However, despite waiting for a long time, the Legacy Transmitters of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance didn't detect any further disturbances in the Xuanhuang World. Could the Celestial Venerable have been mistaken?
As unbelievable as it seemed, they eventually had to accept this fact. However, out of reverence for the Legacy Transmission Celestial Venerable, no one dared to discuss it openly, let alone question him directly. They simply attributed it to his deep concern for the Xuanhuang World's inhabitants, even minor tremors warranting a warning. After all, a disturbance had indeed occurred.
Unbeknownst to the Xuanhuang World's inhabitants, a massive amount of True Immortal power had silently accumulated in the void beyond.
Standing before the filled lowland, sensing the faint pull, Li Fan nodded in satisfaction. The results had exceeded his expectations. The natural lowland had proven to be a near-perfect container for the True Immortal power. Coupled with the concealing formations Li Fan had set up around its perimeter, the anomaly was perfectly hidden. He was confident that even the Legacy Transmission and the others wouldn't notice anything unusual unless they specifically searched for it.
"With this accumulation, the Super Xuanhuang World plan is even more promising."
The power triggered by the "Ji" character, different from pure immortal spiritual energy, couldn't be directly absorbed by the Xuanhuang World. However, Li Fan could use the Ascension Formation as an intermediary, converting this immense power into the driving force for the Xuanhuang World's ascension. This would significantly reduce the consumption of True Immortal flesh. Otherwise, even if he drained Ou Shangtian dry, the amount produced by the Qian-Kun Bone Hand wouldn't be enough to create sufficient Ascension Formations.
"Like a lake suspended in the sky, an Immortal Ruins of sorts." After observing the lowland for a long time, Li Fan finally looked away, temporarily concealing it with formations.
"Next, I need to find a way to anchor the world's elevated state. Otherwise, I'll have to take a gamble and force out the Heavenly and Earthly Immortal Soul before the Xuanhuang World's descent. The situation is volatile. Anything could happen. I might lose everything…"
"I also need to increase the production of True Immortal flesh and Source Power Essence."
Attempting to perform feats of a True Immortal with a mortal body naturally presented numerous challenges. While Li Fan, with his accumulated knowledge from countless reincarnations, could find various substitutes, they weren't true immortal spiritual energy. As he drew closer to his goal, everything became more complicated.
He still had no clue how to temporarily anchor the world at a higher spatial level. Ignoring the Dao Comprehending True Immortal in the Immortal Ruins, from his higher-dimensional perspective, the only peaks in the Dark Star Sea, besides the Great Wall of Shattered Worlds, were those concentrated in the depths of the Dark Sea within the Xuanhuang World. Of course, there were also some naturally formed peaks in the Star Sea. Like the lowland he had just created, they were beyond his current understanding.
"I'll proceed on two fronts. Analyze the foot of the Great Wall and the Dark Sea simultaneously. I can leave the Great Wall to the Profound Immortal Ark. Being able to utilize the True Immortal Script, those elders are definitely capable. As for the Dark Sea…"
The face of Mo Rubing, Law King of the Profound Heaven Sect, appeared in Li Fan's mind. "Now that I've obtained the 'Xian' [Reveal/显] character from the Ark, perhaps it's time to awaken Mo Rubing."
One of the functions of the "Xian" character was to reveal the connections between all things. The Xuanhuang King's techniques all originated from the Azure Netherworld Pearl. Perhaps, by stimulating the "Xian" character, he could trace the connection and find the Pearl, or even the Xuanhuang King.
"Mo Rubing, cultivator of the Myriad Tribulations Undying Devil Heart Immortal Technique, possesses multiple personalities and can shift between them at will. He's also cunning and meticulous. However, the Xuanhuang King is his weakness…"
Li Fan teleported back to the Xuanhuang World, to the space beneath the Dao Discussion Platform. The net woven from Source Power Essence still contained the slumbering primordial souls of Mo Rubing and Ji Yuzhen.
Li Fan didn't awaken Ji Yuzhen. Although he had absorbed most of her memories and understood her well, he considered her even more dangerous than Mo Rubing. In comparison, Mo Rubing, whom he had dealt with in several past lives, was easier to manipulate.
With a flick of his finger, he summoned the wooden sword's image and transported Mo Rubing to the void outside the Xuanhuang World. He then slowly withdrew the golden net.
Exposed to the cold, desolate Dark Star Sea, Mo Rubing instinctively sensed danger and stirred. Almost the moment he awoke, he noticed Li Fan standing nearby.
"Hmm? Before I fell asleep, I was…" Initially confused, he quickly deduced the culprit.
"What do you intend to do?" Mo Rubing asked warily, observing Li Fan.
A mirror-like barrier, hidden in the darkness, silently appeared, locking onto Li Fan. This was a technique from the Myriad Tribulations Undying Devil Heart Immortal Technique, allowing him to absorb the reflected image into his own Devil Heart, adding another facet to his personality. Anyone caught within its reflection, regardless of their cultivation level, would be assimilated.
This was the confidence granted by the immortal inheritance.
However, Mo Rubing quickly noticed something amiss. His expression changed. While the mirror reflected Li Fan, there was no image within! It was as if the person before him was a phantom, not truly present! Yet, Li Fan's vibrant life force clearly indicated he was real!
The Interplay of Truth and Illusion transcended even the "Zao Hua" True Immortal Script character. It was naturally beyond Mo Rubing's comprehension. He only knew he had encountered a formidable opponent.
After several more failed attempts to lock onto Li Fan, he gave up, discreetly withdrawing the mirror barrier.
"There's no need to be nervous, Fellow Daoist Mo. If I intended to harm you, I wouldn't have awakened you. The Myriad Tribulations Undying Devil Heart Immortal Technique isn't truly undying. I know at least three or four ways to break it," Li Fan said with a faint smile.
These words were like thunder to Mo Rubing. The Myriad Tribulations Undying Devil Heart Immortal Technique was imparted to him personally by the Xuanhuang King, a secret known to few. Yet, Li Fan had casually revealed it…
"Who are you?" Mo Rubing asked solemnly.
Instead of answering, Li Fan asked, "Do you know how long you've been asleep?"
Mo Rubing's attention had been focused on Li Fan. Now, prompted by the question, he calculated the time and shuddered.
"Ten thousand years have passed. The world has changed. If you're interested, I can tell you what happened during that time," Li Fan offered sincerely.
Mo Rubing pondered for a moment, then nodded.
Li Fan then recounted the events after the Profound Heaven Sect's downfall: the rise of the Ten Sects, the subsequent calamities, the near destruction of the Xuanhuang World, the sudden emergence of the Legacy Transmission Celestial Venerable, and the divided rule of the Council of Five Elders.
Mo Rubing's expression shifted constantly.
"Those vermin from the Ten Sects deserve to die!" This was the only comment he made, listening intently the rest of the time.
With his Devil Heart Immortal Technique's sensitivity to others' emotions, Mo Rubing was 80% certain Li Fan wasn't lying.
"Those from the Ten Sects, having inherited the Profound Heaven Sect's legacy and the Grand Magus's teachings, aren't so easily eradicated. Some of them escaped before the calamities fully erupted," Li Fan said, shaking his head slightly.
"Escaped?" Mo Rubing narrowed his eyes.
"Not from the Xuanhuang World, but across the Great Wall, to the world beyond!" Li Fan declared emphatically.
Mo Rubing's reaction was unprecedented. "Beyond the Great Wall? Impossible!"
Li Fan had anticipated this. "See for yourself!" With a wave of his hand, he projected an image of a towering sword erupting in blinding light, tearing through the heavens and vanishing into the void.
"This is the scene of the Heavenly Sword Sect escaping after forging the World-Splitting Divine Sword. While I'm not sure if they succeeded, with such power, it's unlikely they were merely escaping the Xuanhuang World, right?" Li Fan asked.
Mo Rubing stared intently at the repeating image.
"That World-Splitting Divine Sword is merely a mortal weapon. How can it cross the Great Wall? Preposterous!" He remained unconvinced.
"The Divine Sword was forged from Taiyuan Essence Metal and countless Sword Dao Embryos, further enhanced with numerous celestial treasures…" Li Fan said calmly.
Mo Rubing interrupted. "Is that all? No matter what celestial treasures were used, as long as they originated from the Xuanhuang World, it wouldn't be possible."
"What if a mass of pure immortal spiritual energy was added?" Li Fan asked in a deep voice.
Mo Rubing's eyes widened as he stared at Li Fan. "Immortal spiritual energy?" His tone had changed.
After a long silence, he said slowly, "If the core of that World-Splitting Divine Sword truly contained immortal spiritual energy, then crossing the Great Wall might be possible…"
"Precisely," Li Fan said enigmatically.
Did the World-Splitting Divine Sword forged by the Heavenly Sword Sect truly contain immortal spiritual energy? Li Fan didn't know. However, the forging of the Divine Sword was instructed by Master Bai. Master Bai, having inherited the Grand Magus's legacy and returned from the Great Wall, would surely know that mundane materials alone couldn't breach it. A direct collision with the Great Wall would result in certain death. Knowing Master Bai's character, he wouldn't send people to their deaths.
Therefore, after learning the significance of the Grand Magus's legacy from Shang Tianci in his past life, Li Fan had formed this theory: Master Bai had given a portion of the immortal spiritual energy extracted from detonating immortal artifacts to the Heavenly Sword Sect, enabling their escape.
Compared to the Great Sun Golden Bell and the other four immortal artifacts, the amount of immortal spiritual energy extracted from detonating the remaining nine was indeed quite small. It wasn't so much consumed as distributed.
It was even possible that other sects, besides the Heavenly Sword Sect, had members on that World-Splitting Divine Sword.
After a long silence, Mo Rubing cursed, "Those bastards! Only concerned with their own escape, disregarding the lives of the Xuanhuang World's inhabitants!"
He had the right to say this. Back then, the Xuanhuang King, already a half-immortal, could have easily escaped alone. However, he had devised the elaborate Floating Ferry Starry Sky plan to take the entire Xuanhuang World with him, which led to the subsequent events.
Hearing Mo Rubing's words, Li Fan smoothly steered the conversation towards the Xuanhuang King.
"The Xuanhuang King was a man of noble character, like an eternal sun, unmatched in this world. Not to mention those vermin from the Ten Sects, even after ten thousand years, no one has inherited his will. The Xuanhuang World's survival is solely due to the efforts of its inhabitants," Li Fan sighed dramatically.
Hearing Li Fan praise the Xuanhuang King, Mo Rubing's impression of him improved, though he remained wary.
"To be honest, I wish to inherit the Xuanhuang King's will, save the Xuanhuang World, and help it cross the Great Wall, escaping this Dark Star Sea. I've dedicated my life to this cause, only to realize, nearing my end, that there's no one I can trust in the entire Xuanhuang World." A hint of sorrow entered Li Fan's voice.
Observing him closely, Mo Rubing noticed that Li Fan's lifespan was indeed nearing its end. His pupils constricted.
Li Fan continued, "By chance, I discovered the heroic deeds of the ancient Profound Heaven Sect, and I was deeply moved, finding kindred spirits. I searched for any surviving members and finally found you, slumbering…"
He looked at Mo Rubing with a warm smile.
A wave of complex emotions washed over Mo Rubing. However, ever cautious, he suppressed them and considered the credibility of Li Fan's words.
"The events of the Profound Heaven Sect happened over ten thousand years ago. How do you know about them?"
"I found fragmented remnants of Ji Yuzhen's soul within countless flowers on a ring-shaped mountain," Li Fan said truthfully. "Although they were just scattered memories, I was able to piece together some of the Profound Heaven Sect's past."
Mo Rubing was startled. "Ji Yuzhen? Is she still alive?"
Li Fan shook his head slightly. "Only fragments of her soul remain."
Mo Rubing was about to say something but stopped. After a moment of silence, he looked directly at Li Fan. "During the upheaval in the Profound Heaven Sect, many of my brothers were killed or injured. We lost contact with each other. There might even be traitors among us… Honestly, besides the Xuanhuang King, I trust no one."
Li Fan nodded in understanding. "In fact, one of the reasons I awakened you was to find the Xuanhuang King."
(End of Chapter)