"Exchange insights…" Li Fan pondered, remaining silent for a long while.
Seeing this, Zhong Daogong let out a long breath. Black and white energies flowed from his fingertips, forming characters in the void.
"Fellow Daoist, please observe." Even in the desolate Star Sea, Zhong Daogong acted with utmost caution, setting up restrictions around them to prevent the characters from leaking.
The characters flickered, like living beings, coiling and flowing.
Li Fan glanced at them and casually remarked, "So it's 'Zeng' [Hatred]… However, your 'Zeng' seems slightly flawed."
Zhong Daogong's expression shifted. Just as he was about to speak, Li Fan declared proudly, "Let me show you my 'Zeng'!" His brushstrokes flowed like a dragon and snake, and in an instant, another seemingly identical character appeared.
The two "Zeng" characters stood side by side.
Zhong Daogong stared at the True Immortal Script written by Li Fan, first stunned, then trembling slightly. As the Grand Elder of the Severing Immortality Pavilion and the most knowledgeable scholar of the True Immortal Script on the Profound Immortal Ark, he could clearly discern the subtle differences between the two characters. Judging by the faint fluctuations emanating from them, the completeness of Li Fan's character was clearly superior to his own, even more so than the previous "Li" character!
"This… this…" Reeling from the successive blows, Zhong Daogong found it hard to accept. However, years of ingrained research instincts compelled him to cast aside all other thoughts and focus on the "Zeng" character Li Fan had written.
Every subtle alteration brought it closer to the true essence. If he were to discover these nuances on his own, it would likely take him a decade or two to catch up. But now, a single glance was worth countless days and nights of painstaking research.
Zhong Daogong, unaware that this "Zeng" character originated from his future self decades later, had only one thought: he must bring this cultivator back to the Profound Immortal Ark, even if it meant resorting to certain measures!
The True Immortal Script was of paramount importance to the Ark. Each new character they understood significantly enhanced their strength. Moreover, that crucial plan they envisioned required collecting as many different True Immortal Script characters as possible.
With this in mind, after memorizing the new "Zeng" character, Zhong Daogong turned to Li Fan and said admiringly, "Fellow Daoist, your understanding is profound. I am far inferior!"
"However… in my homeland, there are more than ten scholars like myself researching the True Immortal Script. They have dedicated years to this study, and their understanding is no less than mine…"
Li Fan shook his head, a hint of disdain in his eyes, interrupting Zhong Daogong. "To be frank, fellow Daoist, in our Great Qi…"
Li Fan paused. "…everyone works together towards the common goal of survival in the shattered Star Sea. All research on the True Immortal Script is shared. In contrast, on your side…"
Zhong Daogong's heart leaped with joy. He explained earnestly, "We also have a similar sharing system. However, as they are the research results of others, it's not convenient for me to disclose them without authorization. But if you are willing to share and exchange, I guarantee you will gain new insights."
"You must be aware of the difficulties in studying the True Immortal Script. If we can complement each other…"
Persuaded by Zhong Daogong's words, Li Fan began to waver.
Finally, Zhong Daogong played his trump card. "In my homeland, we possess an original True Immortal Script character. If our exchange proves fruitful, we might allow you to see it."
Zhong Daogong knew the irresistible allure of an original True Immortal Script character for someone like Li Fan. He stared intently at him, anticipating his reaction.
As expected, Li Fan's eyes lit up, his hesitation vanishing. "Is that true?"
After receiving Zhong Daogong's confirmation, Li Fan finally agreed.
"However, for our first exchange, let's remain in the void," Li Fan added.
He pointed towards a nearby area, and silver lines appeared, forming a grand formation. Pavilions, towers, and bridges materialized within the formation, with flowing streams and playful fish shimmering beneath. The scene shifted between illusion and reality.
Zhong Daogong's pupils constricted as he witnessed this.
Li Fan flew into the formation first, taking a seat in a pavilion by the water. He looked back and said, "Let's do it here. Caution is always advisable. I've come to the edge of the Star Sea alone, so naturally, I must be careful."
After a moment of contemplation, Zhong Daogong followed him into the formation. Birdsong filled the air. Walking across the bridge, he could feel the cool, moist air and the water flowing beneath. It was hard to believe this idyllic scene was conjured by a formation in an instant!
"Unexpectedly, besides the True Immortal Script, fellow Daoist is also skilled in formations?" Zhong Daogong looked around, vaguely discerning that this was a formation creating the illusion of pavilions in the Star Sea. However, the realism of the illusion, almost indistinguishable from reality, spoke volumes about its sophistication.
"It's just a minor skill," Li Fan said dismissively. "Researching the True Immortal Script consumes all my energy. Where would I find the time to study formations?"
Zhong Daogong nodded in agreement.
After inspecting the formation and finding nothing amiss, Zhong Daogong bowed and said, "Then it's settled. Please wait here, fellow Daoist. I will return with the others before this incense burns out."
With a wave of his sleeve, Zhong Daogong produced a stick of ochre incense, which he lit and placed in the air. Smoke curled upwards as he bowed and vanished into the darkness of the Star Sea.
Li Fan watched him go, then returned to Immortal Master Yin and the others.
"Sacred Teacher…"
Knowing that his sudden departure and prolonged absence must have caused concern, they immediately inquired about what had happened.
"Unexpectedly, there's a surviving civilization at the edge of the Dark Star Sea. I must have alerted them while setting up the formation connecting to the Xuanhuang World," Li Fan said gravely.
His words shocked everyone. "Here? Where do they live in this desolate place?"
"I don't know yet. We only had a brief encounter. But to have survived in the shattered Star Sea for so long, they must be formidable. Don't reveal yourselves yet. Wait until I've investigated further," Li Fan cautioned.
Everyone nodded in agreement. Caution was paramount when dealing with unknown entities in the Star Sea.
While waiting for the arrival of the Ark's inhabitants, Li Fan continued his lesson.
"Relics contain residual True Immortal power, and world fragments even more so. If a world fragment saturated with residual True Immortal power is absorbed by the Xuanhuang World… it might cause world-shaking turmoil and devastation. However, many years have passed since the Great Calamity of the Star Sea. There must be some shattered worlds where the True Immortal power has mostly dissipated. Only these can serve as catalysts," Li Fan explained.
"With so many of us, splitting up to search, finding a suitable catalyst shouldn't be too difficult, right?" Craftsman Qiao said, looking at the vast Great Wall of Shattered Worlds.
Li Fan shook his head. He pointed, and the wooden sword's image instantly appeared at the edge of the Great Wall.
"Why don't you try it yourselves?"
Craftsman Qiao was the first to leave the protection of the wooden sword's image. The moment he stepped out, his expression changed drastically. As if caught in a powerful suction, he was pulled uncontrollably towards the Great Wall of Shattered Worlds!
"Stop!"
A golden armor materialized on his body. Panicked, Craftsman Qiao struggled to stabilize himself in the void, but he couldn't stop his movement towards the Great Wall. The light on his armor flickered erratically, as if reaching its limit.
Li Fan steered the wooden sword's image, enveloping Craftsman Qiao once more.
Freed from the terrifying pull, Craftsman Qiao looked at the Great Wall with fear.
"Is there another Immortal Ruins here?!" Everyone was stunned.
"Not an Immortal Ruins, but a Great Wall," Li Fan said slowly, his voice ethereal. "The gravitational pull from the Immortal Ruins is blocked by the Great Wall at the edge of the Star Sea. Then, in a way we don't yet understand, it converges at the foot of the Great Wall, accumulating over time and forming this… alternative Immortal Ruins. The world fragments are clustered together to resist this Echoing Star Power…"
The scene Li Fan described deeply shocked everyone present. Even though they couldn't see the invisible Great Wall, its ability to contain the destructive pull of the Immortal Ruins, which had shattered the entire Dark Star Sea, spoke volumes about its power and mystery.
"Moving around the Great Wall of Shattered Worlds is no less dangerous than being at the edge of the Xuanhuang World. A single misstep will lead to losing control and colliding with a shattered world. If there's any residual True Immortal power within…"
"Moreover, the Echoing Star Power greatly reduces the range of our divine consciousness. This is the main difficulty in finding catalysts and suitable worlds to merge." Li Fan's voice was somber.
He extended his hand, and a piece of shimmering, seven-colored crystal appeared. "This is Luminous Flowing Crystal. Combined with the Prismatic Dispersion technique, it can, to a certain extent, resist the omnipresent suction. Remember, don't push yourselves. Return when the prismatic light is reduced to one-third."
Li Fan imparted the Luminous Flowing Crystal and the Prismatic Dispersion technique from the Legacy Transmission to everyone.
"Of course, if you can achieve the No-Sword, No-Self realm like me, you might be able to ignore the Echoing Star Power." The wooden sword's image flickered, carrying them back to safety.
"The Great Wall of Shattered Worlds contains countless world fragments. Even with my power alone, finding a suitable catalyst is incredibly difficult. Therefore, I need your assistance," Li Fan said seriously.
Daoist Hundred Flowers couldn't help but ask, "Sacred Teacher, what is your ultimate goal? Is it simply to help the Xuanhuang World ascend and benefit from it?"
Li Fan chuckled. "With the Xuanhuang World's ascension, the threat of the World-Ending Calamity will be averted. We will receive the world's blessings and perhaps even have the chance to break through the limitations of mortals. Multiple benefits with a single action. Isn't that enough?"
As they were about to ask more, Li Fan's eyes flashed. "More people are coming. I'll be back shortly. Familiarize yourselves with the Prismatic Dispersion technique for now."
Before he finished speaking, Li Fan vanished.
Those on the wooden sword remained silent for a long time. Finally, Xu Ke broke the silence. "In truth, the Sacred Teacher is capable of facilitating the Xuanhuang World's ascension alone. It would just take more time. Yet, he still brought us, these burdens… It reminds me of Master Bai."
Xu Ke sighed, his eyes filled with nostalgia. The others remained silent. Indeed, from their perspective, they possessed nothing of value to the Sacred Teacher.
…
Outside the pavilion formation.
The elders of the Ark gathered, observing from a distance. Their divine consciousnesses interweaved. "Well? Is it a trap?"
"It seems we were overly cautious. There are no apparent attack mechanisms. It should just be an illusion formation."
"A mere formation. How powerful can it be? Are we, so many of us, afraid of a single person?"
"Indeed, under the might of the True Immortal Script, any formation will crumble."
"Don't forget, he also understands the True Immortal Script, perhaps even better than us…"
Their conversation abruptly halted.
At that moment, Li Fan emerged from the formation, casually holding the incense stick Zhong Daogong had left behind. One-third remained. Li Fan looked around and nodded. "True to your word."
Zhong Daogong introduced everyone. "This is Gan Jingda. This is Nangong Lie…"
After the initial greetings, Li Fan invited them into the formation for a detailed discussion. The elders of the Ark exchanged glances and, reaching a consensus, followed him in.
Settling into a pavilion, they got straight to the point.
"How many True Immortal Script characters has your world deciphered?" Zhong Daogong asked directly.
This question was crucial. Everyone from the Ark looked at Li Fan, awaiting his answer.
"Thirteen," Li Fan said calmly.
The elders exchanged glances, most with skeptical expressions.
"Admittedly, it's not many. But only those with a completeness of 90% or above are included in the count," Li Fan added.
This time, the elders couldn't contain themselves. "Are you certain?"
Li Fan chuckled, an arrogant look on his face.
Zhong Daogong waved his hand, and the elders gradually calmed down.
"It's not that we don't trust you, but thirteen True Immortal Script characters, all with over 90% completeness… is simply hard to believe." Zhong Daogong looked at Li Fan.
Li Fan smiled. "One character for one character."
The elders conferred again, reaching an agreement.
"I've already shown you 'Li' and 'Zeng.' You go first this time," Li Fan said, looking at them. Despite being surrounded, he showed no fear.
(End of Chapter)