"He looks compassionate, not like a cunning thief," Li Fan remarked.
Jian Daosheng snorted. "We thought the same on the Ark. It just goes to show, appearances can be deceiving!"
Zhong Daogong asked, "Can you track him based on his appearance alone? Or do you need other information?"
"A personal belonging of the thief would be ideal. But if not…"
"It's not a problem." Li Fan exuded confidence in Great Qi's immortal artifact. "His appearance and life story are enough for divination and tracking. However, I need to return to Great Qi and report this information first."
Li Fan's words caused a minor disagreement among the elders.
Jian Daosheng said, "We don't necessarily need to kill him. This Great Qi civilization's understanding of the True Immortal Script is comparable to ours. Perhaps we can use this opportunity to establish contact and exchange knowledge. It might be beneficial to the Ark."
Several elders agreed. "Indeed. We initially planned to eliminate him out of concern for leaking our research on the True Immortal Script. But judging from the current situation, Great Qi's research has much in common with ours. And unlike us, they don't seem to guard their knowledge so tightly…"
"Moreover, from his words, this Great Qi civilization resides in a large cultivation world, not lacking in resources. Don't forget the Ark's traditional trade! Commerce across worlds, connections throughout eternity. This has always been our creed. Killing him would bring no benefit. Befriending them might even help us escape our current predicament!"
"Don't forget that plan! We need to collect as many True Immortal Script characters as possible. At our current pace, it might take centuries. But with Great Qi's help, we might be much closer to our goal!"
…
The elders' arguments were reasonable. Gradually, those who insisted on eliminating Li Fan began to waver. After all, carefully weighing the pros and cons was essential for the Ark's survival. Rigidity and inflexibility would only lead to its demise. This was a lesson learned from the many calamities the Profound Immortal Ark had endured.
Finally, Zhong Daogong made the decision. "Let's see the power of that True Immortal Script character first."
While the elders were discussing, Li Fan had finished his selection: the bronze crane, the seven-colored stream of light, and the figurine with its head bowed.
"Fellow Daoist, are you certain about these? Once chosen, they cannot be changed," Zhong Daogong reminded him with a smile.
Li Fan nodded in confirmation.
Zhong Daogong and the other elders then cast a spell, summoning a blank sheet of paper. The Severing Immortal Arm within the Records of a Hundred Hearsay Immortals was manipulated to press its hand against the paper. The blank paper was instantly stained with ink, forming three esoteric patterns, similar to the True Immortal Script but simpler, each bearing the characteristics of the chosen items.
At the same time, Li Fan noticed the three items vanishing from the treasury as if imprinted onto the paper.
Zhong Daogong rolled up the paper and put it away. Looking at Li Fan, he said, "The items you requested are here. They will be yours after the transaction."
"Good! Straightforward!" Li Fan's eyes gleamed with approval.
"I initially planned to show you the complete character after seeing the Ark's original True Immortal Script. But now, I think I'll let you feast your eyes first." Li Fan's voice was laced with excitement. "As fellow researchers of the True Immortal Script, I believe we share the same excitement upon witnessing such a magnificent character. As the saying goes, 'To hear the Dao in the morning, one can die content in the evening!'"
"It might be too cramped within the Ark. Shall we go outside, to the void?" Li Fan suggested eagerly.
Having lured Li Fan into the Ark, the elders weren't about to let him escape.
Zhong Daogong waved his hand. "Let's do it here, using the Method of Similitude. Rest assured, this treasury, with the Severing Immortal Arm infused with countless fragmented characters, can minimize the influence of the True Immortal Script."
Li Fan feigned disappointment. "I was hoping to demonstrate my skills before all of you…"
Zhong Daogong made another hand seal, and the Severing Immortal Arm exploded into countless incomplete character structures, like swimming tadpoles, sealing off all directions, forming a cage of True Immortal Script.
"You may begin, fellow Daoist."
The elders' gazes fixed on Li Fan.
Li Fan cleared his throat, his expression serious. "Fellow Daoists, let me clarify once more. The True Immortal Script character I'm about to depict is based on my own understanding and memory. Compared to the original from the Immortal Realm, and even the one in Great Qi's immortal artifact's memory, there will be some discrepancies… However, rest assured, my understanding is among the best in Great Qi. I won't disappoint you."
After this lengthy preamble, having thoroughly whetted their appetites, Li Fan finally replayed the scene of the boundless grassland and the swirling arc of light. Amidst the shifting light and shadow, a profoundly mysterious character appeared before them: Zao Hua [Creation/造化].
Boom!
The moment "Zao Hua" appeared, the previously drifting characters within the cage went into a frenzy. Many broke free from the cage's structure, converging towards the radiant "Zao Hua." Even as a mere illusion, it still drew the fragmented characters like moths to a flame.
The Severing Immortal Arm began to unravel, and the elders had to divert some of their attention to maintain its stability. But like the fragmented characters, their attention was also uncontrollably drawn to "Zao Hua"!
"He wasn't lying! This single character is truly worth more than all the others combined!"
"Zao Hua… it's actually Zao Hua!"
"The Ark is saved!"
…
The elders, having immersed themselves in the True Immortal Script for most of their lives, quickly grasped the meaning of "Zao Hua."
They all exclaimed in astonishment, their composure shattered. Their usual cunning and scheming were meaningless in the face of the ultimate truth of the Dao.
While the elders were completely captivated, Li Fan subtly observed and analyzed the treasury's guardian, the Severing Immortal Arm. He had to admit, fusing all the treasures with fragmented characters was an ingenious anti-theft measure. Even with his experience from countless reincarnations, his vast knowledge, and the Terminal Dissociation Disc, Li Fan couldn't find a way to bypass it immediately.
However, now, with the appearance of "Zao Hua," the characters forming the Severing Immortal Arm were unraveling, converging towards it, revealing its underlying structure.
"Breaking this arm instantly is difficult. But taking a few key items should be possible," Li Fan thought, analyzing the situation.
The "Zao Hua" True Immortal Script character was incredibly profound, requiring more than a brief moment to comprehend. The elders, lost in their study, didn't pay much attention to Li Fan, who was patiently waiting nearby. This gave him ample time to analyze the Records of a Hundred Hearsay Immortals.
"This one, this one, and this one… I should take these…"
Li Fan sensed the elders' hidden killing intent. He, too, harbored no goodwill. Taking advantage of the chaos caused by "Zao Hua," he discreetly planted his own measures, embedding similar fragmented True Immortal Script characters into the Severing Immortal Arm, indistinguishable from the originals.
The longer the elders were engrossed in studying "Zao Hua," the more intricate his preparations became, and the more items he would be able to plunder.
"No need to rush," Li Fan thought, his hands moving discreetly.
More than thirty days passed.
Zhong Daogong was the first to awaken from his trance, his expression dazed. He let out a long breath and bowed to Li Fan. "Thank you, fellow Daoist! To witness 'Zao Hua' is a blessing! I would never have had such an opportunity without your generosity!"
Li Fan accepted his gratitude nonchalantly. "It was just a trade."
Zhong Daogong shook his head. "How can mundane objects compare to 'Zao Hua'? We've gained immensely from this exchange!"
Li Fan laughed, saying no more.
The other elders gradually awoke from their trances. They, too, bowed to Li Fan, then exchanged glances before focusing on him again, their eyes filled with the same desire: to see a purer, more complete "Zao Hua."
As the saying goes, greed knows no bounds. Having witnessed the True Immortal Script character written by Li Fan and sensed its immense power, they inevitably craved more.
"Fellow Daoist," Jian Daosheng asked politely, "could we perhaps see the 'Zao Hua' within Great Qi's world-protecting immortal artifact?"
Li Fan's expression turned troubled. "Even in Great Qi, only direct disciples, after rigorous vetting, are allowed to see the true memories of the immortal artifact. Others learn through indirect transmission…"
Looking at the elders' expressions, Li Fan smiled. "I understand your eagerness. However, this is only our first transaction. Perhaps, after further interaction, I might be able to grant your request."
The elders' faces fell, and they began another private discussion.
"Old Zhong, what now?"
"We can't kill him! We must maintain contact with Great Qi to obtain the complete 'Zao Hua'…"
"Indeed, compared to 'Zao Hua,' the other True Immortal Script characters are insignificant."
"Great Qi is willing to share even 'Zao Hua.' We seem rather stingy in comparison."
Having witnessed the power of "Zao Hua," the elders' attitudes had completely shifted. Seeing this, Zhong Daogong made up his mind.
"As agreed, we will now take you to see the original True Immortal Script character," he said to Li Fan with a smile. "While it might not be as impressive as your 'Zao Hua,' it's still the work of a True Immortal. I'm sure it will enlighten you."
"Oh? I can't wait."
Sensing the preparations he had made within the Severing Immortal Arm, Li Fan smiled back.
He followed the elders, leaving the treasury. From the top of the Divine Tree, they descended to its core. Within the verdant space, a ruin floated, countless branches extending from it and intertwining with the trunk of the Divine Tree.
A True Immortal Script character was inscribed on the ground within the ruin, partially obscured by the branches. Upon seeing the ruin, Li Fan's heart stirred. Its architectural style was remarkably similar to what he had seen in the lands of the Immortal Ruins.
"An Immortal Realm ruin?" Li Fan asked, feigning surprise.
"You're well-informed, fellow Daoist." The elders were startled that he recognized the ruin, their estimation of Great Qi rising even further.
"Indeed. This ruin fell from the upper realm when the path to immortality was severed," Zhong Daogong said solemnly. "At that time, news of the severing hadn't spread throughout the Star Sea. Therefore, no one realized this suddenly appearing structure was related to the Immortal Realm. The True Immortal Script inscribed within caused a great calamity. It wasn't until ten thousand years later that our Ark discovered the source of this calamity in the ruins of the Star Sea."
The elders joined forces, and the branches of the Divine Tree obscuring the ruin slowly receded, revealing the True Immortal Script character. Perhaps due to the passage of time and the Divine Tree's constant absorption, the fluctuations emanating from the character were incredibly faint.
However, this didn't prevent Li Fan from instantly recognizing its meaning: Gu [Ancient/古].
"Gu…" Li Fan murmured, tracing the character in the air with his hand. This "Gu" character on the ground of the ruin seemed remarkably similar to the "Luan" [Chaos] character he had seen in the White Mist Domain.
The True Immortal Script was a description of the Dao. However, unless it was the Dao itself manifesting, characters written by different individuals would exhibit different characteristics. Having studied the True Immortal Script for years, Li Fan could easily discern these nuances.
This "Gu" character and the "Luan" character were written by the same person. However, they weren't from the same source as the "Ji" [Hunger/饥] character in the Immortal Ruins.
"If I'm not mistaken, 'Gu,' 'Luan,' and the True Immortal Script characters that caused countless calamities in the Dark Star Sea were all written by the same person, with the intention of sowing chaos. The 'Ji' character within the Immortal Ruins, on the other hand, was perhaps merely for a True Immortal's Dao comprehension."
"Although their intentions were different, they both ultimately led to the destruction and desolation of the Star Sea. In the eyes of True Immortals, we cultivators are truly like ants…" Numerous thoughts flashed through Li Fan's mind.
"Although the energy fluctuations on this original character have dissipated, it still has its uses." Just then, Li Fan heard Zhong Daogong speak.
(End of Chapter)