Chapter 1411: Dao Yan Gu Moves Forward

Chapter 1414

Chapter 1414

Chapter 1419

“Ultimately, whether one can survive is what truly matters,” Di Sanmo said with profound gravity.

Within the Great Rifting Vortex, winds raged, clouds surged, and torrential rain poured year-round. Any trace of the former Mount Nanming had long vanished into the river of history.

After a long silence, Di Sanmo spoke again: “Aside from evading the pursuit of that nameless True Immortal of the human race, the ensuing world-ending cataclysms have also forced us into constant flight. Although we've been lucky enough to always find Ancient Essence Springs to help us leap and escape, certain facts we've uncovered have inevitably fostered pessimistic sentiments within us.”

“To prevent these emotions from fatally impacting our race, Di Yi chose to fractalize and evolve them, then let them flourish or perish on their own…”

Li Fan, of course, was aware of the powerful yet incredibly strange and diverse demonic beasts within the demon race. He keenly caught the key word in Di Sanmo’s statement: “Facts?”

“Countless futures, infinite possibilities. This was our general understanding of all worlds. However, through repeated leaps for survival, we began to doubt this understanding. Theoretically, each leap should take us to a completely new possibility. The time node we arrive at within that possibility should also be random. For instance, if we were lucky enough, we could entirely arrive in a world where the Twelve Primordial Dao Forms had not yet been slaughtered and our race remained prosperous.”

“Perhaps our luck isn't good enough, as we've never encountered such a world. If that were the only issue, it would be fine, but…”

Di Sanmo’s expression grew extremely serious: “What truly frightens us is that the time node we arrive at after each leap and descent continually shifts forward. Although we've jumped possibilities, it seems we haven't reversed our position in the time dimension.”

“This is precisely why I always use 'possibility' instead of 'timeline' to describe it.”

Li Fan and Qiao Sidao both instantly understood the meaning behind Di Sanmo’s words.

Qiao Sidao lowered his head in contemplation, concealing the fear in his heart.

Li Fan, meanwhile, recalled the fact that every time he activated 'Huanzhen', it reset the time node of the entire mortal realm.

“The Tribulation of Dao Annihilation is not merely destroying countless possibilities. It also seems to be engulfing the entire river of time in the mortal realm, starting from its source.”

“It's as if no matter how I activate Huanzhen, I can never return to before the anchor year 1.”

“Thinking further, if such a miraculous item as Huanzhen didn't exist in the mortal realm, wouldn't that mean…”

“There's no escaping the calamity?” Li Fan’s eyes flickered.

If Di Sanmo’s words were true, then the scale and terror of the Tribulation of Dao Annihilation, as well as the importance of Huanzhen, would likely far exceed his imagination.

But Li Fan had never personally crossed possibilities without the aid of Huanzhen. Therefore, he couldn't confirm the veracity of the information Di Sanmo provided.

It was even possible that the demon race was simply too unlucky, and every time they crossed possibilities, they just happened to always move towards the “future.”

In an instant, countless thoughts flashed through Li Fan’s mind. However, with no way to verify them currently, idle speculation was useless. He then steered the conversation back to the ruins in the Xuanhuang Realm where the Ancient Essence Springs were discovered.

Li Fan asked Di Sanmo to describe the location and detailed circumstances of the ruins.

With a slight stir in his heart, he conjured a map of the primordial Xuanhuang Realm in the air before him, and pointed to a central spot: “Is it right here?”

Di Sanmo examined it carefully for a moment, then nodded.

Li Fan immediately had a vague answer.

The location of the Ancient Essence Springs should be the core of the ancient immortal formation array in the Xuanhuang Realm. Its antiquity predated even Emperor Xuantians's Floating Star Sea Array, tracing back to the very beginning of the Xuanhuang Realm’s creation.

“My previous conjecture was that the Xuanhuang Realm was originally created to serve as an experimental ground for studying how to resist the Tribulation of Dao Annihilation. For instance, the high degree of similarity between Mo Sha and the black mist of the Tribulation of Dao Annihilation, as well as the countless Mo Sha-like figures that vaguely appeared when the black mist of Dao Annihilation spread like a flood in the life before last. All of these, in some way, undeniably confirm my hypothesis.”

“However, my previous understanding of the Tribulation of Dao Annihilation was limited to simple black mist, without realizing this great calamity could even affect countless possibilities.”

“I've only truly encountered the Tribulation of Dao Annihilation for a short time. In the former Immortal Realm, there were even nameless True Immortals. They must have had an understanding of the Tribulation of Dao Annihilation that was just as deep, if not deeper, than that of the demon race.”

“It's also understandable that an experimental ground capable of traversing timelines was left behind in the Xuanhuang Realm.”

Li Fan couldn't help but recall again the scenes from the True Immortal's memories he had once seen within the True Immortal's flesh.

“…Qionglang Starfield…Annihilated…Guard…”

“…Find the target.”

When his understanding of the Tribulation of Dao Annihilation reached a certain level, he looked back at these words. Li Fan once again perceived certain information he hadn't been able to grasp before.

“The Immortal Realm wasn't entirely powerless against the Tribulation of Dao Annihilation. The Tribulation of Dao Annihilation didn't suddenly and violently engulf all existence across an entire possibility; instead, it was a gradual fall of different regions. Perhaps this was due to the Immortal Sky Pillar, forged from the corpse of a nameless True Immortal.”

“Moreover, after hearing the news that the Qionglang Starfield was submerged by the Tribulation of Dao Annihilation, I didn't sense any particular panic in the True Immortal's memories. Evidently, the people of the Immortal Realm at that time weren't so pessimistic about the Tribulation of Dao Annihilation.”

“I just don't know what happened later that caused the Immortal Realm to suddenly collapse and perish.”

As his thoughts drifted, Li Fan thought of even more.

The Tribulation of Dao Annihilation completely engulfed possibilities. Even the lofty Immortal Realm had vanished within the Tribulation of Dao Annihilation. Under normal circumstances, the lower realm's star seas should have long since disappeared too.

Yet, they still managed to endure for ten thousand years…

“Perhaps it's related to the vibrant civilization I saw beyond the high wall of the Utmost Dark Star Sea.”

Li Fan mused slightly to himself.

The situation he currently faced was precisely like when he was still a mortal, leaving Dà Xuán and arriving in the Xuanhuang Realm, and suddenly learning of the True Immortals of the Immortal Ruins, and even the invisible high wall.

“Looking too far ahead only distorts one's mind.”

“It's better to proceed step by step, and plan gradually.”

Li Fan fell into contemplation. Neither Di Sanmo nor Qiao Sidao dared to disturb him.

After a long while, Li Fan finally spoke again.

First, he said to Qiao Sidao: “You possess boundless theoretical knowledge, but your actual strength is virtually nonexistent.”

“In a chaotic world, cultivation is the only guarantee for survival and stability. You’ve been through many reincarnations; surely you understand this principle.”

“First, organize your knowledge and convert it into something practical for reality. Soon, I will find a tailored cultivation method for you…”

Qiao Sidao’s expression was serious as he bowed: “Thank you, Senior.”

Li Fan then turned to Di Sanmo: “Are you willing to work for me?”

With just a simple question from Li Fan, Di Sanmo had revealed so much, practically laying bare all the race’s secrets. Li Fan, who understood human nature well, naturally already knew what the other party was thinking.

Evidently, after witnessing Li Fan display the supreme power of True-False Transformation, Di Sanmo had entertained thoughts of allegiance and dependence. Thus, Li Fan asked straightforwardly.

Di Sanmo answered directly, bowing slightly: “I am willing to serve Senior, at your beck and call!”

Li Fan nodded slightly: “You possess the memory inheritance of the beast race spanning countless years, and your wisdom is extraordinary. Your knowledge is vast, even surpassing mine in some aspects. You would be perfect for advising me!”

“At this point, there’s nothing left to hide. I am precisely from another possibility, having arrived in this world!” Li Fan said in a deep voice.

Qiao Sidao showed a hint of astonishment.

Di Sanmo, on the other hand, looked as if he had expected it all along.

After all, the sudden appearance of this ‘True Immortal’ and Li Fan’s remark about “what kind of strength is required to cross possibilities” undoubtedly pointed to his unique nature.

“However, I didn't actively cross possibilities to come here,” Li Fan said, his brows furrowed as if lost in thought.

“The world I came from has many similarities with this one, yet it’s also subtly different. Although the Immortal Realm there was shattered, it left behind many orthodoxies in the lower realms, and its overall strength was far greater than here. There was even no immediate danger of the Tribulation of Dao Annihilation descending. Who would have thought…”

Li Fan’s face darkened: “One day, two extremely terrifying powerhouses suddenly descended. Their strength was far beyond mine! With a mere flick of their hands, they utterly destroyed my homeland! Even those with True Immortal strength were like ants before these two!”

“But for some unknown reason, these two powerhouses didn't seem to be allies. Soon after, they began to fight each other. The world convulsed, and I fled in disarray purely by instinct. In a daze, I found myself here…”

Li Fan’s words were harrowing.

From time to time, he conjured up images.

The scenes of crumbling heavens and earth, and utterly destroyed star seas, made Qiao Sidao and Di Sanmo’s expressions subtly change.

And when Di Sanmo saw the images Li Fan displayed of the wicked Su Bai and the Black Celestial Physician, his expression could not help but show horror.

Li Fan had been waiting for this, and his tone immediately shifted: “Oh? You seem to recognize these two?”

Di Sanmo dared not speak lightly, and after carefully distinguishing them again, he finally said: “These two should be supreme powerhouses capable of traversing possibilities on their own.”

“In the history of this world, these two also existed as peerless prodigies. One of them even lives to this day. Furthermore…”

Di Sanmo paused, then added: “They also have a significant connection with the actual controller of the Myriad Immortal Alliance, the Heavenly Venerate of Dharma Transmission.”

He briefly introduced the life stories of Su Bai and Tianyi to Li Fan.

Upon hearing this, Li Fan’s brows immediately furrowed: “So, it seems these two figures also exist in my world. However, with numerous sects and a constant emergence of prodigies, they weren’t particularly conspicuous.”

“Could it be that those two powerhouses were hunting down their counterparts from other possibilities?”

Li Fan’s words caused Di Sanmo and Qiao Sidao to exchange glances, their faces showing surprise.

Silence reigned for a long time again.

Li Fan looked beyond the Museum of Divine Treasures: “Those who haven’t reached the Immortal Realm are all mere ants. The Celestial Physician of this world is simply not worth worrying about. What I'm concerned about is whether those two powerhouses might also come here, following their senses?”

This question clearly exceeded Di Sanmo’s knowledge.

The beast of wisdom was unable to answer for a moment.

“It seems I can only strike first and kill that Celestial Physician,” Li Fan’s voice grew colder.

“I wouldn't advise you to do that, Senior,” Qiao Sidao suddenly spoke.

Li Fan looked at him, signaling him to continue.

“Let’s assume those two powerhouses are continuously hunting their own counterparts for some reason. And based on the experience from your world, Senior, this isn't the first time they've done so. It's clear they possess some secret technique that allows them to sense their own existence in other possible worlds…”

Qiao Sidao pondered, carefully choosing his words: “As Uncle Sanmo said, time across all possibilities maintains a certain degree of consistent forward movement. This means their hunting activities also consume ‘time’, even though they cross possibilities.”

“Since they cannot achieve simultaneous slaughter, it implies their hunts must occur in a sequential order.”

“The world we are currently in is temporarily safe because it hasn't been noticed by them yet.”

“If your killing, Senior, were to trigger a life-and-death sensation in the Celestial Physician's counterpart, it might inadvertently attract powerful enemies from beyond this possibility,” Qiao Sidao analyzed methodically.

Li Fan nodded slightly, quite satisfied.

Naturally, he wasn't truly going to kill the Celestial Physician.

After all, he now had a thousand ways to trap him, so why undertake a risky action that might attract the Black Celestial Physician?

He hadn't even revealed that the invisible high wall could, to a certain extent, block the Black Celestial Physician's senses. Li Fan had simply been testing the usefulness of both Di Sanmo and Qiao Sidao.

Now, it seemed they were quite good.

Di Sanmo also echoed: “Instead of taking risks, it would be better to imprison him. Using Ancient Essence Springs as energy can cross possibilities. This mysterious energy might, to some extent, shield against perceptions from beyond possibilities…”

This was something Li Fan hadn't thought of before.

Better safe than sorry. Li Fan prepared to integrate and utilize the Ancient Essence Springs within the formation array to seal the Celestial Physician.

The Disintegration Disk had already begun analyzing the Ancient Essence Springs.

Li Fan then looked at Di Sanmo again: “What are your thoughts on the Black Celestial Physician and the wicked Su Bai?”

“Why are figures who aren't even True Immortals in this world so powerful in other possibilities?”

Di Sanmo gave a wry smile: “Perhaps there aren't so many 'whys' in the world. It's like that nameless True Immortal who annihilated our race back then.”

“An ordinary nameless True Immortal who can fight one of the Primordial Dao Forms to a standstill is already considered a powerhouse. Yet that one could fight thirteen at once…”

“Before true powerhouses, there is no such thing as reason.”

Qiao Sidao offered a similar insight: “Throughout history, those who survive calamities are either chosen by fate or are absolute powerhouses.”

“I believe these two fall into the latter category.”