Chapter 579 - 554 The Only Candidate

Hearing Lu Ming’s words, Lu Yan did not wonder what the change was, because in his heart, there was a bigger question.

Lu Ming evidently noticed this and said, "Do you have doubts in your heart?"

"Yes."

Lu Yan nodded and said, "Senior mentioned that in the boundless Starry Sky, there are more than ten True One State powerhouses, yet the Origin Continent only has sixteen, and that number is the result of multiple cycles of cultivation accumulation. But the boundless Starry Sky, which goes through a cycle of cultivation every so often, how could it have so many strong cultivators?"

More than ten True One State powerhouses, all born within this cycle of cultivation?

Lu Yan found it hard to believe.

Lu Ming smiled and said, "How could a single cycle of cultivation give birth to more than ten True Ones? In fact, the True Ones of the boundless Starry Sky are also the result of multiple cultivation cycles accumulated."

"The ebb of cultivation, The End of the Dharma Era, is indeed terrifying. Even for those in the True One State, if they are in the End of the Dharma environment for a long time, although they might not fall, it is very possible for their cultivation level to regress, falling out of the True One State."

"Once someone in the True One State falls from their realm, it becomes extremely difficult to recover."

"Every True One State powerhouse has a large number of kin, disciples, and friends. Their cultivation requires resources and territory, so every time the End of the Dharma descends, the powerhouses of the boundless Starry Sky will lead their disciples to assault the Origin Continent, seeking to seize a land for survival."

"But how could the strong ones on the Origin Continent simply watch and relinquish their territories and resources? Thus, a great war is inevitable."

"And at the end of each great war, both sides will face tremendous losses. The boundless Starry Sky will have strong cultivators fall in battle, and so will the Origin Continent. If the invaders from the boundless Starry Sky are strong enough, they can lead their disciples to storm the Origin Continent and occupy a territory."

"If those from the boundless Starry Sky are defeated and there is no other way at the last moment, they must abandon most people and take only a few to ’sneak across’ to the Origin Continent. They must hide in the deep mountains and forests, wait out The End of the Dharma Era, and after the revival of cultivation in the boundless Starry Sky, they will return there to establish sects."

"Therefore, many of the True One State cultivators in the boundless Starry Sky have also survived multiple cycles of cultivation."

Lu Ming explained in detail.

"If those powerhouses could sneak into the Origin Continent, why would they not take their disciples to do the same and establish sects there?"

Lu Yan wondered.

"It all comes down to resources. If you sneak onto the Origin Continent with a large number of disciples, you will definitely need resources, which the native forces of the Origin Continent would never agree to provide."

"They would surely unite and target those trespassers for assassination."

"Furthermore, the treatment received by those who sneak in compared to those who force their way in and occupy a territory is completely different."

"Trespassers, if their tracks are exposed, will also face combined attacks from multiple strong forces, whereas those who forced their way in and occupied a territory will not."

Lu Ming said.

"Why is it so?"

Lu Yan grew more curious.

"The reason is simple. For those who force their way in with strength, taking their disciples to occupy a territory, it means that a major force on the Origin Continent has been destroyed, and other forces haven’t lost their resources."

"Moreover, after forcing their way in and establishing roots, they will not worry about The End of the Dharma Era thereafter, and this force will become fully integrated into the Origin Continent, becoming a member of it."

"For their own interests, they certainly won’t act in betrayal. When the next End of the Dharma descends, they will consider themselves as part of the Origin Continent, to stand against the boundless Starry Sky."

"Whereas those who sneak in, are only temporarily taking shelter. After the next revival of cultivation, they would enter the boundless Starry Sky to establish sects again. At the next End of the Dharma, they would once again assault the Origin Continent, becoming formidable enemies of it."

"Therefore, once trespassers are found, all parties will join hands to hunt them down, to reduce future enemies."

Lu Ming continued to explain.

Lu Yan realized suddenly.

Trespassers are destined to be enemies.

While those who stormed in and established roots would assimilate as one’s own people.

The situation was extremely complex, involving resources, human nature, and more.

"In past instances of The End of the Dharma Era, the overall strength of the Origin Continent was stronger than that of the boundless Starry Sky, so the major forces naturally had a unified stance, keeping the boundless Starry Sky outside of Nine Layer Heaven, unwilling to cede their territories and resources."

"But this time, there was no certainty on the side of the Origin Continent, and therefore, the forces of the Origin Continent made concessions. Not long ago, the powerhouses from both sides met to discuss and seek a viable way forward."

Lu Ming continued.

This time, Lu Yan did not ask further, but looked at Lu Ming, waiting for him to continue.

"This viable way is for the powerhouses of both sides to agree on a temporary cease-fire, deciding the future through one ultimate showdown."

"Immortality is the foundation for strong forces, and the Tao Realm is the backbone of all major powers. Both the Origin Continent and the boundless Starry Sky will send out some of their Tao Realm forces for a showdown. If the boundless Starry Sky is victorious, then the forces of the Origin Continent must cede some territories and resources to let the forces from the boundless Starry Sky station themselves, enduring the retreat of cultivation."

"On the contrary, if the boundless Starry Sky is defeated, they must stop at the confines of Nine Layer Heaven. At most, a few True Ones can bring a few kin into the Wild Ocean to evade the great calamity. The majority, however, will be halted outside Nine Layer Heaven, devolving into mortals, experiencing the cycle of birth, aging, sickness, and death, returning to dust."

Lu Ming said.

"A single showdown, determining the fate of the cultivators from the boundless Starry Sky."

Lu Yan inhaled sharply.

It was indeed a gamble, and a major one at that.

"There’s no helping it, the power difference between the two sides isn’t that big, and if they were to fight to the death, the losses on both sides would be unimaginably grave. The major powers of the Origin Continent could only make concessions. And for the boundless starry skies, isn’t this an opportunity as well? Because even if war were to break out, ninety percent of their people would die in battle,"

Lu Ming said.

But this time, Lu Yan became even more curious.

What did this have to do with him defeating Yuan Tiandao?

Even if they all fought, he and Yuan Tiandao would be on the same side.

Therefore, he voiced this question.

Lu Ming’s eyes shone brightly, resembling the ebb and flow of the starry sea, and as he looked up towards the boundless starry skies, he said, "I want you to represent the boundless starry skies in battle, and help them achieve the ultimate victory."

This time, Lu Yan was shocked.

Lu Ming’s words were completely beyond his expectations.

Immediately, a multitude of thoughts swirled in his head.

Could it be that the Dark Emperor, Immortal Ancestor, and others had not wronged Lu Ming?

Did Lu Ming truly have his heart set on the starry sky?

Was he really secretly colluding with the boundless starry sky?

It seemed that Lu Ming had already guessed what Lu Yan was thinking and with a smile, he said, "You haven’t guessed wrong. I’ve already come to an agreement with some people from the boundless starry skies."

Lu Yan remained silent.

"The End of the Dharma Era is upon us, and it’s merely a struggle for destiny. If the Origin Dynasty were to go to war with the boundless starry skies, the Dragon Alliance, as outsiders who belonged to the starry skies more than a hundred thousand years ago, will certainly not be trusted by the Origin Continent. Once war breaks out, the Dragon Alliance will be the cannon fodder clashing with the boundless starry skies, sacrificed first,"

"And if the Origin Continent were to succeed, and the boundless starry skies were to lose, I fear they would not take it lying down. In the end, they would still strike back, fighting desperately. Therefore, the boundless starry skies must win. This way, with the major powers of the boundless starry skies settling in, the structure of the Origin Continent will be reshuffled, and the Dragon Alliance will have a path to survival."

"Actually, for the major powers of the Origin Continent, the loss isn’t too great; at most, it would only involve ceding some territories and resources."

Lu Ming said.

"But, I’ve already taken action during the Origin Battle. If I represent the starry skies, I could easily be recognized."

Lu Yan said.

"I’ve naturally considered this point well in advance. I’ve collaborated with the Formation Ancestor to refine a formation that can help you change your life’s aura and cover up some of the special anomalies caused when you act. It won’t be easy to expose your identity."

"Of course, when it comes down to the final moment, in front of those at the True One State, you definitely will not be able to hide your identity. By then, it would be too late; even if they were to discover it, the matter would already be settled. As long as the boundless starry skies win and the major powers enter, the structure of the Origin Continent will be completely changed, then those powers won’t be able to do anything against us."

Lu Ming explained.

"But Alliance Hierarch, why choose me?"

Lu Yan asked.

"Because in this world, only you have the potential to defeat Yuan Tiandao."

Lu Ming said earnestly, "Yuan Tiandao embodies the All-Origin Body, unrivaled in the world. With his new creation during this era, his cultivation level has already reached the Tao Fourth Layer Peak for a second time. Given the resources controlled by the Origin Dynasty, no one can match him. Yuan Tiandao’s cultivation level will soon surge to the Pinnacle of the Great Tao, and he will definitely represent the Origin Continent in battle."

"Once Yuan Tiandao joins the battle, the boundless starry skies will have no chance at all. Only you might have the possibility of defeating Yuan Tiandao at the same level."

"Can I really defeat Yuan Tiandao?"

Lu Yan couldn’t help recalling the moment when Yuan Tiandao displayed the power of the All-Origin Body, that suffocating, insurmountable strength, causing Lu Yan to doubt himself.

"Alliance Hierarch, am I capable?"

Lu Yan said.

"You have successfully created your own magic, fusing seven kinds of magic; your combat power has improved since the Origin Battle. Of course, let me be frank with you, with your current strength alone, you are still not a match for Yuan Tiandao in a fight at the same level."

"But you are the Tao Soul Fetus and have also awakened the Tao Soul Pupil. The greatest advantage of the Tao Soul Fetus lies in its growth potential. Though it can’t directly enhance your combat power by much, it holds infinite possibilities."

"As long as your cultivation level reaches the peak of the Tao Realm, and you fuse nine kinds of magic, you could have a chance of defeating Yuan Tiandao,"

Lu Ming said.

"Reaching the peak of the Tao Realm and fusing nine kinds of magic? Senior, when is this battle going to take place?"

Lu Yan asked.

"The battle has not been set yet. The strongest of both sides are still negotiating, each trying to obtain more benefits for their side. But this is how things are trending, it’s inevitable and unchangeable. In my view, there will be a battle within a thousand years,"

Lu Ming said.

"A thousand years, a thousand years time."

Lu Yan muttered, feeling the pressure mounting, time running short.

For them, a millennium could pass in the blink of an eye.

Lu Yan had no confidence at all.