Chapter 1337: The Divine Art of the Taijia Realm
Chapter 1337: The Divine Art of the Taijia Realm
In his previous life, the Holy Embryo clone had followed the Mysterious Immortal Boat on its expedition to the Xuanhuang Realm, only to fall into the Dharma Spreader's trap.
There, he had encountered the terrifying Observer from the Immortal Realm, a being who could extinguish the lives of a tenth of the boat's inhabitants with a single glance.
It wielded a great cauldron, as deep and vast as an abyss, and transformed a world containing countless frozen cultivators into a Yin-Yang Pearl.
Within that pearl, two separate worlds existed.
One was a boundless, dead-still ocean of ice. Opposite this world of silence was a sea teeming with vibrant life.
When Li Fan first stumbled into this small world within the Yin-Yang Pearl, he mistook it for the domain of the Xuanhuang Realm's "Rebirth Heavenly Venerate." After all, the cycle of life and death, the turn from extreme yin to yang, certainly fit the description of reversing life and death.
However, as Li Fan’s knowledge and experience grew, and after witnessing numerous true immortal arrays, he began to doubt his initial judgment.
Although the array within the Yin-Yang Pearl was exceptionally profound, Li Fan had been able to grasp its mysteries upon first sight. It was clear that it fell far short of a true immortal array.
The Life and Death Reversal Grand Array acted more like a catalyst, merely accelerating the process of transformation.
In his past life, the Sacred Emperor had thrown the Xuanhuang Realm into turmoil, and later, the realm faced annihilation under the All Things Return to Void Array. The Dharma Spreader and the Heavenly Doctor had poured all their efforts into stopping it, yet from beginning to end, the mysterious "Rebirth Heavenly Venerate" never appeared.
This might have been because Blue Feather had chosen to seek enlightenment in the starry sky, and the true Rebirth Heavenly Venerate had not yet succeeded in reversing the logic of the world. But Li Fan believed that even if the Rebirth Heavenly Venerate had been born, he likely would not have intervened to stop his world-ending actions.
The Rebirth Heavenly Venerate and the Observer were connected by a thousand threads. The Observer shouldered a mission from the Immortal Realm; besides monitoring the Xuanhuang Realm for anomalies, it also seemed tasked with collecting samples of every different type of human that had ever appeared there.
And the Rebirth Heavenly Venerate...
He seemed to have shed the shackles of his Immortal Realm duties, acting solely for his own benefit.
The Observer that Li Fan and the Mysterious Immortal Boat had encountered was mindless, acting purely on instinct or perhaps a set of pre-ordained rules.
It was practically a puppet, hardly capable of bearing the heavy responsibility of an Observer.
Therefore, Li Fan speculated that the Observer's true spirit had already abandoned its original shell. This was a way to free itself from its Immortal Realm duties after the realm’s destruction.
The backlash suffered by the Xuanhuang Great Heavenly Venerate in the previous life for failing his duty demonstrated that even with the Immortal Realm shattered, the restraints it imposed remained.
No one would wish to wear a set of shackles for eternity.
Theoretically, it was entirely reasonable for the Xuanhuang Realm's Observer to seek its freedom.
"I once used a fake True Immortal's remains to lure the Dharma Transmitters of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance into that Yin-Yang world, leading to their collective demise. Yet, the Alliance acted as if nothing had happened. This proves that the Dharma Spreader, or perhaps the Heavenly Doctor, absolutely knew the true identity of this Rebirth Heavenly Venerate. It's even possible that the Heavenly Doctor aided in the transformation from the Immortal Realm's Observer into the Rebirth Heavenly Venerate..."
Returning to the present, the black and white spheres that Yin Shangren had formed by plucking out his eyes pulsed with an aura almost identical to that of the Yin-Yang Pearl.
However, within these twin spheres, life and death were starkly divided. They had not yet reached the state of the Xuanhuang Realm's Yin-Yang Pearl, where life and death flowed into one another in a ceaseless cycle.
Li Fan stared at the black and white spheres, silent for a long moment.
After a while, he finally spoke. "A similar creation exists in a certain secret realm within the Xuanhuang Realm."
"But there, black and white, life and death, are fused together, making it even more profound than your simple twin spheres of life and death. Within that Yin-Yang Pearl, countless bodies are sealed in ice. I wonder..." Li Fan's gaze was piercing.
Having finished his demonstration, Yin Shangren reabsorbed the black and white spheres into his body, where they became normal eyes again. "The white sphere did indeed once hold frozen bodies. But that was before the world was destroyed."
"When the world died, those frozen bodies slowly melted away, transforming into the purest essence of death..."
Hearing this, Li Fan mused silently, "This must be the difference caused by the absence of the Observer."
"Among the many cultivation worlds in the lower realms, the Xuanhuang Realm is clearly exceptional. Not only does it have appointments from the Immortal Realm, like the Xuanhuang Great Heavenly Venerate and an Observer, but it was even once visited by a True Immortal. Though for some reason, that True Immortal actually perished here..."
"And the world where Yin Shangren obtained the twin spheres was also within the Immortal Realm's surveillance, but it seems to have been of a lower priority than the Xuanhuang Realm."
That Rebirth Heavenly Venerate, who was likely the Observer after shedding its old skin, was someone Li Fan would certainly have to deal with in the future. But in this life, his primary goal was to achieve Dao Integration with the celestial and earthly souls, so he naturally had to avoid unnecessary variables as much as possible.
Yin Shangren continued, "I am a World Ghost. I once believed I was doomed to exist for all eternity as this pathetic, decaying remnant. But the moment I sensed the vast life force within these black and white spheres, a powerful premonition struck me..."
As he spoke, the vortex of life force in his black eye began to spin faster.
"Perhaps absolute decay does not exist in this universe. The reason I am a remnant ghost is simply that my connection to life was severed. If I can infuse myself with enough life force..."
While he spoke, Yin Shangren's complexion grew rosier, making him look more and more like a normal human cultivator.
But Li Fan narrowed his eyes, sensing that things were not so simple.
Just as he expected, as if triggered by the intense vitality, the once-calm gray eye also began to spin, slowly at first, then faster.
Wisps of desolate, decaying death energy emerged from within Yin Shangren's body. They quickly neutralized the burgeoning life force, suppressing it.
The scent of decay slowly wafted from Yin Shangren's body once more.
He coughed lightly as the storm in his black and white eyes gradually subsided, a hint of helplessness in their depths.
Seeing this, Bai Hua wore a thoughtful expression, a flicker of schadenfreude in her eyes.
Li Fan, however, spoke directly. "Life and death, they seem to be opposites, but in truth, they are one. You wish to draw upon life while suppressing death. This will only backfire."
"Life is the root of death. Death is the fruit of life. To dig for the root is to disturb the fruit. But to pick the fruit does not necessarily harm the root..."
Li Fan perfectly embodied the role of the Saint Teacher, beginning to preach the Dao to Yin Shangren on the spot.
Yin Shangren was already exceptionally perceptive, and now he possessed the twin spheres of life and death. The many profound and deliberately abstruse phrases Li Fan uttered presented no obstacle to his understanding.
In his calm eyes, the black and white energies swirled ever faster.
Surprisingly, Bai Hua also showed a talent for the Dao of life and death. Listening intently, she too seemed to gain significant insight.
The lecture continued for half a day, nearly exhausting Li Fan's entire stock of profound knowledge.
Finally, with a wave of his hand, Li Fan transmitted the Life and Death Reversal Grand Array into both of their minds.
This version of the array had been further deduced by the Final Dissociation Disc based on the original formation within the Yin-Yang Pearl. It could be said to be the most advanced practical application of the Dao of life and death in the entire Darkest Star Sea.
The moment he came into contact with the array, an expression of unconcealable shock and joy flooded Yin Shangren's face.
"Life and death are opposites, but you may be able to use this array to slowly transform the infinite death energy in the white sphere into life force. However, you must be careful to maintain the balance between the two."
Li Fan glanced at Bai Hua and continued, "The life force you generate should be used up quickly. Besides cleansing your own decay, perhaps you could also help fellow Daoist Bai Hua."
Bai Hua's body trembled slightly, wondering what secret of hers Li Fan had discovered.
Yin Shangren, however, nodded slightly.
"By the way, Saint Teacher, when I absorbed the twin spheres, I also learned some information about this shattered world."
"It's not much, but it is quite interesting."
After briefly organizing the information from the Life and Death Reversal Grand Array, Yin Shangren took the initiative to speak again.
"This realm was called [Taijia]."
"Before its destruction, although its scale wasn't large, it was an extremely powerful cultivation world in the Star Sea."
"This is because the Taijia Realm was a rare case—a cultivation world with no Heavenly Dao."
"The cultivators within practiced the [Taijia Divine Art], which was said to bypass the non-existent Heavenly Dao and allow them to communicate directly with the primordial consciousness of the Star Sea, enabling them to command the Star Sea's power..."
A trace of awe flashed in Yin Shangren's eyes.
And from the fragmented images he projected with a wave of his hand, the divine arts of the Taijia Realm cultivators were indeed terrifying.
Their swords could split rivers of stars, their fists could shatter worlds.
Without any need for protection, they could traverse the Star Sea with their physical bodies alone...
Yin Shangren's tone suddenly shifted. "However, it was precisely because of their direct connection to the primordial will of the Star Sea that when the power of the True Immortal Script erupted, the cultivators of the Taijia Realm were among the first to be affected."
"The divine power of the Star Sea they had always relied on lost its effect. The Taijia Realm, which had once left a glorious name in the Star Sea, perished at a speed far faster than any ordinary cultivation world."
"The most ridiculous part is that as the Taijia Realm was on the verge of complete collapse, a portion of its cultivators chose not to fight to the death. Instead, they knelt and continued to beg for a connection with the Star Sea's primordial will..." Yin Shangren shook his head, his voice filled with disdain.
Bai Hua added, "We cultivators seek to have great power reside within ourselves. Relying on the power of the Star Sea might grant temporary might, but when calamity strikes, it ultimately turns to dust."
"Actually, the Longevity cultivators of the Xuanhuang Realm are the same..."
At this point, Bai Hua suddenly stopped.
She had abruptly remembered that their own plan—to aid the ascension of the Xuanhuang Realm in exchange for a boost in their own cultivation—was not fundamentally different from the methods of the Longevity cultivators or the Taijia cultivators.
Li Fan saw at a glance why Bai Hua had suddenly faltered.
He smiled faintly. "There is a difference."
"After the Xuanhuang Realm transforms, the power it bestows upon each of us will ultimately become our own. It's a one-time transaction. Even if we were to become enemies with the Xuanhuang Realm in the future, this gifted power could not be reclaimed."
"As for those Taijia cultivators..."
Li Fan shook his head, offering no further comment.
"However, that [Taijia Divine Art], which communicates directly with the Star Sea's primordial will, does have some merit."
Li Fan had once shown Yin Shangren and the others the recovering primordial will of the Star Sea.
"The Xuanhuang Realm is not a completely isolated entity; after all, it still exists within the Star Sea. If its ascension could gain the support of the Star Sea..." Yin Shangren also perceived the potential use of the Taijia Divine Art.
"However, what I obtained from the twin spheres are just fragmented memories," he said with some regret.
Yin Shangren then haltingly recited the incomplete [Taijia] Divine Art.
It was archaic and bizarre, completely unlike any ordinary cultivation technique.
It was the first time Li Fan had encountered such a type of art, and his interest was piqued.
"The essence of this art is to communicate with the primordial will of the Star Sea."
"Ten thousand years ago, when the Star Sea was at its most powerful, even a half-immortal was like an ant in its eyes, to say nothing of ordinary cultivators. To establish a connection with the Star Sea's consciousness would have been incredibly difficult," Li Fan said slowly.
Yin Shangren nodded in agreement. "Indeed, the Taijia Divine Art was extremely difficult to cultivate, and those who mastered it were one in ten thousand. But once they entered its halls, the energy they could command with a single move was far beyond what a normal cultivator could match."
Li Fan smiled. "However, times have changed. The Star Sea has been shattered, and its primordial will has been reborn from the ruins. Now, it is like a reincarnated great power in its infancy..."
A sharp light glinted in his eyes, and his tone was filled with confidence. "The tables have turned. Under the current circumstances, communicating with it again should be far less difficult."
"Let me be the first to try!"
The phantom of the Wooden Sword unsheathed itself, and Li Fan stepped onto it.
In an instant, he flew out of the Xuanhuang Realm, disappearing from their sight.
"Such a flight technique is truly enviable. If I could learn it, I would no longer be bound by the Star Sea..." Bai Hua said, her voice full of admiration.
Yin Shangren did not reply.
He quickly lowered his head and began to study the Life and Death Reversal Grand Array that Li Fan had taught him.
In his eyes, the value of this grand array was in no way inferior to that incredible flight technique.
In a flash, Li Fan crossed half the Darkest Star Sea and arrived at its very center.
Here, the recovering primordial will of the Star Sea was most active.
Li Fan stood silently in the void.
He did not immediately activate the incomplete [Taijia Divine Art].
What he had said earlier was indeed reasonable.
But he had not told them everything.
Even a nascent Star Sea consciousness was still vastly superior to a cultivator, the gap between them like the chasm between heaven and earth.
Under the current circumstances, only a chosen one like the Sacred Emperor, who could potentially revive the entire Star Sea, might be able to communicate directly with it.
For an ordinary cultivator to achieve a similar effect...
"They must first be seen by the Star Sea!"
A brilliant light flashed in Li Fan's eyes, and in an instant, the Ascension Formation was complete.
A "mountain peak" rose from the void in the center of the Star Sea.
It slowly climbed higher and higher.
Li Fan stood upon its summit, his head raised to the expanse above.
It was just like the ancient emperors who would ascend great mountains to perform sacrifices, seeking to draw closer to the heavens.
Li Fan wanted to stand higher, to increase his own presence, to become more conspicuous in the eyes of the Star Sea's primordial will.
He felt the Ascension Formation's climb slowly reach its limit.
He began to recite the Taijia Divine Art in his mind.
Though it was fragmented, its function of communication still remained.
A wisp of his intent floated upwards.
Straight to the source of the Star Sea.
Boom!
In that instant, Li Fan felt as if he had plunged into a brilliant, dazzling river of stars.
(End of Chapter)
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