"Exchange insights..." Li Fan pondered in silence, hesitating for a long time without agreeing.
Seeing this, Zhong Daogong let out a long breath. Black and white hues drifted and coalesced into a brush, tracing a character directly in the void.
"Please observe, Fellow Daoist." Zhong Daogong was exceedingly solemn. Even here in the uninhabited Star Sea, he still set down a restriction around them to keep the character from leaking out.
The character flickered between light and dark, coiling and flowing like a living creature endowed with spirit.
Li Fan glanced at it and remarked offhandedly, "Ah, so it is 'Hatred'..."
"However, your rendition of 'Hatred' seems to have a few flaws, Fellow Daoist."
Hearing this, Zhong Daogong's expression shifted slightly. Just as he was about to speak, Li Fan said with pride, "Why not see how my 'Hatred' compares?"
With strokes like dancing dragons and slithering snakes, another seemingly identical character manifested in an instant.
The two "Hatred" characters stood side by side.
Staring at the True Immortal seal character Li Fan had written, Zhong Daogong froze at first. Then, his body began to tremble uncontrollably.
As the First Elder of the Severing Immortal Tower and the cultivator within the Xuan Celestial Vessel who had delved the deepest into True Immortal seal characters, Zhong Daogong could naturally distinguish the subtle differences between the two characters before him with complete clarity.
Judging by the faint ripples emanating from both characters, the completeness of the other's writing was noticeably superior to his own!
In fact, the margin by which he led far exceeded that of the "Separation" character from before!
"Th-this..." Struck by blow after blow, Zhong Daogong found it difficult to accept for a moment. Yet decades of research instinct drove him to set aside all stray thoughts and begin scrutinizing Li Fan's "Hatred" character first.
Every modified detail brought it one step closer to the fundamental true meaning. Had he attempted to discover these on his own, it would likely have taken ten or twenty years of painstaking effort just to catch up.
Yet now, a single glance outweighed countless days and nights of arduous study.
Zhong Daogong naturally had no idea that the "Hatred" character before his eyes was precisely the work of his own self several decades in the future. At this moment, only a single thought occupied his mind.
He had to "invite" this cultivator back to the Xuan Celestial Vessel, no matter what methods it took!
True Immortal seal characters were simply far too important to the Xuan Celestial Vessel. Gaining deeper mastery over even one more would undoubtedly elevate the vessel's combat power immensely.
Furthermore, that crucial envisioned plan also demanded gathering as many different types of True Immortal seal characters as possible.
With this in mind, after engraving the new "Hatred" character deeply into his memory, Zhong Daogong turned to Li Fan and sighed in admiration, "Your attainment is profound, Fellow Daoist. I fall far short!"
"However... in my homeland, there are more than a dozen other scholars studying True Immortal seal characters just like me. They have labored in this field for many years, and in their understanding of these seal characters, none are inferior to me..."
Hearing this, Li Fan shook his head, a hint of disdain flashing through his eyes as he interrupted Zhong Daogong: "To be frank with you, Fellow Daoist, in our Great Qi..."
Li Fan paused. "Everyone unites with one heart and mind toward the singular goal of surviving the shattered Star Sea. All research on True Immortal seal characters is shared openly. In contrast, on your side..."
Hearing this, Zhong Daogong grew even more delighted inwardly. Solemnly, he explained, "Actually, we have a similar sharing system. But since these are the research results of others, it is inappropriate for me to display them without review. However, if you are willing to share and exchange insights, Fellow Daoist, I guarantee that you will certainly gain new revelations."
"You surely know how difficult it is to study True Immortal seal characters. If we can supply what the other lacks..."
Under Zhong Daogong's persistent persuasion, Li Fan gradually seemed swayed.
Finally, Zhong Daogong administered an even stronger dose: "In my homeland, there is also an authentic original work of a True Immortal seal character. If our exchange goes well, it is not impossible for you to see it with your own eyes, Fellow Daoist."
Zhong Daogong knew full well how irresistibly alluring an authentic original True Immortal seal character was to people like them. Thus, after speaking, he stared intently at Li Fan.
Just as expected, Li Fan's eyes lit up, his hesitation vanishing completely. "Do you speak the truth?"
Upon receiving Zhong Daogong's affirmative reply, Li Fan finally nodded in agreement.
"However, for our initial exchange, let us hold it right here in the void," Li Fan suddenly added.
Casually pointing toward the nearby space, silvery-white lines intertwined into existence as a grand array slowly unfurled.
Within the array, pavilions and towers rose from the ground, sheltered amidst small bridges and flowing streams. Beneath the bridges, clear springs rippled with glistening light, and one could even see fish frolicking in the currents.
Light and shadow danced, blurring the line between illusion and reality.
At this sight, Zhong Daogong's pupils constricted sharply.
Li Fan flew into the array first, sat down in a waterside pavilion, and looked back. "This place will do."
"As the saying goes, one must always be on guard against harm. Coming to the border of the Star Sea alone, I must naturally be cautious." Li Fan wore a matter-of-fact expression.
Zhong Daogong pondered for a moment before flying into the grand array after him.
Birds chirped in his ears; as he walked across the bridge, water flowed beneath his feet. Zhong Daogong could even feel the gentle humidity hanging in the air.
It was difficult to imagine that the scene of pavilions and flowing waters before him had been conjured by an array in an instant!
"To think that beyond True Immortal seal characters, you are also so skilled in arrays, Fellow Daoist?" Zhong Daogong looked around, faintly discerning that this seemed to be merely an array for constructing pavilions in the Star Sea. Yet the fact that it could produce an illusion so indistinguishable from reality—one that even he struggled to see through—undoubtedly proved the array's extraordinary nature.
"Merely a trivial trick," Li Fan replied dismissively. "Researching True Immortal seal characters has already consumed all my heart's blood. Where would I find the spare energy to delve deeply into arrays..."
Zhong Daogong thoroughly agreed, nodding in assent.
After inspecting the array and finding nothing amiss, Zhong Daogong cupped his hands. "Then it is settled. Wait here, Fellow Daoist. Before this stick of incense burns out, I will return with the others."
As he spoke, Zhong Daogong gave a flick of his wide sleeve, and an ochre incense stick flew forth, standing upright in the void.
The ember was already lit, wisps of fragrant smoke drifting upward. Zhong Daogong bowed in farewell and sped away, his figure vanishing into the dark Star Sea.
Li Fan watched his departure for a long time before returning to Master Yin and the others.
"Saint Teacher..."
Having seen Li Fan depart abruptly and remain away for so long, Master Yin and the others naturally suspected that trouble had arisen. The moment Li Fan reappeared, they inquired with deep concern.
"To think that a surviving civilization still exists at the border of this Star Sea. It must have been the array I just set up to connect with the Xuanhuang Realm that disturbed them," Li Fan said with a heavy expression.
His words struck like a thunderbolt, filling everyone with dread. "Here? Surrounded by utter desolation, where could they possibly live?"
"That remains unclear; I only had a brief encounter with one of them. Still, anyone capable of surviving in the shattered Star Sea to this day is certainly not to be trifled with. For now, do not expose yourselves. Wait until I have investigated thoroughly," Li Fan instructed.
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Unknown entities in the Star Sea were far more likely to be foes than friends. No amount of caution was excessive.
Taking advantage of the interval before the Celestial Vessel contingent arrived, Li Fan resumed his lecture to Master Yin and the others.
"Relics contain the remnant power of True Immortals, and world fragments even more so. If we hand world fragments saturated with True Immortal remnant power over to the Xuanhuang Realm to absorb..."
"...it would likely provoke upheaval throughout the world and bring catastrophe to all living beings."
"However, so many years have passed since the great catastrophe of the Star Sea. There are bound to be remnant worlds where the True Immortal power has largely dissipated. Only such worlds can serve as the medicinal guide," Li Fan explained eloquently.
"With so many of us dividing the work, finding a suitable medicinal guide shouldn't be too difficult, should it?" Qiaogong remarked, gazing at the distant Great Wall of Remnant Worlds stretching without end.
Li Fan shook his head slightly.
Pointing forward with a finger, the wooden sword phantom instantly flashed to the outer edge of the Great Wall of Remnant Worlds.
"Why don't you step outside and try?" Li Fan said.
Qiaogong was the first to step beyond the bounds of the wooden sword phantom.
The instant he reached the outside, Qiaogong's face twisted in horror. As if seized in an instant by a tremendous gravitational force, he plummeted uncontrollably toward the Great Wall of Remnant Worlds!
"Hold!"
A layer of golden armor surfaced over his body. Flustered and expending considerable effort, Qiaogong barely managed to steady himself in the void.
Yet he still could not halt his drift toward the Great Wall of Remnant Worlds. The radiance of the armor upon him flickered wildly, as though pushed to its very limit.
Li Fan maneuvered the wooden sword phantom, once again enveloping Qiaogong within its protection.
Freed from the terrifying pull, Qiaogong stared in terror at the Great Wall of Remnant Worlds ahead.
"There's an Immortal Ruins here as well?!" The others gasped in stunned bewilderment.
"It is not an Immortal Ruins. It is a High Wall," Li Fan said slowly, his voice drifting and ethereal.
"The pull originating from the Immortal Ruins was blocked by the High Wall at the Star Sea's border. Then, in a manner beyond our current comprehension, it accumulated beneath the High Wall. Over eons, it formed this unique variant of an Immortal Ruins."
"The reason the world fragments are linked together in a continuous chain is also to resist this Reverberating Astral Force..."
The picture Li Fan painted deeply shook everyone present.
Even if they could not see that invisible High Wall, the fact that it could firmly contain the pull of an Immortal Ruins capable of shattering the entire Star Sea was proof enough of its power and mystery.
"Moving along the Great Wall of Remnant Worlds subjects one to a pull barely lesser than at the borders of the Xuanhuang Realm. With the slightest lapse in caution, one could lose control and collide with those remnant worlds. And if True Immortal remnant power still lingered within them..."
"Furthermore, affected by the Reverberating Astral Force, the range our divine sense can explore is drastically curtailed. Therein lies the difficulty of finding medicinal guides and remnant worlds suitable for replenishment," Li Fan said gravely.
Li Fan extended his hand, revealing a rainbow crystal that flowed like silk.
"This is Kongming Flowing Crystal. Combined with the Light-Splitting Rainbow Transformation technique, it can resist this omnipresent suction to a certain extent."
"Remember, do not push your luck. When only one-third of the rainbow light remains, you must withdraw early."
Li Fan distributed the Kongming Flowing Crystals and taught everyone the Light-Splitting Rainbow Transformation technique, which had originated from Chuanfa.
"Of course, if you could reach the realm of No Sword, No Self as I have, you might be able to disregard this Reverberating Astral Force to some degree." The wooden sword phantom flickered, carrying everyone back to safe ground.
"The Great Wall of Remnant Worlds holds countless world fragments. Relying solely on my strength to find suitable medicinal guides would be an arduous, near-impossible task. That is why I need your assistance," Li Fan said solemnly.
At this point, Baihua could not help asking, "Saint Teacher, what is your ultimate purpose in going through all this trouble? Is it merely to help Xuanhuang advance its rank and reap the benefits from it?"
Li Fan smiled faintly. "If Xuanhuang ascends and escapes the crisis of world annihilation, we will receive the reciprocation of Heaven and Earth, perhaps even gaining the opportunity to shatter the mortal limit. Multiple gains in a single stroke—could that not be enough?"
Just as the others were about to ask more, Li Fan's gaze flickered. "More people have arrived over there. I will go and return shortly."
"Stay here for now and familiarize yourselves with the Light-Splitting Rainbow Transformation technique."
Before his words had fully faded, Li Fan vanished.
Aboard the wooden sword phantom, everyone remained silent for a long time.
In the end, it was Xu Ke who broke the silence: "In truth, relying on the Saint Teacher's power alone, he could probably facilitate Xuanhuang's ascension. It would just take a bit more time."
"Yet he still brought along burdens like us... It reminds me of Mr. Bai back in the day."
Xu Ke sighed with deep emotion, an expression of boundless nostalgia surfacing in his eyes.
Hearing this, the others fell silent.
Indeed, from their perspective, there was truly nothing about them that the Saint Teacher could possibly covet.
...
Outside the grand array of pavilions and towers.
The elders of the Celestial Vessel had gathered. They did not enter, observing from a distance.
Their divine senses exchanged words continuously: "Well? Is it a trap?"
"It seems we worried over nothing. There truly are no offensive measures; it appears to be merely an illusion array."
"It is just an array. How strong could it possibly be? With so many of us, would we fear him alone?"
"Indeed. Under the might of True Immortal seal characters, any array would be reduced to ash."
"Do not forget, the other party also understands True Immortal seal characters. Perhaps even more deeply than we do..."
The elders' telepathic chatter instantly ground to a halt.
Right at that moment, Li Fan, whom they had been awaiting, walked slowly out from the grand array.
In his hand, he held the stick of incense left behind by Zhong Daogong.
One-third of the incense still remained. Li Fan looked around at the crowd and nodded. "A man of your word, as expected."
Zhong Daogong introduced the others to Li Fan: "This is Gan Jingda. This is Nangong Lie..."
After a round of pleasantries, Li Fan invited everyone into the array to converse in detail.
The Celestial Vessel cultivators exchanged glances, reached a consensus, and followed him into the array together.
Arriving at one of the pavilions to sit, those present cut straight to the point.
"May I ask, Fellow Daoist, how many True Immortal seal characters has your homeland deciphered in total?" Zhong Daogong asked point-blank.
This question was crucial; every member of the Celestial Vessel fixed their eyes on Li Fan, waiting for his answer.
"Thirteen," Li Fan said flatly.
Hearing this, the elders of the Celestial Vessel looked at one another, most of them wearing expressions of doubt.
"Granted, it is rather few. However, only those deciphered to over ninety percent completeness are counted," Li Fan added.
At this, the elders of the Celestial Vessel could no longer restrain themselves, hastily asking, "Do you speak truly, Fellow Daoist?"
Li Fan chuckled softly, looking thoroughly aloof and proud.
Zhong Daogong waved his hand, and only then did the elders gradually calm down.
"It is not that we do not believe you. It is just that thirteen True Immortal seal characters, and ninety percent complete at that..."
"...is truly somewhat unbelievable." Zhong Daogong looked at Li Fan.
Li Fan smiled and got straight to the point: "One character for one character."
The elders exchanged thoughts once more and arrived at an agreement.
"Earlier, I already displayed the characters for 'Separation' and 'Hatred.' This time, you go first," Li Fan said clearly to the Celestial Vessel group.
Though surrounded by a crowd, not the slightest hint of fear appeared on his face.
Chapter 1318