Chapter 1653: Cheng Dao's Molt Exchange
Chapter 1653: Cheng Dao's Molt Exchange
"If we view fishing in the Dao Annihilation as a contest of strength, then we are the ones holding the rods, and the Dao Annihilation is some unknown leviathan in the depths. The situation now is that the force pulling from below is immense. It's highly likely that instead of landing our catch, we'll be dragged into the water."
Wan Sheng, from the Guangwu Xinghai, spoke with a solemn expression. "The Transcendent Molt, and even the other Immortal Coffins, are all part of this bait. We wouldn't care so much for ordinary treasures, but this Transcendent Molt..."
Wan Sheng let out a long sigh. "To be frank with you all, according to our projections, the number of Transcendent Molts adrift in the Mountain and Sea is exceedingly rare. That we were able to fish one out is already a stroke of incredible fortune. If we release it this time, I fear we may never have the chance to encounter another."
His words were met with silence from the Shuo Xinghai contingent.
If they were in the same position, they knew they couldn't give it up so easily. It wasn't just them; perhaps even the Immortal Emperors of the bygone era, when the Immortal Realm was whole, would never have let such a treasure slip through their fingers.
"We will not give up until we've exhausted every option. For years, we have been actively searching for a solution. Journeying so far to invite you all to cooperate is a crucial part of that plan."
After listening for some time, Rinsing Moon Bai finally spoke. "Let's not mince words, Daoist friend. Please, speak plainly."
"Very well, I'll be brief. The target locked by the Dao Annihilation is the bait we have been continuously casting into the Mountain and Sea for a long time. The Immortal Coffins and the Transcendent Molt are all part of this bait."
"Our calculations show that by reducing the current amount of bait to one-third, we can weather this storm safely."
Wan Sheng's explanation was perfectly clear, and the cultivators of Shuo Xinghai understood. "So, this cooperation you speak of is to use the power of the Dao Net to destroy the bait? Anything that can be used as bait and float within the Dao Annihilation must be a formidable thing, no?"
"It's not just about borrowing your power. In truth, our Guangwu Xinghai has the strength to cut out the excess bait on our own. More importantly, we wish to borrow this treasured land for our use," Wan Sheng said, gesturing to the vibrant, thriving Shuo Xinghai around them.
"Although most of what is sealed within the Immortal Coffins has lost all signs of life, their power, even as mere remains, is not something an ordinary Nameless can contend with. A battle would inevitably cause damage to the very fabric of the star sea below. Once or twice, we could manage, but if it happens too many times..."
Wan Sheng sounded helpless. "Therefore, we must disperse the battles. Shuo Xinghai is supported by the Dao Net; even if it suffers damage, its recovery speed is far greater than that of an ordinary star sea. It is the most suitable combat theater."
"And we will not treat you poorly. It's not just about the Transcendent Molt. We can also provide five other rare treasures we've fished up over the years, such as the Dao Sword and Dao Saber, as compensation." After detailing the cooperation, Wan Sheng offered a hefty reward.
Even with such a tempting offer, the immortals of Shuo Xinghai did not lose their minds and agree on the spot.
Rinsing Moon Bai stated, "This is a matter of great importance. We need to discuss it carefully before we can give you an answer."
"We shall await your reply with great anticipation!" Wan Sheng nodded, then piloted his wooden boat away, swaying as it crossed the void and vanished from their sight.
"To traverse the Dao Annihilation... such an ability is truly enviable. If we possessed such a divine skill, we wouldn't be trapped in this small corner of Shuo Xinghai," the immortals of Shuo Xinghai murmured, their expressions a mixture of emotions.
For those who had reached the Nameless realm, it would be a lie to say they held no longing for transcendence.
Rinsing Moon Bai could see the desire in their eyes.
She offered a sobering reminder. "In my view, what the Guangwu Xinghai has told us may not be the complete truth. Of course, since we haven't yet agreed to cooperate, it's normal for them to hold something back. What worries me is the vast disparity in power between Shuo Xinghai and Guangwu. It was fine when the Dao Annihilation kept us apart, but if contact becomes habitual..."
"We would be opening the door to a thief, inviting a wolf into our home."
Judging by how casually the Guangwu Xinghai could produce treasures like the Dao Sword and Dao Saber, their strength was undoubtedly far beyond that of Shuo Xinghai.
Recognizing this profound truth, no one voiced a rebuttal.
"Furthermore, battling the Immortal Coffins and their remains is extremely dangerous. It's inevitable that some of you present would be injured or worse."
"On the other hand, if we refuse to cooperate, we lose the chance to touch the Transcendent Molt, but we also avoid an immense risk. Even with the Dao Annihilation approaching, if all of us in Shuo Xinghai work together with one heart, we may not be incapable of building our own wooden boat to cross it," Rinsing Moon Bai said, recalling the scene from her last life where the core of the Dao Net survived the world-ending catastrophe.
With the accumulated experience from her past life, she was confident she could augment the entire Dao Net to a level sufficient to resist a Dao Annihilation of that magnitude before the calamity arrived.
Therefore, in her heart, Rinsing Moon Bai was unwilling to get involved in the affairs of Guangwu Xinghai.
Not even for the temptation of the Transcendent Molt.
However, she did not impose her will. After a detailed analysis of the pros and cons, she allowed everyone to vote on the decision.
In the end, the avarice in the hearts of the immortals could not be restrained.
The vast majority voted in favor of cooperating with Guangwu Xinghai to face the Dao Annihilation.
"So be it. It will be an education, at the very least."
Rinsing Moon Bai was unconcerned. If things went wrong, she could likely be reborn anyway.
Once a consensus was reached, they quickly re-established contact with the Guangwu Xinghai.
The progress of their collaborative discussions was swift.
When Guangwu Xinghai sent their people the second time, their procession was far grander.
Their mode of transport was no longer a single wooden boat.
Instead, it was the massive remains of a ferocious beast!
It was impossible to discern the beast's original appearance. Its flesh and blood had been almost entirely eroded away, with two-thirds of its body being nothing but stark white bone.
But the remaining third of its flesh was enough to serve as a temporary refuge against the Dao Annihilation.
Once the beast's skeleton arrived, a hundred True Immortals and four Nameless cultivators filed out in an orderly fashion.
Such a formidable lineup instantly put the Shuo Xinghai contingent under immense pressure, their nerves stretched taut.
If not for the lack of malice in their opponents' casual conversation, they would have almost assumed Guangwu Xinghai had come to launch a direct assault.
"One can never be too careful," Rinsing Moon Bai cautioned.
The Myriad Immortals Array had already been activated, and the Dao Net was operating at maximum power, in a state of highest alert.
Shuo Xinghai and Guangwu Xinghai began their first formal talks.
Although the decision to cooperate had been made, they couldn't just agree so easily on the surface. At the very least, the matter of compensation needed to be discussed in more detail.
Having witnessed the wealth of Guangwu Xinghai, the people of Shuo Xinghai decisively chose to raise the price.
They thought their appetite was already large, but when Rinsing Moon Bai spoke, everyone was still taken aback.
"These are mere trinkets. I believe one immortal treasure more or less is of no consequence to you. As long as you survive this calamity, you can continue to fish up an endless stream of treasures from the Dao Annihilation."
"We, the people of Shuo Xinghai, demand the technique for fishing in the Dao Annihilation!"
As soon as these words were spoken, the expression of Yuan Shu, the leader of the Guangwu delegation this time, shifted slightly.
Just as he was about to refuse, Rinsing Moon Bai directly showcased the formidable power of the Dao Net.
She laid her cards on the table. "This cooperation of ours entails an enormous, and unnecessary, risk. With the Dao Net as our vessel, we could just as easily sit on the sidelines and watch..."
Yuan Shu carefully examined the Dao Net, a flicker of astonishment in his eyes. But his words remained unyielding as he sneered, "This Dao Annihilation calamity is unlike any before. It might not be any weaker than the one that destroyed the Immortal Realm back then. I truly don't know where you get your confidence."
"Even if the Dao Annihilation's might is the same as it was then, we can still pass through this calamity safely," Rinsing Moon Bai declared with unwavering certainty.
The rest of the Shuo Xinghai cultivators were secretly astonished.
When did the Dao Net become so powerful?
"If you don't believe me, Daoist friend, then watch."
With that, Rinsing Moon Bai clapped her hands.
Beyond Shuo Xinghai, in the dark void, what seemed to be a genuine Dao Annihilation materialized.
Yuan Shu's face changed dramatically before he realized, "This isn't the real Dao Annihilation. You're using the Dao Net's own power to simulate the pressure it would endure when the calamity descends..."
As if replaying the scene of the Dao Annihilation's arrival from her last life, the countless Dao strings at the center of the Dao Net twisted, on the verge of total collapse.
But with the appearance of the Myriad Immortals Array and the Great Dao Befalling Body Art group, the Dao Net ultimately withstood the terrifying pressure without issue.
Rinsing Moon Bai had not held back in the simulation by weakening the pressure values the Dao Net had to endure.
The reason the Dao Net was able to withstand it this time was thanks in no small part to the Dao Sword and Dao Saber previously gifted by Guangwu Xinghai.
A single one of those rare treasures could provide the same support as two or three Nameless cultivators.
With the Shadow Projection for Dao Bearing technique from Shou Qiu's legacy, Shuo Xinghai's ability to resist the Dao Annihilation was far superior to that of Guangwu.
Although Guangwu Xinghai possessed numerous rare treasures, they could at best only unleash the innate power of the items themselves.
It was difficult for them to use these treasures to defend against the Dao Annihilation disaster.
"Well?" Rinsing Moon Bai said faintly, ending her "performance."
Yuan Shu was a Nameless cultivator, so his insight was naturally exceptional. He could see the difference between Shuo Xinghai and his own people.
"It is not impossible for you to have the technique for fishing in the Dao Annihilation."
He pretended to ponder for a moment, then revealed his true objective. "But we require that Shadow Projection for Dao Bearing technique in exchange!"
Rinsing Moon Bai's expression slowly turned cold.
"Absolutely not!"
"There's no need for further discussion. Show them out!"
Without another word, she had the Guangwu Xinghai delegation escorted out.
This sudden turn of events caught both sides completely off guard.
Chaos, flustered and anxious, spoke up to mediate.
The other immortals also wore expressions of great regret, chiming in with tactful persuasions to see if there was any room for compromise.
Rinsing Moon Bai merely smiled faintly. "Who said I was truly rejecting them? I'm just looking to get a little more out of the deal. Rest assured, they will absolutely come knocking again."
Rinsing Moon Bai's acting had deceived even her own people.
As they breathed a sigh of relief, they couldn't help but marvel inwardly that a woman's mind was truly an unfathomable abyss.
And as for Guangwu Xinghai, things went exactly as Rinsing Moon Bai had predicted.
They had no intention of abandoning the cooperation.
In fact, their contact became even more frequent.
They yielded ground again and again.
Frankly, the Shadow Projection for Dao Bearing technique was simply too significant for Guangwu Xinghai.
If they could master this divine skill...
With the treasures they had accumulated over the years, they could build dikes tall enough to forever ignore the threat of the Dao Annihilation's tide!
In fact, if Rinsing Moon Bai hadn't demonstrated the Dao Net's resilience in her performance, and if they weren't worried that Shuo Xinghai would fight to mutual destruction and the Shadow Projection for Dao Bearing technique would be lost forever, Guangwu Xinghai would have long since sent all their elites to attack.
As it stood now, although the price they had to pay was a bit steep, it was still acceptable.
Ultimately, after several rounds of negotiations between the two sides, Guangwu Xinghai and Shuo Xinghai finally reached a cooperation agreement.
The number of fished immortal treasures, with power no less than the Dao Sword and Dao Saber, that Guangwu Xinghai had to pay skyrocketed from five to thirteen. And this did not even include the chance to observe the Transcendent Molt after the mission was complete.
In return, Shuo Xinghai was required to help eliminate the fished immortal bait and provide the Dao Net region as a battlefield.
And, of course, the Shadow Projection for Dao Bearing technique.
The outcome was a joyous one for all parties involved.
"There's no time to lose. We've observed that the pressure from the Dao Annihilation's waves has been growing stronger recently."
"The first immortal bait will be delivered in three years. Please be prepared. At that time, we will dispatch fifty True Immortals and two Nameless cultivators to assist in the battle."
Rinsing Moon Bai nodded in agreement.
The Guangwu Xinghai delegation departed in a hurry. The numerous immortal treasures they left behind were carefully scanned by the Dao Net to confirm there were no hidden surveillance methods, after which Rinsing Moon Bai used the Shadow Projection for Dao Bearing technique to place them all within the Dao Net.
In their normal state, they could serve as pillars supporting the heavens.
They could also be withdrawn for use at any moment.
"This technique is truly wondrous beyond measure."
"Shou Qiu Gong was indeed a genius of unequaled talent."
Not only were the immortals of Shuo Xinghai clicking their tongues in amazement, but even Rinsing Moon Bai, who had accomplished the feat, couldn't help but sigh in admiration.
After more than thirty reincarnations, Rinsing Moon Bai prided herself on having extremely high aptitude.
But compared to Shou Qiu Gong, she was utterly eclipsed.
Rinsing Moon Bai pondered silently, "Guangwu Xinghai was willing to pay such a steep price, so the value of this technique goes without saying. When Cheng Dao passed it to me, he didn't explicitly say whether I could pass it on to others."
"If I inform the people from Guangwu Xinghai, I might incur his wrath."
"But this is perfect. I can't contact Cheng Dao by any means. Perhaps I can use this opportunity to draw him out again."
Even with a dozen new immortal treasures and a significant boost to the Dao Net's strength, Rinsing Moon Bai did not let down her guard. She ordered all departments of the Dao Net to intensify their cultivation.
Besides preparing for the immortal bait in three years, Rinsing Moon Bai was also worried that Guangwu Xinghai might launch an attack when the Dao Net was weakened after the great battle.
Therefore, she needed to make extra preparations.
"Apart from Fan'er, there is no one in this Mountain and Sea who is truly worthy of trust," Rinsing Moon Bai silently reminded herself.
"Or perhaps, I can add *it* to the list?"
Rinsing Moon Bai looked down at the Understanding Dao Infinite Wall, which lay quietly cultivating and seeking enlightenment beneath the black mountain and white water.
Although the Understanding Dao Infinite Wall was a bit of a slick character, based on her interactions with it throughout her reincarnations, it was generally reliable.
"Hungry... hungry."
"This great one wants to eat that!"
Just as Rinsing Moon Bai was lost in thought, the weak yet arrogant voice of the Understanding Dao Infinite Wall faintly drifted up from below.
(End of this chapter)
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