Chapter 1388: Chapter 1389: Clone Gaining Momentum
The passage of time, the year’s end grows colder.
In the Central Origin Realm, time flies by, and the cultivators are actively restoring their homes.
Deep underground within the Buddha Country.
Figures emerged one after another from beneath the soil, exchanging glances. There were a total of 250 people. If anyone were present, their jaw would surely drop in shock. For no other reason than that the 250 figures all looked identical, resembling none other than Li Xiaobai, the legendary War Immortal God.
“The main body is dead. What do you say?”
Paratrooper One, Li Xiaobai, casually asked with a cigarette dangling from his mouth.
“He should have died long ago. But to think he managed to take down an Immortal God with his life—let him have his statue built,” Li Xiaohei replied flatly.
“The Power of Faith is too weak. Who knows how long it’ll take. Without the main body, our cultivation level has stagnated. We ought to stir up some momentum,” one of the clones suggested after a brief discussion.
Leaving behind Paratrooper One, Li Xiaobai, the rest of the clones burrowed back into the soil once more.
“This was part of the plan anyway. Let’s create some momentum—without it, it’s unlikely we’ll accumulate enough Power of Faith,” Paratrooper One, Li Xiaobai, muttered to himself.
One year following the War of the Immortal Gods.
In a certain desolate land, a figure tilted his head back and roared at the heavens: “Paratrooper One of the Villain’s Guild, Li Xiaobai, requests to enter battle!”
The roar reverberated across the skies. The clone, engulfed in blazing energy, transformed into celestial light, hurtling straight up to land upon the eerie, gray-hued staircase. Moments later, he shattered into pieces and dissipated into smoke and oblivion!
This was the clones’ warning to the Central Origin Realm. Time erases many memories, but they needed all beings to continuously provide Power of Faith for Li Xiaobai. To achieve this, there was a dire need to remind the world of his existence.
Using the clone’s defiance of the heavens, they reminded the living not to forget Li Xiaobai’s great deeds.
The second year!
Same location, same hour, same land—the familiar roaring sound was heard again.
“Li Xiaohei of the Villain’s Guild requests to enter battle!”
The third year!
“I’m really not Li Xiaobai of the Villain’s Guild, requesting to enter battle!”
The fourth year…
The fifth year…
Within the Buddha Country of the Central Origin Realm, on the same month, same day, same hour each year, a clone resembling Li Xiaobai to the last detail would go against the heavens, climbing alone to the divine skies, announcing his existence to the world.
Over time, living beings grew accustomed to their presence. Some cultivators even made it a ritual to camp out, eagerly anticipating the spectacle of a clone climbing to the heavens. Fear was absent amidst the crowd, replaced instead by a sense of normalcy.
By the 200th year.
A group of youthful individuals traveled together, arriving early to camp out within the Buddha Country, awaiting the clone’s appearance.
Around them, plenty of cultivators gathered. Each year, this time allowed everyone a glimpse of a Li Xiaobai clone piercing the skies. Some believed these were external incarnations from Li Xiaobai during his life. Others speculated the clones emerged from the transformation of Li Xiaobai’s physical strength after his death. Some assumed these were the remnants of his unwillingness manifesting as clones, existing in defiance even after annihilation.
The most outrageous theory claimed these were enthusiastic fans imitating Li Xiaobai, deliberately modifying their appearance to resemble him exactly and sacrificing themselves as homage to ensure the world remembered their idol.
“Tap tap tap!”
Footsteps echoed. The scene fell silent as everyone instinctively held their breath, awaiting the arrival of the figure. By now, no one could quite recall how many clones there had been—they only knew one appeared yearly, forming a spectacle that cultivators couldn’t resist witnessing.
They believed that through these clones, profound cultivation techniques and higher-level mana could be comprehended.
A gray-robed cultivator strolled leisurely toward the base of the gray stairs, paying no mind to the crowd that surrounded him.
“Senior, halt your steps!”
Several youths spotted the abruptly appearing cultivator, their eyes lighting up as they stepped forward to block his path.
“What is it?”
The gray-robed cultivator asked indifferently.
“We are disciples of the Demon Sealing Sect. Having heard of Senior’s deep mastery over the Demon Sealing Sword Evocation, we humbly request guidance to verify our learnings!”
Leading them, a spirited young man spoke with confidence but retained respect.
“Oh, the rising star of the Demon Sealing Sect!”
“Feng Baichuan, known as the young Daoist boy!”
“He’s actually come all the way here to challenge Senior Li’s clone!”
Nearby cultivators recognized the identities of the youths and couldn’t help but gasp.
“Wish to spar with me? Send forward the weakest among you to fight!”
The gray-robed clone stood with hands behind his back, his tone casual.
Gasps filled the air, and many scratched their heads. In all these years, this was the first to challenge a Li Xiaobai clone, yet the response was met with utter disbelief.
Send the weakest to fight? Isn’t it typically the strongest who steps forward?
Was this Senior always this unconventional?
“Senior, what did you just say?”
The leading youth looked bewildered.
“I said, send the weakest among you to fight me! Is there a problem?”
The gray-robed clone’s expression remained unperturbed, as if this was the natural course of action. After all, he possessed merely a tenth of Li Xiaobai’s cultivation strength. Li Xiaobai was in the Saint Realm; he was but a Half-Saint. Naturally, he chose softer targets to dominate.
“Uh… no problem…”
The group exchanged glances and pushed forward an unremarkable-looking youth who appeared genuinely uneasy.
The gray clone swept a glance over him, sensing his feeble energy, and nodded with satisfaction. Drawing his long sword, he struck downward. In an instant, an oppressive force radiated from him, causing all cultivators in the vicinity to collapse onto their knees.
The youth froze in astonishment. His body felt bound, his cultivation was stifled—he was utterly powerless.
“Sword Imprisonment, the Demon’s Wicked Sword—this is Senior Li’s famous technique!”
“It’s exactly as the rumors described. Not only does it immobilize the body, but it suppresses one’s mana entirely!”
“Look, even the Half-Saint experts are subdued, this sword’s power is utterly terrifying!”
The surrounding cultivators gasped in awe. Although suppressed, none felt fear; instead, admiration bubbled in their hearts. To personally experience Senior Li’s swordsmanship was, for them, a lifetime achievement.
“Eh?”
“Not even Saint Realm cultivation?”
“Such weaklings?”
The gray clone scratched his head, realizing that even the strongest around was merely a Half-Saint.
If he’d known earlier, he might’ve staged a grander performance by crushing the strongest instead.
“Oh well, no difference.”
“My turn now. Li Dabai of the Villain’s Guild requests to enter battle!”
The clone let out a long howl, his figure blurring as he shot toward the gray staircase in the heavens, eventually vanishing from the world…