Free Web NovelChapter 242: Power
After the shock of understanding their newfound combat strength and military might had subsided, the focus shifted to public disclosures about construction and development.
For example, the current population of the Nine Cauldrons Sect, the number of people who had cultivated psychic consciousness, and the number of high-tier cultivators and great cultivators. Among these, special emphasis was placed on the number of cultivators who had switched to the Primordial Creation Art.
The great cultivators who had lived for decades or even centuries were an exception, but almost all the new generation of cultivators, or at least those under sixty, practiced the Primordial Creation Art.
In particular, among those under thirty, over ninety percent cultivated the Primordial Creation Art. From the moment they had entered the elite academies and first came into contact with cultivation, they had already stepped onto the path of the Primordial Creation Art.
After more than a decade of development, the most talented among them, who had received strong support, had already reached the Foundation Building Realm, and those who were relatively talented had reached the high tier of the qi refinement.
Of course, there were even more at the middle tier of qi refinement. However, these individuals were no longer cultivators whom the Nine Cauldrons Sect would focus on. If they had not reached the high-tier after more than a decade, their chances of advancing to the Foundation Building Realm were already slim. Let alone progressing further to the Unity Realm or the Core Formation Realm.
"I remember that, more than ten years ago, the number of cultivators in the Nine Cauldrons Sect who had cultivated psychic consciousness and could serve in the Energy Department was less than three hundred million. That was even counting those from our vassal worlds. But now it has increased fourfold, reaching over twelve hundred million. That number is already comparable to the Golden Temple, the Lunar Sect, and the Dharma Heaven Pavilion. It’s truly unbelievable." Zhang Ruosheng, the hall master of the Administration Hall, sighed as he looked at the data.
"It’s mostly because our spirit stone production has increased, and that has, in turn, caused the productivity of society to rise. Various auxiliary cultivation arrays can now be maintained for extended periods, and our alchemists are also more efficient. With improvements across all aspects, the sect’s overall average standard has naturally risen," Liang Qiu, hall master of the Logistics Hall, replied. "Give it another ten years or so, and the number of cultivators who have developed psychic consciousness will reach its peak growth. By then, catching up to the Thousand-Beast Sect and Immortal Alliance should not be difficult."
Zhang Ruosheng nodded in agreement.
Murong Hui, standing nearby, smiled as he said, "Once all these figures are made public, it should give everyone a completely new understanding of just how powerful the Nine Cauldrons Sect has become. They won’t instinctively feel inferior whenever comparing themselves to top-tier immortal sects anymore... In fact, many disciples tend to have a natural inclination to look up to those sects, believing their words must be correct and that everything about them is superior."
Zhang Ruosheng and Liang Qiu recalled the related reports they had occasionally seen and nodded.
"I’m afraid the data alone won't be enough. We need to truly clash with one of those top-tier immortal sects. Once we fight and establish our strength, our disciples will be able to stand tall when they go out into the world." Lou Yuyu voiced his opinion.
His words prompted several hall masters to seriously consider the feasibility of such an idea. Top-tier immortal sects...
The Infinite Star Palace, Thousand-Beast Sect, and Immortal Alliance were still not easy to deal with. But the Lunar Sect, the Dharma Heaven Pavilion, and the declining Golden Temple were within reach.
The Golden Temple could be set aside, as its relationship with the Nine Cauldrons Sect was quite good. The Nine Cauldrons Sect would not act against a partner.
But the Lunar Sect... Ten years ago, it had joined forces with the Infinite Star Palace and Immortal Alliance to set a trap in a major order of flying swords, nearly causing significant losses for the Nine Cauldrons Sect. It would be an excellent target to establish authority.
That sect had only twenty-four elite battle institutes and thirteen Sky Patrol Warships. In terms of conventional strength, it was already inferior to the Nine Cauldrons Sect.
However, it was still a powerful immortal sect with an ancient lineage. It possessed three Radiant Sun Golden Core cultivators and four Crimson Golden Core cultivators. As well as six star-god-level and divine-beast-level combatants.
Given the Nine Cauldrons Sect’s current foundation, it wouldn't be wise to engage them head-on.
After speaking at length on stage, Li Qingshan finally brought this series of announcements regarding the Nine Cauldrons Sect’s development to a close. He then directly reported the temporary decision he had just discussed with Yaoguang and Li Hanqiu.
"The sect’s next strategic objective will be to reclaim the Shiwan Mountains. However, the Shiwan Mountains have long been under the control of the Brahma Divine Kingdom. While we are not afraid to go to war with them, the best approach is to demonstrate our overwhelming military strength and, hopefully, claim victory without shedding any blood. As long as the Brahma Divine Kingdom realizes that engaging us in the Shiwan Mountains would inevitably lead to a crushing defeat, they will withdraw of their own accord, just as the Ancient Immortal Sect, the Great Yue Dynasty, and the Star Sea Sect did in the East Sea."
As he spoke, Li Qingshan’s voice grew firm and resounding. "Therefore, in three months, the sect will hold a grand military parade in Crimson City! We will showcase our newly established battle institutes and our new cultivation system, and reveal the long-concealed Shenzhou and Zhongzhou Sky Patrol Warships, forming a fleet alongside the Jizhou, Qingzhou, Yangzhou, and Xuzhou warships. Together, they will sweep across the skies and display the might of our Nine Cauldrons Sect!"
"Three months until the military parade? The sect seems to be getting bolder."
"The scale has increased, but there are fewer than twenty years left until that agreement. Whatever we plan to do, we must start laying the groundwork now."
"The best strategy is to break the enemy’s plans. Only by displaying our strength can the surrounding forces understand the consequences of opposing us! I support the decision to hold a grand parade!"
Hall masters, deputy hall masters, branch sect masters, domain lords, and elders voiced their opinions and expressed their agreement.
"During the parade, you must ensure the stability of your respective regions and side branches!" Li Qingshan said solemnly. "Our Nine Cauldrons Sect is developing at an unprecedented rate. As long as we continue along our established path, it won't take long before we become the strongest sect in the entire Great Cangwu World! Therefore, our most important task right now is to maintain stability so we can continue smoothly progressing! As long as we do not falter and continue advancing step by step, I believe that we will soon restore the glory of the Artifact Sect era, and even..."
He paused, his tone rising with conviction. "In the future, the Nine Cauldrons Sect will surpass even the power of the Artifact Sect, becoming one of the most powerful immortal sects in the Great Cangwu World, and ultimately the strongest in all of Cangwu!"
Hearing Li Qingshan’s words, the hall masters, branch sect masters, and domain lords all became visibly stirred.
"We will dutifully guard our lands, allowing the people and the domains to continue developing. We will not disappoint the sect master." The branch sect masters and domain lords stood one after another, responding with determination, their expressions filled with anticipation for the future.
Li Qingshan nodded in satisfaction. "You, I, and the Nine Cauldrons Sect all have a bright future ahead."
With that, the meeting came to an end.
To everyone’s surprise, there had been no discussion about launching an offensive against the Brahma Divine Kingdom to reclaim the Shiwan Mountains. But everyone understood that as long as the Nine Cauldrons Sect fully displayed its current strength...
Once representatives of the thirty-three top-tier battle institutes soared into the sky on their flying swords, and once six of the world’s most advanced Sky Patrol Warships flew overhead, revealing a domineering power that could oppress the stars, the Shiwan Mountains would likely be reclaimed without fighting a single battle.
"Will you take part in the parade?" After the meeting, Li Hanqiu sought out Yaoguang again.
"I won’t. However, once I announce that I am the fifth Dharma Form cultivator of the Great Cangwu World, the Immortal Alliance and the Infinite Star Palace will begin probing us. I’ll take a trip to the nine heavens to prevent them from bringing the battlefield into the Great Cangwu World and disrupting our development," Yaoguang said.
Yaoguang paused briefly before continuing, "I need to visit certain stars beyond the nine heavens and refine their stellar cores for cultivation, so that I can truly attain a third-tier star god physique as soon as possible. At the same time, that will give them a chance to test just how strong I really am."
"Going beyond the nine heavens..." Li Hanqiu frowned slightly. "Isn’t that too dangerous?"
"It’s fine. Our next steps are to first release the Nine Cauldrons Sect’s economic data and build momentum for the parade, and then, after one month, announce the details of the parade and send invitations to all surrounding forces, including the Thousand-Beast Sect, the Immortal Alliance, the Infinite Star Palace, the Lunar Sect, the Dharma Heaven Pavilion, and the Golden Temple..." Yaoguang replied.
Yaoguang paused again. "In two months, we will reveal the possible lineup of forces appearing in the parade. At that same time, I will ascend beyond the nine heavens. If nothing unexpected happens, the one who makes a move against me will likely be Mi Le of the Immortal Alliance."
Li Hanqiu nodded.
Once Yaoguang revealed his identity as a Dharma Form cultivator, the Immortal Alliance would inevitably connect him to the attack on the Immortal-Proving Tower headquarters back then. It would be only natural for Mi Le, the pillar of the Mi family, to grow angry and personally act against him.
"Since you’re confident, I’m reassured," Li Hanqiu said.
Yaoguang smiled slightly. After a moment of thought, he raised his hand, and a projection of the Gathering-Separation Ring appeared within the Void Psychic World.
At the same time, he condensed the information about the spirit treasure and transmitted it to Li Hanqiu. "Take a look, Perfected Master Li."
Li Hanqiu began absorbing the information about the Gathering-Separation Ring. But after only a moment, his expression changed drastically, as if he was almost stunned by what he was seeing.
"This is..." He suddenly looked up at Yaoguang, his gaze fixed on the projected spirit treasure, a trace of excitement in his eyes. "Is it real?"
"Yes. I should be able to refine it next month. With this spirit treasure, your Golden Core will become far more stable. You won’t be able to fight recklessly, but at the very least, you won’t have to worry about your Golden Core collapsing as soon as the battle intensifies a little," Yaoguang said.
"Good! This is excellent!" Li Hanqiu’s eyes gleamed with excitement. "Yaoguang, do you know what this spirit treasure represents?"
"It means that all Crimson Golden Core and Radiant Sun Golden Core cultivators will essentially be freed from their concerns. At the very least, unless it's a life-or-death battle, they won’t have to worry about their Golden Cores growing unstable to the point of leading to fatal consequences." Yaoguang smiled.
He understood this clearly. In the Great Cangwu World, there were dozens of Crimson Golden Core and Radiant Sun Golden Core cultivators. Once the Gathering-Separation Ring was refined, it could even be sold externally, as long as the conditions allowed it.
Selling one for nearly five hundred million would not be unreasonable. If he could sell ten or so, the profits alone would easily push his Immortal Dao cultivation beyond the Void-Piercing Realm.
"No! It’s far more than that! This spirit treasure will be a strategic resource!" Li Hanqiu said in a deep voice.
Yaoguang immediately understood what he meant. "You’re saying..."
"The Infinite Star Palace, the Immortal Alliance, and the Lunar Sect are closely connected. But we may be able to win over the Thousand-Beast Sect, the Dharma Heaven Pavilion, and the Golden Temple!" Li Hanqiu stared at the projection of the Gathering-Separation Ring. "In the future, we could form a new faction led by the Nine Cauldrons Sect, the Thousand-Beast Sect, the Dharma Heaven Pavilion, and the Golden Temple, and confront the Infinite Star Palace, the Immortal Alliance, and the Lunar Sect head-on!"
He clenched his fist. "Once this spirit treasure appears, leading the Nine Cauldrons Sect to unify Cangwu will no longer be a distant dream!"
