Chapter 396

Dongfang Ji's departure was known to no one for the time being, except for Li Yuan, Fang Da, and the demigod Lante.

Although the Demon Civilization had been severely wounded in the last great war and the various civilizations were terrified, making it almost impossible for the Seven Stars Civilization to face another invasion in the short term, it was still better to be cautious.

And although Dongfang Ji's soul lamp had extinguished, the location of the soul lamp was something only Fang Da and the demigod Lante controlled anyway.

Furthermore, since the demigod Ye An was unharmed, from now on, as long as the demigods within the civilization saw him, they would know Dongfang Ji was alive and would not be suspicious in the short term.

After returning from the space outside the Flying Star.

"Leaving tomorrow?" The demigod Lante couldn't help but be stunned upon hearing Li Yuan's account: "So soon? Why not cultivate within the civilization for a while longer?"

"I have stayed in the Heaven-Flying Realm for long enough. Continuing to cultivate here will hardly lead to a qualitative change in strength, and my cultivation speed will only become slower and slower, eventually falling into a bottleneck," Li Yuan said. "The Nine-Leaf World might have what I am seeking."

This was the truth from Li Yuan.

His goal was the Third-Stage Nine Star Pulse, which had extremely high requirements for Law comprehension, soul willpower, and many other aspects... even with Li Yuan possessing the Heart Spirit Palace.

But to make the spiritual awakening limit reach 100%, one must first have their soul realm break through to the 50th-level Void God layer, or even higher.

The transformation of soul willpower, aside from the growth of meditation techniques, also relies heavily on tempering through adventures in the outside world and the growth of the heart.

As for external objects?

The Seven Stars Civilization was too small; the core rare treasures Li Yuan needed to cultivate the Nine-Fold Star Art "Ten Thousand Shadows Void" simply could not be obtained... and being nearly invincible within the civilization, there was no pressure at all.

If he were to leave the plane to roam the Starry Sky Rifts... it would be better to just go directly to the Nine-Leaf World.

"Li Yuan, go and roam freely," Fang Da said. "The Nine-Leaf World holds many dangers, but given your nature, it would be strange if you didn't dare to go."

Fang Da had watched Li Yuan grow up every step of the way.

Treasure hunting in the World-within-a-World, the Battle of the Mingxu Star Realm, sweeping through Tier-Two Star Realms, desperately awakening the Second-Stage Eight Star Pulse, the Lantie Star crisis, and the just-concluded Demon invasion war... Fang Da knew Li Yuan's character very well: he was deeply emotional and loyal.

But at the same time, deep down, he was also incredibly diligent in pursuing the limits of cultivation.

Otherwise, Li Yuan would not have desperately become a demigod-level soul, and subsequently strived to awaken the Eight Star Pulse.

The Nine-Leaf World contained great opportunities.

"Nine Leaves, Jiushan."

"It contains great opportunities, but also contains the crisis facing our Seven Stars Civilization," Fang Da said. "The reason Master is in such a hurry to leave is actually related to the small amount of truth he learned about the Ancient Domain of Buried Immortals."

Fang Da had spoken with Dongfang Ji privately, and their level of understanding regarding the Ancient Domain of Buried Immortals surpassed that of anyone else.

"The truth?" The demigod Lante was taken aback.

"There is a sentence you said back then, Li Yuan," Fang Da said. "Becoming a Void God, or even a True God... can allow our Seven Stars Civilization to be temporarily stable, but it cannot solve the crisis of the Ancient Domain of Buried Immortals once and for all."

Li Yuan couldn't help but nod; this was also one of the reasons he had always pursued the limits of his Star Pulses.

If he hadn't known about the existence of the Nine Star Pulse or Ten Star Pulse, that would be one thing.

But knowing about them, he would naturally do his utmost.

"Master actually holds the same view."

"He left behind enough trump cards and contingency plans for the civilization to ensure it does not fall," Fang Da said. "If he were to stay in the Mortal Domain, becoming a True God in the future would be easy... but the hope of becoming a Heavenly God would be far too small."

Li Yuan and the demigod Lante both couldn't help but nod.

A Heavenly God?

Throughout the entire Mortal Domain, with its tens of thousands of dimensional planes, over the long ages, most hadn't even birthed a True God, let alone a Heavenly God.

"Li Yuan, what you want to do, Master also wants to do," Fang Da looked at Li Yuan: "Master is also longing to become a Heavenly God. If he can return then, he can attempt to thoroughly resolve the hidden dangers of the civilization."

"Secondly."

"Civilizations in every plane rise and fall. As far as we know, the oldest civilization in the entire Mortal Domain with historical records is no more than ten million years old..." Fang Da said: "Older civilizations were either destroyed by other civilizations or encountered natural disasters."

"There is no civilization in the world that lasts forever."

"Like now, the Demon Civilization fears us, and the Immortal Ruins Civilization hopes to maintain peace with us, not because we have many powerhouses, but simply because Master, you, and I have emerged," Fang Da said. "Especially Master and you; your talent is strong enough to make any True God take notice."

"Principal, you are not bad either," Li Yuan said quickly.

"I have self-knowledge. I am not as good as Master, and even less so than you," Fang Da sighed: "But even we cannot live forever."

"A True God only has a lifespan of thirty thousand years."

"Our Seven Stars Civilization only has seven life planets. Birthing Master and you in such a short time is already incredibly lucky," Fang Da said: "We must strive to birth more 'ordinary geniuses' among the younger generation who can become demigods and Void Gods."

"If our Seven Stars Civilization could have thousands of demigods and several Void Gods, even without top-tier powerhouses like Master... we would not fear foreign invasion."

Li Yuan understood what Fang Da meant.

Dongfang Ji had said similar things.

No one can live forever. The strength of a civilization can rely on one person for a short time, but it cannot rely on individual deterrence forever.

Even Heavenly Gods can only live for three hundred thousand years. The Immortal Ruins Civilization has stood in the Mortal Domain for a million years by relying on generations of powerhouses.

The birth of a large number of powerhouses requires a sufficient population foundation.

"Becoming a True God can push a plane to evolve, causing the number of life planets within the plane to skyrocket."

"If one becomes a Heavenly God, in hundreds of thousands of years, they can push the plane to evolve multiple times, making the number of life planets in our plane surpass that of the Immortal Ruins Civilization," Fang Da said: "Only then will the entire civilization have enough foundation to strive for the birth of True Gods generation after generation."

Li Yuan nodded slightly.

In the Mortal Domain, if a civilization always has a Void God guarding it, basically no one will invade. If it always has a True God guarding it... then it is an absolute hegemonic civilization.

"Alliance Leader Dongfang goes first."

"I cannot fall behind," Li Yuan smiled.

Back when he was a Source Warrior, Li Yuan already had this realization.

When the sky falls, the tall ones hold it up, and within the Seven Stars Civilization, he was one of the tall ones.

For the strength and continuation of the civilization, to thoroughly resolve the 'Ancient Domain of Buried Immortals crisis', if he didn't step up, who would?

Alliance Leader Dongfang was certainly powerful, but even ordinary people need two legs to walk.

How could one rely solely on him?

If that were truly the case, then Alliance Leader Dongfang's efforts would have been in vain.

"Li Yuan, with your strength, passing the Nine-Leaf World test is easy, but the Ancient Domain of Buried Immortals contains many great secrets that even Master cannot fully perceive," Fang Da said: "In any case, be extra careful."

"Mm," Li Yuan nodded heavily.

Only by staying alive are there infinite possibilities.

Whoosh!

Fang Da flipped his palm, and a glazed ancient lamp emitting firelight appeared: "Li Yuan, this is the soul lamp. Condense your spiritual sense onto the wick."

"Since you are going to the Nine-Leaf World, we must also know whether you are alive or dead."

"Alright," Li Yuan had refined a soul lamp once before, so he was familiar with the process and completed it quickly.

Watching Li Yuan leave.

The demigod Lante sighed: "Truly high-spirited. Looking at Li Yuan is like looking at the young Dongfang; both are fearless, full of drive and fighting spirit."

"Senior Lante, you are not old either," Fang Da smiled.

"Compared to you all, I am old," the demigod Lante sighed: "It is you, with Dongfang gone and Li Yuan likely not staying for long... it is hard that you are the only one left behind."

The demigod Lante had already guessed Dongfang Ji's arrangements.

"Master and Li Yuan going to roam is also risking life and death. Is the path to Heavenly God so easy to walk?" Fang Da shook his head: "Staying within the civilization, I actually have no danger."

The demigod Lante said nothing more.

Among all powerhouses, if given the chance, who wouldn't want to go to the God Domain to roam and see a wider world?

Flying Star, in a city.

"Master," the demigod Sang Qiu said respectfully.

So much time had passed, and she had flown back to Flying Star from Lantie Star along the starry sky.

"Mm," Li Yuan looked at her and said: "From now on, you will be stationed at Flying Star, obey the Alliance Leader's orders, and do not leave Flying Star unless there is an emergency. Do you understand?"

"Yes," the demigod Sang Qiu said.

Heart-Soul Control has many flaws, the biggest of which is that once the master falls, the servant regains their freedom.

Therefore, servants under Heart-Soul Control are rarely trusted absolutely and are mostly used as moles to infiltrate hostile forces.

That way, even if the master falls, there won't be too much loss.

This was also the reason why those alien guests and controlled alien demigods were all placed on Flying Star... Flying Star, as the core of the Seven Stars Civilization, possessed the most powerful military force and could suppress these aliens at any time.

"Legend has it."

"The Heavenly Gods of the God Domain, some terrifying existences who have comprehended the Great Dao of Laws, can create perfect Heart-Soul Control methods," Li Yuan thought to himself: "Once the secret technique is cast and branded deep within the servant's soul, one can achieve a shared life and death."

If the master dies, the servant dies as well.

That is absolute control.

Unfortunately, even among Heavenly Gods, very few can cultivate it; after all, not every Heavenly God is adept at soul mysteries.

Therefore, as far as Li Yuan knows, followers are more popular in the God Domain... some powerhouses make Law oaths to pursue stronger individuals; it has certain constraints, but it is not as unacceptable as being a servant.

Returning to Blue Star, Li Yuan's family received the news and had already rushed to Kunlun Martial University from all over the Xia Nation.

"Secluded cultivation? Five years, or even ten?" A group of people listened to Li Yuan's words and couldn't help but start discussing.

Nine Leaves, Jiushan was a secret and could not be spread.

Therefore, Li Yuan did not tell his family the truth, only saying that he was about to go into secluded cultivation for a long time.

According to the experience left by Dongfang Ji and Fang Da, the first time roaming the Nine-Leaf World usually takes one or two years.

It is impossible to contact the outside world during this period.

Li Yuan estimated that even though his strength far exceeded that of the Alliance Leader and Principal back then, if the situation changed, ten years should be enough.

"So long?" Chen Hui couldn't help but say: "Can't you come back in between?"

"Big Brother, can't you even communicate? The great battle on Flying Star just ended!" Li Qianqian also said: "The battle was won, and it is said that Senior Dongfang Ji displayed great power. Do you need to push yourself so hard?"

As Li Yuan's family, in terms of the speed of various news channels, they were unmatched by most Heaven-Flying martial artists.

They also knew quite a bit about the great battle that broke out on Flying Star not long ago.

"Aunt, I must go," Li Yuan felt a bit uncomfortable inside.

But seeing Senior Dongfang Ji step onto the path without hesitation and seeing the Principal staying behind, Li Yuan no longer had any hesitation in his heart.

"What are you all saying?" Li Zhangzhou frowned: "Little Yuan is now one of the highest echelons of the civilization. How can he only consider his small family when doing things? Isn't it just ten years?"

"Little Yuan."

"Go with peace of mind. You left behind so many treasures, left behind dozens of Heaven-Flying puppets, and we can contact several demigods at any time... With me at home, there is nothing to worry about, no need to have any worries," Li Zhangzhou looked at Li Yuan: "You are powerful, and I cannot help you with cultivation, nor can I offer any guidance."

"But I know one thing: since you have become one of the civilization's leaders, then do what a leader should do," Li Zhangzhou said: "Once you have chosen a path, you cannot shrink back."

Li Yuan nodded.

With his uncle there, Li Yuan had indeed never worried about home; Li Zhangzhou rarely caused trouble for Li Yuan.

Like many relatives from the early years, it wasn't that they didn't want to find Li Yuan... they were all stopped by Li Zhangzhou.

... Li Yuan went to the Xia Nation capital to see the demigod Bai Shan, and the two exchanged for a long time.

After arranging everything.

On June 19, 2055, of the Seven Stars Calendar, Blue Star leader Li Yuan left Blue Star once again.

When he returns, it might be in a year or two, or perhaps much longer.

(End of chapter)