Chapter 1528: Long River Sets the Anchor Point

"Still the same," sighed the female cultivator named Cao Yingyue. "We barely managed to repel a wave, but they'll likely be back in seven days."

Duan Yuxiao comforted her, "You've worked hard, Junior Sister. From what I've seen at other strongholds, the situation isn't optimistic there either. This isn't even the absolute front line..."

They exchanged glances, both falling silent.

"But there's also good news," Cao Yingyue secretly transmitted. "Rumor has it that with combined efforts, the exact location of that item has finally been deduced. A surprise attack is being prepared to end this in one decisive blow..."

Hearing this, Duan Yuxiao felt a sense of relief. "I hope this time, we can truly bring an end to this war. We've spilled far too much blood on this land."

"However, even if that item is destroyed, the enemy's final counterattack will be even more ferocious. Junior Sister, you must be careful," Duan Yuxiao warned.

"I understand that principle, of course," Cao Yingyue nodded.

The two exchanged messages discreetly, but despite their telepathic communication, it didn't escape Li Fan's hidden observation.

"As the saying goes, success depends on secrecy. Yet, something as critical as directly seizing the Taiyuan Cauldron has been so easily exposed. After fighting for so long, the Ten Sects' front line is still at this level..." Li Fan inwardly grumbled.

Suddenly, his thoughts abruptly halted.

"Wait!"

"At this point in time, the Ten Immortal Sects jointly rule the vast Xuanghuang Realm, and they are at their peak power before the great tribulation. With an immortal artifact like the Dao-Burning Cauldron, it's impossible for them not to maintain secrecy if they truly wanted to."

"So, it was deliberately spread to make it widely known."

Li Fan's mind spun, and he instantly understood.

"The Ten Sects have consistently been unable to pinpoint the location of the Taiyuan Resurrection Cauldron, which is why they released this information, intentionally 'beating the grass to startle the snake.'"

"They hope the Taiyuan Realm will move the Taiyuan Cauldron, thereby revealing its position..."

"To resort to such a tactic, it seems the Ten Sects' situation is indeed not optimistic."

From just a corner of the battlefield, Li Fan had already glimpsed the full scope of the war.

However, Li Fan still feigned complete ignorance at this moment, a hint of apprehension and fear on his face.

After seeing Li Fan to his destination, Duan Yuxiao quickly took his leave.

Cao Yingyue watched her Senior Brother's retreating figure, her expression somewhat complex.

Just then...

A streak of light, with lightning speed, shot out from the depths of the Taiyuan Realm. In an instant, it pierced through Duan Yuxiao's body!

Without even a cry of struggle, Duan Yuxiao disintegrated into a pool of flesh and blood, exploding with a bang.

His soul scattered, and he was utterly destroyed!

Cao Yingyue was first stunned, then only realized what had happened.

"Senior Brother!"

A heart-wrenching cry tore from her throat, and Cao Yingyue sped towards the scene of the tragedy.

But she stopped herself abruptly just as she reached mid-air.

"Enemy attack!"

"Form ranks!"

Cao Yingyue's voice echoed throughout the Xuanghuang Realm fortress. She seemed to have regained her composure quickly, but her slightly trembling body still betrayed her inner turmoil.

Shortly after Cao Yingyue issued her orders, Li Fan saw hundreds of thousands of cultivators, overwhelming in number, surge fearlessly from the depths of the Taiyuan Realm.

Innumerable streaks of light flew forth, charging towards the defense lines set up by the Xuanghuang Realm.

The stronghold where Li Fan was located became one of the insignificant points impacted by this terrifying wave.

The situation changed so rapidly that Cao Yingyue and the cultivators in the stronghold had no time to spare for Li Fan.

Furthermore, with the enhancement of his Illusion True Divine Ability, Li Fan seemed to be forgotten by the battlefield at this moment.

However, Li Fan's situation was not so pleasant.

His actions had led to Duan Yuxiao's accidental death. The backlash from the River of Time caused by this chain reaction was even more intense than he had anticipated.

"It seems that Duan Yuxiao of the Grand Supreme Sect held a crucial position in the original future. This is understandable, though, as even with the battle at such a critical juncture, he was still able to remain in the rear rather than on the front lines." Li Fan watched the sudden tumultuous chaos around him, struggling to maintain his footing.

It was fortunate that he had laid a solid foundation in Changqing Valley earlier; otherwise, he might not have been able to withstand the erosion of this storm.

"If nothing unexpected happens, the Xuanghuang Realm should suffer a great defeat in this battle and ultimately retreat in disarray."

"And then erase all records of this humiliating defeat."

"From then on, the fortunes of the Ten Sects would turn from prosperity to decline. After experiencing calamities such as the rise of the Myriad Immortals Alliance, the 'Laws Cannot Be Cultivated Together' doctrine, and the Immortal-Mortal Miasma, they would eventually be completely submerged in history."

"This crucial juncture, however, is precisely where I can lay my foundation!" A sharp glint flashed in Li Fan's eyes.

If it were an ordinary person, having just narrowly escaped death in the turmoil caused by the River of Time changing its course, they would surely first seek a stable method to secure an anchor point before planning anything else.

Li Fan, however, did the opposite, discerning a method to quickly establish a stable anchor point from the situation.

"If this anchor point is established, even if the River of Time changes course and creates a completely different future, I will remain safe amidst the drastic changes. This is because all future Xuanghuang cultivators will remember my deeds."

"Not just establishing an anchor point for a single era. But to be renowned for ten thousand ages, spanning the entire River of Time, past and present!"

The power of the Immortal Dao, which Li Fan had seen in the River of Time resembling standing lighthouses, had given him inspiration.

Thus, in an instant, he made his decision.

"However, it's not advisable to make drastic moves right from the start."

"The butterfly's wings will first begin to flap from this stronghold."

Li Fan looked at Cao Yingyue on the distant battlefield, who was being besieged by three Taiyuan Realm cultivators, her situation worsening, and seemingly about to follow in her Senior Brother's footsteps.

He flicked his finger.

Cao Yingyue, who was originally severely wounded and whose consciousness had become somewhat blurred, suddenly saw the tragic death of her admired Senior Brother Duan reappear before her eyes.

He should have had an limitless future, yet now he had died in vain on this battlefield. A surge of malevolent energy suddenly rose within Cao Yingyue's heart, accompanied by an endless, burning power, like a raging fire.

With her body and soul seemingly burning, Cao Yingyue, in a state of frenzy, killed the three Taiyuan Realm cultivators who were besieging her with swift strikes.

Then, fearless of death, she continued to counterattack the cultivators assaulting the stronghold.

Upon witnessing Cao Yingyue's heroic performance, the Ten Sect cultivators guarding the area were also inspired and fought back with desperate resolve.

After more than half a day of fierce defense, the Taiyuan Realm cultivators, who had been attacking relentlessly like a swarm of locusts, were finally temporarily repelled.

The cultivators simply believed it was the reward for their perseverance.

They had no idea that this was Li Fan's secret arrangement.

It wasn't just this stronghold; if one were to zoom out and look at the entire Taiyuan Realm, it would be apparent that the Taiyuan Realm's Great Dao, originally a unified entity, seemed to have been tainted with impurities. It had begun to grow murky.

An invisible thin line, like a chasm, stretched across the entire Taiyuan Realm, dividing the battlefield.

The Taiyuan Realm cultivators, sensing the anomaly, were thus forced to retreat.

The Ten Sect cultivators who survived the ordeal lay weakly on the ground, savoring what might be their final moments of peace.

Li Fan, like them, was also almost completely exhausted.

This was not only due to the influence he exerted through his own enlightenment and the arrays he had secretly set up—a grand maneuver that altered the overall situation of the Taiyuan Realm.

It was also because he had to simultaneously face the renewed turbulence stirred up by the River of Time.

"This is the limit of what I can do right now."

"The foundation I laid previously is no longer sufficient in the face of such turmoil."

Feeling his precarious state, Li Fan deliberately released a strong fluctuation.

Instantly, it drew the attention of the surrounding surviving cultivators.

For a moment, it caused everyone to look over: "Is this a breakthrough?"

"Heh, Nascent Soul stage. It's just barely enough to increase the chances of survival."

"However, to survive the recent surprise attack battle at the Golden Core stage, and then to achieve an epiphany and breakthrough after the fight... This person is not simple! Who are they? They don't seem to have been seen before."

"Between life and death, there is great terror. But there are also great opportunities. Master truly did not deceive me!"

As discussions among the crowd continued, rumors about "Li Ping" of Changqing Valley gradually began to spread.

Just the fact that he voluntarily requested to join the battlefield was enough to impress these Ten Sect cultivators who had personally experienced the life-and-death struggles of war.

Before fully resolving the anomaly in their realm, the Taiyuan Realm faction dared not launch further attacks.

Everyone was able to pass a relatively peaceful night.

As night fell, Cao Yingyue, who was in a deep slumber, suddenly fell back into the nightmare of Senior Brother Duan's tragic death.

"Senior Brother!" she instinctively cried out.

Senior Brother Duan seemed to sense her call, and before vanishing, he gave her a deep, affectionate glance.

Then, a point of light flew out from his body.

Gradually entering Cao Yingyue's mind.

The nightmare was instantly swept away, and a scene as brilliant as the starry sky suddenly appeared before Cao Yingyue's eyes.

This incredibly magnificent sight made her temporarily forget the pain in her heart.

"The Grand Supreme Dao Scripture?"

Before this peerlessly beautiful scene, Cao Yingyue couldn't help but lose herself in a daze.

After Cao Yingyue awoke, Li Fan voluntarily came to apologize.

"Sin? What sin have you committed?" Cao Yingyue said indifferently.

"If it weren't for bringing me to the battlefield, Senior Brother Duan wouldn't have..." Li Fan said, lowering his head, full of guilt.

In truth, Cao Yingyue did initially harbor such thoughts. However, she also knew that this matter could not be blamed on him; life and death are impermanent. On the battlefield, one's life is not truly one's own. It all depends on fate.

Was Duan Yuxiao's life the only life that mattered? What about the countless disciples of the Ten Immortal Sects whose lives were also at stake? Moreover, Li Fan was a loyal and brave cultivator who had voluntarily come to the battlefield.

If she were to use this as an excuse to make trouble, the countless Ten Sect cultivators on this battlefield would not agree.

Cao Yingyue naturally understood this principle and had already let it go.

Now that Li Fan had brought it up himself, it was like a gentle breeze wiping the slate clean.

"Live well."

"For Senior Brother Duan, too."

Cao Yingyue said expressionlessly.

Over the next half-year, dozens of battles, large and small, once again broke out between the Taiyuan Realm and the Xuanghuang Realm.

The Ten Sects, despite still suffering heavy losses, could barely hold on, relying on the powerful supply capabilities of the Xuanghuang Realm as their backing.

Although the Taiyuan Realm cultivators could resurrect after death, anomalies frequently occurred within the Taiyuan Realm itself. This greatly affected the efficiency of their resurrections. Until they fully understood the source of these anomalies, they dared not launch a full-scale counterattack.

Thus, the war reached a stalemate for a time.

Regarding the future direction of the war, disagreements had gradually begun to emerge within the Ten Sects.

It now seemed that the immortal spirit energy within the Taiyuan Resurrection Cauldron would clearly not be depleted quickly. Though unwilling to admit it, they had to acknowledge that they had made a fatal misjudgment earlier.

However, with things as they were, accountability could only be pursued after the war ended. The crucial question now was what to do next.

Having made one mistake, the Xuanghuang Realm could not afford the cost of another.

A significant number advocated for withdrawing troops.

And among those who remained silent, countless others held the same opinion.

However, what compelled all Ten Sects to publicly maintain their resolve to fight to the bitter end was the Grand Array of Floating Starry Heavens, inherited from the ancient Profound Heaven Sect.

Originally intended as a means to escape the Immortal Ruin, the golden chains of the Floating Starry Heavens had brought them hope.

But it turned out to be a quagmire of misfortune.

And now, they were trapped in this quagmire, unable to extricate themselves.

The "quagmire" referred not just to the war itself, but more specifically to those golden chains!

The Xuanghuang Realm faction had, of course, also noticed the anomalies occurring in the Taiyuan Realm.

They weren't clear on the exact situation of the Taiyuan Resurrection Cauldron, but they could clearly see the changes in the Grand Array of Floating Starry Heavens.

The Transcendent Golden Lock, which had reached its limit and was on the verge of complete shattering, was actually slowly recovering!

This should have been a cause for celebration among the Ten Sects.

However, no one in the Ten Sects could rejoice.

Because the price of the Transcendent Golden Lock's recovery was that it was slowly integrating into the very fabric of the Taiyuan Realm!

Why such a bizarre and extraordinary event was happening baffled all the cultivators, including the Ten Sect Masters, who were completely at a loss.

Only one established fact lay before them: even if they wanted to withdraw now, they couldn't.

The Transcendent Golden Lock, as part of the Grand Array of Floating Starry Heavens, was connected to the Xuanghuang Realm.

Even if they withdrew from the Taiyuan Realm, if they didn't retrieve the Transcendent Golden Lock, Taiyuan cultivators could still follow the chains to attack and invade.

And if they were to sever the chains...

The Grand Array of Floating Starry Heavens had already reached the level of an Immortal Array. Although the Ten Sects routinely prided themselves on their inheritance from the Immortal Realm, they had not yet achieved the ability to freely modify Immortal Arrays. All they could do currently was activate and operate the formation.

More crucially, the Xuanghuang Realm was still situated at the Abyss of Immortal Ruins. If they forcibly severed the chains, it was highly likely to cause severe damage to the Xuanghuang Realm, potentially leading it to fall into the Immortal Ruins. Therefore, the Ten Sects collectively rejected this plan.

Thus, only one path lay before the Ten Sects.

Moving forward, even if they didn't continue attacking the Taiyuan Realm, they still had to establish defensive strongholds to prevent a counterattack from the Taiyuan Realm.

For this, even more living forces would need to be committed.

"Everyone. Have you heard that an organization called the Myriad Immortals Alliance has emerged in various parts of the Xuanghuang Realm?"

"They are just some rogue cultivators messing around."

"We originally thought to suppress them after the Taiyuan Realm affair was concluded. Now it seems..."

"Perhaps they can be drawn into the battlefield."