Chapter 1176-1180: Intentions in the Deep Space (6k+ words)

After the stone puppets drifted away from the Xuan Huang Realm towards the depths of the starry sky, they lost contact with Li Fan. However, the shocking facts they observed continued to impact Li Fan.

"How could it come from the depths of the Dark Starry Sea?"

"Could it be that there's another Hunger Immortal lurking there?!"

Li Fan felt inexplicable horror.

Even the true self in the Yuanning Mirror space needed to actively use the Xuan Huang Immortal Heart Mantra to suppress the astonishment, not revealing any abnormalities.

For Li Fan, such things haven't happened in a long time.

The tremors in the Xuan Huang Realm persist.

However, with the passage of time, it's clearly felt that the magnitude of the tremors is gradually decreasing.

This inexplicable disaster is coming to an end.

But the thought storm in Li Fan's mind has just begun.

"The attraction from the Immortal Ruins, caused by the comprehension of the True Immortal Seal character 'Hunger.' Sitting and comprehending the Dao, reaching the state of self-forgetfulness, has a devastating impact on this starry region."

"But the True Immortal Seal character is not something only one person can comprehend. The anomalies in the Xuan Huang Realm's Source Dao Province seem to be related to Tian Du, the Grandmaster, comprehending the mysteries of the Hunger character."

"The possible explanations for this Xuan Huang disturbance are twofold. One is that the cause of the catastrophe is not related to the Hunger character, but the consequences caused by an existence of the same level. Only the power at the level of a True Immortal can have such a drastic impact on the Xuan Huang Realm."

"But this means that an unknown existence with the power of a True Immortal is still hiding in the depths of the Dark Starry Sea. This..."

Li Fan felt a chill in his heart.

"The second possibility is that some survivor in the starry sea, or even a messenger, is also comprehending the Hunger character. Recently, there has been a breakthrough, causing this disturbance. The likelihood of the Messenger Immortal predicting and transmitting the message in advance is quite high."

"But regardless of the speculation, none can explain the most critical point: why did this world undergo such a change?"

The Dao Stone emitted a dazzling light, continuously replaying the experiences of this world.

However, it was impossible to determine what caused such a significant deviation.

"Whether it's a True Immortal or an existence capable of comprehending the Hunger character, my actions in this life should not be enough to influence them."

"But all this unexpectedly happened."

Li Fan fell into silence.

This is what happens when your strength reaches a certain level—every move, even unintentionally, can have an impact on the outside world, even changing the fate of others. Variables breed more variables, endlessly, eventually leading to unexpected changes.

"I've been staying in the Yuanning Mirror space, which can rule out suspicion. Li Ping's avatar only roams in the Great Awakening Small World. Even if he moves the Five Elements Grand Immortal Land, it's definitely not enough to cause such a significant change. It must be something related to the travels of the Saintly Embryo."

After some contemplation, Li Fan ultimately narrowed down the source of the variables to the mysterious figure at the bottom of the Abyss Roar Abyss and the intangible existence in the Life and Death Purgatory.

"These two, one collects fragments of the world, and the other collects the bodies of cultivators. Most of the time, they should be active in the Dark Starry Sea."

"Because of the disturbance caused by the Saintly Embryo, their activities have changed compared to previous reincarnations. Thus, it led to the occurrence of the Xuan Huang disturbance."

"In the Dark Starry Sea, what exactly is there?"

At this moment, a hint of curiosity rose in Li Fan's heart.

Earlier, it was thought that only the Xuan Huang Realm survived in the Dark Starry Sea. Beyond the Xuan Huang Realm was a floating world of fragments, a silent dead zone.

Now, it seems that there are still unknown secrets hidden there.

"Indeed. I've always been puzzled. The fragments of the immortal realm in the Dark Starry Sea, how do they exist? Influenced by the attraction of the Immortal Ruins, even complete immortal realms are inevitably drawn towards the Immortal Ruins. These fragments should not be able to resist and should have been devoured by the Immortal Ruins long ago."

"But from the constant patching of the Xuan Huang Realm and the scenes seen by Han Zhong in the Eye of Tianxing, it seems that there are still a large number of world fragments in the Dark Starry Sea. In a way unknown to me..."

Feeling the intermittent tremors in the Xuan Huang Realm, Li Fan suddenly had a flash of insight.

"Right! Previously, due to the Immortal Ruins' attraction, I couldn't escape from the Xuan Huang Realm and explore the Dark Starry Sea. But now, because of this mysterious attraction from the depths of the Dark Starry Sea, maybe..."

"It's urgent. The tremors are about to disappear, and I don't have much time left."

In the City of Broken Palms:

During the Xuan Huang Realm's tremors, even the Abyss Roar Abyss became much quieter, with no extraneous noises.

Facing the true terror of the world, the Qing Xuan army, which had suppressed the abyss for a hundred years and could withstand the terrifying demonic sound tide, turned pale and trembled.

If Saintly Embryo Li Fan hadn't taught them the Xuan Huang Immortal Heart Mantra beforehand, many of them might have experienced a simultaneous outbreak of suppressed negative emotions, leading to a mental breakdown.

Not to mention ordinary Qing Xuan soldiers, even the leader of the Qing Xuan army, Merchant Shao Jun, who knew in advance that the Xuan Huang disturbance was coming, still showed a pale face, trembling in the face of such a great calamity.

"I never thought that the vast Xuan Huang Realm would be like a small boat on the river in a violent storm, at risk of overturning at any moment." Merchant Shao Jun's tone was bitter.

However, Saintly Embryo Li Fan had no time to comfort him.

"Shao Jun, help me with something."

"What?" Merchant Shao Jun was a little slow to react, saying blankly.

"Prepare these things for me as quickly as possible." After pointing to the list of supplies and handing it to Merchant Shao Jun, Saintly Embryo Li Fan looked serious and raised his head to gaze at the sky of the Xuan Huang Realm.

"Collecting these supplies shouldn't be a problem. Most of them are already in the Eternal Immortal Fort. But why do you need these things?" Merchant Shao Jun followed Saintly Embryo Li Fan's gaze.

"With such a majestic power, the whole world is as fragile as a toy in its presence. Shao Jun, aren't you curious?" Saintly Embryo Li Fan's eyes were firm, even showing a hint of madness.

"I want to fly out of the Xuan Huang Realm, trace back to the source, and explore the truth!" he said forcefully.

"Absolutely not! Outside the Xuan Huang Realm is..." Merchant Shao Jun's expression changed, and he tried to dissuade him. He stopped talking halfway for some unknown reason.

"Hahaha, Shao Jun, do you want to say the two words 'Immortal Ruins'?" Saintly Embryo Li Fan asked.

Merchant Shao Jun was completely shocked this time, looking at Saintly Embryo Li Fan in disbelief.

Saintly Embryo Li Fan didn't explain how he knew about this top-secret information. Instead, he waved his hand and said solemnly, "It's precisely because of the existence of the Immortal Ruins that now is a rare opportunity!"

"Li Fan, what are you..." Merchant Shao Jun was puzzled and uncertain.

"Could it be, Shao Jun, that you think the mastermind behind this calamity is the Immortal Ruins?" Li Fan asked.

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 1177: Crossing the Void from Xuan Huang

"Absolutely wrong!" Before Shao Jun could respond, Saintly Embryo Li Fan coldly refuted.

"The source of this power is not nearby. It's in the depths of the starry sea!"

"Ah?"

Upon hearing Li Fan's words, Shao Jun was utterly bewildered.

"I know you don't believe me. But it's okay. Once I successfully break free from the Immortal Ruins' constraints, fly out of the Xuan Huang Realm, you'll see that I'm right!"

"Please lend me a hand, Shao Jun!" Saintly Embryo Li Fan unexpectedly bowed respectfully.

Shao Jun didn't dare to accept such courtesy and quickly stopped him.

"Why go to such lengths, Li Xiong? It's just a few supplies. With our friendship, it's just a matter of words."

"Yan Huan!" Shao Jun called his confidant and instructed him to handle this matter.

"Don't worry, everything will be prepared within three days."

"Too slow! This is a rare opportunity. I won't wait. One day!" Saintly Embryo Li Fan said without hesitation.

Shao Jun pondered for a moment, then gritted his teeth. "Fine! One day it is!"

Then he seemed to be conveying some instructions privately.

After doing all this, he turned to Li Fan, hesitated for a moment, and then stopped talking.

"If you have something, just say it!"

"Li Xiong, are you really going to..." Shao Jun still seemed incredulous.

Saintly Embryo Li Fan smiled slightly and explained his judgment, "The powerful force causing the Xuan Huang tremors comes from the depths of the starry sky. It's entirely different from the Immortal Ruins' attraction that has always drawn the Xuan Huang Realm."

In front of Li Fan, a pool of water suddenly appeared.

In the center of the water, a huge vortex rapidly rotated, swallowing everything around it with swift currents.

Saintly Embryo Li Fan gently pointed.

Outside this vortex, another vortex of the same scale appeared.

The forces of the two vortices interfered with each other, and the direction of the water flow became unstable.

Shao Jun instantly understood Li Fan's meaning.

"However, are these just your speculations? If you guessed wrong..."

"To hear the Dao in the morning and die in the evening is enough." Saintly Embryo Li Fan remained calm, showing no fear.

"Missing this rare opportunity, even if I am still alive in the future, I will regret it for a lifetime."

"So, I must go." Li Fan's tone was resolute.

"I want to see what kind of existence possesses such great power." His eyes shone with brilliance.

Shao Jun remained silent.

The efficiency of the Qing Xuan Army in handling affairs was trustworthy.

In one day, Li Fan's needed supplies were already prepared.

"Beyond the starry sea, dangers abound. Li Xiong, aren't you going to make more preparations? Do you plan to cross the stars with just these items?" Shao Jun couldn't help but wonder.

"If there was enough time, it would be better to build a solid flying ship. But time doesn't permit that, so I can only use the Immortal Alliance's Dust Crossing Boat as a makeshift replacement."

The Dust Crossing Boat was the Immortal Alliance's designated flying treasure for traveling to and from the White Mist Enigma.

Back in the 114th era, Li Fan had arrived at the Abyss Roar Abyss with Ji Hongdao on this boat.

The Dust Crossing Boat was forged from various rare materials, equipped with various defensive formations, and there were only two in the entire Eternal Immortal Fort.

Being able to contribute one of them showed Shao Jun's generosity.

"However, as long as we can withstand the most intense confrontation between the two forces outside the Xuan Huang Realm, there shouldn't be any danger." Saintly Embryo Li Fan seized the last bit of time to modify the Dust Crossing Boat.

Actually, there was one thing he didn't explicitly mention.

Saintly Embryo Li Fan's biggest reliance on daring to cross the stars wasn't some external object but his own foundation—a peculiar object, the Black Sword of the Heavenly Origin!

As a tangible representation of the laws, the Black Sword was far more indestructible than most things in the Xuan Huang Realm.

Moreover, unlike ordinary protective materials that gradually deteriorated, the Black Sword could continuously "temper" its body with external forces, making itself more adaptable.

"Thanks to the new method from the Law Transmission Grandmaster. Even if I abandon my physical body, as long as the sword's law persists, I can survive in the void."

Full of confidence, Saintly Embryo Li Fan also considered various unexpected situations that might arise after flying out of the Xuan Huang Realm.

For example...

The peculiar laws of the Black Sword of the Heavenly Origin are a concrete manifestation of the Xuan Huang Realm's sword dao laws.

If one exits the Xuan Huang Realm and loses the support of the world, will their strength immediately decline? Become extremely weak?

Moreover, Heavenly Doctor once mentioned that outside the Xuan Huang Realm, in the void, one needs to be concerned about a certain "ailment."

Li Fan had seen this ailment on Han Zhong.

Pitch-black decay, infecting the divine soul.

Even the Boundless Void Law, which repairs the divine soul, had no alleviating effect on it.

Saintly Embryo Li Fan didn't expect to be immune to this ailment. He just hoped to extend the time he could persist in the void by using precious materials that nourish the divine soul.

Another day passed swiftly.

The tremors in the Xuan Huang Realm were visibly about to come to an end.

Cultivators in the Xuan Huang Realm still had the appearance of surviving a calamity. Many were still apprehensive, fearing that this terrifying disaster might strike again.

Outside the Abyss Roar Abyss, Saintly Embryo Li Fan was already fully prepared.

The Dust Crossing Boat looked completely different from its original appearance. Li Fan bid farewell to the Qing Xuan Army and walked calmly into the flying ship.

Watching Li Fan's figure, Shao Jun hesitated to speak.

Even an impulse rose in his heart, wanting to follow along, break out of the Xuan Huang Realm, and explore the secret behind that great power.

As cultivators, how could they not be curious about a power of that level?

However...

After all, he was not alone. There were too many things to consider.

Shao Jun suddenly envied the figure on the Dust Crossing Boat.

"Does Jun not want to join me and leave life and death behind?"

As if able to read minds, a voice suddenly asked before departure.

Before Shao Jun could answer, Saintly Embryo Li Fan smiled and said, "That won't work."

Shao Jun was slightly stunned.

"Don't forget, there are still treacherous elements secretly plotting in the Xuan Huang Realm."

"I thought you had already forgotten about this." Shao Jun silently criticized himself.

The Dust Crossing Boat slowly ascended.

Saintly Embryo Li Fan's voice echoed in Shao Jun's ears.

"The future of the Xuan Huang Realm and the Eternal Immortal Alliance relies on you, Shao Jun."

"If I'm fortunate enough to survive the ordeal, I will definitely rush back to help you!"

Shao Jun followed the Dust Crossing Boat all the way, leaving the White Mist and watching it disappear into the sky.

He felt a sense of loss in his heart.

Although he had not known Li Fan for long, both his strength and demeanor deeply impressed him.

"Survive well."

Shao Jun said silently in his heart.

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 1178: The Appearance of the White Sun Sword Star

After performing a play in front of Shao Jun, Saintly Embryo Li Fan turned his full attention to observing the changes outside the Dust Crossing Boat.

At this moment, the Dust Crossing Boat had reached the edge of the world.

The entire Xuan Huang Realm lay beneath, fully visible.

In the past, Li Fan observed the Xuan Huang Realm from this perspective. However, at that time, the Xuan Huang Realm was shrouded in a hazy yellow light, appearing like a large ball of light. The details of the scenery inside the world and on the surface of the earth were not clear at all.

But now, influenced by the immense suction from the depths of the starry sea, that faint yellow light had been partially lifted.

Revealing the true face of the world hidden underneath.

Saintly Embryo Li Fan saw the distorted white mist barrier and...

"Monsters composed of limbs and flesh fragments."

This phrase suddenly flashed in Li Fan's mind.

Even from above the Nine Heavens, differences between different regions could be discerned. Beings within the domains might find it challenging to distinguish, but when viewed from outside the Xuan Huang Realm, the discordance was immediately apparent.

Saintly Embryo Li Fan quickly snapped out of his momentary daze.

The Dust Crossing Boat made creaking sounds, a sign of the strong compressive force from the outside.

Saintly Embryo Li Fan showed no fear, disregarding it, and even accelerated the speed of the Dust Crossing Boat.

Completely leaving the Xuan Huang Realm, he felt the surroundings suddenly darken.

It was like dusk, with the sun instantly setting below the horizon.

Dim, cold, silent...

Various feelings surged into Saintly Embryo Li Fan's heart.

The Xuan Huang Immortal Heart Mantra spontaneously operated, defending Li Fan against these negative emotions.

"Through images and the puppet's knowledge, it seems different from personal experience."

"Whether it's puppet synchronous sensing or the lingering influence of the Medicine King Cauldron, they are not as real as this moment."

As Saintly Embryo Li Fan was thinking, he suddenly turned his head.

In that instant, an inexplicable sense of insecurity arose in his heart. It was as if something might suddenly appear behind him, dealing a fatal blow. Even though his divine sense scan clearly told him that there was no danger behind him, the feeling in his heart urged him continuously to turn around and take a look.

Only when it was finally confirmed that there was no imagined crisis did the strange feeling in his heart slowly dissipate.

At this moment, the Dust Crossing Boat, from the previously faint creaking, had become thunderous.

As if countless ancient ferocious beasts were continuously attacking the hull, cracks began to appear on the boat.

The inscribed formations also showed signs of fragmentation.

Saintly Embryo Li Fan had already prepared to abandon the boat.

Ninety-nine sword shadows suddenly appeared around him, swirling left and right, cutting out a buffer zone in the absolute space.

Saintly Embryo Li Fan's body gradually withered, losing its flesh color. Instead, it exhibited a strange metallic luster.

Although the immense power from the depths of the starry sea did indeed have some influence on the attraction of the Immortal Palace, the Immortal Palace was still fighting on its home turf. Moreover, some time had passed since the anomaly occurred, and the unknown power from the starry sea had greatly diminished.

Therefore, the Dust Crossing Boat did not drift towards the depths of the starry sea like the stone puppets previously arranged.

Instead, it unavoidably began to slowly descend towards the Immortal Palace.

However...

Whether it was the curvature change in the trajectory or the magnitude of the speed change.

It was far different from when Li Fan drove the Medicine King Cauldron before, actively rushing into the Immortal Palace.

"I guessed it right! Indeed, it's a rare opportunity to leave the Xuan Huang Realm!"

Watching the Dust Crossing Boat about to completely shatter, Saintly Embryo Li Fan no longer hesitated.

"A myriad swords, like me!"

Vaguely, the figures of thousands of rusty swords from the Sword Mound appeared behind him. After a moment, these sword shadows all merged into his body.

The pitch-black void around the Dust Crossing Boat was illuminated, and a dazzling white light emerged from Li Fan's body.

Completely engulfing his body.

Unity of man and sword.

Then, as if a brilliant sword light was slashing out, opening up the world.

Dust Crossing Boat was engulfed by the sword light, disappearing without a trace.

However, the white sword light deviated from the Immortal Palace and decisively headed towards the depths of the starry sea!

This sword light was exceptionally bright and dazzling.

Even in the Xuan Huang Realm's sky below, a star as radiant as the sun suddenly appeared.

At this moment, countless cultivators cast their gazes towards the position where Saintly Embryo Li Fan was.

Shao Jun, in particular, instantly lost focus, feeling a sense of loss in his heart.

The unparalleled sword light rapidly advanced.

Saintly Embryo Li Fan sensed the Immortal Palace's restraint diminishing.

The smooth progress was not only due to transforming into the strange law of the Black Sword Heaven and executing an ultimate sword strike but more importantly, it was influenced by the mysterious power in the depths of the starry sea.

Outside the Xuan Huang Realm, free from the interference of various world laws, he could clearly feel the remaining power in the void.

"Unlike the eternal presence of the Immortal Palace's attraction, the power of the starry sea is like tides, intermittent yet continuous."

Saintly Embryo Li Fan felt waves of vast and mighty force surging, even giving rise to an illusion of sailing on a flat boat in a stormy sea, rising and falling with the waves.

"Hmm? Are those stone puppets I placed before?"

Not long after traveling in the void, Saintly Embryo Li Fan once again sensed the previously severed connection.

But what surprised him was that not all the puppets were intact.

At least one-third of the puppets had disappeared for unknown reasons!

"It's possible that they, unfortunately, failed to break free from the Immortal Palace's constraints."

"But it's also possible..."

Saintly Embryo Li Fan accelerated towards the location of the puppets.

However, suddenly, he instinctively slowed down.

Because just now, among these surviving seventy-four puppets, another one had inexplicably disappeared!

In his sense and surveillance, it vanished without a trace!

And Li Fan had not figured out how that puppet disappeared!

"In the darkest starry sea, indeed, dangers abound."

An inexplicable chill surged in Saintly Embryo Li Fan's heart.

Controlling his flight speed, he let the remaining seventy-three puppets take the lead, following from a distance.

In the following moments, the intermittently disappearing puppets indicated the perils in the void of the darkest starry sea.

As the number of vanished puppets increased, Li Fan gradually regained his senses.

"These puppets don't seem to be attacked by some mysterious existence; it's more like they're traversing the wrong places."

"There..."

"Even the space itself doesn't exist. Only pure emptiness remains."

"It's like on a flat road, one after another pitch-black, bottomless caves. Stepping into them accidentally leads to a fate of disappearance without a trace."

While Li Fan was contemplating, another puppet disappeared.

Only sixty-one remained.

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 1179: Time Discrepancies Inside and Outside

Li Fan didn't know what consequences awaited him after falling into these voids.

There was no way to discern the existence of these voids.

He had to adopt a risky method—continuing to let the remaining stone puppets explore while avoiding the routes where the inexplicably disappearing puppets had passed.

As the number of stone puppets steadily decreased, Li Fan's heart sank.

At this rate of depletion, he feared that he wouldn't be able to reach the depths of the starry sea in this lifetime.

However, the concerns Li Fan had did not materialize.

When there were only thirty-three puppets left, and after flying through the void for a long time without any sudden disappearances, Li Fan felt a bit relieved.

"It seems that these voids aren't widespread in the darkest starry sea. Instead, they are densely concentrated in a certain area."

"Beyond the Xuan Huang Realm?" Saintly Embryo Li Fan pondered.

Thirty-three puppets led the way, with Li Fan's transformed sword light trailing behind.

The speed continued to increase, heading towards the unknown darkness ahead.

"Things are going more smoothly than I expected."

"Now, I've already been far from the Xuan Huang Realm for quite some time, but this Xuan Huang Realm sword embodiment of mine hasn't felt any weakening of power."

"This is quite interesting."

According to common sense, without the support of world power, various laws freely floating in the world beyond would inevitably weaken to some extent.

However, this reduction didn't happen now.

Moreover...

The bottleneck that had reached its limit in the Xuan Huang Realm, unable to progress further no matter how much he comprehended, unexpectedly loosened after staying in the void for a while.

Even though the innate talent of this Saintly Embryo wasn't outstanding, various thoughts and insights surged uncontrollably.

It felt like transforming directly into a peerless genius.

In Li Fan's mind, there emerged an impulse to focus all his energy on enlightenment, disregarding everything else.

However, he forcibly suppressed it using the Immortal Heart Mantra.

This abnormal phenomenon made Li Fan contemplate deeply.

"The entire darkest starry sea actually shares a set of law systems?"

"The Xuan Huang Realm sword technique is one part of the overall sword techniques in the entire starry sea."

"Outside the world, within the void, seeing a broader sky and earth. The limits are being invisibly expanded..."

"It's indeed a place of danger and opportunity coexisting."

"I'm afraid that the reason Heavenly Doctor and Transmitting the Law often run to the darkest starry sea is also influenced by this factor."

Thinking of Heavenly Doctor and Transmitting the Law, Li Fan couldn't help but feel a bit solemn.

He had only spent a short time, yet he gained such remarkable insights.

It's hard to imagine the realm these two individuals, who had lived in the starry sea for thousands of years, had reached.

Heavenly Doctor's advice was indeed wise.

Even he, who was extremely cautious, encountered the "ailment" in the void of the starry sea.

Without any warning.

Just when Li Fan was immersed in the joy of breaking through the comprehension of the sword technique, a sense of inexplicable weakness suddenly surged into his heart.

With an inward glance, he discovered a black spot within his soul.

This black spot invaded the soul, as if directly occupying a part of it.

Regardless of the many treasures that Li Fan had previously ingested to protect his soul, they couldn't prevent its invasion.

And the means prepared to nourish the soul had no effect.

"The upper limit of soul strength has decreased, but the soul itself isn't damaged."

Saintly Embryo Li Fan felt a bit solemn.

Fortunately, the spread of this black spot wasn't too fast, and Li Fan had time to take corresponding countermeasures.

A sword shadow appeared in his soul.

The sword light shone brightly, directly cutting off the part of the soul occupied by the black spot!

And as the soul was divided, Saintly Embryo Li Fan's sword body instantly split in half.

The part that wasn't invaded by the black spot suddenly accelerated, fleeing from its original location.

The infected half, on the other hand, stopped moving.

Seated in the void, Li Fan concentrated, trying to comprehend the mysterious black intent within the weakened soul.

The pain of splitting the soul was indescribable.

Even with the support of the Immortal Heart Mantra, Saintly Embryo Li Fan felt a momentary blackout, almost fainting.

Feeling even weaker than when invaded by the black spot, he disregarded the pain and weakness.

Hastily absorbing the essence of the previously refined soul-nourishing treasures, Li Fan's once clean soul gradually regained strength without the restraint of the black spot.

"This is akin to scraping the bone to treat the wound," Li Fan sighed.

It was the unpredictability of the new technique, the foundation of cultivation unbroken, and the body undestroyed. Coupled with his foundation built on the Xuan Huang Sword Dao, allowing him to recklessly cut his own soul without becoming instantly feeble.

"Unfortunately, without the Five Elements Grand Heaven and the Endless Void Technique, relying on these external objects is not a long-term solution."

"With each cut, I become weaker than before."

"..."

"I hope I can hold on until the depths of the starry sea."

Li Fan closed his eyes, temporarily abandoning all distractions and focusing on repairing the soul's injuries.

At the same time, the other part that had been infected by the black spot and left in the void had already embraced its final death.

It was a more despairing and horrifying ending than aging to death.

Similar to a human suffering from senile dementia, the half that was originally comprehending the black spot became slower in thought.

The mind became increasingly dull, and even remembering things took a long time.

Even the consciousness synchronized with other bodies seemed to be blocked at various layers, utterly incomprehensible.

Eventually, it completely fell into a state of mental stagnation.

Like the soul, it turned into a complete silence.

...

"Similar to this darkest starry sea."

Xuan Huang Realm, the space of Yufa Jue.

Li Fan's main body, feeling the transmitted images from the Saintly Embryo, couldn't help but feel a chill.

What made him frown wasn't the invisible voids or the black spot epidemic in the starry sea.

It was the time difference between his main body and the Saintly Embryo.

The Saintly Embryo, embodying itself as a sword and utilizing the power of the starry sea, had already traveled a considerable distance away from the Xuan Huang Realm.

Therefore, Li Fan discovered that between the Xuan Huang Realm and the depths of the darkest starry sea...

There was a discrepancy in the flow of time.

"It seems to be influenced by the Immortal Abyss after all."

"Even if it's not as terrifying as the edge of the Immortal Abyss, where a thousand years pass in an instant. But the time flow is slower compared to other areas in the darkest starry sea."

"Now, it's approximately a one-to-two ratio."

"And as the Saintly Embryo continues to move away, this ratio is still expanding."

Li Fan couldn't help but think of more possibilities.

"The entire darkest starry sea within the high walls inevitably is influenced by the Immortal Abyss, to varying degrees."

"Does this mean that the flow of time inside and outside the high walls is not the same?"

"Is it possible that the catastrophe that severed the connection to the ancient immortal path in the Xuan Huang Realm has passed for tens of thousands of years?"

"And outside the high walls, perhaps..."

"Time has passed even longer?"

Thinking of this, Li Fan closed his eyes, concealing a hint of radiance within them.

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 1180: Starry Sea Wanderer

(In the last chapter, there were some modifications, so those who read it early should take another look.)

Although the technological development during the confrontation between the Immortal Alliance and the Five Elders was not slow, various means emerged endlessly.

In reality, this period of rapid development lasted less than three thousand years. Since the great calamity that severed the Immortal Path, for tens of thousands of years, the majority of the time in the Xuanhuang Realm was spent in mutual killing and strife.

Civilization regressed instead of progressing.

"If my guess is true, it's hard to believe how vast the gap in civilization inside and outside the towering walls can be."

A closed civilization, self-proclaimed as the strongest in the world. One day, the passage to the outside world suddenly opened. Faced with the martial power of enemies several eras ahead, there was no resistance at all, quickly falling and perishing.

Such occurrences were not uncommon in the history of civilization.

Even now, not just before the transcendent, there are worlds cut off from the Xuanhuang Realm, forgetting the existence of cultivators. They establish flourishing mortal forces, and historians boast of their achievements.

Yet, with just a Foundation Building cultivator, the so-called "golden age" can easily be overturned.

Li Fan's goal has always been transcendence and immortality.

For this, he has undergone countless cycles, just to open a path in the perilous Xuanhuang Realm.

Ultimately, he aims to leave this darkest starry sea and venture beyond the towering walls.

But at this moment, the speculation about the possible existence of civilization beyond the towering walls makes Li Fan secretly shudder.

"If there really is a cultivation civilization that has developed for so many years, they might have mastered power comparable to true immortals. They might even have some influence on reality..."

Li Fan's gaze flickered, his thoughts fluctuating.

Nevertheless, he didn't feel fear.

This was truly his greatest confidence.

Being able to backtrack repeatedly, bringing memories and experiences back to a predetermined anchor point, even if the civilization beyond the towering walls is truly ahead by millions of years, he can easily level the playing field through a few cycles.

"Just need to be cautious. Until the situation is clear, I won't go out with my true self, using avatars and holy embryos. Caution comes first in everything!"

"I'm not afraid that there might be monsters beyond the towering walls, but I'm afraid that there might be nothing at all beyond the towering walls."

...

In the pitch-black void, the sword light transformed from the holy embryo Li Fan closely followed behind twenty-nine puppets.

Since he broke through the boundaries, only half a year had passed in the Xuanhuang Realm.

From the perspective of the holy embryo Li Fan, he had been away from the Xuanhuang Realm for a whole decade.

The difference in the flow of time, amplified further in the deep starry sea, had reached a peak not long ago, terrifyingly fifty times faster.

But as the holy embryo Li Fan continued forward, the time difference between where he was and the Xuanhuang Realm gradually returned to convergence.

From fifty times faster to ten times faster.

It was not much different from just leaving the Xuanhuang Realm.

Li Fan knew that it was because he was slowly approaching another colossal force that distorted the flow of time.

"The starry sea is vast. Even with the help of this unknown power, reaching a speed hundreds of times faster than flying in the Xuanhuang Realm took so long to reach the destination," Holy embryo Li Fan sighed slightly.

In these ten years, he had severed his soul more than three hundred times.

From the peak period, almost comparable to a Daoist cultivator in the Xuanhuang Realm, to now, only the strength of an ordinary mortal.

The pain he endured, even with Li Fan's indomitable temperament, he didn't want to experience it a second time.

Fortunately, in the last few years, perhaps because his strength had weakened to an extremely weak state, the frequency of infection by the dark spots had greatly reduced.

And after more than three hundred divisions, the holy embryo Li Fan had some insights into this inexplicable plague.

"Although I still don't understand the principles behind its appearance, I can be sure that these dark spots are related to the disappeared cultivation world in the darkest starry sea."

The more than three hundred souls infected by the dark spots, if only one of them was considered, perhaps Li Fan wouldn't sense anything.

But now, all those desolate dead souls he left behind in the darkest starry sea added up, allowing Li Fan to find their commonality.

After seemingly completely silent, they didn't stay in place.

Instead, they quietly flowed toward different places in the darkest starry sea.

The way they moved was quite mysterious, not a normal movement in space.

More like water droplets naturally rolling from a high place to a low place, swiftly shuttling in the darkest starry sea.

After reaching the goal, they successively disappeared from Li Fan's perception.

"Those locations, deep within the starry sea and between the Xuanhuang Realm, seem to overlap with the 'cavities' I passed through."

The holy embryo Li Fan looked back, silent.

"It seems that within the darkest starry sea, various incredible phenomena may be interconnected."

"So, what about the starry sea power comparable to the Immortal Ruins? What's the matter? Why didn't I sense anything when I was in the Xuanhuang Realm before, and it suddenly erupted recently?"

Filled with doubts, holy embryo Li Fan became increasingly curious about the unknown path ahead.

"Hmm?"

In his contemplation, he suddenly became alert and looked ahead.

The sensation of being stared at, as if by something, surfaced again.

But this time, it was much stronger than anything he had experienced in the past ten years.

It made holy embryo Li Fan's hair stand on end, and his heart raced.

As if there was an extremely terrifying presence in the dark void ahead!

Li Fan's thoughts moved, first manipulating a stone puppet towards the sensed crisis.

Then, followed by a sword light, slashing from a distance.

The stone puppet seemed to collide with something, emitting a muffled sound.

Then the puppet disappeared from Li Fan's perception.

Affected by the reduction of his soul, the sword light Li Fan unleashed was not as brilliant as when he first left the Xuanhuang Realm.

But it still illuminated the surrounding pitch-black space.

A pair of large eyes suddenly appeared from the dark.

Staring fixedly at Li Fan.

And a withered hand had silently approached holy embryo Li Fan, about to seize him!

"Damn!"

In the dark void, sailing for over ten years.

Encountering no other creatures besides himself.

Now, suddenly encountering such a terrifying presence, Li Fan's heart pounded, and his scalp tingled.

Instinctively, countless sword shadows flew out.

Whether it was his own strength diminishing or the creature being too strong, the sword shadows that could split mountains and seas in the Xuanhuang Realm couldn't cause any damage.

Seeing that he was about to fall completely into the monster's grasp, Li Fan was about to make a desperate attempt.

But soon, he realized something was wrong.

The enormous, emaciated humanoid in front...

Had no trace of vitality.

Its movements and expression remained constant.

(End of this chapter)