This wasn't a matter of a year or two. It had to be done in a matter of days.
The Banishing Strategy had once been one of the strongest formations in the immortal realm. It would take time to understand, practice, and use it.
Once the home worlds' evolution was complete, the first thing they would do was seek them out.
Hence, time was of the essence.
Seeing Lan Qing's furrowed brows, Li Ke smiled. "Don't worry, I have a way to improve your cultivation.
I can't say for sure what effect it will have, but there's a good chance it will help you reach Nirvana. "
"All these years I've been on the alien planets I've been studying how they convert their energy.
After all, Ultus was stored in Monarch's core.
I discovered a way to convert their vital energy into their own.
If you have enough Paragon vital crystals, perhaps we can give it a try. "
Everyone's eyes lit up when they heard this.
Paragon vital crystals were rare, but they weren't non-existent. Humanity had suffered heavy losses in the last war, but so had the aliens. They had amassed a wealth of vital crystals, including more than a dozen Paragons.
Li Ke's expression was serious. "What suits them doesn't necessarily suit us. There will be problems with the conversion process.
The first is the impure nature of the alien's energy.
Although Paragons' vital energy is pure, there are still parts of it that are unique to the aliens. These parts are different from our bodies, so when you absorb them you will have to find a way to refine them. I don't know how much of an effect this will have. "
Lan Qing nodded. "That won't be a problem. We humans have an s-ranked power gem called Tears of Neptune. It can filter out all forms of energy.
The energy in the Life Crystal can also be used. Although we didn't bring a lot of Tears of the Sea God this time, it should be of some use. "
"That's enough."
Just then, Hua Li, who had been sitting nearby, rose to his feet with a smile. "Poseidon Group bought a lot of Tears of Neptune. Aside from the Eastern Alliance, we have the most. I've brought it all. I'll go collect it, it should be enough."
Lan Qing turned to Huali and gave him a thumbs-up.
The Tears of Neptune weren't just s-ranked gems, they were an important resource that could filter vital crystals.
Hua Li hadn't asked for anything in return, but he'd generously offered to contribute the Tears of Neptune from the Poseidon Group. His generosity wasn't something most people could hope to match.
The Hanhai Group had contributed greatly to the war, but their losses had been considerable. Although they had some vital crystals, it wasn't nearly as much as the Paragons.
Lan Qing didn't say anything, but in front of so many Paragons everyone knew that if they succeeded, the Eastern Alliance would repay the Hanhai Group's debt. In fact, they would repay it many times over.
The Terminator couldn't help but sigh in admiration. This was Neptune after all. He was young, but he was a man of great responsibility.
Huali left immediately, returning to Neptune to retrieve the Tears of Neptune.
Li Ke spoke. "It would be wonderful if we could solve this problem.
I believe our chances of success would be much higher.
However, I have one condition. "
As he said this, his expression became very solemn.
"Speak," Lan Qing said.
Li Ke said, "My condition is that the method of converting vital energy into vital crystals cannot be revealed. Only you and Little Yue will know.
At the same time, you have to swear not to let anyone else use this method. "
Hearing his words, everyone couldn't help but feel curious.
The Terminator scowled. "Why?
Isn't this a good thing? "
Li Ke chuckled bitterly. "A good thing?
Be it humans or any other creature, greed is an important part of our nature.
What you think is a good thing may not necessarily be a good thing.
The method of converting vital crystals is similar to the way the aliens use it to strengthen themselves.
In other words, by mastering this method, humans would be able to use it to absorb the life energy of other creatures to strengthen themselves.
I ask, Your Majesties, if you could master it, would you be able to refrain from using it? "
"That's right. We can use it on the aliens to absorb energy from vital crystals, but we can't use it on them.
But human greed knows no bounds. What will happen when the crystals are all gone?
What will become of humanity after they've grown so strong?
I'm almost certain that in the end we'll become like the aliens. We'll have the same goal. We'll take the energy of other creatures. In the end, we won't even spare our own kind.
When that happens, who knows how many more alien planets will appear. Our destruction will be directed at the entire universe. "
"We're the victims, and I don't want to turn from victims to perpetrators.
"Moreover, the universe has its own rules. If the rules of the universe eventually discover that our method of devouring life has caused a crisis to the entire universe, then an even more terrifying disaster will follow. When that time comes, even the Celestial Eradication Sword Formation won't be able to stop it, because our enemy will be the entire universe.
So, no matter what, I hope this method of absorbing energy doesn't spread. I hope it's only between the two of them.
I trust little Yue and Lan Qing won't share it. "
Li Ke's words caused the Paragons to fall silent.
Yes, it was as he'd said. If they had this method, they'd first use it on the vital crystals. That wouldn't be a problem. In fact, it would improve the cultivation of many Adepts. But what would happen after that?
What would happen after that?
The Paragons had all seen the greed of humanity firsthand.
In a way, humans weren't much different from the aliens. They were constantly expanding, exploring new worlds, and growing stronger in the universe.
This, of course, had an impact on other life forms as well.
It was only natural that humans would use this method of absorbing life energy. Once it did, there would be a few who would use it to grow stronger, until it was uncontrollable.
The Pontiff rose to his feet. "What if we limited this method to only a small number of people?
Then we could protect it with good enough laws. "
Li Ke laughed. "Your Holiness, do you really think this method will work?
It's not that I don't trust you, but the best way to keep a secret is to pretend it doesn't exist. "
Lan Qing's voice was low. "I agree with my mentor.
I can't say I'm a hundred percent sure I can keep this secret.
Everyone has a moment of weakness. If someone takes advantage of that weakness, it could spell disaster.
The existence of the Life Crystal is of great significance to us humans. However, this significance shouldn't appear on the premise of devouring life energy. Instead, it should be used to stimulate the human exuvium technique, allowing humans to obtain a longer lifespan.
This is the most appropriate method.
Too much evolution will only bring us to an earlier end. "
"Therefore, I've decided that after this evolution, I'll immediately open up my spiritual sea and ask a psychic with a sufficiently powerful spiritual attribute to erase this part of my memories from my spiritual world.
I'll also ask the Paragons to bear witness.
My senior is right, the best way to keep a secret is to pretend it doesn't exist. "
Most of the Paragons nodded their heads in agreement. Only a few looked disapproving.
Of course, in a situation where the majority followed the majority, the problem was easily solved.
Li Ke looked at Lan Qing with satisfaction. "In that case, I'm relieved.
What we need to do is save humanity, not bring disaster to our fellow man.
During the process of life energy conversion, no one else could be watching.
If he wanted to do it alone, he would need at most two people to protect him.
I'd like to ask your Majesties, Lan Jue and Zhou Qianlin, to stand guard. "
Lan Jue nodded. "We have no problem."
Lan Qing turned to the other Paragons. "Your Majesties have worked hard today. Go back and get some rest.
Our fleet will return to Angel and finish the Banishing Strategy as soon as possible. We'll destroy the alien home worlds. "
The Pontiff's eyes were filled with resentment. When he heard Li Ke say they could absorb life energy like the alien home worlds, his heart was filled with eagerness. If he could get his hands on this method, it would be the best way to revive the Pontiff's Citadel.
But it was clear he couldn't do it alone.
The other Paragons agreed with Li Ke's proposal.
The Paragons departed. Of course, they remained on Middle Heaven to rest and recuperate.
The enemy could return at any time, so protecting Lan Qing, Lan Jue, and the others was the most important thing.
The Banishing Strategy might be their last chance.
Li Ke listed a list of things he needed to prepare, and Lan Qing ordered his men to prepare them. The sooner the better, the sooner the better.
Everyone left. Li Ke asked Lan Qing, Lan Jue, Zhou Qianlin, and the Pharmacist to follow him back to the small room.