Chapter 1365: Chapter 1366: Top-Level Brainwashing
“But if this matter were to be revealed to the cultivators of the Central Origin Realm, I’m afraid it would incite chaos, and the originally stable situation would collapse in an instant.”
“Pardon my bluntness, but if the news gets out, the number of defectors would not be small!”
“This requires more caution, indeed!”
Hearing Li Xiaobai’s words, Beichen Feng furrowed his brows as well. The Central Origin Realm was but a realm of the weak. Recklessly exposing the secrets of the Immortal Gods would undoubtedly lead to panic. With the usual self-serving nature of those in power within the Super Sects, the likelihood of defection was high.
Yitilou and Yan Zuzi also wore solemn expressions, finding the situation rather thorny.
“That’s why I say, you all know nothing of this Peak Master’s power, nor do you understand the strength of the people of the Central Origin Realm. The existence of the Immortal Gods will inevitably be exposed sooner or later. Instead of waiting for the inevitable, we might as well take the initiative to disseminate the information. While those Saint Realm experts may be cowards clinging to life, they won’t wag their tail and beg like dogs in front of a butcher. They are intelligent and will immediately grasp the severity of the situation.”
“Your concerns are unnecessary.”
Li Xiaobai spoke slowly. When the Blood Demon Sect sought to destroy the Buddhist Sect, these groups knew to unite. Now, at this critical moment of life and death in the Central Origin Realm, no one understood better than these people that if the Immortal Gods could eliminate Xueshenzi without blinking, they could just as easily eliminate them. For anyone to rise to the position of the upper echelon in a Super Sect, none are fools. Between the butcher and the sheep to be slaughtered, there is no room for negotiation.
The same applies to the common people. Where there is faith in their hearts, the people will find strength.
“This…”
Everyone appeared bewildered, unable to comprehend where this confidence in the cultivators of the Central Origin Realm originated from.
They couldn’t see it… but they did agree on one point—that the existence of the Immortal Gods would inevitably be exposed. Rather than waiting to be caught unprepared, it would be better to seize the moment to shape public opinion, stabilizing morale while spreading the truth. That would indeed be the highest form of strategy.
“Leave this matter to me. Additionally, I must ask: Senior Beichen, do you know the whereabouts of my fellow senior brother and sisters?”
Li Xiaobai waved his hand; this was his area of expertise. These “venerable seniors” may have been cunning ancients in their prime, but time had eroded their sharpness. The world was evolving, and the people were progressing. As far as he was concerned, the old methods of these elders were outdated and had no market anymore.
However, he still hadn’t located his six senior brothers and sisters. He speculated that the giant hand extending from the Upper Realm must have been trying to capture those six. Ironically, it was Xueshenzi’s intervention that had accidentally spared their lives.
“To be honest, I’ve already hidden them. I foresaw that these individuals were the designated prey of the Immortal Gods. Before the Buddha and Demon Clans even started their war, I had already concealed them.”
“They are currently cultivating in the headquarters, free from immediate danger.”
Beichen Feng spoke slowly. Ever since he became aware of their circumstances, he took special care. The moment the Blood Demon Sect showed even the slightest sign of movement, he swiftly took them away.
“I see. I must trouble the Helmsman to look after them. This Peak Master will make arrangements promptly!”
Li Xiaobai nodded, fully understanding.
These six senior brothers and sisters were undoubtedly the so-called “feast” for the Immortal Gods. A response plan had to be formulated before the next wave of attacks. Otherwise, not only would his fellow disciples perish, but the entire Central Origin Realm might fall as well.
After these matters were settled, Beichen Feng, Yitilou, and Yan Zuzi left dejectedly. They were deeply worried and couldn’t comprehend why Li Xiaobai had chosen to act as he did.
Li Xiaobai, however, remained indifferent. These old seniors had no confidence in the cultivators of the Central Origin Realm, nor did they grasp the power of public opinion. As long as the narrative was controlled properly, even the most despairing events could be accepted.
Looking down, he saw several disciples of the Second Peak craning their necks to look up, trying to discern how the conversation at the mountain summit was progressing. They weren’t the only ones—cultivators sent by various Super Sects were also present. They all knew that with so many heavyweights gathered on the peak, they must be discussing strategies to counter the giant hand that had overshadowed the heavens.
Everyone was waiting for a conclusion!
Even the invincible Xueshenzi had been annihilated with a single strike. That terrifying scene was etched deeply in their hearts, never to be forgotten—likely for the rest of their lives.
“What do you think that giant hand was all about?”
“Do you even need to ask? It must have been a supreme expert from beyond the fissure in the firmament trying to descend. After killing Xueshenzi, they withdrew. Judging from their actions, they seem to have come to aid the Central Origin Realm!”
“It must have been a senior figure from the Upper Realm. Perceiving the emergence of such a fiendish demon in our realm, they decisively took action to destroy it!”
“But before that giant hand appeared, a Blood River poured out from that fissure. Without Sect Master Li’s intervention, wouldn’t the Central Origin Realm have been overrun by those horrifying blood creatures, leading to incalculable loss of life?”
The disciples and cultivators speculated endlessly, but no one had any definitive answers. Beyond the top-tier experts, most people knew next to nothing about the existence of the Immortal Gods Realm. All they knew were vague concepts like “ascending to the Upper Realm,” with little comprehension of the deeper implications.
Watching the animated discussions below, Li Xiaobai casually stood up. Taking out a Sound Transmission Array, he spoke loudly:
“Fellow Daoists, at this critical juncture, our Central Origin Realm has finally encountered a once-in-a-millennium opportunity!”
“Do you see that fissure? That is a gateway to the other shore. If we can reach that place, resources will be as plentiful as the sands on a beach, women will be yours to embrace freely, and you can drink wine every day!”
“That is a window the heavens have opened for us. But some do not want us to ascend. They extend their demonic claws, trying to shut us out. They even plan to use supreme techniques to massacre us, turning the Central Origin Realm into a desolate wasteland. Xueshenzi’s tragic end was a warning from certain forces above. While we strive to ascend for progress and development, they seek to descend to invade our realm!”
“This is a battle—one sparked by them—and now, we must respond. If the forces above take over the Central Origin Realm, we will have failed our ancestors. But if we break through to the Immortal Gods Realm, there will be endless wealth and prosperity for us, with blessings extending to our descendants!”
With hands behind his back, Li Xiaobai delivered these words nonchalantly. His voice wasn’t loud, but with the amplification of the Sound Transmission Array, every cultivator heard it clearly.
His words struck straight to the hearts of everyone. In the Cultivation World, few walked the path alone. Most were tied to families, sects, or other communities. In just a few sentences, he touched upon their own interests, invoked reverence for their ancestors, and appealed to their concern for future generations. Many cultivators were left in awe.
What had they just heard?
The heavens had opened a fissure, intending to guide them into the Immortal Gods Realm to develop and thrive, only for some malicious actors to block their path and attempt to seize the Central Origin Realm?
Recalling the terrifying scenes they had just witnessed, a chill crept into many hearts.
Someone asked, “Sect Master Li, that is the heavens we’re talking about—a realm that stands far above the Central Origin Realm. Even Xueshenzi was obliterated with a single blow. Do you truly believe we still have a chance?”
Hearing this, Li Xiaobai pulled out a Huazi, lit it, took a slow puff, exhaled a cloud of smoke, and waved his hand dismissively as he said:
“A fortune-teller once told me that a general’s success is built on the bones of ten thousand. But I don’t believe in that. I think the path is ours to choose. As for the road ahead—how to walk it—that’s up to you.”