Chapter 1100: Death and Life of the Present Celestial Venerable

The bodies were encased in translucent, pale blue ice crystals. Through the ice, their final expressions were still faintly visible: anger, fear, and bewilderment. They were remarkably lifelike, as if still alive.

Dense formations of ice-crystal coffins filled their vision, covering the entire black ocean. Even the three Dharma Protectors leading the team, let alone the several Hedao cultivators, were instantly overcome with a chilling horror and rendered speechless by the sight. Shaken by the scene, by the time they regained their composure, the true immortal's remains that had lured them here had vanished without a trace!

“What... what on earth is this terrifying place?!”

After a deathly silence, Zhu Gongchuan, one of the Hedao cultivators, couldn't help but ask. Fearing to disturb the cultivators slumbering there, Zhu Gongchuan’s voice was hushed. It was clear he was deeply afraid. They were no strangers to death. But to see such a vast number of bodies, all gathered in one place, each preserving vivid expressions from their last moments—the shock this sight inflicted was beyond words.

No one answered Zhu Gongchuan. The group flew silently over the desolate sea for more than half a day, yet found no end to it.

“Preliminary estimates suggest there are over two billion bodies here… Even the combined population of cultivators and mortals currently residing in the Myriad Immortals Alliance’s surface territories is likely far less than this. What on earth…”

“These individuals are not from the Xuanhuang Realm. Or rather, the vast majority are not,” Dharma Protector Wei stated slowly. “Judging by their attire, these individuals appear to be from various immortal cultivation realms. Yet, for reasons unknown, they are all frozen here.”

“Such an immense number of bodies, hidden within our Myriad Immortals Alliance territory. And for so long, we’ve remained completely unaware,” another Dharma Protector, Chu, added, his face grim. “What was the true immortal’s remains’ purpose in luring us here? Does it intend to transform us into this state as well?”

“Unlikely. We’ve been here for a considerable time, yet we haven’t been attacked.”

The group discussed in hushed tones, but they had no clue about the true immortal’s remains’ ultimate purpose.

“Let’s continue searching.”

So they continued flying above the desolate sea for a long time. Finally, Dharma Protector Wei noticed something: “These countless frozen bodies appear to form a colossal array.”

“An array?”

Upon hearing this, everyone exchanged glances, then carefully surveyed their surroundings once more.

“An array of this scale likely possesses world-shattering power. Could it be a secret arrangement made by the Five Elders’ Council over the years, designed to destroy our Myriad Immortals Alliance?”

Not everyone present was proficient in array formations. After fruitless contemplation, their minds began to wander.

“This array is exceedingly complex. We’ve only seen a fraction of it, not its full scope, so we cannot deduce its true purpose. The immediate priority is to inform the Immortal Alliance Headquarters of this discovery. Staying here for too long, I have an unsettling feeling,” Dharma Protector Chu stated gravely.

“Fortunately, this array does not appear to be targeting us outsiders. It is neither a trapping nor a killing array. As long as we locate its core, we should be able to exit,” Dharma Protector Wei concluded.

With the two Dharma Protectors reaching this conclusion, everyone inwardly breathed a sigh of relief.

After wandering within the array for several days, the group finally located its core. Passing through it, they expected to leave this incredibly bizarre area. To their surprise, however, they did not return to the white mist. Instead, they found themselves above an unfamiliar ocean.

Unlike the previous desolate, ice-bound black sea, here the salty, humid sea breeze was invigorating, and the constant calls of seabirds filled the air. Occasionally, schools of fish could be seen leaping from the water or darting through the depths. The vibrant life here was refreshing and uplifting.

After a brief moment of astonishment, they quickly scanned their surroundings but detected no immediate danger. The Hedao cultivators felt a measure of relief. However, the three Dharma Protectors leading the team wore expressions of unprecedented solemnity.

Dharma Protector Wei frowned deeply, gazing at the sky, and murmured to himself, “Different worlds, two sides of the same coin. One represents life, the other death.”

Dharma Protector Chu, however, interrupted him, “No, death is the source of life; life is the convergence of death. This is…”

They exchanged a glance, their faces etched with horror.

“Reversing life and death?”

With unspoken understanding, neither of them uttered those four words. Instead, they communicated telepathically.

“So that’s it. This, then, is the Dao field of the Reincarnation Heavenly Venerate?”

“No wonder! I’d always wondered why His speed in reversing the principles of heaven and earth and achieving the Heavenly Venerate Dao was so extraordinary. It turns out He had been concealed within this white mist all along, using the array as a foundation to thoroughly research the principles of life and death!”

“Then what is the relationship between the true immortal’s remains and the Reincarnation Heavenly Venerate?”

As one mystery was solved, new questions immediately arose in their minds.

“From the current situation, they don’t appear to be allied.”

“Having long ago discovered the location of this Dao field, did it intentionally lure us here to probe the Reincarnation Heavenly Venerate’s true nature?”

Both fell into deep thought. After much deliberation, they reached no definitive conclusion.

“If we find the core of the life world’s array again, we should be able to leave this place.” With their thoughts leading nowhere and having found no information about the Reincarnation Heavenly Venerate’s true identity after searching the entire Dao field, the three Dharma Protectors decided to return for now and plan their next steps.

However, just as they prepared to depart, Dharma Protector Wei paused, as if a thought had struck him.

“Reversing life and death, reversing life and death…”

“The grand array is complete, yet the deceased cultivators have not reawakened. Is it the world itself that is being revived?”

“In that case, the Reincarnation Heavenly Venerate’s true purpose is…”

Dharma Protector Wei’s face instantly turned ashen, as if he had been struck by lightning.

“Go!” he commanded decisively.

However, as if sensing the thoughts in his mind, a figure, seemingly composed of white mist, quietly materialized, blocking their path. Facing this sudden enemy, who was very likely the elusive Reincarnation Heavenly Venerate, everyone instantly grew extremely tense. A battle was imminent.

Dharma Protector Wei stared at the figure before him. After a moment, an expression of disbelief flashed in his eyes.

“It’s…”

Before the words could fully escape his lips, the white mist figure abruptly opened its eyes. Endless white mist surged from the figure, engulfing everything. In an instant, it swallowed the Myriad Immortals Alliance group. Ten Hedao cultivators, three Dharma Protectors. Such a formidable force, yet at that moment, they were utterly defenseless, vanishing into the white mist in the blink of an eye.