Chapter 1568: Solidifying the Principles of Heaven and Earth

Although the Xuanhuang Immortal Realm did not naturally generate the Dao principles associated with the Path of Interception, Li Fan bestowed this capability upon it by incorporating loquat as an ingredient, utilizing the "Dao Refining Medicine King Scripture."

This transformation at the Great Dao level was akin to a primordial birth. While it might have been somewhat sluggish initially, it would naturally integrate into the circulating Heavenly Dao of the Xuanhuang Immortal Realm as time progressed.

"Using Dao as medicine and refining Dao with medicine. Saint Taiwei's method bears some resemblance to Sun Piaomiao's 'Dao Refining Medicine King Scripture.' However, while Sun Piaomiao considers it the foundation of cultivation, Saint Emperor Taiwei views the myriad herbs in the garden as mere tools. The true basis of the Saint Emperor's path lies in the supreme holy dynasty that spans mountains and seas..."

Compared to the magnificent Taiwei Holy Dynasty, the Xuanhuang Immortal Realm crafted by Li Fan seemed insignificant.

Yet, Li Fan harbored no sense of crudeness or inferiority.

"Though Xuanhuang is small, it holds infinite possibilities. The Holy Dynasty is indeed vast, but its path is already determined."

"To achieve parity with the mountains and seas, there will inevitably be a conflict with numerous powerful entities from the great world beyond. Whether one can truly take that final step remains uncertain. Yet, my Xuanhuang Immortal Realm..."

Li Fan extended his palm, observing a tiny black speck quietly manifesting in its center.

It was the Dao-One Insect, which had absorbed and assimilated a portion of Mo Sha's power.

Mo Sha had successfully refined the loquat, so to prevent detection, the Dao-One Insect's clandestine erosion was temporarily halted.

Although it had only silently absorbed for just over thirty days, the Dao-One Insect had undergone tremendous internal changes compared to its past state.

The most significant change, arguably a qualitative one, was the Dao-One Insect's method of devouring external objects. Before learning from Mo Sha, the Dao-One Insect's erosion still resembled biological feeding, like a worm chewing or a cultivator absorbing and refining. However, after imitating Mo Sha, the Dao-One Insect's devouring method had elevated to a state of near "annihilation."

Both its feeding efficiency and devouring capability had increased by more than tenfold.

Furthermore, due to the Dao-One Insect's inherent state of continuous evolution, its erosive capabilities were progressing rapidly, by leaps and bounds. This was in contrast to Mo Sha, whose abilities were largely fixed and required external stimulation for further advancement.

"The current Dao-One Insect swarm can almost be considered a close relative of Mo Sha."

"The powers of Grand Simplicity and Eternity have a boosting effect on Mo Sha. Therefore, they should also be effective for the Dao-One Insect swarm." With this thought, Li Fan simultaneously cast the "Initial Creation of Mountains and Seas" chapter and a condensed cloak of Eternal Power towards the Dao-One Insect swarm.

Countless black specks swarmed forward, slowly engulfing both objects.

Unlike Mo Sha, which experienced immediate enhancement, the transformation of the Dao-One Insect swarm was slow and steady.

Although referred to as a "swarm," it bore no relation to actual "insects." The spirits and creatures of the Xuanhuang Immortal Realm did not possess life; they were manifestations of the power of heaven and earth. This was merely Li Fan's habitual nomenclature.

The essence of the Dao-One Insect swarm was now another form of power, cultivated within the Xuanhuang Immortal Realm as a vessel, and remarkably similar in nature to Mo Sha. As it originated within the Xuanhuang Immortal Realm, it was subject to Li Fan's control as its Xuanhuang parent.

"The Dao-One Insect has not yet fully absorbed Mo Sha's internal essence."

"I still need to find something for Mo Sha to do to divert its attention as much as possible."

Within the Xuanhuang Immortal Realm, and even within the Primal Possibility, the nascent Mo Sha was almost invincible, with few rivals. To find a suitable opponent, one had to look beyond the Primal Possibility.

However, given the current level of the Xuanhuang Immortal Realm, it was insufficient to support Li Fan safely traversing the mountains and seas. Thus, Li Fan's first thought was the fishing pond.

Or rather, the Mountain and Sea Fishery.

However, after careful consideration, Li Fan ultimately decided against utilizing the fishing pond for the time being.

"After all, since it can connect to the mountains and seas, the fishing immortal behind the fishing pond must be exceptionally powerful. Just as I was seen by Saint Emperor Taiwei while observing the Taiwei Holy Dynasty through the loquat, when I observe or use the fishing pond, I am bound to be perceived by that fishing immortal."

"For a short period, I might still be able to conceal myself using the Illusory Reality technique. However, in the long run, the risk of exposure will inevitably multiply. What I need is a stable method to capture objects from beyond the primal realm..."

Li Fan then recalled the salvage method he had witnessed in the Guangwu Star Sea during his previous life.

By strategically distributing "Heavenly Pillars" with varying capacities, weak points were deliberately created to attract the descent of Dao Annihilation. This formed an annihilation depression, in the hope of drawing in drifting objects from within the Dao Annihilation.

Li Fan had successfully replicated this method during his True Unending Reincarnation.

"However, the salvage yield is too unstable. With bad luck, one might gain nothing even after a century, while unnecessarily increasing the risk of being engulfed by Dao Annihilation."

"Fortunately, the Guangwu Star Sea has already taken a preliminary step for me. Besides Dao Chronicle projections and transcended remnants, there should be many other objects from beyond the primal realm there..."

"Once the first Dao Conjunction cultivator is born in the Xuanhuang Immortal Realm, and true immortals are listed on the Investiture of the Gods, the Xuanhuang Expedition can officially commence."

As he thought this, Li Fan's attention immediately shifted to Xuanyuan Tuo.

This Dharma-Transmitting Heavenly Venerate, whom nearly everyone in the Xuanhuang Immortal Realm had all but forgotten, consistently held Li Fan's attention.

It was known that Dharma Transmission had already reached the Dao Conjunction realm even before the great upheaval in the Xuanhuang Heaven and Earth. As Xuanhuang sublimated and transformed into an immortal realm, the Heaven and Earth Soul Golden Grip within it had become tens of millions of times stronger than before.

Yet, Dharma Transmission remained at its previous level of strength.

Theoretically, the moment Li Fan lifted the seal, Dharma Transmission should have been utterly overwhelmed by the expanding power within its body.

Yet, Dharma Transmission not only survived but, like "four ounces deflecting a thousand pounds," still maintained control over the Golden Grip, which had transformed alongside the Xuanhuang Realm.

Although Li Fan perceived it as being at its limit, as if countless fine threads were pulling it, even a slight movement of the Golden Grip risked severing the control.

Nevertheless, this level of control truly existed.

In a sense, Dharma Transmission had effectively become the first Dao Conjunction cultivator of the Xuanhuang Immortal Realm.

"But this is only true for his current state of tranquility."

"Once the balance of enlightenment is shattered, Dharma Transmission will instantly turn to ash. This is also why he remains in constant seclusion, unmoving."

Despite being in a situation where he could perish at any moment, Dharma Transmission exhibited no panic. Instead, he utilized this unique "Dao Conjunction" realm as a stepping stone to seek the method of true Dao Conjunction.

"This truly is a 'succeed or die valiantly' situation. Yet, he treats such immense pressure with indifference." Li Fan secretly marveled.

Indeed, he was worthy of being the Dharma-Transmitting Heavenly Venerate who would dominate Xuanhuang for tens of thousands of years in future generations.

"Only attain Dao Conjunction, not eternal life."

This was the deepest thought Li Fan could perceive, lingering in Dharma Transmission's heart.

Guided by this belief, Dharma Transmission, leveraging the faint past connection with the Golden Grip, was still able to control it now.

Li Fan had a premonition that Dharma Transmission seemed to be in a state of internal conflict at that moment.

After a deeper exploration, Li Fan understood the source of Dharma Transmission's indecision.

"So, he already has a reliable method for Dao Conjunction in mind. However, if he employs this method, he will forever be confined to the Xuanhuang Dao Conjunction, unable to surpass the Xuanhuang Heaven in the future. The former new method, which defied the principles of heaven and earth to control its affairs, would no longer be attainable..." Upon understanding Dharma Transmission's thoughts, Li Fan couldn't help but smile wryly.

"He clearly realized this long ago, yet he remains indecisive just as he is about to take the final step."

"It seems Dharma Transmission, like Tianyang, is unwilling to be inferior to others."

However, the method Dharma Transmission idealized was destined to be in absolute conflict with Li Fan, the Xuanhuang parent. How could Li Fan possibly surrender the Xuanhuang Immortal Realm?

"If you truly choose this path, then do not blame me for being ruthless."

"Of course, if you relinquish your inner obsession and are willing to serve under me..."

"Then I will not hesitate to lend you another hand." Li Fan smiled faintly.

As if sensing Li Fan's inner thoughts, Xuanyuan Tuo, who had been sitting in contemplation for a long time, finally made a decision.

Releasing his inner obsession, he exhaled deeply, and his entire demeanor relaxed.

He opened his eyes and slowly rose.

Due to his movements, the immensely powerful Heaven and Earth Soul Golden Grip within him, far exceeding his tolerable limit, instantly showed signs of losing control and violently erupting.

However, all such anomalies mysteriously ceased as Dharma Transmission softly chanted two lines.

"Transform the soul of heaven and earth, embody the Dao;"

"Solidify the principles of heaven and earth, to attain eternal life!"

These two soft lines, though softly spoken, resonated like rumbling thunder, echoing through the skies. Growing progressively louder, they continuously reverberated throughout the Xuanhuang Heaven and Earth.

The Heaven and Earth Soul Golden Grip showed no further signs of losing control and exploding.

Because Dharma Transmission, or rather Xuanyuan Tuo, had now transformed into It.

Donning a shimmering golden cloak, the Heaven and Earth Soul Golden Grip, which previously had no face, slowly began to reveal Dharma Transmission's likeness.

Moments later, Dharma Transmission stepped forward towards the Golden Grip.

The two immediately merged into one.

Before taking that final step, a subtle trace of melancholy flickered in Xuanyuan Tuo's eyes. However, it lasted only for a brief moment before he thoroughly suppressed it.

Having made the decision, there would be no regrets.

A golden light soared into the heavens.

Reaching directly above the Nine Heavens.

Piercing through the Investiture of the Gods in the heavens, it reached the four Heavenly Gates.

From each of the four Heavenly Gates, a beam of light shot forth, converging on Xuanyuan Tuo's body.

The barrier between the Heaven Beyond Heaven and the ground was pierced by this infinitely brilliant light. All beings on the surface could thus clearly perceive everything unfolding at the four Heavenly Gates.

*Humming sounds*...

A howling sound, originating from the mountains and seas, emanated from beyond the Heavenly Gates.

As the gate swung open, boundless immortal power, like a divine bestowal, cascaded downwards.

"This is..."

"An Immortal?"

Xuanyuan Tuo gazed at the continuous mountain and sea landscape unfolding before him, falling into a daze.

For some reason, despite having taken the step countless individuals yearned for, he felt no great excitement.

Not far away, Li Fan, concealed behind the scenes, burst into a hearty laugh, a sound not heard from him in a long time.

"This is truly it: 'With the Great Dao ahead, one cannot tread upon it...'"

"'Xuanhuang Saint Venerate is above!'"