Chereads / my longevity simulation (Ongoing Chinese version) / Chapter 220 - Chapter 1502: All Under Heaven Are of the Same Lineage  (+2K words)

Chapter 220 - Chapter 1502: All Under Heaven Are of the Same Lineage  (+2K words)

"[Dao Bearer]," Li Fan mused over the words.

He then bowed respectfully. "Leading by example, willingly entering the net. Brother, I admire your actions. However…"

Li Fan sneered. "You may be a noble man, but I'm just a small fry who stumbled upon some lucky chances. I only wish to survive."

Gesturing to the surrounding Heavenly Pillars, Li Fan said calmly, "Without Master's projection and the protection of these Unnamed Heavenly Pillars, this star region would have long collapsed. To be honest, brother, I'm inherently insecure. I fear the sudden arrival of the Dao Obliteration Calamity and Master's projection being unable to protect me. It's only natural that I want to reinforce my defenses."

Li Fan's tone was nonchalant.

No one would associate his "reinforcements" with Unnamed True Immortals.

"Although I wish to emulate Master and use projections for Dao Bearer, my comprehension and aptitude are insufficient. I'm simply incapable and have to resort to these expedient measures."

"Brother, you've woven such a magnificent Dao Net. Your cultivation must be extraordinary. Could you perhaps teach me?"

Li Fan smiled and waved his hand.

Before him, the image of Keeper Qiu, sitting on a mountain overlooking the sea, appeared.

Countless lights and shadows flickered around Keeper Qiu, representing Li Fan's understanding of the [Keeper Qiu's Musings].

Seeing the image of his master, Dao Bearer grew serious.

He bowed respectfully before carefully observing the display.

Witnessing this, Li Fan felt reassured. His worries dissipated.

Dao Bearer wasn't being perfunctory.

He meticulously studied Li Fan's insights and then began to explain them on the spot.

As expected of an Unnamed One who had mastered [Dao Bearer], his explanation felt similar to the guidance received from Keeper Qiu's projection.

Like a sage offering personal instruction, Li Fan listened, captivated, almost forgetting his precarious situation. He asked questions, voicing the doubts he had accumulated over the past century of cultivating the Dao.

Dao Bearer answered everything patiently and thoroughly.

Li Fan's confusion vanished, replaced by joy.

The time spent discussing the Dao seemed to pass in an instant.

After the image of Keeper Qiu faded, Dao Bearer turned his attention back to Li Fan.

"Your doubts may be resolved, but your transgressions remain."

"You abused Master's inheritance and acted recklessly. You deserve to be punished."

"Your life may be spared, but you cannot escape punishment!"

"You are sentenced to join me deep within the Dao Net and reflect upon your actions!"

As Dao Bearer spoke, a brilliant blue light erupted, enveloping Li Fan.

Li Fan saw clearly that it wasn't simply light but countless densely packed Dao strings, each as heavy as a Heavenly Pillar.

Dao Bearer's attack was akin to casting the entire Dao Net upon him.

"This old man is powerful!" Li Fan was inwardly surprised.

But he wasn't afraid. Instead, he felt a surge of excitement.

Since his life wasn't in danger, he decided to indulge in a sparring match.

It had been a long time since he had faced an opponent of comparable strength.

"[Illusion Becomes Reality]!"

Li Fan silently activated the divine ability.

The approaching Dao Net suddenly grasped at nothing.

Li Fan stood there, yet he was like water, impossible to capture with a fishing net. The rules protecting him transcended the Great Dao itself, rendering the Dao Net ineffective.

"Brother, let me show you what I can do."

Facing Dao Bearer's surprise, Li Fan chuckled.

With a flick of his finger, countless threads shot out, entangling the blue Dao Net.

The net formed by Mo Annihilation began to erode Dao Bearer's understanding of the Dao.

In the physical world, this manifested as the blue light of the Dao Net flickering and distorting, shadows spreading across its surface.

Mo Annihilation's innate advantage against the Great Dao left the Dao Net defenseless, allowing Li Fan to devour it.

Countless insights into the Dao flowed into Li Fan's mind.

The efficiency was even greater than when he devoured the Grand Magus of Tiandu.

Li Fan realized that these weren't just Dao Bearer's insights but also remnants from the True Immortals who had been imprisoned within the Dao Net.

"Heretical path!"

Just as Li Fan was reveling in his gains, Dao Bearer roared.

The wavering blue Dao Net instantly stabilized, as if gaining support from some unseen source.

Looking at the blue aura, Li Fan felt like he was facing the boundless Mountain and Sea.

"Deep as the sea, steadfast as the mountain."

"The Dao is formless, its roots external."

A sudden realization dawned upon Li Fan.

Although he had been developing his Myriad Manifestations Dao Net for a century, devouring numerous Daos, and its scale and power were considerable, he still felt its foundation wasn't entirely stable.

Against weaker opponents, it was sufficient.

But against those of equal or greater strength, a simple push might be enough to break free from the Myriad Manifestations Dao Net.

Although his Dao Net encompassed myriad forms, it couldn't bind its enemies tightly.

Dao Bearer's Dao Net, however, didn't have this weakness.

Like the palm of a hand formed by the Mountain and Sea, it pressed down, anchoring the wavering Dao Net.

Although Li Buren, with the power of the Boundless Rod, had rampaged through the Dao Net, even removing three of its pillars, its true foundation remained intact.

"The Heavenly Pillars are merely pillars. The anchor points remain."

"As long as he captures more True Immortals, the Dao Net can be easily restored. No wonder he wasn't worried when I destroyed it," Li Fan realized.

The image of the invisible hands holding down the Great Dao that he had seen when he first encountered the Shuo Star Sea's Dao Net was achieved by borrowing the power of the Mountain and Sea.

Dao Bearer, as Keeper Qiu's disciple, could also utilize this formless, external power.

In comparison, Li Fan, as Keeper Qiu's self-proclaimed disciple, was a mere imposter.

Now anchored, the blue Dao Net was no longer susceptible to Li Fan's erosion. It remained unmoved, like a delicious piece of meat suddenly transformed into an unbreakable bone.

Li Fan had to temporarily withdraw his Myriad Manifestations Dao Net.

"Brother, your skills are impressive!"

"But watch out!"

Praise and a sneak attack came simultaneously.

"Since you borrow the power of the Mountain and Sea, I shall sever your connection to them!"

A cold glint flashed in Li Fan's eyes.

Although this was nominally a sparring match, if he could capture Dao Bearer, he wouldn't hesitate.

The Mountain and Sea transcended the mortal world.

Only a handful of individuals could perceive their true form.

Li Fan was certain that Dao Bearer had never seen the Mountain and Sea firsthand.

His ability to borrow their power likely stemmed from Keeper Qiu's teachings.

Unfortunately for him, Li Fan happened to be one of the few who had seen them.

He felt himself transported back to the boundless Infinite Sea, with the peakless Upper Mountain standing in the distance.

The echoes of the merging Mountain and Sea resonated endlessly.

Although he hadn't truly returned to the Mountain and Sea, with the power of [Illusion Becomes Reality], Li Fan could perceive the thread connecting Dao Bearer to their power.

Although he didn't understand how this connection was formed, it didn't prevent him from substituting himself for the Mountain and Sea!

Dao Bearer couldn't possibly distinguish between Li Fan, empowered by [Illusion Becomes Reality], and the true Mountain and Sea.

And compared to the distant and unattainable Infinite Sea and Upper Mountain, Li Fan, the imitator, would actively approach.

Thus, it was only natural for Dao Bearer to mistake Li Fan for the Mountain and Sea.

The connection between Dao Bearer's blue Dao Net and the Mountain and Sea became unstable and eventually broke.

And Li Fan, having briefly connected with the Dao Net under the guise of the Mountain and Sea, seized this fleeting opportunity to understand the nature of that connection.

"As I suspected."

A faint figure stood with its hands clasped behind its back between the Mountain and Sea.

Although Keeper Qiu resided in the mortal world, he had left his mark upon the Mountain and Sea.

Dao Bearer, as Keeper Qiu's disciple, and not just an ordinary disciple, could sense this mark and thus borrow the power of the Mountain and Sea to anchor his Dao Net.

In a flash, Li Fan also located Keeper Qiu's mark upon the Mountain and Sea.

However, he didn't dare touch it.

If he could control this mark, he could borrow the power of the Mountain and Sea from anywhere, no longer limited by the Great Wall.

But the problem was…

Keeper Qiu was still alive.

Dao Bearer was his legitimate disciple, inheriting his Dao and carrying on his will.

Keeper Qiu wouldn't fault his disciple for borrowing his name and power.

He might even intervene to protect his disciple if he sensed danger.

But what about Li Fan?

He used Keeper Qiu's projections through his avatar, Li Buren. Moreover, he had used the projections, originally intended to bear the brunt of the Dao Obliteration Calamity, as weapons to seal Unnamed True Immortals. He was a fraud through and through.

He was safe within the Great Wall.

But if he foolishly appeared before Keeper Qiu…

Li Fan was certain that even if Keeper Qiu was magnanimous and didn't particularly care, a casual slap from him would be more than Li Fan could handle.

It might even expose the existence of the True Return.

"I can only use it as a last resort, to create chaos and cover my escape while I return to the True Return. Keeper Qiu's name should be enough to cause a significant distraction."

This was a tactic Li Fan had used many times, even as a mortal.

"It's a pity I can't touch this Dao Bearer."

"As expected, the best students are always the teacher's favorites," Li Fan lamented inwardly.

Never attempting the impossible, Li Fan quickly adjusted his strategy.

As the duration of [Illusion Becomes Reality] ended, he主动called a halt to their fight.

"Brother, your cultivation is truly far superior to mine. I've learned much today," he said with feigned admiration.

Dao Bearer simply snorted, refusing to acknowledge the compliment. Li Fan's method of severing his connection to Keeper Qiu's mark had caught him off guard. He had to tread carefully.

Undeterred by Dao Bearer's coldness, Li Fan continued with a sincere smile, "Actually, there's no irreconcilable conflict between us."

"I merely seek a safe haven."

"I'm willing to release the True Immortals sealed within the Heavenly Pillars…"

"Oh?" Dao Bearer was surprised, his expression clearly conveying disbelief.

"Brother, are you concerned about those imprisoned within the pillars because they are… like you?" Li Fan countered.

Dao Bearer pondered for a moment and then nodded. "All Immortals in the Immortal Realm benefited from Master's grace and inherited his teachings. In a sense, we are all Keeper Qiu's disciples. How can fellow disciples fight amongst themselves?"

"How can fellow disciples fight amongst themselves! Brother, your words are truly enlightening!" Li Fan exclaimed, feigning sudden realization. He smoothly switched from addressing Dao Bearer as "brother" to "senior brother."

After a pause, seeing no objection from Dao Bearer, Li Fan continued with a smile, "Thanks to your guidance, Senior Brother, I now realize my past mistakes. As I said, I'm willing to unconditionally release the True Immortals imprisoned within the Heavenly Pillars. Moreover, I can even assist you in rebuilding the Dao Net…"

Dao Bearer was skeptical. "What are your conditions?"

He clearly understood Li Fan's character.

"My desire for a secure sanctuary remains unchanged. Senior Brother, you wouldn't want Master's projection to be reduced to ashes in the Dao Obliteration Calamity, would you?"

Li Fan continued, "You should know, Senior Brother, that I have a solution that benefits both of us. It will satisfy my needs without harming our fellow disciples."

"The foreign races, the incarnations of Primordial Daos. Have you heard of them, Senior Brother?" Li Fan asked with a smile.

Dao Bearer's expression shifted slightly. "Unnamed Ones from foreign races? When did such monstrous beings appear in this realm?"

"No, no, not in this realm. From beyond!" Li Fan pointed towards the sky, beyond the Great Wall, beyond this possibility.

Dao Bearer's expression changed completely.

"How many?" he asked, his voice grave, unlike when he spoke of his fellow disciples.

"Thirteen," Li Fan said calmly.

"What?!" Even Dao Bearer was startled by this number.

"Is this true?" His voice rose slightly.

Li Fan's expression turned serious. "I wouldn't dare deceive you, Senior Brother. This is the very reason I'm striving to increase my strength. These thirteen Primordial Dao Incarnates are a constant threat. I can't even sleep peacefully!"

Li Fan sighed dramatically.

Dao Bearer pondered for a moment and then declared decisively, "Don't worry, Junior Brother. With me here, even if all thirteen foreign Unnamed Ones arrive, they won't be able to harm you!"

"You're right. With these thirteen Primordial Dao Incarnates, we can completely restore the Shuo Star Sea's defenses!"

(End of Chapter)