Chapter 351: Taking All Living Beings as Hostage

"A Long-Life Heavenly Venerate is not an Eternal Heavenly Venerate. Of course, they can perish." Ji Hongdao shook his head and chuckled softly.

"What's more, the owner of this broken bluestone palm was an ancient Heavenly Venerate who achieved their status through ancient methods."

"Achieving Long-Life Heavenly Venerate status through ancient methods wasn't as demanding as it is now, which requires defying the natural order of heaven and earth."

"Their strength was naturally more than just a little weaker."

"It's entirely possible they were killed by someone or died in a disaster."

Ji Hongdao didn't give the cultivators present much time to process the shock. As if he had only said something trivial, he then instructed, "This mission is urgent, so there isn't much time for rest. Today, Huangfu and Shangguan will first familiarize everyone with the precautions inside the Eternal Immortal Fortress."

"Tomorrow, formal construction will begin."

"Phase one of the mission is to construct the Sky Profound Spirit-Locking Grand Array outside the Roaring Abyss."

"After we finish relocating the newly discovered illusory realm, we will then proceed to construct the second spirit-locking array."

"Once both locations are built, we can return."

"Oh, right..." Ji Hongdao paused, pulled a small Sky Profound Mirror from his robe, and projected a luminous list above everyone's heads.

"I want you to know that the Sky Profound Spirit-Locking Array Popularization Grand Competition has officially begun."

"Although most of you are not official competitors, the Myriad Immortal Alliance will not let your hard work go to waste."

"Every bit of effort—whether guarding, transporting, or collaborating—will be meticulously recorded and converted into points. Once the grand array is completed, these points can be exchanged for cultivation techniques and treasures within the Alliance."

"Furthermore, the construction of each Sky Profound Spirit-Locking Array will be considered a top-tier 'Grade A' meritorious task."

"Upon completion of the array, meritorious rewards will be granted based on the extent of contribution."

"Issued in real-time, without delay."

Before Ji Hongdao had even finished speaking, the cultivators present erupted in an uproar. Clearly, they had just learned this news.

Top-tier 'Grade A' merits usually came from extremely dangerous and difficult tasks. Ordinary cultivators generally had no hope of completing them. But now, they could be earned simply by diligently constructing the Sky Profound Spirit-Locking Array. How could this not drive them wild?

Ji Hongdao smiled slightly, "Everyone, do you wish to acquire cultivation techniques and raise your authority levels?"

"This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

"If you miss it, the price you'll have to pay for equivalent rewards in the future will likely be several times higher."

"So, please put in your best effort."

Amidst the excited crowd, Li Fan gazed at the luminous list in the sky. Perhaps because the competition had just begun, the gaps hadn't widened yet. The names on it were constantly changing, moment by moment, clearly indicating the fierce competition.

There were a total of seven hundred and eighty-three individuals on the list. The names were very familiar, all being students who had participated in special training at the Universal Villa. Apart from Li Fan and Xue Mu, who were at the bottom with zero points, there was also a Golden Core cultivator named Guo Yezhong who, for unknown reasons, had not yet officially participated in array construction.

"Alright, put aside your excitement for now. Save your energy for tomorrow." After a moment, seeing that the atmosphere was sufficiently stirred, Ji Hongdao continued.

"After disembarking, you must carry this Black Death Talisman with you at all times. Even within the Eternal Immortal Fortress, this applies. Remember it well."

"Starting tomorrow, cultivators stationed at the fortress will also accompany you to guard against the demonic sounds of the abyss."

"Huangfu and Shangguan will explain the specific arrangements to you."

With that, Ji Hongdao waved his hand, and hundreds of talismans, whose surfaces were covered in black light swirling like lightning, appeared in the sky. They then flew to each of the cultivators present. Li Fan touched one, and the Black Death Talisman instantly transformed into a black thread, embedding itself in his left wrist.

Before he could examine it closely, he was urged by Huangfu Song to leave the Dust-Crossing Boat and temporarily reside within the Eternal Immortal Fortress.

As expected of a frontline defense against the Roaring Abyss, the Immortal Fortress was almost entirely self-sufficient. All the common facilities found in ordinary prefectural cities were available here. Except for teleportation, there was even a Sky Profound Mirror present here.

However, Li Fan and his companions were only residing in the outermost area of the Immortal Fortress. Based on the size of the broken palm they had previously seen, it was estimated to occupy at most a single finger segment. Further entry was impossible due to the cultivators in green robes guarding the inner areas.

As the cultivators explored the Immortal Fortress, on the Dust-Crossing Boat, Ji Hongdao still stood at the bow, gazing at the scenery within the broken palm structure.

A twisted, ghost-like figure suddenly appeared behind him.

"Still using these tactics of tempting people with profit? Don't you know any new tricks?" The figure spoke rudely, full of disdain.

Ji Hongdao seemed unsurprised by his appearance. Without turning his head, he calmly replied, "Old, but effective."

"Isn't it?"

"Among all cultivators, who can truly remain unmoved when faced with immense profit?"

"Even someone as 'lofty' as you, Young Master, if there were no profit to be made, why would you willingly guard the Roaring Abyss for decades, unmoving?"

The Young Master snorted, offering no rebuttal.

After a moment of silence, he spoke, "Whatever I gain from the abyss is due to my own ability. Try sending someone else."

"I won't even mention the merit of guarding such a dangerous place."

"Why is it that even on my side, we now have to build Sky Profound Spirit-Locking Arrays?"

"You and I know perfectly well what those things are."

"We cultivators..."

Ji Hongdao suddenly turned around, his expression more serious than ever, staring at the Young Master. The Young Master's words abruptly ceased.

"Sky Profound Spirit-Locking is the prevailing trend." Ji Hongdao enunciated each word clearly, "Anyone who dares to defy it is on a path to certain death."

"I advise you, Young Master, not to try provoking the will of the Dharma Propagators."

Seeing that the Young Master still looked displeased, Ji Hongdao sighed and advised, "The current situation is critical, having reached an urgent stage."

"For some unknown reason, heaven and earth have suddenly relaxed cultivation restrictions, as if they've given up and intend to drag us all down with them."

"The Council of Five Elders, after numerous probes, has still failed to find any trace of the Dharma Propagating Heavenly Venerate. They are already stirring."

"Furthermore, the Dharma Propagators have observed signs that the natural order of heaven and earth is reversing."

"I believe you are well aware of what that implies."

"At this moment, only by Sky Profound Spirit-Locking, using the majority of the living beings in the Profound Yellow Realm as collateral, can we overcome this difficult period."

"Only then can we gradually seek a way to break free from this predicament."

The Young Master clearly could not accept Ji Hongdao's explanation. He retorted, "If you treat all living beings as ants, how do you know you yourselves are not also ants?"

Ji Hongdao dismissed this, "We are, naturally, above all living beings."

The Young Master snorted, "Perhaps."

"We shall see."

Then, his figure rippled and vanished.