Li Fan's thoughts raced, and in an instant, he had a hypothesis.
The increasingly unimpeded operation of the Heart Refinement Sutra also confirmed his speculation.
However, is doing this worth it?
The Xuanhuang Heart Refinement Sutra, in Return to Truth's evaluation, is ranked above even the Cloudwater Dream Illusion Art...
After a moment of contemplation, Li Fan made his decision.
Not long after, within the Council Hall of Outpost 01-11, Li Fan gathered everyone and posed the question on his mind.
"The feasibility of returning to the Eternal Immortal Fortress? Master Li, why do you ask this?" asked He Chen, a soldier of the Qingxuan Garrison, somewhat puzzled.
However, he immediately realized something—Li Fan likely intended to send someone else to seek help.
His expression turned somewhat grim, but he answered truthfully nonetheless: "In recent days, the demonic sound tide has not shown any signs of weakening; in fact, it seems to be growing more intense.
"With our current strength, if we try to force our way through the White Mist during the demonic sound tide, I'm afraid..."
He Chen shook his head repeatedly.
Another Nascent Soul cultivator from the Martial Hall named Kong Yu directly rejected the idea: "Absolutely not!"
"I know Fellow Daoist Leng's capabilities. If even he failed to get help, we certainly have no chance of success. It's better to wait until the demonic sound tide weakens before making a decision."
The others also chimed in with their opinions.
"Let's wait a little longer. Captain Leng might return at any moment."
"That's right, Master Li. It's best not to make a hasty decision. As the saying goes, many hands make light work. Although our outpost is short-handed now, we can still barely look out for each other. If we split up again and encounter any sudden situations, I'm afraid we simply won't have the strength to cope!"
The cultivators assisting with array construction at the outpost, even those with Nascent Soul cultivation, all addressed Li Fan as "Master."
Although Li Fan had always vehemently insisted his skill in the array path was average and he didn't deserve the title of Master, he couldn't change how these people addressed him.
Over time, he could only tacitly accept it.
Now, seeing all the cultivators hold an opposing view, Li Fan thought to himself: Actually, I agree with you all. Unfortunately, I need to conduct an experiment.
I can only go against the grain.
However, he didn't argue with them. He simply waited until everyone had quieted down, then fixed them with a solemn gaze.
Only when the cultivators began to avoid his eyes did Li Fan finally speak slowly: "Everyone, let's speak plainly. Before the demonic sound tide, it would take only two or three days to make a normal round trip from Outpost 01-11 to the Eternal Immortal Fortress.
“Now, even with the sound tide making every step a struggle, if all goes smoothly, the round trip should take no more than ten days or so.
“If someone does not return for a long time, the only likely result is that something has gone wrong. The odds of survival are slim.
“We cultivators struggle against the heavens for our fates. Life and death are commonplace; there's no need to shy away from that truth.
“In fact, Captain Leng gave me specific instructions before he departed.”
This was not something Li Fan fabricated; it was the truth.
Several cultivators from the Qingxuan Garrison present had witnessed it.
Thus, after Li Fan's words, a shadow of gloom flickered in their eyes.
The hall fell into a heavy silence, with no one offering a rebuttal.
Li Fan then continued, "Now, the supplies within the outpost are nearly exhausted, and there's no sign of the demonic sound tide abating. An unavoidable question lies before us: what do we do when the supplies are completely gone?
"Perhaps we won't even last that long.
"Seeing the stock of Black Death Talismans dwindle, some among us may already be struggling to suppress their killing intent, fighting for that last shred of hope to survive."
Seeing Li Fan so bluntly expose the dark thoughts in everyone's hearts, one cultivator could no longer remain seated and immediately spoke up.
"Impossible! Absolutely impossible! Master Li, please rest assured. For us of the Qingxuan Garrison, duty outweighs life itself."
"Exactly! Master Li, since we were ordered to ensure your safety, we will see it through. If anyone else wishes to harm you, they'll have to step over our corpses first!"
The Golden Core cultivators who were part of the Qingxuan Garrison declared righteously.
The other cultivators from the Martial Hall and Heavenly Mechanism Hall within the outpost grew visibly tense at this scene.
"Master Li—"
Just as someone was about to speak, Li Fan raised a hand to cut them off.
With a faint smile, Li Fan stated frankly, "There's no need for such declarations. Even ants cling to life, let alone us cultivators.
"To reach our level of cultivation, who among us hasn't faced countless dangers and hardships?"
"The desire to survive is not wrong. But..."
Li Fan paused slightly, drawing the attention of every cultivator.
His expression turned solemn, filled with conviction. "We are all brothers and sisters of the Myriad Immortals Alliance. If we die in battle against the Five Elders Council, it would be a worthy death, leaving no regrets.
"Yet, to perish killing each other? I fear I would die with eyes wide open, unable to rest in peace.
"To prevent such a fate, I believe we should venture to the Eternal Immortal Fortress once more to seek rescue, before our supplies run out.
"As our Qingxuan Garrison brothers have said, this sudden demonic sound tide is unnaturally intense. The Eternal Immortal Fortress is likely overwhelmed, dealing with its own troubles. We cannot expect them to send aid.
"In desperate straits, sitting idle and waiting for death is inferior to gambling everything on one bold attempt."