Chapter 1698: Mountain and Sea Hidden Lifeline

Li Fan nodded slightly to Shouqiu.

Not even the Saints would reappear in the resurrected Mountains and Seas, let alone the immense opportunity that might allow the entire Immortal Realm to transcend.

"Such a secret, yet unknowable. What a true pity," Morality sighed inwardly.

"There are countless things within the Mountains and Seas. Even the Three Saints, who in some sense represent the Mountains and Seas themselves, cannot claim to know everything. The transformation of truth and falsehood within us is already a great fortune," Shouqiu said with a smile, not taking it to heart.

Li Fan, however, suddenly spoke startlingly: "I do have an idea. The 'Outline of Mountain and Sea Changes' recorded by Huanzhen might contain clues related to Emperor Tianluo."

"It might not directly record that unknown fortuitous opportunity, but by observing the changes in the Mountains and Seas before and after the disappearance of the original Immortal Realm, we might glimpse something."

"I have already obtained the outline of the Mountains and Seas' changes after that period. We only need to deduce another version of the outline for the period before the original Immortal Realm vanished. By comparing the two, we might be able to discern something."

The three, being of one mind, naturally knew just how detailed the outline obtained by Huanzhen was.

Li Fan could even use it directly as a template to achieve Sainthood of the Mountains and Seas.

"Since Huanzhen can repeatedly reshape the Mountains and Seas, all changes within them naturally cannot escape Huanzhen's notice," Shouqiu mused for a moment, then nodded in agreement.

"In that case, it becomes simpler. We just need to undertake another Resurrection Alliance event, pushing the timeline back to before Emperor Tianluo's disappearance, and then Huanzhen can act. This way, we can both observe the impact of the Three Saints' demise on the changes in the Mountains and Seas, and investigate Emperor Tianluo's secrets."

The three exchanged thoughts privately.

Inside the Xuanji Ring, the Saints were already discussing the next Mountains and Seas Resurrection Alliance.

As long as the threat of the Mountains and Seas overturning had not been thoroughly resolved, there was no talk of rest for the Saints.

Fortunately, having won battle after battle, and even collectively resolving death crises against Void Realm avatars, morale was high among the Saints.

"The Void Realm ahead is only thirty thousand years old. Compared to our hundred thousand years of Resurrection Alliances, it's like a small wizard meeting a great one. However..."

"It's not easily overcome." These words from Saint Lianshan immediately quelled the surging emotions among the Saints.

"Does everyone know why the Void Realm manifests our avatars to attack us within the Void Realm?"

Faced with Saint Lianshan's question, the Saints' expressions subtly changed, as if they had all suddenly realized something.

"Before this Mountains and Seas Resurrection Alliance, we, who were ambushed, actually had nothing special about us. In terms of strength, we weren't superior to beings from other time periods; nor did we do anything to specifically attract the Void Realm's attention..."

"We were merely intercepted by the Void Realm while en route to the Mountains and Seas ahead."

Through these two tentative contacts with the entity behind the Void Realm, Li Fan had gained some understanding of its modus operandi.

An extremely calm and rational decision-maker, it undertook no meaningless actions. Yet, at crucial moments, it would not hesitate to throw everything into a desperate gamble.

Upon hearing the words of the Three Saints, Li Fan immediately understood.

The struggle between the Mountains and Seas and the Void Realm was a vast battlefield. If it were an insignificant corner, the entity behind the Void Realm would certainly not unnecessarily divide its power to obstruct the Three Saints within the Void Realm.

"Which means..."

"The Mountains and Seas ahead are like a strategic stronghold, a 'place of military contention' that must be seized. To prevent any possible contingencies, forces were dispatched to eliminate the Three Saints before they could even make contact."

Li Fan and the other two exchanged glances.

Shouqiu then directly asked, "May I ask Saint Lianshan, what special significance do the Mountains and Seas ahead hold?"

After a moment of contemplation, Saint Lianshan did not answer directly but began to explain: "The Mountains and Seas are a continuously existing entity across the entire timeline. From ancient times to the present, and into the future, the Mountains and Seas themselves evolve into infinite possibilities. The Mountains and Seas themselves are also in constant flux."

"However, the overall trajectory of the Mountains and Seas remains unchanged. Since the Mountains and Seas underwent division, they have remained connected, inseparable, and will ultimately proceed towards the end of time, meeting their ultimate fate. This is the destiny of the Mountains and Seas."

"The actions of beings within the Mountains and Seas, even we Saints, might influence many possibilities within them. However..."

"They can hardly affect the general trend of the Mountains and Seas!"

Saint Lianshan waved a hand gently, and an image of continuous Mountains and Seas appeared before everyone. Compared to the Mountains and Seas the Saints currently perceived, this scene was far more complete.

From the distant origin of the Mountains and Seas to their dark and lightless end.

The continuity and vastness of the Mountains and Seas were thus materialized.

"It seems that after three Resurrection Alliances, the Three Saints' strength has indeed advanced significantly."

"Saint Lianshan's casual display already possesses some essence of the 'Outline of Mountain and Sea Changes'."

Li Fan observed the scene before him, secretly astonished.

He could perceive the full scope of the Mountains and Seas because of the outline given by Huanzhen. The Three Saints, however, had gained this understanding through their own insights.

Ignoring the internal thoughts of the Saints present, Saint Lianshan continued: "The Mountains and Seas flow onward, unchanging in their form. Even if they are severed in places by the Void Realm, they still maintain their overall state."

"Even with the might of the Void Realm, it is still thus. How much more so for us?"

"The Mountains and Seas are indeed difficult to change, precisely because of this."

Saint Lianshan paused here, then suddenly changed his tone: "Although difficult to change, it is not impossible to change. We often say that certain matters within the Mountains and Seas are irrelevant to the ultimate outcome and need not be concerned with. This isn't due to our negligence; rather, even if we allowed their influence to maximize, they would still find it difficult to shake or alter the overall trend of the Mountains and Seas. In a true sense, they are irrelevant to the ultimate outcome."

"Even if an entire segment of the Mountains and Seas is destroyed, as long as the overall underlying structure remains, there is a possibility of revival."

"However, there exist entities that can truly alter the form of the Mountains and Seas. Throughout the entire long life of the Mountains and Seas, there are only a handful of such nodes."

"What lies before us is one of them."

At Saint Lianshan's words, all the Saints in the Xuanji Ring grew solemn.

Shouqiu recalled what he had seen in the past but found nothing particularly unusual.

The same was true for the other Saints within the Xuanji Ring. Lianshan seemed to have perceived their inner thoughts: "Humans have an instinct to conceal their weaknesses, and so do the Mountains and Seas. These critical nodes are like vital points in a person, extremely important. The Mountains and Seas will actively conceal them."

"Even an ordinary Saint, even if present within them, would find it difficult to perceive."

"Only those who can survey the entire Mountains and Seas, viewing them from a holistic perspective, can faintly glimpse their underlying structure."

"As this involves the very lifeblood of the Mountains and Seas, it should not be easily revealed. However, the Mountains and Seas are already in a critical situation, so under current circumstances, it no longer matters."

As Saint Lianshan spoke, Saint Guihai instantly zoomed in on a segment of the panoramic view of the Mountains and Seas that the Saints were observing.

"As the saying goes, 'a faint trace can lead to a long vein.' Certain inconspicuous individuals or events can have an unimaginable impact on the overall trend of the Mountains and Seas. They might not be evident at first, only erupting much later."

The image continued to enlarge until it focused on a specific possibility, on a particular cultivator.

This cultivator had implicitly reached the cultivation of transcendence.

He could leap out of his current possibility at any time, but for reasons unknown, he repeatedly gazed at the sky, always letting out a long sigh and ultimately giving up.

He did not truly transcend and depart.

The realm of transcendence was truly insignificant in the eyes of the Saints.

Seeing this scene, they all felt somewhat perplexed.

Li Fan's heart stirred: "Shouqiu, do you feel that this cultivator looks somewhat familiar?"

"Although there's only a slight resemblance, it should be certain that he is related to that individual."

"The Last Saint of the Mountains and Seas, Qiu Xinhui?" Morality also discerned some clues.

The Three Saints did not keep them in suspense: "This cultivator's name is Qiu Tianhui. He hesitated before reaching the transcendence realm. It wasn't due to insufficient talent, but rather..."

"Let us listen to his inner thoughts." Saint Taiyi flicked a finger, and a speck of light shot into the image of the Mountains and Seas, merging with Qiu Tianhui's figure.

His inner thoughts then reverberated within the Xuanji Ring, in the ears of the Saints.

"Annoying, vexing."

"Leaping beyond possibilities, yet still trapped within the severed Mountains and Seas. What kind of transcendence can this be called?"

"This step, it would be better not to take!"

"I wonder if there exists a more perfect method in this world."

As Qiu Tianhui's inner voice echoed, the Saints all raised their eyebrows, finding it somewhat incredible.

"He hasn't even taken the step of transcendence, yet he can see the truth of the Mountains and Seas? From inside a well, he can observe the entire sky?"

"When I transcended, I was nowhere near this troubled. Is this real or fake?"

The Saints were shaken, and the scene of Qiu Tianhui continued before them.

They saw him ponder for several years, ultimately gaining nothing.

Thus, he left his hometown and wandered various places.

Of course, he still didn't leave that particular possibility, merely moving to a different star-filled sky.

Time flowed, and countless years passed by.

Qiu Tianhui was unkempt all day, long since having turned into a crazy, disheveled mess.

One day, he suddenly perceived something, his expression instantly shifting from idiotic laughter to normal. He flashed to the side of an ordinary small pond.

"This place... seems a bit strange?"

Among the Saints in the Xuanji Ring, some had already recognized the pond's origin.

"Mountains and Seas Fishery?"

Qiu Tianhui's expression was initially very solemn, but immediately after, he rejoiced greatly, clapping his hands and exclaiming: "The path to escape lies within!"

With that, he leaped down, plunging into the pond water.

Li Fan knew the profound mysteries of the so-called Mountains and Seas Fishery, also known as the Fishing Pond.

Only true anglers could perceive the myriad mysteries within the Fishing Pond.

Only by truly engaging in fishing could one fish out numerous treasures from the Fishing Pond.

What Qiu Tianhui did next, however, greatly exceeded Li Fan's expectations.

He saw that though Qiu Tianhui held no rod, he used himself as bait.

Enticing the Mountains and Seas Angler from the other end of the Mountains and Seas Fishery!

"Could it be that he intends to use the Mountains and Seas Angler to escape the Mountains and Seas he is in?"

"But that would just be moving from one cage to another. He might even fall into the Angler's net, unable to control himself, leading to an even more tragic outcome."

"With this person's insight and wisdom, he shouldn't make such an unwise move."

While the Saints were still discussing, Qiu Xinhui was pulled away by the Mountains and Seas Angler in an instant.

There was nothing surprising about it. The Mountains and Seas Angler was also an existence at the level of a Mountains and Seas Saint.

The gap between them and a cultivator who had not yet transcended was immeasurable.

It was normal for Qiu Tianhui to have no room for resistance.

If he could contend with the Mountains and Seas Angler...

That would definitely mean he was like Li Fan, possessed by some immense fortune akin to Huanzhen's.

Unfortunately, he was not.

Silence fell within the Xuanji Ring. The Saints looked at the Three Saints, seeking an answer.

Saint Lianshan merely gestured gently, indicating for the Saints to continue watching.

As expected, after Qiu Tianhui disappeared and the Fishing Pond remained silent for a period, changes re-emerged.

The pond water churned, growing increasingly turbulent.

It was as if something was about to emerge from the water.

A moment later, with a bang, the entire Fishing Pond exploded.

This Mountains and Seas Fishery vanished from that possibility, while a figure, having departed, returned and reappeared in that very place.

It was indeed Qiu Tianhui!

Although he seemed to have been gone for only a short time, Qiu Tianhui's attire, appearance, and even his mental state were vastly different from before.

Bowing respectfully as a junior towards the former location of the Fishing Pond, Qiu Tianhui now looked up at the sky, his confusion having vanished.

"Just as I speculated before, although the Mountains and Seas are obstructed by the Dao Annihilation, since the Mountains and Seas themselves still exist, it indicates that the disconnected parts of the Mountains and Seas are subtly linked by an underlying structure. Ordinary methods cannot perceive it. Only through various special techniques can one align with this structure." "The Mountains and Seas Fishery is one such method."

"However, it is already occupied by Senior Angler, and can no longer accommodate others. I can only seek another method..."

Qiu Tianhui waved his hand, restoring the damage caused by the Fishing Pond's annihilation, and turned to return home.

Indeed, Qiu Tianhui had a Dao Companion.

Childhood sweethearts, they had helped each other along their cultivation path, reaching this point together.

Qiu Tianhui's cultivation had reached the extreme of possibilities, and his Dao Companion was only slightly inferior, having long since attained the nameless True Immortal realm. She was also merely half a step away from the transcendence realm.

Her name was Shao Zidai. Her Dao path was 'Love'!

Qiu Tianhui disappeared for several years, neither seen alive nor found dead.

Yet Shao Zidai never worried that he would one day leave her.

She also firmly believed that no matter what happened, Qiu Tianhui would eventually return.

Now that Qiu Tianhui had reappeared, their eyes met, and a myriad of unspoken words were conveyed within a gentle embrace.

Following that was a thorough spiritual and physical dual cultivation.

Qiu Tianhui's experiences were all revealed to Shao Zidai during this cultivation session.

"So, Senior Angler is truly a pure angler. His interest lies only in the act of fishing itself, not in the so-called hooked prey. Your escape was truly somewhat fortunate..." Shao Zidai said with a soft laugh, nestling in Qiu Tianhui's embrace.

Qiu Tianhui replied with a hint of pride, "What good fortune? The moment I saw that Mountains and Seas Fishery, I clearly discerned the true nature of that Angler on the other side. That's why I dared to use myself as bait and venture into the unknown."

"Then, husband, have you thought of a perfect plan?" Shao Zidai did not refute him but asked again.

Qiu Tianhui's expression suddenly became solemn: "I already have some faint ideas. That is..."

"Mountains and Seas Coexist!"

"Mountains and Seas Coexist? What do these four words mean?"

Not only Shao Zidai, but even the Saints in the Xuanji Ring leaned in to listen.

"The underlying structure of the Mountains and Seas permeates ancient and modern times, extending into the distant, unseen future."

"When we transcend and take this step, we should not step into the Mountains and Seas. Instead, we should walk along the direction of the Mountains and Seas' life," Qiu Tianhui said, his eyes gleaming, pointing remotely upwards.

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