Li Fan had previously puzzled over how the Dark Star Sea, sealed by the barrier, could develop its own independent consciousness. Unexpectedly, the answer came so quickly.
"Xing Wuque built the crevice network under the Profound Heaven King's command. After tens of thousands of years of tireless work, it remains incomplete, requiring Xu Ke to continue."
"Whether Xu Ke's dedication stems from his own will or Xing Wuque's legacy is irrelevant. The Profound Heaven King's plan requires the crevice network to be complete."
"I initially assumed his goal was to elevate the entire Dark Star Sea to an Immortal Realm. But now…"
"Perhaps he had other intentions."
Craftsman Qiao continued explaining the transformative properties of the crevice patterns, sketching them for Li Fan. At first glance, they appeared unremarkable, like childish scribbles.
Li Fan recalled his own map of the crevice, having followed the [Reveal] character's guidance to its depths. His map was far more detailed than Craftsman Qiao's. Yet, even he couldn't discern the patterns' secrets.
"This is a completely different system from anything I've encountered."
"Do they only work when inscribed?"
"A fragment can create independent consciousness. What happens when the pattern is complete?"
Li Fan frowned.
With a thought, a sword, flowing like azure liquid, appeared in his hand. This was one of the five treasures he'd acquired from the Profound Immortal Vessel, ostensibly to gain the Great Qi's trust and facilitate the Equal Heavens Ritual.
He had taken two treasures from the second level of the vessel's vault: the Yin-Yang Jade and the Three-Pronged Tree. From the first level, he'd taken three: a black starstone, a strange bronze mirror, and the liquid sword.
The Three-Pronged Tree had triggered an unexpected True Return simulation, deepening his understanding of the Interplay of Truth and Illusion. He planned to use the Yin-Yang Jade to fuel Xuanhuang's ascension. The black starstone had been integrated into Tian Yang's immortal puppet body. Only the mirror and the liquid sword remained unused.
That treasures chosen at random from the vessel's vault could be so helpful spoke volumes about its riches. And this was only the first two levels. He could only imagine what wonders lay hidden on the third.
"Unfortunately, this time, the entire vault is beyond the barrier."
"I'll have to explore it later."
"But once I integrate with a Heavenly Immortal Soul, I won't need to resort to such elaborate schemes to deal with the vessel."
Lost in thought, Li Fan inscribed the known crevice patterns onto the liquid sword. Despite the lack of any energy fluctuation, the sword suddenly boiled!
Li Fan narrowed his eyes, sending a sliver of divine sense to investigate.
"Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill!"
The azure sword turned pitch black, a nascent consciousness repeating the word obsessively. The crevice patterns faded into the sword's surface, and it solidified, radiating a cold, sharp light. With a whoosh, it flew towards the nearest living being – Li Fan. Like a brushstroke on white paper, it left a trail of spreading black ink.
"Kill!"
Space tore, and a torrent of murderous intent rushed towards Li Fan. The entire Star Sea seemed to vanish from his perception, leaving only the incoming sword.
"Not bad," Li Fan murmured approvingly.
Two colossal fingers descended from the sky, intercepting the black sword.
"Kill…" The sword struggled, but to no avail. It roared in frustration.
Craftsman Qiao, stunned into silence, stared at the Nine Heavens Dustfall Finger with a mixture of awe and fear.
"It truly developed its own will. The original sword was completely inert."
"Unfortunately, whether due to the incomplete pattern or its nascent state, it hasn't developed full sentience."
Having gained a preliminary understanding of the crevice patterns, Li Fan exerted slight pressure with his fingers, erasing the inscriptions. The blackness receded, the sword returning to its liquid form, the murderous aura vanishing.
"Wait here." Storing the sword, Li Fan instructed Craftsman Qiao before vanishing.
Having witnessed Li Fan's power, Craftsman Qiao dared not disobey. He waited patiently, his mind racing, trying to recall the fleeting patterns on the sword.
"The Sacred Teacher's pattern is far more complete than mine. Too bad it's so complex. I only memorized a small portion."
"But it should be enough. Hehehe, I wonder what Shangguan will become this time?" Craftsman Qiao's mind buzzed with anticipation.
Suddenly, Li Fan's voice echoed beside him. "You want the complete pattern?"
"Of course," Craftsman Qiao blurted out before realizing his mistake. His face paled. He shook his head frantically. "Hahaha, you misunderstand, Sacred Teacher. How could I dare covet such a profound technique? What I have is more than enough…"
Li Fan waved his hand, silencing him, then sent a pattern into Craftsman Qiao's mind.
"Since you're interested, I'll share the Shape of Life with you," Li Fan said indifferently.
Craftsman Qiao, speechless and entranced, was already immersed in the intricate pattern.
The Shape of Life wasn't the original name of the crevice pattern, just something Li Fan had come up with. He had returned to the crevice depths to obtain the complete pattern from Xu Ke. Xing Wuque, the builder, should have possessed the knowledge.
Unfortunately, Xing Wuque's legacy was too vast for Xu Ke to handle. Non-essential information, including the completed portion of the crevice network, had been omitted.
Fortunately, the incomplete portion was included. After obtaining it from Xu Ke, Li Fan had spread countless golden threads within the crevice, using its life force to expand and explore the entire network. Though vast and complex, it wasn't beyond his grasp. He simply hadn't had the motivation to explore it fully before.
Now, knowing it might hold the key to a powerful, unknown technique, he was determined to uncover its secrets.
"At the current rate, the golden threads should complete their exploration before the end of this cycle."
"I hope it won't disappoint." Li Fan sensed the Shape of Life spreading within his mind.
His recent trip to the crevice had revealed the reason for Craftsman Qiao's escape. It was likely a chain reaction triggered by the Profound Immortal Vessel's crossing. The vessel's transgression had alerted the unknown entity beyond, causing the Star Sea consciousness to feel an immense threat. This acted as a catalyst, unleashing the vast life force stored within the crevice network.
"The Star Sea's revival has been accelerated once again."
"The Shape of Life… the Star Sea consciousness… the barrier… the Immortal Realm…" Pondering, Li Fan returned to the Xuanhuang World, bringing the still-enthralled Craftsman Qiao with him.
"Marvelous!" Craftsman Qiao suddenly exclaimed, snapping out of his trance.
"Though I haven't grasped its entirety, I have a feeling I can use the Shape of Life to reshape Shangguan's mind, creating my ideal version of Shangguan Tuo!"
"Shangguan, wait for me, wait for me…" Craftsman Qiao's eyes gleamed with manic excitement. His only thought was to find a secluded place and create his perfect puppet.
"I hear you possess combat data from the Immortal Puppet Ancestor," Li Fan suddenly said, blocking his path.
"Yes, yes, yes! Does the Sacred Teacher need it? Take it!" Consumed by his desire, Craftsman Qiao didn't question how Li Fan knew this. He tossed a seven-colored orb to Li Fan.
Li Fan examined it, smiled, and stepped aside.
Craftsman Qiao vanished in a flash. Li Fan, holding the orb, went to Tian Yang's seclusion chamber. Since his battle with the Thousand-Eyed Desolate God on the vessel, Tian Yang had been in deep meditation, his aura fluctuating wildly.
"Star Spirit power, a complete Immortal Realm fragment, the remnants of a shattered world, and lingering True Immortal power…"
"I've accumulated so many resources this time, yet my unease grows stronger." Li Fan's expression was unreadable as he stood before Tian Yang.
"My instincts are rarely wrong. Countless cycles have proven this."
"Elevating Xuanhuang will inevitably bring unforeseen dangers…"
"I need help, even if it's just for a moment."
Li Fan slowly implanted the seven-colored orb into Tian Yang. As it approached, Tian Yang's True Immortal flesh reacted as if threatened, reaching out like grasping claws. But upon contact with the Ancestor's combat data, it calmed briefly before absorbing the orb with even greater fervor.
A grimace flashed across Tian Yang's face. Two distinct auras emanated from him: one ancient, desolate, and sinister; the other righteous and unwavering.
One from the Thousand-Eyed Desolate God, the other from the Immortal Puppet Ancestor.
Both transcended mortal limitations, though not quite reaching the True Immortal level. Ordinarily, such conflicting auras would destabilize even a Supreme Being's mind.
But the core of an Immortal Puppet was Eternal Remnant Will!
Even Li Fan had to retreat slightly from the clashing auras. But Tian Yang, at the center of the storm, remained unmoved, not only enduring the onslaught but becoming even more radiant, like gold refined in fire.
"This is Eternal Remnant Will?"
Li Fan witnessed true eternity for the first time. A mere mortal remnant, standing firm against Immortal power. The contrast was profound.
He remembered another unabsorbed Eternal Remnant Will in the Xuanhuang World: Master Bai's skull in the Divine Repository Museum.
"It's been too long. After achieving the Immortal Soul, it's time to retrieve it."
Though he had few rivals within the Star Sea, he still felt constrained.
"Only by integrating with the Immortal Soul and stepping into the Immortal Realm, even as a Half-Immortal, can I truly be free!" His resolve was stronger than ever.
"Tian Yang's Immortal Soul is one reliance. Perhaps this sword can be another."
Li Fan appeared at the Great Xuan's Dao Discussion Platform, placing the liquid sword before him. Channeling his spiritual energy, he inscribed the entire known Shape of Life onto the sword. The pattern was almost twice the size of his first attempt. The sword remained azure. He intentionally left blank spaces for future additions.
As he finished, an incomprehensible wave enveloped the sword. A blinding light flashed, then faded. A naked, delicate-featured young Daoist boy appeared before Li Fan. For a fleeting moment, confusion flickered in his eyes. Then, as if understanding his origin, he spoke.
"Thank you, Great Master, for granting me life." He bowed before Li Fan.
(End of Chapter)