Chapter 1709: Seeing the Future in a Trance

"Even though we are known as 'Linked Mountains' and 'Returning Seas,' we cannot truly gather the immense power of the mountains and seas in one place. Moreover, while an offensive can be redirected at will, how can our defenses be shifted so flexibly? Under the immense pressure of the Dao Annihilation's encroachment, every part of the mountains and seas is already near its breaking point. If we divert power from one area, other sections of the mountains and seas will likely be immediately consumed by the Void Realm. Our vision is obstructed by the Void Realm, preventing us from gaining a complete overview of the mountains and seas. Even if we could manipulate their power, we would be unable to contend with the mastermind behind the Void Realm," the Three Sages concluded.

Li Fan pondered for a moment, then sighed, "Perhaps I was being overly idealistic. However, the current situation is critical; the mountains and seas possess latent power that we cannot access. It's truly frustrating to be at the mercy of the Void Realm without any means of resistance. If only there were a Sage whose vision could pierce through all time and space, and whose power could move mountains and seas... wouldn't this crisis be resolved in an instant?"

The Sages were all momentarily speechless.

"I, however, believe that Fellow Daoist Zhou Hui's earlier idea might not be unfeasible after all." During the ensuing silence, Qi Ji's words suddenly drew the attention of all the Sages. "As the saying goes, 'place a man in a death trap, and he will survive.' In a life-or-death situation, extraordinary power is bound to erupt. Although we cannot actively summon the immense power of the mountains and seas now, perhaps we can force it out."

Memories spanning hundreds of billions of years had washed away the gloom from Qi Ji's heart. He slowly regained his former confidence and stated, "This is not merely about forcing out the mountains and seas' own inherent power, but also about involving Qiu Tianhui and Shao Zidai! This central node, which sustains the very lifeblood of the mountains and seas, is far too important for them to leave unprotected. I refuse to believe they wouldn't have any safeguards in place. The Grand Dao of Life is, after all, dependent on the mountains and seas. If this section were to be destroyed, it would inevitably impact them, regardless of their schemes or current whereabouts!"

Qi Ji's analysis, it had to be admitted, held some merit.

While the Sages pondered the possibilities, only the Three Sages and Li Fan detected another layer of meaning in Qi Ji's remarks.

"Forcing the mountains and seas... Qi Ji's idea is rather dangerous."

"This is interesting. If Qi Ji were still under the normal 'Concentric' influence of the Xuanji Ring, he wouldn't conceive such an idea. This thought seems more akin to Qi Ji having broken free from his constraints and reverted to his true nature. Could it be that..." Li Fan observed discreetly, his expression betraying nothing.

"After hundreds of billions of years, even the 'Concentric' effect seems to have faded somewhat. My situation with Shou Qiu and Dao De is still relatively stable, as we form a singular trinity, sharing and maintaining close connections. However, the other Sages within the Xuanji Ring... appear to be showing signs of losing control. Though still subtle, this cannot be ignored."

Li Fan noticed this, and naturally, the Three Sages detected it as well. However, they chose not to speak of it, and the Xuanji Ring merely emitted a faint, imperceptible flash of white light. Whether they were losing control or not was a separate issue from the feasibility of Qi Ji's suggestion.

After some deliberation, the Three Sages conceded that Qi Ji's proposal did indeed hold a certain chance of success. However, it was not ideal as a primary strategy and could only serve as a last-resort contingency plan.

"First, let us gather our strength and prepare for a decisive confrontation. Though the Void Realm is formidable, we need not cower before the fight even begins. Setting aside our own abilities, the display of power by Fellow Daoists Shou Qiu and Zhou Hui, repelling numerous Void Realm avatars, is still fresh in our memories!" Tai Yi looked beyond the Void Realm, a glint of cold determination flashing in his calm eyes.

The increases in strength gained from repeatedly restoring the mountains and seas had gradually shifted the Three Sages' temperaments back towards their "complete" state. As the formidable figure who wielded the Rod of Sentient Beings and assimilated all other Five Primordial forces, Tai Yi would certainly not concede defeat easily.

In response to Tai Yi's praise, Li Fan and the other two merely smiled, offering no further reply. As the wielder of the True Spirit Infusion divine ability and the most crucial source of reserve power for restoring the mountains and seas, the Sages would certainly not allow him to enter battle unless it was absolutely unavoidable, unless he volunteered himself. However, this time, Li Fan had resolved to observe the developments quietly.

Consequently, for the period that followed, Li Fan spent his days traversing the mountains and seas in spirit, seeking out promising individuals and guiding them towards Sagehood. The river of time had flowed forward hundreds of thousands of years beyond the point he was familiar with. The mountains and seas had nurtured innumerable talents. Successfully sifting through them was no easy feat.

This time, Li Fan also proactively approached Emperor Taiwei. He sought out promising candidates among the citizens of the Taiwei Holy Dynasty as well. Previously, when selecting potential Sages, attention was primarily focused on cultivators of the Nameless and Transcendent realms. The Holy Dynasty, however, presented a unique situation; it was a world where a single, distinct cultivation method prevailed. Although it boasted countless citizens, aside from Emperor Taiwei, the highest cultivation level attained was merely that of a True Immortal. Even if individuals possessed the resources and talent required for Sagehood, the time needed for their advancement would undoubtedly be prolonged – time they simply could not afford. But this time, Li Fan had a premonition that the battle for the forward mountains and seas might prove to be a protracted one. The innumerable citizens of the Holy Dynasty could not be overlooked.

Li Fan's presence significantly eased Emperor Taiwei's alchemy burdens, earning him considerable goodwill. Consequently, Emperor Taiwei readily acceded to Li Fan's requests. Not only were all beings throughout the vast Holy Dynasty made available for Li Fan's selection, but he even proactively recommended several candidates to Li Fan.

"Though these individuals have not yet cultivated, their character and innate talent are both exceptional. Across the entire Holy Dynasty, they rank among the highest tier. All they lack is the appropriate opportunity."

After his battle with Suo, Emperor Taiwei appeared to have undergone another transformation. Previously, he was purely the noble and transcendent Holy Emperor of the world, standing supreme. Now, an ethereal, otherworldly aura occasionally emanated from him. Li Fan observed him with curious interest, then couldn't help but inquire, "Fellow Daoist Taiwei, it seems you've gained new insights?"

Emperor Taiwei did not hide it: "I once believed that as the Emperor presiding over a Holy Dynasty, I should govern all people and oversee everything. However, after reviewing the Three Sages' millennia of memories within the mountains and seas, and observing that even the mountains and seas themselves cannot be sustained eternally, my perspective has shifted accordingly. To be omnipresent at all times and in all places is indeed formidable. But perhaps... to be hidden between heaven and earth, present yet seemingly absent. To let the people remain unaware, to let them grow accustomed and eventually forget. Perhaps that is even superior."

Li Fan frowned slightly, offering no vocal agreement.

Emperor Taiwei smiled at his reaction: "It is merely an experiment. Fellow Daoist Zhou Hui need not overly concern himself. The Holy Dynasty, after all, remains My Holy Dynasty. Even if earth-shattering changes occur, restoring stability is within My sole command."

"Fellow Daoist Taiwei, that is truly magnificent!" Li Fan couldn't help but exclaim. After a slight pause, Li Fan suddenly introduced an unrelated question: "You previously engaged in battle with Suo, Fellow Daoist Taiwei. I wonder... what was your impression?"

Observing Li Fan's expression, Emperor Taiwei understood his intent. He candidly replied, "Nothing particularly remarkable. If the beings of the so-called Grand Primordial Immortal Realm are all of such caliber, then the Taiwei Holy Dynasty might well expand its dominion at the very dawn of the mountains and seas!"

The underlying meaning in Emperor Taiwei's words perfectly aligned with Li Fan's own thoughts. Li Fan simply exchanged a knowing smile with him, then moved past the subject.

After eighteen years of traveling throughout the Holy Dynasty, Li Fan selected only three suitable candidates. Two of these individuals had been personally recommended by the Holy Emperor. One was a Holy Dynasty Preceptor, whose life's purpose was ostensibly to transmit the Holy Emperor's teachings to all citizens. Yet, despite disseminating these teachings, he himself harbored no belief in them. Within the Holy Dynasty, this was, naturally, an act of absolute defiance. However, he concealed his true thoughts so adeptly that no one around him ever suspected. Had this been his only remarkable trait, he would never have garnered the Holy Emperor's attention. What was most intriguing was that this individual, as a Preceptor, was well-versed in numerous classics. He knew perfectly well the immense stature of the Holy Emperor he served. Thus, he was also keenly aware that his subtle "rebellion" could not possibly escape the notice of the great Holy Emperor.

"The Supreme Holy Emperor, much like heaven and earth, embraces all things. How could he possibly not tolerate my minor heterodoxy?" Even with a disloyal heart, he understood the boundaries. The Holy Dynasty was the very foundation of the Holy Emperor's cultivation, and naturally, no one would be permitted to undermine it. While he did not believe in the Holy Emperor, he refrained from propagating his dissenting views to others. Instead, he remained absolutely dedicated to his duty of disseminating the teachings. He was diligent and never remiss.

"This person is truly a walking contradiction," Li Fan remarked with a curious smile upon first learning about the individual's life.

"I do not see it as contradictory," Emperor Taiwei replied. "He merely seeks an opportunity to transcend the Holy Dynasty. Since that is what he desires, why should I deny it? Furthermore, this individual's cultivation will certainly not bring shame upon the Holy Dynasty's prestige," Emperor Taiwei stated calmly. The Preceptor's name was Su Shaozhong—an unremarkable name that nonetheless seemed to carry a hidden meaning.

The other individual recommended by the Holy Emperor was a Holy Dynasty martial artist named Hong Qianquan. Within the cultivation system permitted by the Holy Dynasty, he had effortlessly ascended to its pinnacle. He was indeed like a celestial being, entirely suitable for the task.

As for the third and final individual, he was personally chosen by Li Fan. Compared to Su Shaozhong and Hong Qianquan, this person was utterly unremarkable. Even Emperor Taiwei harbored some doubt regarding Li Fan's choice. However, the Holy Emperor did not press for details, and Li Fan offered no explanation. The reason for his choice was a subtle sense of familiarity Li Fan felt emanating from this individual. This feeling of familiarity did not originate from this current life, nor from any previous life he had experienced. But rather... it stemmed from pure intuition.

Earlier, while traversing the endless cycles of reincarnation woven by the Grand Dao of Zhou Hui, Li Fan had begun to question and theorize about the nature of his own keen intuition. He had theorized that intuition was merely the lingering memory of past experiences from countless reincarnations. Regardless of whether that conjecture was true or false, now, Li Fan unexpectedly felt a sense of familiarity from a mere mortal within the Holy Dynasty, as if they had met on several occasions. How could he not take such a feeling seriously?

Li Fan silently observed the mortal named Mo Yongge. He attempted to find clues within his intuitive memories. Everything from the past seemed to have completely faded. No matter how diligently he searched, he could find no trace of it. But this time, Li Fan was exceptionally patient. He kept all three by his side for cultivation, continuing his search for individuals destined for Sagehood within the mountains and seas. An additional three Sages might offer some assistance to the current predicament. However, it wouldn't be a significant aid. Li Fan still needed to continue his efforts.

Over a hundred years passed, and the situation in the mountains and seas grew increasingly precarious. Indeed, with assistance from the mountains and seas of future generations, the pressure from the Void Realm was successfully withstood. But the Void Realm soon detected this external force. Without hesitation, it chose to escalate its assault. Like an ominous cloud blotting out the sun, the Void Realm's accumulated might surpassed all previous levels. Under the heavy obstruction of the Void Realm, even the Three Sages' vision could no longer penetrate its depths. They were completely confined within its limits.

Fortunately, their inherent foundation remained, preventing an easy breach for the time being. They even managed to repel several attacks from Void Realm avatars, thanks to the coordinated efforts of Li Fan, Shou Qiu, and Dao De.

"But it won't hold for much longer. Five hundred years at most."

Li Fan was content to intervene only at crucial moments. He continued his search for promising talents while simultaneously observing Mo Yongge, as if constantly piecing together fragments of a puzzle. The long-lost past was slowly beginning to surface.

"If I'm not mistaken..."

"The timeline is largely identical to the present. Yet, the experiences encountered are entirely different. The Holy Emperor fell, and before his death, he dispersed his very essence and fortune among the people, leading to a multitude of 'dragons emerging from the abyss.' Mo Yongge was one of them, rising directly to the Sage realm, and even someone with whom I once shared a 'concentric' bond. Precisely like Dao De and Shou Qiu."

Li Fan slowly closed his eyes, concealing the profound turbulence within his heart. Even witnessing the collapse of the mountains and seas, he would never exhibit such profound agitation. Perhaps only the profound shock of first witnessing the appearance of the solitary star could truly compare to this sensation.

"The more I recall, the clearer it becomes. It feels as though I truly experienced it myself. This is definitely not a baseless fantasy. But the crucial question is, when did this happen?"

Li Fan understood that the key was not Mo Yongge, but rather himself. Once again, Li Fan reviewed all his memories from the moment of his transmigration. He even enlisted Shou Qiu and Dao De to assist him in this recollection, to ensure absolutely nothing was overlooked. Ultimately, he confirmed with certainty that he had never experienced such a lifetime.

"I wonder if Fellow Daoist Fan has noticed how vastly different the mountains and seas in this memory are from the ones we currently inhabit," Shou Qiu observed. "Emperor Taiwei's demise is something that has never occurred in any of your numerous reincarnations. It's as if... it exists within another set of mountains and seas."

Shou Qiu's words plunged Li Fan into profound contemplation. "Another set of mountains and seas." These words seemed to trigger a switch within him. Coupled with his prior attempts to piece together lost memories, this caused another lost segment of Li Fan's memory to slowly surface.

It was at the very end of time. The Void Realm was on the verge of consuming everything, and even the Last Sage Qiu Xinhui, despite his heroic efforts, was unable to alter the grim situation. "Hehe. Fellow Daoist Fan, are you not going to make your move?" he then asked Li Fan. Immediately afterward, Li Fan, in a daze, lost control of his body. He even lost the memories of that period, only vaguely recalling the scene of the mountains and seas ceasing to exist and the solitary star appearing.

Now, these lost memories were slowly resurfacing within Li Fan's mind. A single gesture, causing the star to appear and then retreat. "It can halt the star for a moment, but not for an entire epoch. I too am seeking this answer. If I haven't witnessed it before, then where did my 'Return to Truth' originate?"

A series of images, like flashes of lightning, continuously illuminated Li Fan's mind. Disregarding the intense pain in his mind, Li Fan strove to maintain inner composure, analyzing everything that had abruptly come to light. "Were these words truly spoken by me, or by 'Return to Truth'? No, absolutely not by 'Return to Truth'. Otherwise, why would it refer to 'my Return to Truth'?"

Previously, Li Fan had merely assumed that when he lost his memories, his body was under the control of 'Return to Truth'. Now, it appears... that might not be the case.