Xiao Fei learned from the jade slip provided by Cai Jingjing that the original Eastern Continent was similar to the entire Tianyuan Realm, with abundant spiritual energy and numerous powerful cultivators.
Later, the Spirit Locking Heaven Array continuously siphoned spiritual energy from the Eastern Sea and the Eastern Continent, causing a constant decline in its density.
This made it difficult to even produce a cultivator at the early stage of Nascent Soul, and those who were fortunate enough to reach that realm had to be extremely cautious, daring not to act rashly.
After the depletion from the recent war with the demon race, it had become difficult to even cultivate to the Golden Core stage.
Furthermore, if the Spirit Locking Heaven Array continued to absorb energy, this entire region would eventually become a barren land devoid of spiritual energy.
All the human races on the Eastern Continent were destined to become sacrifices.
The information provided by Cai Jingjing included some basic details and a portion of the array structure of the Spirit Locking Heaven Array.
However, this aspect was limited and offered only minor reference value to Xiao Fei.
After reviewing this information, Xiao Fei fell into deep thought.
In the eyes of the cultivators of the Tianyuan Realm, the human races of the Eastern Continent were merely cold numbers; their deaths were inconsequential.
But he could not accept this. He was born on the Eastern Continent and felt an emotional connection to its mountains and rivers.
Moreover, his friends who fought alongside him were there.
In his eyes, every person on the Eastern Continent was a being with flesh, blood, and soul. They should not become meaningless sacrifices.
Next, he planned to visit various major powers, hoping to secure aid from the cultivators of the Tianyuan Realm to find a way for the remaining tens of millions of human races on the Eastern Continent to survive.
However, based on Cai Jingjing's inadvertently revealed attitude, he did not hold much hope for this endeavor.
From an outsider's perspective, using the Spirit Locking Heaven Array against the demon race was indeed a clever strategy.
There was no need to dispatch anyone into the Eastern Continent, saving a lot of trouble.
But regardless of success, even with a one percent chance, he would proceed.
Shrinking back from difficulties was not his nature.
If this plan failed, he would have to resort to the next, more arduous method.
For a period, Xiao Fei became adept at social maneuvering, constantly engaging with the major powers of the Western Sea.
He welcomed any overtures from other factions, and with his fabricated identity, he fostered enthusiastic relationships with them.
Through his probing, he discovered that the attitudes of the other factions were similar to that of the Cai clan.
They were indifferent to the fate of the human races on the Eastern Continent, offering at most verbal sympathy.
Contributing their own efforts was absolutely out of the question.
However, it was not entirely without reward; he obtained a considerable amount of information regarding the Spirit Locking Heaven Array from various races.
This would likely be helpful to him in the future.
One day, led by a cultivator, Xiao Fei proceeded towards the highest cluster of palaces in the center of Qianhe City.
Although he had interacted with various major powers previously, the true leader of the human race in this region of the Western Sea was the Qianhe Sect.
Without the recognition of the Qianhe Sect, his prior interactions with other factions would be in vain.
Xiao Fei followed a disciple of the Qianhe Sect. This time, unlike before, he dared not be careless.
Soon, he was led into a reception hall. As soon as he sat down, he saw the young Nascent Soul cultivator from the Sanshan Sect walk in with a blank expression.
The other cultivator showed no intention of acknowledging him, finding a chair and sitting down on his own.
Xiao Fei also pretended not to notice.
Just then, another young man of imposing demeanor entered the hall.
He was accompanied by two maidservants, one carrying a fan and the other a sword, exuding an air of importance.
This imposing young man appeared to be only at the late stage of Nascent Soul cultivation.
When he had previously visited other factions, he was usually personally received by the sect leader or clan leader, several of whom were at the Void Refining stage.
As a true, established great sect and a regional overlord, the Qianhe Sect sending a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator to receive him was already a significant gesture.
However, upon seeing him enter, the young man from the Sanshan Sect, like a mouse spotting a cat, immediately rose and bowed respectfully.
Seeing this, Xiao Fei felt it inappropriate to be remiss and cupped his fist in greeting.
"Hahaha… you must be the Daoist Xiao who has been the subject of much recent talk! I have long admired you!"
The imposing young man merely nodded at the cultivator from the Sanshan Sect before walking up to Xiao Fei with great familiarity, appearing exceptionally enthusiastic.
"I am He Ling of the Qianhe Sect. Greetings, Daoist Xiao!"
"I am Xiao Fei. Greetings, Daoist He Ling!"
"Hahaha, Daoist Xiao, there is no need for formalities. Please, have a seat!"
Xiao Fei was surprised by the Qianhe Sect's warmth towards him.
However, the other cultivator from the Sanshan Sect received no such treatment, becoming a transparent figure in the hall.
During their conversation, He Ling repeatedly attempted to probe Xiao Fei's background, but Xiao Fei eluded his questions with vagueness.
Similarly, Xiao Fei used the Eastern Continent, the Spirit Locking Heaven Array, and the demon race invasion to gauge He Ling's attitude.
"There is no need to worry too much about the demon race invasion for now. It is very difficult for the demon race to break through the Spirit Locking Heaven Array. This array cannot be opened from within, so the Tianyuan Realm can rest easy."
He Ling stated this dismissively, not even bothering to mention the human races on the Eastern Continent.
In the cultivation world, people died every day; as long as it wasn't one's own people, it was fine.
At times, Xiao Fei truly wished he could, in a fit of anger, directly reveal the teleportation array leading to the Tianyuan Realm to the demon race.
Then, these apathetic cultivators of the Tianyuan Realm could also experience the taste of being invaded by the demon race.
However, unless pushed to the absolute brink, he would never commit such a heinous act.
"Daoist Xiao, I have invited you here today for another matter to discuss!"
"Please, Daoist, speak."
Xiao Fei knew that they were now getting to the main topic and assumed a posture of attentive listening.
"It's like this. This Daoist from the Sanshan Sect, you must have already met him.
Previously, we were unaware of Daoist Xiao's identity, and some misunderstandings occurred between us."
As He Ling spoke, the young man from the Sanshan Sect also looked at Xiao Fei and gave an awkward smile.
"As the saying goes, it is better to resolve enmity than to foster it. Today, I have shamelessly invited Daoist Xiao here with the intention of resolving the misunderstanding between both parties.
Would Daoist Xiao grant me this favor?"
The Western Sea was the territory of the Qianhe Sect, and the Sanshan Sect was a subordinate of the Qianhe Sect.
Now that his subordinate was coming to him for help, as the leader, he naturally had to stand up for his subordinate, having benefited so much from him in the past.
"How does Daoist He Ling intend to resolve it?"
Xiao Fei was naturally happy to accept this offer at this moment.
Considering their previous conflicts, he had not suffered any losses in his encounters with the Sanshan Sect.
If pushed too hard, he was genuinely concerned that the Void Refining stage expert from the Sanshan Sect might personally intervene against him, making it uncertain whether he could even preserve his life.
He Ling, having anticipated this, immediately proposed:
"We are all cultivators. To eliminate misunderstandings, how about a spar with a limit? This way, we can determine a winner without harming our harmony."
"What does Daoist Xiao think?"
"I agree! No problem!"
Xiao Fei readily accepted.
Such spars were mostly for show, as it would be awkward for the two parties to become friends directly without any resolution.
This was particularly important for those factions, as it was crucial not to damage the pure feelings of their subordinates.