Heavenly Dao Engine
Chapter 1193 - 1193 0692 Urgent Issue_1

Chapter 1193: Chapter 0692: Urgent Issue_1 Chapter 1193: Chapter 0692: Urgent Issue_1 Chapter 0692: An Urgent Problem

Cultivators continuously researched the characteristics of this kind of wax and discovered its various uses, including as a sealant for worms or other similar entities. As long as adequate preparation was made in advance, this wax could ensure that the worms or Spirit Bugs sealed within it could survive for a long time while preventing them from escaping and wreaking havoc.

Qi Tian did not know the method to preserve worms, but he had read some texts that briefly mentioned preservation. The details may not have been exhaustive, but he understood the general steps. He decided to try sealing this small rice worm in the wax.

Qi Tian dug out a piece of wax the size of a walnut from that large chunk, rolled it into a wax ball, and then hollowed out a hole in the center. He brought the wax ball to the storage room of the Heavenly Dao Engine and used the Engine’s overwhelming force to herd the rice worm.

In front of the Heavenly Dao Engine’s formidable pressure, the small rice worm could only tremble, not daring to even think about resisting as it obediently burrowed into the wax ball and curled up, not daring to move an inch.

Qi Tian took the now filled wax ball out, sealed the opening, and then fetched a talisman inscribed on animal skin to wrap the wax ball. Still not reassured, he took out an Immortal Rope and wound it around the ball in circles.

Only then did Qi Tian feel somewhat relieved. He returned the secured wax ball to the Heavenly Dao Engine’s storage room for safekeeping. As for how to use it, Qi Tian had no idea at the moment. Whether this small rice worm could become his trump card, he could not guarantee, but he thought it was always right to make some necessary preparations in advance.

After dealing with the rice worm, Qi Tian resumed patrolling the Outer Palaces. He noticed that many Gold Core Realm cultivators still bore injuries that had not been properly treated, so he hurried over to ask.

After making inquiries, Qi Tian learned that during the clean-up of the Outer Palaces, every Gold Core Realm cultivator had exerted effort. However, effort did not always yield good returns. Some had gained little, and had the misfortune of being severely injured in battle. The quality of the medicinal pills they carried was not high enough to heal their wounds completely in a very short time, leading to their current condition. Fortunately, although they were still wounded, they were much better than at their worst.

Qi Tian frowned at this situation, realizing a problem that, if not addressed well, would not benefit the subsequent exploration of the Saint’s Tomb.

Qi Tian immediately ordered all Gold Core Realm cultivators who had finished recuperating to gather around him; he had something to ask.

At that time, most of the Gold Core Realm cultivators had finished resting. Upon receiving Qi Tian’s order, none of them dared delay and quickly arrived, ready to heed Qi Tian’s instructions.

Qi Tian swept his gaze over everyone and said, “Who can tell me? How many of us are left now?”

Li Mijia and Gao Jinmei had been following Qi Tian’s side. Hearing his question, the former hurriedly said, “Master Qi, I just counted, and altogether, excluding you, we have a total of one hundred and thirteen people.”

Qi Tian frowned. They had organized more than one hundred and forty people for this expedition to the Saint’s Tomb, and in such a short time, they had already lost about thirty, roughly one-fifth of the total number. This casualty rate was a bit high.

Emperor Yonghe, who had finished his cultivation, approached Qi Tian and said, “Master Qi, you need not feel sorrow for those who have died. Who has ever explored the Saint’s Tomb without fatalities? Based on past experiences, the fact that we only lost around thirty people this time is a remarkable achievement. If it were not for your leadership and several occasions where you turned the tide when we faced danger, we would not have over a hundred people left; it is very likely we would have been completely annihilated. That we are alive now, and about to enter the Inner Underground Palace, is all thanks to your efforts, your grace towards us.”

The other Gold Core Realm cultivators echoed this sentiment, the vast majority of them not new to entering the Saint’s Tomb. They realized the true peril of such endeavors. Even those without similar past experiences had come to a sobering understanding of how powerful a protection Qi Tian had provided them, especially after encountering several powerful and unbeatable enemies during this exploration.

Qi Tian could accept casualties among their number, but the amount and ratio of the losses were troubling to him. This sentiment wasn’t just due to compassion; he wasn’t oblivious to the sadness of seeing comrades suffer. More importantly, in this closed space with no possibility of external reinforcements, every cultivator was a vital strategic resource. Only with sufficient manpower could they continue exploring and handle trivial matters, just like when cleaning the Outer Palaces this time. If Emperor Jianwu and others hadn’t led the one hundred or so Gold Core Realm experts in laboring here, if it were just Qi Tian alone, who knows how much longer it would have taken, not to mention the vast amount of precious cultivation resources that would have been consumed in the clean-up process.