Replicate the Great Dao?
Even the legendary Inscription Dao Immortal, who had reached the Nameless Realm, could only describe the various Daos using True Immortal inscriptions. Could this Chu Youhong truly achieve such a feat?
Li Fan was skeptical.
And Chu Youhong's response seemed to confirm his doubts.
"I only managed to capture a faint trace of the Dao, and that was during the extraordinary phenomenon of a Nameless True Immortal's fall, when their Dao returned to heaven and earth…" Chu Youhong said with a wry smile.
"Moreover, I couldn't have done it without the Heaven Painting Brush. There's no need for such flattery, Brother Lu."
"Your ability to mend the heavens, however, is renowned throughout the Shuo Star Sea."
The white-clad cultivator, surnamed Lu, didn't deny the praise, simply smiling faintly.
Chu Youhong returned to the topic at hand. "That Nameless True Immortal who intervened is indeed peculiar. While I can't fully depict the Great Dao, I can clearly sense the traces it leaves. However…"
His expression turned serious. "There was nothing, no trace whatsoever, unlike a Nameless True Immortal's intervention. The residual traces were even weaker than those of an ordinary True Immortal."
Cultivator Lu nodded in agreement. "That's why I sought you out, Brother Chu. I believe either it wasn't a Nameless True Immortal who intervened, or that Nameless True Immortal has found a way to conceal their traces within the [Dao Net]."
They exchanged glances. "Neither scenario bodes well for us."
"If it wasn't a Nameless True Immortal, yet they could escape our encirclement, their combat power is no less than that of a Nameless Realm cultivator. This new system of power is our greatest concern. After all, our methods are all designed to counter [Immortals]. If they break free from their limitations, even if it means starting anew, we will face a completely unknown enemy."
"As for concealing traces within the [Dao Net]…" A worried expression crossed Chu Youhong's face.
Cultivator Lu glanced at the vibrant Shuo Star Sea. "Our last attempt to eliminate a Nameless Immortal resulted in heavy losses. Some are growing restless. It's hard to say if this was a test of loyalty. If those True Immortals master the method of manipulating and concealing themselves within the Dao Net, we're in serious trouble!"
"The Dao Net's structure must be modified. And besides that…"
Cultivator Lu turned to Chu Youhong. "I'll need you to discreetly inform Senior Wan Shiyong."
"After all, he's… eccentric. Coming from the same world, you might be able to reason with him."
Chu Youhong hesitated, then agreed. "The Shuo Star Sea is currently leaderless, facing threats from all sides. We need a respected figure to take charge."
"Though Senior Wan gave me a thorough beating last time I disturbed him, considering we're both from the Xuanhuang World, he shouldn't be too harsh." Muttering to himself, Chu Youhong flew towards the Shuo Star Sea with Cultivator Lu.
Their figures quickly vanished.
While pondering their conversation, Li Fan directed the dream tendrils to the battle's location.
Usually, after a high-level battle, traces, fluctuations, and auras lingered. But after careful examination, Li Fan found nothing, as if the battle never occurred.
"Besides the white-clad cultivator's [Heaven Mending], which used the residual energy to reinforce the local Dao, something else seems to have absorbed the remaining power."
After some investigation, Li Fan reached a tentative conclusion. He recalled the [Dao Net] mentioned by Chu Youhong and Cultivator Lu.
"Though the term 'Dao Net' didn't appear in Qin Zhuang's memories, perhaps it emerged after he left for the Xuanhuang World. But as the name suggests, it's clearly related to the interconnected net of the Great Dao of heaven and earth."
"Nameless True Immortals are merged with a Dao. Their every action inevitably leaves traces within the Dao Net. This is natural. However, Chu Youhong claimed they can modify the [Dao Net]?"
A thoughtful expression crossed Li Fan's face.
Though brief, the conversation between Chu Youhong and Cultivator Lu revealed much.
First, capturing True Immortals resulted in heavy losses, indicating that the battles weren't one-sided. The Shuo Star Sea seemed to be leaderless, its leadership preoccupied with some important matter.
Second, besides the Shuo Star Sea, there were other factions, perhaps within another starry sky surrounded by the Obliteration Zone, eyeing the Shuo Star Sea with ill intent. The situation seemed precarious.
Third, Cultivator Lu clearly knew Chu Youhong was from the Xuanhuang World. And the Wan Shiyong he mentioned, also from the Xuanhuang World…
Li Fan frowned.
"Wan Shiyong, the founding ancestor of the Beast Taming Sect. An old acquaintance of Di Sanmo, an unparalleled genius who derived the Beast Taming True Scripture from the Beast Taming Wheel."
"Those who earned Di Sanmo's allegiance were all exceptional individuals. But wasn't this Wan Shiyong dead?"
Confused, Li Fan summoned Di Sanmo for clarification.
"Hmm?" Hearing the name, the intelligent beast seemed lost in thought. After all, it had been tens of thousands of years.
"He's dead. I personally buried him. Despite his talent, he couldn't escape the limitations of a mortal lifespan," Di Sanmo confirmed after some recollection.
"Then why is there another Wan Shiyong in the Shuo Star Sea beyond the wall?" Li Fan briefly described what he had seen through the dream tendrils.
Di Sanmo pondered, then a thought struck him. "Eccentric…"
"Could it be Wan Shiyong's companion beast?" he asked uncertainly.
Li Fan was surprised. "Wan Shiyong's companion beast wasn't you?"
Di Sanmo looked embarrassed, then stroked his beard. "Our relationship was merely one of cooperation. He was a mortal, unworthy of commanding me. His true companion beast was a [Withered Shadow Beast], a creature of shadows, capable of countless transformations."
"It usually hid within Wan Shiyong's shadow. In critical moments, it could leap into an enemy's shadow, transforming and replicating their form."
"The shadow would become identical to the person, even the original barely able to distinguish between them. After Wan Shiyong's death, the beast vanished. If it's living as Wan Shiyong, given its familiarity with him, others might not notice the difference," Di Sanmo explained.
"Since it's a demonic beast, would the previous methods of control still be effective? Or could you sense or contact it?" Li Fan asked.
Di Sanmo hesitated, then, unusually, didn't answer.
"Under normal circumstances, yes. But as Senior mentioned, even Chu Youhong, who can replicate Dao traces, is no match for this Wan Shiyong…"
"I fear it's beyond our control."
Worried that Li Fan might misunderstand, Di Sanmo quickly added, "As Senior knows, the current demonic beast race is all derived from Di Yi."
"And Di Yi was formed from the fusion of countless members of our original race. The key is, the race's true origin…"
Di Sanmo projected an image of thirteen ancient, otherworldly beasts.
"These are the thirteen Primordial Dao Forms of our race. They were the strongest among us, embodiments of the Dao itself. But not the source of our race. In fact, there's no consensus on our origin. Even the Primordial Dao Forms don't know. But there is one thing we all agreed on."
A nostalgic expression crossed Di Sanmo's face as he looked at the images of the Primordial Dao Forms.
"In our timeline, our race was blessed by the Great Dao of heaven and earth. The thirteen Primordial Dao Forms were merely a small fraction of the myriad Daos. And all other members had the potential to [Embody the Dao]. For your human cultivators, this is equivalent to reaching the Nameless True Immortal Realm."
"To fully merge with and transform into embodiments of all the Daos of heaven and earth, becoming Primordial Dao Forms. That was our race's dream of a [Golden Age]…"
"Unfortunately, before new Primordial Dao Forms could emerge, a powerful Nameless True Immortal, traversing possibilities, slaughtered your entire race," Li Fan interrupted his reverie.
Di Sanmo wasn't embarrassed, simply sighing. "Our race was indeed blessed by the Dao within our own possibility. But possibilities also have hierarchies. The strong prey on the weak. We have no regrets about our defeat."
He returned to the topic of Wan Shiyong. "What I'm trying to say is that although we are all derived from Di Yi, every member of our race has the potential to surpass him. Though theoretically improbable, it's not impossible."
"Given enough time, it becomes inevitable. The Primordial Dao Forms considered this before entering the great crucible. But what we didn't anticipate was that it wasn't just our possibility facing a crisis, but all possibilities. Constantly fleeing, we had no time to recover, and the Primordial Dao Forms' power was completely depleted…" Di Sanmo sighed deeply.
After a moment of silence, he volunteered. "I wish to speak with this Wan Shiyong."
"Even if he's far stronger than me, I'm confident he won't harm me."
Li Fan considered, then agreed. "I'll create a body for you using the power of the dream."
"Once you've made contact, if there are no problems, I'll send your real body."
"Remember, the dream body is essentially a manifestation of Blissful Ignorance's and the Xuanhuang World inhabitants' consciousness. Though it contains a fragment of your own consciousness, it's not your true body. Gaining Wan Shiyong's trust is up to you," Li Fan cautioned.
Di Sanmo nodded. "Rest assured, Senior. Our race has its own methods of communication and identification."
"The situation in the Shuo Star Sea is unclear. Even if the first attempt fails, it's not a problem."
As he spoke, a body slowly materialized beyond the Shuo Star Sea within the dream tendrils.
Bathed in golden light, it was identical to Di Sanmo's real form. Initially, it flickered between reality and illusion.
But as specks of crimson light and a mysterious energy infused it, the illusory body solidified, emerging from the void.
Di Sanmo examined his new body, his eyes filled with wonder. "Senior's methods are truly unimaginable. It feels no different from my real body!"
Li Fan's voice echoed in his ears. "Not all dream avatars can achieve such perfect realism."
"I've provided this body with some energy, enough for your journey. Be cautious. The dream avatar's mind and body are one. As long as the energy remains, it can endlessly regenerate. But once depleted, the body will be destroyed, and your consciousness will cease to exist."
"If your consciousness doesn't return to the dream paradise before destruction, those memories will be lost. So I suggest you return periodically to report."
"Of course, do so discreetly. Though the power of the dream is difficult to detect, the Shuo Star Sea isn't weak. Excessive manifestations might expose you…"
As Li Fan instructed, Di Sanmo narrowed his eyes, following the faint connection towards his destination.
Initially, Li Fan could still see through the dream, but as Di Sanmo approached a radiant point of light, even the dream's connection was severed.
"The various faction headquarters within the Shuo Star Sea, including the Sword Domain and the Sacred Merchant, definitely have some form of protective power."
"The Dao Net…"
Li Fan watched Di Sanmo's dream avatar depart, sensing the so-called Dao Net's power.
Based on the Dao Transformation Stone's deductions, he was certain it was built upon the Dao Origin system.
He recalled the "Profound Net" woven across the Xuanhuang World's sky by the Heavenly Profound Mirror's Seize the Heavens and Replace technique.
"Being able to modify the Dao Net means it's not impenetrable."
"I just need to find the right method."
(End of Chapter)