Chapter 1324: True Immortal You Awakens

Mo Rubing didn't immediately respond to Li Fan's suggestion. Instead, he pondered in silence for a long time.

He gazed at Li Fan, his eyes settling on the other's grizzled long hair. Perhaps swayed by Li Fan's sincere words and the fact that he truly didn't have long to live, Mo Rubing eventually nodded and agreed, "There's no objection."

Li Fan nodded with delight. "Excellent! With your assistance, Dao Brother, our efforts will surely be twice as effective!"

"In that case, let's head back to the Xuanhuang Realm first!"

The phantom of the wooden sword unsheathed, and Li Fan extended a hand, inviting Mo Rubing to step within.

Mo Rubing initially paid it no mind, but once he stepped inside the phantom's aura and felt its astonishing speed, his expression subtly shifted.

His view of Li Fan changed once more.

Finally, witnessing firsthand how the phantom's protection allowed them to disregard the Immortal Ruins' suction and successfully descend into the Xuanhuang Realm, Mo Rubing could no longer hold back. "It seems, Daoist Fellow, you are unquestionably one of the most formidable figures of this age."

Li Fan shook his head with a wry smile. "Though one might be peerless in an era, one cannot dominate for eternity. Besides, even with all sorts of magic, isn't lifespan still finite? This divine ability pales in comparison to the workings of fate."

Mo Rubing opened his mouth but remained silent.

Now that they had arrived in the Xuanhuang Realm, Mo Rubing's spiritual sense silently swept across the world. When he observed the state regions, expanded countless times over, and the towering white mist barrier between heaven and earth, even for the well-traveled Dharma King of the Xuantian Sect, a flicker of astonishment crossed his eyes.

After a long pause, he remarked with a touch of emotion, "If I hadn't truly sensed the lingering traces of the Grand Formation of Floating Traverse in the Starry Sky, I wouldn't have been able to connect this vast world before me with the ancient Xuanhuang Realm at all."

"Yet, in merely ten thousand years, the world has transformed to such an extent!"

Li Fan nodded. "When a world is on the brink of collapse, the transformation of all things accelerates hundreds, even thousands, of times faster than normal. I've observed these changes; they are swift as lightning, rapid as light. This is the Heavenly Dao's attempt at self-preservation…"

As Li Fan spoke, he casually conjured an illusion.

Within the luminous sphere, the Xuanhuang Realm was depicted in chaos: yin and yang disarrayed, stars obscured, mountains and rivers trembling, vegetation withered, and beasts scattering in terror. It was truly a scene of an impending apocalypse.

At that critical juncture of survival, the Xuanhuang Realm indeed underwent various reactive transformations: freezing cold, scorching heat, the swift passage of time, cataclysms from the heavens and earth…

At the crucial moment, Li Fan cleared his throat and dispelled the illusion.

A profound sense of loss instantly welled up within Mo Rubing.

He vaguely sensed that the imagery within the sphere truly concealed the principles of the world's evolution. For any cultivator, this was an unimaginable treasure. However, Li Fan's demonstration was too brief for Mo Rubing to fully comprehend.

Furthermore, his dignity as the Dharma King of the Xuantian Sect and an ancient awakened senior of the Xuanhuang Realm prevented Mo Rubing from shamelessly asking Li Fan to display it again.

"Perhaps after we successfully find Senior Brother Xuanyuan and become more acquainted…" Mo Rubing couldn't help but think.

"Of course, the reason the Xuanhuang Realm looks as it does now, besides the Heavenly Dao's own transformations, is also due to the clandestine intervention of the Dharma Transmission Heavenly Venerate," Li Fan stated truthfully.

"The Dharma Transmission Heavenly Venerate is highly likely to be a former Venerate from the Heavenly Law Realm. With the destruction of the Heavenly Law Realm, the Dharma Transmission Heavenly Venerate seeks to use the Xuanhuang Realm, the only remaining world in the Star Sea, to resurrect himself…"

"This 'Dharma Transmission' has spent thousands of years comprehending the Dao in the Star Sea. His power is unfathomable, perhaps reaching the very limits of the mortal realm. I am no match for him!"

"When we act, we must be wary of him. The Dharma Transmission Heavenly Venerate will never spare anyone or anything that could threaten his efforts to revive the Heavenly Law Realm," Li Fan sighed, offering a well-intentioned warning.

"This Dharma Transmission person isn't actually bad. It's just a pity he's destined to be an adversary of the Xuanhuang Realm." Mo Rubing observed the incongruous fragments of other worlds embedded deep within the Xuanhuang Realm. His mind had already accepted Li Fan's words to some extent.

"What a pity…" In truth, Mo Rubing still harbored a certain degree of goodwill towards this powerful figure, who was credited with the destruction of the Ten Immortal Sects.

However, witnessing the Xuanhuang Realm dismembered and reshaped, and hearing Li Fan's soft narration, that already faint goodwill instantly vanished.

"Don't worry, we'll proceed discreetly. We won't clash with the Dharma Transmission Heavenly Venerate until we've found Senior Brother Xuanyuan." Mo Rubing's gaze constantly swept across the world, as if detecting some faint traces.

After a moment, he frowned and said, "It seems the Grand Formation of Floating Traverse is indeed severely damaged. I can only detect faint residual energy, but manipulating it is now impossible."

"Half of it is due to the relentless march of time, and half is because of the series of major battles that took place when the Ten Immortal Sects used the Grand Formation of Floating Traverse to capture other cultivation realms back then. The formation sustained increasing damage, yet the cultivators of the Ten Sects lacked the ability to repair it. This ultimately led to its complete destruction…" Li Fan explained slowly.

"At least, according to my investigations, that's how it appears." Seeing the sharp glint that flashed in Mo Rubing's eyes, Li Fan shrugged and spoke with complete candor.

"How could those useless Ten Sects possibly manipulate the Grand Formation of Floating Traverse?! Unless…" A dangerously fluctuating aura suddenly emanated from Mo Rubing.

Li Fan subtly shifted, agreeing, "It must have been a Dharma King who betrayed the sect back then and divulged the manipulation method to the Ten Sects."

Mo Rubing's brows furrowed deeply, but he offered no reply.

After a long silence, he finally shook his head. "Not necessarily. Perhaps they were captured by the Ten Immortal Sects and interrogated under duress."

Hearing this, Li Fan was somewhat surprised by Mo Rubing's stance.

He knew that King Xuantian had entrusted the manipulation methods for various sub-formations of the Grand Formation of Floating Traverse to different Dharma Kings, as a precaution.

Mo Rubing was responsible for the Spirit Gathering Ascension Formation, which governs the Sea of Gloom. Ji Yuzhen, on the other hand, was in charge of the Transverse Golden Chains.

Perhaps sensing Li Fan's reaction, Mo Rubing couldn't help but explain his reasoning for defending them. "Senior Brother Xuanyuan once revealed to me that Ji Yuzhen and Luo Yichen were the ones in control of the Star-Locking Golden Chains…"

"Among the twelve, anyone could betray us. But those two, never," Mo Rubing declared with certainty.

Li Fan looked thoughtful. "In Dharma King Ji's memories, she deeply adored King Xuantian. And Luo Yichen…"

Mo Rubing nodded. "Precisely. It was only after her heart became devoted to Senior Brother Xuanyuan that Luo slew all her countless male consorts. From then on, her affections were solely for him."

Li Fan shook his head even more vehemently. "King Xuantian actually entrusted the same crucial task to these two women. That was incredibly unwise!"

"You're overthinking it, Daoist Fellow. The two of them share a very strong bond," Mo Rubing said with a slight chuckle.

Li Fan offered no further explanation.

As they chatted, the two decided on the first location to investigate King Xuantian's whereabouts.

It was none other than the Sea of Gloom.

The journey was nearly identical to his exploration in the previous life. After some effort, with Li Fan feigning inexplicable awe along the way, the two finally reached the central core of the Spirit Gathering Ascension Formation.

They were first struck with horror by the true immortal's corpse deep within the Sea of Gloom, and the faint, activated will of the true immortal to survive that it somehow emanated.

Recovering his composure, Mo Rubing paused slightly. "Hmm? It seems someone was here not long ago!"

Li Fan was inwardly surprised. He had meticulously hidden his traces during his previous visit, yet Mo Rubing had still detected them.

Yet, despite his surprise, he remained composed. Instead, a hint of delight appeared on his face as he hastily asked, "Was it King Xuantian?"

Mo Rubing, however, harbored no suspicion towards Li Fan.

After all, this place was sealed by a formation, a fortuitous immortal formation designed for gathering spirits and ascending to immortality, truly beyond the reach of ordinary individuals.

"However, there are indeed traces of someone having entered here previously, though they didn't manage to reach the very core where the true immortal's corpse lies…"

"Members of the Ten Immortal Sects died here. They were likely lured in and then killed by the true immortal's will to survive."

"Could it have been Elder Cui?"

Cui Zhiyuan was the other Dharma King who shared control of the Spirit Gathering Ascension Formation with him.

He speculated inwardly, but as Mo Rubing re-examined the activation traces of the formation, he felt a subtle sense of unease.

"It doesn't seem like the restriction was simply opened. It's more like a forceful breakthrough was achieved without damaging the immortal formation itself—overcoming skill with sheer power…"

"What's more, afterward, the formation was even improved to seal off the true immortal's will and prevent external intrusion."

Mo Rubing pondered for a long time, but the intruder's identity remained elusive.

Li Fan naturally perceived his confusion but saw no need to kindly inform him directly about the Dharma Transmission Heavenly Venerate's past actions.

Mo Rubing wrestled with the thought for a while, then finally decided to set the matter aside for now. He began by searching for King Xuantian's traces within the Sea of Gloom.

The central core of the Spirit Gathering Ascension Formation, resembling a circular observation chamber, suddenly illuminated within the Sea of Gloom. Undetectable waves emanated from it, rapidly diffusing throughout the Sea of Gloom.

Only after a considerable period did Li Fan sense these waves returning.

Mo Rubing remained expressionless, awaiting the complete results of the wave scan.

Evidently, King Xuantian was not present within this Sea of Gloom.

Noticing Mo Rubing's deeply furrowed brows once more, Li Fan couldn't help but offer reassurance. "Let's simply proceed to the next location."

Mo Rubing shook his head. "I didn't expect to find Senior Brother Xuanyuan so easily anyway."

"I just sense that there's something amiss with this Sea of Gloom."

Li Fan's heart stirred slightly. "What do you mean?"

"The Sea of Gloom was created upon the corpse of a true immortal. Although the true immortal has completely perished, it was a true immortal nonetheless, and its various abilities far exceed the imagination of us mortal cultivators."

"For instance, the self-generated will to survive that arises when it senses living beings intrude. The accumulated dark power here also seems to have subtly changed compared to how it was back then." Mo Rubing's expression was somewhat grave.

Following Mo Rubing's gaze, Li Fan too peered into the boundless darkness.

Mo Rubing continued in a low voice, "The true immortal has perished, and the dark power is now without a master. Yet, this power originated from the true immortal's corpse. While it was dormant, all was well. But then a trace of the true immortal's will to survive was inexplicably stirred…"

"Perhaps it is under the influence of this will to survive that the dark power has transformed."

Li Fan feigned intense shock. "The power of a true immortal is truly this terrifying? And what exactly do you mean by the changes in this dark power, Daoist Fellow?"

Mo Rubing replied, "It's still unclear. But one thing is certain: it is undeniably evolving towards a state conducive to the true immortal's revival. Even if a full resurrection ultimately proves impossible, the trend itself will persist."

"Do you recall the corpses we encountered along the way? Their vital essence had been completely drained, turned into nourishment for the true immortal's revival… Perhaps when this Sea of Gloom senses a life form useful for the true immortal's resurrection, it will initiate a similar attack."

"Fortunately, after being transmuted by the Spirit Gathering Ascension Formation, the dark power is influenced far less by the true immortal's remains than by its will. Things aren't as dire as I first imagined."

Li Fan agreed profoundly. "The energy accumulated in this Sea of Gloom is already so immense. If it were unleashed, it could perhaps instantly devour the entire Xuanhuang Realm, turning it into nourishment for the true immortal's revival…"

Mo Rubing cast a deep gaze at the Sea of Gloom, nodding in agreement. "If left unchecked, I fear such a day truly might come."

Li Fan asked curiously, "If, and I mean *if*, the entire Xuanhuang Realm were used as nourishment, could it truly resurrect the immortal's remains?"

Mo Rubing turned to look at Li Fan, remaining silent for a long moment.

There was no hint of malice in Li Fan's eyes, only pure curiosity about the unknown.

Mo Rubing mused for a long time. "From a pure energy level perspective, the current Xuanhuang Realm should suffice. After all, it has stitched together so many cultivation realms, even if they were merely shattered remnants after the cataclysm…"

"Though the world's living beings were destroyed, its essence remains."

"But even if it were to revive, it would likely be nothing more than an empty husk, a mere walking corpse. It wouldn't possess its own true consciousness…"

Li Fan nodded slowly. "A true immortal's physical body is still an extraordinary existence. If one could seize control of it, wouldn't that, in a sense, allow one to achieve true immortality in this current era?"

Mo Rubing smiled at Li Fan's audacious suggestion, not taking it seriously.

After their search of the Sea of Gloom proved fruitless, the two decided to proceed to their second destination: the Eye of the Heavenly Beast.

"The Eye of the Heavenly Beast can not only probe the Star Sea but also oversee Xuanhuang. It exists independently outside the Xuanhuang Realm, connected only by a profoundly mysterious link. If the Heavenly Beast were still alive, we could reach it directly. However, with the Heavenly Beast now fallen in battle, getting there will require considerable effort," Mo Rubing explained.

He then accompanied Li Fan to Jiushan State.

Gazing at the nine continuous mountain ranges towering between heaven and earth, a flicker of sorrow crossed Mo Rubing's eyes.

And then, just as in his previous life, they located the immortal artifact, the white jade flagpole, within the underground ruins.

"This is…"

"An immortal artifact?"

Li Fan feigned profound astonishment.

Mo Rubing shrugged. "Its immortal spiritual power is depleted; it's merely the empty shell of an immortal artifact."

"Nevertheless, using it to travel to the Eye of the Heavenly Beast won't be difficult."

Mo Rubing began setting up a formation, using the white jade flagpole as its central core.

"During my search for King Xuantian, I also encountered fragments of other immortal artifacts. However, just like this white jade flagpole, all of them had their immortal spiritual power completely dispersed. Some were even utterly shattered, as if they had endured a tremendous calamity."

"What kind of catastrophic scene did King Xuantian witness in the Immortal Realm back then? So severe that even the Immortal Realm couldn't escape it?" Li Fan mused, asking as he spoke.

Mo Rubing's hand paused slightly in his preparations, as if he too had become lost in memory.