Chapter 1322: The Divine Tree Conceals an Immortal Script Character |
"This person's features are filled with compassion. He does not seem like a cunning thief," Li Fan commented.
Jian Daosheng let out a cold snort. "That was exactly what our Immortal Ark thought back then. As they say, knowing a person's face does not mean knowing their heart."
Zhong Daogong asked, "Can you track him based solely on his appearance? Would you not need additional methods?"
"It would be best if we had a personal item belonging to the thief. But even if we do not..."
"It does not matter."
Li Fan wore an expression of complete confidence in the "Great Qi Immortal Artifact."
"With his appearance and life experiences, it is enough to perform a deduction and track him down."
"However, I must first return to Great Qi and report this information."
Li Fan's words caused a small disagreement among the elders of the Immortal Ark.
Several elders immediately voiced their agreement.
"Indeed. We originally planned to eliminate him because we feared that the Immortal Ark's research into True Immortal seal script would be leaked. But judging from the current situation, Great Qi's research shares many similarities with ours. Furthermore, they do not guard their inheritance as strictly as we do."
"Moreover, judging from his words, the cultivation world where Great Qi resides is vast and rich in resources. Everyone, do not forget the trade that sustains our Immortal Ark. Trading across all worlds and connecting through eternity, this has always been the creed of the Immortal Ark."
"Killing him brings no benefit. If we establish friendly relations, we may even escape the Immortal Ark's current predicament."
"And do not forget that plan. The requirement is to gather as many True Immortal seal script characters as possible. At our current rate of collection, it may still take several hundred years to complete. But with Great Qi's contribution, perhaps success is finally within reach."
...
The elders' arguments were reasonable and well founded.
Gradually, even those who had insisted on killing Li Fan afterward began to hesitate.
After all, only by weighing gains and losses could they guide the Immortal Ark farther into the future. Rigidity and an inability to adapt would only lead the Immortal Ark to destruction. This was the lesson the Xuan Immortal Ark had learned after surviving countless calamities.
In the end, Zhong Daogong made the final decision.
"Let us first see the power of this True Immortal seal script."
While the Immortal Ark elders were discussing matters, Li Fan had already completed his selection within the secret treasury.
He chose the three items that had interested him earlier: the bronze immortal crane, the seven-colored flowing radiance, and the bowing puppet.
"Fellow Daoist, are you certain about these items? Once chosen, they cannot be changed." Zhong Daogong glanced over them and smiled as he reminded him.
Li Fan nodded in confirmation.
Zhong Daogong joined forces with the other elders and cast a spell into the void, summoning a sheet of white paper.
The Severed Immortal Arm from the Hidden Immortal Compendium of the Hundred Tales was controlled to press its palm onto the paper.
The blank surface was instantly dyed black with ink.
Three profound patterns appeared upon it. They resembled True Immortal seal script characters, yet were much simpler and bore the characteristics of the three selected items.
At the same time, Li Fan noticed that the three treasures he had chosen vanished from the secret treasury after a brief fluctuation.
It was as though they had been imprinted onto the sheet of paper.
With a wave of his hand, Zhong Daogong rolled up the completed paper and stored it away.
Looking at Li Fan, he said, "The items you requested are here. Once the transaction is complete, I shall present them with both hands."
"Good. Straightforward!" Li Fan praised.
"I originally planned to reveal everything after seeing the Immortal Ark's True Immortal seal script firsthand. But now it seems there is no harm in giving you a glimpse in advance."
His tone even carried a trace of excitement.
"You and I are both researchers of True Immortal seal script. The excitement we feel upon witnessing these great characters must surely be the same."
"As the saying goes, hearing the Dao in the morning, one may die without regret in the evening."
"I'm afraid the Immortal Ark is too cramped. Why not go into the outer void instead?" Li Fan asked eagerly.
The elders had gone through great effort to lure Li Fan aboard the Immortal Ark. How could they possibly let him leave?
Zhong Daogong waved his hand.
"We can do it here with the Various Forms Method."
"Do not worry. The Severed Immortal Arm within this secret treasury has fused with countless fragmented characters. Through mutual restraint, they can reduce the influence of the True Immortal seal script to the minimum."
Li Fan looked somewhat disappointed.
"I had hoped to display my attainments before everyone."
Zhong Daogong formed another hand seal.
The Severed Immortal Arm suddenly exploded before the crowd.
It transformed into countless incomplete character fragments, like swimming tadpoles, sealing the space in all directions.
A prison of True Immortal seal script was formed.
"Fellow Daoist, you may begin."
The moment Zhong Daogong spoke, the eyes of every Immortal Ark elder locked firmly onto Li Fan.
Li Fan coughed lightly, his expression becoming solemn.
"Fellow Daoists, let me emphasize once more. The True Immortal seal script character I am about to depict is reconstructed from my own understanding and memory."
"Compared to the original version from the Immortal Realm, it naturally differs. Even compared to the one preserved in the memories of Great Qi's immortal artifact, there are certain deviations."
"But please rest assured. My skill is among the very best in all of Great Qi. I certainly will not disappoint you."
After speaking a great deal of nonsense and thoroughly whetting the appetite of the Immortal Ark elders, Li Fan finally unfolded once more the scene of flickering arcs of light above the endless green wilderness.
As light and shadow shifted, an incomparably mysterious character officially appeared before everyone.
Boom!
The moment the True Immortal seal script character, [Creation], descended into the world, the wandering characters within the surrounding prison erupted into chaos.
Many fragments directly detached themselves from the prison structure and surged toward the radiant character at the center.
Even though it was only an illusory projection, it still drove the fragmented seal scripts into madness.
The Severed Immortal Arm began disintegrating on its own. The Immortal Ark elders had no choice but to divert part of their attention to maintaining its stability.
But in truth, just like those character fragments, the attention of the elders themselves had become uncontrollably fixed upon the two characters, "Creation."
"As expected, he did not exaggerate. This single character surpasses all the others combined!"
"Creation. It is actually Creation!"
"The Immortal Ark is saved!"
...
The Immortal Ark elders had immersed themselves in the study of True Immortal seal script for most of their lives. Their comprehension abilities needed no explanation.
Upon seeing the true form of [Creation], they quickly grasped its meaning.
Without exception, they cried out in shock.
Before the supreme principles of the Great Dao, all schemes and self-control were meaningless.
While all the elders' attention was completely captivated, Li Fan quietly observed and analyzed the guardian of the secret treasury, that Severed Immortal Arm.
It had to be said that using fragmented characters to fuse all the treasures together as an anti-theft measure was truly ingenious.
Even Li Fan, who had experienced countless reincarnations, possessed extraordinary knowledge, and had the support of the Final Dissociation Disc, could not immediately find a way to break it.
However, now that the character [Creation] had appeared, the seal script fragments making up the Severed Immortal Arm were disintegrating and gathering toward it of their own accord.
This gave Li Fan an opportunity to examine its composition in detail.
"Breaking this arm completely in an instant would be difficult. But taking a few key items from it should still be possible."
Li Fan silently deduced and calculated.
The True Immortal seal script character [Creation] was far too profound to comprehend in a short time.
The Immortal Ark elders were immersed within it. Seeing Li Fan merely waiting quietly at the side, they spared no additional attention for him.
As a result, Li Fan gained ample time to analyze the Hidden Immortal Compendium of the Hundred Tales.
"This one, this one, and this one as well. It would be best to take them all later..."
Li Fan naturally noticed the killing intent the Immortal Ark elders had concealed toward him.
However, Li Fan himself harbored no good intentions either.
Taking advantage of the chaos caused by the character [Creation] within the secret vault, Li Fan had silently already laid down his methods of plunder.
He used the same incomplete True Immortal seal script character, disguising the false as the genuine and integrating it into the Severed Immortal Arm.
The longer the Immortal Ark elders immersed themselves in comprehending [Creation], the more hidden measures he implanted.
And the more items he would be able to seize later.
"There is no need to make a move just yet." Li Fan narrowed his eyes slightly while his hands continued moving in secret.
In the blink of an eye, more than thirty days had passed.
Zhong Daogong was the first to awaken from his comprehension. His expression was somewhat dazed before he let out a long breath.
He then bowed to Li Fan.
"Thank you, Fellow Daoist."
"To personally witness [Creation] is truly a blessing bestowed by heaven. If not for your generosity, I fear I would never have encountered such an opportunity in this lifetime."
Li Fan calmly accepted the gratitude and waved his hand.
"It was merely a transaction."
Zhong Daogong shook his head.
"How could mundane objects possibly compare to [Creation]? In this transaction, our Immortal Ark has gained an enormous advantage."
Li Fan laughed heartily and said no more.
The other Immortal Ark elders gradually awoke from their enlightenment as well.
Like Zhong Daogong, they first offered slight bows to Li Fan. Then their gazes met before ultimately settling on him once more.
The meaning contained within their eyes was almost identical.
They wished to see a purer and more complete version of [Creation].
As the saying goes, human desire knows no bounds. After witnessing the True Immortal seal script character written by Li Fan and vaguely sensing the limitless power contained within it, an even deeper longing inevitably arose within their hearts.
"Fellow Daoist, regarding the [Creation] contained within Great Qi's world-protecting immortal artifact..."
"May we have the opportunity to see it?" Jian Daosheng asked politely.
Li Fan revealed a troubled expression.
"Even within Great Qi, only direct descendants who pass through layers of scrutiny are qualified to witness the immortal artifact's true memory. Everyone else can only learn through repeated retellings."
Li Fan looked at the expressions of the Immortal Ark elders and smiled.
"I completely understand your feelings. However, this is only our first transaction. Once our relationship deepens in the future, perhaps your request to visit and observe it can be approved."
The Immortal Ark elders displayed varying expressions upon hearing this.
They began discussing the matter in private once more.
"Elder Zhong, what should we do now?"
"We definitely cannot kill him. We must maintain contact with Great Qi so we can obtain a more complete [Creation]."
"Indeed. Compared to [Creation], those other True Immortal seal script characters now seem somewhat insignificant."
"Great Qi is willing to share even [Creation]. Compared to them, our Immortal Ark truly appears narrow-minded."
After witnessing the power of [Creation], the attitudes of all the Immortal Ark elders underwent a complete shift.
Seeing this, Zhong Daogong had already made his decision.
"According to our agreement, we shall now lead you to see that authentic True Immortal seal script."
He smiled as he spoke to Li Fan.
"Although it cannot compare to the [Creation] you displayed, it is still the work of a True Immortal. I believe it will certainly provide you with inspiration."
"Oh? Then I can hardly wait."
Sensing the hidden measures he had left within the Severed Immortal Arm, Li Fan smiled in response.
He followed the Immortal Ark elders and temporarily departed from the secret vault.
From the very top of the divine tree, they traveled all the way to its core.
Within a space suffused with verdant light floated a ruin.
Countless branches extended downward from above, spreading throughout the trunk of the divine tree.
Inscribed upon the ground of the ruins was a True Immortal seal script character.
However, its full appearance was obscured by the divine tree branches.
The moment he saw the ruins, Li Fan's heart stirred.
Because the architectural style of this place was remarkably similar to what he had once seen upon the land of the Immortal Ruins.
"An Immortal Realm ruin?" Li Fan could not help but ask as he turned his head, appearing greatly astonished.
"You have keen insight, Fellow Daoist."
The Immortal Ark elders were likewise surprised that Li Fan could recognize the origin of the ruins. Their evaluation of Great Qi civilization rose once again.
"Indeed. These ruins fell from the upper realm when the Immortal Path was severed."
Zhong Daogong spoke solemnly.
"At that time, news of the severed immortal path had not yet spread through the Star Sea. Thus, no one realized that this suddenly appearing structure was related to the Immortal Realm."
"Only the True Immortal seal script character inscribed within brought forth a great calamity."
"It was only ten thousand years later that our Immortal Ark discovered the source of that catastrophe within the ruins of the Star Sea."
The Immortal Ark elders formed hand seals together.
The divine tree branches wrapped around the ruins gradually loosened.
The true appearance of the True Immortal seal script character was finally revealed.
Perhaps because too much time had passed, and because the divine tree had absorbed it day and night, the fluctuations emanating from the character had become nearly imperceptible.
Yet this did not prevent Li Fan from instantly understanding its meaning.
[Ancient].
"Ancient..."
Li Fan muttered softly as he used his finger as a brush, attempting to imitate and reproduce it.
The character Ancient upon the ruins seemed very similar to the character Chaos that he had once seen within the White Mist Maze.
True Immortal seal script characters were descriptions of the Great Dao itself.
However, unless the Dao personally manifested, different individuals writing the same character would naturally display different traits.
Having studied True Immortal seal script for many years, Li Fan could clearly distinguish such differences.
The characters Ancient and Chaos had been written by the same person.
The character Hunger within the land of the Immortal Ruins, however, did not share the same origin.
"If my guess is correct, Ancient, Chaos, and the True Immortal seal script characters responsible for the countless world-ending calamities in the Dark Star Sea were all created by the same individual."
"The purpose was to plunge the Star Sea into chaos."
"As for the character Hunger within the Immortal Ruins, it may have simply been used by a True Immortal for Dao comprehension."
"Although their original intentions differed, they ultimately led to the same result, the destruction of the Star Sea and its descent into complete silence."
"In the eyes of True Immortals, cultivators like us are truly no different from ants..."
Numerous thoughts flashed through Li Fan's mind in an instant.
"Although the energy fluctuations within this authentic script have completely dissipated, it still possesses unique uses."
At this moment, Li Fan suddenly heard Zhong Daogong speak these words.