Battle Through the Heavens: Reap the Red Lotus Karmic Flame at the Start

"If we stay obediently in the Spirit Realm, living a life of peace and quiet, and if we are subservient and obedient to the Soul Clan and ancient tribes, will they really let us go?"

"That's simply impossible. The reason they haven't attacked us yet is mainly because they're mutually restraining each other and unwilling to break the fragile balance of the Dou Di families. As descendants of Dou Di, our clan still has some valuable assets. If one of the two clans were to produce a person of extraordinary courage who could act swiftly and decisively, our clan's annihilation would be a matter of days. And because of our weak strength, we would probably be the first to be wiped out."

"If they don't want to make a move, they won't make a move because of a Danta."

"What we really need to worry about isn't whether they'll retaliate after we touched the Pill Tower's Mystic Core, but rather praying that their two clans don't suddenly become interested in our race, that's all..."

Ling Fengzhui's words perfectly captured the profound sorrow of weaker races struggling to survive amidst a sea of ​​powerful figures. Compared to the Pill Tower, the Spirit Race was an absolutely powerful force, one that even they wouldn't want to provoke. Yet, in the face of other, even larger and stronger powers, they were merely a bigger fish.

Ling Xuanmo instinctively wanted to retort, his lips moved slightly, but ultimately he couldn't utter a word. Ling Yuan, on the other hand, took a deep breath, feeling the almost solidified air fill his chest with a cold, heavy sensation. He slowly shook his head, a gesture itself filled with a sense of powerlessness.

Ling Xuanmo rubbed his face vigorously, as if trying to shake away the suffocating feeling of powerlessness. He exhaled a breath of stale air, refocused his gaze, and continued to unravel the thorns along the path of the plan, turning to the dilemma of internal operations: "When the real battle begins, how can we prevent the clansmen from becoming complacent and panicked?"

"Two points!" Ling Haonan extended two thin but unusually steady fingers. "First, the details of the operation cannot and need not be explained to all the clansmen! They only need to know their own steps. They will enter as a mix of Spirit Guards and other clansmen, each with their own duties and mutual supervision."

"Secondly, if it really comes down to a full-scale attack on the Pill Tower, it means that Ling Zhuo's plan to participate in the Pill Gathering has failed. Ling Zhuo, who can't even do the best in alchemy, has no reason to live. I will use his head and my old life, which is nearing its end, to awaken the fighting spirit in the hearts of my people!" Ling Haonan's tone was chilling and sinister.

"We must also bring back those two girls who are still in Danta. They are one of the most successful early examples of bloodline transplantation and a valuable research result."

"Regarding bloodline transplantation, I must emphasize this point again. The blood of our imperial clan cannot be directly used by our own people; it can only be transplanted to outsiders. This is an ironclad rule, and there must be no transgression whatsoever!"

"We must be even more careful in selecting recipients for transplantation, ensuring they are useful without causing any negative consequences. Remember, we must not rush things; it's better to be slow and steady!"

"We must do our best to ensure the safety of our core clansmen. You must also pay attention to this matter after my death. Only we can protect our clansmen ourselves." Ling Haonan mentioned his death again, his tone so calm that it was heartbreaking.

Ling Yuan and Ling Xuanmo both felt a pang of sadness, but they still nodded in agreement. Ling Haonan was known for his ruthlessness within the Spirit Clan, but only those who truly confided in him knew that his heart was truly set on the Spirit Clan. However, this meant the entire Spirit Clan; if one or two members of the Spirit Clan were to be sacrificed, he would be the first to do so.

"Of course, these are secondary matters; the primary concern is always that Mystic Pill!"

"That pill has reached the level of a six-star Dou Sheng, and its self-cultivation time exceeds a thousand years. This is incomparable to ordinary Xuan Dan pills. I guess it has definitely reached the Golden Core realm. This kind of pill is probably unique in the entire continent."

Ling Xuanmo couldn't help but blurt out, "Elder! If this pill truly has such heaven-defying power, can't you...?" He didn't finish his sentence, but the meaning was obvious—this might be Ling Haonan's only chance to prolong his life.

"No need to mention it again!" Ling Haonan waved his hand decisively, severing his delusions, his tone resolute and clear-headed.

"My life force is exhausted, my essence depleted. Even if I were to forcibly ingest such a precious elixir, its efficacy would likely be less than one-tenth, which would be nothing short of a waste. But Ling Yuan—" He looked intently at the current clan leader, "his bloodline is at its peak, and he is in his prime. He is the perfect vessel to withstand this immense medicinal power. After ingesting this elixir, combined with his own accumulated strength and future potential, his progress will undoubtedly far surpass that of a dying man like me."

"Don't take chances, and don't think it's not worth it. I've been planning this move for nearly a century; there's no better option. Our operation naturally carries risks, but where in this world can you find something that guarantees a profit without any loss?"

"Our clan's situation has reached a point where change is imperative. The Xuan Dan from the Pill Tower is the best path we can take. After my death, everything in the Spirit Clan will be entirely entrusted to you two. Regardless of success or failure, you need not blame yourselves. The Spirit Clan has reached this state today, which is not a matter of a single day or night. I, as the Supreme Elder who has survived for thousands of years, bear the responsibility for all the deep-seated problems and malpractices that have plagued it."

"If the Spirit Race can be reborn in this all-out gamble, then the two of you will be absolute heroes in the history of the Spirit Race. If you ultimately fail, it is simply a matter of fate."

Ling Yuan's throat bobbed as he suppressed the sorrow in his heart and finally asked the most crucial question, one that carried his greatest hope: "How should I take that pill?"

They all knew how complicated it was to advance beyond the Dou Sheng realm, requiring energy that seemed endless for decades or even centuries.

"I've already planned this out. The true strength of our Spirit Clan lies in the fusion of battle qi and soul power. After so many years of independent cultivation, that Xuan Dan has already taken on a human form. When that time comes, I will refine it, and Xiao Yuan will first devour its pure and immaculate spiritual essence. Once your soul is stable, you will naturally be able to devour it completely."

"I will ignite the last of my power to help you one last time! This is the last gift I, the previous leader of the Spirit Race, can give you with my broken body."

Ling Yuan and Ling Xuanmo were completely speechless, like two frozen stone statues. Any words seemed pale and powerless in front of the white-haired old man at this moment. He had dedicated his entire life to the Spirit Clan, and he had never been ashamed of the name "Spirit Clan" from beginning to end.

"What's wrong with using my crippled body to illuminate the Spirit Race?"