The entrance to the small world was located in Qiongjing Prefecture.
Returning alongside the team of cultivators was also a Dao Integration cultivator from the Taiyan Sect.
As the representative of Taiyan Sect, this person visited Qiongjing Heavenly City and publicly posed a question:
Could Taiyan Sect join the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance as a whole?
Although the City Lord of Qiongjing City, Meng Shufu, was also a Dao Integration cultivator, he did not dare to make such a decision on his own.
After temporarily appeasing the other party, he hurried to the headquarters of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance to report the situation in person.
Meanwhile, the Taiyan Sect’s Dao Integration cultivator appeared completely at ease, showing not the slightest trace of anxiety.
It seemed as though he had already foreseen the outcome of Meng Shufu’s trip.
As expected, not long after, the official announcement from the Immortal Alliance was released:
Those who voluntarily submit will not be driven from their current residences.
They only need to cooperate in completing the [Observing Heaven, Understanding Earth] process of the Tianxuan Treasure Record.
Moreover, the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance will even provide additional benefits, including support in resources and cultivation techniques.
Additionally, cultivators who successfully persuade factions from the Cave-Heaven and Small Worlds to submit will receive merit-based rewards.
Upon hearing the announcement, countless cultivators across the realm immediately began reconsidering their positions.
Fighting was not their strong suit—but carrying the banner of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance and persuading others to surrender under such generous conditions? That was certainly much easier!
Thus, many cultivators who had begun to slack off were once again eager to take action.
In Qiongjing Prefecture, Meng Shufu looked at the Taiyan Sect’s Dao Integration cultivator across from him and suddenly realized the truth.
No wonder the other party had shown no concern from beginning to end.
Taiyan Sect had been renowned since ancient times for its unparalleled mastery of divination techniques.
By choosing to submit now, they had surely already calculated the outcome in advance!
“Ancient cultivators truly cannot be underestimated.”
With this thought, Meng Shufu respectfully escorted the Taiyan Sect’s Dao Integration cultivator to the headquarters of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance to discuss the details of their submission.
Three Days Later.
A piece of news began to spread:
Not long ago, the Sect Master of Taiyan Sect had foreseen that the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance would soon unify the Xuanhuang Realm.
After internal discussions, the sect reached a consensus: to align with the will of fate and cease any futile resistance.
Thus, their representative personally came forward to negotiate.
As of today, Taiyan Sect had officially joined the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance.
This marked the first small world faction to voluntarily submit and be accepted.
The news sent waves of excitement through the cultivators of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance.
After all, even rogue cultivators had heard of the prestigious Taiyan Sect.
Now that such a renowned sect had chosen to surrender, it was clear that the unification of the Xuanhuang Realm was truly imminent.
Cultivators across the land immediately became anxious, determined to seize this last opportunity to earn as much merit as possible.
In the Valley of Longevity.
“I had my disciples investigate the ancient sects, and they all said that Taiyan Sect had long since perished in the great calamity.”
“And yet, here they are, alive and well.”
Liu San sneered.
“Of course. Taiyan Sect’s divination techniques are unmatched in the world. How could they not have foreseen the arrival of the great calamity and taken precautions?”
“But for them to abandon their former arrogance and voluntarily submit to the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance—now that is unexpected. Given their temperament back in the day, they would never have surrendered unless at least half their sect had been wiped out first.”
His tone was filled with disdain, clearly showing his lack of goodwill toward Taiyan Sect.
“The tides of fate cannot be resisted,” Fang Zaiji said indifferently.
“Face and pride are insignificant compared to one’s survival.”
“Actually, this presents an opportunity for us,” Xu Bai suddenly remarked.
“Let’s observe how Taiyan Sect is treated after their submission. If their treatment is indeed as favorable as stated in the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance’s announcement—if they are allowed to maintain their existence and some level of independence—then surrendering directly may not be such a bad choice after all.”
As soon as these words were spoken, Liu San, Fang Zaiji, and Jiang Yushan all stared intently at Xu Bai.
It was as if they had never expected him to say such a thing.
However, Xu Bai remained indifferent and said, “Elder Liu, haven’t you always wanted to release the other elders and disciples trapped within the Medicine King Cauldron? If the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance can provide cultivation techniques to support them, then we won’t have to worry about them slaughtering each other due to the restrictions of incompatible cultivation paths.”
“We have been awake for so long now, and keeping them confined in the Great Dream Spring and Autumn Formation isn’t a long-term solution,” Xu Bai said in a relaxed tone.
Liu San opened his mouth slightly but inexplicably stopped himself.
After a moment of hesitation, he finally asked, “Isn’t this decision a bit too hasty?”
Xu Bai waved his hand dismissively. “Elder Liu, you’re overthinking it. The Taiyan Sect is highly skilled in divination. If surrendering was truly detrimental to them, they would never have made this choice.”
“The fact that they chose to submit at this moment means that there’s no major issue.”
“In fact, the sooner they join the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, the greater the benefits they may receive. After all, the Alliance needs to set a good example for the remaining small worlds. If they say one thing but act differently, it would only backfire, triggering a violent resistance from those small worlds.”
“For the current Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, unifying the Xuanhuang Realm and completing the ascension of the Tianxuan Mirror is the top priority. A few cultivation resources are of little significance in comparison.”
Xu Bai explained thoroughly, his reasoning sound and well-founded, leaving Liu San momentarily unable to refute.
“Hah! Surrendering is great! Honestly, I’ve wanted to say this for a while now, but I was afraid the Sect Master would blame me, so I kept quiet,” Fang Zaiji said cheerfully, fully supporting Xu Bai’s suggestion.
“I’ve been wanting to visit the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance for a long time. I heard that their artifact refinement techniques have improved tremendously compared to our time. I really want to see it for myself.”
“Yushan, haven’t you always wanted to challenge that woman again? Now you’ll be able to issue a challenge openly and honorably.”
Jiang Yushan remained silent.
She was not originally a disciple of the Medicine King Sect; she had only stayed there to suppress the sinister energy of the Indeterminate Prison. She had little sense of belonging to the sect, so she had no objections to Xu Bai’s decision.
Seeing this, Liu San sighed softly in his heart.
At the same time, he looked at Xu Bai, his mind filled with doubt.
“Alright, let’s settle the matter for now. Once the Taiyan Sect has fully integrated, we will personally visit and see if what the Immortal Alliance claims is true.”
“I imagine that day is not far off,” Xu Bai said with a slight smile.
“Oh, right. Mr. Fang, how is your research on the Endstone Plate progressing?” he suddenly changed the topic.
Fang Zaiji’s cheerful expression instantly froze.
He immediately turned to Liu San and asked, “Old Liu, how are those little ones doing? Has anyone successfully reached Foundation Establishment with One self method?”
“If you don’t have results, I can’t continue my research,” Fang Zaiji said righteously.