Chapter 1225: Trapped on the Immortal Boat, a Fight for Survival
Sun Luyuan accepted the list, his expression turning to one of utter astonishment as he read it.
The list was filled not only with the names of exceptionally talented disciples from the Alliance's major families, but also numerous cultivators holding key positions across the organization.
He recognized some of the names, but many were clandestine appointments—individuals in covert roles that even he, with his high standing, knew little about.
"Your task is to turn as many of these people as you can."
"It shouldn't be too difficult. Just find a pretext to lure them..."
"Just bring them here. Once they witness the grandeur of our Sacred Dynasty, I'm certain they'll see the error of their ways and come to their senses, just as you did!"
"Don't rush," Ou Shangtian advised. "Take your time and proceed with caution to avoid exposing yourself."
"Every successful conversion will be counted as a merit in your name. Our Sacred Dynasty's treasury is filled with treasures, you know. That Ice Sealing Ten-Thousand-Year Sword of yours is hardly considered top-tier among them."
A jolt of excitement shot through Sun Luyuan at Ou Shangtian's words.
The requirements were either an impossibly high merit level or a slew of stringent, near-unmeetable conditions.
A divine sword like the one in his hands, capable of jeopardizing the safety of an entire province, would be reserved for only the highest-ranking core members of institutions like the Martial Hall or the Garrison Court within the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
"Do a good job," Ou Shangtian said, patting Sun Luyuan's shoulder with the patronizing air of a seasoned elder.
"Don't make me lose face in front of my Master," he added, his tone laden with meaning.
Sun Luyuan nodded vigorously.
His time in the Sacred Dynasty was brief; Sun Luyuan was soon dismissed and sent on his way.
Upon his return to the Xuanhuang Realm, the entire experience felt like a strange, surreal dream to Sun Luyuan.
Only the intensely cold sword resting within his dantian served as a stark reminder that it had all been real.
"Brother, you're back so soon? How did it go?"
his younger brother, Sun Luyao, asked eagerly from within the Sun family's secret chamber.
Sun Luyuan didn't mention his own humiliating experience. Instead, he simply drew out the Ice Sealing Ten-Thousand-Year Sword.
"The Great Qi Sacred Dynasty's foundation is far more powerful than we ever imagined. They have a Longevity cultivator watching over them. And the Sacred Emperor's cultivation... it's completely unfathomable. I couldn't see through it at all."
"And a treasure like this... they gave it away without a second thought."
"The Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance pales in comparison."
...
As Sun Luyao listened to his brother, the voice of the spectral senior echoed in his mind.
"What did I tell you? Heh."
"Brother, whatever you decide, I will always support you," Sun Luyao declared, his expression complex as he stated his position.
Sun Luyuan, assuming his brother was merely anxious about their uncertain future, offered a few words of comfort.
Once Sun Luyuan had left the secret chamber, Sun Luyao could no longer contain his curiosity. "Senior," he asked, "how much do you know about this Great Qi Sacred Dynasty?"
The mysterious entity had predicted the outcome of Sun Luyuan's visit with perfect accuracy; he clearly possessed intimate knowledge of the Sacred Dynasty's true strength.
Li Fan's avatar put on a show of deep contemplation, pausing for a moment.
Then, in a solemn tone, he said, "Your Sun family has made a wise choice. The strength of that Great Qi Sacred Emperor is no less than my own."
"As long as the Dharma Spreader of the Xuanhuang Realm doesn't intervene, he is invincible."
The implication of those words sent Sun Luyao's heart into a frantic rhythm.
Even though he had long suspected the spectral entity's immense power, to hear it confirmed from the source was profoundly shocking.
"Did you know that the Heavenly Dao of the Xuanhuang Realm, much like a cultivator, possesses its own desires?"
"This Sacred Emperor is very likely the incarnation of the Xuanhuang Realm's benevolent will, manifested to set right the world that the Dharma Spreader has twisted."
Sun Luyao was thunderstruck.
An incarnation of the Xuanhuang Realm's Heavenly Dao?
An origin that was almost too shocking to comprehend.
His thoughts swirled in a brief vortex of confusion before he seemed to recall something. He asked, "A benevolent will... Senior, does that mean there is also a malevolent incarnation of the Xuanhuang Realm?"
Li Fan's avatar remained silent, offering no reply.
...
At the far reaches of the Star Sea.
Deep within the sprawling Relic Sea, aboard the Mysterious Merchant Boat.
Relying on the Spirit God Harmony Technique, Zhao Xian's cultivation progressed at a staggering pace, and he had already shattered the shackles of the Foundation Establishment stage.
He had successfully formed his Golden Core.
The disturbance caused by his breakthrough to the Golden Core realm finally alerted his master, Zhao Wuji.
But upon discovering the terrifying speed of Zhao Xian's progress, Zhao Wuji was not pleased—he was alarmed.
"Master, why?" Zhao Xian demanded, his voice filled with indignation.
Zhao Wuji had not only failed to report Zhao Xian's successful breakthrough to the academy, but he had actively suppressed and concealed the news.
This, naturally, left Zhao Xian deeply dissatisfied. On impulse, he was tempted to reveal everything he had witnessed in his dreams.
However, having experienced so much in those dreams, he knew that his master was someone he could trust.
Taking a deep breath, he quelled his anger and asked in a low, firm voice.
"It's too fast, Xian'er. Your cultivation is progressing far too quickly. Reaching the late stage of Foundation Establishment would have been one thing, but to leap directly to the Golden Core realm..." Zhao Wuji's face was etched with worry.
Under Zhao Xian's persistent questioning, Zhao Wuji finally relented and explained.
"True geniuses like you have appeared in our academy before, though they are exceptionally rare. When I was younger, I had a senior sister."
"Her talent was truly exceptional, even greater than yours. She progressed even faster, with no period of slow accumulation. In just three years, she went from Qi Refining straight to the peak of the Golden Core realm."
"Naturally, it caused a sensation throughout the academy. And then..."
At these words, Zhao Xian's expression grew solemn.
He had never once heard of such a figure existing within the academy.
"My senior sister was conscripted. After that, she vanished without a trace. We never knew if she was alive or dead," Zhao Wuji sighed.
"Conscripted? Where to?" Zhao Xian asked, taken aback.
The Immortal Boat hadn't been involved in a real war for a very long time.
He couldn't comprehend what his master meant by "conscription."
Zhao Wuji hesitated, looking as if he wanted to say more but held himself back.
Finally, pressed by Zhao Xian's insistent, burning gaze, he first cast a series of restrictive spells, sealing the area.
Only then did he speak via voice transmission. "Xian'er, do you know why our Dao Proving Academy holds such a preeminent position? Why even the Immortal Pivot Academy dares not offend us?"
Zhao Xian answered according to what he had been taught. "Because the Dao Proving Academy is the very source of the Immortal Boat's cultivation arts."
"And why, precisely, is the academy called the source of cultivation arts?"
Zhao Wuji's question stumped him.
"Because our academy provided the most critical theoretical support for the Immortal Boat's survival after the Great Calamity," Zhao Wuji explained, his expression grave.
"The power of the True Immortal that caused that boundless calamity is something an ordinary cultivator could never hope to comprehend without absolute, innate talent. Our academy..."
"...is home to the most gifted scholars on the entire Immortal Boat."
"On this boat, talent is a critical resource. And whether these geniuses wish it or not, once their gifts are revealed, they are seized and controlled."
"Stripped from them, even, to no longer be their own."
A chill went through Zhao Xian's heart at his master's words.
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