"Mo Annihilation's power resembles the Dao Obliteration Calamity because it imitates the force of the merging Mountain and Sea."
"But this Dao Transformation…"
Li Buren held one of the purple Dao Transformation statues, examining it closely.
"It's merely the collision of the Mountain and Sea, but the merging process is prematurely halted."
"The Mountain and Sea at play…" Li Buren recalled a phrase from the Mountain and Sea fable.
"And from this, the Dao arises. So that's how it is?"
Li Buren slowly consumed all the purple statues, comprehending the Dao Principles contained within these beings. After feeding the poison pills to these powerful beings and using their lives and consciousness to complete the transformation, he was certain that these Dao Transformation statues were no longer mere [Dao Pills] and could be directly consumed.
Although something crucial seemed to be lost during the Dao Transformation process, the greatly increased efficiency of Dao comprehension without any risk was undoubtedly worthwhile.
"Besides aiding Dao comprehension, these poison pills are also incredibly powerful offensive weapons."
"Their essence is to use the Dao Refining Medicine King Scripture to merge the power of Mo Annihilation with the enemy, inflicting a fatal blow at the fundamental level of the Dao…"
"Truly an unavoidable attack!"
Besides its ability to kill like a silent poison, it could also bypass differences in strength. As long as the target couldn't completely avoid the power of Mo Annihilation, they would be affected, the only difference being the severity of the "poisoning."
Li Buren experimented on the Unnamed True Immortals sealed within the Heavenly Pillars in the Primordial Immortal Realm.
Although he had promised to release them, it didn't prevent him from utilizing them beforehand.
The formless flames of the Dao Refining Pill enveloped the Heavenly Pillars, and the power of Mo Annihilation silently seeped into them.
The effects varied depending on the strength of the sealed Immortal.
Situ Star suffered the most.
Not being a true Unnamed True Immortal, he had little resistance against Mo Annihilation. The gray Heavenly Pillar slowly turned purple from top to bottom, a sinister black taint spreading within.
Before the purple and black completely consumed the pillar, Li Fan stopped the process, saving Situ Star's life, though only a sliver of his consciousness remained.
Li Fan effortlessly separated the Dao Transformed portion of the Heavenly Pillar and consumed it.
Compared to his own slow comprehension, this direct absorption was incredibly efficient.
A single moment of Dao Pill refining surpassed centuries of arduous cultivation.
"Truly a supreme technique!" Li Buren praised inwardly.
However, not all Unnamed True Immortals were as defenseless as Situ Star.
Especially Jixian.
Even in her sealed state, she could contend with Mo Annihilation. Although she was destined to lose in the long run, her ability to hold her ground for a time demonstrated her extraordinary power.
Li Buren extracted a small portion of the Dao Transformed purple section from Jixian's Heavenly Pillar and consumed it.
After a moment, he narrowed his eyes. "As expected, the Dao of Hunger originates from beyond the [Primordial] possibilities."
"Or rather, it's not entirely a [Primordial] Dao but a fusion of a certain Dao with a Dao from beyond."
Within the complete Dao index he had glimpsed through Dao Bearer, Li Fan hadn't seen the Dao of Hunger, only something vaguely resembling it. This must be one of its original forms.
Like the Dao Sword and Dao Knife, Daos from beyond the possibilities were far more effective in supplementing the Myriad Manifestations Dao Net than local Daos. Perhaps because they opened up entirely new branches of the Dao, a new blank area rapidly grew within the Dao Net. Although not yet fully filled, its potential scale was already evident.
Faced with such a potent supplement, Li Buren was momentarily tempted to ignore his agreement with Dao Bearer and continue refining Jixian.
But he restrained himself.
"I can refine Jixian later. She's trapped within the Immortal Ruins anyway."
"I still need Dao Bearer's cooperation for now."
"There's no rush."
Among the Immortals sealed within the Heavenly Pillars, the most surprising was the performance of Yuanshi's bone. It crumbled before the purple-black power of Mo Annihilation, even less resistant than Situ Star, whose true body had perished.
It was completely unworthy of the weighty title of [Yuanshi].
After some investigation, Li Buren understood the reason for this anomaly.
"What's here isn't the complete Yuanshi's bone but a tiny fragment."
"The majority of it is elsewhere."
Li Buren could even sense traces of Mo Annihilation following the connection between the fragments, tracking the rest of Yuanshi.
"Southern Immortal Heavenly Pillar." Li Buren recalled Yuanshi's true name and shook his head slightly.
"I can only wish the beings under its protection good luck."
…
Li Fan hadn't been completely ruthless. Although a significant portion of the Heavenly Pillars had undergone Dao Transformation, they still retained their form. The Unnamed True Immortals within were still alive, though greatly weakened, requiring millions of years to recover.
All of Li Buren's insights were transmitted to Li Fan.
However, he concealed them from Dao Bearer, maintaining his facade as a diligent and inquisitive junior brother.
…
Three years later, Transformation finally brought news.
"That Kuixing is incredibly cautious. Only after I showed him the fully restored Dao Net and confirmed that Senior hadn't attacked did he finally agree to cooperate."
"We've also noticed that someone has been trying to approach and investigate the edges of the Shuo Star Sea. Fortunately, we repaired the Dao Net quickly, otherwise, they might have discovered our deception," Chaos added, relieved.
"Even so, Kuixing refused to reveal their full plan, simply instructing us to 'follow orders and adapt as needed.' Hmph…" A glint of anger flashed in Transformation's eyes.
"Be patient. Don't reveal anything," Li Fan said calmly, and Transformation immediately composed himself.
"Follow their instructions precisely. Senior Brother and I will be waiting in the Primordial Immortal Realm," Li Fan said, smiling at Dao Bearer.
"Senior Brother, shall we relocate?"
The gaunt old man stretched his seemingly stiff body. "It's been a while since I've ventured out. A change of scenery would be welcome."
A blue light enveloped Dao Bearer, and a projection took his place, sitting cross-legged in the depths of the Dao Net.
Li Fan carefully observed the Dao Net and noticed that the Dao strings hadn't shifted at all during this switch between true body and projection.
He couldn't help but praise, "Senior Brother, your Dao Bearer technique is almost identical to Master's! Your Transcendence must be imminent!"
Dao Bearer chuckled, unable to hide his pride. But he still feigned humility, "You flatter me, Junior Brother. I'm still far from Master's level. This projection can only replace me for a hundred years at most."
"With your talent, Senior Brother, even eternal Dao Bearer wouldn't be too long," Li Fan said with a smile.
Chaos and Transformation were accustomed to Li Fan's almost blind flattery and paid no attention.
"Senior Brother, this way please." Li Fan led Dao Bearer to his quarters within the Primordial Immortal Realm.
They waited for the Guang Wu Star Sea to make their move.
After another ten days, Transformation finally met with [Kuixing] again.
He was still possessing the black cat.
"Fellow Daoist, you're being too cautious. So many of our companions have died, yet you still hesitate," Transformation complained.
Kuixing also grumbled, "Don't even get me started, Brother Transformation. I didn't want this either. After losing my treasure, I was almost flayed and sealed within a Heavenly Pillar. Fortunately, at the last moment, I recalled the details of how that thief subdued my treasure, earning me a chance to redeem myself."
"But this is my last chance. If this fails, you might never see me again."
Transformation seemed sympathetic and stroked the cat's head. "You've suffered greatly, Fellow Daoist. If things don't go well, you can always escape to our Shuo Star Sea. At least…"
"Heh," Kuixing interrupted awkwardly.
"Alright, let's get down to business. I'm not in charge of this operation. I'm merely a messenger."
"Oh?" Transformation paused, his hand still stroking the black cat. "How do they want us to cooperate?"
Kuixing was silent for a moment, seemingly listening to instructions.
After a while, a voice emerged, "There's a coffin containing a slumbering Unnamed True Immortal. You only need to retrieve the coffin and place it within that Primordial Immortal Realm, by any means necessary."
Transformation waited for further instructions, but Kuixing remained silent.
"That's it?" Transformation was dissatisfied.
"After all this trouble, that's all you've prepared? What can a slumbering Unnamed One do? You've seen the Hidden Emperor's power yourself."
Kuixing reassured him, "Don't worry, Brother Transformation. I've put my own life on the line; I wouldn't be so careless. With this slumbering Unnamed One, even if that Hidden Emperor possesses some great divine ability, he won't be able to escape!"
"This time, we'll make him pay for everything."
Transformation pondered for a moment and finally agreed.
Before heading to the edge of the Shuo Star Sea to retrieve the coffin, he informed Li Fan of the details.
"It doesn't matter. As he said, just bring the coffin," Li Fan replied.
Relieved, Transformation set off to find his target.
Within the Primordial Immortal Realm, Li Fan and Dao Bearer sat facing each other, a stick of incense burning between them. The smoke curled upwards, formless.
"Senior Brother, do you have any idea who this slumbering Unnamed One in the coffin might be?"
"Perhaps… a True Immortal from the Other Shore."
After a moment of silence, Dao Bearer spoke, his voice grave.
(End of Chapter)