Chapter 1587: Starfire Spanning Mountains and Seas

Angry Squid:

In the Immortal Realm, Langhuan Starfield.

Tens of thousands of True Immortals had gathered, many of whom had reached the Nameless Realm.

"The Immortal Chancellor remains in seclusion. We must find a solution quickly."

"Nearby Xuangque Starfield, Suibeng Starfield, and Doubiao Starfield have all been swallowed by the Dao Annihilation. It's likely that our Langhuan Starfield is not far from destruction!"

"The crucial point is that the Dao Annihilation has created a dead end; our Langhuan Starfield has become a sealed area. There's nowhere to escape, no way out."

"Everyone, everyone, don't panic or lose your composure. I sent a message to the Immortal Chancellor early, and he has replied. He will surely emerge from seclusion in the coming days to organize efforts against this catastrophe..."

"A few more days? By the time Lin Zhaoye comes out, I fear we'll all be dead!"

"No, he must come out today. He absolutely must give us an explanation."

The scene was chaotic. The Nameless True Immortals were relatively calm, managing to maintain their composure. Ordinary immortals, however, had their minds disturbed by the desperate situation created by the Dao Annihilation's encirclement, and some were subtly driven to madness.

This wasn't just due to the life-or-death crisis; it was also because, under the Dao Annihilation's siege, the immortals slowly discovered that their "infinite" divine powers were also being affected.

This slow deprivation, which progressed with time, was in some ways more terrifying than instant death.

In the center of the gathered immortals, where the Nameless ones stood, a completely different topic was being discussed privately.

"Fellow Daoists, have any of you heard rumors today about that World-Saving Immortal Ark?"

"With the Dao Annihilation approaching, disaster imminent, and the Immortal Chancellor still in seclusion, this World-Saving Immortal Ark is likely the only way we can escape. How could we not have heard of it? It's just..."

"This Immortal Ark, it appeared quite strangely. We'd never heard of it before."

"However, the claim that the World-Saving Immortal Ark can traverse the Dao Annihilation should be true. Although I haven't met the Ark's master, I did encounter the twelve Nameless ones on board. To be frank, any one of those twelve Nameless individuals is probably stronger than Lin Zhaoye."

"Brother Zhao, is what you say true?"

"This is a matter of life and death; why would I speak falsely?"

"Even if the rumors about the World-Saving Immortal Ark are true, the conditions for boarding are a bit too harsh. One must either offer ancient artifacts of the Mountains and Seas or serve as a slave for a hundred thousand years. This..."

"Everyone, what do you say? If we join forces, can we seize this so-called World-Saving Immortal Ark?"

The Nameless ones had been chatting amongst themselves, one after another, but at this remark, the venue instantly fell silent.

Everyone involuntarily looked at the speaker. It was Shuhu, a notorious figure among the Nameless True Immortals of Langhuan Starfield. The Dao he cultivated was related to fanning flames and instigating without limits.

Anyone who followed Shuhu's advice invariably met a bad end.

Seeing the cold expressions directed at him, Shuhu chuckled awkwardly, "My apologies, my apologies, it's a habit."

"At this critical juncture, some words should not be spoken carelessly. The master of this Immortal Ark is clearly a Transcendent powerhouse. Now that the Great Dao Annihilation has arrived, the Immortal Realm is falling apart, and each starfield is struggling for survival. In such a situation, the World-Saving Immortal Ark is likely our only way to survive. Serving as a slave for a hundred thousand years is acceptable compared to perishing."

"Furthermore, although it's described as serving for a hundred thousand years, according to the twelve Nameless ones, they rarely need to take action. Not only can one approach the Dao Annihilation in an untranscended body to comprehend the Grand Dao of Mountains and Seas, but there's also the hope of being carried along to that legendary Great World on the Other Shore..."

After a round of discussion among the immortals, the atmosphere became lively again. Many Nameless ones were clearly swayed.

"But where exactly is that World-Saving Immortal Ark now?"

The Nameless ones continuously scanned the Langhuan Starfield, attempting to locate the so-called World-Saving Immortal Ark.

Yet, they found nothing.

What they didn't know was that within the dark clouds of Dao Annihilation surrounding Langhuan Starfield, a magnificent colossal ship was anchored.

It was precisely the Xuanhuang Immortal Realm!

However, compared to before, the state of this Xuanhuang Immortal Realm was somewhat peculiar.

It seemed to be crafted from an illusory shadow, yet all living beings within the Xuanhuang Heaven and Earth were in a purely physical state.

Liu Liangcai, once one of the twelve True Immortals of the original possibility, had already ascended to the Nameless Realm.

He came to the Heaven Beyond Heaven of the Xuanhuang Immortal Realm to report his progress to Li Fan.

"'So, this possibility is indeed beyond salvation?' Li Fan's voice, without revealing his true form, faintly drifted from the edge of the sky."

However, Liu Liangcai dared not show any negligence, nodding with utmost solemnity: "As per custom, I have gathered the usable populace. Once the Dao Annihilation completely engulfs this possibility in ten years, the Renyin Immortal Ark can set sail again."

From Li Fan's side, no reply came for a long time.

Liu Liangcai's heart tightened, thinking Li Fan was dissatisfied with his progress. He added, "Five years. If we further stir up the Dao Annihilation, we can accelerate the destruction of this possibility."

Only then did Li Fan respond: "I'll give you six months. Liangcai, you are still too soft-hearted after all."

"I've instructed you all before: if a possibility you encounter is still in a stable and prosperous state, then quietly leave a projection of me and depart swiftly and silently."

"If it has already been targeted by the Dao Annihilation and fallen into a perilous state, then help it perish as soon as possible, gather all usable personnel and resources, and strengthen the Immortal Ark."

"You've also navigated the Mountains and Seas for many years; don't you know how vast they are, with countless possibilities? If every single one takes as long as you, how much longer will it be until we complete our plan and sail to the Other Shore?"

Though Li Fan's words were calm, cold sweat was already trickling down Liu Liangcai's forehead.

"Six months... In six months, we will definitely set sail again."

After Liu Liangcai finished speaking, his vision blurred, and he found himself outside the Xuanhuang Heaven Beyond Heaven.

As if relieved of a heavy burden, he let out a long sigh.

"Senior's might has become even more terrifying."

Liu Liangcai's gaze extended beyond the Xuanhuang Immortal Ark, through the Dao Annihilation, and landed on Langhuan Starfield.

"Better a dead Daoist than a poor one. Please don't blame me, everyone..."

After only a brief hesitation, Liu Liangcai made up his mind.

He remembered that the first time he personally instigated the Dao Annihilation to surge and engulf an entire possibility, witnessing countless beings perish because of him, his heart felt as if struck by endless lightning, and his whole being nearly collapsed.

But later...

With more practice, he slowly grew accustomed to it.

Muttering under his breath, he bowed halfway towards the Xuanhuang Heaven Beyond Heaven: "I request the Holy Body of Mosha."

A moment later, a black illusory figure quietly appeared between heaven and earth as a response.

Without a glance, it plunged directly into the dark clouds of Dao Annihilation outside the Immortal Ark.

Moments later, winds surged and clouds gathered, as if a storm was brewing and descending.

It pressed inch by inch towards Langhuan Starfield, which was already reduced to a mere corner.

"Your remaining time is not much," Liu Liangcai sighed softly.

Meanwhile, inside the true Xuanhuang Immortal Ark, Li Fan sensed that Mosha seemed to have grown stronger again and nodded slightly.

It was unknown how long had passed since the plan to scatter true spirit sparks throughout the Mountains and Seas was first conceived. Over the years, Li Fan had continually put that original plan into practice.

Initially, progress was quite smooth. With the Taiji Wooden Staff, Mosha, and the Dao Yi Worm paving the way, the Xuanhuang Immortal Ark could smoothly traverse different possibilities, quietly leaving behind true spirit sparks.

However, Li Fan later discovered that while this approach was somewhat smooth, its efficiency was still too slow.

Even though the Mountains and Seas had been riddled with holes by the Dao Annihilation, they were ultimately too vast.

At this rate, even if Li Fan dedicated his entire life, he couldn't hope to complete the plan to widely scatter true spirits, which would pose a threat to the Mountains and Seas, within his lifetime.

"To create a great conflagration that threatens the Mountains and Seas and the Other Shore, the initial sparks must cover at least about one percent of the entire Mountains and Seas. Only then, in a short time when I face danger, can they ignite everywhere, using the fire of true spirits to burn mountains and boil seas."

"One percent of the Mountains and Seas might seem insignificant. However, for cultivators, it's already an unimaginably vast number."

Only through personal experience did he truly grasp what the "infinite" nature of the Mountains and Seas truly signified.

Li Fan alone could not possibly complete the set plan. So, he decisively changed his approach.

He used the 'Sitting Heaven Art' to project a Xuanhuang Immortal Realm illusion, creating Xuanhuang Immortal Arks with slightly reduced performance.

He appointed the twelve True Immortals as helmsmen, to operate these Immortal Arks on his behalf, sailing them to various parts of the Mountains and Seas.

This was just the first step.

As Li Fan had just instructed Liu Liangcai, what the twelve True Immortals needed to do was traverse different possibilities and place the true spirit sparks.

At the same time, they were to subdue usable individuals.

Then, these newly joined Nameless True Immortals would pilot new Xuanhuang Immortal Arks, undertaking a new round of missions.

This cycle would repeat continuously.

"To date, I already have nearly a thousand Xuanhuang Immortal Arks under my command, navigating different corners of the Mountains and Seas."

"But even so, completing the plan remains a distant prospect."

Li Fan sighed faintly.

"Fortunately, I haven't been without gains."

As each true spirit spark was put in place, Li Fan, even amidst the Dao Annihilation, could clearly perceive the "selves" from different possibilities across the Mountains and Seas.

These spiritual essences, scattered throughout the Mountains and Seas, acted like his eyes and tentacles, helping Li Fan further and more comprehensively observe the Mountains and Seas.

"If, in the past, I was like a blind man feeling an elephant..."

"...now I have tens of thousands of people helping me feel it together."

"Though the giant elephant is immense, its true form is slowly revealing itself."

"Just as I had anticipated."

In Li Fan's mind, the image of a hollowed-out section of broken wood reappeared.

Countless red star-like points were scattered across the broken wood.

Even though they hadn't yet occupied most of the area, they had already grown considerably in scale.

"The more I see and perceive, the stronger I become."

"Just like the 'Unification of All Selves' pursued by Xie Subai and others, every time I complete a placement in a possibility, it means I absorb the self from that possibility."

"From one to ten thousand, and from ten thousand to one."

"All roads lead to the same destination."

It was precisely because Li Fan himself grew stronger that the Sitting Heaven Art could continuously generate feedback power, condensing into new Xuanhuang Immortal Realm illusions. Only then could it support Li Fan's "Scattering Sparks" plan.

Of course, this plan was not always smooth sailing.

The Xuanhuang Immortal Arks created from illusions, without the Mountain Sea Solitary Sail presiding over them, were significantly less stable within the Dao Annihilation. If the Dao Annihilation's winds and waves grew stronger, there was always a risk of them overturning.

However, even if an illusory Immortal Ark was swallowed by the Dao Annihilation, Li Fan didn't suffer any significant loss. The Nameless True Immortals serving as helmsmen were countless throughout the Mountains and Seas. Even if they all perished, more could be recruited at any time.

The true variable, however, stemmed from the changes in the Dao Annihilation.

Initially, Li Fan didn't feel much.

But when more and more, perhaps around a hundred illusory Xuanhuang Immortal Arks, capsized within the Dao Annihilation, Li Fan finally noticed something amiss.

Outside the true Xuanhuang Immortal Ark, the Dao Annihilation's winds and waves had inexplicably grown stronger.

Only then did Li Fan understand: every time the Dao Annihilation swallowed a Xuanhuang Immortal Ark, even if it only devoured an illusion, its understanding of the Xuanhuang Immortal Ark still increased by a fraction.

After over a hundred Xuanhuang Immortal Arks were destroyed, the Dao Annihilation's corrosive power against the true Xuanhuang Immortal Realm underwent a qualitative change, escalating to a new level.

This was what Li Fan finally perceived.

"This is where the Dao Annihilation truly becomes troublesome."

Therefore, out of necessity, while maintaining the plan to scatter true spirit sparks, Li Fan also had to strive to reduce the Immortal Ark's destruction rate. He didn't aim for a hundred percent safety for the arks; at the very least, he needed to ensure his own strength grew faster than the Dao Annihilation's corrosive abilities.

Otherwise, before he could even widely scatter the true spirit sparks, he would perish within the Dao Annihilation himself.

This was also why Li Fan had spoken so much to Liu Liangcai earlier, and with such patience.

In the past, Liu Liangcai would have been thrown into the Dao Annihilation by Li Fan long ago!

With Li Fan's change in attitude, and the added support of powers like Mosha and the Dao Yi Worm in the illusory Immortal Arks, the accident rate significantly decreased. Not only did the efficiency of placing Li Fan's true spirits greatly improve, but it also unexpectedly led to the birth of numerous "Transcendent powerhouses."

It's important to note that the time these "apostles," bearing Li Fan's commands, spent on missions in different possibilities constituted only a minuscule fraction of their careers.

Most of the time, they were navigating the vast expanse of the Mountains and Seas, constantly facing the Dao Annihilation.

In a sense, this served as an excellent place for enlightenment, allowing them to comprehend the true meaning of transcendence.

In ordinary possibilities, there was simply no suitable place like this that allowed these Nameless True Immortals to approach the Dao Annihilation so closely and still meditate peacefully for enlightenment.

All those selected by Li Fan to serve as apostles were beings of extraordinary talent within their single possibilities.

It was therefore not surprising that some seeds of transcendence emerged from among them.

Li Fan also explicitly stated to all "helmsmen apostles" that if they could attain transcendence and reach the Other Shore on their own, without relying on the Xuanhuang Immortal Ark, they were free to do so.

The hundred-thousand-year agreement would then be nullified.

Should they meet again on the Other Shore in the future, they would even have the chance to sit and discuss the Dao.

Li Fan was also not afraid that his plan to scatter true spirits would be leaked, because apart from the original twelve True Immortals, these later-joined helmsmen apostles did not understand the fundamental reason why the Immortal Arks sailed to different possibilities.

They only believed it to be Li Fan's unique cultivation method.

As for the original twelve True Immortals, they remained firmly within Li Fan's grasp.

"The cultivation method of 'Unification of All Selves' is indeed highly efficient."

"If I were to meet Xie Subai now, I could exchange a few blows with him directly, even without relying on borrowed prestige to intimidate him."