Chapter 1863: Being Immortalized Through the Ages

Liu Qingdao's return to the mortal realm would likely be akin to a fish out of water—not immediately fatal, but certainly very uncomfortable.

It was fine; he could simply find a place for secluded cultivation. The immortals of Beijia and Lingshan did the same.

The other disciples of the Illusion Sect, lacking immortal cultivation, were spared this particular concern for the time being.

"Where are you taking everyone?"

"Flash Gold Plain." He Lingchuan knew the crucial moment had arrived. "If you follow me, you'll have to undergo trials in the mortal realm. You might have to charge into battle, staining the battlefield with blood, and you'll never again enjoy the leisurely, peaceful life of Jindao Sea."

The Soul-Capturing Mirror in his arms exclaimed, "Hey, Master, if you frighten them like that, do you genuinely intend to take them with you?"

He Lingchuan ignored it.

Having just taken control of the Illusion Sect, his first step was to demonstrate honesty.

"What... what do you intend to do?"

He Lingchuan smiled. "Expand our territory and continue to oppose the celestial demons."

Regarding the matter of "opposing the celestial demons," Lord He seemed even more resolute than Lingshan. Liu Qingdao hesitated, then asked again, "What exactly is your relationship with Lingshan?"

"A cooperative relationship, with frequent interactions, but neither belongs to the other," He Lingchuan stated solemnly. "If Illusion Sect disciples wish to remain in Jindao Sea, so be it. But if you follow me, you must no longer contact Lingshan privately, or there will be severe consequences!"

Liu Qingdao understood the meaning of these words and jutted his chin toward the lakeside:

"These disciples were all recruited in Jindao Sea. The original veterans who followed us into Jindao Sea were fewer than seventy. Over the past 150 years, more than thirty have passed away, and another ten or so were sacrificed in the last two days of fighting. Now, there are only... a little over thirty left."

"Did they have any previous contact with Lingshan?"

"Lingshan is elusive; it's not something disciples of an immortal sect can casually interact with," Liu Qingdao said, pointing at Ji Bin. "Only he, under the command of Master Xiao, occasionally communicated with Lingshan."

"And me," he finally added, referring to himself. "I do have some old acquaintances in Lingshan."

He was an immortal of several millennia; even in the outside world, he held significant standing. If he claimed to have no old acquaintances in Lingshan, He Lingchuan would have been suspicious.

"So, Elder Liu, have you made a decision, or do you need more time to consider?"

He Lingchuan believed that with the sudden collapse of their towering patron tree, Liu Qingdao and the Illusion Sect disciples desperately needed to attach themselves to a new, powerful force.

This was human nature.

In fact, besides staying in Jindao Sea or following He Lingchuan, Liu Qingdao had another option: seeking refuge with Lingshan.

He was Qianhuan's personal disciple, a mighty immortal with profound cultivation, and he still had acquaintances in Lingshan. There was no reason for Lingshan to refuse him.

However, in He Lingchuan's view, Liu Qingdao still had many concerns.

Qianhuan, Xiao Wencheng, and the other elders of the Illusion Sect had all perished. Especially since Xiao Wencheng had self-detonated his spirit to protect the sect, could Liu Qingdao really avoid responsibility for the sect?

Could he abandon these few hundred disciples and go to Lingshan alone?

If he were to lead the entire Illusion Sect back to Lingshan, as the new master, he would have to manage all sectarian affairs, oversee the daily needs of hundreds of people outside, and secure a foothold for them in Lingshan.

These were far from simple matters; an ordinary person would find their head spinning just by dealing with one of them.

Liu Qingdao was the only Illusion Sect elder left. If problems arose, who could he consult?

Why was Xiao Wencheng able to serve as sect master for so long? It was because while his master and other junior brothers were in secluded cultivation, he diligently and conscientiously managed the entire sect by himself.

Did Liu Qingdao possess such ability?

If so, why would Xiao Wencheng entrust the Illusion Sect to He Lingchuan, an outsider, instead of him?

Compared to Lingshan, He Lingchuan's capabilities were very apparent: he was resourceful and decisive, highly organized, possessing the talent and bearing of a leader.

Most importantly, he had already demonstrated his abilities by leading the Illusion Sect disciples in battle against the Heavenly Palace forces, earning widespread goodwill among them.

Liu Qingdao suddenly coughed a few times, and blood seeped through his bandages again. Ji Bin moved to reapply his medication, but Liu Qingdao waved him away.

Now, only he and He Lingchuan remained.

"Lord He, I have one more question."

He Lingchuan was patient. "Please, Elder Liu."

"Between you and the Immortal Venerable, is there...?" Liu Qingdao considered his words carefully. "...some discord?"

Some things had to be openly discussed sooner or later.

He Lingchuan smiled. Between him and Qianhuan, it was far more than just "discord." Before Qianhuan's death, the person he hated most might not have been Miaozhantian, but He Lingchuan himself.

From Qianhuan's perspective, this hatred was utterly inexplicable, which was why his spirit self-detonated with such immense resentment.

However, Elder Liu was not as smooth as Xiao Wencheng. With a lingering doubt in his heart, he directly posed the question.

He Lingchuan casually set up a sound-insulating barrier before replying, "Walls have ears, Elder Liu. On the matter of confronting the celestial demons, the Immortal Venerable and I were surprisingly in agreement. The Immortal Venerable and the elders sacrificed themselves righteously to eliminate demons for the common people, and they will undoubtedly establish an immortal monument in the mortal realm."

Elder Liu could only nod; the other man was praising the Immortal Venerable and his fellow disciples.

He Lingchuan sighed softly. "Regarding the Immortal Venerable, I, He, feel nothing but admiration. To cling to that minor 'discord' would be petty! Let bygones be bygones. From this day forward, I will surely do my utmost to spread the deeds of the Immortal Venerable and the elders throughout the world, inspiring humanity."

He bypassed the words "discord" and once again spoke of Qianhuan and the Illusion Sect immortals' "achievements."

As for why Qianhuan "sacrificed himself," he didn't mention it.

Anyone familiar with He Lingchuan, such as Dong Rui, would have recognized the dangerous quality in his smile.

He Lingchuan had forced Qianhuan to his death. If Liu Qingdao knew this, he would become a thorn between He Lingchuan and the Illusion Sect.

He was a great immortal with profound cultivation. Once his injuries healed, He Lingchuan would have to worry about his own safety.

Liu Qingdao choked, stuttering for a long moment before saying, "Good, good..."

How formidable!

Could he really explain to Lingshan and the outside world that the Immortal Venerable hadn't intended to sacrifice himself to detonate the celestial demons, but had been cornered by He Lingchuan in Panlong Isolated City, with no way out, and thus had no choice but to self-detonate?

He Lingchuan even intended to propagate the good name of the Illusion Sect immortals.

After they left Jindao Sea, this matter would certainly be reported to Lingshan. By then, all sects would know that True Immortal Qianhuan had chosen to perish together with Miaozhantian for the peace of the mortal realm!

It was a heroic act, choosing noble destruction over ignoble survival, truly something worthy of praise and tears.

Humans leave a name behind after death, immortals retain prestige after passing. The Immortal Venerable and his fellow disciples had already gloriously fallen in battle; how could he not let them earn a posthumous reputation?

What good would digging up the truth do? The Immortal Venerable was gone; who would care about the Illusion Sect after this?

Therefore, regarding Qianhuan's self-detonation of his spirit and mutual destruction with the enemy, no matter how many inextricable details were involved, no matter how much He Lingchuan had manipulated the situation, it should be characterized precisely as He Lingchuan described it, and should not be further investigated!

As for how many secrets Liu Qingdao knew from beginning to end, and why Qianhuan had previously sent elders to pursue and kill He Lingchuan—did any of that truly matter anymore?