It wasn't that the flow of time had truly shifted, but rather the Xuanhuang World around the Boundless Mirror was evolving at an exponentially accelerated rate. As if fast-forwarded, light and shadow flickered millions of times within a single breath.
The ancient Boundless Mirror visibly aged, and tiny grey particles, like dust motes, could be seen separating from its surface, drifting away with the wind and dissipating into the air. Having once resided within the Boundless Mirror with a fragment of his consciousness for an entire lifetime, Li Fan understood the mirror even better than its original spirit, Sun Luyao. Therefore, he recognized the transformation occurring within it.
"This is the Xuanhuang World's digestion process…"
While the Boundless Mirror's physical form gradually dissolved, the power of divination contained within lingered. Clearly, the energy level of the immortal artifact still surpassed that of the current Xuanhuang World, preventing it from being completely absorbed.
Spacetime continued to evolve at a millionfold speed. The ancient Boundless Mirror began to decay, eroded until only the mirror surface remained. Finally, it dissolved entirely, leaving behind only a faint image floating in the void.
As if sensing the lingering power of the immortal artifact's law, an inexplicable change occurred within the Xuanhuang World. Although this change was virtually formless and invisible, with his current strength and understanding of the Xuanhuang World, Li Fan could clearly perceive what was happening.
A transparent human figure approached the image of the Boundless Mirror, seemingly unaffected by the power of Shifting Years, Changing Seas. The transparent figure drew closer, overlapping with the image, as if swallowing the Boundless Mirror whole. Then, like ripples on water, the human figure slowly merged with the Xuanhuang World, vanishing before Li Fan's eyes.
Throughout this entire process, the figure hadn't even glanced at Li Fan, as if absorbing the Boundless Mirror's law was its sole concern.
"A Heavenly Soul, a type I've never seen before. And unlike other Heavenly Souls, it doesn't evoke any desire to devour it in cultivators…"
Li Fan deactivated the World-Ending Transformation and gazed into the distance. He seemed to see, somewhere within the Xuanhuang World, that transparent human figure merging with a newborn infant. As the infant grew, a new Boundless Mirror would be born, not as an immortal artifact, but as a celestial wonder of the Xuanhuang World!
Under normal circumstances, the Xuanhuang World would take thousands, even tens of thousands of years to complete this digestion and transformation process. However, with the acceleration of Li Fan's World-Ending Transformation, it took less than half a day.
Logically, aiding the Xuanhuang World in absorbing the immortal artifact should have increased its goodwill towards him. But after waiting for a while, Li Fan sensed no such change. After a moment's thought, he understood. The Shifting Years, Changing Seas transformation also consumed a portion of the Xuanhuang World's "lifespan." One balanced out the other.
Li Fan didn't mind this. The increase in the Xuanhuang World's power was tangible. Every bit of its growth would be reflected in the future Xuanhuang Immortal Soul, and he would ultimately be the beneficiary.
Turning his attention inward, Li Fan sensed a qualitative change brewing within the Xuanhuang World as the Boundless Mirror's law integrated with it.
"The Dao of Divination embodied by the Boundless Mirror doesn't currently exist within the Xuanhuang World. Once the Xuanhuang World absorbs and utilizes it… A Heavenly Dao that can foresee the future… Interesting."
The Heavenly Dao likely recorded most past and present events within the Xuanhuang World. With sufficient information, its ability to predict the future might even surpass that of the Boundless Mirror in its prime.
"This is the highest realm of divination mentioned in the Taiyan Sect's Nine Scrolls of Deriving Heaven: substituting human calculation with Heavenly Calculation. Devouring immortal artifacts not only increases the Xuanhuang World's power but also completes its laws. With each artifact absorbed, it draws closer to becoming a true Immortal Realm." A wave of understanding washed over Li Fan.
…
Ten days later.
At the Great Xuan Dao Discussion Platform.
Immortal Master Yin, Daoist Hundred Flowers, Craftsman Qiao, and Xu Ke had arrived, awaiting Li Fan. Their determination to pursue the Dao had finally overcome their fear of the unknown.
"Our last trip to the center of the Dark Star Sea took nearly a month and a half. I wonder how long this journey to the foot of the Great Wall will take," Craftsman Qiao mused.
"The Sacred Teacher said the edges of the Dark Star Sea are even more dangerous. A round trip of several years wouldn't be surprising," Daoist Hundred Flowers said with a frown.
Immortal Master Yin chuckled. "Look on the bright side. Perhaps we'll encounter some calamity along the way and never return."
Craftsman Qiao and Daoist Hundred Flowers fell silent.
As they were discussing, Li Fan appeared on the Dao Discussion Platform. Instead of leading them immediately, he sat down with a solemn expression and began to preach.
This time, Li Fan preached the Dao of the Sword.
"There are three levels of swordsmanship. The lowest level: wielding forged steel to temper one's will, holding a sharp blade to cultivate the body. Honing the heart with the sword, achieving unity between body and sword. Wielding the sword to slay enemies, maintaining unity between body and sword."
"The middle level: the sword in hand is the sword in heart; the sword in heart can manifest as the sword in hand. Wherever the mind goes, all things in heaven and earth can become a sword."
"The highest level: the realm of No-Sword, No-Self."
…
After outlining the three levels, Li Fan began to elaborate on each.
The audience below listened, gradually becoming captivated. Even Craftsman Qiao and the others were drawn in by Li Fan's words, momentarily forgetting their impending journey to the edge of the Dark Star Sea.
As Li Fan's preaching deepened, various celestial phenomena manifested in the sky. Apart from the usual occurrences that accompanied each sermon, the most striking was the sight of countless swords flying towards them from all corners of Great Xuan.
These ordinary, mundane blades now flew through the air, as if paying homage to a king or a sacred teacher, hovering before the platform with their tips slightly bowed. More and more swords gathered, blotting out the sky, forming a sword forest above the Dao Discussion Platform. Thousands of swords stood silently, as if listening to Li Fan's sermon.
"No sword in hand, no heart within; form unseen, yet intent ever-present…"
Seven days later, as Li Fan finished his final sentence, the thousands of swords resonated, erupting in dazzling light. When the light faded, the cultivators on the platform were astonished to find that all the swords had vanished!
Most cultivators were bewildered, assuming the swords had simply returned. Only a few with exceptional comprehension stared at the sky, lost in thought, a glimmer of understanding in their eyes.
"No-Sword, No-Self, yet sword intent endures…" Xu Ke murmured, extending his hand. A faint image of a sword appeared above his palm.
The other three, witnessing this, exchanged glances.
As they were about to discuss it, Li Fan's voice rang out. "Preparations are almost complete. It's time to depart."
"Know that this journey is fraught with peril, and there's no turning back." Li Fan sought their final confirmation.
Everyone nodded in agreement.
"Sword…"
"Rise…"
A gentle breeze swept past, and the image of a giant wooden sword, like a colossal flying ark, enveloped Immortal Master Yin and the others. Li Fan stood at the tip of the sword, pointing forward.
The surrounding scenery blurred into distorted lines as they hurtled forward. Then, the light merged into a swirling kaleidoscope of colors. The wooden sword's image shielded Immortal Master Yin and the others from the bizarre and distorted surroundings. Although they could sense the wooden sword carrying them at incredible speed towards the depths of the Dark Star Sea, those within its illusory form felt no change in velocity.
The distorted images outside the wooden sword's form suddenly darkened, losing all color, replaced by shifting shadows. Immortal Master Yin's expression changed slightly. "Have we already left the Immortal Ruins' sphere of influence?"
The shocked expressions of the other three answered his question.
"Didn't they say the path ahead would be fraught with danger…?" Craftsman Qiao's voice was laced with disbelief.
They could vaguely sense the wooden sword's image hurtling through the Dark Star Sea, unstoppable, ignoring the hidden dangers, accelerating relentlessly towards its destination.
"No-Sword, No-Self… No-Sword, No-Self… The sword doesn't truly exist in this world. Even the destructive power of the Star Sea's calamity can do nothing to something that doesn't exist!" Xu Ke stared intently at the wooden sword's image, his eyes brightening.
Then, Li Fan's voice rang out again. "Choosing to venture into the starry depths with me is proof of your courage and conviction."
"All of you have struggled to survive until now… Unnecessary sacrifices should be avoided whenever possible."
"Sacred Teacher…" The four looked at Li Fan's back, their expressions complex.
Li Fan paid no attention to their thoughts. He was experiencing this sword-riding technique, pushed to its absolute limit.
Ten days prior, after aiding the Xuanhuang World in digesting the Boundless Mirror, Li Fan had visited the ruins of the Heavenly Sword Sect. The wooden sword at the center of the Sword Mound, perhaps influenced by the Xuanhuang World's transformation, felt different. Compared to thousands of years ago, when Master Bai casually created it, the wooden sword now seemed more profound, as if imbued with the weight of time.
"No one knows how many immortal artifacts the Heavenly Dao of the Xuanhuang World has devoured. Perhaps some of their laws have supplemented the Xuanhuang World's Dao of the Sword…"
Li Fan had sensed and interacted with this wooden sword both in the Fallen Immortal Realm and in reality. The insights he gained each time were different, especially now. Having experienced immortal spiritual energy firsthand and personally deployed the world-destroying immortal formation, he now saw the wooden sword with fresh eyes.
"The more I know, the more I see within it. Or perhaps, the projection of the Dao of the Sword onto the Xuanhuang World has become more vivid."
Li Fan cultivated in the Sword Mound for seven days. He didn't take the black sword, leaving it to continue being nurtured by the wooden sword. Upon returning, he imparted his insights on the Dao Discussion Platform, culminating in a divine ability that now carried Immortal Master Yin and the others at incredible speed towards the edge of the Star Sea.
This illusory form of No-Sword, No-Self wasn't simply the Dao of the Sword. Li Fan had integrated the Interplay of Truth and Illusion, the Hidden World Concealed Void restriction taught by the Healer, and the Golden Chains Across the Void of the Floating Ferry Grand Formation. Not only was its speed extreme, but it also existed between reality and illusion, almost completely ignoring the residual power of the True Immortal Script along the way.
However, since he hadn't truly reached the realm of transforming reality into illusion, the wooden sword's image was still slightly affected by the residual immortal power. It was just that the speed of the wooden sword was so great, even exceeding the speed at which the residual power could take effect, creating the illusion of unimpeded progress.
As the one guiding the sword, Li Fan could clearly sense the rapid depletion of energy maintaining the wooden sword's image. If not for his profound foundation, established through the Five Elements Great Grotto-Heavens and the Xuanhuang World-Ending Transformation, a foundation comparable to several cultivation worlds combined, he wouldn't have been able to sustain it.
"In the entire Xuanhuang World, besides the Legacy Transmission Celestial Venerable and the Healer, even the five Eternal Life experts of the Council of Five Elders might not be able to execute this sword technique." Looking at the rapidly changing starry sky, Li Fan couldn't help but feel a surge of pride.
Thanks to the wooden sword's image, a journey that would normally take more than half a year now took only two to three days, and their destination was already within sight. Seeing familiar relics floating in the desolate Star Sea, Li Fan slowed down.
"Is this the Sea of Relics the Sacred Teacher mentioned?" Craftsman Qiao squinted, gazing ahead.
"It should be the remnants of various worlds after the destruction of the former cultivation worlds," Daoist Hundred Flowers explained, recognizing some of the decorative objects.
Immortal Master Yin remained silent since their arrival, occasionally pressing his temples, his expression grim.
The wooden sword's image slowly traversed the Sea of Relics. Soon, they left the area.
Before them, a larger conglomeration of ruins appeared, filling their entire field of vision. Even as mere ruins and debris, the accumulation of countless dead worlds filled them with trepidation.
A deathly silence fell upon those within the wooden sword's image. Just then, the wooden sword came to a halt.
"Hmm?"
Everyone snapped to attention.
They saw Li Fan emerge from the wooden sword's image and begin setting up a formation in an empty area between the Sea of Relics and the Great Wall of Shattered Worlds. Golden lines, as if alive, rapidly traced patterns in the air, flashing briefly before vanishing into the darkness. Various objects flew from Li Fan, merging with the formation. Even from a distance, the formation exuded an extraordinary aura.
Despite their proximity, they sensed no fluctuations from the formation.
"Fellow Daoist Yin, what formation is this?" Craftsman Qiao whispered, filled with wonder.
Immortal Master Yin shook his head, his gaze not on Li Fan but on the distant Great Wall of Shattered Worlds.
The formation Li Fan was openly setting up was naturally the immortal formation he had learned from the primordial soul of Ji Yuzhen, Law King of the Profound Heaven Sect: Horizon at Hand.
Ji Yuzhen herself wasn't versed in formations. She had only seen the Horizon at Hand formation a few times under the guidance of the Xuanhuang King. However, with the aid of the Terminal Dissociation Disc, Li Fan could roughly reconstruct it.
(End of Chapter)