Chapter 1606: I Become the Venerable

Scorned by a mere mortal, the voice showed little anger. Instead, its curiosity was piqued. "What do you mean?"

Bai Shuyue smiled weakly. Just as she was about to answer, her head gently drooped, and she could no longer speak. The tentacles had evidently drained her life force!

The tentacles, somewhat bewildered, continued to stir. Receiving no response, they grudgingly withdrew into the void.

"It seems my aunt was right. Your insight..."

"...is nothing special."

Just then, a voice suddenly echoed within the Enlightenment Boundless Wall.

Other people engrossed in enlightenment remained oblivious.

But the myriad flickering tentacles were instantly startled and trembled violently.

"Who is it?"

The only reply he received was a simple "Indeed!"

It could play tricks in front of his aunt, but Li Fan instantly saw through its true nature.

It was merely one of the immortal artifacts that had been cast into the Lankes Dojo from the Immortal Realm back then.

Li Fan could annihilate countless such entities with a mere wave of his hand.

"This kind of opportunity should be left for my aunt."

From the twenty-second to the twenty-fifth generation of the Saint Creation Project, Bai Shuyue primarily spent her time within the Enlightenment Boundless Wall.

Utilizing its characteristics of absorbing life force and catalyzing enlightenment, she shortened the duration of each generation and accelerated her deduction efficiency.

However, upon entering the twenty-sixth generation, Bai Shuyue temporarily abandoned her plan to enter the Boundless Wall for enlightenment.

The reason was simple: her own accumulated knowledge had been depleted over these generations.

With her mind empty, she naturally couldn't make further deductions.

Although she still hadn't fully comprehended the path beyond the new Nascent Soul method, Bai Shuyue already had a vague outline of the road ahead in her mind.

"Heaven and earth are boundless, mountains and seas infinite. What humans perceive is but a tiny fraction."

"To plumb the depths of heaven and earth, one must broaden their horizons and gaze far."

During these generations of enlightenment in the Boundless Wall, Bai Shuyue would often engage in casual chats with the tentacles. Leveraging her foreknowledge, she surprisingly gained the upper hand in their debates.

Although she didn't know what the "mountains and seas" frequently mentioned by the Boundless Wall truly referred to, Bai Shuyue had a faint premonition that they didn't merely refer to the mountains and oceans of the world.

This did not prevent Bai Shuyue from applying what she learned.

"As the Boundless Wall stated, our perception is limited. Even if the Spirit Mirror Nascent Soul can clearly reflect everything seen and felt, it is ultimately just a tiny speck in the primordial chaos. Therefore..."

"...one must let their spirit roam beyond the physical realm, entering the Great Void. With a single thought, traverse heaven and earth; with another, roam the mountains and seas."

Even with a vague direction, Bai Shuyue still had no idea how to achieve the state of "roaming the Great Void."

"Perhaps I can find answers to draw from among the countless secrets of the Xuanhuang Treasure Land."

After leaving the Boundless Wall, Bai Shuyue first visited the Mortal Deity Transformation Wall, which was as renowned as the Boundless Wall.

The phantom of a mortal achieving deity transformation in one step, with its elegant demeanor, truly inspired longing.

However, as Bai Shuyue gazed at the blurry figure on the wall, a sense of familiarity inexplicably arose in her heart.

"It's not an illusion."

"I have indeed encountered the power emanating from this figure. And not just once?"

"What could it be...?"

Bai Shuyue frowned, standing motionless before the Deity Transformation Wall for a long time.

Such occurrences were common and didn't attract others' attention.

Bai Shuyue stood there for half a month.

In her Nascent Soul's Spirit Mirror, numerous past experiences flashed continuously.

Finally, Bai Shuyue found the answer.

And the answer was far beyond her expectations: "This sense of familiarity... it's from every time I've used the Five Spirits Sense Method to expel the Immortal-Mortal Miasma from my body upon rebirth?"

Bai Shuyue was utterly stunned.

Ordinary people only had one chance in their lifetime to expel the miasma from their bodies.

Either they succeeded and embarked on the path of cultivation, or they failed and were forever cut off from immortality.

Thus, it was extremely difficult to notice the similarity between the Immortal-Mortal Miasma and the figure in the Deity Transformation Wall.

However, Bai Shuyue had repeated this step over twenty times!

Coupled with her continuously accumulating formidable talent, she naturally could discern the connection.

"Could it be...?"

"This mortal who achieved deity transformation in one step is the creator of the Immortal-Mortal Miasma?"

"Why would he do that?"

"If not for this Immortal-Mortal Miasma, my cultivation and my nephew's wouldn't have been so difficult back then."

Events from over twenty generations ago flashed through Bai Shuyue's mind. Instinctively, she felt no fondness for this person.

Her intuition told her that a great secret must be hidden within this figure.

"Moreover, I seem to have encountered him in other places as well."

A surge of alarm instinctively rose in Bai Shuyue's heart.

She, who harbored the secret of rebirth, now suddenly discovered that a mysterious figure inexplicably appeared in various aspects of her life. How could this not fill her with dread?

To address this hidden danger, Bai Shuyue began to pursue this mysterious figure.

Relying on her keen perception and using the similarities in power between the Boundless Wall and the Immortal-Mortal Miasma as a medium, she followed the clues, searching for other related existences within the Xuanhuang realm.

She found more than she expected. After a thorough search, Bai Shuyue discovered that the figure's presence was everywhere in the Xuanhuang realm!

Beneath Qiling Prefecture, ancient immortal miasma was hidden, extremely dangerous. Inside a peculiar small world of an exotic beast, there were traces of his sword qi.

The "Spirit of Heaven and Earth Transformation" was deeply hidden within the foundation of the Xuanhuang realm; and within the Fallen Immortal Realm, his power subtly resonated.

What was more crucial...

The Museum of Divine Artifacts at the Myriad Immortals Alliance headquarters, as well as the monk's skeleton cherished by Venerable Yin — said to be the first person to die from the Immortal-Mortal Miasma — all shared the same origin as this aura!

"He created the Immortal-Mortal Miasma, and he was also the first to die from it. Could it be that his power was insufficient, and after committing such heinous acts, he suffered retribution and was consumed by it?" Bai Shuyue speculated.

However, after sharing this discovery with Venerable Yin, Bai Shuyue received the correct answer.

"You mean this person is both the Old Law Celestial Venerable and the New Law Celestial Venerable, and he used his own life to shake the foundation of the transmission of laws?" Bai Shuyue frowned.

Venerable Yin, as Su Bai's number one fan, cradled the rib bone in his arms and nodded, grief-stricken.

Bai Shuyue hesitated to speak.

"What nonsense about the path to immortality being blocked and the Law-Transmitting Celestial Venerable being in charge," she thought.

"Even if the Law-Transmitter truly dominated an era and could become both the New and Old Celestial Venerables, his talent must have been exceptional. But what kind of situation leads to someone taking their own life without even the courage to fight?" Bai Shuyue grumbled inwardly.

However, out of consideration for Venerable Yin, she didn't voice her thoughts directly.

Even after countless reincarnations, Bai Shuyue still deeply cherished her own life and her nephew's.

After all, no one could be sure if her rebirth ability might suddenly fail.

Living each life as if it were her last. That was the proper way.

As if sensing Bai Shuyue's thoughts, Venerable Yin solemnly declared, "He must have had his reasons for doing so. I believe in him."

Seeing Venerable Yin's conviction, Bai Shuyue was left speechless.

"By the way, when you looked at Su Bai's skull, did you feel anything special?" Bai Shuyue asked, to change the subject.

"Of course! My blood stirred, and I could almost hear my own heartbeat. His radiant smile appeared before my eyes..."

"That's not what I meant," Bai Shuyue interrupted Venerable Yin's performance.

After a moment of thought, she said, somewhat uncertainly, "I mean, it seems to have some unique intentions condensed within it. As if it's not merely a simple skeleton."

Bai Shuyue pointed to the rib bone in Venerable Yin's arms. "I don't feel anything like that from this."

"Are you saying... Su Bai might still be alive?" Venerable Yin instantly became extremely excited.

Bai Shuyue was a little helpless. "Perhaps. It's just a feeling."

"Your feeling must be right. Indeed, how could a figure like Su Bai simply perish so easily?" Soon, Venerable Yin convinced himself.

He suddenly stood up. "No, I must save him! It would be one thing if I didn't know. But since I do know, I absolutely cannot let him remain there, like a toy, displayed for others to observe!"

Bai Shuyue quickly stopped him. "Don't be rash. Not only is the skull kept in the heavily guarded Myriad Immortals Alliance headquarters, making it extremely difficult to even get inside, but the mysterious curator of the Museum of Divine Artifacts alone is someone neither you nor I can deal with."

Venerable Yin declared fiercely, "I know that old fellow; he's powerful, but he values his life greatly. If we fight with all our might and he can't stop us, he'll never engage in a deathmatch with us. As for the Myriad Immortals Alliance headquarters..."

"It's simple. I'll cause such a massive disturbance that the Myriad Immortals Alliance will be too busy dealing with itself to interfere!"

Bai Shuyue looked suspicious. "You?"

Venerable Yin patted his chest and guaranteed, "Thanks to your innovative method, Fellow Daoist Bai, I've recovered even more memories."

"As I told you before, I am actually a remnant spirit from the worlds absorbed by Xuanhuang. Simply put, I'm the scraps that the Xuanhuang realm deemed unworthy."

"However, even if we are scraps, when enough of us accumulate and cause a commotion all at once..." Venerable Yin snorted a few times.

"When I descended back then, ghosts from countless worlds gathered, and an entire prefecture of the Xuanhuang realm was enveloped by a strange power, transforming all its laws into ghost-like entities. At that time, countless versions of me fell from the sky like raindrops."

"Later, the Myriad Immortals Alliance expended considerable effort to quell this anomaly. And back then, we only mobilized a small fraction of our power!"

"Even a dying beast can put up a fight. The more remnant worlds the Xuanhuang realm devours, the stronger we become. In the past, however, we were a headless swarm, unable to form a significant force. But now, I might be able to forcibly command them!" A strange aura gradually emerged from Venerable Yin's body.

As for Venerable Yin's true identity, Bai Shuyue didn't particularly mind.

If anything, her own experiences of continuous reincarnation and rebirth were far more bizarre than his.

Moreover, she was indeed curious about the power lingering within Su Bai's skull. She even harbored a subtle, almost imperceptible longing within her.

After pondering for a moment, she asked in a low voice, "What are the chances of success?"

"Thirty percent!" Venerable Yin's face showed pride.

"Thirty percent... that's not a small chance." After only a brief consideration, Bai Shuyue made up her mind.

Although she cherished her life, one who constantly reincarnates is also the least afraid of fighting to the death!

After meticulous preparation, Bai Shuyue set the time for their operation.

"Because of the Five Elements Grand Grotto-heaven, the Myriad Immortals Alliance and the Five Elders Council will engage in a major battle. You and I will secretly fan the flames to expand the conflict. Then, from the outside, you will launch a sudden attack, adding more fuel to the fire. As for Su Bai's skull inside the Museum of Divine Artifacts, leave that to me." Bai Shuyue instructed.

"Be careful with everything!" they exchanged, and then quietly waited for the opportune moment.

Venerable Yin didn't ask how Bai Shuyue knew that the Five Elders Council and the Myriad Immortals Alliance would fiercely contend over the Five Elements Grand Grotto-heaven in the future.

All he cared about now was getting his hands on Su Bai's skull.

Just as Bai Shuyue had predicted, with the discovery of the Five Elements Grand Grotto-heaven, a major battle was imminent.

Venerable Yin and Bai Shuyue fanned the flames in various places.

The situation became even more tense and precarious.

Seeing that the time was right, Venerable Yin prepared to act. "Now, let them taste the accumulated resentment we've gathered over countless years!"

He gazed at the Xuanhuang realm's sky and let out several exceedingly sinister laughs.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Streaks of green lightning inexplicably flashed across the skies of the Xuanhuang realm.

Like roaming dragons, they tore through the firmament.

From the fissures, torrents of chilling, ominous energy surged forth wildly.

Instantly, the Xuanhuang realm was transformed into a ghostly domain.

Corpse fragments rained from the sky, and countless Venerable Yins, laughing maniacally, descended upon the world.

Their clothing and body types varied, yet they all shared the same head.

"Xuanhuang realm! Return our lives!"

Their voices were like the wailing of ghosts and howling of wolves.

They launched indiscriminate attacks on every cultivator they encountered.

"Have outer-realm demons invaded?"

This sudden turn of events caught the Myriad Immortals Alliance cultivators off guard.

They hastily organized their defenses.

But these Venerable Yins feared neither life nor death. Furthermore, as long as they weren't completely pulverized, even a tiny remnant of tissue could retain consciousness and violently lash out again. They were extremely difficult to deal with.

More critically, each Venerable Yin possessed the power of a Nascent Soul cultivator.

A single Nascent Soul could naturally be ignored.

But countless, endless Nascent Souls covering the mountains and plains...

...were truly terrifying.

Even Dao Integration cultivators had to temporarily avoid their sharp edge in the face of this assault.

The Myriad Immortals Alliance's defenses gradually crumbled, while the Five Elders Council chose to stand by and observe.

The Law Transmitters finally chose to intervene.

At this moment, Bai Shuyue had successfully arrived before Su Bai's skull.

"Dissolving Disc!"

A precious mirror appeared in Bai Shuyue's palm, emitting a faint green light that shone upon Su Bai's skull.

Wherever the green light passed, the restrictions were broken layer by layer!

Bai Shuyue snatched Su Bai's skull and swiftly retreated.

For the smooth execution of the plan, Bai Shuyue had gone to great lengths to obtain a Dissolving Disc as a reward from the Myriad Immortals Alliance. Little did she expect to use it moments later to steal the Alliance's most precious treasure!

A figure suddenly appeared, blocking Bai Shuyue's path.

Without a word, Bai Shuyue ignited her vital blood and life force.

An ancient, self-sculpted statue appeared behind her, staring intently at Emperor San Mo, who blocked her way.

"Try to stop me!"

Her Spirit Mirror Nascent Soul stood in the statue's chest.

On its mirror-like body, Emperor San Mo's true form was faintly reflected!

Bai Shuyue's speed did not falter. Emperor San Mo hesitated slightly and then vanished, retreating.