Chapter 1490: Surprised by the Cat Treasure's Anomaly

“In the past, Emperor Zhaiyang paid respects to Sage Monarch Taiyi. Although his luck was poor and he never had the fortune to see the Sage Monarch's face, he was bestowed with a scripture.”

“Later, when I performed meritorious service resisting the Annihilation of Dao, Emperor Zhaiyang granted this scripture to me.”

“At that time, the Emperor once said that this scripture was personally written by the Sage Monarch and was too profound. Sage Monarch Taiyi, pitying that mortals would find it difficult to understand, commanded you, Great Venerable, to annotate it...”

Shanhua spoke extremely quickly, for he keenly noticed that the immortals from the Shuoxing Sea who had accompanied him, as well as the reinforcements from the Guangwu Sea, were all gradually transforming into miniature Heavenly Pillars.

It seemed that the Great Venerable Wuji's power was truly terrifying. Among the multitude of immortals, some were not weaker than him, yet they offered no resistance whatsoever and were almost completely annihilated.

Fear overflowed from Shanhua's heart, and he hastily pulled out the scripture he believed could save his life.

The Chapter of Mountain and Sea Genesis!

Li Fan gazed at the scripture floating above Shanhua's head, and with a wave of his hand, drew it over.

Indeed, from the countless tiny characters on it, he sensed Wuji's aura.

“So, there's actually a connection between you and me?”

Li Fan examined the scripture.

Simultaneously, he calmly admitted his identity as Great Venerable Wuji.

“Great Venerable, you truly have discerning eyes!” Shanhua nodded repeatedly.

In his mind, however, he was rapidly processing information about this Great Venerable, a disciple of the Sage.

The Four Sage Monarchs of the Immortal Realm almost only existed in legends. Even successive Immortal Emperors found it incredibly difficult to meet them.

However, with the exception of Sage Monarch Jingfen, the other three Sages all had representatives.

Among them, this Great Venerable Wuji before him was the easiest to talk to.

As long as one humored him and agreed with everything, preferably by hinting at some connection in their words, it often delighted the Venerable.

“This Chapter of Mountain and Sea Genesis was written by Sage Monarch Taiyi after witnessing Sage Monarch Lianshan and Sage Monarch Guihai create the vast Immortal Realm from nothing. Its text is profoundly mysterious, almost transcending the Dao itself. My aptitude, Shanhua, is dull; without your annotations, Great Venerable, even with this precious scripture in hand, I would find it difficult to comprehend its mysteries.”

“Great Venerable, you are truly my master!”

“When Emperor Zhaiyang first entrusted this scripture to me, he also said that your mastery of the Dao was far superior to his. Truly befitting a disciple of the Sage Monarch!” At this moment, Shanhua paid no mind to the long-deceased former emperor, fabricating words on the spot.

Amidst Shanhua's eloquent flattery, Li Fan meticulously examined the scripture in his hand.

In a sense, Shanhua hadn't truly lied.

Although this Chapter of Mountain and Sea Genesis described the creation of the Immortal Realm within the Infinite Sea and the Above Mountain, it also contained many of Sage Monarch Taiyi's personal insights gained from witnessing these grand events.

It was remarkably similar to the 'Keeper of the Mound's Musings' that Li Fan had previously acquired.

However, compared to Keeper Gu's straightforward and candid expressions, Sage Monarch Taiyi seemed much more "literary." The entire scripture contained almost no plain descriptions, but was instead filled with numerous seemingly meaningless words and phrases.

If it weren't for the fact that it was personally transmitted by Sage Monarch Taiyi, Li Fan would have almost taken it for the ravings of a madman.

This astonishing scripture seemed not to be intended for mortal beings. The immortals of the Immortal Realm were also included in this category of mortals. Perhaps only the other Sage Monarchs were truly suitable as readers for this scripture.

That is, without Wuji's annotations.

After all, Great Venerable Wuji, also known as Grand Master Tiandu, had served beside Sage Monarch Taiyi for countless years. Under his direct guidance, he clearly found it much easier to understand the Sage Monarch's thoughts compared to ordinary people.

Although his annotations could not be said to perfectly align with the Sage Monarch's original meaning, they were almost entirely accurate.

Regarding the scripture itself, Li Fan truly couldn't understand it.

But with the Grand Master's annotations, he could just barely glimpse the state of mind of Sage Monarch Taiyi.

One passage mentioned:

The moment Sage Monarch Lianshan became the first immortal in the world, all beings in existence at that time benefited to some extent. All living creatures were immersed in great joy. Only Sage Monarch Taiyi, while experiencing a faint happiness, felt an equal measure of worry. At that time, Sage Monarch Taiyi still couldn't understand where this worry originated.

Another passage described how, after Sage Monarch Guihai opened the Infinite Spring, he invited Sage Monarchs Lianshan, Taiyi, and others to witness the ceremony. Guihai playfully asked Lianshan, "Brother, do you know which is higher, the mountains or the sea? If not, we can wait and see." Lianshan smiled and replied, "Though mountains are high and seas are deep, an immortal can stand atop a mountain peak and also tread upon the Infinite Spring. Therefore, the immortal is highest." Guihai clapped his hands and laughed. Sage Monarch Taiyi, in a trance, vaguely saw the roaring forms of mountains and seas in the two Sage Monarchs before him, and for a moment, felt a pang of sorrow.

Through this Chapter of Mountain and Sea Genesis, Li Fan felt as if he had returned to the dawn of the Immortal Realm's creation, personally experiencing ancient events from Sage Monarch Taiyi's perspective.

Besides the matters of the Sage Monarchs and the nascent Immortal Realm, the scripture also narrated stories of primordial beings and the Primeval Immortal Realm.

That was a vast, almost boundless, wild continent. It was teeming with various wondrous primordial beings. Some of these beings were manifestations of the Grand Dao, some were extraordinary objects gaining sentience, and others were "humans."

However, the "humans" in this Primeval Immortal Realm were far stronger than the mortals of today. Perhaps due to being born and nurtured by nature, these "humans" could hunt and devour primordial beings embodying the Dao on the continent, absorbing them for their own use.

But as time passed, the "humans" discovered that their crude method of consumption did not allow them to truly master these Daos. Once they died, the Daos would return to heaven and earth. Furthermore, they could not perpetuate the "Dao" through "reproduction." Thus, the "humans" began to ponder true methods of controlling the Dao.

They began to learn from and imitate the primordial beings embodying the Dao on the continent; some even abandoned their human forms entirely to grasp the paths of the Dao. Over long ages, countless "races" began to emerge and evolve. Meanwhile, the primordial beings gradually withdrew into reclusion due to the "humans'" covetousness.

The Chapter of Mountain and Sea Genesis did not explicitly describe Sage Monarch Taiyi's true identity. However, from various details, it could perhaps be inferred that Sage Monarch Taiyi was not originally a "human" but rather a manifestation of a primordial being.

“However, once one reaches the power level of Sage Monarch Taiyi, the form of life ceases to be important.”

“As long as one wills it, countless transformations are possible at any time.”

The Chapter of Mountain and Sea Genesis, much like the 'Keeper of the Mound's Musings,' was vast and profound. It required considerable time and careful study to truly comprehend.

Although Shanhua had presented such a grand gift, Li Fan had no intention of letting him go.

Shanhua's Dao contained a touch of illusion becoming reality, making it very suitable for populating the Myriad Aspect Dao Web.

Shanhua's nameless intuition was also extremely sharp.

He could sense Li Fan's "unfriendly" thoughts, and seeing the countless Heavenly Pillars erected around them, cold sweat streamed down his face as he blurted out, "Great Venerable, do you need True Immortals to serve as Heavenly Pillars?"

“There are still many True Immortals surviving in the Shuoxing Sea. The Guangwu Sea, in particular, has an even greater concentration of True Immortals. I am willing to go before you, Great Venerable, as your vanguard!”

Hearing this, Li Fan's eyes flickered, and he temporarily halted the hand he was about to drop.

Although many True Immortals had been suppressed this time, their quality was somewhat disappointing.

Most were ordinary True Immortals, with only two in the Nameless Realm.

One was the Dao of Shared Prosperity. Its master, the Dao controller, could enjoy all the benefits brought by the prosperity of their affiliated force and provide a certain degree of power amplification to their companions within that force.

However, they themselves were exempt from the negative effects of the force's decline. Even if the force they belonged to perished, they could retreat calmly. Their core principle was to share blessings but not misfortunes.

Although this Grand Dao ability might seem somewhat useless, its amplification effect was actually terrifying. It fostered increasing prosperity and could stack like a snowball. Shared Prosperity Nameless had once been a favored guest of multiple ruling Immortal Emperors.

If not for the irresistible factor of the Annihilation of Dao calamity, the Immortal Realm might truly have continued to prosper indefinitely.

The other Nameless True Immortal suppressed by Li Fan this time was Divine Thought. Even if the Star Sea's connections were severed due to the Annihilation of Dao calamity, he could still use the Dao of Divine Thought to locate surviving civilizations in various isolated corners.

The Guangwu Star Sea and the Nameless True Immortal called Peeking Star were connected through Divine Thought.

“To say these Grand Daos are useless isn't quite right.”

“But...”

“Their strength is indeed somewhat disappointing. Perhaps the true powerhouses among the Nameless True Immortals have already fled to other possibilities.”

At this thought, Li Fan became somewhat more interested in the remaining Nameless ones within the Shuoxing Sea faction.

“Besides Shanhua, there are also Huntun and Ni.”

“And the blue giant hand that constructed the Dao web.”

Having begun to absorb memories from the suppressed True Immortals, Li Fan had gained an initial understanding of this mysterious powerhouse.

Unlike other Nameless ones who openly displayed their attained Dao paths,

this Nameless one, who single-handedly created the Shuoxing Sea Dao web, had never truly revealed their true identity. Whenever they appeared, it was always as a blue light-and-shadow body. And the immortals were unable to discern what Dao path this individual controlled.

The True Immortals suppressed within the Shuoxing Sea Dao web should know their true identity. Yet, even when True Immortals and Immortal Hunters later allied, these individuals were not released. They remained firmly suppressed deep within the Dao web.

Li Fan couldn't help but think of the City Lord of Sukhavati City.

He had almost forgotten that he still had an agreement with this True Immortal.

“Soon. Wait a little longer, and I will free you.”

“This Shanhua is indeed still somewhat useful for now, so there's no rush to seal him into a Heavenly Pillar. Besides, the return of the thirteen Primordial Dao Forms mentioned by Emperor Sanmo is still far off.”

Thinking this, Li Fan let out a cold snort. "Seeing as you are somewhat sensible, I will temporarily spare you the crime of disrespect."

Shanhua Nameless sighed in relief, quickly thanking the Great Venerable for his grace.

Just then, something else occurred that made his blood run cold.

The black cat on his shoulder, which had been temporarily unconscious after Peeking Star Nameless borrowed its body, was now slowly regaining consciousness.

When it saw the figure nearby, after its master had spoken presumptuously to it, its fur bristled and it ferociously yowled at Li Fan.

“Meow! Meow meow meow!”

“You little beast, how dare you!” Shanhua no longer cared about doting on his precious pet and slapped the black cat on the head.

The black cat, in pain, not only did not restrain itself, but instead snarled softly at its owner.

“An untamable beast! Great Heavenly Venerable, please don't take offense!”

Shanhua gave a bitter smile, apologizing to Li Fan with a nervous expression.

“Do you think I would bother with an unthinking beast?” Li Fan sneered, then waved his hand, levitating the black cat into his grasp.

He examined the small creature closely.

Indeed, the black cat and Cat Treasure bore a certain resemblance in appearance. No wonder Li Fan had almost mistaken them at first glance.

Now, with the black cat held in Li Fan's hand, its life in another's control, it remained completely unaware.

Still oblivious to danger, it continued to bare its claws and snarl at Li Fan.

“Quite fierce, isn't it?” Li Fan remarked, clicking his tongue.

Shanhua wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and said, “I've always nourished this little beast with Infinite Immortal Power. Perhaps it consumed too much, and thus became unruly. It acts the same way with other True Immortals.”

“It's not specifically targeting you, Great Venerable.”

“Ah, it was quite cute when it was young.”

Hearing this, Li Fan's fingertips surged with boundless immortal power, which he offered to the black cat's mouth.

As expected, the black cat immediately quieted down, devouring the energy from the Infinite Sea in large gulps.

The little creature certainly had an appetite.

After a while, it finally ate its fill.

However, to Li Fan's surprise, he had expected the black cat to become more docile after being fed.

Instead, the beast instantly turned hostile, snarling softly at Li Fan once more.

Seeing Li Fan's expression slowly turn displeased, Shanhua secretly lamented and nervously explained, "This beast is just like any other cat under heaven. It's only familiar with those it knows well."

“Outsiders, even if they use some methods, ultimately cannot make it truly obedient.”

Li Fan lost all interest and, disheartened, tossed the black cat back to Shanhua.

However, at that very moment, his movement paused slightly.

Shanhua's heart tightened again, thinking Li Fan had changed his mind.

But then he heard Li Fan ask quietly, "What did you just say?"

Shanhua, not understanding why, could only repeat his words.

"...just like any other cat under heaven. It's only familiar with those it knows well."

As these words were spoken, an image of Cat Treasure slowly emerged before Li Fan's eyes.

And its figure, lying quietly on the Holy Emperor's shoulder.

One cat, one person, seemingly standing forth.

They transcended space and time, silently gazing back at Li Fan's true self.

A point that Li Fan had long overlooked now surged into his mind.

How could a divine artifact like Cat Treasure be subdued by the Holy Emperor merely with a bit of source essence?

Whatever the Holy Emperor desired, Cat Treasure could almost always cooperate fully.

Even for highly energy-consuming tasks, the Holy Emperor could appease it by feeding it some source essence.

If it were anyone else...

Could they have done that?

Li Fan had never considered this question before.

But now...

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