Chapter 869: Old Friend Returns

Under the gaze of the Transmitting Dharma Celestial Master, the layered defenses deployed by the Five Elders Association in Jiushan State crumbled instantly. In the face of an absolute power disparity, all struggles and resistance were futile!

All living beings within the state, including the cultivators stationed by the Five Elders Association, members of the Spirit Essence Cult, and even countless mortals, perished completely the moment the Transmitting Dharma Celestial Master opened its eyes! Just as the Xuanhuang Realm cannot withstand the direct gaze of a true immortal, the beings of Jiushan State could not directly face the power of the Transmitting Dharma.

Countless cultivators died in an instant. Normally, countless phenomena of falling cultivators should have appeared in the sky. However, perhaps because the Transmitting Dharma figure had not dispersed, under the immense pressure, those falling phenomena failed to coalesce. This scene was as if, before the Transmitting Dharma Celestial Master, even the Heavenly Dao of the Xuanhuang Realm held back, not daring to wantonly mock or celebrate the deaths of cultivators.

The footage provided by the Five Elders Association abruptly ended. While it was indeed somewhat shocking, to Li Fan, who had already witnessed true immortals destroying worlds, it was nothing special. After repeatedly pondering it, Li Fan immediately noticed something amiss.

“Is it the Transmitting Dharma Celestial Master? Or one of the Thirty-Three Celestial Selectors?” During his 115th lifetime, the Transmitting Dharma Celestial Master had revealed its true form. The entire Xuanhuang Realm had trembled under its might, as if the apocalypse was imminent, threatening to be torn apart by its power at any moment. In comparison, the Transmitting Dharma Celestial Master that appeared in Jiushan State this time was more than just a bit weaker.

“What is this, a projection? A clone?” A glint flickered in Li Fan’s eyes. In his perception, Wei Qizheng, one of the Celestial Selectors, was still alive and well. Furthermore, the cultivators from the Five Elders Association had just mentioned that it, meaning the Transmitting Dharma phantom, might appear more frequently in the future. This proved that it wasn't a one-time consumable ability, but rather an operation that could be repeatedly manifested.

“Although its power is far inferior to the true Transmitting Dharma Celestial Master, it definitely possesses the combat strength of the Longevity realm,” Li Fan thought. “More critically, it’s still unclear how the Transmitting Dharma projection manifested in the skies above Jiushan State. The Celestial Selectors never appeared from beginning to end. If it can ignore location restrictions and arbitrarily summon the Transmitting Dharma projection to descend, then the deterrent would be immense. Until a countermeasure is found, the Five Elders Association would not dare to advance recklessly.”

Li Fan’s eyes flickered as he surveyed the Jiushan State area where he stood. Countless beings had perished here not long ago, yet peculiarly, there wasn’t even a trace of blood in the air. After all, under the Transmitting Dharma's pressure, even blood was crushed out of existence. “Truly a method shaped by the Transmitting Dharma,” Li Fan sighed inwardly. “It’s less about killing and more about destruction.”

Having understood what transpired in Jiushan State, Li Fan did not linger. He quickly returned using the power of the earth veins.

“If I’m not mistaken,” Li Fan mused, “should the Five Elders Association want to counterattack next, they will very likely deploy the Puxian True Ark for a surprise assault from within the white mist. As long as the battle breaks out in the heartland of the Myriad Immortals Alliance, the Alliance will certainly have many reservations about using that Transmitting Dharma projection technique again. However, such a surprising move is most effective only the first time. The Five Elders Association will probably save it for a decisive battle, aiming for a single, conclusive strike... Interesting. Let’s see what choice the Five Elders Association makes.”

The deterrent power of the Transmitting Dharma projection was indeed extraordinary. Even though it was only used once in Jiushan State, it scared members of the Five Elders Association in other fallen border territories into withdrawing their forces. With almost no effort, the Myriad Immortals Alliance swiftly reclaimed several border states it had previously lost. Frequent reports of victories made cultivators, accustomed to the Myriad Immortals Alliance often suffering setbacks, incredibly surprised. Consequently, conspiracy theories began circulating in various places.

Congyun Sea, Haixuan Island.

“The Alliance’s speed in reclaiming lost territory is simply too fast. Don’t you think there’s something strange going on?” someone asked.

“Heh heh, I heard some gossip,” another replied. “They say these states weren't captured by our Myriad Immortals Alliance at all. The Five Elders Association deliberately gave them back to us!”

“After so much effort to conquer them, how could the Five Elders Association willingly give them up just like that?” a third person questioned.

“You wouldn’t know,” the second speaker elaborated. “They did return them, but only as ruins. Anything of value had already been plundered by those Five Elders Association members. According to a friend of mine, the current situation in those frontline states is truly deplorable!”

“Hiss! I see! This is the Five Elders Association’s open conspiracy. Lost territory, once reclaimed, will have to be rebuilt, right? Once we’ve worked hard to rebuild, the Five Elders Association will attack again! And then everything will be plundered once more...”

“I was wondering why we suddenly became so tough. So that’s why!”

Conspiracy theories are always popular with the public. Unable to accept that the typically “weak” Myriad Immortals Alliance had achieved such brilliant results in a short period, some cultivators began to imagine the possible conspiracies behind it.

Just as they were enjoying their discussion, they were unaware that their conversation had angered two people.

“Bang!” With the loud thud of a table being struck, a figure abruptly stood up.

“I originally thought that this Congyun Sea Mutual Aid Society, being famous far and wide, must be an extraordinary organization,” the person said, glancing at the cultivators present. “But I never expected it to be so contemptible within! The frontline war hasn’t settled yet, and countless comrades have died on the battlefield. It’s bad enough that you people aren’t contributing, but you’re even slandering behind our backs! I, Kou Hong, am ashamed to be associated with you! Pah!” Kou Hong glared furiously, his voice like thunder.

Beside him, another slender, white-robed cultivator with sharp eyebrows and bright eyes stood up and declared with a loud laugh, “Well said, my brother. I, Daoxuanzi, also despise these beasts!”

Their words immediately offended the small group. They watched Kou Hong and Daoxuanzi coldly, a hint of murderous intent flashing in their eyes. Had this not been Ji Shaoli’s territory, they likely would have taken the lives of these two outspoken cultivators on the spot.

“This so-called mutual aid society, we might as well leave it!” Kou Hong and Daoxuanzi said indignantly, about to leave their seats.

“Please wait, gentlemen!” Suddenly, someone stopped them. Everyone looked closely and immediately bowed. It was Ji Shaoli himself, the master of Haixuan Island and the head of the Congyun Sea Mutual Aid Society!

“Fellow Daoist Ji, as the saying goes, those whose paths differ cannot plan together. Let us part ways here today!” Kou Hong turned his head, not acknowledging Ji Shaoli. However, Daoxuanzi was more polite and cupped his hands, speaking.

Ji Shaoli, the clone, did not speak. He merely looked at the two familiar faces before him, a faint smile appearing at the corner of his lips. He couldn't help but sigh inwardly, “Fate, how wonderfully inexplicable!” Observing the two, who in the original historical trajectory would still only be at the Foundation Establishment cultivation level decades from now, were now already at the early Golden Core stage, he couldn't help but make a decision.