"When the former Immortal Emperor Zhaiyang paid respects to Saint Monarch Taiyi, although his fortune wasn't favorable and he didn't meet the Saint Monarch in person, he was granted a scroll of scriptures."
"Later, for my meritorious service in resisting the Dao Obliteration Calamity, Immortal Emperor Zhaiyang bestowed this scroll upon me."
"At that time, the Immortal Emperor mentioned that this scripture was written by the Saint Monarch himself and was exceedingly profound. Saint Monarch Taiyi, taking pity on the world's inability to understand it, instructed Your Great Venerableness to annotate it…"
Transformation spoke rapidly, noticing that the Shuo Star Sea Immortals who accompanied him, as well as the reinforcements from the Guang Wu Star Sea, were gradually transforming into miniature Heavenly Pillars.
It seemed the Great Venerable of Boundless possessed truly terrifying power. Even those among them whose strength wasn't inferior to his were being effortlessly subdued, their army on the verge of annihilation.
Terror gripped Transformation's heart. He quickly produced the scripture he believed could save his life:
[Chapters on the Primordial Creation of the Mountain and Sea]!
Li Fan looked at the scripture floating above Transformation's head and beckoned it over with a wave of his hand. He could indeed sense the aura of [Boundless] emanating from the countless tiny characters.
"So, it seems we have a connection after all?"
Li Fan casually acknowledged his identity as the [Great Venerable of Boundless] while examining the scripture.
"Your Great Venerableness truly possesses discerning eyes!" Transformation nodded profusely, his mind racing, searching for information about this Great Venerable under the Saint Monarch.
The Four Saint Monarchs of the Immortal Realm were practically legendary figures. Even the successive Immortal Emperors found it incredibly difficult to meet them.
However, apart from Saint Monarch Jingfen, the other three Saint Monarchs each had a spokesperson.
And the Great Venerable of Boundless before him was the most approachable.
As long as one catered to him and flattered him, preferably while mentioning some shared connection, they could often win his favor.
"This [Chapters on the Primordial Creation of the Mountain and Sea] was written by Saint Monarch Taiyi after witnessing Saint Monarchs Lianshan and Guihai create the vast Immortal Realm from nothingness. Its words are profoundly esoteric, almost transcending the Dao itself. I, Transformation, am of limited intellect. Without Your Great Venerableness's annotations, even with this precious scripture in hand, I wouldn't be able to grasp its mysteries."
"Great Venerable, you are truly my teacher!"
"When Immortal Emperor Zhaiyang bestowed this scripture upon me, he also mentioned that Your Dao attainments far surpassed his own. Truly worthy of being a Saint Monarch's disciple!" Transformation fabricated, no longer caring about the long-deceased former Immortal Emperor.
Amidst Transformation's flowery words, Li Fan carefully examined the scripture.
In a sense, Transformation wasn't lying.
[Chapters on the Primordial Creation of the Mountain and Sea] described the creation of the Immortal Realm within the Infinite Sea and Upper Mountain. It also contained numerous insights from Saint Monarch Taiyi, recorded as he witnessed these monumental events.
It was quite similar to the [Keeper Qiu's Musings] Li Fan had obtained before.
However, compared to Keeper Qiu's straightforward style, Saint Monarch Taiyi was much more "literary." The entire scripture was filled with seemingly meaningless words and phrases, devoid of any direct descriptions.
If it weren't for the fact that it was written by Saint Monarch Taiyi himself, Li Fan would have dismissed it as the ramblings of a madman.
This extraordinary scripture didn't seem intended for ordinary mortals, a category that included even the Immortals of the Immortal Realm. Only the other Saint Monarchs were perhaps suitable readers.
Without Wuming's annotations, understanding it would be nearly impossible.
The Great Venerable Wuming, also known as the Grand Magus of Tiandu, having served Saint Monarch Taiyi for countless years, was naturally better equipped to understand the Saint Monarch's thoughts than anyone else.
His annotations, although not perfectly aligned with the Saint Monarch's original intent, were mostly accurate.
Li Fan couldn't understand the scripture itself, but with the Grand Magus's annotations, he could glimpse into Saint Monarch Taiyi's state of mind.
One passage described the moment Saint Monarch Lianshan became the first Immortal. All living beings at that time benefited in some way, and the world rejoiced. However, amidst his joy, Saint Monarch Taiyi felt an equal measure of unease. At the time, he couldn't understand the source of this unease.
Another passage recounted Saint Monarch Guihai opening the Infinite Spring and inviting Saint Monarchs Lianshan and Taiyi to witness. Guihai jokingly asked Lianshan, "Brother, do you know which is higher, the mountain or the sea? If not, let us wait and see." Lianshan smiled and replied, "Though the mountain is high and the sea is deep, Immortals can stand atop the mountain and tread upon the Infinite Spring. Thus, Immortals are highest." Guihai clapped his hands and laughed. Saint Monarch Taiyi, however, vaguely perceived the image of a clashing mountain and sea in the two Saint Monarchs before him and felt a pang of apprehension.
…
Through the [Chapters on the Primordial Creation of the Mountain and Sea], Li Fan was transported back to the creation of the Immortal Realm, experiencing these ancient events through Saint Monarch Taiyi's perspective.
Besides the stories of the Saint Monarchs and the nascent Immortal Realm, the scripture also described the primordial beings and the Primordial Immortal Realm.
It was a vast and boundless continent inhabited by wondrous primordial beings. Some were manifestations of the Great Dao, others were sentient objects, and still others were "humans."
However, the "humans" of the Primordial Immortal Realm were far stronger than present-day mortals. Perhaps due to being born from the world itself, these "humans" could hunt and consume the Dao-bearing primordial beings, absorbing their power.
But as time passed, the "humans" discovered that this crude method of consumption didn't grant them true mastery over the Dao. Upon their death, the Dao would return to the world. And they couldn't pass down the Dao through reproduction. So, they began to search for a way to truly master the Dao.
They began to emulate the Dao-bearing primordial beings, some even abandoning their human forms in pursuit of mastery. Over countless years, numerous "races" emerged and evolved. And the primordial beings, coveted by "humans," gradually went into hiding.
[Chapters on the Primordial Creation of the Mountain and Sea] didn't explicitly reveal Saint Monarch Taiyi's true identity. But based on various details, it could be inferred that he wasn't originally "human" but a transformed primordial being.
…
"However, at the level of Saint Monarch Taiyi, the form of life is no longer important."
"One can transform at will."
Like Keeper Qiu's Musings, the [Chapters on the Primordial Creation of the Mountain and Sea] was profound and required careful study to comprehend.
Although Transformation had offered such a valuable gift, Li Fan had no intention of sparing him.
Transformation's Dao resonated with the Transformations of Truth and Illusion, making it a perfect addition to the Myriad Manifestations Dao Net.
And Transformation's instincts were sharp.
Sensing Li Fan's malicious intent and looking at the countless Heavenly Pillars surrounding him, he blurted out, "Does Your Great Venerableness require True Immortals to serve as Heavenly Pillars?"
"There are still many True Immortals surviving in the Shuo Star Sea. Including the Guang Wu Star Sea, the number of gathered True Immortals is even greater. I am willing to be Your Great Venerableness's vanguard!"
Li Fan's eyes flickered, and he paused, his hand hovering in the air.
Although he had suppressed many True Immortals this time, their quality was somewhat lacking.
Most were ordinary True Immortals, with only two Unnamed Ones among them.
One possessed the Dao of [Shared Prosperity]. Its wielder could enjoy the benefits of their faction's prosperity and enhance their companions' strength to a certain extent.
Furthermore, they were immune to the negative effects of their faction's decline. Even if their faction perished, they could escape unscathed. It was a Dao of sharing the good times but not the bad.
Although this Dao seemed somewhat useless, its amplifying effect was terrifying. It allowed for continuous growth, snowballing over time. The Unnamed One of Shared Prosperity had been a favored guest of several ruling Immortal Emperors.
If not for the unavoidable Dao Obliteration Calamity, the Immortal Realm might have continued to prosper indefinitely.
The other Unnamed True Immortal Li Fan had suppressed possessed the Dao of [Divine Thought]. Even when star regions were isolated by the Dao Obliteration Calamity, they could use this Dao to locate surviving civilizations in those secluded corners.
The Guang Wu Star Sea and the Unnamed One called [Kuixing] were discovered through the Dao of Divine Thought.
…
"It's not that these Daos are useless."
"But…"
"Their power is somewhat underwhelming. Perhaps the truly powerful Unnamed True Immortals have already escaped to other possibilities."
This thought made Li Fan even more interested in the remaining Unnamed Ones within the Shuo Star Sea.
"Besides Transformation, there are Confusion and Inversion."
"And the blue hands that constructed the Dao Net."
Having begun to absorb memories from the suppressed True Immortals, Li Fan had gained a preliminary understanding of this mysterious powerhouse.
Unlike other Unnamed Ones who openly displayed their Dao Paths, the one who single-handedly created the Shuo Star Sea's Dao Net had never revealed their true identity, always appearing as a translucent blue figure. And the Immortals couldn't discern their Dao Path.
The True Immortals suppressed within the Dao Net should know their true identity. But even after the alliance between the True Immortals and Immortal Hunters, they weren't released, remaining imprisoned within the depths of the Dao Net.
…
Li Fan suddenly thought of the City Lord of Supreme Bliss City.
He had almost forgotten about his agreement with that True Immortal.
"Soon. Just wait a little longer, and I'll set you free."
"This Transformation is still somewhat useful, so there's no rush to seal him within a Heavenly Pillar. Besides, the return of the thirteen Primordial Dao Incarnates mentioned by Di Sanmo is still far off."
Thinking this, Li Fan snorted, "Since you seem to understand your place, I shall pardon your disrespect."
Transformation breathed a sigh of relief, profusely thanking the Great Venerable for his mercy.
At that moment, another terrifying event occurred.
The black cat on his shoulder, which had been unconscious due to Kuixing's possession, had awakened.
Seeing the figure nearby speaking so boldly to its master, its fur bristled, and it hissed at Li Fan.
"Meow! Meow! Meow!"
"You insolent beast!" Transformation, no longer caring about his beloved pet, slapped the black cat on the head.
Instead of calming down, the cat hissed and snarled at its master.
"Ungrateful beast! Great Venerable, please forgive it!"
Transformation forced a smile, nervously apologizing to Li Fan.
"Do you think I would hold a grudge against a mindless beast?" Li Fan sneered, beckoning the black cat into his hand.
He examined the creature closely.
Indeed, the black cat bore a slight resemblance to Mao Bao. No wonder he had almost mistaken it earlier.
Now held captive by Li Fan, its life in his hands, the black cat remained oblivious, continuing to hiss and claw at him.
"Quite ferocious, isn't it?" Li Fan remarked.
Transformation wiped the sweat from his brow and explained, "I've been nurturing this creature with Immortal Power from the Infinite Sea. Perhaps it's become arrogant from consuming too much. It behaves this way even towards other True Immortals."
"It's not directed at Your Great Venerableness."
"Ah, it was so cute when it was little."
Hearing this, Li Fan channeled Immortal Power from the Infinite Sea from his fingertip and offered it to the black cat.
As expected, the cat immediately calmed down and began greedily devouring the energy.
The little creature had quite an appetite.
After a while, it finally had its fill.
However, to Li Fan's surprise, instead of becoming docile, the beast immediately turned on him, hissing and snarling once more.
Seeing Li Fan's expression darken, Transformation nervously explained, "This creature, like all cats, only warms up to those it knows."
"Outsiders, even with their methods, can't truly tame it."
…
Li Fan lost interest and tossed the black cat back to Transformation.
However, he suddenly paused.
Transformation's heart clenched, thinking Li Fan had changed his mind.
But then he heard Li Fan ask softly, "What did you just say?"
Confused, Transformation repeated his words.
"…Like all cats, it only warms up to those it knows."
…
These words conjured the image of Mao Bao in Li Fan's mind.
And the image of it lying calmly on the Sacred Emperor's shoulder.
The cat and the man stood before him, across time and space, their gazes locked with his.
A long-overlooked detail suddenly struck him.
How could a divine creature like Mao Bao be subdued by the Sacred Emperor with mere Source Power Essence?
Mao Bao had always cooperated with the Sacred Emperor, even in tasks that consumed a great deal of its energy, appeased by a bit of Source Power Essence.
Could anyone else…
…achieve the same?
Li Fan had never considered this question before.
But now…
(End of chapter)