"Once you've met the Saints, you'll be free to move around."
"However, this applies only to you. Your Traversing Ark, on the other hand, must remain docked within the Formless Star Hub," the Hunger Immortal stated calmly, leaving no room for negotiation.
"As for you..." After speaking to Li Fan, the Hunger Immortal's colossal eyes turned to Xiao Wangsheng. "As a relic of the Mountains and Seas, there are designated residential areas within the Other Shore. Most places within the Other Shore are also freely accessible. There aren't as many restrictions for you."
This time, it was Xiao Wangsheng's turn to be stunned. He hadn't expected that the colossal eyes would discern his origin at first glance. "It seems my friend was right," he thought, "if I want to blend in safely with the Other Shore, it's best not to hide anything."
Li Fan, reacting more quickly, pressed on directly: "Listening to your words, Senior, it seems there are many other relics of the Mountains and Seas like my friend here within the Other Shore?"
It didn't seem to be a secret. The Hunger Immortal smiled and said, "Not many, really. It's just that these relics of the Mountains and Seas are fundamentally different from us transcendents. They have more in common with each other, so we simply arranged for them to live in one area."
Li Fan nodded, indicating understanding. "Thank you for the information, Senior. We both understand and are willing to accept all regulations within the Other Shore."
"That's very good; it saves me some breath." For some reason, the Hunger Immortal's words subtly conveyed a hint of regret.
A beam of light shot from the colossal light wall, locking onto the Profound Yellow Immortal Ark.
In a daze, Li Fan felt the scene before his eyes suddenly shift. Above the canopy of the sky, countless streams of purple energy surged from spatial rifts, forming long, glazed bridges connecting various points. These bridges seemed to lead to different regions, with glimpses of rapidly changing landscapes at their far ends.
Beside him stood a figure, quietly. Its appearance was nine-tenths similar to the Hunger Immortal.
The moment he saw this face, Li Fan's expression perfectly conveyed a hint of shock. However, he quickly suppressed it. As a cover, he proactively bowed. "Greetings, Senior!"
The Hunger Immortal, however, keenly caught this. "You've met me before?" she asked, somewhat amused.
Li Fan gave a wry smile and spoke honestly: "Senior truly has discerning eyes. In my original timeline, I did indeed have a karmic connection with you. I even sealed you into a celestial pillar to resist the Dao Annihilation..."
A hint of trepidation flashed across Li Fan's face, and he recounted the entire story, including how he had handed over that Hunger Immortal to Xie Subai.
Hearing about the tragic fate of her other self, the Other Shore Hunger Immortal showed little anger. Instead, she said with extreme calm, "Once you enter the Other Shore, all past karma is dissolved. There's no need to worry; whatever past grievances existed between you and me are canceled out upon your joining the Other Shore. You can rest assured; I will absolutely not trouble you because of it."
"As for the 'me' you mentioned..."
The Other Shore Hunger Immortal's brow furrowed as she looked in a certain direction. "Subai... Hmph!"
It was clear that Xie Subai, after receiving the Hunger Immortal celestial pillar from Li Fan, had not brought it back to the Other Shore but had kept it for himself.
"Let's go, I'll take you to meet the Saints." Without dwelling on the previous matter, the Other Shore Hunger Immortal quickly resumed her calm demeanor and said.
As she spoke, one of the countless purple energy bridges in the sky suddenly seemed to come alive, whistling down and stopping before them.
"The Other Shore is divided into numerous vast and boundless regions. Even for transcendents like us, traveling on our own would be quite time-consuming. That's why we need the assistance of these guiding rainbow bridges."
Once on the purple energy bridge, Li Fan felt the surrounding scene warp and twist strangely. Only a faint trembling resonance, like the communication of mountains and seas, could be heard in his ears, as if he were rapidly traversing through the Mountains and Seas. However, inside the guiding rainbow bridge, no matter how obvious the external changes were, he felt no discomfort.
Yet, Li Fan noticed that Xiao Wangsheng's complexion, for some reason, had become extremely abnormal after stepping onto the guiding rainbow bridge.
"This purple energy bridge..."
"It seems to be made from Mountain and Sea-aligned beings," Xiao Wangsheng transmitted with some difficulty.
The Other Shore Hunger Immortal seemed to hear the telepathic message. "Strictly speaking, they are Mountain and Sea 'suitables.' Like birds soaring through the nine heavens or fish leaping in the sea, their innate abilities make them far more efficient than most beings in the Other Shore when it comes to traversing and wandering through the Mountains and Seas. Therefore, the Saints borrowed their bodies to create these guiding rainbow bridges, making it convenient for all immortals to travel within the Other Shore."
Despite this explanation, Xiao Wangsheng's face remained grim. In his view, these Mountain and Sea 'suitables' were practically identical to his own kind, the Mountain and Sea Offerings. In the former dynasty, they were beings of immense reverence. Now, they were reduced to mere means of transport...
"This Other Shore is even more dangerous than I imagined!"
"No wonder my friend was so insistent with his warnings earlier." Xiao Wangsheng then fell into a long silence. He simply let the Other Shore Hunger Immortal occasionally offer a piece of information about the Other Shore.
"Actually, in theory, I wouldn't need to explain everything word by word like this. Anyone who can reach the Other Shore on their own can complete all information exchange with me in a single thought. However, you haven't yet met the Saints. Most information about the Other Shore cannot be disclosed to you."
"Once you receive the Saints' approval, you will naturally come to know all about the Other Shore," the Hunger Immortal explained, somewhat idly.
Li Fan, curious, asked, "Senior, I've heard you mention the Saints many times. Who exactly are these 'Saints'?"
"The Saints are, of course, the venerable Sages. Those who traversed the Eternal Silence Void and journeyed to the previous segment of the Mountains and Seas are honored by us as Sages. Before their departure, each Sage leaves behind a fragment of their will within the Other Shore. This will is devoid of any personal emotion, existing solely for the continuation of the Other Shore and the Mountains and Seas."
"Within the Other Shore, to date, there have been nine Sages. The collective will fragments they left behind are what I refer to as the Saints," the Other Shore Hunger Immortal introduced, her expression serious.
"And the Saints' approval?" Li Fan's expression was subtle.
"Everyone's experience differs. But as long as you return alive after meeting the Saints, you will have passed the trial."
As if perceiving a fleeting expression on Li Fan's face, the Hunger Immortal added, "But don't worry, the Saints are extremely lenient. In the countless years since I became a Guardian of the Dao, there have only been two instances of individuals failing the trial and being punished by the Saints."
"And even those most heinous individuals did not perish. Instead, they toil day and night on the Myriad Ages Celestial Staircase of the Other Shore, to atone for their sins."
The Other Shore Hunger Immortal did not explicitly state what the Myriad Ages Celestial Staircase was. However, from her tone, it was clear that being imprisoned there would not be a pleasant experience.
Hearing the Hunger Immortal's words, Li Fan, though outwardly calm, felt his internal tension tighten. Even though he had anticipated facing a trial upon arriving at the Other Shore, the thought of an impending combined trial from nine beings as powerful as the Three Sages still filled him with a degree of solemnity.
"I hope the 'Illusion is Real' method can protect me," he mused. "If that fails, I'll have no choice but to use the Mountains and Seas as leverage for my departure."
He could still clearly sense the True Spirit Kindling he had sown throughout the Mountains and Seas, even after entering the Other Shore. This reassured Li Fan considerably.
Compared to Li Fan's turbulent thoughts, Xiao Wangsheng had now completely calmed down. In his view, the dynasty's method of transcendence, which drew the gaze of the stars, was the only way to save everything. Since these beings were called Saints, they must be highly rational.
"If there's a truly effective way to save everything, there's no reason they would refuse," he thought. "Perhaps we don't need to subtly change their perceptions; directly meeting the Saints and explaining the pros and cons might just make them accept it." After all, as a being who had survived since the ancient era of the Mountains and Seas, Xiao Wangsheng had his own ideas. Although Li Fan was his savior and friend, he would not act like a mere puppet, following every instruction.
In Xiao Wangsheng's opinion, after the fall of the dynasty, as the sole surviving Mountain and Sea Offering, completing the plan for transcendence of the Mountains and Seas and continuing the dynasty's mission outweighed everything else.
Xiao Wangsheng's resolve gradually solidified.
Li Fan, however, failed to notice his subtle change.
After an unknown period of time on the guiding rainbow bridge, the scene before them shifted once more.
"I won't be going in," the Hunger Immortal's voice echoed in his ear. "Keep going, the Saints are just ahead!"
Li Fan's attention had already been captivated by the wondrous sight before him.
It was as if he had returned within the Mountains and Seas, surrounded by an endless panorama of their forms. However, this was different from before, when he was a single, weak individual struggling within the Mountains and Seas. It even differed greatly from what the Mound Keeper had seen in his memories, watching the sea from a mountain.
Now, Li Fan felt as if he had risen above the Mountains and Seas, suspended high in the air. From above, he observed the shifting landscape of the Mountains and Seas. Every ripple was a condensation of countless possibilities. On the serene and majestic mountains above, he could faintly discern a continuous immortal realm resembling a sea of stars. And scattered throughout the Mountains and Seas, like winding black dragons, were the tendrils of Dao Annihilation, devouring the world!
Mountains and Seas intertwined, Dao Annihilation raged. This scene appeared before Li Fan in an unprecedentedly vivid and concrete manner. Li Fan could not only clearly feel the destruction and threat of Dao Annihilation, he could even comprehend the Dao of the Mountains and Seas.
"This perspective... it's quite similar to the legendary 'Star'," he thought. "It's not a realm I can reach. It must be..."
"The Saints!"
Xiao Wangsheng was no longer beside him; Li Fan was now alone in the entire space. Taking a deep breath, and gradually calming himself, Li Fan walked forward openly.
Above the Mountains and Seas, the concept of time seemed to vanish. Li Fan took step after step, yet everything he saw, felt, and perceived remained unchanged. He almost had the illusion that he was treading in place.
However, through years of scattering the True Spirit Kindling, Li Fan had long cultivated extraordinary patience and perseverance. "Since the Saints are ahead, if I just keep walking, I'm bound to meet them."
This wasn't a sudden change in Li Fan's character or a newfound trust in the Other Shore Hunger Immortal, whom he had just met. It stemmed from logical deduction. The Other Shore, as the hope for countless beings in the current Mountains and Seas, gathered numerous transcendents to save the world. It would certainly not play tricks on a newcomer transcendent like him. "Otherwise, the Other Shore wouldn't have been established at all, nor would it have survived until now."
Li Fan calmly walked forward, disregarding the passage of time. An unknown amount of time passed until all other thoughts in his mind settled. Only the single, pure intention to keep moving forward remained.
The surrounding scene suddenly changed again. A ring enveloped him, encasing him within. Nine figures stood upon this halo, all gazing at Li Fan within the circle.
In that instant, Li Fan felt as if he bore the weight of the Mountains and Seas! His body and spirit were instantly crushed into countless fragments. The change happened too swiftly, so fast that Li Fan hadn't even emerged from his single-minded obsession with "moving forward." There was no time to react at all!
He saw himself transform into countless starlike particles, shattered into myriad pieces. Yet, within this ring, there seemed to be a profoundly mysterious power that allowed Li Fan to maintain his "integrity" even in this fragmented state.
Gradually recovering, Li Fan felt a faint sense of unease. This was true even while he was in his "Illusion is Real" state. Because Li Fan noticed that the moment he was pulverized, the nine figures outside the halo had all rippled simultaneously. For beings with the power of the Saints, to collectively exhibit emotional fluctuations...
"True Spirit Fire, burning down the Mountains and Seas. Hahaha, interesting!"
A hearty laugh rang out, sending Li Fan's heart plummeting. This single sentence had completely exposed the truth about his infinite spirituality!
Li Fan dropped all pretense, his face instantly darkening. The Saints' methods far exceeded his imagination. All his prepared smooth talk, schemes, and diplomatic maneuvering... were utterly useless!
The moment they met, the Saints had pulverized Li Fan's very existence into countless particles of light. Then, they thoroughly examined them. Every past experience, every secret, every thought. At this moment, nothing could be hidden!
"Can those who pry into others' privacy truly be called Saints?!" Li Fan retorted, enraged, feeling as if his clothes had been stripped away and he was being gawked at naked.
Facing Li Fan's furious accusation, the Saints showed no emotional fluctuation whatsoever.
"Saints... that is an honorific bestowed upon us by outsiders. In truth, we are merely a group of pitiful wretches attempting to save the world."
"The Other Shore embodies the countless efforts of many and concerns the critical survival of the entire Mountains and Seas. Naturally, no hidden dangers are permitted entry. Privacy... in the face of absolute survival, it's insignificant."
"However, hearing those two words from your mouth is quite comical."
Voices came from all directions. Li Fan, who had been overwhelmed with rage, gradually calmed down at this point.
"You saw my infinite spirituality?"
"What else did you see?"
The Saints replied, "'When the truth is false, the false is true.' The name 'Huan Yizhen' (Illusion is Real / Still True) you gave 'it' is quite fitting."
Li Fan could no longer hold it together; his mind exploded.
[5 minutes ago] Chapter 1658: True Spirit Lures to Sainthood
[10 minutes ago] Chapter 930: Immortal, Literary Saint, Novelist
[12 minutes ago] Chapter 1657: Starshine Festival Chronicle
[15 minutes ago] Chapter 4715: The First Person of the Ages
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