Chapter 1740: An Epiphany on the Method of Salvation
Chapter 1740: An Epiphany on the Method of Salvation
"After the destruction of the Mountain and Sea, only a sediment of True Spirits is left behind in the void realm. As we journeyed against the flow of time, we all witnessed the sheer quantity of these spirits—vast, boundless, and seemingly infinite."
"And that was merely a trivial fraction from a single, long life cycle of the Mountain and Sea. What of the accumulation from a hundred, a thousand, or even tens of thousands of such cycles?"
"The number would be unimaginable, perhaps even infinite!" Moral slowly voiced his speculation.
Li Fan's mind flashed back to his previous life, to the brief period of lucidity he had maintained after activating [Truth]. He recalled sensing his own infinite spiritual essence being continuously drained during the process. He instinctively countered, "The reconstruction of the Mountain and Sea requires True Spirits as a medium. Those accumulated True Spirits are likely consumed to reshape the world when [Truth] is activated. My own experience is the best proof of this!"
Faced with Li Fan's adamant declaration, Shou Qiu and Moral fell into a thoughtful silence. Then, as if their minds had converged on the same point, they exchanged a knowing, silent smile.
"What are you two smiling about?" Li Fan asked, initially baffled. However, as he sensed their shared thoughts, his own expression turned peculiar.
Even though he knew Li Fan was aware, Shou Qiu shook his head and said, "Ah, Friend Fan, Friend Fan. You believe your True Spirit was being consumed because you grew increasingly weary during your journey across time."
"But have you ever considered..."
"Otherwise, with your foundation of an infinite True Spirit, how could you possibly recover so easily if it were truly drained dry?"
"Besides, the Great Dao of Truth and Falsehood is a supreme power. Why would it need to borrow these so-called accumulated True Spirits to reshape the Mountain and Sea?"
"The descent of the Solitary Star will inevitably consume all things; not even the void realm or the accumulated True Spirits are exempt. The process of activating [Truth] and journeying to the end of time is also a process of gathering these spirits. At your current level, absorbing such a vast quantity of True Spirits in such a short time would undoubtedly be overwhelming."
Li Fan's brow furrowed in an instinctive rebuttal. "Absurd. How could I confuse the feeling of being overstuffed with that of being starved? As for the Great Dao of Truth and Falsehood..."
His words trailed off. He had to admit, there was a certain logic to what they were saying.
Yet, driven by his inherent suspicion, Li Fan quickly dismissed the nascent agreement from his mind.
Squinting, he studied Shou Qiu and Moral, his thoughts slowly clearing. He realized that because his past self and his current self were one and the same, Shou Qiu and Moral, bound by the principle of `Same Heart Same Virtue`, didn't truly see the past Li Fan as a separate person.
Coupled with the sheer nobility his past self had demonstrated, they tended to interpret all of that Li Fan's actions through a lens of ultimate benevolence and compassion.
This was, of course, the polar opposite of how the current Li Fan saw things.
Having realized this, Li Fan chose not to argue the point any further.
"This is simple enough to verify," he declared. "The next time I activate [Truth], I will keep my eyes wide open and observe."
"In this life, having been tempered by the Three Saints' hundred billion years and having witnessed countless cycles of the Mountain and Sea, my capacity to endure has reached a new plane. I certainly won't be as muddled as I was last time," Li Fan stated, his voice low and firm.
Both Shou Qiu and Moral nodded in agreement.
The three of them tacitly moved past the topic, no longer dwelling on it.
"Then let's move on to the next matter: 'To save the world, first save yourself.'"
This phrase was clearly a message left by his past self for his present one.
It held no profound mystery; its meaning was entirely literal.
To save the Mountain and Sea, he must first save himself.
"In the past, Friend Fan's heart was bound to the Mountain and Sea," Shou Qiu began. "For the sake of salvation, when forced to choose between himself and the world, he would often favor the Mountain and Sea."
"A man's nature is hard to change. With a character so noble, there are certain things he would likely never bring himself to do, even across ten thousand lifetimes. This means that, despite countless cycles, the Mountain and Sea has not exhausted every possibility. Perhaps the true chance for survival lies with you now, Friend Fan!" Shou Qiu commented.
"No matter how desperately he fought to turn the tide, he could never ultimately prevent the descent of the Solitary Star. To save the Mountain and Sea, one must rival the Star in brilliance. One must even defeat it."
"But..."
After a long, thoughtful silence, Moral finally continued.
"To attempt to contend with the Star while simultaneously preserving the Mountain and Sea... that may be an impossibility in itself."
"The Mountain and Sea is but a fragment of the Star's consciousness, and it is destined to return. We cultivators originate from the Mountain and Sea. To step outside our very nature—to save the Mountain and Sea while fighting the Star—is a task I fear even the True God of old could not achieve."
Moral's words sparked an idea in Li Fan's mind.
Like a bolt of lightning, a realization struck him. "The Mountain and Sea and the Star are locked in a zero-sum game. To prevent the world's return to the Star, one must either go back to the moment of its creation and take the Star's place... or..."
"...one must devour the Mountain and Sea first, taking it for oneself before the Star can."
"The Mountain and Sea will cease to be, but I will remain. And then, I will face the Star alone."
"So that is the meaning of 'to save the world, first save yourself'?" A peculiar glint flashed in Li Fan's eyes.
Vaguely perceiving the myriad images flashing through Li Fan's mind and the thrill that seized his heart, Shou Qiu and Moral neither spoke in agreement nor opposition.
They simply remained silent.
Leaving aside the question of whether he could truly challenge the Star after devouring the Mountain and Sea...
Even if Li Fan were to actually win...
What would the Li Fan who had devoured a universe and extinguished a star become? It was a transformation utterly beyond the scope of their imagination.
How could they be certain that, in the end, he would still choose 'salvation'?
It was incalculable. It was unknowable.
And there was nothing to be done about it.
But after innumerable cycles of failure, it was the only option left. The only path forward.
At this moment, both Shou Qiu and Moral could faintly sense the profound conflict his past self must have endured to arrive at such a choice.
Li Fan, of course, could sense the thoughts of the other two.
He gave a cynical laugh. "You two are already thinking far ahead of me. Devouring the universe, snatching a meal from the Star's very jaws... do you think it would be so simple?"
"Forget the Star. I can't even get past the Three Saints, let alone the host of Saints from the dawn of the Mountain and Sea. Do you think they'll simply roll over and accept their fate if I march in to devour their world in the name of salvation? They'd just ask, 'Why should you be the one to do it, Li Fan, and not me?'"
"In the end, it will all come down to strength."
It had to be said, Li Fan had a point.
Shou Qiu and Moral considered this, a new understanding dawning on them. "It is because we have witnessed the deeds of the past Friend Fan that we have come to believe, from the depths of our hearts, that he is the only savior of the Mountain and Sea," they lamented. "We have unconditional faith. Even if you were to undertake the act of devouring the universe, we would support you."
"But as for others... you are right, they would not see it as we do."
"Unless..."
"...you could bring all living beings in the Mountain and Sea into the Armillary Ring, and have them all share in the `Same Heart Same Virtue`!" Shou Qiu suddenly exclaimed.
Even Li Fan's heart skipped a beat at the suggestion.
By his nature, sharing his innermost thoughts with others was an absolute impossibility.
Yet, by a twist of fate, he had been made to try it once.
And after tasting its benefits and realizing it posed no threat to him, he had done so again and again.
But a triad bound by `Same Heart Same Virtue` was the absolute limit of what he could currently accept.
The idea of opening his mind to every living being in the Mountain and Sea, as Shou Qiu suggested, was something he had never even dared to contemplate.
"Friend Shou Qiu, isn't that a bit extreme?"
"There are countless billions of living beings. The variables are far too great," Li Fan said, his voice heavy.
Shou Qiu, however, did not abandon his idea. The more he considered it, the brighter his eyes shone.
"The nobler one's character, the more profoundly one feels the greatness of the past Friend Fan. I believe that even the common creatures of the Mountain and Sea, once they experience everything that has happened, will understand and make the correct choice. As for those who remain obstinate..."
"...they will not be able to stand against the tide!"
Moral added with conviction, "When you think about it, it is indeed a viable path!"
Shou Qiu continued, "If not for the bond of the Three Saints' Armillary Ring, would the Saints of the Mountain and Sea ever have worked together in concert? Our plan is merely to follow their example. However, the ring of unity we wish to forge must be on a scale far grander than the Armillary Ring. And the hope we place in it will be far greater than that of the Three Saints!"
"Without a greater ring of unity to encompass the entire world, how else can all its beings unite their hearts for the sake of their own survival?"
Shou Qiu and Moral looked at Li Fan, their gazes burning with intensity.
Their eyes were filled with an undisguised, fervent zeal.
Li Fan knew, of course, that this fervor was not directed at him.
It was a devotion, born from the `Same Heart Same Virtue`, for the saintly savior of the past.
In a way, Li Fan mused, my past self's actions were an almost perfect reflection of the ideal selves Shou Qiu and Moral aspire to be. An ideal they yearn for but cannot reach. Yet, through the Armillary Ring, they experienced it as if it were their own. Naturally, their approval became boundless.
The transformation in Shou Qiu and Moral over such a short time was nothing short of bizarre.
And yet, it was perfectly logical.
At its core, the reason was simple: the Li Fan of the past had been too powerful, his deeds too legendary. Even after his death, with his thoughts erased, his past actions alone were enough to command and influence Saints.
But so what?
The survival of the Mountain and Sea now rests on my shoulders, Li Fan snorted inwardly.
Thinking it over, Shou Qiu and Moral's plan might actually be feasible.
It just requires careful, long-term planning.
The Dao Return Hall... Stealing Opportunity, Snare, the unique fortune of the Mountain and Sea...
Myriad thoughts spun and evolved in Li Fan's mind.
The Saints were currently collaborating, striving to reconnect and save the fractured pieces of the Mountain and Sea from the encroaching armies of the void realm.
But they were completely unaware that three Saints within their own ranks—three of the most crucial ones—had already undergone a quiet transformation.
Though a plan was already taking shape in his mind, Li Fan dared not leak even a fraction of it.
He knew with absolute certainty that if he revealed his thoughts through any means other than the `Same Heart Same Virtue`, he would instantly become the public enemy of the entire Mountain and Sea.
The priceless accumulation of memories from his past self would become a treasure coveted by all.
His strength was still far from sufficient to execute his plan. He needed to remain dormant for now.
But perhaps, it's time to start considering new candidates for the `Same Heart Same Virtue`.
After witnessing the transformation of Shou Qiu and Moral, Li Fan's gaze fell upon Mo Yongge, who stood beside him, not yet a Saint, and a thoughtful expression crossed his face.
The selection must be made with extreme care.
A natural devotion to the Mountain and Sea, like that of Shou Qiu and Moral, is the minimum requirement.
Ideally, they should be individuals who once fought alongside my past self, their character already proven.
Considering all factors, Mo Yongge was undoubtedly a highly suitable candidate.
The fact that Mo Yongge had left even a faint impression in Li Fan's memories meant he was no ordinary person.
He had been a loyal follower and comrade-in-arms to the past Li Fan, one who would stand by him through life and death.
He had achieved his Dao through [Song], and his ethereal voice had once echoed across the shattered Mountain and Sea, steeling the resolve of the Saints. In their darkest hour, his song had inspired them to never give up, to fight on with all their might.
Though Mo Yongge was not yet a Saint, with Li Fan's assistance, his ascension was a certainty.
The only complication is that the principle of `Same Heart Same Virtue` originates from the Three Saints' Armillary Ring.
The only ones truly bound are the original Three Saints who took their seats. All who came after were merely influenced by it, their minds subtly shaped.
The Three Saints can act as a single entity. But a natural chasm exists between them and the other beings of the Mountain and Sea, making true `Same Heart Same Virtue` impossible. I, however, am different.
To ensure this is foolproof, the chosen candidate must be truly of one heart and mind with me!
A cold glint flashed in Li Fan's eyes.
The Armillary Ring is exceedingly profound. Deciphering it in the first place was an immense challenge. Now, to try and alter its very foundation...
...is impossible without a complete mastery of its principles.
Li Fan did not let the legend of his past self cloud his judgment.
He maintained a very clear and sober assessment of his own current strength.
With my current understanding of the Armillary Ring, even with the help of Shou Qiu and Moral, I doubt we could add another seat to its circle.
As the saying goes, whoever tied the bell must be the one to untie it. To achieve my goal, I will have to rely on the Three Saints themselves.
But how can I manipulate them from the shadows?
Li Fan gazed at the Mountain and Sea, where the situation grew ever more dire under the shadow of the void realm's clouds. A rough idea began to form in his mind.
But I must not be rash, lest I reveal my intentions.
Compared to my past self, the number of cycles I've lived through is negligible. I can afford to be patient.
Now that he understood the true nature of [Truth], the fear that it might abandon him at any moment vanished completely.
And so, he could plot his course with a much steadier hand.
Knowledge and action became one.
Li Fan acted just as he had planned.
He continued his journey through the Mountain and Sea, seeking out potential Saints to enlighten.
In addition to the three from the Sage Dynasty, he found two more promising candidates.
He spared no True Spirit, pouring his power into them with all his might.
In fact, compared to his previous, more perfunctory efforts, the current Li Fan was far more serious and attentive in his task.
In his eyes, these newly ascended Saints were all potential future allies.
As he infused them with True Spirit, Li Fan also took the opportunity to study the very nature of the power he wielded.
Aided by the memories of his past self, his perception of these True Spirits was quietly transforming.
"The accumulated True Spirits are the remnants left after the destruction of the Mountain and Sea."
"And the Mountain and Sea originated from the True God."
"In a way, this is the fundamental reason mortals can become Immortals and Saints."
"There is no essential difference between the accumulated True Spirits and the True Spirit with which all living beings are born."
"In other words, the Dao Annihilation Calamity of the void realm has no effect whatsoever on the [True Spirit] itself."
"Only the appearance of the Solitary Star can truly erase them."
"But is it truly erasure... or absorption?"
Li Fan pondered this, recalling the scene he had witnessed long ago.
He had once considered releasing all the True Spirit stored within his own body.
At the mere thought, [Truth] had issued an unprecedented warning.
"Theoretically, even if the entire Mountain and Sea were to collapse, the power to turn falsehood into truth could restore it in a single thought."
"Which means..."
"...that a flood of True Spirit could somehow interfere with [Truth]'s ability to reshape the Mountain and Sea?"
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