Chapter 718: End of the Labyrinth

All of this, of course, was merely Li Fan’s speculation.

Li Fan’s understanding of the reversal of cosmic principles and the struggle for immortality was currently too shallow. He could only analyze and judge based on the different historical evolutionary paths he had experienced in the Xuang Huang Realm, glimpsing their superficial appearances without grasping their true essence.

Perhaps only when he truly reached the realm of reversing principles would he be able to fully comprehend what had transpired in the Xuang Huang Realm during this period.

While Li Fan was deep in thought, Huangfu and Dongfang managed to reach a consensus in their dispute.

They agreed that one should not act recklessly simply because of the Underworld Palace’s resurrection methods; it was still necessary to cherish one’s own life. However, if resources were abundant, it wouldn’t hurt to purchase treasures like Soul Purifying Pills or Rebirth Edicts as a last resort. After all, life and death were unpredictable, and no one could guarantee they wouldn’t suddenly perish. It was always better to be prepared.

“The resurrected cultivators appearing now are still very few,” Huangfu Song mused. “I truly wonder what kind of impact it will have on the Xuang Huang Realm eighteen years from now, when large numbers of fallen cultivators are reborn.”

“I don't know what it will be like in the future,” Dongfang Yao scoffed, watching another Samantabhadra True Vessel swiftly fly past them. “But it's clear the day the White Mist Barrier is fully explored is not far off!”

“Brother Li, if you want to exchange for that Doomsday Stone Disk, you’ll need to be quicker,” he reminded.

“Almost,” Li Fan nodded. “Just one more mystic realm, and I'll have a hundred thousand Azure Profound Points.” He carefully distinguished the sounds coming from deep within the white mist, continuously adjusting their direction.

As they journeyed deeper into the white mist, Li Fan once again caught the "Sound of Heavenly Doctor" that day.

This time, however, the sound was somewhat strange compared to usual. It was as if something was interfering with or distorting its transmission; to Li Fan’s ears, it barely resembled the "Heavenly Doctor" at all. If he hadn't spent so much time traversing mystic realms and hearing the "Heavenly Doctor’s" wails countless times, Li Fan would hardly have been able to distinguish it.

After a moment of contemplation, Li Fan did not act rashly.

Seeing Li Fan stop, Huangfu and Dongfang quickly inquired about the reason.

After his explanation, Huangfu and Dongfang said in unison, “We brothers have braved countless storms; there's no need to fear any danger. Besides, we can still be resurrected now, can’t we? Brother Li, don't worry, let's just go for it.”

It seemed that although they verbally acknowledged the peculiarity of resurrection and the need for caution, their actual psychological state had become much more confident.

After all, resurrection was now an option!

Li Fan showed a faint smile.

“Alright, since both of you brothers put it that way, we shall venture into this mystic realm,” Li Fan stated solemnly, immediately piloting the flying vessel rapidly towards the source of the distorted sound.

After an unknown period, as if crossing an indistinguishable boundary, the Samantabhadra True Vessel suddenly stopped without any warning.

“What's wrong, Brother Li?” Huangfu and Dongfang exchanged surprised glances with Li Fan.

“It wasn't me,” Li Fan explained.

The three exchanged glances, their expressions involuntarily turning serious.

Their spiritual senses swept the surroundings, but found no abnormalities around the flying vessel.

Yet, they couldn't find the reason for its sudden stop.

Li Fan thought for a moment, took out a Black Death Talisman to protect himself, and flew straight out of the Samantabhadra True Vessel.

He intended to circle it and see with his own eyes what was outside.

He found nothing above, in front, behind, or to either side.

However, when Li Fan flew to the underside of the vessel, the sight immediately made his pupils contract.

Long, black, viscous objects, like tentacles, extended from the white mist below, their ends adhering to the bottom of the Samantabhadra True Vessel.

This unknown black substance seemed alive, emitting a "rustling" sound as it slowly writhed and expanded outwards.

Li Fan could almost hear the sound of them "crawling" along the bottom of the vessel.

“What is this…?”

His spiritual sense was completely unable to detect it; he could only discern it with his physical eyes.

Li Fan flicked his finger, conjuring a ball of flame, attempting to burn off the black tentacles stuck to the vessel.

However, he was astonished to find that the flames seemed to exist in a different space from them; no matter how intense the conjured fire, it had not the slightest effect on the black tentacles.

Li Fan then unleashed a sword qi, with the same result. It was as if they didn't exist at all; the sword light passed directly through the black tentacles and flew into the distance.

Yet, the viscous black substance remained stubbornly adhered to the vessel, showing no signs of breaking.

When Li Fan didn't return for a long time, and spiritual energy fluctuations emanated, Huangfu and Dongfang became restless. They both flew out of the vessel and also witnessed the bizarre scene.

They tried various methods, but still could not sever the black tentacles.

“We'll have to follow it downwards and see where it comes from,” Huangfu Song suggested.

As he spoke, he took out a Heaven-Measuring Mirror and placed it above his head.

“As expected, we’ve entered a new mystic realm that no one else has yet ventured into,” he said, a hint of joy in his voice.

“We have three more Samantabhadra True Vessels as backup,” Dongfang Yao suggested, “but it’s best not to take them out until we figure out what this thing is. Otherwise, if they get entangled again, we might have to fly out of the white mist with just our physical bodies.”

Li Fan, however, reassured them: “No worries, I have plenty of Black Death Talismans. Even without the Samantabhadra True Vessels, relying entirely on the talismans' protection will be enough for us to return safely.”

Upon hearing this, Huangfu and Dongfang both praised him, saying, “Brother Li always handles things properly.”

With no further worries, the three immediately decided to follow the long black tentacles downwards and explore.

Their flight was not fast, but the viscous black substance was unexpectedly long; it took them a full quarter of an hour to find its source.

Faced with the scene before them, all three were rendered speechless.

A gigantic black sphere, like a tumor, hung silently in the air.

It was also formed from countless black, viscous substances.

Hundreds of tentacles shot out from the fleshy sphere, flying in different directions into the white mist, seemingly adhering to various unknown things.

At first glance, it resembled a colossal black net suspended in the air, cradling the circular black sphere in its center.

“Can you detect its presence with spiritual sense?” Huangfu Song asked via spiritual transmission, his expression somewhat tense.

Li Fan closed his eyes; in his perception, the space ahead was completely empty, nothing existed. Opening his eyes, the black sphere reappeared before him.

“No,” Li Fan shook his head slightly, his expression serious.

“Forget it, let's not disturb this thing,” Dongfang Yao, who was usually daring, suggested, feeling a shiver of apprehension from the bizarre scene. “We'll explore this mystic realm and then withdraw.”

Li Fan gazed at the black sphere for a long time, then nodded slightly.

Anything capable of blocking spiritual sense detection was certainly no ordinary object.

Better safe than sorry.