Jiao Xiuyuan smiled, “It’s quite normal for fellow Daoists to have such thoughts. After all, we cultivators, from Foundation Establishment to Dao Integration, need to plunder the heavens and earth and compete for resources. In a sense, all cultivators are potential competitors to each other.”
“But…”
Jiao Xiuyuan’s tone suddenly gained some mysterious meaning, “Longevity Immortal realm is different.”
“To achieve Longevity Immortal, one must defy the principles of heaven and earth.”
“The principles of heaven and earth are the Dao of the heavens.”
“Defying the principles of heaven and earth is the Dao of cultivators.”
“By following the Dao of cultivators and defying the Dao of the heavens, one can achieve Longevity Immortal.”
“Cultivators who can reach the peak of Dao Integration and glimpse into the Longevity Immortal realm each have their own unique Dao.”
“Because before reaching this realm, they have already destroyed all potential competitors.”
Jiao Xiuyuan calmly described the bloody path of ascension.
“Dao Integration cultivators, with different paths, no longer have conflicts of interest.”
“Observing the process of other Dao Integration cultivators defying the principles of heaven and earth, whether successful or not, will be beneficial to oneself.”
“That’s why they agree to assist.”
A hint of mockery appeared on Jiao Xiuyuan’s dark face, “Otherwise if you want to mobilize multiple Dao Integration cultivators, you would have to sacrifice a lot.”
Li Fan carefully pondered Jiao Xiuyuan’s words and, after a moment, seemed to have a realization.
From Qi Condensation to Dao Integration, the required mediums for advancement are, in order, spiritual energy, Heavenly Treasure, law, subworld, marrow, and Heavenly Spirit.
As a cultivator’s realm slowly improves, the restraining forces of heaven and earth during advancement become increasingly formidable.
In the early stages of cultivation, since the restraining forces of heaven and earth are not that strong, they can be almost ignored.
The main conflicts manifest in battles between cultivators.
But when the cultivation reaches the Dao Integration realm, one not only has to compete with other cultivators for the chance to sacrifice the Heavenly Spirit but also has to contend with the Heavenly Spirit itself.
The situation changes.
Finally, when reaching the Longevity Immortal realm.
The conflicts between cultivators become almost negligible.
It transforms into a struggle between cultivators and the heavens and earth.
…
Although the realms of Dao Integration and Longevity Immortal were still far away for Li Fan, they were the ultimate goals of cultivation in this realm.
For planning the future path of his cultivation, Jiao Xiuyuan’s words provided valuable guidance.
The value of this conversation was not below 100,000 contribution points.
After contemplating for a while, Li Fan couldn’t help but ask the long-buried question in his heart, “I wonder, what realm has fellow Daoist Jiao reached? You seem to be well-informed about the secrets of Dao Integration and Longevity Immortal.”
Jiao Xiuyuan did not answer, only smiled and said, “If there’s fate, fellow Daoist will know in the future.”
Li Fan nodded and did not press for more information.
After ending the communication, Li Fan began to contemplate the information provided by Jiao Xiuyuan.
“The Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance may have a new Longevity Immortal, so it has prompted the probing of the Five Elders Association.”
“This is also something that didn’t happen in the previous life.”
“Could it be a variable caused by the battle in Tianling Province?”
“It makes sense. After all, this war involved too much. In the early stages, there were more than a dozen Dao Integration powerhouses fighting each other.”
“Between life and death, one might gain insights. It’s normal.”
“According to Jiao Xiuyuan’s judgment, to test the truth of the information, the Five Elders Association will undoubtedly take more aggressive measures next.”
“The purpose should be to force Dao Integration cultivators to reveal themselves.”
“It seems that the overall number of Dao Integration cultivators on both sides won’t be too many.”
“At the very least, the sudden disappearance of multiple Dao Integration cultivators would be too obvious.”
“Hmm… before the storm settles, it’s better to be wise and not go out.” Li Fan contemplated to himself.
In the following period, it unfolded as Jiao Xiuyuan predicted.
Without warning, the Five Elders Association launched a full-scale probe against the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance on all fronts.
In the regions close to the Five Elders Association, almost all the provinces encountered Dao Integration cultivators crossing over, causing anomalies that covered the entire province and flaunting their power.
Li Fan, who was attentively monitoring the discussions among cultivators in the Tianxuan Mirror, roughly understood the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance’s response before many messages disappeared.
Apart from a few provinces where Dao Integration cultivators promptly appeared for countermeasures, the majority of provinces exhibited an unusual silence.
They only activated protective formations across the entire province.
Faced with such provocation, the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance did not declare a state of readiness again.
They strictly ordered all provinces to activate the defensive formations, refrain from initiating hostilities, and hold back from starting a war.
This invisible display of weakness seemed to validate the correctness of that piece of information.
Whether it was aimed at obstructing the birth of a new Longevity Immortal Heavenly Sovereign or taking advantage of the rare internal vulnerability of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance to expand their territory, the Five Elders Association decisively launched another war.
However…
It couldn’t even be called a war.
Because just a few days later, after all Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance cultivators entered a state of war, most cultivators hadn’t even seen the shadow of the enemy.
The recently ignited smoke of war suddenly dissipated inexplicably.
The Five Elders Association lowered their flags and drums, never mentioning the word “war” again.
This inexplicable event not only left Li Fan bewildered but also surprised Jiao Xiuyuan.
And shortly afterward, under the official fanfare of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, everyone understood what had happened in these few days.
The original war plan of the Five Elders Association should have been like this.
Dao Integration powerhouses would infiltrate the territory of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, search for the Longevity Immortal Heavenly Sovereign who was defying the principles of heaven and earth, and disrupt his ascension process.
The remaining cultivators, led by Soul Transformation powerhouses, would launch a fierce attack on the entire border of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
This was to provide cover for the Dao Integration strike team.
They would focus on attacking the regions without Dao Integration cultivators.
It was best to take advantage of this rare opportunity to expand their territory.
The plan was beautiful.
However, reality was cruel.
A total of nine Dao Integration powerhouses secretly entered the territory of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
Undoubtedly, they were an extremely powerful force.
They reached the heartland, Tianyu Province, without being noticed by anyone.
Perhaps they were secretly rejoicing in their hearts that the plan was proceeding so smoothly.
However, just when they all relaxed.
A grand formation activated, and mysterious light descended from the sky, suddenly enveloping them.
Dao Integration cultivators from the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, twice their number, suddenly appeared around them.
This included the Dao Integration Immortal Sages who were supposedly invited to assist in defying the principles of heaven and earth; all present, watching with mocking expressions!
At this point, the nine Dao Integration cultivators from the Five Elders Association would obviously understand.
Everything, from the beginning, was a trap!
A trap to lure the enemy deep inside!
The claims about Dao Integration cultivators about to break through and ascend to Longevity Immortal were all false.
The purpose was to lure the Dao Integration Immortal Sages of the Five Elders Association to come for sabotage.
Then, capture them all in one fell swoop!
Tearing off a piece of flesh from the Five Elders Association!
*****
T/N: title of Longevity Immortals changed from Immortal Venerable > Heavenly Sovereign to avoid redundancy.