My Longevity Simulation - Chapter 1282: Hidden Immortal Compendium of the Hundred Tales

In this life, Li Fan had also attempted to classify the True Immortal seal script characters he had seen.

However, his approach was based on their specific effects, such as destruction, command, enhancement, and so on.

But within the Severed Immortal Tower at the far end of the star sea, they used an entirely different and novel perspective.

That is, whether the Dao depicted by a True Immortal seal script character had already been occupied by a True Immortal, or had once been occupied.

According to the many records within the Severed Immortal Tower, these different types of True Immortal seal script characters varied greatly in difficulty and danger when used to enter the Dao.

If a Dao had already been occupied by a True Immortal, then anyone who attempted to enter the Dao through that character would be reduced to ashes at the very moment of attaining the Dao, vanishing without a trace. No matter how powerful or talented they were, it could not be avoided.

If no True Immortal currently occupied that Dao, then even with certain side effects, ordinary cultivators could still glimpse the grand Dao depicted by the True Immortal seal script.

Li Fan carefully studied the scattered insights left by predecessors that he could access with his current level of contribution.

There was a fundamental difference between this and methods such as copying or attempting to draw the True Immortal script itself. Within the Severed Immortal Tower and the entire Xuan Immortal Ark, rather than directly using the power of the True Immortal seal script, it was more accurate to say they relied on relics of world extinction to draw out residual immortal power.

What they called entering the Dao was not truly stepping onto the path of a True Immortal. It was more like merging one’s body, soul, and consciousness into these relics, gaining certain properties formed through the tempering of time, thereby allowing them to better draw upon the remaining immortal power in the star sea.

There was no doubt that this was a shortcut. If the environment changed and the star sea no longer contained such abundant residual immortal power, then even if one could enter the Dao, the resulting strength would be greatly weakened. In contrast, Li Fan’s method of using the fundamental form of the True Immortal seal script depended only on the caster’s own strength and their level of comprehension of the script, without environmental restrictions.

Of course, this was only Li Fan’s understanding, based on having personally seen the true form of the True Immortal seal script. The people of the Immortal Ark would certainly not agree, unless Li Fan were willing to share the fundamental forms of the scripts. Given the Immortal Ark’s accumulation over thousands of years, if they could truly see the authentic forms, their overall strength would likely experience a qualitative leap in a short time.

However, Li Fan was not foolish enough to do that.

It was far easier and safer to occasionally submit some insights in exchange for contributions. Since his insights were based on genuine True Immortal seal script, no matter how unusual his perspective, they were always correct.

This was the essential difference of having seen the true transmission. They tried every possible way to reconstruct the origin from outward appearances, while Li Fan had already seen the origin itself and worked downward, making everything naturally smooth.

Although Li Fan firmly believed that the Immortal Ark’s methods were merely clever tricks, he had to admit that for beings beneath the True Immortal level, it was entirely worthwhile if they could wield power that originally belonged to True Immortals.

After all, survival was the foremost priority in the Darkest Star Sea.

Without these research achievements on True Immortal seal scripts, the Xuan Immortal Ark would likely have long since become part of the endless ruins drifting in the star sea.

This time, Li Fan guided the Xuan Immortal Ark to capture a Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance flying vessel. Besides accumulating merit for his current body, his primary goal was to use those Dao Integration cultivators to reveal the existence of the Immortal Ancestor.

After infiltrating the Xuan Immortal Ark for so long, Li Fan had finally uncovered the identity of the mysterious cultivator he first encountered in the Sea of Relics.

They had once been a member of the Xuan Immortal Ark, even one of its highest rulers. However, several hundred years ago, they were deceived by an outsider. No one knew what secret agreement had been made, but they allowed this outsider to enter the Immortal Ark’s highest confidential archive, the [Immortal Compendium of Hundred Tales].

The outsider had claimed they only intended to consult the ancient records stored within. Yet after entering, they never came out at the appointed time. When the Immortal Ark investigated, they were horrified to find that many secret archives had vanished.

Along with the outsider, three Dao Integration cultivators responsible for guarding the place also disappeared without a trace.

The Immortal Ark was shaken. The ruling figures were purged, leading to a small scale internal conflict.

In the end, a portion of the group escaped the Ark. However, they refused to give up on it. With nowhere else to go in the vast Darkest Star Sea, they hid within the Sea of Relics, waiting for a chance to counterattack and reclaim the Xuan Immortal Ark.

Meanwhile, the Immortal Ark never ceased its attempts to hunt them down. Yet the star sea was too vast, making capture nearly impossible.

They could only tolerate their continued existence.

The people of the Immortal Ark remained deeply resentful toward the outsider who caused the turmoil, especially over the lost secret archives, which became a permanent wound in their hearts.

However, the outsider’s identity was extremely mysterious. Only those former members who had fled might know the truth.

Since that incident, the outsider had never appeared again.

Although Li Fan was not certain whether this outsider was truly the Immortal Ancestor, that did not prevent him from creating the possibility that they were the same person.

After all, in the present Darkest Star Sea, living beings were scarce.

Near the High Wall, and possessing such mysterious power, who else could it be besides the Immortal Ancestor or the Heavenly Doctor?

Li Fan believed that if the Immortal Ark learned that, far beyond the Sea of Relics, within the even more vast Sea of Remnant Worlds, there existed a powerful figure who might be their ancient enemy, they would certainly attempt to investigate.

After all, no one would tolerate another sleeping beside them.

And through the Xuan Immortal Ark, Li Fan could also take the opportunity to probe the true nature of the Immortal Ancestor and the Heavenly Doctor.

He did not expect any decisive results, but even a small piece of information would be valuable. For Li Fan, this was merely a casual move with no cost.

The final victory might well be built upon these seemingly insignificant pieces of information. The Immortal Ark and the Holy Emperor were both pieces he used for testing.

Li Fan reviewed another document, thinking this to himself.

As for the fate of those Dao Integration cultivators from the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, he did not care at all. In the Xuanhuang Realm, they were also merely expendable resources.

However, something unexpected occurred.

Three days later, the long haired Dao Integration cultivator Wang Hai returned.

He also brought an interrogation record.

“Brother Zhao, take a look. What happened on that flying vessel is truly remarkable.”

Li Fan glanced through it and frowned slightly.

“That flying vessel was so powerful? Dao Integration cultivators were treated like food…”

Wang Hai nodded.

“We fought it three times before finally breaking its defenses. We also consumed quite a few relics.”

“But it was worth it. Each of those Dao Integration cultivators carried immense resources. Not to mention the items stored in the vessel called the Spirit of Heaven and Earth.”

Li Fan raised his head slightly and feigned ignorance.

“What exactly is this Spirit of Heaven and Earth? A manifestation of world laws?”

Wang Hai smiled.

“If that were all, I would not be so excited. This Spirit of Heaven and Earth not only contains the power of the cultivation world’s laws, but also carries a portion of the foundational force that constructs the world itself.”

“If the cultivation world is like a house, then these Spirit of Heaven and Earth are like the beams that support it. And this is precisely what our Xuan Immortal Ark lacks. With this fuel, our ark can operate steadily for another hundred years.”

From Wang Hai’s voice, one could clearly hear the joy in his heart.

He continued chattering on, adding, “Even that flying vessel itself can be dismantled and used to reinforce our Immortal Ark. Brother Zhao’s vague premonition this time has brought gains to the Immortal Ark that are absolutely comparable to dozens of relic artifacts.”

Li Fan, however, kept his head lowered as he flipped through documents. “I only care about what specific rewards there are. By the way, what exactly did the Council of Elders say about that world called Xuanhuang Realm. The fat meat may be a bit far away, but it can still save lives after all.”

Wang Hai shrugged. “You know those people in the Council of Elders well enough. Everything is always justified with the ‘greater situation’ and the ‘future of the Immortal Ark.’ As for something like crossing the star sea for an expedition…”

“I think they would only do that when our Immortal Ark is truly at the end of its road.”

Li Fan nodded thoughtfully upon hearing this. “That is rather a pity. From what I vaguely foresaw, cultivators like those Dao Integration ones on the flying vessel are already the peak combat power of that Xuanhuang Realm. As for those slightly stronger Longevity Immortal Realm cultivators, there are no more than a handful. If our Immortal Ark were to arrive, they would have no ability to resist at all.”

Wang Hai nodded in agreement, full of disdain. “They are nothing more than parasites clinging to a surviving cultivation world. In my opinion, we would not even need the full power of the Immortal Ark. Just three to five Dao Entrants cultivators would be enough to easily suppress the Xuanhuang Realm.”

Wang Hai then sighed, somewhat regretful. “It is just a pity that the Council of Elders does not permit it.”

Li Fan did not respond and instead asked, “What is my reward. Surely after making such a great contribution, the Council of Elders would not give nothing at all.”

Only then did Wang Hai stop being evasive and carefully take out a jade slip.

The moment the jade slip appeared, Li Fan’s gaze sharpened.

He keenly noticed that the half jade hairpin on Wang Hai’s head was trembling incessantly. Meanwhile, the jade slip itself faintly emitted fluctuations of the power of True Immortal seal script.

“This is…”

Li Fan quickly reacted. “The jade slip itself is a world extinction relic artifact?”

Wang Hai said with some pride, “Correct. This is the third World Extinction Jade Slip our Immortal Ark has collected. Each time it is observed, the True Immortal power attached to it is consumed, so it is extremely precious. This time, the Elders Council has truly paid a heavy price.”

“What is recorded in this jade slip?”

“I also want to know, but unfortunately I do not have the qualifications. You will understand once you see it yourself. Hurry up, after you finish reading, I still need to take it back,” Wang Hai said, looking somewhat enviously at the jade slip in Li Fan’s hand as he urged him.

Only then did Li Fan solemnly separate a strand of divine sense and enter it.

The World Extinction Jade Slip was a very special type among world extinction relic artifacts.

Unlike ordinary magic treasures, after being nourished by True Immortal power over a long period of time, the jade slip itself would not be stained with the power of True Immortal seal script. However, the True Immortal power would permeate into the contents recorded within the jade slip.

Causing a kind of transformation.

Or rather, a sublimation.

The sublimated content was as if it had received guidance from a True Immortal, undergoing a qualitative leap.

A mortal technique could become a True Immortal method. Even a simple piece of writing, after being touched by True Immortal power, could become something that allowed one to comprehend the Dao.

In short, the World Extinction Jade Slip was currently one of the rare methods that allowed harmless close contact with a True Immortal.

When his divine sense entered the jade slip, what first flooded in was the original content of the jade slip.

An ordinary method for tempering the will. Judging by its grade, it did not exceed Soul Transformation.

After finishing reading it in an instant, the perception of his divine sense suddenly changed.

The originally plain and unremarkable text seemed to come alive in an instant, twisting and mutating, transforming into entirely new characters.

After rearranging themselves, a brand new immortal method appeared before him.

“Hm?”

Li Fan’s heart trembled slightly as he quickly studied this new method several times in detail.

A familiar yet unfamiliar feeling gradually rose within his heart as his understanding deepened.

“Immortal Heart Mantra?”

“But not Xuanhuang.”

“And in subtle details, there are still differences. After all, it was not truly deduced and personally transmitted by a True Immortal, but rather evolved by the jade slip itself. It can even be said to be a weakened version of the Xuanhuang Immortal Heart Mantra,” Li Fan thought to himself with some regret.

However, on the surface, he still showed an expression of excitement and deep immersion.

When the flowing characters in his mind gradually faded and finally disappeared completely, Li Fan reluctantly returned the World Extinction Jade Slip and said, “As expected of an immortal method. With this technique, I can ensure that I will not be troubled by heart demons in the future. Even when comprehending True Immortal seal script, the negative effects I suffer will be greatly reduced.”

“Please also convey my thanks to the elders.”

Hearing this, Wang Hai subconsciously glanced at the World Extinction Jade Slip in his hand, then forcibly suppressed the urge to take a look.

Not to mention that there were restrictions placed on it by the Council of Elders, making it impossible for him to pry into it. Taking it without permission was a great taboo in the Immortal Ark.

Even for him, committing such an act would only lead to becoming living material for the study of Immortal seal script.

“My harvest this time also owes much to Brother Wang for connecting me over the long term. This is my insight, please accept it,” Li Fan said as he noticed the other party’s expression. After slightly closing his eyes and concentrating, he immediately carved another jade slip on the spot and handed it over.

Wang Hai was overjoyed upon seeing this. “Many thanks, Brother Zhao. In the future, I will go through fire and water without hesitation.”

After exchanging a few polite words, he directly accepted the jade slip and began to read it.

Immersed in it, his brows danced with joy.

After a long while, he came back to his senses from the insights and directly crushed the jade slip in front of Li Fan.

This was the rule of knowledge transmission within the Immortal Ark.

Although there was no restriction that different methods could not be cultivated together, techniques, Dao arts, and various insights were still extremely precious resources.

Just like the World Extinction Jade Slip rewarded by the Council of Elders of the Severed Immortal Tower this time, only Li Fan was qualified to study it, and it could not be lent to others.

However, after Li Fan finished viewing it, he could pass on his own insights, and this was not restricted.

But after all, it had passed through another hand, so the effect was certainly far inferior to direct personal experience. Especially when it involved the power of a True Immortal, even if the written description was completely identical, without sensing the transformation of the profound power, whether in cultivation progress or the subtlety of comprehension, it would naturally be much weaker.

Unless one was a heaven-defying genius who could ignore this inherent gap. Otherwise, second-hand and third-hand transmissions would all be weaker than the original.

It was precisely because he strictly followed this rule that after Wang Hai finished reading, he destroyed the jade slip that Li Fan had engraved.

After he left today, he would have the right to spread this method again. However, since it was passed on by him, it was already beyond a third transmission, and its effectiveness would be further reduced.

If someone who cultivated this method wished to go further, they would need to trace the path of its transmission, go upstream, pay a certain price, and seek guidance from the earlier transmitters. As for whether they could obtain the true method, that would depend on the sincerity of their heart.

Li Fan had infiltrated the Xuan Immortal Ark for more than ten years and was already thoroughly familiar with its rules.

Seeing that Wang Hai had acted accordingly and even gifted an additional jade slip of insights, the two finally parted reluctantly.

“By the way, among the five surviving Dao Integration cultivators in the Xuanhuang Realm, one of them is somewhat unusual. So, to be cautious, the elders have not taken action against him yet. If you are interested, you may want to look into it,” Wang Hai left behind this ambiguous remark before departing.

Li Fan could not help but fall into thought.

According to the rules of the Immortal Ark, such indirect wording was only used when it involved the upper levels of the ark or the forces behind the other party.

“A survivor…”

“It should be Lan Yu. After all, he is the only one who achieved Dao Integration through the ancient method and holds no value to the ark. But he does not seem particularly unusual…”

“The Grand Mage of Heavenly Capital?”

Li Fan formed a hypothesis, straightened his somewhat disordered clothes, left the room, and headed toward the Counsil of Elders of the Severed Immortal Tower.

The current Immortal Ark was built entirely upon a Void Divine Tree, and after seizing actual control of the ark, the Severed Immortal Tower relocated to the very top of this tree.

Threads of green light, like the tips of branches and leaves, connected the many buildings of the Severed Immortal Tower into one.

Standing in the void, there was no need to fly. With a single thought, one could control the green light to travel between different locations.

Looking down, one could vaguely see places such as the Academy of Dao Attainment, the Star Forging Workshop, and the newly constructed Sin Suppression Valley.

They seemed to float separately in the endless void, connected only by the divine tree.

The giant who had previously been pierced through the body by the divine tree had already been completely drained. In his place was now a massive rabbit.

This rabbit had a white body, black ears, and a human face. Although it was already dead, its expression was one of sorrow for the world, as if it had witnessed something deeply tragic before its fall.

This [Human Emperor Rabbit], like the previous [Dao-Chasing Giant], was part of the hidden collection within the Immortals Compendium Hundred Tales of the Xuan Immortal Ark.

The hidden collection contained various resources, not only from the flourishing cultivation era before the destruction of the star sea, but also many strange objects gathered by the ark over thousands of years of drifting through the Darkest Star Sea.

Li Fan’s gaze briefly swept over the nearly withered body of the Human Emperor Rabbit, but his thoughts had already shifted to the ark’s hidden collection.

If there was anything on this ark worth scheming for, it would likely be this Immortal Compendium of Hundred Tales.

“Perhaps, I should also include the whereabouts of the Shang Immortal Ark.”

Li Fan suddenly thought of this.

As parts of the former Xuanshang Immortal Ark, although the Xuan and Shang divisions had long lost contact, they could still occasionally sense each other”s existence.

However, all information regarding the Shang Immortal Ark was a top secret of the Xuan Immortal Ark. Even within the Council of Elders, only the three core elders were qualified to know.

Despite infiltrating for over ten years, Li Fan had only overheard a few fragments during an elders’ gathering.

“I wonder what exactly the situation of the Shang Immortal Ark is, that its secrecy level is even higher than that of True Immortal seal script…”

While Li Fan was thinking to himself, he had already arrived at the top of the Void Divine Tree, where the council of the Severed Immortal Tower elders was located.

The first thing Li Fan did was naturally to visit his “teacher.”

Within the Xuan Immortal Ark, lineage and faction were extremely important.

The reason Wang Hai had repeatedly run errands and delivered messages for him was because both he and Li Fan were disciples under the third elder of the Severed Immortal Tower, Ai Tianjue.

And this Ai Tianjue had an even closer relationship with Li Fan. Because Ai Tianjue himself had also come from the Academy of Dao Attainment.

However, in order to study new methods of entering the Dao, after leaving the academy he joined the Severed Immortal Tower and remained hidden from the public for many years.

Only after achieving results, when the Severed Immortal Tower reversed its fortunes and seized control of the ark, did Ai Tianjue reappear in the public eye.

“Greetings, Teacher.” Li Fan bowed calmly, then truthfully reported his insights from the World Extinction Jade Slip he had just studied.

Any gains made by a disciple had to be reported and submitted to the teacher.

This was also one of the rules of the Immortal Ark.

After listening to Li Fan’s explanation, Ai Tianjue nodded slightly. “I have also read this jade slip before. Your talent is indeed extraordinary. You have already grasped seventy to eighty percent of its essence.”

Li Fan bowed respectfully once more, thanking his teacher for the praise.

“But do not rely on it too much.” Ai Tianjue suddenly changed his tone.

“You must understand that inner demons are both calamity and opportunity. Although one may rely on wondrous methods to sever inner demons, they are endless and will regenerate after being cut away. Using the Immortal Heart Mantra to suppress them is ultimately an inferior approach.”

“It is better to transform them into nourishment for tempering oneself. That instead will greatly benefit cultivation.”

Ai Tianjue spoke slowly and calmly.

While lecturing Li Fan, he was also writing something on a sheet of white paper.

As expected of one of the top experts of the Severed Immortal Tower, even his casual words could inspire the current Li Fan.

Li Fan listened attentively, his gaze never once peeking at what Ai Tianjue was writing.

After finishing his explanation, Ai Tianjue still did not stop writing. Only after half a day did he finally put down his brush.

“Take a look at this piece of calligraphy. How is it?” Ai Tianjue said to Li Fan.

Only then did Li Fan raise his head to look.

On the white paper was a “complete” True Immortal seal script character.

That was Li Fan’s first reaction upon seeing it.

“Fallen…”

Focusing his mind and observing further, a trace of regret arose in Li Fan’s heart. “A pity.”

“It is not a complete True Immortal seal script character. Only about eighty to ninety percent has been restored.”

“However, to comprehend it to this extent from a pile of fragmented remnants is already truly remarkable.”

Li Fan knew that he himself would not be able to achieve such a level.

After pondering for a moment, Li Fan spoke of his understanding of the character [Fallen]:

“This ‘fall’ is not the fall of the mind. It is the fundamental falling of all things. A descent from a higher level to a lower level.”

“A True Immortal becomes a cultivator, a cultivator becomes a mortal, a mortal turns into dust.”

With just this single character, Li Fan spoke for nearly half a day.

And yet it was still far from complete.

After Li Fan finished, Ai Tianjue first pointed out several errors in his explanation, then sighed slightly.

“To comprehend a True Immortal character is like viewing mountains while riding a galloping horse.”

“This character ‘Fallen’ had already been restored to sixty to seventy percent a thousand years ago on the Immortal Ark. After a thousand years, progress has increased by only a small fraction.”

“The closer one gets to the true essence of Immortal seal script, the slower the progress becomes. Even if there is only the slightest difference, compared to a True Immortal seal script character, the power differs vastly.”

“One may see the path ahead, yet cannot tread upon it. The Immortal Dao is truly difficult.”

Hearing Ai Tianjue’s sigh, Li Fan felt somewhat puzzled.

This did not sound like something his research-obsessed teacher would say.

“Teacher, why do you say this?” Li Fan asked directly.

Only then did Ai Tianjue explain the reason.

“That Lan Yu, who has achieved Dao Integration in the Xuanhuang Realm, cultivates a True Immortal technique.”

“Myriad Calamities Feather Transformation Technique.”

“My heart longs for it.”

Ai Tianjue let out another long sigh.

These words immediately shocked Li Fan.

He knew how high his teacher’s standards were. Since he called it a True Immortal technique, it must be a genuine Immortal-level cultivation method, comparable to the Xuanhuang Immortal Heart Mantra.

But…

How could that be?

Lan Yu?

Was he not cultivating the Heavenly Capital Feather Transformation Art?

In an instant, Li Fan narrowed his eyes, countless thoughts flashing through his mind.

Yet his verbal response was quick. “Since Lan Yu has fallen into our Immortal Ark’s hands, does that not mean this Immortal technique now belongs to us?”

“Then why does teacher feel regret?”

He pretended not to understand.

Ai Tianjue smiled and shook his head.

“In the Xuanhuang Realm, there exists the rule that techniques cannot be cultivated simultaneously. Although the Immortal Ark is far from the Xuanhuang Realm and not bound by this restriction, the Immortal technique cultivated by Lan Yu has a similar limitation.”

“To cultivate the Myriad Calamities Feather Transformation Technique, one must use the Feather of Myriad Calamities as a catalyst. Without this treasure, no matter how extraordinary one’s talent is, it is impossible to even begin.”

Li Fan was slightly stunned.

“The Feather of Myriad Calamities has already fused with Lan Yu. It cannot be separated by us.”

“So even with the Immortal technique before our eyes, we can only observe it, not cultivate it.”

Ai Tianjue shook his head again. “This situation is similar to the only recorded Immortal technique hidden within our Xuan Immortal Ark.”

Li Fan also revealed a thoughtful expression. “Not only cultivation techniques, but True Immortal seal script as well. Once a True Immortal occupies it, others cannot cultivate it…”

Ai Tianjue waved his hand, putting away the writing on the table, his expression somewhat complex.

“That is why, the other day, I suddenly felt that perhaps failing to fully comprehend this True Immortal seal script might actually be a good thing.”

“Otherwise, within the Immortal Ark, there would inevitably be another storm of bloodshed.”

Li Fan fell silent upon hearing this.

“However, speaking of it, the rule in the Xuanhuang Realm that techniques cannot be cultivated simultaneously is rather interesting,” Ai Tianjue suddenly said.

Li Fan looked at his teacher.

He saw Ai Tianjue muttering to himself:

“This restriction should be unique to the Immortal Realm. It should not be something that the Heavenly Dao of a lower realm could naturally develop…”