Chapter 1151

Aiming for the Fishing Pond

Chapter 1161

Aiming for the Fishing Pond

After suffering such significant losses at the hands of Mo Rubin and from the Heavenly Profound Mirror, it was impossible for Li Fan to harbor no thoughts of retaliation.

However, Mo Rubin, as one of the Dharma Kings of the Heavenly Profound Sect, possessed incredibly mysterious abilities. He could infiltrate the Myriad Immortals Alliance headquarters as if traversing an empty land. Although he later died inexplicably in the Netherworld, Li Fan was currently not 100% confident in his ability to subdue him. Without a fundamental conflict of interest, Li Fan, in this lifetime, had no immediate plans to provoke him.

"Perhaps I can secretly observe how the Myriad Immortals Alliance dealt with this Dharma King of the Heavenly Profound Sect."

According to the normal historical trajectory, Mo Rubin would be unearthed by the Myriad Immortals Alliance while still unconscious. Perhaps the Myriad Immortals Alliance harbored special methods to deal with Heavenly Profound Sect members. Under a preemptive strike, Mo Rubin might indeed have lost the power to resist. At that time, Li Fan could simply emulate their methods and deal with Mo Rubin similarly in all future lifetimes.

However, if Mo Rubin, similar to the 119th lifetime, merely feigned submission and actually used the opportunity to infiltrate, then until a definitive method to counter him was found, Li Fan would not actively make an enemy of Mo Rubin.

As for the Heavenly Profound Mirror...

By carrying a strand of the Heavenly Profound Mirror's essence, he was already in an invincible position. And now, he had also mastered a method to peer into its interior. To fail to seize such a heaven-sent opportunity would only invite misfortune!

Li Fan's mind raced with calculations. "The Myriad Immortals Alliance's search for Mo Rubin in various sect ruins was aimed at facilitating the discovery of the ultimate method to restrain the Heavenly Profound Mirror. This effort was likely silently propelled by the lineage of Mirror Holders."

"Cang and Fu, hehe. Neither of them were easy to deal with. However, this also presented my opportunity."

With thoughts swirling, Li Fan transformed back into a wisp of light and vanished into the Immeasurable Mirror. Inside, he continued to construct formations to solidify his control. While waiting for Sun Luyuan to return to the secret chamber, he also took the opportunity to study the remnants of the immortal-level grand formation within the Immeasurable Mirror.

***

The Holy Capital of Great Qi.

During this period, Wang Xuanba tirelessly traveled across the Xuanhuang Realm. Aside from Venerable Yin, other "Stars of Xuanhuang" chosen by Li Ping, such as Ou Daozi and his son, and Ximen Yu, were all convinced by Wang Xuanba, using the rhetoric taught by the Holy Emperor, to come to the Holy Dynasty of Great Qi.

Of course, not everyone on this list was persuaded. Some not only refused the invitation but even destroyed Wang Xuanba's avatar. Wang Xuanba was not angered; he merely noted their names and reported them to the Holy Emperor. He then moved on to invite the next person.

Upon their arrival in Great Qi, the Xuanhuang Stars were personally received by Li Ping. Like Venerable Yin, they all settled down in the Holy Dynasty from that point forward, each establishing their own ventures. For instance, Li Ping promised Ximen Yu assistance in his deep study of geomantic energies, also divulging crucial information about the ancient geomantic tree. As for Ou Daozi, he would oversee the construction of Great Qi's new Holy Capital. Furthermore, in the future, Ou Daozi would serve as the chief planning designer for the overall transformation of every conquered minor realm incorporated into the Holy Dynasty's territory.

More critically, Li Ping immediately recognized that Ou Shangtian possessed two rare artifacts: the Kunqian Bone Hand and the Myriad Deaths Register. He subsequently accepted Ou Shangtian as his personal disciple. Ou Shangtian detected no malice whatsoever from Li Ping. Moreover, the various fascinating cultivation world secrets and profound principles of the Great Dao that the Holy Emperor Li Ping spoke of truly captivated the young Ou Shangtian. Consequently, he willingly became his disciple.

In life, people seek nothing more than fame, wealth, and inner peace. And Holy Emperor Li Ping could satisfy all these desires. As for those who did not answer the summons, their fates had already been sealed in Li Ping's mind.

***

Beneath the Holy Emperor's seat, deeper still than Venerable Yin's underground chamber, a secret intelligence agency of the Holy Dynasty, named the Celestial Surveillance Bureau, had been gradually established. As the central node of the Grand Formation of Myriad Spirits, the formation encompassed everything within the minor realm, allowing all matters to be clearly seen. Once the Holy Dynasty began its path of conquest and successively incorporated other minor realms into its dominion, they too would be strictly monitored by the Celestial Surveillance Bureau.

Furthermore, in Li Ping's vision, the name "Celestial Surveillance" was not solely aimed at those minor realms. It would even encompass the Xuanhuang Realm itself. With the Calamity-Crossing Sect's paper effigies and the Heavenly Profound Mirror as foundations, establishing a comprehensive intelligence system would not be difficult. The Celestial Surveillance Bureau's covert agents would be personally selected by Li Ping.

The influence of the 'Heaven's Blessing, Stars Descending' celestial phenomenon on the minor realm of Great Qi had already begun to manifest. Among the infants born in the Holy Dynasty recently, many exhibited extraordinary abilities from birth. Holy Medical Institutes were established throughout the land, and Li Ping would instantly perceive the physique of every newborn infant. From a young age, they would receive personal training from Li Ping, and upon reaching adulthood, they would either join the Celestial Surveillance Bureau or participate in Venerable Yin's new cultivation method deduction project, making the most of every resource.

The growth of talent, or indeed an empire, required time. The Holy Dynasty of Great Qi was developing at an extraordinary pace, but currently, the most captivating event within the Holy Dynasty was a grand competition: a fishing competition.

***

Organized by the Holy Emperor himself, the competition was open to anyone interested nationwide, regardless of prior fishing experience. Winners would first be determined in each region, who would then proceed to the Holy Capital for the final rounds. The Holy Emperor himself would also make an appearance to share in the festivities with his people. The top one hundred competitors would receive generous rewards, enough to ensure a common family's livelihood for a lifetime. Furthermore, it was rumored that those who performed exceptionally well in the competition would receive additional, unique rewards directly from the Holy Emperor.

The news had spread for half a month, attracting countless participants. Were it not for the assistance of Holy Dynasty Immortal Masters in various regions, the rivers might have been entirely depleted of fish, leading to the awkward predicament of having nothing left to catch. Besides common citizens, the Holy Emperor's disciples would also compete. This, without doubt, immensely fueled the public's enthusiasm.

It was widely known that the Holy Emperor had publicly stated on multiple occasions that he had no descendants now and would not have any in the future. The Holy Emperor had no heirs. His disciples, without a doubt, would be the successors of the Holy Dynasty. If one could be noticed by the Holy Emperor during the fishing competition and accepted as a true disciple, the chance to leap through the dragon gate was now!

Spurred by these rumors, the populace of Great Qi had become almost fanatical about 'fishing.' It was even deemed more important than studying or cultivation. Li Ping, of course, observed all of this. His decision to allow, and even actively encourage, this phenomenon was, naturally, for the supreme treasure: the Fishing Pond. This immortal artifact transcended even the Xuanhuang Realm itself. It contained countless opportunities. Perhaps it even held the key to his breakthrough. He certainly wouldn't pass up an opportunity to acquire numerous divine artifacts at no cost. Even casually fishing out a single secret treasure from it could significantly boost the Holy Dynasty's combat strength.

Only one chapter today... Suffering from severe writer's block...

(End of Chapter)