Chapter 1497: Star Hanging Over Mountains and Seas

Having truly ventured into the Infinite Sea, he could draw upon its boundless immortal power, blurring the lines between illusion and reality.

The Primordial Continent, as it now stood, perhaps only lacked the same underlying "potential" or "momentum" that the former Immortal Realm possessed.

Immortals were able to transcend and oversee all living beings because, in ancient times, Sage Monarch Lianshan ascended Mount Above, forging a path for all beings to rise from nothingness. The entire Immortal Realm was, in fact, constructed directly within the boundless expanse of Mount Above.

Yet, few immortals in the world truly knew where Mount Above was or what it looked like.

This was a classic case of not seeing the forest for the trees.

Li Fan, this "half-immortal," was no exception.

Though he was within the mountain, he could not discern its true form. He could harness its power, but he could not comprehend its essence.

"The Infinite Sea is already so breathtaking; the grandeur of Mount Above must surely be no less impressive," Li Fan often mused. Whenever he explored the Infinite Sea, he couldn't help but ponder this. He could only deduce the existence of Mount Above by observing the changing "momentum" that arose with each step of his ascent.

Even without consciously striving for higher realms, the sheer infusion of infinite power gradually altered the underlying "potential" of the Primordial Immortal Realm. This, perhaps, was the strongest evidence that mountains and seas originally shared the same source.

At this moment, Li Buren sat cross-legged at the very apex of the Primordial Immortal Realm's firmament, within a Dao Palace perched above the abodes of the Five Heavenly Emperors.

While keeping an eye on every subtle movement across the continent, most of his attention remained fixed on a yellowed, ancient scroll in his hands.

The scroll appeared ancient and tattered, with many pages missing. This, however, did not deter Li Buren from reading it repeatedly.

This very text was the "Mountain and Sea Fable" that Li Fan had diligently sought after, the same one Liu Ruchen had once read.

After the Medicine King Sect departed the Xuanhuang World, wielding the True Cauldron of the Medicine King, this text was confiscated by the Grand Supreme Sect, one of the Ten Immortal Dao Sects, and subsequently placed in their treasury.

When the Grand Supreme Sect later fractured, a faction seized the chance to flee, taking with them countless treasures from the sect's treasury, including this fable.

Beyond the high wall at that time, the Shuoxing Sea was a tumultuous place, a convergence of numerous chaotic forces. The survivors from within the high wall, presumably all originating from the Darkest Star Sea, instinctively banded together. They ultimately endured and evolved into the three dominant powers in the current Shuoxing Sea: Sword Domain, Thousand Crossings Dao Field, and Abyss Genesis Land.

The former Grand Supreme Sect was located within the Thousand Crossings Dao Field.

As the undisputed authority in Shuoxing Sea, Li Fan found it utterly effortless to locate anything within these mortal realms.

He didn't even need to intervene personally; a simple instruction to Shanhua was enough to ensure the task was handled perfectly.

Although this "Mountain and Sea Fable" was still incomplete, it provided a more detailed depiction of the relationship between mountains and seas, as well as their differing attitudes towards the various creatures that emerged in the world over time.

This proved quite insightful for Li Fan, who was just beginning to grasp the essence of mountains and seas.

What most captivated Li Fan's thoughts, however, was the discussion between the mountain and the sea regarding the future.

A being was born between mountain and sea, living one day, perishing the next.

It was born in the sea but perished on the mountain.

The sea did not witness its demise, but the mountain did. Overwhelmed by grief, the mountain wailed inconsolably.

Boulders tumbled down from the mountain, startling the sea.

"Oh Mountain, why are you suddenly so sorrowful?"

"Oh Sea," replied the mountain, "it is because I have foreseen our future destiny."

"How can such a minuscule creature be compared to us?" the sea questioned.

"Indeed, the mountain and sea are vast now. Yet, the day of their demise is insignificant. It is not that they perish because they are small; rather, they become small because they perish!"

The mountain and sea trembled, overcome by an inexplicable terror.

After that terror, many years passed before peace returned, and the mountain and sea were as they were before.

One day, the mountain and sea played together once more.

Suddenly, the mountain abandoned the sea and moved away.

Confused, the sea pursued. Unwilling, the mountain distanced itself further.

The sea wailed and roared, "Oh Mountain, what new fit of temper is this?"

The mountain replied with a heavy sigh, "Oh Sea, have you never looked up?"

The sea looked up and saw, abruptly, a star hanging high above both mountain and sea, like the eye of a god watching over them.

The sea then ceased its pursuit.

The star remained suspended above the mountain and sea. One day, it vanished.

The mountain and sea reunited, filled with trepidation.

"Oh Mountain," the sea asked nervously, "where do you think It went?"

The mountain, however, did not reply, but stared intently at the sea.

A few breaths later, the sea fled in terror.

And the mountain and sea were never seen again.

"Mountain, Sea."

"Star."

Li Buren slowly closed the last page of the text, his expression unreadable.

The vast majority of this fable was dedicated to describing the interactions between the mountain and the sea.

The appearance of the 'star,' however, was confined to only the last two short stories.

Yet, its mention struck the reader like the sudden clang of a great bell in the stillness, leaving them utterly terrified.

Mount Above and the Infinite Sea: one representing boundlessness, the other representing supreme potential. They were existences transcending the mundane world, inconceivably vast and magnificent.

Yet, according to this fable, above even the mountain and the sea, there existed a 'star.'

This 'star' could even instill fear in the mountain and sea themselves, ultimately causing them to vanish.

"If this fable isn't a baseless fabrication, then it becomes very intriguing indeed."

"The star, in the end, vanished within the mountain and sea."

Li Buren couldn't help but recall the circumstances of his first entry into the Infinite Sea.

"Could the anomalies at the bottom of the Infinite Sea have originated from the 'star'?"

"And what exactly is Hanzhen's connection to the 'star'?"

"Who exactly is Sun Piaomiao, to possess knowledge of such profound secrets?"

Li Fan had once shown this fable to Chengdao. However, this spirit stone, born from the very edge of the mountain and sea, had no recollection or impression of anything depicted within the fable.

In fact, Chengdao was somewhat dismissive of it.

From Chengdao's perspective, it was merely random speculation by mortals about mountains and seas. He simply gave it a cursory glance before returning it to Li Fan.

"To know the true secrets of the mountain and sea, this Sun Piaomiao is certainly not simple," Li Fan mused, his understanding completely contrary to Chengdao's.

An entity capable of transmitting such profound methods as the "Medicine King Scripture of Dao Refining" would never stoop to writing baseless, absurd tales.

Especially the allegorical references to the mountain and sea; they were too specific. For any True Immortal, there was no possibility of them pointing to other entities.

"Perhaps the crucial clues lie within those missing pages."

Li Fan had investigated and discovered that these pages weren't lost during the Grand Supreme Sect's period of collection. Instead, the scroll had been incomplete from the very moment it was placed into their treasury.

"Therefore, someone intentionally tore them out and concealed them."

In the vast expanse of the starry sky, finding clues from those missing pages seemed an impossible task. Yet, Li Fan harbored a faint premonition.

He felt that these remaining pages were still out there somewhere, waiting for him.

"It's like a trail of lures," he thought, "it makes no sense for them to vanish just as one approaches the trap."

"However, he might not realize that what he has lured may not be mere prey, but a ferocious beast ready to devour him."

With a flicker in his eyes, Li Buren crushed the "Mountain and Sea Fable" in his hand to dust.

It transformed into thousands of earthy yellow threads, which he swallowed in a single gulp.

"No wonder it could be preserved for so long without deteriorating."

"As expected, it contains elements of Dao refining techniques."

"Transforming the Dao into elixirs, refined through a thousand trials, so that even if the Great Dao decays, the Golden Core remains immortal."

Li Buren savored the taste, smacking his lips.

"Splendid!"

Moments later, his form drifted out of the Dao Palace and stood poised above the Primordial Continent.

Gazing at the immortal realm he had personally forged below, he nodded with satisfaction, remarking, "A divine medicine so rare, scarcely seen through the ages."

"It's perfect for a trial!"

Li Buren had no intention of directly destroying this continent, which had been so painstakingly developed.

In fact, thanks to the inherent boundless nature of the Immortal Realm, even if Li Buren were to temper the Great Dao of this world using Dao refining techniques—

—as long as he meticulously controlled the heat, maintaining a balance between creation and dissipation—

—he could forge Dao Elixirs of the Immortal Realm without ever harming the foundational roots of the Primordial Immortal Realm!

In essence, the Primordial Immortal Realm was like a spiritual ganoderma capable of endlessly regenerating its own substance, making it absolutely ideal for refining Dao Elixirs.

Consequently, Li Buren harbored no concerns about failure; even for his inaugural Dao refining attempt, he proceeded directly.

"Five Heavenly Emperors, heed my command!"

"Fire..."

"...Rise!"

Li Buren issued a low command, sending an edict towards the five palaces arrayed below.

From the Primordial Continent, five-colored profound light surged upwards from the firmament, engulfing the entire sky.

All beings throughout the world instinctively looked up at the sky, an indescribable sense of dread welling within their hearts.

Yet, with the decree of the Creator Father God above and the deterrent presence of the Five Heavenly Emperors below—

—even in their terror, the myriad beings could only silently bow their heads and comply.

The Thirteen Heavenly Marks swarmed forth like malevolent spirits, patrolling every corner of the continent. Any who dared to resist would be executed without mercy!

Amidst boundless terror, the beings of the Primordial Immortal Realm fell to their knees in supplication, begging for the Father God's benevolence.

Yet, on the five firmaments, surges of multicolored light continued to erupt like ceaseless fireworks.

From Li Buren's perspective, the various Dao principles within the heavens and earth were being evaporated by the firelight. Like tendrils of azure smoke, they ascended and coalesced into a spherical elixir before him.

Thanks to Senior Brother Chengdao's selfless guidance, Li Fan had already gained a general understanding of all Dao paths related to primordial possibilities.

It was akin to knowing the precise composition of every ingredient in a medicinal pill; refining it naturally felt effortless.

The smoke continued to rise without cease. Eventually, a Dao Elixir slowly materialized within Li Buren's vision.

It appeared as noble as the purple qi arriving from the east, possessing an indescribable majesty.

Yet, Li Buren shook his head slightly. "It failed, surprisingly."

He casually tossed it towards the Heavenly Emperor's palace below.

"Thank you for your divine grace, Father God!"

The Central Grand Heavenly Boundless Emperor, being the strongest among all the Heavenly Emperors, managed to seize the Dao Elixir. Overjoyed, he did not dare forget to express his gratitude.

The other Heavenly Emperors, meanwhile, were filled with intense envy.

Just as he had once disciplined them using the Infinite Sea's access authority, even now that they were revered as Heavenly Emperors, Li Fan could still keep them compliant and obedient.

"Refining the next elixir will require seven days, allowing the Primordial Immortal Realm to naturally recover."

Li Buren calculated the resources expended in refining a single Dao Elixir. He couldn't help but marvel at the wondrous nature of infinite power.

Had this been an ordinary lower realm, no matter how profound its foundations, such a refining process would undoubtedly have led to its complete depletion.

The Immortal Realm, however, provided an endless supply of energy.