Chapter 1166: Intent to Venture into Deep Space

The stone golems lost contact with Li Fan after drifting away from the Xuanhuang World and heading into the depths of space. However, the profound impact of the facts they had observed continued to resonate with Li Fan.

"How could it have come from the depths of the Utmost Dark Star Sea?"

"Could it be that another Hungry Immortal exists there?!"

Li Fan was inexplicably horrified.

His true self, located in the Derivation Jade space, even had to actively circulate the Xuanhuang Immortal Heart Chant to suppress his astonishment and prevent any unusual reactions. For Li Fan, such a thing hadn't happened in a very long time.

The tremors in the Xuanhuang World continued. However, as time passed, it was clearly noticeable that the intensity of the tremors was gradually decreasing. This inexplicable disaster was passing. But the storm of thoughts in Li Fan's mind had just begun.

"The gravitational pull of the Immortal Ruins was generated by the skeletal immortal who had comprehended the True Immortal Seal Script named 'Hunger.' Their state of enlightenment and self-forgetfulness had caused devastating effects on this star region."

"But True Immortal Seal Scripts are not something only one person can comprehend. The abnormality in Yuandao Prefecture of the Xuanhuang World was suspected to be due to Grandmaster Tiandu comprehending the mysteries of the Hunger Skill."

"This Xuanhuang upheaval now seems to have two possibilities. First, the cause of the disaster might not be related to the Hunger Skill, but rather the consequences of an existence of the same caliber. Only power at the True Immortal level could cause such drastic effects on the Xuanhuang World."

"But this means that an unknown entity possessing True Immortal power is still hidden in the Utmost Dark Star Sea. This..."

Li Fan felt a slight chill in his heart.

"The second possibility is that a survivor in the Star Sea, perhaps even the Dharma Transmitter, is also comprehending the Hunger Skill. They recently made a breakthrough, thus causing this turmoil. The Dharma Transmitter Heavenly Venerate was able to send back a message in advance, making this possibility quite high."

"But no matter which hypothesis, neither can explain the most crucial point: why has such a change occurred in this life?"

The Dao Transformation Stone flickered with light, continuously replaying the experiences of this life. But it was utterly impossible to determine what exactly had caused such a significant deviation.

"Whether it's True Immortals or entities capable of comprehending the Hunger Skill, my actions in this life should not be significant enough to affect them."

"But all of this happened anyway."

Li Fan remained silent. This is what happens when one's power reaches a certain realm: every unintentional action can affect the outside world and even alter others' destinies. Variables give rise to more variables, endlessly, ultimately leading to unexpected events.

"My true self has always remained in the Derivation Jade space, so it can be ruled out. The clone Li Ping only moved about in the Great Qi Minor World; even if he moved the Five Elements Great Cavern Heaven, it absolutely wouldn't be enough to cause such a huge variable. The problem must lie with the Holy Embryo's journey."

After some thought, Li Fan finally traced the source of the variable to the mysterious figure at the bottom of the Roaring Abyss and the invisible entity in the Reincarnation Labyrinth.

"These two entities, one collecting world fragments and the other collecting cultivator corpses, should be active in the Utmost Dark Star Sea most of the time."

"Because of the Holy Embryo's disturbance, their activity trajectories changed compared to previous cycles. This is why the Xuanhuang tremors occurred..."

"What else is there in the Utmost Dark Star Sea?"

At this moment, a trace of curiosity rose in Li Fan's heart once more.

Previously, he had thought that in the Utmost Dark Star Sea, only the Xuanhuang World still survived. Beyond it lay only wandering world fragments and utter silence. Now it seemed that place still hid unknown secrets.

"Indeed. All this time, I've had a question: in what form do the cultivation world fragments in the Utmost Dark Star Sea exist? Under the influence of the Immortal Ruins' gravitational pull, even complete cultivation worlds inevitably fall towards the Immortal Ruins. These fragments should be even less able to resist, and should have been swallowed by the Immortal Ruins long ago."

"But from the fact that the Xuanhuang World has constantly been patched up, and judging by what Han Zhong saw in the Eye of the Tian Beast, a large number of world fragments still exist in the Utmost Dark Star Sea, in a way currently unknown to me..."

Feeling the continuous, intermittent tremors of the Xuanhuang World, a flash of inspiration suddenly struck Li Fan.

"That's right! Previously, due to the Immortal Ruins' gravitational pull, I've never been able to escape the Xuanhuang World and explore the Utmost Dark Star Sea. But now, due to this inexplicable gravitational pull from the depths of the Utmost Dark Star Sea, perhaps..."

"There's no time to lose. The tremors are about to subside, and I don't have much time left."

In the Immortal City of Severed Palm.

During the Xuanhuang World's tremors, even the Roaring Abyss became much quieter, emitting no extraneous sounds at all. While the Azure Xuan Army had suppressed the abyss for a hundred years, holding their ground against terrifying demonic sound tides, they now truly witnessed the great terror of the heavens and earth. Their faces turned pale, and they trembled uncontrollably. If it weren't for the Holy Embryo Li Fan having previously taught them the Xuanhuang Immortal Heart Chant, many of them would likely have experienced an outburst of suppressed negative emotions, immediately losing control of their minds and becoming completely insane.

Let alone the ordinary Azure Xuan Army soldiers, even the leader of the Azure Xuan Army, Harmonization True Lord Shang Shaoshan, who already knew in advance that the Xuanhuang tremors would arrive, was still somewhat unsettled in the face of such a cosmic catastrophe.

"I never imagined that the vast Xuanhuang World could be like a small boat on a river in a storm, at risk of sudden capsizing at any moment," Shang Shaoshan said with a bitter tone.

The Holy Embryo Li Fan had no time to comfort him. "Shaoshan, quickly do me a favor."

"What?" Shang Shaoshan asked blankly, momentarily confused.

"Help me prepare these items, the faster the better." After transferring a list of materials to Shang Shaoshan with a gesture, the Holy Embryo Li Fan's expression was serious as he looked up at the Xuanhuang World's sky.

"Gathering these materials is no problem. Most of them are already in the Eternal Immortal Fortress," Shang Shaoshan replied, "but Brother Li, what do you need these things for?" He followed the Holy Embryo Li Fan's gaze.

"Such immense power, before which the entire world is as fragile as a toy. Shaoshan, aren't you curious?"

The Holy Embryo Li Fan's eyes were firm, even revealing a hint of madness. "I intend to fly out of the Xuanhuang World, to trace the origin and uncover the truth!" he said emphatically.

"Absolutely not! Beyond the Xuanhuang World lies..." Shang Shaoshan's expression changed, and he urged repeatedly. He stopped midway through his sentence for some inexplicable reason.

"Hahaha, Shaoshan, do you mean to say, 'Immortal Ruins'?"

Shang Shaoshan was utterly stunned now and looked at the Holy Embryo Li Fan with disbelief.

The Holy Embryo Li Fan did not explain how he knew this absolute secret. Instead, he waved his hand and said seriously, "Precisely because the Immortal Ruins exist, now is a once-in-a-thousand-year opportunity!"

"Brother Li, you truly..." Shang Shaoshan was filled with suspicion.

"Could it be, Shaoshan, that you think the culprit behind this catastrophe is the Immortal Ruins?" Li Fan retorted.