Chapter 833: Yinyan Determines Life or Death

Wails and lamentations filled the Myriad Immortals Alliance, and the Clouded Sea was no different. Fortunately, on Haixuan Island, a few members of the Mutual Aid Society had remained behind for secluded cultivation in preparation for an examination. Consequently, no outsiders had visited during this period, which allowed them to narrowly escape disaster.

However, by now, they had lost all desire to study. Ji Shaoli's clone shut down the teleportation array and activated the island's protective formation, completely cutting off contact with the outside world. He only monitored the external situation constantly through the Celestial Profound Mirror. "It truly is fate," he said. "I'm fortunate that I chose to cultivate here for my examination that day. Fellow Daoists Zhang Mu and Sun Ying couldn't hold on and have perished."

"The other brothers from the Mutual Aid Society are also showing severe symptoms..." He Zhenghao said with lingering fear. Zhang Mu and Sun Ying were both members of the Cloud Mutual Aid Society. Out of a total of thirteen cultivators from the Mutual Aid Society who were outside, two had already perished.

This was clear evidence of the terrifying lethality of the mutated Immortal-Mortal Miasma and the dire state of the Myriad Immortals Alliance under its rampant spread.

"The other fellow daoists are also in danger; they can barely speak clearly," Ji Shaoli said gravely. "Although they are our brothers from the Mutual Aid Society, it pains me to see them in such a state. However, letting them in is absolutely out of the question. This Immortal-Mortal Miasma is insidious and dangerous, and no suitable countermeasure has been found yet. We are powerless."

Ji Shaoli paused, looking out beyond Haixuan Island with an unreadable expression. "It's said that the Immortal-Mortal Miasma can also spread through spiritual energy," he continued. "I've completely sealed off the island's spiritual energy channels from the outside. Fortunately, I always keep a stock of spirit stones on the island, so there shouldn't be any major issues for a short period. However, it will be impossible for any of you to cultivate. You can only barely sustain yourselves," Ji Shaoli concluded, turning back to face everyone with a serious expression.

"It's already a great fortune to have a safe place to stay," all the cultivators lamented. "We just need to hold on until the Immortal Alliance's specific countermeasures are announced." After a moment of silence, He Zhenghao asked, full of confusion, "What exactly is this Immortal-Mortal Miasma? It's said to exist within mortals, yet it's intangible, odorless, and has no physical form. How could it possibly have evaded the Immortal Alliance and spread across the world in such a short time?" A flicker of worry also crossed his eyes.

No one present, including Ji Shaoli, could answer. Silence fell. What exactly was the Immortal-Mortal Miasma? At this moment, Li Fan also wanted to know the answer to this question.

"Cough, cough... Are you two alright?" Li Fan asked unwillingly, squinting as he looked at Tianyang and Lin Ling, both of whom were full of vigor, one on each side. "Senior Brother, perhaps you should speak less. Get some good rest," Tianyang advised with concern. "I'm fine... cough, cough..." Li Fan replied, immediately breaking into a violent fit of coughing.

Before he could finish speaking, Li Fan broke into a violent fit of coughing. It felt as if his internal organs were shattering, and he seemed to be spitting them out. Despite looking critically ill, Li Fan felt no worry whatsoever.

Instead, he remained composed, carefully observing the changes occurring within his body. This sight filled Tianyang, who was observing him, with admiration. "That kid Shang Tianci's symptoms seem milder than mine, but he's still suffering a bit."

His spiritual sense searched throughout his body, but he found no trace of the culprit, the Immortal-Mortal Miasma. Li Fan decisively gave up and began to ponder instead. "It has no physical form," he mused. "Yet, mortals, cultivators, and spiritual energy are all its carriers. It can even mutate after surviving for thousands of years. Is this Immortal-Mortal Miasma truly a product that defies the natural order of heaven and earth?" A hint of doubt flashed in Li Fan's mind.

After a moment of contemplation, he took out the communication talisman he had kept for Master Yin and contacted him. After a short while, Master Yin's voice rang out. "Fellow Daoist Li Fan, are you looking for me regarding the Immortal-Mortal Miasma?"

"Cough, cough... Fellow Daoist Yin, you're actually fine?" Li Fan asked, surprised by the other's vigorous voice. "Heh heh, I'm not like you," Master Yin said with a laugh. "Perhaps it's because I've been in contact with the Immortal-Mortal Miasma for years, but I only felt unwell for a day or two and then bounced back to full health!" Upon hearing this, Li Fan's eyes flickered. "You truly have good fortune, fellow Daoist. As for me, I'm getting weaker and weaker; I'm afraid I won't escape this calamity..."

"Don't scare yourself, fellow Daoist. Get some good rest, and you'll recover on your own," Master Yin said dismissively. He then explained with his professional knowledge, "You've been infected for so long, and you can still speak normally, which means the problem isn't severe. Those who are truly serious would already be on the verge of death within three to five days." "Then I'll take your auspicious words to heart, fellow Daoist," Li Fan nodded.

After another fit of coughing, Li Fan regained his composure and asked again, "Fellow Daoist Yin, when it comes to research on the Immortal-Mortal Miasma, few in this world can surpass you. What exactly is this miasma? How could it have persisted for thousands of years and still be so terrifying?" Master Yin remained silent for a moment before quietly saying, "The Immortal-Mortal Miasma is likely a product of cultivators defying natural principles. Though mortal, it can kill immortals."

"It disregards strength or weakness." Li Fan was still puzzled. "If that's the case, what's with this mutated Immortal-Mortal Miasma? How can something that defies principles change again?" Master Yin shook his head. "Only its external form has changed. How could the principle it defies have changed?"

"It's just that the ratio of cultivators to mortals today might even be greater than in ancient times. That's why the Immortal-Mortal Miasma's lethality is far superior to before." Li Fan pondered the meaning behind Master Yin's words.

Suddenly, an idea emerged in his mind. "Fellow Daoist Yin, according to what you're saying," Li Fan began, "the Immortal-Mortal Miasma was created to protect mortals and suppress cultivators. Since it has now reappeared and mutated, doesn't that imply that the Immortal Venerable who defied this principle is still alive in the world? Why have we never heard of this Venerable's name?"

After a brief silence, Master Yin replied with some hesitation, "Regarding this, I already have some ideas. However, I cannot verify them yet. But I'm certain that if we can uncover the identity of this Venerable, we won't be far from completely revealing the secret of the Immortal-Mortal Miasma." Master Yin's voice was somewhat ethereal. Li Fan narrowed his eyes slightly.

But he did not press for more information. After a moment, he shifted to asking Master Yin for his views on the specific trajectory of the Immortal-Mortal Miasma pandemic. "Fellow Daoist, there's no need to worry," Master Yin reassured him. "The Myriad Immortals Alliance has some experience in dealing with the Immortal-Mortal Miasma. Currently, it only appears somewhat passive because a method to curb the mutated Immortal-Mortal Miasma hasn't been found yet. However, it should be soon. As long as the method is appropriate, the Immortal-Mortal Miasma will surely disappear again, just as it did thousands of years ago."

"It will only exist within mortals as a form of deterrence," Master Yin said, his voice faint. His words seemed to conceal some particular emotion. Li Fan, meanwhile, was pensive.