The Shock of Creation

"This humble one never speaks falsely!" "Besides... there is no need for exaggeration," Li Fan said with supreme arrogance, looking down on the crowd. The restless impulses that had been stirring among the elders of the Celestial Vessel dissipated in an instant. They secretly conferred among themselves, debating the reliability of Li Fan's claims. Nangong Lie: "A single True Immortal seal character worth more than all of them combined? I don't buy such nonsense." Gan Jingda: "Better to believe it exists than dismiss it out of hand. The civilization this man comes from has studied the True Immortal seal characters to an extent no less than our Celestial Vessel... If they were fortunate enough to have truly discovered something, acting rashly might cause us to miss out on it entirely." Lu Yuzhi: "Indeed. Capturing someone bearing a True Immortal seal character alive is far too difficult; our only option would be to strike without warning and kill him instantly. In that case, we must extract as much knowledge from his mind as possible before making our move." "Regardless, this brat knows far too many of the Celestial Vessel's absolute secrets. Under no circumstances can we allow him to leave." This was a consensus the Celestial Vessel elders had reached long ago, so when Zhong Daogong voiced it, not a single person objected. Just then, Ai Tianjue sent a divine transmission: "Why don't we do this..." After a brief exchange, they once again reached a unified stance. This time, Jian Daosheng spoke up: "Since Fellow Daoist is so certain, our interest has truly been piqued." "A value that completely eclipses the sum of over a dozen True Immortal seal characters... If it is truly as you say, we are willing to pay any price to behold its true face." The other elders of the Celestial Vessel also chimed in, nodding in agreement. "I only wonder what else you can offer. An ordinary authentic original True Immortal seal character simply won't suffice," Li Fan pressed with an astonishingly haughty tone. Jian Daosheng smiled faintly. "Rest assured, Fellow Daoist. Handed down from ancient times in our world is the [Baiwen Immortal Record], in which specialties and treasures from the ruined cultivation worlds across this Star Sea are preserved. If what Fellow Daoist says is true, then in addition to that authentic original True Immortal seal character, we agree to let you select three treasures of your choice from it..." Li Fan did not seem moved in the slightest by the terms offered by Jian Daosheng. He merely muttered under his breath, "Baiwen Immortal Record, Baiwen Immortal Record... I seem to have heard of that somewhere." Seeing this, the elders of the Celestial Vessel were all taken aback. Suddenly, enlightenment dawned on Li Fan, and he uttered four words: "Xuanshang Celestial Vessel?!" Like a thunderclap, the name echoed in the ears of the Celestial Vessel elders. Their auras shifted abruptly, each tensing as though facing a formidable enemy. Seeing the situation turn precarious, Zhong Daogong secretly signaled the other elders to prepare to strike, while forcing a smile himself as he asked, "What does Fellow Daoist mean by that?" Li Fan cupped his hands. "In ancient times, the Xuanshang Celestial Vessel traversed myriad worlds. Who did not know of it? Who had not heard its name? I originally thought the vessel had vanished along with the silence of the Star Sea, never expecting it to have survived ten thousand years later!" "If my teachers and the others knew, they would certainly be thrilled. No, I must quickly pass this news to them..." Li Fan's words made Zhong Daogong's eyelids twitch violently. He hastily interrupted Li Fan, diverting the topic: "Fellow Daoist flatters us. Since Fellow Daoist has already recognized us, we shall no longer conceal our identities." "We are indeed the descendants of the Xuanshang Celestial Vessel from back then. However, much has happened over these ten thousand years. Although we escaped the cataclysm of ruin, the Xuanshang Celestial Vessel was split in two. We are one of those halves." Zhong Daogong looked at the somewhat astonished Li Fan and raised an eyebrow. "However, there is one thing I truly do not understand. Even within our Celestial Vessel, the [Baiwen Immortal Record] is classified at the highest level of secrecy. How could an outsider like Fellow Daoist know of its existence?" Ever since learning the Celestial Vessel's identity, Li Fan's attitude had softened, turning considerably friendlier. He explained to the people of the vessel, "To be frank with you all, my homeland of Great Qi shares a deep connection with the Xuanshang Celestial Vessel. It was precisely by relying on an immortal artifact traded from the Celestial Vessel back then that we were able to survive the great tribulation to this day." "Even now, that immortal artifact continues to shelter us. Therefore, the entirety of Great Qi has always harbored a measure of gratitude toward the Celestial Vessel..." Hearing Li Fan's explanation, the elders of the Celestial Vessel were momentarily dumbfounded. Gan Jingda: "Old Zhong, was there such a thing?" Zhong Daogong frowned, searching his memory for the records of the Celestial Vessel. "In ancient times, the Celestial Vessel did indeed conclude several transactions involving immortal artifacts. However, per the rules and the clients' requests, the relevant records were destroyed after the deals were finalized. The central core of the Xuanshang Celestial Vessel should have had backups, but during the internal strife back then... that portion of the archives should currently be with the Shang Celestial Vessel," said Jian Daosheng, Chief of the Immortal Pivot Court. "The Xuanshang Celestial Vessel trading immortal artifacts was something only a select few factions knew about back then. Since this person can speak of it, it should be genuine..." Nangong Lie said slowly. "Extensive research into True Immortal seal characters, and protected by an immortal artifact..." In the minds of the vessel's elders, a formidable cultivation civilization preserved from antiquity—Great Qi—gradually took shape. And at this moment, Li Fan gave them another grand surprise. "Since you are people of the Celestial Vessel, matters become much simpler." "The Celestial Vessel does business with sincerity; I trust you!" "I originally intended not to release my hawks until I saw the hare, since this True Immortal seal character is simply too precious, having been derived from the remnant memories of the Immortal Realm within our immortal artifact..." Every single word from Li Fan tugged at the hearts of the elders. "Everyone, feast your eyes!" Li Fan's voice suddenly rose several pitches. The illusion array's scene of pavilions, terraces, arched bridges, and flowing water vanished abruptly, transforming into a rolling, boundless expanse of grassland. Upon the plains stood a solitary boulder. Suddenly, the earth began to tremble. Vast swathes of green grass began to grow frantically, as though spurred by some tremendous stimulus. In the blink of an eye, they grew taller than a person, even hoisting that solitary boulder clean off the ground. In the sky, an arc of light flashed into being. Shimmering in seven colors, it faintly revealed visions of lightning, thunder, and a converging tempest. Around this rainbow arc, numerous invisible phantoms gathered one after another, congregating in one place as if awaiting something. A bolt of pitch-black lightning struck down violently from the arc toward the ground. Boom! Boom! Boom! The world was cleaved in two by the strike; deep rifts were carved into space, refusing to heal for a long time. Across the plains, the endless sea of green grass caught fire, roaring flames spreading with frantic speed. The grassland quaked, and beneath the raging inferno, something seemed to be stirring awake. High above in the heavens, the unseen figures around the light arc crowded ever closer toward its interior, even clashing over positions. Tremendous rumbles and collisions rang out incessantly. The tempest brewed to its pinnacle, then froze into dead stillness in an instant. The billowing dark clouds vanished without a trace in a flash. Within the rainbow arc of light, beneath ten thousand miles of clear sky— An exceedingly profound character stood proudly in view! ... At this point, the imagery came to an abrupt halt. The elders of the Celestial Vessel, who had been completely immersed, widened their eyes with fury and whipped their heads toward Li Fan. "Where is the rest?!" Jian Daosheng shouted in desperate impatience, tossing aside all decorum. This Chief of the Immortal Pivot Court had already caught a faint glimpse of a mere scale or claw of the True Immortal seal character concealed within that light arc. Even though Li Fan's sudden interruption prevented him from seeing it in its entirety, Jian Daosheng was nevertheless certain that the might of this True Immortal seal character far eclipsed any other he had ever beheld! This cultivator from Great Qi before them had not lied! "How much did you see clearly?!" Jian Daosheng asked, his voice bordering on a roar. "Too fast! He cut it off too fast! How could anyone clearly discern such a mighty True Immortal seal character in just an instant?!" "There's no mistaking it—that sensation of my entire divine soul trembling... It's even stronger than the first time I glimpsed a True Immortal seal character. Its power far surpasses that of a single seal character!" "That scene just now—were those True Immortals of the Immortal Realm fighting over the character in the arc of light? Even immortals had to scramble to seize it... Unimaginable, truly unimaginable!" "We must obtain it, no matter the cost!" On the surface, the elders appeared composed, but internally they had erupted into turmoil. Having witnessed with their own eyes the profound character within that arc of light, they no longer harbored the slightest doubt about Li Fan's earlier claims. At the same time, they instantly reached an accord: they must take this True Immortal seal character for their own at all costs! The people of the Celestial Vessel were already burning with impatience, yet Li Fan acted completely oblivious. He said with utmost gravity, "There is one thing I must make clear beforehand. The scene I just displayed comes from the memories of that immortal artifact back then. It was originally hidden deep within the artifact's core imprints, difficult to detect. However, over these ten thousand years, as our Great Qi's study and utilization of this artifact deepened, we finally managed to unearth it." "Back then, the artifact was newly born and its power was weak, insufficient to record that True Immortal seal character perfectly. Therefore, what we reproduced from it is merely a flawed replica..." The elders of the Celestial Vessel were all individuals who had delved deeply into True Immortal seal characters; how could they fail to grasp what Li Fan meant? Far from being disappointed, Li Fan's "candid" attitude deepened their trust even further. "Fellow Daoist, since our conversation has reached this point, why not pay a visit to our Celestial Vessel? Authentic True Immortal seal characters, treasures from the Baiwen Immortal Record—take your pick!" Zhong Daogong said in a deep voice, suppressing the excitement within his heart. Under their expectant gazes, Li Fan pondered for a moment before finally agreeing with pleasure. "I have long heard of the Celestial Vessel's renown. Having the honor of boarding it today will certainly give me something to boast about to my teachers and peers once I return..." Hearing this, the people of the vessel breathed a collective sigh of relief. The group flanked Li Fan, departing the illusion array in the void and journeying toward the Sea of Relics. Passing through the Sea of Relics to its outer perimeter, Zhong Daogong formed a hand seal, revealing the concealed Celestial Vessel. A hint of disappointment flashed through Li Fan's eyes, perfectly timed and calibrated. However, it was quickly concealed. Once inside the Celestial Vessel, seeing the divine tree floating in the void, he seemed to grow amazed once again. The elders introduced it to Li Fan: "This is the [Huasheng Divine Tree]. Its true body is said to be a magnificent divine tree rooted beneath the endless Star Sea, its branches stretching across countless cultivation worlds." "After the divine tree's branches invade a cultivation world, they absorb the world's vitality, its roots merging into one with that world. Hence the name 'Huasheng.' It was precisely through this means that the divine tree could propagate until it spanned the Star Sea." "However, these are mere legends. No one has ever witnessed the divine tree's true body. Now that the Star Sea has shattered, who knows whether this divine tree still exists..." The elders soon shifted the conversation to other sights within the Celestial Vessel. "This three-eyed golden skull comes from the ancient cultivation world of [Chenyuan]. It is said that the bloodline of True Immortals from the Immortal Realm ran through this world, which is why most of its cultivators possessed three eyes. Endowed with extraordinary aptitudes, they wielded all manner of incredible divine abilities. Yet when the great catastrophe descended, this Chenyuan was among the very first worlds to suffer misfortune." As they conversed, they soon arrived at the very summit of the Celestial Vessel's Divine Tree. Exchanging meaningful glances, the elders did not shy away from Li Fan as an outsider, joining hands to cast an art. Invisible ripples spread outward from the crown of the Divine Tree. Then, a pink blossom materialized out of the void, blooming slowly. Though only a phantom image and not a physical object, it wafted waves of delicate fragrance. At the center of the blossom, a path revealed itself. "Fellow Daoist, after you!" Zhong Daogong looked at Li Fan. Li Fan smiled slightly and walked straight into it without the slightest hesitation or guard. Striding inside, the scene before his eyes instantly shifted. Row upon row of wooden shelves stood in neat lines, stretching as far as the eye could see. Suspended in the air, a long, slender arm was constantly fiddling with the cabinets. Upon sensing an intruder in Li Fan, the arm abruptly froze. Its five fingers splayed, and it reached out to seize Li Fan. Fortunately, the elders of the Celestial Vessel, arriving right behind him, restrained the arm's movement. Li Fan sized up the long arm with keen interest and asked, "It doesn't appear to be a living creature?" Zhong Daogong nodded. "Fellow Daoist has a sharp eye. Strictly speaking, this long arm is also a True Immortal seal character. More accurately, it is the composite of countless True Immortal seal character structural fragments." "Many years ago, due to a moment of carelessness, the Celestial Vessel was infiltrated by thieves, and several supreme treasures were lost from the Baiwen Immortal Record. Having learned our painful lesson, we subsequently devised this [Immortal-Severing Arm]." A hint of pride crossed Zhong Daogong's face. "Without the collective permission of the Celestial Vessel's Council of Elders, no matter one's strength, wanting to take a treasure before this Immortal-Severing Arm..." "Is utterly impossible." Jian Daosheng also spoke up: "Can Fellow Daoist discern the secret behind this [Immortal-Severing Arm]?" Li Fan narrowed his eyes, looked at it for a moment, and seemed to grasp the truth: "Did the Celestial Vessel engrave the structural fragments of the True Immortal seal characters directly into this space?" "In fact, the place we are standing in right now is inside the body of the Immortal-Severing Arm?" Zhong Daogong smiled. "Not only that! Even the many treasures inside the Baiwen Immortal Record have now all become part of the Immortal-Severing Arm. To take one away, it must first be detached using our secret arts." "Otherwise, one would have to take the entire Immortal-Severing Arm along..." "Hmph, that is something no mortal power could ever achieve." Nangong Lie also piped up: "To say nothing of us old fellows being right here, with this severed arm combining the powers of so many True Immortal seal characters... across the entire Star Sea today, there likely does not exist a cultivator capable of forcibly moving it." ... Listening to the elders of the Celestial Vessel, Li Fan merely nodded in praise. And so, within this secret vault of the Baiwen Immortal Record, he strolled at a leisurely pace, patiently making his selection.