Chapter 1447: Sailing Against the River of Time
The man in blood-red robes had barely finished speaking when the group felt a strange suction force manifest above the circular, floating island. A vortex materialized from nothing, drawing them all into its swirling depths.
Just before he was pulled in, Li Fan glanced once more at the stone pillar slung over the man's shoulder.
The instant the man had lightly tapped the pillar, Li Fan had sensed a faint, corresponding tremor ripple through the Dao Net.
"A Pillar of the Great Dao? Or perhaps, one of the Daos itself?"
"To be able to shoulder a Great Dao, and with such casual ease... this man's power..."
"He's likely no weaker than the Nameless!" Li Fan's heart tightened with awe and caution.
The formless vortex swallowed the twenty-eight new members of the Immortal Hunt whole.
When they came to their senses, they found themselves in an unfamiliar, starry expanse.
"The True Immortal is expected to arrive at this location in half an hour."
"Use the remaining time to discuss your hunting strategy."
As they processed the information, their eyes were collectively drawn to the so-called "immortal bait" floating in the void, which pulsed with an inexplicable energy.
It was a bronze coffin, its surface intricately carved with encircling patterns of nine dragons and nine phoenixes.
What sent a subtle chill through their hearts was the sight of one corner of the coffin's lid, which had been pushed ajar by some unknown hand. Faint, intermittent whispers drifted out from within.
Though the sound originated from the bronze coffin, it seemed to materialize right behind their ears.
The demonic whispers grated on their senses, but for the moment, they seemed to have no ill effect. Still, for this object to attract a True Immortal willing to cross the vast Star Sea, it had to possess some extraordinary quality.
After a few moments of silent observation, Dao Yuan, who had placed first in their trials, was the first to speak. "I happen to know a little about the origin of this bait. Allow me to start us off, and please, feel free to correct me if I misspeak."
Dao Yuan's tone was modest, and the surrounding cultivators nodded in agreement.
"As we all know, the surviving True Immortals in the Star Sea today seek roughly two things. The first is enlightenment on the Great Dao, so they might ascend to the realm of the Nameless. The second is..."
"...a way to escape calamity, of course. When the Immortal World was suddenly destroyed, countless True Immortals perished like ants. The few who were lucky enough to survive developed a deep obsession with methods of escape and survival. It is said that after the fall of the Immortal World, the Nameless True Immortals gathered together and devised three miraculous methods of refuge."
Although Dao Yuan claimed this was common knowledge, the expressions on the faces of the new Immortal Hunt members told a different story. It was clear this was a secret far beyond the reach of ordinary cultivators. Most were utterly captivated, listening with rapt attention.
A few, however, seemed unimpressed by Dao Yuan's display, offering only a cold, indifferent sneer.
"It is said that these three methods of refuge can shelter a living being from any disaster in the world. Even a cataclysm on the scale of the Immortal World's destruction could be weathered safely."
"This bronze coffin before us is one of those three: the Transcendent World Coffin. This coffin seems to be connected to other worlds. Once you lie down inside it, you will vanish completely from this one..."
At this, someone couldn't help but interrupt Dao Yuan's explanation.
"...Vanish completely? How can one be sure whether they have found refuge or simply perished?"
This was clearly a question on everyone's mind.
Dao Yuan smiled faintly, pointing to the nine dragons and nine phoenixes carved into the coffin. "Do you see these patterns? After a person lies within the coffin and disappears, the dragons and phoenixes will cry out in unison and project a final image of the world on the other side. It is said that without exception, the individuals shown are overcome with joy, offering gestures of gratitude. I suppose it's possible to communicate with them even as the coffin transports them to another world."
"As for the authenticity of these images... the fact that countless True Immortals, and even Nameless True Immortals, have so eagerly pursued the Transcendent World Coffin should speak for itself."
Hearing this, the cultivators all drew a sharp, collective breath.
"Then the one before us is..."
Dao Yuan chuckled. "A replica, of course."
Though it was the expected answer, a wave of sighs still rippled through the group.
"The Transcendent World Coffin was created from the very beginning to help immortals escape disaster. Thus, the great powers who crafted it jointly announced its existence to all surviving immortals, sharing the coffin's energy signature and the method of activation."
"Those with the affinity may enter the coffin to escape calamity," Dao Yuan explained methodically.
At this point, one of the new recruits finally realized the implication. "Does that mean the powerful figures who forged the Transcendent World Coffin have long since used it to escape to other worlds?"
Dao Yuan nodded. "Precisely!"
"The coffin is the legacy they left behind. It is said that the true coffin drifts through the Star Sea in a specific pattern, constantly broadcasting its signal in all directions. Although we in Shuo Xinghai have never seen the real Transcendent World Coffin, we have learned to replicate its energy signature..."
A cold laugh suddenly cut in. "How do you know we in Shuo Xinghai have never seen the real coffin? Without seeing such a divine object with our own eyes, how could we possibly imitate it so flawlessly?"
Dao Yuan and the surrounding Immortal Hunt members all started at the voice.
But after that one mocking remark, the voice fell silent. It was impossible to tell who had spoken.
The cultivators subtly glanced at one another, but no one seemed a likely suspect.
Seeing that an awkward stalemate had fallen over the group, someone stepped in to smooth things over. "Brother Dao, please, tell us more. What are the other two methods of escape? This is the first we've heard of such secrets, and we are quite curious!"
The others quickly chimed in with their agreement, and the tension in Dao Yuan's expression eased. He spoke again. "As for the other two methods, I only know of one of them."
"It is called the Reverse Flow Boat."
"The Reverse Flow Boat?" The members of the group savored the meaning of the name.
Dao Yuan's expression grew solemn. "The river of time flows ever forward, ceaselessly from the ancient past. The Reverse Flow Boat is said to be able to carry a person upstream against that current, traveling back to a time before any disaster had yet occurred..."
"Ah!"
The shock of the Reverse Flow Boat was clearly far greater than that of the Transcendent World Coffin. After all, the ability to reverse the flow of time was a dream cherished by all living beings.
The topic ignited a fervent discussion among the group.
"Brother Dao, did those True Immortals really manage to build such a boat?"
"I think not. If they had truly returned to the past, why has the fact of the Immortal World's destruction not changed in the slightest for us now?"
"Ah, but that is where you are mistaken. Returning to the past and changing even the smallest of historical details would be like diverting a river. Downstream, it would naturally form a new, different river. We, however, would still be in the original river, so we would naturally be unable to perceive any change."
"Absurd! By that logic, our existence should have vanished when the river of time was diverted. Why do we, and everything else in this world, still exist?"
"Well..."
"The principles of time are beyond our comprehension and imagination. There's no need for the two of you to be so dogmatic."
"However, since Brother Dao speaks of it with such conviction... perhaps the existence of the Reverse Flow Boat is not just a rumor after all."
...
The group went back and forth, each voicing their own opinion.
Finally, Dao Yuan smiled. "Whether the Reverse Flow Boat is real or not, I truly cannot say. Not just me, but even the seniors in Shuo Xinghai probably don't know for certain. It is just an ethereal legend, after all."
Someone else then asked, "This second method of escape can already travel against the river of time. Then the third method must be..."
The discussion about the Reverse Flow Boat came to an abrupt halt. All eyes fixed on Dao Yuan, eagerly awaiting his explanation.
Dao Yuan gave a wry smile. "This third method of escape... even among the immortals of that era, very few knew its true nature. However, all who learned of it were utterly convinced that it was the most perfect method of escape. If one could master it, all the calamities of the world would pass by like clouds in the wind. It was said to grant true freedom, true transcendence, true liberation!"
As Dao Yuan spoke, his eyes filled with a deep yearning.
Every person present felt the same.
But there was one person whose heart was shaken far more profoundly than anyone else's!
It was Li Fan!
Because he already knew of the impending apocalyptic disaster from the countdown timer of `[Truth]`, Li Fan had initially been dismissive of these so-called "three great escape methods."
But that dismissiveness had vanished the moment he heard of the first method, the Transcendent World Coffin.
To lie in a coffin and travel to another world. The "world" here was clearly not as simple as another mortal realm in the Star Sea. The idea almost instantly reminded Li Fan of the beasts' ability to cross between possibilities. It was entirely conceivable that the True Immortals who survived the Dao Annihilation possessed a similar power.
"If it were merely a random jump between possibilities, like the beast race, it probably wouldn't warrant the name 'Transcendent World'."
"If what Dao Yuan said is true, that all the survivors who crossed over were overcome with joy and offered their thanks..."
"Could it be that this coffin can survey, or even select, the destination possibility?"
A thought flashed through Li Fan's mind.
This entire world had a lifespan of seven million, three hundred and sixty thousand years remaining.
This meant that there had to be other possibilities that could survive for at least that long.
While that number might not seem particularly long, compared to the "Primal Possibility" Li Fan currently inhabited—a reality on the verge of death and liable to suffer the Dao Annihilation at any moment—it was practically an eternity.
To find such a paradise after escaping the ruins of the Immortal World, it would be perfectly normal to be overjoyed.
...
If the Transcendent World Coffin had merely surprised Li Fan, then the existence of the Reverse Flow Boat was an immense shock.
More than anyone else here, Li Fan believed that a treasure like the "Reverse Flow Boat" truly existed.
Setting aside the fact that Li Fan himself possessed the anomalous treasure `[Truth]`, just the Kun-Qian Bone Hand he had encountered in the Xuanhuang Realm was proof enough that the ancient immortals had already mastered some divine abilities related to "time".
"However, even if you can reverse time, the coming of the Dao Annihilation is an overwhelming trend. It's like the land itself—if the west is high and the east is low, then the rivers will almost certainly flow from west to east and into the sea. Even if you can repeatedly return to the river's source to start over, you can't change its final destination of emptying into the eastern sea."
"In reality, this means that if you can never find the true cause of the Dao Annihilation, reversing time again and again is futile. Moreover, traveling against the river of time must come at a terrible price. Perhaps it can be done once, or twice, but surely not a third time."
After this line of thought, Li Fan also understood the fundamental difference between his `[Truth]` treasure and a treasure that could reverse time.
"Truth to lies, reality to dream."
"To create something from nothingness with a single thought."
"Even the concept of time exists only because existence itself exists."
"Using the eastward-flowing river as a metaphor again, my `[Truth]` is like having the power to reshape the land and even the sky at will."
"Not only could I make all the rivers flow backward, I could even make the waters of the earth surge upward into the heavens. It would not be impossible..."
"Isn't this the very definition of the so-called great freedom, great transcendence, great liberation?"
Although Li Fan knew of the world's impending doom, he felt little fear. It was because he believed that with `[Truth]`, he possessed the power to rewrite everything.
After seeing the countdown timer leap by tens of millions of years at a time, Li Fan became even more certain of his judgment.
If there truly was a method of escape in this world that granted such great freedom, it could only be `[Truth]`.
But Dao Yuan's words had awakened a worry that had long been buried deep in Li Fan's heart.
The memory of seeing a True Immortal waiting silently in the Xuanhuang Realm from within the dark Star Sea.
It seemed to suggest that the immortals of the past had somehow known of `[Truth]`'s existence.
Just like the Immortal Hunt today, they had laid a trap in the Xuanhuang Realm long ago.
It was only because, for some unknown reason, `[Truth]` had arrived much later than expected.
That was how Li Fan had ultimately escaped their trap.
Though it was just a theory of his, today, after hearing the legends of the Reverse Flow Boat and the third method of escape, Li Fan felt as if he had grasped a certain possibility, and his heart grew incredibly heavy.
"The mortal world is probably just a larger version of the Xuanhuang Realm."
"Just like everything that once happened in the Xuanhuang Realm. When disaster comes, some choose to flee with the wind, while others choose to stand tall and search for a way to save the world."
"And then there are those who simply give up, lie down, and idly live out their remaining days."
"Truly, there is nothing new under the sun. What I thought was a secret is probably not a secret at all."
"It's just that the group of people who happened to know... are no longer around."
Li Fan had never underestimated the power of immortals.
Especially True Immortals who could cross between possibilities.
"If I ever leave the Primal Possibility for another world, I must be even more cautious."
Dao Yuan's words had sent Li Fan's thoughts into a turbulent storm, making it difficult for him to remain calm.
Fortunately, the others present were in no better state, so his turmoil went unnoticed.
"Alright, let's get back to the matter at hand. We've just received new information. Our target, the True Immortal, achieved their Dao through the principle of [Yi]."
"What is [Yi]?"
"It means 'that which is looked for but cannot be seen.' We must be on our guard."
As he spoke, Dao Yuan's gaze swept toward the distant darkness.
(End of Chapter)
Comments