"The mark should be Xu Ke's, but I couldn't find him after searching the area. The residual True Immortal power was intensifying, and I couldn't withstand it any longer, so I had to return through the teleportation formation," Daoist Hundred Flowers said, still shaken.
While the Horizon at Hand Grand Formation operated differently from ordinary teleportation formations, its effect was the same. Daoist Hundred Flowers habitually referred to it as a teleportation formation, and Li Fan didn't bother correcting her.
He traced the marks he had left on them, sensing their current locations and conditions. Xu Ke and Craftsman Qiao were indeed still alive. However, Craftsman Qiao's situation was surprisingly better than Xu Ke's. Xu Ke's aura flickered unsteadily, clearly struggling to survive amidst the residual True Immortal power. Craftsman Qiao's aura, on the other hand, was stable, seemingly unaffected by the turbulent Star Power.
As for Immortal Master Yin… the mark on him had completely vanished.
"Definitely something strange. He shouldn't be able to detect my methods with his current strength. Even if he did, based on my previous actions, he should have considered it a protective measure and wouldn't have removed it."
The edge of the Star Sea, the Great Wall of Shattered Worlds, and the Great Wall itself were still largely unknown territories to Li Fan. He had intended to use these individuals, survivors of the ancient Great Calamity with immense luck, as scouts. The sudden eruption of Echoing Star Power had merely accelerated the process.
Li Fan decided to leave them be for now and inquire about their experiences upon their return. He knew their personalities well. They wouldn't cause too much trouble.
"Don't worry, they're all fine and have encountered their own opportunities."
Daoist Hundred Flowers's expression turned subtle upon hearing this.
Ignoring her reaction, Li Fan handed her another mass of Source Power Essence. "Don't go near the teleportation formation for now. Wait until the storm subsides. However, under the influence of the residual True Immortal power, the formation requires regular maintenance. Otherwise, if it's damaged, we'll have to make another trip, increasing the risks. I'll leave this to you."
Along with the Source Power Essence, he also imparted information on maintaining the Horizon at Hand Grand Formation.
Daoist Hundred Flowers nodded in understanding, quickly immersing herself in the profound formation knowledge. While it only concerned the basic structure of the formation, not its core, she was still captivated.
After giving Daoist Hundred Flowers her instructions, Li Fan looked towards the Dark Star Sea. "The Echoing Star Power will reach the vicinity of the Xuanhuang World in about half a month. Just like in my past life, the entire world will tremble."
"It would be a waste to let such a powerful force dissipate."
Having witnessed the Dark Star Sea from a higher-dimensional perspective and seen a small world shatter after ascending and falling, Li Fan had gained a new understanding of the residual True Immortal power accumulated beneath the Great Wall, contained by the Great Wall of Shattered Worlds.
"The True Immortal power emanating from the 'Ji' character, while expanding outwards, was blocked by the Great Wall. Accumulating over time at the foot of the Great Wall, its 'momentum' formed a relatively elevated region. However, as it was merely an accumulation of power, it wasn't stable. On one hand, it would flow towards lower areas. And on the other hand…"
Li Fan narrowed his eyes, envisioning the majestic scene beneath the Great Wall.
"Normally, this True Immortal power should gradually dissipate back into the Dark Star Sea. But for some unknown reason, the Great Wall of Shattered Worlds formed at the foot of the Great Wall, trapping the True Immortal power, creating a strange equilibrium. Now, that equilibrium has been disrupted. The True Immortal power is pouring downwards like a flood, flowing into the lower regions of the Dark Star Sea, raising its overall 'level'…" A realization dawned upon Li Fan.
The rapid revival of the Star Sea in his past life might have been partly due to this event.
"What I need to do now is find a way to contain and preserve this flood for the future ascension of the Xuanhuang World."
This was undoubtedly a massive undertaking. Completing it perfectly within half a month was impossible. Li Fan could only do his best.
The Xuanhuang World's location was unique. Situated outside the Immortal Ruins, due to the presence of the Dao Comprehending True Immortal within, in terms of the overall spatial elevation of the Dark Star Sea, the Xuanhuang World was near the highest point. In fact, due to its proximity to the Immortal Ruins, it was already slightly elevated, like a mound at the base of a towering mountain.
"Therefore, like an invisible barrier, the impact on the Xuanhuang World will be significantly lessened. What I need to do is create a 'lowland' and divert as much residual True Immortal power as possible to accumulate there."
Li Fan nodded. He had personally experienced the process of ascension. To ascend and approach the Immortal level, one simply needed to stimulate energy and elevate their own "momentum." However, he knew nothing about creating a "lowland."
But he had seen such lower regions in the Dark Star Sea during his observations from the peak of the Great Wall of Shattered Worlds and the central hub of the Dark Sea.
"I'll investigate first."
Acting decisively, Li Fan went to Ou Shangtian and generated more True Immortal flesh. Looking at Ou Shangtian, his face now ashen, Li Fan frowned slightly.
"It seems finding True Immortal remains is becoming urgent."
He temporarily put the thought aside, covering himself in a golden armor of Source Power Essence and summoning the wooden sword's image. In a flash, he left the Xuanhuang World, traversing the Dark Star Sea, heading towards his destination while pondering the changes in spatial elevation.
After leaving a particular region of the Star Sea, Li Fan sensed something and returned, hovering in the void, observing carefully.
"This is indeed a natural lowland. However, if I hadn't seen the higher-dimensional perspective from those peaks, I wouldn't have noticed anything unusual. It looks no different from other areas of the Star Sea."
Li Fan frowned, sending out strands of his divine consciousness to explore the area. The results confirmed his initial assessment. This lowland, despite its lower "momentum," showed no apparent differences from normal regions.
After pondering for a long time without any progress, Li Fan suddenly realized something. Focusing his energy, he flicked his finger, releasing a sword Qi. It was merely a simulated attack of a Nascent Soul cultivator, yet the sword Qi tore a small rift in space as it passed. Although the rift quickly healed, Li Fan noticed it.
"I see. This lowland is… weaker."
It wasn't just the space itself. All the factors maintaining this space were significantly weaker than in normal regions of the Star Sea.
"The Xuanhuang World is to this lowland what the Immortal Realm is to the Xuanhuang World. Perhaps that's an exaggeration, but it illustrates the difference between them. A Dao Integration cultivator from the Xuanhuang World would be like a True Immortal in this area, capable of destroying worlds with a single glance."
Li Fan sensed the lowland's fragility. "Its 'momentum,' compared to the Xuanhuang World, isn't that much lower. But the difference in its properties is significant."
"What would happen if it were even lower, at the absolute limit?" The question arose in his mind.
However, this was already the lowest point in the Dark Star Sea. There was no readily available answer.
With the arrival of the Echoing Star Power drawing closer, Li Fan's thoughts returned to the present.
"With my current understanding, I can't determine the exact cause of these lowlands. However, that doesn't prevent me from utilizing them."
During his time as an official in Great Xuan, Li Fan had personally overseen the construction of irrigation systems, benefiting the local populace. Now, diverting the residual True Immortal power to this lowland seemed no different.
"This lowland is a natural reservoir. What I need to do is divert the True Immortal power here! First, I must prevent the lowland from absorbing the incoming power. Otherwise, it will simply elevate and vanish… Source Power Essence, incompatible with True Immortal power, is the perfect material."
Li Fan's eyes gleamed. An endless stream of Source Power Essence, like a long cloth, flowed from him, forming a thin barrier. Under his control, it quickly covered the entire lowland. The golden light faded, and the Source Power Essence vanished into the darkness, seemingly unchanged. However, Li Fan knew its properties had fundamentally altered.
"Next, I need to expand the lowland's 'intake' and reinforce the barrier at its base. I'm running low on Source Power Essence. I'll have to burden the Nether Race for now."
With a thought, the captive Nether Race individuals in the Great Xuan Small World sensed his call, awakening from their slumber. They knelt and prayed fervently, abstaining from food and drink.
As his Source Power Essence reserves replenished, Li Fan observed the area from a higher-dimensional perspective. The lowland's boundary was irregular and its area small. At its current size, the amount of residual True Immortal power it could collect was limited.
"How do I divert the flow?"
After some thought, Li Fan had an idea. The wooden sword's image flickered as he spent the next few days setting up numerous Ascension Formations in the vast starry sky surrounding the lowland.
The True Immortal flesh was being consumed too quickly. Li Fan had to return to the Xuanhuang World to replenish his supply. Ou Shangtian was now on the brink of death, even the Qian-Kun Bone Hand showing small cracks. He couldn't generate any more True Immortal flesh in the short term.
However, Li Fan had finally gathered enough material. The formations were set up according to plan.
Sensing the approaching Echoing Star Power, he waited.
"I haven't found a way to anchor the ascended state yet. But temporarily creating peaks to alter the flow of True Immortal power is achievable. According to my calculations, the residual power in this vast region of the starry sky will all be diverted here."
A humming sound filled the void. As anticipated, the Echoing Star Power arrived, like a surging tide or a terrifying storm. With a resolute gaze, Li Fan activated the Ascension Formations one after another.
A peculiar sight appeared in the starry sky near the Xuanhuang World, imperceptible to ordinary beings, visible only to those standing atop the highest peaks, observing from a higher dimension. Low-lying peaks suddenly rose, blocking the incoming tide of True Immortal power. Although these peaks quickly crumbled after rising, they briefly collided with the tide. As the peaks crumbled, the tide of True Immortal power changed its course, converging towards the lowland Li Fan had designated.
Initially, it was just a gentle breeze. But as more and more True Immortal power was diverted, the force here surpassed even the initial eruption point beneath the Great Wall.
Li Fan had to take refuge within the wooden sword's image, utilizing the principles of the Interplay of Truth and Illusion to shield himself from the True Immortal power's influence.
Watching the lowland gradually fill, even Li Fan, with his calm demeanor, felt a surge of pride.
"What True Immortals can do, I can do as well! Although it's more complicated, now that I've mastered the method, I can replicate it countless times!"
Just like the residual True Immortal power trapped beneath the Great Wall by the Great Wall of Shattered Worlds, a massive amount of power now accumulated in the lowland. Due to the Source Power Essence barrier and the lowland's unique properties, its spatial "momentum" didn't increase. It simply stored the incoming power.
Like another Immortal Ruins, it gradually took shape before Li Fan's eyes.
The wooden sword's image flickered unsteadily. The attractive force intensified, as if he were facing the True Immortal of the Immortal Ruins directly. Li Fan frowned and steered the wooden sword away from the lowland.
The moment he left the lowland's influence, the intense pull diminished significantly, as if they were in different worlds. The influx of True Immortal power continued. Finally, when the lowland was full, the excess power began to spread to other regions of the Star Sea.
However, thanks to this massive "reservoir," the storm's intensity had been greatly reduced. Moreover, since the reservoir was situated between the storm and the Xuanhuang World, its inhabitants barely felt the disturbance.
The members of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, having also received a warning from the Legacy Transmission Celestial Venerable, exchanged confused glances.
"The tremors the Celestial Venerable mentioned haven't arrived yet, have they?"
"That was just the prelude. The real storm is yet to come!"
(End of Chapter)