Cultivation is just so scientific! Chapter 1816 - 954: The Decision (2)

Grandmaster Hu's stare intensified; he perceived the true intent behind Li Shiming's pronouncements: a desire to shield the sect from peril, knowing a formidable adversary would soon be on his trail.

"Furthermore, I shall entrust these three late-stage Golden Corpses to your command, Master, or to whomever you designate," Li Shiming announced, manifesting three late-stage Golden Corpses.

Li Shiming had initially placed two late-stage Golden Corpses under Grandmaster Hu's purview within the Ten Thousand Beast Sect.

These three additional late-stage Golden Corpses were the ones he had kept for himself.

Presently, the late-stage Golden Corpses offered him little utility, and with his impending departure, the duration of his absence remained uncertain. The Ten Thousand Beast Sect's foundation was quite fragile, leaving the Dongqi Continent without a potent Cultivator to maintain order while he was away.

"The sect is already equipped with two late-stage Golden Corpses, which is ample. You should retain these three for your own protection," Grandmaster Hu countered immediately, sensing unease.

Undeniably, the late-stage Golden Corpses were powerful, yet Li Shiming's well-being took precedence above all else.

Should Li Shiming meet his end, those late-stage Golden Corpses would inevitably be lost as well.

Moreover, the presence of three late-stage Golden Corpses accompanying him would considerably bolster his safety while journeying outside.

"There is no need for refusal, Master; I have my strategies," Li Shiming dismissed the concern with unwavering confidence. Since acquiring the Duke of Thunder and the Red Demon, his perspective had broadened immensely, diminishing the perceived importance of late-stage Golden Corpses.

Although he retained only one Duke of Thunder in his immediate service, he felt assured that, with it, he could confront even a Half-step Great Power.

"Lan'er, it has been taxing for you, traveling alongside me," Li Shiming offered an apology to Yin Shilan after Grandmaster Hu had departed.

"Home is wherever you are," Yin Shilan responded with a soft, affectionate smile.

"We shall take the grotto with us; our home will travel alongside," Li Shiming declared, holding Yin Shilan close.

He was referring to the mountain peak that had been Yin Shilan's constant companion for a hundred years.

He held no particular regard for the other six Floating Mountains, despite their significant resource demands and immense value. However, in the hearts of both himself and Yin Shilan, none could compare to the mountain peak sheltering their grotto.

A day later, Cultivators affiliated with the Ten Thousand Beast Sect noted the inexplicable absence of one of the seven celestial mountains – it was the very peak that housed Li Shiming and Yin Shilan's grotto.

Subsequently, news circulated from the Ten Thousand Beast Sect: Li Shizhen would cease accepting alchemy commissions, having embarked on a journey of exploration.

This announcement had a negligible effect on the common Cultivators within the Cultivation World.

For the Great Cultivators, however, it was akin to a thunderclap from a clear sky.

Given Li Shiming's unparalleled alchemy skills, Great Cultivators had fervently vied for any emerging resources that could benefit cultivators of their stature.

It was precisely Li Shiming's alchemy mastery that had facilitated significant leaps in power for the majority of Great Cultivators across the Cultivation World.

Swiftly, various influential factions within the Cultivation World busied themselves with dispatching inquiries to the Ten Thousand Beast Sect, seeking details about Li Shiming, all keenly anticipating his return and the resumption of his alchemy services.

Regrettably, the response was unyielding: no definitive timeline could be provided; updates would be disseminated upon Li Shiming's reappearance.

Word of Li Shiming's departure disseminated through the Cultivation World with astonishing velocity.

This phenomenon underscored his immense influence; though often operating beneath the radar, the consequence of his cessation of alchemy commissions was of unimaginable magnitude.

Many Great Cultivators expressed regret for not having commissioned Li Shiming's alchemy services sooner, while others felt a sense of relief that their Great Cultivator Spirit Medicine had already been transformed into potent Spirit Pills.

Irrespective, the competition surrounding Great Cultivator Spirit Medicine was destined to persist for an extended period.

Great Cultivators resolved to stockpile Great Cultivator Spirit Medicine, patiently awaiting Li Shiming's return.

Even if a century were to pass, they would maintain their vigil, as Li Shiming stood unparalleled at the zenith of alchemy masters within the Cultivation World.

At this exalted level, Li Shiming reigned supreme, with an unbridgeable chasm in skill separating him from all other alchemy masters.

Unless Li Shiming's confirmed demise was established, Great Cultivators would show no inclination to seek out alternative alchemy masters for their refinement needs.

In fact, due to Li Shiming's virtual monopoly on the refinement of Great Cultivator Spirit Medicine across the Cultivation World, the proficiency of other alchemy masters in refining Great Cultivator Spirit Pills had demonstrably waned.

Prolonged disuse of Great Cultivator Spirit Medicine would gradually erode one's proficiency, and even minor discrepancies in the skill of refining Great Cultivator Spirit Medicine could result in significant variations in the quality of the resultant Spirit Pills.

While these developments primarily concerned Great Cultivator Spirit Pills, other factions with an interest in the Dongqi Continent began re-evaluating their strategies upon learning of Li Shiming’s departure.

Despite the relatively limited resources available on the Dongqi Continent, numerous powers harbored ambitions for the Ten Thousand Beast Sect’s secluded territory.

Nevertheless, these factions hesitated to escalate matters, as the Ten Thousand Beast Sect had cultivated strong relationships with most major powers within the Cultivation World through their expertise in alchemy, forging alliances with Luanyang Palace and Sword Intent Chongxiao Pavilion.

Only with irrefutable evidence of Li Shiming's demise would these factions dare to contemplate more than minor provocations, refraining from outright invasion of the Dongqi Continent.

Word of Li Shiming's departure from the Ten Thousand Beast Sect also reached the Yuqing Sect.

Following Great Power Leng Luo's return, the Yuqing Sect initiated an external recruitment drive for disciples.

Initially, Great Power Leng Luo re-established contact with previously allied forces who had consistently aided the Yuqing Sect in discovering children possessing the Thunder affinity across various continents.

Due to a scarcity of Cultivators, these allied forces had ceased communication with the Yuqing Sect for a period.

Now, with a Great Power personally extending an invitation, the stalled collaborations were revitalized.

Furthermore, Great Power Leng Luo engaged with the Great Powers of various major factions, soliciting their assistance in investigating the assault on the Yuqing Sect’s mountain gate.

He was also discreetly probing a few suspect superpowers to pinpoint those responsible for the attack on the Yuqing Sect’s mountain gate.

His actions stemmed from his disbelief that Li Shiming was the instigator of the assault on their mountain gate.

The annihilation of the Yuqing Sect’s mountain gate was surely the deed of a superpower, likely with backing from a Great Power.

While Great Power Leng Luo was occupied with these critical matters, he received the latest intelligence regarding Li Shiming from the Yuqing Sect’s intelligence network, which Great Power Luo Yuan also reviewed.

The Yuqing Sect’s intelligence network had suffered a severe disruption due to resource shortages following the sect’s decline in power.

Upon Great Power Leng Luo’s return, he assumed command of the intelligence network, managing to restore a portion of its capabilities through significant resource allocation.

However, achieving its former peak condition was not feasible in the immediate future.

Destruction proved simple; reconstruction presented a formidable challenge.

Much like the Yuqing Sect’s mountain gate, even with Great Power Leng Luo’s return, the lingering radiation pollution could not be easily eradicated.

Over an extended duration, the radiation pollution had seeped deeply into the ground beneath the Yuqing Sect’s mountain gate.

Were it not for the Inheritance Cave Heaven being intrinsically linked to that location, Great Power Leng Luo would have seriously considered relocating the mountain gate to a more advantageous site.

At the Yuqing Sect’s mountain gate, the establishment of even the Sect Formation proved impossible.

Great Power Leng Luo was actively seeking resolutions, tirelessly expending his energy daily to cleanse the radiation pollution plaguing the mountain gate.

Although some progress was observed, only he comprehended the colossal energy expenditure relative to the meager results achieved.

"What is transpiring? The timing of Li Shiming's departure from the Ten Thousand Beast Sect precisely aligns with the day following my return. How can this be mere coincidence?" Great Power Leng Luo mused, scrutinizing the intelligence report.

His original intention was to conclude his outstanding matters before journeying to the Dongqi Continent to apprehend Li Shiming, retrieve the 'Shenxiao Thunder Pearl,' and bring justice to the fallen Cultivators of the sect.

Yet, he had never foreseen Li Shiming conveniently departing the Ten Thousand Beast Sect at this juncture.

The most significant obstacle was that, owing to the intelligence network's inadequacies, the Yuqing Sect was incapable of tracking Li Shiming’s movements.

Moreover, considering Li Shiming's unique standing, even if Great Power Leng Luo personally sought assistance from other major powers for the investigation, no superpower would readily offer active support.

Indeed, there might even be attempts to obstruct him, as Li Shiming's alchemy skills held greater value than the Yuqing Sect's alliance. The Yuqing Sect now possessed only two Great Powers remaining, with virtually nothing else to its name.