leonardwarren #272 - The Taoist Priest's Initiative
#272 - The Taoist Priest's Initiative
The old SS left quickly.
Wang Jixuan leaned back in his chair, carefully considering the conditions proposed by this Teacher He, as well as the promises they had made, thinking about how he should arrange things in the future.
The conversation just now was actually quite empty; both sides used a lot of polite and circuitous language, mutually drawing grand prospects and envisioning the wonderful future after eliminating the Six Elders and their subordinate forces.
But in reality, the other party didn't give any answer to the second question Wang Jixuan raised.
That is, if the Number One, Two, and Three Spirit Cultivators ordered the Natural Faction not to resist the Ruling Faction, could the Natural Faction refuse the Spirit Cultivators' orders?
This question is almost impossible to answer.
However, the Daoist wasn't stingy.
He directly took out two hundred talismans for making talisman water as a first meeting gift. When burned, the ashes mixed with water can greatly alleviate the pain of most spirit energy users.
This kind of low-level talisman is now made by Wu Man.
"The Natural Faction won't amount to much."
Wang Jixuan picked up a chilled beer from the side and took a sip, sighing softly.
Fu Jian nodded, not saying much.
Only Number Five Spirit Cultivator wondered, "Eh? Didn't you guys seem to be chatting happily just now?"
"Happily about what? The two sides can cooperate now, so the necessary pleasantries have to be exchanged."
Wang Jixuan chuckled:
"But there's one good thing, which is that the Natural Faction's philosophy is much gentler than the Ruling Faction's. If the Natural Faction can be put in power, it would be a good thing for human society."
Number Five asked, "What's their philosophy?"
Fu Jian said in a deep voice, "To put it simply, the Ruling Faction believes that spirit energy users are the chosen ones, superior to ordinary humans. The Natural Faction believes that spirit energy users are humans who have suffered hardship and persecution, but they also revere spirit energy, just as humans should revere nature and protect nature."
Number Five summarized, "So, they're a bunch of spineless people."
"Not spineless," Fu Jian shook his head, "The reason why the Natural Faction hasn't been completely squeezed out by the Ruling Faction is because they once meticulously planned a series of attacks that posed a huge threat to the Ruling Faction. The two sides had to reach some agreements due to the external pressure from Spirit Energy City… There are many wicked people in the Ruling Faction, and the Natural Faction itself has very high cohesion, somewhat similar to religious belief."
Wang Jixuan smiled and said, "Old Fu means that if the Natural Faction as a whole were to do evil, it would be more extreme than the Ruling Faction."
"Got it," Number Five clicked his tongue, "A bunch of spirit slaves even created a system."
Wang Jixuan looked out the car window at the desert.
The supply vehicle was heading back to Fortress 76.
Mu Dan was controlling the speed because she sensed that Commander Fu Jian and her superior probably had important matters to discuss.
The small supply vehicle also gathered four forms of civilization.
Wang Jixuan representing the Immortal Cultivation civilization;
Fu Jian representing human civilization, as well as Mu Dan's human civilization affiliated mechanical body;
Number Five representing the Spirit Cultivation civilization.
Fu Jian changed the topic, "I feel like you're a bit different today, Teacher Wang."
"Oh? Really?"
Wang Jixuan smiled.
The worldly desires completed the last piece of his Dao heart. He had actually noticed the changes in himself, and these changes were not a bad thing.
The Daoist directly asked, "How do we proceed from here? The Pillar-level Blade Beast should awaken in about a month, right?"
"The specific time cannot be predicted."
Fu Jian closed his eyes and sighed, his face showing a bit of fatigue.
Although D5 has been at an advantage recently, the development of the situation is already beyond his control.
Fu Jian's original thinking was very clear:
The first step was to repel the Blade Beast swarm at the D5 border, demonstrating D5's strength to human society;
The second step was to use D3 as a fulcrum, fighting a war of attrition with Spirit Energy City with autonomous mechanical bodies, gradually reversing the weakness in the political ecology and giving confidence to the military in various war zones.
There were actually a third and fourth step later;
He wanted to rebuild the war zone alliance of fifty years ago in a limited time, and then start a war against Spirit Energy City, integrating all the resources of Spirit Energy City—using spirit energy users as commando squads, controlling spirit energy users through self-destruct chips and other means.
And all of this planning was ultimately for the purpose of gathering all human resources into his hands and then going to fight the Blade Beasts in a decisive battle, possessing the capital to challenge the Pillar-level Blade Beasts.
Fu Jian really didn't expect;
That Daoist Wang could cause so much trouble.
Number Four Spirit Cultivator dropped his tortoise shell and ran away in fright, and also caused a big commotion in D2, attracting the Blade Beasts to rush over to remove Number Four Spirit Cultivator's core circuit.
This Snow Mountain incident caused the D2 Comprehensive War Zone to completely lean towards D5;
The Ruling Faction of Spirit Energy City suffered significant losses, which can be considered to have injured their bones and tendons.
This is definitely a good thing.
But at the same time, the Blade Beast swarm went berserk, the Super-King-level Blade Beast appeared, and the awakening level of the Pillar-level Blade Beast soared…
Fu Jian is no longer able to directly attack Spirit Energy City.
He must integrate resources in advance to resist the subsequent impact of the Pillar-level Blade Beast.
If he can't stop it;
All efforts will become bubbles.
Fu Jian said in a low voice, "Now I'm a bit confused. Should we fully prepare for the Pillar Blade Beast next, or continue to solve the problem of Spirit Energy City?"
Number Five picked up a string of grilled tofu and tried it curiously, then threw it aside with some disgust.
Not as delicious as Blade Beast meat.
Their Spirit Cultivator civilization previously had cooking methods for Blade Beast meat. King-level Blade Beast cuisine also flourished in their civilization for a period of time.
Wang Jixuan scratched the tip of his nose somewhat guiltily.
He had some responsibility for Number Four Spirit Cultivator becoming demonized.
Mainly, he really didn't expect Old Sophie Number Four to be so weak.
"There's nothing to be confused about," Wang Jixuan said directly, "You might as well buy time, and I'll improve as soon as possible, and then I'll help you solve these problems."
"Oh?" Fu Jian looked at Daoist Wang, "That's not like you. Haven't you always insisted that it's better to do less than more?"
Wang Jixuan shrugged, "People change. Now I have a firm belief and will do my best to help you overcome the difficulties!"
Number Five muttered in a low voice, "It's like you can really kill a Pillar-level Blade Beast in a while."
"Time is indeed a key factor. The speed of my advancement cannot be quantified, and I may encounter bottlenecks."
Wang Jixuan told the truth;
He was also afraid of raising Fu Jian's expectations.
The atmosphere in the supply vehicle was slightly oppressive.
Number Five couldn't help but whisper first, "Even if the pillar level wakes up, it should only be active for a short period of time. Our sleep circuits are still operating."
Fu Jian opened a can of beer, smelled it near his mouth, and handed it to Number Five.
"Huh?" Number Five took it, smelled it, curiously took a sip, then frowned and pursed his lips, wondering what was so good about this bitter thing.
Fu Jian asked, "What is Teacher Wang's plan next?"
"While not delaying cultivation, try to help D5 improve its strength."
Wang Jixuan raised his left hand, showing the mark of the flame, and continued:
"Let's set a month as the deadline.
"I will transform the frontline spirit energy users as soon as possible, and start promoting the use of talismans, but the method of making talismans must be controlled within a small range, and the manufacturing technology cannot leave Fortress 76 for the time being.
"The threshold for spirit energy users to get started with making talismans is extremely low."
Number Five reminded in a low voice, "Why don't you try using your core circuit to promote and awaken your subordinates?"
The Daoist shook his head, "I thought about it before, but that would require me to swallow the core circuit. This would not only cut off my path of cultivation, but also cut off the new path for spirit energy users to comprehend the core circuit."
"I can help you transform and awaken a batch of spirit energy users to respond to emergencies."
Number Five smiled, narrowing his eyes:
"But you know what I want."
Wang Jixuan said calmly, "Transformation, promotion, awakening, this as a process."
"Promotion consumes too much of my own energy," Number Five shook his head and refused, "The last time I helped you transform and promote Ji Xiao and Ji Yale, I was almost drained, otherwise how could I have been suppressed by that idiot Old Sophie!"
"Are you trying to save face?"
"Tch, I will definitely become the strongest spirit cultivator!"
"Yes, yes, yes, you are the strongest verbally."
Wang Jixuan pondered for a few seconds, constantly thinking.
On this matter, he and Number Five have not yet reached an agreement, and both sides clearly do not want to suffer losses.
Fu Jian watched with a smile on the side.
It seems that he doesn't need to find a way to hook Wang Zheng forward now.
Although it's a bit offensive to Ling Tong to say this, but… after this guy tasted human desire for the first time, he suddenly became proactive, and his position seemed to have undergone subtle changes.
This is really great.
Wang Jixuan asked Number Five, "If you recover to your peak, can you solve the Sixth and Ninth Pillars?"
"Of course, I don't even need to be at my peak, about 70 or 80% of my strength is enough!"
Number Five raised his head slightly, his small face full of pride:
"You have also seen my Night's abilities, which are not simple attribute abilities like Old Sophie's."
"Then what are you relying on to recover?"
"This, eh."
Number Five, who was still a little proud just now, immediately felt embarrassed and muttered in a low voice:
"This is our spirit cultivators' secret, and it is clearly not allowed to be made public… However, your understanding and creativity are also the strongest I have ever seen.
"Why don't you come to my spire, if you dare to come."
"What's there to be afraid of?" Wang Jixuan said with a smile, "When I go back later, I will let the war puppet enter your spire."
Number Five rolled his eyes playfully, "Tch! You still don't trust me… Tomorrow then, I'll prepare here, clean up, and so on."
"Hmm," Wang Jixuan said, stroking his chin, his initially scattered gaze gradually focusing.
If there's a threat, eliminate it.
If there's a difficulty, find a solution.
It's not like we should just sit around and wait for death, or sit here sighing.
Wang Jixuan said, "Old Fu, let me outline my plans. Over the next month, I'll be doing three things."
"Go ahead, I'll take notes here."
"First is self-improvement. I need you to have Lingtong stay here for at least half a month. I have some cultivation methods that we can use together. I trust Lingtong and will teach them to her."
"Okay," Fu Jian said simply, "In fact, Lingtong's current contributions are far greater than her fighting on the front lines."
Wang Jixuan nodded and continued, "Second, I'll use the core circuit at hand, along with my own technology, to improve the combat strength of the frontline spirit-energy users as much as possible. I'll also urge Shen Qionglin to release some usable spirit-energy mechs."
"Alright, what's the third?"
"I'll work with Number Five to see if we can prevent the Pillar Blade Beast from awakening now."
Wang Jixuan said very seriously.
Number Five hesitated, wanting to say something but stopping.
Although she somewhat disliked others making decisions for her, what Wang Jixuan said was correct. If the Pillar Blade Beast were to awaken now, she would also be in big trouble.
The Blade Beast's ultimate goal is to destroy all core circuits and annihilate their spirit-cultivation civilization.
Wang Jixuan continued, "I can't guarantee this. I can only try."
"Okay," Fu Jian said with a slight smile, "I also have two planned scenarios that I can inform you about in advance."
"Peony, take notes."
"Yes, sir," Little Peony, who was driving, responded crisply.
Fu Jian said, "Assuming the Pillar-level Blade Beast awakens and attacks any of the nine integrated war zones, I will activate our reserve resources against the Blade Beasts and fight to the death. After this battle, you may need to help the D5 integrated war zone more."
"Are you preparing for your funeral arrangements?"
"Something like that."
"Okay," Wang Jixuan nodded, "If this situation really happens, I will prioritize my own safety first, and then help D5 and humanity, whether it's defending or rebuilding."
Fu Jian curled his lip, "This is just the worst-case scenario. Assuming the Pillar-level Blade Beast doesn't awaken this time, or awakens but just moves its nest and goes back to sleep, then we'll continue with the previous plan, a full-scale attack on the Spirit-Energy Capital to seize control of the spirit-energy users. We can cooperate with the spirit-cultivators, but we won't accept their rule."
"Understood."
Wang Jixuan smiled and extended his right hand:
"Then let's work hard together, Little Fu."
Fu Jian shook Wang Jixuan's hand firmly and said in a deep voice, "For you, it's good to contribute, but don't sacrifice yourself."
"Huh? Why are you trying to discourage me?"
"You'll understand later," Fu Jian smiled helplessly.
......
It's good to contribute, but don't sacrifice yourself.
After Wang Jixuan returned to Fortress 76, he kept thinking about this issue.
He and Number Five agreed to go into her spire tomorrow to discuss how to help Number Five heal.
By the way, there are still a few things to deal with tomorrow, including the new batch of students from the Little Electronic Music Temple, and teaching the Buddhist Hall squad some 'spirit-energy imitation' techniques that Wang Jixuan summarized from Xingdian's memories.
But those are all tasks for tomorrow.
Wang Jixuan has important things to do tonight.
Dual cultivation.
The term dual cultivation has become somewhat stigmatized in the cultivation world, often referring to intimate matters; sometimes, evil cultivators will also use it to replenish their yin or yang, quickly increasing their strength.
But in reality, dual cultivation is a proper cultivation method, emphasizing the harmony of yin and yang.
Such as the famous Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon.
Wang Jixuan is now a bit puzzled.
He carefully recalled for a long time the dual cultivation techniques he saw in the Tibetan Scripture Pavilion of Wangxian Valley for those hundred and eighty years, and most of them were evil techniques, namely the art of collecting and replenishing, and the art of refining cauldrons.
He understood the principles, and it was only natural to search for their techniques after killing evil cultivators.
But…
There was only one proper dual cultivation method. Isn't this ratio too low? He can't even choose now!
'Having something is better than having nothing, I guess.'
Visible to his spiritual sense, Lingtong has already finished half a day of promotional work, returned to the dormitory early to bathe and change, arranging the candlelight dinner scene from the novel, waiting for him to come home.
Looking at her picture of trying on clothes in front of the mirror, Wang Jixuan's heart swayed.
'Well, I'll do some preparatory work today, guiding her inner circulation. There's no need to rush into formal dual cultivation. Give her a few more days.'
This dual cultivation was without dual cultivation.