Chapter 1164: Heavenly Venerable Suddenly Sends Message

"Shao Jun, does the First Sutra originate from the Era?" Li Fan, the Holy Embryo, finally voiced a question he had long pondered on their way to the Tian Shu Province of the Myriad Immortals Alliance.

Shang Shaojun paused, apparently unsurprised that Li Fan was privy to the Alliance's secrets concerning the Era. He replied in a low voice, "Yes, and no."

"As far as I know, the Immortal Alliance did indeed use the Era to cultivate a group of suicide warriors. However, those individuals, not being truly born and raised by the Xuanhuang World, ultimately lacked a certain spiritual essence." Shang Shaojun shook his head slightly. "While they demonstrated astonishing talent during the Era's simulated training, their actual performance once they arrived in the Xuanhuang World was significantly inferior. They were quite suitable as fearless cannon fodder, but incapable of handling significant responsibilities."

"However, the Immortal Alliance later discovered a method for improvement. Brother Li, are you aware that every Dharma Transmitter possesses their own exclusive minor world?"

Li Fan, the Holy Embryo, replied, "I have heard tell of it."

"Each Dharma Transmitter contributes a portion of their minor world to collectively form a Great Primordial Realm. It is said to be a truly brutal, chaotic era, where every hundred years, all living beings within it undergo a thorough purge. Only those who receive collective commendation from the Dharma Transmitters during that century are spared."

"Brother Li, you must understand that the beings within the Great Primordial Realm are either meticulously selected conscious souls from the Era, or peerless prodigies from the Dharma Transmitters' respective worlds. To emerge victorious from such an environment... their capabilities are truly immense." Shang Shaojun's tone grew solemn. "Such is the origin of the First Sutra."

"From the Era to the Great Primordial Realm, the First Sutra emerged step by step, ultimately gaining the esteem of the various Dharma Transmitters. His body was even reshaped using a supreme treasure left by a Heavenly Venerate. Furthermore, due to the profound trust placed in him, he was granted the special privilege of retaining his past experiences and memories. Even though he currently holds no specific office within the Immortal Alliance, no one dares to treat him with disrespect."

"So, this First Sutra is truly legendary," Li Fan, the Holy Embryo, remarked with a sigh of admiration after hearing Shang Shaojun's account. However, a flicker of doubt crossed his mind. "To approach such a figure directly like this... Shao Jun, are you not concerned he might simply bind us and deliver us to the Dharma Transmitters?"

Shang Shaojun burst into laughter. "Brother Li, you are overthinking this. Setting aside the fact that the First Sutra and I once shared adventures and still have a good relationship, the reason he is so profoundly trusted by the Dharma Transmitters is precisely because, ever since his creation, a brand of unwavering loyalty to the Immortal Alliance has been permanently etched deep within his soul. The more experiences he gains and the stronger he becomes, the deeper this brand goes."

"He himself stated this, and he doesn't mind it; in fact, he considers it a great honor. Aren't all our actions ultimately for the Myriad Immortals Alliance? If he were to discover that the Myriad Immortals Alliance secretly harbors numerous conspiracies, he would certainly not choose to ignore them. Given his nature, he might even personally investigate to verify our claims." Shang Shaojun appeared full of confidence.

However, things did not go as smoothly as expected.

"What? The First Sutra isn't here?""We clearly had an appointment!"

Outside the First Sutra's residence, Shang Shaojun and Li Fan were stopped. Shang Shaojun's expression darkened, and waves of pressure characteristic of a Dao Integration cultivator surged around him. Though the two guards at the gate paled slightly, they managed to maintain their composure and explained, "Our apologies, esteemed sirs. Our master unexpectedly received a secret directive from the Immortal Alliance and departed in great haste. The matter was urgent, so he didn't even have time to bid farewell..."

Shang Shaojun attempted to contact the First Sutra again using a communication talisman. As expected, there was no reply. Exchanging a glance with Li Fan, he understood that pressing the issue was futile. With a cold snort, he dropped the matter.

"I think it's not that the First Sutra deliberately avoided us, but that there's truly an important matter," Li Fan whispered.

"Indeed. I know the First Sutra's character well; he wouldn't feign excuses. I just wonder what has transpired with the Immortal Alliance. If the First Sutra was urgently recalled, it must be a significant matter," Shang Shaojun murmured.

With their initial objective thwarted, the two decided to change course and seek out Ji Hongdao in Tian Yu Province. However, they hadn't anticipated that Ji Hongdao had also been reassigned by official decree. They exchanged bewildered glances, immediately halting their search for the time being.

"Something is amiss. Let me make some inquiries," Shang Shaojun said, his brows furrowed deeply.

Meanwhile, Li Fan's divine avatar, concealed within the Boundless Mirror, had already begun to act discreetly. He silently pilfered a minor Sky Profound Mirror from the Sun family and activated the Boundless Mirror to surreptitiously probe its contents for information. As expected, the Sky Profound Mirror was already aware of the Myriad Immortals Alliance's unusual movements. However, the revelation left Li Fan somewhat inexplicably surprised.

"The Dharma Transmitting Heavenly Venerate has sent word that the Xuanhuang World may soon experience some tremors, and the Immortal Alliance must prepare countermeasures in advance."

"This..."

"Since the Myriad Immortals Alliance's inception, the Dharma Transmitting Heavenly Venerate has only proactively sent messages a handful of times. The Dharma Transmitters attach immense importance to this..."

After disconnecting the Boundless Mirror's clandestine probe and calming himself slightly, Li Fan fell into deep contemplation. He was unsure whether the Heavenly Venerate's message had occurred in his previous reincarnations. However, the prospect of the Xuanhuang World experiencing any turmoil had absolutely never happened in any of the many lifetimes Li Fan had experienced.

"The Dharma Transmitting Heavenly Venerate's specific directive indicates that this impending upheaval cannot be minor. If caught off guard and unprepared, it could potentially trigger widespread panic. Yet, the Dharma Transmitter merely sent a message and did not personally return, suggesting that this turmoil will not inflict truly devastating damage upon the Xuanhuang World..."

"The turmoil predicted by the Dharma Transmitter is approximately one month away. At that point, we will ascertain whether this is an event unique to this lifetime."

Meanwhile, Shang Shaojun had also managed to ascertain some information. Though not as detailed as what was pilfered from the Sky Profound Mirror, his findings were largely consistent.

"The entire Myriad Immortals Alliance, from top to bottom, has been mobilized. It is likely that related orders will soon reach the Eternal Immortal Fortress as well..."

"Brother Li, what do you think?"

Li Fan, the Holy Embryo, mused for a moment before replying, "What you and I aim to accomplish is not a task that can be completed in a day. Given that the entire Xuanhuang World may soon face a crisis, it would be prudent to prioritize preparations to address it."

"The Azure Profound Army cannot be left leaderless, and there's a chance the Roaring Abyss might experience further anomalies. Perhaps we should first return to the Eternal Immortal Fortress and observe the unfolding situation."

Li Fan's suggestion received Shang Shaojun's approval. The two then hastily concluded their journey for the time being, returning to Severed Palm Immortal City.

Gazing at the tranquil, profound Roaring Abyss not far off, the image of the figure previously encountered at its depths resurfaced in Li Fan, the Holy Embryo's, mind. "Perhaps the unique aspects of this lifetime are connected to these minor actions of mine?" Li Fan frowned slightly, feeling a touch of bewilderment.