Chapter 1677: Virtual Realm's Deadly Trap

Angry Squid:

In the void realm heading towards "the future," the figures of the Three Sages still stood. Therefore, what Protector Qiu and Li Fan headed towards was the direction of the "past" Mountains and Seas.

Without the guiding presence of the Three Sages, and without the positioning of the Xuanji Ring's doppelganger phantom, as soon as they entered the void realm, they felt utter chaos, making it difficult to distinguish past from present. It was as if they were caught in a surging tide, with the constant danger of being swallowed by the waves.

"A dark and stormy night, a time for murder and arson. This isolated place, cut off from the outside world, is perfect for slaying Sages!"

Li Fan entered the void realm first. Though Protector Qiu followed closely, he almost lost his bearings the moment he entered the void realm. Had Li Fan not deliberately released the aura of the Lianshan Staff, Protector Qiu would have found it difficult to locate him. The two quickly rendezvoused and, taking advantage of the Concealed Mechanism Sages' ignorance, began to strategize again.

"Although our performance was a bit over-the-top, they will surely catch up."

"The plan remains the same: eliminate the leader first..."

As they conversed, they deliberately fought, releasing bursts of fluctuations to lure the Sages deeper.

"This spot is just about right."

"Ahead should be the place where the Three Sages fell. We cannot go any further."

With Protector Qiu's reminder, Li Fan gradually sensed the unusual nature of the surrounding void realm. The void realm, by its nature, should be a place of absolute nothingness, where no basis for existence persists. But now, under Li Fan's careful observation, he clearly felt a faint "aura" drifting and emanating all around. Like ice melting into water, or stone ground into sand. The foundations of the former Three Sages had already vanished, most of them disappearing without a trace. Only a few remnants trickled, serving as proof of the Three Sages' past existence. It was likely that originally there was far more than this meager amount; as the void realm encroached, only faint, almost imperceptible traces remained.

Li Fan attempted to gather these remnants. Unfortunately, their divine power had already been erased at the level of the "Dao," rendering them completely inert.

"Deep within the void realm, even the greatest commotion will not affect the Mountains and Seas."

"Here, we will subdue all evils and pay tribute to the Sages."

The two continued to maintain the fluctuations of their struggle, while Li Fan, in secret, handed the Lianshan Staff and Guihai Spade to Protector Qiu. As soon as he sensed the Concealed Mechanism Sages approaching, Li Fan brandished the Rod of All Beings, forcing Protector Qiu back in one swift move.

"Protector Qiu! Why push so hard! You already have the Lianshan Staff and Guihai Spade, isn't that enough?!"

"How about you let me live? I'm willing to exchange the ultimate secret of the Mountains and Seas' Fortuitous Fate. You already possess the Mountains and Seas' Immortality; if you could further command the Mountains and Seas' Fortuitous Fate, you might even be able to recreate the Three Sages' divine might!"

Li Fan's indignant roars echoed continuously through the void realm, carried by the remnants left after the Three Sages' demise.

Protector Qiu remained silent. The Lianshan Staff and Guihai Spade danced relentlessly, seemingly intent on striking Li Fan dead. Although Li Fan still had the Rod of All Beings to protect him, he was ultimately no match. He was struck squarely by the staff and spade on his front and back, across his chest. The pursuing Concealed Mechanism Sages saw clearly: Li Fan was severely injured by that blow, his body shattered, and his true spirit uncontrollably scattered, causing the void realm to become even more chaotic. Yet, Protector Qiu still showed no mercy, looking as if he was determined to slay Li Fan.

"Who would have thought Protector Qiu, who always presented himself as benevolent, would be so ruthless in his true nature?" The Concealed Mechanism Sages, witnessing this scene, were all secretly surprised.

"It seems Protector Qiu is afraid that boy will escape and his true identity will be discovered by the Three Sages of other Mountains and Seas. Hence, he's going all out," Star Skiff concluded.

"He absolutely cannot hog all the benefits!"

Before Star Skiff finished speaking, he transformed into a streak of starlight, enveloping both Protector Qiu and Li Fan. Protector Qiu, like the Two Sages Lianshan and Guihai, wielded the bamboo staff and iron spade, easily sweeping away the surrounding starlight. Within the void realm, phantom images of the Mountains and Seas seemed to rise, howling incessantly. Protector Qiu stood firm atop these Mountains and Seas, confronting the Sages who had arrived late.

Seizing this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, Li Fan, already in a dying state, suddenly unleashed his last surge of strength. He tossed the Rod of All Beings upwards. In an instant, one became two, two split into four, and four fractured into eight. Endless phantom stone rods descended upon the heads of all the Sages. Without exception, everyone present took a direct hit from this strike.

However, it was precisely from the might contained within this strike that the Sages realized Li Fan was absolutely at the end of his rope. Even a supreme weapon of war like the Rod of All Beings felt light and airy when he wielded it. It had the appearance of power but posed no actual threat. The Sages looked on, and indeed, saw Li Fan's true spirit becoming increasingly fragmented, like a flickering candle flame that could extinguish at any moment. He no longer cared for the Rod of All Beings; supporting his tattered body, he swiftly fled.

"His true spirit is completely shattered; where could he possibly escape to? He's probably going to die in the void realm."

"Did he think that by possessing the Three Sages' treasures, he could turn the tide and command us? He's truly too young."

"The Three Sages themselves didn't dare come, yet they sent this boy to probe and die. Truly, there's no morality to speak of among the Mountains and Seas."

There was no need for the Sages to pursue a dying man. Instead, they turned their attention to the ownerless Rod of All Beings in the field, and Protector Qiu, who now possessed two treasures. With the recent struggle, the remnants left after the Three Sages' demise were about to completely dissipate. And the void realm would reveal its truly ferocious fangs.

"Brother Protector Qiu, we have been brothers in the Xuanji Ring for countless eons. Is it not a bit improper for you to monopolize these supreme treasures?" Karma Judge slowly said.

"If I kill all of you, then nothing will be improper," Protector Qiu replied indifferently.

Karma Judge was slightly stunned, then laughed in exasperation, "Good, good, good. I'd like to see what abilities this virtuous Protector Qiu, who has hidden his true nature for so long, truly possesses!"

Sundial of Fate, Oracle Breaker, Karma Judge, and Star Skiff—the four Sages slowly revealed themselves, surrounding Protector Qiu in the center. Protector Qiu's gaze swept over the Sages present, his expression frozen like ice. But deep within his heart, a ripple of unease flickered.

"This is bad!"

It wasn't concern for his own safety. But unexpectedly, two Sages were simultaneously missing: Concealed Mechanism, and... Suijun.

In his previous discussions with Li Fan, Protector Qiu already knew that Suijun did not exist in the next segment of the Mountains and Seas, because he had perished for some reason in that continuous hundred-thousand-year period, now consumed by the void realm. The original plan was for Li Fan to abandon all the Three Sages' treasures and flee with only his broken body. Among the Sages present, only Concealed Mechanism should have been interested in Li Fan and pursued him further. But he hadn't expected that Suijun would also disregard the Three Sages' treasures and go after Li Fan!

"He said there's another supreme treasure of the Three Sages that can deal with Concealed Mechanism."

"But what if another Sage is added..."

Protector Qiu's heart sank. But now he had no good solution; he could only try his best to delay the Sages present.

...

Deeper within the void realm.

In a place where the Three Sages' remnants had completely vanished, a figure rapidly fled into the distance. He seemed unable to discern direction, his target not any specific ancient or modern Mountain and Sea. Instead, he darted aimlessly within the void realm like a headless fly. At first, he could still manage to press on with his final burst of power. But gradually, it seemed due to his extreme bad luck. Everywhere he passed, the void realm's tides were significantly stronger than elsewhere. Hindered by the winds and waves, Li Fan's aura grew weaker and weaker, until he could no longer escape. He stopped. The void realm's tides surged, seemingly poised to completely engulf him at any moment.

Li Fan's face was ashen. Yet, he still didn't give up hope of survival, sitting cross-legged in the void realm, attempting to diligently recover from his injuries. But his fortune seemed to have withered to its lowest point. The more he tried to heal using his fortune, the worse his injuries became. He violently spat out a mouthful of blood, accompanied by a large amount of scattering true spirit. He truly seemed not far from death.

"Concealed Mechanism. Yes, everything is a concealed mechanism."

Li Fan muttered to himself, looking around. Having once cultivated the Heavenly Fortune Scripture and even consumed a portion of the Mountains and Seas' Fortuitous Fate remnant, he could now clearly feel the dissipation of his own fortune. It wasn't just his fortune, but rather the ruthless shattering of every possible opportunity for his future vitality!

As the saying goes, "Heaven never seals off all paths." But now, under the duress of Concealed Mechanism, Li Fan seemed to be at a dead end from every perspective. Nowhere left to go! With a bitter smile, he seemed to accept his fate, giving up the struggle. He no longer resisted, letting the surrounding Dao-annihilation engulf him. His body slowly dissipated, his true spirit melting away like snow.

Just then, a mysterious force protected Li Fan, who was on the verge of disintegrating.

"Tell me where the Mountains and Seas' Fortuitous Fate is, and I'll save your life, how about that?" a faint voice whispered in Li Fan's ear.

Li Fan ignored it completely, acting as if he hadn't heard. Until Concealed Mechanism's words, like an enchanting melody, echoed continuously again, as if he wouldn't stop until Li Fan answered. Li Fan snorted softly and shook his head slightly, "If I say it, will you believe it? It was just a pretense to deceive Protector Qiu."

Concealed Mechanism chuckled, "I pursued the Mountains and Seas' Fortuitous Fate for many years. If I couldn't even sense its scent, I wouldn't deserve to be called Concealed Mechanism."

"What a truly nostalgic scent..." Concealed Mechanism took a deep sniff and said with emotion.

"I'll say it again. Tell me the whereabouts of the Mountains and Seas' fortune, and I will spare your life. I never break my word," Concealed Mechanism stated proudly.

"Why don't you just kill me, or look into my mind yourself? Isn't it the same?" Li Fan retorted.

Hearing this, Concealed Mechanism fell silent for a moment. He seemed to truly be considering Li Fan's suggestion. But then, he shook his head in denial. And imperceptibly, he even moved a few steps further away from Li Fan. The phantom figure circled Li Fan, observing the dying man with great caution: "No, no, no. I can sense that although you appear to be at a dead end, you still possess a glimmer of vitality."

"And this vitality..."

"It corresponds to my own doom!"

"There's no mistake."

Concealed Mechanism muttered, looking around suspiciously. But he still couldn't understand. "I know you must have a backup plan."

"Although your coordinated performance with Protector Qiu was brilliant, it ultimately couldn't deceive the mechanism of fate."

"What appears to be a faint life-spark actually holds the chance for a counter-kill at any moment. Those fools are caught in the trap and don't even realize it."

"However... as long as I remain out of it, you won't be able to harm me."

Concealed Mechanism's voice was like a phantom, coming from all directions, making it impossible for Li Fan to pinpoint his exact location. Only then did Li Fan believe Protector Qiu's words. This Concealed Mechanism Sage was indeed extremely cautious. Moreover, with his Great Dao that could peer into the fate and aura of all beings, trying to scheme against him was truly immensely difficult!

"Alright!" Li Fan let out a long sigh. "Although the Mountains and Seas' Fortune is my closest friend, it's ultimately not as important as my own life."

"To avoid covetous eyes, he underwent two transformations, becoming a mortal and hiding in the mundane world of the Mountains and Seas. But as the Mountains and Seas' Fortuitous Fate, it was impossible for him to truly remain buried like a mortal. Even without knowing his past, relying purely on his mortal background, he ascended from mortal to immortal during the Age of Dharma Decline. However, upon returning to the Mountains and Seas, he was discovered by an adversary..."

"By the way, that entity that's been hunting him, that wouldn't be you, would it?" Li Fan asked suspiciously.

Concealed Mechanism shook his head, denying, "Previously, I was trapped in the Xuanji Ring, willing but unable. Given the mystical nature of the Mountains and Seas' fortune, many coveted it. I was merely one of them."

Li Fan continued, "At a crucial moment, the Mountains and Seas Fisherman intervened to save him. He fished him out of the Mountains and Seas, helping him evade the calamity. This... is what happened in our segment of the Mountains and Seas. As for this current Mountains and Seas, I'm new here and don't know."

"The Mountains and Seas Fisherman? Indeed, he has boundless fortune."

Concealed Mechanism looked back in the direction of the Mountains and Seas and pondered for a moment. Then he seemed to mutter to himself, "After the Three Sages fell, I secretly searched through the shattered Mountains and Seas long ago. But I found no sign of the Mountains and Seas' fortune."

"It must have sensed another creation for itself and went there too. Only the Mountains and Seas' Fortuitous Fate can act according to its deepest instincts under the premise that the void realm isolates all senses."

With his questions answered, Concealed Mechanism lost interest in Li Fan. He immediately withdrew his protective power and gracefully fled.

The severely injured Li Fan exclaimed, turning pale, "What about saving my life as promised?"

Concealed Mechanism chuckled, "Didn't I just save you? I said I would never break my word."

"However..." "Saving you for a moment is not the same as saving you for a lifetime. Whether you can survive this void realm storm depends on your own fortune."

Concealed Mechanism's voice faded into the distance. Li Fan's panicked expression, however, suddenly calmed.

"Then there's nothing for it."

"I hope you truly find the Mountains and Seas' Fortuitous Fate."

"Hmm? What do you mean by that?" Concealed Mechanism's voice suddenly drew a bit closer.

"Just a sincere blessing," Li Fan smiled.

The moment he said this, Li Fan could feel Concealed Mechanism's gaze instantly freeze upon him.

"Trying to trick me. Heh..."

Then, disregarding the mysterious Li Fan, he gracefully fled again. Li Fan didn't stop him, but instead took a deep breath. In the void realm, it seemed as if something had been stirred. A moment later, Li Fan's shattered true spirit was actually recovering at a visible rate! So Concealed Mechanism returned.

"This is..."

Li Fan completely ignored him, instead drawing true spirit from the void realm as he pleased. Protector Qiu's two attacks just now, though part of the act, were actually not light at all. They had genuinely almost beaten Li Fan's soul into dispersion.

"Protector Qiu really strikes hard..."

Fortunately, after this period of recuperation, he had slowly recovered. As for the shattered true spirit... it was all just an illusion. Even if he spat out ten or a hundred times more true spirit, it would have no effect on Li Fan whatsoever. But such a phenomenon, when seen through Concealed Mechanism's eyes, held a completely different meaning.

"You can actually draw upon the true spirit accumulated in the void realm?"

Slowly, he saw the clue, crying out in shock.