“The images recorded by the Medicine King True Cauldron—how could they be fake?” Fang Zaiji snorted.
His gaze flickered toward the Dao Deviation Stone Mother replica that Xu Bai was playing with. When Xu Bai finally put it away, Fang Zaiji couldn’t help but feel a tinge of regret.
Then, with a bit of curiosity, he asked, “But you said the pull of the [Immortal Ruins] is indeed growing stronger. How did you determine that?”
Chen Tianhai did not conceal anything and explained, “Based on the deviation in the trajectory and timing of the Medicine King True Cauldron after it left the Xuanhuang Realm.”
“As I mentioned before, over the years, we have also sent people to explore the Immortal Ruins. Although they found nothing of value inside, they recorded a lot of useful information.”
“According to our calculations, the pull of the Immortal Ruins is now more than twice as strong as when the Medicine King True Cauldron first encountered it.”
“That’s actually quite terrifying. Doesn’t that mean that, given more time, the entire Xuanhuang Realm will be swallowed by it?” Fang Zaiji clicked his tongue in wonder, though his face showed no trace of fear.
“Those so-called Longevity Immortal Heavenly Sovereigns—who knows what they’re even doing.”
“Anyway, if the sky collapses, the tall ones will hold it up,” he muttered under his breath.
After learning from the Dao Deviation Taiyan Sect that the Immortal Ruins’ pull was indeed growing stronger, Xu Bai also fell into deep thought.
“When the Immortal Ruins were first discovered, the major forces of the Xuanhuang Realm did not immediately choose to flee. Instead, they tried to resist it by capturing other Cave-Heavens and small worlds…”
“Perhaps it was because the Immortal Ruins back then were not as terrifying as they are now.”
“And now, the Xuanhuang Realm has little time left. In my previous life, after the unification of Xuanhuang, the plan to push it away was implemented immediately.”
Xu Bai’s thoughts flashed by in an instant, and then he asked the final question of this trip:
“The cultivators in the city—are they all transformed from the disciples of the Taiyan Sect over the years? I’ve also heard that the Dao Deviation Stone Mother itself has gained sentience. Do you know if it has ever created a human body for itself?”
Hearing this question, which seemed unrelated to their previous discussion, Chen Tianhai was slightly surprised.
However, this was not classified information, so he nodded and said, “At first, out of curiosity about [humans], the Dao Deviation Stone Mother did indeed create a human body to analyze and study.”
“But now, it rarely appears in human form anymore.”
Receiving the answer he expected, Xu Bai nodded slightly.
Then, he bid farewell to Chen Tianhai.
Chen Tianhai hesitated for a while but ultimately allowed Xu Bai and the others to leave.
When Xu Bai and Fang Zaiji disappeared into the depths of the Taixuan Cave Heaven—
A figure, entirely azure in color with indistinct facial features, suddenly appeared beside Chen Tianhai.
“You just let them go?”
“That Xu Bai—he may be hiding many secrets.”
“An anomaly… perhaps something brought back by the Medicine King True Sect from beyond the heavens. Or maybe—he originates from one of those existences that powerful beings have deliberately erased.” The azure figure’s voice was neither male nor female, its pitch fluctuating unpredictably, making it sound incredibly strange.
Yet, this did not hinder its conversation with Chen Tianhai.
“Deliberately erased? Are you suggesting a supreme expert has been reborn?” Chen Tianhai’s eyes flashed with sharp insight.
“According to the results of my deductions, it’s highly possible. Xu Bai has never appeared in any of our calculated timelines. His existence may simply be a coincidence… But Fang Zaiji calls him ‘Sect Master’…”
“This suggests that we are missing key information, which has led to an error in our deductions,” the azure figure explained rapidly.
“There are too many unknown variables at play. Forcibly pulling him into the Taiyan Sect would be too risky.”
Chen Tianhai pondered for a moment before nodding slowly.
“What do you think he meant by his last question?”
The surface of the azure figure rippled like water.
A moment later, it finally responded, “Deduction failed.”
“However…”
The rest of the words were left unsaid as the azure figure gradually faded and disappeared before Chen Tianhai.
However, Chen Tianhai seemed to have heard the unfinished words, a look of intrigue appearing on his face.
In the Longevity Valley.
Fang Zaiji was recounting his experiences to Liu San and Jiang Yushan.
“Who would have thought that the once-mighty Taiyan Sect would fall into such a miserable state? Compared to them, our Medicine King Sect is actually quite fortunate.” Fang Zaiji sighed repeatedly.
Clearly, no matter how much Chen Tianhai boasted, he could not accept the so-called concept of “Indestructible Information.”
Liu San also showed a look of lament.
His divine sense swept over the daily cultivation routines of the disciples within the Longevity Valley, observing a scene filled with vitality. His expression fluctuated, lost in thought.
At this moment, however, Xu Bai had already entered a secluded chamber.
Before him hovered a dazzling white replica of the Dao Deviation Stone Mother.
“Simulation…”
Xu Bai let out a cold snort but did not attempt to connect with it using his spiritual sense to engage in the so-called simulation process.
“Nonsense about how Taiyan Sect cannot tolerate lies.”
“Nonsense about how the replica and the Stone Mother itself are unrelated.”
Xu Bai did not believe any of it.
Grand Preceptor Li was naturally suspicious, and ever since he obtained the supreme treasure [Truth], he had become even less inclined to trust anyone else.
“Once I use it for a simulation, there are only two possibilities—either I immediately use [Truth], or I am at the brink of life and death, forced into desperation.”
“In any case, if I must use it, I must be prepared for [Truth] to be exposed.”
Xu Bai stared at it for a long time before deciding to store it away for now.
“According to Chen Tianhai’s explanation, though the simulation may last for hundreds of years within, only a moment passes in reality.”
“Perhaps it can be used in a critical moment to find a sliver of hope.”
“I just hope that I will never have to use it in this lifetime.”
Suppressing these thoughts for the time being, Xu Bai solemnly began an important task—writing his last will.
“To fail before even entering battle is to invite defeat.”
This world was full of dangers. Even though Li Fan had made numerous preparations, there was still no absolute certainty of victory.
If…
Just if, he could not escape the lingering influence of Mr. Bai’s resurrection—
If, in the end, he perished, his soul extinguished, and was completely replaced by Mr. Bai—
Then, with Li Fan’s nature, how could he possibly accept such a fate?
“If I die, the existence of the [Truth] must be spread throughout the world.”
“You want to replace me? Even if I die, I won’t let you have an easy time!”
A hint of darkness flashed across Xu Bai’s face.
One could imagine that if the cultivators of the Xuanhuang Realm discovered that such a miraculous treasure as [Truth] existed in this world—
Even if its next wielder was a being as powerful as a Longevity Immortal Heavenly Sovereign, they would never have peace again.
This was Li Fan’s final countermeasure.
It would only be activated if his consciousness was completely annihilated.
However, if Li Fan somehow emerged victorious, he would erase all traces of this plan with a single thought.