"Could you tell me his story?"
Master Yin sat slumped on the ground, asking in a daze.
His voice broke the long silence that had hung between them.
Not long ago, still clinging to a sliver of hope, Master Yin had conducted one final verification test in the underground dungeons of Shengjing City.
The outcome had been precisely as Li Ping had described.
After that, he had said nothing more, merely stowing Mr. Bai's rib away with meticulous care.
He had then returned to the Sacred Emperor's throne room, staring blankly at the projected image of Mr. Bai.
Li Ping had not disturbed him, keeping his own eyes fixed upon the portrait.
He seemed to be reminiscing as well.
Master Yin's question now played right into Li Ping's hands.
He immediately launched into a broad recounting of Mr. Bai's life.
Master Yin listened with rapt attention.
"I only knew that in the ancient Xuanhuang Realm, there was a Great Heavenly Venerable who stood above all in the Longevity realm. I never imagined..."
"That such a figure would actually sacrifice himself for mere mortals."
A mix of bewilderment and incomprehension crossed Master Yin's face.
"The departed are gone. All we can do is fulfill Mr. Bai's dying wish to comfort his spirit in Heaven."
"The reason I founded this Sacred Dynasty of Qi was likewise for these mortals. Look across my realm, Master—how does the mortals' livelihood here compare to the Xuanhuang Realm?"
Master Yin turned his head, his gaze seemingly sweeping across the expanse of Great Qi in an instant.
A moment later, he gave a faint nod and sighed in admiration. "Compared to the Xuanhuang Realm, where mortals are raised like cattle and beasts of burden, this realm of yours can truly be considered an ideal golden age for mortals."
"My vision is to spread this system to every pocket world of Xuanhuang, and even to the Xuanhuang Realm proper!" Li Ping declared proudly.
Master Yin eyed Li Ping, sighed, and did not dispute it.
Li Ping smiled faintly. "You need not feel discouraged, Master. Please hear me out first."
"The Xuanhuang Realm's strength lies in the Dharma Transmitter. The Dharma Transmitter's invincibility lies in the new method. If we can use the technique passed down by Mr. Bai to undermine the foundation of the Dharma Transmitter..."
"Once the Dharma Transmitter is dealt with, the rest of the Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals and the Five Elders Association will be nothing more than clay chickens and pottery dogs."
Master Yin stared blankly at Li Ping, at a loss as to why a cultivator whose aura was merely at the Soul Formation realm could speak with such immense arrogance.
More importantly, Master Yin could sense an overwhelming confidence radiating from him.
*It does not seem like empty boasting. Could he be hiding his true strength?* Master Yin scrutinized Li Ping once more.
"To undermine the Dharma Transmitter's foundation, I believe no one in this world is suited for it except you, Master," Li Ping said, meeting Master Yin's scrutinizing gaze without flinching, his tone solemn to the utmost.
Master Yin hesitated. "Relying solely on my talent, I fear..."
Li Ping leaned forward and firmly gripped Master Yin's hands. "Master, I believe in you!"
Li Ping's eyes were filled with sincere conviction. "If ten years will not suffice, then a hundred. If a hundred will not suffice, then a thousand! I have waited so long to finally grasp this glimmer of hope—how could I possibly give it up easily?"
"Surely you would not wish to let down Mr. Bai's expectations either?"
Master Yin shuddered slightly and subconsciously clenched his fists.
"You need only focus on researching the new new method, Master. Leave all other matters entirely to me."
After this conversation, Master Yin finally resolved to remain here and study the methods that followed establishing the foundation with oneself.
At any rate, he had no lifespan restrictions. If he did not find something he was willing to devote himself to, it would not be long before he completely lost his self-awareness and assimilated into those world-bound nether souls.
Having obtained Master Yin's commitment, Li Ping was overjoyed.
He immediately escorted him to a secret chamber beneath Shengjing City.
A vast, dedicated research facility had already been prepared for Master Yin.
"I have a plan, Master. See if it seems feasible to you."
"We select a large batch of highly talented, ignorant youths, grant them this method of establishing the foundation with oneself, and then..."
Li Fan explained in detail the method he had once used.
After pondering for a moment, Master Yin looked somewhat grave. "It might work. But as for the specifics, it will still require empirical testing."
Li Fan waved a hand. "Children's imaginations are wild and boundless. Even if they cannot stumble onto a viable path in their ignorance, as long as they can provide you with the slightest spark of inspiration, it will be well worth it."
Master Yin was evidently not a pedantic man, and he nodded in agreement with Li Fan's plan.
He felt little sympathy for the tragic lives destined for those chosen children.
"Right, there is another matter that has been weighing heavily on my mind. I have longed to accomplish it, yet have never found a way..." Li Ping paused, seemingly hesitating.
Master Yin glanced at Li Ping and gestured for him to continue.
"Mr. Bai's remains are scattered throughout the Xuanhuang Realm. I wish to gather them and lay him to rest. Most are easy enough to deal with, as they are kept in private collections by various cultivators. However..."
"His skull is kept by the Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals within the Museum of Divine Archives at their headquarters."
A glint of fierce hostility flashed across Li Ping's eyes, and he spoke with bitter resentment: "It is subjected to the pointing and gawking of those vermin in the Alliance, viewed without a shred of respect. Every time I think of it, I wish I could charge in recklessly and tear that skull back."
"Unfortunately, I tried once. There was no chance of success whatsoever. A mysterious powerhouse seems to be concealed within the Museum of Divine Archives. Even placing Mr. Bai's skull at the dead center of the museum was that person's doing. It is an obvious trap meant to lure in people like me, who hold Mr. Bai in the highest regard..."
"You entered the Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals headquarters?" Master Yin asked, startled.
When Li Ping recounted the various scenes and fine details from his infiltration, the way Master Yin looked at him shifted once more.
"If I could sneak in once, I can sneak in a second time. But that Museum of Divine Archives alone..."
"It truly is a difficult problem," Li Ping sighed.
Only then did Master Yin speak: "There is no need to be disheartened, Fellow Daoist. In truth, I entertained that very thought back in the day. But after I uncovered the identity of the museum's curator, I gave it up."
"That individual was one of the three Sovereign Emperors of the beast clan back then, an entity that had existed since the primeval era. Even the Dharma-Transmitting Heavenly Venerable was polite and deferential toward him in those days..."
Li Ping frowned slightly. "He possesses such power? Back then, Mr. Bai slaughtered those beasts like chickens and dogs."
"The Dharma Transmitter was even greater than Mr. Bai. With the Dharma Transmitter's strength and standing, why would he ever need to show courtesy to some Sovereign Emperor?"
His voice was rife with doubt; clearly, Li Ping did not believe Master Yin's words at all.
Master Yin shook his head slightly. "Regardless, I can be certain that when the Dharma Transmitter met that person back then, that was indeed how he acted. His attitude was entirely different from how he treated anyone else."
"Either his strength had won the Dharma Transmitter's recognition, or..."
Master Yin paused. "They were already old acquaintances."
"Yet that should have been their very first meeting," Master Yin said, lowering his voice, clearly bewildered himself.
Li Ping knew that Master Yin was a remnant soul of an ancient world swallowed by the Xuanhuang Realm.
He possessed fragmented memories of that lost realm, so what he had witnessed could hardly be false.
*Di Sanmo was originally an elder of the Beast Taming Sect, belonging to the lineage of the Ten Sects of the Immortal Dao. When the Ten Sects clashed with the Dharma Transmitter, he actually chose to side with the Dharma Transmitter. What is more, several millennia later, he underwent a complete metamorphosis to become the curator of the Museum of Divine Archives and an Illusory True Sage—one of the three supreme ruling authorities of the Alliance...*
*Old acquaintances?*
A question suddenly occurred to Li Ping.
Did beasts even exist in the Tianfa Realm?
The beasts of Xuanhuang had all originated from Di Yi's evolution.
What about the Tianfa Realm, then?
***
At the same time.
Inside the Yanfa Jade's space at the Alliance Headquarters, a barely perceptible gleam flashed through the eyes of Li Fan's true body.
*Perhaps I need to pay another visit to the Fallen Immortal Realm.*
Chapter 1145