Chapter 781: Uncertain Heart Trouble

"If 'The Real' initiates a rewind, it requires pre-established anchor points. All three current anchor points are set before Mr. Bai's resurrection.""Even if he could truly seize 'The Real' from me, he wouldn't be able to return to an era where he didn't exist.""Any new anchor points he could use would necessarily be set after he acquires 'The Real'.""Therefore, all I need to do is spread the news of 'The Real''s existence throughout the world before I die. That would count as successful revenge."

Xu Bai imagined the scene after his death while creating his "last will." It had been a long time since he had felt this way. Ever since he awakened "The Real" while on the brink of death in his first life, he had not thought about the day his own death would arrive. Perhaps because it hadn't truly arrived, there was little fear in his heart. Instead, his emotions were a mix of feelings, even containing a hint of fantasy that he had narrowly escaped a calamity. His disquiet was simply due to the uncertainty of the future.

In the past, no matter what critical situation he encountered, he had never wavered. Even if the situation became unmanageable, his thought was always, "At worst, it's 'The Real'!" The study where he lived as a mortal, or the summit of Mount Jie Li, had always been the safest havens in his heart. But now, a stretch of sea full of reefs and undercurrents suddenly lay beyond the harbor. The slightest carelessness could lead to complete destruction.

While his thoughts wandered, the first "last will" was already complete. This "last will" was actually a large-scale, instantaneous celestial image, created to mimic the strange phenomena that appear after a cultivator's demise. It also contained a trace of his consciousness, acting as a switch for activation or destruction.

"They need to be buried deep in various corners of the Xuanhuang Realm, in places even I don't know," he thought. "This way, even if Mr. Bai recovers and tries to stop it, he won't be able to. Hmm, I'll need to find someone trustworthy to do this."

Faces flashed quickly through his mind. Soon, he had an idea.

After completing one hundred and eight "remnant images," Xu Bai left Changsheng Valley and returned to Tianliang Province. He sought out his old superior, Nangong Shirong. Nangong Shirong initially thought Xu Bai had changed his mind and intended to return to his position, but Xu Bai's request caught him off guard.

"A Soul Tracing Token? What do you need that for?" Nangong Shirong scrutinized Xu Bai.

The Soul Tracing Token was an item from the Netherworld Palace that could trace the whereabouts of a cultivator after reincarnation, based on objects imbued with their aura from their previous life. It was not openly available for exchange to ordinary cultivators. It existed solely to prevent certain individuals from "maliciously committing suicide" in an attempt to escape due punishment through reincarnation.

"The Netherworld Palace is relatively independent. Even as a provincial governor, it's hard for me to influence them," Nangong Shirong said with a hesitant expression.

Xu Bai remained silent and handed him a storage ring. Nangong Shirong took it suspiciously and glanced inside, nearly blinded by the mountain of high-grade standard spirit stones filling it. A quick scan with his divine sense revealed that if these spirit stones were converted into contribution points, they would amount to no less than three million!

Nangong Shirong couldn't help but gasp. Although vast amounts of contribution points had been distributed during the White Mist Colonization Era and the Multiverse Conquest Era, leading to a significant increase in prices within the Myriad Immortals Alliance, three million contribution points were still an enormous sum, even for him, the head of a province. He knew that advancing further in his career required various connections and networking, and he wasn't usually flush with funds.

Subtly and swiftly pocketing the storage ring, Nangong Shirong's expression turned serious. "Rest assured, leave this matter to me! You'll have an answer within three days!" With that, he departed in a hurry.

Three days later, Xu Bai quietly left with the Soul Tracing Token. From beginning to end, Nangong Shirong never asked him about the token's purpose. After all, scrutinizing some matters too closely could be disadvantageous.

Leaving Tianliang Province, he met with Li Fan's true form midway. After handing over the Soul Tracing Token, they exchanged a glance and parted ways once more. Xu Bai returned to Changsheng Valley, preparing to respond to any changes. Li Fan, meanwhile, began the final arrangements.

First, he contacted Dongfang Yao. Dongfang Yao was indeed a man of loyalty and righteousness. Li Fan himself had almost completely forgotten about Huangfu Song, yet Dongfang Yao had not given up on finding a way for Huangfu Song to reincarnate. However, without connections, interfering with the affairs of the Netherworld Palace was incredibly difficult. Thus, even after all this time, he had made no progress.

They had been separated for a long time, but upon meeting, Dongfang Yao still greeted him warmly. However, after taking the Soul Tracing Token from Li Fan, he looked puzzled. "What is this?"

When Li Fan explained the token's specific use, Dongfang Yao's body trembled. "This..."

"I know you've been troubled by Brother Huangfu's passing. I feel the same way; I've never given up over the years," Li Fan said. "This item was hard to acquire. Keep it safe. Once Brother Huangfu reincarnates, you can go find him yourself."

Dongfang Yao hadn't expected that Li Fan would be the one to fulfill his long-held wish. He was both surprised and delighted. Deeply moved, he glanced at Li Fan again and immediately noticed something amiss. "Hm? I'm to find him myself? Brother Li, what about you? Why aren't you coming along?"

Instantly, he understood. No wonder Li Fan had seemed strange, like someone entrusting their child to another. His expression shifted slightly, and he immediately pressed for answers.

Li Fan's face showed bitterness as he spoke frankly, "I've made a powerful enemy, and my life is in danger. I might not even get a chance to reincarnate."

Dongfang Yao was startled and alarmed by his words. If even the power of a Celestial Venerable could be affected, it was clear how terrifying the formidable enemy Li Fan spoke of must be. However, he hesitated for only a moment before resolutely offering his help, without even asking why Li Fan was being pursued.

But Li Fan shook his head and refused. "It would only be a futile sacrifice. How could I bear to involve you needlessly?"

Dongfang Yao seemed about to speak, then stopped.

"However..." Li Fan continued, "If you truly wish to help me, then perhaps..." With that, Li Fan handed Dongfang Yao a storage ring containing one hundred and eight remnant images. "Please help me bury these items deep underground, near the celestial cities of various provinces. Be very careful not to be discovered. If you do this, I might still have a glimmer of hope for survival." Li Fan conveyed these instructions telepathically.

Seeing that this matter concerned his friend's life and death, Dongfang Yao was extremely solemn. After a reluctant farewell, he immediately headed for the nearest celestial city.

"Even if Mr. Bai possesses my memories," Li Fan mused, "it would still take some time for him to find Dongfang Yao, ascertain the locations of the buried remnant images from his mind, and then destroy them. That would be enough time for me to initiate my plan."