Chapter 1695: Change with the Times

Li Fan’s words were irrefutable.

Due to the unifying influence of the Xuanji Ring, the Saints were subjectively unwilling to see the three Sages of the Mountain and Sea fall. However, the three Sages possessed extraordinary power, far surpassing others. Even with the desire to assist them in their fated demise, the other Saints felt powerless.

At this moment, Protector Qiu, his face etched with worry, stated, “If the three Sages fall, the Mountain and Sea will be leaderless. It might not be able to withstand the Calamity of Dao Annihilation. Two consecutive sections of the Mountain and Sea would then vanish into the Dao Annihilation...”

“May I ask the three Sages, how long has the void realm ahead stretched?”

Sage Guihai responded gravely, “The void realm ahead has already stretched for nearly 100,000 years. If the Mountain and Sea is destroyed again, the grand plan for re-unification will fail.”

A clear outcome was thus laid before the Saints: no matter how slim the hope, they had to fight with all their might.

“Though we are destined to fall, we must not act rashly. First, we must ensure the successful re-unification of the 100,000-year void realm, while simultaneously undertaking rescue efforts. As long as we can persevere until we re-unite the Mountain and Sea, we might gain a sudden boost of creation power, which could directly resolve the crisis.”

“So, we don't necessarily have to win. We just need to help them hold the battle line.”

The different time points Li Fan arrived at created varying circumstances, leading the three Sages to make different decisions. Yet, they all similarly turned their gaze towards Li Fan.

After a moment of contemplation, they did not ask Li Fan to go forward.

“True Spirit Infusion is extraordinary. As long as Fellow Daoist Fan is here, the re-unification of the Mountain and Sea can succeed sooner. If you were to fall due to our involvement, that would truly be an irreversible regret,” Sage Taiyi said, shaking his head.

Li Fan smiled, but still volunteered to go: “The three Sages' concern is merely my True Spirit Infusion, assisting the re-unification of the Mountain and Sea. Who says only my main body needs to be present to achieve this?”

With that, Li Fan took a deep breath and made a sweeping gesture towards the void realm outside the Mountain and Sea.

It was as if a massive tide was stirred by him, threatening to engulf the Mountain and Sea. Even the other shore felt its might, trembling slightly.

The effort of pulling seemed immense; Li Fan’s brows were furrowed, and his expression was solemn.

The three Sages followed Li Fan's gesture with looks of surprise. “Could it be...”

Only then did the Saints realize that Li Fan was extracting True Spirits from the void realm.

But with such a grand movement, how vast an amount of True Spirit was being drawn forth?

Soon, they would know the answer.

Even with the Saints' vast knowledge, they couldn't help but be somewhat dumbfounded.

“Protector Qiu, please lend me a hand!”

As if reaching his limit, Li Fan suddenly gritted his teeth and spoke out.

Protector Qiu, sensing the need, provided support with the boundless vitality of the Great Dao of Longevity.

Nourished by this, Li Fan's drawing power seemed to miraculously increase significantly.

Finally, he drew the accumulated True Spirits from the void realm, bringing them to the Mountain and Sea.

In that instant, the current Mountain and Sea quaked from the arrival of these immeasurable, countless accumulated True Spirits.

The continuous Mountain and Sea seemed to show multiple overlapping shadows, giving the illusion of another Mountain and Sea appearing above it.

This was all because the accumulated True Spirits Li Fan forcibly drew from the void realm at this moment were almost enough to reshape an entire section of the Mountain and Sea!

Though True Spirits are formless and intangible, such a massive accumulation would ordinarily have an overwhelming impact on the Mountain and Sea.

However, the Saints observed that all the extracted True Spirits were skillfully confined by Li Fan within a single ring.

It appeared to be just a simple circle, yet within it lay an infinite number of cycles, cleverly neutralizing all the impact brought by the accumulated True Spirits.

The weight of this ring was comparable to the Mountain and Sea itself.

Yet, Li Fan handled it with effortless grace, easily controlling it.

“The Dao of Time-Space Reversion has reached its pinnacle!” “Coupled with the divine ability of True Spirit Infusion... he is likely the strongest among those below the three Sages.”

Amidst their astonishment, the Saints also subtly perceived Li Fan's true strength.

“I have succeeded, thankfully.” Having successfully contained the Ring of True Spirit within the other shore, Li Fan let out a long breath and cupped his hands in greeting.

He paused slightly, then pointed to the peculiar ring: “The True Spirits accumulated in this ring are absolutely sufficient to meet the Saints' needs for re-uniting the Mountain and Sea. At the same time, I will leave behind a phantom image to cooperate with you.”

“Furthermore, if the situation becomes truly critical, this Ring of True Spirit can be forcibly shattered. The dissipation of the immeasurable accumulated True Spirits can temporarily resist the impact of Dao Annihilation, buying a brief respite.”

Li Fan slowly explained the wonders of this ring to everyone.

Sage Taiyi nodded slightly: “The words of Time-Space Reversion are true. We truly did not expect a newly ascended Saint to possess such might. To support the Mountain and Sea with such ease...”

Li Fan chuckled, “To you, this ring of True Spirits is comparable to the Mountain and Sea, but to me, it's merely an arm. Just a little heavier, that's all.”

“Even so, without Protector Qiu's help, I nearly failed. It's quite embarrassing.”

He attributed his ability to do all this entirely to that peculiar power of manipulating True Spirits.

And Li Fan had previously stated that this ability seemed related to the vanished Transcendent Immortal Realm.

In the current Mountain and Sea, it was impossible to verify.

Even the three Sages found it difficult to discern the truth of Li Fan's words.

Moreover, now was not the time for deep investigation.

Since the most crucial logistical problem had been resolved, the next step was to formally discuss the aid plan.

The principle remained the same.

To re-unite the Mountain and Sea required the three Sages to bear the main burden. Their true forms could not leave.

And without the efforts of the Mountain and Sea's re-unification, even if they were to go, they would not achieve a "one plus one is greater than two" effect.

But if the three Sages fighting ahead could receive Li Fan's support, perhaps the outcome of their fall would be altered. The miraculous effects of True Spirit Infusion had already been collectively witnessed by the Saints.

“I need Protector Qiu and Daoist Morality to come with me, and furthermore...” Just like in his previous life, Li Fan began to select his companions.

“I also ask the three Sages to generously share all your divine abilities. Only then will I have a clear understanding of the situation.”

Li Fan’s gaze was sharp, and his expression was open as he stared at the three Sages.

Within the Xuanji Ring, silence instantly fell.

Although they were united in mind and spirit, the reality was that the three Sages understood everyone, while others found it difficult to fully understand the three Sages.

Li Fan, for the sake of supporting the rescue, was now asking for the three Sages' true foundations.

It was reasonable both emotionally and logically.

The three Sages did not remain silent for too long.

“It should be so.”

“Listen closely.”

What was said next was not just conveyed to Li Fan, Protector Qiu, and Daoist Morality, but openly revealed within the Xuanji Ring.

“Besides our Dao-proving divine abilities such as those of Lianshan, Guihai, and Taiyi, we also possess certain Dharma treasures.”

“The Lianshan Staff, Guihai Shovel, and Staff of All Beings, you may have seen them.”

“However, beyond these, there are three innate ominous artifacts that have never been revealed before.”

“Fearing to upset the natural order, they are not normally used. They are only brought forth against enemies when life is at stake.”

As these words were spoken, they immediately captured the attention of all the Saints.

“Innate ominous artifacts? What are they?”

“I've heard of primordial creations, but these innate ominous artifacts are unheard of,” Sage Taiyi provided the answer to the others: “When the Mountain and Sea manifested a divided deity, even though the deity fell, a terrifying malevolent aura subtly dispersed during its dying moments.”

“During the evolution of the Mountain and Sea, some of its components became tainted by this aura, thus forming innate ominous artifacts.”

“Originating from a deity, they even carry some of the deity's divine abilities. They are outside the scope of the Mountain and Sea's Great Dao, profoundly mysterious.”

With that, Sage Taiyi took out an object.

It was precisely the Life Rope that Li Fan had seen in his previous life!

“It just looks like an ordinary hemp rope,” Baixiao mumbled softly.

Sage Taiyi chuckled softly and tossed the hemp rope towards Baixiao.

Innumerable threads, like a chaotic dance of dragons, instantly wove into a straw figure before Baixiao.

It was the spitting image of Baixiao.

Taiyi pointed his finger in the air, and a fine thread was gently drawn from the Baixiao straw figure.

Baixiao's true body simultaneously let out a strange cry, touching his own neck with a look of horror on his face.

Seeing the bewildered expressions of the other Saints, Baixiao looked at the straw figure in front of him, calmed himself, and then explained: “The moment that thread was pulled out, I actually felt the illusion of my head being severed. It was as if the vitality within me truly vanished in that instant...”

“This rope is truly terrifying.”

As if truly having escaped a calamity, Baixiao no longer dared to underestimate this mere piece of rope.

Taiyi restored the extracted straw figure and then retrieved the Life Rope.

Only then did Baixiao let out a long sigh of relief.

“This rope is 'Life' itself. At the dawn of the Mountain and Sea, countless innate beings met their end by its hand.”

“Vast and boundless, it almost created a kingdom of straw figures. It was only by chance that I managed to subdue it,” Taiyi stated casually, though a fleeting glint of killing intent passed through his eyes.

Next, Sages Lianshan and Guihai displayed a turtle shell and an ancestral bone to everyone. “This shell is the relic of the Mountain and Sea. The Mountain and Sea at its beginning was not the Mountain and Sea of today. It also underwent a long evolution. This object is the Mountain and Sea's first relic. It was originally a supreme wonder of the Mountain and Sea, but unfortunately, it became tainted by an innate ominous aura, making it extremely dangerous.”

“If I didn't possess the power of Lianshan, I wouldn't have been able to subdue it so easily either.”

Merely suspending the turtle shell above the Saints' heads and slightly withdrawing his control over it, the Saints immediately felt as if the entire Mountain and Sea was pressing down upon them.

“The weight of a single object, to this extent?”

Li Fan also feigned seeing it for the first time, stating solemnly: “My Ring of True Spirit is merely similar in form and spirit to the Mountain and Sea. But this Mountain and Sea Relic before us... truly possesses the might of the Mountain and Sea! If this object were to press down, my life would surely end instantly!”

The Saints each expressed their astonishment, then looked at the last innate ominous artifact.

“This is the ancestral bone of the first sentient being in the Mountain and Sea,” Guihai said, his expression somewhat strange.

“At the dawn of the Mountain and Sea, all evolution was under its control. The emergence of this first sentient being was naturally also thus. It was intentionally fostered by the Mountain and Sea, receiving its favor. There were no limits of aptitude or talent whatsoever. From birth, it was destined to stand at the peak of the Mountain and Sea's potential.”

“A born Saint?” The Saints immediately understood what Sage Guihai meant.

Sage Guihai nodded slightly: “The first sentient being was the Mountain and Sea's painstaking deduction for countless future variables. At that time, the Mountain and Sea had not yet foreseen the future annihilation crisis, and thus highly valued this first sentient being, almost expending all its resources to foster its growth.”

“However, there is an unseen destiny. The stronger the first sentient being became, the more easily it sensed the lingering traces of the deity. Unintentionally, it became tainted by an innate ominous aura.”

“Although the Mountain and Sea gained the deity's power, it had no good solution for the deity's lingering will. Witnessing the changes in the first sentient being after infection, it could only painfully and personally destroy it.”

“Leaving behind only a skeleton.”

“The first sentient being did not exist for long, but it held extremely significant meaning for all subsequent evolved beings. Without it, one could say, we would not exist.”

“Of course, with the innate ominous aura possessing it, the first sentient being was not willing to simply die. At any time, it longed to resurrect itself and exact revenge upon the Mountain and Sea.” Saying this, Sage Guihai released his restraint on the ancestral bone.

In that instant, all the Saints felt as if they saw their own corpses, their own ultimate resting place.

All their flesh, blood, and divine consciousness uncontrollably yearned to return to that skeleton before them!

They were also struck with awe. After the demonstration, the three Sages put away their respective innate ominous artifacts.

“They are extraordinary objects, only to be used in extraordinary times.”

“We haven't taken them out for a very long time either.”

Lianshan looked at Li Fan with an unreadable expression: “However, what Time-Space Reversion said is correct. When our lives are at stake, we will indeed use them against our enemies.”

“And the Void Realm Incarnation is the same.”

“To think there are such fierce objects within the Mountain and Sea. Their mystical power is no less than my True Spirit Infusion,” Li Fan seemed still immersed in the wonder of the three artifacts—the turtle shell, etc.—and exclaimed in awe.

After a long while, he cupped his hands and asked, “With these innate ominous artifacts upon us, I'm afraid we wouldn't be able to last even for a moment. May I ask the three Sages, is there a way to be exempt from or counter their effects?”

“If we are suppressed the moment we meet, even if we wanted to help, it would be impossible to even discuss it.”

Li Fan said helplessly.

Silence fell once more within the Xuanji Ring.

Not just Li Fan, but the other Saints also wanted to know this answer.

After all, it was one thing not to be a match for the three Sages, but to be easily suppressed by even the Dharma treasures they casually brought out was truly difficult to accept.

The silence was broken by Sage Taiyi's soft laughter.

“Innate ominous artifacts are for enemies, not friends. There's no harm in telling you.”

“At the dawn of the Mountain and Sea, there weren't just these three innate ominous artifacts. We were fortunate to have only subdued these three. The rest either slowly dissipated with the changes in the Mountain and Sea, or still exist in the ancient origins of the Mountain and Sea.”

“As for the method to counter them, it's both difficult and easy.”

“It's just eight words.”

“Restrain it with spirit, subdue it with intent.” Taiyi's gaze swept over everyone, then he brought out the Life Rope again.

The feeling of their lives being invisibly controlled, as if they could be extracted at any moment, resurfaced in everyone's minds.

“You must know that the source of innate ominous artifacts is the residual influence from a deity's fall.”

“They arise from intent, and naturally, they can be dispelled by intent.”

With that, Taiyi tossed the Life Rope, suspending it above his own head.

Then he released its restraints.

In an instant, countless threads surged from the rope.

Attempting to weave a Taiyi straw figure.

However...

Within Taiyi's body, countless different light and shadow flickered simultaneously.

Like a vast immortal realm.

The straw figure could weave one aspect, but not two, nor the whole.

The resulting fate-straw figure was instead pulled by the myriad lights and shadows within Taiyi's body, like a puppet. Manipulated, they all returned to the Life Rope.

Their resistance futile, the Life Rope temporarily behaved.

“If you all can do as I do, then theoretically, you can subdue the Life Rope,” Sage Taiyi said calmly.

Sage Lianshan continued: “The same principle applies. To resist the Mountain and Sea Relic, you only need to be truly capable of resisting the Mountain and Sea itself.”

Sage Guihai then added: “To negate the influence of the ancestral bone, you must disregard your own sense of belonging to the first sentient being. If you are not its descendant, and it is not your ancestor, then its strangeness will dissipate on its own.”

“Time-Space Reversion, are you satisfied with these answers?”

The three Sages looked at Li Fan and asked in unison.