Chapter 1671: The Hungry Huan Zhen

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

Li Fan, who had always been timid in front of the Saints, suddenly dared to shed the concealment of the Profound Female Grand Dao. Naturally, he had something to rely on.

That was the change in Huan Zhen!

This time, with the Shanhai Alliance's revival, Li Fan's gains were modest. However, Huan Zhen's experience was quite different.

It was as if its vision had suddenly broadened, becoming much clearer. The period of time covered by the Shanhai it inhabited had almost doubled, seemingly allowing Huan Zhen to act with greater freedom.

Although this was not explicitly written on Huan Zhen's interface, hints of it could be seen in subtle corners.

For instance, under the 'Divine Blessing' section.

The three characters 'Huan Yi Zhen' had unexpectedly become like the Grand Dao of Returning to Truth, shimmering with dazzling, dreamy seven-colored light.

When Li Fan's thoughts touched it, the magnificent light burst open, then firmly enveloped the 'Name' section on Huan Zhen's interface, specifically the characters 'Li Fan'.

Amidst the shifting colors, the characters 'Li Fan' disappeared, becoming an unidentifiable halo of light.

As for Li Fan himself, it was as if a dark cloud had drifted overhead, or as if he had inexplicably donned a thick kasaya. Even in the presence of the Saints, he felt much safer.

Gone was the previous sense of crisis, as if he could be seen through completely at any moment.

“Compared to before, the maintenance of Huan Yi Zhen no longer consumed anything. Furthermore, it could remain passively active at all times.”

“More crucially, its effect was significantly strengthened. Even when close to the Saints, with its protection, there was no need to worry about being seen through.”

“However, the cost was…”

At this moment, Li Fan once again glanced at the 'Grand Dao of Returning to Truth' section.

The seven-colored light on the four characters 'First Profound Female' seemed suppressed, dimming significantly.

Comparing the two, Li Fan gradually understood: “Both Profound Female and Huan Yi Zhen possess the power of a Saint. With my current strength, I might be able to temporarily ascend to the Saint realm with the help of Huan Zhen. However, I can only choose one of the two; I cannot have both simultaneously.”

“Perhaps in the future, when I truly ascend to a Saint, I can disregard this restriction. But for now…”

The reason Li Fan chose to temporarily yield the Profound Female Grand Dao was not out of a sudden surge of kindness, unable to bear witnessing a Saint's demise.

The real reason stemmed from the intense hunger emanating from Huan Zhen.

It was as if, after a long slumber, it was finally beginning to slowly revive. The first thing it felt was an almost unbearable, urgent desire to feed.

It was similar to the first time he saw Su Bai's skull, but a thousand times more intense!

If Li Fan's mind hadn't matured so much through his reincarnations, he would probably have lost control under Huan Zhen's influence on the spot.

And then exposed himself.

However, constantly suppressing it was not a long-term solution. He needed to quickly help Huan Zhen complete its feeding and suppress its voracious appetite.

As for Huan Zhen's food…

While urging him, it had already used an extremely faint ripple to tell Li Fan that there was something in this segment of Shanhai that could satisfy its hunger.

This was also why Li Fan feigned such nobility.

Although he couldn't find it immediately himself, he believed that the Saints, in order to stabilize him, the 'True Spirit Infusion' recipient, would surely lend a hand.

He hadn't expected results to come so quickly.

Li Fan gazed at the unusual part of Shanhai indicated by the Sundial of Destiny.

As his gaze extended, Huan Zhen's unusual stirrings indeed grew stronger.

“Everyone, I shall go now.”

“Just wait for my good news!”

With that, he turned without looking back, transforming into a streak of light and vanishing into it.

In the Other Shore, the Saints watched Li Fan depart, falling into an eerie silence for a moment.

“This Shanhai Walker is truly mysterious,” Tai Yi chuckled.

“No matter. Although we claim to be shoulder-to-shoulder with Shanhai, Shanhai is boundless, and we dare not say we can fully grasp its mysteries. As long as he can truly create a Saint…”

“Everything else can wait until the Shanhai Alliance is revived and our strength is fully restored.”

The Saints, with various expressions, nodded silently.

As for Li Fan… in just a moment, he had already plunged into the bay current of myriad possibilities.

Following Huan Zhen’s subtle guidance, he sped towards the location of the 'food'.

Only after gradually moving away from the Xuanji Ring did Li Fan feel the changes he experienced while being inside it with increasing clarity.

“Indeed, it wasn’t my imagination; a real change occurred. Fortunately, I didn’t stay there for too long, and my nature is resilient. If I had stayed longer, I might have forever been of one mind with them.”

Li Fan felt a secret chill in his heart.

“Even if I’ve temporarily left and am protected by Huan Yi Zhen, I mustn’t be careless.”

“After all, the Saints are surely still observing me from the Other Shore. If push comes to shove, then Huan Zhen will make its escape!”

Li Fan’s reason for temporarily leaving the Other Shore also included this consideration.

Being far from the Saints would at least allow for some room for error when activating Huan Zhen.

If he were to activate Huan Zhen in front of the Saints, there might be a risk of being obstructed.

After all, the power of the Lianshan Three Saints was truly formidable and terrifying.

Gathering his thoughts, as he descended into this possibility, Li Fan first sensed the peculiarities around him.

It was just as he had previously glimpsed from the Other Shore.

The River of Time did not flow straight forward. Instead, it formed its own beginning and end, resembling a complete circle.

Most beings within this possibility were unaware of their true circumstances.

Only a very few rare existences possessed the unique ability to briefly leap out of the stream of possibilities.

“Specifically, this manifested as the ability to briefly exist in the future at a certain moment, by some method. It might seem like a dream, but it was a true existence, whether in the present or the future. Every action would affect that possibility.”

“Although it formed a ring from beginning to end, it was constantly in flux.”

Li Fan’s eyes swept across countless streams of possibilities, trying to ascertain the so-called opportunity for enlightenment.

However, it seemed to sense the approach of Huan Zhen, the predator, and quickly concealed itself.

Li Fan searched for a long time but found nothing. “The cyclical nature of this stream of possibilities must be related to that Shanhai Grand Dao.”

After pondering for a moment, Li Fan settled on a plan.

He pointed his fingers like a sword, selected one of the possibilities, and severed it!

Originally, it intertwined end-to-end, winding and existing precariously within Shanhai.

Now, however, Li Fan destroyed the circular form.

The separated possibility could no longer merge back into Shanhai.

It drifted alone, like a solitary boat.

Having lost its circular characteristic, the beings within that possibility also lost their 'future'.

Their lives were all frozen at the final moment.

It was as if the Dao Annihilation had descended, and in the next instant, all would vanish without a trace.

And the changes didn't stop there.

The beginning of the possibility also gradually withered because it had lost its original 'source' from the future.

Like a flower plucked, though it could still briefly sustain itself.

But decay was inevitable.

“The maintenance of the cyclical possibility lies with the Shanhai Grand Dao.”

Li Fan silently watched the demise of a brilliant civilization within this possibility, deep in thought.

He then looked again at the countless winding possibilities that were still intact.

If he were to act according to his true nature, he would simply brutally sever all possibilities. Then, the Shanhai Grand Dao, hidden behind them and maintaining their cyclical nature, would naturally be exposed.

However…

Doing so would lead to countless beings losing their lives.

His actions would be seen by the Saints of the Other Shore. His style of conduct would be vastly different from what he had previously shown, unfairly raising suspicion, which would be undesirable. “It’s better to let the Saints see my ingenious methods!”

Thinking this, Li Fan put aside his intention to use crude methods.

His body transformed into a streak of light, completely merging into the most prominent possibility within this loop.

Li Fan had once existed in a “line” form for a period while traversing the River of Time against the current.

Unlike his normal state, where he only existed at a single point in time.

Instead, he simultaneously covered an entire long stretch of time.

At this moment, as Li Fan merged, the streak of light also spread throughout the loop.

Eventually occupying the entire cycle.

Li Fan was thus able to witness the history of that possibility from the perspective of its native beings.

This world’s civilization was born amidst the ruins left after a great war.

Strange beasts and disasters ran rampant, and humanity struggled to survive in the cracks.

On the vast, desolate land, they gradually built cities like scattered stars.

From the ruins of ancient relics, they sought out wondrous artifacts and rediscovered knowledge.

Due to differing ancient records they found, they gradually split into two distinct factions.

The first focused on self-enhancement. They utilized everything available on the desolate wilderness to modify and strengthen their physical bodies.

The second followed the path of 'Control' (Yu). Their own bodies were extremely fragile, yet they could cultivate special mental powers to control strange beasts, and even machinery.

Originally, there was no irreconcilable conflict between the two.

But when both sides cultivated to their highest realms, everything changed.

The path of Control could surprisingly even command cultivators who specialized in physical body enhancement.

Conversely, the mental power of cultivators following the path of Control was a great tonic for physical body cultivators. Once consumed, it could almost surpass a hundred years of arduous cultivation.

Thus, an earth-shattering war erupted. Ultimately, the civilization that both sides had painstakingly rebuilt from the ruins was once again destroyed.

No one was spared, with only a few records remaining.

It wasn't until after a long period of dormancy that new life emerged again.

Repeating the old story.

Within this possibility, there were indeed beings who clearly saw this tragic cycle. Several times they wished to step forward to save the world and reverse everything.

However, the conflict between the two major cultivation methods was almost irreconcilable.

Individual strength, in the end, was but a drop in the bucket, unable to stem the overwhelming tide.

This possibility, too, consequently fell into an endless cycle.

“The past can influence the future, and the future can also change the past.”

“However, due to the outbreak of that world-ending war, the influence of all variables was reduced to a minimum. Perhaps only after countless eons of cycles would changes significant enough to alter the civilization emerge…”

Li Fan’s consciousness spread across the entire timeline. After pondering for a moment, he began to look for the crux of the problem.

“The root cause of everything stems from the fundamental conflict between the two cultivation methods. If I can resolve it…”

“Perhaps this loop will be broken.”

“And to maintain this state, the hidden Shanhai Grand Dao will certainly intervene to reverse it.”

Two figures then appeared in the city reborn from the ruins.

They each joined different schools of thought.

After decades of studying and cultivating, both reached the pinnacle of their respective cultivation realms.

“Indeed, whether it’s Control or Body, in this world, they have already reached the limits of what cultivation can achieve.”

“To advance further, one can only devour the other faction.”

“This is a limitation of this world itself, or rather, a limitation of the Dao.”

“But it won’t stump me.” The two avatars created by Li Fan, with their astonishing mastery of their respective schools, deservedly became the leaders of their factions.

With iron-fisted methods, they temporarily suppressed the momentum of war.

Instead, they concentrated their efforts on reforming their respective cultivation methods.

In the eyes of the populace, this was merely a meaningless delaying tactic. Yet, unexpectedly, in less than three years, effective improved methods had already emerged.

“The path of Control can command all things, and thus can command one’s own body. The stronger the physical body, the more effortlessly it can be controlled, like an extension of one’s arm.”

“All things in the world can serve as sustenance for the physical body. The same applies to one's own spirit. A spirit tempered through a thousand trials, when self-consumed, is like a golden elixir. Once ingested, it illuminates all flaws within the physical body.”

Initially, people didn't believe, but after all, there were curious individuals willing to try.

After a period of cultivation, they discovered that the two methods could indeed be cultivated together, even complementing each other!

Thus, the shadow of war gradually receded.

Exchange and prosperity began to take root and sprout across the land.

Li Fan, having accomplished his task and withdrawn, looked up and sensed the subtle changes quietly emerging in the world once more.

Under the influence of a strange power, the civilization's prosperity did not last long.

After only a short period of peaceful coexistence, the seeds of war began to sprout once more.

This stemmed from cultivators discovering that while dual cultivation was effective, it was simply too slow!

The world naturally had more ordinary talents; cultivating a single method alone was already exhausting. How much more so for cultivating both simultaneously?

Their strength, in fact, was inferior to those who focused solely on one method.

What was worse, the old method of devouring cultivators from the other faction and transforming them into one's own cultivation resources was still effective!

The greed in human hearts was difficult to eradicate.

Amidst the calm, ripples began to emerge.

More and more killings began to surface….

Li Fan captured that trace of world-altering power, but he wasn't confident he could hit it with a single strike.

He did not act rashly but instead began to maneuver around it once more.

The two leaders collaborated once more to improve the new methods.

This increased cultivation efficiency several-fold.

And for those who dared to exploit cultivators, there was no mercy.

Another round of bloody slaughter forcibly suppressed the greed in people's hearts.

Moreover, it didn't completely cut off the path of cultivation; there were still acceptable methods of cultivation.

So people gradually accepted this slower method of cultivation.

Li Fan used human governance to turn the tide. Changes in heaven and earth re-emerged.

Cultivating both spirit and body sometimes unexpectedly led to symptoms of qi deviation.

Either the physical body transformed into a strange beast of the wilderness, but the spirit remained normal.

Or the spirit became deranged, but the physical body remained normal.

Regardless of which, a sudden outburst was enough to pose a great threat to civilization.

Initially, people could tolerate it, but as the outbreaks became more frequent, cultivators once again began to doubt the rationality of dual cultivation.

Of course.

Once again, it was resolved by Li Fan.

As the changes in heaven and earth were about to shift for the third time.

Li Fan, who had been hidden behind the scenes, suddenly opened his eyes.

“Still daring to be mischievous, I’ve found you!”

His form leaped out from the cyclical possibility, manifesting as a colossal figure reaching the heavens and standing upon the earth.

He lightly stepped, treading upon the myriad cyclical possibilities of this place.

With both hands, he grasped the air!

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