Countless streams of viscous, rainbow-colored liquid suddenly appeared within Xuanhuang, flowing into the fissures tearing the world apart like a healing balm. The wounds closed instantly. The excess liquid scattered, forming iridescent circles around the areas it touched, radiating a divine aura, setting them apart from the ordinary world.
Li Fan continued channeling Xuanhuang's ascension momentum, his eyes narrowed, observing the newly formed circles. To maximize his efforts, he had previously eliminated or merged most of the grotto-heavens and Small Worlds, consolidating their power within Xuanhuang.
Now, as Xuanhuang neared its transformation, new grotto-heavens were appearing, slightly hindering its ascension. These weren't like the old grotto-heavens, isolated and independent, but more like new organs within the world. Li Fan peered through their protective auras, seeing unique, profound laws within each.
One, for instance, focused on the law of sight. Any being born or cultivating within it would likely develop related divine abilities. A few others, after briefly manifesting, transformed into beams of light, merging with newly born beings, not those trapped within the illusion array, but those born after Xuanhuang's transformation began, becoming mobile grotto-heavens.
These grotto-heavens weren't isolated, but interconnected, some attracting, some repelling each other. But Li Fan sensed their ultimate fate: to devour each other, converging into a single, ultimate grotto-heaven, accumulating all their powers before separating from Xuanhuang. Naturally, this process would take eons.
"Is this an essential step towards becoming an Immortal Realm, ingrained within Xuanhuang's fundamental laws?" Watching these bizarre grotto-heavens appear, Li Fan had a realization.
This was a change triggered by reaching the critical point of ascension, programmed into Xuanhuang since its creation. Though existing as an ordinary cultivation world, its hidden "innate nature" was now revealed.
"Xuanhuang was created using the methods for forging an Immortal Realm, but with lower realm materials. It's like a downgraded Immortal Realm…" He thought of his own method of using Source Power Essence to power Immortal Arrays.
"Though possessing Immortal qualities, limited by its mortal form, it appears no different from other cultivation worlds. Only a True Immortal can see the difference."
"No wonder Xuanhuang's Heavenly Dao is so… temperamental. It's like a fallen princess, quick to anger and easily swayed, always seeking stronger protectors, despite any past kindness." He recalled his and Master Bai's interactions with the Heavenly Dao.
It stemmed from the Heavenly Dao's inherent pride. Even the kindest mortals were still mortals. Its attitude might change due to circumstances, but its fundamental nature remained the same. Only Immortals, or even Half-Immortals, could earn its respect.
These innate qualities were causing further complications at this crucial juncture. Li Fan scoffed. "It doesn't have the life of a princess, but it certainly has the attitude."
He observed the unfolding phenomena, storing them in his memory. His gaze then shifted towards an area unaffected by the changes: Dao Source Region.
Though not within the Myriad Xuanhuang Beings Grand Formation, it was enveloped and isolated by its aura. Li Fan had further reinforced it with a barrier, preventing the Grand Magus from interfering.
Besides the array and the barrier, he had prepared an additional surprise. Eighteen bronze figures stood hidden within the array at Dao Source Region's border, their dual threat concealed from all but their creator, Li Fan.
Grinding Wind Calamity and Decaying Green Intent.
He had gathered the Grinding Wind Calamity from damaged Immortal Tools within Xuanhuang. Almost every surviving tool contained traces of it, like the Myriad Mirrors.
He had discovered the Decaying Green Intent within the Thousand-Eyed Desolate God. It devoured the very foundation of life, its destructive power rivaling even the Grinding Wind Calamity.
While the Grinding Wind Calamity targeted Immortal Tools, the Decaying Green Intent targeted Immortal Servants!
Two years ago, the increasingly desperate Celestial Axis Institute, losing their internal struggle within the Profound Immortal Vessel, had unleashed the Thousand-Eyed Desolate God. Sensing the Immortal creature's aura, Li Fan had sent Tian Yang to fight and learn from it.
Tian Yang had indeed gained insights and, aided by Li Fan's True Immortal flesh and blood, brought back the Decaying Green Intent. Using the flesh as a breeding ground, Li Fan had cultivated a large quantity of it.
Though devastating to mortals, these two forces were even more effective against Immortals. While the Sacred Emperor and the Healer had only been wary of the Grinding Wind Calamity, the Grand Magus had fled in terror.
Combined with the Decaying Green Intent…
"Let's see what the Grand Magus is made of."
The changes within Xuanhuang gradually subsided. Besides the grotto-heavens, four massive mountains had appeared at the world's corners, their highest peaks reaching towards the sky like pillars, stabilizing the trembling world.
"Are these counterparts to the Immortal Realm's Heavenly Pillars?" Li Fan mused.
These changes seemed to awaken ancient memories within Xuanhuang's Heavenly Dao. He sensed its excitement even without actively probing. Urged by the Heavenly Dao, Wuming, having released all the Immortal spiritual energy, acted again.
He raised his left hand, and a small, golden bell appeared. A strong wind lifted the bell towards the sky. As it ascended, its light intensified. Reaching the same height as the sun, its brilliance enveloped the sun completely.
A clear ringing echoed throughout the world. The light abruptly contracted, plunging Xuanhuang into momentary darkness. When light returned, only a single sun remained, but it was different.
"The Great Sun Golden Bell!" Li Fan's eyes narrowed, recognizing the Immortal Tool that had replaced Xuanhuang's sun. All beings within Xuanhuang felt a sense of unease, as if a sword hung over their heads.
The burden on Li Fan's shoulders increased. His expression turned serious as Wuming continued.
His next item was an ordinary-looking disc. Leaving his hand, it transformed into five colors – white, green, black, red, and yellow – flowing throughout the world like Immortal spiritual energy, enhancing Xuanhuang's vibrancy and triggering the birth of a new life force. Besides the five colors, Li Fan sensed another formless power emanating from the disc, weakening his array's hold on Xuanhuang. The burden on his shoulders increased again.
"The Primordial Five Elements Disc!" He narrowed his eyes, but didn't interfere.
As Wuming retrieved the third Immortal Tool, the sound of a baby crying echoed in Li Fan's ears. He instantly recognized it: the Blissful Ignorance Celestial Venerable. He scoffed, dispelling the sound with a wave of his hand.
He knew why Blissful Ignorance, who had been avoiding the world, had finally appeared. The power dynamic between Xuanhuang and its cultivators was shifting. Previously, the cultivators had been stronger, minimizing the Grand Celestial Venerable's influence. But now, with Wuming integrating Immortal Tools into Xuanhuang, the balance was tipping.
A single Immortal Tool, even one depleted of its essence, outweighed billions of lives!
However, the integration undoubtedly benefited Xuanhuang's ascension. Thus, Li Fan allowed it to continue.
The third item to be integrated was the Grand Void Azure Underworld Lamp. Its ethereal flame flickered faster and faster, then seemed to freeze. For a moment, Li Fan saw Xuanhuang flicker as well. Then, the flame died, the lamp turning to dust.
"This is…" Another layer of Immortal power. The restriction it imposed caused his levitating form to descend slightly. He adjusted his position, looking towards the sky.
The moment the lamp's flame vanished, or rather, merged with Xuanhuang, the pull from the Immortal Ruins weakened. Not just the pull, but also his array's influence on Xuanhuang. The ascending world was like a beast breaking free from his grasp.
As Wuming retrieved the final Immortal Tool, the Purple Qi Dream Weaving Shuttle, the Blissful Ignorance Celestial Venerable's cries echoed again, weaker this time. It seemed defying the natural order had a greater impact on cultivators than on Li Fan. All his agents within the Land of Dreams, except for Hou Mingwu, who had reached Dream Level 8, heard the same cries.
Li Fan hesitated, then communicated with Xuanhuang's Heavenly Dao.
"Too much is as bad as too little. Three Immortal Tools are enough."
"Leave the last one for the Grand Celestial Venerable's protection."
"Ascension is imminent. There's no time for digestion."
…
He reasoned with the Heavenly Dao. Xuanhuang, having consumed three Immortal Tools and craving more, hesitated. But ascension was like sailing against the current. Hesitation meant regression. As it hesitated, Xuanhuang's momentum faltered, its ascent slowing.
The Heavenly Dao snapped back to reality, stopping Wuming. The cries vanished.
Wuming's task was complete. Now it was Li Fan's turn.
Having rehearsed the ascension process with the Heavenly Dao, he bowed towards Xuanhuang's sky. A command jade token appeared in his hand, representing the Heavenly Dao's will. Holding it, he could wield the world's power directly, without resorting to manipulating destiny.
He took a step forward, his form expanding rapidly, transforming into a colossal giant clad in black and gold robes, a crown of starlight concealing his features.
Holding the token, he gently traced a line across Xuanhuang's surface. The earth rumbled, mountains trembled. The spiritual energy within the designated area boiled away, creating a vacuum. Then, with the Heavenly Dao's cooperation, the remaining Immortal spiritual energy, carried by the surrounding spiritual energy, flowed into the vacuum.
Using the command token as a brush, Li Fan, in his colossal form, inscribed the character [Creation]! Though his current cultivation couldn't directly manipulate Immortal spiritual energy, he could create a designated area for it to gather.
This was the largest True Immortal script character he had ever written, achievable only with the power of an ascending Xuanhuang. Even with the Five Elements Great Grotto-Heavens and the Xuanhuang World Destruction Transformations, he couldn't have sustained it alone.
But now, fueled by the life force from the Star Sea's crevice network, channeled by Autumn Water, who flew across Xuanhuang as a blue sword, distributing the infinite power of the Star Sea, and supplemented by previously absorbed but undigested energies like the world fragments, the [Creation] character ignited.
Creation manifested within Xuanhuang. The four pseudo-Heavenly Pillars grew taller, reaching the sky. The grotto-heavens radiated light, their laws becoming more divine. Living beings benefited effortlessly, their bodies and souls strengthening rapidly.
Amidst these auspicious signs, Xuanhuang's ascension continued. Creation was unfolding before their eyes.
Observing the transformation he had orchestrated, recalling the countless interactions with the Heavenly Dao, Li Fan paused.
"Is it heaven, or is it man?"
"There is no difference."
"Heaven can achieve creation, and so can man."
"Relying on a mountain, one can ascend to the heavens. Relying on the heavens…"
"…one can ascend to immortality!" Countless characters swirled in his mind, forming a brilliant technique: the Heaven Seating Art!
His original cultivation method, the Mountain Seating Art, had become less useful after evolving into the Immortal Seating Art. His progress wasn't limited by cultivation base, but by his realm.
He had almost forgotten about it, a bizarre phenomenon in itself. But now, observing Xuanhuang's transformation, he naturally, effortlessly, reached the next stage.
The Heaven Seating Art had been long anticipated. Witnessing this divine spectacle and comprehending this powerful technique, he felt only a slight ripple of excitement. Reaching a higher realm was now more important than increasing his cultivation. With access to the Star Sea's infinite power and the Grand Method of the Supreme Armour, increasing his cultivation base would be trivial once he reached a higher realm.
He felt neither joy nor sorrow.
He instantly mastered the Heaven Seating Art, a technique of his own creation, sharing the same origin as the Mountain Seating Art. As Xuanhuang ascended, the feedback from the Heaven Seating Art surged like a river. Already at peak Nascent Soul realm, unable to break through yet, the excess power accumulated.
Images of Tribulation Bodies from the Supreme Sect appeared within him. Now, he sensed a faint connection between them and someone within Blissful Ignorance's Land of Dreams.
"Though I'm willing to bring my followers along,"
"You're not one of them." He shook his head indifferently.
The Tribulation Bodies within his dantian shattered, then, fueled by the seemingly endless feedback, reformed, not as his own image, but as Xuanhuang itself!
Throughout countless cycles, he had practically dissected Xuanhuang, witnessing its every secret during each world destruction event. No one knew Xuanhuang better than him, not even the Heavenly Dao itself, oblivious to the mechanisms he'd implanted.
His deep understanding allowed him to recreate Xuanhuang within his dantian, a perfect replica, lacking only living beings. And to his astonishment, this replica, formed from the feedback energy, possessed power almost equal to the real Xuanhuang!
It was like another Xuanhuang existed within his dantian, albeit in pure energy form.
"How… is this possible?"
"How can there be so much feedback?" Even he, the creator of the Heaven Seating Art, was stunned.
But he quickly recovered, his expression turning serious.
"The Heaven Seating Art operates on the same principle as the Mountain Seating Art: reaping the benefits of others' efforts."
"I've used every method, and Xuanhuang is so close to ascension, yet it hasn't transformed…"
"I couldn't quantify Xuanhuang's energy levels during ascension before. But now, with this replica, I can estimate it." He stared at his dantian.
Shortly after the first world replica formed, a second one appeared. Within moments, thirteen replicas had manifested, and the process showed no signs of stopping.
"Thirteen times the energy of Xuanhuang at the critical point of ascension."
"Perhaps hundreds of times its normal state."
"Such immense power, yet still insufficient to trigger the transformation…"
"Do I really need to unfold all of Sun Piaomiao's chess pieces, relying on his methods, to manifest a true Immortal Realm?"
"Is the difference between Immortal techniques truly that vast?" A sense of foreboding filled him. And his premonitions were rarely wrong.
When the Immortal spiritual energy was depleted and the [Creation] character faded, Xuanhuang's transformation abruptly stopped. A terrifying silence fell.
Then, disaster struck. The higher you climb, the harder you fall. Xuanhuang proved this firsthand.
The Heavenly Dao's frantic pleas for help echoed in Li Fan's mind, quickly drowned out by an indescribable roar. The four pseudo-Heavenly Pillars crumbled like toys. Massive fissures, like cuts from a sharp blade, appeared in the sky. Mountains collapsed, the earth cracked. Even with the illusion array's protection, countless beings perished under the world's collapsing weight.
Countless solutions flashed through Li Fan's mind, but none seemed capable of stopping the inevitable.
If there was still a sliver of hope during the initial descent, the surging black Qi erupting from the world's wounds extinguished it completely. Like a tsunami, it engulfed Xuanhuang.
He saw the True Immortal in the Immortal Ruins fleeing in terror. The Grand Magus, transformed into a blurry light, tried to escape, but was instantly swallowed by the black tide.
Even the boundless Land of Dreams crumbled, taking all its inhabitants with it.
…
The descent accelerated. The black tide grew stronger. And beyond it, something even more terrifying seemed to be approaching.
Li Fan sighed. The ascension had failed.
"I miscalculated." The thought flashed through his mind before the black Qi engulfed him.
…
…
…
The scene abruptly changed. Li Fan reappeared, unharmed, but his expression was grave. The current time: twelve hours before his Dao Integration and ascension.
"It failed?"
"Despite all my preparations."
"It seems accumulating quantity can only bring me close to the Immortal realm."
"True transformation requires something else…"
"What is it?" Having used True Return's precognitive simulation, he didn't have much time left.
(End of Chapter)