Chapter 1486: Transformation into the Fifth Holy Lord

In the era when the clone evolved into the Saint Emperor, the Cat-Treasure, whose true nature remained largely unknown, demonstrated three astonishing abilities: item replication, creature mimicry, and marrow cleansing. Even Li Fan, now effectively the creator of a true immortal realm, cannot easily achieve such feats. Yet the Cat-Treasure is merely a harbinger of the hunt, indicating the immense power of the force behind it.

Crucially, Li Fan has now gained a thorough understanding of the forces within the Soaring Star Sea, yet he has found no trace whatsoever related to the Cat-Treasure. Therefore, the power behind the Cat-Treasure either originates from a more distant cosmos, or perhaps from other possibilities! If it's the former, that's one thing. But if it's the latter, then the hidden fishing pond within the Profound Yellow Realm might need to be re-examined.

Currently, within the entire high wall, only one location remains beyond Li Fan's control: the fishing pond. Inside the fishing pond, countless treasures shimmer like starlight, all captured from various sources. However, the original cosmos, with its fading vitality, seemingly cannot support the emergence of so many treasures. The treasures in the fishing pond often possess distinct characteristics; nearly every item originates from a unique civilization. The original possibility, having suffered the calamity of Dao Annihilation and with even the immortal realm shattered, could no longer foster such a diverse array of cultivation civilizations. The fishing pond might be connected to the true myriad realms.

This is the fundamental reason why Li Fan, despite his power to easily subdue nameless True Immortals, has refrained from disturbing the fishing pond. As long as it remains undisturbed, the fishing pond stays quietly there, like any ordinary pond. Li Fan is unwilling to risk interfering with it. In the past, Li Fan relied on various treasures from the fishing pond to aid his cultivation. But now, after grasping the transformation between truth and falsehood, there is no treasure in the world, apart from the return to truth itself, that Li Fan cannot relinquish.

The fishing pond and the Cat-Treasure, among other things, can be set aside for now.

As Li Fan unfurled the scroll, the True Immortals of the Soaring Star Sea were already en route to pay their respects. Not wishing for this group to discover the existence of the high wall, Li Fan instructed Li Buren and the three Sky Scars to wait directly outside it.

Soon, led by Chaos, the True Immortals of the Soaring Star Sea exited the Dao Net's coverage and entered the Annihilation Zone. Compared to the past, the Annihilation Zone near the high wall had gained a touch of vitality, thanks to Li Fan actively drawing upon the abundant Dao principles of the Soaring Star Sea. However, the areas damaged by Dao Annihilation could not be restored, and the terrain remained narrow and elongated.

The moment these True Immortals set foot there, they immediately perceived the Grand Dao path manifested by Li Buren.

"This is rather interesting.""Isn't this another form of the Dao Net?"

"It's a pity those Immortal Hunters couldn't make it," a voice remarked from within the void formation leading the group. "Otherwise, their expressions upon seeing this path would surely be amusing."

The other True Immortals, walking on the path, displayed various expressions. Having been engaged in combat for a long time, they were quite familiar with the Soaring Star Sea's Dao Net. In their estimation, the path beneath their feet seemed no less impressive.

The question was, how was this possible? The Soaring Star Sea Dao Net was constructed upon the foundations of several nameless beings and supported by numerous True Immortals. Furthermore, it was sealed by the individual who single-handedly imprinted the Dao Net. It was the combined effort of multiple parties that brought forth such a creation, one capable of allowing mortals to contend with True Immortals in an instant. So what was the foundation of the path before them? Was it solely the achievement of the Hidden Emperor? If so, then the Hidden Emperor's strength was likely even greater than they had anticipated. A flicker of concern passed through the eyes of all the immortals.

They had not traveled far when their attention was drawn to a stone pillar standing in the void ahead. The large character for "Silence" emblazoned on the pillar made the immortals' hearts leap. They had all heard tales of the Immortal Hunt Guard Elder being suppressed and transformed into a pillar, but witnessing it firsthand still sent a slight chill down their spines.

"There's a reason he became the Hidden Emperor," they muttered to themselves. Although they felt deep sympathy for Elder Wei, no one offered to rescue him.

After passing the stone pillar, Li Buren and the Eleventh to Thirteenth Sky Scars had been waiting for some time.

"Gentlemen, we meet again," Thirteen grinned, his tone chilling. Eleven and Twelve, meanwhile, stared at the True Immortals before them with the gaze of predators assessing their prey. Having previously witnessed the formidable power of the Infinite Sea emanating from Thirteen, the immortals inevitably grew tense and uncomfortable upon seeing two more individuals beside him who were no weaker than him.

Among all the immortals, only Chaos's attention remained fixated on Li Buren from beginning to end. Seemingly sensing Li Buren's unique aura from his recent return from the Infinite Sea, Chaos's attitude subtly shifted.

Li Buren manifested a multicolored path, guiding the immortals forward. Stepping onto the path, they were enveloped by myriad rays of light, rendering them unable to see or hear. It felt as if they were rapidly flying forward, traversing countless landscapes in mere moments.

When the multicolored light dispersed, the magnificent and sacred Primordial Immortal Realm suddenly appeared before the immortals' eyes. Even Chaos Nameless froze abruptly. What they had seen in a scroll was fundamentally different from experiencing it firsthand. What they had perceived from the scroll before was less than one ten-thousandth of what they felt now.

The sky stretched high and the earth wide, boundless and vast. Great lakes shimmered like mirrors, mountain peaks lay hidden within clouds, and palaces stood majestically in the high heavens. Vitality surged, giving birth to infinite possibilities. What truly left the immortals in a daze, as if they had returned to their immortal homeland, was the infinitely abundant immortal power permeating this realm. They couldn't recall how long it had been since they had experienced such comfort. Although their own powers gained infinite properties the moment they achieved True Immortal status, they still deeply yearned for an environment where everything around them felt infinite.

In the lower realms, despite their strength preventing substantial harm, their lives felt awkward. It was like being deep in a muddy swamp; though they could move, the splattering mud made them profoundly uncomfortable. Stepping into this Primordial Immortal Realm now felt truly like a fish returning to water or a bird soaring into the sky. It was like returning home.

Many True Immortals were moved to tears on the spot. After years of brutal struggle in the lower realms, they had never imagined they would witness an immortal realm again. Even if it was merely an immortal domain, it was more than enough.

As the immortals' hearts surged with emotion, the Primordial Immortal Realm abruptly fell silent. All living beings uniformly looked up at the sky, holding their breath in reverence. Then, they slowly bowed down. The immortals also followed the gaze of the beings around them.

Above the firmament, the thirteen Sky Scars were distributed in sequence. Five ethereal palaces, veiled in purple mist, shimmered faintly beyond the heavens. "Those are..." The immortals vaguely perceived five god-like gazes emanating from these structures. They looked down, overseeing the gathered immortals. The immortals instantly felt as though they were in the presence of the ruling Immortal Emperor, as they once were. Infinite immortal power surged around the immortals like a fierce wind. Under the pressure of this unique environment, several True Immortals found their minds unsettled and almost bowed to these five figures on the spot. But Chaos Nameless stopped them.

"They are the Heaven and Earth Consciousness.""One has diversified into five."

As expected of a Nameless Realm existence, with just one glance, he discerned the true nature of the five figures beyond the heavens. As the five Heaven and Earth Consciousnesses naturally born of the Primordial Immortal Realm, their strength surpassed even that of the Thirteen Sky Scars. Chaos mused that he could face the Thirteen Sky Scars without trepidation. But facing these five supreme masters of the Primordial Immortal Realm... "If I don't resort to my ultimate methods, it might be quite challenging," Chaos Nameless secretly assessed.

"I didn't expect this immortal domain to harbor so many powerful innate beings." This was entirely beyond Chaos's expectations. In the past, though the immortal realm was boundless, innate beings were exceedingly rare. Those innate beings capable of connecting to the Infinite Sea were even more so. Yet now, this single immortal domain teemed with them!

"That Hidden Emperor, precisely who is he...?" Chaos's heart sank as he ceaselessly searched, attempting to locate the Hidden Emperor who had created this immortal domain. Yet despite his exhaustive search, he found nothing.

However, he would not need to search for long. Amidst the profound silence of all living beings, Li Fan finally spoke. His voice did not descend from the heavens nor arise from the mortal realm. Instead, it spontaneously resonated from every corner of the Primordial Immortal Realm, as if omnipresent.

"After many years, the immortal domain has been rebuilt. Its great work is immortal, and now it is complete.""Today, the immortal realm is established, and the Immortal Court is inaugurated.""I hereby confer: The Central Juntian Boundless Emperor.""I hereby confer: The Eastern Cangtian Purple Star Great Emperor.""I hereby confer: The Western Haotian Jade Emperor.""I hereby confer: The Southern Huangtian Underworld Great Emperor.""I hereby confer: The Northern Xuantian Longevity Great Emperor."

With the sound of each proclamation, the tall, seated figures within the five palaces beyond the heavens began to transform in appearance and attire. If before they were indistinct, like flowers shrouded in mist, now their imperial crowns and robes appeared with absolute clarity. The moment the five Heaven and Earth Consciousnesses were enfeoffed by Li Fan, natural barrier boundaries spontaneously appeared across the firmament and the lands beneath its canopy. The Primordial Immortal Realm, partitioned by the echoing proclamations, was divided into Central Juntian, Eastern Cangtian, Western Haotian, Southern Huangtian, and Northern Xuantian. The five Heavenly Emperors, in turn, each sat majestically in their assigned heavens.

Within the five Heavenly Domains, distinct environments began to evolve. For instance, in Northern Xuantian, where all things enjoyed eternal life, the vitality was noticeably richer than in other domains. Eastern Cangtian, conversely, symbolized indescribable nobility. The beings within this heavenly domain, simply by being present, spontaneously began an upward ascent in their life forms. Practically, this meant that the maximum amount of infinite immortal power they could draw from the Infinite Sea slowly began to increase. Central Juntian, however, was balanced and peaceful. Like an uncrowned king, it did not contend but would always prevail.

The enfeoffment of the five Heavenly Emperors felt like five colossal mountains pressing down upon the immortals. This was the pressure emanating from the entirety of the Primordial Immortal Realm, a force these immortals could not withstand. Thus, even though they were reluctant, they were compelled to lower their gazes from the five Heavenly Emperors. Even Chaos Nameless was no exception.

"These five Heaven and Earth Consciousnesses have grown stronger," Chaos thought with alarm. "The sound of enfeoffment echoing throughout heaven and earth must be the Hidden Emperor. It is through his conferment that the Heaven and Earth Consciousnesses have truly gained the recognition of this world, allowing them to control all aspects of it..." Chaos's thoughts raced. Even the former ruling Immortal Emperor did not possess such supreme authority within the immortal realm. After all, the immortal realm had been jointly created by various Saint Sovereigns.

"Comparatively, the ruling Immortal Emperor and these five newly enfeoffed emperors are beings of comparable standing.""Could it be that..." Chaos's heart trembled violently as a daring conjecture instantly surged into his mind. "Has that Hidden Emperor already embarked on the path to becoming a Saint? Otherwise, how can his actions be explained?" Chaos's heart could no longer remain calm. Although the immortal realm had seen successive Immortal Emperors, the Four Saint Sovereigns had always remained constant. For an unknown duration since its creation, a fifth Saint Sovereign had never emerged. "Could it be that with the destruction of the immortal realm, the fifth Saint Sovereign is finally about to appear?"

Chaos lowered his head, attempting to find any trace of the Hidden Emperor. However, the Hidden Emperor seemed to have entirely forgotten about them, the True Immortals attending the ceremony.

After enfeoffing the Heavenly Emperors, the thirteen Sky Scars were next to be conferred. The Sky Scars' status was slightly lower than that of the Heaven and Earth Consciousnesses. They were granted the title of Venerables. The originally formless Sky Scars instantly solidified and evolved into distinct shapes upon their enfeoffment. Some resembled primordial behemoths, others towering mountains, and some even ordinary mortals. They varied greatly. After the enfeoffment of the thirteen Venerables was complete, the grand voice slowly faded.

The five Heavenly Emperors and the thirteen Venerables each began selecting their generals, commanders, and soldiers from among the beings of the immortal realm. For a time, the realm was bustling with activity. Meanwhile, the True Immortals from the Soaring Star Sea who had come to observe the ceremony found themselves largely ignored.

By the time all the commotion subsided, a hundred days had already passed. Throughout this period, Li Fan never once appeared to meet them.

On this day, Thirteen appeared before the gathered beings, dressed in resplendent robes.

"Greetings, Venerable." Chaos Nameless led the bows, and the other immortals had no choice but to follow suit.

After being conferred the title of Venerable, Thirteen's demeanor was no longer as frivolous as before. "My Lord has commanded that the ceremony is concluded. It is time for you to depart."

The immortals were momentarily stunned. "But we haven't met..."

"Hmm?" Thirteen's expression turned stern, the disdain on his face unmistakable. He almost uttered the words, "Are you even worthy?"

"This Venerable Thirteen is also significantly stronger than before." After a moment of contemplation, Chaos Nameless finally bowed. He then led the attending immortals along the re-manifested multicolored path, departing from the Primordial Immortal Realm.

"Ugh..." Perhaps due to having spent too long in an environment brimming with infinite immortal power, the immortals instinctively felt waves of discomfort upon returning to the Soaring Star Sea. The immense sense of disparity made them instinctively gaze towards the location of the Primordial Immortal Realm. Unfortunately, with the multicolored path now closed, they could no longer return.

It took the immortals a long time to readjust to the challenging environment of the Soaring Star Sea. Their expressions varied, each lost in thought. Chaos Nameless successfully fulfilled his mission, safely bringing the immortals back. The information they provided was extremely important, especially the speculation regarding the Hidden Emperor Li Fan's strength, which compelled the Soaring Star Sea forces to adjust their strategies. As for Chaos himself, he had been preoccupied ever since his return.