Chapter 1685: Mountain and Sea Become Holy Method

A saint's vision is simply incomparable to that of ordinary beings. Particularly in his previous life, Li Fan, Shouqiu, and Bujue—the three saints—sat together in the Xuanji Ring, united in spirit and purpose, as if of one mind. Li Fan's personal strength had advanced thousands of times beyond what it once was.

Even in this life, having yet to choose any inheritance options and remaining a complete mortal, he could already shape a divine phantom merely by perceiving and utilizing his infinite spiritual essence. This was the cumulative achievement of the three saints' combined powers.

“Therefore…” Li Fan thought.

“In this life, there’s no need to inherit cultivation. My understanding of the Way of Cycles has already reached a profound level, and even a single aspect of the Great Dao’s Return to Truth would be enough to help me achieve sainthood.”

“Purely on my own, starting as a mortal, I will walk step by step to the realm of sainthood.”

As Li Fan's thoughts flickered, the divine phantom seemed to perceive something, and its flowing light revealed more scenes.

“What the divine phantom sees now is the anchored moment of the Mountains and Seas.”

“In my previous life, I also sat within the Xuanji Ring on the Other Shore, witnessing the changes of the Mountains and Seas through the passage of time.”

“The difference between these two…”

Li Fan's eyes flickered, but he didn't immediately draw a distinction. Instead, he first began cultivating with his mortal body.

The Immortal-Mortal Miasma, the oppressive constraints of transmitted laws—all such restrictive rules now seemed as fragile as paper to Li Fan. They could be broken with a flick of a finger.

Li Fan began cultivating anew from the mortal realm, surpassing the Great Profound, transcending the Profound Yellow, breaking through high barriers, and reshaping the primordial. It only took him a little over five hundred years to reach transcendence and re-enter the Mountains and Seas.

Though his path was slow, and his progress gradual, Li Fan, repeating the journey, felt a unique experience. The specific details, devoid of surprises, dangers, twists, or turns, need not be elaborated upon.

Furthermore, during this period of re-cultivation, Li Fan occasionally used the 'Mountain and Sea Observation Method' passed down by Shouqiu to observe the potential of the primordial possibility. He discovered a remarkably interesting phenomenon, which also implicitly confirmed a long-held suspicion in Li Fan's mind.

Li Fan, transforming step by step from a mortal to a transcendent being, actually consumed none of the primordial possibility's potential! “For five hundred years, apart from me, no other powerful beings have emerged from the primordial. The primordial potential has only slightly diminished. Compared to other possibilities, it is still far superior!”

Merging with Shouqiu's consciousness, answers to many hidden secrets were revealed. For example, the reason for the abnormal potential of the primordial possibility.

“It is indeed the work of Emperor Taitian. However, the primordial immortal realm's attempt at transcendence…”

“Is still unknown.”

“The saints on the Other Shore, residing in the Xuanji, can observe the Mountains and Seas in detail. But the primordial immortal realm, in a single leap, vanished from the sight of the saints of the Mountains and Seas back then.”

“Perhaps it was destroyed in the void realm, or returned to the stars. Or perhaps…”

“It truly transcended the Mountains and Seas Void Realm system, achieving the heights of a god from that era and attaining a different kind of freedom, which remains unknown.”

“Even the three saints are not omniscient or omnipotent. This is also where my confidence to contend with them comes from.”

His thoughts returned to why the primordial potential remained undiminished even as Li Fan transformed from a mortal to a saint. Li Fan speculated that all the foundational insights he gained originated from accumulations across countless reincarnations.

“All of it was created virtually through the transformation of truth and falsehood. It did not consume a single bit of the current Mountains and Seas.”

“Or perhaps, there's also a bit of it due to my identity as a transmigrator.”

His strength was already among the absolute top in the Mountains and Seas, second only to the three saints. But Li Fan still had no clue about the whereabouts of his former 'homeland'.

“When Shouqiu learned of this identity in the previous life, he was merely a little surprised. Perhaps I originate from one of the specific possibilities within the Mountains and Seas that has already been destroyed. Or perhaps, other space-times truly exist beyond the Mountains and Seas Void Realm. But since I am here, I shall make myself at home. There’s no need to dwell on it.”

“As for infinite spiritual essence, and intuition…”

“Shouqiu believes it might not be very related to my transmigrator identity. Instead, it has a great deal to do with the 'True Reincarnation' I experienced.”

Thinking of this, Li Fan suddenly became much more silent. Even his steps, about to enter the Mountains and Seas, involuntarily halted.

“I once had a premonition, vague yet seemingly real, within the endless cycles woven by Cycles. This precisely aligned with my intuition.”

“Of course, this doesn't mean I've truly experienced all of this already. Rather, in the brief instant of transformation between truth and falsehood within the Mountains and Seas, countless possibilities inherently unfolded. As the only existence within the Mountains and Seas capable of retaining memories before and after such drastic changes, I might have unwittingly witnessed many things.”

“This also explains why Zhen insists on being with me. Even if Qiejī tries to snatch it, it cannot be moved a single iota.”

“Zhen had long seen through endless possibilities. Only I, solely I…”

“Could, along with it, achieve the goal Zhen desires.”

“It's not merely because I possess infinite spiritual essence.”

Li Fan's thoughts surged, yet Zhen remained as silent as ever.

Ultimately, throughout the entire Mountains and Seas, only Zhen itself could provide the answers. Everyone else could only speculate. But Li Fan believed that the day he would know the answers was not far off.

Where he came from, where he was going, and why he lived. If these questions weren't resolved, how could he speak of true freedom and eternal life?

Suppressing his thoughts, Li Fan took a step forward from his halted position, as if returning to the heart of the Mountains and Seas. There was the Dao Annihilation separating them, yet also the interconnected veins of the Mountains and Seas.

Li Fan walked slowly, his destination not the Other Shore. Instead, he first strolled leisurely through the Mountains and Seas, wandering about.

Previously, in his search for the Other Shore, Li Fan had once split countless thoughts, traveling by boat to various parts of the Mountains and Seas, searching for possible traces. That goal-oriented search, however, had caused him to overlook the scenery along the way: the Mountains and Seas themselves.

In this life, Li Fan temporarily forgot all the complexities, quietly observing everything evolving within the Mountains and Seas from the pure perspective of an observer. At the same time, he silently recited, finally selecting the inheritance option that had been continuously flickering for over five hundred years.

“The third option: ‘The Outline of Mountain and Sea Changes in this Simulation’!” Li Fan stated with certainty.

The flickering small text suddenly halted. The Zhen panel Li Fan was sensing also seemed to fall into a strange stillness. Even the light around him dimmed.

Then, countless specks of light drifted in from the darkness. Gathering like a sea of stars, they formed a long scroll! There were no words, no images. Only countless twinkling starlight! Each ray of light seemed to contain an unimaginably vast amount of information. It was a detailed record of the possibilities observed by Zhen. The entire sea of stars, all those countless lights combined, represented the transformation of the Mountains and Seas!

Attempting to read the Outline of Mountain and Sea Changes with transcendent cultivation was tantamount to inviting humiliation. Li Fan's body shattered in an instant, and his soul disintegrated along with it. But Li Fan showed no trace of panic. Such a bizarre transformation was, naturally, within his expectations.

“I am using the transformation of the Mountains and Seas to facilitate my path to sainthood in this life!”

No physical body remained, only his true spirit dispersed. In the past, Li Fan would surely have panicked and immediately activated Zhen. But with the experience of the Abyssal Divine Shadow from his previous life, Li Fan was now exceptionally calm.

“Even a saint finds it difficult to fully comprehend the Outline of the Mountains and Seas.”

“But I can, with infinite spiritual essence…”

“Lightly sculpt the Mountains and Seas!”

As this thought arose, his infinite true spirit, responding to the vast starlight Li Fan 'saw' filling the sky, began to surge like waves chasing the wind. Innumerable starlight, like countless carving knives, left their marks upon the infinite true spirit below.

This scene was identical to Li Fan's previous act of using infinite true spirit to infuse and shape the divine shadow! In fact, Li Fan was inspired by this, and after five hundred years of pure arduous cultivation, he finally made this attempt.

Li Fan was not someone who stuck to conventions. Otherwise, he wouldn't have, in his previous life, used the great fire of his true spirit to forcefully burn the Xuanji Ring and peer into the divine shadow.

Through countless simulations, Li Fan had long understood a principle: While following the established path could indeed make one stronger, it ultimately couldn't escape the cycles of fate. Sometimes, only a desperate strike could achieve what seemed impossible.

“Just as Emperor Taitian's forceful push for the immortal realm's transcendence, it truly seemed insane, incredible, with hardly any chance of success.”

“No other example could be found throughout the entire Mountains and Seas.”

“But perhaps only this method offers the sole path to survival.”

As Li Fan pondered silently, a map of the Mountains and Seas, imprinted by his infinite true spirit from the Outline of the Mountains and Seas revealed by Zhen, slowly took shape!

True spirit infinite, Mountains and Seas infinite. The map of the Mountains and Seas, also infinite. Because the true spirit is infinite, it can contain the infinitude of the Mountains and Seas. Though the map of the Mountains and Seas is infinite, it originates from the infinite true spirit. Therefore, Li Fan could comprehend it all in a single thought.

“Achieving sainthood, in fact, has another path.”

Although he had no physical strength, only faint wisps of consciousness lingered before this map of the Mountains and Seas. But Li Fan felt an unprecedented sense of power within himself.

“Not relying on external objects, not relying on other methods.”

“Only relying on myself, my body equal to the Mountains and Seas.”

In an instant, like flickering wind and thunder, it stirred up surging waves of infinite true spirit. From within the infinite map of the Mountains and Seas, a figure slowly emerged. It was Li Fan!

At the same time, the Mountains and Seas in reality also sensed something. All possibilities trembled simultaneously!

On the Other Shore, in the Grand Void Saint Dynasty, all the saints cast their gazes towards Li Fan at the same moment. Even the usually composed three saints showed a hint of surprise in their eyes. Because what they saw was, astonishingly, another Mountains and Seas!

“This… did a new saint truly emerge without us noticing?”

“And, he…”

“Everyone, are my eyes deceiving me?”

Li Fan ignored the gazes coming from all directions, quietly perceiving his current state. He had returned to the realm of sainthood, and was far more powerful than the Profound Mother and Cycles saints of his previous life. Even Zhen, who had always remained silent, transmitted subtle fluctuations. They seemed like appreciation, yet also seemed to contain some other special meaning.

Li Fan merely responded with a faint smile, then his expression turned solemn, and he began to expound the Dharma! His voice, like startling thunder, spread throughout the cosmos. All possibilities of the Mountains and Seas, all living beings, could hear it at this moment.

“The world contains the Supreme Mountains and the Infinite Sea, bearing boundless living beings.”

“A saint is one who can be equal to the Mountains and Seas.”

“Living beings of the Mountains and Seas, desiring to become saints: either consolidate all selves into one, seek the Great Dao of the Mountains and Seas, or forge one's own path.”

“Or perhaps…”

“One's body becomes equal to the Mountains and Seas.”

As Li Fan spoke, a vast and boundless map of the Mountains and Seas slowly emerged. Although living beings initially didn't understand Li Fan's meaning, the moment they saw the map of the Mountains and Seas, they gradually began to comprehend.

Since a saint is equal to the Mountains and Seas, then as long as one reaches this standard, wouldn't one naturally become a saint? All beings suddenly understood. But then they became confused again. Isn't this just naked nonsense? If one could easily be equal to the Mountains and Seas, everyone would have become a saint long ago. Isn't it precisely because it's impossible that they settle for less and seek other methods? They had thought this newly ascended Mountains and Seas Saint was here to expound the Dharma, but unexpectedly, he was here to openly show off?

At this moment, countless such thoughts surged among the living beings. Li Fan observed them, yet ignored them.

Indeed, this method of achieving sainthood, throughout the entire Mountains and Seas, could only be accomplished by him. Otherwise, he wouldn't have so generously shared it. First, one needed the Outline of Mountain and Sea Changes, which contained detailed data and information about everything within the Mountains and Seas. Then, a target medium capable of holding this immense data was required. Even the three saints dared not claim to fully grasp the secrets of the Mountains and Seas. But Zhen could do it. And only infinite true spirit could inherit the endless transformations of the Mountains and Seas and turn them to one's own use.

Zhen, infinite true spirit. When united in one person, such an incredible method of achieving sainthood was born! To become the Mountains and Seas themselves, body equal to the heavens!

“Congratulations, fellow Daoist, on your enlightenment today.”

In the hearts of all beings, Li Fan's figure gradually faded. And on the Other Shore, the Taiyi phantom actually left the Xuanji Ring to personally congratulate Li Fan. After all, this was the first time even the three saints had witnessed such an earth-shattering method of enlightenment. For a moment, they couldn't figure out how Li Fan had accomplished it, so they seized the opportunity to congratulate him and investigate the reality. But Li Fan was no longer the same as he used to be.

In the past, he could be easily seen through by the three saints; even when cloaked in a saint's aura, he remained cautious, fearing his thoughts would be exposed. But now… he was profoundly still and towering, deep and unknowable. Taiyi witnessed before him what truly seemed like the Mountains and Seas incarnate. Boundless and immeasurable, impossible to fathom. He couldn't help but grow more confused.

Achieving the reverence of a saint through the Way of the Mountains and Seas. In this world, only the two saints, Lianshan and Guihai, should be capable of this. From where did a new Mountains and Seas emerge, giving birth to a new saint? Taiyi, who was united in spirit with saints Lianshan and Guihai, naturally sensed that incredibly familiar aura of the Mountains and Seas from Li Fan. It couldn't be faked!

Amidst his astonishment and doubt, he heard Li Fan's calm reply.

“Achieving enlightenment is but an ordinary matter…”

“What is there to be happy about?”

Even though he had lived for countless years, there was little left in the world that could stir Taiyi's emotions. Yet, upon hearing Li Fan's words, Taiyi still found it difficult to suppress the sudden surge of anger in his heart.

“Furthermore, the Mountains and Seas are already in a precarious state, and after achieving sainthood, one bears even greater responsibilities.”

“It's hard to be truly free again!” Li Fan sighed softly.

This remark, however, made Taiyi's perception of Li Fan change slightly.

“Perhaps, you would care to sit with us on the Other Shore,” Taiyi's phantom invited.

Before the words fully fell, Li Fan looked up, gazing towards the location of the Other Shore within the Mountains and Seas. “That would be fine.” After a moment of silence, he nodded in agreement.

The radiance of the Other Shore illuminated the Mountains and Seas. As Li Fan achieved sainthood through the Mountains and Seas, he naturally sensed the location of the Other Shore the moment he became a saint. Taiyi had no doubts about this. With the strength of two saints, the boundless Mountains and Seas felt like flat ground.

They soon arrived outside the Other Shore, but Li Fan suddenly stopped. He inexplicably smiled at the Taiyi phantom.