If Li Wuji had truly believed Li Yao's "integrity", it would have been because he had spent too much time in the septic tank that his brain had been damaged by the smoke.
However, for him who had lost his own fleet and become a commander without an army, he did not have a second choice.
Also, based on his observation in the Blue Sky Market, it was true that Boss Bai was not building an enormous, bloated regular fleet but a rapid reaction fleet. As a result, a lot of starships would be eliminated, and they would certainly be reestablished as a secondary fleet under the command of someone else!
With that in mind, why couldn't the "someone" be him, Li Wuji, Marquess Yongchun?
Revenge was a dish best served cold. Whether or not he was going to avenge Boss Bai's humiliation, there was no need to turn hostile right now at least. Instead, he should cooperate with the enemy without sparing any effort to get the fleet and recover his strength first.
Having made up his mind, Li Wuji discussed the battle plan in the next phase respectfully with Li Yao and Boss Bai. He bowed at the two of them deeply before he finally stepped back and left.
"I didn't know that there were such … Divinity Transformation Stage Cultivators?"
Looking at Li Wuji's back that was gradually disappearing, Li Yao remarked with mixed feelings, "Why do I feel that there are few real heroes at the magnificent center of the cosmos? The Yuanying and the Divinity Transformation Stage Cultivators here are far worse than the Cultivators of the same level at the edge of the cosmos?"
"It's perfectly normal. The environment and training methods of the two parties are entirely different. Even if they are in the same level, they are not the same."
Boss Bai said casually, "The Cultivators at the edge of the cosmos have all struggled to advance in the harshest environment with the meager resources. Although the odds of us becoming Yuanying and Divinity Transformation Stage Cultivators are slim, and the risk of breaking into the new level is much higher than at the center of the cosmos, once we succeed in the breakthrough, we will have a lot of gains too. Our body, soul, and will will all be polished to the maximum!
"What about the Cultivators at the center of the cosmos? Hmph, they usually have the best family environment, the most perfect cultivation facilities, and astronomical cultivation resources. Whatever they want, they just have to stretch out their hands and they will have it, unlike us, who have to fight to the death for a little bit of resources!
"I'm told that the Imperium of True Human Beings even has a lot of large magical equipment that can deal with the 'apocalypses' that are triggered when you try to break into the highest level. Think about it. Even the apocalypses are no longer a threat to the high-level Cultivators. Those high-level Cultivators are just flowers in a greenhouse who have never been through real storms. How can they compare to us?
"It's like two tycoons in the business world. One of them was born in a famous family, studied in the best school since he was young, and inherited a huge family business after he graduated. The other was born in a poor family, built his business from scratch, and had no connections. He earned billions one copper coin after another.
"If the two of them have similar assets, Li Yao, which of the two tycoons do you think is more determined, ambitious, and insatiable? Which one of them is more likely to win the business war?"
Li Yao was slightly dazed. Then, he nodded quickly and said, "Fair enough. It is the same in Long Yangjun's Ancient Sages Sector. The barbarian soldiers who were born in the remote, desolate, and untamed will become iron-blooded elites after a bit of training. Their brutality and toughness are often even higher than that of the emperor's army in the central plateaus, not to mention the 'emperor's army' at the end of the dynasty. Right now, the Cultivators from the Xing Yao Federation are exactly the 'untamed' barbarian soldiers!"
"That's right!"
Boss Bai burst into laughter. "Therefore, I often tell my brothers that level is certainly important in training and fighting, but it is definitely not the most important thing. In the same level, we are all Yuanying or in the Divinity Transformation Stage. It will not be an exaggeration for the warriors at the edge of the cosmos to fight the flowers at the center of the cosmos who are raised in the greenhouses at the center of the cosmos!"
Li Yao recalled the battles after he came to the Imperium and realized that it was indeed the case.
"The key is not the level but the belief."
Boss Bai extended his hand and stabbed it into the artificial dome, trying to grab a piece of the blue sky in his hand. He said, "I am fighting to break out of the Pangu universe and gallop among the billions of stars. You are fighting for all the human beings in the Pangu universe, or at least for the Xing Yao Federation. That is the reason why we are fighting and the source of our strength!
"But what about people like Li Wuji? He wasn't even fighting for his family, for his family, for his wife and children. He was fighting for himself, for his lonesome self.
"Billions of stars and billions of compatriots are hidden in our fists, but he is only clenching himself in his fists. Even if the two parties are equal in strength, the outcome of the battle is already decided before the punch is launched."
After a brief silence, Li Yao sighed. "Boss Bai is right. It is rather strange that the center of the cosmos is a bigger place, but the people we meet are much more narrow-minded. The battles are all about interests, but few of them are about the real beliefs!"
"It is not strange. It is also caused by the environment."
Boss Bai said, "When we were at the edge of the cosmos, although the place was narrow and the resources were scarce, we had the most precious thing — hope!
"We knew that the center of the cosmos was a much better and more prosperous paradise than the edge of the cosmos. We knew that there was still a long way to go. So, no matter how ugly and painful the reality was, we were filled with hope. The hope burned us and forced us to march forward, climb upward, and train ourselves crazily without caring about anything!
"However, what about the people at the center of the cosmos? They have already occupied the most prosperous land in the entire world. They have explored the entire known universe, and they have defeated almost all their enemies. There is no road ahead of them. They can't find anything to conquer or explore anymore. They can't see any new hope.
"Then, what's the use of keeping the exuberant curiosity, the hunger for survival, and the determination?
"Even if the Imperium lasts for another ten thousand years, it will only be in the current state for ten thousand years. After the Holy League is annihilated, there will really be nothing for them to conquer. What can they do except fight among themselves? What is worth sacrificing their lives for?
"Therefore, the emergence of such a Divinity Transformation Stage Cultivator as Li Wuji is not just his own tragedy or the tragedy of the Immortal Cultivators, but the tragedy of all mankind. If we do not find a way to break out of the Pangu universe and find a new hope for the civilization of mankind, even if the Xing Yao Federation replaces the Imperium and the Holy League to rule this tiny universe one day, it will still degenerate, corrupt, and lose its vigor and determination. It will become utterly deformed and sordid, clinging to its own land without letting go.
"The Cultivators of the Federation at that time, no matter how high their level was, will all end up like Li Wuji today."
Thinking of the scene that Boss Bai described, Li Yao shuddered hard.
"You're right, Boss Bai. If a dragon is raised in a tiny pond forever, its pride will be gone sooner or later, its bones will be softened, its claws and scales will be ground away, and it will turn into a giant earthworm."
Li Yao said, "If the civilization of mankind is truly a dragon, we have to find the direction to the ocean for it!"
The two of them looked at each other and smiled, even more determined than before.
Outside of the training field, Li Jialing was waiting. His solemn face was filled with uncontainable excitement.
"Are you ready to go?"
Li Yao asked him with a smile.
"I didn't slack off for one second during the special training in the past month and a half. I'm completely ready!"
Li Jialing declared resolutely.
"Very good. The mission to win over Jin Yuyan, the director of the Business Alliance of Ten Thousand Sectors, is very critical and full of variables and dangers. Only the most distinguished elites are qualified to go with me."
Li Yao said, "Before, Boss Bai, Long Yangjun, and A Boxing Champion all wanted to team up with me, but after careful consideration, I still turned them down heartlessly. Why? It's very simple. I trust you, Jialing. You won't let me down. "
"Exactly, boy. You'd better not let us down."
Boss Bai glared and said coldly, "Li Yao persuaded me to give such a precious opportunity to you. If you screw it up, hehe …"
"Rest assured, Brother Yao. Rest assured, Boss Bai!"
Li Jialing blushed. "I won't screw it up. I have to go back to the capital to save … the queen!"
Boss Bai looked at Li Yao suspiciously. "Li Yao, let me ask you one last time. Are you really going to take this boy with you?"
"He can do it."
Li Yao said firmly, "I trust Jialing. He can definitely do it!"
"Alright then."
Boss Bai said angrily, "Then, I won't argue with a junior like you. Here, clean yourself up with this."
He threw two bottles of drugs to Li Jialing.
Li Jialing grabbed them and was dumbfounded. "What's this?"
"Depilatory cream and hair dye."
Boss Bai said, "You can't go to the Blue Sky Market with such a striking appearance, can you? You will probably be recognized the moment you enter the port. "
Li Jialing's appearance was indeed rather eye-catching.
By logic, he should've been trained to a rather tough level. Also, with the assistance of Li Yao, Boss Bai, and A Boxing Champion, it shouldn't have been a problem to restore his original appearance.
There was no telling what unique methods Li Linghai used to change Li Jialing's appearance from the cells. However hard Li Yao and the rest of them tried, they couldn't change him back. The best they could do was to slightly move him to the appearance of a "normal human being".
Li Jialing seemed to be used to the appearance of a "golden lion" too. Looking at the depilatory cream and the black hair dye in his hands, he was stunned.
However, when he raised his head again and saw Li Yao's eyes that were as clear as water and full of trust and expectation, he finally made up his mind.
Gritting his teeth hard, he nodded and said, "Got it. I'll clean myself up right now!"
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