Just as only a few within the Xuanhuang World knew of the Immortal Ruins and the wall, the memories extracted from Qin Zhuang's mind might not represent the complete truth beyond the wall. They could be a series of carefully constructed lies by the most powerful, designed to ensure their civilization's survival.
In Li Fan's view, the information presented to the public by the civilization beyond the wall contained at least two glaring inconsistencies: the Dao Obliteration Calamity and True Immortals.
Nothing was more trustworthy to Li Fan than [True Return]. The 7,360,000-year countdown was proof that the Dao Obliteration Calamity continued and was far beyond the capacity of a single-possibility civilization to withstand. Yet, they deliberately downplayed its severity…
As for True Immortals, in Qin Zhuang's memories, the prevailing narrative portrayed them as dire threats to civilization, yet also as "beasts" that could be hunted and killed through coordinated efforts.
"I witnessed the Cat Treasure capturing an Immortal. The Starvation Immortal had cultivated for tens of thousands of years, and judging by the restored Starvation character inscription she left on the Southern Immortal Heavenly Pillar, she wasn't far from the Nameless Realm. Yet, against the Cat Treasure, she barely resisted, being dragged away."
"However, the continued existence of the Faceless Immortal, the Fishing Immortal, and others in my past reincarnations suggests otherwise. Though extremely cautious, never appearing in their true forms, their power could still cross the wall and influence the Xuanhuang World…"
Understanding dawned upon Li Fan. "Against these survivors of the Immortal Realm's destruction, the factions beyond the wall might not have the absolute upper hand, but they clearly possess the means to 'hunt' them."
"To achieve such a leap from the mortal realm is truly remarkable!"
Having reached the cusp of the Immortal Realm himself, Li Fan understood the vast gulf between mortals and immortals. He was increasingly curious about the methods used by the civilization beyond the wall to bridge this gap.
"Beyond the wall, there are specialized organizations dedicated to hunting True Immortals. Regardless of their affiliation, they are all called [Immortal Hunters]. Immortal Hunters undergo rigorous training and are taught divine abilities and techniques far beyond ordinary comprehension. Qin Zhuang was one such hunter, though before coming to the Xuanhuang World, he was merely a novice substitute and hadn't participated in any actual hunts."
Based on Qin Zhuang's memories, Li Fan attempted to replicate several of his techniques.
"They are similar to the power of True Immortal inscriptions, drawing upon the profound principles of the Great Dao within the mortal realm. But the difference is…"
Li Fan narrowed his eyes, visualizing ninety-nine unique symbols within his mind.
These symbols were called [Dao Origins] by the civilization beyond the wall. By arranging and combining these ninety-nine Dao Origins, one could resonate with the Great Dao and utilize its power.
"The True Immortal inscriptions, personally comprehended and transcribed by Inscription Dao Immortal, are closer to the Dao's essence, more primordial."
"While these Dao Origins are further systematized and simplified, making them easier to learn and control. And through some unknown method, they achieve the miracle of fusing and channeling different aspects of the Dao's power…"
Within his sea of consciousness, the ninety-nine characters flickered rapidly. Thirty-six of them extinguished, while the remaining sixty-three flew out, forming a new symbol.
"Qin Zhuang's first technique learned from the Immortal Hunters: [Summon Sword]."
"Theoretically, it can summon any sword technique that has ever existed, even potentially creating entirely new ones. The specific technique summoned seems related to the flickering frequency of the Dao Origins during their combination, essentially the resonance with different Daos…" Li Fan's first attempt was strenuous, even the comprehension proving difficult.
The main obstacle was that Qin Zhuang himself was a novice in the Dao Origin method, possessing only a rudimentary understanding. Could Li Fan easily replicate the culmination of countless years of effort by the civilization beyond the wall, based on such a shaky foundation?
Hundreds of persistent attempts yielded no success.
Li Fan frowned, pausing his efforts.
"My method is correct."
"It's the environment that's wrong!"
After carefully analyzing the resonance frequencies between the ninety-nine Dao Origin symbols, he finally understood.
"The Obliteration Zone…"
Li Fan gazed beyond the wall. "According to them, the Great Dao is withered within the Dark Star Sea. The Dao itself is inactive within the areas spared by the Dao Obliteration Calamity."
Having never ventured beyond the wall, Li Fan couldn't comprehend this state of inactivity.
But he could draw analogies.
"Perhaps it can be compared to the abundance of resources within an environment."
"Comprehending the Dao in a place where it is withered is incredibly difficult. But those who succeed in cultivating under such harsh conditions, if they were to travel to a so-called high-activity area…"
"Immersed within an environment, one doesn't notice it. But a sudden change in the environment would immediately reveal its impact."
"Such individuals would be geniuses among geniuses!"
As this thought crossed his mind, Li Fan felt a surge of excitement, which he quickly suppressed.
"The biggest problem is that the cultivation methods beyond the wall are different. Numerous factions clash, engaging in constant skirmishes. They are deeply suspicious of outsiders. An unknown individual couldn't infiltrate them, likely being captured and interrogated upon discovery…"
"Perhaps Qin Zhuang or Jiao Xiu would be suitable identities," Li Fan mused, a glint in his eyes.
"Qin Zhuang's mastery of ninety-nine Dao Origins was merely the most basic level for Immortal Hunters. It's said there are supreme experts who can wield nine hundred and ninety-nine, nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine, or even an unlimited number of Dao Origins."
"This is how the civilization beyond the wall can hunt True Immortals."
Two images appeared within Li Fan's sea of consciousness. On the left, True Immortal inscriptions. On the right, the ninety-nine Dao Origin symbols.
He attempted to match the inscriptions, representing known paths of the Dao, with the Dao Origin symbols. However, the symbols were clearly encrypted, lacking the characteristics of the original Daos.
Without systematic training, even Li Fan's extraordinary talent couldn't decipher them.
He shook his head slightly, dismissing the images.
"True Immortals, Immortal Hunters. Though their realms and manifestations of power differ greatly, the foundation is still the comprehension of the Great Dao."
"However, beyond the wall, they use these Dao Origin symbols to create a layer of translation, allowing mortals to grasp and utilize the Dao's power, while also preventing anyone from merging with the Dao and 'stealing' it."
The more he pondered, the more amazed Li Fan became. "The one who created these Dao Origin symbols must possess an understanding of the Dao no less than Inscription Dao Immortal himself!"
No longer completely ignorant of the world beyond the wall, and seeing the potential for advancement without reaching the Immortal Realm, Li Fan began revising his exploration plan.
"However, thorough preparation is essential."
"Besides the factions beyond the wall, I must also be wary of entities from outside the realm of possibility."
The concept of jumping possibilities was clearly beyond ordinary comprehension. Qin Zhuang's memories contained no mention of it. Li Fan even suspected only a handful beyond the wall knew of it.
But he had to take things one step at a time.
Compared to Black Healer and Evil Su Bai, he was still too weak.
"I haven't found any usable immortal spiritual energy, and my path forward is blocked. Moreover, from the current situation, the Half-Immortal Realm is merely an elevation in status. Truly attaining the True Immortal Realm might be a disadvantage beyond the wall."
"First, I'll increase my power using the Dao Origin method from beyond the wall," Li Fan decided.
"And then, when it's safe, I'll venture beyond the wall myself to see what these high-activity areas are really like."
Learning the Dao Origin method didn't mean starting from scratch. On the contrary, compared to most beyond the wall, Li Fan had a significant advantage: his knowledge of numerous True Immortal inscriptions and the Nameless True Immortal's leg bone, which could manifest the primordial forms of these inscriptions, closer to the Dao's essence.
Dao Origins were merely translated symbols. No matter how they were combined, altered, or resonated, their ultimate goal was to access and utilize the Dao's power.
Without understanding the Dao itself, merely studying the Dao Origins was like walking blindfolded, relying on touch alone.
But having deeply studied the Dao, possessing knowledge of the ultimate destination, learning the translated forms would be exponentially faster and more efficient.
"Perhaps, if I learn enough Dao Origin symbols, I can decipher them directly," Li Fan mused, a premonition forming.
"Of course, the one who created them must have anticipated this. There must be some limitations I'm not yet aware of."
…
Before venturing beyond the wall, Li Fan had several important matters to attend to.
The Council of Five Elders and the Land of Blissful Ignorance.
The Dao Transformation Stone Mother.
Legacy Transmitter Jiang.
The secrets of the Xuanhuang World, including the World Protecting Ancient Immortal Formation.
The Azure Underworld Pearl, still within the chasm of the Dark Star Sea.
…
Prioritizing based on difficulty, he first visited Legacy Transmitter Jiang.
This individual's peculiar characteristic of "All things are as I am" had nearly caused Li Fan's downfall.
Now, having attained the True Immortal Realm, he was curious whether this strange power could still affect him.
Legacy Transmitter Jiang remained in perpetual seclusion within the Gui Xu World, his true body never emerging.
Li Fan arrived within this small world, observing his surroundings with interest. Legacy Transmitter Jiang, meditating within, remained oblivious.
"The Gui Xu World can constantly [Return to Origin]. No matter what happens, it can reset itself to its initial state…"
"In a way, it's similar to my True Return. Of course, its level is far lower, limited to this small world. It can't even reset time, only the state of matter."
Even so, Li Fan was curious about the principles behind [Return to Origin].
Thousands of dark golden threads, like his eyes and tentacles, spread throughout the small world, analyzing it for him.
"Hmm… I see. It's not an unlimited Return to Origin. The small world's original essence is deeply ingrained, like marks etched into stone."
"Any changes within the small world can be erased by simply scraping away a layer. But the etching remains, and its reappearance creates the illusion of returning to the starting point."
After a while, understanding dawned upon Li Fan, followed by a tinge of disappointment. It was to be expected. Legacy Transmission was only at the Supreme Being Realm of the Star Sea. Without True Return, he couldn't achieve the true [Transformations of Truth and Falsehood].
Devising such a method was already a testament to his genius.
"Though crude and superficial, it's still insightful."
With a flicker of his gaze, Li Fan took a step and arrived before the meditating Legacy Transmitter Jiang.
He bent down, observing him closely.
"All things are as I am." Li Fan savored the words, a strange feeling rising within him. He had to admit, Legacy Transmitter Jiang was truly worthy of Legacy Transmission Celestial Venerable's special attention.
Even at the Half-Immortal Realm, Li Fan couldn't prevent this feeling from surfacing. The longer he stared, the stronger the sense of familiarity and closeness became.
However, unlike in his mortal days, he could clearly distinguish the difference between himself and Legacy Transmitter Jiang.
"Similar."
"But not the same."
"Without True Return, the false cannot become true."
Li Fan extended his right hand and flicked Legacy Transmitter Jiang's forehead.
Legacy Transmitter Jiang's eyes snapped open. Seeing a completely unfamiliar face, he was startled.
"Who are you?!" he demanded coldly.
Li Fan smiled. "Me? I'm you!"
A mesmerizing light emanated from his eyes as he subtly deployed a formation, using the Dissociation Disc to replicate this peculiar ability and turn it against Legacy Transmitter Jiang.
Being the original possessor of this characteristic, Legacy Transmitter Jiang's mind didn't immediately succumb. He stared at Li Fan warily.
But slowly, Li Fan's appearance began to shift in his eyes, becoming increasingly similar to his own.
Until they were identical!
As if gazing into a mirror, Legacy Transmitter Jiang stared at his reflection, his wariness dissipating.
"I have a feeling my current power is far from my limit."
"Isn't the ultimate境界 of 'All things are as I am' to have all Daos converge within me?"
Legacy Transmitter Jiang's mind trembled as he heard his double speak.
(End of Chapter)