Chapter 1025: Xuanhuang Self-Circulation

Li Fan had met Gongsun Qixuan very early on. In subsequent lifetimes, Gongsun Qixuan seemed to be behind the anomalies of the Xuan Net. This included the current life, where Li Fan was inexplicably transferred to the headquarters of the Myriad Immortals Alliance's Array Hall to participate in the development of the Heavenly Xuan Lock Spirit Array. All of these events suggested Gongsun Qixuan's extraordinary nature.

After several communications with the Heavenly Xuan Mirror's avatar, Li Fan gained some understanding of Gongsun Qixuan's identity. He was the observation subject and human template for the Heavenly Xuan Mirror when it created human avatars. As for why Gongsun Qixuan was chosen from among the many cultivators in the Myriad Immortals Alliance, the Heavenly Xuan Mirror's avatar explained it as random, a matter of luck. Li Fan, of course, did not believe this.

According to his memories and observations, Gongsun Qixuan's demeanor indeed bore some resemblance to that of the Heavenly Xuan Mirror's avatar. Li Fan even suspected that he might be another human avatar of the Heavenly Xuan Mirror. If one were to search for information about him within the Heavenly Xuan Mirror, everything would appear normal. However, a deeper investigation would reveal that all the information was fabricated. Before he took office in the Cloud Sea, his whereabouts were a complete mystery, unknown to anyone.

As if sensing Li Fan's clandestine observation, Gongsun Qixuan subtly glanced towards the sky. He quickly averted his gaze, however, gave a slight cough, and began directing his subordinates to deal with the anomalous incident. His method of handling it was peculiar: he pulled a small figure woven from dried grass from his robes. He tossed it into the air. Following this, the subordinates of the Heavenly Secrets Hall instinctively and synchronously placed smaller grass figures in various corners of the anomaly's outbreak zone.

Under Li Fan's observation, he noted that the eerie, shadowy power did not erode the Heavenly Secrets Hall cultivators who had ventured in. Instead, it was profoundly attracted to the small grass figures they held. Like long, winding dragons, the power was siphoned into the grass figures. "Hmm?" Li Fan immediately became interested.

Upon closer inspection, Li Fan discovered that each of these grass figures seemed to possess a life of its own. As the shadowy power surged into them, their faces contorted into various expressions: grotesque smiles, agony, anger, and more. He could even hear faint rustling sounds emanating from them. These grass figures acted like nodes, absorbing the shadowy power and then transferring it into the largest grass figure hovering in the air.

The operation to clear the anomaly lasted for three days. Ultimately, the spreading anomaly in the area completely vanished, and the normal Heavenly Dao of the Profound Heaven Realm once again prevailed. When Gongsun Qixuan retrieved the grass figure from mid-air, something happened that made Li Fan's pupils constrict. On the surface, it appeared as though Gongsun Qixuan simply put the grass figure back into his robes. But in reality, he seemed to open a massive mouth and swiftly swallowed the grass figure whole. In that instant, Li Fan perceived a layer of gloom enveloping Gongsun Qixuan. And his coughing became more frequent. It wasn't until they moved on to the next anomaly outbreak location that his condition slightly improved.

Of course, Gongsun Qixuan did not use the grass figures for all anomalies. The vast majority, after thorough investigation, were determined to pose no risk of spreading. For these, Gongsun Qixuan merely ordered the anomaly's outbreak location to be sealed off.

Watching this scene from the clouds, Li Fan pondered: "For minor anomalies, he lets the Heavenly Dao of the Xuanhuang Realm naturally digest them. But for those that would worsen without intervention, he uses the grass figures to absorb them into himself." In Li Fan's current view, Gongsun Qixuan had become an amalgamation of numerous anomalies. Within him, various twisted and chaotic rules intertwined, creating a chilling effect. If he were to suddenly die for some reason, and these anomalous entities within him were to erupt simultaneously, it would likely devastate several states in an instant.

"No wonder I always found this guy a bit strange whenever I saw him," Li Fan thought. "Incorporating the Dao into oneself... A cultivator's body probably shouldn't be capable of that." A flicker of apprehension crossed Li Fan's eyes, and he increased his tracking distance slightly.

Then, remembering how Gongsun Qixuan could genuinely deduce the future simply by uttering his fabricated phrases about "Heavenly Xuan Locking Spirits" and "Xuanhuang Unification," Li Fan instantly formed a conjecture about Gongsun Qixuan's true identity.

"For the Heavenly Xuan Mirror to simulate human avatars, given its nature as a divine artifact and its lofty perspective, how could it truly observe and learn from ordinary humans?" Li Fan mused. "To achieve something, the easiest way is to find precedents and learn from those who came before... Therefore..." A glint flashed in Li Fan's eyes as numerous clues coalesced in an instant.

"The object of a divine artifact's study would naturally be another divine artifact that had already successfully transformed into a human!" Li Fan concluded. "Gongsun Qixuan must be one of the divine artifacts that once disappeared from the Xuanhuang Realm, now having assumed human form!"

Considering that Ouyang Tian's Qiankun Bone Hand might have been a remnant bone of an immortal, it suggested that everything within the Xuanhuang Realm participated in the operation of the Heavenly Dao and the world's cycle. It was highly probable that the vanished divine artifacts were no exception.

"Transforming into a human, or becoming a wonder of heaven, or perhaps..." Li Fan suddenly understood how Transmittor Jiang's almost heaven-defying abilities came to be. "Perhaps they also originated from the transformation of a divine artifact..."

Having understood the key points, Li Fan's gaze towards Gongsun Qixuan was now completely different. His wariness was tinged with a hint of greed, alongside a measure of caution and vigilance. Any divine artifact, once touched by the word 'immortal,' was an existence that could absolutely not be underestimated. Furthermore, Gongsun Qixuan was already within the Heavenly Xuan Mirror's sights and burdened by countless anomalies, like a ticking time bomb ready to explode at any moment.

"Though it's a rare treasure, it's visible but unattainable," Li Fan thought. He stared intently for a long time, then finally sighed softly and slowly averted his gaze. "Moreover, in this current life, I'm still in a cooperative relationship with the Heavenly Xuan Mirror. The main task is to first sever the True Immortal Net." Li Fan's gaze lingered. "No rush, his true identity has been discovered. There will be plenty of opportunities in the future..." The desire in Li Fan's eyes slowly faded.

Below, Gongsun Qixuan's brows furrowed slightly, as if he had sensed something. He made calculations with his fingers, yet he couldn't deduce anything conclusive.

Scenes of his past interactions with Gongsun Qixuan resurfaced in Li Fan's mind. "It seems his original form might have been a divine artifact related to deduction," Li Fan mused. "However, judging by his current performance, his power seems to have diminished significantly after transforming into a human." Li Fan stroked his chin.

"But this has given me some inspiration," Li Fan thought. "There are still many secrets waiting to be unearthed in the Xuanhuang Realm. Back then, the Xuanhuang Realm already had many existences close to divine artifacts. Not to mention the integration of numerous cultivation worlds; with so many worlds, aren't there entities of comparable caliber? Even if some were taken by the Transmittor, there should still be some stragglers. I was limited before. It's not just limited to artifacts; humans themselves might actually be greater treasures."