Within the Unending Cycle of Reincarnation, Truth Celestial Venerable, having lost his memory of meeting Li Fan, returned to the anchored year.
A flicker of confusion crossed his eyes.
But a mere Eternal Life cultivator couldn't resist the power of True Return. The doubt quickly vanished, and he continued along his predetermined path.
…
Li Fan sensed the rapid passage of time within the Unending Cycle of Reincarnation.
The thousandfold time acceleration exerted a peculiar pressure upon him. It wasn't the physical or spiritual weight of carrying a Celestial Realm chess piece, but rather a pervasive fog clouding his mind and actions, as if he were in a dream. It even made him question the reality of his present existence.
And not just Li Fan.
The remaining four Celestial Venerables standing beside him also seemed dazed. They were either reliving past memories, experiencing scenes they had never encountered, or recalling long-forgotten thoughts.
None could resist this pervasive influence, becoming lost within its depths.
Only after the Unending Cycle of Reincarnation reached its first conclusion and began anew did Li Fan slowly adapt.
Focusing his mind, the surrounding fog thinned. Though still disoriented, he could at least function. He finally had the opportunity to observe the events unfolding within the cycle.
Ignoring Truth Celestial Venerable, who was both elated and terrified by his "rebirth," Li Fan first searched for his own presence within the cycle's Xuanhuang World.
To his relief, he didn't find another version of himself.
Instead, a cultivator named Zhang Fan, remarkably similar to him, was propelling the Unending Cycle of Reincarnation towards its predetermined end.
"Naturally, there's no other [True Return]. Zhang Fan merely possesses the illusion of endless rebirth. When the cycle resets, his memories will also be reset without his awareness…"
"He's just a tool."
Li Fan shook his head dismissively and turned his attention to Truth Celestial Venerable.
Truth Celestial Venerable was convinced that the destruction of the Xuanhuang World he witnessed in his "previous life" wasn't a delusion. However, he didn't immediately reveal his rebirth.
Instead, he set aside all other matters and focused on investigating the truth.
As expected of an Eternal Life cultivator, he quickly discovered that the calamity might be related to the sudden appearance of Heavenly Dao Bai.
Following the trail, he arrived at Medicine King Valley.
When the Chaos character inscription detonated and the Medicine King Cauldron, containing the sacred fetus, ascended, Truth Celestial Venerable, hidden in the shadows, sensed its presence.
He was about to intervene when…
Heavenly Dao Bai, after rescuing the Medicine King Sect cultivators, appeared before him.
Though not Legacy Transmission's equal, as the manifestation of the Xuanhuang World's Heavenly Dao, he could command the power of all Heavenly Souls.
For a time, Truth Celestial Venerable couldn't break free, forced to watch as the Medicine King Cauldron soared away.
In this cycle, the outcome remained unchanged. The Xuanhuang World was still destroyed by the Starvation Immortal's gaze.
…
"So this is True Return's linear constraint?"
Li Fan mused, then accelerated the flow of time within the Unending Cycle of Reincarnation. A wave of dizziness washed over him, the pressure intensifying. He fast-forwarded to Truth Celestial Venerable's next attempt to save the world.
Before Heavenly Dao Bai's arrival, Truth Celestial Venerable noticed Zhang Fan's machinations and attacked, attempting to capture him.
However, his exposed aura triggered the restrictions within the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
The Eternal Life Celestial Venerables of the Council of Five Elders were alerted. The phantom of Legacy Transmission Celestial Venerable appeared, severely injuring Truth Celestial Venerable. In the ensuing chaos, Zhang Fan vanished.
Soon after, the world-destroying calamity struck again.
"Interesting. The phantom of Legacy Transmission didn't actually appear in this cycle. Manifesting it requires the sacrifice of several Chosen."
"But the Unending Cycle of Reincarnation isn't simply fabricating events. Instead…"
A playful glint appeared in Li Fan's eyes. "It's as if it anticipated Truth Celestial Venerable's actions. At the start of the new cycle, the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance began actively selecting Chosen, deviating from the previous cycle."
"But Truth Celestial Venerable, focused on finding the culprit behind the world's destruction, overlooked this."
"It seems the Unending Cycle of Reincarnation only needs to ensure the beginning and end remain consistent. The details in between don't matter."
The third cycle.
This time, Truth Celestial Venerable waited at the edge of the Xuanhuang World for the Medicine King Cauldron's appearance. But for some reason, it never arrived.
To his surprise, on the day of the predicted calamity, the pull from the Immortal Ruins above intensified. Caught off guard, he was drawn uncontrollably upwards.
Struggling to survive, he saw a skeleton standing amidst the ruins, surrounded by broken golden chains.
The Starvation Immortal of the Immortal Ruins grabbed the struggling Truth Celestial Venerable and devoured him.
Her eyes, filled with crimson light, hungrily turned towards the Xuanhuang World below.
…
"Hmm? This is a possibility I've never encountered."
"Did the Starvation Immortal break through early?"
Li Fan observed the Starvation Immortal from afar. Even having achieved enlightenment and nearing the Nameless Realm, she couldn't detect his gaze. She merely sensed something amiss, a flicker of unease in her heart.
…
The enlightened Starvation Immortal's actions startled Li Fan. He temporarily paused the simulation.
It wasn't fear of the Starvation Immortal.
"Theoretically, this Unending Cycle of Reincarnation is a new possibility created by True Return."
"Is it possible for an entity capable of traversing possibilities to notice the anomaly and escape the cycle?"
"For example, if I use my previous life as a template, wouldn't there be another Black Healer within this created cycle?"
As doubt crept into his mind, True Return, sensing his thoughts, provided a prompt.
"The created incomplete timeline naturally excludes entities that transcend possibilities."
"Variables introduced by the template will manifest in other ways, ensuring consistency between the beginning and the end…" Li Fan sensed True Return's assurance and breathed a sigh of relief, though a tinge of regret remained.
"As long as nothing goes wrong."
Glancing at Truth Celestial Venerable, who was slowly breaking down within the stagnant, decade-old cycle, Li Fan shook his head slightly.
"I wonder when this Eternal Life Celestial Venerable will break free from the cycle's grasp."
"I hope he doesn't disappoint me."
Even if Truth Celestial Venerable gave up on escaping, Li Fan wouldn't release him. He had noticed that each reset of the Unending Cycle of Reincarnation was essentially True Return activating a Transformation of Truth and Falsehood.
Though its scale was insignificant compared to Li Fan's own activation, it was continuous and didn't interfere with his actions in reality.
"This is a perfect tool for comprehending the Transformations of Truth and Falsehood."
"Unfortunately, with my current power, I can't sustain a second Unending Cycle of Reincarnation," Li Fan thought regretfully.
His thoughts returned to reality. He looked at Blissful Ignorance and the others.
The four Eternal Life cultivators were completely subdued.
"I sense a great terror beyond the wall."
"That is why I haven't ventured out, despite possessing the ability to do so."
Li Fan's words caused their expressions to change drastically.
"I know your dream world has reached the vicinity of the wall."
"Coordinate with my actions in reality to probe the truth beneath the wall." Li Fan's gaze fixed on Blissful Ignorance.
The thin Eternal Life Celestial Venerable quickly assured him, "It is Blissful Ignorance's honor to serve Senior."
"As for you…" Li Fan turned to Human Dao Celestial Venerable, Zhao Ruoxi, and Ji Wangxian.
He flicked three specks of light towards their foreheads.
These were miniature formations, powered by phantoms of the Xuanhuang World derived from the Heaven Seating Art's feedback and using the Ink Kill, Dao Obliteration Form as a core. They could monitor and control their targets.
Upon entering their bodies, these formations spread like roots, embedding themselves deep within their souls.
To Zhao Ruoxi and the others' horror, they felt no pain.
Instead, a wave of euphoria and contentment washed over them. As the formations enveloped their souls, their fear of Li Fan transformed into reverence and loyalty.
Though aware that these glowing cores within their souls were constantly monitoring them, they felt no resistance, only an eager desire to completely surrender themselves.
Human Dao Celestial Venerable felt a surge of emotion, ready to die for his newfound master.
Ji Wangxian knelt, utterly subdued.
Zhao Ruoxi's cheeks flushed, her body weakening as she collapsed to the ground, her gaze fixed on Li Fan with unwavering devotion.
Through his observation of the Unending Cycle of Reincarnation, Li Fan had gained a deeper understanding of these Eternal Life Celestial Venerables.
Combined with the Dissociation Disc's custom-made formations, the effect was remarkable.
"Even more effective than Truth Celestial Venerable's Truth Inducing Fruit," Li Fan thought.
He turned to Blissful Ignorance, whose face had paled after witnessing the scene. "Your dream world is too superficial to explore beyond the wall. It's inadequate. Return to the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance in seven days."
"I'll have someone assist you in modifying your dream world."
As his voice echoed, his form vanished.
(End of Chapter)