Chapter 1644: Time's Ultimate Secret

Angry Squid:

“To glimpse the Grand Dao of Mountains and Seas through phantasy.”

Xing Fu was deeply shaken by the scene Daoist Ming Dao depicted.

But then he felt a bit dejected:

“Even the Transcendent Realm is difficult for me to reach, let alone glimpsing this Grand Dao of Mountains and Seas. Perhaps you seniors are capable, but I…”

At this moment, the last of the Venerables of the Same Tribulation interrupted, rebuking him:

“When Lord Shouqiu attained the Grand Dao of Immortality, his strength was not even as great as yours! How do you know you can't?”

“Whether one can attain the Grand Dao of Mountains and Seas depends entirely on personal destiny and fortune; it has little to do with individual strength. Perhaps even a mortal could control the Grand Dao of Mountains and Seas! Why couldn't we?”

As the words resonated, Xing Fu suddenly felt his surroundings grow dim.

It was as if he had fallen into the Dao Annihilation, cut off from the vitality and light of the Mountains and Seas.

Xing Fu thus learned his venerated title: Lightfall.

Unable to retort, he could only force a smile and say:

“You are right, senior.”

The Venerables of the Tribulation of Creation and Destruction all knew Xing Fu was still speaking insincerely, and they all chuckled.

However, they could understand; after all, this notion was completely contrary to the fundamental cultivation system in the Mountains and Seas.

Daoist Ming Dao spoke again:

“This matter is not born of our blind optimism. Firstly, as Lightfall said, there are precedents in the Mountains and Seas. Secondly...”

“The possibility where you and I exist indeed once showed signs of another unknown Grand Dao of Mountains and Seas appearing. However, we were unable to capture it. Afterward, it vanished in a flash, leaving no trace.”

“And the location where that Grand Dao of Mountains and Seas appeared was not in the Immortal Realm, but in the Lower Realm's Star Sea.”

This was the first time Xing Fu had learned of such a secret, leaving him both surprised and perplexed.

“Until one reaches the Saint Realm, we are all negligible ants before the Mountains and Seas. What difference is there between a Transcendent and a mortal? It all depends on personal destiny and fortune,” Daoist Ming Dao said with a smile.

After this explanation, Xing Fu finally managed to accept it, albeit reluctantly.

However, new questions arose in his mind:

“Lord Shouqiu came from our homeland. Besides him, there was news of another Grand Dao of Immortality appearing? Could it be that the Grand Dao of Mountains and Seas is not actually rare? Otherwise, why would they both appear in the same possibility?”

“Perhaps it's just a coincidence. Or perhaps...” Daoist Ming Dao exchanged glances with the other Venerables of the Tribulation of Creation and Destruction and slowly said:

“It is precisely because Lord Shouqiu attained the Grand Dao of Immortality that it attracted the appearance of another Grand Dao of Mountains and Seas.”

“Hmm?” This was something Xing Fu had never considered, and he was instantly stunned.

“Like attracts like, then?”

“That's one way to understand it. In fact, there are only a handful of Grand Daos of Mountains and Seas still in existence. And for someone imbued with a Grand Dao of Mountains and Seas, hiding oneself is extremely easy. Others can barely detect them. Unless they actively reveal themselves, like Lord Shouqiu, even a Saint cannot track them down.”

“So, it was truly a stroke of extreme luck that two Grand Daos of Mountains and Seas appeared in our homeland back then,” Daoist Ming Dao sighed softly.

“It's a pity it was of no use. The Immortal Realm was ultimately destroyed,” Xing Fu also sighed.

“Destroyed... not necessarily,” Daoist Ming Dao said, changing the subject.

Xing Fu paused, about to ask for clarification, but Daoist Ming Dao bypassed the topic.

“Compared to the Beyond and the Saint Dynasty, the Realm of Creation and Destruction is indeed weaker. However, unlike their philosophy of indifference to the ultimate outcome, we still hold affection for our former homeland.”

“The method of phantasy can save our ruined homeland. At the same time, it allows us to search for traces of the Grand Dao of Mountains and Seas, serving multiple purposes. Therefore, compared to other forces in the Mountains and Seas, we have our own unique advantage.”

“However, the Dao of Mountains and Seas is of great importance. Only an Awakened like you is qualified to know about it. As for others, whether they choose to live peacefully or assist in the phantasmagoric manifestation, that is up to them. We will not force anyone,” Lightfall spoke eloquently.

Xing Fu bowed his head and said:

“Your compassion, Venerables!”

“May I ask, seniors, how many so-called Awakened ones, like myself, are there in the Realm of Creation and Destruction?”

“Not too many, not too few. Including you, but not us, there are twenty-three. You will meet them later,” Lightfall replied.

Upon hearing this, Xing Fu was secretly startled.

According to the Venerables' previous words, the Awakened ones before him seemed all to be in the Transcendent Realm.

Including the Venerables, the strength of this Realm of Creation and Destruction truly could not be underestimated.

“Do you have any other questions? You can raise them all now. After all, we won't always have time for audiences in the future.”

Xing Fu pondered for a moment, then shook his head.

“Good. Next, we will bestow upon you the true divine ability of Phantasy Construction. This is the key to touching and depicting the Grand Dao of Mountains and Seas; you must carefully comprehend it!” Daoist Ming Dao said in a deep voice. As he spoke, the figures of the eight Venerables of the Realm of Creation and Destruction instantly vanished from Xing Fu's sight.

In their place, a dazzling, brilliant yellow crystal appeared.

It was remarkably similar to what Xing Fu had seen in the phantasmagoric Primeval Immortal Realm.

But it was far more complex.

On each facet of the crystal, countless light and shadow seemed to flicker.

And upon closer inspection, each facet seemed capable of further subdivision, endlessly.

Xing Fu was engrossed, and the voices of the Venerables resonated in his ears simultaneously.

“The method of Phantasy Re-manifestation originated from that Traveler of Mountains and Seas.”

“He himself was not the originator of this divine ability. Its true origin lies with the last extraordinary genius among our cultivators, from the final moments of the Mountains and Seas.”

“At that time, only one possibility of the Mountains and Seas remained, struggling to persist, and it was the hope of all surviving beings in the Mountains and Seas.”

“All Saints perished in the long years of resisting the Dao Annihilation.”

“In such a desperate situation, our cultivators still did not give up. A great number of astonishing and brilliant figures still emerged, marking what could be called the final elegy of our beings.”

“And the one who created the method of Phantasy Construction was the most brilliant star among them. His talent was so high that it even surpassed that of the Traveler of Mountains and Seas. It was precisely because of his help that the Traveler of Mountains and Seas was able to journey from the end of the Mountains and Seas to its beginning, safely traversing the Eternal Void.”

After the introduction of the divine ability's origin, Xing Fu felt as if he saw the flickering lights and shadows of the Mountains and Seas' apocalypse reflected on this multi-faceted yellow crystal.

Each facet reflected the traces left by possibilities that once existed within the Mountains and Seas.

An infinite number of possibilities converged and returned to the end of time.

As the Mountains and Seas perished, they transformed into a brilliant yellow gem.

Observe its traces, recall one's memories.Evoking feelings from the scene, comparing the two.Re-manifesting from nothingness, reconstructing from phantasy. “Simply marvelous!”

Xing Fu gesticulated excitedly, unable to stop himself from praising aloud.

The yellow crystal suddenly burst forth with countless beams of light, filling his entire vision and perception, then vanished into Xing Fu's sea of consciousness.

When Xing Fu was able to see again, the Venerables of the Realm of Creation and Destruction had already vanished.

Below him, thousands of illusory river currents stood side by side, surging and roaring.

More than a dozen figures floated above them, observing something unknown.

Xing Fu could sense the occasional flicker of Phantasy Construction aura emanating from their bodies.

As for the Venerables...

They did not seem to be in this space.

Although Xing Fu had become an Awakened one, the Tribulation of Creation and Destruction did not impose mandatory tasks.

Everything was to be carried out according to one's own will.

Of course, if one could contribute to the search for traces of the Grand Dao of Mountains and Seas, the Venerables would not be stingy with rewards.

This could be personal discussions on cultivation with the Venerables, or the Venerables intervening to help stabilize the phantasmagoric homeland. In short, as long as the request was not too outlandish, the Venerables would grant it.

Xing Fu had also wondered: if the appearance of the Grand Dao of Mountains and Seas were truly depicted, who would ultimately possess this heaven-reaching path?

Would the Venerables of the Tribulation of Creation and Destruction turn against each other and fight for it?

But without needing an explanation from the Venerables, Xing Fu soon understood on his own.

The Grand Dao of Mountains and Seas cannot be snatched or taken by force.

Everything depends on one's own destiny and fortune.

In the Realm of Creation and Destruction, who ultimately wields the Grand Dao of Mountains and Seas is not the crucial point. The most critical thing is that cultivators of the Realm of Creation and Destruction control the Grand Dao of Mountains and Seas.

“This means everyone has a chance to ascend to the heavens in a single step, just like Lord Shouqiu.” As this thought arose, Xing Fu was immediately filled with soaring fighting spirit.

Without resting, he immediately began to operate the method of phantasy, depicting and comparing.

Phantasy Construction, repeatedly comparing, to explore the Grand Dao of Mountains and Seas.

This process was much like depicting painting after painting.

At first, it might have felt fresh.

But gradually, it would begin to feel monotonous.

Because you would discover that as you slowly approached the truth, no matter how many more paintings you copied, all of them would be identical.

There would be no difference.

How could something erased by the Dao Annihilation be so easily fathomed and re-manifested?

It could only be achieved through occasional flashes of inspiration during repeated attempts.

“No wonder there were twenty-three Awakened ones, but only sixteen here,” Xing Fu vaguely understood.

Those people, seeing no hope, had chosen to give up.

Others' choices, however, would not affect Xing Fu.

Tirelessly, he continuously repeated Phantasy Construction. With his keen intuition and memories of the past, he meticulously compared.

Each repetition yielded no results and was utterly monotonous.

Yet, he accepted it with pleasure.

Immersed within it, he lost track of the passage of time.

New Awakened ones arrived, and despairing individuals gave up.

Xing Fu remained steadfastly atop the surging river shadows, creating painting after painting.

But... the Dao of Heaven does not always reward diligence, and effort does not always guarantee results.

Even with Xing Fu's tireless attempts, he made no progress whatsoever.

The Grand Dao of Mountains and Seas was truly like an invisible ghost.

No matter what method one used, it was difficult to capture it.

Even with Xing Fu's firm resolve, he couldn't help but feel a bit disheartened for a moment.

In a trance, he suddenly remembered the simultaneous appearance of Grand Daos of Mountains and Seas in the Primeval Immortal Realm.

“Birds of a feather flock together; people gravitate towards their kind.”

“Such aimless phantasy is simply too inefficient. Even until the end of the Mountains and Seas, it might not reveal a single trace.”

“If only I could control the Grand Dao of Immortality, like Lord Shouqiu. Using the Grand Dao of Immortality as a guide, perhaps I could lure out this hidden ghost.”

At this thought, Xing Fu's gaze suddenly sharpened.

As if he had touched upon something crucial, the depths of his eyes shifted several times in an instant.

It was as if he had transformed into a different person in that instant, or perhaps it was merely an illusion.

This moment of enlightenment seemed to have never happened.

Xing Fu continued his repetitive work.

Until one day, the tranquility of the Realm of Creation and Destruction was shattered.

Xing Fu had no idea how much time had passed since he arrived in the Realm of Creation and Destruction.

When a rift suddenly tore open above the surging illusory river currents, revealing the outer scenery of the Mountains and Seas, Xing Fu was finally startled.

The Mountains and Seas seemed to have undergone a drastic change during this time.

Having repeatedly copied countless possibility diagrams, Xing Fu's perception of the Mountains and Seas and the Dao Annihilation had, unknowingly, become hundreds or even thousands of times sharper than before. At this moment, he could distinctly sense the boiling ferment of the Dao Annihilation outside.

Just as he had once perceived the true meaning of solitary transcendence in the Guangwu Star Sea, the Dao Annihilation had become incredibly active, its aggressiveness dozens of times greater than usual.

Moreover, this hostility of the Dao Annihilation was not confined to a single area.

Instead, it seemed to be...

Spreading across all mountains and seas!

“What on earth happened?”

Doubt filled Xing Fu's heart.

Before he could delve deeper, all the Venerables of the Realm of Creation and Destruction, including Daoist Ming Dao, had appeared in full, blocking the torn rift.

Only then did the oppressive feeling from the Dao Annihilation of Mountains and Seas slightly weaken.

Several phantasmagoric currents were also maintained because of this.

“I didn't expect such an unexpected gain.”

A cold voice came from above.

A figure in purple robes rustled, a red mole between their brows like a third eye. They coldly swept their gaze over the people below.

Behind the figure in purple, three more figures stood.

The aura emanating from each of them was no weaker than that of the Venerables of the Realm of Creation and Destruction.

“We've always kept to ourselves; why are you pressing us today?” Lightfall, one of the Five Venerables of the Same Tribulation, asked, suppressing his inner anger.

The purple-robed figure said coldly:

“By the Saint's command, we search every mountain and sea! Do not bring trouble upon yourselves!”

“A Saint... quite the grand display. Why not search the Taiwei Saint Dynasty instead?” the white-haired youth said sarcastically.

“Do you think the Saint Dynasty hasn't been searched?” the purple-robed figure sneered.

Upon hearing this, everyone in the Realm of Creation and Destruction simultaneously changed their expressions. Something that could draw such great importance from the Saints of the Beyond and even the Taiwei Saint Emperor...

The Grand Dao of Mountains and Seas?

Countless thoughts flooded the Venerables' minds in an instant, but the purple-robed figure had already grown impatient:

“I'll say it again: do not bring trouble upon yourselves!”

A bolt of purple lightning suddenly flashed.

A deafening roar erupted, almost shattering the Realm of Creation and Destruction itself.

“What you are looking for is not here,” Daoist Ming Dao said.

The purple-robed figure narrowed their eyes and smiled:

“You say it's not here, so it's not?”

“Ridiculous!”

The purple figure instantly swelled a hundred million times in size.

It became even larger than the countless surging illusory currents combined below, intending to reveal all the secrets of this realm.

This action also enraged the inhabitants of the Realm of Creation and Destruction.

Daoist Ming Dao threw out a long scroll. Though blank, it seemed to be densely covered with thousands of characters.

One of them seemed to correspond to the Dao of the purple-robed figure.

On the blank scroll, this character materialized from nothingness.

Meanwhile, the purple-robed figure's swollen form seemed to be pulled by some force, gradually returning to its original shape.

“If that's the case... then don't blame me for being ruthless.”

“Once this place is thoroughly searched, we'll naturally know what you've been hiding.”

Rumbling thunder echoed from outside the Realm of Creation and Destruction.

Although the purple-robed figure's Dharma Idol of Heaven and Earth had shattered, an even larger pair of hands dramatically extended from beyond the rift.

“We can't hide it any longer. Let's act.”

Seeing this, Daoist Ming Dao sighed.