Chapter 1272: Hundred-Secret Immortal Hidden Treasure

**Angry Squid**

**Chapter 1282****The Immortal Records Cache (7K)**

In this life, Li Fan had also once attempted to categorize the True Immortal Sigils he had encountered. However, that was from the perspective of the specific powers of various True Immortal Sigils, such as destruction, command, enhancement, and so on. Within the Immortal Severing Pagoda on the other side of the Star Sea, however, the classification was based on a novel perspective: whether the Dao depicted by the True Immortal Sigil had already been occupied by a True Immortal, or had once been occupied by one.

According to the descriptions in numerous documents within the Immortal Severing Pagoda, the difficulty and danger of cultivating by entering the Dao using these different types of True Immortal Sigils were incomparable. If the Dao was already occupied by a True Immortal, anyone attempting to enter the Dao through the sigil would instantly turn to dust and vanish without a trace at the moment of "attaining the Dao." This was unavoidable, no matter how powerful or talented they were. If there was no True Immortal on the Dao, then even with some side effects, mortals could still glimpse the grand Dao scene depicted by the True Immortal Sigil.

Li Fan carefully pondered the scattered insights of predecessors he could read, based on his current "contributions." There was a fundamental difference between this and the method of copying or attempting to draw True Immortal Sigils. The Immortal Severing Pagoda, and indeed the entire Profound Immortal Ark, didn't so much invoke the power of True Immortal Sigils as they used the Relics of World Annihilation to unleash residual immortal power.

The so-called "entering the Dao" was not truly stepping onto a True Immortal path. It was more like the body, spirit, and consciousness merging into the Relics of World Annihilation, acquiring certain characteristics born from their tempering over time, thereby allowing them to better draw upon the lingering immortal power of the Star Sea. After all, in the Darkest Star Sea, survival was the first priority. In the current Darkest Star Sea, external resources were scarce, and there weren't many living beings to begin with.

He also brought a torture record. Wang Hai's voice clearly conveyed his inner joy. As for the Ark, although it had never given up on encircling and suppressing these individuals, the Star Sea was vast, making capture incredibly difficult. After that incident years ago, that person never reappeared.

This time, Li Fan guided the Profound Immortal Ark to capture the Myriad Immortal Alliance's flying ark, not only to accumulate more merit for his current body but primarily to use the mouths of these Dao Harmonization cultivators from the Myriad Immortal Alliance to reveal the existence of the Transmission Heavenly Venerate. Undoubtedly, this was an opportunistic method. If the environment changed and there weren't as many residual immortal powers in the Star Sea, even if one could "enter the Dao," their unleashed power would be significantly weakened. However, Li Fan's method of copying the fundamental forms of True Immortal Sigils had no spatial limitations; it only depended on the caster's own strength and their level of comprehension of the True Immortal Sigils.

Wang Hai smiled: "If it were just that, I wouldn't be this excited or bother coming all this way just to share the good news with you. These so-called 'Spirits of Heaven and Earth,' in addition to the law powers of the cultivation world, also contain a significant portion of the foundational forces that construct the world."

Along with the outsider and the three Dao Harmonization cultivators responsible for guarding him, all disappeared unnoticed. "This is the fundamental difference in being able to witness the true legacy. They strive tirelessly to reproduce the origin from various appearances of the True Immortal Sigils. But I was fortunate enough to have long seen the true face of the origin, so approaching it from top to bottom is naturally incredibly smooth."

The Ark vibrated as the authorities were purged, leading to a small-scale internal strife. Although Li Fan firmly believed that the Ark's method was merely a clever trick, it was undeniable that for beings as insignificant as ants beneath a True Immortal, being able to harness power originally belonging to a True Immortal was entirely worth it.

Wang Hai nodded: "We fought it three times before finally breaking through its defenses. And we also expended quite a few relics."

Li Fan reread a document, thinking to himself. They had all once been members of the Profound Immortal Ark, some even among its highest authorities. However, several centuries ago, they were misled by an outsider and, through some unknown secret agreement, allowed this outsider to enter the Ark's most highly classified Immortal Records Cache. Unfortunately, the outsider's identity was extremely mysterious; perhaps only the Ark's defectors might know. Near the high wall, and also mysterious...

Li Fan scanned it, frowning slightly: "Is this flying ark really that strong? Dao Harmonization cultivators are like fodder..."

However, Li Fan wasn't foolish enough to do that. It was easier and safer to simply submit "insights" periodically for contributions, as he was doing now. After all, these were genuine insights into True Immortal Sigils, and even if the perspectives were bizarre, they were absolutely correct.

"If the cultivation world were a house, then these Spirits of Heaven and Earth could be seen as its pillars! And that is precisely what our Profound Immortal Ark lacks! With these replenished 'fuels,' our Ark can run smoothly for another hundred years!" Of course, this was merely Li Fan's current understanding, as someone who had personally witnessed True Immortal Sigils. The Ark's people would likely never agree. Unless Li Fan was willing to share the fundamental forms of the True Immortal Sigils. With the Ark's accumulated knowledge over millennia, if they could witness the true appearance of True Immortal Sigils, the Ark's overall strength would likely undergo a qualitative leap in a short period...

Without these research findings on True Immortal Sigils, the Profound Immortal Ark would likely have long since become just another ruin in the boundless Star Sea. Throughout the Ark, there was lingering resentment towards the outsider who caused the internal strife. The lost caches, in particular, were an eternal pain in the hearts of the Ark's people. After all, it's an age-old truth that one cannot allow others to sleep peacefully next to one's bed. This outsider had agreed merely to borrow the ancient secret records preserved there. However, after entering, they never emerged, even past the agreed-upon time. The Ark's people sensed something was wrong and hastily checked, only to be horrified to discover that many secret caches within the Immortal Records Cache had vanished.

Li Fan believed that if the Ark discovered that a powerful figure, very possibly an ancient enemy, was constantly hidden in the vast Sea of Shattered Realms far beyond the Sea of Relics, they would certainly try to investigate the situation there. As for the fate of the Immortal Alliance's Dao Harmonization cultivators, that was completely outside his consideration. Anyway, in the Profound Yellow Realm, they were merely expendable resources.

Li Fan looked up slightly, feigning ignorance: "What exactly are these Spirits of Heaven and Earth? Manifestations of world laws?"

"Brother Zhao, look, what happened on this flying ark is truly fascinating."

"But at least it wasn't a loss. The resources carried by each of those Dao Harmonization cultivators were truly extravagant. Not to mention the things stored inside the flying ark, those called 'Spirits of Heaven and Earth'..." He didn't expect to achieve anything substantial, but any additional information, even a shred, would be beneficial. For Li Fan, it was just a casual push with no cost whatsoever.

After lurking within the Profound Immortal Ark for so long, Li Fan finally figured out the identity of the mysterious cultivator he first encountered upon arriving in the Sea of Relics. But to Li Fan's surprise, three days later, the long-haired Dao Harmonization cultivator, Wang Hai, returned. And Li Fan could also use the Profound Immortal Ark to seize the opportunity to probe the true nature of Transmission and Celestial Physician. Although Li Fan wasn't certain if this outsider was truly Transmission, it didn't prevent him from creating the "possibility" that they were the same person.

"The ultimate victory might be built upon these seemingly insignificant pieces of information. The Ark and the Sacred Emperor are all my pawns for probing." They could only tolerate the existence of these people. The final outcome saw a small group of people escape the Ark. However, this group consistently refused to abandon the Ark, and given the vastness of the Darkest Star Sea with nowhere else to go, they consequently went into hiding within the Sea of Relics, hoping to one day launch a counterattack and return to the Profound Immortal Ark.

Besides Transmission and Celestial Physician, who else could it be? He chattered on, adding: "Even the flying ark itself can be dismantled to add to our Ark's structure. Brother Zhao's premonition this time has brought gains to the Ark that are absolutely comparable to dozens of relics!"

Li Fan continued to look down, perusing the documents: "I only care about specific rewards. By the way, what did the World Elder Council of the Profound Yellow Realm say? Although that 'fat meat' is a bit far, it could still be life-saving."

Wang Hai shrugged: "You still don't know those people on the Elder Council? They use the greater good and the Ark's future as excuses for everything. An expedition across the Star Sea..."

"I think they'll only do it when our Ark is truly at its wits' end."

Upon hearing this, Li Fan nodded thoughtfully: "It's a pity, though. I vaguely perceived that cultivators like those Dao Harmonization ones on the flying ark are already the peak fighting force of that Profound Yellow Realm. Even the stronger Immortality Realm cultivators number only a handful. If our Ark were to arrive, they would certainly have no power to resist..."

Wang Hai nodded in agreement, dismissively saying: "They are merely parasites clinging to the surviving cultivation realms. In my opinion, it wouldn't even require the Ark's full power; just three to five Dao Entrants could easily suppress this Profound Yellow Realm."

Wang Hai sighed again, regretfully saying: "It's just a pity the Elder Council won't allow it."

Li Fan didn't respond but asked again: "What's my reward? Surely, after such a huge contribution, the Elder Council won't give nothing?"

Only then did Wang Hai stop teasing and carefully took out a jade slip. The moment the jade slip appeared, Li Fan's gaze sharpened. He keenly noticed that the half-jade hairpin on Wang Hai's head was trembling incessantly. And the jade slip itself faintly emitted power fluctuations characteristic of True Immortal Sigils.

"This is..."

Li Fan quickly realized: "The jade slip itself is a Relic of World Annihilation?"

Wang Hai said somewhat proudly: "Precisely. This is the third Relic of World Annihilation jade slip our Ark has collected. Each time this jade slip is observed, a portion of the True Immortal power attached to it is consumed, making it exceptionally precious. The Elder Council really went all out this time."

"What is recorded in this jade slip?"

"I wish I knew too, but I don't have the qualifications. You'll know once you see it. Hurry, I need to retrieve it after you've finished reading." Wang Hai urged, looking enviously at the jade slip in Li Fan's hand.

Li Fan then, with solemnity, separated a wisp of his spiritual sense and delved into it. Relics of World Annihilation jade slips were a very special type among the Relics of World Annihilation. Unlike ordinary magical artifacts, subjected to years of True Immortal power immersion, Relics of World Annihilation jade slips themselves wouldn't be tainted with the power of True Immortal Sigils, but the True Immortal power would permeate the content recorded within the jade slip, causing it to undergo a certain "mutation," or rather, sublimation. The sublimated content experienced a qualitative leap, as if it had received guidance from a True Immortal. Mortal cultivation techniques transformed into True Immortal methods. Even simple writings, once touched by True Immortal power, would become entities capable of enlightenment. In short, Relics of World Annihilation jade slips were one of the few ways currently available to harmlessly come into close contact with a True Immortal.

As his spiritual sense entered the Relic of World Annihilation jade slip, the original content of the slip first flowed in. It was an ordinary method for tempering one's will. Judging by its grade, it was at most for the Soul Transformation stage. After finishing reading in an instant, what his spiritual sense perceived suddenly changed. The originally unremarkable text instantly seemed to come alive, twisting, alienating, and transforming into new characters. After some repositioning, a brand-new immortal technique instantly sprang forth.

"Hm?" Li Fan's heart subtly trembled, and he quickly studied this new method carefully several times. A feeling both familiar and strange slowly welled up within him as his understanding deepened.

"Immortal Heart Incantation?" "But not Profound Yellow." "Moreover... there are still subtle differences. After all, it wasn't truly deduced and personally transmitted by a True Immortal, but rather evolved by the jade slip itself. One could even say it's a weakened version of the Profound Yellow Immortal Heart Incantation." Li Fan secretly thought, feeling a hint of regret. Nevertheless, he maintained an appearance of great excitement and absorption.

As the floating characters in his mind slowly faded and finally disappeared completely, Li Fan reluctantly returned the Relic of World Annihilation jade slip, saying at the same time: "As expected of an immortal technique. With this method, I can be protected from inner demons in the future. Even the negative effects experienced when comprehending True Immortal Sigils will be greatly reduced." "Please also extend my thanks to the elders!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Hai subconsciously glanced at the Relic of World Annihilation jade slip in his hand. Then he forcibly suppressed the urge to peek. Not to mention there were Elder Council restrictions on it, preventing him from prying. Taking something without permission was a major taboo for the Ark. Even he, if he committed such an act, would only end up as living research material for immortal sigils.

"I owe this gain to you, Brother Wang, for constantly making connections for me. These are my insights, please accept them." Seeing the other's expression, Li Fan closed his eyes slightly, concentrated, and then astonishingly carved another jade slip on the spot, handing it over.

Wang Hai was overjoyed: "Many thanks, Brother Zhao! From now on, I'll go through fire and water for you!" After exchanging pleasantries, he directly took the jade slip and began to read it. Immersed in it, his face lit up with excitement. After a while, recovering from his insights, Wang Hai directly crushed the jade slip into powder in front of Li Fan.

This was the rule for knowledge dissemination within the Ark. Although there was no restriction against multiple people cultivating the same technique, cultivation methods, Dao arts, and various insights were still extremely precious resources. Just like the Relic of World Annihilation jade slip bestowed by the Immortal Severing Pagoda's Elder Council this time, only Li Fan was qualified to observe it; it could not be lent to others. However, after Li Fan finished viewing it and then transmitted his own insights, there was no such restriction.

However, since it had been passed on, the effect was certainly more than a little inferior to personal experience. Especially when it involved True Immortal power, even if the textual description was perfectly identical, without feeling the evolution of the profound power, both cultivation progress and the subtlety of comprehension would naturally be much weaker. Unless one was a rare genius capable of ignoring this inherent disparity, generally, those who received second or third-hand transmissions would be weaker than those who received it first-hand. It was precisely because this rule was strictly adhered to that Wang Hai destroyed the jade slip Li Fan had carved after reading it. After he left today, he would have the right to transmit this method again. However, if transmitted by him, it would already be a third-hand transmission, and its efficacy would be further weakened. If someone aspiring to cultivate this method wished to progress further, they would need to trace the transmission path upstream, pay a certain price, and beg the original transmitter. Whether they could obtain the true method would depend on their sincerity.

Li Fan had been lurking in the Profound Immortal Ark for over a decade and was already perfectly clear about its rules. After seeing Wang Hai's actions, Li Fan added another jade slip of insights as a gift, and only then did the two reluctantly bid farewell.

"Oh, right, among the five living Dao Harmonization cultivators from the Profound Yellow Realm, one of them is a bit peculiar. So, as a precaution, the Elder Council hasn't made a move on him yet. If you're interested, perhaps you could look into it." Wang Hai left with this ambiguous remark before departing.

Li Fan couldn't help but fall into contemplation. According to the Ark's rules, such a roundabout way of speaking was only used when involving the Ark's upper echelons or the other party's supporting forces. "The survivor..." "Could it be Lan Yu? After all, he's the only one who attained Dao Harmonization through ancient methods, making him worthless to the Ark. But 'peculiar' doesn't quite fit..." "Grand Master Tiandu?"

Li Fan, having an idea, straightened his somewhat disheveled clothes and headed out towards the Immortal Severing Pagoda's Elder Council. The Ark was now entirely built upon a Void Divine Tree, and after the Immortal Severing Pagoda gained actual control of the Ark, it relocated to the tree's summit. Wisps of green light, like the tips of branches and leaves, connected the various buildings of the Immortal Severing Pagoda. Standing in the void, one didn't need to fly; a mere thought could manipulate the green light to travel between different locations. Looking down, one could vaguely see the Dao Attainment Academy, Star Forging Workshop, and the newly built Sin Suppression Valley, among other places beneath the colossal divine tree. They appeared to float individually in the endless void, connected by the divine tree.

The giant Li Fan had seen before, pierced through its center by the divine tree, had been completely drained. Now, in its place, was a massive rabbit. This rabbit had a white body, black ears, and a human face. Although dead, its expression was one of profound compassion, as if it had witnessed something incredibly heartbreaking before its demise. This Human Emperor Rabbit, like the Dao Pursuing Giant before it, was part of the Profound Immortal Ark's Immortal Records Cache. The various materials collected in the cache came not only from the prosperous cultivation era before the Star Sea's destruction but also included many strange artifacts gathered by the Profound Immortal Ark during its millennia of wandering in the Darkest Star Sea.

Li Fan's gaze imperceptibly drifted over the Human Emperor Rabbit's nearly withered body, his thoughts, however, wandering to the Ark's caches. If there was anything on the Ark worth plotting for, it was probably this Immortal Records Cache.

"Perhaps, also, the traces of the other half, the Merchant Immortal Ark." Li Fan suddenly thought this. As a former part of the Profound Merchant Immortal Ark, although the Profound and Merchant halves had been out of contact for a long time, they could still occasionally sense each other's presence. However, any information about the Merchant Immortal Ark was the Profound Immortal Ark's highest secret. Even within the Immortal Severing Pagoda's Elder Council, only the three core members were qualified to know. Li Fan had lurked for over a decade, only incidentally hearing a phrase or two during an Elder Council meeting he was permitted to observe.

"I wonder what the specific situation of this Merchant Immortal Ark is like, its secrecy level is even higher than that of True Immortal Sigils..."

As Li Fan pondered to himself, he had already arrived at the summit of the Void Divine Tree, where the Immortal Severing Pagoda's Elder Council resided. The first thing Li Fan did, naturally, was to visit his "teacher." Within the Profound Immortal Ark, lineage and factions were highly valued. Wang Hai repeatedly ran errands and delivered messages for him, naturally because both Li Fan and Wang Hai were disciples of the Immortal Severing Pagoda's Third Elder, Ai Tianjue. And this Ai Tianjue had an even closer relationship with Li Fan, because Ai Tianjue also originated from the Dao Attainment Academy. However, to research new methods of entering the Dao, he joined the Immortal Severing Pagoda after leaving the academy and remained obscure, rarely known. It wasn't until results were achieved and the Immortal Severing Pagoda successfully seized control of the Ark that Ai Tianjue reappeared in the public eye.

"Greetings, Teacher." Li Fan bowed respectfully, his expression normal, and then truthfully elaborated on his insights from the Relic of World Annihilation jade slip he had just received. Any gains made by a student had to be reported and submitted to their teacher. This was, naturally, also a rule of the Ark.

After listening to Li Fan's explanation, Ai Tianjue nodded slightly: "I have also seen this jade slip. Your talent is indeed extraordinary; you've already grasped seventy to eighty percent of its essence." Li Fan respectfully bowed again, thanking his teacher for the praise.

"But don't rely on it too much," Ai Tianjue's tone suddenly shifted. "You must understand that inner demons are both calamities and opportunities. Even if one can use marvelous methods to cut down inner demons, they are endless and revive after being cut. Relying on the Immortal Heart Incantation to pacify them is ultimately an inferior approach." "It would be better to transform them into cultivation resources; that would be far more beneficial for your practice..." Ai Tianjue said unhurriedly. While lecturing Li Fan, he was also writing something on a piece of white paper. As expected of one of the Immortal Severing Pagoda's top powerhouses, his mere words could even provide inspiration to the current Li Fan. Li Fan listened attentively, his gaze not prying into Ai Tianjue's writing in the slightest. After Ai Tianjue finished his lecture, he still did not stop writing. It wasn't until half a day later that he finally put down his brush.

"Look at this character; how well is it written?" Ai Tianjue said to Li Fan. Only then did Li Fan look up. He saw that on the white paper was, astonishingly, a "complete" True Immortal Sigil. This was Li Fan's reaction upon first sight.

"Fall..." Concentrating and continuing to observe, a sense of wistful loss welled up in Li Fan's heart: "What a pity." "It's not a complete True Immortal Sigil. Only eighty to ninety percent of it has been restored." "But to be able to comprehend this much from a pile of scattered fragments is truly remarkable..." Li Fan thought to himself that he certainly couldn't achieve this level on his own.

After a moment of thought, Li Fan spoke of his insights into the character "Fall": "This fall is not a fall of mind or spirit. Rather, it is the fundamental fall of all things. A descent from higher levels to lower levels." "True Immortals become cultivators, cultivators become mortals, mortals turn to dust..." For just one character, Li Fan spoke of his insights for half a day. And it was still far from complete.

After Li Fan finished, Ai Tianjue first pointed out several errors in Li Fan's words, then sighed softly: "Comprehending a True Immortal's sigil is like viewing a mountain from a galloping horse." "This 'Fall' character was sixty to seventy percent restored by the Ark a millennium ago. A thousand years have passed, and the progress has only increased by one percentage point." "The closer one gets to the true meaning of the immortal sigil, the slower the progress. And even if there's just a tiny difference, the power gap compared to a genuine True Immortal Sigil is immense." "One can see the path ahead but cannot step onto it. How difficult is the immortal Dao!"

Hearing Ai Tianjue's sigh, Li Fan immediately felt something was off. This didn't sound like something his research-obsessed teacher would say. "Teacher, why do you say that?" Li Fan didn't hide his curiosity and asked immediately. Ai Tianjue then revealed the reason.

"That Profound Yellow Dao Harmonization cultivator, Lan Yu, cultivates a true immortal technique." "Myriad Tribulations Feather Transformation Art..." "My heart longs for it!" Ai Tianjue sighed deeply again. These words immediately sent a shock through Li Fan's heart. He knew how discerning his teacher's eye was; if he said it was a true immortal technique, then it must be an authentic immortal-grade cultivation method, just like the Profound Yellow Immortal Heart Incantation.

But... How could that be? Lan Yu? Didn't he cultivate the Heavenly Capital Feather Transformation Art? In an instant, Li Fan's eyes narrowed slightly, countless thoughts flashing through his mind. His verbal response, however, was quick: "Since Lan Yu has fallen into the Ark's hands, doesn't that mean this immortal technique now belongs to our Ark?" "Then what is there for Teacher to regret?" He feigned confusion.

Ai Tianjue smiled and shook his head: "That Profound Yellow Realm has a rule preventing multiple people from cultivating the same technique. Although the Ark is far from the Profound Yellow Realm and isn't subject to this restriction, the immortal technique Lan Yu cultivates also has a similar constraint." "To cultivate the Myriad Tribulations Feather Transformation Art, one needs the Feather of Myriad Tribulations as a guide. Without this treasure, no matter how astounding one's talent, they cannot begin."

Li Fan paused slightly. "The Feather of Myriad Tribulations has already merged with Lan Yu; it's not something we can separate." "So even if the immortal technique is right before our eyes, we can only see it, not cultivate it!" Ai Tianjue shook his head again: "This situation is actually similar to the only recorded immortal technique in our Profound Immortal Ark's caches."

Li Fan also put on a thoughtful expression: "It's not just cultivation methods; is it the same for True Immortal Sigils? If a True Immortal occupies it, others cannot cultivate it..." Ai Tianjue waved his hand, clearing the writing from the table, his expression unreadable: "That's why, that day, a feeling suddenly surged within me that perhaps not comprehending this True Immortal Sigil entirely was a good thing." "Otherwise, there would surely be another period of bloodshed within the Ark."

Li Fan fell silent upon hearing this.

"Speaking of which, the emergence of that rule in the Profound Yellow Realm, that cultivation techniques cannot be shared, is quite interesting," Ai Tianjue suddenly remarked. Li Fan looked at his teacher. He saw him mutter to himself: "This restriction should be unique to the Immortal Realm. It shouldn't be something a lower realm's Heavenly Dao could evolve..."

(End of Chapter)