Chapter 1378: Taking Precautions, Early Preparations
For the Celestial Sect of Wonders' disciples, they had the Ying Sea to rely on for protection if Lin Feng and the other top cultivators in the sect went to the Spirit Sea.
While there was a big difference between Lin Feng helming the Ying Sea and someone else controlling the Ying Sea, it wasn't easy to attack the Ying Sea even then.
As the Black Heavenly Treasure Tree's will restored, both the tree and Mount Yujing could conceal in void space even if Lin Feng entered the Spirit Sea. They wouldn't reveal themselves just like what happened the last time Lin Feng entered the Ying Sea.
With these guarantees, Lin Feng wasn't worried at all.
However, this wasn't the same for the rest of the other human sects and powers. If three Vipralopa Stage demons descended on the Divine Lands, the humans would be under great pressure.
Things would get disastrous if the leader of the Dragon tribe, the Origins Dragon King, was included in the three demons. Without the Great Void Sect and Celestial Sect of Wonders, the humans would be in grave danger if he left the Black Sea for the Divine Lands.
Lin Feng looked at everyone and said, "Xuan Li won't follow me to the Spirit Sea, but she'll stay in the Divine Lands."
"However, the Divine Lands is extremely huge. Even for her, she can only be in one place at one particular time. If the demons attacked from all directions, she's helpless too."
"Comrades, we need to take precautions."
After hearing that Lin Feng would leave his Heaven-Destroying Sword in the Divine Lands, everyone's eyes brightened. They also nodded their head in agreement with what he said.
The Celestial Sect of Wonders had Mount Yujing and the Ying Sea to protect their disciples. Although they could try asking the Celestial Sect of Wonders for permission to ascend Mount Yujing or enter the Ying Sea to seek refuge, that would also mean giving up their defense in the Divine Lands. This would greatly endanger the Divine Lands.
As for the rewards they obtained during the War of the Two Worlds, it was equivalent to returning them to the demons with wide open arms.
More importantly, the foundation of many sects and powers might be crushed just like that.
The Celestial Sect of Wonders could hold a fortified position and observed the situation. But the rest of the other sects and powers might not have sufficient reaction time. If they wanted to retreat to Mount Yujing or the Ying Sea, they had to do so early.
However, in this way, they wouldn't be able to guard their own territories. Even Demon Lords could cause mass destruction under such a circumstance and run riot.
Unless it's necessary, no sect or power would give up their own foundation.
After all, Mount Yujing was an exception.
No matter which sect or power it was, their base had been operating for a long time. Not only were their defensive abilities resolute, the spiritual energy in their own mountains had been adjusted through many generations to fit their own disciples' cultivation.
The founders of every sect were bound to have chosen the most suitable place to establish their sect, which required a mountain that was nourished with spiritual energy.
If a sect's mountain was destroyed, it might still be possible to reconstruct with enough time, energy and resources. However, if the spiritual energy was dissipated, another place had to be sought out.
In this way, the sect's power would deteriorate greatly.
The Divine Lands had been around for ages. Most of the mountains with nourished spiritual energy had already been occupied. Unless there were mountains that had yet to be discovered, there were practically no empty mountains that fulfilled satisfactory conditions that weren't occupied yet.
If many sect's mountains were destroyed, it would become extremely arduous for them to find a new place to establish their sects once again.
If a sect's resources could be taken along with them, it was still fine. But if they couldn't, they could only watch as the demons snatch these resources.
Generally speaking, the main targets of battles between the humans and demons were resources and territory. It was unlikely for either party to cause mass destruction unless it involved a deep enmity between the involved parties.
However, the situation was special now. The demons had suffered great disadvantages during the War of the Two Worlds. It was impossible to predict how they'd react.
They might worry about the Celestial Sect of Wonders and Great Void Sect's revenge on them once the battle for the Spirit Sea was over. However, no one could possibly predict the outcome in the Spirit Sea.
The Hades tribe was certainly going into the Spirit Sea to fight with the Celestial Sect of Wonders and the Great Void Sect.
The Spirit Sea's conditions were complex and special. Even if the Celestial Sect of Wonders and Great Void Sect had the intention to team up against the demons before fighting internally once the Hades tribe was eliminated, it was likely to just be a conception that was difficult to be carried out. The competing parties could only follow their own plans then.
When they finally clashed, it might be the critical moment and there wouldn't be any time to talk about giving way to one another. All parties could only try their best to win the fight.
Precisely because of such a special situation, the Heavenly Charms Grand Sage and the others were offered the opportunity to cause confusion.
Just like what Lin Feng mentioned, Xuan Li was going to remain in the Divine Lands. She could threaten the demons, but the Divine Lands was very vast. She couldn't possibly defend the entire Divine Lands.
While Xuan Li had her own freedom, the demons were likely to avoid her when they attacked the Divine Lands.
Lin Feng said, "Comrades, all of you don't have to be too worried either. The Great Void Sect's Tai Yi Holy Man and the others will enter the Spirit Sea with me. While contact will be broken, and we don't know what'll happen, the demons are also likely to be anxious too."
"As long as the situation in the Divine Lands is not at its breaking point and some time can be delayed, Xuan Li will be able to take care of things."
Gu Jun, Shi Zongtang and the rest nodded their heads as they looked at Lin Feng. At the end, one could only depend on himself. Even with Xuan Li watching out for the humans, they could only rely on themselves to remain safe.
If one couldn't even use his own abilities to delay the enemy while waiting for reinforcements, everything would be futile.
There was great danger amidst great opportunity. This was the case for the battle of the Spirit Sea.
Shi Zongtang creased his brows as he sat in his seat. He pondered but didn't speak. He seemed to be bothered by something that he couldn't resolve.
He turned to Lin Feng and revealed a look of struggle. However, he appeared calmer after that and he stopped furrowing his brows.
Although Shi Xingyun did return to Xiling City at times over these few years to visit her mother and Shi Chongyun, she still maintained her distance with the Great Qin Empire.
The Great Qin Empire needed to boost its powers urgently.
The transformations of Buddhism's way of karma and the Gu Empire's Holy Lihuo Mantra made him determined to try.
If the Secret Manual of the Five Imperial True Dragons could be enhanced, it wouldn't just benefit the Great Qin Empire cultivators. Xiling City's formation and the Draconic Energy gathered by the Great Qin Empire would benefit too.
If these changes were inadequate in the short-term, the modified Secret Manual of the Five Imperial True Dragons would still be beneficial to Shi Xingyun.
Shi Xingyun's abilities were increasing at a slower rate now. She needed to make a breakthrough and improved even further.
Shi Zongtang naturally knew about Shi Xingyun's ties with Zhu Yi and Shi Tianhao. He even knew that Shi Xingyun once exchanged tips on mantra with Zhu Yi before.
But the Secret Manual of the Five Imperial True Dragons was the most outstanding mantra in the Great Qin Empire. The Great Qin Empire was friendly towards the Celestial Sect of Wonders. The Celestial Sect wouldn't bypass them and touch the Secret Manual of the Five Imperial True Dragons without telling them. Furthermore, Shi Zongtang and the others didn't sense anything either.
Similarly, Shi Xingyun's interaction with Zhu Yi and Shi Tianhao regarding the Great Dao didn't involve the Secret Manual of the Five Imperial True Dragons even though she was more of an independent cultivator now.
If the Celestial Sect of Wonders really had the ability to improve the Ancient Immortality Scripture, it would certainly be the greatest help that he could extend to the Gu Empire.
And if the Celestial Sect of Wonders really helped the Great Qin Empire to enhance the Secret Manual of the Five Imperial True Dragons, the Great Qin Empire would owe them a big favor.
However, Shi Zongtang had to seriously consider this matter. No one could confirm whether the Dragons had the Secret Spirit Sea Key to enter the Spirit Sea. No one knew whether the Dragons would proceed towards the Spirit Sea once it reopened or remain in the Greater World.
The entire Great Qin even had reason to believe that the Dragons wouldn't enter the Spirit Sea in the first instance even if they had the Secret Spirit Sea Key. They might be waiting to attack the Divine Lands once the Celestial Sect of Wonders and Great Void Sect entered the Spirit Sea. They were willing to give up the chance to compete for the Spirit Sea to deal with the Great Qin Empire and Shi Xingyun!
Without Lin Feng and the Great Void Sect, the Great Qin Empire would be in grave danger if the Origins Dragon King entered Xiling City. This was unless Xuan Li stood guard in Xiling City throughout.
In fact, the Great Qin Empire had been considering this problem for many years.
They were also more willing to extend their cordiality towards Shi Xingyun in a bid to get her back to the Great Qin Empire.
After witnessing Xiao Yan's Nanming Primordial Fire as well as Lin Feng's confirmation that the Spirit Sea was about to re-open, Shi Zongtang was determined.
The rest of the cultivators also had mixed feelings just like Shi Zongtang. Countless thoughts rose in their minds.
Lin Feng scanned his surroundings and said calmly, "I certainly don't wish for anyone to be attacked because of this matter. In three days' time, I'll give a talk. Whoever is interested can bring your disciples along. If you benefit from the talk, just take it as an expression of my sincerity.
Everyone jerked when they heard his words. They were naturally aware of what Lin Feng meant - any sect could seek Lin Feng out to complete their mantras.