Chapter 1387: 天地炼大药

The way the Xuanhuang Realm transforms itself is highly unique. The "Incompatible Cultivation Law" transformation, which led to ancient cultivators slaughtering each other and countless sects being annihilated, was the Xuanhuang Heavenly Dao's counterattack against the new cultivators' insatiable consumption.

It was indeed effective, eliminating over ninety percent of cultivators at the time and plunging the Xuanhuang Realm into a cultivation wasteland era that lasted for thousands of years. Only with the return of cultivation methods, and the involvement of powers beyond the Heavenly Dao, did cultivators flourish once more. It can be said that the Xuanhuang Heavenly Dao actually won the struggle against cultivators. However, the subsequent reintroduction of cultivation methods intervened and reversed the outcome.

Since the "Incompatible Cultivation Law" transformation, the Xuanhuang Heavenly Dao had not initiated any targeted changes. For a long time, the Xuanhuang Heavenly Dao's vulnerable state caused most cultivators in the world to lose their reverence for it.

At this moment, Li Fan observed the surging changes in the Xuanhuang Realm and sighed internally, "From today onwards, the balance of power has shifted! I fear that in future confrontations, cultivators will be at a disadvantage."

"If they even have a future," he thought.

Perhaps Li Fan was the only one in the Xuanhuang Realm who knew why no new transformations had occurred for ten thousand years after the "Incompatible Cultivation Law" change. This was because Mr. Bai had sealed away a portion of the Xuanhuang's malevolent thoughts back then. Since then, the Xuanhuang Heavenly Dao was no longer complete, losing certain "characteristics."

In this life, Li Fan had long since returned the Xuanhuang's malevolent thoughts to heaven and earth, nourishing them with various methods. The long-standing deficiencies of the Xuanhuang Heavenly Dao were gradually being mended. Now, it was finally beginning to show its true formidable nature.

Li Fan's eyes flickered as he rapidly deduced in his mind, "Without the involvement of powerful external forces, the Xuanhuang Realm will evolve various mysterious changes to suppress cultivators. Perhaps the strangeness that once existed only in certain areas will now engulf the entire Xuanhuang Realm. Even more unique life forms, similar to the Flowing Light Radiant Clouds, might emerge..."

The complete Xuanhuang Realm's adaptability did not particularly surprise Li Fan. After all, if this suspected experimental ground created by the Immortal Realm were truly like an ordinary cultivation world, that would be illogical. Li Fan was more curious about how this power of change operated.

Time flowed by, and the grand formations left by the Immortal Realm long ago had lost their efficacy. Even the Nine-Star Crimson Pearl, the core of the formations, had vanished without a trace.

"It seems the Xuanhuang Realm can generate such changes entirely due to its inherent characteristics," Li Fan mused. He squinted, looking up and observing with great interest. Because of his sufficiently high favorability, the Xuanhuang Heavenly Dao offered no concealment, allowing Li Fan to observe to his heart's content.

The fusion of the 'Truth and Falsehood Transformation' and the power of the Immortal Formation allowed Li Fan to simulate various virtual personalities. These ranged from conscious avatars that loyally executed his commands to replacing the original consciousnesses of various semi-immortal artifacts and even minor worlds, serving as extensions of Li Fan's control. Their wondrous uses were endless.

However, Li Fan had experimented nearly a hundred million times, but one bottleneck remained unbroken. And in the foreseeable future, there seemed to be no possibility of progress. This bottleneck was that all created simulated personalities could only follow Li Fan's initial settings step-by-step.

This wasn't necessarily a bad thing, as it at least ensured these creations wouldn't spiral out of control. But Li Fan actually didn't much care about whether they went out of control. He even hoped these simulated personalities could bring him some special surprises. Unfortunately, so far, none had been able to do so.

"Like the Xuanhuang Realm, naturally generating adaptive changes based on real-world circumstances while preserving its own characteristics – this is what I want," he mused.

Li Fan's thoughts connected with the Xuanhuang Heavenly Dao, attempting to discern the source of this transformative power. He was certain that this mysterious power must have originated from the Immortal Realm's methods back then. If he could fully comprehend it...

"Even if the Star Sea were devoid of life, I would have an inexhaustible supply of subordinates, fearlessly pressing forward, sacrificing themselves to explore beyond the high walls!" Thinking this, Li Fan's heart burned with excitement.

However, after careful study, Li Fan discovered that even the Xuanhuang Heavenly Dao itself didn't comprehend the meaning of this transformative ability. It simply perceived it as an innate quality, without knowing its origin. "To thoroughly research this, I would probably need to dissect the Xuanhuang Heavenly Dao completely. It seems there's no chance in this life; I'll wait until the next," Li Fan murmured with a hint of regret. He shook his head slightly, feeling somewhat regretful.

Unaware that it had narrowly escaped a dissection, the Xuanhuang Heavenly Dao now pulsed with even greater vitality, thanks to Great Heavenly Venerate Wuming's widespread purges and wound healing. It was like a rough stone, constantly polished by various forces, finally revealing the hidden jade within.

"The Great Heavenly Venerate is in position; we can proceed to the next step," Li Fan thought. "After being tempered by fierce fire for so long, it's time to add more auxiliary alchemical ingredients..."

Li Fan flew to the center of the Xuanhuang Realm, standing with his hands behind his back, suspended in the void. With a slight shift in his thoughts, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth surged spontaneously, becoming his to command. Currently, the Xuanhuang Realm's Heavenly Dao trusted Li Fan implicitly; with just a slight gesture from Li Fan, the Xuanhuang Realm offered its full support. All the spiritual energy currents of the entire Xuanhuang Realm surged towards Li Fan's location.

A colossal, ethereal brush appeared before Li Fan. Like a giant whale drawing water, it absorbed all the world's spiritual energy. The ethereal brush gradually solidified. Then, propelled by Li Fan's will, it made a single stroke. Suddenly, a second great sun rose in the Xuanhuang Realm. The moment this sun appeared, the Xuanhuang Realm seemed to transition from winter into spring and summer.

A unique vitality surged from the mysterious character, subtly flowing to every part of the Xuanhuang Realm. This was precisely the character Li Fan had learned from the Immortal Boat! Like the rising sun, the vital energy resonated, and all things revived!

Under Li Fan's precise input and regulation, the character's power was just right. It was as if the Xuanhuang Realm had swallowed a powerful tonic; Li Fan could clearly see various strange phenomena arising throughout the world as vitality blossomed. Li Fan did not stop. He then redirected the vitality from the Star Sea's Fissure Depressions once more.

Although both were vitality, their natures differed. The vitality from the character was externally introduced and passively stimulated; improper control would be like playing with fire, turning vitality into a burial ground. The vitality from the Fissure Depressions, however, flowed from within outwards, silently nourishing. Even if a large amount was absorbed, temporarily exceeding its capacity, it would merely be stored without causing self-harm. Its drawback was that changes were too slow, requiring gradual progress.

The two types of vitality, one yin and one yang, complemented each other. Under Li Fan's subtle guidance, their combination gradually integrated truly into the Xuanhuang heaven and earth. The sky of the Xuanhuang Realm seemed to become even clearer.

As the character in the sky gradually dispersed, the vast spiritual energy attracted by Li Fan scattered once more, returning to its various locations. Through Li Fan's actions, the void created by cultivators' constant consumption over ten thousand years in the Xuanhuang Realm was completely replenished. Between heaven and earth, the fervent vitality was almost visible to the naked eye. All things flourished, competing in splendor!

However, Li Fan's alchemy continued. "Strike while the iron is hot, seize the moment!"

With the Xuanhuang Realm's burgeoning vitality, various changes naturally arose within it. The birth of new life within the realm was insignificant. The key was the gradual evolution of numerous grotto-heavens. With vitality present, it was natural for new grotto-heavens to be conceived, like flowers bearing fruit. However, the conception of each grotto-heaven would naturally draw away a portion of the Xuanhuang Realm's own power. As Li Fan intended to refine a great elixir using the Xuanhuang Realm, how could he allow such a thing to happen?

Just as he had previously severed the nascent Five Elements Grand Grotto-Heaven. Wherever Li Fan's gaze fell, numerous grotto-heavens turned to dust, transforming back into nourishment and merging into the Xuanhuang heaven and earth. Booming sounds continuously resounded.

The Xuanhuang Realm's Heavenly Dao did not, because of Li Fan's action of destroying the grotto-heavens, show the slightest reproach. Instead, subtle feelings of joy emanated from it. It was clear that it too was dissatisfied with the countless grotto-heavens evolving within itself, but due to its self-imposed limitations, it could only let them be. Now that Li Fan was taking action to help it purge these "parasites," it was more than delighted!

Ignoring the increasingly fawning thoughts from the Xuanhuang Heavenly Dao, Li Fan calmly observed the world. Things were by no means as good as they appeared to the Xuanhuang Heavenly Dao. Such an immense amount of vitality had suddenly erupted within the Xuanhuang heaven and earth. The initial evolution of grotto-heavens was a way to dissipate this abundant vitality. But now, this method of release had been mercilessly cut off by Li Fan. As a result, the Xuanhuang Realm was forced to absorb all the vitality. It swelled more and more, growing larger and larger. Ultimately, with a boom, it would burst! Like a furnace exploding during alchemy when one blindly adds ingredients without controlling the heat.

Of course, Li Fan would not let that happen. Before the Xuanhuang Realm could be overwhelmed by vitality and burst, he would decisively initiate the sublimation plan. Although there was currently ample vitality, if the "momentum" of the Xuanhuang Realm were to ascend even slightly, this vitality would be consumed in vast amounts. It wouldn't be nearly enough!

"Under high pressure, it's advisable to add auxiliary materials," Li Fan muttered. He observed for a while, ensuring the Xuanhuang Realm had fallen into temporary equilibrium. He then flashed to Luoyan Province. This was once part of the Heavenly Law Realm, now subtly integrated into the Xuanhuang Realm by Tian Yi. The realms' rejection reaction had nearly vanished. The fusion of the two worlds was on the verge of complete realization.

Li Fan lightly stepped on the ground, and a figure flew out from the hidden Great Array of Xuanhuang Beings beneath the earth. It was one of the Dao Harmonization cultivators previously selected as an alchemical guide.

"'Remnant realms as medicine, injected into Xuanhuang,'" Li Fan murmured. As Li Fan chanted softly, his form seemed to stretch infinitely upwards. He had already set up an ascension formation. However, he did not use the divine ability 'Nine Heavens Dustfall Finger.' Instead, from his elevated vantage point, he took out a world fragment obtained from the Remnant Realm Great Wall. From Li Fan's current perspective, the Xuanhuang Realm was merely the size of an ordinary person. The remnant realm, however, was shaped like a pill. Gently holding it, he slowly pressed it into the body of the Xuanhuang Realm.

Ascending to such an elevated position, the aura emanating from Li Fan made all beings in the Xuanhuang Realm tremble, even in their sleep. Even the Xuanhuang Realm itself dared not transmit even fawning thoughts anymore. It could only obediently cooperate, as if ancient memories had been reawakened within it. Cautiously, he successfully embedded the remnant realm. Li Fan's momentum then sharply dropped.

"'Go!' he commanded." He pointed lightly at the Dao Harmonization cultivator who was awaiting his orders. The Dao Harmonization cultivator, losing all control, exploded with a boom. There was no blood and gore; instead, a phantom image, akin to the soul of heaven and earth, instantly expanded ten millionfold. It formed a thin membrane, tightly encasing the remnant realm Li Fan had just implanted.

"'Rotate!' Li Fan commanded again." Streaks of dazzling light and shadow rapidly flowed within the phantom membrane. This was Li Fan utilizing the power of the Immortal Formation to help the phantom image devour and digest the encased remnant realm! The world fragment, which had endured ten thousand years of tribulation and still existed, now transformed into streams of light, pouring into the phantom membrane. But this was not its final destination. It was merely a transit point.

Above the sky, the phenomenon of the Dao Harmonization cultivator's demise began to manifest. However, compared to normal circumstances, this phenomenon of demise not only appeared very slowly, but also lasted for an exceptionally long time. As the phenomenon continued, the Dao Harmonization cultivator's process of returning to the Heavenly Dao progressed in sync. When the phenomenon completely vanished, that would be the moment the remnant realm was fully digested by the Xuanhuang Realm.

This was Li Fan's method: using the Dao Harmonization cultivator as a guide and buffer, and the remnant realm as medicine, to nourish the Xuanhuang! His approach and methods were learned from Tian Yi. Yet, he had undoubtedly surpassed his teacher!

Although the Dao Harmonization cultivator served as a buffer, this method was still too intense compared to allowing the Xuanhuang Realm to slowly absorb it itself. If it were the previously weakened Xuanhuang Realm, it definitely wouldn't have been able to withstand it. Only after this life, with the cumulative effects of Li Fan's various methods, had the Xuanhuang Realm's constitution become strong enough to withstand this prescription! This was merely a prerequisite.

Setting aside the compatibility between the remnant realms and the Xuanhuang Realm, obtaining suitable remnant realms from the Remnant Realm Great Wall was no easy task. Recklessly extracting remnant realms would cause turbulence in the Remnant Realm Great Wall and even the entire Star Sea. Action had to be taken at the appropriate moment. Li Fan's smoothness in this life was also supported by his experience from the previous one. More importantly, treating remnant realms as pills, such an effortlessly executed method might not be easily achieved even by Star Sea Grand Supremes. It was only with the blessings of True Immortal flesh and blood and the Immortal Formation that Li Fan could appear to perform it with such ease.

After completing one instance, Li Fan continued without pause. He continuously implanted the prepared remnant realms into various parts of the Xuanhuang Realm. Even though the power of these remnant realms had not yet begun to be absorbed by the Xuanhuang Realm, Li Fan could already vaguely perceive the changes about to erupt between heaven and earth.

"The Xuanhuang Realm is extremely special within the Star Sea. However, that doesn't mean it possesses all laws. Compared to the laws permeating the Star Sea, it still has some deficiencies. But these deficiencies can be rectified by consuming the remnant realms I provide. The principle is similar to how it devours immortal artifacts," he mused.

Li Fan's eyes shone brightly, and his movements were continuous. He stopped only when he perceived that the Xuanhuang Realm had reached its limit.

"Hmm, as it continues to strengthen, I can resume in a while. Repeat this process until it reaches its true limit. At that point, it will be time for its metamorphosis."