Due to the Immortal Ruins' presence, time flowed unevenly within the Dark Star Sea. Comparing the Xuanhuang World to Supreme Bliss City in the Shuo Star Sea, the difference in normal time flow was a staggering one hundred and twenty times!
In other words, one hundred and twenty years passed in the Shuo Star Sea for every year in the Xuanhuang World.
"With such a time difference, it's no wonder the gap between the two worlds is so vast."
"Even the Shuo Star Sea has changed significantly since Qin Zhuang left. Time has truly altered everything."
Having constructed a miniature Dao Net, a projection of the Great Dao, within himself, Li Fan's understanding of the [Dao] had reached a new level.
This allowed him to question the seemingly inexplicable time dilation.
"Theoretically, fully comprehending the [Starvation] character inscription could achieve this. But…"
"That's an ability one should possess after attaining the Nameless Realm through the Dao of Starvation."
"Judging from the Starvation Immortal's behavior, she clearly hasn't reached that level."
Images of the Starvation Immortal flashed through Li Fan's mind.
Captured by the Cat Treasure; terrified by the black qi tide, a mere precursor to the Dao Obliteration Calamity, relying on the Southern Immortal Heavenly Pillar for protection; oblivious to Evil Su Bai stepping on her face…
"Perhaps only a step away from the Nameless Realm, but that single step represents a world of difference!"
"The abnormal time flow within the Dark Star Sea isn't caused by the Starvation Immortal. Or rather, only a small part of it is due to her Dao comprehension."
"The primary cause seems to be the [Immortal Ruins] itself."
Li Fan recalled the scene within the Immortal Ruins. Besides the vast expanse of ruins, the most striking feature was the massive [Starvation] character inscribed on the ground.
He had previously assumed it was written by Inscription Dao Immortal. Now, he suspected a deeper meaning.
"The Starvation Immortal can break free from her restraints at any time. Those golden chains are self-imposed. The Immortal Ruins are where the ascension passage to the Immortal Realm once stood. When the Dao Obliteration Calamity struck, the Dao collapsed, and the surviving immortals fled through these passages." Li Fan deduced, reconstructing the scene.
"Since the Dao Obliteration Calamity could destroy even the Immortal Realm, no one could be certain it wouldn't spread through the ascension passages. Logically, fleeing as far away as possible would be the best course of action. Yet, the Starvation Immortal remained here, even risking her life to comprehend the Dao…"
"I overlooked this illogical behavior."
Li Fan's gaze shifted towards the Immortal Ruins. "If she truly needed the True Immortal inscription to comprehend the Dao, she could have taken the entire area with her and cultivated in safety."
"But she didn't."
"The Dao Obliteration Calamity stopped abruptly, not reaching the lower realms. The True Immortal inscription within the Immortal Ruins caused a phenomenon equivalent to the peak of Dao comprehension, the Nameless Realm. The Nameless Immortal's leg bone, forming an Immortal Heavenly Pillar…"
These clues coalesced within Li Fan's mind, pointing towards the most likely truth.
"The Starvation Immortal didn't move the [Starvation] character not because she didn't want to, but because she couldn't. Because the character, or perhaps the ground beneath it, is the remains of a Nameless True Immortal!"
"This Nameless Immortal, whether willingly or not, became a [Heavenly Pillar] upon death, temporarily holding up the collapsing Immortal Realm!"
"And it's because of this Nameless Immortal's death, this Immortal who embodied Starvation, that the current Starvation Immortal seeks to comprehend the inscription and regain the Nameless Realm!"
A jolt went through Li Fan. His thoughts raced.
Given the vastness of the Immortal Realm and the lower Star Sea, there were likely multiple ascension passages.
Judging from the current state of the lower Star Sea, despite widespread destruction, numerous habitable zones remained.
"Perhaps this is due to the protection of other Nameless True Immortals!"
"Becoming pillars, shielding these areas from the calamity."
Li Fan exhaled slowly.
"If the wall represents the collapsed remnants, then Nameless Immortals are the pillars above."
"Even with a Nameless True Immortal's protection, the Dark Star Sea is still withered…"
"The continued existence of life within the lower Star Sea undoubtedly required the sacrifice of Nameless True Immortals."
Nameless True Immortals, merged with the Dao, were no longer the same species as ordinary beings, or even True Immortals.
But this was merely Li Fan's perspective.
Perhaps, like Su Bai, some Nameless True Immortals possessed a noble spirit, willingly sacrificing themselves to save others, even temporarily.
Or perhaps the fleeing immortals, anticipating the Dao Obliteration Calamity's pursuit, chose some among them to make a "sacrifice," buying time for the others.
Regardless, some Nameless True Immortals became pillars supporting the heavens, temporarily holding back the calamity.
But this was only a temporary reprieve. The Dao Obliteration Calamity would return.
"I sense the involvement of these Immortals in the Dao Net."
"Some of the Dao Net nodes even contain the aura of Nameless True Immortal remains."
This wasn't surprising.
The miniature Dao Net within Li Fan's divine sense was merely a projection. He understood the difficulty of merging a tangible entity with the ethereal Dao.
"The Dao Net is unstable."
"The giant hand I saw beyond the Dao Net only serves a supplementary role. It doesn't constantly manifest. What truly anchors the Dao Net…"
Li Fan pictured the Dao Net again. The insignificant lines vanished, leaving only the key nodes.
These nodes were both part of the Dao Net and within the Great Dao itself!
It was their unique nature that allowed the [Dao Net] to adhere to the formless Great Dao!
"Nameless True Immortals!"
"And most likely, living ones!"
Having achieved Thoughts Manifest Divinity, Li Fan glimpsed the Dao Net's true secret.
The remaining nodes faintly resembled human figures. Then, without warning, their eyes snapped open!
Nameless True Immortals, revealing their true forms.
All staring at Li Fan!
A chill ran down his spine. He jolted back to reality.
The figures vanished, replaced by ordinary nodes.
But Li Fan's heart raced.
Was it merely an illusion?
He didn't think so. At his current level, even immortal-level illusions couldn't easily affect him.
"The most likely explanation is…"
"The Nameless True Immortal nodes exist within both the Dao Net and the Great Dao."
"My Thoughts Manifest Divinity, a projection of the Dao, also reflects these nodes."
"So, in a sense, I truly saw them!"
Li Fan quickly reached a conclusion. Then, a question arose.
If he could see them, could they see him?
Unease filled his heart.
Believing he could contend with a Nameless True Immortal didn't mean he could face multiple ones under their scrutiny.
Though his usually reliable intuition sensed no immediate danger, being exposed as a "living pillar" within the Dao Net was unsettling. These Nameless True Immortals, even their passive presence, made him uneasy.
But he wouldn't abandon his newly acquired Thoughts Manifest Divinity because of a potential, unconfirmed threat.
Li Fan's true body frantically searched for a solution.
Meanwhile, in Supreme Bliss City, his divine sense, inhabiting Ma Tiande's body, prepared for the Ceremony.
Thoughts Manifest Divinity allowed him to communicate with his true body across spacetime, receiving all his deductions.
But these concerns were for his true body to handle.
His divine sense projection only needed to maintain its cover and continue probing the Dao Net.
But first, he had to survive the Supreme Bliss City Ceremony.
Scholar Zhu clearly resented the Dao Net's encroachment. But for some reason, he didn't retaliate directly, only directing his anger towards Ma Tiande, the one carrying out the inspection.
To Scholar Zhu, a cultivator like Ma Tiande, despite his position as a Dao Net operator, was merely an ant.
Li Fan, within Ma Tiande's residence, planned his escape.
"Blade Island didn't attend the Ceremony, a clear snub to Scholar Zhu. But the Sword Domain sent three representatives."
"Their identities are unknown, but as representatives of a powerful faction, their lives probably aren't as precarious as mine," Li Fan thought wryly.
"With only the Sword Domain attending, this 'Ceremony' is merely Scholar Zhu entertaining himself. And we are his toys."
Images of past ceremonies from Ma Tiande's memories surfaced.
After three years of indulgence, the inhabitants of Supreme Bliss City engaged in a bloody free-for-all, ending only when a handful of survivors remained.
These survivors, believing they had escaped hell, didn't know they were merely ripe fruits for Scholar Zhu's harvest.
"Those invited to the Ceremony can consume these slaughter fruits."
"They are incredibly valuable, even beneficial to me at the Thoughts Manifest Divinity Realm. But for weaker cultivators, they are pure poison!"
Li Fan understood Scholar Zhu's intentions.
He wasn't petty enough to intentionally kill Ma Tiande.
He was merely offering a valuable gift. It was Ma Tiande's own weakness that made it a fatal one.
"With my enhanced divine sense, consuming a slaughter fruit shouldn't be a problem."
"The challenge is avoiding suspicion from Scholar Zhu and the Sword Domain representatives. After all, with Ma Tiande's apparent strength, surviving the slaughter is impossible."
Though abandoning Ma Tiande's identity wasn't a major loss, Li Fan's divine sense projection wasn't willing to vanish so ignominiously.
"Perhaps the opportunity lies within Supreme Bliss City's Dao Net."
"Ma Tiande" looked at the dark cloud above the city, a strange expression on his face.
Soon, three streaks of sword light descended from the sky.
"Junior Ji Xingdao!"
"Junior Situ Tiantian!"
"Junior Zhao Xing!"
"Greetings, Scholar Zhu!"
Three clear voices, two male and one female, echoed through the sky.
Before the echoes faded, they landed within Supreme Bliss City.
The City Lord's Mansion materialized, drawing them in.
Scholar Zhu's seductive voice echoed in Li Fan's ears. "Come and greet our guests."
A wave of revulsion washed over Li Fan. He didn't attempt to conceal it, letting it show on his face.
Recognizing this as Scholar Zhu's most twisted and unpredictable state, he cautiously made his way to the mansion.
When he arrived, the three Sword Domain representatives were already seated.
Li Fan glanced at them. They were incredibly young, almost childish, their eyes clear and naive.
Clearly, the Sword Domain intended to use the slaughter fruits to "temper" these youngsters.
"Even if they survive this shortcut, they'll likely become twisted and deranged."
"Three promising talents, considered geniuses even in our Xuanhuang World, wasted like this?"
Li Fan remained impassive, first bowing to Scholar Zhu, then nodding curtly at the Sword Domain representatives with an air of arrogance.
Technically, a Dao Net operator of the Governing Council was equal in status to these Sword Domain disciples.
But in reality…
Consumables were replaceable. Direct descendants required careful nurturing.
They weren't on the same level.
The Sword Domain disciples seemed to understand this.
They weren't offended by Ma Tiande's attitude, simply exchanging amused glances.
They each picked up a bowl of red soup and drank it with relish.
Compared to what Li Fan had consumed earlier, this looked even more gruesome, containing not just eyeballs, but also the bloody remains of various creatures.
But the Sword Domain disciples, unfazed, savored it.
(End of Chapter)