Chapter 1494: Immortal Realm Ends the Sect

"Chengdao." Li Fan savored these two words.

Then, with a solemn bow, he respectfully said, "You set an example by willingly entering the network. I admire your actions, Elder Brother Dao. However..."

Li Fan chuckled coldly, "You may be called a gentleman, but I am merely a small person who stumbled upon some opportunities. I just want to live."

Pointing to the surrounding Heavenly Pillars, Li Fan said calmly, "If not for my master's phantom and the protection of these nameless Heavenly Pillars, this starry sky would have probably collapsed long ago. To be frank, Elder Brother Dao, I'm naturally a person with no sense of security. I'm afraid that the Tribulation of Dao Annihilation might suddenly arrive one day, and my master's phantom might not be able to protect us. It's only normal to want to do some reinforcement work, isn't it?" Li Fan spoke with an air of nonchalance.

Anyone hearing this would find it hard to associate his "minor works" with the nameless True Immortals.

"Though I wish to emulate Master and bear the Dao with a phantom, my comprehension and aptitude are insufficient. I am truly powerless and can only resort to opportunistic methods."

"Elder Brother Dao, since you can weave such a magnificent Dao network, your cultivation must be extraordinary. Could you teach me?"

Li Fan smiled, gently waving his hand.

Before him, the figure of Patriarch Shouqiu, sitting atop a mountain and gazing at the sea, suddenly appeared. Countless light and shadow effects constantly shifted around Patriarch Shouqiu's figure. These were precisely Li Fan's insights into the 'Random Notes of Shouqiu'.

Upon seeing the master's image, Chengdao Wuming instantly became serious. He first bowed deeply, then carefully observed. When Li Fan saw this, he knew what to make of it. Most of his worries vanished.

Chengdao Wuming was not perfunctory. He carefully studied the insights Li Fan presented, and then proceeded to explain them on the spot. As expected of a nameless expert who had attained Dao inheritance, the feeling was almost identical to that brought by Patriarch Shouqiu's phantom when imparting his legacy.

It was as if a sage was by his side, giving direct instructions. For a time, Li Fan listened, enthralled, almost forgetting his own dangerous situation. He occasionally asked questions, raising all the doubts he had accumulated during his century of Dao comprehension. Chengdao Wuming, too, held nothing back. Li Fan's confusion dissipated entirely, and he was overjoyed. The time spent on the sermon seemed to pass in mere moments.

After Patriarch Shouqiu's image gradually faded, Chengdao Wuming fixed his gaze on Li Fan once more.

"Doubts can be resolved, but sins are hard to erase."

"You have acted wantonly, relying on my master's legacy; you deserve to be punished."

"You may be spared death, but you cannot escape living punishment!"

"As punishment, I'll have you stay with me deep within the Dao network, reflecting on your mistakes behind closed doors!"

As Chengdao Wuming roared, a brilliant blue radiance suddenly erupted, enveloping Li Fan's entire body. Li Fan clearly saw that what was before him was not merely blue light. It was, in fact, countless densely packed Dao strings overlaid one another! Each one seemed to possess the weight of a Heavenly Pillar. With this move, Chengdao Wuming seemed to cast the entire Dao network over Li Fan's head.

"This old guy is incredibly strong!" Li Fan was secretly alarmed. But he was not afraid; instead, he became interested. Since there was no risk to his life, he might as well spar with his opponent. Coincidentally, since Li Fan ascended to Immortality, he hadn't sparred with an evenly matched opponent for a long time.

"Illusion is also True!" Li Fan first recited inwardly. The rapidly approaching Dao network instantly grabbed nothing but air. Li Fan was clearly standing there, but it was like a mortal fishing net that could never scoop up water. At this moment, the rules protecting Li Fan transcended the Grand Dao, naturally preventing him from being captured by the Dao network.

"Elder Brother Dao, watch my methods." Facing Chengdao Wuming's uncertainty and surprise, Li Fan chuckled. With a flick of his finger, thousands of Dao threads intertwined with the blue Dao network. The net formed by the Immortal Soul of Mo Sha was simultaneously eroding Chengdao Wuming's comprehension of the Grand Dao. In reality, this manifested as constant flickering of blue light and shadow within the Dao network. Shadows continuously sprouted in various places. Mo Sha's inherent restraint over the Grand Dao actually rendered the Dao network powerless to resist for a moment, allowing Li Fan to devour it.

Countless insights into the Grand Dao surged continuously into Li Fan's mind. The efficiency was so high that it far surpassed his previous absorption of Grand Master Tiandu. Li Fan keenly sensed that this included not only Chengdao Wuming's insights, but also remnants from the True Immortals who had once been sealed within the Dao network.

"Heretical path!" Just as Li Fan was happily pilfering, Chengdao Wuming let out a furious roar. The blue Dao network, which had been constantly swaying under the shadow invasion, instantly stabilized. It was as if it was no longer just a solitary net but had sufficient support behind it. Li Fan looked at the blue halo before him and couldn't help but feel as if he were facing mountains and seas.

"Profound as the sea, steady as a mountain."

"The Grand Dao is formless, its roots external."

Li Fan suddenly had a moment of enlightenment. Although his Myriad Phases Dao network had been evolving for a century and had absorbed many Grand Daos, its scale and power were indeed formidable. But Li Fan always felt that the foundation of his Dao network was not very stable. For those weaker than him, it was fine. If he encountered someone stronger than him, or of comparable strength, then a slight push might be enough to push away or break free from his so-called Myriad Phases Dao network. Although his Dao network had woven myriad phases, it couldn't tightly bind enemies.

However, the Dao network woven by Chengdao Wuming completely lacked this flaw. It was like mountains and seas, pressing down gently, anchoring the swaying Dao network. It was similar to how Li Buren had previously relied on the power of the Wuji Heavenly Pillars to wreak havoc within the Dao network, even dismantling three Heavenly Pillars. But in reality, the true foundation of the Shuoxing Sea Dao network was not destroyed.

"The Heavenly Pillars are just pillars. The anchoring foundation is still there. As long as he captures some True Immortals again, the Dao network can quickly recover. No wonder he watched the Dao network being destroyed before, yet wasn't anxious at all." Li Fan understood. When he first saw the Shuoxing Sea Dao network, the invisible large hands that appeared in his mind, pressing down on all the Grand Daos, were actually formed by borrowing the power of mountains and seas. Chengdao Wuming was indeed a disciple of Shouqiu. He could actually, like Patriarch Shouqiu, borrow the formless, invisible power of mountains and seas that existed outside the mortal realm. In comparison, Li Fan, this disciple, was somewhat a disciple in name only.

With a foundation, the blue Dao network naturally could not be devoured by Li Fan's methods. No matter how strong the winds, it remained unshaken. It was like a piece of delicious meat that suddenly turned into a very tough bone. Li Fan had to temporarily give up and retract his Myriad Phases Dao network.

"Elder Brother Dao, excellent methods!"

"Watch out!"

Both praise and a sneak attack were unleashed simultaneously.

"Since you borrow the power of mountains and seas, I will sever your connection with them!" A cold light flashed in Li Fan's eyes. Although it was nominally a spar, if he could seize the opportunity to capture Chengdao Wuming, Li Fan would not hesitate in the slightest.

Mountains and seas transcend the mortal realm. Only a handful of people in the world could see the true form of mountains and seas. Li Fan was certain that Chengdao Wuming had absolutely never seen the mountains and seas with his own eyes. The reason he could borrow the power of mountains and seas was likely through descriptions passed down from Patriarch Shouqiu's legacy. But unfortunately, Li Fan happened to be one of those few people in the world.

In a trance, he seemed to return to the boundless Infinite Sea. In the distance stood the boundless Upper Mountain. Amidst the convergence of mountains and seas, endless turbulences echoed. Relying on the mysterious power of 'Illusion is also True', Li Fan, though not truly returning within the mountains and seas, seemed to be present again. Thus, he sensed the subtle connection Chengdao Wuming had established with the mountains and seas.

Although he didn't understand how this connection was formed, it didn't prevent Li Fan from employing the stratagem of 'substituting the plum for the peach'. To take the place of mountains and seas! Chengdao Wuming would certainly be unable to distinguish between Li Fan, enhanced by 'Illusion is also True', and the true mountains and seas. And compared to the lofty and unreachable Infinite Sea and Upper Mountain, Li Fan, the imitator, would actively draw closer. With one fading and the other waxing, it was only natural for Chengdao Wuming to mistake Li Fan for the mountains and seas.

Consequently, the connection between Chengdao Wuming's blue Dao network and the mountains and seas gradually became chaotic and finally broke. Li Fan, who had briefly established a connection with the blue Dao network under the guise of mountains and seas, also seized this fleeting opportunity to clearly see the reason for the connection's existence.

"As expected."

Between the mountains and seas, a faint figure stood with hands clasped behind their back. Although Patriarch Shouqiu was in the mortal realm, he had left his own imprint between the mountains and seas. Chengdao Wuming was a disciple of Shouqiu. And it was not an ordinary inheritance. Therefore, he could sense this imprint belonging to Patriarch Shouqiu between the mountains and seas. Thus, he could borrow the power of mountains and seas to exert pressure on the Dao network! In a flash, Li Fan similarly locked onto the location of the imprint Patriarch Shouqiu had left between the mountains and seas.

However, he did not rashly activate it. As long as he mastered this imprint, in the future, no matter where he was and no longer limited by the high walls, he could, like Chengdao Wuming, borrow the power of mountains and seas.

But the problem was... Patriarch Shouqiu himself still existed in the mortal realm. Chengdao Wuming was a legitimate disciple of Patriarch Shouqiu, inheriting the Dao with his body and bearing the Dao with his will. For such a disciple to borrow a bit of his master's name and power, Patriarch Shouqiu would surely not blame him. Moreover, if he sensed his disciple was in danger, he might even cross space and time to offer assistance.

And what about Li Fan? He used Patriarch Shouqiu's phantom, and it was through his clone, Li Buren. Furthermore, he even used the phantom originally meant to bear Dao Annihilation as a weapon to seal nameless True Immortals. This was outright deception and trickery. Being far away within the high walls was fine. If he foolishly dared to approach Patriarch Shouqiu directly... Li Fan was very certain that even if Patriarch Shouqiu himself was magnanimous and extraordinary in demeanor, he might not particularly care. But a casual slap from him was definitely something the current Li Fan could not withstand. It might even expose the existence of 'Huanzhen'.

"Only when my life is on the line, perhaps I can actively contact and trigger it. Patriarch Shouqiu's name should be frightening enough to create chaos as a cover, allowing me to calmly revert to 'Huanzhen'." Li Fan had used such methods multiple times even when he was still a mortal. He was already adept at it.

"It's just a pity, it seems this Chengdao Wuming before me cannot be easily touched. Indeed, good students are always the teacher's darlings." Li Fan secretly sighed in regret.

Never one to pursue the impossible, Li Fan, having recognized reality, quickly changed his strategy. Just as the duration of 'Illusion is also True' disguising as mountains and seas ended, Li Fan proactively halted their spar.

"Elder Brother Dao, your cultivation is indeed far above mine. I have learned a lot today." He changed his expression, saying with seemingly heartfelt admiration.

Faced with Li Fan's flattery, Chengdao merely snorted coldly and did not reply. Li Fan's method of severing his connection with the mountain and sea imprint had indeed exceeded his expectations. With such abilities, he had no choice but to treat Li Fan with caution.

Li Fan didn't mind Chengdao's cold demeanor, still smiling sincerely, "Actually, there are no irreconcilable conflicts between Elder Brother Dao and me. I only seek a stable place. It's not impossible for me to release these True Immortals within the Heavenly Pillars..."

"Oh?" Chengdao was somewhat surprised, looking at Li Fan as if "disbelief" was written all over his face.

"Elder Brother Dao, is the reason you care about these sealed individuals within the Heavenly Pillars because they are the same kind as me?" Li Fan counter-questioned.

Chengdao pondered for a moment, then nodded frankly and said, "All immortals in the Immortal Realm have received Master's grace and inherited Master's methods. In a sense, all immortals in the Immortal Realm are disciples of Shouqiu. How can fellow disciples harm each other?"

"What an excellent 'how can fellow disciples harm each other'! Elder Brother, your words today are truly enlightening!" Li Fan was momentarily stunned upon hearing this, then immediately clapped his hands in praise. Very naturally, he changed "Elder Brother Dao" to "Elder Brother" in his speech. He paused, and seeing that Chengdao did not refute him, Li Fan smiled and continued, "Today, guided by Elder Brother, I truly realize my past mistakes. As I said before, I am willing to unconditionally release the True Immortals imprisoned within the Heavenly Pillars. Moreover, I can assist Elder Brother in rebuilding the Dao network..."

Chengdao was skeptical: "What are the conditions?" Clearly, he already understood the character of this opportunistic junior brother, Li Fan.

"My vision of constructing secure fortifications has never changed from beginning to end. Elder Brother, you also wouldn't want Master's phantom to turn into dust in the great tide of Dao Annihilation, would you?" Li Fan continued, "Elder Brother, you should know that I now have a method that serves both our interests. It can satisfy my needs without harming any of our fellow disciples in the Immortal Realm."

"Foreign races, primordial Dao manifestations. Elder Brother, have you ever heard of them?" Li Fan asked with a smile.

Chengdao's expression slightly changed: "Nameless foreign races? When did such monstrous beings appear in this realm?"

"No, no. Not from this realm. But from beyond the heavens!" Li Fan stretched out his hand, pointing far towards the horizon, beyond the high walls, beyond possibilities.

This time, Chengdao's expression completely changed. "How many?" His expression was profound, completely unlike when he had just mentioned the immortals of the Immortal Realm.

"Thirteen." Li Fan calmly uttered the number.

"Hmm?" Even Chengdao was startled by this number. "Is this true?" His voice involuntarily rose a few degrees.

Li Fan said seriously, "How dare I deceive Elder Brother? This is also the most fundamental reason why I have gone to such lengths to enhance my strength. Those thirteen primordial Dao forms are truly aggressive; I cannot rest easy!" Li Fan let out a long sigh.

Chengdao Wuming pondered for a moment, then decisively said, "Junior Brother, rest assured. With me here, even if all thirteen nameless foreign races arrive, they won't be able to harm you in the slightest! You are right. If we have these thirteen primordial Dao forms as a supplement, the allure of the Shuoxing Sea can be completely resolved!"