"Transforming into the universe, consciousness spanning the Star Sea. The Grand Method of the Supreme Armour, Soul Wandering; The Grand Method of the Supreme Armour, Soul Transformation; The Grand Method of the Supreme Armour, Divine Spirit…" Li Fan chanted silently.
As he did, just as in his experience with the Sacred Emperor, points of light began to appear in the seemingly desolate and dark Star Sea. However, this time, unlike his direct contact with the Star Sea's essence, with the Grand Method of the Supreme Armour acting as an intermediary, Li Fan sensed a natural goodwill from the Star Sea's consciousness. Not only did the usual disdain for insignificant beings disappear, but he even felt the Star Sea listening.
The difference between a cultivator and the vast Star Sea was immense. Yet, the Grand Method of the Supreme Armour bridged this gap significantly! While this was partly due to the Star Sea's nascent revival and Li Fan's position at the pinnacle of mortal cultivation, the Grand Method of the Supreme Armour was undeniably a profound technique.
"Only someone with a deep understanding of the Star Sea's essence could create such a technique. Perhaps its creator has already ascended and become an Immortal," Li Fan mused.
He hadn't forgotten the purpose of this communication. Maintaining the Grand Method of the Supreme Armour, Li Fan began his address with a solemn expression. He first praised the Star Sea's grandeur and its resilience in recovering from destruction. Then, he described the Star Sea's current desolate state, emphasizing the Xuanhuang World as its sole beacon of life.
Finally, Li Fan earnestly pleaded with the Star Sea's consciousness for assistance in ascending the Xuanhuang World and escaping the Immortal Ruins, like an ancient emperor offering sacrifices and prayers to the heavens. After presenting his request, he remained silent, patiently awaiting a response.
The Star Sea's consciousness remained silent for a long time, as if contemplating this difficult request. However, Li Fan sensed the connection between them hadn't been severed, so he continued to wait.
While connected to the Star Sea's consciousness, countless thoughts and insights regarding the Dao of the Star Sea flooded his mind. He felt as if he had entered a legendary state of unity with the heavens, experiencing constant epiphanies.
However, to his regret, these insights were like fleeting waves on the ocean's surface, quickly dissolving back into the water.
"These aren't my own insights, but mere echoes of being in this special state. How much I retain depends on my own fortune…" Li Fan realized.
After an unknown period in this state of near-enlightenment, the Star Sea's consciousness finally responded. Then, Li Fan was forcibly expelled, the connection severed.
He could no longer use the Grand Method of the Supreme Armour for a certain period.
A peculiar summoning ritual.
These two pieces of information appeared in his mind.
"It seems the Grand Method of the Supreme Armour consumes the goodwill of the Star Sea's consciousness. And this goodwill accumulates over time. Since the destruction of the Supreme Armour World, no cultivator has used this technique for ten thousand years. Therefore, the accumulated goodwill has reached an astonishing level. That's why I felt the Star Sea listening…" Li Fan realized, having completed the communication ritual.
"However, this accumulated goodwill has been completely depleted by my request. I can't utilize it further in the remaining twenty years of this life. But it doesn't matter. I now possess the Grand Method of the Supreme Armour. In my next life, another ten thousand years of goodwill will be mine to command."
Perhaps due to the immense goodwill accumulated over millennia, or perhaps because the Xuanhuang World's ascension would benefit the Star Sea's revival, the Star Sea's consciousness agreed to Li Fan's request, promising to assist in the Xuanhuang World's ascension.
The ritual it imparted was the method to receive this assistance.
"Once the ritual is complete, the Star Sea will bestow its power directly. Even a nascent Star Sea is far more powerful than the Xuanhuang World, even with the fusion of myriad worlds. With this additional assistance, the plan has a much higher chance of success."
A strange look flashed in Li Fan's eyes. "I wonder if this ritual will still work in my next life?"
He shook his head a moment later, dismissing the thought. "This ritual is essentially a signal beacon. Whether or not to lend its power is ultimately the Star Sea's decision. Without prior communication and established goodwill, it might perceive the ritual as a disturbance and react with anger, bringing calamity instead of assistance."
With the goodwill depleted, Li Fan was now just another ordinary cultivator in the eyes of the Star Sea. As the duration of the Ascension Formation reached its limit, Li Fan left on the wooden sword's image, allowing the formation to collapse.
The collapse of the towering peak created ripples in the center of the Star Sea. As the disturbance subsided, a faint wisp of black gas silently appeared, identical to the one produced when Li Fan used the Ascension Formation to experiment on a small world, causing it to fall and be annihilated.
However, this time, there was no falling world. The black gas appeared simply because this location was close to the most active part of the Star Sea's consciousness. Compared to the wisp devoured by the Legacy Transmitter Jiang, this one in the center of the Star Sea seemed much weaker.
However, this weakness was undoubtedly an illusion. The wisp of black gas steadily grew over time, consuming the surrounding vitality and turning it into nothingness. Strangely, the Star Sea's consciousness seemed oblivious to its presence, unable to prevent it from devouring its life force.
The black gas's growth was initially slow. However, as it consumed more of the Star Sea, its expansion accelerated. Soon, this mysterious black gas would likely ravage the Star Sea at a terrifying pace.
But for now, it remained dormant, its growth unnoticed by the surviving beings in the Star Sea. And Li Fan, the one who inadvertently created it, was also unaware of the impending disaster.
He had returned to the Xuanhuang World and was recounting his experience in the center of the Star Sea to Immortal Master Yin and the others.
Daoist Hundred Flowers was filled with wonder and excitement. "The Supreme Armour World's millennia of accumulation has now become a wedding garment for the Xuanhuang World! With the Star Sea's assistance, its ascension is imminent!"
Immortal Master Yin was more composed. "I've also found world fragments suitable as catalysts near the remnants of the Supreme Armour World. However, my reckless absorption of the Supreme Armour World fragment has destabilized the Great Wall of Shattered Worlds. We'll have to wait for the Echoing Star Power storm to subside before proceeding with the next step."
Daoist Hundred Flowers was even more delighted. "Everything is falling into place! It seems we can begin the Xuanhuang World ascension plan within six months!"
Li Fan smiled. "It's not that simple. While we have the Star Sea's assistance, we can't be careless. The Star Sea's power is like a potent medicine. Used correctly, it can cure any ailment. But if misused… it can be detrimental!"
Daoist Hundred Flowers's expression turned serious.
Using the principles of the human body and the world, Li Fan gave them another lesson and assigned them tasks.
"Xu Ke is still at the foot of the Great Wall. He's alive and must have encountered something. Since you triggered the Echoing Star Power storm, go and find him," he told Immortal Master Yin.
"As you command," Immortal Master Yin replied.
Li Fan then turned to Daoist Hundred Flowers. "Immortal Master Yin and Xu Ke both gained something from their trip to the edge of the Star Sea. While you returned safely, you missed out on any opportunities…"
Daoist Hundred Flowers smiled wryly, then, as if realizing something, looked at Li Fan with anticipation.
"Opportunities aren't limited to the foot of the Great Wall. Go here. You might find something." Li Fan gave him the location of a place in the Dark Star Sea, not far from the Xuanhuang World, his expression unreadable.
"Remember, don't be greedy. Safety first. If you find nothing, simply return."
Daoist Hundred Flowers memorized the location and thanked Li Fan.
Watching them leave, Li Fan calculated the time and leisurely headed back to the Ark. The location he gave Daoist Hundred Flowers was a natural "high ground" outside the Xuanhuang World. He had passed by it several times during his travels. While he hadn't found anything noteworthy, he always felt something was hidden there. His brief communication with the Star Sea's consciousness had reinforced this feeling.
Therefore, he decided to send Daoist Hundred Flowers to investigate. The known high grounds in the Star Sea, the Great Wall, and the Dark Sea, were all fraught with danger. Even with his current abilities, Li Fan wouldn't risk himself unnecessarily.
He soon arrived outside the Profound Immortal Ark and deliberately released his aura. The elders quickly appeared, surrounding him. Seeing him return as promised, they were relieved. Then, their expressions turned serious as they inquired about the important matter.
"Fellow Daoist, what did Great Qi say?" Jian Daosheng asked first.
A flicker of anger crossed Li Fan's eyes. "A bunch of cowards! It's best not to mention them!"
Zhong Daogong smiled faintly, his eyes flickering. "It seems you failed to persuade them."
"Something like that," Li Fan snorted. "I told my master about what I saw at the foot of the Great Wall, but they were unimpressed. My master even told me that such high grounds aren't uncommon in the Star Sea. However, compared to the height of the Great Wall, those high grounds are like mountain peaks compared to the heavens… Trying to cross it is a fool's errand!"
Li Fan's words made the elders' expressions change.
"Without special methods, merely utilizing height is indeed insufficient to cross the Great Wall," Zhong Daogong said, a strange glint in his eyes. "However… did you just say there are many such high grounds in the Star Sea?" His tone turned serious.
Li Fan nodded. "Indeed. My master even took me to one. It's true. While slightly lower than the spot on the Great Wall of Shattered Worlds, it still offered a view of the Wall."
Zhong Daogong fell silent. After a long discussion with the other elders, he finally spoke. "It seems we've underestimated the world. A civilization that survived the Great Calamity cannot be simple."
"Strong they may be, but they're cowards, lacking the courage to even try," Li Fan retorted with a snort.
Zhong Daogong defended the non-existent Great Qi. "You're oversimplifying things, fellow Daoist. Even with the path left by our predecessors, crossing the Great Wall still requires the full strength of a civilization. It's not something one can simply 'try.' Having survived peacefully in the Star Sea for tens of thousands of years, and likely to continue doing so, they have no need to take such risks. Of course, your desire to seek the truth before your impending death is understandable."
Li Fan snorted again but didn't argue further. An awkward silence fell upon them.
Jian Daosheng spoke again. "Rest assured, fellow Daoist. Our Ark's determination to cross the Great Wall remains unchanged. Cooperating with us is your only option to fulfill your wish."
As if suddenly remembering something, Li Fan frowned. "Why are you so obsessed with crossing the Wall? Is it simply because the other half of your Ark is on the other side?"
Instead of answering directly, Jian Daosheng said cryptically, "Before this, the Ark's situation was similar to yours. And now, while there might be other options, we've already committed to this path. Besides, with the Merchant Ark's precedent, replicating their feat… isn't as difficult as you might think. For our Profound Immortal Ark, that is," Zhong Daogong added.
Li Fan narrowed his eyes, studying the elders. "It seems your Ark still has secrets."
Zhong Daogong smiled but didn't answer.
"Since you're so confident, how can I be afraid?" Li Fan said solemnly. "I will give my all to help the Ark succeed. Everything I've learned in Great Qi was meant to be kept secret. But now…"
A glint of excitement flashed in the elders' eyes.
"To be frank, besides the True Immortal Script, my deepest expertise lies in formations. Furthermore, I also possess an ancient technique that allows communication with the Star Sea's consciousness…" Li Fan said, his chest puffed out.
The elders' eyes lit up.
"Is the True Immortal Script researched by Great Qi the same 'Zao Hua' [Creation] you showed us?" Zhong Daogong asked the most crucial question.
Li Fan's arrogance vanished. "Among the True Immortal Script characters I have access to in Great Qi, 'Zao Hua' is indeed the most profound. However…"
(End of Chapter)