Chapter 1494: Becoming the Fifth Sage Lord
During the life his avatar had lived as the Sage Emperor, the true nature of the Cat Treasure was never fully revealed, yet it had already displayed three heaven-defying abilities: item replication, lifeform simulation, and radical physical refinement.
Even Li Fan, who had now become the veritable creator of a true Immortal Realm, could not easily accomplish such feats.
And the Cat Treasure was merely a vanguard for the hunt. The power of the force behind it was easy to imagine.
Most critically, Li Fan now had a fairly complete understanding of the powers at play in Shuo Xinghai, yet he had not found the slightest clue related to the Cat Treasure.
Therefore, the force behind the Cat Treasure either came from a far more distant region of the cosmos...
Or...
Perhaps it came from another possibility!
If it were merely the former, the situation would be manageable. But if it were the latter...
Then he might have to re-evaluate the Fishing Pool hidden within the Xuanhuang Realm.
Inside the Fishing Pool, countless treasures shimmered like starlight, all of them captured by the pool from various places. But the withered, lifeless cosmos of the [Primal] possibility hardly seemed capable of supporting the emergence of so many artifacts.
The treasures within the Fishing Pool often possessed highly distinct characteristics; almost every single one originated from a unique civilization. The [Primal] possibility, having suffered the Dao Annihilation Calamity to the point where even the Immortal Realm was shattered, was no longer capable of birthing so many different cultivation civilizations.
The Fishing Pool might be connected to a true multiverse of myriad worlds.
This was the most fundamental reason why Li Fan, despite possessing the strength to easily handle a Nameless True Immortal, had not dared to make a move on the Fishing Pool.
In any case, as long as he didn’t provoke it, the Fishing Pool remained as quiet as an ordinary pond, and Li Fan was unwilling to risk interfering with it.
In the past, Li Fan had needed the various treasures from the Fishing Pool to aid his cultivation. But now...
After comprehending the [True False Transformation], besides the [Truth] itself, there were no other treasures in the world that Li Fan would find difficult to part with.
Setting aside the matter of the Fishing Pool and the Cat Treasure for the moment.
As Li Fan unfurled the painted scroll, the True Immortals of Shuo Xinghai were already on their way to offer their congratulations.
Not wanting this group to discover the existence of the High Wall, Li Fan had Li Bueren and the three Heavenly Scars wait for them just outside it.
Soon, led by [Chaos], the True Immortals of Shuo Xinghai left the area covered by the Dao Net and entered the Annihilation Zone.
Compared to the past, after Li Fan had actively absorbed the abundant Dao laws from Shuo Xinghai, the Annihilation Zone near the High Wall seemed a bit more vibrant. However, the areas destroyed by the Dao Annihilation could not be restored; the terrain remained narrow and elongated.
The moment these True Immortals set foot in the area, they felt the great Dao path that Li Bueren had become.
"Interesting."
"Isn't this just another form of the [Dao Net]?"
"A pity the Immortal Hunt couldn't make it. If they saw this path, the looks on their faces would be priceless," a voice remarked from within the leading point of nihility.
The other True Immortals, walking upon the [Path], wore varied expressions.
Having fought against each other for so long, they had a thorough understanding of Shuo Xinghai's Dao Net. In their eyes, the path beneath their feet seemed in no way inferior.
But how was it possible?
The Shuo Xinghai Dao Net had been built upon the foundation of multiple Nameless Ones and supported by numerous True Immortals. There was even that one legendary figure who had imprinted the Dao Net with a single hand...
Only through the combined efforts of many parties had such a creation been born—one that could allow mortals to instantly contend with True Immortals.
So what did this path before them rely on?
Was it solely the work of that Hidden Emperor?
If that were true, then this Hidden Emperor’s power was likely even greater than they had anticipated.
A flicker of worry passed through the eyes of the immortals.
After walking a short distance, their attention was captured by a stone pillar standing in the void ahead.
The massive character for [Silence] carved upon it made the immortals’ hearts skip a beat.
They had all heard about Elder Wei of the Immortal Hunt being suppressed and turned into a pillar, but seeing it with their own eyes still sent a slight chill down their spines.
"So there's a reason he's called the [Hidden Emperor]," they grumbled inwardly.
Although they felt deep sympathy for Elder Wei, not a single one proposed a rescue.
Beyond the pillar, Li Bueren and the Eleventh to Thirteenth Heavenly Scars had been waiting for some time.
"Gentlemen, we meet again," the Thirteenth grinned, its tone chilling.
The Eleventh and Twelfth also eyed the group of True Immortals with the predatory gaze of hunters sizing up their prey.
Having once witnessed the power of the Infinite Sea radiating from the Thirteenth, seeing two more beings beside it who were no weaker made the immortals tense and uneasy.
Among them, only the attention of [Chaos] remained fixed on Li Bueren from beginning to end.
Seemingly sensing the unique aura of Li Bueren’s recent return from the Infinite Sea, Chaos’s attitude quietly shifted.
Li Bueren manifested a rainbow-colored path to receive the immortals.
Stepping onto the path, they were instantly enveloped by a myriad of iridescent lights, their sight and hearing completely obscured.
They seemed to be flying forward at an incredible speed, as if crossing thousands of mountains and rivers in a single moment.
When the resplendent light finally dissipated, the magnificent and sacred Primordial Desolation Immortal Realm leaped into their view.
Even the Nameless One, [Chaos], froze abruptly.
Seeing it in a scroll and experiencing it in person were two completely different concepts.
What they had sensed from the painting before was less than one ten-thousandth of what they felt now.
The heavens stretched high, the earth spread wide, an endless, sweeping vista. Great lakes shimmered like mirrors, mountain peaks pierced the clouds, and celestial palaces stood sentinel in the highest heavens... Life pulsed with boundless energy, pregnant with infinite possibility.
But what truly sent the immortals into a trance, making them feel as if they had returned to their ancestral home in the Immortal Realm, was the incredibly abundant infinite immortal energy that permeated this world.
They could not recall how long it had been since they had enjoyed such a comfortable sensation.
Although their own power had taken on an infinite nature the moment they became True Immortals, they still deeply missed this atmosphere of being surrounded by the [Infinite].
In their lives in the lower realms, their strength was indeed enough to protect them from any substantial harm. Yet, life remained awkward. It was like being mired in a muddy swamp; they could still walk, but the splattering filth made them deeply uncomfortable.
Stepping into this Primordial Desolation Immortal Realm now was truly like a fish returning to water, a bird to the sky.
It was like coming home.
Many of the True Immortals were moved to tears on the spot.
After fighting for so many years in the harsh environment of the lower realms, they had never imagined they would one day see the Immortal Realm again.
Even if it was just a single immortal domain, it was more than enough.
...
While the immortals were still reeling from the emotional surge, the Primordial Desolation Immortal Realm suddenly fell silent.
All living beings, in perfect unison, looked up at the sky, holding their breath in rapt attention.
Then, slowly, they prostrated themselves.
The immortals followed the gazes of the world’s creatures.
High above the celestial canopy, the Thirteen Heavenly Scars were arranged in an orderly fashion.
And five palaces, wreathed in ethereal purple mist, flickered in and out of existence beyond the heavens.
"That is..." The immortals faintly perceived five gazes, like those of gods, emanating from within the structures.
They looked down upon the immortals from an unassailable height.
For a moment, the immortals had the distinct illusion of being in the presence of the ruling Immortal Emperor of old.
Infinite immortal energy swirled around them like gusts of a piercing wind. Under the pressure created by this specific environment, a few of the True Immortals became so agitated that they were on the verge of bowing to these five figures.
But they were stopped by the Nameless One, [Chaos].
"The consciousness of heaven and earth."
"One, manifested as five."
As expected of one at the Nameless realm, it saw through the truth of the five figures beyond the sky with a single glance.
As the five consciousnesses of heaven and earth, naturally born from the Primordial Desolation Immortal Realm, their power surpassed that of the Thirteen Heavenly Scars.
[Chaos] reckoned it could face the Thirteen Heavenly Scars without fear.
But facing these five masters of the Primordial Desolation Immortal Realm...
"Without resorting to my final measures, it would be a difficult fight," the Nameless One, [Chaos], assessed inwardly.
"Who would have thought this immortal domain would gather so many immense congenital beings?"
This completely defied Chaos’s expectations.
In the past, though the Immortal Realm was vast and boundless, congenital beings were exceedingly rare. Those who could connect to the Infinite Sea were as scarce as a phoenix's feather.
And now, this single immortal domain had gathered a whole host of them!
"That Hidden Emperor, just what..."
Chaos’s heart sank. It searched continuously, trying to find the Hidden Emperor who had created this immortal domain.
But after searching everywhere, it still found nothing.
There was, however, no need for it to search any longer.
In the absolute silence of the world's living beings, Li Fan finally spoke.
His voice came not from the heavens, nor from the mortal world.
Instead, it arose spontaneously from every corner of the Primordial Desolation Immortal Realm.
As if it were omnipresent.
"After countless ages, the immortal domain is rebuilt. An undying achievement, today made manifest."
"Today, the Immortal Realm is founded, and the Celestial Court is inaugurated."
"I decree the appointment of: the Central Jun Tian, Infinite Great Emperor."
"I decree the appointment of: the Eastern Cang Tian, Ziwei Great Emperor."
"I decree the appointment of: the Western Hao Tian, Jade Great Emperor."
"I decree the appointment of: the Southern Huang Tian, Nether Great Emperor."
"I decree the appointment of: the Northern Xuan Tian, Longevity Great Emperor."
...
With each pronouncement, the tall, seated figures in the five palaces beyond the heavens changed in appearance and attire.
If before they had been like flowers shrouded in mist, indistinct and unclear, now their imperial crowns and robes were perfectly defined.
The moment the five consciousnesses of heaven and earth received Li Fan's investiture, natural barriers and boundaries appeared in the sky and on the land beneath it.
The Primordial Desolation Immortal Realm was divided by the words echoing through heaven and earth into five celestial domains: the Central Jun Tian, Eastern Cang Tian, Western Hao Tian, Southern Huang Tian, and Northern Xuan Tian.
And the five Celestial Emperors, each residing in their respective heaven, sat majestically enthroned.
Within the five celestial domains, different environments began to evolve.
In the Northern Xuan Tian, for instance, all things enjoyed long life. The vitality here was clearly richer than in the other domains.
The Eastern Cang Tian manifested an air of ineffable nobility. The creatures within it, simply by existing there, spontaneously began to ascend to higher forms of life. In practical terms, the upper limit of infinite immortal energy they could draw from the Infinite Sea began to slowly increase.
And the Central Jun Tian was balanced and serene. Like an uncrowned king, it did not contend, yet would always prevail.
...
The investiture of the five Celestial Emperors felt like five great mountains pressing down upon the assembled immortals.
This was the pressure exerted by the entire Primordial Desolation Immortal Realm, something this group of immortals could not possibly resist.
Therefore, despite their inner reluctance, they were forced to lower their heads, unable to look directly at the five Celestial Emperors.
Even the Nameless One, [Chaos], was no exception.
"These five consciousnesses of heaven and earth... they've grown stronger," Chaos thought, horrified.
"That voice of investiture echoing through the world must belong to the Hidden Emperor."
"Because of his decree, the consciousnesses of heaven and earth have truly received this world's recognition. Only then could they grasp its various aspects..."
Chaos's thoughts raced.
Even the ruling Immortal Emperors of the past had not possessed such supreme authority within the Immortal Realm.
After all, the Immortal Realm had been created through the joint efforts of the Sage Lords.
"In comparison, the ruling Immortal Emperors and these five newly appointed Emperors are beings of the same order."
"Could it be..."
Chaos's heart trembled as a bold conjecture surged into its mind.
"Has that Hidden Emperor already walked the path to becoming a Sage Lord?"
"Otherwise, how can one explain his actions?"
Chaos's mind could no longer remain calm.
Although the Immortal Realm had seen successive Immortal Emperors, the four Sage Lords had always remained constant.
For untold ages since the realm was created, a fifth Sage Lord had never been born.
"Could it be that with the destruction of the Immortal Realm, a fifth Sage Lord is about to appear?"
With its head lowered, Chaos tried to find a trace of the Hidden Emperor.
However, this Hidden Emperor seemed to have completely forgotten about the group of True Immortals who had come to witness the ceremony.
After appointing the Celestial Emperors, the next to be invested were the Thirteen Heavenly Scars.
The status of the Heavenly Scars was a level below that of the world consciousnesses.
They received the title of [Venerable].
The originally formless and shapeless Heavenly Scars instantly solidified into tangible forms the moment they were invested.
Some took the shape of primordial behemoths, some of towering mountains, others of ordinary mortals. The forms were many and varied.
After the thirteen Venerables were appointed, the grand voice slowly faded away.
The five Celestial Emperors and the thirteen Venerables each began selecting generals, commanders, and soldiers from among the living beings of the Immortal Realm.
For a time, the realm bustled with activity.
In contrast, the True Immortals from Shuo Xinghai who had come to witness the ceremony were left completely to the side.
By the time all the commotion had settled, a hundred days had passed.
And from beginning to end, Li Fan never appeared to meet them.
On this day, the Thirteenth, dressed in magnificent robes, appeared before the group.
"Greetings, Venerable One."
The Nameless One, [Chaos], took the lead in bowing, and the other immortals could only follow suit.
After being granted the title of Venerable, the Thirteenth's speech and demeanor were no longer as flippant as before.
"The Great Lord has commanded. The ceremony is over. It is time for you to leave."
The immortals were stunned.
"But we haven't seen..."
"Hmm?" The Thirteenth’s expression turned stern, the contempt on its face plain to see.
It very nearly blurted out the words, "As if you are worthy."
"This Thirteenth Venerable is also much stronger than before," the Nameless One, [Chaos], mused for a moment, then finally clasped its hands and bowed.
It then led the spectating immortals away from the Primordial Desolation Immortal Realm, following the rainbow path that had reappeared.
"Ugh..."
Perhaps because they had spent too long in an environment filled with infinite immortal energy, when the immortals returned to Shuo Xinghai, they instinctively felt waves of discomfort.
The immense sense of disparity made them involuntarily look back toward the Primordial Desolation Immortal Realm.
Unfortunately, as the rainbow path closed, they could no longer return.
It took the immortals a long time to readjust to the harsh environment of Shuo Xinghai. Their expressions were varied, their thoughts unreadable.
The Nameless One, [Chaos], had fulfilled its duty and brought the immortals back safely. Moreover, the information they provided was extremely important. The speculation about the power of this Hidden Emperor, Li Fan, in particular, forced the powers of Shuo Xinghai to adjust their strategy toward him.
As for Chaos itself, it had been absent-minded ever since its return.
(End of Chapter)
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