Feng Taiji and Cifang also glanced at Zhao Yanran with strangely colored eyes, but neither said a word.

The survival choice of the Cangsheng Dao had little bearing on the Buddhist Sect; Cifang did not concern himself with it.

It was, however, quite related to the Sword Sect; the two had once been interdependent, where the ruin of one meant the peril of the other.

But since the Sword Sect was already preparing to relocate some of its foundations to the Yuanlian World, whether the Cangsheng Dao continued or perished was something they could observe coldly. At most, they could offer secret assistance when circumstances permitted.

Before, they had worried that Zong Shou might be affected by the demise of the Cangsheng Dao, given the extremely good relationship between the two previously. Moreover, Zong Shou and the Dao Sect held deep, irreconcilable enmity. If the Cangsheng Dao fell, the Dao Sect might very well turn their aggression toward the Great Qian Dynasty.

But now, knowing Zong Shou also held the identity of the First Royal Heir of the Fenkong Lu Family, the two had absolutely no further reservations. The Dao Sect would be excessively cautious, lacking any justifiable reason to strike, making the possibility of them taking action extremely slim. Previous harsh moves against Zong Shou could be excused as acts of ignorance. But striking now without cause would be a direct challenge to the Lu Family, showing blatant disregard for the Fenkong Sacred Court.

Therefore, regarding the predicament of the Cangsheng Dao, the two could only sigh inwardly with emotion, unable to say much more.

Zong Shou also fell into a brief silence, knowing that this was not the time for discussion. He promptly diverted the topic, moving directly to other matters.

How many cultivators the Sword Sect, Buddhist Sect, and Cangsheng Dao would need to dispatch annually to serve under his command and obey his orders. Also, the allowable annual casualty rate, and the requirement for the disciples of the Three Teachings to coordinate defense when the Great Qian was invaded—all such detailed items were settled, taking up another half a day. Feng Taiji and Cifang realized Zong Shou was currently extremely busy, so after expressing their satisfaction, they tactfully took their leave.

However, just before departing, Feng Taiji hesitantly reminded him, "We hear the Sovereign is preparing to return to the Cloud Realm? Forgive my bluntness, but the Cloud Realm is too chaotic at present. Should the Sovereign return, there might be threats to life. We advise the Sovereign that it would be best to postpone the journey."

Cifang, hearing this, also nodded in agreement. "This advice is sound; please, Sovereign, reconsider this matter."

Zong Shou merely smiled without comment, offering no confirmation or denial. Seeing his expression, Feng Taiji and the other knew they could not persuade him. They were not overly disappointed; in their view, Zong Shou returning to the Cloud Realm now, while risky, was not an insurmountable issue. The combined strength of the Sword Sect and Buddhist Sect was more than sufficient to protect a single Zong Shou. Even if the Dao Sect made trouble, they could push back directly.

Since persuasion failed, they decisively ceased speaking and departed separately.

Only Zhao Yanran remained, accompanying Zong Shou.

He frowned in deep thought, remaining silent for a long time before finally speaking, "What exactly are my senior brothers planning? At such a critical juncture, why dispatch so many personnel to the Yuanlian World? Are they truly preparing to abandon the Cloud Realm and the Cangsheng Firmament?"

Zhao Yanran’s expression, already somber, grew more bitter upon hearing this. "Venerable Wei Xu detected something amiss four months ago when he broke through the Tribulation Barrier. However, by then, it was too late to stop—the Wheel of Tribulation was set, allowing no retreat. He planned to leave alone; at that point, the disaster would only have affected him, preserving the chance for the Cangsheng Dao’s revival. But halfway there, he was brought back by Patriarch Xiuguan, who said that if the Cangsheng Dao missed him, it would eventually perish anyway. Whether sooner or later made little difference; it was better to stake everything on one final struggle, as there was a sliver of hope."

Zong Shou's brow furrowed even tighter. If they had decided on an all-out effort, they should not be sending out personnel who were already scarce to this side, thus diluting their strength.

"The other Patriarchs said the same, agreeing with Patriarch Xiuguan. Venerable Wei Xu had no choice but to stay. However, upon learning of the changes here, especially that you have already conquered dozens of worlds, he was overjoyed. Finally, he overruled all opposition and set this plan in motion. Patriarch Xiuguan did not object at the time either."

Zhao Yanran kept her tone as level as possible. "This contingent is actually only those sent from the Cangsheng Firmament. Later, the Three Sects and Six Gates will send even more disciples. However, the vast majority will be Earth-rank disciples."

Her words held a hint of sorrow. She had deliberately understated the number earlier. The Cangsheng Dao, a declining sect, occupying one-thirteenth of the Great Qian's interests already seemed excessive, surpassing the Sword Sect and Buddhist Sect in parity. Any more, and it would likely incite resentment from those two major sects. In her decades since setting out, this was the first time she felt so stifled, the first time she had to tread so carefully, as if on thin ice.

A chill swept through Zong Shou’s heart once more. Patriarch Xiuguan did not object? That meant even his Uncle-Patriarch did not favor their chances in this battle? Therefore, he tacitly approved of Wei Xu’s plan to secure a fallback for the Cangsheng Dao. Beyond shock, he felt a profound sense of bewilderment. In his memory, Wei Xu was supposed to hand over his Venerable position to that person decades later when the Cloud Realm’s spiritual tide peaked. Centuries later, although the Cangsheng Dao hadn't flourished, it would maintain its lineage, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the Dao Sect. How could a crisis of life and death suddenly arise? Was it because of him?

Zong Shou’s emotions churned uncontrollably; he tried to regulate his breath and quiet his mind, but to no effect. He knew it was because of him that the affairs of this world had changed so much, leading to this unforeseen development through a chain reaction. The memories of his ‘previous life’ were now entirely useless.

"It won't be that easy to destroy the Cangsheng Dao!"

Thinking of Lin Xuanshuang, whose whereabouts were unknown, Zong Shou shook his head slightly. She was another variable the Dao Sect wouldn't anticipate: his Master had already succeeded in escaping the tribulation, truly stepping into the Supreme Realm and reshaping her body. Since Lin Xuanshuang had early on judged that Wei Xu was planning to take the overt path while secretly maneuvering, there was no reason for her not to see the inherent danger. Where was she now? Was she recovering her injuries, or striving to salvage the declining fortunes of the Cangsheng Dao? Regardless, he could not stand by idly.

"Within ten days at the latest, I will personally travel to the Cloud Realm!" Thinking aimlessly here was useless; to secure any chance of survival for the Cangsheng Dao, he needed to return to the Cloud Realm, assess the specific situation, and then plan accordingly.

Zhao Yanran, instead of being pleased by this, looked troubled, her delicate brows knitting together. "The Venerable's intention was for you to remain here, await the outcome, and not return. If he succeeds by some miracle, all will be well. But if he fails, the Cangsheng Dao will rely on you for care. Now, only you, Zong Shou, possess such capability—"

Zong Shou was too preoccupied to argue or debate. Zhao Yanran’s words did not dissuade him from returning; rather, they made him increasingly anxious and impatient.

He dismissed Zhao Yanran and returned alone. However, he did not go to the heated pavilion he used for political affairs, but instead entered his personal sleeping quarters. Sitting cross-legged, Zong Shou sank into contemplation. This time, though he possessed a mighty army, he could not bring them back. What could aid the Cangsheng Dao was only the strength of the Great Qian within the Cloud Realm—perhaps enough to slightly restrain the Dao Sect. Then there was himself. Initial Immortal Realm cultivation could barely overcome some subpar Divine Realm cultivators; in this impending great war, it was practically negligible.

But besides that, he held one advantage—the Fen Shi Blood Eye! This ocular divine ability might assist the Cangsheng Dao, allowing him to seal space, perceive the opponent's true strength, and so forth. However, to maximize the potential of this Blood Eye technique, a higher realm was necessary.

And then there was the Kingly Martial Arts! Conquering the Tianfang World and securing this relay point allowed his National Fortune and ‘King’s Aura’ to partially influence the Cloud Realm. But if he himself lacked a certain foundation in martial cultivation, even commanding billions of worlds would be useless. Unless his martial intent could advance further, backed by a more robust body of cultivators, he could only rely on the Kingly Martial Arts and some potential-stimulating secret methods to temporarily possess strength comparable to the Saint Realm in the Cloud Realm. Yet, cultivation required arduous practice, step by step, with few shortcuts for instant success.

He had only recently reached the Immortal Realm and required decades of accumulation before advancing again. However, the bloodline transformation within the Nine Desolations Hell had given him sufficient Dao Dharma accumulation. At this moment, he happened to grasp a method that could rapidly elevate his cultivation realm with few hidden risks.

He took out the Zhou Ji Ming Shi Shu (Book of the Epochal Destiny of Heaven and Earth) and flipped to the fifth page.

Zong Shou hesitated once more. The Zhou Book had nine pages, corresponding to the nine realms: Body, Earth, Heaven, Spirit, Immortal, Divine, Saint, Supreme, and True. His current cultivation corresponded to the fifth page. He had opened it not long after breaking through to the Immortal Realm in the Cangling World. Inside, besides containing deeper laws of time and fate, there were two methods crucial to Zong Shou.

One was the method to control the Zhou Book: investing more Spirit Stones or Immortal Stones to boost the time acceleration ratio to a hundredfold difference. However, the consumption ratio was not merely doubled; it increased geometrically! The expenditure was so high that even Zong Shou felt the pinch—the cost-effectiveness was extremely poor.

The other was Time Regression. This allowed the caster's soul to return to a specific period previously experienced, completely reliving and observing everything seen before, though unable to move or act. The required Immortal Stones and magical power were somewhat higher, which Zong Shou did not lack. Beyond that, however, it required consuming three hundred years of lifespan. Before, Zong Shou had hesitated, reluctant to part with it. Now, the situation had become desperate.

"Truly agonizing! After finally reaching the Immortal Realm and gaining four thousand years of lifespan, this one time, I might deplete it all again—" The span between the Spirit Realm and Immortal Realm typically granted an increase of about sixteen hundred to two thousand years of lifespan, varying with individual aptitude. Zong Shou's physical body was already equivalent to the Undying Body of the Divine Realm and recorded in the Golden Register of Profound Fate; thus, upon entering the Immortal Realm, he immediately gained four thousand years. If his current calculation was correct, this single application would cost him at least three thousand years of life.

With a grim laugh, Zong Shou abruptly snapped the Zhou Book shut. It wasn't that he was retreating, but his resolve was set. He would gamble with these three thousand years of life. However, employing this technique required prolonged meditative stillness, and ideally, a powerful protector like Ao Kun to guard him. For now, miscellaneous duties remained numerous, and the time was not yet right.