Cultivation is just so scientific! Chapter 1738 - 915: War (Part 2)

Positioned fifty meters away from the main flying boat, the Guiyuan Sect’s vessel had also activated its defensive array. As the Bitao Sect designated their battlefield above an uninhabited island, both Luanyang Palace and Guiyuan Sect opted to use their large flying boats as temporary safe havens, prioritizing security.

Utilizing the scanning formation aboard the flying boat, the cultivators inside could diligently monitor the unfolding events on the battlefield and implement necessary adjustments promptly. The phantom clone deployed four late-stage Golden Corpses, dispatching them to patrol the four cardinal directions around the flying boat. Despite the Bitao Sect establishing the battlefield parameters, no one could offer absolute assurance that the Bitao Sect wouldn't dispatch formidable cultivators to assault their temporary base. This kind of conflict between major powers operates under a system of graded battles, adhering to established rules. Engagements involving Golden Core cultivators are strictly confined to cultivators of the same realm, and similarly, battles between Nascent Soul middle-stage cultivators involve only those of equivalent standing. While higher-level cultivators are prohibited from attacking those of lower cultivation, they are permitted to launch direct assaults on unsuspecting powerful cultivators positioned within the flying boat.

The Bitao Sect, renowned for their mastery of water-attribute techniques, found a distinct advantage in the ocean, where the surrounding seawater provided a natural cover for their escape tactics. Without significant preamble or extensive communication, the Golden Core cultivators from Luanyang Palace and Guiyuan Sect ventured into the designated combat zone. Across the sea from the island, a submerged opening materialized, from which Golden Core cultivators emerged and joined the fray. The phantom clone observed from the deck, the dynamics of such warfare in the cultivation world not foreign to him; Li Shiming had, in fact, participated in similar conflicts previously.

Typically, when opposing forces encounter insurmountable disagreements, the dispute is settled through warfare. These conflicts also serve a crucial dual purpose: they provide a platform for nurturing junior cultivators within the various powers, allowing them to contribute meaningfully to their respective Sects while simultaneously gaining invaluable practical combat experience. However, his role had shifted from active participant to that of a detached observer, a stark contrast to his prior involvement.

The Golden Core female cultivators representing Luanyang Palace demonstrated considerable prowess in combat. Furthermore, the Golden Core cultivators from Guiyuan Sect offered intermittent support to their female counterparts, ensuring they sustained minimal harm. An interesting observation was that a significant majority of the Bitao Sect’s Golden Core cultivators were male. These male cultivators frequently exhibited a degree of restraint, refraining from delivering potentially fatal blows to the female cultivators from Luanyang Palace. Witnessing this dynamic, the phantom clone couldn't help but smile. While in principle, gender might be considered irrelevant in the cultivation world, the reality presented a stark imbalance in the cultivator population, resulting in female cultivators inadvertently receiving a degree of preferential treatment.

“The Bitao Sect has committed only a single peak great cultivator!” At this precise moment, Great Cultivator Jiang Hao, hailing from Guiyuan Sect, approached from the adjacent large flying boat, landing on the deck with a resonant thud. He addressed the phantom clone in a deep, serious tone. His eyes briefly surveyed the four late-stage Golden Corpses positioned around the deck, a flicker of surprise crossing his features. He had been briefed on Li Shiming’s formidable capabilities, and the late-stage Golden Corpses were recognized as a standard, potent force often employed by him. Intelligence reports indicated that the combat effectiveness of a single late-stage Golden Corpse was nearly on par with that of a peak great cultivator. The fact that Li Shiming’s phantom clone had brought four such entities this time was astonishing and, on its own, represented a formidable strength possibly exceeding the combined forces dispatched by Luanyang Palace and Guiyuan Sect. It was understandable, he mused, why the cultivation world hesitated to antagonize Li Shiming. Even with his seemingly limitless value and unparalleled mastery of alchemy, major powers merely extended gestures of friendship, refraining from any attempts to capture him. They even permitted the Ten Thousand Beast Sect of the Dongqi Continent to exert dominance, controlling the resources of an entire continent. Although the resources within the Dongqi Continent were comparatively scarce, the Ten Thousand Beast Sect’s control indirectly impacted the resource acquisition strategies of other major powers.

“I have also just confirmed that the Bitao Sect’s cultivators are primarily gathered within the ocean, significantly complicating formation scanning efforts!” Phoenix Palace Master concurred, nodding in agreement. “Merely one peak great cultivator… does this suggest that Yi Xiao is not present?” The phantom clone inquired, his brow furrowing slightly. His primary objective for attending this event was centered on Great Cultivator Yi Xiao, a figure he perceived as a dangerous threat, akin to a venomous serpent, and he wouldn't rest easy until Yi Xiao was neutralized. As for the ongoing conflict between these major powers, he considered it a trivial matter, akin to child’s play. “That appears to be the situation; the Bitao Sect has violated the agreement and brought Yi Xiao to the battlefield!” Great Cultivator Jiang Hao declared, his voice tinged with evident frustration and anger.

His objective mirrored Li Shiming's, both individuals aiming to eliminate Great Cultivator Yi Xiao.

The desire to see Great Cultivator Yi Xiao vanquished burned even hotter within him than in Li Shiming, as Yi Xiao's act of betrayal was an offense no sect could possibly overlook.

Failing to take decisive action against such a traitor would undoubtedly tarnish the very honor of the Guiyuan Sect.

When the Guiyuan Sect and the Bitao Sect reached an accord to wage war, it was stipulated that Great Cultivator Yi Xiao would be a key participant.

"Establish a communication channel with the Bitao Sect immediately; should they truly violate our agreement, we will expose this matter to the public!" declared the Phoenix Palace Master with unwavering resolve.

Setting up a communication link with the Bitao Sect was accomplished with remarkable speed. Through the communication array integrated into their massive flying boat—a common method for interstellar travel—they initiated a request to the Bitao Sect.

Upon establishing the connection, both parties first confirmed their respective identities.

"Esteemed Hua Ying, the Bitao Sect has failed to uphold their end of the bargain; Yi Xiao has not appeared on the battlefield!" exclaimed the Phoenix Palace Master, bypassing pleasantries after the identity exchange.

One should never underestimate the value of a sect's reputation. If news of the Bitao Sect's breach of agreement were to disseminate, any other sects collaborating with them would inevitably reconsider their alliances.

Engaging in partnerships with an unreliable sect posed significant risks.

For the Bitao Sect to maintain its presence and viability within the cultivation world, allowing word of their untrustworthiness to spread was simply not an option.

"Respected Feng Xianzi, our Fellow Yi will only be delayed by a short period; he is certain to arrive by tomorrow!" Great Cultivator Hua Ying responded swiftly, offering an explanation.

He himself was in a predicament; Great Cultivator Yi Xiao had requested a one-day postponement prior to his departure.

Taking into account Yi Xiao's unique circumstances and the fact that the initial two days of the war primarily involved skirmishes between lower-level cultivators, he had granted the request.

He had not anticipated that the Luanyang Palace and the Guiyuan Sect possessed the means to ascertain the situation at sea, thus discovering Great Cultivator Yi Xiao's absence.

"Esteemed Hua Ying, if Yi Xiao fails to materialize by tomorrow, the Luanyang Palace will immediately withdraw from this conflict and officially declare to the entire cultivation world the Bitao Sect's lack of integrity!" the Phoenix Palace Master stated with firm conviction.

"The Guiyuan Sect will follow suit. Without the presence of Yi Xiao, this war loses its fundamental purpose!" declared Great Cultivator Jiang Hao.

The very initiation of this war was predicated on resolving the conflict surrounding Great Cultivator Yi Xiao. With his non-appearance, the conflict’s original objective was rendered moot.

These high-level discussions among the three great cultivators had no bearing on the ongoing battles unfolding on the battlefield.

The female cultivators of the Luanyang Palace were consistently supplied with high-grade therapeutic spirit pills whenever they sustained injuries.

This was a direct benefit stemming from the strong relationship between the Luanyang Palace and Li Shiming. Apart from the Ten Thousand Beast Sect, the Luanyang Palace, and the Sword Intent Chongxiao Pavilion, Li Shiming did not generally refine such potent therapeutic spirit pills for other sects.

Unlike the spirit pills utilized for advancing cultivation, these specialized high-grade therapeutic spirit pills served a vital purpose, often acting as a life-saving measure for cultivators.

In instances of severe injury, consuming a high-grade therapeutic spirit pill of a comparable realm grade could be the difference between life and death.

These pills represented a strategic asset, and Li Shiming did not produce them indiscriminately. Within the vast cultivation world, such high-grade therapeutic spirit pills were exceedingly scarce.

For this particular war, the combined number of cultivators deployed by the Luanyang Palace and the Guiyuan Sect was numerically equivalent to that of the Bitao Sect, creating an appearance of a balanced engagement.

However, influenced by the consistent availability of high-grade therapeutic spirit pills and the inherent advantages possessed by the female cultivators, the casualties and injured cultivators from the Bitao Sect steadily increased.

Before the end of the day’s fighting, the Golden Core cultivators of the Bitao Sect were forcefully repelled from the battlefield.

The initial engagement at the Golden Core cultivator level concluded with a decisive defeat for the Bitao Sect. This setback served as a stark illustration to the cultivation world of the potential strength of the Bitao Sect's future generation of cultivators, consequently impacting their standing within the broader cultivation community to a notable degree.

One should not underestimate the significance of warfare at the Golden Core level. The importance of such battles primarily lies in their ability to gauge a sect's future prospects and latent power, a universally accepted metric within the cultivation world.