“Ancient cultivators’ actions were truly comparable to catching stars and taking the moon.”
Thinking about the countless Subworlds and smaller worlds within the Xuanhuang Realm, Li Fan couldn’t help but sigh in admiration.
It was precisely because of the accumulation of the past that the Xuanhuang Realm had such a rich foundation.
This allowed it to endure for thousands of years despite the plundering of cultivators.
“When cultivators of this world die, they will return their Dao to Heaven. This is a self-generated countermeasure that the world has developed in response to the perceived threat.”
“This method of recycling has greatly slowed the rate of ‘weight’ loss.”
“But…”
Li Fan pondered slightly.
The so-called ‘weight’ was simply Li Fan’s way of referring to the Xuanhuang Realm’s ability to resist the attraction of the Immortal Ruins, given his limited information.
From what he could see, the ‘weight’ of a cultivator after their demise and return of their Dao to Heaven was far less than when they were alive.
“Perhaps it’s because the energy that returns to the heavens when Subworlds are destroyed is formless. And for Heaven to re-condense this energy into tangible objects with ‘weight’ requires a long period of time.”
“When the rate of Subworld creation is less than the rate of their destruction, there will be a deficit. This will affect the safety of the Xuanhuang Realm.”
“Therefore, the number of cultivators must be controlled and maintained in balance.”
“This is one possibility.”
“Another possibility is…”
Li Fan’s brow furrowed.
“When cultivators die, they don’t all return their Dao to Heaven. A portion of them disappears…”
“It’s a bit terrifying to think about, but it’s become commonplace in the Xuanhuang Realm.”
Li Fan recalled the scene recorded by the Medicine King Cauldron when it broke through the world’s barriers.
Leaving the protection of the world, the Medicine King Cauldron, attempting to cross the void, was like a moth drawn to a flame, inevitably falling towards the Immortal Ruins.
“Immortal Ruins…”
The greatest fear is the fear of the unknown.
Why did the ancient Immortal Realm passage become the devouring entity it is now?
Does the former Immortal Realm still exist?
If the Immortal Realm no longer exists, what caused its destruction?
The more he thought about it, the more instinctive fear surged within Li Fan.
After a moment, Li Fan took a deep breath and suppressed his myriad thoughts.
These were still too distant for him right now.
At the very least, he would need to consider these issues after achieving the Longevity Immortal Sage.
Putting these thoughts aside, Li Fan pondered his own situation.
“Although the world I’ve transmigrated to is on the verge of destruction at all times.”
“But if you think about it, this situation is actually better for me.”
“After all, even the lofty Longevity Realm cultivators are essentially no different from ordinary beings in the Xuanhuang Realm, just grasshoppers on the same boat.”
“On this sinking ship of the Xuanhuang Realm, even the Longevity Immortal Sages have to be cautious in their actions. They can’t be completely reckless.”
“If it were a world completely controlled by such powerful beings, where they could refine and obliterate all living beings within the world with a single thought without any burden, then that would be truly hopeless. Even with the help of the ‘Truth’, there would be nothing but helplessness.”
“It’s fortunate amidst misfortune!”
Li Fan thought this, and his heart gradually calmed down.
“The Tianxuan Spirit Locking Formation is equivalent to the ‘nuclear deterrent’ that existed in my previous world.”
“Before the Five Elders Association finds a way to break it, large-scale wars are unlikely to occur. There might only be occasional small-scale skirmishes.”
“But it does confirm the disappearance of the Heavenly Venerate. It’s hard to say what the future holds.”
Li Fan summoned the ‘Truth’ interface.
“Biological Age: 884/899.”
“As the saying goes, you can see further from a higher vantage point. In the past, I could only live for a maximum of 50 years before being forced to return to ‘Truth’. 50 years of foresight was enough for ordinary people. But in this unpredictable Xuanhuang Realm, it’s not enough.”
“Perhaps in a certain life, I could try doing nothing and just observe the changes in the Xuanhuang Realm. With the passage of time, I might find more valuable information.”
…
With his thoughts sorted, to avoid suspicion, Li Fan took out the jade token given to him by the guide Bing Yin and resumed his tour of the Museum of Divine Treasures.
In fact, at this point in his current life, Li Fan could have simply returned to ‘Truth’. However, the Museum of Divine Treasures was a significant location for the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, and it was not easy to visit.
Since he was here, it wouldn’t hurt to expand his knowledge. Li Fan had been very interested in the head of the first cultivator infected by the Immortal Mortal Miasma, located in the center of the Museum.
According to the guide Bing Yin, the Museum of Divine Treasures was divided into several areas based on the nature of the exhibits.
The area Li Fan was currently in was the first area that all cultivators visiting the Museum had to see.
The ‘Golden Age’.
“What is this?” Li Fan asked, intrigued, as he looked at the giant ball of light floating before him.
The ball of light was composed of several areas displaying different scenes. The images flashed at an incredibly fast pace, only allowing one to vaguely make out the fleeting glimpses within.
Not only were there buildings of various styles, but also many figures flashing through them.
However, it was clear that the different areas had distinct landscape styles.
“This is the ‘Age’,” Bing Yin explained dutifully to Li Fan.
“It’s a concrete manifestation of various periods in the history of the Xuanhuang Realm, derived from a Dao Integration Stone as its core.”
“This desolate wasteland, covered in ruins, is the former Wasteland Age.”
“This area, filled with blood and killing intent, is the Great Darkness Age.”
“Here, where many figures flash by, is the Great Plague Age. Hmm, it seems to be simulating the period of the Great Migration, when cultivators forcibly relocated ordinary people.”
As Bing Yin spoke, the areas of the Age that were mentioned would enlarge, allowing Li Fan to vaguely see the details changing rapidly within.
“Dao Integration Stone…” Li Fan stared at the ball of light for a while, then asked, “What exactly is the so-called Golden Age?”
Bing Yin smiled, “The Dao Integration Stone is a peculiar object from the ancient Tai Yan Sect, with the ability to derive Heavenly Secrets and predict the future.”
“The results it derives are indistinguishable from reality, extremely illusory and nearly real.”
“Perhaps for us outsiders, the various different time periods simulated within the ‘Age’ are simply illusory existences.”
“But for the countless living beings within, everything they experience is undeniably real.”
“And when we project a strand of our divine sense, or even a portion of our Nascent Soul into it, we can personally experience these events that once truly occurred in history.”
Bing Yin first explained the background of the ‘Age’ before continuing, “We once conducted an experiment with one million blank Nascent Souls that had their memories erased.”
“We sent them into different periods, simulating for five hundred years, and then tallied the final results, ranking them.”
“And our age, the age controlled by the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, undeniably ranks first.”
“Whether it’s the survival rate of cultivators or the overall cultivation level of cultivators, it surpasses all other periods.”
“The name Golden Age is well-deserved!”
Bing Yin said proudly.