Rabbit Clan had to depend on the Evil Shadow Leopard Tribe," Jade Light Beast King added.

"In that case, you should warn the Spirit Rabbit Clan in advance. They just need to stay hidden during the battle, and I’ll make sure the sect’s disciples avoid them," Xu Fan said.

"Thank you, Grand Elder!" Jade Light Beast King said gratefully.

"It’s no big deal. As long as they’re kind-hearted and useful, our Hidden Spirit Sect can take them in," Xu Fan said with a smile.

Hearing the word "our," Jade Light Beast King’s eyes sparkled with joy.

"Looks like Grape won’t have to personally tend to the sect’s flowers, trees, spirit herbs, and spirit woods anymore," Xu Fan remarked.

"The Spirit Rabbit Clan loves working with plants. If you leave these tasks to them, Grand Elder, they’ll do an excellent job," Jade Light Beast King assured him.

By then, the massage was almost over. According to the soul healing center, it had lasted long enough.

"Alright, your soul’s been well-nourished. You should get back to your duties," Xu Fan said, tossing a ring that floated in front of Jade Light Beast King.

"Grand Elder, is this celestial tool ring for me?!" Jade Light Beast King exclaimed excitedly.

"Don’t get ahead of yourself. This is the Heavenly Concealment Celestial Ring. It’s just to make your trip to the Spirit Rabbit Clan easier. You’ll return it once you’re back at the Hidden Spirit Sect," Xu Fan said, giving her a sideways glance.

Giving away a celestial tool for a single massage—even the son of the Great Immortal Emperor wouldn’t be that extravagant.

"Grand Elder, I got carried away," Jade Light Beast King said, blushing slightly, having mistaken it for a reward.

She took the ring, covered her face, and transformed into a beam of light, disappearing into the distance.

"Every day, I wonder what people are thinking," Xu Fan muttered, watching her light fade away.

"Master, the Hidden Spirit Branch Island has been under constant pursuit by the Purple Jade Flood Dragon lately, and they haven’t managed to kill many beast races," Grape’s voice chimed in.

"Constant pursuit by that little flood dragon?"

"How much effort is it putting into this?" Xu Fan exclaimed.

The Hidden Spirit Branch Island also had the Severing Heaven’s Secrets formation, though it was a simplified version.

Even the simplified version wasn’t something just anyone could break through.

"Just wait. Once the Hidden Spirit Branch Island is ready for teleportation again, we’ll launch the Evil Shadow Leopard Tribe’s attack," Xu Fan instructed.

"Understood, Master."

Meanwhile, Xu Fan had no idea that the Purple Jade Flood Dragon, somewhere in the demon race, was staring worriedly at a small crack in the Ten Thousand Rao Sky Realm.

"If this keeps up, will the Ten Thousand Rao Sky Realm break?"

Though the artifact grandmaster wasn’t much of a threat to him, he had the Golden Winged Roc backing him.

In the future, when he ascends to the Upper World, he’d still need the grandmaster to craft higher-quality celestial tools.

At that moment, the Purple Jade Flood Dragon thought about everything he’d been through recently, and a surge of anger rose in his chest.

"At worst, I’ll just compensate him. That human grandmaster—I have to kill him!" the Purple Jade Flood Dragon growled fiercely.

A beast king from the Turtle Clan appeared before him.

The Purple Jade Flood Dragon handed the Ten Thousand Rao Sky Mirror to the old turtle.

"This time, calculate their teleportation location in advance!"