Chapter 1660: Mountain and Sea Hold Strange Fortunes

"I have failed Xuanyuan Hong's trust," the Moral True Immortal sighed.

"It was a matter of mutual consent, what could be done?" Li Fan said with a smile. "Perhaps the young couple is happily together as we speak."

Li Fan paused slightly, then looked towards the fishing pond in the Xuanhuang Realm and whispered, "So, being caught by the Old Man of Mountains and Seas isn't inherently dangerous. The true danger lies in the time-space where the Old Man of Mountains and Seas resides. Doesn't that mean one could cross the Void Realm by utilizing this Mountains and Seas Fishery?"

The Moral True Immortal nodded, then shook his head. "If we only go by the information Xuanyuan Hong left behind, that is indeed the case. But..."

He let out a bitter laugh. "No matter how extraordinary Xuanyuan Hong was, the moment he was ensnared by the fishing line, he was merely a fish on the hook. How could he truly know the specific circumstances of the Old Man of Mountains and Seas? Perhaps he was instantly devoured after being caught. Furthermore, the Mountains and Seas are inherently one. Being in a particular time-space isn't actually important. What truly matters is one's own ability to traverse the Void Realm."

Li Fan chuckled softly. "You speak wisely, fellow Daoist. This matter relates to the aid of perfected morality. Next, what I seek is to cause a great stir in the Mountains and Seas. Given your current state, I imagine achieving sainthood is already within your grasp, isn't it?"

The Moral True Immortal nodded slightly. "I need to make some more preparations. But rest assured, fellow Daoist, I will certainly inform you before I break through to enlightenment."

Li Fan then slowly exhaled a wisp of accumulated true spirit from his mouth. Afterward, he used the method of pure imagination to sculpt a moral body.

"There's no need to seek me out. When you achieve sainthood, your morality will reach perfection, aligning with the Mountains and Seas. This imagined moral body will then dissipate, and I will naturally know."

Before his words had fully fallen, Li Fan's figure slowly vanished. Even the Moral True Immortal, who was nearing sainthood, could not find him.

"He is truly mysterious and unfathomable," the Moral True Immortal muttered to himself.

However, his immediate priority was his own path to sainthood. The Moral True Immortal collected his thoughts and entered secluded cultivation.

Li Fan did not return to the Xuanhuang Realm to investigate the Mountains and Seas Fishery. Instead, he quietly made his way to a certain location within the Mountains and Seas, guided by a peculiar rhythm in his ear. This rhythm was precisely the demonic chanting inscribed within the Xuanyuan bloodline, like Xuanyuan Hong's whispers across time and space, guiding his descendants.

Previously, Li Fan had always been wary of Heavenly King Xuan's methods. Though he knew their secrets, he had never personally risked himself. It wasn't until later, after he possessed the strength to no longer fear Xuanyuan Hong, that his focus shifted more towards confronting Saints. He had, in fact, stopped paying much attention to what Heavenly King Xuan had left behind.

However, now that he understood Heavenly King Xuan's unique nature and how he was coveted by unknown entities within the Mountains and Seas, Li Fan's interest was piqued once more. With the ability to embody Xuanpin and become a Saint of the Mountains and Seas at any moment, he had no need to fear any dangers.

So he went gracefully.

The demonic chants pulsed, sometimes fading, sometimes returning. Yet, the directions within the Mountains and Seas were incredibly clear. Li Fan had once explored most of the possibilities within the current segment of the Mountains and Seas. Yet, the Mountains and Seas are boundless, and there were always places he had not yet ventured.

Following the guidance, he gradually delved deeper. Li Fan fell into a dark starry sky. With a single sweep of his divine sense, he instantly grasped the full scope of this possibility.

"At first glance, there seems to be nothing particularly special about this place. However, anything Heavenly King Xuan would engrave within his bloodline certainly wouldn't be so simple."

The piercing demonic chants had already faded. Li Fan could only rely on his own search. Fortunately, in the Xuanhuang Realm, he had honed an exceptionally extensive experience in searching mountains and seas. It didn't take long for Li Fan to find the location indicated by Heavenly King Xuan.

Inside a magnificent temple, a simply designed statue was enshrined. It lay reclining on its side, appearing to be asleep with closed eyes. The statue's attire was not elaborate; it was merely ordinary mortal clothing. Yet, this temple was extraordinarily prosperous with incense offerings! The temple's influence extended over a radius of one hundred thousand li. From all corners of this realm, a continuous stream of worshippers arrived, and they were not merely mortals. There were also countless cultivators. Furthermore, True Immortals from the lower realms, and even beings of Anonymity, came in their incarnate forms!

Li Fan observed secretly for a while and soon discerned something. The statue enshrined in this temple was indeed the likeness of Heavenly King Xuan. However, its appearance was not entirely identical to Xuanyuan Hong from the Xuanhuang Realm; there were subtle differences. While difficult for ordinary people to discern, it could not escape Li Fan's eyes.

The reason this temple attracted countless mortals and immortals to offer devout worship was not purely due to faith. It was also because worshipping this statue genuinely had the effect of defying fate and changing destiny! Within the one hundred thousand li divine temple, countless magnificent pillars and beams were inscribed with stories of how people's destinies had been altered through worshipping the divine statue. Such instances were ubiquitous, from True Immortals down to common mortals. These were not exaggerated or false claims, but real events that had genuinely transpired.

"Purple Supreme Primordial Fortune Creation Celestial Venerate."

Li Fan chuckled softly as he meticulously read through the many wondrous events recorded in the divine temple. He already had an idea. Approaching the statue, he observed it carefully once more.

"It doesn't possess life characteristics, yet it's not merely an inanimate object. This is... the remains Xuanyuan Hong left behind after his 'golden cicada shedding its shell' escape."

Li Fan's gaze was like a torch; he instantly discerned the true origin of this statue.

"Xuanyuan Hong was targeted and went into hiding within the Mountains and Seas. His first stop wasn't the Xuanhuang Realm, but this very possibility. Perhaps due to the ineffectiveness of his initial concealment or some other reason, he chose to flee again, leaving only an empty shell here. Upon arriving in the Xuanhuang Realm, he completely transformed into a mortal, severing his ties with the Mountains and Seas, until he once again ascended to immortality."

As Li Fan pondered, he squinted and lightly touched Xuanyuan Hong's remains. From this "statue" and the various effects it had on this particular possibility, Li Fan naturally understood what Xuanyuan Hong's "peculiarity" truly was.

"Mountains and Seas Auspicious Fortune!" A gleam flashed in Li Fan's eyes.

Fortune. Ethereal, yet undeniably real. In the Fallen Immortal Realm of the Xuanhuang Realm, Li Fan once transformed into the Fated Black Bird and deduced the Heavenly Fortune Sutra. However, the degree to which an exotic beast could manipulate and influence fortune was truly a world apart when compared to Xuanyuan Hong.

"Even a single remnant left behind could invisibly alter this possibility and the lives of countless beings. Furthermore, this possibility remained remarkably intact, even against the backdrop of the constantly approaching Great Dao Annihilation Tribulation. For all these years, it hasn't been influenced by the Other Shore, the Taiwei Saint Dynasty, or even me. This is all due to these remains of auspicious fortune."

As he touched the remains, Li Fan could vaguely sense an invisible presence circling around it, as if guided by fate, protecting the entire possibility. "Although Xuanyuan Hong transformed into a mortal, he would ultimately not simply vanish into obscurity. In his youth, he discovered the secret of the fishing pond. Without wasting years, he suddenly rose to prominence. Not only did he complete his final ascension in the extreme environment of the Xuanhuang Realm, an immortal realm experimental ground, but he also survived the Great Tribulation of the Immortal Realm's destruction with a half-immortal body, while simultaneously collecting countless treasures from the Immortal Realm... After returning to the mortal realm, dozens of Anonymity incarnations gathered around him. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call him a Child of Destiny. Even when he ascended to the immortal realm and his life was once again in peril, the Old Man of Mountains and Seas intervened just in time to save him. The Mountains and Seas Auspicious Fortune indeed has some profound ways."

Li Fan reviewed Xuanyuan Hong's life and couldn't help but let out a cold snort. He even suspected that Xuanyuan Hong's second transformation into a mortal and subsequent journey to the Xuanhuang Realm might have been partly due to the 'Return to True' within it.

"'Return to True' was secretly hidden, attracting all Great Daos of the Mountains and Seas of the same rank. For example, the opportunities obtained by Emperor Tianluo. The Mountains and Seas Auspicious Fortune naturally sensed something in the unseen. If one could acquire it, perhaps it could alter one's current state of being pursued... It's just a pity that the Xuanhuang Realm runs too deep. While the Mountains and Seas Auspicious Fortune can influence the destiny of the Mountains and Seas, its effect on entities of the same rank as itself would likely be greatly diminished. In the end, 'Return to True' still fell into my hands!"

Li Fan's eyes narrowed slightly. He grasped Xuanyuan Hong's remains before him and gently exerted pressure, crushing it with one hand.

"Even with boundless fortune, how can it compare to my ability to manifest truth or falsehood with a single thought!"

This statue of the Purple Supreme Primordial Fortune Creation Celestial Venerate, worshipped by countless beings in this possibility for tens of thousands of years, thus turned to ashes and was annihilated.

Moments later, countless believers who witnessed the scene fell into despair. Heaven and earth trembled. Streaks of flowing light descended from the Immortal Realm. They were utterly shocked and enraged, seeking to uncover the reason for the divine statue's destruction. Unfortunately, even the most powerful among them were only at the realm of an Anonymous True Immortal. Without even transcendent experts among them, how could they possibly affect Li Fan?

"Without the protection of auspicious fortune, I see you'll struggle to protect yourselves." Without even the interest to deal with these ants, Li Fan glanced away, observing the ripples of Dao Annihilation gradually rising beyond this possibility.

Smiling faintly, he flashed away.

The Dao Annihilation gradually roared, and this world, which had known peace for countless eons, finally welcomed its tribulation of destruction.

Li Fan, looking as if nothing concerned him, was once again immersed in studying the wisp of auspicious fortune coiled around his hand. It was merely a remnant left by Heavenly King Xuan when he transformed into a mortal to escape. Naturally, it could not be absorbed by 'Return to True' and incorporated into the Great Dao of Returning to Truth. But Xuanyuan Hong's extraordinary, heaven-reaching fortune secretly gave Li Fan an idea.

"Since Heavenly King Xuan bears the Mountains and Seas Auspicious Fortune, it suggests he shouldn't easily suffer misfortune. He is still alive. Due to the characteristics of his fortune, ordinary individuals, and even Saints, attempting to scheme against him would very likely fail. But I am different! No matter how good one's fortune, how can it compare to my countless opportunities to start over? If I could acquire another Great Dao of the Mountains and Seas..."

The Mountains and Seas Auspicious Fortune is the only Great Dao of the Mountains and Seas of the same rank that Li Fan currently knows, apart from the Xuanpin Great Dao. Furthermore, its wielder has not yet achieved the realm of a Saint. This naturally made Li Fan's mind stir. "Also, I'm genuinely curious," he mused, "can one wear two, or even more, 'Garments of the Great Dao of Mountains and Seas' simultaneously? It's a pity that the Mountains and Seas are separated. Otherwise, I would certainly give it a try."

Bearing auspicious fortune can help avoid many unforeseen disasters. In the complex games of Saints, sometimes a slight difference can lead to vastly different outcomes.

As he pondered, Li Fan had already firmly noted his new objective. Perhaps influenced by the wisp of auspicious fortune he had absorbed, Li Fan encountered a second transcendent expert who subtly showed signs of becoming a Saint, even before the Moral True Immortal attained sainthood! A faint aura of the Other Shore on his body revealed his origins.

He sat silently on the edge of the Void Realm, attempting to resist the terrifying pressure brought by the boundless darkness. He was even further ahead than the limit Li Fan could withstand. This slightly surprised Li Fan, who had come to extract accumulated true spirits.

After merely glancing at Li Fan, the man closed his eyes again. Under the erosion of the Void Realm's pressure, the man's foundation visibly disintegrated at an alarming rate. Yet, his expression remained unchanged as he pressed further forward. He disregarded his own impending demise, cultivating with his very life on the line!

But the Eternal Silence Void Realm would not show mercy for his fearlessness. Li Fan watched as this transcendent expert from the Other Shore was utterly crushed by the Void Realm's pressure, disappearing from his sight.

"Did he just die like that?"

"No, that's not right!"

Li Fan instantly reacted, looking towards the Other Shore. He did not leave, choosing instead to wait patiently where he was. Sure enough, an identical figure swiftly appeared shortly after, and sat down again in the original position.

"To actually cultivate by leveraging the destructive power of the Void Realm, tempering one's mind and character... Fellow Daoist, your methods are truly extraordinary!" Li Fan exclaimed from afar.

The man, however, paid no attention to Li Fan's praise, simply cultivating with closed eyes. Li Fan was not annoyed and continued speaking to himself: "It's a pity, though, that such cultivation, no matter how arduous, is largely futile. Without the strength to traverse the Void Realm, no amount of tempering will allow one to survive within it. Conversely, once one's realm reaches a certain level, survival in the Eternal Silence Void Realm becomes natural. All prior efforts would be wasted."

As Li Fan sighed and lamented, his words angered the transcendent cultivator who was seated there. He opened his eyes and sneered: "What kind of twisted logic is that? If you utter more nonsense and disturb my cultivation, don't blame this old man for being impolite!"

The cultivator offered no pleasant expression, but Li Fan was not annoyed. Instead, he sincerely said: "Good medicine tastes bitter, and honest advice grates on the ear. I simply cherish your talent too much to bear seeing you waste such precious time!"

The cultivator was so angered that he laughed instead: "Then tell me, how should one resist this Void Realm pressure?"

"No need to overthink it; just become a Saint. For those in the transcendent realm, surviving in the Void Realm is naturally exceedingly difficult. However, among Saints, there are few who cannot traverse it."

What Li Fan said was technically correct, yet utterly useless advice. The cultivator sneered: "Saints of the Mountains and Seas are few and far between. Is sainthood something one can achieve simply by wishing it? Insufficient aptitude, insufficient opportunities, insufficient destiny—any single shortcoming can lead to a lifetime of despair. Surely you understand this principle, fellow Daoist?"

"Precisely!" Li Fan quickly retorted, pressing his advantage. "In other words, if one's strengths are long enough, one can disregard their other shortcomings. Isn't that right?"

The cultivator froze, then was compelled to nod. Then he argued: "Aptitude, opportunities, and destiny are all determined by Heaven. Ordinary methods cannot shake them. Only one's own efforts can be considered the sole salvation. Since I was a mortal, I considered myself a divinely gifted talent. It wasn't until I cultivated all the way to the transcendent limit that I realized my own talent was ultimately lacking. Thus, I awakened to the importance of personal effort. So, day and night, I cultivate assiduously on the periphery of this Void Realm."

The cultivator recounted his spiritual journey in detail. But Li Fan interrupted him with a single sentence: "What if I told you I could help you defy fate and achieve sainthood?"