Although the Primordial Immortal Realm was crafted by Li Fan's own hands, there was a significant difference between him and a true "Creator God."
The key to the Primordial Immortal Realm's manifestation was channeling the power of the Infinite Sea. And Li Fan's ability to do so relied entirely on the Divine Blessing bestowed by the True Return.
If this continent truly had a Creator God, it could only be the [True Return].
Li Fan was merely the one who received divine favor and acted on its behalf.
Quickly adjusting and correcting his mindset, Li Fan pondered what he could achieve with this Primordial Immortal Realm.
"I initially intended to create a mere facade, but with the True Return's aid, I've actually created a genuine Immortal Domain. Not only is it enough to fool those True Immortals of the Shuo Star Sea, but…"
Li Fan's thoughts suddenly focused on the thirteen celestial scars and the five world consciousness fragments.
As colossal consciousnesses born alongside the Primordial Immortal Realm, they might appear as docile as house-trained dogs under Li Fan's command. This was only because he held the reins, capable of severing their connection to the Infinite Sea at any moment.
However, they wouldn't be so accommodating to others. Their true nature was violent, capricious, and contemptuous.
"Theoretically, each of them possesses combat power no less than an Unnamed True Immortal. However, relying solely on instinct, it's hard to say how much of that power they can actually wield."
"But their numbers are considerable. More than enough to deal with those True Immortals from the Shuo Star Sea."
Li Fan gazed into the distance once more, waiting for his bait to be taken.
Ever since Wuming witnessed Li Fan's casually displayed power and learned of his intention to rebuild the Immortal Court fifteen years ago, the Shuo Star Sea had shown the necessary respect for a demonstrably powerful individual.
They no longer questioned Li Fan's absorption of the Shuo Star Sea's complete Great Dao. They even intentionally loosened the Dao Net's restrictions around the Great Wall, making it easier for him to absorb the Dao.
Li Fan hadn't truly intended to completely drain the Shuo Star Sea's Great Dao and hasten the arrival of the Dao Obliteration Calamity. He merely needed to replenish the withered Dao within the Dark Star Sea.
And after the Primordial Immortal Realm was created, although it was a nascent continent, backed by the Infinite Sea, the various Daos and laws it naturally derived even surpassed those of the surrounding Dark Star Sea.
So, Li Fan no longer needed to draw upon the Shuo Star Sea.
In the tenth year, he sealed the [pathway], completely ceasing his absorption of the Shuo Star Sea's Great Dao. Of course, he wouldn't be so kind as to allow the Primordial Immortal Realm to benefit the Shuo Star Sea.
With the Great Wall's barrier, the outside world remained unaware of the new Immortal Domain's existence.
However, Li Fan's deliberate restraint was itself a signal of the "Immortal Court's re-establishment."
Over the next five years, Wuming visited several times. Although he never explicitly mentioned the Immortal Court, he delivered a list from the Shuo Star Sea.
"An Unnamed True Immortal leading the group, accompanied by six True Immortals."
"That's not a small contingent."
"They all represent the True Immortal factions. None of the Immortal Hunters are coming. They must have been scared off when I instantly suppressed that Wei fellow." Li Fan chuckled.
The list didn't specify the Dao Path comprehended by the leading Unnamed True Immortal.
"Transformation, Inversion, Chaos…"
"I wonder if it will be one of these three."
Li Fan withdrew his gaze and looked at the Primordial Immortal Realm below. He beckoned with his fingers.
Instantly, fleeting images of the primordial world were captured and gathered in his palm, forming a vivid, animated scroll.
The scroll gradually solidified.
"Thirteen," Li Fan called softly.
Amidst a radiant glow, a silver figure appeared before him. Its form constantly shifted, lacking a solid body. However, a faint resemblance to Li Fan could be discerned, clearly an intentional imitation by this celestial scar.
"Make a trip. Deliver this scroll to our neighbors."
"When the scroll unfolds, it will mark the official re-establishment of the Immortal Court."
Thirteen bowed its head in acknowledgment and then, like a bolt of lightning, vanished from the Primordial Immortal Realm.
Leaving the Primordial Immortal Realm for the first time, Thirteen was initially excited. But upon seeing the barren星空outside the Great Wall, its curiosity turned to disappointment and disdain.
If the Primordial Immortal Realm, permeated with infinite Immortal Power, was a magnificent palace, then the Shuo Star Sea couldn't even compare to a humble thatched hut. At best, it was a haphazardly constructed nest, fit only for beasts.
Not wanting to linger, Thirteen rushed towards the location indicated by Li Fan, eager to complete its task and return.
It encountered no obstacles until it suddenly felt like it had fallen into a giant net. Countless threads clung to every inch of its body, creating immense resistance.
"Who goes there!"
Perhaps having sensed that Thirteen came from Li Fan's location, the Shuo Star Sea didn't immediately attack. Instead, they cautiously inquired.
"By order of the Great Lord, I bring the scroll of the Primordial Immortal Realm."
"When this scroll unfolds, it will be the day the Immortal Court is rebuilt."
"Those on the list are invited to witness."
The arrogant Thirteen held the scroll bestowed by Li Fan above its head. Annoyed by the resistance it felt, it deliberately spoke in a booming voice.
Like a towering wave or a fierce gale, a sudden surge erupted within the Dao Net. Myriad Dao strings trembled violently. The indestructible Dao Net swayed like duckweed in the wind.
Hearing cries of alarm from all corners of the Star Sea, Thirteen swelled with pride.
However, the next moment, the storm abruptly subsided, as suddenly as it had begun. It was as if some powerful being had instantly quelled the turbulence within the Dao Net.
"Hmm?"
At that moment, Thirteen sensed several auras similar to its most powerful siblings and restrained itself slightly.
Beyond the Dao Net, it felt a gaze fixated upon it, a gaze reminiscent of the Great Lord's.
"No wonder the Great Lord invited these people to witness." Understanding dawned on Thirteen. It ceased its arrogance, simply cupped its hands in farewell, and transformed into a silver bolt of lightning, departing as swiftly as it had arrived.
No one in the vast Shuo Star Sea could stop it. They could only watch as it came and went like a whirlwind.
Silence descended.
Everyone's gaze focused on the scroll left behind by Thirteen. Even though it remained unfurled, they could sense its extraordinary aura.
Especially the True Immortals of the Shuo Star Sea.
They seemed to catch glimpses of the shattered Immortal Realm.
The Dao Net shimmered, restoring its order and concealing the scroll from outside view.
Within the shielded circular area, figures appeared one after another beside the scroll. They watched in silent fascination.
A pair of large, translucent blue hands descended from the sky and landed on the scroll. They gently exerted force, attempting to unfurl it.
The blue light of the hands intensified, but the scroll remained motionless.
"This scroll… possesses the weight of oceans and mountains."
"It seems that the Hidden Emperor's claim of rebuilding the Immortal Court was no idle boast." A ripple of energy, its emotion indiscernible, emanated from the blue hands.
Another figure stepped forward and tried, but the result was the same.
"This feels just like when the former Immortal Emperor created the nascent Immortal Realm within Upper Mountain."
"Indeed, these are the methods of a ruling Immortal Emperor."
"Could it be… that a former Immortal Emperor has truly descended?" The figure retreated, its voice laced with uncertainty.
No one could answer his question.
"In that case, we shall investigate personally."
"This Hidden Emperor possesses unfathomable strength and unclear intentions. I shall lead the group."
"Even if he has some ulterior motive, I can at least ensure everyone's safe return. Having endured numerous calamities, we cannot afford any more losses." Another voice emerged from the void.
The True Immortals standing beside the scroll offered no objections. Despite knowing Li Fan's capabilities, they still acknowledged this voice's owner's ability to come and go freely. This spoke volumes about their trust in his power.
"Though few Hidden Emperors are benevolent, under the current circumstances, it's best not to antagonize him. If he truly possesses the methods of a ruling Immortal Emperor to create Immortal Domains, then collaboration might be possible." After a moment of silence, the only figure among the True Immortals showing their true face spoke.
This individual wore white robes, a stark black cat perched upon their shoulder. The contrast in colors was striking.
The cat appeared to be asleep, but its ears twitched occasionally, as if listening intently.
This white-robed True Immortal seemed to hold considerable sway among the others. When they spoke, the others simply nodded in agreement.
"Let us wait."
"It shouldn't be long now."
Having reached a consensus, the Immortals waited patiently beside the scroll. For them, centuries passed in an instant. Waiting for a few days was no different than a brief nap.
Li Fan didn't keep them waiting long.
On the ninth day after the scroll arrived in the Shuo Star Sea, a powerful surge emanated from it.
A fierce wind blew, seemingly attempting to unfurl the scroll.
The True Immortals struggled to maintain their footing in the gale and retreated.
Only the indistinct figure with the black cat and the pair of blue hands remained unmoved. However, their gazes were fixed on the unfurling scroll, their auras growing unprecedentedly serious.
"The aura of the Infinite Sea."
"And it's fresh."
"After all these years, we finally meet again."
…
Their tone was peculiar – a mixture of caution and wistful感慨.
The more the scroll of the Primordial Immortal Realm revealed, the stronger the wind became. This wasn't an ordinary wind. It was the pressure of the Infinite Sea's power, channeled by Li Fan through [Illusion Becomes Reality], bearing down upon the mortal world.
Only those like Keeper Qiu, capable of standing firm on mountain peaks and by the seashore, could withstand it.
Li Fan had tested it himself. Without Illusion Becomes Reality active, even with the power of several Keeper Qiu projections, he couldn't endure it for more than a few breaths.
Among the three figures, none seemed to possess power approaching Keeper Qiu's.
When the scroll was nine-tenths unfurled and the pressure reached its peak, all three retreated to varying degrees.
Their relative strength became apparent based on how far they retreated.
The weakest was the indistinct figure. Even with its ability to negate external influences, this immunity seemed to fail against the pressure from beyond the mortal world, forcing it to retreat step by step.
The translucent blue hands fared slightly better. They grew even more translucent, seemingly merging with the surroundings. However, they didn't appear to be using the environment to resist the Infinite Sea's might. Instead, they were helping the Shuo Star Sea's Dao Net survive the onslaught. By diverting some of their power to this task, they were forced to retreat.
The strongest of the three was the white-robed figure. In the gale brought by the Infinite Sea, the black cat on their shoulder had awakened.
Its emerald green eyes, like gemstones, stared intently at the scroll. It flicked its tongue, its tail twitching.
Merged with the cat, the figure barely moved in the wind.
When the scroll fully unfurled, a miniature image of the Primordial Immortal Realm was revealed. Its vibrant and boundless life force momentarily captivated those accustomed to the desolate Star Sea.
"If this Hidden Emperor can replicate this divine ability,"
"Combined with our methods, perhaps revival is within reach."
It wasn't one of the three True Immortals who spoke, but the black cat on the white-robed figure's shoulder. However, it didn't seem to be the cat's own words, for as it spoke, its green eyes dimmed.
When the sentence was finished and the green light returned, the cat seemed bewildered, unaware of what had just transpired. It was as if some other being had used its body as a vessel.
"Now that the scroll has unfolded, I shall go first and probe his reality."
The others nodded slowly, their gazes still fixed on the scroll.
…
Within the Primordial Immortal Realm, as the Shuo Star Sea True Immortals observed the scroll, Li Fan observed them through it.
However, he remained undetected, concealed within the Infinite Sea through the Illusion Becomes Reality divine ability.
The strength of the True Immortals from the Shuo Star Sea was within his expectations.
Until the white-robed figure with the black cat appeared.
The moment he saw the cat, Li Fan's heart skipped a beat. The image of Mao Bao devouring Jixian flashed before his eyes.
However, after the initial instinctive alarm, Li Fan realized that this black cat wasn't the Mao Bao he knew. Having carved numerous wooden statues of Mao Bao, he was intimately familiar with its form.
After a brief pause, he noticed the distinct differences between the two. He breathed a sigh of relief.
"If that were truly Mao Bao on his shoulder, I would have to revise my plans. Fortunately, it's not."
Using Jixian as a reference, Li Fan now had a rough estimate of Mao Bao's power. It was comparable to a powerful Unnamed True Immortal but not as strong as a Keeper Qiu projection.
Now, even if he encountered Mao Bao, Li Fan could face it without fear.
The real concern was the unknown force behind Mao Bao.
(End of chapter)