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Chapter 1020: The Worlds Beyond Xuanhuang

One by one, rare and precious materials formed the puppet's skeleton. Golden source power surged like a tide, creating "flesh and tissue" that clung to the framework.

The Heavenly Mechanism Puppet slowly took shape.

And as the golden source power emerged, Li Fan also faintly heard an intermittent, whispering sound.

"What's that noise?" he asked, not worried about interrupting since Master Craftsman seemed to have everything under control.

"Not sure. It's just a phenomenon that always occurs when using source power. No need to worry. We cultivators from the Tianji Realm call it the 'World Whisper.' You get used to it after a while."

While answering Li Fan, he kept his eyes fixed on the Heavenly Mechanism Puppet, meticulously manipulating the source power.

Limbs, torso, head, then skin and hair...

All of it gradually manifested.

The Medicine King Sect's master, Liu Ruchen, watched the scene before him, his face a mask of utter astonishment.

The moment the Heavenly Mechanism Puppet, identical in appearance to Liu Ruchen, was created, an inexplicable and urgent desire to inhabit it surged within him.

"Fellow Daoist, if you please," Master Craftsman said with a lazy drawl.

Liu Ruchen glanced at Li Fan and, seeing him nod, cautiously flew closer.

A dark light flared from the Heavenly Mechanism Puppet. A moment later, its eyes opened.

Reborn, Liu Ruchen opened and closed his hand, his expression one of shock. "It's... it feels exactly like my original body."

"It even has a Dantian and a Sea of Consciousness! How is this even possible?"

Master Craftsman completely ignored Liu Ruchen. "Is that all? If there's nothing else, I'm heading back. Tianyang is waiting for me!" he asked impatiently.

Li Fan smiled and let him depart.

"Sect Master Liu, what do you think of the methods of our Federation of All Worlds?" Li Fan asked, turning to Liu Ruchen, who was still marveling at his new body.

"Miraculous, simply miraculous," Liu Ruchen replied, utterly convinced.

Then, his expression shifted slightly. "Federation of All Worlds... Could it be that Master Craftsman is not a native cultivator of the Xuanhuang Realm?"

Li Fan nodded. "Sect Master Liu is indeed a man of exceptional insight. Master Craftsman hails from the Tianji Realm."

Liu Ruchen gasped. "The Tianji Realm? The one rumored to be built upon a colossal puppet, drifting erratically through the starry sky?"

"I see, that explains everything."

After some questioning, Li Fan learned that the ancestor of the Medicine King Sect, Sun Piao Miao, had once traveled through many worlds and recorded his experiences.

Among those records was a description of the Tianji Realm.

"But later, the path to immortality was severed, and contact between the various cultivation worlds all but ceased. So, our records of other worlds are from a distant past."

"When I decided to lead my entire sect away from Xuanhuang, our destination was the closest world, the Xiaoyao Realm. The cultivators there revere the Dao of non-action and carefree living; they dislike conflict and are very friendly to outsiders. It was a good choice. A pity that..."

Liu Ruchen's face clouded with sorrow.

As he spoke, he tactfully transmitted the spiritual sense of Sun Piao Miao's travelogue to Li Fan.

A simple star map instantly appeared in Li Fan's mind.

It marked the coordinates of eighteen cultivation worlds surrounding the Xuanhuang Realm.

They seemed to be arranged randomly, with no discernible pattern.

Besides the eighteen stationary worlds, there were two others without specific coordinates.

One was the Tianji Realm. The other was named Xuan Shang.

According to the travelogue, Xuan Shang was less a world and more of a colossal flying vessel.

The Xuan Shang traveled between the various cultivation worlds, trading goods and seeking profit.

...

"Ancestor Sun Piao Miao's ability to travel between worlds is truly enviable," Li Fan remarked with a sigh after scanning the contents of the travelogue several times.

Too much time had passed, and the Star Sea had undergone immense changes. Everything recorded in the travelogue had likely turned to dust by now.

Or perhaps, it had already been devoured by the Xuanhuang Realm.

"Xuan Shang..."

"The way the cultivators of this world operate seems quite similar to Jiao Xiuyuan. If I get the chance, I should look into it."

Unaware of Li Fan's thoughts, Liu Ruchen continued, "It is said that the ancestor planned to travel even farther, but for some reason, he changed his mind. It seemed to be because this region of the star sea we inhabit is somewhat special. However, the ancestor never told his descendants the specific reason."

Li Fan's expression flickered. "Somewhat special?"

In Sun Piao Miao's era, the path to immortality was not yet severed, so the High Wall naturally did not exist.

But the star sea where the Xuanhuang Realm was located was already different even then...

"There are no records of any of the ascended immortals from the Xuanhuang Realm throughout history."

"Either every single one of them became a Nameless True Immortal, or some great power erased all information about them."

"Interesting..."

Li Fan fell into deep thought.

...

Next, Li Fan led Liu Ruchen on a tour of the magnificent Spirit Wood Realm.

From the mountains and rivers modeled after those in the Xuanhuang Realm to the replicas of various ancient sect ruins, Liu Ruchen was full of praise for it all.

He was especially in awe of the colossal tree that stood in the center, touching the sky.

After solemnly paying his respects to the Faceless Immortal Statue, Li Fan brought out the Medicine King Cauldron.

"With the current restriction that the law cannot be cultivated together, if we awaken all the disciples inside the cauldron, they will surely fall into internecine conflict. What do you propose, Sect Master Liu?"

"Our Federation of All Worlds has a technique called the Common Lives Spirit Essence Art. It can bypass this restriction..."

After listening to Li Fan's introduction, Liu Ruchen pondered for a moment before giving his reply.

"Since we have decided to join the Federation, it is only natural that we contribute."

"In terms of combat strength, our Medicine King Sect may not be much. But when it comes to alchemy and cultivating spiritual plants, we are quite skilled."

"However..." A hint of hesitation appeared on Liu Ruchen's face.

"Thousands of years have passed. I don't know to what extent the Dao of alchemy has developed in the Xuanhuang Realm today. But if we could obtain some specific pills and be given some time, we should be able to catch up."

Liu Ruchen understood perfectly that the best way to ensure the safety of the entire Medicine King Sect was to demonstrate their value as much as possible.

After all, upon seeing the tree-people working day and night as laborers and the flesh puppets that had been turned into mindless cultivation machines in the Spirit Wood Realm, Liu Ruchen knew this Federation of All Worlds was no benevolent organization.

And this "Envoy," a former Law King of the Xuantian Sect representing the Red Dust Compassionate Immortal, was definitely not as kind and merciful as he appeared.

"The World Saving Longevity Scripture provides a special boost to alchemy. Therefore, it would be best if some of the sect's elders could retain their original cultivation."