After all.
The war continued.
One Yang Sect and God Locking Sect, these two Nascent Soul Upper Sects, continued to send sect cultivators to the battlefield.
In this situation.
Who knew what might happen next?
If the situation suddenly worsened, He Song's rash return to Bright Moon Immortal Prefecture would immediately become precarious.
He feared God Locking Sect might besiege again, forcing another hasty retreat.
That would be more detrimental than beneficial.
Therefore, even knowing the One Yang Sect and God Locking Sect war had stalemated.
And though One Yang Sect held a slight advantage, heading towards Cloud Prefecture capital, He Song didn't consider immediately returning to Bright Moon Immortal Prefecture.
Bright Moon Immortal Prefecture's location was too precarious.
Its proximity to the battlefield was too close.
Therefore, upon learning this, He Song ultimately chose to remain in seclusion.
Eight years passed.
The latest news He Song received came from Meng Guan.
In his latest letter, Meng Guan informed He Song that One Yang Sect planned to attack Cloud Prefecture capital soon.
He Song, already aware of the One Yang Sect and God Locking Sect war's stalemate, and the protracted struggle for each Immortal City.
Felt little emotional shift.
This news didn't surprise He Song.
Based on news received over the past eight years, He Song had gained a thorough understanding of the war.
Based on his understanding of the current battlefield, this progress was normal.
One Yang Sect held a slight advantage, relying on time to reclaim Immortal Cities from God Locking Sect.
After years, One Yang Sect reached Cloud Prefecture capital, preparing to attack; this was unsurprising to He Song.
However, He Song couldn't predict the war's outcome.
One Yang Sect held a slight advantage, but advantages, when not overwhelming, were often elusive.
A command error, a reversed battle, an unexpected cultivator death.
These could easily turn a slight advantage into a disadvantage.
On the battlefield, such subtle shifts were likely.
Naturally, He Song couldn't definitively predict the war's outcome.
But with Meng Guan and Wei Fan involved, He Song could only reply, urging caution.
Beyond that, He Song could do nothing more.
As these thoughts crossed He Song's mind, he subconsciously refined Spirit Gathering Formation plates and flags.
During his subconscious refinement, a brand-new formation plate and several formation flags emerged perfectly crafted.
As the newly crafted formation plates and flags quietly landed in He Song's hands, a glance revealed a flicker of satisfaction on his face.
Though thoughts had drifted through his mind during refinement, he hadn't consciously focused on crafting the plates and flags.
But relying on his artifact refining skills, now capable of crafting inferior spirit artifacts, he had perfectly crafted the Spirit Gathering Formation plates and flags.
Having successfully crafted the Spirit Gathering Formation plates and flags.
He Song casually placed them in his storage pouch, leaving the artifact refining room for the cave dwelling's center.
Looking up.
His gaze swept over the inverted bowl-shaped cave dwelling.
He Song formed hand seals, casting spells; streams of light flew from his hands, quickly landing throughout the cave dwelling.
As these streams of light sank into the ground and took effect under He Song's continued spells.
The spirit energy concentration within the cave dwelling began to slowly rise.
As a complete Spirit Gathering Formation, the one He Song just set up was significantly more potent than the Heavenly Divine Thunder Array.
He Song had long known this.
However, He Song didn't dismantle the Heavenly Divine Thunder Array after setting up the Spirit Gathering Formation.
Even though the Spirit Gathering Formation's spirit energy gathering speed and concentration surpassed the Heavenly Divine Thunder Array.
But the Heavenly Divine Thunder Array offered concealment, attack, and defense in addition to spirit gathering.
Integrating so many functions weakened each function of the Heavenly Divine Thunder Array.
However, each function was still usable.
The spirit stones spent, by calculation, were far less than other Golden Core grand formations.
This was He Song's temporary cave dwelling, not a permanent residence.
Strong defense and attack capabilities weren't necessary; even the concealment provided by the Heavenly Divine Thunder Array sufficed.
In this situation, He Song saw no need to dismantle the Heavenly Divine Thunder Array and set up other Golden Core grand formations outside.
That would be too spirit stone-intensive.
A Heavenly Divine Thunder Array consumed hundreds of mid-grade spirit stones annually.
If He Song dismantled the Heavenly Divine Thunder Array and set up Illusionary Shadow Maze Formation, Earth Treasury Divine Light Array, and another Golden Core attack grand formation outside.
These several Golden Core grand formations combined would likely consume one or two thousand spirit stones annually.
Even a decade of seclusion would consume tens of thousands of spirit stones.
Though He Song no longer lacked spirit stones.
Setting up multiple Golden Core grand formations outside his temporary cave dwelling was still too extravagant.
Thus, it was better to rely on the Heavenly Divine Thunder Array for now; He Song wasn't leaving the temporary cave dwelling, so its functions sufficed.
At most, if attacked, he could deploy other Golden Core grand formations he knew.
With the Heavenly Divine Thunder Array holding off the initial assault, He Song could then deploy the formations he knew.
The effect would be the same.
And without the constant, terrifying spirit stone consumption.
Having successfully deployed a complete Spirit Gathering Formation in his temporary cave dwelling, He Song felt satisfaction at the rising spirit energy concentration.
Furthermore, he had been there for eight years.
The cave dwelling's soil had long been converted to spirit soil by the rich spirit energy, and He Song had planted many spirit herbs.
Now, abundant spirit herbs grew within the cave dwelling, seemingly flourishing.
The increased spirit energy concentration seemed to accelerate the spirit herbs' growth.
Seeing this, though unsure if it was his imagination or reality.
He Song quickly had an idea.
Since the spirit herbs might grow faster with increased spirit energy concentration.
Would the Mixed Gold Spirit Fruit Tree, kept in his storage pouch, and now nourished by such rich spirit energy, grow faster and its fruits mature quicker?
This thought sparked an idea in He Song's mind.
Though unsure if it was his imagination or reality.
But he wouldn't be returning to Bright Moon Immortal Prefecture soon.
Planting the Mixed Gold Spirit Fruit Tree here would allow it to grow.
He Song wasn't overly concerned whether the growth accelerated.
Even accelerated, it wouldn't be significantly faster.
The Mixed Gold Spirit Fruit matured once a century; maturity was still far off.
With this in mind, He Song waved his hand, gently retrieving the Mixed Gold Spirit Fruit Tree from his storage pouch.
He Song quickly planted the large Mixed Gold Spirit Fruit Tree in the cave dwelling's center.
Here, bathed in the Scorching Sun Bead's light and nourished by the Spirit Gathering Formation's rich spirit energy, the Mixed Gold Spirit Fruit Tree's branches and leaves rapidly expanded.
After planting the Mixed Gold Spirit Fruit Tree, He Song, after a moment's thought, decided against retrieving the giant cauldron for natal magic treasure refinement.
The giant cauldron contained natal magic treasure crafting materials, but He Song hadn't yet gathered all necessary materials.
Therefore, retrieving it in this temporary cave dwelling was unnecessary.
He could retrieve it later, once he gathered all the natal magic treasure crafting materials.
With these thoughts, He Song turned and returned to the quiet room.
Now.
With the Spirit Gathering Formation deployed.
Even the Mixed Gold Spirit Fruit Tree successfully planted.
The war between One Yang Sect and God Locking Sect wouldn't reach He Song here.
He Song needn't worry about his safety.
Next, naturally, it was time to resume seclusion, strengthening his cultivation under the Spirit Gathering Formation, Earth Spirit Pill, and Clear Mind Pill.
In short, having deployed the Spirit Gathering Formation and planted the Mixed Gold Spirit Fruit Tree, He Song re-entered seclusion.
However.
Though He Song re-entered seclusion, news from the outside world continued to arrive.
Soon, He Song learned from Meng Guan that One Yang Sect's recent attack on Cloud Prefecture capital had failed.
Inside Cloud Prefecture capital.
God Locking Sect cultivators were numerous within, with some new faces among them.
With the enemy unexpectedly stronger, One Yang Sect's attack naturally failed.
Fortunately, in the cultivation world, individual cultivator strength was considerable, limiting casualties to both sides; they fought fiercely for a time, then retreated.
After this battle, the war between One Yang Sect and God Locking Sect returned to a stalemate.
The number of Golden Core True Lords on both sides was roughly equal.
Even the number of Foundation Establishment True Persons was similar.
Both sides recalled numerous late Foundation Establishment and Foundation Establishment Great Perfection cultivators who had been traveling.
Some Golden Core cultivators, long seeking opportunities abroad, were also recalled to participate in the war.
But as participant numbers increased, casualties on both sides decreased further.
With similar numbers.
And comparable strength.
Even early Golden Core cultivators like Meng Guan and Wei Fan were no longer in significant danger of death.
Everything seemed routine; the mutual killing intent seemed to have subsided.
He Song wasn't sure if this was good or bad.
Nor what direction the war would take.
He cautioned Meng Guan that this might be the calm before the storm.
Meng Guan, receiving He Song's message, renewed his caution.
His previously relaxed mindset quickly became vigilant again.
He Song soon received a message from True Lord Luo Jing.
In the letter, True Lord Luo Jing again expressed concern for True Lord Purple Robe's safety.
Times had changed.
Previously, God Locking Sect was trying to capture Cloud Prefecture capital, and she worried about True Lord Purple Robe's safety, fearing his fate if Cloud Prefecture capital fell to God Locking Sect.
True Lord Purple Robe, Treasure Gathering Pavilion's main pavilion master in Cloud Prefecture capital, might have been purged by God Locking Sect.
Although that hadn't happened; God Locking Sect hadn't purged True Lord Purple Robe.
But now, the situation was different again.
Now, One Yang Sect was attacking Cloud Prefecture capital, and she feared God Locking Sect would force True Lord Purple Robe to participate and help defend Cloud Prefecture capital.
If True Lord Purple Robe couldn't withstand the pressure and helped God Locking Sect.
Then, if One Yang Sect later captured Cloud Prefecture capital.
True Lord Purple Robe, having aided God Locking Sect, might be purged.
Or, True Lord Purple Robe might refuse to help God Locking Sect, risking death.
And be purged by God Locking Sect, still occupying Cloud Prefecture capital.
Neither scenario was desirable.
This was why she again worried for True Lord Purple Robe's safety.
He Song, after some thought, conceded that True Lord Luo Jing's concerns were not unfounded.
If he were God Locking Sect's commander, he would prioritize eliminating uncertainties within Cloud Prefecture capital while defending it.
And True Lord Purple Robe was precisely one of those uncertainties.
He Song reasoned that True Lord Purple Robe would either be expelled from Cloud Prefecture capital or forced to help God Locking Sect defend it.
There was no third option.
True Lord Luo Jing's concerns, at first glance, seemed reasonable.
However, upon further reflection, He Song realized True Lord Luo Jing was likely clouded by worry.
Who was True Lord Purple Robe?
Treasure Gathering Pavilion's Cloud Prefecture main pavilion master.
A Nascent Soul Old Ancestor's disciple.
How could such a figure be coerced to this point?
Even with a cursory understanding of his identity, he would likely be revered in Cloud Prefecture capital.
Neither One Yang Sect nor God Locking Sect would harm a hair on his head.
Provoking True Lord Purple Robe meant inviting the wrath of an immense power upon oneself and one's sect.
Treasure Gathering Pavilion wasn't some minor Golden Core sect.
He Song knew of at least one Nascent Soul Old Ancestor within its ranks.
How many more Nascent Soul Old Ancestors were unknown to He Song?
Considering Treasure Gathering Pavilion's presence in every Immortal City and Prefecture capital, it couldn't be limited to True Lord Luo Jing and True Lord Purple Robe's lineage.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter 501 End of Chapter
New Words: 器胚: artifact embryo, 灵性: spirituality, 血色长刀: blood-colored long saber, 星岩真君: True Lord Star Rock, 金甲卫士: golden-armored guard, 紫电灵蛇印: Purple Lightning Spirit Snake Seal, 星陨珠: Starfall Bead, 青玉叶: Green Jade Leaf, 玄幽真君: True Lord Dark Nether, 天绝真君: True Lord Heavenly Annihilation, 艳阳州: Bright Sun Prefecture, 虚幻的人脸: illusory human face, 一阳子: One Yang Child, 清阳老祖: Old Ancestor Clear Yang, 清阳: Clear Yang, 碧月州: Bright Moon Prefecture, 云静真君: True Lord Cloud Serenity, 紫衫真君: True Lord Purple Robe, 烈阳珠: Scorching Sun Bead, 混金灵果树: Mixed Gold Spirit Fruit Tree, 地藏神光阵: Earth Treasury Divine Light Array, 仙城: Immortal City, 州府: Prefecture capital, 仙坊: Immortal Market, 器道典籍: Artifact Dao classic, 中品灵器: mid-grade spirit artifact, 下品灵器飞舟: inferior spirit artifact flying boat, 下品灵器: inferior spirit artifact, 法号: dharma name, 真传弟子: true disciple, 元婴上宗: Nascent Soul Upper Sect, 魔道弟子: Demon Dao disciples, 金丹长老: Golden Core elder, 器道: Artifact Dao, 器道典籍: Artifact Dao classic, 中品灵石: mid-grade spirit stone, 土灵丹: Earth Spirit Pill, 清心丹: Clear Mind Pill, 聚灵阵: Spirit Gathering Formation, 天罡神雷阵: Heavenly Divine Thunder Array, 幻影迷踪阵: Illusionary Shadow Maze Formation, 下品攻击型灵器: inferior attack-type spirit artifact, 下品防御型灵器: inferior defense-type spirit artifact, 飞行灵器: flying spirit artifact, 追踪秘法: tracking secret technique, 本命法宝: natal magic treasure, 延寿丹: life-extending pill, 天材地宝: natural treasures and earthly treasures, 灵石: spirit stone, 中品灵石: mid-grade spirit stone, 下品灵石: inferior spirit stone, 上品灵石: high-grade spirit stone, 灵器飞舟: spirit artifact flying boat, 下品灵器飞舟: inferior spirit artifact flying boat, 飞舟: flying boat, 法器: magic artifact, 器道典籍: Artifact Dao classic, 下品灵器: inferior spirit artifact, 灵器: spirit artifact