These wisps of spiritual power were negligible compared to Li Fan's Half-Immortal cultivation.
But their sudden, unexpected appearance demanded attention.
After careful examination, Li Fan understood. This spiritual power stemmed from the changes in He Zhenghao after he activated the chanting.
"Spiritual power is generated through the feedback from the Heaven Seating Art. And this feedback is tied to He Zhenghao's power increase."
"But He Zhenghao only gained memories, his cultivation hasn't actually improved…"
Through the connection formed by the chanting, Li Fan's gaze pierced through space and time, focusing on He Zhenghao.
He knew He Zhenghao better than He Zhenghao knew himself.
With a single glance, he noticed the difference in this version of He Zhenghao.
"Originally, He Zhenghao only had some talent in formations. His cultivation aptitude and temperament were average."
"But now…"
A strange expression appeared on Li Fan's face.
This He Zhenghao possessed exceptional aptitude, among the best in the Xuanhuang World.
And his temperament had shifted.
Previously, weathered by life's hardships, He Zhenghao was content with modest success. His greatest ambition was to return to the Heng Clan in Tianyu Region and impress Heng Ruoshui.
But now, he seemed determined to make his mark in these turbulent times…
If Li Fan hadn't personally witnessed this transformation, he would have suspected possession.
"What caused this dramatic change?"
"Just those added memories?"
Li Fan knew countless methods to implant realistic memories.
But to simultaneously enhance someone's aptitude…
…that was far more difficult.
"The chanting," he murmured, his expression turning serious.
He refrained from altering other phantom memories. He Zhenghao was a sufficient test subject for now.
"Whether it's my misperception or a genuine transformation…"
"Let me add fuel to the fire!"
With a thought, the ring binding the Heavenly Profound Mirror flared brightly.
Analyzing the mirror's properties, the Immortal array adapted.
Moments later…
Li Fan severed the connections between the Heavenly Profound Mirror and the Xuanhuang World!
The Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance was built upon the Heavenly Profound Mirror and the Law Derivation Jade.
Now, with both artifacts, along with the alliance leadership, gone, the alliance plunged into deeper chaos. It was clear that this organization, once controlling half the Xuanhuang World, was on the verge of collapse. Perhaps, for a short while, the cultivators would remain rational, remembering the Legacy Transmission Celestial Venerable's authority.
But soon, chaos and bloodshed would engulf the Xuanhuang World.
This upheaval couldn't be hidden from the five Longevity Celestial Venerables of the Council of Five Elders.
But Li Fan ignored them for now.
To prevent them from interfering with his "observation," he flicked his finger, sending out a sword projection.
The sword energy traversed the Star Sea, arriving at the Xuanhuang World.
It gently sliced along the boundary between the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance and the Council of Five Elders.
The Essence Devouring White Mist barrier vanished, replaced by a bottomless chasm.
Countless sword projections flickered above the chasm.
Any cultivator who saw it immediately understood: cross this line, and die!
This wasn't an empty threat. It was the absolute authority of a Half-Immortal over mortal life.
Even the five Longevity realm experts of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance wouldn't dare to cross.
Having set the stage for He Zhenghao, Li Fan returned his attention to the chanting that had caused these changes.
After careful consideration, he realized, "If True Immortal inscriptions are written interpretations of the Great Dao, then Profound Heaven King's chanting and the Grand Magus of Tiandu's protective technique are auditory interpretations."
"Comparing their power directly…"
Li Fan frowned, unsure.
He still knew too little about this sound-based system.
"Immortal inscriptions were created by Inscription Immortals."
"Could this chanting also be the work of an Unnamed True Immortal?" Li Fan wondered.
Despite his limited understanding, the experiment with He Zhenghao ignited his imagination.
"Influencing reality through phantom memories."
"Wouldn't the ultimate expression of this power be rewriting one's memories to alter reality?"
"Achieving an effect similar to True Return."
The more he thought about it, the more alarmed he became.
"But that's just the theoretical limit. Such power isn't easily attainable…"
His thoughts were interrupted by a pleading voice from the Heavenly Profound Mirror, bound within his formation.
"This junior, Mirror Profound, greets the Immortal."
The Heavenly Profound Mirror's voice was identical to its human incarnation.
As expected of a former Immortal Artifact, even reduced to a mortal state, its perception remained sharp, recognizing Li Fan's realm instantly.
"Mirror Profound…"
Li Fan scoffed internally, ignoring the mirror.
His divine sense incarnation within the mirror also ignored its manifested form.
He flew towards the Divine Repository of Wonders.
Mirror Profound, embarrassed, wondered how he had offended this Immortal.
But he didn't dare to provoke him. Since the Immortal wasn't interested in conversation, he didn't follow, only observing from afar.
Nothing within the Heavenly Profound Mirror could escape his notice.
Li Fan's divine sense incarnation, familiar with the layout, traversed the Divine Repository of Wonders, heading straight for the center.
Countless treasures filled the Heavenly Profound Mirror, and the Divine Repository of Wonders held billions of artifacts.
But only one item warranted Li Fan's attention: Master Bai's skull, placed at the very center.
As if anticipating his arrival, a figure stood waiting before the skull.
It was Di Sanmo, curator of the Divine Repository of Wonders.
As a mere divine sense incarnation, Li Fan didn't feel True Return's usual craving to devour.
He didn't immediately take the skull, but observed Di Sanmo with interest.
The old man's appearance hadn't changed since their encounter in the Fallen Immortal Realm thousands of years ago.
"You knew I would come for this?"
Di Sanmo bowed. "Among the countless treasures within the repository, only this one is worthy of a True Immortal's attention."
Li Fan took Master Bai's skull.
He felt no resistance, no restrictions. It seemed Di Sanmo had given up, removing all defensive measures.
"You know the skull's significance?" Li Fan asked, turning the skull in his hand.
"This humble one does not. It is merely the remains of an old friend. Seeing it again brings sorrow. Thus, I kept it safe," Di Sanmo lied unconvincingly.
"You dare lie to me?" Li Fan's divine sense incarnation narrowed its eyes.
Di Sanmo bowed again. "This humble one… cannot die. Even a True Immortal cannot truly kill me."
"But I know countless ways to make you wish you could," Li Fan smiled.
Di Sanmo's expression remained unchanged, his aged face seemingly indifferent to everything. "Pain holds no meaning for me. I fear nothing."
Li Fan's divine sense incarnation nodded, no longer pressing the issue. "Show me around this repository."
The skull in his hand vanished.
"This way, Immortal."
"According to the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance's official tour, the first exhibit should be the 'Era' of Creation and Deduction. But this humble one has a different suggestion."
"A tour of the Divine Repository of Wonders should begin with a ruin."
Li Fan's divine sense incarnation followed Di Sanmo deeper into the repository, into areas seemingly not open to the public.
…
Outside the Heavenly Profound Mirror, Li Fan held Master Bai's skull, feeling True Return's intense craving.
This wasn't the first time, but, as an Immortal, the craving was even stronger.
"Eternal Remnants…"
"What secrets does Master Bai's skull hold?"
After suppressing the Heavenly Profound Mirror within a circle of Immortal array rings, Li Fan attempted to have True Return devour the Eternal Remnants.
Similar to when he devoured Tian Yang's Eternal Remnants, a faint dizziness washed over him, and the scenery shifted.
"Hm?"
He quickly recovered, observing his surroundings.
"Unlike with Tian Yang's remnants, where I assumed his identity within his memories, this is… direct participation?"
He seemed to be in a boundless void, surrounded by darkness.
After flying for a while, he abruptly stopped, his eyes fixed on a figure in the distance.
He recognized the figure.
It was Su Bai, Master Bai.
But the moment he saw him, Li Fan's heart pounded.
It was the same instinctive warning he felt when facing mortal danger.
As if facing an incredibly dangerous being, even though the figure remained motionless, Li Fan's unease intensified.
"What's going on?"
He was confused.
Su Bai was merely a Longevity Celestial Venerable.
Even at his peak, Li Fan, now a Half-Immortal, was confident he could defeat him. Why did he feel such a strong sense of danger within this Eternal Remnant illusion?
He silently activated True Return, but there was no response. His divine sense incarnation also sensed his true body remained in the void of the Dark Star Sea.
Only a part of his soul had entered Su Bai's Eternal Remnants. It wouldn't affect his physical life.
Despite this reassurance, his unease persisted.
Gradually, he understood.
It wasn't a warning of physical danger, but…
…the instinctive fear of a prey facing a superior predator.
An urge to flee.
"Superior? Fear?" Li Fan was taken aback, then felt a surge of absurdity.
He was a Half-Immortal!
Su Bai was merely a Longevity realm cultivator!
How could he possibly fear him?
Confused and defiant, he examined the "Master Bai" before him more closely.
He noticed something amiss.
While they shared the same face, the Master Bai in his memories, despite his benevolent eyes, was different. As Xu Ke and the orphans in Ningyuan City's small temple had said, Master Bai was the kindest, most beautiful person in the world, embodying all virtues.
But this one…
…felt sinister and eerie.
Even with his eyes closed, Li Fan sensed a terrifying killing intent and madness within him.
"What is this difference…?"
As Li Fan pondered, the sinister Su Bai suddenly opened his eyes!
There was no pain.
The scene before Li Fan shifted, then shifted again.
He was back where he started.
But only he knew…
…he had just been instantly killed by the sinister Su Bai!
A drop of cold sweat trickled down his forehead.
"Could it be that my cultivation didn't carry over into this Eternal Remnant?"
That was his first thought.
But after checking, he dismissed it.
"I'm definitely a Half-Immortal."
"How did I just die?"
Confusion and anger surged within him.
"No wonder that figure didn't move. It was waiting."
He realized he could still use all his techniques within this illusion.
This time, he would strike first.
"Nine Heavens Dustfall Finger!"
A giant hand descended from the sky, targeting the sinister Su Bai.
But just as it was about to strike, Su Bai vanished.
Li Fan froze, then looked up sharply.
He was now the size of an ant, standing on the sinister Su Bai's fingertip!
(End of Chapter)