Chapter 1211-1215 (6k+ words)

According to common sense, if it's just mere skeletal remains, Li Fan shouldn't have sensed any living aura from them.

But these two bones before him...

They made Li Fan suddenly tense, as if being scrutinized by some unseen presence.

The bone-transformed stone statues seemed as if they could come to life at any moment, emitting a subtle and eerie aura.

Li Fan decisively ceased his exploration with the Infinite Mirror without a second thought.

The scene before him abruptly changed.

The bones vanished, and what remained in sight were still those seemingly ordinary stone statues.

Li Fan's sense of crisis slowly faded away.

"Elder..." Sun Luyao was startled by the recent events, feeling somewhat lost.

"Tell your brother to stay away from those two stone statues," Li Fan casually instructed, but turmoil brewed within him.

Are those two bones really the Archmage's?

Judging by their external appearance, most likely, they belong to the Archmage of Tian Du.

But why does he, a semi-immortal being, have two bones in the Origin Sect from the very beginning?

"Could it be that he was so gravely injured that he couldn't retrieve his own bones from the clutches of cultivators?" This thought flashed through Li Fan's mind.

But soon, Li Fan questioned himself with a big question mark.

Is that possible?

The power that envelops the entire Source Dao Province, capable of devouring a decade of time, indicates that the Archmage is likely still alive.

The might of a semi-immortal, even if heavily injured, is not something an ordinary cultivator beneath immortality can contend with.

Not to mention, he was a former ancient Daoist immortal.

"Unless..."

"The Infinite Mirror."

Li Fan looked at the somewhat cowering Sun Luyao, the new spirit of the Infinite Mirror.

When the Sun brothers found the broken Infinite Mirror, its spiritual artifact was already missing, allowing two mortals to take advantage of the situation.

From the recent calamity that erupted in the Infinite Mirror, it seemed that during the confrontation with this disaster, the artifact spirit dissipated, and the Infinite Mirror was damaged.

"The Infinite Mirror is an ancient immortal treasure bestowed upon the Infinite Sect by the celestial realm. Even if the celestial realm is obliterated due to unspeakable calamities, it shouldn't affect the Infinite Mirror. However, against all odds, this catastrophe, which shouldn't have occurred in the mortal realm, played out within the Infinite Mirror..."

Li Fan suddenly recalled the incident when the divine infant infiltrated the Mystic Immortal Ship in the distant starry sea, synchronously bringing the invisible catastrophe into it, causing several cultivators to perish.

"Spreading..."

"Beyond the celestial realm..."

In the history of the celestial realm, the only known being that possibly had contact with the celestial realm but originated from beyond it is the Archmage of Tian Du.

"In this case, it's possible that both the Infinite Mirror and the Origin Sect were affected by the Archmage."

The events here are too mysterious and convoluted, and the current clues are too few for Li Fan to make a definite conclusion.

"However, if the speculation is close to the truth, then perhaps the troubles with the Infinite Mirror can be resolved." Li Fan's eyes flickered.

After learning about the risks in this chamber, Ji Hongdao and Sun Luyuan wisely chose to temporarily leave.

However, they had different opinions on what to do next.

"The Archmage's remains are of great significance. We should report this matter to the Immortal Alliance as soon as possible," Ji Hongdao said solemnly.

Sun Luyuan, however, clearly expressed his opposition: "Brother Ji, you're confused! The Archmage is said to be the master of the Immortal Dao. If news reaches the Five Elders, they'll undoubtedly do everything to retrieve it. A great battle is inevitable, and countless lives will be lost! Given the current state of the Immortal Alliance, can you guarantee that this matter won't leak?"

Ji Hongdao had no words to refute.

Sun Luyuan continued, "Those who follow the Tao only see the attitude of the Celestial Lord..."

"Even if it's the bones of a semi-immortal, they probably won't show any reverence. Once in the Immortal Alliance, the outcome is either used for research or displayed in the Divine Collection Museum for people to marvel at."

"Moreover, the Archmage is a legendary semi-immortal; it's uncertain if he has fallen. If we disrespect him today, it might invite his retaliation in the future," Sun Luyuan concluded sincerely.

Ji Hongdao, somewhat helpless, asked, "Then what do you suggest?"

"Leave it as it is," Sun Luyuan said emphatically.

"Brother Ji, think about it. Even if they are the bones of a semi-immortal, what benefit do they bring to us? With the New Dao ahead, achieving longevity is almost hopeless, let alone becoming an immortal."

"Taking them away might attract unimaginable troubles in the future, and there's no concrete advantage. Why bother?"

...

In the end, Ji Hongdao was persuaded.

Fundamentally, it was because these were just two bones.

Moreover, they were only the bones of a semi-immortal who hadn't successfully ascended.

Sun Luyuan was right; they held little significance for cultivators like them.

Of course, if they were the remains of a true immortal, the decision might have been different.

"Although we won't take them now, we can't allow others to take them either. Brother Ji, with your mastery of Formation Dao, why not use formations to completely seal this place? Combined with the original protective formations here, we can ensure nothing goes wrong," Sun Luyuan suggested.

This was stating his position clearly.

Sun Luyuan knew next to nothing about formations. If Ji Hongdao set up a formation here, he wouldn't be able to come alone and secretly take the bones.

Ji Hongdao, straightforwardly, began setting up formations.

After the relic was sealed again, on their way back, Sun Luyuan said with a mysterious tone, "If either of us attains longevity in the future, we can come back to study these bones. Perhaps we can gain further insights."

Ji Hongdao smiled bitterly, shaking his head, not taking it seriously.

If they had ambitions and ideals of achieving longevity during their younger years before entering the Dao, now, having reached the combined Dao realm, they had long abandoned thoughts of immortality.

The Four Steps of the Combined Dao were as challenging as ascending to the heavens with each step.

The more they understood, the more despair filled their hearts.

Both fell silent for a while.

After a long time, Sun Luyuan sighed, "I truly wonder what kind of extraordinary talent can defy logic and succeed."

"For so many years in the Immortal Alliance, besides the Celestial Lord, there's only one such person. And now, even their whereabouts are unknown."

"If there's another one, our Immortal Alliance will be significantly different."

"Do you think the Five Elders have five individuals who attained longevity for no reason? Could it be that they truly have higher talents than our Immortal Alliance members, accomplishing what we cannot?"

This was also the lingering doubt in the hearts of numerous Immortal Alliance cultivators.

Hearing Sun Luyuan's reflections, Ji Hongdao, as if recalling something, hesitated to speak.

"Is there something we, brothers, can't talk about?" Sun Luyuan teased.

"In fact..."

Ji Hongdao hesitated for a moment and transmitted, "I just heard about it by chance, and I'm not sure if it's true. Sun Brother, take it lightly. But it's better not to spread this information."

After making his disclaimer, he solemnly continued, "Actually, two of the five Celestials in the Five Elders were originally members of our Immortal Alliance."

"But for some reason..." Ji Hongdao shrugged.

It was the first time Sun Luyuan heard this rumor, and he was instantly shocked.

He wanted to ask more, but Ji Hongdao gestured for silence.

So, he wisely didn't bring it up again.

After all, this matter was too incredible to believe.

Lost in thought, the two quietly returned to the Sun family.

"This trip was in vain. The issue with your brother being possessed by that mirror hasn't been resolved. What do you plan to do?" Ji Hongdao asked.

"Let's take it one step at a time," Sun Luyuan sighed.

"But, Brother Ji, as you said, the formation in that ruin is quite old. It suggests that my previous speculation might be wrong. After the calamity erupted in the Infinite Mirror, it might remain calm for a long time. At least for now, my brother seems safe in the short term."

Ji Hongdao nodded in response, "I have official matters to attend to, so I'll leave first. If you need anything, contact me anytime."

"Thank you, Brother Ji!" Sun Luyuan expressed gratitude.

"Oh, no need to be polite." Ji Hongdao waved his hand.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, he then turned into streaks of light and left.

Sun Luyuan's expression gradually calmed down.

In fact, the reason he stopped Ji Hongdao from reporting the discovery of the Archmage's bones to the Immortal Alliance went beyond the excuses he provided earlier. He had his own plans.

"If news of the Archmage's bones reaches the Immortal Alliance and really triggers a large-scale war..."

A dangerous glint flickered in Sun Luyuan's eyes.

"Perhaps this is an opportunity."

"In the calculations of the Infinite Mirror, even the opening of the Divine Dynasty could have a back-and-forth with the mighty Immortal Alliance in its prime. If we encounter a big war that just subsides, with heavy losses..."

Sun Luyuan absolutely couldn't have imagined that he was thinking along the same lines as someone else.

After the final shock settled, Li Fan envisioned this strategy.

However, after careful consideration, he abandoned the idea of using the Archmage's bones as pawns. Involving this semi-immortal was just too risky.

And to achieve the same effect, Li Fan had many other alternatives.

For example, the Eastern Extremity being refined into a puppet.

For example, fabricating the existence of another Immortal Lord about to attain the Dao.

As long as Li Fan wanted, he could stir up a war in the Xuanhuang Realm at any time.

However...

Recalling the rumor that Ji Hongdao mentioned on the Dust Crossing Ship, Li Fan furrowed his brows slightly.

"The Five Elders have two Celestials who were originally members of the Immortal Alliance?"

"And they stand in opposition to the Immortal Alliance..."

"Is it because of the Eastern Extremity incident? Mourning for the dead rabbit and fox?"

"Or is it because they know about the Taoist's dissection of the Xuanhuang Realm?"

For such matters, the Immortal Alliance naturally wanted to cover them up by any means necessary.

Apart from those who experienced it firsthand, it would be extremely difficult to find relevant written records.

After all, with Li Fan's numerous reincarnations, he remained clueless about such matters.

Fortunately, as long as he learned about it, investigating would be much easier.

While Li Fan was contemplating, the conversation between Sun Luyuan and Sun Luyao had already concluded.

"Brother, is this method really effective?"

"Brother, rest assured, it's almost certain. It naturally came to me after seeing the Celestial Lord of Tian Du. I believe the Infinite Mirror has a certain connection with the Archmage," Sun Luyao affirmed.

"Okay, brother, think of a way. However, this Ghost Clan person, I've never heard of it before. It must be a top-secret of the Immortal Alliance. It won't be easy to deal with." Sun Luyuan frowned.

"Brother, don't worry. I should be able to hold on a little longer," Sun Luyao smiled and reassured.

Sun Luyuan sighed lightly and left the secret room directly.

Indeed, the solution that Li Fan provided to alleviate the calamity in the Infinite Mirror was inspired by his previous speculation.

Diverting disaster to the east!

Using an immortal tool or something akin to it to draw out the hidden calamity within the Infinite Mirror.

Li Fan speculated that the calamity, which moved from the Celestial Lord of Tian Du to the Infinite Mirror, might indicate its particular sensitivity to entities at the celestial level.

Perhaps it would initiate an attack just by sensing their presence.

At that time, most of its power could be transferred out.

Naturally, Li Fan couldn't use a genuine semi-immortal tool as bait. However, creating some items with the aura of immortality was achievable.

It relied on the condensed source power essence provided by the Ghost Clan.

"With the golden source power essence and supplemented by the 'Limitless Primordial Vistas' quasi-immortal formation, I should be able to create a semi-immortal tool."

"Even if it's just for show."

"Even if it fails, it's just a test."

Apart from the branch captured by the Divine Dynasty, the Immortal Alliance still held a large number of Ghost Clan members.

With some effort, leveraging the Sun family's position and connections, they should be able to obtain some.

However, what truly concerned Li Fan at the moment was the situation within the Immortal Alliance headquarters.

Since receiving the transmission from the Taoist, instructing the sixteen Harmonization Stage cultivators to travel outside the Xuanhuang Realm, the headquarters had been in a state of closure.

Clearly, something was brewing.

"With the foundation of the Immortal Alliance, assisting sixteen Harmonization Stage cultivators should be an effortless task."

"There's no need to remain closed for so long."

"The only thing I can think of that is treated so cautiously, feared of leaking, is..."

"Perhaps a method to escape the Immortal Tomb and leave the Xuanhuang Realm!"

A gleam flashed in Li Fan's eyes.

The reason various forces in the Xuanhuang Realm were lying low now was largely due to the existence of the Immortal Tomb.

Nowhere to escape.

Without knowing about the high walls, if they learned of a safe method to leave the Xuanhuang Realm...

Absolutely, many people would do it.

Without hesitation.

Just like the scenario played out in the Xuanhuang Realm thousands of years ago.

Faced with imminent danger, each fled on their own!

"Even within the Immortal Alliance, they must consider whether there are people trying to escape opportunistically."

"After all, it's impossible to truly reveal the existence of the high walls to the public. Otherwise, there will definitely be chaos in the world."

Thinking like this, Li Fan once again activated the Infinite Mirror to spy on the Heavenly Mystery Mirror.

Originally, he thought it would be fruitless like before.

Unexpectedly, this time he actually found some traces.

"Purchase the Crystal of Empty Clarity quickly. Don't make a big fuss, use covert means. After obtaining it, destroy them."

"Crystal of Empty Clarity."

...

Three or four messages like this circulated from the Immortal Alliance headquarters through the Heavenly Mystery Mirror.

Chapter 1213: Immortal Alliance's Suppressive State

"Crystal of Empty Clarity?"

In an instant, Li Fan's mind was filled with related information.

The Crystal of Empty Clarity is a silk-like solid crystal that can float in the air, moving like flowing water. It emits a colorful and dreamy glow. It is often mixed with when female cultivators in the Xuanhuang Realm forge treasures, making the treasures release a dazzling light whether in normal state or when activated.

However...

Apart from its aesthetic appeal, it seems to have no other use. Although its production is not high, its price remains at a moderate level of 8,000 contribution points per piece.

However, there are people in the Immortal Alliance headquarters who, at the risk of being cleared after the incident, are rushing to purchase it in advance.

Obviously, the Crystal of Empty Clarity should be related to the omen of the sixteen Harmonization Stage cultivators leaving the Xuanhuang Realm.

In the secret room of the Sun family, Li Fan's Heavenly Mystery Mirror's origin and Infinite Mirror were both used to quickly detect discreetly related messages and transaction records.

These people were secretive and cautious. Most of them, after agreeing through the Heavenly Mystery Mirror, chose to trade face-to-face using standard spirit stones.

Occasionally, when there were acquisitions in the Heavenly Mystery Mirror, they would still display the information after obtaining it, as if they intended to sell it. This ensured that there was a certain amount of Crystal of Empty Clarity circulating in the Heavenly Mystery Mirror market, and the price did not fluctuate significantly.

However, with continuous transactions, the vast majority of the Crystal of Empty Clarity on the market was gradually controlled by the same group of people. The so-called transactions were merely a formality; it was just a transfer between themselves.

"A good method, much more pleasing to the eye than the crude market manipulation I did face-to-face. It seems they have done this kind of thing before."

Li Fan praised, using the power of the Heavenly Mystery Mirror's origin, actively participating in it.

He had the ability to erase traces and information from the Heavenly Mystery Mirror at any time. Naturally, he was not as cautious as these dark rats.

Bold and unrestrained, he went on a crazy buying spree, not caring about the so-called price and offering irresistible high prices for purchases.

Like a giant whale, he stirred up a tremendous wave in the Heavenly Mystery Mirror trading market.

Soon, the price of the Crystal of Empty Clarity soared.

This abnormality naturally caught the attention of more cultivators. Although they still didn't know the true purpose of the Crystal of Empty Clarity, it didn't prevent them from following the trend and buying.

Li Fan's false identity created by the clone quickly received several unfamiliar messages.

"Which faction are you from? Being so reckless, are you seeking death?"

"Brother, restrain yourself. Don't make everyone go hungry."

"Humph, let me advise you, greed is useless. Spit out what you've swallowed, and everyone can survive together."

...

In response to these noisy messages, Li Fan replied with a single sentence: "Very good, you've been baited. Wait to be cleared!" And instantly, all those cultivators fell silent.

After checking, quite a few of them had inexplicably died in this short time.

"Even their own people are ruthless."

"But they are a bunch of fools."

Li Fan didn't care about these people; while teasing them, he continued his action of buying the Crystal of Empty Clarity.

Unfortunately, this time the Immortal Alliance's response was unusually fast.

"Elder, hurry up and stop!"

Sun Luyao sent a warning.

However, Li Fan's severing operation had already begun.

One by one, the Crystal of Empty Clarity was taken out from the Heavenly Mystery Mirror, and then the fabricated identity information was directly erased.

Li Fan's clone then wielded a devastating black light, destroying the Heavenly Mystery Mirror directly.

At this moment, an announcement from the Immortal Alliance finally arrived in the Heavenly Mystery Mirror.

It directly classified the Crystal of Empty Clarity as a prohibited item.

Now, all the cultivators holding it would have it confiscated by the Immortal Alliance.

Immortal Alliance urges all parties to cooperate with relevant work. Those who insist on obstructing will be punished with alliance crimes.

...

As soon as the news came out, it caused a stir in all directions.

This can be considered the most severe measure announced by the Immortal Alliance since its creation. It is for the seemingly insignificant Crystal of Empty Clarity, which was previously almost ignored by everyone.

What mysteries does this thing hold that the Immortal Alliance is mobilizing such a force?

For those cultivators who possess the Crystal of Empty Clarity but are unwilling to hand it over, they directly decompose and study it.

But as usual, there was still no discovery.

Suspicion and discussions brewed like a storm.

The Immortal Alliance, however, never came forward to explain and even used more aggressive methods to block information.

In the Heavenly Mystery Mirror, no information related to the Crystal of Empty Clarity could be found anymore.

Members within the Immortal Alliance system who dared to discuss the Crystal of Empty Clarity privately were directly dismissed from their positions. Those non-members who gathered to discuss it would be monitored and warned by the various state martial arts halls.

Such a high-pressure situation made cultivators around the world realize that this time was different; the Crystal of Empty Clarity had truly become a forbidden topic.

Xuanhuang cultivators still valued their lives.

For a while, the Immortal Alliance remained silent.

Voices could be suppressed, but how could the curiosity and doubts in their hearts be permanently suppressed?

The Immortal Alliance's control had not yet spread to every cultivator.

Thus, far from the immortal cities of each state, in deep mountain caves and secret chambers with heavy restrictions, discussions about the Crystal of Empty Clarity were unavoidable.

However, all the Crystal of Empty Clarity in the world had already been confiscated.

They could only rely on their imagination to guess.

Not to mention only being able to speculate, even if there were physical items on hand, it would be difficult to figure out the true usage of the Crystal of Empty Clarity.

In the Sun family's secret room, even with the Infinite Mirror, Li Fan couldn't find anything special about the Crystal of Empty Clarity after detailed analysis.

"It seems that the Crystal of Empty Clarity is just a relatively important part of the related materials. There should be other steps."

After the consumption of over a hundred Crystal of Empty Clarity, Li Fan temporarily stopped the research with some helplessness.

"I can only wait for the Immortal Alliance to complete the departure of the sixteen Harmonization Stage cultivators from the Xuanhuang Realm and then find a way to inquire."

"But I can prepare for observation in advance."

In the Sun family,

Wu Ninglu, who was practicing with the resources given by Sun Luyao, did not notice a black shadow emerging from her storage ring.

The black shadow entered her sea of consciousness, quickly gaining control of Wu Ninglu's body.

It was the remnant soul left by Li Fan's main body before entering the Immortal Alliance Protectorate Hall.

Compared to the lurking divine sense, the power of this remnant soul was much stronger.

After the divine sense severed the clue by destroying the Heavenly Mystery Small Mirror and entered a weakened state, Li Fan stopped its operation.

"Now I can only wait for the Immortal Alliance to complete the departure of the sixteen Harmonization Stage cultivators from the Xuanhuang Realm and then find a way to inquire."

"But I can prepare for observation in advance."

In the Sun family,

Wu Ninglu, who was practicing with the resources given by Sun Luyao, did not notice a black shadow emerging from her storage ring.

The black shadow entered her sea of consciousness, quickly gaining control of Wu Ninglu's body.

It was the remnant soul left by Li Fan's main body before entering the Immortal Alliance Protectorate Hall.

Compared to the lurking divine sense, the power of this remnant soul was much stronger.

After the divine sense severed the clue by destroying the Heavenly Mystery Small Mirror and entered a weakened state, Li Fan stopped its operation.

Chapter 1214: Purple Qi Enters the Starry Sky

"This remnant soul originally wanted to stay until the most critical moment. Now it seems that it has to take action."

Lurking by Wu Ninglu's side, Li Fan's remnant soul was already familiar with her actions.

Li Fan's remnant soul controlled her body, found an excuse to leave the Sun family without arousing suspicion, and then, after shaking off the Chen family's pursuit, came to a remote and uninhabited underground area in the wilderness. He gathered materials from the surroundings and started building stone puppets.

Before the sixteen Harmonization Stage cultivators left the Xuanhuang Realm, he intended to send these stone puppets to the border of the Xuanhuang Realm.

To observe closely how they escaped.

With Li Fan's current proficiency in formations, he was not worried about being detected by the people of the Immortal Alliance.

"They say that having too many avatars is a weakness. I have dispersed several, but it still seems insufficient."

Li Fan's remnant soul was somewhat helpless.

If we carefully calculate, the main body is hiding in the law beads space of the Protectorate Hall.

The Holy Embryo is far away, exploring the mysteries of the starry sea.

The Infinite Mirror divine sense is too weak, unable to keep up...

As for the Holy Emperor avatar, unfortunately, it was taken into the ghost realm by Yin Shang.

So, only the concealed remnant soul had to take action personally.

Ignoring the situation in the dim sea, let's not mention that the day the Immortal Alliance completed the mission to spread the law arrived faster than Li Fan expected.

The Crystal of Empty Clarity was classified as a prohibited item thirty-three days after that.

A brilliant rainbow suddenly appeared in the heavens and earth of the Xuanhuang Realm.

It seemed to blend all the colors of the world, distorted and elusive.

Like a meteor flying in reverse, it pierced through the sky, magnificent and majestic.

The rainbow light, witnessed by all, tore the sky of the Xuanhuang Realm.

The thousands of hues it left behind did not disperse for a long time, permeating the sky for several days.

In the following half month, the sky of the Xuanhuang Realm was colorful, bizarre, and dreamlike.

Curious cultivators attempted to capture these scattered rainbow lights.

Surprisingly, these colorful lights indeed had a tangible presence, able to be collected and refined.

Moreover, they possessed the characteristic of making items emit colorful light.

Connecting this with the Crystal of Empty Clarity, which was strictly prohibited by the Immortal Alliance for discussion...

How could the cultivators not understand?

This is the Crystal of Empty Clarity, used to create artifacts for leaving the realm.

The revelation of the mystery did not cause much chaos.

Because for most cultivators, they did not know about the existence of the Immortal Domain, and they didn't even know that it was impossible to escape the Xuanhuang Realm.

They only knew that the communication between the Xuanhuang Realm and the outside world had been severed for a long time. They speculated that the Immortal Alliance's move was to re-establish communication.

But these people were not important.

For the cultivators who mattered, after understanding this, different thoughts began to emerge in their hearts.

The Immortal Alliance began to stir in secret.

Let's rewind to the moment when the colorful rainbow light left the Xuanhuang Realm.

With the eyes of about a hundred stone puppets, Li Fan could see more clearly how the rainbow light left the Xuanhuang Realm.

The moment it left the Xuanhuang Realm, its flight trajectory, as expected, turned from the original straight line to a sudden bend.

Heading towards the direction where the Immortal Domain was.

But not all of it.

It was like a noodle being gradually elongated.

Only a part of the colorful rainbow light, forcibly changed its trajectory by the attraction force of the Immortal Domain.

The rest continued to fly rapidly towards the depths of the starry sea.

As the colorful rainbow light continued its journey, more and more colors were attracted and fell toward the Immortal Domain.

Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo...

The disappearance of these colors also caused the color of the rainbow light to gradually become monotonous.

In the end, only a trail of purple Qi remained.

Lonely, flying into the unknown starry sea.

In the view of the Xuanhuang Realm below, it looked like a beam of light shooting towards the starry sea, dispersing into various colors.

Chapter 1214: Purple Qi Enters the Starry Sky

The slightly surprising phenomenon wouldn't spark much discussion.

However, in Li Fan's eyes, this scene was almost like a miracle.

"It actually resisted the attraction of the Immortal Domain?!"

"No, rather than saying it resisted, it's more like slowing down, dissolving!"

"Release a part of the attraction received, offsetting the force to some extent. Then, with each layer peeled off, rapidly move away from the Immortal Domain, making the traction smaller and smaller."

"Numerous precise calculations were completed to achieve this feat!"

"It's not a victory of pure strength but a victory of cleverness."

In Li Fan's mind, the dynamic curve of color separation kept replaying.

It seemed to contain infinite mysteries.

The Dao-transforming crystal rapidly operated, attempting to deduce and reproduce it within the sea of consciousness.

However, after the separation of yellow light, it became somewhat dizzy and couldn't persist.

Feeling a bit regretful, but having to stop the action.

"Is this the method devised for spreading the law?"

"Elegant."

Li Fan could only give this two-word evaluation.

"The Crystal of Empty Clarity should only be used for separating different colors."

"As for the original power to escape the Xuanhuang Realm, it should still be those sixteen Harmonization Stage cultivators."

"With the situation where the Longevity Realm is bound to the Xuanhuang Realm, unless it reaches the realm of spreading the law, it should be impossible to leave easily. Harmonization is already the highest combat power that the Xuanhuang Realm can mobilize."

"Although it was stimulated by the Immortal Alliance, I can feel that the aura of those sixteen Harmonization Stage cultivators is not weak."

Li Fan's thoughts surged.

The scene of the colorful rainbow light leaving the Xuanhuang Realm gave him a deep stimulation.

When someone easily accomplishes a goal you've been trying for a long time but couldn't achieve, that's when people truly feel the existence of the gap.

"Lord of the Law, really beyond the reach of ordinary people."

"But it doesn't matter; as long as I master this method, I will truly..."

"It will be me ahead of him again."

...

The Sacred Dynasty was in full swing.

Sun Erlang looked at Yi Shu with some surprise.

This senior occasionally spoke well, but suddenly became silent.

If it weren't for witnessing the terrifying power of the Dao-transforming crystal, knowing that this should be the crystal using its computational power, Sun Erlang might have thought he had some kind of dementia.

However, what exactly was the Dao-transforming crystal doing, causing the bodies of these separated Taiyan Sect members to be affected?

Having spent some time with Yi Shu, Sun Erlang had some understanding of the collective temper of Taiyan Sect.

Without speculating randomly, he directly asked.

After a long time, Yi Shu came back to his senses.

"It's nothing, just thinking that, in certain extreme situations, there's a way to escape without abandoning the Dao-transforming crystal."

"Before achieving complete information immortality, losing the Dao-transforming crystal body will still have a significant impact on us," Yi Shu explained to Sun Erlang.

"Extreme situations?" Having witnessed the power of the Dao-transforming crystal, and having experienced the cycle in the simulated world, Sun Erlang found it challenging to imagine what kind of disaster would force the Dao-transforming crystal to flee in embarrassment.

"If that day comes, Senior, don't forget to take me with you," Sun Erlang said with a teasing smile after a moment.

"No problem," Yi Shu glanced at Sun Erlang and nodded in agreement.

Sun Erlang was suddenly puzzled.

"Your Master hasn't been in the Dachao Small World recently? I can't sense his presence," Yi Shu avoided the matter at hand and asked instead.

Sun Erlang frowned at the words. "Yes. I wonder where he went? It seems like this is the first time he's left the Sacred Dynasty."

Yi Shu looked at the seemingly taller Sacred Emperor's throne, and countless shadows flashed in his eyes.

In the secret chamber below the Sacred Emperor's throne, where the dark clan people were kept, thousands of dark clan individuals danced and performed mysterious rituals in concentric circles.

In the center of their encirclement stood a pitch-black door, seemingly capable of devouring all light, towering prominently.

Passing through this mysterious dark door led to the other side of the Xuanhuang Realm, the Dark Sea.

At this moment, Emperor Li Ping was inside it, accompanied by Yin Shangren.

In the Dark Sea, sight, sound, and even divine senses lost their communicative properties.

However, Li Fan could still feel Yin Shangren whispering in his ears.

It was like a strange power directly attached to his skin, facilitating intimate communication.

Being in the Dark Sea, disconnected from the Sacred Dynasty's fortune, Li Ping's strength was extremely weak. Any casual Nascent Divinity cultivator from the Immortal Alliance could easily kill him.

However, as the Sacred Emperor within the Dark Domain, Li Ping didn't harbor the slightest fear.

Because within him flowed a force that ordinary cultivators couldn't perceive.

An almost transcendent golden power.

The cultivation plan of the dark clan people progressed smoothly.

They skipped the growth process of the physical body altogether. As soon as they were born, they were mature individuals with all bodily functions in their peak state.

Although this brought the downside of further reducing their lifespan, with an expected lifespan of only three to five years, the continuous production from the flesh and blood factory ensured a considerable number of loyal dark clan individuals praying for the Sacred Emperor in the Sacred Dynasty.

After the dark clan population exceeded four digits, the daily generation of wishful essence had reached a considerable level.

Manipulated by Li Ping, a golden giant net was formed in his body, centered around the heart.

The essence flowed like a vast river, and the current Sacred Emperor Li Ping, even without using his cultivation base, could display various unimaginable divine abilities with just a wave of his hand.

For example, with a single thought, he could trace the source of the wishful essence. Regardless of his location in the Xuanhuang Realm, he could instantly return to the Dachao Small World. Even if there were other forces interfering, the most they could do was delay the speed of his return. They couldn't completely stop the process.

Moreover, when he was attacked, the giant net of wishful essence would spontaneously defend and counterattack.

With the current scale of power in his golden net, Li Ping was confident that even if a Longevity Realm cultivator in the Xuanhuang Realm intervened, they wouldn't be able to trap him.

Of course, excluding spreading the law.

This was the confidence he had when personally venturing into the Dark Sea.

Through the power of Yin Shangren's world of ghosts, the two were communicating with each other.

"Haven't you felt anything strange here?" Yin Shangren's voice was intermittent. His main body was somewhere unknown.

"It's all pitch black. Besides that, there's nothing else," Emperor Li Ping said in a deep voice.

"Oh, right. You're different from me. It's normal not to hear these voices. The low whispers of various eras and figures from the Xuanhuang Realm used to fluctuate in this Dark Sea..."

With Yin Shangren's explanation, Li Ping finally understood what he meant by something strange.

"The Dark Realm is a collection of forces deviating from the Immortal Axis in the Xuanhuang Realm.

Originally part of the Xuanhuang Realm, attracted to the Dark Realm for unknown reasons, they also brought some 'information' with them. It could be a sound, a few images, or even a complete divine thought.

Accumulating over time, suppressed by the power of this place, they all sank into the Dark Sea.

"Originally, the Dark Sea is quite lively," Li Ping said thoughtfully.

"It's not accurate to say that. The nature of this place is destined to silence all information. I can only contact these fragments of time by absorbing the method. Didn't you ask me about the reason for the special physique of the dark clan people? I think I know the answer."

With this statement, Li Ping felt a surge of darkness behind him.

It was Yin Shangren suddenly appearing.

Contrary to the gloominess here, he appeared out of place. The swirling pattern around him allowed Li Fan to "see" him clearly.

"If we consider the force of the Immortal Axis as attraction, then the force maintaining the existence of the Dark Realm can be considered as repulsion. This repulsive force is not like the constant attraction of the Immortal Axis. Instead, it appears regularly, washing over like the tides of the sea. The accumulation over time has created this peculiar existence in the Xuanhuang Realm."

Yin Shangren's tone was full of amazement.

Although he vaguely knew about the existence of this area before, he had never systematically studied it.

This in-depth investigation had deeply impressed him with the wonders of the Dark Sea.

"Attraction comes from a force beyond the Xuanhuang, while repulsion comes from the Xuanhuang itself. However, it's not from the Xuanhuang world itself..."

Yin Shangren fell silent for a moment, seemingly calculating something.

"If I guess correctly, this periodic spontaneous repulsion should come from the ancient Xuantian Sect's [Floating Sky Grand Array]!"

Speaking of this formation, Yin Shangren's tone suddenly became somewhat subtle.

It seemed like some unpleasant memories flashed through his mind.

But soon he suppressed this emotion originating from his own nature and continued the analysis.

"So, Floating Sky, if it can't counteract the attraction from the Immortal Axis, how can it float in the boundless starry sky? Compared to that, the golden chains capturing other worlds seem more like a behavior of salvaging resources, strengthening oneself incidentally."

"Indeed, it's a magnificent formation that shook the ancient and modern Xuanhuang, unparalleled. It's just a pity that the array is now damaged. If I'm not mistaken, each activation of the repulsion in this Dark Sea also consumes the Xuanhuang world as a cost. In the past, the Xuanhuang Realm could capture other worlds to offset this consumption."

"But times have changed. Not to mention supplying the repulsive force of the Dark Sea, the Xuanhuang Realm itself is hard to maintain now."

Yin Shangren unexpectedly showed a rare tone of schadenfreude.