Chapter 2278: Chapter 2280: The Invitation
In fact, both Xuanhuang and Yuangang were more prepared than this; they also brought out ten reserve teams.
The number of teams reached forty-six, and... there were also True Sages at the Out-of-Body stage.
The True Sages from Xuanhuang and Yuangang had arrived, and along with those invited from outside, a total of seven True Sages participated,
making the scale of this battle far exceed the battle between Yi Jue and the Ironbone True Immortal at the Lingmu Sect.
But this was to be expected, as the Lingmu Sect battle was just a minor internal conflict within the Human Race. Although the combatants were of high rank, the scale was small—neither side’s top figures appeared.
However, today’s battle was about breaking the world’s barrier. Although the enemy hadn’t shown themselves, this was truly a racial struggle, a fight for survival, where no mistakes could be made.
Xuanhuang and Yuangang indeed had ulterior motives, but that was understandable—who doesn’t have a little personal interest?
It was precisely because of these personal interests that the current situation arose, with neither sect backing down, compelled to fight to the death.
Fortunately, the other Human Cultivators present were keenly aware of the stakes and also joined in the fight. Although there was some chaos due to the lack of organization, some positive effect was achieved nonetheless.
However, in the next moment, another anomaly occurred. As if someone pressed a button, the chaotic battlefield’s energy pillars suddenly began to weaken, and the rate of weakening was incredibly fast.
The large illusory figure of the Fishing Elder True Sage reappeared, though not particularly solid. Upon discovering the unexpected change, he sighed deeply, "Finally... the passage over there has opened."
Many people didn’t understand what had happened, but upon hearing this, they were overjoyed: So that’s what it was!
Everyone knew that these energy pillars were released because the two sects corroded the barrier’s grand film, but the sects wouldn’t intentionally harm their own kind. Their ultimate goal was to forcibly open the passage between the small world and the Insect World.
Of course, the grand film had to be broken; otherwise, the Tianqin Plane couldn’t enter the Insect World.
Now, the grand film on the Tianqin side was already in tatters, but the passage to the Insect World had finally been violently opened by the energy.
With a passage to vent energy, the pressure on the grand film naturally decreased significantly, along with its power rapidly diminishing.
Once this was understood, the surrounding crowd couldn’t help but cheer. Although the chaos just now was brief, it was terrifying and left a deep impression.
Just thinking about it, Feng Jun realized that with his caution and alertness, he was nearly hit by a sudden energy pillar, making others even more nervous.
The threat at hand was finally diminishing and would disappear in foreseeable time, allowing everyone to feel relieved.
Of course, it was far from the time to relax; there were still many tasks ahead.
First, the energy pillars needed continued suppression; secondly, some grand film breaches could be left to heal naturally, while others needed to be stabilized and expanded because they would become gateways for the Tianqin people to enter the Insect World.
The fact that energy pillars were still erupting seemed to make it too early to think about this, but in actuality, it wasn’t.
Xuanhuang and Yuangang had already begun selecting suitable entrances for these gateways and would soon guide the different breaches accordingly—letting some heal while intervening in others that shouldn’t be healed.
In addition, many began discussing how to gain a share in the Insect World on the other side.
Before this, Xuanhuang and Yuangang were contemplating monopolizing the area—they could open it to other forces with restrictions, but their opinions would take precedence on how to operate.
However, the passage-opening experience was truly thrilling, with losses on both sides and damage to the Tianqin Plane, along with accidental injuries, necessitating an explanation to everyone.
Thus, it was unrealistic to strictly control access to the passage at this point.
Anyway, the cultivators outside the two sects were quite optimistic. At least those on site who helped believed getting permission to enter the Insect World wouldn’t be difficult.
Indeed, this was the case. A day later, the energy pillars weakened further, with some grand film breaches beginning to self-heal. The cultivator teams suppressing the energy pillars also diminished, and it was estimated to conclude in another ten or so days.
At this time, the two sects started dispatching disciples to register external cultivators who contributed in this battle, promising future permission for these individuals to enter the Insect World for treasure hunting.
There were still quite a few external cultivators who hadn’t helped, and the attitude towards them was a bit cooler—the treatment naturally differed for those who helped at critical moments and those who didn’t.
Nonetheless, the two sects indicated that just being present was a form of fate, and even those who hadn’t helped, as long as they hadn’t hindered, might still be permitted to enter the Insect World.
In fact, this inquiry is basically just a formality. In this boundary-breaking operation, the two sects have a dedicated joint command center, and they are aware of the reactions of most people around. If someone wants to fabricate achievements, it’s really not that easy.
The disciples of the two sects are doing this merely to release an attitude: Our Xuanhuang and Yuangang do not have the intention to monopolize the Insect World. We welcome other cultivators to enter the Insect World in an orderly manner and explore with us.
The words "orderly manner" must be emphasized, meaning that one must obtain the permission of the two sects—they do not insist on monopolizing, but the power to "lead the development" must be held in their hands.
As for the word "exploration," that is their fundamental reason for opening up the Insect World. It is an unknown world.
Ultimately, in this boundary-breaking action, the losses of the two sects are somewhat significant; each sect lost nearly a thousand Golden Core cultivators, and there were seven or eight Nascent Souls as well. There were even more injuries, and many people’s injuries will affect their foundations.
To elaborate, Nascent Souls are the high-level forces of each sect, while Golden Cores are the backbone forces. Taking Yuangang Sect as an example, there are over 300,000 Golden Core cultivators in the sect, which is the fundamental ability they rely on to control such a large area.
In this battle, Yuangang Sect lost over 800 Golden Core cultivators, with over 1,200 severely injured, more than 2,000 lightly injured, and nearly 5,000 mildly injured. Leaving aside mild injuries, there are already over 4,000 Golden Core cultivators who cannot fight at full strength at any time.
Four thousand relative to over 300,000 seems like just over one percent, but in fact, most Golden Core cultivators in Yuangang Sect have their own tasks and activity areas. The number of Golden Cores that can roam freely is really not that many.
Therefore, while the outcome of this battle doesn’t hurt too deeply for the two sects, if they want to engage in larger operations, they do feel a bit stretched.
Is exploring the Insect World considered a large-scale operation? It absolutely must be! After all, it’s a vast world!
Cultivators from Tianqin have rich experience in exploring various worlds. Generally, they never fully deploy all at once initially.
The beginning of exploration begins with occupying one area, then gradually exploring and expanding outward. This is the prudent approach—Tianqin cultivators are not afraid of combat or even death, but they will be as cautious as possible when necessary.
However, establishing and consolidating a stronghold similar to a bridgehead also requires a large amount of manpower. Not to mention that once the stronghold is established, outward exploration and expansion demand even more manpower.
If Xuanhuang and Yuangang hadn’t lost these manpower, with the combined forces of the two sects, they could basically have explored the Insect World—so long as the steps aren’t too big.
Now, insisting on explorations solely by themselves is indeed somewhat forced, and it’s worth mentioning that Feng Jun’s deduction that the opponents are Insect Race cultivators practicing Incense Fire Ascension has put some pressure on the two sects.
Thus, the two sects decided to accept requests from other cultivators to enter the Insect World for exploration, approving those present first, of course.
Feng Jun and his group received the message, and Nascent Soul True Immortal Chen Xi informed Feng Jun that if they wanted to enter the Insect World, the two sects would not provide any obstruction and would guarantee that once there, they would not force them to collaborate on anything.
The behavior of forced collaboration... objectively exists. The willingness of the two sects to accept other cultivators into the vast Insect World is crucial: In the face of greater crises, they have the authority to temporarily requisition external cultivators for collaboration.
Once the external cultivators are requisitioned, the disciples of the two sects can employ tactics during exploration and combat to minimize the risk for their fellow sect members... In any case, those who understand get it internally.
Therefore, not demanding cooperation from Feng Jun also demonstrates their great goodwill.
Feng Jun hesitated upon hearing this, as entering the Insect World wasn’t originally part of his plans.
Firstly, because he had many matters at hand, and secondly, the two sects are quite protective of the Insect World, and he wasn’t interested in forcing his way.
But now the invitation was extended to him, and he could enter without needing to owe anyone a favor.
This really made him tempted: Who wouldn’t want to see an unknown world?
As for having many personal matters... Work is just like that; as long as you keep doing it, there will always be endless tasks.
So he asked Yi Jue and the others: "Are you going?"
Yi Jue, Cang Jing, Qing Ji, and Duan Liang all shared the same attitude: "Yes, as long as they don’t block us, we will definitely go."
Qing Ji even explicitly stated, "Regardless of anything else, just to gather intelligence on the Insect World, it’s essential to go and see. Sect information is accumulated bit by bit in this way."
Elder Duan Liang laughed heartily, "Even if they wanted to block us, I intended to apply for entry. Not blocking is even better. I’ve already informed Jing Quan and others to arrive quickly. Unexpectedly, I, Elder responsible for imparting techniques, also get a chance to adventure in an alien world."
The technique-transmitting elders delve the deepest into sect cultivation techniques; typically, they have fewer opportunities for adventure, let alone in a newly explored unfamiliar world.
Elder Cang Jing snorted lightly, "That too is due to Mountain Master Feng’s influence; otherwise, True Sage Diao Sou wouldn’t let you go so easily!"
