Chapter 1172: Civilized Survivors

By comparing the time flow rate with that of the Xuanghuang Realm, the Sacred Fetus Li Fan could roughly gauge the distance to his destination.

When the time flow rate ratio between them gradually decreased to three to one, Sacred Fetus Li Fan knew that the unknown entity he was seeking was just ahead.

Along his journey, besides the mummified giant, he also encountered other objects from ancient, destroyed immortal cultivation realms. These included, but were not limited to, cultivators' remains and architectural ruins. Li Fan even picked up some magic treasures that cultivators had once used. However, having floated in the void for too long, they had all lost their spiritual essence, rendering them unusable. Yet, judging by their crafting methods and external features, they originated from various immortal cultivation realms.

These "miscellaneous items," like trash, seemed to be held in a delicate balance between two forces in the void, preventing them from being drawn towards the Immortal Ruins, nor were they pulled into the depths of the Star Sea.

"Who is it?"

As he was deep in thought, Li Fan's heart suddenly tightened, as he sensed a divine consciousness in the void locking onto him!

However, the power of the True Immortal Seal Script could forcibly undo this fusion.

The immediate problem facing Li Fan now was that his remaining time was running out.

He merely controlled the puppet and sword body, constantly evading. He shouted loudly and looked towards the source of the lock.

"The immense power of the Star Sea, capable of contending with the Immortal Ruins, did not just suddenly appear recently."

"I must end my life before any signs are revealed."

The figures of the Immortal Ruins and the Dharma Transmission Celestial Venerable reappeared before Li Fan's eyes. His speed suddenly surged, and he rapidly shuttled through the gaps filled with debris in the void. But Li Fan forcibly suppressed it. However, Li Fan had no intention of worrying about the Xuanghuang Realm.

"It's not some mysterious, strange existence, but a living person?"

"These miscellaneous items can all be preserved..."

"Instead, it's because of some unforeseen change, a sudden intense eruption. That's why the Xuanghuang Realm, far beyond the Immortal Ruins, could sense it."

It wasn't just because he felt the presence of that figure, but also because the other party had actively left a message.

"Jiu?"

The feeling of being locked on disappeared instantly, revealing only a blurry figure that quickly flickered and vanished into the darkness. Sacred Fetus Li Fan's eyes flickered as he looked at the divine consciousness imprint left by the unknown cultivator, cautiously refraining from replying.

All were fragmented evidence of the past existence of various immortal cultivation realms. Sacred Fetus Li Fan even felt another vague unease welling up within him. These relics from ancient immortal cultivation realms formed an endless ocean, seemingly boundless.

"In the Dark Star Sea, besides the Xuanghuang Realm, are there actually other surviving immortal cultivation civilizations?"

Li Fan fell into deep thought as he looked at these two short sentences.

The deeper he ventured, the more debris accumulated in the void. Unsure if these miscellaneous items were still tainted with the power of the True Immortal Seal Script, Sacred Fetus Li Fan dared not touch them.

"Completely and utterly alone?"

"Furthermore, the laws in the Dark Star Sea are more complete than those in Xuanghuang. The upper limit is higher, and these people have been here for so long..."

With a grim expression, Sacred Fetus Li Fan arrived at the spot where the figure had originally appeared. The nourishing power within his body was almost completely depleted, yet he still hadn't managed to break out of this vast ocean.

Sacred Fetus Li Fan slowly began to form a resolution in his heart.

"Then, could the fragments of ancient immortal cultivation realms also be preserved relatively well?" He chose the latter.

Although he had not yet seen the immense power of the Star Sea that had caused the Xuanghuang Realm's tremors, knowing that there were other sparks of civilization in the Star Sea was already profoundly significant to Li Fan.

"Is it loneliness?"

"It seems I worried too much. The distance is so vast that without a lucky coincidence, even an encounter would be a luxury."

"It should be some kind of code. But this common script of immortal cultivation realms undoubtedly belongs to a surviving cultivator." These two had traveled in the Dark Star Sea for a long time, and clearly, they couldn't be unaware of this. One must know that after Sacred Fetus Li Fan devoured it and transformed it into his own Dao foundation, they became essentially one.

His resolution was to continue moving deeper into the Sea of Ruins, to find the source of the Star Sea's immense power.

"Interesting."

However, resources were scarce in this Sea of Ruins. If a real conflict were to break out between the two sides, the Xuanghuang Realm would undoubtedly crush them.

For example, random thoughts of escaping the world and abandoning everything would inexplicably arise in his mind. Without overthinking, after a brief contemplation, Sacred Fetus Li Fan made his decision.

"Even if it means wasting this exploration opportunity, I cannot allow the power of loneliness to affect my true self."

"For many years, surviving in the Dark Star Sea required not only resources for sustenance but, most importantly, the ability to resist the Immortal Ruins' pull. This area, located at a delicate balance point between two forces, has become a safe zone."

However...

"Even without making contact yet, surviving in such a harsh environment clearly indicates they are not easily approached."

"This also indicates that even if there was just this possibility, the risk was not something Li Fan could bear." After all, the power of the True Immortal Seal Script should not be underestimated.

Consequently, his speed inevitably slowed down. Instead, he remained quietly in this place.

To Li Fan, it seemed somewhat inexplicable, though it was clearly a divine consciousness imprint that only cultivators could employ. For instance, his cultivation foundation, the Black Sword Heavenly Wonder, subtly developed a sense of estrangement from him. Man as sword, sword as man.

"Their strength should not be underestimated."

As if forgotten by the entire world. Or should he try to make contact with the civilization here? Would this power of loneliness affect his true self and Huanzhen? Although Huanzhen's status was high enough, his true self's current strength was still unsatisfactory!

As he wandered through this ocean of relics, Sacred Fetus Li Fan suddenly remembered the actions of Dharma Transmission and Celestial Healer, who had transported fragments of worlds from the Star Sea to mend the Xuanghuang Realm. He temporarily put aside the thought of two surviving civilizations in the Dark Star Sea being pitted against each other. Although not completely eroded, Sacred Fetus Li Fan also felt various changes in his behavior and thoughts. The Xuanghuang Realm frequently spawned monsters, further blessed by the new laws of Dharma Transmission Celestial Venerable.

"He had temporarily escaped the danger of being swallowed."

Due to the power of loneliness, Sacred Fetus Li Fan's somewhat indifferent heart stirred once more with anticipation after learning of the new sparks of civilization. Sacred Fetus Li Fan was deeply shaken.

"Bing San, Qiri Suo?"

"Fortunately, my guess was correct: the closer I got to that immense power of the Star Sea, the weaker the influence of the 'Solitary Word Art' became on me."

Thinking this, Sacred Fetus Li Fan swallowed the last soul-nourishing treasure and then activated the Soul-Burning Art. From a mundane perspective, this was an utterly incredible feat.

"Having lived here for a long time, they must understand that immense power of the Star Sea better."

"Rather than running around like a headless fly, it's better to ask for guidance."

Sacred Fetus Li Fan's eyes flickered.