Falling from the space where the Mound-Guarding Immortal's phantoms resided, as opposed to barging straight in from the outside, made what one saw in this circular hall noticeably different.
As if sensing the lingering traces of the Mound-Guarding Immortal's transmission upon Li Buren, the scene across the hall's curved walls shifted once again.
Aside from the squares representing the myriad monitored star seas and the white circle of the Great Void, there appeared a figure bearing an uncanny resemblance to the Mound-Guarding Immortal.
He stood with his hands clasped behind his back, gazing down upon the star seas below.
Li Buren felt a jolt of alertness and attempted to reach out with his divine sense.
A moment later, he realized the truth. "It is not the Mound-Guarding Immortal himself. Rather, like me, he received the legacy of the Mound-Guarding Jottings, which is why his aura is so remarkably similar.
"However, judging from the degree of the 'Mound-Guarding' state manifested upon this figure...
"I am afraid this person obtained the complete legacy of the Jottings as a Nameless True Immortal, rather than taking opportunistic shortcuts like I did."
Yet the figure left behind by this Nameless True Immortal was not meant to bear the Dao.
Instead, it seemed to be merely a recorded projection.
It had remained hidden within this experimental space in the High Wall, only triggered when it sensed Li Buren's kindred aura of "Mound-Guarding."
"The governing Immortal Emperor Zhaiyang passed away not long ago.
"A full epoch has elapsed since the founding of the Lanke Dao Sanctuary...
"What an immensely long stretch of time. So long that, even with my immortal body, memories of the past have grown somewhat hazy."
...
The voice did not originate from the figure before Li Buren's eyes, but drifted from the distant celestial beyond, as though conversing across realms with the figure.
"When Immortal Emperor Zhaiyang first held his grand ascension ceremony, I was still merely an immortal servant in the Lietu Star Domain. Seven million, six hundred and twenty-four thousand, six hundred and thirty-eight years have passed, and I have risen to the Nameless realm," the figure said with deep emotion. He did not look toward the direction from which the voice came, but continued watching the numerous star seas within the testing ground.
"You certainly remember clearly. As expected of one who received the legacy of Lord Mound-Guard..." The emotion in the voice from beyond was peculiar, laced with both envy and a touch of schadenfreude.
"You learned of it so soon after Lord Mound-Guard departed. It seems this place is indeed compromised..." The figure let out a cold snort.
"That is Lord Mound-Guard we are talking about!" The voice from beyond suddenly turned sharp.
"Back then, the great tide of Dao Annihilation surged with torrential fury, swallowing thousands upon thousands of star domains in the blink of an eye. Countless souls died wrongful deaths. The governing Immortal Emperor personally led the Nameless of the various domains to the front line, yet in the end they were helpless, retreating again and again. Fortunately, Lord Mound-Guard descended from heaven, turning back the world-destroying tide through his power alone...
"What magnificent grandeur that was! Even Immortal Emperor Zhaiyang had to salute Lord Mound-Guard as a junior! Not to mention the countless rescued True Immortals, who regarded Lord Mound-Guard as their savior and second parent. Even if he disliked being disturbed, how could that venerable elder's every move escape the notice of the myriad immortals across the heavens? If the Lanke Dao Sanctuary were not a covert place, news that you inherited Lord Mound-Guard's legacy would have spread across the world long ago!"
Listening to the other party's somewhat sarcastic remarks, the figure did not argue.
The voice from beyond continued, "Immortal Emperor Zhaiyang reigned for seven million years, which cannot be called a long life, yet it is already our limit. But Lord Mound-Guard has lived for more than a hundred epochs, witnessing over a hundred Immortal Emperors!
"Do not forget, among them was Immortal Emperor Wuji, who possessed a lifespan of ninety-nine million, nine hundred and ninety thousand years! Lord Mound-Guard's power is truly unimaginable! Qingyin, now that you have attained the Nameless realm and received the legacy, even if you cannot remain imperishable through a hundred Immortal Emperors like Lord Mound-Guard, having a lifespan rivaling Wuji should pose no problem whatsoever..."
The Nameless True Immortal named—or titled—Qingyin cut off the voice. "Lord Mound-Guard left behind Dao-bearing phantoms in the sanctuary. If you truly envy it, why not take a trip down to the lower realm yourself? Although it cannot compare to his personal instruction, it is not far off."
The ceaseless chatter from beyond halted abruptly. Only after a long silence did it let out a low chuckle. "Being a disciple of Lord Mound-Guard is hardly an easy task. We True Immortals have lifespans aligned with the Dao. Born of the Dao, we return to the Dao. The waxing and waning of the Dao accords with heavenly timing and conforms to the supreme principles of heaven and earth.
"A lifespan of several million years is already long enough. As for being like Lord Mound-Guard...
"Hehehe, having someone like you, Brother Qingyin, is plenty."
Qingyin replied coldly, "Enough. Speak your mind. Ever since Lord Mound-Guard left, I have had no knowledge of his whereabouts either. If you hope to pry information about him from me, don't bother."
The tone from beyond shifted rapidly, cutting straight to the chase. "With Immortal Emperor Zhaiyang fallen and Immortal Emperor Tianluo newly ascended, certain things from the previous epoch are bound to be discarded. This Lanke Dao Sanctuary is likely among those slated for abolition. You would do well to prepare early, Brother Qingyin."
Qingyin seemed to freeze for a moment before asking in a deep voice, "That thing... after searching for it for so long, are they simply going to abandon it without another thought? Even though it did not appear within the estimated time, there is no guaranteeing it won't appear if we just wait a little longer."
"...This matter is complicated, not something that can be explained in a few words. In short, aside from the administrative transition between Immortal Emperors Zhaiyang and Tianluo, it is also related to Lord Mound-Guard. When he unleashed his divine might and turned back the tide of Dao Annihilation, a subtle shift took place across the collective mindset of the Immortal Realm. During Zhaiyang's epoch, Dao Annihilation raged unchecked and True Immortals perished in countless numbers. The immortals of the realm, from top to bottom, held a largely pessimistic view on whether the great tribulation could ever be resisted. Thus, they had no choice but to seek the aid of that external object.
"Yet the search yielded no fruit for far too long. Just when the Immortal Realm found itself in the direst straits, that venerable elder performed a magnificent feat before all the world, turning the tide with his own hands. He showed the immortals that Dao Annihilation was not unstoppable after all. Furthermore, it is said that Lord Mound-Guard left behind multiple legacies across the Immortal Realm. Anyone who enters the Nameless realm has a chance to become his disciple. Tell me, Qingyin—when one's own power has become sufficient, why would one ever look to external objects again?"
Upon hearing this, Qingyin fell silent for a long time. Only after a good while did he speak in a faint, distant tone. "During the Zhaiyang Epoch, all living beings were pessimistic and passive. A pervasive gloom blanketed the Immortal Realm, breeding weariness in people's hearts. No one knows how many True Immortals chose to end their own lives.
"Now in the Tianluo Epoch, the general trend has completely reversed... But with the True Immortals across the heavens brimming with such absolute confidence, I fear it may not be a good thing."
The voice from beyond clearly disagreed, offering a light laugh. "Then let us wait and see! I was only offering a kind reminder.
"Of course, if you insist on preserving this Lanke Dao Sanctuary, it is not impossible. I can lend a small hand. But going forward, you will need to remain even more concealed so that you are not discovered by other True Immortals. Heh, if things come to light in the future, don't drag me down with you. This newly ascended Immortal Emperor Tianluo is nowhere near as benevolent as Zhaiyang was."
Qingyin cupped his hands. "Rest assured, Brother Ling."
Time and space seemed to freeze at that very moment.
Light and shadow shifted, and an unknown number of years slipped past.
On this day, the True Immortal surnamed Ling met with Qingyin once more. This time, it was no longer a voice transmission from beyond; he had arrived in person at the Lanke Dao Sanctuary.
The recorded image of True Immortal Ling twisted and fluctuated constantly, its turbulence even disturbing Qingyin's form.
"Damn it all, the people in the Immortal Realm have truly lost their minds now. And Immortal Emperor Tianluo is the craziest of them all!
"I sensed things going south and decisively fled down here first. But I reckon the lower star seas won't remain safe for long either. The two of us brothers must make plans early." True Immortal Ling paced back and forth restlessly, visibly overwhelmed with anxiety.
Qingyin, by contrast, remained as composed as ever.
Yet compared to the previous recorded projection, an added layer of enigmatic, transcendent aura lingered about him. He resembled Lord Mound-Guard more and more.
"I am Lord Mound-Guard's disciple. Having received his legacy, I cannot simply leave as I please.
"However, I have a premonition. Lord Mound-Guard... He may have already departed this world. Perhaps I can follow in his footsteps and pursue him."
True Immortal Ling turned his head sharply, staring intently at Qingyin in sudden fright. "You mean... that rumor was actually true?"
His agitation deepened, his pacing quickening as he muttered under his breath, "Using a boat to cross the sea, traveling toward other possible worlds. Wandering the boundless mortal realms, attaining complete, absolute detachment and freedom. Though the sea may drown, I remain undrowned; though the mountains may crumble, I stand atop the peak...
"Qingyin, you must take me with you!"
Qingyin said calmly, "You and I have been life-and-death friends since our humble beginnings. If I can attain Minor Transcendence, how could I not bring you along? However, having received Lord Mound-Guard's legacy, if I wish to depart, I must first render him an account."
"An account?" True Immortal Ling asked, perplexed.
"Lord Mound-Guard passed down his teachings so that we would leave behind phantoms to bear the Dao and withstand the tribulation of Dao Annihilation. In the past, doing so would have been acceptable. But time has moved on, and the present cannot compare to the past. The raging tide is several times more vicious than in the last epoch. With his peerless cultivation, Lord Mound-Guard might have been able to resist it with phantoms alone. But for successors like us...
"It is nothing more than wasted effort. It might even expose us to the backlash of the Dao Annihilation tide, damaging our true bodies. Even if someone disregarded their own safety and sacrificed themselves to condense a phantom, it would still be a drop in the ocean against the current tide of Dao Annihilation."
True Immortal Ling nodded in agreement. "Immortal Emperor Tianluo has become possessed by obsession, pursuing a path of victory or death. Yet he still managed to drag a massive crowd of people into madness along with him. Sigh, it's all Lord Mound-Guard's fault for giving them such illusions!"
Qingyin neither agreed nor disagreed, choosing not to speak of Lord Mound-Guard. Instead, he continued addressing his own dilemma. "Though I am unwilling to condense a phantom to bear the Dao, the duty remains. It is not something I can cast aside simply by saying I refuse.
"Even though Lord Mound-Guard has departed, the restrictions he left behind are still not something we can ignore.
"This is the price of accepting Lord Mound-Guard's legacy. When he imparted the art back then, he made it explicitly clear to me. Yet the method of transcendence was simply too tempting, and the Dao Annihilation tribulation appeared to have been completely suppressed at the time, which was why I agreed without hesitation." Qingyin sounded somewhat helpless.
"Hah, times truly change." True Immortal Ling tossed out a casual remark, then sank into deep thought.
"Still must fulfill the duty of bearing the Dao, eh... Let me think."
After a long while, he suddenly slapped his palms together. "I have an idea!"
At this crucial juncture, the light, shadow, and sound dimmed together.
The scene before Li Buren fell still once again.
When it resumed, what played next was the final recorded projection.
Qingyin himself stood face-to-face with the Dao-bearing phantom he had condensed.
True Immortal Ling's voice carried considerable pride. "Qingyin, what do you think of my plan of substitution? Since you cannot endure the true tribulation of Dao Annihilation, you first create a miniature one that your strength can handle. In any case, the current situation is already riddled with holes; one more won't make a difference!
"By plugging that hole, you can be considered to have rendered an account to Lord Mound-Guard and left behind a phantom to bear the Dao!"
Qingyin stared silently at the phantom of himself before him, sighing softly. "Two star domains, countless living beings, all died because of you and me... It was truly against my wishes."
"Why fret over so much! If those people didn't run, they were going to die sooner or later anyway. Helping the two of us achieve Minor Transcendence can be considered doing something useful before they died!" True Immortal Ling said indifferently.
Qingyin nodded quietly.
He lightly pointed toward the Dao-bearing phantom before him. The phantom promptly tore through the void and vanished without a trace.
Qingyin stood in a daze for a brief moment. Soon after, he raised his head, gazing intently toward a certain direction, and spoke once more, his words tinged with a hint of joy. "With all bonds severed, I can now depart."
For reasons unknown, Qingyin cast one final, inexplicable glance in the direction from which Li Buren was observing.
Having completed this gaze that crossed time and space, the recorded figure dispersed entirely.
...
Only after a long while did Li Buren finally recover his senses.
The projection left within this testing ground—the conversation between two figures suspected of being Nameless True Immortals—contained far too much veiled information.
"Epochs. Immortal Emperor Zhaiyang, Immortal Emperor Tianluo."
Li Buren had never imagined that an epoch in the Immortal Realm was not defined by a fixed number of years.
The specific length of an epoch was determined by the exact duration that a so-called governing Immortal Emperor sat on the throne.
"Seven million years is not even considered long-lived. True Immortals truly belong to an entirely different order of being compared to mortals.
"And that Mound-Guarding Immortal—or rather, Lord Mound-Guard—actually lived for one hundred and twenty-three epochs..."
Even a rough calculation yielded a figure that made one's scalp tingle.
"Furthermore, True Immortal Ling said their lifespans aligned with the Dao, yet later claimed that living several million years was already long enough. How could that be? Could it be that the Great Dao of heaven and earth only persists for a few million years? How is that possible?"
Li Fan's divine sense was now reflected upon the Dao Net, yet he had never detected any trace of a lifespan limit governing the Great Dao of heaven and earth.
"The recorded projection in the testing ground would hardly fabricate nonsense regarding such matters.
"Could it be..."
A sudden thought struck Li Fan.
He recalled his earlier conjecture that Dao Annihilation and the Infinite Sea originated from the same source.
"Dao Annihilation extinguishes the Dao, while for the surviving Daos, the restrictions inherent to them are gradually disappearing as well.
"Has the Great Dao of heaven and earth grown stronger than in ancient times through the baptism of the Dao Annihilation tribulation?" Li Fan could not say for sure.
It was also possible that waxing and waning were intrinsic properties of the Dao itself.
It was merely that with the added threat of an external force like the Dao Annihilation tribulation, the Dao itself had gradually transformed over the flow of time.
Regardless, the fact that True Immortals—and even Nameless True Immortals—were capped at a limit of roughly ten million years left Li Fan slightly disappointed.
It was just like the reveries he had indulged in within the illusion before he formally began cultivating.
It was still far removed from Li Fan's true objective of genuine, everlasting longevity.
"On the other hand, someone like Lord Mound-Guard, enduring a hundred tribulations and outlasting over a hundred Immortal Emperors without being extinguished, is already approaching the ultimate state I desire."
Chapter 1468