After the Primordial Immortal Realm was firmly established on Upper Mountain, under the influence of the five Grand Emperors and thirteen Venerables, it underwent constant, dramatic transformations.
Connected to the Infinite Sea, there were no longer any energy constraints. These appointed administrators of the Primordial Immortal Realm could freely reshape the world according to their will.
Therefore, compared to what Chaos had witnessed not long ago, the current Primordial Immortal Realm was vastly different. Each of the five celestial domains had evolved its own unique landscape.
As the saying goes, "When one ascends, their followers ascend with them." The beings within each domain grew stronger alongside their respective domains.
This vibrant scene far exceeded the Shuo Star Sea Immortals' expectations.
Although its scale couldn't compare to the former Immortal Realm, it was far more lively.
"It doesn't matter. My Transformation still works. Even if they have greater numbers, we only need to capture their leader," the white-robed figure reassured his wavering companions through mental transmission.
The black cat on his shoulder echoed, "As long as we can meet that Hidden Emperor, with the treasure's aid, no matter what divine abilities he possesses, he will be defeated. Capture the leader, and the inhabitants of this Immortal Domain will be ours for the taking."
The treasure mentioned by the black cat seemed highly convincing, and the Immortals quickly regained their composure.
Looking at the Primordial Immortal Realm, greed flickered in their eyes once more.
After a brief tour, the white-robed Transformation bowed towards the heavens and said, "Senior's reconstruction of the Immortal Realm is a truly unparalleled achievement, perhaps even comparable to the Four Saints of the Immortal Realm and Keeper Qiu."
"We are filled with utmost admiration and eagerly await the opportunity to meet Senior face-to-face…"
As if pleased by this flattery, various phenomena manifested within the Primordial Immortal Realm. Golden light rained down from the sky like falling blossoms. Colorful auras erupted from the thirteen Venerables. A sound like a roaring sea wind echoed from beyond the heavens, resonating throughout the Immortal Domain.
This was a sign of the Infinite Sea freely releasing its boundless Immortal Power.
"As expected, this Hidden Emperor controls the Authority of Governance!" Several Unnamed Ones among the Immortals, including Transformation, couldn't contain their excitement.
"After Emperor Tianluo's catastrophic actions led to the destruction of the Immortal Realm and the disappearance of the Four Saints, we thought the Authority of Governance was lost forever. To think it would reappear in this lower realm Hidden Emperor… Everyone, if we control this authority, perhaps we can truly rebuild the Immortal Realm upon the Dao Net!"
"Moreover, it would be a mobile Immortal Realm, floating above the Dao Obliteration Calamity! We would no longer have to fear it!" The black cat's words were highly煽动, as if imbued with magic, solidifying the resolve of the hesitant Immortals.
Kill the Hidden Emperor, seize the Authority!
"Come up, then!" A booming voice echoed from beyond the heavens of the Primordial Immortal Realm. Perhaps due to Transformation's earlier flattery, the voice held a hint of smugness.
The moment the voice sounded, all sentient beings within the Primordial Immortal Realm knelt in worship. Even the five Grand Emperors within their celestial palaces revealed themselves and bowed to the true master of this Immortal Domain.
The Shuo Star Sea Immortals confirmed the speaker's identity. It was undoubtedly the Hidden Emperor.
A silver pathway descended from the heavens like a silken ribbon, extending towards the Immortals.
Basking in the envious gazes of the Primordial Immortal Realm's inhabitants, the Immortals suppressed their excitement and stepped onto the path.
"Wait, Transformation, this pathway…"
"The Dao Net?"
"Hiss… Could the Hidden Emperor have helpers?"
The reason for their concern was that the Shuo Star Sea's Dao Net was a collaborative effort. The appearance of a similar construct within the Primordial Immortal Realm naturally aroused their suspicion.
"Don't worry, it's just a convergence of some Dao Paths. How can it compare to the intricate Dao Net? If he didn't possess such power, how could he have created an Immortal Domain?" Transformation reassured them.
After exchanging a glance with the black cat, his expression grew serious.
The Immortals ascended the pathway to the heavens, disappearing from the envious gazes of the Primordial Immortal Realm's inhabitants.
The next moment, they found themselves enveloped in darkness.
This darkness, its origin unknown, blocked their senses, blinding them and disorienting them completely.
"Where is Senior?" Although startled, the Immortals remained calm, gathering around Transformation.
But they received no response. Only silence greeted them in the darkness.
"Brother Transformation, something seems amiss," one of the Immortals warned.
The black cat suddenly shrieked, "It's the Dao Obliteration Calamity!"
After a brief pause, the Immortals looked at the surrounding darkness and realized with a jolt.
The aura of this darkness was similar to the desolate regions ravaged by the Dao Obliteration Calamity, as if they shared the same origin. However, they weren't identical, which had initially misled them.
The Immortals realized they had walked into a trap.
But as survivors of ancient calamities, they didn't panic in the face of danger.
"Hiding in the darkness instead of showing his true form only proves his cowardice."
"Fellow Daoist, unleash the treasure!"
…
The Immortals, their expressions varied, looked towards the black cat on Transformation's shoulder.
Although Transformation maintained a calm facade, doubt gnawed at him.
His power of Transformation hadn't failed. Its effect on the surroundings hadn't changed. So why had the Hidden Emperor's attitude suddenly shifted after they entered this space?
"Could it be… that he was never affected by my power? Did he lure us in on purpose?"
Once this thought arose, it couldn't be suppressed. Transformation's heart grew cold.
His comprehended Dao of Transformation was powerful. Those who couldn't resist its influence were completely at his mercy.
But conversely, if someone could ignore his Transformation…
Then he, an Unnamed True Immortal, was no different from a lamb waiting to be slaughtered.
Just as he was about to discuss a strategy with the being on his shoulder, a cold voice echoed through the darkness.
"Since you're so eager to see me…"
"I shall grant your wish."
The darkness gradually receded, revealing the Heavenly Pillars that had been hidden within.
They stood tall and solitary, from heaven to earth, as if silently recounting some tragic past.
A chill ran down the Immortals' spines.
They couldn't believe their eyes. "That's… the Southern Immortal Heavenly Pillar?! How is that possible?! Didn't it vanish completely along with the Tai Li Star Region and the Cang Sheng Ancient World during the Dao Obliteration Calamity?!"
"And that's the Jixian Heavenly Pillar?"
"And that one… I can't sense it at all!"
Panic spread among the Immortals.
Yuanshi, Jixian, the Grand Magus of Tiandu, Situ Star.
The four Heavenly Pillars struck them like four heavy hammers.
And beneath the four pillars, a figure stood calmly, regarding the Immortals like livestock awaiting slaughter.
Under this gaze, the Immortals felt a mix of anger and fear.
"Don't panic, everyone. Watch me capture him!"
The black cat's green eyes locked onto Li Fan with a hint of mockery.
It leaped into the air, closing the distance between them in an instant.
Two brilliant green beams shot out from its eyes, transforming into a sword and a knife, surrounding Li Fan in a flash.
The black cat's sudden attack was within Li Fan's expectations. However, the green sword and knife that materialized were unexpected.
Li Fan discovered that his protective [Boundless] power was ineffective against them!
Goosebumps erupted across his skin, and his heart pounded in alarm.
"Not within the Daos of the [Primordial] possibilities?"
Li Fan instantly understood.
He vaguely perceived a desolate world within the green sword and knife, a world devoid of life, filled only with remnants of weapons. A world that had seemingly endured an apocalyptic calamity.
After an unknown amount of time, these weapons, scattered across the dead star region, driven by instinct, began to emulate their former masters, gradually mastering the various Dao Paths.
The struggle for Dao between weapons was even more brutal than between humans.
Devoid of emotion, it was an endless, absolute conflict.
As the weapons clashed and merged,
Finally, only a sword and a knife remained in that cold star region!
[Dao Sword, Dao Knife]!
Like the Dao Transformation Stone Mother, what the black cat wielded was the manifestation of a complete Great Dao from another possibility!
Although it was from a desolate possibility ravaged by calamity, it was nonetheless a fusion of a complete Dao.
As the green sword and knife approached, Li Fan found himself trapped.
Two icy killing intents locked onto him.
No formation, divine ability, or Daoist technique seemed capable of blocking their attack!
"No wonder these True Immortals were so confident despite knowing everything about the Primordial Immortal Realm. They were determined to provoke me."
"With this [Dao Sword, Dao Knife], even the five Grand Emperors I appointed would be instantly slain and turned into nourishment for the sword and knife's growth."
Forged through endless battles, the [Dao Sword, Dao Knife] possessed an instinctive desire to slay and devour other Daos.
Li Fan could sense their greedy, excited yearning.
In an instant, the sword and knife closed in.
With no time to spare, Li Fan made the most appropriate decision.
The green sword and knife whistled past him, their immense power causing the space within the Heavenly Pillars to churn and boil. Even the four pillars trembled under their influence.
However…
Under the watchful eyes of the Shuo Star Sea Immortals, the Hidden Emperor remained standing.
He even reached out and gently caressed the green sword and knife.
"Kuixing? What's happening?" Transformation's expression changed drastically. He could no longer contain himself and questioned the black cat.
The black cat also wore an incredulous expression. After unleashing the [Dao Sword, Dao Knife], its spirit was already weakened. Seeing its target unharmed after its ultimate attack filled it with unspeakable terror and confusion.
Unwilling to give up, the black cat tried to command the [Dao Sword, Dao Knife] to attack again.
But for some reason, the figure seemed to no longer exist in this world. Despite their heaven-defying power, the [Dao Sword, Dao Knife] couldn't harm him at all!
This was completely beyond its comprehension!
…
Ignoring the panicked Immortals, under the protection of [Illusion Becomes Reality], Li Fan continued to caress the green sword and knife.
Just now, in that critical moment, he had decisively activated the True Return's protective ability, becoming one with the sword and knife.
A moment later, the sense of danger vanished. The pervasive, murderous green intent could no longer harm him.
Just as he had merged with the Infinite Sea and freely wielded its power, he was now a part of the sword and knife.
How could a blade cut itself?
"Indeed, a Dao Path from another possibility."
Li Fan narrowed his eyes, sensing a completely foreign aura emanating from the sword and knife.
Like the Dao Origins he encountered in the Shuo Star Sea beyond the Great Wall, it seemed to be a completely different system.
But ultimately, it was still the manifestation of the Great Dao under different circumstances.
"My Myriad Manifestations Dao Net can now experience this exotic flavor."
The power of Mo Annihilation, masked by the Illusion Becomes Reality divine ability, surged from Li Fan, eagerly pouncing on the [Dao Sword, Dao Knife].
Since it was a manifestation of the Great Dao, it couldn't escape the erosion of the Dao Obliteration Calamity.
Now that its offensive power was neutralized, the [Dao Sword, Dao Knife] was merely a meal for the Mo Annihilation Myriad Manifestations Dao Net.
Just as Li Fan began to devour this Dao from another possibility, the Shuo Star Sea Immortals finally snapped out of their daze.
The black cat shrieked, "Stop him! He's devouring my treasure!"
Despite being trapped, the Immortals didn't resign themselves to their fate. They unleashed their divine abilities, attacking Li Fan simultaneously.
But all their attacks vanished within three meters of him!
This phenomenon was also beyond their understanding.
However, the Unnamed Ones among them vaguely recognized something.
The black cat, Kuixing, stopped screaming. Despite its unwillingness, it could only accept its fate. The green intent vanished, seemingly departing from the black cat.
"Boundless…"
"Great Venerable…" Transformation trembled, his gaze upon Li Fan filled with despair.
Although there were Three Thousand Great Daos, the only one capable of neutralizing all other attacks…
…was the legendary [Boundless Great Dao], which predated even the heavens!
It was said to be under the protection of a Saint Monarch.
Even the ruling Immortal Emperors treated it with utmost respect. It was beyond precious!
To think that the target they had intended to hunt was… him!
Transformation was filled with endless regret.
Indeed, the Immortal Emperor's Authority of Governance was bestowed by a Saint Monarch. Now that the Immortal Realm was shattered and the Immortal Emperor had fallen, who else but a Saint Monarch's disciple could possess this authority?
"Great Venerable, please spare us! Great Venerable, please have mercy!"
Completely consumed by despair, Transformation suddenly grasped at a straw, pleading desperately.
(End of chapter)