Instant Return

Chapter 83

After witnessing the attack that resembled falling stars and a setting sun, Li Changmeng realized that his clones within the Ten Cities Alliance would not survive. 

When all his clones perished, Li Changmeng's consciousness fell into chaos. 

In the vast void, he felt countless threads connecting to him. 

These threads were incredibly thin, even finer than a strand of hair. 

Apart from these thin threads, there were a few exceptionally thick ones, as thick as hemp rope. 

"So, where is this?" 

As his consciousness regained clarity, Li Changmeng began to explore his surroundings. There was no spiritual sense, no sensory perception. He could only sense that this place was empty, containing nothing but himself. 

The countless thin threads, most of which had already broken, were now scattered. Only a few threads pierced through this chaos, extending to unknown places. 

"Are these threads the channels of the power of faith?" 

The threads were too thin for Li Changmeng to see clearly, so he focused his attention on the thickest one. 

One end of the thread was connected to him, while the other end pierced through the chaos, leading to an unknown destination. 

The thread trembled slightly, transmitting faint, intermittent sounds. 

After what felt like an eternity, Li Changmeng finally understood that the sounds were prayers directed at him. 

Not just this thread, but all the threads transmitted prayers, though the volume and clarity of the sounds depended on the thickness of the threads. 

These threads connected him to his believers. 

In this state, which might not even be a physical body, Li Changmeng had no spiritual power and could not use techniques. It felt more like a soul-like existence. 

He speculated that this place might be a space composed purely of the power of faith. His current state was his most fundamental form, connected to all those who believed in him. 

Perhaps he would only come here after his death, but the destruction of all his clones' consciousness had brought him here prematurely. 

After an unknown amount of time, the thickest thread suddenly trembled and grew thicker. 

At the same time, Li Changmeng felt the birth of a new consciousness in another place. 

Warm, damp, dark, and cramped. 

This familiar sensation was none other than the dantian! 

It was the same feeling he had experienced when his consciousness was born within Zhao Ming's body. This place was none other than Wen Xinyun's dantian. 

She had broken through to the Foundation Establishment stage and, through comprehending the Dao of Flesh and Blood using the fleshy tumor in her dantian, had stimulated its growth, allowing Li Changmeng's consciousness to be born. 

However, due to the tumor's rapid growth, Wen Xinyun was now on the brink of death. 

After some thought, Li Changmeng emerged from her body. 

Wen Xinyun collapsed, weakly looking up at him. 

"Dao Lord?" 

She was uncertain. The Dao Lord's appearance didn't match the figure before her, but she could clearly sense that this person seemed to be the deity she worshipped. 

"Rest now, child." 

Li Changmeng extended two limbs, lifting Wen Xinyun high into the air. 

The Dao of Flesh and Blood began to influence her body, filling her with immense pleasure. 

In this state of bliss, Wen Xinyun peacefully passed away. 

Her soul was naturally absorbed by Li Changmeng and placed within his acupoint cave heaven. 

Next, Li Changmeng transformed, taking on Wen Xinyun's appearance and donning her clothes. 

"Although I died once, the gains are not insignificant. Even now that I've revived, the consciousness in that space still exists." 

Through that consciousness, Li Changmeng could sense the locations of all his believers, including his subordinates. 

To his surprise, apart from the Dreammist Marsh, there were connections in the Hundred Battles Land—likely the Hair Person and Zhao Wenyue. 

In the Ten Cities Alliance, there were also several connections, meaning the Desire Flower had survived the cataclysmic attack. 

But what shocked him the most was that there was also a believer or subordinate within the Heavenly Star Sanctuary. 

"Now, it's time for my revenge." 

In the Saintess's room, there happened to be a statue of a deity, containing a considerable amount of the power of faith. 

After absorbing this power, Li Changmeng raised his cultivation to the third level of Qi Refinement. 

It wasn't high, but it was enough for now. 

With limited sources of the power of faith, his current priority was to expand its acquisition. 

After tidying up, Li Changmeng walked out of the small cave. 

In the underground cavern, illuminated by the faint glow of moss, he could see many figures moving about. 

Some were planting moss in more areas, while others collected water seeping from the rock walls using wooden or bone bowls. 

Of course, most were softly chanting the "Sutra of Emptiness," praying to the deity they worshipped. 

"Your prayers, I have heard them." 

Looking at the living conditions of his believers, Li Changmeng murmured to himself. 

"Saintess, have you finished your cultivation?" 

The sect leader, seeing Wen Xinyun emerge from her cave, approached in surprise. In his memory, since becoming the Saintess and beginning her cultivation, she had rarely left her cave. 

Seeing the sect leader, Li Changmeng smiled. Under his arrangements and teachings, life here was harsh, but the believers were filled with hope. 

He was a talented individual. 

"Sect Leader, I just felt sad seeing everyone living like this." 

"Saintess, as long as you cultivate according to the techniques bestowed by the Dao Lord, we will surely escape this place. Then, we will kill all those who disrespect the Dao Lord and refuse to believe in Him!" 

The sect leader's emotions were slightly agitated. The original teachings did not contain such extreme views toward non-believers. 

But living in such darkness, only hatred could give everyone the motivation to survive. 

Thus, he had slightly modified the teachings. 

He didn't know if this was right or wrong, but it was the only way to give everyone hope. 

Li Changmeng nodded slightly. "I understand, Sect Leader. Recently, I've had some insights during my cultivation. Perhaps the Dao Lord is helping me. I've gained many inspirations for techniques." 

"Saintess, I knew you were deeply favored by the Dao Lord. You are the chosen one, and everything is under His watch. What we must do is fulfill His will and spread His holy name!" 

The sect leader was fervent and devout. 

Li Changmeng returned to his small cave. In terms of devotion, those selected for the escape plan were all highly devout. 

For the Qi Refinement stage, the power of faith from these people was sufficient. 

However, Li Changmeng was not satisfied with this. 

He planned to create some minor techniques to improve the lives of his believers and increase their numbers. 

For Li Changmeng, creating simple first-grade techniques for mortals using the Dao of Flesh and Blood was not difficult. 

Previously, there had been no need, but now that there was a demand, it would only take a few days. 

Seven days later, the techniques were complete. 

Combining the "Obedience Blessing Technique" with the Dao of Flesh and Blood, Li Changmeng created three first-grade techniques: 

- **Living Flesh Technique** 

- **Division Technique** 

- **Growth Technique**