After thoroughly studying the history of the Xuanhuang Realm and conducting rigorous research and verification alongside the Empire's few cultivators, the think tank arrived at a bold conclusion.
These constraints were very likely effective only within the Xuanhuang Realm.
For although the techniques stolen by the Empire's Dharma thieves were likewise subject to the restriction that dharmas cannot be cultivated concurrently, practitioners could not clearly sense the locations of others cultivating the same technique as they could in the Xuanhuang Realm.
In other words, the restriction had weakened.
This was likely because the Empire was not part of the Xuanhuang Realm proper, but merely an attached minor world.
Thus, the solution to the problem presented itself naturally.
They had to sever their shackles and break away from the Xuanhuang Realm.
To become an independent minor world.
For an ordinary mortal civilization, this might have been an impossible task.
Yet for an Empire capable of harnessing the power of strange beasts, it was certainly worth an attempt.
Back when the first generation of Dharma thieves crossed the Immortal Severing Formation to venture into the Xuanhuang Realm, the pod of Realm-Rifting Whales lingering in the void had already caught the Empire's attention.
After a century of trials and the sacrifice of countless warriors' lives, the Empire finally succeeded in capturing a stray Realm-Rifting Whale.
Subsequently, they achieved large-scale breeding of the creatures.
Unlike other strange beasts, Realm-Rifting Whales reproduced through a peculiar form of solitary reproduction.
Any individual in the pod seemed able to give birth on its own simply by absorbing unknown energy from the void.
Prior to this, however, the Empire had not conceived the idea of using the Realm-Rifting Whales to break away from the Xuanhuang Realm.
Those numerous, colossal whales were primarily used as food in the Empire.
Their meat was plump and tender, and consuming it consistently over time improved one's physical constitution.
It had been extremely popular throughout the Empire.
Yet once the plan to break away from the Xuanhuang Realm was established, the Empire issued decrees placing Realm-Rifting Whales under protection, strictly forbidding unauthorized consumption.
The entire nation's resources were mobilized to breed them.
Furthermore, elite Dharma thieves were dispatched once again to the Xuanhuang Realm to steal cultivation techniques.
Before then, the most advanced techniques the Empire possessed reached only the Nascent Soul stage.
Considering they would completely sever ties with the Xuanhuang Realm in the future, attempting to deduce higher realms from scratch without any reference material beyond Nascent Soul would be extraordinarily difficult.
Thus, the Empire decided it would be best to obtain a technique for the Dao Integration realm.
Even if that proved unattainable, a Soul Formation technique was an absolute necessity.
To achieve this goal, the Empire sent over a dozen fiercely loyal warriors to infiltrate the Xuanhuang Realm across multiple waves.
To prevent the risk of being wiped out all at once, they operated in small teams, and aside from their own teammates, none knew the identities of the others.
Zhu Shaotang and Xiao Jin originally belonged to the same team.
After their third member died in an unfortunate accident, Li Chenfeng was brought in as a replacement.
Over the years, the three had faithfully carried out their mission, accumulating contribution points in an effort to redeem a Dao Integration technique before fleeing back home.
Until Li Fan descended from the sky and swept them all up in one net.
From Li Chenfeng's memories, Li Fan also learned that fierce debate still raged throughout the Empire over whether they should break away from the Xuanhuang Realm.
The main opposition faction had a very simple argument.
If such an act were discovered, the Empire would face total annihilation.
So what if they could control strange beasts?
Could they withstand a single strike from an immortal's sword?
The decapitated Nine-Headed Divine Bird is still staring down at us, unable to rest in peace!
Driven by an innate dread of immortals, the opposition found strong support in the Empire.
However, the Empire's ruler, the Imperial Daughter, forcibly suppressed all dissent for the time being.
Only then was the ultimate Dharma theft plan put into action.
The Imperial Daughter was the direct descendant of the person who had first awakened the ability to control strange beasts long ago.
"The imperial family's surname is Xu..."
Strange beasts, the surname Xu.
Seeing these two elements together made it hard for Li Fan not to connect them to Xu Ke of the Beast Taming Sect, whom he had encountered in the Fallen Immortal Realm.
Yet it could also be a mere coincidence.
"I once read in ancient texts that crystal cores existed within ancient demon beasts.
"Some cultivators could even absorb their energy to cultivate.
"I thought they had gone extinct, but unexpectedly, a small portion of strange beasts still retain them.
"It seems today's strange beasts truly evolved from ancient demon beasts."
A sword scar with sword qi lingering unbroken for a thousand years, and a faint connection to the ancient Beast Taming Sect...
Li Fan could not help but feel a flicker of curiosity toward this minor world.
"Perhaps in the future, I can spare some time to visit this Empire and see for myself.
"For now, though, business comes first."
Looking at Li Chenfeng and the other two still immersed in their dream, Li Fan lightly snapped his fingers.
In an instant, the pleasant dream shattered, and the trio returned to reality.
Their faces were initially blank with confusion. After glancing around, realization slowly dawned on them.
Everything they had just experienced—stealing the technique, the Empire breaking away from the Xuanhuang Realm, establishing their own Daoist lineage—was nothing more than an illusory dream.
"You three certainly have nerve."
Li Fan's quiet remark struck their ears like a clap of thunder.
Li Chenfeng and the other two instantly turned ashen, utter despair washing over their hearts.
Their own deaths mattered little.
Their only fear was that their homeland would be implicated.
When an immortal unleashed their wrath, the casualties would not be a mere matter of tens of thousands.
Yet tragically, they were currently powerless even to take their own lives.
To their shock, however, the mighty cultivator before them spoke words completely contrary to their expectations.
"Very good! I truly admire you."
Li Fan nodded in approval and released the restraints on Li Chenfeng and the others.
The three exchanged glances, still not daring to act rashly.
Zhu Shaotang asked cautiously, "Senior, do you intend to spare us?"
Li Fan gave a faint smile. "I never intended to hold it against you in the first place. What does the Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals losing a technique have to do with me?
"On the contrary, it was you who acted aggressively. Had I not possessed some skill, an instant of carelessness might have cost me my life right here."
With a trace of amusement at the corner of his mouth, Li Fan looked at Li Chenfeng.
Li Chenfeng took a deep breath and hurried to say, "It was this junior's rashness. I beg Senior for forgiveness."
With that, Li Chenfeng bent his knees, about to kneel before Li Fan to apologize.
Li Fan shook his head and stopped him.
"There is no need for such antics before me. Come, let us go into your secret chamber. I have something to say to you."
Hearing this, Zhu Shaotang and the others stiffened slightly.
They had never imagined their carefully concealed arrangement would be seen through so effortlessly.
With unease gnawing at their hearts, the three followed Li Fan into the secret chamber in the courtyard.
Then, Li Fan's very next words caused their apprehension to vanish in an instant.
In its place came the wild ecstasy of escaping certain death.
"To tell you the truth, I also hail from a minor world outside the Xuanhuang Realm," Li Fan said slowly.
Chapter 430