Chapter 766: Still Unwilling

Angry Squid:

"This feeling?" Xu Bai couldn't help but narrow his eyes.

Having to create avatars in every life, he had long been accustomed to multitasking. But at this moment, with the creation of this new Sacred Embryo, which was almost equivalent to a third avatar, a completely different feeling emerged in Xu Bai's heart.

The Profound Spiritual Transformation was derived from the "Art of Stealing Heaven and Replacing Sun" as its fundamental blueprint. It could be said to be the most orthodox avatar technique in the cultivation world. Both the main body and the avatar were completely controlled by his own consciousness.

In contrast, there was the Sacred Blood Transmutation Method. Before the Sacred Embryo separated from the main body, it was indeed like a part of himself, controllable at will. However, ever since it detached from him, a subtle change seemed to have occurred. True, a separate consciousness was indeed divided and resided within the Sacred Embryo. He still had complete control over the Sacred Embryo. But... he just felt something was off.

The Sacred Embryo turned around, its eyes meeting Xu Bai's. It was as if a mirror lay between them; except for one being clothed and the other naked. Outwardly, there was no difference between the two. But Xu Bai gazed for a long time, always feeling a certain discord between them.

He suddenly remembered a scene from a horror movie he had watched before his transmigration. Late at night, in a bathroom. After finishing his ablutions, he inadvertently caught sight of his other self in the mirror. To his horror, the reflection in the mirror suddenly flashed a sinister smile at him.

The thought vanished as quickly as it appeared. In reality, the Sacred Embryo didn't lose control or inexplicably smile at him. However, looking at the Sacred Embryo before him, an idea suddenly sprang into Xu Bai's mind.

If the main body, Li Fan, were to perish, then without a doubt, the avatar Xu Bai would also die. But what about this Sacred Embryo? Would it also die? The purpose of the Sacred Blood Transmutation Method was to ensure the eternal continuation of the Imperial Family's lineage. So the answer was obvious. No, it wouldn't.

"This is the fundamental difference between the Sacred Embryo and an avatar," Xu Bai realized with a start. "What Little Qing said about it being 'almost identical to an avatar'... was only 'almost.'"

As he grasped this point, far away in Tianquan State, the main body Li Fan, who was in secluded cultivation comprehending the Limitless Flux Method, instantly ceased his actions. Recalling the entire duration of the avatar's journey in the Empire, an unreadable expression surfaced on his face. "Interesting. It seems it still couldn't avoid being influenced somehow."

Looking back, from the main body's perspective, Xu Bai's choice seemed a little too rash. Of course, this was still Li Fan's autonomous decision. However, being in different situations and environments, even the same person could very likely make completely opposite choices. What happened to Xu Bai was precisely this. If the main body had personally experienced this, facing the red cord and the Sacred Blood Transmutation, he would undoubtedly have investigated the red cord first, instead of proceeding with the Sacred Blood Transmutation. Although he did have the intention of using the Sacred Blood Transmutation to create another avatar, he wouldn't have been so eager. Instead, he would have proceeded with extreme caution.

Li Fan, who had instantly clarified everything in his mind, still didn't feel a sense of crisis. However, he still felt a faint sense of unease. After much deliberation, he couldn't help but entertain the idea of immediately activating "Return to True."

"Virtualize current scenario, return to initial anchor point?"

The surrounding scenery gradually became ethereal, facing the "Return to True" prompt. Yet, a trace of hesitation arose in Li Fan's heart. He thought of the hard-won Limitless Spiritual Void Method, which was not yet fully deciphered. He thought of the Dissociation Disc, which had not yet been fully integrated. He thought of not yet finding a way to completely block the perception of the Heavenly Profound Treasure Mirror using the End Stone Disc. He thought of not yet having controlled the True Medicine King Cauldron to break out of the Profound Yellow Realm and explore the Immortal Ruins. He thought of... if he were to leave, he would truly be reluctant.

Remaining still for a long time, Li Fan was like a stone sculpture, completely motionless. With a fierce mental struggle constantly raging in his mind, Li Fan's body began to tremble slightly.

"Virtualize current scenario, return to initial anchor point?"

The "Return to True" prompt came again. Li Fan's expression flickered erratically. Ultimately, however, he chose no. In an instant, the previously virtualized scenery became real once more. Li Fan, having made this choice, felt as if he had just endured a fierce battle. He almost collapsed, his body drenched in sweat.

Yet, his body's instincts made Li Fan dissatisfied with the decision he had made. Without resting for long, having gained only a slight moment of respite, Li Fan reopened the "Return to True" panel.

"Virtualize current scenario, return to initial anchor point?"

The "Return to True" prompt still reliably echoed. But to Li Fan's ears, it was no longer so pleasant. Humans do everything driven by desire. At this moment, Li Fan, opening the "Return to True" panel for the second time, found his desire "to return to true" had weakened slightly compared to before. All sorts of hesitant, worried, and reluctant thoughts flooded in. This time, he struggled for even less time. Li Fan ultimately closed the "Return to True" panel again.

Huuu... It was as if all his strength had vanished in an instant. Li Fan simply collapsed onto the ground, panting heavily. After a long while, his hands barely managed to support his body as an unreadable emotion flickered in Li Fan's eyes.

He began his third attempt. The result was evident. This time, his decision-making speed was even quicker. In just a few breaths, he closed the "Return to True" panel.

"Profound Yellow Immortal Heart Incantation..."

For the fourth time, Li Fan silently activated this supreme immortal art that had repeatedly saved him from danger. However, even with the Immortal Heart Incantation active, the moment he opened the "Return to True" panel, before the numerous entanglements could even interfere, he voluntarily exited. The Immortal Heart Incantation was formed by going against a cultivator's Dao Heart. Now, Li Fan wanted to "Return to True" to avoid disaster. Under the operation of the Immortal Heart Incantation, the thought of "Return to True" instantly transformed into nourishment for strengthening his spiritual sense.

Li Fan, having failed yet again, stood in the secret chamber, silent for a long time. This time, Li Fan no longer struggled. Instead, he closed his eyes and began to think calmly. At this very moment, Li Fan faced the most perilous situation he had encountered since his transmigration. Because he had laid out plans for this life for a long time, and it was not yet time for harvest, various feelings of "reluctance to part" arose. Under the influence of some power, these emotions were magnified to the extreme, making him autonomously unwilling to "Return to True."

Even at this moment, Li Fan still felt there was nothing wrong with himself. He just felt a little too greedy. But ultimately, Li Fan valued his life. With his steadfast obsession for longevity, he also realized that if he couldn't "Return to True," then in this perilous Profound Yellow Realm, he would truly be at risk of perishing at any moment, never to recover.

(End of Chapter)