Among the Shuo Star Sea Immortals, Divine Thought was known for his amicable nature and popularity. His cheerful demeanor was still fresh in their minds, yet now, Chaos and Transformation sensed his Dao aura emanating from the blood-red ring in Li Fan's hand.
The implication was clear.
Their former companion had become fodder for an artifact.
A mixture of grief and terror washed over the two Unnamed Ones.
But upon meeting Li Fan's cold, indifferent gaze, they quickly snapped out of their mourning. The deceased were gone; their own survival was paramount.
Transformation seamlessly continued, "With Divine Thought gone, my connection to the Guang Wu Star Sea is the only one remaining for now. When I returned to the Shuo Star Sea earlier, I didn't venture deep into the Dao Net but contacted Chaos from a distance to formulate our plan."
"Therefore, the [Great Net] is still unaware of the near-total annihilation of our expedition force."
"Although the prolonged lack of communication will undoubtedly arouse his suspicion, he'll likely assume we're locked in a stalemate. He would never believe that we were so easily defeated. Otherwise, he wouldn't have agreed to the expedition in the first place…"
Transformation analyzed methodically, "Under these circumstances, Chaos and I can send a distress signal to the [Great Net]. Whether from a strategic standpoint or considering his initial investment, there's a high probability he'll come to our aid. And once he arrives, with Senior's power, capturing him will be a simple matter…"
Chaos added, "It sounds like a crude plan, but the key lies in convincing the [Great Net]. Over the past period, Transformation and I have made thorough preparations, consistently feeding him false information about the battle. He doesn't seem to suspect anything and even inquired whether we needed reinforcements."
"Although the [Great Net] is powerful, almost half of his strength resides within the Dao Net itself. Luring him out will make capturing him much easier," Transformation added.
…
After the two Unnamed Ones finished their explanation, Li Fan looked at Chaos and praised him with a smile, "It seems you've long harbored the intention to submit. Very good."
Rubbing the blood-red ring with his fingers, Li Fan strolled towards one of the Heavenly Pillars within the space.
"Your plan might work, but I see a fatal flaw."
He looked at the Heavenly Pillar, his voice low.
Chaos and Transformation straightened up. "We implore Great Venerable to enlighten us."
"Just as you were confident in capturing me, your plan assumes that simply luring out the [Great Net] guarantees his defeat and capture."
"You overestimate your own strength and underestimate your opponent."
"Since you know nothing about his origin, background, or Dao Path, how can you be certain that I can subdue him?"
"What if I'm leading a wolf into my den, only to be defeated due to my arrogance?"
"Or perhaps… that's precisely what you're hoping for? Feigned loyalty, a double-cross to turn the tables?"
Li Fan's voice grew colder.
Chaos and Transformation trembled.
"Great Venerable, please don't misunderstand! We would never harbor such treacherous intentions!" Transformation quickly clarified.
"Junior is completely devoted to Your Venerableness, and my sincerity can be attested to by the heavens and the Great Dao," Chaos pledged his loyalty once more.
Both inwardly cursed their luck.
It seemed this legendary Great Venerable, after surviving the destruction of the Immortal Realm, had become paranoid, unpredictable, and tyrannical.
He was no less ruthless than the most brutal of the former Immortal Emperors.
"I have no interest in your true intentions. It's irrelevant."
"You will side with whoever wins."
"In that case, I have my own plan."
Li Fan reached out, seemingly touching the Boundless Heavenly Pillar. In reality, the Myriad Manifestations Dao Net had already activated, enveloping the pillar and the Grand Magus statue within.
Although he had comprehended the Boundless Great Dao for a century, he was still inferior to the Grand Magus, the embodiment of Boundless itself.
"Since the enemy is there, we shall go to him."
Amidst a thunderous roar, Li Fan extracted the Boundless Heavenly Pillar. It shrunk continuously, eventually transforming into a grayish-white stone rod.
A figure flickered in the space before him. It was Li Buren, his avatar, answering his summons.
"Catch!"
Li Fan tossed the Boundless Rod to his avatar.
Considering the potential existence of the [Sacred Emperor Li Fan] from another possibility, he could only rely on his avatar once more.
Also cultivating the Myriad Manifestations Dao Net, Li Buren effortlessly wielded the Boundless Rod.
Protected by the Boundless Great Dao, no Daoist technique or spell from the [Primordial] possibilities could harm him.
"Unless this [Great Net] is also from another possibility, with this Boundless Rod, my avatar is invincible."
"His defense is impeccable, but his offense is somewhat lacking."
Li Fan pondered and then produced the pair of aquamarine sword and knife from his mouth.
"Take this treasure as well."
"If you still cannot win, flee immediately. And if escape is impossible…"
"Then self-destruct."
These instructions were transmitted mentally.
Chaos and Transformation, present in the space, remained unaware.
From their perspective, they only saw Li Fan casually handing over two invaluable treasures.
After sensing their power, they felt a mix of joy and astonishment.
Their joy stemmed from recognizing the treasures. The pair of sword and knife belonged to the Unnamed One Kuixing. They had witnessed their power firsthand, which was why they had so readily agreed to cooperate with her. And although they couldn't discern the nature of the gray rod, judging by its ability to elude their senses, it was undoubtedly a remarkable treasure.
With these two treasures, capturing the [Great Net] was practically guaranteed.
Their astonishment stemmed from the fact that Li Fan, the Great Venerable, had subdued the extraordinary Dao Sword and Dao Knife in such a short time. Moreover, he had so readily parted with such valuable treasures. If they had obtained such treasures, they would have immediately sought a secluded location to study them.
Chaos mused, "He also didn't seem to care about the ancient scripture written by Saint Monarch Taiyi. Truly worthy of someone who served under a Saint Monarch. His perspective far surpasses our own."
"Just follow me. Whether you contribute or not is up to you," Li Fan instructed indifferently.
With a wave of his sleeve, he sent Li Buren and the two Unnamed Ones beyond the Great Wall.
"Although we have a ninety percent chance of success, we must also prepare for failure," Li Fan thought, watching them depart.
The protection of Illusion Becomes Reality was already active.
He was ready to return to the True Return at any moment.
If the Great Net could defeat Li Buren despite the Boundless Rod and the Dao Sword and Dao Knife, then he was beyond Li Fan's current capabilities. Returning to the True Return would be the wisest course of action.
…
In the dim star region, Li Buren slung the Boundless Rod over his shoulder and, mimicking his true body, swallowed the green sword and knife. Then, transforming himself into a pathway, he carried Chaos and Transformation towards the Shuo Star Sea's Dao Net.
As if having practiced the route countless times, he headed straight for the core region of the Shuo Star Sea Governing Council.
Transforming into a pathway, he traversed the star region, covering vast distances in an instant.
Before the two Unnamed Ones could react, Li Buren had already entered the Dao Net's coverage.
Normally, any intrusion into the Dao Net would trigger an immediate response.
The intruder would not only face the pressure of all the Daos within the Dao Net but also be besieged by countless Immortal Hunters.
Even Unnamed True Immortals would be severely injured or killed if trapped within.
Over the years of interacting with the Shuo Star Sea, Chaos and Transformation had accepted this as a fundamental truth. Therefore, they always relied on infiltration and ambushes outside the Dao Net's perimeter.
But now…
Li Buren's direct assault shattered their understanding.
The Dao Net didn't react as he charged through.
The densely woven Dao strings seemed to crumble upon contact.
Wherever the gray rod passed, it burned holes in the Dao Net like a raging fire, severing the Dao strings. The Dao Net was no longer a net!
This bizarre scene left Chaos and Transformation dumbfounded. Even in their wildest fantasies, they had never imagined such an effortless breach of the Dao Net.
Before they could recover, Li Buren had already reached the Dao Net's core region, where the Immortal Hunters' headquarters and the Shuo Star Sea Governing Council were located.
Looking at the panicked and chaotic scene unfolding within the Shuo Star Sea, the two True Immortals glanced at the gray rod in Li Buren's hand.
An unbelievable, yet inescapable, thought arose in their minds.
They had seen this rod transform from a Heavenly Pillar.
They hadn't been able to identify the Dao Path sealed within that pillar until now, as the rod displayed its might within the Dao Net.
The two ancient Unnamed Ones trembled uncontrollably.
"Boundless…"
"Great Venerable?"
They had initially mistaken Li Fan for the Great Venerable Wuming under Saint Monarch Taiyi because he had displayed the Boundless power, capable of neutralizing all Daos.
Now, as the gray rod demonstrated the same ability, they finally understood.
The Boundless power didn't originate from the Hidden Emperor.
It came from Wuming himself, sealed and suppressed by the Hidden Emperor!
"That's a disciple of a Saint Monarch, a primordial being of unparalleled nobility!"
"Although the Immortal Realm is shattered, the Saint Monarchs might still be alive. If we anger a Saint Monarch…"
"Even Great Venerable Wuming has been reduced to this…"
"How could he dare…"
Countless thoughts raced through the two Unnamed Ones' minds.
But ultimately, they transformed into a profound fear of Li Fan, the mysterious Hidden Emperor.
Chaos was even more certain of his judgment.
"It seems he has truly embarked on the path of Saint Ascension."
"Only a fellow Saint Monarch would dare disrespect another."
As the two Unnamed Ones reeled in shock, Li Buren began his massacre within the Dao Net.
After coldly warning, "Resist and die," and facing continued resistance from the Shuo Star Sea forces, Li Buren mercilessly unleashed the Dao Sword and Dao Knife.
Myriads of green lights danced like willow branches in the wind.
Wherever they passed, all life was extinguished, leaving behind an eerie emptiness. Only the swirling green lights grew more intense.
With the Boundless Rod clearing the path and the Dao Sword and Dao Knife eliminating enemies, Li Buren charged through, shattering the layers of the Dao Net.
He didn't search for the mysterious Unnamed One [Great Net] but headed straight for the four pillars of the Dao Net, the cages imprisoning the Unnamed True Immortals.
As the most robust structures within the Dao Net, these heavily fortified cages were like paper before the Boundless power.
They offered no resistance.
Li Buren quickly located one of the imprisoned Unnamed True Immortals.
With a swing of the stone rod, he shattered the cage.
The imprisoned Unnamed One was riddled with various Dao strings, seemingly still asleep.
Li Buren waved his hand, severing the strings.
The imprisoned Immortal slowly began to stir.
"Is that… the [Lord of Fortune]?"
Chaos, following behind Li Buren, seemed to recognize the Immortal and exclaimed in surprise.
Like Keeper Qiu, he was addressed as "Lord."
But their strength was clearly on different levels.
Perhaps it was due to his association with the Dao of [Fortune].
Li Buren didn't care. Before the Lord of Fortune fully awakened, he unleashed the power of the Myriad Manifestations Dao Net, enveloping him and sending him back to his true body within the Great Wall.
Chaos hesitated, wanting to say something.
But seeing Transformation shake his head slightly, he held his tongue.
With one of the four pillars gone, the already damaged Dao Net weakened further.
Chaos and Transformation could feel the pressure around them lessening.
"Strange, why hasn't the [Great Net] appeared yet, given the situation?"
"Be careful. The [Great Net] isn't one to give up easily. Knowing him, he's likely gathering his strength for a decisive blow."
Having participated in the destruction of the Dao Net alongside Li Buren, the two Unnamed Ones were now firmly tied to Li Fan, the Hidden Emperor.
There was no possibility of reconciliation with the Shuo Star Sea.
For the sake of their future, they couldn't help but offer a warning.
But Li Buren, seemingly oblivious, proceeded to the next cage.
This time, he freed the Unnamed One with the Dao of [Rock Solid].
This Unnamed One was in much better condition than the Lord of Fortune.
Despite his long imprisonment, he still seemed full of vitality.
He looked startled at the sudden intrusion.
Just as he was about to speak, Li Buren's Myriad Manifestations Dao Net enveloped him.
(End of Chapter)