"Perhaps that True Immortal is already lurking nearby…" Dao Yuan's words snapped the newly appointed Immortal Hunters back to reality, the previous discussion about legendary escape methods now a distant memory.
Unlike the trials, this was their first real encounter with a True Immortal.
This was life or death.
Driven by the imminent danger, they quickly began their preparations. Though inexperienced and guided only by transmitted information, as elite cultivators of the Shuo Star Sea, they worked efficiently.
The first step in an Immortal Hunt was reinforcing the local Dao Net and using it for concealment.
If the entire Dao Net was held in place by an invisible hand and four supporting pillars, then in these weaker, peripheral regions of the Shuo Star Sea, the Immortal Hunters themselves had to act as anchors, further stabilizing the net to access more of its power.
Veteran Immortal Hunters could reportedly reinforce and seal an area instantly. These novices, however, were less coordinated.
They even argued over who would act as the temporary anchors.
Logically, those with the deepest understanding of the Dao Net should be chosen for efficiency. But they were strangers, their knowledge of each other limited to the overall ranking, which reflected a combination of skills, not just Dao Net mastery.
And acting as an anchor, directly connecting to the Dao Net, was like being immersed in the Great Dao itself, offering immense benefits. Every ambitious cultivator wanted the opportunity.
Even Dao Yuan, the top-ranked candidate, couldn't claim all eight anchor positions.
But time was short. Their anxiety grew with each passing moment.
Finally, someone conceded.
"Ma Tiande" bowed, his expression calm. "As they say, knowing others is wisdom, knowing yourself is enlightenment. My fifth-place ranking is largely due to my martial prowess. I won't compete for an anchor position."
He gracefully stepped aside.
The others looked at the seemingly magnanimous Li Fan with newfound respect. Inspired by his gesture, several others also conceded.
The eight anchor positions were quickly filled.
To Li Fan's surprise, Jin Changyue, the second-ranked cultivator in purple robes who wielded three swords, also declined.
With her eyes still closed, she said softly, "I prefer to use my swords to personally slay the True Immortal."
Her three swords hummed in agreement.
With the anchors chosen, they began reinforcing the Dao Net.
The eight cultivators formed a circle, surrounded by the others, who sent out Dao Net commands, each command tightening the net's strings.
The eight figures gradually faded, merging with the surroundings.
But everyone sensed a subtle shift, a growing darkness within the space, resonating with the Dao Net commands.
The reinforcement process lasted ninety-nine breaths, barely meeting the minimum standard for novices.
The eight anchors reappeared, their forms restored, but their expressions dazed, a hint of wonder in their eyes, still immersed in their connection to the Dao Net.
Li Fan observed them, noticing the change.
"Within this small space, each of these eight can wield Dao Net power equivalent to a True Immortal. Eight True Immortals working together…"
"That [Barbarian] Immortal is in serious trouble."
He studied the anchors closely.
Though possessing power comparable to True Immortals, they lacked their oppressive aura.
"They are still mortals at their core. Their [potential] hasn't changed. They are merely holding onto a corner of the Dao Net, a small fraction of the Great Dao's power."
The eight anchors would be the primary force in the hunt, while the others provided support.
With the battlefield prepared, they created a barrier, a trap to prevent the True Immortal's escape.
With the Dao Net's cooperation, it was simple.
The seemingly empty void now had a hidden boundary, always on the verge of collapse, just like the wall surrounding the Dark Star Sea. By erasing the concept of "forward," the path forward vanished.
"This is one of the Immortal Hunters' most powerful weapons, instrumental in their success against True Immortals. It's called the [Immortal Trapping Cage]."
"The erasure of existence and concept… perhaps inspired by the Dao Obliteration Calamity itself…"
As Li Fan seamlessly cooperated with the others, sending out commands to create the Immortal Trapping Cage, he memorized the subtle fluctuations within the Dao Net.
For others, these fluctuations were both invisible and incredibly complex. Even those directly involved couldn't grasp them in a single attempt.
Strictly speaking, these "fluctuations" were subtle shifts within the Great Dao itself, manifested through the Dao Net, detectable only by those with a deep understanding of the Dao.
And each Dao Net command was composed of countless Dao Origin symbols. The Immortal Hunters worked together, sending out countless commands with each breath, a torrent of data that even a Nameless True Immortal couldn't fully process at a glance.
But Li Fan didn't need to consciously analyze or memorize them. His miniature Dao Net, like a mirror, perfectly reflected the fluctuations.
Though unable to decipher their underlying principles yet, he could still copy and paste them.
"This is the power of [Thoughts Manifest Divinity], reflecting the Dao."
"Achieving what even Nameless Immortals cannot."
Having stolen a divine ability, Li Fan was secretly pleased, his anticipation for infiltrating the Immortal Hunters growing.
The hunting net was set.
The new Immortal Hunters, having completed their preparations, concealed themselves around the fake World Crossing Profound Coffin, waiting for the Barbarian Immortal to take the bait.
Connected through the Dao Net, they communicated silently.
"Look! What's that?"
Though nothing was visible in the real void, the reinforced Dao Net rippled.
And the distortion was rapidly approaching the coffin!
"Though invisible, it still leaves traces within the Great Dao! Like an invisible creature leaving footprints in the snow. He's taken the bait!"
Excitement and nervousness filled their minds.
"Should we attack now?"
"Not yet. Wait until he fully reveals himself. He can't take the coffin anyway. He'll have to enter it like the legends say," Dao Yuan said calmly, showing his leadership.
The others nodded in agreement.
The distortion within the Dao Net reached the coffin, circling it as if trying to move it.
But even the fake coffin possessed some of the true coffin's properties. As if it didn't truly exist in this world, any force applied to it simply passed through.
The coffin remained motionless.
The distorted force, instead of being frustrated, seemed pleased. It remained still as a larger distortion rapidly approached.
"No! That's not one True Immortal, but two?"
Judging by the degree of distortion in the Dao Net's strings, the new Immortal Hunters realized that besides the Barbarian Immortal, another True Immortal had entered the net.
They were so close as to be almost merged.
Ordinary methods couldn't detect them, even at close range. Only their traces within the Dao Net revealed their presence.
"Don't panic! This is good news! Capturing one is good, capturing two is even better! What a great achievement for our first hunt!" It was Jiang Yuming, the third-ranked candidate, emboldened by the Dao Net's power, undaunted by the unexpected arrival of a second True Immortal.
Dao Yuan added, "But we mustn't be careless. Though this is a weak area of the Dao Net, they still managed to bypass its detection. They are formidable."
"Invisible to the eye, inaudible to the ear. I suspect the other one embodies the Dao of [Absence]. Only the combination of Absence and Barbarian can deceive the Dao Net."
Though surprised, they remained calm, adjusting their strategy accordingly, waiting for the two True Immortals to enter the coffin.
Under everyone's watchful eyes, the coffin's lid creaked open, like an ancient bronze door, emitting a heavy, decaying sound.
The distorted Dao Net strings snapped back to normal.
The new Immortal Hunters received confirmation: two individuals had entered the coffin.
"Now!" Dao Yuan commanded.
But another voice interrupted him.
"Wait!"
It was "Ma Tiande"!
Dao Yuan frowned.
Li Fan quickly explained, his expression serious. "Brother Dao, you mentioned the coffin needs a specific activation method. Let's wait."
"Perhaps they are also decoys."
His words gave them pause. They looked at the coffin.
There was no activity within. It seemed to be waiting for something.
"Indeed, suspicious."
"If they were truly the Barbarian and Absence Immortals seeking refuge, they would have activated the coffin immediately. Why the delay…" Jin Changyue said thoughtfully.
"Is there a flaw within the coffin? What if they realize it's a fake and flee?"
"Don't worry. Though a replica, it's identical to the real one, except for the World Crossing function," said a cultivator who hadn't spoken before. His name was Nangong Hongzhao, his background unknown.
But his confident tone suggested he knew what he was talking about.
Now wasn't the time for questions.
They held their breath.
Nangong Hongzhao continued, "It's said the true coffin's location changes with each activation. This is why they are hesitant. They don't want to waste this opportunity."
As if to confirm his words, another distortion, identical to the previous one, appeared within the Dao Net.
Like a replay, they entered the coffin.
A melodious chant, both ethereal and solemn, emanated from within.
"Now!" Dao Yuan commanded again.
The coffin's lid slammed shut.
The Immortal Trapping Cage descended silently, sealing the area.
Within the coffin, seemingly unaware of the change, the chanting continued.
Li Fan memorized the melody, then realized something. "This rhythm is similar to the Protective Immortal Scripture from the Grand Magus."
"Could there be a connection between the Grand Magus's companion and the Nameless True Immortals who created the World Crossing Profound Coffin?"
He recalled the unknown cultivator from the Xuanhuang World who, after listening to the companion's teachings, founded the Ten Immortal Dao Sects. And the Grand Magus, a Half-Immortal, perpetually sitting beside the companion, even mimicking their behavior.
"Could that companion be a remnant of one of the departed Nameless True Immortals?"
"Perhaps it once possessed other abilities, but after the Nameless True Immortal departed through the coffin, only the image remained."
As Li Fan pondered, a dramatic change occurred.
With the Barbarian and Absence Immortals remaining within the coffin, the Immortal Hunters hesitated to break it open, intending to ambush them when they emerged.
But they hadn't anticipated this…
As the chanting intensified, the coffin pulsed with a mesmerizing, multicolored light, growing brighter and showing no sign of fading.
The Immortal Hunters exchanged uneasy glances.
Then, the light exploded, engulfing the coffin.
When they could see again…
The fake World Crossing Profound Coffin, along with the Barbarian and Absence Immortals, had vanished!
(End of Chapter)