Chapter 1260: Shaking Uniqueness

Within the rather dim mural, the nine red beads arranged like stars stood out prominently. Like a multitude of eyes, they eerily fixated on Li Fan.

As this thought arose in Li Fan’s mind, he truly felt as if the myriad red beads on the mural had come alive, and a peculiar aura surged forth from them. It was neither righteous nor evil, both ancient and weathered, yet truly like new life. What shook Li Fan most was that even the mere illusory image left by the mural caused a portion of his soul avatar to be absorbed and assimilated.

Li Fan tried numerous methods, but none could stop it. Only by utilizing his source essence was he able to counteract the effect of the nine-star red beads.

“What exactly are these nine-star red beads?”

“If the image alone is so potent, were the actual beads present, even the protection of source essence would likely be useless.”

“Hmm…”

Li Fan then calculated what might happen if one were absorbed by the red beads.

“It wouldn’t cause substantial harm to a living being, but it would leave a unique imprint on the soul and even the life essence of every absorbed being. And this is merely the effect of the nine-star red beads themselves.”

Li Fan’s gaze once again focused on the empty area where the nine-star red beads should have been.

This device, after all, was part of the Xuanhuang Realm Protection Array.

“Indeed, this method would only create existences akin to replicated clones. A person’s ultimate achievements are still intimately tied to their individual experiences.”

“Uncertain variables, infinite possibilities.”

“Original individuals are identical, life experiences are identical…”

Upon realizing that beings like himself were mere creations, modifications, and replications at the whim of True Immortals, an inexplicable feeling welled up within him, despite possessing the ‘Reverting to Truth’ artifact.

“Even if it’s achieved through the Ring of Uncertainty and the nine-star red beads, it’s still incredibly impressive.”

“From another perspective, perhaps the original version of this array in the Immortal Realm was even more potent. Without the support of immortal spiritual energy, some crucial array nodes lost their efficacy, forcing the use of this wondrous object as a substitute.”

“The imprinted nine-star red beads.”

“This is the true method of the Immortals, inconceivable, and truly a power that only creation deities could possess.”

“The information of unique living beings is all recorded. This means that if the conditions for energy and technical means are met, recreating any historical figure that has ever existed in Xuanhuang history would be no issue.”

The ‘Return’ character technique differs from True Immortal seal scripts like ‘Chaos’ and ‘Hunger’. Not only is its power manifestation distinctly different, but it also cannot be poorly imitated or cast as a degraded version.

“Based on my previous discoveries, it’s highly probable that the red beads were recalled by the ‘Return’ character technique. However, if this event occurred after the Immortal Realm’s great calamity, with no place to return, the red beads should have naturally returned to the Xuanhuang Realm. It was during this very process that they were forcibly seized.”

“To create myriad forms of life…” A peculiar glint appeared in Li Fan’s eyes.

Li Fan squinted, examining the utterly bizarre device.

“In the Xuanhuang Realm, there exists the Tablet of Creation, recording every event in the world.”

Li Fan gave a self-deprecating laugh.

“But…”

After comprehending the underlying principles, Li Fan became even more curious about the current whereabouts of the red beads.

“What an intricate array!”

This deduction, at first glance, seemed somewhat incredible. However, when combined with the current understanding of the Xuanhuang Primordial Realm Protection Array, it was the most factually consistent conclusion.

“But now…”

According to his calculations, the purpose of this central hub of the Xuanhuang Primordial Realm Protection Array was to brand all newly born beings in the Xuanhuang Realm with a special imprint via the nine-star spherical beads. Subsequently, through the Ring of Uncertainty, these imprints within the beings’ life essence could be adjusted to a certain degree.

“The nine-star red beads, without a doubt, likely existed since the very birth of the Xuanhuang Realm. All indigenous beings of the Xuanhuang Realm were forcibly branded by them. In other words, it’s highly probable that all data pertaining to the unique life characteristics of Xuanhuang Realm beings is stored and recorded within the nine-star red beads…”

“The strictness of immortal regulations is evident. Even after the Immortal Realm’s destruction centuries ago, the rules persist.”

After all, this was the first time he had truly witnessed a powerful array capable of manipulating life forms.

Even though he had already witnessed the Xuan-Yuan Primordial Spirit Array—an immortal-grade array capable of recreating earth, fire, water, and wind, and remaking the world—Li Fan still sincerely expressed his admiration after comprehending the principles of the array before him.

“Such a tremendous expenditure of effort indicates that the mastermind behind this matter cannot directly employ the ‘Return’ character technique; instead, they, like me, must rely on indirect means to achieve their goals…”

“The nine-star red beads are the key.”

Its profound essence would certainly not deviate too much from the array’s core purpose.

Li Fan simply simplified this circular device, viewing it as part of an unknown array unit. He then integrated it into the realm-protection array model, which had been calibrated with actual array data by the Terminal Disintegration Disc.

As if an unseen entity was subtly obstructing him, Li Fan’s current cultivation was utterly insufficient to even write it, let alone merely transcribe it, thereby giving rise to diverse temperaments, talents, and so on.

Li Fan’s mood suddenly grew heavy.

“Once completely identical individuals are created, then according to the Tablet’s records, all past experiences of that individual can be perfectly reproduced.”

“I view the beings of Xuanhuang as mere playthings. True Immortals must surely view me the same way.”

“The ring is in place, but the red beads are nowhere to be seen…”

Of course, this was merely an exclamation from Li Fan, made in a moment of extreme mental shock. It was not his true inner thought.

After tens of thousands of iterative data derivations, Li Fan deduced the most probable purpose of this circular nine-star device.

His thoughts settled, returning to the previous topic.

“This…”

“The life ultimately created would be identical.”

The final answer of his deduction left Li Fan in stunned silence.

The Du’e Sect’s discovery unequivocally indicated that, since its creation in ancient times, the Xuanhuang Realm had been under strict surveillance. And now, it wasn’t just surveillance. The entire Xuanhuang Realm was more like a vast experimental ground. The nature of the experiment was truly chilling.

“If this conjecture is true, then the Immortal Realm’s purpose in doing this was to cultivate a unique cultivator? Once the goal was achieved, countless target existences could be mass-produced based on the data rigorously monitored and recorded.”

Suddenly, the faces of the cultivators who had left their names in Xuanhuang history flashed before Li Fan’s eyes. Xuanyuan Hong, Su Bai, Xu Ke… And He Zhenghao, Xiao Fan, Zhang Haobo. All these individuals, and more, could be recreated.

Without unique characteristics, could a person still be considered human? Even with ‘Reverting to Truth’ allowing him to constantly return to predetermined anchor points, Li Fan believed that every person he had encountered possessed their own unique essence. He Zhenghao was He Zhenghao. King Xuantian was King Xuantian, and Mr. Bai was Mr. Bai. Even if they were NPCs, they were distinct individuals with names.

But now…

The world Li Fan knew had suddenly changed. Behind every NPC, there could be countless copies. He didn’t even need to press the ‘Reverting to Truth’ button; these entities could swap themselves out. Even if destroyed ten thousand times, as long as the original data wasn’t lost, they would be recreated again.

He had always thought it was a single-player world where he was the only player. Now, however, it had become an online game played by countless players. This filled Li Fan with an almost uncontrollable nausea.

The more he thought about it, the more his head spun. Everything in the world transformed into distorted, swirling lines, vibrant with color. Interspersed with the whispers of unknown evil gods, gradually eroding Li Fan’s mind. Even with the blessing of the Xuanhuang Immortal Heart Mantra, he could not maintain a stable and unyielding Dao Heart. Li Fan’s soul avatar shook violently, slowly disintegrating like roots dissolving in water.

“Ugh… ugh…”

His figure turned illusory, yet Li Fan merely bent over and retched like a helpless mortal.

This sudden turn of events utterly bewildered Sun Luyao. He had no idea why this incredibly mysterious and powerful senior had suddenly devolved into such a state merely by thinking.

“Ugh…”

Li Fan’s retching grew more violent. What he expelled was not physical filth, but his own essence, energy, and spirit.

“Senior…”

This scene filled Sun Luyao with a deep, primal fear. As if something truly terrible was about to unfold.

“Ugh…”

Li Fan’s retching gradually subsided, transforming into soft coughing, which then transformed into a low, slightly deranged laughter.

Along with the ferocious laughter came Li Fan’s murmured soliloquy.

“Senior… what are you saying?” Sun Luyao’s spine, and he couldn’t help but ask.

“Hehehe…”

“Hehehehe…”

“Hehehehehe…”

“That’s why I say, it’s good that you all died!”

“With everyone else dead and only I remaining, that is the most perfect situation.”

Like the whispers of a demon from the depths of the Nine Underworlds, Li Fan, amidst his murmurs, locked his divine sense onto Sun Luyao. Even to Sun Luyao, these few sentences seemed somewhat nonsensical, but they still sent a deep, bone-chilling cold through him.

Just as he was about to say something more, however, Sun Luyao was horrified to realize that the core energy source of the array within him inexplicably began to riot. As if, in the next moment, he would be utterly destroyed in a self-inflicted rampage.

After the initial panic and bewilderment, Sun Luyao finally comprehended what was happening. He looked at Li Fan with a mix of disbelief and horror: “Senior, why?”

Li Fan’s gaze was completely different from what he had seen before. It was pure, unadulterated indifference. In Li Fan’s eyes, Sun Luyao truly seemed to not exist at all.

Inside the Boundless Mirror, the recently shattered and reassembled body was disintegrating inch by inch. And as the spirit of the Boundless Mirror, Sun Luyao was powerless to stop it. Realizing he was about to perish, and experiencing the taste of death once again after so many years, Sun Luyao utterly lost his composure. He exhausted every possible method, desperate to save his own life.

“Senior, spare me! I am your most loyal servant; I will do whatever you command!”

“Senior, I was wrong! I shouldn’t have harbored ulterior motives; I deserve to die ten thousand deaths!”

“Senior, please spare me! I’m still useful! The ruins of the Xuanhuang Realm Protection Array haven’t been fully explored yet; I still have value!”

Sun Luyao’s desperate pleas became increasingly rapid, ending in bitter tears and continuous wails.

“Senior, let me live a little longer! Let me…”

Like a cockroach easily crushed underfoot, Sun Luyao’s life came to an abrupt end. The ancient mirror surface, which had previously glowed with spiritual luster, suddenly dimmed. It fell, lifeless.

“Still so noisy even at death’s door; perhaps you should simply never appear again…” Li Fan’s eyes were pitch black. After a slight turn, he murmured, a hint of madness in his voice.

A single, simple sentence sealed Sun Luyao’s fate. Not just in this lifetime, but from now on, for all eternity. As long as Li Fan existed, Sun Luyao would never again appear in the main narrative. There would be no more Sun Luyao. There were still Sun Lufei and Sun Luchang. It was merely a change of designation, making no difference to Li Fan whatsoever.

Sun Luyao, appearing for the last time with unseeing eyes, likely never imagined that everything had been perfectly fine moments before. He had been helping the senior complete the exploration and analysis of the ancient Primordial Xuanhuang Realm Protection Array. And the next moment, his very existence would be forever erased. The fundamental reason for all of this was simply that he had witnessed Li Fan’s unsightly display during a moment of psychological breakdown.

Perhaps ‘psychological breakdown’ isn’t the most accurate description. Ever since acquiring ‘Reverting to Truth’ and personally experiencing the supreme power of resetting everything, there was almost nothing that could truly inflict spiritual harm upon Li Fan. Even the so-called True Immortals, or even the nameless True Immortals, were no exception. Indeed, the power of True Immortals could pose a lethal threat to him, but that was merely by interfering with his methods, preventing ‘Reverting to Truth’ from occurring, and not affecting ‘Reverting to Truth’ itself. Li Fan had always believed that as long as the supreme authority of ‘Reverting to Truth’s one-click reset remained unshaken, his mental defenses would stay unbreachable and truly unaffected. Nothing could overcome the simple thought: ‘It’s just Reverting to Truth anyway.’

But today, Li Fan encountered something that could genuinely harm him. Because his uniqueness was challenged. Although this uniqueness hadn’t originally existed for him, having been bestowed by ‘Reverting to Truth’, it was still utterly unbearable for him. After struggling and persevering for a short while, his defenses finally broke.

Yet Li Fan, as Grand Master Li, was worthy of his title, having endured countless reincarnations and thousands of tribulations. He didn’t remain collapsed for long, quickly completing his self-adjustment. Indeed, those True Immortals could do to mortals precisely what Li Fan did. But they were all dead. Dead! In this world, after all, he was still the sole player remaining.

Upon this realization, Li Fan slowly returned to normal. As for the unfortunate Sun Luyao… And the partially explored Primordial Xuanhuang Realm Protection Array… They could simply be dealt with in the next life. To Li Fan, it was entirely inconsequential.