Chapter 1556: The First Star of Xuanyuan

Angry Cuttlefish

Li Fan stared intently at the remnants of the Fallen Immortal Illusion, trying to discern any traces of what the *Tai Shang Dao Scroll* should possess. Unfortunately, he couldn't truly make out its details until the Fallen Immortal Realm was on the verge of complete disappearance.

He deliberated for a moment, then, facing the Fallen Immortal Realm—now just a faint glimmer under the collective will of the Xuantian masses—Li Fan showed no reluctance. He issued the command for its complete annihilation.

The light grew dimmer and dimmer, until it finally vanished from the world.

"Was the true *Tai Shang Dao Scroll* really destroyed by me so easily?" Li Fan swept his divine sense across the Xuantian Immortal Realm, confirming that no remnants of the Fallen Immortal Realm remained. Alongside a hint of regret, an unsettling sense of unreality welled up within him.

Beyond his extreme selfishness, Li Fan was also naturally suspicious. "The Fallen Immortal Realm, formed from the *Tai Shang Dao Scroll*, should, by all accounts, be a formidable adversary. Even if the foundation of the *Tai Shang Dao Scroll*, the original Immortal Realm, was destroyed, the Fallen Immortal Realm shouldn't be so fragile." Accustomed to adversity, this unexpected ease made Li Fan grow suspicious.

To be cautious, Li Fan narrowed his eyes and meticulously re-examined every inch of the Xuantian Immortal Realm. Finding nothing, he finally felt a little more at ease. "My spiritual intuition hasn't given any warnings either." "It seems I was overthinking it."

Just as Li Fan sighed in relief, he suddenly discovered that the Fallen Immortal Realm, which had seemingly vanished completely moments before, had reappeared out of thin air above the Xuantian Immortal Realm! It was like a vibrant new sprout, breaking through the soil and emerging from underground. Li Fan didn't immediately move to destroy it again; instead, with a somber expression, he chose to observe first.

The core of this nascent Fallen Immortal Illusion was still the Boundless Star Domain, the scenery of the *Tai Shang Dao Scroll*. However, the newly generated illusion surrounding this core now reflected the landscape of the Xuantian Immortal Realm! This Fallen Immortal Realm was truly like a centipede, still twitching even when dead; it had not only survived the encirclement but had also advanced further.

"I clearly blocked the Fallen Immortal Realm's contact with the collective will of the Xuantian masses. How did this new Fallen Immortal Realm come into being?" With this question in mind, Li Fan had the Grand Heavenly Venerate Immortal Puppet personally send a wisp of its consciousness into the newly formed Fallen Immortal Realm.

The Xuantian Grand Heavenly Venerate naturally possessed a higher "authority" over the Fallen Immortal Realm. Even if the Fallen Immortal Realm was destroyed and reborn, this rule did not vanish. The moment the Grand Heavenly Venerate's consciousness entered the Fallen Immortal Realm, Li Fan immediately perceived a crucial fact. "The grade of the *Tai Shang Dao Scroll* is far above that of the Xuantian Grand Heavenly Venerate." "Yet, the Xuantian Heavenly Venerate can, in some aspects, restrain the Fallen Immortal Realm." A thought sparked in Li Fan's mind; he seemed to have grasped something vital.

The Grand Heavenly Venerate's consciousness wandered through the Fallen Immortal Realm, and the sights confirmed Li Fan's suspicions. "So that's how it is." "The core scenery of the Boundless Star Domain is merely an illusion. The true foundation of the Fallen Immortal Realm..." Li Fan observed the various people, events, and objects within the nascent Fallen Immortal Realm. They almost perfectly corresponded to those in the real Xuantian Immortal Realm.

However, this correspondence was limited to the original beings of the Xuantian Realm. Because, with the expansion of the Xuantian Immortal Realm, those from regions like the Heavenly Law Realm, who were later encompassed, were not included in this. "The true foundation of the Fallen Immortal Realm is the Xuantian masses!" "While the collective will of the Xuantian masses entered and shaped the Fallen Immortal Realm, the Fallen Immortal Realm also quietly entered the bodies of the Xuantian masses." "The *Tai Shang Dao Scroll* had long since fragmented, binding itself to the beings of the Xuantian Realm to a certain extent." "This is also why the Xuantian Grand Heavenly Venerate possesses a degree of authority to modify the Fallen Immortal Realm." Li Fan's eyes gleamed as if he had pierced through to the truth of the Fallen Immortal Realm.

"In this way, the Fallen Immortal Realm has two fundamental cornerstones for its existence. One is the illusory core of the Boundless Star Domain, and the other is the collective will of the Xuantian masses. If either of these persists, the Fallen Immortal Realm can continue to exist." "To completely destroy the Fallen Immortal Realm, I would have to kill all the original Xuantian beings." At this thought, Li Fan couldn't help but frown slightly. With his current strength, he could indeed accomplish this.

However, it would be a case of "losing eight hundred to kill a thousand." Not only would the spacetime anchor points he painstakingly built be utterly ruined, but his subsequent plan to enthrone the Xuantian immortals would also be severely affected. "If it's just to eradicate the hidden danger of the Fallen Immortal Realm completely, it might not be worth it." After weighing the pros and cons, Li Fan finally made a new decision.

The reason he had wanted to destroy the Fallen Immortal Realm before was its unknown nature. Without understanding its true depths, it was naturally impossible to guard against it. But now... "The *Tai Shang Dao Scroll* might not be unusable for me." "Even if you fragmented yourself and hid within the myriad beings of Xuantian, I am the parent of Xuantian. All Xuantian beings are in my grasp!"

With a thought, Li Fan instantly differentiated countless tiny wisps of consciousness. When the miracle of Xuantian's enlightenment boon descended once more, these fragmented tiny consciousnesses, accompanied by the surging wills of countless beings across heaven and earth, quietly infiltrated the minds of the masses.

Li Fan had once comprehended the profound formation of 'refining beings with beings.' Though ants are small, their countless aggregation can resist mountains and seas. Although Li Fan was the parent of the Xuantian world, when he came into intimate contact with this immensely vast collective will, it was as if he had suddenly plunged into an endless ocean. He nearly lost his bearings. However, Li Fan had, after all, personally entered the boundless sea multiple times and returned safely. Compared to the vast and limitless boundless sea, the sea of consciousness of Xuantian beings was insignificant. Within a few breaths, Li Fan adapted. He began to search for the hidden traces of the *Tai Shang Dao Scroll*, like searching for a needle in a haystack.

Meanwhile, in reality, it seemed unaware of Li Fan's search. The Fallen Immortal Realm was instinctively repairing itself. Even with Li Fan's active blockade and isolation, the nascent Fallen Immortal Realm's growth speed was incredibly fast. It seemed that after undergoing a destruction and shedding its original shell, it became easier for it to grow. In barely the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, it had recovered to one percent of its original size. However, after that, the Fallen Immortal Realm's recovery rate slowed down.

"Relying solely on the foundation rooted within the Xuantian masses, it can only recover to this extent. To restore itself to its full peak size, it would require a continuous supply of sustenance from the Xuantian masses. But with my blockade, it can only reach this point." Li Fan sat beside the Fallen Immortal Realm, silently observing and awaiting changes. Although the *Tai Shang Dao Scroll* was cleverly hidden, it was now like a turtle in a jar, unable to escape. Capturing it was merely a matter of time. And Li Fan had plenty of time.

The struggle between Li Fan and the *Tai Shang Dao Scroll* naturally went unnoticed by the Xuantian masses. For them, the inability to enter the Fallen Immortal Realm was merely another part of the Xuantian world's changes. What truly concerned them was a strange phenomenon that had recently traversed the entire Xuantian Immortal Realm.

Ninety-nine continuous mountain ranges rose straight up, illuminating Xuantian. Almost all Xuantian beings could witness this magnificent sight. After these ninety-nine mountain ranges shimmered in the sky, they eventually transformed into a world, soaring further upwards. They finally reached the visible edge of the firmament, like a star, suspended in the highest heavens!

When cultivators attempted to sense this star with their divine consciousness, information about it would inexplicably flash in their minds: Tianlu Star, Ji Wangxian! Every cultivator who could perceive this information was deeply shaken. This signified the birth of the Xuantian Immortal Realm's first Nascent Soul cultivator after the world's drastic changes! And the Nascent Soul cultivators of this new era possessed astonishing power. Far surpassing the past levels of Dao Integration and Longevity, almost reaching an unimaginable state!

It must be noted that the mountains of the Xuantian Immortal Realm were not comparable to the mountains and rivers of the former Xuantian Realm. These ninety-nine mountain ranges, combined, were already half the size of the former Xuantian Realm. And how strong would Ji Wangxian be, having achieved Nascent Soul by mastering these continuous mountain ranges? While fear arose in the cultivators' hearts, various ambitions were also sparked.

Who was Ji Wangxian? Cultivators of the former Xuantian Realm were no strangers to him. He was merely the patriarch of the World Merchant Guild, a mere merchant! Yet now, he had managed to be the first to achieve Nascent Soul, ahead of countless prodigies and heroes. Disbelief, curiosity, envy… A myriad of complex emotions brewed in the hearts of the Xuantian masses. The cultivators' desire to practice and grow stronger surged considerably. Everyone wanted to become the second brilliant star shining in the sky!

Not only the Xuantian masses, but even the Xuantian Creator, Li Fan himself, was slightly drawn by this first rising star. "It was him, who first completed the breakthrough to Nascent Soul." "Although my suppression of Su Bai and the immersion in enlightenment contributed to this." "Still, to achieve Dao enlightenment before the Ten Immortal Sects' members is enough to show his extraordinary nature." With a thought, Li Fan understood the full story behind Ji Wangxian's promotion.

"What a ruthless person." "Indeed, if one isn't ruthless, nothing can be accomplished." Li Fan raised an eyebrow, then gave a rare commendation. The World Merchant Guild was different from other cultivation sects. After the drastic changes in the Xuantian Realm, cultivators in other immortal sects all returned to the same starting line. The old class system was shaken. Many sects even engaged in fierce conflicts over the question of "who holds power in the new era."

However, with the World Merchant Guild, this problem did not exist. Even after reverting to a mortal state, Ji Wangxian, the Ji family patriarch, still maintained firm control over others. This was because the entire Ji family and the entire World Merchant Guild were created by Ji Wangxian as tools for accumulating wealth and cultivating, serving himself. Every member of the Ji family had been under Ji Wangxian's control since birth. Just like Ji Zhaoxuan from the Ji family, whom Li Fan had once encountered in the Fallen Immortal Realm.

Therefore, when the new era arrived, Ji Wangxian was not surprised but rather delighted. Whenever a member of the Ji family gained an insight into the new world, Ji Wangxian would directly devour it, digesting the other party's enlightenment. Using thousands as his "blood food," Ji Wangxian's cultivation speed was unparalleled.

Furthermore, Ji Wangxian did not drain the pond dry; after ensuring his cultivation was far ahead, he cultivated a large number of prodigies to serve as future "food." At the same time, Ji Wangxian also organized people to plunder other cultivators, using secret techniques to refine them into slaves for cultivation resources. With the drastic changes in the Xuantian Realm, order had completely vanished. Without the constraints of the Ten Sects and the limitations of rules, it provided Ji Wangxian with an excellent stage to perform.

Using this method, Ji Wangxian became the Xuantian Immortal Realm's first Nascent Soul cultivator. He transformed into a star, illuminating Xuantian. From then on, as long as the Xuantian Immortal Realm was not destroyed, he would be immortal and indestructible. Even if the Dao Annihilation descended, he would still have a sliver of hope! In a sense, Tianlu Star's Ji Wangxian's ability to resist mountain and sea calamities even surpassed that of the so-called true immortals of the past! Even though the vast majority of this resistance ability was built upon the foundation laid by Li Fan.

Currently, besides Ji Wangxian, no other cultivator in the Xuantian Immortal Realm knew the benefits of transforming into a Xuantian star. And Ji Wangxian would certainly not be kind enough to share this secret with others. His desire to advance further only grew stronger. After all, even the Nascent Soul stage brought such immense fortune. What about the Soul Transformation and Dao Integration stages above Nascent Soul? Ji Wangxian's exploitation and consumption intensified. The entire Ji family had no room to resist.

"It is also a form of Dao cultivation." "It's just a pity that relying entirely on others means his ultimate achievement is destined to be limited. He won't be able to forge his own path to transcendence," Li Fan commented. "However, his name might be written on my Investiture of the Gods. Ji Wangxian isn't good at cultivation or enlightenment, but in manipulating others, I might even learn a thing or two from him." Li Fan observed Ji Wangxian's methods, marveling at them.

No need to dwell on past matters. Let's just talk about a new invention of Ji Wangxian after his promotion to Nascent Soul. After transforming into a star and becoming immortal and indestructible, Ji Wangxian gathered all the members of the Ji family. He then implanted his own flesh, blood, and spirit into each Ji family member. This was euphemistically called "the patriarch's blessing."

These implanted fragments of flesh, blood, and spirit indeed aided cultivation. Furthermore, benefiting from the characteristics of Tianlu Star, Ji family members gained a semi-"immortal and indestructible" ability, and their combat power greatly increased. However, the greater purpose of these flesh, blood, and spirit fragments was to collect "taxes." More than half of all Ji family members' enlightenment and cultivation gains would be absorbed by Ji Wangxian. The higher their cultivation, the heavier the "tax."

Moreover, those implanted with the flesh and blood fragments would experience an uncontrollable surge in desires. Their moral concepts would gradually fade, and they would spontaneously contribute to the growth of the Ji family every night. Ji Wangxian's cultivation resources would swell further. Under such a heavy burden, if anyone still managed to make rapid progress in cultivation, they would immediately become a focus of Ji Wangxian's attention. While helping them propagate more excellent descendants as a reserve of cultivation seeds, the genius themselves would also be at constant risk of being devoured by Ji Wangxian at any moment.

"This development model is indeed the most suitable in the current Xuantian Immortal Realm." "However, it needs to be restrained, otherwise, if he accumulates too much advantage, others might find it hard to resist." Thinking this, Li Fan drew a circle in the air towards the location of the ninety-nine mountain ranges. Moments later, countless dormant spirits and monsters around the mountains instantly awakened. They then surged towards the Ji family's location. "Though they won't be annihilated, they will have to dedicate half their energy to facing the monster siege."