**Angry Squid**
Although Sacred Embryo Xu Bai had already departed, Avatar Xu Bai remained immersed in the process by which the former achieved Golden Core perfection in just half a day.
"No wonder the avatar's cultivation talent is so terrifying, simply by having been touched by a trace of Mr. Bai's divine essence."
"My will is Heaven's will, my heart is Heaven's heart," Xu Bai whispered to himself again, a sudden realization dawning upon him.
"Mr. Bai is likely an existence similar to an incarnation of the Heavenly Dao. If not for the restraints of the New Law, it probably wouldn't be difficult for him to instantly transform into a deity in a single step."
With the help of memories transmitted from Sacred Embryo Xu Bai, the avatar was able to fully comprehend what it truly meant to achieve "unity of Heaven and Man."
Currently, the relationship between the main body Li Fan, Avatar Xu Bai, and Sacred Embryo Xu Bai is somewhat mysterious. Although they are all currently governed by the same consciousness, their three bodies possess differing aptitudes. Therefore, even when perceiving the same things, they develop different insights.
Avatar Xu Bai's talent far surpasses Li Fan's. And Sacred Embryo Xu Bai, in turn, is far superior to Avatar Xu Bai.
Furthermore, from the moment it separated from the main body, Sacred Embryo Xu Bai was subjected to a more severe form of "contamination." Unconsciously, its actions would sometimes extend beyond its control. It's akin to inexplicably falling while walking; it must be due to the influence of some external force. However, the current Xu Bai, whether the avatar or the sacred embryo, remains completely unaware of and unable to resist the external force causing this phenomenon. They can only silently allow the changes to occur within themselves.
The only certainty is that, although the ultimate outcome is predestined and cannot be defied, Sacred Embryo Xu Bai has not yet developed its own independent consciousness. Its actions and demeanor are still under Li Fan's control.
This is also why Li Fan, after realizing he was already influenced by Mr. Bai and could no longer actively revert to his true self, took the initiative to foster the sacred embryo's birth. Since it could no longer be stopped, it was better to proactively facilitate it and seize control of the initiative himself. Furthermore, he could subtly plant a hidden trap for the other party during this process.
For example, if Mr. Bai were to awaken independently, after gaining Li Fan's memories, he might attempt to use his own essence as a foundation, thereby breaking free from the shackles of inherited teachings and forging a completely new path of cultivation. If this path is theoretically feasible, then Mr. Bai is undoubtedly the one most likely to achieve it. But Li Fan deliberately prevented him from doing so. Instead, he manipulated Sacred Embryo Xu Bai to establish its foundation with the Sword of Heavenly Will, thus still following the path of the New Law.
"After Mr. Bai's revival, he might just have a conflict with the Inherited Teachings. This is a good way to add some difficulty for him."
Li Fan harbored no goodwill towards this being who sought to be reborn through his body.
However, it's more probable that once the other party's consciousness awakens, the first thing it will likely do is find Li Fan's main body and seize the "Return to True" artifact. After all, it possesses all of Li Fan's memories. At that point, Li Fan would truly be like a lamb to the slaughter, powerless to resist.
"I must make all necessary preparations before then. There isn't much time left for me."
Xu Bai's expression became unusually solemn. Given Sacred Embryo Xu Bai's cultivation speed, by the time Mr. Bai finally awakens, his cultivation will undoubtedly far exceed Li Fan's. Furthermore, he synchronizes with Li Fan's memories, giving him complete knowledge of all Li Fan's prior arrangements. Under such circumstances, escaping from the other party's grasp would be virtually impossible.
The only possible chance of survival lies in the "Return to True" artifact's avatar function.
"Though dead, still existing; true spirit undying. Transforming the body into an object, traversing through eternity."
"Little Junior Brother Tianyang, whether I can escape this calamity now depends entirely on you. If there truly is a next life, I will certainly treat you well!" Xu Bai thought to himself.
After activating the avatar function, one can abandon their physical body and entrust their true spirit to an object. Once the duration reaches its limit, the "Return to True" ability can be automatically activated. This was the only method Li Fan could conceive of to currently escape Mr. Bai's mental control.
However, if he were to easily transform his body into an object now, then after Mr. Bai's will awakens, he would also possess memories of Li Fan's transformed object, and there would still be a high probability of him locating Li Fan's possessed location. At that point, Li Fan's fate would likely be even more tragic.
"To deceive Mr. Bai, I must first deceive myself. Before activating the avatar function, the target must remain completely uncertain. Concurrently, I must also use the 'Chaos Word Art' to interfere with it."
Xu Bai's mind raced, devising a strategy to break free from the predicament.
Seven days later.
Xu Bai left the secret chamber and first returned to Tianliang City, where he resigned from his position as Liaison Envoy. This decision immediately left Nangong Shirong astonished.
"If you have any dissatisfaction, you can speak directly. Why abandon your duties? Are you perhaps displeased with your low rank? I can promote you. The merits you've accumulated over the years are more than enough to silence any detractors," he quickly urged.
Xu Bai shook his head slightly. "Thank you for your great kindness, my lord. It's just that the day before, I suddenly had a revelation. I realized that while worldly affairs are busy, they are of no great use to my true self. No matter how high the official position or how abundant the resources, if one does not focus on cultivation itself, they are useless. Rather, they become a burden to oneself."
Xu Bai adopted an air of having seen through worldly affairs, and combined with his ethereal and peerless appearance, he truly convinced Nangong Shirong.
"It's truly a pity. In a few decades or a century, when I'm promoted to the Immortal Alliance Headquarters, Tianliang Prefecture was ultimately destined to be handed over to you. Among all my subordinates, you are the most dependable." Realizing Xu Bai's mind was set and that he wasn't merely putting on an act, Nangong Shirong shook his head slightly, sighing repeatedly as he attempted one last appeal.
After Xu Bai's merciless refusal, he said, "Tianliang Prefecture will always have a place for you. Should you change your mind in the future, you can always come back to me."
"Then, I thank you in advance, my lord!" Xu Bai bowed and drifted away gracefully.
Nangong Shirong, meanwhile, watched his retreating back, his face filled with confusion.
Xu Bai's resignation indeed caused quite a stir. After all, positions within the Myriad Immortal Alliance were like "one radish, one pit" – each unique and highly coveted. The sudden vacancy of a lucrative post like Liaison Envoy naturally drew various factions into a scramble for it.
However, an event soon occurred that easily overshadowed the commotion caused by Xu Bai's resignation. During the Immortal Alliance cultivators' campaign to conquer smaller worlds, a significant and unexpected turn of events finally occurred. The Taiyan Sect, a famously renowned ancient immortal sect, not only had not perished, but was also thriving within a certain minor world. After a team of Myriad Immortal Alliance cultivators intruded, they were easily defeated by the sect. However, the Taiyan Sect did not harm anyone; they simply released them all.
There will be two more regular updates tonight.
[3 minutes ago] Chapter 916: Noble Lords, Endless Yellow Sand (8)
[4 minutes ago] Chapter 741: Stage Battle
[5 minutes ago] Chapter 818: Majestic Five Caves of Heaven
[7 minutes ago] Chapter 1150: Fish Drying
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