Chapter 1530: Two-Part Cultivation of Immortal Seed

"The idea was sound, but unfortunately, he didn't understand his own place," Li Fan commented.

The vast starry sky of the Great Dao he had displayed on that thin slice far surpassed the mundane, even exceeding the limits of what Xuanhuang Realm cultivators could imagine. To ants on the ground, it was naturally impossible to distinguish between the first and thirty-third heavens. The old Daoist believed he had missed only a method to achieve immortality. He didn't realize it was, in fact, a grand thoroughfare leading directly to the other shore!

"He still possesses his own unique arrogance. Perhaps only when he faces his eventual demise will he be filled with deep regret," Li Fan mused, shaking his head slightly.

For Li Fan, forging his own Great Dao and learning from other powerful individuals were not mutually exclusive. He could learn the transformations of truth and falsehood from Huanzhen, grasp infinite immortal methods from Shanhai, and study the Great Dao of Longevity from Shouqiu Gong. Yet, none of this hindered Li Fan from ultimately forging his own path.

Even the leaders of the Ten Sects were, to Li Fan, merely insignificant ants within the drops of the long river of time, unworthy of excessive attention. What truly mattered to Li Fan was the elaborate drama he had meticulously orchestrated.

As Li Fan's fingers subtly moved, the scales of victory gradually tipped in favor of the Taiyuan Realm. The "anomalous malfunction" of the Taiyuan Rebirth Furnace finally seemed to be rectified. Its resurrection efficiency was even greater than before. Though the reason for this bizarre phenomenon remained unknown, it didn't stop the Taiyuan Realm cultivators from seizing this prime opportunity to swiftly launch a counteroffensive and secure their victory.

The Xuanhuang cultivators on the battlefield immediately felt the immense pressure. For the past six months, attacks from the Taiyuan Realm cultivators typically lasted five or six days before they temporarily withdrew. This time, however, their assault was uncharacteristically fierce. Enemies fell wave after wave, yet they seemed inexhaustible. Even more unsettling, on the same battlefield, two or three mutilated corpses of the same individual began to appear.

Even with the Ten Immortal Sects reacting swiftly and mobilizing reserve forces, their front line was continuously forced to retreat. The Taiyuan Realm territory, painstakingly seized through countless sacrifices, was lost inch by inch. The surviving Xuanhuang Realm cultivators were gradually compressed within their final defensive perimeter.

After seemingly enduring dozens of days of continuous fierce fighting, the Taiyuan Realm forces also appeared to have reached their limit. A rare moment of tranquility descended upon the battlefield, and all Xuanhuang soldiers seized this final respite to desperately recover their strength. Yet, despite this high-pressure environment, not a shred of despair emerged in their minds. All that remained was the unwavering conviction that when the enemy charged again soon, they would fight to the death.

In the center of the Xuanhuang encampment, Qu Yixing, the leader of the Yishi Sect, sat cross-legged in the air, his expression solemn. Above his head, the power of the Five Elements encircled the Yin-Yang Qi, rapidly swirling like a Taiji symbol. Waves of mysterious fluctuations emanated from this vortex, spreading outwards and influencing the morale of the Xuanhuang cultivators on the battlefield.

"Brother Yixing, while this method is ingenious, it's not a long-term solution."

"It can last for a month at most. Otherwise, they will all turn into monsters completely devoid of reason, with only slaughter on their minds," Situ Yao stated, his tone heavy.

"A month... I doubt the situation can hold out for even that long. Gentlemen, you'd better make a decision soon," interjected Fang Dingge, the leader of the Great Dao Sect.

"I've asked the Stone Mother to perform trillions of derivations, and there's a 56% probability of success. The advantage is ours; why not go all out?"

A 56% probability, yet in Fang Dingge's eyes, it was as good as victory assured. No one present uttered a word in response.

"Of course, if any of you are confident enough to sever the Transcendent Golden Lock while ensuring the safety of the Xuanhuang Realm, then you may disregard my plan." Fang Dingge's sharp gaze swept over the gathered figures.

"The complete safety of the Xuanhuang Realm cannot be guaranteed. However, if it's merely the safety of the Ten Sects, that might be achievable." After a moment of silence, the voice came from a wrinkled yellow paper figure.

The paper figure gazed at Fang Dingge with a strange, distorted expression, one that was neither smiling nor crying.

Upon hearing this, a flicker of anger crossed Fang Dingge's face: "Yijue! Don't you dare push your Deliverance Plan again. It's bad enough that none of you have participated in this bloody war. Are you now trying to bewitch us and undermine morale?!"

"If you persist, don't blame my Dao Incinerating Furnace for showing no mercy!"

Daoist Yijue of the Due Sect, however, faced Fang Dingge's threat with unconcern. He chuckled, "Sect Leader Fang, you are mistaken. As the saying goes, 'Plan for victory, but first plan for defeat.' You are always so fond of gambling. Perhaps you can win countless times, but a single failure means the complete demise of your body and Dao. Tell me, who in this world can always win?"

Fang Dingge said coldly, "Further talk is useless! Facts will prove everything. Besides, is there a better method than mine? Are we all to become monsters, neither human nor ghost, just like you?"

"Neither human nor ghost, is that not being an immortal? Since you are unwilling, I will not force you. But do not count on our Due Sect. This old Daoist is leaving now." Daoist Yijue offered an ambiguous smile.

The paper figure's once lively expression instantly froze, and it then slowly drifted to the ground. Daoist Yijue of the Due Sect had transformed into an ordinary sheet of paper.

The remaining individuals present fell into silence.

"Hmph, I see signs that, under the influence of that old madman Yijue, the entire Due Sect will sooner or later turn into paper figures. Perhaps we should..." A dangerous glint flashed in Fang Dingge's eyes.

Situ Yao let out a dry laugh and swiftly interjected, urging caution: "The Ten Sects have always been united. We've endured calamities far more dangerous than this in the past; how could we allow this matter to spoil our camaraderie?"

Fang Dingge, however, showed no sign of yielding: "Today is different from the past. After several major battles, how much energy remains in your immortal artifacts? Without immortal spiritual energy, how are they any different from scrap metal? We've been fortunate to survive in this starry sky by relying on these immortal treasures. But what will become of us if we can no longer use immortal artifacts in the future?"

The leaders of the Ten Sects argued ceaselessly.

Ultimately, a female cultivator, draped in black light gauze with a graceful figure but a voice as grating as tearing metal, brought an end to their argument. Xiahou Yan, the Master of the Wuding Prison, swept her gaze over the group. Everyone instinctively narrowed their eyes, as if pierced by unseen blades, avoiding Xiahou Yan's direct gaze.

"That immortal artifact is far too bizarre. It's best not to use it lightly..." Even Fang Dingge, after some hesitation, shook his head in refusal.

Xiahou Yan let out a cold scoff. In front of all the sect leaders of the Ten Sects, she openly scoffed, "The leaders of the Ten Sects should be among the world's most renowned heroes. Yet, to my surprise, you are nothing but hesitant and indecisive individuals." Although her words were harsh, they included herself in the criticism. The others merely looked embarrassed and found it difficult to offer any rebuke.

"But I can't blame you. The more power one wields, the more one has to consider: the sect, the world, all sentient beings..."

"It's far less exhilarating than when I was alone, roaming freely across the world!" Xiahou Yan stated with a calm tone.

Her words seemed to evoke past memories for everyone, and the chamber fell into a temporary silence. It was Xiahou Yan who finally broke the silence: "Consider it. While the Two-Part Immortal Seed is indeed bizarre, it can split all of us without any loss. It offers another option, another retreat, another chance at survival."

"It shouldn't be that dire yet," Jiang Yixing and others still did not agree with Xiahou Yan's proposal.

"While the Two-Part Immortal Seed is incredibly profound, its corresponding side effects are simply too immense. We used it once, and it took us nearly a hundred years to fully digest. Lu Chenghang and Yijue from the Due Sect, who were once relatively normal, both ended up in their current state of madness..."

"But didn't we ultimately win? And those three immortal cultivation realms have long since turned to dust. If we could endure it once, we can endure it a second time," Xiahou Yan insisted.

It wasn't until the others cast their suspicious glances one after another that Xiahou Yan realized she had lost her composure. She then let out a cold snort and fell silent.

Another long silence ensued.

Situ Yao drained the fine wine from his gourd, growing somewhat impatient: "I believe Senior Brother Dingge's method is feasible. I witnessed the Stone Mother's derivations firsthand. I'm reasonably confident in its ability to end the Taiyuan Realm war."

"If you're unwilling, then let me proceed."

"It's merely death, after all. When have I, Situ Yao, ever been afraid!"

"Excellent!" Fang Dingge was greatly encouraged by finally securing a supporter.

As opinions began to align, the remaining individuals had no choice but to consider the proposal. At that moment, a faint voice emanated from a corner.

"My master said he agrees with Sect Leader Fang's plan. However, our Taishang Sect will only dispatch three individuals for support." It was Jiang Yingyue who spoke. This female cultivator, who had slaughtered countless enemies on the battlefield, behaved like a child in front of the sect leaders, having previously not dared to utter a sound. Only after receiving a message from her master did she timidly speak.

Many already had reservations about the old Daoist's absence. Now, hearing that the Taishang Sect was only willing to send three people for a plan concerning the very survival of the Xuanhuang Realm, their expressions grew even less favorable. However, upon seeing the three names formed by tiny points of starlight appearing in Jiang Yingyue's hand, no one present had any further objections. This was because these three represented the Great Dao Sect's absolute top-tier combat power; the strength of any one of them would be comparable to that of anyone else present.

After a period of heated discussion, a consensus was slowly reached. The Ten Sects began to discuss the specific operational details, with Fang Dingge reiterating, "The reason we haven't been able to achieve victory, being so stubbornly entangled by the Taiyuan Realm, is solely due to the existence of that immortal artifact, the Taiyuan Rebirth Furnace."

"The cultivators of the Taiyuan Realm, in terms of both scale and strength, are far inferior to those of our Xuanhuang Realm. Yet, they are inexhaustible. Even for us, sustaining injuries from a dozen Dao Integration cultivators sacrificing themselves would require significant recovery. However, they can reappear on the battlefield completely unharmed just a few days later." Fang Dingge spoke with gritted teeth, clearly having suffered significant losses previously.

"The key to breaking this deadlock is to destroy the Taiyuan Resurrection Furnace. We hadn't acted before because we were unable to pinpoint its exact location. Repeated probing attempts with various strategies proved ineffective. But now..." A sharp glint flashed in Fang Dingge's eyes: "Perhaps because it truly concerns the safety of Xuanhuang, that Great Celestial Venerable, who has always been taciturn and indifferent to worldly affairs, has finally deigned to offer guidance."

Fang Dingge waved his hand, and a holographic image of the Taiyuan Realm appeared before them. Within it, continuously flickering light points marked the locations of the Taiyuan Resurrection Furnaces.

"According to the Great Celestial Venerable, this so-called Resurrection Furnace is in fact an ancient immortal-level formation. By destroying a few key nodes within it, its resurrection effect can be disrupted for a period of time."

"That will be enough for us to completely sweep clean this realm!" Fang Dingge declared in a deep voice.

"The corresponding location here is..." Jiang Yingyue looked at the projected image, suddenly lost in thought.

"Indeed, deep within the Taiyuan Realm, at the location of the Heavenly Cosmos Dao Palace, formerly the largest immortal cultivation sect of Taiyuan."

"The entire Taiyuan Realm is enveloped by an immortal-level grand formation. To infiltrate deep within and successfully destroy it will be fraught with immense danger..."

"However, our chances of victory are still higher!" Fang Dingge asserted. "Since the war began, every cultivator who has appeared on the Taiyuan battlefield has been accounted for in the Stone Mother's derivations and calculations. We even have an additional one-third redundancy in strength..."

"Even with all this, we still have a 56% probability of success."

As Fang Dingge spoke, hundreds of dense light points suddenly appeared on the Taiyuan holographic image. Each light point represented a cultivator at or above the perfected God Transformation stage, capable of posing a threat to their plan. When their divine sense focused on these light points, the information of the represented cultivators appeared: their appearance, strength, and the various divine abilities and spells they had previously unleashed on the battlefield.

"Infinite resurrection is their absolute advantage, but also their fatal weakness."

"They still know nothing about us, while we, conversely, know them like the back of our hand."

Everyone present was captivated by the scene unfolding before them. Even Xiahou Yan and others, who initially disagreed with Fang Dingge's risky plan, silently observed and pondered.

Meanwhile, not far away, Li Fan, who had observed the Ten Sects' secret discussion through Jiang Yingyue's eyes, shook his head slightly.

"Even without me, with the paltry strength they've mustered, they shouldn't even dream of breaking through the numerous Taiyuan cultivators' defenses to destroy the immortal formation."

Li Fan immediately spotted the fatal flaw in the plan. The protective immortal formation, empowered by the Nine-Star Red Pearl, was not merely capable of creating living beings. Putting aside its numerous other capabilities, the overseers and repair officials within the Taiyuan immortal formation might not know how to activate them all. However, temporarily unleashing the potential of the created beings, causing their combat power to surge in a short time, was absolutely within their grasp. Although the cost involved rapidly burning through the created beings' lifespans, merely holding off the Xuanhuang Realm adventurers for a brief moment would be enough to cause their plan to utterly fail. It might even lead to the burial of the Xuanhuang Realm's elite forces.

"It's exactly like the Ten Sects' 'decapitation' strategy for spreading their teachings in the past."

"It simply appears that, without my involvement, they would all lose this gamble."