Chapter 1663: Hundred-Knowledge Sin Immortal

Angry Squid:

The Eternal Celestial Stairway is the collective term for the bluestone slabs suspended above the River of Time. It serves to facilitate those in the Beyond who have not mastered the Reverse Character Art in crossing the River of Time. Perhaps it has other special uses, but Li Fan is not yet aware of them.

At this moment, after a period of discussion, the Saints finalized their plan. The white circle emitted a faint, jade-like radiance, and the phantom of the River of Time was split open as if by a knife. Two figures appeared to be imprisoned beneath the Eternal Celestial Stairway. They sat cross-legged, heads bowed, as if bearing the weight of the entire River of Time and countless bluestone steps. Even if they noticed the commotion above them, they could not lift their heads to see.

However, not both were released. They chose only one, and a white light, like a rope, coiled around it, bringing it before the Saints. As the jade-like radiance receded, the River of Time was sealed once more, and the suppressed figures within were no longer visible.

The summoned cultivator, perhaps due to being imprisoned for too long, remained motionless like a stone statue, even after gaining freedom. The rope-like radiance instantly contracted. His brows furrowed slightly, and his eyes opened. As he looked at the twelve colossal Saint figures standing before him, a hint of confusion flashed in the cultivator's eyes.

"What year is it now?" he wondered. He distinctly remembered that when he was first suppressed, there were only nine Saints in the Beyond. How could it have suddenly increased to a massive twelve?

"And I was actually released," he thought. "Could it be that the conflict between the Mountains and Seas and the Void Realm has already concluded?"

Countless doubts welled up in the cultivator's heart, but in the presence of the Saints, he dared not show disrespect. "Junior Baixiao greets all Saints!" he said.

"After being suppressed for many years, have you reflected?" the phantom of Judgment Master boomed, his voice echoing like thunder and enveloping the entire area.

Immortal Baixiao, however, was unfazed and sighed softly: "Of course I have. My only regret is that I was a bit slow in my actions then and was noticed by the Saints. One false step, an eternal regret..."

Seeing Immortal Baixiao's unrepentant attitude, the Saint phantoms did not become angry.

"Your 'As You Wish' has been destroyed, and you have been suppressed for a long time," Judgment Master continued. "Now there is an opportunity for you to atone for your crimes through meritorious service. Are you willing?"

"Atoning for my crimes through meritorious service?" Immortal Baixiao paused slightly. "Can I truly regain my freedom?"

"Not only will you regain your freedom, but you can even ascend to heaven in one step and achieve Saintly Dao," Lord Shouqiu said.

Lord Shouqiu's words clearly carried more weight in Immortal Baixiao's heart. Upon hearing these incredible words, his mind was instantly shaken. He blurted out: "If that is true, this junior is naturally willing!"

"Agreed so quickly? Be aware that once you accept, there will be no chance for regret," the phantom of Lianshan said. "Given your past, we will also jointly place a restriction within your body. Even with a Saint's body, you will find it difficult to escape. If you go back on your word, our combined efforts can instantly scatter your soul. This point must be made clear to you beforehand."

Immortal Baixiao, however, looked completely unfazed: "Being suppressed for countless years beneath the Eternal Celestial Stairway until the Mountains and Seas are destroyed, or having the opportunity to achieve a Saint's body, even if it means being controlled by others... How could I not distinguish between these two choices? The reason I chose to use 'As You Wish' to attract the gaze of the stars back then wasn't it precisely because I had no hope of becoming a Saint?"

Without Li Fan needing to speak, the newly promoted Saint Jingui immediately questioned Immortal Baixiao upon hearing his words. "This person actually intended to attract the gaze of the stars? In that case, can he still be entrusted with important tasks?"

Shouqiu nodded: "Once one becomes a Saint, they naturally stand on our side, with no danger of rebellion. Fellow Daoist, do not worry. As for his previous attempt to connect with the stars..."

After Shouqiu's explanation, the three newly promoted Saints finally understood the whole story. It was almost identical to the version told by the Immeasurable Wall in the Cycle of Reincarnation.

Originally, Immortal Baixiao comprehended the Shadow of the Grand Dao and used this insight to forge a unique immortal artifact, 'As You Wish'. This immortal artifact could act like a person's shadow, peering into the paths and inner thoughts of all immortals and converting their power for his own use. Logically speaking, possessing such a supreme treasure before transcending, Immortal Baixiao should have had boundless prospects. Unfortunately, 'As You Wish' was both his making and his undoing.

The paths and inner thoughts of all living beings were too vast, immense, and wonderfully diverse. Once entangled, he became deeply immersed and unable to extricate himself. He lingered, forgetting to return, and actually neglected his own cultivation. Moreover, Immortal Baixiao peered into all the secrets of living beings but had no one to share them with, forced to keep everything hidden in his heart. Over time, he felt increasingly stifled.

Later, unable to bear it any longer, he secretly sought out people to confide in. Indeed, his heart was like a horse galloping across a plain, easy to release but difficult to rein in. The astonishment of others upon learning shocking secrets, coupled with the pleasure of fully disclosing what he knew, made Immortal Baixiao immensely satisfied. Having tasted the sweetness, he became addicted from then on, spiraling out of control. Even the secrets of Immortal Emperors became topics for him to boast about. And relying on the miraculous properties of the Shadow of the Grand Dao, he was repeatedly able to escape searches unharmed. Thus, Immortal Baixiao became even more unrestrained in his speech.

Until he attempted to reveal the secret of the Sutra Tomb. "The Sutra Tomb devours the Dao and activates a circle above the desolate tomb. Do you know what the true form of the Great Sage of Sutra Tomb is? Heh heh, if you knew, you would definitely find it unbelievable..." Immortal Baixiao said smugly, amidst the onlookers.

"Brother Baixiao, stop keeping us in suspense. Tell us quickly."

As Immortal Baixiao was about to speak, looking at the eager gazes of the immortals around him, a black wind suddenly swept in. The listening immortals were instantly swept up and swallowed whole by the Great Sage of Sutra Tomb. Immortal Baixiao, though protected by the Shadow of the Grand Dao and fortunate enough to escape with his life, was abruptly awakened. He had spoken carelessly and offended someone he shouldn't have!

However, the Great Sage of Sutra Tomb acted on his own will. Ignoring Immortal Baixiao's plea for forgiveness, he vowed to swallow him whole and shut him up completely. Immortal Baixiao hid wherever he could, but eventually, he had nowhere left to go. With no other way out, he hardened his heart and actually conceived the idea of drawing in Dao Annihilation to perish together.

If the confrontation between the Mountains and Seas and Dao Annihilation were viewed as a war, then Immortal Baixiao, who had comprehended the divine ability of the Shadow of the Grand Dao, if he defected, would be equivalent to a top-tier spy knowing most of the Mountains and Seas' secrets. He would largely be able to alter the struggle between the two sides. Therefore, Immortal Baixiao's defection proceeded unexpectedly smoothly. He merely showed a hint of a possible intention, and Dao Annihilation surged like never before.

And within Dao Annihilation, a faint consciousness even emerged. While persuading him to join Dao Annihilation, it also promised him a bright future. However, just as he was about to completely defect, Saints Lianshan and Guihai intervened and directly suppressed him.

"In the Void Realm, the foundation of all existence is gone. How can there be a bright future?" Jingui said, shaking his head.

"Perhaps it's a change in form. The tide of Dao Annihilation possesses self-awareness. What's more, what about the stars beyond Dao Annihilation? According to Immortal Baixiao, the moment he communicated with the consciousness within Dao Annihilation, he distinctly felt an even grander will, one that surpassed ours. It was hidden deep within Dao Annihilation, yet also seemingly concealed beneath the darkness."

"He had a vague feeling that if he offered the Shadow of the Mountains and Seas Grand Dao as a sacrifice, he might be able to draw the attention of that entity. At that time, within Dao Annihilation, there would also be earth-shattering changes..." Lord Shouqiu spoke very calmly, his thoughts indiscernible.

"How much truth and how much falsehood do you think there is in what Immortal Baixiao said?" Li Fan finally spoke at this moment, asking for the opinions of the Saint phantoms.

"There are no lies," Judgment Master said, shaking his head. "However, that doesn't mean it's entirely true. Even we find it difficult to perceive the true face of the stars. Even if the stars truly appeared before him, it's unlikely Immortal Baixiao would be able to perceive them. It's possible it was purely an illusion of his."

Shouqiu added: "However, this person's talent is indeed extraordinary. He was simply led astray before. Suppressed by us within the Eternal Celestial Stairway, with no secrets to peer into, he could only focus on cultivation wholeheartedly. In these years, he has instead made further progress, reaching the realm of transcendence."

"Fellow Daoists are indeed kind-hearted," Li Fan said with a smile. "To such a heinous villain, you actually still allow him the opportunity to cultivate again."

"If he doesn't become a Saint, no matter how evil he is, we can suppress him with a flick of our hand. But if he can become a Saint, after achieving Saintly Dao, he will naturally join our ranks. What harm is there in letting him cultivate?" Judgment Master said calmly.

As the Saints conversed, Immortal Baixiao had already regained his freedom. "It's just a pity my Jade Ruyi is gone," he mumbled softly, glancing at the Saints present. "I'm afraid it's impossible to forge it anew."

"After achieving Saintly Dao, one's perspective naturally differs from before. All beings in the Mountains and Seas are like ants. What joy can there be in that?" The speaker, however, was Saint Qiejian. The phantom of Saint Qiejian had remained mostly silent until now.

With this utterance, Li Fan vaguely sensed a cold, snake-like aura moving around the area. The portion of the Mountains and Seas' wondrous fortune obtained from King Xuantian's remains completely dissipated due to the appearance of this cold aura, as if stolen! It wasn't Saint Qiejian acting intentionally, but rather an anomaly naturally triggered after he spoke!

Immortal Baixiao also seemed to sense an inexplicable change within himself, his expression subtly shifting. However, he still stubbornly retorted: "You, Senior, are not an ant. How would you know the joy of ants?"

Saint Qiejian remained silent, and the cold aura also vanished. Immortal Baixiao instantly felt bored and said dully: "Seniors, please proceed!"

The white circle suddenly contracted, condensing into Immortal Baixiao's head. "Everyone, just leave a power imprint within it," Sacred Monarch Taiyi slowly spoke. The Saints each displayed their divine abilities, and rays of light flashed within the white circle. It was as if twelve Saint phantoms were once again stationed there. Li Fan naturally left a trace of Profound Female aura within it. In his perception, the power of the Saints residing within Immortal Baixiao's body was strikingly no different from that in the white circle of the Beyond. It was as if the restriction of "within Immortal Baixiao's body" did not exist.

The white circle emitted a faint radiance and completely merged into Immortal Baixiao's body. Seemingly disappearing, it had actually blended with him like ice and water, becoming inseparable. Immortal Baixiao's every thought and action were under the watchful control of the Saints. This would remain true even after he achieved Saintly status!

"I have spied on living beings for a long time," he mused, "but I didn't expect that for the rest of my life, I would be subjected to constant scrutiny by others." Immortal Baixiao shook his head slightly and was quite open-minded, not caring much about his situation.

"We are not so bored as to peer into your inner thoughts," Shouqiu said with a solemn expression. "It's merely a precaution. After all, this endeavor involves connecting with the grand undertaking of the Mountains and Seas, and there can be no mistakes."

"Perhaps," Immortal Baixiao muttered to himself, bowing once more to the Saints.

Now that the three suitable transcendent cultivators were ready, it was time for Li Fan to show his capabilities. There was no apparent difference in the scale of accumulated True Spirits he could draw upon, whether before or after becoming a Saint, but it could still astound onlookers. The three transcendent cultivators, including Immortal Baixiao, quietly activated the "Myriad Births Boundless" method. Li Fan summoned and controlled the accumulated True Spirits, pouring them down like a waterfall. As the three absorbed their respective illusory bodies, their cultivation aptitude visibly increased. This completely bridged the gap that they originally could not cross in their entire lives.

The Saints watched in silence. After a long time, once Li Fan was finished, the phantom of Saint Guihai sighed with emotion: "Even seeing it again, I still find this method extraordinarily miraculous. It's just a pity that we cannot see the face of the Last Saint of Mountains and Seas."

"Perhaps after Dao Annihilation recedes and the Mountains and Seas are reshaped, we will have a chance to meet."

Of the three transcendent cultivators, all except Immortal Baixiao had taken the path to sainthood known as Myriad Selves Returning to One. The Dao paths they mastered were, respectively, Fangcun and Taiqi. As for Immortal Baixiao... he was somewhat similar to the True Immortal of Morality. By virtue of his unique nature, he established another domain within the Mountains and Seas, achieving Saintly status.

"From this perspective, Saints like Shouqiu and myself, who naturally wield the Grand Dao of the Mountains and Seas, are indeed very few," Li Fan pondered. "But it's merely taking different paths. It's hard to say what their actual strength is. For example, Judgment Master clearly does not possess the origin of the Mountains and Seas Grand Dao, but Li Fan instinctively felt that this person was not to be trifled with. His threat level even surpassed Shouqiu. As for the other Saints... though coexisting in the same room, it's like being in a white mist, difficult to see clearly."

And these were merely Saint phantoms. And even the newly promoted Saints, Morality and Jingui, were still like this. From this, it can be seen that after becoming a Saint, profound mysteries naturally arise. Even when sitting seemingly motionless, their strength advances by leaps and bounds, making it impossible to rashly speculate.

"It seems that wearing the cloak of the Profound Female Grand Dao is ultimately different from truly achieving Saintly status oneself," Li Fan secretly reminded himself.

The three transcendent cultivators, even after receiving the True Spirit infusion, would not achieve Saintly status in a single day. Fortunately, Sacred Emperor Taiwei sent three great elixirs to provide assistance. With combined efforts from all sides, on this day, three more Saints simultaneously appeared in the Mountains and Seas! However, it was not as earth-shattering as the previous occasion. It was concealed by the radiance of the Beyond's white circle, not manifesting in the world.

"Greetings, fellow Daoists!" The Saints present exchanged courtesies. After becoming Saints, their respective statuses no longer held any distinction of superiority or inferiority. Even Baixiao, who was under the Saints' surveillance, was no exception.

"After a brief preparation, we can set off for the Void Realm," Shouqiu's phantom said solemnly. "The first time is for the newly promoted individuals to familiarize themselves with the conditions in the Void Realm. If you feel unwell, you can withdraw at any time."