Chapter 1618: Spiritual Rules

Merging with alternate versions of oneself from other possibilities can also augment one's true spirit. However, versions of oneself from different circumstances possess varying depths of true spirit. Furthermore, during the process of merging, it's impossible to fully absorb the true spirit of these other selves.

The amount absorbed varies from individual to individual. The higher the conversion efficiency, the greater one's potential for sainthood.

If, after absorbing all remaining versions of oneself from the myriad possibilities within this stretch of mountains and seas, one still hasn't grasped the opportunity for sainthood...

Then hope is dim.

Unless aided by the Grand Minor Saint Fortune Elixir, the accumulated true spirit brought back by saints returning from the Eternal Silence Void Realm, or other sacred artifacts...

After a period of thoughtful contemplation, He Ganxian's thoughts ultimately returned to Li Fan's proposed "Arena" plan.

"Deceive him, deceive myself."

"He and I are intrinsically linked; we sense each other. The closer we are, the more precise the sensation. How can this be achieved?"

"Unless we make the deception real. But if I do that, I'll be putting myself in grave danger."

He Ganxian's expression was unsettled.

If Li Fan were a familiar and trustworthy individual, he might seriously consider it. But unfortunately, this person's origins are mysterious, and both his identity and motives are unclear.

The risk was simply too great!

For an ordinary matter, the ever-cautious He Ganxian wouldn't even entertain the thought. But this involved achieving sainthood!

"A Saint! The pinnacle within the mountains and seas. The ultimate powerhouse capable of transcending this realm."

"Wasn't the original reason for choosing the Grand Dao of Morality precisely the goal of achieving sainthood?"

Thus, even knowing the path ahead was fraught with peril, and very possibly a trap.

He Ganxian never abandoned the idea of giving it a try.

"He's right, I truly am not ready," He Ganxian sighed deeply after standing for a long time, filled with hesitation.

In fact, it wasn't only He Ganxian who was unprepared.

Even Li Fan himself wasn't fully prepared.

Li Fan had witnessed the power of a True Immortal of Morality after achieving sainthood.

Even a newly enlightened Saint is beyond the machinations of a transcendent powerhouse. In the face of an absolute power disparity, all schemes and stratagems are futile!

Naturally, Li Fan wouldn't overestimate his capabilities and attempt something as futile as an ant trying to swallow an elephant.

"The best outcome would be to simultaneously refine He Ganxian and the Faceless Immortal, using their morality to achieve my great ambition."

"However, the probability of that is very low."

"The True Immortals of Morality were originally one entity. Now that they are separated, if one side fails, the other will likely absorb them much faster than I, an outsider, could."

"Therefore, it's highly probable that one of them will emerge victorious in the arena and then attain sainthood."

Li Fan was already mentally prepared for this outcome.

After all, his initial goal was to uncover the secret of how the fusion of morality could instantaneously elevate one to the same standing as the mountains and seas.

If morality could achieve this, then perhaps other Grand Daos within the mountains and seas could as well.

"Besides repeatedly observing the True Immortal of Morality's path to sainthood, I might also be able to rely on him speaking of it himself."

"He Ganxian is a virtuous person. My assistance in his path to sainthood would be akin to a new creation. Once he achieves sainthood, the secret of morality will no longer be of use to him. There would be no harm in him telling me."

"The prerequisite is that he must not see the 'Returning to Truth' within my body."

Fine trickles of fresh blood flowed from Li Fan's body, coalescing into a human form in the void before him.

Though merely sculpted from blood, the moment it took shape, it seemed imbued with sentience, bowing to Li Fan first.

Then it curiously surveyed its surroundings.

Li Fan used his finger as a brush, inscribing continuously on the blood figure.

Torso, limbs, facial features.

Each was meticulously carved out by him.

"From today onward, you are Li Fan."

"When the real becomes false..."

"The false becomes true!"

As the final touch was applied, Li Fan's true form slowly exhaled a plume of silvery-white mist towards the blood avatar before him.

As if flesh and blood were merging, the mist was completely absorbed.

What appeared before Li Fan was unmistakably another version of himself!

Its appearance, spirit, and soul were completely identical to Li Fan's.

Even if Bai Shuyue were present, she would likely be unable to distinguish which was her beloved nephew.

This was no mere clone technique; it was a creation infused with the transformation of truth and falsehood, capable of perfectly mimicking reality!

It was like a new extension of his own body.

However, 'Returning to Truth' was separated.

In past reincarnations, Li Fan had created numerous avatars.

Holy Emperor Li Ping, Li Buren, and others.

But the one before him was, without a doubt, his magnum opus.

Li Fan examined it closely, shaking his head with a touch of regret.

"It's still missing something compared to its theoretical optimal state."

"Specifically, the distribution of sentience!"

"If I could make 'Returning to Truth' retain memories and actively transfer a portion of my infinite sentience to this avatar, I believe true self-replication and creation could be achieved."

Li Fan felt no aversion or fear regarding the creation of another version of himself.

This was due to the unique characteristic of his infinite sentience.

It was destined to be irreplicable.

Other avatars, no matter how lifelike, could not possess his singular trait, which was unique throughout the entire mountains and seas.

"Sentience, potential. Or perhaps, true spirit."

"Currently, I'm still unclear about what it truly is."

"However, through my observations of my aunt's continuous reincarnations and transformations, I have subtly discerned its traces."

"I can learn and replicate the 'Truth and Falsehood' transformations of 'Returning to Truth.'"

"And this method of dividing sentience might not be impossible to learn either!"

While creating and refining another version of himself, to deceive the enlightened He Ganxian in the future, Li Fan at the same time turned his attention to his aunt in the Xuanhuang Realm.

Although he had already resolved not to blindly follow the suggestions of the Boundless Wall, yet, after her rebirth, Bai Shuyue immediately sought out this wondrous artifact from the Saint's Dao Palace.

After some time together, the two gradually returned to their optimal state of coexistence.

Quite remarkably, although they had not endured various life-and-death crises together in this life, the Boundless Wall's trust in Bai Shuyue remained undiminished.

Perhaps this was due to the Boundless Wall's unique intuition.

Within the Boundless Wall, after Bai Shuyue diligently cultivated for a century.

The Boundless Wall, just as in the previous life, grew somewhat restless.

"Too slow, too slow! You'll transcend in the distant future! How about..."

Bai Shuyue directly ignored the Boundless Wall's suggestion.

"Oh, why don't you believe me!" the Boundless Wall exclaimed, growing anxious at Bai Shuyue's lack of reaction.

Bai Shuyue retorted, "Didn't you once stand guard before the gates of a Saint? How can you have so little patience? Only a century has passed."

The Boundless Wall huffed twice, replying, "It's precisely because of the hardships I endured in the past that I no longer wish to wait idly like this."

"However, I do understand your fear of the outside world. If you truly don't wish to leave the Xuanhuang Realm..."

The Boundless Wall pondered for a moment, and an idea came to mind.

"I can vaguely sense the aura of my peers within the Taiyi Palace here."

"Perhaps we can borrow some of its divine power!"