"After these two days, what do you think about the Langya Sect's ascension?" Lin An suddenly asked.
Li Shuang's body immediately tensed up.
This question!
How should she answer?
A wrong answer would likely cost her life.
Even with all her tricks, she probably couldn't escape Lin An's sword!
Lin An said nothing, just quietly gazed at Li Shuang, waiting for her answer.
After a long while.
Li Shuang's voice was steady: "Everyone has their aspirations. I cannot judge."
Lin An raised an eyebrow, pressing: "I'm asking for… your opinion."
Li Shuang's expression was serious.
Her opinion.
Naturally, she disagreed with such a selfish approach of feeding one sect with the entire world.
But.
This was a secret realm!
What she had to answer was not her opinion.
But Lin An's desired opinion.
So what was this Senior Brother's true stance?
Sweat beaded on Li Shuang's forehead. She knew that this time, she had to give a definitive answer. Otherwise, Lin An would only continue to press her.
After a long while.
She slowly said: "I believe this approach... is inappropriate!"
Inappropriate!
As these two words fell, Li Shuang quickly became vigilant.
She had tried her best to guess Lin An's situation. This Senior Brother was exceptionally talented but had not gone to the ascension formation. He should be... against ascension.
But if she guessed wrong, she couldn't just sit there and wait for death.
Lin An seemed not to notice Li Shuang's actions. A subtle smile flickered across his brows, and he slowly said, "You also think this method is inappropriate, don't you? Then Li Shuang, are you willing to help me disrupt this ascension?"
"If you help me, I will leave a hidden mark on your disciple token. I will give you some assistance."
"If you refuse..."
A cold glint flashed in Lin An's eyes, but he did not continue.
This implied.
It seemed she could only choose to help Lin An.
However.
Such a choice task should not have only one option.
Li Shuang guessed that if she chose to refuse Lin An, there would likely be corresponding changes. She was an elite disciple, and she met the conditions to enter the Ascension Formation. Even Lin An might not be able to kill her easily.
Choosing to refuse.
Perhaps it would draw out other characters, who would also take her into the Ascension Formation. But in that case, her role in this event would become that of a supporter.
Supporter or opponent?
Li Shuang didn't answer immediately. She asked, "Senior Brother, since you also oppose the ascension, why did you issue such a mission yesterday, asking everyone to persuade those senior brothers and sisters who were wavering?"
Lin An scoffed, "I intend to disrupt this, and it must be kept secret. Not too many people can know. All disciples who completed that mission cannot join my faction."
This was clearly Lin An's way of screening allies.
Li Shuang pondered for a moment and said, "Since Senior Brother invites me, I am willing to lend a hand."
A smile immediately appeared on Lin An's serene face, and he said gently, "You made the right choice."
He raised his hand and infused a wisp of energy into Li Shuang's token.
"Through this aura, you can communicate with me at any time. Go to the Ascension Formation first, and I will notify you through the token if there's anything you need to do," Lin An said.
Li Shuang calmly acknowledged.
Lin An nodded with satisfaction: "Someone will be here to take you to the Ascension Array soon, just wait a moment."
Li Shuang waited patiently for a while.
Not long after.
The welcoming person arrived.
Li Shuang was slightly surprised.
This greeter was none other than Senior Brother Lin from the previous artifact refining task.
Senior Brother Lin also beamed: "I didn't expect you to accumulate a hundred points so quickly. Hearing it was you, I specifically requested to guide you." "Thank you, Senior Brother Lin." Li Shuang appeared very honest and obedient.
Senior Brother Lin nodded with satisfaction. He glanced at Lin An, then sighed: "Senior Brother, why are you so stubborn? As long as you are willing to expel the turbid qi, you can enter the core of the Ascension Formation. Then, when the entire sect ascends, transforming from mortal to immortal, wouldn't that be wonderful?"
Lin An remained indifferent: "No need to say more."
Senior Brother Lin said no more and quickly led Li Shuang away.
At this moment.
Only three hours remained until the final ascension.
As Li Shuang followed Senior Brother Lin, Lin An's voice echoed in her mind.
"In the first cycle, time is not enough. What you need to do is familiarize yourself with the environment and await the next cycle."
Li Shuang didn't react, simply committing the words to memory.
These three days were the first cycle.
Her starting point was just a novice disciple, needing to accumulate points from scratch.
Li Shuang speculated.
By the time the second cycle arrived, with these accumulated points, she should be able to enter the Ascension Formation immediately. This would give her a greater chance to prevent the ascension.
Furthermore.
She alone probably couldn't accomplish such a grand task.
She needed…
More and more allies.
In the next cycle, and the one after that, she had to let Cang Yin Yan Lie and the others quickly acquire points, also enter the Ascension Formation, and obtain important positions as much as possible.
Thus.
In one of the subsequent cycles.
They would have hope to truly prevent the ascension.
The strength of these outsiders, in front of the masters of Langya Sect, was definitely not enough to be considered.
But.
Since Lin An dared to do such a thing, he must also have allies. These people, who dared to secretly obstruct the sect's plan, were naturally not weak either.
In the true history, Lin An and these people should have all failed, and for some reason, they also became true spirits.
However.
This was just a mystic realm.
Predetermined history is not immutable.
Li Shuang followed Senior Brother Lin, heading southeast.
Originally, the southeast was just a dense fog.
However.
Under the guidance of Senior Brother Lin, they pushed straight through, advancing through the mist all the way.
Finally, they reached a certain spot.
The mist dissipated.
A magnificent palace appeared before them.
Li Shuang's pupils suddenly constricted!
This is!
Langya Palace!
The name of this secret realm was Langya Palace.
And where they were before, they hadn't even touched upon the true secret realm mission.
"This palace gathers all the treasures of the world, built by the most skilled artifact refiners working day and night for a hundred years. This palace itself is a top-tier treasure. Only such a treasure can withstand the power of the Heavenly Dao and lead the entire sect to ascension." Senior Brother Lin's face showed a hint of pride.
Li Shuang also appropriately displayed a look of shock.
This expression didn't even need to be faked! This palace truly was a marvel of creation!
The palace, entirely made of what resembled white jade and profound gold, stood over a thousand feet tall! The main body of the palace floated in the clouds, and at its base, nine chains extended towards the entire sect.
Senior Brother Lin led Li Shuang inside.
Li Shuang watched all the way, her heart trembling with awe.
Even the floor of this palace was made of starfall meteorite iron! Other rare materials were everywhere.
It was utterly extravagant!
One could say that any single item in this palace, if it were to circulate outside, would likely cause a frenzy of snatching!