Chapter 1714: New God Descends Upon the World

Angry Squid:

This ephemeral emptiness is fundamentally different from being swallowed by the Void Realm.

When the Dao is eroded and consumed, the mountains and seas still largely exist. It's intermittent, like a tree gnawed and riddled with holes. As long as the great tree hasn't collapsed, the Sages, who can move freely within the mountains and seas, can use their abilities to evade the collapsing areas and maintain their own existence.

But the current emptiness of the mountains and seas is like a raging fire starting from the tree's roots. The roaring flames consume the mountains and seas from beginning to end; nothing can escape.

Even if the Sages hide within the Void Realm, it merely changes their location. Their myriad connections with the mountains and seas remain. This invisible fire will follow these obscure links and collectively bury the Sages!

"The battle for Divine Partition—the mountains and seas actually lost?"

Beyond their shock, a profound, instinctive fear arose in the hearts of the Sages.

This was a premonition of their impending demise.

With the mountains and seas gone, a new god would be crowned. Everything the mountains and seas had gained from the divine, and everything living beings had gained from the mountains and seas, would now return.

As long as one had not leaped beyond the mountains and seas, and the timeline was post-Divine Partition, escape from this calamity was impossible.

The Sages watched from afar as all the myriad forms spanning hundreds of billions of years across the mountains and seas seemed to transform into points of radiant light, flowing and converging towards the origin of the mountains and seas.

Initially, there was silence, but as the radiance continuously converged, it gradually formed into a mighty, surging tide.

Even when the Void Realm repeatedly lay across its path, the massive wave merely gently surged over it.

In the face of this unstoppable tide, the Sages also felt an irresistible pull, as if towards their ultimate destination, from the origin of the mountains and seas. Although they could temporarily steady themselves, fragments of their essence within their bodies were already beginning to uncontrollably dissipate.

Not just the beings of the mountains and seas.

The Void Realm, too, could not escape this transformation.

In the darkness, shadows seemed to constantly churn and surge. Lines of murky threads flew out from the Void Realm, swiftly heading towards the origin of the mountains and seas.

As if forcibly torn and extracted, a colossal roar and piercing grinding sounds emerged simultaneously.

"Even what was once swallowed by the Void Realm cannot escape. This..." "Who exactly is this Divine Partition Sage?"

Amidst this dramatic upheaval, Li Fan's attention was instead focused more on the mountain and sea slate.

The petrified mountains and seas, compared to their usual state, showed stronger resistance to this regression.

But not by much.

It persisted for nearly twice the time, but ultimately could not escape the fate of returning to the divine.

It was as if sharp, knife-like winds gradually smoothed away the undulating patterns on the slate. All the Dao principles Li Fan had previously comprehended from the mountain and sea slate were now swept up by the torrent, flowing towards the new god at the origin of the mountains and seas.

Ultimately, the so-called hard slate slowly transformed into countless grains of sand, vanishing from sight.

"Zhon... Hui Fellow Daoist, what was just said about returning to the Void Realm, I... am willing to try." At this critical juncture, Duan Chen spoke first.

The trend of returning to the divine intensified.

During the Sages' hesitation, not only had nearly a tenth of their very existence dissipated, but their forms also became unstable. They were like stirred ink, flowing uncontrollably towards the origin of the mountains and seas.

Even the Sages' ability to influence the outside world was rapidly dissipating. This manifested as their telepathic messages becoming sporadic and as faint as the buzzing of mosquitoes.

If Li Fan hadn't still been in his prime, he might well have overlooked them amidst this grand spectacle of the mountains and seas returning to the divine.

While the Sages faced calamity, Li Fan could still maintain his peak strength.

This was because the moment Li Fan perceived the anomaly, he enveloped himself in the "Truth-Falsehood Transformation."

Existing between truth and falsehood, even when facing the mighty trend of returning to the divine, he could remain seated, unmoving and at ease.

If the current mountains and seas were a great river perpetually surging eastward, then the alliance formed by Li Fan, Shouqiu, and Daode was merely a small boat on that river.

Though unable to halt the river's mighty current, it could temporarily manage to protect themselves. Li Fan momentarily ignored the Sages' calls and instead frowned, asking, "How does Shouqiu view this new god?"

"Though it has seized the fruit of the mountains and seas' Divine Partition..."

"I'm afraid it cannot be called a true god. At most, it's just a new cycle of mountains and seas," Shouqiu stated pointedly.

Li Fan couldn't help but smile, "At the very least, in the Palace of Dao's Return to Truth, all Dao are unmoved. At the very least, our 'Truth-Falsehood Transformation' remains as stable as Mount Tai."

"If we are like this, then it stands to reason there are others similar to us within the mountains and seas. Compared to that true god, it is still far inferior."

"There's even the Void Realm. Although the Void Realm, having swallowed the mountains and seas, was forced to spit them out, the Void Realm itself hasn't dissipated. Not to mention the stars. This new god will inevitably have to confront the Void Realm. In my opinion, it's just another cycle restarting, ultimately unable to escape the outcome of a lone star descending." Daode also nodded in agreement.

"However..." Shouqiu's expression suddenly turned solemn, as if he had foreseen something.

"Compared to the mountains and seas, this new god likely won't simply sit back and await destruction so easily. Once it finishes dealing with the old mountains and seas, what it will probably do is absorb remnants like us."

"No matter, by then, let him taste how formidable 'Huan Zhen' truly is!" Li Fan chuckled lightly.

Having awakened parts of his past memories, Li Fan had no doubt whatsoever that Huan Zhen could suppress this new god.

In countless past cycles of reincarnation, scenes like today's had also appeared.

But ultimately, Huan Zhen was always able to reset everything.

"Since Huan Zhen can return to the stars with a single thought, it can naturally also strip divinity with a single thought."

"Let us, then, ride the current towards the origin and observe the true face of that new god up close," Li Fan said, narrowing his eyes.

Shouqiu and Daode naturally agreed.

"As for the other Sages..."

In the divine returning torrent, the Sages could no longer maintain their forms.

Only distorted remnants remained, their faces unrecognizable, still shouting something at Li Fan.

However, their connection to reality grew increasingly tenuous, making it difficult even for Li Fan to hear them clearly. "However, their Dao foundation still exists."

"Rather than benefiting the new god, it's better to benefit me."

"Let them enter the Dao's Return to Truth!"

What was originally said about returning to the Void Realm was merely a deceptive delaying tactic. Now that the Sages had no power to resist, Li Fan no longer concealed himself, revealing his sharp fangs.

With a sweep of his sleeve, he gathered all the struggling remnants of the Sages into his possession.

Qie Ji, Gui Ming, Duan Chen, Ye Pan, Xing Cha...

On the Huan Zhen panel, lines of characters quietly appeared.

Some were already there and became clearer after this absorption. Others were new additions, further contributing to the Palace of Dao's Return to Truth.

As for what bewildered feelings or sensations the Sages might have, Li Fan naturally didn't care.

While savoring the essence of the Sages, he swiftly rode the divine returning torrent towards the origin of the mountains and seas.

Without the obstruction of the Void Realm and by aligning with the surging momentum, the speed was incredibly swift. In the blink of an eye, he had traversed one-fifth to one-sixth of the hundreds of billions of years.

However, as he drew closer to the new god, the destined return Li Fan perceived grew increasingly intense.

Even with the protection of the Truth-Falsehood Transformation, his own existence and Dao cultivation foundation gradually became unstable.

He could only huddle together with Shouqiu and Daode for warmth.

"The new god is being gestated. Even though we haven't seen its face, observing this momentum, we know it is extraordinary."

Daode and Shouqiu both spoke with deep emotion.

As a unified trinity, they instantly traversed another fifty billion years forward.

They drew even closer to the origin of the mountains and seas, where the new god resided.

With Li Fan's current comprehension of the Truth-Falsehood Transformation, it was ultimately difficult to continue holding onto the Zhou Hui Great Dao in the new god's presence. The winds of divine returning fate warped and distorted the Truth-Falsehood Transformation, as if it could break at any moment. "By this point, the outer shell of Zhou Hui is useless to me."

Li Fan no longer forced it, decisively abandoning the Zhou Hui Great Dao.

Streaks of golden light scattered within the surrounding torrent. Stripped of his outer shell, Li Fan immediately felt the pressure on himself greatly reduced.

The Truth-Falsehood Transformation no longer needed to maintain other things, only to protect Li Fan's consciousness.

Daode followed suit.

Only Shouqiu could still persevere.

As the helmsman of this small boat, he continued to lead them towards the new god's location.

"I noticed Fellow Daoist Fan seemed to be searching for something along the way. Is it those two white specks you saw hidden within the mountains and seas back then?" Shouqiu asked while navigating.

Li Fan nodded: "At the end of time, the mountains and seas succumbed to the Void Realm. Everything ceased to exist, save for two white specks that leaped out, demonstrating a resilience against the Void Realm's erosion that surpassed even the entirety of the mountains and seas. From this, the power of these two white specks is evident."

"However, they are extremely well-hidden. Aside from the ultimate outcome of the lone star's descent, I have never seen their faces in any other situation. Now that the mountains and seas are returning to the divine, the veil-like Void Realm has been swept away. This is the best time to observe them. But..."

Li Fan frowned slightly: "We've traversed most of the mountains and seas' existence, yet still haven't seen any trace of them. Strange..."

"At this moment, the mountains and seas haven't fully dissipated yet, so perhaps they can still hide. Let's observe further."

The closer they got to the origin of the mountains and seas, the faster the regression speed became.

Only the final ten billion years of travel remained to reach the new god's location.

Even Shouqiu had to abandon his own Dao path.

The three were left with only their shared consciousness of 'Concord and Virtue,' riding upon the small boat named 'Truth-Falsehood Transformation.'

"The true Lord of Longevity must have perished during the Divine Partition battle."

"For a while now, I've enjoyed the Great Dao of Longevity all to myself." "Compared to before, I've indeed had different insights. I just wonder if I can contend for this position of Lord of Longevity."

Shouqiu suddenly spoke.

"Hmm?" Hearing this, Li Fan suddenly felt a bit strange.

Because in the state of Concord and Virtue, he actually hadn't perceived Shouqiu's enlightenment.

It was only moments later that he understood.

Not only were the three's Dao paths affected, but even the effect of Concord and Virtue gradually faded as they drew closer to the origin of the mountains and seas.

Even after knowing each other for so long and experiencing so many things.

An instinctive sense of vigilance arose in Li Fan's heart.

Concord and Virtue had not yet completely failed, so Li Fan's thoughts were naturally perceived by Shouqiu and Daode.

They couldn't help but smile wryly, "Fellow Daoist Fan, you are truly... cautious."

"It seems only Concord and Virtue can truly put you at ease."

"However, caution ensures no major mistakes."

Li Fan felt no awkwardness facing their teasing.

"With Shouqiu's capabilities, becoming a mere Lord of Longevity will surely be effortless."

"Furthermore, this battle for Divine Partition, in the next age, we might not necessarily be unable to..."

As Li Fan was speaking, he suddenly stopped.

Just that instant, amidst their swift journey with the current, he caught a fleeting glimpse of a standing figure.

The small boat carrying Li Fan and the other two, accompanied by the mighty divine returning current, swiftly moved towards the origin of the mountains and seas.

Yet that figure seemed to stand immovably within the torrent. The two sides passed each other in an instant, and Li Fan could only get a vague impression.

"Just now..."

"That was one of the two white specks," Li Fan stated with certainty.

Appearance and physique could be disguised, but that unique aura was unchangeable.

"But it wasn't the one I first encountered in the boundless deep sea."

"Yet its power was equally unfathomable."

Li Fan, now within the divine returning torrent, naturally understood how terrifying the devouring power from the new god was at this moment.

Yet the figure he had just seen still exuded an air of calm indifference.

He seemed to feel a hint of surprise regarding Li Fan, a passerby who had brushed past him. Yet, he did not follow to investigate further.

Instead, he chose to continue lurking and observing.

"Shouqiu, were you able to clearly discern the other party's details?" As the effect of Concord and Virtue had weakened further, Li Fan proactively asked.

Shouqiu pondered for a moment, then slightly shook his head.

"Now that all Dao are returning to the divine, all Dao paths within the mountains and seas should inevitably be affected. But that figure was able to remain unharmed? Truly strange. Moreover..."

"Neither going nor leaving. It seems to be waiting for something."

"Waiting? Could it be..." Li Fan felt a stir in his heart, suddenly looking up and gazing forward.

The last ten billion years of time abruptly passed.

Upon reaching this point, their speed suddenly slowed.

Like a hundred rivers converging, the essence of life from all eras of the mountains and seas gathered here, forming a dazzling yet eerie vortex.

Still, yet revolving. Devouring, yet ejecting.

Converging, yet erupting.

Filled with numerous contradictions, yet due to the presence at the center of the vortex, all mutually exclusive existences were able to coexist.

It wasn't an active attempt to spy.

Rather, the moment he saw this colossal vortex, the figure of the god actively leaped into his vision.

Subsequently, his consciousness was churned violently, torn into countless fragments.

All other consciousness ceased to exist; only the god's figure continuously echoed.

Li Fan had never imagined that even a new god merely replacing the mountains and seas, even a new god still in gestation...

...its might would be so terrifying.

Even with the protection of the Truth-Falsehood Transformation, even with the three Sages relying on their unity of purpose.

Under the reflection of the god's silhouette, his consciousness was easily shattered.

He had almost no power to resist.

The small boat capsized, falling into the massive vortex.

Along with all things from the mountains and seas, it slowly converged towards the new god at the center.

After an unknown period of unconsciousness, Li Fan gradually regained clarity.

Vaguely recalling what had just happened, and then observing his current predicament, he couldn't help but be utterly horrified.

Although he seemed to have been unconscious for a long time, he hadn't moved significantly closer to the god.

The new god's speed in assimilating the essence of the entire mountains and seas did not seem particularly fast.

Li Fan had only moved slightly closer within the vortex.

The reason he had awakened...

...was because Daode had sacrificed himself, using his remaining consciousness as nourishment. Coupled with Shouqiu's continued nurturing, this was what awakened Li Fan.

"Fellow Daoist Fan, observe the new god ahead."

"It seems its state is somewhat off."

Shouqiu's weak voice reached him, and Li Fan's heart stirred. He couldn't help but look in that direction.