58: Look into my eyes!

With Xu Qi'an's command, Yue Country completely entered a wartime cultivation state.

All the large and small forces and clans in Yue Country once again gathered in the main hall of the Floating Cloud Sect.

"Li Yebai, is everyone here?"

In the main seat, Xu Qi'an pressed his temples and said.

Because he had been handling matters and making plans these past few days, Xu Qi'an hadn't closed his eyes for days.

Although this didn't affect his Core Formation Stage cultivation at all.

But thinking about these things still gave him a headache.

Li Yebai checked the list, then said with a somewhat troubled expression, "Sect Leader, according to the list, only about eighty percent are present this time, and the other twenty percent have probably fled..."

Xu Qi'an had long expected this situation.

There would always be deserters, no matter when.

This was normal.

After all, there was great terror between life and death; who would risk their life to gamble?

If it were truly possible, Xu Qi'an would also want to escape.

But he was a Jie Dan Cultivator; any slight disturbance would create too much commotion.

However, the remaining eighty percent was still a relatively optimistic situation, at least lower than Xu Qi'an's estimate.

Immediately, Xu Qi'an clapped his hands, and two Floating Cloud Sect Disciples carried in a corpse.

Upon seeing it, everyone was immediately shocked and paled, almost thinking that Xu Qi'an had killed this deserter.

Xu Qi'an glanced at everyone: "Look closely. This person wasn't killed by me, but is the result for a Cultivator who left Yue Country."

The Cultivators below immediately fell silent.

Then, a woman came forward crying. When she saw the male corpse, she covered her face and wept bitterly.

Then she spoke to herself, "My man originally planned to leave Yue Country to gauge the situation outside, but as soon as he left Yue Country, he was surrounded and beaten by Cultivators from the Three Great Countries."

"He eventually returned to Yue Country severely injured and died from his wounds."

Those who could enter the main hall were all Cultivators of the Foundation Establishment stage, well-known figures from various families, clans, and sects.

But upon hearing this, their expressions immediately turned cold. They didn't know what to say, or even what to do, and could only sigh one after another.

However, there were exceptions among these Cultivators of the Foundation Establishment stage.

At the forefront was Water Lingmiao.

Water Lingmiao stepped forward and said to everyone, "What are you all doing here sighing mournfully?"

"Did the Sect Leader invite us here to watch us sigh and groan?"

"Do you still have the awareness of being a Cultivator?"

"Even I, a mere woman, can't stand it!"

Water Lingmiao's words undoubtedly had a great effect. As soon as she spoke, many Cultivators of the Foundation Establishment stage cheered up.

Xu Qi'an glanced at Water Lingmiao, greatly admiring her in his heart.

"Lingmiao, well done!"

But some very old Cultivators of the Foundation Establishment stage sighed pessimistically, "Market Owner Shui, it's not that we're just sighing, it's that there's really no way out!"

"Now we can't escape, nor can we advance. What kind of life path is left for us?"

"That's five Jie Dan Cultivators and two hundred Cultivators of the Foundation Establishment stage! Even the Blood Spirit Sect, a Demonic Sect that preys on the blood of the common people, doesn't have a force of this scale!"

As soon as these words were spoken, they caused a thousand waves. Many conservative and pessimistic old Cultivators of the Foundation Establishment stage chimed in.

The middle-aged Cultivators of the Foundation Establishment stage, however, remained silent, while the young Cultivators of the Foundation Establishment stage bravely stood with Water Lingmiao, though there were very few of them.

Water Lingmiao was about to retort, but Xu Qi'an shielded her behind him, stepped forward, and said coldly, "You're retreating already?"

"Where is your backbone as Yue Country Cultivators?"

"Are you used to being bullied?"

"Have you all forgotten the history of Yue Country?"

Xu Qi'an's words were very heavy, especially carrying a trace of the Core Formation Stage aura's pressure, making the old Cultivators of the Foundation Establishment stage who had just spoken unable to utter a single word in response for a long time.

"Speak!"

"Look into my eyes!"

For a time, the atmosphere in the main hall fell silent.

"Okay, you're not going to speak, huh?"

"Then I will!"

Xu Qi'an returned to the main seat and said with great authority, "Everyone heard the Nascent Soul Decree from three days ago. That was the Nascent Soul Decree from the Heavenly Dao Sect, and it cannot be disobeyed!"

"You might think it's impossible for us to meet this quota, and that any effort we make now is futile!"

"In the end, there will only be death!"

"Only the fate of having our country destroyed!"

"So you are all dispirited, with no will to fight."

"But I tell you all!"

"We will win, and we will win beautifully!" Xu Qi'an spoke this sentence with great emphasis.

"We are not without gains! Three days ago, Li Yebai and I invited a Nascent Soul Stage Cultivator from the Heavenly Dao Sect!"

Hearing about the Heavenly Dao Sect Nascent Soul Stage Cultivator, those elderly Cultivators of the Foundation Establishment stage whose faces were ashen suddenly seemed to come back to life, asking in surprise, "Lord, are you saying that the Heavenly Dao Sect Nascent Soul Stage Cultivator has changed the Decree?"

"No."

The elderly Cultivators of the Foundation Establishment stage who had still held onto hope immediately lost confidence, and another wave of sighs arose.

Seeing this scene, Xu Qi'an almost wanted to draw a Flying Sword and cut off the heads of these cowardly people.

"Hmph!"

"Do you only know how to pray for others to save you?"

"Although that Nascent Soul Cultivator will not directly help me, he promised to provide us with resources for assisting Dan Formation and Foundation Establishment Pills!"

"And he will also give us four pills to assist with Dan Formation!"

Upon hearing these words from Xu Qi'an, most of the elderly Foundation Establishment Cultivators finally showed a hint of greed.

Those who could live to this age in the Foundation Establishment stage were either unable to advance due to damaged Foundations, or had neglected cultivation in their early years, and now their physical bodies were decaying, preventing improvement.

They were all parasites within various forces and families, relying on their Foundation Establishment cultivation to do shameful things.

This was information Xu Qi'an had already learned.

Fortunately, Xu Qi'an was a Jie Dan Cultivator, which was why they didn't dare to be presumptuous.

However, Xu Qi'an's news ultimately greatly alleviated the pessimism of the Cultivators.

"The reason I called you all here today is to make plans, concentrate resources, and select Dan Formation seeds and Foundation Establishment seeds. Only by meeting the quota within ten years can we resolve this crisis!"

"This is the only way out!"

"Do you understand!"

The Foundation Establishment Cultivators were silent for a moment. Water Lingmiao was the first to step forward, and several of her Foundation Establishment Disciples also came forward.

"We respectfully obey the Sect Leader's command!"

As Water Lingmiao made her move, more and more Cultivators of the Foundation Establishment stage joined in.

"We respectfully obey the Sect Leader's command!"

And the remaining elderly Foundation Establishment Cultivators could only follow the tide and agree.

Seeing that the morale had finally stabilized, Xu Qi'an also breathed a sigh of relief.

"Now we just need to select the Dan Formation seeds and Foundation Establishment seeds!"

"However, the first Dan Formation seed is clearly already decided!"

He then looked at Water Lingmiao, and Water Lingmiao's gaze happened to meet his.

Xu Qi'an sent a voice transmission: "Lingmiao, come to my quiet room later. I have something for you."

Water Lingmiao nodded.

Immediately, Xu Qi'an began discussing the selection criteria for Dan Formation seeds and Foundation Establishment seeds with everyone.

And Xu Qi'an directly announced the candidate for the first Dan Formation seed.

It was Water Lingmiao.

On this point, none of the people present were surprised in the slightest.

"Alright, spread the news!"

"The selection for Dan Formation seeds and Foundation Establishment seeds will begin tomorrow. I hope more people will come."

The Cultivators received the command.

Immediately, Xu Qi'an took Water Lingmiao to a hidden quiet room.

As soon as they entered the quiet room, Xu Qi'an directly asked, "Lingmiao, are you ready?"

"I hope you prepare for Dan Formation immediately!"

Water Lingmiao was not surprised, but said firmly, "Xu Qi'an, I have perfected my state of mind over the past five years, and my cultivation and aura have also been adjusted to their Peak!"

"Lingmiao is ready!"

"Good!"

Xu Qi'an no longer hesitated, taking out a pill emanating precious light from his storage bag.

It was the Dustfall Pill, which Xu Qi'an had maximized the potential of using his treasure-gathering ability.

Seeing this pill, a look of surprise appeared in Water Lingmiao's eyes.

"This is the Dustfall Pill I obtained. It can greatly increase your chances of Dan Formation!"

Xu Qi'an placed the pill in Water Lingmiao's hand and continued.

"Since you have chosen this path, Lingmiao, you must walk it firmly. You don't need to worry about the safety of Yue Country anymore."

"If the sky falls, the tall ones will hold it up."

"Just focus on Dan Formation!"

"And I believe you will definitely succeed in Dan Formation!"

Water Lingmiao looked at the pill in her hand and nodded firmly.

"Xu Qi'an, I will succeed in Dan Formation!"

"Wait for me to return after Dan Formation!"

Xu Qi'an also nodded, then walked to the door and smiled.

"You can focus on Dan Formation here with peace of mind. I will handle everything outside."

"Don't worry!"

The door closed, but Xu Qi'an's previous words still echoed in the quiet room.

Water Lingmiao gripped the pill in her hand, her eyes firm.

"I will achieve Dan Formation, I definitely will."