Three days had passed since Li Xuan threw the demonic wolf's talisman to Shi Jian.
During these three days, Li Xuan had not continued to seek out those who had entered the Sha or engaged in combat with demonic beasts.
After absorbing the talisman, Shi Jian had fallen into a deep slumber. However, Li Xuan could distinctly feel the changes in Shi Jian, as if it were on the verge of a breakthrough.
"Judging by this, Shi Jian is likely to be unsealed. But what exactly is that talisman to be able to show signs of unsealing Shi Jian?" Li Xuan pondered, somewhat puzzled. After all, that crack was something on the Cracked Demonic Wolf itself.
Moreover, through the battle with the Cracked Demonic Wolf, Li Xuan had seen that the wolf's reliance was precisely on this talisman. However, Shi Jian's impending unsealing made Li Xuan somewhat excited.
Shi Jian had been with Li Xuan for so many years, and once unsealed again, its power would naturally be even greater. For Li Xuan, this was undoubtedly an increase in strength.
*Yin!*
Two more days passed, and a sword cry suddenly emanated from within Li Xuan. Sensing this, Li Xuan's mind moved, and he summoned Shi Jian.
"Hmm? Although there has been improvement, it doesn't seem to have been unsealed yet." Li Xuan checked, frowning slightly.
"This one talisman is not enough to allow Shi Jian to advance and break through. Although it can enhance its quality, it's still far from meeting the conditions for unsealing. After absorbing it for these five days, it's estimated that ten more such talismans will be needed for unsealing."
At this moment, the voice of the Heavenly Dao Brush sounded in Li Xuan's mind.
"Ten talismans, which means ten more Cracked Demonic Wolves. Although there are many Cracked Demonic Wolves here, they aren't encountered whenever one wishes. Right now, it's likely a matter of luck. However, we've only just entered the central region, so perhaps the conditions will be met soon."
Li Xuan nodded slightly upon hearing this. He was extremely concerned about Shi Jian's unsealing. Furthermore, they had only been in this Abyss Forbidden Zone for three years, and Li Xuan believed he had enough time to collect the ten strange talismans for Shi Jian.
"That talisman can be considered the lifeblood of a demonic beast, somewhat similar to a spiritual master's Dantian divine mansion. All the demonic power of the wolf was contained within that talisman, and combined with the Sha Qi of this place, it is extremely suitable for Shi Jian to absorb."
Before Li Xuan could even ask what the talisman was, the Heavenly Dao Brush began to explain.
"So that's how it is. Then, from now on, I will primarily choose Cracked Demonic Wolves for practice and combat, striving to collect ten talismans as soon as possible." Li Xuan nodded in realization.
*Yin!*
Shi Jian let out a sword cry, then re-entered Li Xuan's body and disappeared.
"After resting for five days, it's time to get moving." Li Xuan stood up, brushed off the dust, and then looked into the distance, muttering softly.
As soon as his voice fell, Li Xuan's figure shot off into the distance.
...
Time passed swiftly, and the years flew by.
In the blink of an eye, another three years had gone by.
During these three years, the Cloud World had become rather turbulent.
Ever since Li Xuan's departure, the Tianyi Domain had launched a thorough cleansing operation. A total of two hundred and thirty-six people were expelled from the Tianyi Pavilion, including many commanders and elders. The outside world knew nothing of their whereabouts.
Concurrently, the Wangu Domain and the Fucang Domain jointly organized a disciples' spar meeting between the two domains. However, the news received by the other seven domains was that the sparring disciples only possessed cultivation at the Metamorphosis Realm, clearly indicating ulterior motives.
And three months later, five sects within the sphere of influence of the Tianyi Domain simultaneously announced their withdrawal from the Tianyi Domain.
This news sent shockwaves through various factions.
After all, in over ten thousand years, no sect under the six domains had ever done something like this. Moreover, these five sects were not weak; their sect leaders all possessed peak Vitality Realm strength.
However, according to the laws of the Cloud World, to break away from the subordinate forces of a domain, the approval of the Great Venerable of each domain was required. With Great Venerable Lin Yi absent from the Tianyi Domain, at least the Tianyi Pavilion's consent was necessary.
For a time, all factions turned their attention to the high echelons of the Tianyi Pavilion.
Tianyi Pavilion, Headquarters Palace.
"Everyone, speak your minds. Should we approve or reject the applications of these five sects?" Mo Ningxiang sat on the throne, a hint of weariness in her brows. Clearly, the sudden announcement of withdrawal by the five sects had placed immense pressure on Mo Ningxiang.
Supreme Golden Guangshuo immediately stated, "Although one can switch to another domain with the approval of a Great Venerable, there has never been a case of betraying one's domain in history."
"Moreover, this is happening just as our cleansing operation has concluded. If we allow them to leave smoothly, it might encourage some waverers to follow suit. Once this happens, it could lead to widespread unrest in our Tianyi Domain."
"My suggestion is that we can use Great Venerable Lin Yi's absence as an excuse to delay the matter. When Great Venerable Lin Yi returns, they will undoubtedly come to beg for forgiveness."
"I do not think this is appropriate. If we continue to delay, it will inevitably give other forces the impression that we lack a backbone. Furthermore, it is very easy to arouse suspicion from other forces. If they are instigated by malicious individuals, the impact could be even greater than it is now."
"We have just resolved internal issues and require stability. Further unrest might cause anxiety among other forces. In my opinion, since they have chosen to leave our Tianyi Domain, then let them leave."
"We can even issue a statement: any faction wishing to leave the Tianyi Domain can submit an application. After the deadline, any further applications will be considered a provocation to our Tianyi Pavilion. The consequences will be borne entirely by them!"
Supreme Chao Zhang shook his head at this.
"If we agree, it will invisibly reduce the overall strength of our Tianyi Domain. It's not difficult to see that someone must be orchestrating this from behind the scenes. These five factions have likely long since lost their hearts to our Tianyi Domain."
"They might have even been spies lurking within our Tianyi Domain from the beginning, and this timing is intended to strike at our Tianyi Domain. However, if we disagree, Supreme Chao Zhang's words are not without reason. Grand Venerable Mu Lanxin spoke."
"If Brother Yi were still here, all of this would likely be easy to handle."
Mo Ningxiang sighed slightly upon hearing this, then shifted her gaze to Venerable Lin Yunyun beside her, "Yun Venerable, what are your thoughts on this matter?"
Venerable Lin Yunyun pondered for a moment before slowly saying, "Agree to their request, and issue a statement as Supreme Chao Zhang suggested. A one-month period, during which any faction wishing to leave the Tianyi Domain may depart on their own."
"After one month, I will trouble all of you to jointly activate the Domain Protection Array. All forces belonging to the Tianyi Domain will be on full alert!"
"Activate the Domain Protection Array? Venerable Yun, this matter is of great importance. Once the Domain Protection Array is activated, it will be impossible for anyone other than Tianyi Pavilion disciples to enter or exit. Furthermore, the enormous amount of Taiyuan Crystals required will further deplete our Tianyi Domain's foundation."
"If it's only for a short time, it's fine, but if it lasts for a long time, it might affect the development of various forces. The impact then will be considerable. In addition, we cannot provide a specific reason for being on full alert. At the very least, on the surface, there are no signs of an external enemy attack."
Supreme Chen Peng frowned upon hearing this.
"Behind all of this is undoubtedly Great Venerable Wangu's doing. And if we are not prepared, if the Wangu Domain declares war, we might find it difficult to cope."
"Furthermore, according to my investigation, a considerable number of personnel have gathered outside Jianmenguan in the Wangu Domain. Among these people are powerful cultivators at the Soul Manifestation and even the excellent Soul Manifestation realms."
"If the Wangu Domain were not making any moves, why would they gather such a large force of experts at the border of our Tianyi Domain?" Supreme Chen Yu spoke.
"The experts of the Wangu Domain have gathered outside Jianmenguan? Is Great Venerable Wangu really planning to launch a full-scale war?" Grand Venerable Mu Lanxin frowned.
"Since Supreme Chen Yu discovered this, it is likely that danger is lurking. In this matter, I agree with Venerable Yun's decision." Supreme Golden Guangshuo spoke after a moment of contemplation.
"I second that," Supreme Chao Zhang nodded.
"I second that," Grand Venerable Mu Lanxin said.
"Since everyone has made a decision, then we shall proceed as Venerable Yun suggested," Supreme Chen Peng said.
Mo Ningxiang stood up and nodded, "Since there are no objections, then we will proceed as Venerable Yun suggested. One month from now, the Domain Protection Array will be activated!"
"We obey the Great Venerable's wife's decree!" The crowd responded in unison.