Chapter 776: Taiyan Without a Single Person

The Grand Evolution Sect cultivator glanced at Fang Zaiji, remarking, “Look at what you’re saying... So many years have passed, even a monkey would have gained sentience, much less our Dao Transformation Stone Mother.” They scoffed at Fang Zaiji’s question.

However, Fang Zaiji gave Xu Bai a meaningful look and sent a mental message: “Sect Master, something’s strange. I remember back then, the Grand Evolution Sect was extremely apprehensive about the Dao Transformation Stone Mother developing self-awareness. After all, cultivators have limited lifespans, while the Dao Transformation Stone Mother has an unlimited one. If it truly gained sentience, it’s hard to say who would truly call the shots in this Grand Evolution Sect. We’d better be careful,” Fang Zaiji warned.

Xu Bai nodded slightly, but his expression remained unchanged. He then feigned curiosity and asked, “To be honest, since we’ve traveled so far, we’ve learned a bit about your Grand Evolution Sect. The Grand Evolution Divine Calculation, although it can deduce the future through infinite computational power, still requires initial data support. You’ve been hiding in this Grand Profound Realm for thousands of years, isolated from the world. The Profound Yellow Realm has long since undergone drastic changes. How can you guarantee the accuracy of your predictive results?”

The middle-aged Grand Evolution Sect cultivator was quite surprised by Xu Bai’s words. Then a joyful expression grew even stronger on his face: “So you also know a bit about the art of deduction? It seems you truly are someone with a destined connection to our Grand Evolution Sect! As for what you’re worried about...” He said with a hint of smugness, “Who said our Grand Evolution Sect has been isolated from the world for thousands of years? In fact, every so often, the sect sends out dedicated personnel to gather various intelligence from the Profound Yellow Realm. This is done to revise the Stone Mother’s predictive results. Otherwise, the Myriad Immortals Alliance’s conquest of the myriad realms didn’t happen long ago. If we hadn’t foreseen it, how could we have responded so swiftly?”

“Adjustments, I see,” Xu Bai nodded thoughtfully.

“Alright, I’ve told you so much. Are you willing to join our Grand Evolution Sect or not!”

By this time, the group was almost at the floating city in the sky. Among the Grand Evolution Sect disciples, a short, hunchbacked cultivator finally became somewhat impatient.

“I’m actually a bit tempted,” Xu Bai stroked his chin.

Fang Zaiji, who was beside him, immediately cast him a sideways glance. Upon hearing this, the Grand Evolution Sect disciples couldn’t help but beam with joy.

“However, I still have some concerns,” Xu Bai said with utmost sincerity. “Actually, before coming here, I had already joined another sect, and for certain special reasons, I am unable to leave. I wonder if you would mind?”

“Hmm?!” The Grand Evolution Sect disciples were collectively stunned, their flying bodies abruptly stopping mid-air. They all turned to look back at Xu Bai.

“You’re here to cause trouble, aren’t you?!” the short cultivator exclaimed furiously. Just as he was about to retaliate, the middle-aged cultivator extended a hand to stop him.

“When Senior Brother assigned the task, he didn’t say this wasn’t allowed.” He pondered for a moment, then carefully scrutinized Xu Bai. To everyone’s surprise, he gritted his teeth and declared: “I can’t make a decision on this matter. How about this, you can come back to the sect with me first! Whether it’s acceptable or not, let Senior Brother decide.”

Xu Bai hadn’t expected the Grand Evolution Sect’s eagerness to recruit to be so strong; they could even tolerate this. However, he felt no fear and nodded in agreement, seeing no objection.

Upon reaching the periphery of the floating city, Xu Bai discovered that the entire city was encased in a protective layer of transparent crystal. When the middle-aged cultivator’s face was reflected on it, a blue light familiar to Xu Bai shimmered on the transparent crystal barrier. Then, in an instant, the middle-aged cultivator dissolved into a streak of blue light and vanished into the city. The other disciples did the same.

“You can just come straight in,” the middle-aged cultivator said from not far ahead, through the crystal barrier.

Seeing this, Fang Zaiji flew into the city before Xu Bai. As he was about to touch the transparent crystal barrier, it seemed to not exist, allowing him to pass straight through without obstruction. Fang Zaiji looked around, finding nothing unusual. Only then did he signal to Xu Bai that he could enter.

The moment Xu Bai passed through the crystal barrier, it felt as though he had entered a space composed of countless mirrors. He saw countless different versions of himself, seemingly experiencing various different events. A moment later, he was back in reality.

“Let’s go, I’ll take you to see Senior Brother,” the middle-aged cultivator glanced at Xu Bai and said with a smile.

As they walked through the floating city, they could see many Grand Evolution Sect cultivators around them. Their cultivation levels varied, from Qi Refining to Soul Transformation. Occasionally, there were even one or two white-bearded cultivators, whose presence made Fang Zaiji’s expression turn serious. They were clearly Dao Integration realm cultivators.

They all seemed very relaxed; some conversed quietly among themselves, while others independently calculated something with their fingers. Still others held and fiddled with an object resembling a Rubik’s Cube. From the constantly changing images on it, it bore some resemblance to the Sky-Lock Treasure Box Li Fan had once found in Yi Xing’s tomb.

As Xu Bai and his group walked past, they merely cast a casual glance before looking away. They paid no particular attention to Xu Bai’s peerless beauty. Even stranger, when they greeted the group leading the way, their forms of address for each other were all “Senior Brother” or “Junior Brother.” This was true even for the white-haired Dao Integration elders.

Xu Bai couldn’t help but frown slightly.

“Sect Master, have you noticed anything amiss?” Fang Zaiji transmitted quietly.

“It is a bit strange. The strength of this Grand Evolution Sect seems unusually well-preserved. From what we’ve seen on this journey, there are no fewer than a dozen Dao Integration cultivators, right? Are the Grand Evolution Sect’s foundations truly so deep? Moreover, Dao Integration powerful experts are calling Qi Refining cultivators ‘brother’...” A look of keen interest appeared on Xu Bai’s face.

“No, that’s not it!” Fang Zaiji’s voice was tinged with apprehension. “When I first came in, I didn’t realize it. But after observing carefully for a while now, I’ve discovered... This place is a ghost realm!”

Xu Bai’s footsteps paused slightly: “A ghost realm? Elder Fang, what do you mean?”

“Sect Master, look closely at these people again. They aren’t truly real!” Fang Zaiji’s voice was a bit shaky. “Even this city beneath our feet is probably an illusion!”

At Fang Zaiji’s warning, Xu Bai’s gaze sharpened. He immediately continued walking slowly, while simultaneously observing his surroundings with renewed scrutiny. Xu Bai’s talent, as expected, was among the very best in all the lands. Upon focusing and looking closely, he indeed perceived a subtle abnormality. The cultivators in this floating city, from Dao Integration to Qi Refining, all emitted the exact same faint aura! As if they were all the same person! Merely wearing different faces.

Just then, the middle-aged cultivator leading the way seemed to sense Xu Bai’s reaction. He suddenly turned his head, revealing a chilling smile: “Is something amiss, fellow Daoist?”