“It merely extracts and amplifies the effects brought by the demonic beast bloodline within me, allowing me to absorb them. It does not have any adverse impact on my body.”
“My ancestors… I have no idea which demonic beast they originated from. I don’t have any special abilities, except that my body is exceptionally resistant to attacks.” Dongfang Yao said with a hint of pride.
“As long as I’m not beaten to death, I can recover within just a few breaths.” He patted his chest, producing a loud thud.
“The legacy of your predecessors, combined with your own good fortune. That’s not something one can simply envy.” Li Fan sighed and shook his head.
“I can see that you’re not far from breaking through to the Soul Transformation Realm. Are you planning to advance here?” After a moment, Li Fan asked.
“Not at all, not at all. I am here for two reasons: first, to temper my body; and second, to comprehend the Dao of [World-Rift].” Dongfang Yao spoke confidently. “Though my defense is extremely strong, I lack offensive means. If I get into a fight, I’d be nothing more than a punching bag. How could that not be frustrating? That’s why I found this place, which is perfect for me to comprehend the Dao.”
“World-Rift…” A subtle glint flashed in Li Fan’s eyes.
“I’ve heard you mention this term multiple times just now. What exactly does it mean?”
Dongfang Yao shrugged. “I’m not entirely sure either. But from the vague memories I inherited from my ancestors, I know that this place holds something akin to a scar on the Xuanhuang Realm. Compared to ordinary spatial rifts, it is several times more dangerous.”
“Before coming here, I made some inquiries. It is said that, in this great vortex, some cultivators have occasionally witnessed an extraordinary sight.”
“A massive pillar of light bursts forth from the center of the vortex, piercing through the heavens and the earth. The entire world seems to tremble slightly, and the wind and clouds shift in response.”
“The magnificent scene only lasts for a few moments before disappearing. And that pillar of light, as if it never truly existed, leaves no trace behind—just like an illusion. Some say it is a Time Mirage, a phenomenon that replays a real event from thousands of years ago. I don’t quite understand it myself.”
Dongfang Yao, appearing open and straightforward, told Li Fan everything he knew.
“I actually know a little about this Time Mirage,” Li Fan’s gaze flickered as he explained.
“When certain conditions are met, specific events in the world get recorded and then replayed at particular moments, over and over again…”
Dongfang Yao suddenly understood. “So, you’re saying that this light pillar once tore apart the Xuanhuang Realm, creating this great vortex? That’s truly astonishing! If I could comprehend even a fraction of its power…”
As he spoke, excitement flashed across Dongfang Yao’s face.
The moment another black spatial fissure appeared, he let out a loud cry and charged toward the vortex’s center.
“Nanming Sacred Beast Mountain, the World-Rifting Divine Weapon…”
“If that’s the case, then at the former site of the Heavenly Sword Sect, there should also be such a [scar] left on the Xuanhuang Realm. Perhaps I could ask Shuo Feng about it—he was the one who found the precise location of the Sword back then.”
As Dongfang Yao immersed himself in comprehending the power of Rift, Li Fan did more than just observe.
His Formless Killing Intent had already locked onto Dongfang Yao.
Though his physical body was not as resilient as Dongfang Yao’s—meaning he could not recklessly charge into the vortex’s core—by observing through Dongfang Yao’s perspective, he could still closely study and perceive the power of the black rift.
“Interesting… This seems somewhat similar to the force produced when the Five Elements merge into one. No wonder a Time Mirage manifests here as well.”
While Li Fan’s true self was outside the Great Vortex, comprehending the Dao amidst the storm,
His clone had already arrived in Tianling City.
Xu Bai, with his peerless beauty, naturally drew attention wherever he went.
However, his cold and aloof demeanor, coupled with his extraordinary attire, made it clear that he was no ordinary person.
As a result, no cultivators dared to approach him recklessly.
He leisurely wandered through Tianling City.
Over time, the name of the Heavenly Spirit Flower had spread widely throughout the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance.
What was originally a niche interest, only known to a select group, had now gained widespread recognition. First, Li Fan had offered longevity treasures as a bounty for it. Then, Shuo Feng and Lu Xuejing ordered people to inquire about it, while disciples of the Medicine King Sect, dispersed across various regions, secretly fueled the trend.
With multiple forces pushing it forward, almost every cultivator, unless they lived in complete isolation, had at least heard of the Heavenly Spirit Flower.
After a prolonged collective effort, people were finally forced to accept a cruel truth—
The Heavenly Spirit Flower no longer existed in this world!
The battle between the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance and the Five Elders Association had resulted in countless fallen cultivators. The entire state was soaked in unimaginable bloodshed.
The Heavenly Spirit Flower, born from the essence of heaven and earth, was naturally sensitive to such changes. Now, every flower petal carried faint traces of red blood energy.
“What an eyesore! It ruins the elegance!”
“Alas, what good does war bring? Instead of gaining anything, countless cultivators perish, and the world loses its former beauty. Peace is hard to come by—fellow Daoists, you must cherish it and not recklessly start another conflict!”
Some mourned, some reflected.
But others saw an opportunity.
“Although the original Heavenly Spirit Flower no longer exists, this particular one has only a faint trace of blood energy—almost imperceptible. Compared to the original breed, it’s not much different. If you’re interested, why not take a look for yourself?”
As its fame grew, the value of the Heavenly Spirit Flower skyrocketed.
Sharp-witted cultivators seized this moment to capitalize on the hype, deliberately selecting flowers with minimal blood energy to sell.
After all, the original breed had gone extinct—seeing a lower-grade substitute wasn’t a bad alternative.
While not many were willing to spend large sums on it, the vast number of cultivators in the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance meant there were always buyers.
Moreover, the Heavenly Spirit Flower had a fixed annual yield, and those with less blood energy were even rarer. This naturally led to a continuous rise in its price.
Tianling City, which had been somewhat desolate after the war, was now bustling once again.
Some came out of curiosity, hoping to witness the flower in person. Others sought to profit through speculation.
Meanwhile, the merchants selling Heavenly Spirit Flowers came up with innovative methods.
Their shops were filled with unopened Heavenly Spirit Flowers.
Customers could try their luck, gambling on how much blood energy would appear on the petals once the flower bloomed.
If fortunate enough to pick one with minimal blood energy, they could sell it immediately for several times the price.
Of course, the vast majority suffered losses.
But the world has never lacked cultivators who believed in their own luck. As a result, even unopened Heavenly Spirit Flowers became highly sought after. The flowers barely stayed on display before they were quickly sold out.
“Luck, huh…”
Xu Bai smiled slightly as he stood among the crowd.
Without much thought, he casually picked one.
“Shopkeeper, this one will do.”
After paying the spirit stones, he did not take the flower with him but patiently waited for it to bloom.