Chapter 1471: A Path and a Ladder

Amidst dense dark shadows, Li Fan felt countless versions of himself continuously replicating and coming into being. This cluster of shadows, deeply hidden beneath Yuandao State in the Xuanhuang World, was rapidly evolving en masse towards the realm of the Ink Slaughter Immortal Soul. Blessed by the characteristics of the two great Dao paths, Illusory Birth and Eternity, they were able to bypass the threshold of ascension and directly cross the boundary between mortal and immortal. From mortal to immortal!

Immersed in this vast ocean of ink, Li Fan clearly understood the functions of these two Dao paths. Illusory Birth provided infinite evolutionary momentum, expanding boundlessly in quantity and scale until it shattered the shackles between mortal and immortal. Eternity, on the other hand, transformed into an incredibly solid Dao foundation; no matter how much internal or external change occurred, it remained unmoving and steadfast. Even a towering edifice thousands of feet tall would need to be built upon this very foundation. In the interplay of change and constancy, a single moment spanned tens of thousands of years.

Eventually, when a new wisp of ink broke through all difficulties and descended upon the world, its changes quickly benefited other parts of the ink mass. The Xuanhuang World, a mere mortal body, had surprisingly birthed an immortal soul within its "womb"!

Because the energy consumed for Ink Slaughter's ascension was provided entirely by Li Fan, Li Fan was effectively the "biological parent" of this world's Ink Slaughter, merely using the Xuanhuang World as a temporary vessel. Nevertheless, as the birthplace of an immortal soul, the subtle connection nurtured between Ink Slaughter and the Xuanhuang World over tens of thousands of years still brought a certain degree of nourishment back to Xuanhuang after Ink Slaughter's ascension.

However, compared to the transformation that would occur after the Xuanhuang World's own normal ascension, the changes brought about by Ink Slaughter's premature ascension were far from pleasant. Originally just one of many World Souls, Ink Slaughter now held absolute dominance. As it transformed into an immortal soul, it also forcibly imposed some of its characteristics upon the Xuanhuang World, a process that could not be refused.

Thick layers of dark clouds inexplicably arose, completely shrouding the Xuanhuang sky. On the ground, gusts of black wind swept through intermittently, as if Ink Slaughter had descended upon the world. Wherever the wind passed, everything turned into tiny black particles. The Xuanhuang World, which had just recovered its vitality after the elimination of the Immortal Ruins threat, suddenly transformed into a dim, abyssal apocalypse!

Fortunately, most living beings were asleep in the carefree dreamland of joy, protected by Li Fan's power. Ink Slaughter still showed some deference to Li Fan, its "kindred" and "parent," and did not directly clash with the dreamland. Li Fan could vaguely perceive the Xuanhuang Heavenly Dao's extreme anger and fluctuating emotions, yet it dared not speak. Even the power of an entire world was no match for the current Ink Slaughter Immortal Soul. The Xuanhuang Heavenly Dao had no choice but to temporarily endure, slowly accumulating strength from the benefits brought by Ink Slaughter's ascension.

However, Ink Slaughter showed no signs of stopping. While it did not directly attack the Xuanhuang Heavenly Dao, it extended its tendrils towards the numerous World Souls within the Xuanhuang World. The World Souls, originally manifestations of countless different laws with myriad forms, gradually began to display Ink Slaughter patterns across their bodies as they were eroded by the Ink Slaughter Immortal Soul. Furthermore, their manifestations of power throughout the world all took on the destructive characteristics of Ink Slaughter. Even World Souls that were not originally very aggressive, such as Crimson Flame, became somewhat terrifying and formidable. "If this blackened Crimson Flame were ordered to boil the seas, the clouds would likely dry up within a day and night."

Ink Slaughter was not merely an act of pure erosion. As the ink gradually occupied the Xuanhuang World, the ominous shadows surrounding Li Fan remarkably differentiated into "Ink Slaughter Immortal Souls" possessing various distinct properties. While their essence remained unchanged, they also incorporated certain characteristics of other Dao paths in the world. The overall harmony persisted, while also bringing a unique form of vitality.

Witnessing all the changes between Ink Slaughter and the Xuanhuang World, a wondrous premonition subtly arose in Li Fan's heart. "Perhaps this Xuanhuang World, transformed by the Ink Slaughter Immortal Soul, has gained a certain ability to survive the Calamity of Dao Annihilation." "Perhaps this level of transformation isn't enough yet. But compared to its previous original state, its resistance to Dao Annihilation has undoubtedly greatly increased." "Perhaps this is what the testing ground originally aimed to achieve by implanting the power of Ink Slaughter?"

The current Xuanhuang World, though appearing somewhat eerie and terrifying, ironically seemed more "suitable" given the broader context of the entire mortal realm facing extinction in the tide of Dao Annihilation. "It's like in a cultivation wasteland, a simple underground stone cave is more suitable for survival than a magnificent palace on the surface." "If this Xuanhuang World model were to be extended to the entire mortal realm..." Li Fan couldn't help but narrow his eyes.

"Even if it can't prevent the ultimate outcome of the Dao Annihilation tide overwhelming everything, perhaps one or two islands might survive after the deluge. In a sense, it could still be considered a method of salvation." "But this would be premised on an initial baptism by Ink Slaughter." Li Fan felt the myriad writhing shadows around him and couldn't help but shake his head slightly.

Not all cultivation worlds could easily withstand the changes brought by the Ink Slaughter Immortal Soul, as the Xuanhuang World did. This is not to mention its various peculiarities as an immortal realm testing ground. Even for such a unique Xuanhuang World, Li Fan's protection and the bond formed by Ink Slaughter's presence within it for tens of thousands of years were crucial. Lacking any one of these, the Xuanhuang World would suffer severe damage during the ink's baptism. This is even truer for other normal cultivation worlds in the mortal realm.

"If this mass of shadows were released, even the Star Sea of the New Moon, protected by the Dao Net, might not be able to bear its weight." "Perhaps it could resist for a time, but in the face of the Ink Slaughter Immortal Soul with its Illusory Birth characteristic, it would ultimately be dyed black inch by inch." Li Fan, who had once delved deep into the core of the Dao Net and fully understood the powers of both the Ink Slaughter Immortal Soul and the Dao Net, reached a conclusion after some deduction. "Compared to me devouring and absorbing it, allowing it to evolve on its own would better unleash its characteristics."

Li Fan carefully observed all the different Ink Slaughter shadows evolving around him. Being inherently merged with the Ink Slaughter Immortal Soul, if he simultaneously mastered these imbued laws, he could easily replicate each of them. Looking around, Li Fan seemed to glimpse his possible next path. "For true immortals comprehending the Dao, a major constraint is that great Dao paths cannot be cultivated simultaneously." "Even with heaven-defying cultivation techniques like the 'Boundless Heavenly Pivot Separation God Art,' one can at most merge two or three Dao paths. But if I use the Ink Slaughter Immortal Soul as my foundation..." "The Three Thousand Great Dao paths would all be within my grasp!"

Li Fan seemed to see the Dao Net, stretching boundlessly from heaven to earth, slowly being tainted by Ink Slaughter from an unknown source. He subconsciously extended his hand and looked at his palm. Within the countless wriggling black particles, various Dao paths seemed to differentiate as he comprehended them. Although they were all common Dao paths he had comprehended in his past cultivation experiences, such as the Five Elements, Azure Wind, Blue Flame, and others, with each new manifestation, Li Fan felt himself grow stronger in an instant.

"The reason I can easily accomplish what countless past sages and saints could not is because the Dao of Ink Slaughter fundamentally does not exist within this realm." "Its most fundamental core is Dao Annihilation. It is the Infinite Sea." "It transcends the great Dao paths of the mortal realm! Therefore, it is not bound by the mortal realm's restriction against cultivating multiple great Dao paths simultaneously!" "Any Dao seen in the mortal realm can be comprehended and utilized."

Watching his ink-colored body become increasingly vivid, a realization dawned upon Li Fan. "If Ink Slaughter is like this, then..." "What about 'True'?" The ink boiled, and Li Fan ultimately brought his thoughts back to his most fundamental core.

"Through Ink Slaughter, infect all Dao paths in the world." "One Dao, one step. When all the great Dao paths of the mortal realm are completely mastered, perhaps one will be just a step away from the transformation of True and False..." Li Fan's ink-colored body burst apart, completely merging into the newly formed Ink Slaughter Immortal Soul of the Xuanhuang World. He first needed to temporarily transfer over the Dao paths mastered by the nascent Ink Slaughter Immortal Soul.

The main body had gained significantly, finally finding a path most suitable for himself in this apocalyptic setting where the immortal path was severed and the great Dao paths withered. After sensing the changes in his main body, Li Buren looked at the Grand Master Tiandu, who was still within the Illusory Birth phantom, and a thought already formed in his mind.

A speck of ink emerged from his fingertip. It then transformed into a wisp of black mist, slowly flying towards Grand Master Tiandu. It merged into the chanting sounds, like a drop falling into a vast lake, and quickly disappeared without a trace. But the ink did not vanish. Instead, it turned the vast lake into a different color!

The Illusory Birth phantom rippled slightly, attempting to dispel the encroaching ink. But each ripple inadvertently offered Ink Slaughter an opportunity to invade. Within the phantom's body, a shadow quietly took hold of its forehead. Grand Master Tiandu, whose face had remained placid as an ancient well since being targeted by Li Buren, finally showed a change.

Although he still appeared calm and composed, Li Buren could tell that he was merely feigning composure. "Ink Slaughter is indeed more effective than the brute force of my Dao Net." Thinking this, Li Buren also drew a wisp of Ink Slaughter Immortal Soul power into his own body.

It was as if all the stars in the sky suddenly dimmed, and the myriad heavens fell into silence. But after a few breaths, beneath this dim starry sky, a greater vitality emerged. Li Buren, enhanced by the characteristics of Ink Slaughter, could not directly compare to the Illusory Birth phantom. However, he could, to a certain extent, ignore its influence.

Surrounded by chanting sounds, he advanced step by step, with difficulty. Slowly but steadily, he finally reached Grand Master Tiandu. He gripped the Grand Master's throat tightly, and amidst the Grand Master's increasingly terrified expression, forcibly dragged him out from the protection of the Illusory Birth phantom!

"You..." The Grand Master tried to speak, but the dim Dao Net had already tightly enveloped him. Wisps of ink poured into him from the crown of his head. The Grand Master's eyes, their pupils vanishing instantly, turned completely black. His continuous struggles slowly ceased.

Li Buren was using Ink Slaughter to erode the Dao path cultivated by the Grand Master. Initially, Li Buren believed that since the Grand Master had steadfastly clung to the Dao of Illusory Birth for tens of thousands of years, what he diligently cultivated should also be the Illusory Birth Dao path.

However, it was only after Li Buren followed Ink Slaughter into the Grand Master's inner core that he realized something was amiss. "The Grand Master isn't like the Hunger Immortal, who experienced distorted time due to cultivating the Dao of Hunger, where tens of thousands of years had passed, but only a few days actually elapsed. He has genuinely been comprehending the Dao with the Illusory Birth phantom since the era of King Xuantian." "Over such a long period, constantly alongside the Illusory Birth phantom, even if he were a pig, his comprehension of the Illusory Birth Dao shouldn't be poor. But this Grand Master..." "Since encountering me, he has relied almost entirely on the phantom's protection. His own demonstrated ability to avoid disaster is almost negligible."

Although Li Buren had entered the Grand Master's core with the power of the Ink Slaughter Immortal Soul, what he glimpsed was simply too "meager." Not only the Dao he had comprehended, but also his experiences and memories. It was completely unlike the capacity expected of the Grand Master Tiandu, who presided over Tiandu and overlooked Xuanhuang for tens of thousands of years.

Li Buren looked around, instinctively sensing something was wrong. Gazing at the empty surroundings, he suddenly recalled the scene he had witnessed in the High Wall testing ground: countless cube-shaped star seas arranged side by side. "Perhaps, this is just one part of the Grand Master's interior?"

Infinite ink then erupted from his body. In a few breaths, it completely submerged the area. Then, under the pressure of terrifying immense force, it began to permeate other places.

Boom! Boom! As cracks appeared, a vast tide of ink surged beyond the surface manifested by Grand Master Tiandu. It was as if he had suddenly broken into a world filled with living beings. Countless figures floated in the sky.

Although all their faces were identical, they were, without a doubt, all Grand Master Tiandu! "These people... seem somewhat familiar."

Among these figures, Li Buren also saw some familiar faces: the mortals and cultivators living in Yuandao State, such as Lan Yu, Dugu Xi, Dugu Shi, Feng Mu, and others. Their expressions varied at this moment: some were seething with rage, some were constantly terrified, and others seemed indifferent.

"Are all the beings in Yuandao State transformations of Grand Master Tiandu?" This thought first emerged in Li Buren's mind. But he quickly realized it was wrong, because at this moment, the beings in Yuandao State were still living undisturbed on the land of Yuandao State, showing no abnormalities due to the Grand Master's capture. Li Buren recalled the strange phenomenon that would occur in Yuandao State, where ten years of time would be devoured.

In an instant, he understood. "It wasn't that ten years of time truly vanished. Rather, all living beings within it were in a state of stasis." "Only the Grand Master himself could move." "During these ten years, he created replicas of all living beings in Yuandao State within himself." "And as for the purpose..."

Li Buren grasped one of the "Lan Yu" figures. "Though not the real Lan Yu. But..." Li Fan still perceived the aura of comprehension of the Dao of Life and Death from the figure. In fact, its comprehension was even deeper than that of the real Lan Yu he had once seen.

Li Buren looked at the countless different Grand Masters floating across the sky. Each one was comprehending a different Dao path!