"The decline of the Star-Sea Continent is already inevitable. Senior Long Xing has not only promised us vast resources but has also permitted us to bring several descendants and our legacies with us. He will even help us gain the recognition of the Heavenly Dragon Continent's World Will. This is our only chance!"
"Indeed. As long as we can establish a foothold in the Heavenly Dragon Continent, given our talent and sufficient resources, we will surely be able to flourish there. We might even use that environment to break through the limits that have bound us here for so long."
"I agree. People and their spirit are the true core of any legacy..."
"It is a pity for Meng Tianqi and his group. If they had come with us to the Heavenly Dragon Continent, we could have aided one another. But now, we have no choice but to kill them!"
As for the possibility of the Bee Daoist's victory... after their discussions, they deemed it impossible. The limits of a region created a gap that could not be bridged. Men climbed toward the heights; to remain tethered to this place was to invite a fate of unavoidable destruction.
Having struggled on the Star-Sea Continent for so many years, they had once tried to change their homeland, attempting to develop its economy and promote prosperity. However, without exception, every effort had ended in failure.
Some obstacles came from within—the convoluted, deeply rooted webs of relationships passed down through thousands or tens of thousands of years. These were not things an individual's ability could change. Aside from waiting for total rot and decay or experiencing a total reshuffling through war, large-scale reforms simply could not be carried out.
While it was said that the prosperity of living beings could promote the strength of Heaven and Earth, giving birth to more opportunities and spiritual lands, the cycle for such returns on investment was too long. Furthermore, there was no guarantee that the one who sowed would be the one to benefit. For this reason alone, those already in positions of power were naturally unwilling to undertake such tasks. They possessed numerous hidden cards to protect their current interests.
The hurdle of internal factors alone was a journey of ten thousand hardships. And that was merely the first obstacle.
Beyond that lay the covetous gazes of other factions and those organizations whose true depths remained unplumbed to this day. Once an internal reform began, it would attract the eyes of every other power, adding unnecessary risks and inviting predation. Even if powerful resources were born from such efforts, what chance was there of actually keeping them? It was not that such factions and individuals had never existed, but without exception, they had all failed.
Finally, there was a most terrifying reality: the existence of mysterious entities like the Celestial Alliance within the Star-Sea Continent. They were incredibly enigmatic; not a single person within the Star-Sea Alliance could fully explain their nature, yet they possessed terrifying power that was impossible to resist.
Those regions and sects that were on the rise were the favorite targets of these mysterious powers. Once targeted, none could escape their hunt.
With these various reasons stacked together, no one in the tens of thousands of years of the Star-Sea Continent's history had been able to escape or obstruct the trend of decay. Whoever tried to stop it simply died.
Therefore, even though the Bee Daoist had become a brilliant Earth Immortal, only a small number of people were willing to support him. Especially now, with the Heavenly Dragon Continent and potentially even the Demon Race and the Forest-Sea Demon Realm set to step upon this land, how could the Bee Daoist possibly block such an overwhelming tide?
Over the years, the Star-Sea Continent had seen its share of brilliant geniuses. They had carried great Providence and stirred the winds and clouds, appearing even more dazzling than the Bee Daoist. They were legends capable of stunning an entire era and shocking a world.
But unfortunately, without exception, all of them had died!
Some died under siege, some died from mysterious calamities, and for others, the cause of death remained unknown. With the death of every such figure, the Star-Sea Continent's standing would decline by another grade.
Now, it seemed it was the Bee Daoist's turn.
In fact, because of the Bee Daoist's appearance, what awaited might be more than mere decline. This might be the final song of the Star-Sea Continent—the last wail before destruction!
Some suspected that the appearance of every legendary figure who defined an era was the Star-Sea Continent's attempt at self-salvation. Unfortunately, every attempt had turned into a mournful cry of decline.
This time for the Bee Daoist would be no exception. This Earth Immortal, a rarity since ancient times, would become the final swan song before the Star-Sea Continent's annihilation!
"Fellow Daoist Gu, once Meng Tianqi and the others are dead in a month's time, the resources behind them will be ours."
"Naturally. However, I have another suggestion."
A strange smile suddenly appeared on the face of this Void Refinement cultivator named Gu Shen.
"A suggestion? Let us hear it."
The other Void Refinement cultivator's interest was piqued. He could faintly guess what Gu Shen was implying.
"Fellow Daoist Huang, you said that after this battle, the Star-Sea Continent is almost certainly doomed to destruction, right?"
"Mhm... likely so. After a devastation of this scale, it will probably be no different from scorched earth!"
"In that case, since the continent is destined for ruin... before Senior Long Xing arrives, should we conduct a harvest of the entire Star-Sea Continent? We can seize the Spirit Stones and treasures of those sects! If we don't take them, it will only benefit others. It would be better to leave them to us, the fellow residents of the Star-Sea Continent, as a foundation for our development in the Heavenly Dragon Continent."
"It is not impossible. But perhaps we should only plunder the sect factions? If we even rob the rogue cultivators, setting aside the issue of time, such widespread actions might invite the loathing of the Heavenly Dao."
"That is easily solved. We will first force those smaller factions to do the plundering, telling them we will split it fifty-fifty. Let them do the work and bear the consequences brought by these deeds. In the end, we will simply take everything from them."
"You are truly wicked, but I like it!"
"Hehe, those who achieve great things do not fuss over small details. On the day we step onto the peak, there will naturally be those with great cultivation to interpret the scriptures and justify our actions."
They were extremely confident in their own talent and cultivation. To have achieved the Void Refinement stage in such a resource-depleted place, which one of them was not exceptionally gifted? Which one was not a person of great perseverance?
"Oh? Is that so!"
Just as the two were envisioning their beautiful future, a cold snort broke their conversation.
What?
In an instant, the hair on the necks of Gu Shen and Huang Daoxing stood on end!
This was the core of the Daoist Star Sect, protected by layers upon layers of formations! For someone to enter this place without them sensing it was unthinkable! The implication of this was already self-evident!
A powerful enemy!
Following the direction of the voice, a black-robed figure suddenly appeared in their sight.
"Bee Daoist, you actually dare to come here?" Gu Shen looked as if he had seen a ghost.
How could they not recognize this figure? Was this not the very Bee Daoist who had recently become the center of the vortex?
"Bee Daoist, you actually dared to step out of the Qingtian Domain? Do you truly think we do not dare to kill you?" Huang Daoxing bellowed.
Though he spoke boldly, both Gu Shen and Huang Daoxing immediately entered a state of maximum alert. Their spiritual energy surged wildly, causing the sky and earth to change color in an instant.
Two distinct Domains expanded from the bodies of these two Void Refinement cultivators. At the slightest sign of movement, they could react instantaneously.
Although they didn't know what kind of madness had gripped the Bee Daoist, for him to break through the formations and arrive here silently meant there was definitely some plot afoot. Having studied the Bee Daoist's life, they knew he was absolutely not the type of cultivator to act without a brain; every time he struck, he was almost always perfectly prepared.
This time was likely no different, yet they currently could not see through the man before them at all.
'Why would the Bee Daoist come here? He likely has some trump card. Should we run?' Gu Shen sent a secret transmission to Huang Daoxing.
'Do not act rashly. Wait for me to secretly mobilize the power of the formations. My Daoist Star Sect has hidden cards here. Once we leave the sect grounds, we will be even more vulnerable if we encounter an ambush!' Huang Daoxing replied.
This was his home base. Leaving aside how dangerous it would be to flee now, if he ran, the foundation and accumulation of ten thousand years would likely be lost.
'Could the Bee Daoist have teamed up with Meng Tianqi and the others to attack us?' Huang Daoxing speculated.
Just as he finished that thought, a spatial rift suddenly opened behind the silent Qi Ping. Immediately following, eighteen figures led by Meng Tianqi descended upon the location!
The moment these eighteen figures appeared, the hearts of Gu Shen and Huang Daoxing sank violently.
Damn it!
"Gu Shen, Huang Daoxing, you two old fossils... I knew you were shameless before, but I didn't think you would be shameless to this degree! I spit on you! You shameless things, you won't even let the Qi Refining rogue cultivators go!"
Meng Tianqi began cursing the moment he appeared. His eyes were filled with absolute disgust as he looked at the two.
He had known they were shameless, but to plot to rob every single cultivator, including those at the Qi Refining stage! He even suspected that if the slaughter wouldn't invite the punishment of the Heavenly Dao and the judgment of other cultivators, these two would be the type to refine everyone into Human-Shaped Pills.
It seemed there was a reason he had never been able to get along with these two in the past.
Besides Meng Tianqi, the remaining seventeen individuals also wore expressions of contempt. In their eyes, such behavior truly threw away all the dignity of high-level cultivators. It was more shameless than common street thugs!
"Bah! Shameless bastards!"
Qi Ping observed the expressions of the eighteen people behind him and felt quite satisfied.
The fact that these eighteen were willing to stand on his side despite being at an absolute disadvantage—and were willing to risk their lives without reservation—showed that their character was sufficient, even if there were elements of self-interest involved. While cultivation did not strictly require high moral character, and shameless villains could become heroes of an era, it was simply too worrying to have such low-character individuals as allies or friends.
Faced with the curses and contempt of so many, Gu Shen and Huang Daoxing felt some discomfort and embarrassment, but it did not truly affect them. How could they have cultivated to this point if they were easily swayed by such emotions?
"Fellow Daoist Gu, the situation is untenable. I will control the formations to hold them back, and then we will flee immediately!" Huang Daoxing analyzed the situation and made a prompt decision.
"Fine!" Gu Shen agreed.
With so many people on the other side, what was the point of fighting?
As for the matter of losing face, it had never been something they prioritized. Only staying alive and seizing the chance to reach the peak of the Immortal Path was their sole conviction.
Once the decision was made, Huang Daoxing did not hesitate for a second. He instantly manipulated the sect's formations and protective treasures to strike at Qi Ping and the others!
The power of a Void Refinement-level formation and artifact surged down with an invincible momentum!
In the next instant, Gu Shen and Huang Daoxing activated their escape techniques, vanishing from their original spots.
"Hmph!"
Faced with this formation, Meng Tianqi let out a disdainful snort. With a wave of his hand, two streams of the Laws of Life and Death at the Great Circle of the Void Refinement stage coiled around his arm, forming a massive palm that struck forward.
Sensing this terrifying power, Gu Shen and Huang Daoxing were shocked. Even as they felt the terror of it, their speed of escape increased once more!
'Damn it! Meng Tianqi broke through?'
'Good thing we didn't fight!'
The two felt incredibly fortunate.
However, only a moment later, a furious roar suddenly erupted:
"Huang Daoxing, you traitorous bitch!"
At the source of the voice, Gu Shen was seen being obstructed by a formation power, left stranded halfway.
As Gu Shen desperately tried to shake off the restraints, his eyes were filled with murderous intent as he watched the back of the retreating Huang Daoxing. He had never expected to be backstabbed at such a critical moment.
In that single moment of delay, a Void Refinement figure instantly charged toward him.
Then came sixteen more figures. Aside from Meng Tianqi, who was attacking the formation, and the Bee Daoist, everyone else immediately completed the encirclement!
Even more terrifying was that the moment these seventeen figures converged, they instantly formed a formidable battle array.
In the blink of an eye, Gu Shen felt as if he had become a bird in a cage.
"It is better for a fellow Daoist to die than for this humble self to perish. Fellow Daoist Gu, I shall fulfill your ideals on your behalf in the future!"
After leaving behind this gloating remark, Huang Daoxing's figure completely vanished.
Qi Ping watched this scene of an instantaneous backstab and couldn't help but feel a bit amused. Indeed, one had to be cautious when choosing allies; this lot truly practiced the philosophy of "sharing blessings but letting others handle the hardships."
However, Qi Ping did not waste any time. He directly tore open a spatial rift and vanished from the spot in the next heartbeat.
"Gu Shen, you shameless thing. Now you know how it feels to be handled by people like yourselves, don't you?"
"Birds of a feather!"
Hearing this, the fury in Gu Shen's eyes burned even brighter. Being backstabbed and then mocked—"rotten luck" didn't even begin to describe it.
Especially as he felt the terrifying pressure of the seventeen people joined together, he felt a crushing weight even as a Void Refinement cultivator. The shadow of death instantly enveloped him.
Deep regret filled his heart. Why had he ever made such a friend?
But he no longer had the chance to regret, for those surrounding him had already launched their attack.
Following a world-shaking boom, in just a short while, Gu Shen was covered in blood, and even one of his arms had been severed...
At the same time, a world-shaking vibration echoed from the distance!
Following that vibration, a scorching power of the stars collided with an incredibly terrifying spatial power!
Sensing this aura, the shock and fear on Gu Shen's face were replaced by a gloating smile. Was that scorching power not Huang Daoxing's?
"Hehe, you damned bastard... what was the point of backstabbing me? You still didn't make it away!"