Chapter 1657: Starshine Festival Chronicle

Angry Squid: . . . . . . . . .

Although it still felt like an instant, the "Return to Truth" process this time didn't seem as long as before.

When Li Fan's consciousness reawakened, the first thing that came to his mind was this strange and contradictory feeling.

He stared blankly at the characters appearing before him.

This simulation has ended.

You can choose one of the following options to retain:1. An item you possessed in this simulation.2. Your cultivation realm in this simulation.3. The simulated memories of a person closely related to you in this simulation. These memories can be inherited by that person.4. Abandon the above choices to accelerate the charging progress.

Compared to the stable state of the previous text, the lines of characters now before him flickered with a strange, alternating black and red glow.

This eerie light reminded Li Fan of the scene from the very end of his previous life, where Return to Truth and Star confronted each other.

Moreover, these lines of descriptive text seemed as if they could collapse at any moment.

This was absolutely not Li Fan's imagination.

When Li Fan's thoughts focused more intently on them, these inheritance instructions truly disintegrated in an instant, like crumbling dust.

However, Li Fan felt no panic in his heart.

He already understood that the changes appearing in Return to Truth this time were a good sign.

After the text shattered, Li Fan's vision was plunged into a brief darkness.

But soon, new flashes of light were reborn in the darkness.

Lines of brand new text began to reassemble, leaping into Li Fan's sight.

This simulation has ended.You can choose one of the following options to retain:1. Your cultivation, possessions, or the Dao you mastered in this simulation.2. The simulation results of any close Daoist friend from this simulation. These results can be applied to the current Mountains and Seas.3. The outline of changes in the Mountains and Seas from this simulation.4. An abridged record of the Star's rhythm from this simulation.5. Abandon the above choices to accelerate the charging progress.

Four choices had become five.

Moreover, the specific content of the options had undergone earth-shattering changes compared to before. With each line he read, it felt as if an invisible hand was fiercely clutching Li Fan's heart.

"These are the changes brought about by my finally achieving the Saint realm and personally witnessing the end of the Mountains and Seas and the appearance of the Lonely Star."

"Or perhaps, it's because I've finally witnessed Return to Truth's true power and the truth behind each activation of Return to Truth. Is that why It has become more open with me?"

Li Fan didn't know the exact reason, or perhaps it was a combination of both.

In any case, the changes to Return to Truth's inheritance content this time must be extraordinary.

Taking a deep breath, Li Fan closed his eyes, not focusing on the inheritance options.

Only after he had completely calmed down did he begin to carefully ponder them again.

The original first and second inheritance options had now merged into one. This new single option even encompassed more.

It was not only limited to his own cultivation but also included his possessions and the Dao he mastered.

Li Fan could still understand his own cultivation and possessions. But what did "the Dao he mastered" refer to?

"Ordinary Daos are no longer worth mentioning to me. This Dao must refer to the Grand Dao of the Mountains and Seas. However, Return to Truth possesses the divine power of 'Grand Dao Returning to Truth,' meaning once something is collected, it's collected forever. For example, even if I don't choose to inherit the Dao option now, the First Profound Pneuma is still under Return to Truth's control. What would be the point of inheriting it again?"

Li Fan frowned in thought.

He didn't believe Return to Truth would offer a meaningless option.

Especially after personally witnessing Return to Truth's divine might.

He profoundly realized how ridiculous his past conjectures about Return to Truth had been. Li Fan needed to approach Return to Truth from a fresh perspective. "There seems to be a precedent for inheriting existing things."

After a long time, Li Fan's eyes flickered, recalling his experience of choosing to inherit the Heaven and Earth Oddity of the Xuanhuang Realm.

"The Xuanhuang Oddity should have been unique in the world. But after Return to Truth's great power created a new one, the phenomenon of two coexisting appeared instantly."

"However, its unique nature wouldn't change because of this. So..."

Li Fan's heart skipped a beat as he reached a conclusion.

"The two will merge and advance further!"

If it were merely an oddity of a single realm, it wouldn't be much.

But the object that could now be strengthened was the Grand Dao of the Mountains and Seas, which was on par with the Mountains and Seas itself and could lead to the Saint realm!

If it were further enhanced by Return to Truth, what kind of manifestation would it have?

Recalling the Profound Pneuma Grand Dao he had controlled and cultivated in his previous life, and then looking at the four gleaming characters "First Profound Pneuma" on Return to Truth's panel, Li Fan felt a surge of impulse, wanting to choose this option immediately to observe its specific changes.

"If it's truly as I imagine, then it would be immensely significant, directly paving a path for me."

"As long as I keep strengthening it, even if I merely wear its 'outer garment,' I might not be weaker than the Saints of the Other Shore."

He had almost made up his mind.

But Li Fan suppressed his impulse, not choosing to inherit immediately.

Instead, he carefully read through the remaining options.

If the first inheritance option was for himself, then the second was for others.

Compared to before, its effect was also a qualitative leap.

Originally, only memories and one's spiritual essence could be inherited.

Like Bai Shuyue, even if she painstakingly cultivated to the Transcendence realm in her previous life, she would have to start over from a mortal realm in the next.

But now...

"Directly inherit the simulation results, and apply them to the current Mountains and Seas."

Li Fan had seen the seven-character phrase "apply to the current Mountains and Seas" before, during Return to Truth's "simulation" deductions for the entire Mountains and Seas.

There was nothing difficult to understand about it.

It meant, just like Li Fan, one could fully inherit everything gained from the previous simulation! As the greatest beneficiary of Return to Truth's inheritance function, Li Fan naturally understood its terrifying implications.

Even enlightening a Saint would be effortless!

"But there are also drawbacks."

"Simulation results naturally include complete memories of the previous life. The Saints' strength is comparable to mine. If I were to truly enlighten a Saint, even if I concealed myself perfectly, it would be inevitable that flaws would be exposed."

"This is a great weapon, a double-edged sword, not to be used lightly. Even for my aunt, it's the same."

Given Li Fan's temperament, there was no one in the entire Mountains and Seas for whom he could use this second inheritance option without reservations.

"Perhaps in the future, when I find myself in a desperate situation again, I will activate it," Li Fan thought to himself.

Li Fan had many concerns.

Fortunately, faint fluctuations came, and Return to Truth promptly reminded him that he could still choose the previous method of simply inheriting memories.

However, it was truly too wasteful and not highly recommended.

But everything was still up to Li Fan to decide.

"Wasteful, huh?"

Li Fan snorted softly, skipped it, and looked at the third and fourth inheritance options.

These were new possibilities that emerged after the drastic changes of the previous life.

Moreover...

Just by looking at the wording, he knew they were extraordinary.

Li Fan's expression was grave as he slowly read them.

"Outline of Mountains and Seas' Changes, Abridged Record of Star's Rhythm."

One concerned the Mountains and Seas, the other the Lonely Star.

Undoubtedly, with Return to Truth's abilities, it should be able to observe and record the changes in the Mountains and Seas, and even the Star.

But the key was...

What exactly were these two items?

If inherited, what benefit would they provide to Li Fan in his current state?

"Too profound." "I haven't even reached the Saint realm yet. If I were to inherit them rashly, it would likely do more harm than good."

Staring at these two lines for a long time, Li Fan sighed deeply.

"Their appearance on Return to Truth's panel now merely indicates that I finally have the ability to view the Outline of Mountains and Seas' Changes and the Abridged Record of Star's Rhythm. But whether the outcome after viewing them will be good or bad is unknown."

"As for before..."

"I probably didn't even have the qualification to glance at them."

The terrifying scene of the Mountains and Seas collapsing and the Star's radiance devouring everything reappeared in his mind.

He had no doubt that if he, as a mortal, had encountered such a scene, he would likely have gone completely mad from the inability to bear it.

"Only by truly stepping into the Saint realm himself, rather than merely relying on the 'outer garment' of the Grand Dao of the Mountains and Seas, can one harmlessly accept these two." Li Fan dimly understood in his heart.

"Of course, since Return to Truth has listed them, it means that with my current strength, even if I were to forcibly read them, I wouldn't suffer fatal damage."

"I can indeed observe the profound mysteries of both. However,"

"The other options are beneficial, but these two options are harmful."

Li Fan shook his head slightly, hesitated for a long time, and ultimately did not choose either of them.

"Playing it safe is fine."

"After all, it's just another cycle of simulation."

After calming his thoughts, Li Fan's gaze finally fell on the last option.

"Accelerate charging speed..."

His thoughts paused slightly.

Return to Truth needing to charge was a constant rule that had existed from the very beginning.

Even with Li Fan's continuous increase in strength and various fortuitous encounters, the charging time required had already become extremely short due to constant reduction.

But ultimately, it still required charging time.

In the past, Li Fan would have instinctively skipped this option, believing it held no significant meaning.

But now, Return to Truth's inheritance options had undergone a change, and inheriting cultivation and items had been merged into a single option. Yet, the option to accelerate charging still remained.

It even occupied its own line.

"Could there be some profound mystery hidden within this?"

Judging from Return to Truth's current manifestations, the answer was almost obvious.

However, the benefits of choosing this option were too low, so after a moment of contemplation, Li Fan ultimately shook his head and skipped it.

"I choose to inherit the Dao I mastered in the previous life."

Li Fan's expression was solemn as he made his decision.

From deep within his heart, waves of indistinct fluctuations from Return to Truth emerged.

They vanished in an instant.

Just as Return to Truth had indicated before, everything would be ultimately decided by Li Fan's choice.

A moment later, a mysterious yet familiar rhythm descended.

"The Profound Pneuma Grand Dao..."

At the end of the Mountains and Seas, he had spent countless years with it.

Li Fan naturally recognized the aura of Profound Pneuma at a glance.

Due to Return to Truth's concealment, the descent of this Grand Dao of the Mountains and Seas did not spread beyond the Xuanhuang Realm.

It was even limited to a three-zhang radius around Li Fan.

The Grand Dao enveloped him like a garment he had worn for many years, and Li Fan familiarized himself with it instantly, putting it on.

Like the emperor's new clothes, he put it on, yet didn't.

It only remained on Li Fan for a moment before silently vanishing, like a transient dream.

But this change was already within Li Fan's expectations.

He gazed into the distance, looking beyond the origin.

He carefully sensed the location where the Profound Pneuma Grand Dao originally resided within the Mountains and Seas. "As expected, the Profound Pneuma has been strengthened."

"Although it hasn't doubled in power, which would be an exaggeration, it's still astonishing enough to shock the world."

"And..."

An inexplicable expression flashed across Li Fan's face.

"After inheriting that wisp of Profound Pneuma Grand Dao that I controlled for many years, the Profound Pneuma of the current Mountains and Seas has actually become tinged with my aura because of it?"

At the same time, Li Fan noticed that on Return to Truth's panel, the characters for the First Profound Pneuma, after "Grand Dao Returning to Truth," changed from a seven-colored glow to transparency the moment he chose to inherit it.

"Return to Truth's control over the Profound Pneuma remains."

"But the Profound Pneuma today is no longer the Profound Pneuma of old."

"It needs to be re-collected to become stable."

After all, having once been a Profound Pneuma Saint, Li Fan naturally understood the reason for this change.

"After I chose to inherit it today, the Profound Pneuma within the Mountains and Seas has also permanently changed."

"Even if it undergoes another cycle of reincarnation, and Return to Truth reshapes the Mountains and Seas at the end of time, the Profound Pneuma in the new cycle will still be the Profound Pneuma that I have already changed."

A wave of sudden realization surged within Li Fan's heart.

At the same time, a sense of unease inexplicably arose.

The source of this unease was not an actual crisis descending.

But because, the "regret medicine" no longer existed.

In the past, no matter what choices he made, he could always return to the original anchor point through Return to Truth, and all effects of his actions would be erased.

But now, with his gradually increasing strength and after encountering Return to Truth's true nature, this "privilege" of not having to bear any consequences no longer existed.

"It seems that changes involving the Grand Dao of the Mountains and Seas must be handled with extreme caution."

In fact, Li Fan still suspected that Return to Truth had the ability to reset the Mountains and Seas to its "pristine" version from when he first transmigrated and arrived.

It was just that Return to Truth had now specifically informed him and made the change. Even if Li Fan vehemently opposed it, it would be useless. It was better to quietly accept it.

"Overall, the changes that have occurred within the Profound Pneuma Grand Dao itself are still beneficial to me."

For one, it would be easier for Li Fan to once again don the "outer garment" of Profound Pneuma.

And secondly...

Li Fan had a feeling.

If he were to mark all the Grand Daos of the Mountains and Seas through this method of inheriting the Dao he mastered, then even if he didn't advance to the Saint realm, his true strength would not be inferior to that of the Mountains and Seas Saints in the slightest.

"For now, the plan is still to enhance my own strength."

"As for the struggles between the Mountains and Seas, Return to Truth, and even the Star..."

"In the future, I might not be unable to participate."

In this difficult predicament, Li Fan had his own way of survival.

When weak, he would lie low as much as possible.

He would seize every opportunity to strengthen himself.

Until the situation was completely reversed, then it would be time to settle accounts!

Li Fan didn't find it unacceptable that Return to Truth controlled his body.

He didn't even abandon himself to despair.

He had already understood that with Return to Truth's power, it could completely seize his body and will at any time.

Yet, It deliberately chose not to do so.

There must be a purpose behind this.

Whether it was the peculiarity of his own infinite spiritual essence, or his unique status as a "transmigrator," in short, Return to Truth's special treatment was his capital to continue playing the game.

"Just wait."

"There are still many days ahead."

"Hmph."

Without any reservations about the possibility of Return to Truth prying, Li Fan thought this in his heart.