Chapter 215: The End of This World (2k+ words)

A faint light swept through, and over forty thousand sheets of paper floated in the air.

In the Tianxuan Mirror, Li Fan felt that these papers in front of him seemed to move slightly.

After a moment, a thick "book" appeared in front of Li Fan.

"Decryption complete, required contribution points deducted: 28,000."

"This is too fast!" Li Fan couldn't help but be amazed.

Just now, the scene of the pages flying was definitely not an illusion.

The speed of movement exceeded the limit perceivable by Li Fan, making it impossible to see the trajectory of the papers' movement.

"Times have changed! Yi Xing!"

"In the past, if you didn't know the key, ordinary cultivators could never open the Heavenly Locking Treasure Box you left behind."

"But now, everyone can use the Tianxuan Mirror. This encrypted treasure box, in front of the Tianxuan Mirror, is basically defenseless!"

"The Tianxuan Mirror is indeed a great treasure!"

Li Fan sighed inwardly and opened the unlocked Heavenly Locking Treasure Box.

Inside, there were only two things: a jade slip and a crystal stone emitting a deep blue light.

The blue light flickered gently, as if it were breathing, and countless scenes were constantly playing inside the stone when looked at closely.

"This is the Dao Stone!"

Although it took some twists and turns, Li Fan joyfully held the Dao Stone in his hand.

"I wonder what quality this Dao Stone left by Yi Xing is."

Still using the Tianxuan Mirror as the appraiser.

"Dao Stone (Low Grade), can be converted into 150,000 contribution points."

The Tianxuan Mirror, diligent as always, quickly displayed the result.

Li Fan decisively chose to reject the conversion and pondered in his heart.

"Although it is a low-grade item, it should be enough for me at the moment. This small piece of stone is actually more expensive than the Yuan Infant technique."

"No, Jiao Xiu said that this Dao Stone is essentially priceless. 150,000 is only the theoretical purchase price of the Tianxuan Mirror."

"To buy it at the same price is simply a pipe dream."

Sure enough, Li Fan searched in the Tianxuan Mirror.

Many cultivators posted messages seeking to buy Dao Stones.

The proposed trade conditions were no longer just contribution points but also equivalent treasures.

"This can be considered the most valuable thing around me right now."

Li Fan happily stored the Dao Stone and started reading the jade slip left by Yi Xing.

The jade slip did not contain any secret techniques. It mainly consisted of Yi Xing's notes and his feelings before his death.

From the words between the lines, Li Fan also learned about the life of Yi Xing, a disciple of the Taiyan Sect, during the great migration era many years ago.

At that time, under the influence of the rule that immortal techniques could not be practiced simultaneously, many sects in the cultivation world experienced tragic internal conflicts.

Some millennium sects even perished overnight due to this.

Naturally, the Taiyan Sect was no exception.

However, most Taiyan Sect disciples were more inclined to the art of divination and deduction and were not very enthusiastic about fighting.

The internal strife was quickly suppressed by the Taiyan Sect's master, Left Qiu Shang.

Although this peace was destined not to last long, it maintained a period of tranquility.

Just as this brief peace was about to disappear, the Immortal-Devil Plague broke out.

The prohibition against practicing different immortal techniques simultaneously only resulted in a stagnation of realms.

而感染了仙凡瘴,那可是真的会死的.

Which is lighter and which is heavier, all cultivators are well aware of.

So, they no longer cared about internal conflicts.

Instead, they turned to deal with the Immortal-Devil Plague.

The history during this period was consistent with what Li Fan had learned before.

First, there was the rampant slaughter of mortals, and then, realizing that something was wrong, the massacre of mortals was urgently halted.

Following that, the infamous "Great Migration Plan" was proposed.

Those below the Foundation Building stage would be forcibly moved to nearby small worlds and immortal caves.

At that time, Yi Xing was already in the late Foundation Building stage.

However, he voluntarily stepped forward to take charge of the migration of mortals in the Taiyan Sect and the surrounding areas.

In his notes, Yi Xing admitted that although the outbreak of the Immortal-Devil Plague forcibly halted the process of cultivators killing each other, it could be foreseen that the real slaughter and the dark age would soon arrive.

At that time, as a mere Foundation Building cultivator, he would undoubtedly be one of the first targets to be killed.

So, why not take advantage of this opportunity to join the mortals and escape to nearby small worlds?

With the prestige of an immortal, he could command all beings.

Establish a foundation in this small world.

Then, abandon cultivation techniques to maintain peace.

In this way, perhaps he could live longer than if he stayed in the cultivation world by force.

Therefore, in this desolate small world, Yi Xing established a mortal dynasty.

Knowing that immortality was hopeless, Yi Xing, after becoming an emperor, mobilized the common people to build his tomb.

Moreover, while his cultivation was still intact, he laid down an illusion formation inside the tomb.

This concealed his true burial place.

As Yi Xing aged, and the spiritual energy within him completely disappeared, making him a complete mortal, the aging process accelerated.

He began to reminisce about the days in the Taiyan Sect.

When he was on the verge of old age, he came alone to the tomb and sealed it.

Then, he stored the Dao Stone.

Hoping that in the future, if Taiyan Sect disciples happened to come to this realm, they would take the Dao Stone back to the sect.

...

"I didn't expect that Yi Xing had such a history."

"This person is quite wise and made the right choice. He bravely retreated, successfully escaping the era of great darkness."

"However, looking at it this way, there were probably quite a few cultivators who chose to escape back then."

"Those with the ability, like Liu Ruchen of the Medicine King Sect, directly tore through the void and escaped the Xuanhuang Realm."

"Those who sought second best, like Yi Xing, fled to nearby small worlds."

Li Fan recalled the farce mentioned by He Zhenghao about the small worlds counterattacking the cultivation world five hundred years ago.

"Perhaps there are influences left behind by the cultivators who fled at that time..."

After indulging in thoughts for a moment, Li Fan put away the jade slip and slowly retracted his scattered thoughts.

"The Dao Stone is in hand, but how should I use it? Yi Xing did not leave behind the secret technique of 'Dao Transformation One.'"

Out of cautious secrecy, Li Fan did not ask Jiao Xiuyuan.

Instead, he continued his search in the Tianxuan Mirror.

Sure enough, although it was an ancient sect technique, the key to this technique was the Dao Stone, not the technique itself.

Without the Dao Stone, "Dao Transformation One" was utterly useless.

Moreover, after so many years of development in the cultivation world, there wasn't just one method to utilize the Dao Stone; it wasn't limited to "Dao Transformation One."

Considering there were no restrictions on simultaneous cultivation of multiple techniques, the price naturally didn't go too high.

Li Fan only spent 30,000 contribution points, equivalent to the cost of a Foundation Establishment cultivation technique, to learn the secret technique.

After signing a confidentiality contract, he mastered the technique.

"To touch with the divine, to blend with calculations."

"Harmony of self and object, Dao Transformation One."

Li Fan placed the deep blue Dao Stone on his forehead.

Activating the secret technique, he began to cultivate slowly.

The integration of consciousness and the Dao Stone was a slow process.

Time passed quietly as Li Fan practiced the secret technique.

In the blink of an eye, it was the 11th year, the time for the opening of the Cloud Water Celestial Palace.

Although Li Fan was now wealthy, he didn't want to waste the 100,000 contribution points for the task of "Cloud Water Chart."

So, Li Fan used his clone to make a trip to the Cloud Water Celestial Palace.

First, he faced Qin Tang's test.

However, this time, due to the influence on his clone's will during cultivation, it wasn't as perfect as before when Li Fan personally dealt with it.

But relying on a pot of good wine, he managed to salvage the situation.

He ranked first among the examinees once again.

This time, Qin Tang didn't impart the Cloud Water Illusory Dream technique but instead taught a Foundation Establishment stage cultivation technique called "Roaming the Seas."

Although Li Fan was somewhat regretful, he had no choice.

This clone only had the cultivation base of Foundation Establishment. It was already considerate of Qin Tang to provide a Foundation Establishment technique.

After chatting with Qin Tang for a while, he withdrew from the illusion slightly later.

Avoiding other cultivators, Li Fan headed straight to the Taiyi Hall.

The clone lacked the Azure Flame Phantom Spirit, so it took some effort to pass through the sword forest in front of the Taiyi Hall.

"Disciple of the Cloud Water Celestial Palace, Lin Fan, requests an audience with Grandmaster Taiyi!"

While practicing the recently learned "Roaming the Seas," the clone shouted.

The turtle-snake monster awakened from its slumber.

Still feeling a bit confused, but the scent of Qin Tang's personally transmitted technique on the clone couldn't be faked.

Taiyi, after a brief identification, handed over the small Yunshui Heavenly Palace, glowing with colorful light, to Li Fan.

Taking the "Cloud-Water Diagram" and avoiding unnecessary trouble, the clone hurriedly returned to the Heavenly Mirror.

Choosing to complete the task.

The reaction of the Heavenly Mirror was the same as it was in the twelfth generation.

"Unable to determine the authenticity of the 'Cloud-Water Diagram,' please wait."

After a long silence.

The voice of the Heavenly Mirror resounded again.

"The task issuer... requests to visit your space, whether to accept?"

Li Fan naturally chose to agree.

After a moment, a gray-haired old man, the Heavenly Doctor, appeared in front of Li Fan with a face full of kindness.

After a formal greeting, Li Fan handed over the seven-colored model.

The Heavenly Doctor took the Yunshui Heavenly Palace, observed it carefully, and sighed with emotion.

After a long time, he asked, "What is the current situation inside the Yunshui Heavenly Palace?"

Li Fan truthfully answered one by one.

Upon hearing this, a strange expression appeared in the cloudy eyes of the Heavenly Doctor.

Once again, he fell into a long silence.

According to the experience of the twelfth generation, the Heavenly Doctor would typically assign another errand.

He would ask Li Fan to place a white jade statue in the Yunshui Heavenly Palace.

This white jade statue would attract the Master who drove a green bull cart five years later.

In the ensuing battle, the Yunshui Heavenly Palace would be sealed again.

The Heavenly Doctor remained silent for a long time, seemingly immersed in memories.

Li Fan could only patiently wait.

However, at this moment, the development of the situation took a completely unexpected turn.

Far beyond Li Fan's expectations.

After being silent for a long time, the Heavenly Doctor suddenly raised his head and stared at Li Fan.

With a strange expression, he asked, "Young friend, what are you expecting?"

Li Fan's mind was greatly shaken.

Because he shockingly discovered that his body seemed completely uncontrollable.

His mouth opened and closed, revealing all the secrets hidden in his heart without reservation!

"I'm waiting for you to give me a new task, asking me to run to Yunshui again..."

The voice was strange and faltering, as if controlled like a puppet.

Somewhat ridiculous, somewhat eerie.

In the Heavenly Mirror, Li Fan's main body woke up from cultivation.

Without hesitation, he immediately used the "Substitute the Day with Night" secret technique.

Sacrificing the life of the clone.

"Sky Palace, place the jade statue inside..."

The clone's words were cut off midway, and its life force visibly declined.

The words were interrupted directly, and it seemed like it wouldn't survive.

The white-haired old man revealed a slightly mocking smile.

Lightly pointing into the air.

The clone, whose body was clearly on the brink of death, was unexpectedly forcibly saved in an instant.

"As a reward, will you give me a copy of the 'Heavenly Doctor's Immortal Sutra'..."

In the life and death struggle, the clone managed to finish speaking.

It then turned into ashes completely.

The Heavenly Doctor, getting the answer, was momentarily stunned, showing a somewhat surprised expression.

Then, as if understanding something, a smile bloomed on his aged face.

"Good!"

In the moment when the clone completely died, the warning signs in Li Fan's heart still did not dissipate.

Without hesitation, he immediately silently recited in his mind.

"Still..."

In the Heavenly Mirror space he was in, it seemed as if a crack had suddenly been forcibly torn open.

In the crack, the figure of the Heavenly Doctor was vaguely visible.

"True..."

The command had already been shouted, but the surrounding scenes did not instantly turn into nothingness like before.

As if sinking into a quagmire, or as if the connection had been severed.

The Heavenly Doctor's gaze had already descended upon Li Fan through the crack.

At this moment, in the two years since entering the cultivation world.

The accumulated progress of [True Return] instantly plummeted.

An inexplicable obstacle vanished.

The surroundings became illusory again, and Li Fan's consciousness plunged into darkness.

(End of this chapter)