The masked elder solemnly spread his fingers apart, revealing a crimson, crystalline feather in his palm, translucent and clear as if meticulously carved from crystal.
The Bronze Crow Elder’s expression flickered between dark and light as he stared at the feather for a moment before suddenly flicking his wrist and tossing it back. Taking a deep breath, he addressed Baohua, “Baohua, I never expected you to have such great fortune as to meet that esteemed figure. Given this, out of respect for that person, I can trust you once. Speak of this so-called ‘win-win’ strategy of yours. I’ll hear you out.”
“Thank you for your understanding, fellow Daoist. Then I shall speak first. Do any other fellow Daoists have objections?” Baohua smiled, sweeping her gaze across the room.
“Baohua, no need for formalities. We are all eager to hear your plan.”
“Indeed, with Baohua’s reputation, I naturally trust her as well.”
Several Grand Ascension elders, seeing the Bronze Crow Elder relent, visibly relaxed and waited for Baohua to continue.
“Since you all speak so highly of me, I shall not hold back. In truth, half a year ago, I infiltrated the Primordial Seal once more,” Baohua said, her smile fading as she dropped a bombshell that left the other Grand Ascension elders stunned.
“What? Baohua infiltrated the Primordial Seal again?”
“How is that possible? How did she manage it?”
Foreign Grand Ascension cultivators erupted in shock, while the native Demon Realm Sacred Ancestors also wore expressions of astonishment, none having known of this beforehand.
“Fellow Daoists, there’s no need for surprise. I accomplished this partly due to several profound concealment techniques I’ve cultivated and partly because of this newly refined Illusory Heaven Mirror. With its aid, I was able to avoid alerting the Parasitic Insects and barely infiltrate the Primordial Seal, where I discovered new developments. This is also why I mentioned a ‘win-win’ strategy to the Bronze Crow Elder earlier.” Baohua ignored their shock and calmly explained.
“What exactly did you discover in the Primordial Seal that changed your original plan?” one Grand Ascension elder couldn’t help but ask.
The others also wore solemn expressions.
“Due to the seal’s power, I couldn’t venture deep into the Primordial Seal, just as before. I only observed from the periphery. From what I saw, the ancient seal seems to have undergone further changes,” Baohua said slowly, her eyes gleaming.
“Changes in the seal? What kind of changes do you mean?” asked the emperor-robed Grand Ascension elder gravely.
“Jade Sword, there’s no need to worry. In a way, this change is beneficial. I found that the ancient seal, which had previously decayed significantly, appears to be repairing itself. Though the process is slow, the seal’s power has indeed strengthened compared to my last visit, as if it possesses a certain sentience,” Baohua replied with a smile.
“Self-repairing? Possessing sentience?”
The Grand Ascension elders exchanged bewildered glances.
“If Baohua witnessed it firsthand, it must be true. But I still don’t understand. Last time, didn’t you say the seal’s power had been seized by the Mother of Parasitic Insects? If the seal strengthens, shouldn’t the insect become even harder to deal with? How is this a good thing?” asked Jin Cha, the Grand Ascension elder from the White Light Realm.
“It seems there’s a misunderstanding. The strengthening I mentioned refers not to the portion controlled by the Mother of Parasitic Insects, but to the part still governed by the ancient seal. Though the increase is minuscule compared to the seal’s full power, it proves the seal’s inherent strength is not to be underestimated. We can still rely on it to some extent,” Baohua explained, her eyes flashing.
“I still don’t see how this leads to your ‘win-win’ strategy. Baohua, if you have a plan, just say it outright. No more beating around the bush,” the masked elder snorted impatiently.
“I’m not being evasive. I simply wanted to clarify certain matters first so my plan would make sense to everyone,” Baohua replied, shaking her head.
“Fine, then I’ll keep listening,” the masked elder said, rolling his eyes.
Smiling, Baohua continued, “During my last investigation, I discovered that the Mother of Parasitic Insects’ lair and the area trapping Yuan Yan and the others are not the same. Triggering either would immediately alert the insect. My original plan was indeed to gather everyone’s strength to suppress the Mother of Parasitic Insects first, then rescue Yuan Yan and the others. However, doing so might enrage the insect, causing it to immediately use the seal’s power against the trapped cultivators, endangering their lives. But now, knowing the ancient seal has sentience, I propose aiding it in reclaiming its power. If successful, Yuan Yan and the others could escape first. Once the seal’s power is restored, the Mother of Parasitic Insects would be weakened, possibly allowing us to suppress it effortlessly with the seal’s help.”
Baohua finally laid out her plan in full.
The Grand Ascension elders reacted differently—some pleased, some thoughtful, others hesitant.
Han Li stroked his chin, deep in thought.
Beside him, Silvermoon blinked but showed little reaction.
“Baohua, your plan sounds promising, but I have a question,” the Bronze Crow Elder spoke after a moment of silence.
“Ask freely,” Baohua replied lightly.
“Even if the ancient seal is sentient as you say, how can you ensure it will cooperate with us? Without its aid, reclaiming the power controlled by the Mother of Parasitic Insects would be impossible. That insect is a terror even immortal beings from the upper realm couldn’t eradicate. One misstep, and we could all be trapped in the Primordial Seal. If that happens, no one from other realms will come to our aid,” the Bronze Crow Elder said bluntly.
“Rest assured, Bronze Crow. Since I proposed this, I have a way to communicate with the ancient seal. As one of the original Sacred Ancestors, I guarded the Primordial Seal for tens of thousands of years. My understanding of it far surpasses even Yuan Yan and Nie Pan’s. There’s no issue here,” Baohua replied confidently.
“With Baohua’s reputation, I’ll take your word for it. Besides, my priority was always rescuing our people. If your plan aligns with that, I have no objections,” the masked elder said, smiling after a moment of contemplation.
Baohua nodded slightly and addressed the others, “Any further questions? If not, let’s discuss specifics. While I have a general plan, some details require everyone’s input.”
The hall buzzed with whispers as several other Grand Ascension elders raised questions about the ancient seal.
Baohua answered each with ease, leaving the others satisfied that her plan was well-considered, not rash.
With no further objections, the elders began refining the details.
After a day and night of debate, all aspects were settled. The Grand Ascension elders agreed the plan was sound and set a departure date for ten days later, concluding the gathering.
As the golden palace shone brilliantly, countless streaks of light shot into the sky, vanishing into the horizon.
Han Li, accompanied by Crab Daoist and Silvermoon, was among them.
He intended to find a nearby mountain in the desert to stay temporarily.
But shortly after leaving the earthen city, Han Li’s expression shifted. He halted mid-flight, scanning the void before saying coolly, “Since you’re already here, Baohua, why hide? Show yourself.”
Silvermoon, startled, stopped beside him, while Crab Daoist appeared expressionlessly behind Han Li.
From the void, a melodious voice replied, “I never expected you to advance to Grand Ascension so quickly, Han Li, and with such formidable power. It seems Yuan Yan’s wariness of you was justified.”
As space rippled, a giant pink flower illusion appeared, revealing Baohua and her black-armored attendant, Hei E.
She gazed at Han Li with calm curiosity.
“Regretting your past actions?” Han Li asked impassively.
“Perhaps. But had I not acted then, I wouldn’t have regained my former strength so swiftly. And with you joining this endeavor, my confidence in the plan has grown,” Baohua replied with a smile.
“You flatter me. As a newly ascended Grand Ascension cultivator, what use could I be? Surely you didn’t intercept me just for idle chatter,” Han Li said pointedly.
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