Starforce Warriors-Chapter 899: Myriad Immortals Conference (1)

At the foot of the mountain, the red sun rose in the east. Li Xiaofei was still preaching. However, the atmosphere among the crowd gradually turned strange. During a break, Li Yiyun, Kou Zhengyang, and Yang Zhao came to see him.

“Master, something seems wrong,” Kou Zhengyang said, concern written all over his face. “There are some whispers going around. It’s said that more than one Immortal Sect has gathered on the mountain. A number of powerful Immortal cultivators have formed an alliance, and they plan to ambush you during the Myriad Immortals Conference in three days.”

Li Yiyun added, “Master, there’s no shame in retreating for now. With your cultivation and vision, you can establish your own sect and spread the way of the Immortals. It would surely become the greatest sect under heaven within a hundred years or less. There’s no need to risk everything at this moment.”

“Yes, Master,” Yang Zhao echoed.

Li Xiaofei could tell that these three disciples, who had been the first to follow him, were genuinely worried for his safety. He smiled and said, “I have my own plans. You need not worry. There is still no one in this world capable of opposing me.”

Seeing that Li Xiaofei was determined, the three could only step out of the tent, though the unease in their hearts lingered.

“If Master insists on going up the mountain, then the three of us cannot let him lose face,” Kou Zhengyang said firmly. “When the time comes, we will accompany him, even if it means walking through fire or blades. We will follow him no matter what.”

Normally quiet and reserved, Kou Zhengyang was the most capable among them, and his judgment was often the soundest.

“Agreed,” Yang Zhao replied, concise as always.

Li Yiyun stretched out his hand and said, “The three of us live and die together, but we must never die after our Master.”

“Live and die together.”

“Live and die together.”

Three broad hands stacked tightly upon one another.

A piece of shocking news arrived once night fell. The Emperor of the Great Song, Zhao Kuangren, under the protection of his secret guards, had left the encampment and returned to the capital city of Bianjing.

The news spread like wildfire, stirring a wave of uproar. Everyone knew that Emperor Zhao Kuangren had been a steadfast supporter of Li Xiaofei. He had unwaveringly stood by Li Xiaofei’s side all along the journey, issuing orders for officials to provide food and clothing for the poor followers who had gathered under Li’s banner.

Many had praised the emperor’s courage and magnanimity. Yet at such a critical moment, just as Immortal cultivators were gathering on the mountain, as the mounting pressure from the sects grew, and with the Myriad Immortals Conference just around the corner, he had slipped away without a word. Not even a single farewell. He had simply... left.

“That worthless emperor! He’s no better than a dog!” Li Yiyun cursed furiously.

Kou Zhengyang’s expression turned grim as well. To him, Zhao Kuangren had once been an enlightened ruler worth serving. Even after achieving success in immortal cultivation, he had planned to assist Zhao Kuangren in ruling the mortal realm.

But now? It felt like a slap in the face. His emotions were a tangled mess. When the news reached Li Xiaofei, one of the old monsters from the Breaking Realm Immortal Gate came over to console him.

“Master,” the elder said, “that foolish emperor is just a mortal. He cannot possibly comprehend your ambition or scope. It’s no surprise he lost his nerve and fled before the battle even began. These royal types and their politicians are all fools. You shouldn’t take it to heart.”

Li Xiaofei chuckled lightly. He thought, I’m not even upset, why are you trying to comfort me?

Still, out of curiosity, he asked, “Come to think of it, aren’t you part of the Immortal Sects of this world? The Breaking Realm Immortal Gate is one of the Sixteen Great Sects. You’re a Grand Elder, yet you’ve chosen to follow me. Are you not betraying your sect?”

The old monster let out a raspy laugh, his snowy white beard lifting with the motion.

“I’ve been in that so-called Immortal Sect for four hundred and sixty-seven years,” he said. “I’ve long since seen through the hypocrisy and shamelessness of these so-called Immortals. I’ve also seen their cowardice and pitiful nature. I want no part of them.”

Li Xiaofei’s heart stirred slightly. This old thing was likely someone with a story to tell. He also seemed to know more than he let on. But Li Xiaofei chose not to ask.

Judge a man by his deeds, not his thoughts.

They would see how things played out.

The moon sank as the sun rose. A new day had arrived. Li Yiyun stretched lazily, ending a night of cultivation. He stepped out of his tent and glanced around, then froze slightly. A moment later, fury exploded within him.

“Goddamn it! Those bastard sons of bitches!” He cursed aloud, enraged.

It had only been a single night and yet, a third of the camp was gone. Clearly, they had all gotten scared. They had run away. These ungrateful cowards had followed Master for so long, cultivating by his side, learning and asking questions. But now that trouble had come knocking, they all disappeared without a trace. They didn’t deserve to be called human.

Kou Zhengyang tried to console him. “Real gold doesn’t fear flames. Look, two-thirds still remain. They know the disaster is near, but they’ve chosen to stay. They are our true companions and fellow disciples.”

Yang Zhao nodded and said, “Exactly. Only after the wind has blown away the sand do we see the true gold beneath. Let those with hearts like the treacherous emperor leave. Only then can we truly see what people are made of.”

That day, Li Xiaofei continued to teach and expound on cultivation. The crowd sat solemn and reverent, their expressions devout, almost like zealous followers. They surrounded him in silence, listening and worshipping with focused hearts.

By sunset, Lu Jiansheng, Jianling, Xue Qing, and two others came to bid farewell.

“You too...?” Li Yiyun’s rage flared again. He spat directly in Lu Jiansheng’s face and roared, “Get lost! Just leave! You people of the Immortal Sects are all heartless, treacherous scum. I never expected you to stand by Master anyway. Better that you go now!”

Rip.

He drew his sword and slashed off the front of his robe, tossing the torn fabric to the ground.

“From this moment on, whatever camaraderie we had as temporary fellow disciples is finished. Go back to your Mount Myriad Saints. The day after tomorrow, when we meet atop Heaven Drum Mountain, do as you please. Don’t you dare hold back, because I surely won’t.”

Li Yiyun’s temper flared hot, and his words were absolute. Lu Jiansheng didn’t argue. He didn’t even wipe the spit from his face. He let it dry on its own. The five of them, senior and junior brothers and sisters, including Xue Qing, knelt before Li Xiaofei. They kowtowed three times with resounding thuds, then rose silently and turned to leave, disappearing down the distant mountain path.

The atmosphere in the camp grew even more silent. Li Xiaofei remained calm, his expression tranquil as ever.

On the third day, three suns rose in the east, the morning light dyed crimson like blood. Li Xiaofei appeared on the massive boulder as promised, sitting cross-legged under the golden sunlight, and began his sermon.

There were fewer people than before. Yet this time, Li Yiyun no longer exploded with anger. He stood quietly, face dark and expression grim. His face was so dark it was almost frightening.

The day passed swiftly. As the sun dipped toward the horizon, Li Xiaofei concluded his lecture. He opened his eyes and looked at the sea of faces before him. There were nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine devout, fanatical expressions gazing at him in reverence. A faint smile curved across his lips.

“My friends,” he said, “My teachings have come to an end. Everything that could be shared, I have passed on to you. Tomorrow, I will ascend the mountain.

“You have followed me this far, not as disciples, for you bear no such title. So there is no need to follow me into danger. Before sunset, each of you should go your separate ways.

“If you truly wish to repay me, then carry forward the teachings I have taught. Pass on my techniques, my path. Do not cling to them selfishly. Do not let sectarian divisions rise again.

“Our human race teeters on the edge in this dark starry sky, vulnerable and precarious. We must unite completely, only when every person becomes a dragon can we hope for even a sliver of survival.

“Spread my Great Dao. Protect our kin. Remember these seven words and that is enough. You all... may go.”

Li Xiaofei turned and walked away. The people left behind looked at one another, eyes filled with uncertainty. Some had caught a deeper meaning in Li Xiaofei’s words.

The human race of the starry sky?

What exactly did that mean?

In decline?

In danger?

Where had that come from?

Though most couldn’t fully grasp the implications of Li Xiaofei’s message, a sudden and overwhelming sense of crisis swept over them, casting a heavy shadow on their hearts.

A long, suffocating silence followed. Then, someone suddenly shouted out.

“I’m not leaving!”

“I won’t go. I’m following Master up that mountain!”

“To the mountain!”

“But the Master told us to pass on his teachings. If we all die on Mount Myriad Saints, who will preserve his teachings?” 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

“That’s right. If something happens to the Master, do you think the Immortal Sects will let any of us live? Will they ever allow his Way to spread across the world?”

“This is the time for unity. We should follow him with all our hearts and fight to carve out a place for ourselves!”

“Some must go up the mountain, but others must leave to carry on Master’s Great Dao.”

“Let’s draw lots. Or draw straws, anything!”

“Yes! That’s the plan.”

“Whether you stay or go, you’ll be a hero standing tall beneath the heavens.”

The crowd burst into a heated discussion, blood surging with passion.

Li Yiyun finally allowed a smile to appear on his face. His blood burned once more as the flame in his heart reignited. He had found kindred spirits, comrades who would now share life and death beside him. Spirits ablaze, the crowd began to organize. Then they started drawing lots.

Suddenly, a bird’s cry echoed from the distance. A massive white bird tore through the skies like a streak of pale lightning, hurtling toward the camp.

“That’s... the Divine Bird of the Great Song royal family, the White Crane,’” Kou Zhengyang recognized it instantly.

Li Yiyun snorted coldly and said, “What’s the royal family doing here again? They already snuck off. Now they’re coming back to put on a show? Playing the whore and still wanting to erect a chastity monument?”

Yang Zhao quickly tugged on his sleeve, trying to calm him down. No matter what, they were still subjects of the Song Emperor. Li Yiyun merely snorted again, his disdain for the court unabated.