Chapter 1425: The All-Reaching Great Dao Array
Chapter 1425: The All-Reaching Great Dao Array
It was like a bolt of lightning, forcibly cracking open the Dharma Transmitter's long-sealed mind. He naturally followed Li Fan's guidance, letting his thoughts flow along the new path.
"Precisely! All things are as I am, heaven and earth are as I am, and the Great Dao is also as I am..."
At that moment, Dharma Transmitter Jiang was like a mayfly, living its entire existence in a hazy stupor, only to suddenly glimpse the vast, clear sky. Yet, within this mayfly's heart, there was no sense of inferiority, shock, or fear. Instead, an unbidden, audacious ambition to devour the heavens itself was born.
"The Great Dao is as I am, the Great Dao is as I am..." Dharma Transmitter Jiang muttered as if possessed. As a light gradually bloomed in his eyes, shifting lights and shadows began to flicker throughout the Return to Ruins Realm.
This was Li Fan's doing. To facilitate Dharma Transmitter Jiang's enlightenment, he had directly used his power to forcibly relocate a complete small world from within the Xuanhuang Realm to this very spot.
Under the influence of the immortal array, Dharma Transmitter Jiang lost himself, sinking completely into a state of Dao enlightenment. It was true that with his supreme trait—"all things are as I am"—he could ceaselessly perceive and assimilate everything in existence, even the countless Daos of heaven and earth.
But Dharma Transmitter Jiang was far too weak. The chasm between him and the Daos of heaven and earth was vaster than that between a mayfly and the sky. For him to assimilate the Great Dao with his own being was a fool's dream, even with an endless lifespan. Before he could ever hope to achieve such a feat, the Dao Annihilation Calamity, which consumed all worlds, would have already arrived.
Had Dharma Transmitter Jiang been of sound mind, he would never have attempted something so foolish. But once caught in Li Fan's immortal array, he was no longer master of his own will.
What mattered was that Dharma Transmitter Jiang was, at this very moment, "comprehending the Dao with his being."
Through the immortal array, which emulated the profound characteristic of "all things are as I am," Li Fan could now faintly synchronize with Dharma Transmitter Jiang's thoughts, reflections, and sensations.
Normally, such an intimate resonance between two different beings would undoubtedly trigger mutual awareness, if not outright alarm. But Li Fan was using the array to shield his presence from Dharma Transmitter Jiang's senses, allowing for a purely one-way connection.
While there was still a slight disconnect from Dharma Transmitter Jiang's actual, unfiltered thoughts, for Li Fan it was like having a clone in a perpetual state of epiphany, comprehending the world's Great Daos on his behalf.
Moreover, Li Fan was confident that as the Dissociation Disc continued to deduce and refine the illusionary immortal array, the gap in their perceptions would only narrow further.
His form within the Return to Ruins Realm gradually grew faint. Just before departing, Li Fan extended his hand.
The vast Return to Ruins Realm shrank in comparison to his body, growing smaller and smaller until it settled in his palm, resembling a resplendent pearl.
Although the increase was marginal, Li Fan could clearly sense that during the time Dharma Transmitter Jiang was lost in his enlightenment, his own comprehension of the [Dao] was slowly but steadily deepening.
Li Fan was immensely pleased with Dharma Transmitter Jiang's profound natural trait. He decided he would keep this little enlightenment engine with him for the foreseeable future.
"It's almost like a controllable, albeit weaker, version of the Celestial Pillar."
"And while the speed of his comprehension is a far cry from that of a Nameless True Immortal, the precision might not be much inferior. In fact, it might even be superior!"
Li Fan considered this, a realization dawning on him. "It's because Dharma Transmitter Jiang isn't comprehending through his own talent or perception. He's using an innate trait, which, in a way, can be seen as a Great Dao comprehending itself."
"Using the Dao to comprehend the Dao... Truly marvelous," he mused.
"The only drawback is his weakness. Then again, if he were too powerful, he would likely sense that something was amiss and break free from my control. Nothing in this world is perfect. I'll just have to wait until my own power grows, then find a way to enhance his."
He sealed the pearl containing the Return to Ruins Realm and Dharma Transmitter Jiang deep within his body.
Li Fan then turned his attention back to the disorienting illusionary array, the one the Dissociation Disc had deduced based on Dharma Transmitter Jiang's unique trait, savoring its intricacies.
"This trait must originate from an extraordinary immortal artifact. Once mastered, analyzing the Great Dao from nothing would no longer be an impossible dream."
"A pity that so much time has passed; it has fused completely with Dharma Transmitter Jiang and can no longer be separated. Still, the array I've used to mimic it achieves eighty to ninety percent of the effect."
"This array... its name shall be..."
After a moment of contemplation, Li Fan spoke slowly, "All-Reaching, for the Great Dao is as I am!"
Li Fan keenly perceived that this All-Reaching Great Array was by no means limited to use on Dharma Transmitter Jiang. All things in the world could serve as tools to aid his enlightenment.
"But," he thought, "they will require careful selection."
"The Dao comprehended by Dharma Transmitter Jiang is closest to the source of the Great Dao itself. But others, no matter how brilliant they may appear, are constrained by their cultivation. Their perceptions will inevitably deviate from the Dao's origin. These deviations would only become blemishes, polluting my own understanding."
As he pondered, the Dissociation Disc presented him with the first iteration of the All-Reaching Great Array—a version now capable of enveloping an entire realm.
Although the Dissociation Disc held a limitless supply of immortal spiritual energy, the amount that could be drawn at any one time was finite. Li Fan had yet to discover a method to raise this ceiling.
To deploy the [All-Reaching Great Array] would require approximately thirty more days of preparation.
Li Fan took personal charge of the array's construction.
At his behest, an announcement quickly spread throughout the entire Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
The Heavenly Venerate, in his compassion, offers salvation to all living beings and teaches without discrimination.
All who believe they possess talent may present themselves for testing in any of the Alliance's provincial capitals. Those who qualify—regardless of their birth, past, age, or gender—will be granted entry into the headquarters of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance for a chance to open the Heavenly Venerate's secret treasury. They may even have the opportunity to hear the Heavenly Venerate preach the Dao in person.
The news sent shockwaves through the world.
Everything described in the Alliance's announcement seemed too good to be true, so much so that many suspected a hidden conspiracy.
Yet, looking back, while the Immortal Alliance had been known to commit reprehensible acts on occasion, it had never dared to act recklessly in the name of the Heavenly Venerate. Thus, the populace initially regarded the news with a mixture of hope and skepticism.
But there were always those who could not resist temptation, who would risk life and limb for profit. And when these brave few did indeed enter the Heavenly Venerate's treasury, returned laden with rewards, and reappeared before the public eye...
Facts spoke louder than words. Greed and temptation completely overwhelmed reason.
Every day, droves of cultivators, confident in their own talents, flocked to the Alliance's provincial capitals to be tested. The Alliance headquarters even made the annual number of recommended geniuses the most critical performance metric for each province. For this, the city lords spared no effort, employing every means at their disposal.
They scoured mountains and seas in search of every genius within their domains, not even overlooking mortals.
Many city lords even came to blows over a particularly promising candidate.
With the entire Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance operating under a single will, their efficiency was immeasurably greater than what Li Fan could achieve alone.
Batch after batch of heaven's chosen were sent in a continuous stream into the [Snare-Realm] that Li Fan had created.
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, their true selves would remain here forevermore.
Meanwhile, replicas assembled from fabricated personalities and flesh would reappear in the public eye, serving as both inspiration and deception.
Li Fan floated in mid-air, observing the [Snare-Realm] as it gradually took shape and gained momentum, and nodded in satisfaction.
Between heaven and earth floated countless True Immortal Seal Characters. Corresponding to them were ninety-nine Dao Origin symbols.
Before the assembly of geniuses, a phantom image of the Heavenly Venerate sat cross-legged, preaching the Dao, imparting his knowledge, and resolving their questions.
This phantom, of course, was not the Dharma Spreader himself, but a creation of Li Fan's.
To reap a harvest, one must first sow the seeds.
And foreseeably, the returns these geniuses in the [Snare-Realm] would bring Li Fan would far outweigh his initial investment. It was a venture that promised exponential profit.
"For now, the cumulative enlightenment I gain from all the beings in the [Snare-Realm] doesn't even match what I get from Dharma Transmitter Jiang alone," he considered. "But as their understanding deepens, that gap should close quickly."
Thoroughly satisfied with the efficiency of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, Li Fan decided it was time for a reward.
With his current resources, Li Fan could have given them almost anything, and it would have benefited them immensely. This time, however, he chose an improved version of the Taijia Divine Art, one that allowed communication with the Star Sea.
He didn't bestow the Taijia Divine Art directly.
Instead, he created a grand array, granting the members of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance the opportunity to step within and connect their minds to the true essence of the Star Sea's origin.
The cultivators of the Xuanhuang Realm had never escaped the gravitational pull of the Immortal Ruins, nor had they ever witnessed the true majesty of the Star Sea. This Taijia Divine Art, however, allowed them to perceive the Dao of the Star Sea even while remaining within the Xuanhuang Realm.
In this lifetime, Li Fan had not pushed for the ascension of the Xuanhuang Realm. On the surface, it remained an ordinary cultivation world within the Star Sea. The laws of the Star Sea were far more profound and intricate than the laws of heaven and earth in the Xuanhuang Realm.
Even a few moments of comprehending the Dao of the Star Sea was an invaluable experience for a cultivator from the Xuanhuang Realm.
And just as Li Fan had anticipated, all who experienced it were left in awe, completely captivated.
After the brief experience concluded, they were left craving the next opportunity.
This made them even more determined to perform meritorious deeds and earn another of Li Fan's rewards.
He simply handed control of the array over to Di Sanmo, choosing to take a hands-off approach.
First, he ventured into the void beyond and swiftly suppressed and sealed the Dharma Spreader and the Heavenly Doctor, who were on their return journey.
Then, unsheathing the phantom of his Wooden Sword, Li Fan descended into the subterranean river flowing through the fissure beneath the high wall.
Following his memory, Li Fan once again arrived before the silently floating Azure Nether Pearl.
After ten thousand years of ceaselessly releasing life force, the Azure Nether Pearl was now on the very brink of destruction.
It was little more than a phantom, its true form all but gone.
Though it had lost the power of an immortal artifact, it still held immense significance for Li Fan.
He kept his distance, not even daring to approach with his divine sense, and observed it carefully from afar.
"A creation of the [Divine Witch Realm]..." Li Fan mused internally.
"My original plan was to reverse the flow, to transfuse life force back into the Azure Nether Pearl and pull it back from the brink of destruction. Then, I would use the True False Transformation to 'repair' it step by step."
"Looking at it now, that seems too reckless."
Li Fan had a premonition that the slightest disturbance from him would cause the fragile pearl to instantly disintegrate into dust.
"The only way is to directly apply the True False Transformation, superimposing a new reality over this one. First, I must reverse its state of imminent destruction."
But to use the True False Transformation, he needed a sufficient sample for observation. He didn't need to know its essence completely, but he at least needed a concrete "target" for the technique.
It was just like when he had previously replicated Jing Gu Cang Yuan.
The problem now was that the Azure Nether Pearl was simply too delicate. Li Fan couldn't even get close enough to observe it properly. He could only watch from a great distance.
After a long stalemate, a flash of inspiration suddenly struck Li Fan.
"I can't interfere with it externally. My only hope lies in some change originating from the Azure Nether Pearl itself."
"The techniques of the twelve Dharma Kings of the ancient Xuantian Sect all came from this very pearl."
"And within the Xuantian Sect, there was a secret art called [Take from Heaven and Replace], which could strip away the cultivation base gained from their techniques and claim it for another."
"I remember in Zhao Ruoxi's dream, she mentioned that the Great Dao Sect acquired this secret art after they annihilated the Xuantian Sect."
"..."
Li Fan's eyes narrowed. "It seems that to claim the Azure Nether Pearl, I may first have to pay a visit to the Five Elders Council."
"Very well. There is another Eternal Remnant there. I can retrieve them both at once."
With his plan set, Li Fan flew out of the Star Sea basin, but he didn't head for the Five Elders Council just yet.
Instead, he made a trip to Ten Thousand Immortals Island.
Beneath Ten Thousand Immortals Island lay the bones of countless Dharma Spreaders who had fallen in ancient wars, their remains used to suppress the so-called Passage to Gloom.
The Passage to Gloom, which constantly emanated a strange power, was nothing more than an indigestible mutation, a byproduct of the Xuanhuang Realm's consumption and fusion of other worlds. Power on the level of a mere cultivation world no longer concerned Li Fan.
It was the countless bones of the Dharma Spreaders that truly piqued his interest.
"There is no trace of an Eternal Remnant here," he noted.
"But the Soul Grinding Pan of the Five Elders Council seems to hold one."
"The Five Elders Council once launched a surprise attack on this island, specifically to seize the Dharma Spreader bones buried here..."
As memories of the past drifted through his mind, Li Fan willed it, and Ten Thousand Immortals Island began to tremble violently.
Then, before the horrified eyes of countless cultivators, the island slowly began to rise.
"It seems the key lies with the Soul Grinding Pan after all."
He collected the bones of the Dharma Spreaders, which radiated a chilling aura, but felt no reaction from the [Truth].
He turned his gaze toward the domain of the Five Elders Council and shot off into the distance.
Without Li Fan's power to sustain it, Ten Thousand Immortals Island crashed back onto the surface of the sea.
But with the weight that had suppressed it now gone, strange and unsettling powers began to seep from the Passage to Gloom below.
Just as the cultivators on the island were fleeing in panic, a command from Li Fan arrived, and the teleportation arrays began to flash with incessant light.
Squadrons of black-robed cultivators emerged, moving to secure the area and manage the aftermath.
Li Fan forbore using his Wooden Sword's escape art, deliberately slowing his pace as he made a circuit of the domains belonging to the Five Elders Council's five Long Life Celestial Venerables.
In the past, to set foot in these lands meant to lose control, to be influenced against one's will.
But now, the principles of heaven and earth they had so defiantly reversed could no longer affect him in the slightest.
As it is said, once one attains the state of a True Immortal, one transcends the world itself.
(End of Chapter)
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