Chapter 1626: Saints Against Spiritual Disaster

"Is that truly what you mean, fellow Daoist?" He Ganxian froze, his expression clearly showing hesitation.

"Heh heh, of course..."

"No, it's not true," Li Fan suddenly interjected, changing his tone. "Although I've pursued them for a long time, their power has fundamentally changed compared to before. Now it seems that the Five Revered Ones of the Same Tribulation, when united, possess power akin to a Saint. This is beyond my current ability to contend with. We need to consider a long-term strategy..."

Li Fan's candidness caught He Ganxian somewhat off guard.

"Do you know what kind of beings these Five Revered Ones of the Same Tribulation are?" Li Fan asked.

He Ganxian shook his head.

"Unlike the Saints of the Other Shore and Saint Emperor Taiwei, they do not aim to save the Mountains and Seas. Instead, much like a Great Dao of Usurpation, they forcibly seize exotic treasures from various possibilities to enhance themselves. Their goal is to forge something that can rival the Mountains and Seas, or even transcend them, to achieve the possibility of Dao Annihilation." Li Fan gazed deeply into the Mountains and Seas, his voice distant. He spoke as if he had personally visited the Realm of Creation and Destruction.

"How can this be? If they steal a portion, won't the Mountains and Seas lose a part of their foundation, thereby reducing our chances of successfully resisting Dao Annihilation?" He Ganxian, a virtuous immortal, became furious upon hearing this. "Furthermore, this act is practically equivalent to recreating the Mountains and Seas. How could it be so easy? Not to mention that the five of them combined barely possess the cultivation of a Saint. Even if five true Saints united their power, it would be difficult, wouldn't it? Otherwise, why would the Saints of the Other Shore undergo such immense hardship to traverse the Eternal Silence Void Realm?"

"Initially, I thought the same way. I believed the Five Revered Ones of the Same Tribulation were merely engaged in a futile, desperate struggle. But now..."

Li Fan suddenly recalled Emperor Tianluo's successful transcendence with the Primordial Immortal Realm, as well as how the Five Revered Ones of the Same Tribulation had personally visited Primordial to steal the True Immortal Seal Characters from the Grand Dao Scripture. Judging by Daoist Ming's expression at the time, those thirty stolen True Immortal Seal Characters were certainly not simple.

"If my conjecture is true, and the Primordial Immortal Realm genuinely transcended the Mountains and Seas, then it's not impossible for this Realm of Creation and Destruction to follow a similar path." This thought flashed through his mind, and Li Fan continued, "Their increase in strength has somewhat exceeded my expectations. I suspect the Realm of Creation and Destruction is similar. This reveals how much of the Mountains and Seas' foundation they've secretly pilfered."

"Perhaps they still lack a little, but if we allow them to continue..."

In He Ganxian's mind's eye, it was as if a group of shadowy thieves truly appeared, silently roaming throughout the Mountains and Seas, incessantly pilfering resources. An uncontrollable surge of fury rose within him. If he hadn't known he was no match for the Five Revered Ones of the Same Tribulation, he would have almost dragged Li Fan to the Realm of Creation and Destruction to investigate.

Li Fan observed He Ganxian's subtle shifts in expression, nodding inwardly as he gained a deeper understanding of his character. Smiling, he spoke, "Though the Five Revered Ones of the Same Tribulation are audacious, we needn't be overly concerned. After all, the Mountains and Seas belong not just to us, but collectively to all immortals, Saints, and the Saint Emperor."

"The Saints and the Saint Emperor are battling in an ancient time-space beyond the Eternal Silence Void Realm. How could they tolerate such parasitic existences in their rear?"

He Ganxian thoughtfully considered, "Fellow Daoist, are you suggesting..."

"We just need to spread the word about the Realm of Creation and Destruction, and then observe from the sidelines. Strong as the Five Revered Ones of the Same Tribulation may be, how can they surpass the foundation of the Other Shore?"

He Ganxian looked somewhat embarrassed. "Because my cultivation path is unique, I've always been wary of the Other Shore and have never ventured there. I only vaguely know the names of the Saints of the Other Shore."

"No matter. I have my own methods. Just watch, fellow Daoist."

As he spoke, a figure appeared before Li Fan, almost completely identical to his main body. Its face was distorted, obscuring its specific features, but its aura was indistinguishable from Li Fan's. Yet, to He Ganxian, it seemed like an entirely separate entity.

"Fellow Daoist, this External Incarnation Technique of yours..." The more He Ganxian observed and pondered, the more astonished he became. The clone created was almost identical to the other self he had generated through his Method of Moral Separation. However, his method relied entirely on the unique nature of the Great Dao of Morality, where Dao and Virtue are intertwined, "you in me, I in you," maintaining myriad connections even after separation. For example, just moments ago, he was able to perceive the memories of his other self just before its demise, using the same method.

And He Ganxian could discern that the clone created by Li Fan's divine ability appeared to be a completely independent entity.

Almost instantly, He Ganxian realized Li Fan's intentions. Just as he surmised, the newly formed Li Fan received its mission, and scorching flames erupted around its body. After a brief moment of preparation, it transformed into a streak of light and vanished into the Mountains and Seas.

The True Spirit Fire, which had never truly subsided within the Mountains and Seas, was reignited. This time, the newly formed Li Fan was even more unrestrained, rapidly traversing through Dao Annihilation, igniting every possibility it encountered.

"Fellow Daoist, what are you..." He Ganxian's eyelids twitched as he watched.

Li Fan merely smiled and waved his hand. If the previous True Spirit Fire, which had isolated the Five Revered Ones of the Same Tribulation, had been confined to just a corner of the Mountains and Seas, then the disaster Li Fan was now creating threatened to engulf a vast expanse of the Mountains and Seas. Indeed, if allowed to burn unchecked, it wasn't impossible for this section of the Mountains and Seas to be prematurely annihilated.

Aware that the Other Shore would undoubtedly react, Li Fan calculated the timing and decisively dispersed the wisp of divine sense he had left within the clone. This divine sense was not for communication with the clone, but rather served as a catalyst for activating the True Spirit Combustion Art. While the clone divine ability Li Fan had comprehended from the transformation of truth and falsehood was indeed profound, it hadn't yet reached the point of being able to spontaneously generate infinite spirituality. He couldn't even allocate his own boundless spirituality. Thus, igniting the Mountains and Seas still required his main body to act. Having caused sufficient commotion, he then ignited and dispersed the lingering divine sense, destroying the only trace that could lead back to his true self. Meanwhile, the clone swiftly fled towards the Realm of Creation and Destruction, as planned.

"While this action will certainly expose the Five Revered Ones of the Same Tribulation, isn't the cost a bit too high!" He Ganxian said, his heart aching as he gazed at the Mountains and Seas, now entirely engulfed in flames.

"A serious illness requires strong medicine. If we can eradicate the Five Revered Ones of the Same Tribulation in one fell swoop, this minor sacrifice will absolutely be worth it. You needn't worry; this small possibility won't affect the ultimate outcome." Li Fan continued, "Look, if it weren't for this, how else would the Other Shore be prompted to take such drastic action?"

He Ganxian saw Li Fan pointing, but for some reason, Li Fan's eyes were already closed. Believing Li Fan was afraid of being exposed for the arson, He Ganxian didn't inquire further. He looked in the direction Li Fan pointed.

He saw a brilliant white ring, seemingly immeasurably vast and boundless. It seemed to descend from beyond the Mountains and Seas, enveloping countless possibilities within them. Within the white ring, several figures appeared to stand and shimmer. Yet, obscured within the halo, He Ganxian couldn't make them out clearly. He felt a terrifying premonition of impending doom simply from his gaze touching it. He also felt as if all his inner secrets were laid bare, like being stripped naked and exposed in broad daylight for all to see.

Wherever the white ring passed, the True Spirit Fire, which had been raging fiercely, instantly subsided. The surging tide of Dao Annihilation struck an unyielding dam; no matter how the tides churned, they could not advance an inch. As the catastrophe subsided, a phantom of the Mountains and Seas emerged from within the white ring. Astonishingly, the possibilities that had been engulfed and destroyed by the True Spirit Fire and the great tide of Dao Annihilation reappeared within this ethereal Mountain and Sea phantom, filling in the "blank" spaces!

Then, a simple wooden boat circled once through these newly created Mountains and Seas. As if time had been rewound, countless vanished beings reappeared. It was as if they had returned to the moment before this section of the Mountains and Seas was affected by the True Spirit Fire!

The anomaly had not yet concluded. After the wooden boat reversed the Mountains and Seas, an unremarkable small brush flew out, drawing lines in the air. A figure then materialized beneath the brush. Its appearance was unmistakably Li Fan! Or rather, it was the clone of Li Fan that had ignited the Mountains and Seas! A thin black line extended from the figure conjured by the brush, connecting to a specific location within the Mountains and Seas — inside the Realm of Creation and Destruction!

The white ring abruptly shrank and descended upon that location!

And then...

There was no earth-shattering battle as one might have imagined. After only a moment, the white ring vanished into the Mountains and Seas. And along with it, the Realm of Creation and Destruction seemed to vanish as well.

He Ganxian was filled with doubt and astonishment, gazing for a long time but unable to make sense of what he had witnessed. He only saw the Mountains and Seas restored to a vibrant, flourishing state. It was as if the recent catastrophe of fire and water had never occurred.

"Is this... the power of a Saint?"

He Ganxian had never before witnessed a Saint personally act. What he saw today was indeed earth-shattering and utterly mesmerizing. With a mere gesture, they could reverse the catastrophic collapse of the Mountains and Seas. Such divine abilities were truly inconceivable! Connecting this to Li Fan's unconcerned demeanor when he started the fire earlier, He Ganxian's heart stirred. "Could it be that he had already predicted the Saints of the Other Shore would intervene?"

"What happened outside?" Just as He Ganxian was deep in thought, Li Fan suddenly asked.

He Ganxian froze. Only after Li Fan pressed him again did he describe everything he had just witnessed in detail.

Hearing that the Saints had departed, Li Fan slowly opened his eyes. Indeed, Li Fan, who had personally experienced the terrifying might of the Saints, hadn't simply closed his eyes moments ago. He had completely severed all perception of the outside world, solely focusing on his inner self. He feared his act of observation would be detected by the Saints, even if they were merely phantoms left behind by the Saints. Simultaneously, his inner vigilance was at its peak, using his intuition as a guide, ready to revert to his true form at any sign of danger. The grand spectacle of the Saints unleashing their divine power, restoring the collapsing Mountains and Seas, and instantly suppressing the Realm of Creation and Destruction — he hadn't dared to glimpse even once. Only now, after the situation had completely stabilized, did he inquire. He returned to normal and quickly questioned He Ganxian.

"A white ring, the Mountains and Seas, a wooden boat, a brush..."

Li Fan listened intently, a strange glint in his eyes. He Ganxian had genuinely overestimated him. He had truly not anticipated that the Saints of the Other Shore possessed the ability to reshape the Mountains and Seas and reverse time and space!

"Though it was the Saints acting in concert, such a feat is almost indistinguishable from a true reversion."

"Especially that wooden boat..." Li Fan narrowed his eyes. He didn't try to connect it with the names of the Saints he had glimpsed on the Other Shore. Instead, he pondered the Great Dao of the Mountains and Seas that these phenomena represented.

"The ethereal Mountain and Sea phantom symbolizes the Mountains and Seas."

"That wooden boat appears capable of reversing the time and space of the Mountains and Seas. Yet, it's clearly on a far superior level than ordinary Reverse Dao, vastly surpassing it."

"And that brush..."

"It's certainly not merely for tracking enemies or criminals."

Li Fan had a premonition that his clone's fate would be far from good.

"No wonder they were unconcerned by my threat to incinerate the Mountains and Seas, treating it as a jest."

"Are the Saints' powers truly so terrifying?"

"Bear in mind, this was merely the power of the Saints' phantoms. The true Saints are not actually within this segment of the Mountains and Seas."

"The Five Revered Ones of the Same Tribulation, whom I considered formidable adversaries, couldn't even make a ripple before being suppressed like that..."

Amidst his awe, Li Fan's resolve regarding his prior plan solidified. He vowed never to expose himself to the Saints until he found a way to counter them. Otherwise, it would be no different from committing suicide!

Li Fan wasn't the only one lost in thought. Even He Ganxian beside him, and all transcendent experts within the Mountains and Seas fortunate enough to witness the Saints' phantom appearances, fell into a state of enlightenment. They ravenously absorbed the profound mysteries of the Saintly phenomena. Saints were practically legendary beings. It was difficult enough to even glimpse a Saint, let alone witness their personal intervention. This was an exceedingly rare opportunity! All thanks to Li Fan's actions! Unfortunately, the Heaven-Seating Art didn't seem to generate cultivation feedback from this event. Otherwise, it would have been another unimaginable surge of power.

"Morality..." He Ganxian murmured to himself. After witnessing a true Saint, he seemed to have gained a new understanding of the true essence of morality.

After a long time, he said to Li Fan, "Perhaps, even without your assistance, fellow Daoist, I now have a chance to prove the Dao and become a Saint." He Ganxian quickly added, "Of course, if I fail, I'll likely still need to ask for your help, fellow Daoist."

"It seems you've gained quite a lot from this," Li Fan readily agreed. "That's easily arranged."

"The Five Revered Ones of the Same Tribulation appear to have been suppressed by the Saints. Why don't we seize this chance to explore the residual location of the Realm of Creation and Destruction?" Li Fan suggested.

"There seem to be no remnants left there, are there?"

"Even residual power from the Saints would be extremely valuable."

He Ganxian found Li Fan's reasoning sound and nodded in agreement.

The two set off together, traversing the land. By the time they reached the former location of the Realm of Creation and Destruction, five figures were already standing there. They stood distanced from one another, silently observing the remnants of the place. They paid no heed to the newly arrived Li Fan and He Ganxian.

"They are all transcendent experts," Li Fan murmured to himself after some observation. "None of them are familiar." He noticed that more and more transcendent experts were arriving from various corners of the Mountains and Seas. Li Fan quickly began to examine the traces left at the location.

Just then, He Ganxian quietly transmitted a message, indicating a specific direction to Li Fan. "My other self apparently perished right here."

Li Fan's heart stirred, and he devoted more of his attention to the investigation. The Saints' phantoms had not acted to destroy the Realm of Creation and Destruction. Instead, they had, as if moving a home, relocated that specific possibility. All individuals, events, and objects within that possibility had vanished, leaving behind only a blank void, as a barrier against Dao Annihilation.