Chapter 1145: The Dharma Spreader's Old Acquaintance
"Could you tell me his story?"
Master Yin slumped to the ground, his voice distant as he broke the long-held silence.
A short while ago, still clinging to a sliver of hope, Master Yin had conducted one final experiment in the dungeons beneath the Sacred Capital.
The results were exactly as Li Ping had described.
He said nothing more after that, only carefully storing away Mr. Bai's rib.
Then he returned to the sacred throne room and stood before the portrait of Mr. Bai, staring blankly into the distance.
Li Ping did not disturb him, his own gaze fixed upon the portrait as well, seemingly lost in remembrance.
Master Yin's question now was exactly what Li Ping had been waiting for.
Master Yin listened with rapt attention.
"I only knew that in the ancient Xuanhuang Realm, there existed Great Heavenly Venerates who stood above all in the Longevity stage. But I never imagined..."
"That such a figure would sacrifice himself for mortals."
Confusion and disbelief clouded Master Yin's face.
"The dead are gone," Li Ping said. "All we can do is fulfill Mr. Bai's final wish and honor his spirit."
"The very reason I founded this Great Qi Dynasty was also for these mortals. Master, in your view, how does the life of mortals within my dynasty compare to that in the Xuanhuang Realm?"
Master Yin turned his head, his gaze seeming to sweep across the entire Great Qi in an instant.
After a moment, he nodded slightly, admitting with admiration, "Compared to the Xuanhuang Realm, where mortals are treated like cattle, this place is practically a golden age for them."
"My vision is to extend this system to all the small worlds of Xuanhuang, and even to the Xuanhuang Realm itself!" Li Ping declared proudly.
Master Yin sized up Li Ping, sighed, but did not argue.
Li Ping smiled faintly. "There's no need for despair, Master. Please, hear me out."
"The strength of the Xuanhuang Realm lies with the Dharma Spreader. The Dharma Spreader's invincibility stems from the New Method. If we can use the techniques passed down by Mr. Bai to undermine the very foundation of the Dharma Spreader..."
"Once he is dealt with, the rest of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance and the Five Elders Council will be nothing more than scattered rabble, easily swept aside."
Master Yin stared blankly at Li Ping, wondering how a cultivator whose aura was merely at the Soul Transformation stage could speak with such immense arrogance.
But more importantly, Master Yin also sensed an intense confidence radiating from him.
"It doesn't seem like empty boasting... Could he be hiding his true strength?" Master Yin scrutinized Li Ping once more.
"To destroy the foundation of the Dharma Spreader, I believe there is no one in this world better suited for the task than you, Master," Li Ping said with utmost gravity, meeting Master Yin's scrutinizing gaze without flinching.
Master Yin hesitated. "With my talent alone, I'm afraid..."
Li Ping stepped forward and gripped Master Yin's hands tightly. "Master, I believe in you!"
His eyes were filled with sincerity. "If ten years isn't enough, then we'll take a hundred. If a hundred isn't enough, then a thousand! I have waited so long for this single glimmer of hope. How could I possibly give up so easily?"
"Surely you don't want to disappoint Mr. Bai's expectations, do you?"
Master Yin shuddered slightly, subconsciously clenching his fists.
"All you need to do, Master, is focus on researching the path that follows Mr. Bai's technique. Leave everything else to me."
After their conversation, Master Yin finally resolved to stay and dedicate himself to researching the cultivation methods that came after Foundation Establishment Through Oneself.
After all, he was not bound by the limits of a mortal lifespan. If he didn't find something to willingly devote himself to, it wouldn't be long before he completely lost his sense of self and assimilated with the other World Ghosts.
Li Ping was overjoyed to receive Master Yin's commitment.
He immediately led him to a secret space beneath the Sacred Capital.
It was a vast, dedicated research facility, already prepared for him.
"I have a plan," Li Ping began. "I'd like to hear your thoughts on its feasibility."
"We select a large group of exceptionally talented, naive youths, teach them the method of Foundation Establishment Through Oneself, and then..."
Li Ping detailed the method he had used in the past.
Master Yin pondered for a moment, his expression turning grave. "It might work. But the specifics will require practical verification."
Li Ping waved his hand dismissively. "The thoughts of children are as wild and untamed as celestial horses. Even if they can't truly stumble their way onto a new path, it will be enough if they can provide you with even a spark of inspiration."
Master Yin was clearly not a pedantic man; he nodded in agreement with Li Ping's plan.
He showed little sympathy for the tragic fate that awaited the chosen children.
"Right, there's something else that has been weighing on my mind. I've wanted to accomplish it, but I've never found a way..." Li Ping paused, seeming to hesitate.
Master Yin glanced at him, gesturing for him to continue.
"Mr. Bai's bones are scattered throughout the Xuanhuang Realm. I wish to gather them for a proper burial. The other parts are manageable, mostly held in the private collections of cultivators. But..."
"His skull is kept in the Museum of Divine Treasures at the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance headquarters."
A vicious glint flashed in Li Ping's eyes as he spoke with resentment, "It's being gawked at by those insects from the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, pointed at without a shred of respect. Every time I think of it, I'm filled with the urge to rush in, consequences be damned, and retrieve it."
"Unfortunately, I've already tried once. There was absolutely no chance of success. A mysterious and powerful expert seems to be hidden within the museum. It was even his idea to place Mr. Bai's skull at the very center. It's clearly a trap, meant to lure people like me who hold Mr. Bai in high regard..."
"You've been inside the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance headquarters?" Master Yin asked, startled.
After Li Ping described the scenes and details of his infiltration, the way Master Yin looked at him changed subtly.
"If I can sneak in once, I can do it again. But that Museum of Divine Treasures..."
"It's truly a difficult problem," Li Ping sighed.
Only then did Master Yin speak. "Fellow Daoist, there's no need to be discouraged. I once had the same idea, years ago. But I gave up after I learned the identity of the museum's curator."
"This individual is one of the three Emperor Sanmos of the demon beast race, an existence dating back to the primordial era. Even the Dharma Spreader Heavenly Venerate treated him with courtesy back then..."
Li Ping frowned slightly. "He's that powerful? Back then, Mr. Bai slaughtered those demon beasts as if they were chickens and dogs."
"The Dharma Spreader is even stronger than Mr. Bai. With his power and status, why would he need to be polite to some Emperor Sanmo?"
His tone was thick with doubt; it was clear Li Ping didn't believe a word of what Master Yin was saying.
Master Yin shook his head slightly. "Regardless, I am certain that's how it was when the Dharma Spreader met him. His attitude was completely different from how he treated anyone else."
"Either his strength earned the Dharma Spreader's recognition, or..."
Master Yin paused. "They already knew each other."
"But that should have been their first meeting," Master Yin added in a low voice, clearly perplexed himself.
Li Ping knew that Master Yin was a remnant soul from an old world that had been devoured by the Xuanhuang Realm.
He possessed fragmented memories of that bygone world, so what he saw should be true.
"The Emperor Sanmo known as Di Sanmo was originally an elder of the Imperial Beast Sect, part of the Ten Great Immortal Sects. When the ten sects clashed with the Dharma Spreader, he actually chose to side with the Dharma Spreader. Thousands of years later, he transformed himself into the curator of the Museum of Divine Treasures and one of the three supreme ruling powers of the Alliance, the Illusionary Truth Sage..."
"An old acquaintance?"
A question suddenly occurred to Li Ping.
Do demon beasts even exist in the Tianfa Realm?
The demon beasts of the Xuanhuang Realm all evolved from Di Yi.
So what about the Tianfa Realm?
...
At the same time.
Li Fan's true self, currently within the space of the Deduction Jade at the Alliance headquarters, had a faint, indiscernible glimmer of dark light flash through his eyes.
"Perhaps I need to make another trip to the Fallen Immortal Realm."
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