Chapter 1687: Li Fan Fights the Three Saints

Angry Squid:

A danger that could cause the demise of the Three Saints might also shatter the Mountains and Seas under its impact. Other issues aside, even if I risk my life, I can ensure the Mountains and Seas' safety. But what if, at a crucial moment, the Xuanji Ring here were to break?

Li Fan's gaze swept over the Saints present: "How many of you can guarantee that you won't suddenly turn traitor?"

Under this cold questioning, no one responded for a moment.

Li Fan had paused briefly the moment he first entered the Other Shore. It was not surprising that he could discern the profound mystery of the Xuanji Ring's unity of purpose. However, no one expected him to point it out at such a critical juncture. Even under the influence of their shared purpose, the Saints couldn't help but feel a little awkward.

"We have been seated within the Xuanji Ring for countless years, long akin to brothers," Qi Ji stated confidently. "I assume even without the Xuanji Ring, there wouldn't be much change."

"Indeed. When faced with the critical matter of the Mountains and Seas' survival, we can still distinguish right from wrong. If the Mountains and Seas cease to exist, where would we go?" Saints Gui Ming, Duan Chen, and others nodded in agreement. They vowed solemnly, clearly lacking a clear understanding of their true natures.

Having personally witnessed the actions of Qi Ji and other Saints in a previous life, after they lost their constraints, Li Fan merely smiled without speaking.

The Three Saints, for their part, fell silent for a moment, pondering something. After a long while, they interrupted the other Saints' remarks: "What Fellow Daoist Fan worries about is not without reason. If we successfully evade this calamity, but it leads to the ruin of the Mountains and Seas, that would be putting the cart before the horse. Since that is the case..."

The Three Saints then each took out the Lianshan Staff, the Guihai Shovel, and the Zhongsheng Rod, presenting them to Li Fan. "Fellow Daoist Fan may hold these three items. Firstly, they can assist in protecting the Mountains and Seas and restraining the Saints. Secondly, if the Xuanji Ring truly has the power to shatter, these three items can be used to re-create the Xuanji. At that time, we can invite Shou Qiu and Dao De to take their seats simultaneously. Then there should be no worries," Saint Lianshan personally designated.

Shou Qiu, who had been named, showed no change in expression, as if he had long anticipated it. The newly advanced Saint Dao De, however, was clearly somewhat startled, repeatedly saying he wouldn't dare.

"If we do not survive this calamity and still perish within the Void Realm, the task of restoring the Mountains and Seas will fall to you, Fellow Daoist Fan," Saint Tai Yi said softly, looking at Li Fan.

Li Fan looked at the three treasures before him, hesitating to respond. Instead, he closed his eyes and began to ponder. After a long moment, he suddenly spoke: "I do have an idea."

Under the Saints' watchful eyes, Li Fan slowly began: "The Void Realm avatars originate from the Mountains and Seas devoured by the Void Realm. As for me, since the beginning of my cultivation, it has only been just over five hundred years. The Mountains and Seas I reside in are unharmed, and thus I am free from the danger of a Void Realm avatar. Originally, with my strength, I truly wouldn't be qualified to participate in the battle of the Six Saints. But..." Li Fan pointed to the three treasures in front, then his gaze swept over the Xuanji Ring, whose brilliance covered the entire Other Shore: "How about I, Dao De, and Shou Qiu go to the Void Realm instead, to assist the Three Saints in overcoming this calamity!"

These words struck like a bolt from the blue. Even the Three Saints of Lianshan had not anticipated Li Fan making such a decision, and they were slightly stunned. The other Saints on the Other Shore looked at Li Fan with extreme astonishment. It was important to remember that the Three Saints faced the danger of demise and had no certainty of safely overcoming the calamity. Ordinary Saints would have even less ability to intervene. Perhaps they couldn't even withstand the aftershocks of the battle. There was an extremely high probability that they wouldn't succeed in a rescue, and instead would be buried within the Void Realm. In the eyes of the Saints, Li Fan's action was tantamount to suicide!

Within the Xuanji Ring, the Saints' expressions varied. Li Fan, however, calmly explained: "The Three Saints have already stated that without the merit of restoring the Mountains and Seas, even if they cross the Void Realm to offer support, their strength will not significantly increase. It would still be Three Saints against Three Saints, not Six Saints against Three Saints. At most, they would go from being at a disadvantage to being evenly matched. As for the final outcome, who wins or loses, that remains unknown. But if it were the three of us going to assist, it would be different."

Li Fan continued: "Although my combat power is weak, relying on my True Spirit Infusion divine ability, I can exert greater influence in the Void Realm. Not only can I restrain the Void Realm avatars from the side, but I can also help the Three Saints recover from their injuries. At that point, the situation would become a genuine Six Saints against Three Saints. Perhaps it would be even more advantageous than if the Three Saints went themselves. Furthermore, with the Three Saints guarding the Mountains and Seas, even if the Void Realm stirs up a greater storm, they should be able to successfully quell it..."

After Li Fan's explanation, the Saints indeed felt there was some truth to his words.

"I became a Saint through the Mountains and Seas; although weaker than the Three Saints of Lianshan, I am not necessarily weaker than any of the others present. Therefore, for this journey, who else but me?" Li Fan said proudly, without a hint of modesty.

Witnessing Li Fan's bold words, the Saints' expressions varied.

Saint Lianshan was the first to speak, expressing his opposition. "Fellow Daoist Fan, we appreciate your good intentions. However, the True Spirit Infusion divine ability is unique to the Mountains and Seas. Its significance for the restoration of the Mountains and Seas is too great. Your safety cannot be jeopardized! We may risk our lives, but you must not suffer any accident. The worst-case scenario would be losing a few segments of the Mountains and Seas' restoration destiny. But if a fellow daoist were to then take charge and ensure the complete restoration of the Mountains and Seas, we would accept that." Saint Guihai also did not agree with Li Fan putting himself in danger.

Li Fan, however, smiled faintly: "The Three Saints seem to be underestimating me a little. Furthermore, the Void Realm avatars' target for pursuit is the Three Saints, not me. Even if I fail to assist, it wouldn't be difficult for me to escape with my life. I naturally understand my own importance; if something is truly impossible, I won't force it. I'll simply flee early."

As soon as these words were spoken, the Three Saints truly began to consider the feasibility of the plan.

Seeing this, Li Fan then said: "How about we separate our avatars within the Xuanji Ring and have a competition first? It would also let the Three Saints know our capabilities. What do you say?"

Within the Xuanji Ring, a sudden silence fell. The Saints looked at the Three Saints and Li Fan, their eyes filled with expectation. After all, it had been countless years since any of them had seen the Three Saints truly act. And they were indeed quite curious about the strength of Li Fan, the Saint of Mountains and Seas.

"Agreed!"

After a brief silence, the Three Saints agreed. It was just like the previous life's competition to establish order among the Saints. The Xuanji Ring shone brightly, and the Three Saints along with Li Fan each projected a wisp of a phantom particle, which vanished into it. Within the Xuanji Ring, gaining one meant gaining all. Although it was only a wisp of a phantom, it largely represented their full strength. The Saints' gazes were fixed, afraid of missing any detail.

"It wouldn't be good for us to bully the small with the great; you may make the first move," Saint Lianshan's voice echoed from within the phantom.

The Three Saints, after all, had their dignity and would not simultaneously gang up on Li Fan. Moreover, they actively allowed Li Fan to attack first.

Li Fan also did not defer, immediately unleashing his strongest move, apart from the True-False Transformation. This was a technique he had comprehended while observing the outline of the Mountains and Seas' changes, inspired by Shou Qiu's Flattening the Mountains and Seas divine ability from the previous life. Although the destructive power of the move was greatly reduced due to the absence of the True-False Transformation, the ripple effect it created, enhanced by countless lifelike details within the Mountains and Seas, was even more profound!

Within the Xuanji Halo, continuous mountain and sea scenery surrounded Li Fan, rising up. He boldly declared: "There's no need for that. The situation is urgent; we need a quick resolution. Three Saints, come at me together!"

As these words came out, all the Saints observing from within the Xuanji Ring instinctively looked at Li Fan. Some were surprised, some found it amusing, and some frowned. The Three Saints, however, burst into silent laughter.

"Since Fellow Daoist Fan is so confident... A quick resolution is fine." They casually flicked their fingers towards the Xuanji's brilliance. The three Saintly light points then moved. Originally, Saints Guihai and Tai Yi were merely observing from the sidelines, but at this moment, they successively joined the battle. Li Fan was instantly encircled by the Three Saints. Yet, he remained unfazed, his excitement growing.

His figure etherealized again, not manifesting on his face. Only endless phantoms of mountains and seas surged and roared forth from within him, transforming into Li Fan's arms, attempting to seize the Three Saints. But such a trick naturally could not harm them. The Three Saints remained utterly unmoving, as if an invisible chasm separated them; the infinite mountain and sea phantoms often came close but could not touch their bodies. They merely surrounded the Three Saints.

"Since I achieved enlightenment, I have witnessed countless mountains and seas being born and destroyed. To think of harming..." Saint Lianshan's light laughter came as he beheld the familiar scene of mountains and seas before him. But very quickly, his expression changed.

"What the Three Saints don't know," Li Fan's cold voice cut through the roaring of the mountains and seas, "is that this move of mine has a miraculous effect against you! Collapse!" And then...

The mountains instantly crumbled, and the boundless sea began to boil. It was as if the calamity of the Mountains and Seas' destruction had suddenly descended upon this place! What a truly immense disaster; the endless mountains and seas were all affected at this moment, with none spared. Yet, it did not originate from the erosion of the Void Realm's Dao Annihilation. This phenomenon of collapsing mountains and overturning seas clearly stemmed from internal changes within the Mountains and Seas themselves. Logically speaking, the Mountains and Seas, having flourished to this extent, would never be destroyed without cause. But at this moment, Li Fan, as the Saint of Mountains and Seas and the master of this realm, deliberately created this world-ending catastrophe, as if self-destructing his own path!

The Mountains and Seas, in their manifestation, nurtured endless possibilities and countless beings. But if they were to suddenly collapse at their peak, how terrifying would such a disaster be? The Saints within the Xuanji Ring at this moment were fortunate enough to witness it. Although it was only a partial preview, one could vaguely glimpse the unimaginably dreadful scene.

Even the Three Saints could not escape it! Or rather, precisely because they were the Three Saints, they could not escape it!

Saint Lianshan, who ascended to the Upper Mountain and became the Foremost Immortal in the world, always stood at the pinnacle of the mountains, looking down upon all living beings. Saint Guihai, who comprehended infinite truths and opened the boundless springs, was vast beyond knowing and unfathomably deep. Saint Tai Yi, an innate being who achieved enlightenment, existed before all things. The power of the Three Saints was unfathomable. However, all their cultivation and power were derived from the Mountains and Seas. So, when Li Fan summoned the endless phantoms of mountains and seas, they instinctively tried to control and counter them. The powers, which were fundamentally of the same origin, suddenly connected at that moment. Li Fan only possessed the shadows of the Mountains and Seas, while the Three Saints possessed the spirits of the Mountains and Seas.

Under normal circumstances, Li Fan would certainly not be a match for the Three Saints, unable to harm them in the slightest. But now, he had deliberately triggered the Mountains and Seas' self-destruction. And once this world-ending calamity appeared, it would be difficult to stop! A chain reaction swept through the Mountains and Seas. What originated from afar instantly arrived.

Mountains crumbled and seas overturned, taking everything within the Mountains and Seas with them, all lost. Saint Lianshan, standing on the mountain peak, fell the hardest. Saint Guihai, who permeated the boundless springs, had nowhere to escape. Saint Tai Yi, who manifested infinite transformations, also found it difficult to escape this calamity alive.

Endless rumbling and shattering sounds buried everything. The Xuanji Ring's brilliance suddenly dimmed, shattering inch by inch! The competition between Li Fan and the Three Saints also instantly came to an abrupt halt.

On the Other Shore, there was a dead silence. "Who won and who lost?" Finally, Bai Xiao couldn't help but break the silence, asking aloud.

Shou Qiu sighed: "With the Mountains and Seas all lost, how can there be a winner? Fellow Daoist Fan's move is a bit too harmful to the natural order."

What happened within the Xuanji Ring was akin to reality. Since Li Fan could use it within the Xuanji, it meant he could also use this move in the real Mountains and Seas. The implication made the Saints' hearts skip a beat.

Li Fan, however, smiled at this moment, breaking the deadlock. "This method of losing a thousand to harm eight hundred, how could I easily use it? Moreover, with the Mountains and Seas now separated by Dao Annihilation, even if I tried my best, I might not be able to trigger its collapse. Besides, my aim is to save the Mountains and Seas; how could I genuinely use this move? It was merely to prove to the Three Saints that I possess the power to fight. Whatever happens in the Void Realm will not affect the current Mountains and Seas. This move can serve as a surprise weapon, perhaps having a decisive effect," Li Fan said solemnly.

In the Xuanji Ring competition, the Three Saints were brought to mutual destruction by Li Fan's Mountain-Sea Collapse move. However, they did not lose their composure. Instead, they shook their heads and smiled: "Fellow Daoist Fan's method is a one-time affair, not to be repeated. It can indeed be a surprise weapon, but only a surprise weapon."

Bai Xiao asked curiously, "What does Saint Lianshan mean by that?"

Before the Three Saints could speak, Li Fan himself explained: "The Mountains and Seas I conjured were, in fact, not the Three Saints' Mountains and Seas. I merely took advantage of the Three Saints instinctively attempting to control the mountain and sea phantoms, then launched the divine ability with lightning speed, causing the Mountains and Seas to collapse. If the Three Saints had been prepared, or if they had known of my ability to create such a connection, the boundaries would be clear, and even if my Mountains and Seas were completely lost, it wouldn't affect them in the slightest. Indeed, as Saint Lianshan said, it can only serve as a surprise weapon, and only once."

"So that's how it is..." After Li Fan's explanation, the Saints secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

"Once is enough. If it can deal with us, it will naturally be effective against the Void Realm avatars." The Three Saints seemed to have reached a decision, finally agreeing to Li Fan's plan.

"If I go alone, it's inevitable that I might be overwhelmed. Therefore, I need Shou Qiu and Dao De to accompany me. As for why I chose them..." Li Fan looked at the other Saints within the Xuanji Ring, including Qi Ji. He smiled faintly and did not elaborate. The Three Saints also understood Li Fan's reasoning and did not dwell on this point.

"Even with a unique skill, more preparation is needed before truly departing." As the Three Saints spoke, Emperor Tai Wei seemed to sense something and arrived, transforming into a rainbow. Because there was no mistake in restoring the Mountains and Seas this time, Emperor Tai Wei presented a total of eighteen great elixirs. Half of them were given to Li Fan.