Cultivation is just so scientific! Chapter 1722 - 907: Reunion (2)

Traversing the skies aboard Luanyang Palace’s grand transport vessel, a vessel carrying esteemed cultivators from the palace, few dare to provoke such a formidable force. This very reason underpinned Li Shiming’s initial decision to entrust Yin Shilan to Luanyang Palace. Despite its outwardly serene facade, Luanyang Palace wielded immense influence throughout the Cultivation World, capable of orchestrating formidable challenges for any who dared to cross its path.

Yin Shilan’s careful calculations marked the passage of time. Five days later, she found herself aboard the long-distance flying boat. For her utmost security, Luanyang Palace had assigned three powerful cultivators, two late-stage Golden Corpses, and an illusionary clone – a contingent that would make any ordinary adversary falter, unless an exceptionally mighty entity intervened.

Driven by her fervent desire to return, the three skilled cultivators continuously infused the flying boat with Qi, drastically shortening the journey. In a mere twenty days, they reached the Dongqi Continent.

The flying boat brought Yin Shilan directly to the doorstep of the Ten Thousand Beast Sect. This direct access was permissible due to the alliance between Luanyang Palace and the sect; otherwise, breaching the Grotto Heaven’s formidable barrier would have been impossible.

Yin Shilan disembarked, her palace robes billowing as she gracefully soared towards the Ten Thousand Beast Sect.

Upon arrival, she immediately observed significant alterations within the sect’s domain.

Seven majestic peaks now hovered in the air. The Ten Thousand Beast Sect’s original mountain gates lacked such aerial extensions, as maintaining floating mountains demanded immense Qi, a feat typically reserved for Qi-rich Grotto Heavens. Yet, these seven peaks floated freely, independent of any such sanctuary.

What captivated her most was a central peak among the seven—the very peak that had been her abode for a century. The presence of six other peaks encircling this significant landmark filled her with profound joy.

As she drew nearer, a breathtaking spectacle unfolded: two adjacent peaks gracefully shifted, revealing an open passageway.

She navigated through this aperture, and the peaks swiftly returned to their original positions, sealing the way once more.

It became strikingly clear to her that these seven peaks constituted a magnificent formation, intrinsically linked to the overall formation of the Ten Thousand Beast Sect.

"Shiming!" The instant Yin Shilan’s gaze fell upon Li Shiming, who stood waiting before the central mountain’s cave residence, all else faded from her perception—the enigmatic floating peaks, the intricate formation, everything. Her entire world narrowed to the sight of Li Shiming.

Clasping both of Li Shiming’s hands, she felt the comforting warmth radiating from him. The pent-up longing of many days finally found release, flowing down her cheeks as tears.

"Lan’er, I apologize for causing you worry!" Li Shiming murmured, gently placing an arm around her shoulders.

Yin Shilan remained silent, content to lean into Li Shiming’s embrace.

"What manner of formation is this? I’ve never encountered anything quite like it," Yin Shilan inquired after she had regained her composure, her voice tinged with curiosity.

Having been generously supplied with a vast repository of formation scrolls by Li Shiming and subsequently appointed as a core cultivator within Luanyang Palace, she had gained access to their extensive library of formation knowledge. She possessed a profound passion for formations and had cultivated considerable expertise, reaching the proficiency of an average Array Master.

Yet, this grand formation of the seven peaks eluded her comprehension, and she found no parallel within her extensive studies. Though the seven peaks fell within her jurisdiction, allowing her to subtly sense the intricate formations woven into each one, they remained utterly alien to her.

For instance, the foundational formation supporting the peak beneath her feet: she recognized the principles behind several similar formations, but none bore the slightest resemblance to the techniques employed here.

"These six surrounding peaks are trophies from my campaigns and a gift I've prepared for you. They are imbued with numerous potent formations that, when combined, achieve exceptionally robust defensive capabilities!" Li Shiming explained as he presented a jade scroll to Yin Shilan.

He was intimately familiar with Yin Shilan’s deepest desires, a connection forged since their days during the Qi Refinement stage. For Yin Shilan, no earthly treasure could rival the gift of a unique formation, complete with its accompanying knowledge.

The jade scroll meticulously detailed the formations associated with the six peaks, presented in an organized manner. These six peaks had been acquired from the Law Enforcement Masters of the six major superpowers situated at Cloud Island Sea. Furthermore, he had integrated a unique floating and flying formation, originating from Cloud Island Sea, onto Yin Shilan’s peak, granting it the ability to traverse the skies at will. In concert with the other six peaks, her peak would contribute to a formidable array of defensive formations, ensuring Yin Shilan’s enhanced security.

"Come in and take a look; I’ve also prepared a life-saving formation for you!" Li Shiming welcomed Yin Shilan into his cave residence. Within a newly excavated chamber, a 'Space Transmission Array' had been meticulously set up, its destination an undersea cave residence located a hundred thousand miles away.

The protective measures Li Shiming devised for Yin Shilan were exceptionally comprehensive. The primary defense was the formidable gate of the Ten Thousand Beast Sect itself.

Gaining access through the Ten Thousand Beast Sect's main gate presented a significant challenge, establishing it as the initial barrier.

Serving as a second layer of security, the six formation peaks were intricately linked with the Ten Thousand Beast Sect's overarching grand formation.

Even if powerful cultivators attempted to breach the formation by force, this unprecedented defensive formation within the Cultivation World could effectively hold them at bay for a considerable duration.

This brief window of opportunity would grant Yin Shilan ample time to effect her escape via the 'Space Transmission Array.'

Furthermore, this location was designated as Li Shiming's daily abode. At the Great Cultivator Peak, the practice of cultivation merely required adherence to a fundamental rhythm.

Yin Shilan was immensely gratified by Li Shiming's thoughtful gift. The cultivators of the Ten Thousand Beast Sect observed with awe as the seven celestial peaks continuously altered their positions, a testament to Yin Shilan's exploration and experimentation with the various formations adorning the peaks.

Residing together in this tranquil cave dwelling, Li Shiming and Yin Shilan deliberately bypassed immediate cultivation. They shared moments watching the sunrises and sunsets, occasionally engaging in profound discussions about the Dao, and at other times delving into the intricacies of formations, their existence akin to that of celestial beings.

With Li Shiming having ascended to the Peak Great Cultivator stage, his illusionary clone experienced a notable increase in available time. The late-stage Golden Corpses now provided only marginal assistance to Li Shiming.

Presently, two of the late-stage Golden Corpses were placed under Grandmaster Hu's command, serving as a potent external asset to the Ten Thousand Beast Sect.

The remaining two late-stage Golden Corpses were strategically allocated to the illusionary clone by Li Shiming, significantly bolstering its combat capabilities.

The illusionary clone's strength had undergone a remarkable enhancement following Li Shiming's projection. Initially possessing only Middle Stage Great Cultivator strength, it now projected a new iteration imbued with Peak Great Cultivator power, resulting in a substantial difference.

The current prowess of the illusionary clone approached that of a Peak Great Cultivator; its sole deficiency remained a more sluggish rate of internal Qi recovery.

From his hard-won battle spoils, Li Shiming also selected a premier fourth-grade treasure, the 'Heavenly Strike Thunder Hammer,' bestowing it upon the illusionary clone along with a soul crystal ring.

This particular clone could be considered the most lavishly equipped. Typically, a clone belonging to a great cultivator would not wield such magical treasures.

The reason being that the adversaries a clone was capable of handling did not necessitate magical treasures, and those that did were beyond its reach, even with such an artifact.

However, Li Shiming's illusionary clone was an anomaly, meticulously constructed with 'Chaotic Spiritual Power' and a more robust spirit. This made it virtually indistinguishable from a standard Peak Great Cultivator, despite its lack of a physical form.

Subsequent to reinforcing the illusionary clone, Li Shiming summoned the Thunder Beast, dispatching it alongside the clone towards the Central State Continent.

On this crucial mission, the illusionary clone was tasked with delivering the 'Heavenly Spirit Jade Pearl' to Li Yuanba, a treasure of immense significance.

Li Yuanba's cultivation progress had been somewhat lagging, and without the assistance of the 'Heavenly Spirit Jade Pearl,' bridging the gap to the main body would prove a considerable challenge.

The departure of the illusionary clone was executed with utmost secrecy. Leveraging the formidable speed of the Thunder Beast, the delivery of the 'Heavenly Spirit Jade Pearl' to Li Yuanba was anticipated to take merely two days.

Already, Li Yuanba had departed from the Sword Intent Chongxiao Pavilion, making his way to intercept the illusionary clone in advance.