Chapter 1323: Entropy Reversal and Rejuvenation |
“Oh? Please elaborate.” Li Fan's expression turned serious.
“Can Fellow Daoist discern the miraculous use of this True Immortal seal script character, [Ancient]?” Zhong Daogong deliberately kept him in suspense.
Li Fan pondered for a moment, tracing lightly through the air with his finger.
“Ancient means the past, the old...”
“...Time reversal?”
As he carefully examined the mysterious character on the ruins below, Li Fan's eyes suddenly lit up.
Zhong Daogong clapped his hands in praise.
“Fellow Daoist's comprehension is truly extraordinary. Even the elders of our Immortal Ark require several days before gaining any insight from it. Yet you managed to see through it at a glance!”
“However, describing its power as time reversal may not be entirely accurate. It is more like things themselves returning to their former state...”
'It sounds somewhat similar to Ou Shangtian's Ancient Hands of Heaven and Earth.'
He reflected inwardly.
“When the [Ancient] character was at its peak, everything within its range would suffer an unimaginably terrifying catastrophe. All things would evolve backward toward their former selves. From life to death, reduced to drifting sand. Truly becoming ancient and passing away...” Zhong Daogong waved his hand, causing dozens of scenes to appear before them.
The moment the [Ancient] character manifested, cultivators, towering trees, endless buildings across the land, and even the world itself began evolving backward as though time had reversed.
In the end, everything transformed into microscopic particles and was scattered by the wind.
“If this original inscription still retained significant power, then no matter how tempting it might be, our Immortal Ark would only dare avoid it and never covet it. But now...”
The Immortal Ark cultivators then demonstrated the practical use of the True Immortal seal script.
The oldest among the elders, cultivator Jian Daosheng of the Severed Immortal Tower, slowly flew toward the [Ancient] character.
He did not approach too closely and instead hovered in the air.
The power of the [Ancient] character had supposedly been exhausted, as Zhong Daogong had said, but that was only relative to its former state. In truth, a faint residue of its power still remained within the original inscription.
Compared to its peak strength, it was negligible.
Yet just like the [Dawn] character, overwhelming power brought disaster while weaker power could bring benefits.
Once the reversing force of the [Ancient] character had diminished to an appropriate level...
The wrinkles on Jian Daosheng's face gradually faded.
Black strands appeared amidst his white brows and hair.
His bent body straightened once more, and even his spirit became noticeably more vigorous.
This scene was unmistakably one of rejuvenation and restored youth.
The Immortal Ark elders were already accustomed to it, but Li Fan narrowed his eyes thoughtfully.
Jian Daosheng did not remain until he had completely reverted to his youthful years.
After staying within the influence of the [Ancient] character for only a few breaths, he gracefully retreated.
Li Fan understood the reason.
It was to prevent himself from being influenced too deeply by the character's power.
After Jian Daosheng, the other Immortal Ark elders also took turns approaching the original inscription.
Some stayed longer, some shorter, but all became noticeably younger.
“With this character, wouldn't one be able to remain forever young and immortal?” Li Fan exclaimed.
Zhong Daogong smiled bitterly.
“It is not as simple as it appears. Remaining youthful is possible, but immortality...”
He shook his head.
“Using the [Ancient] character for rejuvenation can indeed increase one's lifespan limit somewhat. However, the more times it is used, the weaker the effect becomes. Once one's lifespan reaches its ultimate limit, it can no longer be extended.”
“Even so, possessing a youthful body is vastly preferable to existing on the verge of death.”
After all the Immortal Ark elders had finished, Zhong Daogong looked toward Li Fan and asked:
“Would Fellow Daoist like to experience it as well?”
Li Fan declined politely.
“I am only thirty years old. This is already the peak period of my body. Returning to childhood would be harmful instead.”
The moment those words were spoken, complete silence fell over the Divine Tree space.
Every elder stared at Li Fan as though looking at a monster.
Even Zhong Daogong's expression stiffened slightly.
“Fellow Daoist must be joking, right?”
Based on Li Fan's strength, along with the attainments he had displayed in formations and seal script characters, the people of the Immortal Ark had long assumed he was a cultivator who had lived for several hundred or even several thousand years.
Now Li Fan was claiming he was only thirty years old.
How could they possibly accept that?
Li Fan chuckled.
“I merely learn things a bit faster. Although there are not many, there are still people in Great Qi who are even more talented than I am. There is no need for everyone to be so surprised.”
His words left the Immortal Ark cultivators thoroughly shaken.
After jointly resealing the [Ancient] character, they escorted Li Fan out from within the Divine Tree.
“Fellow Daoist, please rest here for now and refrain from leaving temporarily. We still have some matters that require discussion...”
At the highest level of the Immortal Ark space, within a pavilion courtyard resembling one atop a mountain peak, Zhong Daogong gave these instructions.
“Oh, right. These are the three items you selected earlier.”
After handing over a scroll of white paper, Zhong Daogong hurried away.
Ignoring the Immortal Ark cultivators, Li Fan slowly unfolded the white paper in his hand.
The three treasures immediately leaped out from the scroll and floated before him.
He had already carefully examined the bronze immortal crane and the seven-colored stream of light.
With a wave of his hand, he directly stored them away.
His attention then focused on the figurine with downcast eyes.
Sensing the faint fluctuations transmitted by [Truth], Li Fan's mind became focused.
Just like the previous two items, the figurine vanished in an instant.
This time, however, it was not stored away.
Instead, it transformed into a mysterious energy and was absorbed by [Truth].
Li Fan stared closely at the [Truth] interface.
Tiny currents seemed to flash across it as the characters on the panel flickered several times.
Then they settled once more.
Li Fan's gaze fell upon the section that had changed.
“Virtualization Charging Progress: 400%.”
“Hm?”
Li Fan's eyes narrowed.
Virtualization Charging Progress was the prerequisite for activating [Truth] and reversing everything.
Only when the charge reached 100% could illusion become reality and reality become illusion.
This was also why, after every [Truth], Li Fan would remain hidden within the Great Xuan Small World until the charging process was complete before venturing outside.
Previously, the maximum charge limit had been 200%.
Any charge beyond 100% could, at critical moments, shield Li Fan from external attacks and ensure the successful activation of [Truth].
However, as the enemies Li Fan provoked grew increasingly powerful, this protective function had become rather insignificant.
The charge depleted too quickly and provided only marginal benefit.
Yet now, this figurine had directly doubled the maximum charge limit.
Furthermore, Li Fan could sense that if this additional 200% charge remained unused during this life, it would not disappear when [Truth] reset everything.
Instead, it would remain within [Truth] itself.
In other words, he could use it to perform three consecutive [Truth] reversions.
“Interesting.”
Li Fan recalled the appearance of that puppet.
'The origin of this puppet is rather strange. Something capable of increasing the charging limit by 200 percent is definitely no ordinary object.'
'I just wonder, if I encounter it again in the next life and absorb it once more, will the charging limit continue to increase?'
Up to this point, Li Fan still had not figured out the exact mechanism behind the charging of [Truth].
The unknown medium required to activate [Truth] could only be accumulated slowly through the passage of time.
'Perhaps by carefully studying this puppet, I can uncover the mystery.'
Li Fan narrowed his eyes and mentally recorded this objective.
A 400 percent charging limit was no different from having an extra layer of protection. More importantly, when facing beings such as the Faceless True Immortal or even higher existences, Li Fan could use [Truth] several times in succession, maximizing his chances of escaping their threat.
Otherwise, if he possessed only a single use of [Truth], then after returning to the designated anchor point, he would still have to face the same deadly danger. In that case, his situation would become extremely perilous.
From this perspective, the life-saving value of this puppet could not be overstated.
'The Immortal Ark truly is my blessed land.'
'Later, I can also ask them about the origin of this puppet.'
Li Fan thought to himself.
Not long afterward, Zhong Daogong led a group of elders back before Li Fan.
It seemed that their previous discussion had reached some kind of consensus. The faint hostility and killing intent Li Fan had sensed from several of them earlier had completely disappeared.
"Fellow Daoist, are you satisfied with this transaction?" Zhong Daogong asked first.
"My harvest has been abundant. Once I return, my master will certainly reward me. By the way, rest assured. I will do my utmost to investigate information regarding that thief for you," Li Fan promised.
"Haha, then we shall thank Fellow Daoist in advance."
After the pleasantries, Zhong Daogong changed the topic.
"Fellow Daoist has already proven your credibility to the Immortal Ark. After unanimous discussion among the elders, we believe there may be room for deeper cooperation between us."
Li Fan immediately became interested.
"You still have more True Immortal seal script characters that you have not brought out?"
Zhong Daogong waved his hand.
"Not True Immortal seal script. But something even more important."
The scenery of the surrounding pavilions suddenly changed.
It was as if they had instantly arrived within the Darkest Star Sea.
With a gesture from Zhong Daogong, the surrounding light and shadows shifted rapidly, passing through the endless Sea of Relics and the boundless Great Wall of Remnant Worlds.
They arrived at a place of utter emptiness.
"This is..." Li Fan was slightly startled.
"The High Wall. Beneath the High Wall."
Zhong Daogong's expression was complicated as he spoke in a solemn tone.
"Oh?"
Li Fan surveyed the surroundings before replying.
"I have also once traveled beneath the High Wall, to the end of the Darkest Sea. The path ahead was completely severed, yet I never saw the physical form of the High Wall."
"Why are you showing me this scene of the High Wall?"
Zhong Daogong's gaze deepened.
"The High Wall stretches endlessly, surrounding the entire Star Sea. However, the section of the High Wall we are showing you today is different from all the others."
"Different? If it is all the same High Wall, then what exactly makes it different?"
Li Fan's expression changed slightly.
It was Jian Daosheng who answered instead.
"This region can be considered the weakest part of the entire High Wall. If there exists any place in the Star Sea where crossing the High Wall is possible, then this location undoubtedly offers the greatest chance."
Zhong Daogong slowly added, "In Fellow Daoist's homeland, there must also be many cultivators unwilling to remain trapped within the Darkest Star Sea for eternity, seeking a way to escape. If we cooperate, success may not be impossible."
"The weakest part of the High Wall..."
Li Fan stared at the scene displayed by the Immortal Ark, repeating the words several times.
Instead of giving an answer, he countered with a question.
"How are you so certain? The existence of the High Wall already surpasses current understanding. It is formless, invisible, and cannot truly be perceived. Yet you can accurately identify its weakest point?"
Zhong Daogong smiled faintly.
"This matter concerns one of the Immortal Ark's greatest secrets. Until cooperation between us is confirmed, I am afraid I cannot reveal it."
"However, Fellow Daoist may rest assured. This matter is absolutely genuine. You may report it to your side. When representatives return in the future, the Immortal Ark can first demonstrate proof for you."
Li Fan's expression turned serious.
After pondering for a long time, he cupped his fists.
"This matter is indeed of tremendous importance and not something I can decide on my own. After returning, I will certainly report it to my elders. No matter what, I will definitely provide all of you with an answer."
"Then we shall await Fellow Daoist's good news."
Under the gaze of the elders, Li Fan transformed into a streak of light and departed from the Immortal Ark, disappearing into the vast star sea.
"A risky move."
"If this matter is exposed..."
"What is there to fear? Could someone in this Star Sea really come knocking on our door and demand that we share the location of the weak point in the High Wall? In my opinion, that would be even better. We are all fish trapped in the same boiling pot. We should have united long ago."
"Indeed. This Great Qi civilization is no weaker than us. After all, they survived the great catastrophe and still occupy an entire cultivation world. They are a suitable partner."
"And there is also that World-Protecting Immortal Artifact..."
The elders discussed among themselves.
Meanwhile, Li Fan, returning toward the phantom of the Wooden Sword, was contemplating the information the Immortal Ark had just revealed.
Although the Immortal Ark had not stated it directly, based on the key intelligence he had obtained while infiltrating them in his previous life, it was not difficult to infer why they knew the location of the weakest point in the High Wall.
"In the previous life, Zhong Daogong once said that the reason the Xuanshang Immortal Ark split apart was because part of the Immortal Ark's population decided to crash directly into the High Wall in order to escape the star sea."
"And in the end, they actually succeeded."
"This weak point in the High Wall may very well be the exact location where the Shang Immortal Ark struck it back then. Through the connection between the two Immortal Arks, the Xuan Immortal Ark was able to determine the precise coordinates..."
Had the Immortal Ark not revealed this information, Li Fan would have activated the hidden arrangement he had left within the Hidden Immortal Compendium of the Hundred Tales as soon as he departed, looting all the treasures contained within.
But since the Immortal Ark still possessed secrets worth uncovering, there was no harm in waiting a little longer.
"The Immortal Ark has always been obsessed with collecting True Immortal seal script characters. Aside from the power of the characters themselves, perhaps it is also related to this plan of escaping the Star Sea."
"Crashing into the High Wall..."
"I wonder how the Shang Immortal Ark actually managed to accomplish it back then."
Li Fan pondered silently.
Within the phantom Wooden Sword, Yin Shangren was resting.
The others were still traveling along the Great Wall of Remnant Worlds, searching for suitable world fragments that could serve as medicinal catalysts for the Xuanhuang Realm.
After supplying them with more Voidbright Flow Crystals, Li Fan did not seek out the people of the Immortal Ark.
Instead, through the Inch Apart, Worlds Away Formation, he first returned to the Xuanhuang Realm.
The Great Xuan Small World.
Li Fan's figure flickered and appeared beside the sleeping Ou Shangtian.
Sensing the Kun-Qian Bone Hand still gestating within his body, Li Fan used his finger as a brush and wrote a single character.
[Ancient].
Focusing his divine sense, he carefully observed the changes occurring within Ou Shangtian's body.
His understanding of the Ancient character remained at only the most basic level. Furthermore, he infused very little spiritual energy into it.
As a result, the power of the Ancient character was extremely weak.
It barely managed to envelop Ou Shangtian's body.
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