"The Myriad Manifestations Yin-Yang Scroll is simple to use. Like a mirror, it reflects the true essence of things onto its blank surface. Of course, the reflection might not be straightforward and may require further interpretation… But it's still much easier than directly studying this grey chess piece." As Zhong Daogong spoke, he slowly unfurled the blank scroll. It floated above them like a long dragon.
"Go!"
The grey chess piece drifted towards the scroll. The moment it touched the surface, it vanished from sight. Then, like drops of paint on a canvas, bizarre and fantastical images began to appear on the previously blank scroll, swirling and colliding in a storm of colors.
"Capable of analyzing objects from the Immortal Realm… is this scroll also from the Immortal Realm?" Li Fan asked casually, observing the ever-shifting images.
"No, no. This Myriad Manifestations Scroll is undoubtedly from the lower realms," Jian Daosheng said with a smile, answering Li Fan's question.
"We acquired it from a down-on-his-luck cultivator. His ancestor was a direct disciple of the renowned Star Path Sect. In ancient times, their influence spanned several neighboring cultivation worlds. Their techniques, said to control the Dao of the Star Sea, were even more profound than the Grand Method of the Supreme Armour you taught us."
Li Fan raised an eyebrow. "How did such a powerful sect fall from grace?"
"That's a mystery for the ages. Even back then, there were many theories but no definitive answer. Some say they angered a True Immortal of the upper realm and were punished. Others say they attempted to refine and control the Heavenly Dao of the Star Sea and suffered its backlash…"
"In any case, for unknown reasons, the sect's leaders and core members vanished overnight. The remaining disciples, confused and realizing the situation was irreversible, scattered, looting the sect's treasures before leaving. Within a month, this once-powerful sect crumbled," Jian Daosheng said with a sigh.
"This Myriad Manifestations Yin-Yang Scroll was one of their treasures. It's said that the Star Communion Hall, where the sect's cultivators connected with and comprehended the Heavenly Dao of the Star Sea, was filled with these scrolls. Whenever the Heavenly Dao interacted with a cultivator, it would leave a mark on the scroll, like an invisible brushstroke. Over time, these scrolls became imprints of the Heavenly Dao itself."
…
Li Fan interrupted, "Even if they're imprints of the Heavenly Dao, how can they reveal objects from the upper realm?" While feigning ignorance, he already had an answer in mind.
Zhong Daogong smiled. "The Star Sea, the lower realms, are the foundation of all things. The Dao's projections ultimately manifest here. While the Immortal Realm is above us, it's not built on air. While we cannot see its true form from below, we can still glimpse its shadow."
Li Fan pretended to be deeply moved by this theory, falling into deep thought.
The transformation on the Myriad Manifestations Yin-Yang Scroll continued, like an invisible True Immortal painting with swift, powerful strokes.
Finally, the storm of colors settled into a still image.
Li Fan's pupils constricted as he looked at the painting above. It wasn't a detailed, realistic depiction but an abstract, impressionistic portrayal. A towering figure, occupying nearly half the canvas, looked down from above. Its face was indistinct, its long arm extended.
Below the figure was a chessboard. The pieces weren't grey chess pieces but distinct cultivation worlds. These swirling masses of color, upon closer inspection, evoked images of countless different beings living, aging, suffering, dying, cultivating, and fighting within their respective worlds. Their stories, intertwined with their worlds, formed the chess pieces on the board.
Boom…
After a few moments, the Myriad Manifestations Yin-Yang Scroll suddenly trembled violently, as if caught in a strong wind. The paint on its surface swirled and the image began to disintegrate. The grey chess piece slowly emerged from the painting.
"The scroll has reached its limit," Zhong Daogong said solemnly, carefully putting it away along with the other elders.
They then looked at the grey chess piece floating in the air, falling into an eerie silence.
"If I understand correctly, this grey chess piece represents a cultivation world after its life has been extinguished? And that towering figure is a True Immortal of the upper realm?" Li Fan was the first to speak.
No one answered.
After a long while, Elder Jian Daosheng shook his head. "While the Myriad Manifestations Scroll reveals the essence of things, it's not always so literal. The Medicine King Cauldron practically contains a world within itself, capable of generating spiritual energy and nurturing spirit plants… How could a dead world achieve that?"
Zhong Daogong agreed. "Indeed. I believe these worlds, represented as chess pieces, don't symbolize death but rather pieces that are no longer in play, having fulfilled their purpose, discarded from the board." As he spoke, he gestured as if moving chess pieces, black pieces surrounding and capturing a group of white pieces. These captured pieces were removed from the board, never to return, transforming into grey, no longer participating in the game.
"Elder Zhong's explanation seems more plausible." Discussions among the Ark's elders were usually straightforward. Most agreed with Zhong Daogong's interpretation of the image.
"A True Immortal playing chess, using the lower realms as pieces. If that's true, what's the purpose of this game? And is there a winner?"
Even greater mysteries arose in their minds.
"Let's not dwell on matters involving True Immortals for now. We now know this grey chess piece is likely an artifact refined from a world by a True Immortal. Even without immortal spiritual energy, it's practically half an immortal artifact. And there's a whole set of them. If a discarded grey chess piece possesses such power, it's hard to imagine the power of the black and white pieces still in play!" Lu Yuzhi said, his voice filled with wonder.
"Don't forget, the Immortal Realm has already collapsed. Even the chess player might have perished, let alone the pieces on the board. They've likely vanished along with the Immortal Realm. These discarded grey chess pieces survived only because they were transformed into artifacts."
…
The elders discussed amongst themselves, finally reaching a preliminary consensus. Since its essence was a world, they would refine it using methods applicable to worlds. They chose five elders, including Jian Daosheng and Zhong Daogong, to merge their consciousness and refine the chess piece together.
Li Fan wasn't included.
To avoid offending him, they offered an explanation. While Li Fan had gained their trust, he was still a newcomer. More importantly, he was "nearing his end." If he participated now, they would have to repeat the process after his death in twenty years.
Li Fan waved his hand dismissively, his gaze fixed on the grey chess piece being refined. "This is Sun Piaomiao's hidden hand. If anything unusual happens during the refining process, it means he's still alive…" he thought.
However, to his disappointment, the refining process went surprisingly smoothly. The grey color on the chess piece faded slightly but didn't disappear completely.
"Is Sun Piaomiao truly dead?" A fleeting question crossed his mind, which he quickly suppressed. He inquired about the elders' experience.
"Remarkable! The originally orderly Heavenly Dao of the world feels like it's been reforged, hammered into a new shape. Such skill… truly divine!"
"Not just one shape, but hundreds of potential forms. After refining it, we can control its transformations…"
"However, these transformations require a tremendous amount of energy. Even spiritual energy isn't enough. I tried. Even the True Immortal Script's power isn't sufficient," Nangong Lie said with regret.
Like children with a new toy, the elders excitedly studied the grey chess piece.
"Acquiring this is of great significance to our Ark! It might solve our resource problems for a long time!"
"Such a treasure, hidden within our treasury all this time. If it weren't for Brother Li's reminder, who knows how long it would have remained undiscovered!"
Filled with a mixture of joy and regret, the elders transformed the grey chess piece again. It was no longer the Medicine King Cauldron, capable of nurturing spirit plants, but something more suited to the Ark's current needs.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Like invisible hammers striking the grey chess piece, its spatial structure expanded, enveloping the Ark's outer shell. Li Fan watched as the Ark seemed to grow a layer of grey, hardened chitin. This chitinous layer not only provided protection but also generated a constant supply of spiritual energy and resources.
"With this protective shell of a world, our Ark's defenses have more than doubled, and its stability has greatly improved. We no longer need to worry about residual True Immortal Script power causing catastrophic damage!"
"The millennia of life force stored within the grey chess piece has been transferred to the Divine Tree. The effect is remarkable! For at least a century, under normal circumstances, the Divine Tree won't need to feed."
…
The elders were overjoyed.
Just then, Li Fan suddenly said coldly, "With such a great harvest, you're not planning to abandon the plan to cross the Great Wall, are you?"
The jovial atmosphere instantly cooled. The elders avoided his gaze.
Zhong Daogong finally spoke, trying to appease him. "Don't worry. Crossing the Great Wall is our established strategy. It won't change just because we have more resources. You can rest assured."
"However… the more preparations, the better. Judging by the resonance between these grey chess pieces, there are at least eleven more in the Dark Star Sea. A single one brought such a dramatic change to our Ark. If we collect the entire set…" Zhong Daogong's eyes gleamed. "What do you think, fellow Daoist? With their combined defensive power, we might be able to break through the Great Wall without any other assistance!"
"Moreover, the direction indicated by the resonance is clear. At our speed, even if we search the entire Star Sea, it won't take more than three years. And the journey won't interfere with our other preparations…"
Zhong Daogong's explanation was reasonable. After a moment of contemplation, Li Fan nodded slightly in agreement.
The tense atmosphere eased.
"Then let's not delay any further. Let's depart immediately. I'm also curious to see what happens when we collect the entire set," Li Fan said calmly.
The elders exchanged glances and held a brief discussion.
"We can't move the Profound Immortal Ark easily."
"Indeed. Its current structure isn't strong enough to withstand the pressure at the foot of the Great Wall."
"We don't need everyone to collect the grey chess pieces. It would be cumbersome. It's more efficient for us to act individually. We can stay here, using the resonance to guide the others."
"That would be more efficient."
"Teams of at least three, in case of emergencies."
"Seven or eight of them are relatively close to our current location, seemingly within the Great Wall of Shattered Worlds. Let's collect those first."
…
As the elders discussed, Li Fan said, "I can also contribute. With my escape technique, even traversing the Star Sea takes only a day."
This time, the elders had no reason to refuse.
They decided that the first retrieval mission would consist of Li Fan, Nangong Lie, Lu Yuzhi, and a Dao Confirmation Academy elder named Xu Gongding.
"Scout the situation first. Your safety is the priority," Zhong Daogong cautioned before their departure.
(End of Chapter)