Chapter 1711: Sudden Enlightenment of the Salvation Method

**Angry Squid**

"After the destruction of Shan Hai, only accumulated true spirits remained in the Void Realm. As we crossed against the current, we all witnessed the vast, boundless, and endless quantity of these true spirits."

"This is merely an insignificant fraction from one long cycle of Shan Hai's existence. What about the accumulation from hundreds, thousands, or even tens of thousands of cycles?"

"It would probably be unimaginable, akin to infinity!" Morality slowly voiced his conjecture.

Li Fan instantly recalled his previous life, where he remained conscious for a period after activating the Return to True state. He then noticed that his infinite spiritual essence seemed to be continuously consumed during this process. He instinctively retorted, "The reappearance of Shan Hai requires true spirits as a medium. These accumulated true spirits are likely used to reshape Shan Hai when the Return to True is activated. My previous experience is the best proof!"

Facing Li Fan's confident assertion, Shou Qiu and Morality pondered in silence for a moment. Then, as if reaching the same conclusion, they smiled wordlessly.

"What are you two laughing at?" Li Fan was initially puzzled, but after sensing their thoughts, his expression also turned somewhat strange.

Even though Li Fan already knew, Shou Qiu still shook his head and said, "Fellow Daoist Fan, the reason you feel your true spirits are being consumed is because you became increasingly fatigued during the crossing."

"Then, is it possible..."

"Besides the weakness caused by extraction, could absorbing a vast quantity of Shan Hai's accumulated true spirits, beyond your body's limits, also produce a similar sensation?" Both Shou Qiu and Morality stared at Li Fan.

"Otherwise, with your foundation of infinite true spirits, if they were truly depleted, how could you recover so easily?"

"Furthermore, the True-False Grand Dao and divine powers are supreme. Why would reshaping Shan Hai require borrowing these so-called accumulated true spirits?"

"When the Solitary Star descends, it will inevitably engulf all things. Even the Void Realm and accumulated true spirits are no exception. The process of activating Return to True and crossing to the end of time is also a journey of collecting true spirits. With your current strength, invisibly receiving such a vast quantity of true spirits in a short time would surely be unbearable."

Li Fan instinctively frowned and retorted, "Absurd! How could I not distinguish between being overfed and starving to death! As for the True-False Grand Dao..."

His words trailed off. Li Fan surprisingly found some truth in what they said.

However, due to his innate suspicion, Li Fan quickly dismissed this sense of agreement.

Squinting his eyes, Li Fan scrutinized Shou Qiu and Morality, and a subtle realization dawned on him. Because the Li Fan of the past was essentially the same person as himself, Shou Qiu and Morality, being of one mind with him, did not view him as an "outsider." Coupled with the nobility he had displayed, Shou Qiu and Morality always conjectured all of past Li Fan's actions with the utmost benevolence.

This aspect, however, was diametrically opposed to Li Fan himself.

Having come to this realization, Li Fan chose not to continue the debate.

"This matter isn't difficult to verify. The next time I activate the Return to True, I'll simply keep my eyes wide open and observe."

"In this life, I have undergone the baptism of the Three Sages for hundreds of billions of years and witnessed countless cycles of Shan Hai. My endurance has also reached a new level. I will certainly not be muddled and confused as I was in my previous life," Li Fan said deeply.

Shou Qiu and Morality both nodded.

The three of them tacitly moved on, no longer dwelling on the matter.

"So, let's talk about 'saving the world by first saving oneself.'"

These five words were clearly a message from past Li Fan to his present self.

There was no profound mystery; it was simply the literal meaning.

If you want to save Shan Hai, then save yourself first.

"In the past, Fellow Daoist Fan was deeply concerned about Shan Hai. In his efforts to save the world, when faced with choices between himself and Shan Hai, he often leaned more towards Shan Hai."

"It is said that one's nature is hard to change. Given his noble character, even through countless reincarnations, there are likely some things he would never do. This has led to Shan Hai undergoing countless cycles, but not all possibilities. Perhaps the vital opportunity lies with Fellow Daoist Fan now!" commented Lord Shou Qiu.

"No matter how one tries to turn the tide, the descent of the Solitary Star cannot ultimately be stopped. To save Shan Hai, one must contend with the star, and even defeat it."

"But..."

After a long period of silent contemplation, Morality continued, "To contend with the star while simultaneously maintaining the existence of Shan Hai might itself be an impossible task."

"Shan Hai fragmented, and then returned to the star. We cultivators, in turn, originated from Shan Hai. To escape our origin, to save Shan Hai while simultaneously contending with the star... even true gods back then probably couldn't achieve that."

Morality's words gave Li Fan an inspiration.

Like a bolt of lightning, a realization struck him: "Shan Hai and the star, one wanes as the other waxes. To prevent Shan Hai from returning to the star, either return to the very beginning of its fragmentation and replace it, or..."

"Before the star engulfs Shan Hai, take the initiative and bring Shan Hai into your own possession."

"Shan Hai is gone, but I remain. Then, I face the star."

"This is what is meant by 'saving the world by first saving oneself'?" A strange light flickered in Li Fan's eyes.

Faintly perceiving the countless fleeting images in Li Fan's mind, along with his surging emotions, Shou Qiu and Morality neither voiced agreement nor opposition.

They merely remained silent.

Leaving aside whether he could truly contend with the star even after engulfing Shan Hai,

Even if Li Fan truly won...

After accomplishing all this—engulfing Shan Hai and destroying the Solitary Star—what Li Fan would ultimately become was entirely beyond imagination.

And how could one be sure that he would still choose to 'save the world' in the end?

It was immeasurable and unknowable.

It was also helpless.

Yet, after countless failed attempts across countless cycles, it was the only path left when all others had failed.

At this moment, Shou Qiu and Morality could vaguely sense the profound struggle Li Fan must have experienced when making such a choice. Li Fan, naturally, could perceive the thoughts in the other two's minds.

He chuckled derisively, "You two are thinking much further ahead than I am. To swallow mountains and consume seas, to snatch food from the star's maw—how could that be so easy to achieve?"

"Forget the star. I can't even get past the Three Sages, or the Sages from the beginning of Shan Hai, right now. Do you think if I claim to save the world while enacting this engulfing act, they'll simply resign themselves to fate? That only Li Fan can do it, but I cannot?"

"In the end, it still comes down to one's cultivation level."

It must be said, Li Fan's words were highly reasonable.

Shou Qiu and Morality pondered again carefully, then came to a realization and sighed, "It is because we observed the past actions of Fellow Daoist Fan and spontaneously recognized him in our hearts as the sole savior of Shan Hai. We believe unconditionally that even if you were to undertake the act of swallowing mountains and seas, we would still support you."

"As for others, they would indeed not be like us."

"Unless..."

"All beings in Shan Hai are brought into the Xuanji Ring, sharing in the unity of mind and virtue!" Shou Qiu suddenly blurted out.

Even Li Fan's heart skipped a beat the moment he heard this.

Given his personality, it was utterly impossible for him to share his inner thoughts with others.

But by a fortunate coincidence, he had had a first attempt.

Only after tasting the benefits and realizing there was no harm to himself did he repeatedly engage in it.

However, the unity of mind among the three was already the limit Li Fan could currently accept.

As for Shou Qiu's idea of opening his heart to all beings in Shan Hai, Li Fan had never even considered it.

"Isn't Fellow Daoist Shou Qiu a bit too extreme?"

"There are billions of living beings; the variables are simply too many," Li Fan said in a muffled voice. Shou Qiu, however, did not give up his idea; the more he thought about it, the brighter his eyes became.

"The nobler one's character, the more one can perceive the greatness of past Fellow Daoist Fan. I believe that even ordinary beings within Shan Hai, after experiencing everything that happened in the past Shan Hai, should be able to understand and then make the right choice. As for those who remain stubbornly unyielding..."

"They cannot obstruct the great trend!"

Morality also added emphatically, "Upon careful consideration, it is indeed feasible!"

Shou Qiu further said, "If not for the constraints of the Three Sages' Xuanji Ring, how would the Sages of Shan Hai have united their efforts? Our plan is merely to emulate the story of the Three Sages. However, the ring of unity we wish to create would be far grander in scale than the Xuanji Ring. Our hopes and aspirations also far surpass those of the Three Sages!"

"If there isn't a larger ring of unity encompassing Shan Hai, how will all beings of Shan Hai unite their hearts for their own survival?"

Shou Qiu and Morality looked at Li Fan with fervent gazes.

Their eyes were filled with undisguised fanaticism.

Li Fan naturally knew that this fanaticism wasn't directed at him.

Instead, under the influence of their unity of mind and virtue, it was for the past sagely savior.

"In a sense, the actions of my past self infinitely approached the ideal self in the minds of Shou Qiu and Morality. Though they couldn't fully reach it, their hearts yearned for it. Under the influence of the Xuanji Ring, they experienced it empathetically. Naturally, they would give it infinite more approval."

The short-term change in Shou Qiu and Morality was truly bizarre.

Yet, it was also within reason.

Fundamentally, it was because that past Li Fan was simply too powerful. His actions were too legendary. Even after his death and the fading of his thoughts, his past deeds alone could command and influence the Sages.

"But so what?"

"The survival of Shan Hai still depends on me now," Li Fan scoffed inwardly.

"Upon careful reflection, Shou Qiu and Morality's plan might indeed be feasible. However, it requires long-term planning."

"The Grand Dao Return to True Hall, stealing opportunities, searching, the unique fortune of Shan Hai..."

Thousands of thoughts churned and evolved in Li Fan's mind.

The Sages were collaborating closely, striving to reunite and save Shan Hai from the oppressive threat of the Void Realm army.

They were completely unaware, however, that three Sages within their own ranks—and crucially important ones at that—had quietly undergone a transformation.

Although he subtly had a plan, Li Fan dared not reveal a single detail.

He knew very well that unless he exposed his inner thoughts and plans through the means of shared mind and virtue, he would immediately become a public enemy of Shan Hai!

The countless accumulated memories of his past self would also become treasures in the eyes of others.

His strength was still far from sufficient to execute the plan; he needed to continue to lie low.

"However, perhaps I can start considering adding more individuals to the 'unity of mind and virtue' group."

After witnessing the transformation of Shou Qiu and Morality, Li Fan then looked thoughtfully at Mo Yongge, who had not yet become a Sage, standing beside him.

"Choosing people must be done with extreme caution."

"The minimum requirement is to have a spontaneous concern for Shan Hai, like Shou Qiu and Morality."

"Ideally, they should be individuals who have fought alongside my past self and whose character has been proven."

Considering all aspects, Mo Yongge was undoubtedly an extremely suitable candidate.

For Mo Yongge to leave a vague memory with Li Fan, she was naturally not simple.

She could be said to have been Li Fan's loyal follower and comrade-in-arms, never abandoning him in life or death. She attained enlightenment through song, her ethereal voice reverberating through the shattered Shan Hai, inspiring and encouraging Dao hearts. This allowed the Sages, even in despair, to never give up and fight valiantly.

Although Mo Yongge had not yet become a Sage, with Li Fan's assistance, it was already a foregone conclusion.

"The only trouble is that the principle of unity of mind and virtue originates from the Three Sages' Xuanji Ring."

"Those truly of one mind are only the initial Three Sages. Other newcomers, at most, are only subtly influenced."

"The Three Sages can be one with each other. But with other beings in Shan Hai, there's a natural gap, so true unity of mind and virtue is impossible. I, however, am different."

"To be absolutely foolproof, only those chosen must truly be of one mind with me!"

A cold glint flashed in Li Fan's eyes.

"The Xuanji Ring is profoundly mysterious. Deciphering it originally was already incredibly difficult. Now, to change its structure on that foundation..."

"It cannot be done without comprehending its principles."

Li Fan was not clouded by the influence of his past self.

He still had a very clear understanding of his own strength.

"With my current understanding of the Xuanji Ring, even with Shou Qiu and Morality assisting, it might not be possible to add another person to the Xuanji Ring."

"He who tied the bell must untie it. To achieve my goal, I still have to rely on the Three Sages."

"But how should I subtly push them?"

Li Fan looked at Shan Hai, where the situation grew increasingly perilous under the shroud of Void Realm clouds. A rough idea immediately formed in his mind.

"But I must not be hasty, lest I reveal any clues."

"Compared to my past self, the number of reincarnations I've experienced is negligible. I can afford to plan slowly." Once he understood the truth about Return to True, his worry that it might leave him at any moment also vanished.

He could also plan everything more securely.

Knowledge and action united.

What Li Fan did was precisely what he thought.

Within Shan Hai, he continued to seek out Sages to enlighten.

Besides the three from the Sage Dynasty, he found two more promising talents.

He spared no true spirits, doing his utmost to infuse them.

In fact, compared to his past perfunctory efforts, Li Fan was now even more serious and attentive.

Because, in his view, these newly ascended Sages were very likely to be his future allies.

While infusing true spirits, Li Fan was also contemplating the so-called true spirits he was mobilizing.

With the memories of his past self, his understanding of them was quietly changing.

"Accumulated true spirits are the remnants after the destruction of Shan Hai."

"And Shan Hai originated from a god."

"In a sense, this is also the fundamental reason why humans can become immortals and Sages."

"Accumulated true spirits are fundamentally no different from the innate true spirits of living beings."

"In other words, the calamity of Dao Annihilation in the Void Realm has no effect on the true spirits themselves."

"Only when the Solitary Star manifests can it erase them."

"However, are they truly erased, or are they absorbed?"

Li Fan recalled the scene he witnessed back then, pondering secretly.

He once had the idea of releasing all the true spirits stored within his body.

However, upon sensing this instantly, Return to True displayed an unprecedented warning.

"Theoretically, even if Shan Hai collapses, it can be restored with a single thought through the transformation of True and False."

"Which means..."

"A flood of true spirits could even influence Return to True's reshaping of Shan Hai?"