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Chapter 1724: The Mountain and Sea's Hidden Lifeline

Li Fan and Shou Qiu exchanged a slight nod.

Not even the Saints would reappear during the Mountain Sea Connect, let alone that immense opportunity that could potentially allow the entire Immortal Realm to transcend.

"Such a profound secret, yet it remains beyond our grasp. What a great pity," Moral lamented with a quiet sigh.

"The Mountain and Sea holds infinite mysteries. Not even the Three Saints, who in some sense represent the Mountain and Sea itself, can claim to know everything. The True False Transformation we possess is already an immense fortune in itself." Shou Qiu, however, just smiled, unconcerned.

But then Li Fan said something startling. "I have an idea. The [Truth] contains the Mountain Sea Variation Outline. It's possible that within it, we can find some trace, some clue, related to the Heavenly Net Emperor."

"It might not be a direct record of that unknown, monumental opportunity, but by comparing the changes in the Mountain and Sea before and after the disappearance of the Primitive Immortal Realm, we might be able to glean something."

"I already have the Mountain Sea Variation Outline from after that point. I just need to derive a version of the Outline from before the Primitive Immortal Realm vanished. By comparing the two, we might be able to see something significant."

The three of them were of one mind, so they naturally understood just how extraordinarily detailed the Outline obtained from the [Truth] was.

Li Fan could even use it as a direct template to become a Saint of the Mountain and Sea.

"In that case, it's quite simple. We just need to perform the connection again, push the time node to a point before the Heavenly Net Emperor's disappearance, and then use the [Truth]. We can observe the impact of the Three Saints' fall on the Mountain and Sea's evolution, and we can also investigate the secrets of the Heavenly Net Emperor."

...

The three communicated silently amongst themselves.

Within the Armillary Ring, the assembled Saints were already discussing the next Mountain Sea Connect.

As long as the threat of the Mountain and Sea's collapse remained unresolved, there was no rest for the Saints.

Fortunately, a string of victories—including their joint effort to escape a fatal crisis at the hands of the Void Realm's avatars—had left their morale high.

"The Void Realm ahead spans a mere thirty thousand years. Compared to the hundred thousand years we connected, it's like a firefly next to the moon. However..."

"...it will not be an easy conquest." Saint Lian Shan's words instantly quieted the excited emotions stirring in the hearts of the Saints.

"Do you all know why the Void Realm manifested avatars of us to attack within its domain?"

Faced with Saint Lian Shan's question, the Saints all seemed to realize something in that instant, their expressions shifting slightly.

"Before this Mountain Sea Connect, those of us who were ambushed were not, in fact, special in any way. In terms of strength, we were no greater than our counterparts in other periods of time, nor had we done anything to specifically draw the Void Realm's attention..."

"We were simply attacked by the Void Realm as we made our way toward the next segment of the Mountain and Sea."

Through these two tentative encounters with the mastermind behind the Void Realm, Li Fan had gained a certain understanding of its methods.

It was an extremely calm and rational decision-maker that never engaged in meaningless actions. Yet, at critical moments, it would not hesitate to risk everything in a desperate gamble.

Hearing the Three Saints' words now, Li Fan immediately understood.

The struggle between the Mountain and Sea and the Void Realm was a vast battlefield. If it were an insignificant corner, the mastermind behind the Void Realm would certainly not divert its forces to intercept the Three Saints without reason.

"Which means..."

"The segment of the Mountain and Sea ahead is akin to strategic terrain, a military stronghold—what one would call critical ground. To prevent any possible unforeseen circumstances, the Void Realm dispatched forces to eliminate the Three Saints before they could even make contact."

Li Fan and the other two exchanged a glance.

Shou Qiu spoke directly, asking, "May I ask Saint Lian Shan, what special significance does this coming segment of the Mountain and Sea hold?"

Saint Lian Shan paused in contemplation for a moment, then, instead of answering directly, began to explain to the assembly. "The Mountain and Sea is a continuous, unbroken existence along the entire timeline. From ancient past to the present, and onward to the future. Within itself, the Mountain and Sea gives birth to infinite possibilities, and it is itself in a state of constant change."

"But the overall trajectory of the Mountain and Sea does not change. Since the Mountain and Sea was fractured, even if it is reconnected and becomes whole, it will ultimately proceed toward the end of time and meet its final doom. This is the fate of the Mountain and Sea."

"The living beings of the Mountain and Sea, and even we Saints, may be able to influence the countless possibilities within it. However..."

"...it is difficult to influence the grand tide of the Mountain and Sea!"

With a light wave of his hand, Saint Lian Shan conjured an image of the sprawling Mountain and Sea before everyone.

Compared to what the Saints had seen so far, this vision was far more complete.

It stretched from the unreachable Beginning of the Mountain and Sea to the dim and lightless End of the Mountain and Sea.

The sheer continuity and length of the Mountain and Sea were made manifest in this way.

"It seems that after three connections, the Three Saints' power has indeed grown significantly."

"This casual display by Saint Lian Shan already carries some of the essence of the [Mountain Sea Variation Outline]."

Li Fan observed the scene before him, inwardly astonished.

He could see the entirety of the Mountain and Sea because of the Outline bestowed by the [Truth]. The Three Saints, however, had achieved this through their own comprehension.

Ignoring the thoughts of the Saints present, Saint Lian Shan continued his lecture. "The Mountain and Sea flows onward, its form unchanging. Even though it has been severed in places by the Void Realm, it still maintains its overall course."

"If this is true even for the mighty Void Realm, how much more so for us?"

"The Mountain and Sea is difficult to change. That is simply how it is."

Saint Lian Shan paused here before his tone suddenly shifted. "Difficult to change, but not impossible. We often say that this or that event in the Mountain and Sea is unrelated to the final outcome and not worth our concern. It is not that we are careless, but that even if we allowed its influence to reach its maximum, it would still be unable to shake or alter the grand tide of the Mountain and Sea. It is, in the truest sense, unrelated to the final outcome."

"Even if an entire segment of the Mountain and Sea were to be destroyed, as long as the overall lifeline remains intact, it has the potential to be reborn."

"However, there are things that can truly alter the very form of the Mountain and Sea. Throughout its long life, there are but a few such junctures."

"And before us now is one of them."

As Saint Lian Shan finished speaking, all the Saints within the Armillary Ring grew solemn.

Shou Qiu searched his memories of the past but could not recall anything out of the ordinary.

It was the same for the other Saints in the Armillary Ring.

Lian Shan seemed to perceive the Saints' thoughts. "Humans have an instinct for self-preservation, and so does the Mountain and Sea. These few critical junctures are like a person's vital points, of utmost importance. The Mountain and Sea will naturally conceal them."

"Even an ordinary Saint, standing right in the midst of one, would find it difficult to notice."

"Only those who can survey the Mountain and Sea in its entirety, viewing it from a global perspective, can faintly perceive its underlying structure."

"This concerns the very lifeline of the Mountain and Sea and should not be spoken of lightly. However, the Mountain and Sea is already in peril. In our current situation, such concerns are moot."

As Saint Lian Shan spoke, Saint Gui Hai instantly magnified a certain segment of the panoramic view of the Mountain and Sea for the Saints to see.

"Like a subtle clue, a hidden thread running for a thousand miles, some seemingly insignificant people and events can have an unimaginable impact on the overall tide of the Mountain and Sea. It may not be apparent at first, only to erupt much later."

The image continued to zoom in, finally focusing on a specific possibility, on a certain cultivator.

This cultivator's cultivation was faintly at the Transcendent level.

He could leap out of his current possibility at any moment, but for some reason, he repeatedly looked up at the heavens, only to let out a long sigh and ultimately give up.

He never truly transcended and left.

A mere Transcendent realm cultivator was nothing in the eyes of the Saints.

Seeing this scene, they were all rather perplexed.

Li Fan, however, felt a flicker of recognition. "Shou Qiu, don't you think this cultivator looks a bit familiar?"

"Although the resemblance is only slight, I'm fairly certain he's related to that one."

"Qiu Xinhui, the Saint at the End of the Mountain and Sea?" Moral also saw something.

The Three Saints did not keep them in suspense. "This cultivator's name is Qiu Tianhui. He hesitated on the brink of the Transcendent realm, not for lack of aptitude, but because..."

"Let us listen to his inner thoughts."

Saint Tai Yi flicked a finger, sending a speck of light shooting into the Mountain and Sea image, where it merged with Qiu Tianhui's figure.

His innermost thoughts then echoed in the Armillary Ring, for all the Saints to hear.

"Frustration. Annoyance."

"To leap beyond one's possibility, only to remain trapped within a severed segment of the Mountain and Sea. How can that even be called transcendence?"

"It's a step better not taken!"

"I wonder if a more perfect method exists in this world."

...

As Qiu Tianhui's voice echoed, the Saints raised their eyebrows, finding it hard to believe.

"He hasn't even taken the step of transcendence, yet he can perceive the truth of the Mountain and Sea? Can one truly see the whole sky from the bottom of a well?"

"I recall no such troubles when I transcended. Is this real or an illusion?"

As the Saints murmured in shock, the scene of Qiu Tianhui continued to play out.

He was seen pondering for several years, but to no avail.

So, he left his homeland and began to wander.

Of course, he still hadn't left that particular possibility, merely moved to a different part of the starry sky.

Time flowed, and an unknown number of years passed.

Qiu Tianhui, disheveled and unkempt, had long since taken on the appearance of a madman.

One day, he suddenly sensed something, his foolish grin vanishing in an instant, replaced by a look of clarity.

He flashed to the side of an ordinary little pond.

"This place... it seems a bit strange?"

Among the Saints in the Armillary Ring, some had already recognized the pond's origin.

"The Mountain Sea Fishing Ground?"

Qiu Tianhui's expression was initially grave, but it quickly turned to elation. He clapped his hands and declared, "The path of escape lies within!"

With that, he leaped and plunged into the water.

Li Fan was well aware of the mysteries of the so-called Mountain Sea Fishing Ground, or the Fishing Pool.

Only a true angler could see the myriad marvels within the pond.

Only by the true act of fishing could one pull forth various treasures from it.

But what Qiu Tianhui did next greatly exceeded even Li Fan's expectations.

Though he held no rod, he used himself as bait.

He was luring the Fishing Old Man on the other side of the Mountain Sea Fishing Ground!

"Could it be that he wants to use the Fishing Old Man to escape his own segment of the Mountain and Sea?"

"But that's just moving from one cage to another. He might even end up in the Fishing Old Man's net, losing his freedom and meeting a far more tragic end."

"With his insight and wisdom, he shouldn't be making such an unwise move."

While the Saints were still discussing, Qiu Xinhui was pulled away by the Fishing Old Man in an instant.

There was nothing surprising about it.

The Fishing Old Man of the Mountain and Sea was also a being on the level of a Saint.

The gap between him and a cultivator who had yet to transcend was immeasurable.

It was only natural that Qiu Tianhui could not put up any resistance.

If he had been able to wrestle with the Fishing Old Man...

...then he would have to be like Li Fan, blessed with an immense fortune akin to the [Truth].

Unfortunately, he was not.

A hush fell over the Armillary Ring. The Saints looked to the Three Saints, awaiting an answer.

Saint Lian Shan simply gestured for them to continue watching.

Sure enough, after Qiu Tianhui vanished and the Fishing Pool fell silent for a time, a change occurred.

The water began to churn, growing more and more violent.

It was as if something was about to burst forth from the pool.

A moment later, with a loud bang, the entire Fishing Pool exploded.

This particular Mountain Sea Fishing Ground vanished from that possibility, but a figure, having gone and returned, descended once more.

It was Qiu Tianhui!

Although he seemed to have been gone only a short while, his clothes, appearance, and even his mental state were vastly different from before.

Bowing respectfully toward the spot where the Fishing Pool had been, Qiu Tianhui looked up at the sky again, the confusion in his heart now gone.

"Just as I suspected. Although the Mountain and Sea is blocked by the Dao Annihilation, the fact that the Mountain and Sea itself still exists means that the severed parts are faintly connected by a hidden network. Ordinary methods cannot perceive it. Only through special means can one follow these connections."

"The Mountain Sea Fishing Ground is one such means."

"However, it has already been occupied by the senior Fishing Old Man and has no room for anyone else. I must find another way..."

Qiu Tianhui waved his hand, restoring the damage caused by the Fishing Pool's destruction, and turned to return home.

Indeed, Qiu Tianhui had a companion in this world.

Childhood sweethearts, they had supported each other on the path of cultivation and come this far together.

While Qiu Tianhui's cultivation had reached the peak of this possibility, his companion was only slightly behind, having long ago become a Nameless True Immortal, just half a step away from the Transcendent realm.

Her name was Shao Zidai. Her path, her Dao, was love itself!

Qiu Tianhui had vanished for years, with no sign of his life or death.

Yet Shao Zidai never worried that he would one day leave her.

She firmly believed that no matter what happened, Qiu Tianhui would eventually return.

Now, as Qiu Tianhui reappeared, their eyes met. A thousand words were spoken in that gentle embrace.

What followed was a blissful union of flesh and spirit.

And through this union, Shao Zidai came to know all of Qiu Tianhui's recent experiences.

"So, that senior Fishing Old Man is truly a pure angler. His only interest is in the act of fishing itself, not the catch on the hook. You were quite lucky to escape..." Shao Zidai chuckled softly, nestled in Qiu Tianhui's arms.

Qiu Tianhui replied with some pride, "It was hardly luck. The moment I saw that Mountain Sea Fishing Ground, my dear, I perceived the true nature of the angler on the other side. Only then did I dare to use myself as bait and venture into the unknown."

"Then have you found a perfect solution, my dear husband?" Shao Zidai did not argue, asking instead.

Qiu Tianhui's expression suddenly turned solemn. "I have a faint idea. It is..."

"Mountain Sea Same Presence!"

"Mountain Sea Same Presence? What do those words mean?"

Not just Shao Zidai, but even the Saints in the Armillary Ring leaned in to listen.

"The lifeline of the Mountain and Sea runs through the past and present, all the way to the distant, unseen future."

"Our transcendence, this step we take, should not be a step *into* the Mountain and Sea. Rather, we should walk along the very direction of the Mountain and Sea's life," Qiu Tianhui declared, his eyes burning as he pointed toward the heavens.