Chapter 396: Farewell

Chapter 396: Farewell

After Dong Fang Ji's departure, only Li Yuan, Fang Hai, and Lant Halfgod knew about it, at least for the time being.

Although the Great War had severely weakened the Ten Thousand Devils Civilization, causing other civilizations to tremble in fear, it was unlikely that the Seven Stars Civilization would face another invasion in the short term. Still, it was better to be cautious.

Dong Fang Ji's Soul Lamp had extinguished, but only Fang Hai and Lant Halfgod had control over the location of the Soul Lamp.

Moreover, with Ye An Halfgod unharmed, the civilization's demi-gods would know that Dong Fang Ji was alive if they saw him, and they wouldn't suspect anything for a while.

After returning from outer space beyond the Flying Star.

"You're leaving tomorrow?" Lant Halfgod was taken aback upon hearing Li Yuan's story, "So soon? Why not stay and cultivate in the civilization for a longer period?"

"I've been in the Flying Heaven Realm for quite some time now. Continuing my cultivation here won't bring about a qualitative change in my strength, and the progress will only get slower, eventually hitting a bottleneck," Li Yuan explained, "The Nine Leaves World might offer what I seek."

This was Li Yuan's honest thought.

His goal was the third-tier Nine Stars Vein, which required an extremely high level of Law Perception, soul will, and various other aspects... Even with Li Yuan's possession of the Soul Palace, it was still a challenging task.

To awaken his spiritual awareness to its full potential of 100%, he first needed to break through to the 50th level, reaching the Void Deity Realm, or even higher.

The transformation of the soul's will required not only the growth of perception but also the tempering of experience in the outside world and the maturation of the soul, which were equally crucial.

As for external resources?

The Seven Stars Civilization was too small; the core treasures necessary for Li Yuan's cultivation of the Ninefold Star Technique 'Ten Thousand Illusions Void' were simply unobtainable... Moreover, being nearly invincible within the civilization, he faced little pressure.

If he were to leave the plane and venture into the starry void... it would be better to go directly to the Nine Leaves World.

"Li Yuan, go and explore without hesitation," Fang Hai encouraged, "The Nine Leaves World is full of dangers, but with your personality, it would be strange if you didn't dare to take risks."

Fang Hai had witnessed Li Yuan's growth firsthand.

From the Inter-Realm Treasure Hunt, the Battle of Ming Xu Star Realm, the conquest of the Second Rank Star Realm, the desperate awakening of the second-tier Eight Stars Vein, the crisis on Lan Tie Star, to the recent invasion of the Ten Thousand Devils Civilization... Fang Hai understood Li Yuan's character well—a man of loyalty and righteousness, but also one who relentlessly pursued the limits of cultivation.

Otherwise, Li Yuan wouldn't have pushed himself to become a demi-god-level soul and worked tirelessly to awaken the Eight Stars Vein.

The Nine Leaves World was brimming with great opportunities.

"Nine Leaves, Nine Mountains."

"It holds great opportunities, but also the crisis of our Seven Stars Civilization," Fang Hai explained, "The teacher's haste to leave is partly due to the little he knows about the truth of the Immortal Burial Ancient Domain."

Fang Hai and Dong Fang Ji had discussed the Immortal Burial Ancient Domain privately, and their understanding of it surpassed that of others.

"The truth?" Lant Halfgod was taken aback.

"There's a saying you once mentioned, Li Yuan," Fang Hai continued, "Becoming a Void Deity, or even a True Deity... can temporarily stabilize our Seven Stars Civilization, but it won't permanently resolve the crisis of the Immortal Burial Ancient Domain."

Li Yuan nodded in agreement, as this was one of the reasons he had been pushing his star vein to the limit.

"The teacher shares a similar view," he added.

"He left sufficient trump cards and backup plans to ensure the survival of our civilization," Fang Hai explained, "If he stayed in the Mundane Domain, becoming a True Deity would be a simple task... but the hope of becoming a Heaven Deity is slim."

Both Li Yuan and Lant Halfgod nodded in understanding.

A Heaven Deity?

In the entire Mundane Domain, with its tens of thousands of dimensional planes, most hadn't given birth to a True Deity, let alone a Heaven Deity, in all the long years.

"Li Yuan, I share your aspirations," Fang Hai said, looking at Li Yuan, "I also yearn to become a Heaven Deity, and if I can return, we can work together to completely eliminate the hidden dangers facing our civilization."

"Secondly," Fang Hai continued, "Civilizations in the dimensional planes rise and fall, and to our knowledge, the oldest civilization in the entire Mundane Domain, as recorded in history, is no older than a million years..."

"There are no eternal civilizations in this world."

"Like now, the Ten Thousand Devils Civilization fears us, and the Immortal Ruin Civilization seeks peace with us, not just because of our strong individuals, but because of the emergence of the teacher, you, and me," Fang Hai said, "Especially the teacher and you, whose talents are so extraordinary that even True Deities would be envious."

"Principal, you're not far off either," Li Yuan quickly added.

"I'm self-aware," Fang Hai sighed, "I'm not as good as the teacher, let alone you."

"But even we can't live forever."

"A True Deity only lives for three hundred thousand years."

"Our Seven Stars Civilization has only seven life planets, and the birth of the teacher and you in such a short time is already an incredible stroke of luck," Fang Hai said, "We must work harder to foster more 'ordinary geniuses' who can become demi-gods and void deities."

"If our Seven Stars Civilization had thousands of demi-gods and several void deities, even without a top-tier powerhouse like the teacher... we would still fear no external invasion."

Li Yuan understood what Fang Hai meant.

Dong Fang Ji had expressed similar sentiments.

No one could live forever, and while a civilization's strength could rely on one person for a short time, it couldn't rely on an individual's deterrence forever.

Even Heaven Deities only lived for three hundred thousand years, and the Immortal Ruin Civilization had stood in the Mundane Domain for a million years, thanks to generations of powerful individuals.

The birth of numerous powerful individuals required a substantial population base.

"Becoming a True Deity can initiate a plane evolution, causing the number of life planets within the plane to skyrocket."

"If we can become Heaven Deities, within a few hundred thousand years, we can trigger multiple plane evolutions, making the number of life planets in our plane surpass that of the Immortal Ruin Civilization," Fang Hai said, "Then, our civilization will have the foundation to produce True Deities generation after generation."

Li Yuan nodded slightly.

In the Mundane Domain, if a civilization had a Void Deity, it would be virtually immune to invasions, and if it had a True Deity, it would be an absolute dominant civilization.

"Dong Fang Ji, the Alliance Leader, has already left.

"I can't afford to fall behind either," Li Yuan said with a smile.

Since becoming a Source Warrior, Li Yuan had always been aware of this.

When the sky falls, the tall ones will hold it up. And in the Seven Stars Civilization, he was one of those tall ones.

For the strength and continuation of the civilization, to thoroughly resolve the 'Immortal Burial Ancient Domain Crisis', if he didn't step up, who would?

The Eastern Alliance Leader was indeed powerful, but ordinary people still had to walk on their two legs.

How could they rely solely on him?

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

"Li Yuan, with your strength, passing the Nine Leaves World's trial would be a piece of cake. But the Immortal Burial Ancient Domain holds many great secrets, even the teacher couldn't fathom its entirety," Fang Hai said. "In any case, be extra careful."

"Mhm," Li Yuan nodded heavily.

Only by staying alive would there be infinite possibilities.

With a flip of his palm, Fang Hai summoned a blue-green ancient lamp with flickering firelight. "Li Yuan, this is the Soul Lamp. Condense your divine sense within its wick."

"Since you're going to the Nine Leaves World, we need to know if you're alive or not."

"Okay," Li Yuan replied.

...

They watched Li Yuan leave.

Lant Halfgod sighed, "He's so full of vigor and ambition. Looking at Li Yuan is like looking at a younger version of the Eastern Alliance Leader. They're both fearless and brimming with energy and fighting spirit."

"Senior Lant, you're not old either," Fang Hai smiled.

"Compared to you, I'm old," Lant Halfgod sighed. "But with the Eastern Alliance Leader gone, Li Yuan probably won't stay for long either... It's a pity you can only stay behind."

Lant Halfgod had already guessed the Eastern Alliance Leader's arrangement.

"The teacher and Li Yuan are both risking their lives by going there. The path to becoming a Heaven Deity isn't that easy to walk," Fang Hai shook his head. "I'll stay in the civilization, and I won't face much danger."

Lant Halfgod didn't say more.

For any strong individual, given the opportunity, who wouldn't want to venture into the Divine Domain and see a broader world?

...

Flying Star, in a city.

"Master," Sang Qiu Halfgod said respectfully.

After so long, she had flown back to Flying Star from Lan Tie Star through the starry sky.

"Mhm," Li Yuan looked at her and said, "From now on, you'll reside in Flying Star and follow the Alliance Leader's orders. Unless there's an emergency, you must not leave Flying Star, understood?"

"Yes," Sang Qiu Halfgod replied.

Soul Heart Control had many flaws, and the biggest one was that if the master perished, the servant would regain their freedom.

Therefore, servants under Soul Heart Control were rarely trusted completely and were often used as spies within enemy forces.

So, even if the master died, there wouldn't be significant losses.

This was also why the alien client ministers and controlled alien Halfgods were kept on Flying Star... As the core of the Seven Stars Civilization, Flying Star had the most powerful forces ready to suppress these aliens at any time.

"Legend has it..."

"The Heaven Deities in the Divine Domain, some of them have comprehended the Law Dao. They wield the Dao and can create the ultimate method of Soul Heart Control." Li Yuan thought to himself, "Once the secret technique is unleashed, imprinting on the servant's soul, they can achieve life and death together."

The master dies, and the servant follows.

That was true control.

Unfortunately, even among Heaven Deities, those who could cultivate this were few and far between. After all, not every Heaven Deity was skilled in the mysteries of the soul.

Therefore, as far as Li Yuan knew, followers were more popular in the Divine Domain... Some strong individuals made Law Vows to pursue more powerful masters, providing a certain level of constraint without being as unacceptable as servants.

...

Upon returning to Blue Planet, Li Yuan's family, having received the news, had already rushed to Kunlun Martial University from various places in Xia Country.

"Secluded cultivation for five years, or even ten?" Hearing Li Yuan's words, the group couldn't help but discuss.

The Nine Leaves World was a secret and couldn't be shared with outsiders.

So, Li Yuan didn't reveal the truth to his family, only saying that he would be secluded for a long time.

According to the Eastern Alliance Leader and Fang Hai's experience, the first time one ventured into the Nine Leaves World, it usually took one to two years.

During that time, there was no way to contact the outside world.

Li Yuan estimated that even with his strength far surpassing that of the Alliance Leader and the Principal, with the changing circumstances, ten years should be sufficient.

"So long?" Chen Hui couldn't help but ask, "Can't you come back in the middle?"

"Big brother, no communication at all? The great battle on Flying Star just ended!" Li Qianqian also spoke up, "With the victory in the battle, it's said that the Eastern Alliance Leader displayed great prowess. Is it necessary to push yourself this hard?"

As Li Yuan's family, in terms of various information channels, they were more well-connected than most Flying Sky Warriors.

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

"Aunt, I must go," Li Yuan's heart also had some misgivings.

Seeing the Eastern Alliance Leader's determination to embark on this path without hesitation and the Principal's decision to stay behind, Li Yuan's heart was already set.

"What are you talking about?" Li Changzhou frowned, "Little Yuan is one of the highest leaders of the civilization. How can he only consider his family? It's just ten years."

"Little Yuan."

"Go with peace of mind. I'll be here, and I've left behind dozens of Flying Sky Puppets. We can contact several Halfgods at any time... With me here, there's nothing to worry about, no need for concern." Li Changzhou looked at Li Yuan, "Your strength is formidable, and I can't help you with cultivation. I can't give you guidance either."

"But I know one thing. Since you've become one of the leaders of the civilization, you must do what a leader should do." Li Changzhou said, "Once a path is chosen, there's no turning back."

Li Yuan nodded.

With Uncle here, Li Yuan had never worried about his family. Li Changzhou rarely caused trouble for Li Yuan.

Many relatives had wanted to find Li Yuan, but they were all stopped by Li Changzhou.

...

Li Yuan also went to see Bai Shan Halfgod in the capital of Xia Country.

After arranging everything, on June 19, 2055, of the Seven Stars Calendar, Li Yuan, the leader of Blue Planet, departed once more.

When he returned, it might be after a long time, or perhaps even longer.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end