Chapter 980: Heaven and Earth, The Great Dao Intends

Daoist Baihua seemed to still be caught in the sensations of absorbing the golden power of vows. Her expression was dazed, and her golden form swayed rhythmically. It was only when the rhythm slowly subsided that her consciousness gradually returned to clarity.

"The Myriad Spirit Elixir, perhaps True Immortals don't care much for it. But for me, at my current stage, it is indeed an extremely rare and potent tonic," Daoist Baihua sighed softly, answering truthfully.

"The Myriad Spirit Elixir..." Li Fan deliberately feigned contemplation.

"It seems the Emissary knows little about this substance?" Daoist Baihua, having lived for an unknown number of years, immediately sensed this and proactively asked.

Li Fan nodded slightly. "It's merely a blessing I occasionally received from a True Immortal. True Immortals do not offer much guidance; everything relies on my own comprehension. Therefore, I didn't intentionally deceive you earlier. I only know that immortals exist in this world, but I truly don't know much about the specific aspects of immortals."

As Li Fan finished speaking, he sensed a faint trace of jealousy emanating from Daoist Baihua.

However, Daoist Baihua quickly composed herself and spoke slowly, "In that case, I shall enlighten the Emissary. The so-called Myriad Spirit Elixir is the yearning for the Dao held by all sentient beings in heaven and earth. The Dao here is not the path of cultivation. It refers to everything in the world. Born with desires, pursuing the Dao, ceaselessly until death... This is the destiny of us mortals."

Li Fan carefully pondered Daoist Baihua's words, dimly grasping something.

"From the pursuit of the Dao, the Elixir is born. This is an instinct of living beings and a fundamental law of the natural operation of heaven and earth. For True Immortals, what might be valuable is that purest trace of the Dao within the yearning of living beings for the Dao."

"However, for us mortal cultivators, this Myriad Spirit Elixir possesses various powers that can turn decay into wonder."

As Li Fan listened to Daoist Baihua's explanation, he instantly understood. The pursuit of desires by all beings is the grand Dao of the cosmos, unchanging through eternity. If all living beings in the world were without desires, then heaven and earth would fall into disorder, unable to function normally, and descend into utter stillness. What the True Immortals seek is that trace of the Grand Dao that drives the birth of mortal vows. The Myriad Spirit Elixir, which Li Fan had named the golden power of vows, was in fact the raw material from which traces of the Grand Dao were extracted.

After the traces of the Grand Dao were absorbed, the golden power of vows became useless to that Faceless True Immortal. Thus, it was discarded.

As Li Fan was thinking this, he heard Daoist Baihua slowly say, "The Glazed Body that I cultivate is formed from the aspirations of people worldwide for the flourishing flowers of the world. One could say it shares the same origin as the Myriad Spirit Elixir. In fact, it's even purer... It's not just for me; as long as it involves the desires of sentient beings, the Myriad Spirit Elixir has infinite wondrous uses. When added to alchemy, artifact refining, or talisman crafting, the success rate will skyrocket."

"Consuming it during a breakthrough greatly reduces the chance of failure. Absorbing a small amount during cultivation can also boost cultivation speed severalfold. It's even said to be capable of creating objects from nothing, directly transforming into whatever is needed. Anything driven by desire can be boosted by the Myriad Spirit Elixir," Daoist Baihua said, her voice filled with envy.

"Are there any side effects?" Li Fan was not swayed by Daoist Baihua's enthusiastic descriptions.

Daoist Baihua paused slightly, then said with some uncertainty, "I once heard that because the Myriad Spirit Elixir involves the desires of all beings, the more it's used, the deeper the entanglements become. Perhaps it makes ascending to immortality more difficult in the future." Daoist Baihua paused again. "However, the path to immortality has long been severed, so this side effect is essentially non-existent now."

Li Fan nodded slowly. This made sense. If the Myriad Spirit Elixir were truly that wonderful, even if he couldn't use it, keeping it wouldn't be a problem. Why would it be given to Li Fan for free? It only made sense if it was a substance harmful to True Immortals, deliberately discarded by them.

Li Fan turned to Daoist Baihua. "The Myriad Spirit Elixir is useless to True Immortals. Its use is entirely at my discretion. Rest assured, Daoist Baihua, if you diligently work for the Compassionate Immortal, you will certainly be rewarded in the future."

A trace of joy involuntarily appeared on Daoist Baihua's face.

"Alright, since you have now formally joined the lineage of the True Immortal of Mortal Compassion, from today onwards, you are also a member of our Myriad Worlds Alliance. I'll first give you a tour, Daoist friend."

Next, Daoist Baihua followed behind Li Fan, touring the Spiritwood Realm. They were not discovered by anyone else in the realm.

Daoist Baihua exclaimed, "Although it's a minor world, it's no less impressive than my homeland, Wansheng." Her gaze fell upon the Heaven-and-Earth Forges scattered throughout the Spiritwood Realm.

Li Fan smiled. "To tell you the truth, Daoist friend, just over ten years ago, this place was merely a tiny, insignificant realm. It's precisely because of the various blessings bestowed by the True Immortal that the Spiritwood Realm has been improving day by day."

Daoist Baihua nodded. With her discernment, she could naturally tell that Li Fan's words were true. This realm was vibrant with life and burgeoning with vitality. It bore the mark of new birth.

Returning to the secret chamber, Li Fan then spoke gravely, "Ten thousand years ago, the lineage of the Compassionate True Immortal was destroyed by the rulers of the Xuanhuang Realm. I was fortunate enough to unearth a True Immortal statue and receive the True Immortal's favor, vowing to restore the True Immortal's lineage. Because the opponent is powerful, I intend to first accumulate strength, and then unite the Myriad Worlds to set things right!" Li Fan briefly explained the background of the situation to Daoist Baihua.

Daoist Baihua nodded. "I also have some understanding of the current situation in the Xuanhuang Realm. That Heavenly Venerable of Dharma Transmission is indeed formidable and terrifying, but... If the Emissary can gain the True Immortal's assistance, then he is no match at all." After personally experiencing the Myriad Spirit Elixir, Daoist Baihua felt great confidence in the "True Immortal of Mortal Compassion."

Li Fan, however, shook his head slightly. "The True Immortal's blessings are erratic. Sometimes they descend unexpectedly one after another; other times, they are not seen for years. Restoring the True Immortal's lineage is a heavy and long journey! However, Daoist Baihua, I have one doubt that I can't resolve. You said True Immortals have already transcended and should not concern themselves with mortal affairs. So why do blessings still descend?"

Li Fan stared at Daoist Baihua, trying to get an answer from her.

Daoist Baihua looked slightly nervous. After pondering for a moment, she offered her conjecture: "Perhaps it's not a blessing, but rather residual power after the True Immortal extracts the traces of the Dao? After all, too much time has passed. I also don't know what form the immortals still remaining in the world have taken now."

"Not a blessing, just residual power then. How disheartening..." Li Fan muttered, yet felt no disappointment in his heart.

"The Emissary shouldn't be disheartened. I observe that you can utilize the True Immortal's statue. It stands to reason that, compared to us mere ants, the Emissary's standing in the True Immortal's eyes is, after all, somewhat different," Daoist Baihua comforted.