Chapter 1643: Mountain and Sea First Birth

“I can’t believe that what awakened this time hasn’t even reached the Transcendent Realm...”

“Truly, this is a blessing for our Realm of Creation and Destruction!”

The speaker was not one of the Five Honored Ones of the Same Calamity or Immortal Mingdao, but one of the two remaining figures. He had white hair and a white beard, yet he appeared as a young man.

Looking at Xingfu, who was surrounded by everyone, his expression was quite agitated.

“Esteemed seniors, what exactly…?”

Xingfu first bowed in the direction of Immortal Mingdao, then paid his respects to each of them in turn. At the same time, he asked with a puzzled expression:

“Could it be that what I experienced earlier wasn't real, but an illusion?”

“Was it a test for us?”

This time, the one who answered Xingfu was one of the Five Honored Ones of the Same Calamity. His figure shimmered, like an endless expanse of crimson clouds stretching for hundreds of millions of miles. Brilliant light and fire blazed, fiercely incinerating.

Observing his form, one could understand his Way. Thus, Xingfu knew his identity: Jinxiao.

As Jinxiao's words fell upon Xingfu's ears, his body immediately felt faintly hot, as if real flames were searing him.

“Of course not an illusion. The Immortal Realm homeland you were in previously was indeed manifested by 'Empty Thought,' and it genuinely existed. Naturally, you can return at any time.”

As Jinxiao spoke, below them, a flowing projection like a long river quietly appeared. It revealed the Original Immortal Realm, including the Celestial Azure Starfield. Xingfu even vaguely saw the Immortals of Guangwu within it.

“However, the Divine Ability of Empty Thought Manifestation is not yet perfect. The possibilities reproduced still possess fatal flaws. They may appear as solid as rock, indistinguishable from true possibilities, but in reality…”

Another flowing projection, like a long river, appeared alongside it.

It seemed as real as the Original Immortal Realm. But a moment later…

The layer of 'reality' covering it instantly faded, for reasons unknown. It was like a painting splashed with water, its colors bleeding and the artwork ceasing to exist. Within the flowing river projection, a terrifying calamity descended.

It was an apocalypse almost comparable to the Calamity of Dao Annihilation.

Moreover, the speed at which this calamity destroyed possibilities was even faster than Dao Annihilation’s engulfment.

Dao Annihilation would still gradually erode, but at this moment, the flowing river projection's very foundation vanished, its existence disintegrating in an instant.

That possibility, along with countless beings within it, was buried in the blink of an eye.

Witnessing the tragedy, Xingfu’s expression stiffened, as if it had reawakened memories of the Original Immortal Realm's destruction.

“This apocalyptic scene is not fabricated. Instead, it’s a real image that occurred not long ago in the Realm of Creation and Destruction.”

The words of another of the Five Honored Ones of the Same Calamity startled Xingfu.

As he heard the words, Xingfu’s ears seemed to ring with the sound of countless weapons clashing simultaneously, then all breaking apart.

Thus, Xingfu knew the other's identity: Fengcang.

“Since you have awakened, you must know why this flaw in the Empty Thought method arose.”

Xingfu nodded and replied:

“It is because of the characteristics of Dao Annihilation.”

Fengcang continued:

“Possibilities are born within the Mountains and Seas, like drawings etched on a beach.”

“The tides of Dao Annihilation wash over them, erasing the drawings. Whatever traces remain are the foundation of our memories. And those completely blank areas…” “are the missing cornerstones of Empty Thought constructions, truly erased from the Mountains and Seas, which we can no longer recall.”

“Possibilities are born from the mighty power of the Mountains and Seas. Their true essence is not something we can fully comprehend yet. We can only imitate, and it must be done with absolute precision.”

“If even a few strokes are missing, it’s like trying to draw a tiger and ending up with a dog. There’s a vast difference from a true possibility, and it could disintegrate at any moment.”

Fengcang waved his hand, and several flowing river projections appeared consecutively. Almost all of them seemed indistinguishable from true possibilities. However, after enduring for varying lengths of time, none could persist for too long. One by one, they reverted to nothingness.

Upon hearing this, Xingfu couldn't help but feel anxious:

“Aren’t the Immortals of Guangwu who followed me now in danger?”

This time, another of the Five Honored Ones of the Same Calamity smiled and offered reassurance:

“You needn’t worry about that. Although the disintegration of Empty Thought-constructed possibilities appears instantaneous to you, the Realm of Creation and Destruction is entirely within our perception. Before any calamity occurs, we will sense it and rescue them a step ahead.”

Hearing this, Xingfu breathed a sigh of relief.

However, the pressure in his heart never dissipated. It wasn’t due to the truth of the Realm of Creation and Destruction, but rather from the words of the speaker themselves.

With the echoes still in his ears, Xingfu felt as if he were facing an abyss.

The abyss was unfathomably dark, formless and shapeless.

And all who witnessed it uncontrollably plummeted into its depths.

“Yuanzang.” Thus, Xingfu knew the identity of this Honored One.

Fortunately, Yuanzang did not make things difficult for Xingfu and withdrew his pervasive power.

Only then did the invisible pressure in Xingfu’s heart slowly dissipate. “Esteemed seniors, since the Empty Thought method has such flaws, is there a solution?”

He did not question why the Immortals were placed within Empty Thought possibilities, performing useless tasks. Instead, he directly asked for the solution.

The white-haired young man laughed heartily upon hearing this:

“As expected of one who awakened before reaching the Transcendent Realm, your thoughts and insights are beyond ordinary people. Maintaining Empty Thought constructions is extremely energy-consuming. If we saw no hope for a solution, why would we be so persistent?”

“One such as you, who can pass the test, is the solution!” the white-haired young man stated solemnly.

“Me?” Xingfu recalled everything he had experienced in the Empty Thought Original. He vaguely understood something.

“Dao Annihilation erases cleanly and completely. We cannot track Dao Annihilation, but we can detect the difference between Empty Thought possibilities and true possibilities. That hint of disharmonious premonition in our hearts!”

“Through continuous construction and repeated fine-tuning. Until…”

Xingfu immediately understood and blurted out:

“The disharmonious feeling disappears. That means the Empty Thought-constructed possibility is exactly the same as the possibility that genuinely existed at that time.”

“Although its 'white' cannot be seen, it can be deduced through the parts that can be confirmed. So that’s it!”

The white-haired young man smiled and did not continue speaking.

Clearly, Xingfu’s conjecture was very close to the truth.

“Your premonition alone is still insufficient. We need to collectively consult and anchor it.” Immortal Mingdao finally spoke at this moment.

Xingfu still held great respect for this esteemed senior with a formidable reputation. He composed himself and listened attentively.

“Even when I held the Grand Dao Scripture, I could not fully fathom the principles of the Immortal Realm. Everyone's perception has its limitations. Therefore, more diverse perspectives are needed,” Immortal Mingdao said, his words few but precious, then remained silent.

“Empty Thought constructions don't necessarily have to be perfectly identical to what existed in memory. What's certain now is that the closer they are, the higher the reliability of the Empty Thought construction becomes, and the lower the probability of instantaneous collapse,” Yuanzang further added. “By supplementing these missing parts erased by Dao Annihilation, we can replicate and restore the cornerstone of Mountains and Seas possibilities. This is both the fundamental source of power for the Mountains and Seas and the primary target of Dao Annihilation's plunder after the Mountains and Seas merge.”

“Empty Thought’s reproduction of past possibilities is going with the flow. Using this to observe Dao Annihilation, or more accurately, the mysteries of the Divine, is what we truly seek.” Yuanzang’s words were astonishing.

“The Divine?” Xingfu was startled, then somewhat perplexed.

“May I ask, Honored Ones, what is this 'Divine' you speak of?” he cautiously inquired.

The Honored Ones of the Calamity of Creation and Destruction seemed to hold Xingfu in very high regard. They held nothing back.

With a few strokes, Immortal Mingdao sketched several scenes.

“Someone once journeyed to the end of the Mountains and Seas and glimpsed the scene of their birth. Its form was unfathomable, its sight ineffable, its presence imperceptible, its state indiscernible.”

“It could not be described by words, nor recorded by text or images.”

“That person could not relay what exactly happened at the heart of the Mountains and Seas, only confirming one thing: both Mountain and Sea originated from the Divine.”

“That person then journeyed to the end of the Mountains and Seas and saw their demise, their future return to the Stars.”

“The boundless and infinite characteristics of the Mountains and Seas were stolen from the Divine. Although they have operated for countless ages, they are ultimately not the inherent power of the Mountains and Seas themselves. From the Divine they came, and to the Divine they shall return. This is the destined end of the Mountains and Seas.”

The beginning of the Mountains and Seas, the end of the Mountains and Seas.

These two scenes gently unfolded before Xingfu.

The sheer volume of information was overwhelming; Xingfu was stunned for a moment, seemingly unable to accept it.

“The Divine, the Stars. The dawn of creation, the apocalypse of the Mountains and Seas,” he murmured to himself, then suddenly seemed to understand something, his face turning ashen:

“If the Mountains and Seas are like this, then wouldn’t we, the beings within the Mountains and Seas, be…?”

“This has nothing to do with the ultimate end. All our attempts at self-salvation seem like a joke before the unfathomable power of the Divine. Ultimately, it’s all in vain.”

“Is that so?” the white-haired young man suddenly countered.

“Huh?” Xingfu was immediately stumped.

“Of course not.” Then, inspiration struck him, and he said without hesitation.

Hearing this, the white-haired young man burst into extremely hearty laughter.

The other Honored Ones present also smiled.

Immortal Mingdao even nodded slightly and uttered one word:

“Good.”

Xingfu was somewhat bewildered by the reactions of the Honored Ones.

The white-haired young man then continued:

“The fate of the Mountains and Seas seems long predestined. However, the Stars, after all, are not the Divine. The Mountains and Seas, having flowed for countless ages, will not simply sit by and await their demise.”

“Everything is still undecided. Ultimately, whether it’s the Mountains and Seas, or the Stars, or even…”

“It is us, the beings within the Mountains and Seas, who will emerge victorious. All are unknowns!” the white-haired young man stated with absolute certainty and emphasis.

“Although we beings are born from the Mountains and Seas, we also possess the ability to comprehend the Dao. For every bit of power we gain from the Mountains and Seas, the Mountains and Seas, as well as the Stars, become a bit weaker. The Saints of the Other Shore seek to connect the fractured Mountains and Seas with sparks of fire, their forms spanning the beginning and end of the Mountains and Seas. While saving the Mountains and Seas, they also achieve parity with them.”

“Saint Emperor Taiwei, with his own mighty power, reflects infinite possibilities. Like a parasitic seed, he erodes the Mountains and Seas. Even if he cannot ultimately contend with the Mountains and Seas, he might forcibly detach and break away from them, forming his own independent existence.”

The Honored Ones of the Calamity of Creation and Destruction meticulously explained the paths taken by the two major forces within the Mountains and Seas to Xingfu. Xingfu had not even reached the Transcendent Realm, and now, suddenly hearing so many secrets, he couldn't help but feel a dizzying sense of awe.

“The might of the Saints is truly unimaginable, and their plans are beyond our ability to sway. However, the weak also have their ways of survival. The Empty Thought method, used to observe the mysteries of Dao Annihilation, is precisely our confidence in overcoming the strong with the weak!”

Among the Five Honored Ones of the Same Calamity, Shengshi, who had remained silent until now, spoke slowly.

As Shengshi spoke, Xingfu felt as though his very life force was being drained, and his entire body began to grow cold. He involuntarily shivered.

When he exhaled, frost actually formed and became visible.

However, it was clear that Shengshi was reining in his power and not genuinely posing a threat to Xingfu.

“Those blanks erased by Dao Annihilation, the cornerstones of the Mountains and Seas. In our view, they are the focal point of contention between the Mountains and Seas and the Stars.”

“The Divine transforms the Mountains and Seas, and the Mountains and Seas become the Stars. There are those that are easily changed, and those that are constant.”

“Within the flow of the Mountains and Seas, that which remains eternally unchanged is where true power lies!”

“If one can glimpse into it…”

“Even an ant can undergo a transformation overnight and achieve parity with the Mountains and Seas!”

“Parity with the Mountains and Seas.” Xingfu murmured these four words again.

Before Xingfu could ponder further, he heard Immortal Mingdao ask, “Do you know Duke Shouqiu?”

Xingfu naturally nodded:

“Duke Shouqiu’s renowned virtue is known to everyone in the Immortal Realm.”

“Then do you know that Duke Shouqiu is one of the Saints of the Other Shore?”

“Is that so?” Xingfu was now too stunned to speak. “When Duke Shouqiu was on duty for the Immortal Realm back then, I also met him. Observing his destiny and fortune, being nameless was already his limit. Yet, after many years, he now possesses the bearing of a Transcendent Saint. Do you know why?” Immortal Mingdao asked faintly.

Xingfu naturally did not know Duke Shouqiu’s true background.

However, recalling what the Honored Ones of the Realm of Creation and Destruction had said earlier, inspiration struck him, and he boldly conjectured:

“Could it be that Duke Shouqiu found that unchanging power of the Mountains and Seas?”

Immortal Mingdao nodded.

“He upholds the Grand Dao of the Mountains and Seas, which is precisely, Longevity!”

“Longevity.”

These two words seemed to hold infinite magic, and Xingfu kept muttering them under his breath.

“I wonder, how does this Grand Dao of the Mountains and Seas differ from the ordinary Dao paths we master?”

Immortal Mingdao waved a hand, and a long scroll suddenly unfurled before Xingfu.

It should have contained countless characters, but at this moment, they all seemed to have vanished, leaving only a blank scroll.

“Ordinary Grand Daos are born within the Mountains and Seas, merely as their own evolution.”

“But the Grand Dao of the Mountains and Seas…”

“Just like Duke Shouqiu’s Longevity, it might be something the Mountains and Seas inherited from the Divine, but which it hasn't fully absorbed and transformed.”

“Almost all Dao paths within the Mountains and Seas can be seen as extensions of the Divine power. However, what we can access are only those parts that have already been assimilated by the Mountains and Seas.”

“Only a select few retain the nature of the Divine.”

Immortal Mingdao attempted to write something on the blank scroll.

However, he lifted his brush several times, only to stop halfway.

In the end, he couldn't write a single word. He sighed and put away the blank scroll.

“The Empty Thought method is used to glimpse the secrets of the Mountains and Seas.”

“This secret refers to the Grand Dao of the Mountains and Seas!”

“Those enigmatic powers that endure the transformations of the Mountains and Seas and ultimately return to the Divine!”