But Li Ling also knew that this method treated the symptoms, not the root cause.
When he had first devised this technique in the Merfolk Kingdom, its extraordinary effectiveness had come from his having just soaked in the Filth Abyss, gaining the deepest understanding of its essence.
After passing the merfolk's trial and establishing a favorable impression, both sides had maintained contact. Even without Mind-Harmony Incense, he could still have befriended the merfolk.
The present situation was different. Using this method to forcibly twist their wills and make them his friends could not last, and might even backfire.
"We can't let our guard down yet. Their departure doesn't mean they've given up, especially those people from the Xiwu Sect. They'll definitely sneak back in!" Li Ling held nothing back, throwing a bucket of cold water over everyone's enthusiasm.
"Elder Li, how do you know?" everyone asked curiously.
Of course Li Ling knew. He could smell that Jin He and the others still harbored greed and resentment, brimming with malice.
By contrast, Jian Fenghao and the others from the Sky Sword Sect had been far more composed. They might well have abandoned the idea and would not return.
This was the ability of Scent Identification.
But Li Ling did not pin his hopes on their staying away. Even if Jian Fenghao had truly abandoned the idea, the moment he spotted an opening, he would surge back like a shark scenting blood.
Even if Li Ling could identify people by scent, people were not unchanging.
Thus, Li Ling said, "Repair the Grand Array immediately, and seal the breach they tore in the void's boundary wall."
Elder Xiu asked, "Wouldn't that reveal our unease? Should we keep things tight inside but relaxed on the surface instead?"
Li Ling said, "An empty-fort bluff? There's