Chapter 1439: Long River Rowing Against the Current

The blood-robed man had barely finished speaking when everyone felt a sudden suction force emerge above the circular floating land. It was like a vortex abruptly formed, pulling them all into it.

Before being pulled into the vortex, Li Fan instinctively glanced again at the stone pillar on the blood-robed man's shoulder.

The moment the man lightly patted the pillar, Li Fan sensed an extremely faint, synchronized tremor within the Dao net.

"A Pillar of the Grand Dao? Or perhaps, it *is* one of the Grand Daos itself?"

"To be able to shoulder a Grand Dao, and look so effortlessly at ease... This person's power..."

"Is probably not inferior to Wu Ming!" Li Fan's heart tightened with awe.

The invisible vortex swallowed all twenty-eight newly appointed Immortal Hunters.

When they came to their senses, they were already in an unfamiliar starry sky.

Relevant information about the mission came through the Dao net.

"The True Immortal is expected to arrive here in half an hour."

"Use the remaining time to discuss the hunting method."

As everyone processed the information, they all looked at the so-called "Immortal Bait" floating in the void, emitting strange fluctuations.

It was a quietly floating bronze coffin, encircled by patterns of nine dragons and nine phoenixes.

What sent a faint chill down their spines was that one corner of the coffin lid had somehow been opened. From within, intermittent murmurs and whispers could be heard.

Although the sound originated from the bronze coffin, it felt as if it was whispering right behind their ears.

The enchanting whispers, though seemingly having no immediate effect on anyone, must possess unique properties given their ability to attract True Immortals to cross the vast Star Sea without hesitation.

The group observed in silence for a moment before Dao Yuan, who had ranked first in the test, finally spoke. "I happen to know a little about the origin of this Immortal Bait. Allow me to offer some initial insights to hopefully inspire further discussion. Please forgive any inaccuracies."

Dao Yuan's humble attitude prompted nods of approval from those around him.

"As is widely known, the surviving True Immortals in the Star Sea primarily seek two things. First, an understanding of the Grand Dao to attain the Wu Ming realm. Second..."

"Naturally, methods to avoid calamities. When the Immortal Realm abruptly shattered back then, countless True Immortals perished like ants. The fortunate few who survived developed a profound obsession with ways to escape and live on. It is said that after the destruction of the Immortal Realm, Wu Ming True Immortals gathered and deliberated, eventually devising three divine and mysterious refuge methods."

Although Dao Yuan claimed this was widely known, the expressions on the faces of the new Immortal Hunters clearly indicated that such secrets were far beyond the knowledge of ordinary people. Most were deeply intrigued and listened intently.

However, some were unimpressed by Dao Yuan's display of knowledge, scoffing indifferently.

"It is said that these three refuge methods can protect beings through all earthly calamities, even safeguarding them from the disaster of the Immortal Realm's destruction."

"The bronze coffin before us is the Profound Coffin of Transcendent Passage, one of these three refuge methods. This Profound Coffin seems to connect to other worlds; once one lies within it, they completely vanish from this world..."

At this point, someone couldn't help but interrupt Dao Yuan.

"...Completely vanish? If that's the case, how can one tell if they've truly perished or merely escaped to safety?"

This was clearly a question on everyone else's minds too.

Dao Yuan smiled slightly, pointing to the nine dragon and nine phoenix patterns carved on the bronze coffin. "Have you noticed these dragon and phoenix patterns? After a person lies in the coffin and vanishes, the dragons and phoenixes will simultaneously cry out, reflecting a glimpse of the other world. It is said that everyone who sees this is overjoyed, clasping their hands in gratitude. It seems that communication is still possible when the occupant is sent to another world."

"As for the authenticity of these visions... the eagerness with which countless True Immortals, and even Wu Ming True Immortals, seek this Profound Coffin of Transcendent Passage, speaks volumes."

Hearing this, everyone gasped.

"So the one before us..."

Dao Yuan chuckled, "Naturally, it's a replica."

Although it was the expected answer, everyone still couldn't help but sigh.

"The Profound Coffin of Transcendent Passage was created from its very inception to help Immortals evade calamities. Therefore, powerful cultivators once united and announced its existence to all surviving Immortals, also transmitting information about the coffin's aura fluctuations and the method to activate it."

"Those with destiny could enter the coffin to avoid calamity," Dao Yuan elaborated.

At this point, one of the new Immortal Hunters finally reacted, "Does this mean that the powerful cultivators who originally forged the Profound Coffin of Transcendent Passage have already used it to escape the world and flee to other realms?"

Dao Yuan nodded. "Precisely!"

"The Profound Coffin is also a legacy they left behind. It is said that the true Profound Coffin drifts through the Star Sea according to a unique pattern, continuously emitting broadcast fluctuations in all directions. Although we in the Shuoxing Sea have never seen the true Profound Coffin of Transcendent Passage, we are already capable of mimicking its fluctuations..."

Suddenly, a cold laugh inexplicably cut in. "Dao brother, how can you be sure we in the Shuoxing Sea haven't seen the true Profound Coffin? How could such a divine artifact be imitated so perfectly if it hadn't been seen firsthand?"

Dao Yuan and the surrounding Immortal Hunters' expressions all changed upon hearing this.

However, the voice that had just spoken that sarcastic remark fell silent. It was also difficult to discern who had spoken.

Everyone secretly scrutinized each other but seemed unable to find any suspicious individual.

Seeing the stalemate, someone stepped forward to smooth things over. "Dao brother, please tell us about the other two methods of escaping the world. We are truly very curious to hear such secrets for the first time!"

Others quickly agreed, and Dao Yuan's expression relaxed. He spoke again, "As for the other two methods of escaping the world, I only know of one."

"It is the Retrograde Skiff."

"Retrograde Skiff?" Everyone pondered the meaning of these three words.

Dao Yuan's expression became solemn. "The River of Time flows endlessly forward from ancient times. This Retrograde Skiff is said to be able to carry people upstream through the River of Time, traveling back to a time before any calamities occurred..."

"Ah!"

The shock the Retrograde Skiff brought to the group clearly far surpassed that of the Profound Coffin of Transcendent Passage. After all, the ability to reverse time is a coveted dream for all living beings.

This sparked an enthusiastic discussion, with everyone talking at once.

"Dao brother, did those True Immortals truly create this Retrograde Skiff?"

"I think it's impossible. If they truly returned to the past, why hasn't the fact of the Immortal Realm's destruction changed in the slightest for us now?"

"Alas, that's where your knowledge is lacking. If history's details change when one returns to the past, it's like a river changing its course, naturally forming a different river downstream. Since we remain in the original river, we naturally wouldn't perceive it."

"Nonsense! By your logic, we and everything in the world should have vanished with the diversion of the River of Time. Why do we still exist?"

"This..."

"The principles of time are beyond our comprehension and imagination. There's no need for you two to be so pedantic."

"However, since Dao brother speaks of it with such conviction... it seems the existence of the Retrograde Skiff isn't mere fantasy."

Everyone spoke, one after another.

Finally, Dao Yuan smiled. "Whether the Retrograde Skiff is real or not, I truly cannot be certain. Not just me, but even the elders in the Shuoxing Sea may not truly know. It's just a vague rumor."

Someone else asked, "This second method of escaping the world can already traverse the River of Time in reverse. So, what exactly is the third method of escaping the world...?"

The new Immortal Hunters' discussion about the Retrograde Skiff instantly ceased. They all stared intently at Dao Yuan, awaiting his explanation.

Dao Yuan gave a wry smile. "As for this third method of escaping the world, even among the Immortals back then, few knew its true details. However, everyone who *did* know its true nature believed it deeply and considered it the most perfect method of escape. If one could master that method, all calamities in the world would be like fleeting clouds. That is true great freedom, great ease, and great liberation!"

As Dao Yuan spoke, a deep yearning unconsciously emerged in his eyes.

Everyone present shared the same sentiment.

Yet, there was one person whose heart trembled even more intensely upon hearing this, far surpassing the others!

It was Li Fan!

Having already learned about the existence of the impending destruction that would sweep through the entire mortal realm from the countdown of Huan Zhen, Li Fan was initially filled with disdain when he first heard about these so-called three methods of escaping the world.

However, this disdain vanished without a trace upon hearing about the first method of escape: the Profound Coffin of Transcendent Passage.

Lying in the Profound Coffin could transport one to another world. This "world" clearly wasn't as simple as just another lower Star Sea. Almost instantly, it reminded Li Fan of the Essence Ancient Azure Spring. The demon beast race could use it to cross possibilities. True Immortals who survived the Calamity of Dao Annihilation might also possess the power to cross possibilities.

"If it's merely a random jump between possibilities, like the demon beast race does, it probably wouldn't warrant being called 'Transcendent Passage'."

"If Dao Yuan's words are true, and all survivors who made the jump were overjoyed and expressed their gratitude..."

"Could it be that this Profound Coffin can even scout in advance, or even select the possibilities one can reach?"

Li Fan's heart stirred.

The entire mortal realm still had a lifespan of 7.36 million years.

This meant there must be possibilities where existence could continue for over seven million years.

Although this number didn't seem particularly long, compared to Li Fan's original possibility, which was already in a dying state and susceptible to the Calamity of Dao Annihilation at any moment, it was significant.

That could already be considered longevity.

If such a paradise could be found from the shattered Immortal Realm, it was only natural to be overjoyed.

If the Profound Coffin of Transcendent Passage had merely surprised Li Fan, then the existence of the Retrograde Skiff had profoundly shaken him.

Li Fan believed in the true existence of the Retrograde Skiff more than anyone else present.

Aside from Li Fan himself possessing the extraordinary treasure Huan Zhen, the Kun Qian Bone Hand he had seen in the Xuanhuang Realm alone indicated that ancient Immortals had already mastered some divine abilities related to time.

"However, even with the ability to reverse time, the arrival of the Calamity of Dao Annihilation is a grand trend. It's like the earth: if the west is high and the east is low, rivers will generally flow from west to east into the sea. Even if one could repeatedly return to the river's source and start over, it wouldn't change the ultimate eastward flow into the ocean."

"In reality, this means that if the true cause of the Calamity of Dao Annihilation's outbreak can never be found, reversing time again and again would be futile. Furthermore, traveling upstream in the River of Time must exact an extremely heavy price. It can probably be done once, perhaps twice, but not thrice."

After this line of thought, Li Fan also understood the significant difference between his extraordinary treasure, Huan Zhen, and artifacts that merely reversed time.

"When truth becomes falsehood, falsehood also becomes truth."

"From nothingness, creation springs forth with a single thought."

"Even the concept of time exists because of existence."

"To use the metaphor of eastward-flowing water again: my Huan Zhen is like being able to freely alter the conditions of the earth, and even the sky."

"Not only can it make all rivers flow upstream, but even the earth's waters can surge upwards into the heavens; nothing is impossible..."

"Doesn't this perfectly align with the so-called great freedom, great ease, and great liberation?"

Although Li Fan already knew about the impending doomsday of the mortal realm, he felt little fear in his heart. This was precisely because he believed that with Huan Zhen, he possessed the power to rewrite everything.

After seeing the doomsday countdown numbers jumping by millions of times, Li Fan's judgment became even more firm.

If there truly was a method of escaping the world that offered such great freedom, it was probably only Huan Zhen.

Dao Yuan's words, however, awakened a hidden concern that had long lain deep in Li Fan's heart.

The scene he had once witnessed in the Abyssal Star Sea, of True Immortals quietly waiting in the Xuanhuang Realm.

This seemed to indicate that the Immortals of the past had already known about the existence of Huan Zhen.

Just like the Immortal Hunters today, they had set up a trap in the Xuanhuang Realm long ago.

However, for some unknown reason, Huan Zhen had arrived much later.

This was why Li Fan had ultimately escaped the catastrophe.

Although it was merely a conjecture of Li Fan's, after hearing the rumors of the Retrograde Skiff and the third method of escaping the world today, Li Fan seemed to grasp a certain possibility, and his mind became incredibly solemn.

"The mortal realm is probably a giant Xuanhuang Realm."

"Just like everything that once happened in the Xuanhuang Realm: when calamity struck, some chose to flee at the first sign of trouble, while others bravely stepped forward to find a way to save the world."

"And then there were those who simply resigned themselves to fate, wasting the rest of their lives."

"Truly, there's nothing new under the sun. The secret I thought I possessed is probably not a top secret after all."

"It's just that the group who happened to know are no longer here."

Li Fan never underestimated the power of Immortals.

Especially True Immortals who could cross possibilities.

"If one day I leave the original possibility and travel to other worlds, I must be even more cautious."

Dao Yuan's words stirred a tumultuous wave of thoughts in Li Fan, making it difficult for him to compose himself.

Fortunately, the reactions of the others present were no better, preventing Li Fan from revealing any weakness.

"Alright, let's get back to the main topic. We just received information that our target, the True Immortal, entered the Dao as an 'Yi'."

"What is an 'Yi'?"

"It means 'unseen'. We must be careful and prepared."

As Dao Yuan spoke, his gaze swept into the distance.