Chapter 1497: Swallowing the Outsider Whole

After the Archaic Immortal Realm was officially established and firmly stood above Mount Shangfang, with the reinforcement of the Five Heavenly Emperors and the thirteen Dao Scars, earthshaking changes occurred within it every moment.

After being connected to the Infinite Ocean, there were no longer any restrictions in terms of energy. The Archaic Immortal Realm's formally appointed administrators, all personally ennobled by Li Fan, could freely transform the world according to their own wishes.

Thus, compared with the Archaic Immortal Realm that Chaos Nameless had witnessed during his visit not long ago, the current Archaic Immortal Realm was already vastly different. The Five Heavenly Regions had each evolved into their own unique landscapes.

As the saying went, when one person attained the Dao, even his chickens and dogs ascended to Heaven. The living beings within each Heavenly Region were also growing stronger with every passing day.

This scene of flourishing vitality far exceeded the expectations of the immortals from the Shuo Star Sea.

Although its size and scale could not compare with the Immortal Realm of the past, in terms of liveliness alone, it had already surpassed it by far.

"It does not matter. My Benevolent Transmuter is still effective. Even if they outnumber us, we only need to capture the leader."

Seeing that the morale of the army seemed to waver somewhat, the white-robed figure hurriedly transmitted his voice to reassure them.

The black cat on the white-robed figure's shoulder also spoke in agreement.

"As long as we can successfully meet that Hidden Emperor this time, with the support of the supreme treasure, no matter what divine abilities he possesses, he will surely be defeated on the spot. Capture the leader, and the living beings of this Immortal Realm may instead become useful to us."

The supreme treasure mentioned by the black cat seemed extremely convincing. The immortals quickly stabilized their emotions.

Looking toward the Archaic Immortal Realm, greed once again arose within their hearts.

After the white-robed Benevolent Transmuter led the immortals on a brief tour, he once again looked toward the heavens and bowed deeply.

"Senior, recreating the Immortal Realm is truly an unparalleled achievement. It may even rival the Four Sages of the Immortal Realm and Lord Hill Guardian."

"We admire you beyond measure and sincerely hope that we may see your countenance soon..."

The Archaic Immortal Realm seemed extremely pleased by the white-robed figure's flattery. All kinds of strange phenomena suddenly appeared throughout the realm.

Golden light filled the sky like a rain of flowers. Within the thirteen Heavenly Scars, multicolored halos erupted in succession. It sounded like the roaring of sea winds coming from beyond the heavens, resounding throughout the entire Immortal Realm.

This was a sign that the Infinite Ocean was releasing its infinite immortal power without restraint.

"As expected, this Hidden Emperor possesses the Ruling Authority!"

Among the immortals, several Nameless beings, including Benevolent Transmuter, could barely conceal their excitement.

"After the Calamity caused by Emperor Tianluo, the Immortal Realm was destroyed and the Four Sages disappeared. We originally thought that the Ruling Authority had vanished along with them. We never expected it to reappear in this Hidden Emperor of the lower realm."

"Everyone, if we can seize control of the Ruling Authority, perhaps we can truly reconstruct the Immortal Realm above the Dao Net!"

"And it would be a mobile Immortal Realm capable of floating above the Dao Annihilation. From now on, we would no longer need to worry about the Dao Annihilation!"

The black cat's words were highly provocative, almost possessing a magical quality. The immortals who had still been somewhat hesitant completely unified their resolve.

Kill the Hidden Emperor and seize the Ruling Authority!

"All of you, come up."

A thunderous voice suddenly rang out from beyond the firmament of the Archaic Immortal Realm. Perhaps because of Benevolent Transmuter's earlier flattery, there was a faint trace of pride in the voice.

The instant the voice appeared, every sentient being within the Archaic Immortal Realm that possessed consciousness knelt on the ground in worship.

Even the Five Heavenly Emperors within the heavenly palaces manifested their forms and saluted the true ruler of the Archaic Immortal Realm.

The immortals of the Shuo Star Sea therefore confirmed the true identity of the voice's owner.

It could be none other than that Hidden Emperor.

A silver path descended from beyond the firmament. Like a flowing strip of silk, it came before the immortals.

Feeling the envy transmitted by all the living beings of the Archaic Immortal Realm, the immortals suppressed their excitement and stepped onto it one after another.

"Wait. Benevolent Transmuter, this path..."

"The Dao Net?"

"Hiss... Could it be that the Hidden Emperor has an accomplice?"

The reason the immortals of the Shuo Star Sea raised this question was because the Shuo Star Sea's Dao Net had been jointly created by all the immortals.

Now that something resembling a Dao Net had appeared within the Archaic Immortal Realm, how could they not become suspicious and uneasy?

"There is no need to worry. It is merely the convergence of a few Dao Paths. How could it possibly be compared with the All-Encompassing Dao Net? If he did not possess such strength, how could he have created an Immortal Realm?"

Benevolent Transmuter spoke to reassure them.

However, after exchanging a glance with the black cat on his shoulder, his expression became even more solemn.

The immortals followed the path reaching the heavens. Amid the envious gazes of the living beings of the Archaic Immortal Realm, they disappeared.

In the next instant, they arrived in a world of darkness.

This darkness seemed to come from nowhere and had no discernible origin. It could actually block the immortals' senses.

They suddenly became blind, unable to distinguish north from south, east from west.

"Senior, where are you?"

Although startled, the immortals did not panic. They gathered around Benevolent Transmuter.

Yet no response came.

Waiting for them within the darkness was only absolute silence.

"Brother Benevolent Transmuter, something seems wrong."

One of the immortals reminded him.

Suddenly, the black cat cried out sharply.

"It is Dao Annihilation!"

The immortals froze for a moment. Then, looking at the darkness surrounding them, they suddenly realized what was happening.

The sensation brought by the dark aura around them was almost identical to the aura of those regions that had been destroyed after being cleansed by Dao Annihilation. It seemed to originate from the same source.

Only, it was not completely identical, which was why they had been unable to distinguish it at first.

The immortals had already begun to realize that this was a trap.

However, they were all beings who had survived the ancient calamities until the present. Even after encountering danger, they did not immediately lose their composure.

"He does not dare to reveal his true form before us and can only resort to these tricks. That merely proves that he has a guilty conscience."

"Fellow Daoist, use the supreme treasure!"

...

The immortals wore different expressions, but most of them looked toward the black cat on Benevolent Transmuter's shoulder.

Although the Nameless Benevolent Transmuter still maintained his composure on the surface, an uncontrollable doubt had arisen in his heart.

His power of Benevolent Transmuter had clearly not lost its effect. In fact, from beginning to end, its influence on the surroundings had not changed in the slightest.

Then why had that Hidden Emperor's attitude suddenly changed after they entered this space?

'Could it be that he was never affected by my power from the beginning, and instead deliberately lured us inside?'

Once this thought arose, it could no longer be dispelled.

Benevolent Transmuter's heart gradually grew cold.

The Benevolent Transmuter Dao Law he had comprehended was indeed powerful. As long as one could not resist its influence, there was no room for resistance before him. They could only allow him to slaughter them at will.

But conversely, if his opponent could ignore Benevolent Transmuter...

Then this Nameless True Immortal was no different from a lamb waiting to be slaughtered.

Just as he was about to discuss a countermeasure with the being on his shoulder, a cold voice suddenly rang out from within the darkness.

"Since you wish so desperately to see me..."

"Then I shall grant your wish."

The darkness gradually receded. The Celestial Pillars that had previously been hidden within it also appeared before the immortals.

They stretched from Heaven to Earth, standing alone in utter desolation, as if silently recounting some tragic history.

Looking at the Celestial Pillars before them, waves of chill rose from the hearts of the immortals.

They found it difficult to believe what they were seeing.

"That is... the Southern Immortal Celestial Pillar? How is that possible? Did it not completely disappear when the Tai-Li Star Domain and the Ancient Realm of All Living Beings perished within the Dao Annihilation?"

"That pillar is the Celestial Pillar of Hunger?"

"This one... I cannot sense it at all!"

The immortals gradually began to panic.

Primordial Bone, Hunger Immortal, Heavenly Capital Grand Mage, Situ Xing.

Four Celestial Pillars, like four heavy hammers, ruthlessly struck their hearts.

Surrounded by the four pillars, a figure stood quietly.

He looked over the immortals as though inspecting livestock waiting to be slaughtered inside a cage.

Under that gaze, the immortals felt both anger and shock.

"Everyone, there is no need to panic. Just watch as I capture him."

The black cat's green eyes locked onto Li Fan from afar, faintly revealing a hint of mockery.

Then it suddenly leaped into the air, closing the distance to Li Fan in an instant.

Two dazzling streaks of green light shot forth.

They transformed into a saber and a sword.

In the blink of an eye, they surrounded Li Fan.

Although the black cat's sudden eruption was already within Li Fan's expectations, the green saber and sword that shot from its eyes were somewhat beyond his control.

Because Li Fan discovered that the protective power of [Wuji] surrounding him was actually ineffective against this pair of green weapons.

Goosebumps instantly covered his body, while his heart simultaneously began pounding a warning.

'Outside the Dao laws contained within the possibilities of [Yuanchu]?'

In an instant, Li Fan understood.

Within the green saber and sword, he faintly saw a silent world containing only artifacts. It was as if it had suffered some world destroying calamity, leaving no living beings behind. Only countless blades and weapons remained.

No one knew how many years had passed. These [artifacts] that had settled within the silent starry sky gradually began, through instinct, to imitate their former masters.

They gradually occupied the paths of the Myriad Daos.

The struggle for the Dao between artifacts was even more brutal than that between humans.

There were no emotional factors whatsoever. They fought endlessly and relentlessly.

As the artifacts continuously battled and merged with one another, in the end, only a saber and a sword remained within that cold starry sky.

[Dao Sword and Dao Saber]!

Just like the Dao Deviation Stone Mother, what the black cat had unleashed at this moment was actually the manifestation of a complete Great Dao within one of the possible worlds!

Although it was a dead possibility that had suffered a world destroying calamity, it was nevertheless the fusion of a complete Great Dao.

As the green saber and sword approached, Li Fan suddenly discovered that he seemed to have fallen into a desperate situation.

Two cold and murderous intents had already firmly locked onto him.

No matter what formation, divine ability, or Dao art he used, it seemed impossible to block the attacks of this saber and sword.

'No wonder these True Immortals, despite already knowing everything about the Archaic Immortal Realm, remain so confident. They insist on coming after me.'

'With this [Dao Sword and Dao Saber] in hand, given the strength of those five Heavenly Emperors whom I painted into existence, they would probably be slain in an instant and turned into nourishment for the saber and sword.'

Having grown through mutual slaughter, the [Dao Sword and Dao Saber] possessed an almost instinctive desire to slay and devour other Dao laws.

Li Fan could almost sense the greed and excited desire emanating from this pair of faintly glowing green weapons.

In the span of a single instant, countless thoughts flashed through his mind, and the saber and sword drew even closer.

There was no time left to waste. At the final moment, Li Fan made the most appropriate decision.

The green saber and sword howled as they passed straight through his body.

Their tremendous aura caused the space around the Celestial Pillars to churn and boil violently.

Even the four Celestial Pillars seemed to be affected, trembling without end.

However...

Under the gazes of the immortals of the Shuo Star Sea, the figure of the Hidden Emperor remained standing motionless.

He even extended his hand and slowly caressed the green saber and sword beside him.

"Stargazer? What is going on?"

Benevolent Transmuter's expression changed drastically. He could no longer restrain himself and questioned the black cat perched on his shoulder.

The black cat also wore an expression of disbelief.

After unleashing the [Dao Sword and Dao Saber], its spirit was already extremely weak. Now that it saw its enemy completely unharmed by its ultimate killing move, it immediately felt an indescribable terror and confusion.

Unwilling to give up, the black cat attempted to activate the [Dao Sword and Dao Saber] once more to injure its enemy.

But for some unknown reason, that figure seemed not to exist within the world at all. No matter how heaven defying and destructive the power of the [Dao Sword and Dao Saber] was, it could not harm him in the slightest.

This situation was completely beyond its understanding.

...

Li Fan paid no attention to the immortals who had already fallen into complete panic. Under the protection of [Illusion Is Also Truth], he continued caressing the pair of green saber and sword beside him.

Just moments ago, at the critical moment, he had decisively activated the protective ability of [Illusion Is Also Truth].

He had transformed into the very pair of saber and sword themselves.

A moment later, all the warnings in his heart disappeared.

The overwhelming murderous green radiance could no longer harm him in the slightest.

It was just like when he had once merged into the Infinite Ocean and could freely draw upon the power of the Infinite Ocean. At this moment, he had become a part of this pair of weapons.

The saber and sword might be sharp, but how could they possibly cut down themselves?

'As expected, this is a Dao path originating from another possibility.'

Li Fan narrowed his eyes, sensing an utterly unfamiliar aura from this pair of green weapons.

It was just like the Dao Primal he had encountered in the Shuo Star Sea after leaving the High Wall. It seemed to belong to an entirely unfamiliar system.

But ultimately, it was still an evolution of the Great Dao under different circumstances.

'My Myriad Aspect Dao Net happens to have the opportunity today to experience the customs of this foreign domain.'

The power of the Ink Death Celestial Spirit surged forth from Li Fan.

Under the concealment of the [Illusion Is Also Truth] divine ability, it eagerly pounced toward the [Dao Sword and Dao Saber].

Since they were manifestations of the Great Dao, they could not escape the erosion of Dao Annihilation.

Once their offensive power could no longer affect him, the [Dao Sword and Dao Saber] were nothing more than food on the plate of the Ink Slaughter Myriad Forms Dao Network.

Just as Li Fan began devouring this collection of Dao laws originating from another possibility, the immortals of the Shuo Star Sea finally came to their senses.

The black cat in particular cried out repeatedly.

"Stop him! He is devouring my treasure!"

Although they were already in a desperate situation, the immortals did not choose to sit idly by.

They unleashed their divine abilities to the fullest and attacked Li Fan together.

Yet every attack vanished without a trace once it approached within three zhang of Li Fan.

This strange phenomenon was likewise beyond the immortals' understanding.

However, among the immortals, Nameless faintly recognized what was happening.

The black cat known as [Stargazer] stopped screaming.

Although it was filled with countless unwilling thoughts, there was nothing it could do.

All the green radiance disappeared, seemingly departing from the black cat.

"Wuji…"

"Great Venerable…"

Benevolent Transmuter trembled as he looked toward Li Fan. His eyes had already become filled with despair.

Although there were three thousand Great Daos in the world, something capable of ignoring the attacks of all other Dao paths like the one before them...

Only the legendary [Wuji Great Dao], which existed before the birth of Heaven and Earth, could accomplish such a thing!

It was said that it had been created and designated by the Sage Lord, who had taken it under his protection.

Even successive ruling Immortal Emperors had to treat it with the utmost solemnity upon encountering it. Its status was truly beyond comparison.

Who could have imagined that the target they had intended to hunt today would actually be such an existence!

At this moment, Benevolent Transmuter's heart was filled with endless regret.

Indeed, the authority to rule as Immortal Emperor had originally been bestowed by the Sage Lord.

Now that the Immortal Realm had been destroyed and the Immortal Emperor had fallen, who else could possibly possess this authority except those under the Sage Lord?

"Great Venerable, please calm your anger! Great Venerable, please calm your anger!"

Completely plunged into despair, Benevolent Transmuter suddenly seemed to remember a final lifeline and hurriedly cried out.