Li Fan began a new round of experiments. This time, the height he reached after burning a fist-sized piece of True Immortal flesh was sufficient to activate the Nine Heavens Dustfall Finger and effortlessly crush a small world the size of Great Xuan.
"To achieve the effect of destroying the Xuanhuang World with a single finger, I would need to burn a piece of True Immortal flesh roughly the size of a human…" Li Fan mused silently.
"Compared to a True Immortal's efficiency, this is still far from ideal. However, it's the best I can do for now. Perhaps with increased strength, I can find ways to improve it."
With the first and most crucial step completed, the subsequent analysis proceeded smoothly. The Terminal Dissociation Disc successfully replicated the Nine Heavens Dustfall Finger technique using eight interconnected formations. With the Disc's assistance and sufficient materials, Li Fan could deploy the formation instantly, effectively turning it into an instantaneous technique.
"Unfortunately, since it's composed of multiple formations, it lacks the seamlessness of a true innate technique. Against an opponent skilled in formations, they might exploit the gaps between the interconnected formations and easily break it. There shouldn't be anyone in the Dark Star Sea more skilled in formations than me. But beyond the Great Wall… that's hard to say… Regardless, my priority is to gather more True Immortal flesh for research and prevent it from developing consciousness as the quantity increases."
Hovering above the Great Xuan Small World, Li Fan gazed into the void, pondering his recent experiences, his understanding of creating the Super Xuanhuang World deepening.
"If the path to immortality is like a person ascending a mountain, then my plan is to propel the entire Xuanhuang World to the summit."
Li Fan's eyes flickered as his thoughts churned. "Even ascending alone is now impossible, let alone elevating an entire world. In fact, if not for the immortal spiritual energy left behind by Master Bai, I wouldn't even consider it. It was witnessing the Xuanhuang World's transformation after absorbing that energy in my past life that gave me some confidence."
"Elevating a world might also be the Healer's plan. However, the world he intends to elevate isn't the Xuanhuang World, but the Heavenly Law World. Unfortunately for him, I'll be intercepting his plan in this life!"
Li Fan felt no guilt. "With the Ascension Formation, I can utilize that immortal spiritual energy more efficiently. But should I incorporate burning True Immortal flesh in the world ascension process…?"
After a moment of contemplation, Li Fan decided to conduct an experiment on a small world first. While theoretically, burning the True Immortal flesh in the formation should leave nothing behind, he had a nagging feeling that there might be some undetectable changes.
This time, he chose a small world even smaller than the desolate one he had previously crushed, practically a lifeless desert with little vegetation. After severing its connection to the Xuanhuang World with the Nine Heavens Dustfall Finger, Li Fan dragged it through the void created by the World-Splitting Whale, far away from the Xuanhuang World, ensuring that any potential catastrophe wouldn't affect it.
"Legends say Immortals can pluck stars and seize the moon. My methods aren't far off."
Using formations in place of techniques required little effort and even looked elegant. However, the rapid consumption of True Immortal flesh still pained him.
"After this experiment, my reserves will be depleted. I'll need to accumulate more."
Li Fan looked at the small world below and began setting up the Ascension Formation at various locations. "Let's also see the effects of the 'Zao Hua' character."
Wary of the potential Dao Comprehending True Immortal, even after learning the "Zao Hua" [Creation] character, Li Fan hadn't attempted to comprehend the Dao principles it contained, using it purely as a tool.
For this experiment, he even deliberately distorted the character, not using the fully comprehended form.
With everything prepared, he activated the Ascension Formation. Peaks rose from countless locations within the small world, like pillars supporting the heavens, lifting the entire world. As it "ascended," profound changes occurred within the lifeless desert. Vegetation and trees, as if undergoing millions of years of evolution in an instant, transformed from a thin layer covering the ground into a lush, sprawling forest. The monotonous landscape diversified, with mountains, valleys, and other natural wonders appearing.
"This transformation doesn't occur in cultivators. Until reaching the highest point, a cultivator's body remains unchanged by the increase in height. But for a world, it's different. While not a linear increase, there's a constant feedback." Observing the wondrous changes in the small world below, Li Fan was filled with insights.
The world's ascension continued as the True Immortal flesh burned. Clearly, the higher it rose, the more energy was required. The world's transformation gradually slowed.
"It's reached its limit." Li Fan knew he couldn't expect the current amount of True Immortal flesh to push the small world too high. He focused his attention on the changes after the "ascension" was complete.
The True Immortal flesh was completely consumed. The previously rumbling small world fell into an eerie silence, as if paused. The wind, clouds, and even all life within were frozen still.
"Hmm?" Li Fan's expression changed slightly as if sensing something. He summoned the wooden sword's image and quickly retreated, escaping the small world's vicinity.
Shortly after he left, a terrifying disaster struck the small world. Cracks appeared, initially just a few, spanning the heavens and earth. Then, they rapidly spread, covering every corner of the world, as if it were plummeting from a great height.
The higher it had ascended, the more devastating the fall!
The small world, temporarily elevated by Li Fan's formation, returned to its original position, shattering into pieces!
Unlike the silent annihilation caused by the Nine Heavens Dustfall Finger, the falling world collided violently with the void surrounding the Xuanhuang World, like a giant rock plunging into a pool of water. Invisible ripples spread rapidly from the point of impact. Like a howling gale, although Li Fan remained motionless, his clothes fluttered wildly.
He looked back at the Xuanhuang World. While the world itself wasn't harmed by this incident, it trembled slightly from the shockwave.
"It seems I've attracted some flies again." Sensing powerful auras from the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance approaching, Li Fan didn't flee. He hadn't forgotten the main purpose of this experiment.
He scanned the area where the small world had fallen. There seemed to be no debris left. Everything had been annihilated. However, the black gas, similar to the one produced by decomposing the True Immortal flesh with Falling to the Mortal Realm, hadn't vanished with the world. It remained, silently floating in the void.
"What is this black gas? Using True Immortal flesh as fuel does cause it to manifest within the world."
Having obtained the results he sought, Li Fan collected the black gas in a golden net and quickly left.
Shortly after his departure, a figure arrived. Had Li Fan still been there, he would have recognized him as Legacy Transmitter Jiang, the leader of the Legacy Transmitters.
Legacy Transmitter Jiang, stationed in the Return to Ruin World, rarely ventured out. He only appeared when the Xuanhuang World faced a world-ending calamity that ordinary Legacy Transmitters couldn't handle. He shouldn't have appeared for a mere incident like this.
Legacy Transmitter Jiang arrived at the source of the disturbance and observed the now empty void with a thoughtful expression. After searching the area and finding no clues, he frowned slightly. Just as he was about to leave, his eyes narrowed, and he looked back at the spot where the small world had fallen.
A wisp of the black gas, which Li Fan had supposedly collected completely, reappeared. Upon seeing it, Legacy Transmitter Jiang's expression changed drastically. As if recognizing it, he didn't hesitate. Opening his mouth wide, he swallowed the black gas, along with the surrounding space.
After consuming the black gas, Legacy Transmitter Jiang's appearance visibly deteriorated. Black lines spread across his body like ink, threatening to engulf him. However, his eyes remained calm. A ripple emanated from his chest, and his body trembled like disturbed water. With rhythmic pulsations, Legacy Transmitter Jiang, along with the black gas and the space he had swallowed, gradually faded, vanishing completely. No more black gas emerged from the spot where the small world had fallen, as if nothing had happened.
…
Li Fan, unaware that the "flies" from the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance had inadvertently solved a major problem for him, wouldn't have realized that the black gas, if left unchecked, might have silently infiltrated the Xuanhuang World, jeopardizing his Dao Integration plan in this life.
He was currently analyzing the reasons for the experiment's failure.
"A world's ascension is fundamentally different from a cultivator's. This difference manifests not only in the process but also in the result. A cultivator returning from a 'higher' state might experience some discomfort, but it's nothing compared to the catastrophic consequences of a world's fall. Perhaps it's because the world absorbed a massive amount of energy during the ascension process."
Recalling the scenes he had witnessed within the small world during its ascension, Li Fan pondered.
Having obtained preliminary results, he now faced a new challenge. After propelling the Xuanhuang World upwards, he needed to find a way to stabilize its elevated state until it manifested the Heavenly and Earthly Immortal Soul, which he would then absorb. Otherwise, before he could achieve Dao Integration, he might be shattered along with the Xuanhuang World, forced into a premature and disastrous True Return.
"Ascension only stabilizes upon reaching certain nodes, likely the boundaries between different realms. I wonder if my preparations in this life are sufficient. If not, what method can I use to temporarily anchor the Xuanhuang World?"
Elevating the Xuanhuang World was no easy task. He had initially thought he could achieve his goal by simply following his plan. However, the chasm between mortals and immortals was vast. As his plan progressed, new challenges emerged. Fortunately, Li Fan had the resources to face and overcome them. He wasn't worried.
As Li Fan pondered, a brief period of calm settled upon the Xuanhuang World, as if reverting to its previous trajectory. However, this tranquility was short-lived.
It was broken by the return of someone through the Horizon at Hand Grand Formation from the foot of the Great Wall. Sensing the disturbance, Li Fan paused his thoughts.
The returnee was Daoist Hundred Flowers. She looked disheveled. Scars marred her previously pristine Glazed Glass body, its light flickering unsteadily as if about to be extinguished.
"Sacred Teacher…" Seeing Li Fan, Daoist Hundred Flowers breathed a sigh of relief.
"What happened? After I returned, you all vanished. The Great Wall of Shattered Worlds was in turmoil, and the accumulated True Immortal power erupted…" Li Fan asked with a serious expression, infusing her with Source Power Essence to heal her injuries.
The effect was immediate. Revitalized by the energy, Daoist Hundred Flowers bowed in gratitude, then said angrily, "That Immortal Master Yin, he went mad! Ignoring our warnings, he charged towards a specific location on the Great Wall. He could have gotten himself killed, but shortly after, a sudden eruption occurred. Caught off guard, we were separated by the residual True Immortal power."
Suppressing her anger, she continued, "I was lucky. I crashed into the Great Wall. While I suffered some minor injuries, I survived. Fellow Daoist Qiao… he wasn't so fortunate."
Daoist Hundred Flowers's face darkened. "I saw him drifting towards the Great Wall. I fear the worst…"
Li Fan remained silent after hearing her account.
"What about Xu Ke?" he asked. Xu Ke had always been incredibly lucky. He should have survived.
"It was too chaotic. I didn't see him. However, on my way back, I saw a communication mark he left behind."
(End of Chapter)