Even though the paper strength of the Sacred Dynasty of Daqi was expanding rapidly, at this stage it was still far from being able to challenge the Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals or the Five Elders Association.
Therefore, the initial stage of the plan remained focused on infiltration and erosion.
During the Great Xuanhuang Upheaval more than half a year ago, the Alliance had lost quite a few low-level cultivators. As a result, rumors were already quietly circulating that in the upcoming induction examination, the Alliance would expand its recruitment to a certain extent.
Li Ping had already selected a batch of promising candidates, preparing to seize this opportunity to send them into the Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals.
Although rank-and-file cultivators seemed inconsequential, they could slowly eat away at the Alliance's internal rule like wood-boring insects. Furthermore, over time, as their cultivation and contributions grew, their ranks would rise, and the harm and influence they could cause would steadily increase.
The investment cost was negligible, yet the efficacy was outstanding. The more, the better.
"With the existence of the web of golden Source Power, not only can they smoothly infiltrate the Alliance, but they can also be kept firmly under control from start to finish."
"Information and even material goods can be exchanged without ever needing to meet in reality."
"This method of contact far surpasses anything the Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals or the Five Elders Association has in terms of stealth and security. It will be nigh impossible for them to detect."
In addition to corroding the Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals from within, curbing its potential had to be carried out simultaneously.
"The preeminent figures among cultivators in the Xuanhuang Realm over the next century must all be brought under my grasp. If they cannot be used by me, they should be eliminated as early as possible."
"I can even shift the blame onto others, pinning the assassinations on the Five Elders Association."
"And watch the tigers fight from the mountain..."
While weakening the Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals through various means, Li Ping certainly would not slow down the development of the Sacred Dynasty of Daqi.
Once the You population reached a certain scale and sufficient pure golden Source Power was harvested, Li Ping would use it to modify the Grand Formation of Heaven and Earth Myriad Spirits.
He would turn the Daqi pocket world into an impregnable fortress drifting unseen through the void.
"I can feel that ever since talents of Xuanhuang like Master Yin and Ou Daozi came to the Daqi pocket world to serve me, the momentum of the Sacred Dynasty, which had hit a bottleneck, has remarkably gained the potential for another breakthrough."
"This is how one ebbs while the other flows. I have directly swallowed the fortune that originally belonged to the Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals."
"Yet it is still not enough to fully meet the criteria for advancement."
"Aside from devouring fortune from the outside world—which requires time to accumulate—the inherent rank of the Daqi pocket world itself is also a major limiting factor. Perhaps it is time to consider upgrading this pocket world."
With a shift of Li Ping's thoughts, he returned to the Holy Emperor Throne.
Before long, Sun Erlang, shrouded in an aura of chilling slaughter, appeared before him.
The valiant youth of the past had grown into a terrifying god of slaughter within the Sacred Dynasty of Daqi.
Commanding the Imperial Guards of the Sacred Dynasty, he waged war across multiple worlds. Over the years, countless beings from other pocket worlds had perished beneath Sun Erlang's hands.
"Greetings, Master!" Sun Erlang knelt on one knee.
"How is the construction of the Formation of Myriad Spirits of the Myriad Realms progressing?" Li Ping asked.
"Eleven have been completed. Six are currently under construction," Sun Erlang answered concisely, simultaneously transmitting the specific details through divine sense.
"For the time being, suspend foreign conquests. We have expanded too quickly and need to thoroughly digest our gains. In those pocket worlds, anyone who harbors the slightest thought of rebellion is to be killed without mercy. When the time comes to formally go to war with the Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals, I do not want a fire breaking out in our backyard."
The implication in Li Ping's words sent a jolt of excitement through Sun Erlang.
Even though he knew his master harbored vast ambitions, this was the first time Li Ping had explicitly stated a plan to wage war against the Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals.
Conquering those pocket worlds had felt as trivial as chopping vegetables, exerting zero pressure on Sun Erlang and even becoming rather boring; thus, Li Ping's words stirred an immediate thrill in his heart.
Li Ping naturally saw through Sun Erlang's thoughts at a glance.
"When you see too many sheep, you start to believe the whole world is made of sheep. Setting aside the Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals, even among the hidden pocket worlds within the Xuanhuang Realm, there are some that our Sacred Dynasty of Daqi cannot currently match," Li Ping said flatly, then pointed a finger toward Sun Erlang.
"Go make a trip to this place. It is where the ancient Taiyan Sect lives in seclusion. See if you can persuade them to join our alliance."
"The Taiyan Sect..." Sun Erlang's eyes flickered.
"Go. There is something unique about that place; you will understand once you arrive. Do not force anything. My purpose is merely to have you rein in the arrogance in your heart."
Unlike his strategy for raising Ou Shangtian, when Sun Erlang's path showed signs of straying, Li Ping chose to actively step in and correct it.
Aside from sharing a deeper bond with Sun Erlang, Li Ping also needed a capable eldest disciple who could keep all the other disciples in check.
It was thus inevitable that he would invest extra care in mentoring him.
*I hope this kid gains something from his trip to the Taiyan Sect,*
Li Ping thought to himself, seated upon the Holy Emperor Throne.
***
Meanwhile, Sun Erlang followed the Holy Emperor's instructions and arrived at the Tomb of Yi Xing.
After collecting Yi Xing's remains and the white paper strewn all over the ground, Sun Erlang set out directly for his destination.
"To think that within Daqi's borders lay the tomb of an ancient immortal cultivator. Still, I wonder what use Teacher has for all this paper he specifically told me to collect." On the way, Sun Erlang examined the sheets carefully, but failed to discover anything extraordinary about them.
Suppressing the doubts in his mind, Sun Erlang soon arrived at his destination.
Taihua Province, Mount Taixuan.
"Master said the entrance to the Taiyan Sect is hidden inside this mountain?"
After searching all around, he found no trace of any spatial passage.
Sun Erlang couldn't help but feel stumped.
If he used brute force, gouging a passage straight into the mountain was not out of the question. However, he had come as an envoy to persuade them to join the Sacred Dynasty's alliance; recklessly damaging someone else's sect grounds would hardly do...
After some thought, Sun Erlang refrained from acting rashly.
Instead, he chose a spot with auspicious geomancy on Mount Taixuan.
He dug a pit in the earth and brought out Yi Xing's remains.
Just as he prepared to bury them in the earth...
...a figure suddenly appeared behind Sun Erlang.
*He really came!* Sun Erlang thought to himself.
On the surface, however, he feigned alertness as if confronting a great enemy: "Who's there?!"
The figure paid no heed to Sun Erlang, merely staring blankly at Yi Xing's bones.
As if lost in reminiscence, he stood motionless for a long time.
Sun Erlang was no reckless brute, and naturally did not disturb this figure whose strength seemed fathomless.
He merely waited in silence with patience.
"Eldest Brother, if only you had waited a few more years, perhaps everything would have been different."
After a long time, the figure finally sighed and waved his sleeve toward Yi Xing.
Yi Xing's remains vanished instantly. He then turned his head to look at Sun Erlang.
"Young man, what brings you here?"
Looking at this face that seemed roughly the same age as himself, Sun Erlang hesitated for a moment before truthfully explaining the purpose of his visit.
Chapter 1192