Unless a Longevity Immortal emerges, Dao Integration cultivators are the strongest beings in the world.
This is true for the Xuanhuang Realm, let alone this small Empire world.
Qing and Hong were somewhat prepared—they had lived long enough. In their memories, back when they were in the Beast-Taming Sect many years ago, they had encountered a Dao Integration cultivator before.
However, the Imperial Princess was not as fortunate.
Even though she had inherited the memories of past emperors of the empire, her impression of the legendary power of Dao Integration cultivators remained vague.
After all, she was merely a mortal.
Faced with the immense, mountain-like pressure that Liu San unintentionally emanated, the Imperial Princess turned pale, struggling to breathe.
The three of them bowed, yet Liu San remained silent.
Qing and Hong felt a growing unease.
After all, from beginning to end, they had only ever communicated with a single representative. Moreover, that representative’s cultivation was not particularly profound—merely at the Nascent Soul stage, which was quite common in the Xuanhuang Realm.
But today, the moment they personally witnessed a Dao Integration cultivator, all their doubts vanished.
Because strength is the best proof.
It was impossible for a great Dao Integration cultivator to be involved in some kind of scam. With a mere wave of his hand, he could wipe an entire empire off the map. There was no reason for such deception.
Countless thoughts flashed through their minds in an instant, and the three from the empire became even more respectful.
Sensing that the atmosphere was just right, Liu San finally let out a slight hum and nodded. “Let’s go. Take me to see the things you reported.”
At that moment, Xu Bai spoke as well. “The Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance’s attacks have been getting more intense lately. Elder Liu doesn’t have much time to waste.”
The Imperial Princess hurriedly nodded and led them to a hidden underground chamber beneath the palace’s high tower.
The chamber was vast and empty. Inside, a Void Coordinator Trajectory Instrument, over a thousand different types of Spirit Crystal Marrow, and a massive furnace had already been prepared.
Liu San first looked at the Void Coordinator Trajectory Instrument, then suddenly asked, “If we know the relative coordinates of a certain world in comparison to the Xuanhuang Realm, can we use this instrument to pinpoint its location in the void?”
Xiao Qing was stunned for a moment, then her expression changed drastically.
She realized that Elder Liu wasn’t referring to just a small world within Xuanhuang.
He was referring to another cultivation world on the same level as the Xuanhuang Realm.
Her evaluation of the Federation of All Worlds instantly rose.
After a moment of contemplation, Xiao Qing shook her head and responded honestly, “Due to the influence of the Immortal Ruins, the space-time around the Xuanhuang Realm is distorted. If we only have raw coordinate data, even if we manage to escape the Immortal Ruins’ pull, we might still lose our way.”
“However, if we pre-set the destination coordinates in advance, we can continuously adjust our course through space-time corrections. Theoretically, it is entirely possible to safely reach the target location,” she quickly added.
“A world without spiritual energy has still managed to develop such technology. That is no small feat,” Liu San nodded approvingly.
Hearing this, Xiao Qing and the others couldn’t help but reveal a hint of joy in their eyes.
Liu San then turned his gaze toward the thousands of different Spirit Crystal Marrow specimens.
With just a glance, he dismissed them.
To a Dao Integration cultivator, these ferocious beast abilities were nothing more than child’s play.
Finally, Liu San’s attention shifted to the massive, roaring furnace.
The faint, dangerous aura seeping from it made him narrow his eyes slightly.
“You are playing with fire,” Liu San finally commented after a long silence.
“All beasts returning to one. Indeed, it is a possibility. But if such a terrifying creation were truly brought into existence, I fear that your so-called [Heart Linking technique] would not be able to control it.”
“Perhaps if the supreme treasure of the Beast-Taming Sect, the [Ten Thousand Beasts Reincarnation Wheel], were still around, there might still be a sliver of hope.”
Xiao Qing and Xiao Hong exchanged glances, both startled in their hearts.
However, before they could respond, Liu San left behind only one sentence before departing directly.
“I have already grasped the general situation of this world. Be patient and await the results.”
Xiao Qing asked nervously, “Fellow Daoist Xu…”
Xu Bai appeared helpless. “I already said earlier that the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance is launching an aggressive assault, and many small worlds have fallen one after another. The organization has already decided to implement the ‘Sever the Tail to Survive’ strategy, retracting our sphere of influence. Only the valuable small worlds will be preserved as part of the core forces.”
“In the end, the decision is not solely up to Elder Liu. A comprehensive evaluation by the higher-ups is necessary before a final judgment can be made.”
As proof, Xu Bai displayed the scenes he had gathered earlier from the Tianxuan Treasure Record, showing numerous small worlds falling one after another under the relentless attacks of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance cultivators.
Faced with these brutal, real, and bloodstained images, the three imperial figures couldn’t help but reveal slight changes in their expressions.
Tossing the Image-Storing Stone to them, Xu Bai spoke in reassurance:
“Don’t worry. Considering our shared ancestral lineage, even if the organization does not approve the decision to protect you, I will personally come to rescue you and take you away.”
“Of course, the number must be small. Five people at most.”
Xu Bai’s expression turned somewhat solemn.
Seeing the increasingly pale faces of Xiao Qing and the other two, he continued, “Of course, if the organization ultimately decides to provide you with protection, that would be ideal.”
“However, when the time comes, as the price for protection, all resources and technologies of your empire must be fully integrated into our Federation of All Worlds.”
“No matter what the outcome, you should start making preparations in advance.”
“I’ve heard that within your empire, there still exists some sort of noble class…”
Xu Bai sneered and looked at the imperial princess, saying,
“Remember, the empire only needs an Emperor—it does not need nobles.”
“From today onward, let the empire have only one voice.”
With that, Xu Bai cupped his hands in farewell.
“I have many matters to attend to and cannot linger here any longer. I hope that when I return next time, I will bring good news.”
Without waiting for Xiao Qing and the others to bid farewell, Xu Bai soared into the sky and disappeared from the empire.
Watching Xu Bai depart, the imperial princess gazed beyond the palace.
A flash of killing intent crossed her eyes, but in the end, they gradually became resolute.
Xuanhuang Realm, Entrance to the Empire.
Liu San, who had left earlier, was waiting for Xu Bai there.
“Young Master, how was my performance?”
Seeing Xu Bai arrive, he couldn’t help but ask smugly.
“Haha, I never expected Elder Liu, who appears so upright and righteous, to be such a natural at deception—flawless, without a single trace of pretense. I must remind Elder Jiang to be careful in the future,” Xu Bai said with a smile.
Liu San’s face immediately fell.
However, he quickly shifted the topic on his own.
“Setting that aside, this so-called Empire small world is quite remarkable. Not to mention other aspects, but simply that [Myriad Phenomena Furnace] alone would be considered extraordinary even in the ancient cultivation world.”