Chapter 1217: Another Link in the Floating Passage
“The Xuanhuang Realm is our only home. Naturally, we must ensure its safety,” Saint Emperor Li Ping stated matter-of-factly.
“When I return, I will allocate a portion of the You Clan people to resume their worship in the Gloomy Sea of Darkness. Since the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance has caused this imbalance by capturing them, the Sage Dynasty will bear the full responsibility.”
“However...”
Li Ping gazed out at the deep, dark ocean before him.
“The Source Power Essence is vast, but its quantity is ultimately finite. I wonder how many of the You Clan would need to pray day and night to restore the Gloomy Sea of Darkness.”
Master Yin was moved by Li Ping's attitude. After a moment of thought, he answered, “According to their leader, at the peak of their civilization, the You Clan’s members spread throughout the entire subterranean cave world. I estimate there were at least half a million of them...”
Li Ping said slowly, “It seems our approach to the You Clan requires some... adjustments.”
Master Yin nodded in agreement.
“Let’s conclude our investigation here for now. I have a feeling this gloom is beginning to take notice of us.”
A golden radiance enveloped Li Ping, casting him in a supremely sacred and majestic light.
Within the rippling light, space and time themselves seemed to warp.
The next moment, Saint Emperor Li Ping's figure vanished from thin air, reappearing in the Great Qi Small World.
He had not used the portal generated by the You Clan's rituals and prayers, but had directly harnessed the power of the great web of Source Power Essence.
“Currently, the source of this power web is confined to the Great Qi. If, one day, the You Clan people across the Xuanhuang Realm pray to me, I could use those connections to appear anywhere I wish,” Saint Emperor Li Ping mused.
Understanding the significance of the You Clan, Li Ping summoned Wang Xuanba.
He relayed his new strategy for dealing with them.
In addition to increasing the production of You Clan people in the flesh factories, they were to simultaneously foster the growth of a normal You Clan population to ensure sustainable development.
“For this other group of You Clan people, you are to find ways to increase their lifespan.”
Kneeling on one knee, Wang Xuanba listened to the Saint Emperor's instructions. Though he didn't understand the reason for this sudden, drastic change in attitude, he loyally accepted the task.
After Wang Xuanba departed, Li Ping called for Sun Erlang.
He assigned him the task of leading an army to conquer several subterranean worlds.
Having been idle for a long time, Sun Erlang accepted the command with delight.
Then, instead of dismissing him immediately as he had with Wang Xuanba, Li Ping continued to question him.
“How has Yi Shu of the Taiyan Sect been performing recently?”
The fate of the Sage Dynasty was entirely bound to Li Ping. As the Heavenly Mandate Sage Emperor of the Great Qi, he was naturally aware of everything that happened within the small world, yet he asked anyway.
Sun Erlang did not dare to hide anything and reported truthfully.
“I didn’t expect the Taiyan Sect to actually agree to your request.” Li Ping's cold, emotionless voice echoed from the Saint Emperor's throne.
“But that's fine. If the Sage Dynasty should ever fall, seeking refuge with the Taiyan Sect would be a decent outcome for you.”
Sun Erlang froze, his expression changing abruptly. “Master, how could the Sage Dynasty possibly...”
Li Ping actually let out a rare laugh. “Is there such a thing as absolute victory in this world? What's wrong with having another way out? However, this is for you alone. Do not speak of this to your junior brother and sister.”
“You may go.”
Sun Erlang departed in a state of unease and trepidation.
Li Ping sat high on his throne, the only figure in the vast, empty hall.
Although his exploration of the Gloomy Realm had been brief, it had left a considerable impact on his mind.
“The Floating Starry Sky Grand Formation, the Fishing Pool...”
“My power is already half a step from the peak of the Xuanhuang Realm. Yet, there are too many strange secrets hidden within this world. The Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance has ruled half of it for so many years; their true foundation must be far deeper than what they show on the surface.”
“Moreover, the war against the Alliance must not only be won, but won swiftly. Otherwise, years of war between cultivators will inflict another irreversible wound upon this world. It's already a patched-up, broken ship. How could it possibly withstand another storm?”
As the Heavenly Mandate Sage Emperor, he had much more to consider.
After a long period of contemplation, Li Ping's figure flickered and vanished from the Great Qi Small World.
When he reappeared, he was within the Nine Mountains Province of the Xuanhuang Realm.
Protected by the Source Power Essence, he could now afford to venture out occasionally without excessive concern for his personal safety.
“The Tian Beast.”
Standing in mid-air, Li Ping sensed the chaotic, disordered space around him.
“If I'm not mistaken, the Tian Beast should also be a part of the Floating Starry Sky Grand Formation.”
“The Star Sea is fraught with peril. To successfully traverse it, scouting the path ahead and avoiding danger are essential.”
“The Tian Beast's Eye...”
Vague images flashed through his mind.
Outside the Xuanhuang Realm, in a separate dimension called the Tian Beast's Eye, one could seemingly observe the depths of the Star Sea with far greater clarity than from within the realm itself.
“Unfortunately, the Tian Beast is dead. Finding that unique space now depends entirely on chance. The Star Sea is boundless, and the pull of the Immortal Ruins is ever-present, making the search even harder than finding a needle in a haystack.”
“Of the four components of the Floating Passage formation, three have revealed their traces. But the last one remains a complete mystery.”
Shaking his head slightly, he temporarily suppressed these thoughts. Silently, Li Ping arrived at the headquarters of the Spirit Element Sect.
The Spirit Element Sect was the largest local power in the chaotic region of Nine Mountains Province.
Its members all practiced the Common Lives Spirit Essence Art. While this seemed to defy the rule that a single technique cannot be cultivated by many, in truth, they were all just tools for the sect leader to refine and absorb Source Power.
Effortlessly bypassing numerous restrictions and following the aura of Source Power, Li Ping arrived at Master Qiaogong's underground base.
It was filled with all sorts of strange and peculiar components, and bustling amidst them was Master Qiaogong himself.
“What exactly am I missing?”
“Source Power and Source Power Essence... the difference of a single word, yet a world apart!”
A puppet formed from golden Source Power exploded into fragments with a loud bang, scattering streams of light.
The experiment had apparently failed, and Master Qiaogong was growing irritated.
“Get over here!”
He turned and snapped at a female cultivator standing to the side, a whip suddenly materializing in his hand.
The female cultivator's face was devoid of expression, and her eyes lacked the lively spark of a normal person.
“It's not right, not right at all! She's nothing like the real Shangguan!”
Seeing the female cultivator's appearance only infuriated Master Qiaogong further.
Just as he was about to bring the whip down, he suddenly saw the figure of the Faceless Saint Emperor in the secret chamber.
As if caught in the act of some shameful deed, Master Qiaogong's hand trembled, and he nearly dropped the whip.
“Who are you?!”
Master Qiaogong stared at Li Ping, both shocked and furious, and roared.
In an instant, the puppets in the secret chamber, which had seemed like inanimate objects, all sprang to life, their gazes fixed on Li Ping.
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