Chapter 1483: Still Granting Divine Skill

Li Fan's attack was sudden and unexpected, like a dark shadow emerging abruptly from beneath the water's surface.

The Celestial Hunter from the Star Sea was momentarily stunned when he sensed the impending attack, but quickly regained his composure.

A hint of anger, however, flickered in his expression.

Wielding the immense power of the Dao Net, he prepared to suppress the audacious intruder. Yet, to his surprise...

The grand Dao, for some unknown reason, dissolved like ice and snow the moment it approached the shadow. He threw a punch with the force of a thousand tons, but it felt light, unable to even rustle a single leaf.

Not only that, but the fundamental source of his power—the Dao Net—was also dissipating!

It was as if the shadow had corroded a large hole in the Dao Net, and he was plummeting into this abyssal black hole.

The anger in the Star Sea Celestial Hunter's eyes instantly transformed into terror.

Wuxian, who had been preparing to watch the unfolding drama from the side, also noticed something was amiss. Just as he was about to intervene and offer aid, he felt a hand gently press on his shoulder. It was as if mountains pressed down on him, rendering him utterly immobile!

He could only watch helplessly as the Celestial Hunter was swallowed by the dark shadow.

"What is the matter now?"

After everything settled, Li Fan's voice lazily drifted forth. He made no mention of the subdued Celestial Hunter, as if he had simply swatted a fly, deeming it insignificant.

Wuxian knew deep down that his recent disrespectful action must have provoked the volatile "Hidden Emperor," leading to this intervention.

The thought that Elder Wei, one of the top three strongest members of the Star Sea Governance Council, had been so easily subdued sent a chill through Wuxian's heart.

Over the years, the Governance Council had analyzed the Hidden Emperor's strength through various means. However, the realm he inadvertently displayed at this moment far surpassed the scope of their analyses.

"Even that esteemed elder probably couldn't achieve such a feat."

"No wonder, despite knowing of the Hidden Emperor's existence for all these years, they never came to pay respects. It turns out they were afraid..."

While a torrent of thoughts churned in Wuxian's mind, his body's reactions did not falter. He lowered his head and respectfully stated, "I detected an unusual fluctuation in the Great Dao on the outskirts of the Star Sea, fearing it might be a summons from you, honored senior, so I hastened here to investigate."

Wuxian didn't mention the Celestial Hunter at all.

"Hmph."

"It shouldn't be an issue for me to absorb some of your fundamental Great Dao, should it? After all, you have the Dao Net to support you, and in the past century, you've even gained the blessings of True Immortals' Dao-Inheriting projections," Li Fan asked coldly.

With the Celestial Hunter Elder, his supposed backup, directly captured, how could Wuxian dare to voice any objection? He could only nod bitterly, saying, "No problem, no problem at all."

"I have been awake for a long time. Now that the Dao Annihilation has just subsided, everything is in ruins awaiting reconstruction. I intend to re-establish the Immortal Court..."

Wuxian was contemplating how he would explain the situation to the Star Sea Celestial Hunter faction upon his return.

However, Li Fan's words struck like a thunderclap, instantly clearing his mind of all thoughts.

"Re-establish the Immortal Court?" Wuxian was dumbfounded.

Years ago, the scene of the vast and magnificent Immortal Realm couldn't help but surface before his eyes.

"With the Dao Annihilation not yet receded, re-establishing the Immortal Realm is temporarily impossible. However, restoring an Immortal Domain..."

"That is still barely achievable," Li Fan stated proudly.

"It will be completed soon. When it is, those of you who are interested may come to visit. However, unnecessary individuals and those lacking proper etiquette need not bother."

Wuxian was still reeling from this explosive news, his mind hazy. Just as he was about to respond, he felt a renewed surge of heavy pressure on his shoulder. The scenery before his eyes flickered, and when he regained his senses, he found himself flung tens of thousands of miles away.

And it seemed something else had been flung out along with him.

However, that object only flew about three thousand miles before stopping, standing silently in the void.

At first glance, it appeared to be a stone pillar.

A large character for "Silence" was engraved upon it.

However, after Wuxian observed it for a moment, a chill ran through his entire body, as if he had fallen into an ice cavern.

What stood towering before him was no mere stone pillar.

It was clearly the Celestial Hunter Elder who had come with him!

"Since the very inception of the Dao Net, Protector Fu has been one of its pillars. Having delved into the Dao Net for years, his body had integrated with myriad Daos. Even facing the Nameless Ones, he was able to navigate with ease."

"What immense power he displayed earlier during negotiations, forcing back three combined attacks. To think he would fall to this state now..."

Wuxian felt no sorrow for his kind, only an inexpressible terror.

"Originally, our analysis suggested that the Hidden Emperor acquired the Mound Guardian's miraculous technique by chance. Now it seems, perhaps the Mound Guardian intentionally entrusted it to him. With such power, he might even be the Mound Guardian's close friend..." The more Wuxian thought about it, the more unnerved he became. He dared not attend to Elder Wei, who had been turned into a stone pillar, and instead sped back towards the Star Sea.

The matter was far too significant; he had to inform everyone as quickly as possible.

Li Fan coldly watched Wuxian's disappearing figure, then his gaze returned to the "Silence" character engraved stone pillar.

Although also a stone pillar, its essence was different from the Heavenly Pillars like the Primal Beginning.

Li Fan had merely shaped it using the Dao of "Engraving," rather than it being a solidification of a single Great Dao.

After all, the Celestial Hunter merely borrowed the power of the Dao Net; he did not possess any Dao path of his own.

After Li Fan used his boundless power to sever all connections between the Celestial Hunter and the Dao Net, the strength the Celestial Hunter displayed was even inferior to that of the Heavenly Physicians within the High Wall.

Though transmuted into a pillar, he still retained his senses. His former arrogance was gone, replaced by a myriad of complex emotions like fear, despair, and regret swirling in his heart.

Using the fear in the Celestial Hunter's heart as a catalyst, Li Fan slowly corroded and probed his inner being.

As expected, anything related to the Dao Net was obscured as if veiled, blurry and indistinct. However, various miscellaneous affairs within the Star Sea Governance Council were perfectly clear.

"This nascent alliance has actually gathered four Nameless Ones and thirty-six True Immortals..."

"While not as delectable as the thirteen Primordial Dao Forms, it can still be considered a passable feast."

If the previous Li Fan, upon learning of the Star Sea's immense power, would have chosen to steer clear, now an insatiable greed welled up within him.

Noticing this change in his mindset, Li Fan frowned slightly, instantly withdrawing from his fantasy of feasting.

He closed his eyes, calming his thoughts.

"The Myriad Phase Dao Net devours Nameless Ones and forcibly occupies others' Dao paths. This method of power growth is indeed too fast. It's beyond mere 'eager for quick success'."

"Consequently, my mindset is inevitably affected. If this continues, I might become incapable of accepting any gradual progress."

"Among the myriad Great Daos in the world, I might find ready-made methods for devouring them all. But only the transformation of truth and falsehood requires my own slow comprehension..."

Li Fan was thoughtful, and his desire to "feed" slowly receded.

"Although the 'Ink Kill Myriad Phase Dao Net' seems to point towards transcendence, the transformation of truth and falsehood is my true foundation."

"Though the method is ingenious, it must not influence my will."

After a prolonged period of introspection, Li Fan gradually emerged from that nearly "out of control" state.

Although the plan to hunt Nameless Ones remained unchanged, he no longer harbored the same intense craving or urgency as before.

With the power Li Fan now wielded, even if all four Nameless Ones from the Star Sea gathered, he should be able to suppress them all, regardless of the cost. Moreover, it was absolutely impossible for the Star Sea faction to have all their Nameless True Immortals present for a mere initial probe.

Executing the plan would not be difficult.

"However, the bait needs to be carefully refined."

Li Fan extended his hand, and dozens of glimmering fragments appeared in his palm.

Their predecessors were the Immortal Domain chess pieces left by Sun Piaomiao. During the process of the Primal Bone transforming into a Heavenly Pillar, most of the Immortal Domain had disintegrated, returning to its primal state.

Only a few fragments remained.

Simply relying on these fragments to recreate an Immortal Domain was beyond Li Fan's current capabilities.

But if it was just to build a deceptive Immortal Court...

That should not be a big problem.

"The reason the Immortal Realm is called 'Immortal' is twofold: first, it possesses the grandeur of the Celestial Mountain, and second, the boundlessness of the Infinite Sea."

"If both of these are present, even if it's not the Immortal Realm, it can still be recognized as such."

"I have the Mound Guardian's projection and several great Heavenly Pillars at hand, capable of resisting the Dao Annihilation calamity. Their power is more than sufficient for disguise."

"The key is still the attribute of infinity..." Li Fan pondered, feeling a momentary hesitation.

The inexplicable entity he had sensed earlier at the bottom of the Infinite Sea was truly terrifying. Most crucially, it seemed capable of sensing the 'Still True' within his main body by following the connection between his clone and himself.

This meant that while Li Fan had found a way to access the Infinite Sea, he had never used it a second time in a hundred years.

In his hesitation, Li Fan finally decided to proactively consult 'Still True'.

After all, since the last time he had stirred 'Still True's' thoughts, experiencing a tempest of emotions, and then enduring a century of refinement, Li Fan felt he could now bear more of 'Still True's' cogitations.

Not long after conveying his intention, Li Fan indeed received a response from 'Still True'.

This time was unlike the past, where it was merely simple emotional fluctuations. Nor was it like the last time's tumultuous, concrete thoughts.

Instead, it was a "direction" or "guidance," purely explanatory.

Li Fan carefully pondered its content, and his expression gradually became intrigued.

The content of this guidance, remarkably, seemed to be a divine ability!

The reason for using "seemed" was that what 'Still True' had imparted was completely different from any divine ability Li Fan had known in the past.

Divine abilities and spells revolved around the concept of "cultivation." From nothing to something, from unfamiliarity to familiarity, and then to mastery—it was a gradual process of acquiring unknown skills.

But what 'Still True' now told Li Fan allowed him to directly bypass the arduous cultivation process and achieve the result immediately.

It was as if it were an incantation: simply utter it, and the effect would manifest.

Li Fan was skeptical yet curious. Without any practice, he attempted his first experiment.

Naturally, out of caution, he didn't perform it on his main body. Instead, Li Buren still undertook the experiment.

After the "guidance" was completed, Li Buren didn't notice any changes in himself.

Still, he resolutely and with the memory of his last visit, reconnected to the Infinite Sea.

Because he had already established a connection with the Infinite Sea, there was no need for the previous cumbersome steps. In a single thought, he returned to the boundless and vast ocean!

Even though it wasn't his first time, Li Buren was still profoundly struck by the infinity before him.

However, unlike before, despite being amidst infinity and bearing the weight of billions of years of time, Li Buren felt no pressure whatsoever.

It was like he had acquired the legendary Water-Repelling Pearl; a protective layer enveloped him, ignoring the natural pressure of the sea, allowing him to fully immerse himself in the Infinite Sea.

"This..."

Li Buren was certain that this was a unique experience even a Nameless True Immortal couldn't possess. Even so-called transcendent powerhouses might not be able to quietly remain at the bottom of the Infinite Sea with such peace and comfort.

Yet, 'Still True' had achieved it with just one marvelous technique.

Li Buren's mind was somewhat dazed as he carefully felt the changes occurring within him.

He realized that he hadn't detected his own changes earlier because the influence of 'Still True's' miraculous technique had surpassed his own comprehension.

It made him, a mortal who did not belong there, become of the same origin as the Infinite Sea.

Because he was originally a part of the Infinite Sea, he would not be subjected to pressure originating from within it.

Li Buren was acutely aware that this was undoubtedly an extraordinary and supreme divine ability.

But looking at the endless condensed time and events around him, Li Buren was momentarily at a loss, unsure what to do next.

Just as he was in a daze, a sudden violent tremor swept through his body.

It was as if the Water-Repelling Pearl's protective barrier was about to shatter, and the pressure of the Infinite Sea was about to descend once more.

"So this change, or rather, this deception, has a certain duration," Li Buren realized.

He dared not be overconfident. While the divine ability was still active, he promptly returned to the present world.

With the aid of 'Still True's' miraculous technique, this time the clone's daring venture into the Infinite Sea indeed did not attract the attention of the unknown terrifying entity at the bottom of the sea.

"Furthermore, with the blessing of this method, it seems I can draw upon the power of the Infinite Sea more extensively than other True Immortals."

"During the duration of the divine ability, I can draw freely without causing pressure or disturbance from the Infinite Sea."

Li Fan savored the entire exploration process, his heart thumping uncontrollably.

The Immortal Array Disintegration Disc could already generate its own immortal energy.

Li Fan knew that although immortal energy possessed infinite properties, the energy level of immortal energy that a single individual could invoke had an upper limit. This upper limit was intimately linked to one's own strength.

The immortal energy of a Nameless True Immortal was certainly far greater than that of an ordinary True Immortal.

And figures like the Mound Guardian were above Nameless True Immortals in the general sense.

But now, with the divine ability imparted by 'Still True,' Li Fan seemed capable of disregarding these scales and achieving cross-level invocation of infinite immortal energy...

Itching with curiosity, Li Fan immediately wanted to try again.

However, he discovered...

The spell failed.

"Hmm?"

Undeterred, he tried several more times, and only then did Li Fan discover the problem.

It wasn't that his steps for casting the divine ability were wrong; rather, the divine ability itself had become unusable for him.

"Could it be that this deception can only be used once?"

Li Fan's eyelids twitched. Upon closer introspection, his heart relaxed.

"It's not a one-time use."

"Instead, it requires a cooldown period before it can be used again."

"This..."

"How is this like..."

"A skill?"

Li Fan's expression couldn't help but turn peculiar.

As he pondered, Li Fan seemed to remember something and quickly looked at the display panel within 'Still True'.

After the information like name, age, and charging progress, and before the bound item information,

A line of text conspicuously appeared.

Divine Blessing: Illusion is also Real.