Chapter 788: Li Fan Resolves to Die
Chapter 788: Li Fan Resolves to Die
"How could the images recorded by the Medicine King True Cauldron be fake?" Fang Zaiji scoffed.
His gaze drifted to the replica of the Transformation Dao Stone Mother that Xu Bai was toying with in his hands. When Xu Bai finally put it away, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of regret.
Then, his curiosity piqued, he asked, "But you said the pull of the Immortal Ruins is indeed getting stronger. How did you determine that?"
Chen Tianhai made no attempt to conceal the truth. "Based on the time and angle at which the Medicine King True Cauldron's trajectory deviated after it left the Xuanhuang Realm," he explained.
"As I mentioned, we've sent expeditions to the Immortal Ruins over the years. While we learned nothing of what lies within, we managed to gather a good deal of useful data."
"According to our calculations, the pull of the Immortal Ruins is now more than double what the Medicine King True Cauldron experienced."
"That's actually quite frightening. Doesn't that mean the entire Xuanhuang Realm will be devoured by it soon?" Fang Zaiji clicked his tongue in wonder, yet his face showed no trace of fear.
"Who knows what those so-called Longevity Celestial Venerables are even doing."
"Pinning your hopes on others is not the mark of a wise man." Chen Tianhai disagreed with his attitude.
After learning from the Taiyan Sect that the pull of the Immortal Ruins was indeed intensifying, Xu Bai fell into deep thought.
"Back when the Immortal Ruins were first discovered, the major powers of the Xuanhuang Realm didn't immediately choose to flee. Instead, they opted to fight back by capturing other grotto-heavens and small worlds..."
"Perhaps that was because the Immortal Ruins weren't nearly as terrifying back then as they are today."
"Now, however, the Xuanhuang Realm is running out of time. That's why, in my last life, the plan to propel the world away was launched immediately after its unification."
The thoughts flashed through his mind, and Xu Bai posed the final question of his visit. "The cultivators in this city have all been transformed from disciples of the Taiyan Sect over the years. But I've heard that the Transformation Dao Stone Mother itself has gained sentience. I wonder, has it ever created a human body for itself?"
Chen Tianhai was taken aback by the question, which seemed to come out of nowhere and was completely unrelated to their previous discussion.
It wasn't a secret, however. He nodded and replied, "Initially, out of curiosity about humanity, the Transformation Dao Stone Mother did generate a human body for analysis and research."
"However, It rarely shows Itself in human form these days."
Having received the answer he was looking for, Xu Bai gave a slight nod.
He then bid Chen Tianhai farewell.
Chen Tianhai hesitated for a moment but ultimately allowed Xu Bai and his companion to depart.
Just as Xu Bai and Fang Zaiji vanished within the Taixuan Grotto-heaven...
A figure, its features indistinct and its form a shimmering azure, suddenly materialized beside Chen Tianhai.
"You're just letting them go?"
"That man, Xu Bai... he may be hiding many secrets."
"Beyond being a mere variable, perhaps he was brought back from beyond the heavens by the Medicine King Sect. Or maybe... he hails from among those beings deliberately erased by the powerful." The azure figure's voice was androgynous, its pitch rising and falling unpredictably, creating an utterly bizarre sound.
Yet this did not impede Its communication with Chen Tianhai in the slightest.
"Deliberately erased? Are you suggesting the resurrection of a mighty expert?" A sharp glint flashed in Chen Tianhai's eyes.
"Based on the results of our deductions, it's highly likely. The figure of Xu Bai has never appeared in any of the worlds we have simulated. His existence could be a mere coincidence. However, Fang Zaiji addresses him as Sect Master..."
"That would mean we are missing certain information, leading to fallacies in our deductions," the azure figure explained, Its words flowing swiftly.
"There are too many unknown factors involved. Pulling him into the Taiyan Sect recklessly would be far too risky."
Chen Tianhai pondered for a moment before nodding slowly.
"And what was the meaning behind that last question he asked?"
The azure figure rippled for a moment, like water disturbed.
A moment later, It replied, "Deduction failed."
"However..."
The rest was left unsaid as the figure gradually faded, vanishing from before Chen Tianhai.
And yet, Chen Tianhai seemed to have heard the words the azure figure left unspoken.
A look of keen interest spread across his face.
In Longevity Valley.
Fang Zaiji was recounting the events of their journey to Liu San and Jiang Yushan.
"To think that the great Taiyan Sect would end up in such a wretched state. In comparison, our Medicine King Sect was actually quite fortunate," Fang Zaiji lamented repeatedly.
Clearly, no matter how much Chen Tianhai praised it, he could not accept the so-called "indestructibility of information."
A melancholic expression also appeared on Liu San's face.
His spiritual sense swept across Longevity Valley, observing the daily cultivation of the disciples—a scene brimming with vitality. His expression flickered, his thoughts unreadable.
Meanwhile, Xu Bai had already entered a secret chamber.
The replica of the Transformation Dao Stone Mother, shimmering with a brilliant white light, now floated before him.
"Simulation..."
Xu Bai let out a cold snort, but he made no move to connect with it via his spiritual sense to perform the supposed simulation.
The claim that no lies could exist within the Taiyan Sect.
The claim that there was no link between the replica and the original Stone Mother.
Xu Bai didn't believe a word of it.
Li Fan was a suspicious man by nature, and after obtaining a supreme treasure like [Truth], he was even less inclined to blindly trust others.
"The moment I use it to simulate, I must either use the regression ability immediately, or it must be a life-or-death situation with no other choice."
"In any case, if I am to use it, I must be prepared for the existence of [Truth] to be exposed."
Xu Bai stared at it for a long while before finally putting it away for the time being.
"According to Chen Tianhai, even if hundreds of years pass in the simulation, only a single instant will have gone by in reality."
"Perhaps I can use it at a critical moment to find that one sliver of a chance for survival."
"I just hope that, in this life, the day I need to use it never comes."
Pushing these thoughts aside for the moment...
...Xu Bai solemnly began a task.
Writing a will.
As the saying goes, one must plan for defeat before planning for victory.
This life was fraught with peril, and even with all his preparations, Li Fan had no guarantee of victory.
If...
Just suppose, if he failed to escape the influence of Mr. Bai's revival...
...and ended up being killed and replaced, his very Dao obliterated...
...then, with Li Fan's temperament, how could he possibly accept such a fate lying down?
"If I die, then the existence of a miraculous item like [Truth] must be spread to every corner of the world."
"You want to take my place? Even in death, I won't let you have an easy time of it!"
A grim look flashed across Xu Bai's face.
One could only imagine what would happen if the cultivators of the Xuanhuang Realm learned of the existence of a wondrous item like [Truth].
Even if its next owner were a being comparable to a Longevity Celestial Venerable, they would never know another day of peace.
This was Li Fan's final gambit.
It would only be activated if Li Fan's consciousness was utterly annihilated.
And if, by some miracle, Li Fan emerged victorious, these preparations would be destroyed with a single thought.
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