Chapter 1241: Cat Treasure's Second Transformation
Chapter 1241: Cat Treasure's Second Transformation
"A former part of the Cong Yun Sea, or perhaps... a fragment with a strikingly similar aura, also from the Tianfa Realm..."
In a past life, Li Fan had used the Canghai Pearl for his Foundation Establishment, his consciousness merging as one with the Cong Yun Sea. In this lifetime, his Saint Emperor avatar had gone even further, directly devouring the remnant consciousness of the sea. It was safe to say that Li Fan was intimately familiar with the land of Cong Yun.
So, even though this world fragment had long been a desolate and silent wasteland, Li Fan only had to stand there for a moment to feel that faint, familiar trace.
A sudden realization dawned on Li Fan. "The Dharma Spreader likely intervened to repair this place," he mused, "because it's his homeland."
Strolling through the ruins of the Tianfa Realm, even after several millennia, one could still clearly see the terrifying scars left by the world's destruction.
Not a single intact structure could be found on the surface, only scattered remnants of crumbling walls and broken ramparts. Amidst the ruins, the skeletal remains of cultivators could occasionally be seen. Judging by their postures, it seemed they hadn't died in combat.
"It seems the calamity struck so suddenly they couldn't even struggle."
Although he had destroyed the Xuanhuang Realm through various methods, after each cataclysm, Li Fan had always returned to the peak of Jieli Mountain using [Truth]. He had rarely witnessed an annihilated world with his own eyes.
It wasn't that his state of mind was shaken, but rather an instinctive, physical reaction that any living being would have in such an environment.
This world fragment wasn't particularly large, and Li Fan quickly searched it from end to end, but he found no valuable clues.
"However, this remnant realm is relatively well-preserved. For now, the Dharma Spreader is holding back, concerned about the balance of the Realm Fragment Great Wall. I imagine it won't be long before He comes to claim it."
"This is no place to linger."
Decisive, Li Fan silently transformed into a streak of light and departed.
After some thought, he decided against returning directly to the Mysterious Immortal Boat. Instead, he chose to go into seclusion right there, within the Realm Fragment Great Wall.
For one, a sliver of his consciousness was already lurking inside the Mysterious Immortal Boat, possessing and controlling Zhao Xian. Under the current circumstances, his direct intervention wasn't necessary.
And for another...
"The upper limit of the laws here... it's higher."
"Is it because it's closer to the High Wall? Or is it due to the remnants of a thousand realms?"
"Setting aside the environmental factors, this is truly an excellent place to cultivate and comprehend the Dao."
Having achieved his foundation and Grotto-Heaven through the Xuanhuang Sword Dao, the Sacred Embryo Li Fan was exceptionally sensitive to the ambient laws.
If the still-intact Xuanhuang Realm was a valley in terms of the upper limit of laws within the Darkest Star Sea, then this place—the Realm Fragment Great Wall—was the very summit.
The echoing star power made the rhythm of the laws difficult to grasp, and the laws themselves were fragmented and utterly chaotic.
But if one could seize those fleeting opportunities for enlightenment, a single moment of insight would likely surpass a century of arduous cultivation.
"The supreme principles of the mortal realm were brutally torn to shreds by the power of the True Immortal Scripts from the Immortal World and scattered throughout the Star Sea."
"Survivors like me, who came after, actually find it easier to perceive and comprehend them. Under normal circumstances..."
The Sacred Embryo Li Fan's mind instantly recalled the fragmented scenes from his 119th life, glimpses he had caught through the river of blood, showing the ancient Xuanhuang Realm interacting with other cultivation worlds.
"Back then, the realms still existed, and everything was in order. Cultivators found it incredibly difficult to even come into contact with these darkest principles, let alone comprehend them. Anyone fortunate enough to have such an encounter by chance probably had a real hope of treading the Immortal Road."
As the Sacred Embryo Li Fan's thoughts flowed, countless insights into the Dao surged into his mind.
Worried that the flash of his sword might attract the Dharma Spreader or the Heavenly Doctor, who could be lurking within the Realm Fragment Great Wall, Li Fan refrained from executing a single strike, despite the countless inspirations flooding his mind.
He merely simulated them in his mind.
Even so, it filled him with immense joy.
At the same time, a thought surfaced unbidden: "Having stayed here for so long, the cultivation of the Dharma Spreader and the Heavenly Doctor must have already reached the pinnacle of the mortal realm."
He had suspected as much while traveling through the Star Sea earlier.
Now, he was utterly certain.
Li Fan had no doubt about the talent of the Dharma Spreader and the Heavenly Doctor.
Their ability to comprehend the supreme laws of the Star Sea was certainly no less than his Sacred Embryo's, if not greater.
But compared to before, the faint unease in his heart had vanished.
"They have indeed reached the upper limit of the Darkest Star Sea... but that's as far as they can go. The Immortal Road is severed; there is no hope of becoming an immortal..."
A subtle light flickered in Li Fan's eyes.
People considered the Dharma Spreading Heavenly Venerate invincible simply because they were ignorant of his true cultivation realm.
Fear and confusion are born from the unknown.
Although Li Fan had previously made a vague guess—that they were below True Immortals yet at the pinnacle of the mortal realm—he couldn't quantify or perceive the exact difference between this pinnacle state and the Longevity realm.
However, now, at the foot of the High Wall, he had personally experienced the upper limit of power in this Darkest Star Sea, dispelling all his doubts.
It's easier to give chase when you have a target.
At the same time, Li Fan felt a surge of relief. The Dharma Spreader and the Heavenly Doctor had been stuck at this level for thousands of years simply because they had hit the ceiling of the Star Sea.
This meant their cultivation had been stagnant for a long time, which in turn had given him the time he needed to catch up.
"Besides, with the True Immortal of the Immortal Ruins present, even if they found a way to break through the mortal realm, they would have to think twice for the sake of the Xuanhuang Realm's safety."
"In the race between the tortoise and the hare, it's the tortoise that wins."
The Sacred Embryo Li Fan cast aside all distracting thoughts and settled his mind, focusing on comprehending the supreme laws of the Star Sea that drifted through this place.
...
Xuanhuang Realm.
After a period of cultivation, Wang Xuanba had successfully bred a sufficient number of the specific Dao One Worms requested by the Saint Emperor.
"All the spirit woods of heaven and earth have their own uses," Wang Xuanba boasted proudly to Ou Shangtian. "My little worms have another marvelous property. After they devour a spirit tree, it doesn't die outright. Instead, it gradually transforms into an insectoid spirit wood. The tree's original consciousness can choose to remain, and can even merge other sources of consciousness into the Dao One Worm swarm, effectively creating a clone."
"Sigh, the Way of Strange Beasts feels so wonderfully varied and interesting. These formations are just so dull," Ou Shangtian remarked, a trace of envy in his eyes.
Wang Xuanba chuckled, a hint of schadenfreude in his tone. "Well, who told you to be so ambitious, wanting to learn everything you lay your eyes on? You only ended up displeasing Master."
"You're right. I'm not allowed to get distracted until my skill with formations meets Master's standards." Ou Shangtian sighed. "Sigh, that feels like a lifetime away."
"Oh, right, Master also mentioned he wants me to act as bait later, to lure out some hidden expert in the Xuanhuang Realm," Ou Shangtian said nonchalantly. "He said the person is quite powerful, and if my formation skills aren't sharp enough, my life could be in danger. I wonder if he was serious."
Wang Xuanba's expression changed. "Junior Brother, don't speak so recklessly! If Master said it, then it must be true. You've met Senior Xu Ke—the hidden experts of the Xuanhuang Realm are not to be underestimated. You must take this seriously!"
On the surface, Ou Shangtian nodded in agreement, but inwardly he remained unconvinced.
He had seen that Xu Ke, who was nothing more than a decrepit old man with one foot in the grave.
His strength was far greater than Ou Shangtian's, true, but with the Seven-Colored Jade Void Gilded Light on his person, not even Xu Ke could stop him if he chose to flee!
"I'd like to see just how 'expert' this expert Master spoke of really is!"
In the treasury of the Sacred Dynasty, before the Saint Emperor's throne.
Li Ping glanced briefly in the direction of Ou Shangtian and Wang Xuanba and shook his head.
He had, of course, sensed Ou Shangtian's thoughts.
It was understandable—he was young, reckless, and protected by many divine artifacts.
"But if he doesn't diligently study formations and relies solely on that seven-colored divine light," he mused, "escaping from the stone slab's grasp will be rather difficult."
Smiling to himself, Li Ping decided against reminding him again.
A setback would do him good, and the stone slab was unlikely to deliver a fatal blow without provocation.
As long as the stone slab revealed itself, Li Ping would personally deal with it. Ra-NO}bEs
For now, Li Ping put aside his plans for the stone slab, reaching up to stroke the little orange cat perched on his shoulder.
Cat Treasure was a size larger than before.
Its once-sparse fur had grown thick and had taken on a subtle, silky sheen.
What concerned the Saint Emperor more, however, was Cat Treasure's second transformation.
Previously, Cat Treasure could transform into a small square box. This box would emit a light capable of duplicating anything it enveloped.
Its limits were still unknown, but at the very least, it could duplicate a "World Artifact"—an object refined from the power of an entire realm—without issue, though it would be somewhat drained afterward.
Not long ago, when Wang Xuanba brought the wood-devouring Dao One Worms to report to the Saint Emperor, Li Ping felt Cat Treasure actively communicating its thoughts for the first time.
After Wang Xuanba left, Li Ping began an experiment.
He placed a cluster of tens of thousands of Dao One Worms in front of Cat Treasure.
At first, Cat Treasure seemed fearful, watching from a distance, yet its eyes betrayed a deep yearning.
Taking two steps forward and one step back, Cat Treasure slowly approached the swarm of Dao One Worms.
The Dao One Worms, which were normally highly sensitive to foreign objects, showed no reaction at all to Cat Treasure's approach.
Finally reaching the swarm, Cat Treasure's body began to glow with a mysterious blue light. Then, as Li Ping watched, it transformed into a blue sphere.
It enveloped the Dao One Worms.
The swarm inside the blue sphere seemed to freeze instantly, falling completely still.
On the sphere's surface, various diagrams illustrating the Dao One Worm's anatomical structure flickered intermittently.
Li Ping's expression grew serious.
The sphere of light did not last long; this form apparently consumed an immense amount of energy.
Before long, Cat Treasure reverted to its kitten form and returned to Li Ping's side.
It flopped down lazily on Li Ping's shoulder.
Meanwhile, the previously motionless Dao One Worms began to move again.
From beginning to end, they seemed completely oblivious to what had just happened to them.
"It's not that the Dao One Worms have low intelligence. I'm afraid that even if it were a cultivator from the Xuanhuang Realm, the outcome wouldn't be much better."
"This blue light from Cat Treasure..."
...was a power so profound and mysterious that Li Ping had never encountered anything like it.
An idea struck him, and he patted Cat Treasure.
Though the little orange cat was reluctant, it roused itself, likely in consideration of all the golden Source Power Essence Li Ping had been feeding it.
Blue light enveloped its body, only to shatter an instant later.
A moment passed, and Cat Treasure had astonishingly transformed into a swarm of Dao One Worms!
It was a perfect replica of the one the blue sphere had enveloped moments before!
The entire transformation occurred right before his eyes, yet he was utterly unable to find a single difference between the two swarms.
"This isn't a transformation technique. Its very life form has completely changed. That's why I can't detect any difference."
Even for Li Ping, the self-proclaimed Heavenly Mandate Sage Emperor and embodiment of the Xuanhuang Realm's will, this miraculous ability was enough to elicit a heartfelt sigh of admiration.
"Moreover, the transformation isn't limited to just replicating the original. It can also evolve completely according to the characteristics of the replicated entity."
As if struck by an epiphany, Li Ping manifested another speck of golden light on his fingertip.
Cat Treasure understood his intention. The swarm of Dao One Worms suddenly swelled, expanding visibly from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands—multiplying tenfold in an instant.
The swarm that was Cat Treasure returned to Li Ping's side as if seeking praise.
After receiving his unspoken permission, it transformed back into the orange cat amid a shatter of blue light.
It happily gobbled down the Source Power Essence.
"This is also a form of duplication," Li Ping mused. "But one that replicates life forms and even allows Cat Treasure itself to transform."
"Such an ability..."
Li Ping fell silent.
In his memory, only a treasure from the Immortal World could possibly accomplish such a feat.
Yet he couldn't sense the slightest trace of immortal spiritual energy from Cat Treasure.
"Beyond the High Wall..."
An undeniable truth was now glaringly obvious.
"I just wonder," he thought, "what level of treasure this Cat Treasure represents out there, beyond the High Wall."
Li Ping's mind was resilient; the potential gap between the worlds inside and outside the High Wall did not shake his resolve.
"Object duplication, life form mimicry... I wonder what other functions it has."
He tried to get answers from the little orange cat, but Cat Treasure itself seemed to know little about its own abilities.
It only seemed to learn a new ability automatically when the right conditions were met.
"And it seems Cat Treasure isn't willing to duplicate and mimic just any living creature."
"I've tried some ordinary strange beasts, but it showed no reaction at all. Only a peculiar existence like the Dao One Worm seems to pique its interest."
Li Ping gently stroked the supreme treasure from beyond the High Wall, its many potential uses flashing through his mind.
"This Cat Treasure may not have any offensive capabilities, but its value is far greater than that of a simple weapon."
As if sensing his thoughts, the little orange cat let out a proud meow.
Seven days later, Wang Xuanba arrived in the Xuanhuang Realm, carrying a wooden box.
Standing on solid ground, Wang Xuanba closed his eyes, sensing the power of the earth veins flowing deep underground.
"First, a little appetizer for you. The main course is still to come."
A smile touched Wang Xuanba's lips as he transformed into a black shadow and burrowed deep into the earth.
In the blink of an eye, he reached an incredible depth underground.
The rushing power of the earth veins formed a protective barrier, preventing him from drawing any closer.
He even faintly sensed a sliver of consciousness sweep over him.
Wang Xuanba sneered inwardly and shattered the wooden box.
A mass of shadows immediately shot toward the yellow earth veins.
The protective layer, as fragile as paper, was instantly devoured until nothing remained.
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