My Longevity Simulation Chapter 1192: The Soul Returns Home After a Thousand Years

Even though the power of the Holy Dynasty Great Qi was burgeoning rapidly, it remained woefully inadequate to directly challenge the Five Elders Association or the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance at this juncture.

Consequently, the primary strategy for the current phase emphasized subtle infiltration and erosion.

Following the major turmoil within the Xuanhuang Realm over half a year ago, the Immortal Alliance suffered a significant thinning of its low-level cultivator ranks. Whispers began to circulate that the upcoming recruitment examinations would feature an expanded intake process.

Li Ping had already cherry-picked a group of promising disciples, aiming to leverage this opening to embed them within the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance.

While these grassroots cultivators might seem inconsequential individually, they acted like termites, slowly gnawing away at the foundations of the Immortal Alliance’s internal governance. As time marched on and their merits grew, so too would their positions, compounding the harm and influence they exerted from within.

The investment required was minimal, yet the potential dividends were massive. The more agents planted, the better.

“The golden source power net not only facilitates their smooth infiltration of the Immortal Alliance but also ensures total control over them from start to finish.”

“Information and vital materials can be exchanged without ever needing to meet in person.”

“This method of coordination is far more secure and undetectable than anything employed by the Five Elders Association or the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance; they would find it nearly impossible to uncover our tracks.”

Corroding the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance from within was only half the battle; reducing their potential was equally critical and needed to happen in tandem.

“Every exceptional cultivator to emerge in the Xuanhuang Realm over the next century must be under my control. Any who cannot be utilized must be eliminated preemptively.”

“Furthermore, we can shift the blame for these assassinations onto the Five Elders Association.”

“I shall remain aloof, watching as the tigers tear each other apart…”

While deploying various stratagems to undermine the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, Li Ping ensured the development of the Holy Dynasty Great Qi proceeded without interruption.

Once the You Clan’s population reached the required threshold and a surplus of pure golden source power was secured, Li Ping intended to refine the Great Formation of Heaven and Earth Myriad Spirits.

He planned to evolve the Great Qi Small World into an impenetrable fortress, drifting unseen through the void.

“I sense that ever since talents like Ou Daozi and Yin Shangren arrived from the Xuanhuang Realm to serve me, the fortune of the Holy Dynasty—previously stagnant at a bottleneck—has regained the potential for further growth.”

“This is the law of balance: one side diminishes while the other flourishes. I am systematically devouring the destiny that once belonged to the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance.”

“However, the conditions for a higher state of advancement are not yet fully met.”

“Beyond absorbing external fortune, which is a slow process, the actual grade of the Great Qi Small World itself acts as a restrictive shackle. It is perhaps time to contemplate ascending the rank of this small world.”

With a lingering thought, Li Ping materialized back upon the Holy Emperor’s throne.

Shortly thereafter, Sun Erlang appeared, his presence chilled by a dense, lingering murderous aura.

The once-courageous youth had matured into a veritable god of slaughter, a name that struck terror throughout the Holy Dynasty Great Qi.

He held command over the imperial guards, spearheading campaigns across myriad realms. Over the intervening years, countless beings from disparate small worlds had perished at his hands.

“I greet you, Master!” Sun Erlang declared, dropping to one knee.

“How progresses the work on the Myriad Realms All-Spirits Formation?” Li Ping inquired.

“Eleven are finished. Six remain ongoing,” Sun Erlang responded concisely, transmitting the particulars through his divine sense.

“Halt all further conquests for now. Our expansion has been too rapid; we must digest these territories. Execute without mercy anyone who dares organize a resistance in those worlds. I will not have my own backyard burning when we eventually commit to war with the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance.”

The gravity of Li Ping’s declaration caused Sun Erlang to tremble.

Although he was aware of his master’s monumental ambition, this was the first explicit mention of a campaign to conquer the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance.

It ignited a fire in Sun Erlang, who had grown bored with the repetitive, effortless conquests of smaller worlds.

Li Ping discerned the shifting emotions in his subordinate instantly.

“Do not assume the entire universe is filled with sheep just because you have spent too much time herding them. Aside from the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, some of the hidden small worlds nested in the Xuanhuang Realm possess power beyond the current reach of the Holy Dynasty Great Qi,” Li Ping stated calmly, gesturing toward Sun Erlang.

“Go to this location. It is the sealed residence of the ancient Taiyan Sect. Attempt to persuade them to align with us.”

“The Taiyan Sect…” Sun Erlang’s gaze sharpened.

“Depart. The location is unique; you will understand upon arrival. Resist the urge to use force. My intent is to humble the pride festering within you.”

Unlike his hands-off training for Ou Shangtian, Li Ping took an active role in steering Sun Erlang’s development whenever his path veered off course.

Beyond their personal bond, Li Ping required a peerless senior disciple to maintain order among the others.

Consequently, he invested substantial effort into sculpting his protege.

“I truly hope this experience at the Taiyan Sect provides him with some enlightenment,” Li Ping mused quietly from his throne.

Meanwhile, acting on the Emperor’s mandate, Sun Erlang arrived at Yi Xing’s tomb.

After gathering the remains of Yi Xing and the scattered white papers, he departed for his secondary objective.

“I never imagined such an ancient cultivator’s resting place existed within the Great Qi’s borders. What could Master possibly want with these papers?” Throughout the journey, he scrutinized the documents but failed to uncover any hidden significance.

Setting aside his confusion, Sun Erlang arrived at his destination.

Taixuan Mountain, located in Taihua Prefecture.

“So the Taiyan Sect is concealed within these peaks?”

He scoured the area but failed to identify any spatial fluctuations or gateways.

Sun Erlang found himself in a difficult position.

He could easily smash the mountain apart with brute force, but as an emissary sent to persuade an alliance, destroying their headquarters was hardly a diplomatic opening. He chose to refrain from rash action.

He selected a spot on Taixuan Mountain with excellent feng shui.

He dug a grave and prepared to inter the remains of Yi Xing.

Just as he prepared to lay the body to rest, a figure appeared silently behind him.

“So, he has finally emerged,” Sun Erlang thought to himself.

Putting on a convincing display, he acted startled and demanded, “Who goes there?!”

The figure ignored the question, staring fixedly at the remains of Yi Xing.

Lost in deep reflection, the stranger remained perfectly still for a significant duration.

Sun Erlang was no hotheaded fool. Recognizing that this stranger’s strength was inscrutable, he remained patient and silent.

“Had you but waited a few more years, Brother, perhaps our fates would have diverged.”

Finally, the figure sighed deeply and gestured with his sleeve toward the remains.

The body vanished instantly. The figure then turned his attention toward Sun Erlang.

“Why have you come, Young Master?”

Sun Erlang stared at the person who appeared to be roughly his own age, hesitated briefly, and then truthfully explained his mission.