Cultivation is just so scientific! Chapter 1753 - 923: Stalemate

Following the capture of the elusive duplicate by the half-step Great Power Lian Lei into the Grotto Heaven, Li Shiming bid farewell to Yin Shilan. He departed the Ten Thousand Beast Sect under her anxious gaze, setting his sights on the Sun Concealing Sect.

Given the magnitude of the incident at the Ten Thousand Beast Sect, Yin Shilan was, of course, fully aware. The duplicate, which had been managing affairs at the Sun Concealing Sect, had encountered peril. Its predicament caused her worry, but she was even more concerned for Li Shiming, who was hastening to the scene.

She understood the duplicate's considerable strength; even with the combined might of several peak Great Cultivators, they would not stand a chance against it when it was accompanied by four late-stage Golden Corpses. Therefore, anyone capable of so easily subduing the duplicate would undoubtedly have no difficulty in capturing Li Shiming.

Despite her concerns, Yin Shilan refrained from excessive persuasion. She recognized that Li Shiming's acumen in handling such matters far surpassed her own, and any unwarranted interference would only serve to complicate his situation.

Li Shiming, driven by urgency, employed his 'instant arrival' technique with unprecedented force. By activating ten minds simultaneously, he achieved a nearly continuous, seamless execution of the teleportation. This method of 'instant arrival' exacted a significant toll on the Spiritual Power Patterns within him.

Fortunately, his cultivation realm had ascended to the peak Great Cultivator level. With five Nascent Souls continuously supplying Spiritual Power Patterns, he possessed the capacity to withstand such a strenuous expenditure.

The journey from the Ten Thousand Beast Sect to the Sun Concealing Sect was completed in a remarkably short span, no longer than the time it takes to burn two sticks of incense.

Li Shiming materialized abruptly outside the Sun Concealing Sect, much to the relief of Grandmaster Hu. Grandmaster Hu had received confirmation that the individual apprehended was indeed the elusive duplicate and not the genuine Li Shiming.

Although Li Shiming had conveyed this information earlier via a late-stage Golden Corpse, witnessing Li Shiming's true presence provided absolute certainty.

"Master, if there is anything, let us discuss it later. I must first reinforce the Formation!" Li Shiming declared to Grandmaster Hu, waving a dismissive hand.

He swiftly entered the Sun Concealing Sect's Array, systematically deploying black and white chess pieces from his grasp. This time, he channeled his full Formation mastery, integrating the chess pieces with the Sun Concealing Sect Array to augment the seal on Lian Lei's Grotto Heaven.

Motivated by the threat posed by the half-step Great Power Lian Lei, Li Shiming maintained a distance from Master Su Tong's corpse and did not probe the nature of the Cave Heaven Anchor Point Carrier. He was confident that the Formation he had established was centered on Master Su Tong's corpse, and the carrier was precisely where it needed to be.

Having accomplished this crucial step, Li Shiming finally relaxed his tense posture.

The Formation meticulously arranged with the black and white chess pieces originated from the sophisticated Formation system of Cloud Island Sea. When combined with the Sun Concealing Sect's existing array, it created a formidable seal, akin to two independent formations simultaneously encasing a localized space.

He then withdrew from the Sun Concealing Sect's mountain gate, returning to Grandmaster Hu's side.

"Master, ensure that all cultivators within the Sun Concealing Sect, as well as any other non-sect cultivators present, sign confidentiality contracts. Those who refuse must be detained!" Li Shiming instructed Grandmaster Hu.

"I have already made arrangements for that. Who is this individual?" Grandmaster Hu inquired, his curiosity piqued.

"A half-step Great Power from the Yuqing Sect, dispatched to deal with me as his lifespan is nearing its end!" Li Shiming responded, a wry smile touching his lips.

Li Shiming was aware that the Yuqing Sect had not abandoned their pursuit. However, the dispatch of another half-step Great Power, and one of such formidable caliber, far exceeded his expectations.

While nearly all major powers possessed individuals at the half-step Great Power stage, it was exceedingly rare for such powerful figures to be actively deployed on missions. A half-step Great Power, though a distinct cultivation realm, represented an exceptionally perilous transitional phase and was seldom exposed.

To have such an individual, coupled with a Cave Heaven Anchor Point Carrier, far from their sect and engaged in a mission, was an extraordinary circumstance.

"Hiss!" Grandmaster Hu and Grandmaster Chai, standing nearby, gasped audibly.

They had never conceived that the potent energy hand they had witnessed earlier was the work of a half-step Great Power. It became instantly clear why Li Shiming insisted on enforcing information lockdown; if the Yuqing Sect learned of their half-step Great Power being ensnared within the Sun Concealing Sect, they would undoubtedly mobilize forces for a rescue operation.

"I will not linger," Li Shiming stated definitively. "With my current strength, I cannot contend with that half-step Great Power. Our objective for now is merely to contain the situation!"

He had fulfilled his immediate responsibilities. The outcome now rested on whether the half-step Great Power Lian Lei or the imprisoned duplicate within the Grotto Heaven would succumb first."These subsequent matters will be managed by us. You should return to the mountain gate first!" Grandmaster Hu nodded, stating. On his journey back, Li Shiming opted against using 'instant arrival' once more. Instead, he retrieved the 'Jade Pearl Flying Boat' and made his way back to the Ten Thousand Beast Sect. Within the Grotto Heaven of the half-step Great Power Lian Lei, Lian Lei observed the ethereal duplicate, uncertain of how to proceed. The half-step Great Power Lian Lei genuinely believed the illusory double to be Li Shiming, aware that Li Shiming possessed the divine treasure clue of Great Power Luo Yuan, the 'Shenxiao Thunder Pearl'. According to intelligence gathered by the Yuqing Sect, on numerous occasions when Li Shiming showcased his Thunder Skills, their sect cultivators detected the aura of the 'Shenxiao Thunder Pearl,' which suggested Li Shiming had acquired it. However, Li Shiming, employing some unknown method, had concealed the 'Shenxiao Thunder Pearl,' to the extent that even Great Power Luo Yuan, its original owner, could not pinpoint its location. Given the disposition of the half-step Great Power Lian Lei, the most logical action at this juncture would be to eliminate Li Shiming. Yet, to do so would mean the loss of the clue pertaining to Great Power Luo Yuan's 'Shenxiao Thunder Pearl,' which was the primary objective Great Power Luo Yuan had assigned him.