The intricacy of this formation was so profound that it was almost on par with the Tianxuan Spirit-Locking Formation that Li Fan had studied in his previous life.
Even with the considerable expertise in formations that he and Huangfu Song possessed, it took them a long time—engaging in thorough discussion—before they could barely comprehend its structure.
Of course, they only understood it in theory.
As for how the formation actually operated, or how it converted deathly energy into vitality, it was beyond their current scope of understanding.
“Reversing the principles of life and death…”
“Could this formation be related to the cause of Blue Feather’s Dao-seeking failure, or to the cultivator who walked out of the white mist, lingering between life and death?” Li Fan’s heart trembled with shock.
Meanwhile, Huangfu Song murmured to himself, “When one dies, both body and Dao should perish—how could there be a principle that allows one to return from death? Unbelievable… utterly inconceivable…”
Watching his two companions lost in deep thought, seemingly entranced for an extended period, Dongfang Yao—who had no understanding of formations—became both frustrated and anxious.
Finally, he couldn’t hold back anymore and let out an angry shout, snapping them out of their trance.
Huangfu Song shook his head decisively and answered, “In my opinion, the formation here, even if the head of our Formation Hall, Chief Lu, came personally, might not be able to set it up. Such a grand and massive formation, yet it remains unknown to the world, quietly hidden within the White Mist Maze Zone…”
A trace of fear flashed across his face. “It seems we have unknowingly stepped into a place arranged by a great being who is in the process of proving the Dao of Eternal Life.”
“The Maze Zone within the White Fog is vast, yet we just happened to encounter one that contains this formation. I really don’t know whether to call it fortune or misfortune.” Huangfu Song sighed bitterly.
“Perhaps, this isn’t just a mere coincidence.” Li Fan suddenly spoke. “What if this formation isn’t limited to just this one zone?”
Huangfu Song was stunned for a moment, then his expression changed drastically, falling into a fearful silence.
However, Li Fan had more thoughts that he didn’t voice out.
He had been led here by a faint murmuring voice—one that sounded suspiciously like ‘Heavenly Doctor’.
This zone contained a grand formation capable of reversing life and death. In his previous life, a cultivator had indeed succeeded in doing just that—and ultimately ascended to become the new Longevity Immortal Heavenly Sovereign.
When linking these facts together, it seemed only natural to infer that it was the Heavenly Doctor who had orchestrated all of this from the shadows.
It was he who would soon ascend to become the Longevity Immortal Heavenly Sovereign.
And yet…
Li Fan still had some lingering doubts.
Logically speaking, if this formation within the Maze Zone was the key to the Heavenly Doctor proving the Dao of Eternal Life, such a crucial place should not allow any margin for error.
Then why was it so easy for Li Fan and his companions to stumble into it?
“This place has absolutely no defensive measures at all…”
“Is it a trap? Or does the owner of this place simply not care? Or perhaps… he is so confident that even if someone enters by accident, they would still be incapable of affecting the foundation of this formation?”
Li Fan suddenly recalled the small wooden hut on the peak of Jieli Mountain in the Great Xuan World.
That had been his place of seclusion, where he rested and cultivated while waiting for [Truth] to fully recharge. Like this Maze Zone, he had left it unguarded.
He had only set up a minor illusionary barrier around Jieli Mountain to prevent mortals from wandering in by mistake.
Because, in his eyes, there was simply no need for further precautions.
“Do I see mortals the way that ‘he’ sees cultivators?”
“Is ‘he’ the Heavenly Doctor?”
Li Fan wasn’t certain.
But when he asked himself honestly—if his own ascension were at stake, he would take extra precautions, just to be safe.
“Yet ‘he’ has deliberately chosen not to…”
Just as Li Fan was deep in contemplation, Dongfang Yao suddenly said something that unintentionally enlightened him.
“Brother Huangfu, I think you’re mistaken. Even though I don’t understand the intricacies of this formation, you mentioned it can reverse life and death. In that case, wouldn’t the one who set it up be even more capable of doing so?”
“After all, if one doesn’t understand the principle, how could they construct such a formation? The ability to overturn life and death—this is already within the realm of the Longevity Immortal Heavenly Sovereign, isn’t it? Then why have I never heard of this particular Heavenly Sovereign before?”
Li Fan suddenly realized, “That’s it. Earlier, I thought the master of this place was using this formation to reverse the cycle of life and death. But it’s also possible that they had already achieved that ability long ago. In that case… this place…”
Li Fan looked around.
“This isn’t a place for proving the Dao—it’s a testing ground after achieving enlightenment!”
His thoughts raced.
“After attaining eternal life, even the laws of heaven and earth would change accordingly. Logically speaking, with a mere thought, one could revive these frozen cultivators. And yet, they went through the trouble of setting up another formation…”
“What else were they researching? Achieving immortality wasn’t enough—they sought to go even further?”
Li Fan’s gaze shifted toward the formation core of the life-and-death reversal formation he had discovered earlier.
“Perhaps the answer lies there.”
With a solemn expression, he said, “This senior… has most likely already become a Longevity Immortal Heavenly Sovereign. This place has been abandoned by them, which is why we were able to enter so easily. Leaving through the formation core should be safe. Let’s move quickly.”
Without waiting for Huangfu and Dongfang to respond, Li Fan took the lead and flew toward the formation core.
Huangfu Song and Dongfang Yao were briefly stunned. But upon considering Li Fan’s reasoning, they found it logical and quickly followed.
Before long, they arrived at the center of the grand formation, where the deathly aura was most intense.
The strange beast from the dark sea of death had vanished right in this spot.
“Brother Li, should we reconsider?” Huangfu Song looked at the black seawater below, feeling uneasy.
Li Fan, however, was fixated on the 200% charge displayed on his [Truth]. Shaking his head, he said, “Hesitation in times of crisis only leads to disaster. We’ve already explored this place thoroughly—staying longer won’t change anything. Unless you plan to comprehend the entire life-and-death reversal formation and break through it yourself? Rather than waiting for death, it’s better to take the risk!”
With that, a dense surge of wood-attribute spiritual energy surrounded his body.
“Stay close to me!” Li Fan shouted coldly before diving headfirst into the sea of death.
Seeing the situation unfold, Huangfu and Dongfang gritted their teeth and followed.
The moment they entered the seawater, an unimaginable deathly aura swept in from all directions—like countless wriggling worms gnawing at their vitality. The sensation was eerily similar to the life-draining white mist.
Having once personally experienced the complete depletion of his lifespan in that white mist, Li Fan was not unfamiliar with this feeling.
He remained calm, retrieving five Longevity Pills in one breath and tossing them into his mouth.
As the medicinal effects surged, he forced the longevity-infused green energy out of his body, forming a protective barrier against the corrosion of the deathly aura.
Pushing his escape technique to the limit, he rapidly descended into the pitch-black depths of the sea.
In just a few breaths, he was already nearing the seafloor.
Li Fan narrowed his eyes slightly, sensing the presence of a small vortex ahead.
Within the vortex, a faint trace of life flickered.
“That’s it!”
Focusing his mind, Li Fan transformed into a streak of radiant light and plunged into the vortex.
In the next moment…
After a brief moment of dizziness, light suddenly filled his vision.
A gentle sea breeze, the salty and humid air, the occasional cries of seabirds…
As Li Fan adjusted to his surroundings, he found himself above a vast, azure ocean.
Brimming with vitality.