My Longevity Simulation

"The mark should have been left behind by Xu Ke. However, I searched the surrounding area and could not find any trace of him. The residual power of the True Immortal kept growing stronger, and I simply could not endure it any longer. Left with no choice, I passed through the grand teleportation formation and returned." Hundred Flowers said, still visibly shaken.

The principle behind the Inch Apart, Worlds Away Grand Formation was actually different from that of ordinary teleportation formations, although the end result was essentially the same. Hundred Flowers habitually referred to it as a teleportation formation, and Li Fan did not bother correcting her.

He began sensing the marks he had previously left on each of them, determining their current locations and conditions.

Xu Ke and Qiao Gong were indeed still alive.

However, Qiao Gong's situation was actually even better than Xu Ke's. Xu Ke's aura flickered weakly, clearly showing that surviving amid the aftershocks of the residual True Immortal power was extremely difficult. Yet on Qiao Gong's side, everything remained surprisingly stable. It was as though the Echoing star power had no effect on him whatsoever.

As for Yin Shangren...

The mark Li Fan had left on him had completely disappeared.

'Just as expected, something is strange. With his current strength, he should have been incapable of detecting my methods. Even if he vaguely sensed something, judging from everything I deliberately demonstrated before, he should have regarded it as my protection and would never have taken the initiative to remove it.'

The frontier of the Star Sea, the Remnant World Great Wall, and the High Wall were still almost entirely unfamiliar territory to Li Fan.

Having these individuals, blessed with immense destiny and who had survived since the era of the ancient catastrophe, scout the way had been part of Li Fan's plan from the very beginning. This sudden eruption of echoing star power had merely accelerated the process.

Li Fan decided not to concern himself with them for now. Once they returned, he could question them in detail.

He understood each of their temperaments thoroughly. Nothing major was likely to happen.

"Do not worry. They are all safe, and each has encountered their own opportunities."

When Li Fan said this, Hundred Flowers' expression immediately became somewhat complicated.

Ignoring whatever thoughts she harbored, Li Fan handed her another mass of source power essence.

"Do not go near the teleportation formation for now. Wait until the storm subsides."

"However, under the erosion of the residual True Immortal power, the teleportation formation must be maintained periodically. Otherwise, if it is damaged, someone will have to make another trip, creating many unnecessary variables. I will leave this task to you."

Along with the source power essence came a vast amount of knowledge concerning the maintenance of the Inch Apart, Worlds Away Grand Formation.

Hundred Flowers nodded in understanding and quickly immersed herself in the profound formation knowledge. Although it only covered the grand formation's fundamental structural units and did not involve its core mechanisms, it still captivated her completely.

After arranging matters for Hundred Flowers, Li Fan gazed into the Darkest Star Sea.

"The impact of the echoing star power will reach the vicinity of the Xuanhuang Realm in about half a month."

"Just like in my previous life, the entire world will fall into violent upheaval."

"Such a vast force would be an incredible waste if simply allowed to dissipate."

Having witnessed the Darkest Star Sea from a higher dimensional perspective, and having personally seen a small world ascend in dimension only to collapse into pieces after falling, Li Fan had gained an entirely new understanding of the residual True Immortal power accumulated beneath the High Wall and sealed behind the Remnant World Great Wall.

"The True Immortal power released by the True Immortal within the Immortal Ruins while comprehending the [Hunger] character expanded outward until it encountered the High Wall. Over countless years, it continuously accumulated beneath the High Wall."

"The accumulation of the 'momentum' of True Immortal power gradually formed a relative highland."

"Since it is merely a simple accumulation of power, it cannot maintain permanent stability."

"On one hand, it naturally seeks to flow downward. On the other..."

Li Fan narrowed his eyes, as if once more witnessing the magnificent scene beneath the High Wall.

"Ordinarily, this True Immortal power should have gradually flowed back into the Darkest Star Sea. But for some unknown reason, the continuous Remnant World Great Wall formed beneath the High Wall."

"It firmly blocked these True Immortal powers."

"Thus creating an unusual state of equilibrium. But now, that balance has been broken."

"The True Immortal power pours downward."

"Like a raging flood, it slowly flows into the lower regions of the Darkest Star Sea."

"Raising the overall level of the Star Sea itself..."

A flash of understanding crossed Li Fan's mind.

The astonishing speed at which the Star Sea revived during his previous life had likely been driven in part by this very event.

"What I must do now is find a way to intercept these floodwaters and preserve them temporarily."

"So they may be used later when the Xuanhuang Realm begins its ascent."

Without question, this was a colossal undertaking.

Perfect execution within only half a month was impossible. Li Fan could only do everything within his ability.

The location of the Xuanhuang Realm was exceptionally unique.

Outside the Immortal Ruins.

Because of the Dao-Comprehending True Immortal residing within the Immortal Ruins, when viewed across the entire topography of the Darkest Star Sea, the Xuanhuang Realm lay near one of its highest peaks.

Its close proximity even caused it to occupy a relatively elevated position itself.

Like the raised earth surrounding a towering mountain.

"Therefore, it possesses an additional invisible barrier."

"The impact naturally faced by the Xuanhuang Realm will be far weaker."

"And what I need to do is create depressions, then divert and accumulate as much True Immortal power as possible from the surrounding regions."

Li Fan nodded slightly.

He had personally experienced the journey of ascension before. To rise and approach immortality required only the continuous release of energy to elevate one's own position.

But as for creating depressions...

Li Fan currently knew absolutely nothing.

However, while overlooking the Star Sea from the heights of the Remnant World Great Wall and from the Star Sea's central control core, he had indeed noticed regions that lay noticeably lower than ordinary areas.

"I should investigate them first."

Li Fan acted immediately. He first visited Ou Shangtian and generated another batch of True Immortal flesh.

Looking at Ou Shangtian's face, now as pale as thin gold leaf, Li Fan frowned slightly.

"It seems finding the remains of a True Immortal can no longer be delayed."

Suppressing the thought for now, he transformed the source power essence into golden armor surrounding his body.

The phantom Wooden Sword left its sheath.

In an instant, he departed the Xuanhuang Realm and sped through the Darkest Star Sea.

As he rapidly flew toward the region from his memories, he simultaneously experienced the subtle differences in elevation throughout the Star Sea.

After the Wooden Sword passed beyond one region of the Star Sea, Li Fan suddenly sensed something.

He immediately turned back.

Suspending himself within the void, he carefully observed the surroundings.

"This truly is a natural depression."

"If I had not previously witnessed the topography from a higher dimensional perspective, I would never have discovered its uniqueness."

"On the surface, it appears no different from any other region of the Star Sea."

Li Fan frowned.

Streams of divine sense spread outward, exploring every corner of the region separately.

The results matched his earlier perception.

Although this depression possessed a naturally lower momentum, it seemed no different from ordinary regions.

He remained there for more than half a day, yet still found no clues.

Then Li Fan suddenly realized something.

Suppressing both his physical strength and spiritual energy, he flicked a finger.

A single strand of sword qi shot forth.

The sword qi merely simulated a single strike from an ordinary Soul Transformation cultivator. As it whistled through the air, it actually tore open a crack in the surrounding space.

Although it vanished in an instant and the rift quickly healed itself, Li Fan still noticed it.

"So that is how it is."

"This depression has become more fragile."

Li Fan suddenly understood.

It was not just space itself.

Rather, every condition that sustained the existence of this region of space had undergone a significant decline compared to normal regions of the Darkest Star Sea.

"The relationship between the Xuanhuang Realm and this place is much like the relationship between the Immortal Realm and the Xuanhuang Realm."

"That comparison may be somewhat exaggerated, but it illustrates the difference between the three rather well."

"A Dao Integration cultivator from the Xuanhuang Realm would probably be equivalent to a True Immortal in this region. With a single glance, they could destroy the entire world without any effort."

Li Fan carefully sensed the fragility of this depression.

"In terms of fundamental potential, it is actually not much lower than the Xuanhuang Realm. Yet when manifested in reality, the difference is so obvious."

He fell silent in thought.

"What would happen if it were even lower? If it reached the absolute limit?"

The question naturally surfaced in his mind.

Li Fan's thoughts drifted.

Unfortunately, this place was already close to the lowest point of the Darkest Star Sea.

For now, there was no existing answer he could use as a reference.

The day when the surging immortal power would once again sweep across the Star Sea drew closer, bringing Li Fan's attention back to the present.

"With my current understanding, I still cannot determine the true reason these depressions formed."

"But that does not prevent me from making use of them first."

Back when Li Fan had served as an official in the Great Xuan Dynasty, he had personally surveyed the land, drafted blueprints, and overseen the construction of irrigation systems that benefited entire regions.

In his eyes now, guiding the power of True Immortals into this depression was fundamentally no different from constructing waterworks.

"This depression is a natural reservoir."

"What I need to do is divert the power of True Immortals here."

"The first step is preventing the depression itself from absorbing the incoming immortal power. Otherwise, it would simply rise until it disappeared..."

"Source power essence is incompatible with True Immortal power. It is the perfect material."

A brilliant light flashed across Li Fan's eyes.

An endless stream of source power essence burst forth from his body, stretching like an immeasurably long strip of cloth.

Only a thin layer was required as insulation.

Under Li Fan's control, it quickly spread across the entire depression.

Golden radiance scattered through the darkness as the source power essence disappeared into the void.

On the surface, nothing seemed different.

But Li Fan knew that this place had already undergone a fundamental transformation.

"Next, I need to enlarge the inlet through which this depression gathers immortal power."

"At the same time, I must continuously reinforce the insulating layer at the bottom."

"My source power essence is already running low. It seems the You Clansmen will have to suffer a little longer."

Li Fan's divine sense stirred.

Within the Great Xuan small world, every You Clansman being raised there simultaneously sensed something.

They awoke from their slumber.

Then they all knelt upon the ground and began praying with utmost devotion, neither eating nor drinking.

The source power essence gradually became abundant once more.

Li Fan again viewed the surrounding region from his higher dimensional perspective.

The depression possessed an irregular boundary and was not particularly large.

At its current size, even when the waves of residual True Immortal power swept past, it would probably gather only a very limited amount.

"How should I divert the flow?"

After some contemplation, Li Fan immediately came up with an idea.

The phantom of the Wooden Sword flickered continuously.

Over the next several days, Li Fan established one Ascension Formation after another throughout the vast starry region surrounding the depression.

Because the True Immortal flesh and blood was being consumed far too quickly, Li Fan had no choice but to return once more to the Xuanhuang Realm.

Ou Shangtian was already barely clinging to life.

Even the Kun-Qian Bone Hand had developed numerous fine cracks.

It was obvious that it would be unable to produce any more True Immortal flesh for quite some time.

Fortunately, Li Fan had already gathered enough materials.

Once every formation had been arranged according to plan, Li Fan quietly waited for the approaching surge of echoing immortal power.

"I still have not found a method to permanently anchor the elevated state created by Ascension."

"But producing a brief eruption to create one peak after another and redirect the flow of True Immortal power is entirely possible."

"According to my precise calculations, all the True Immortal power throughout this vast surrounding region of the Star Sea will be diverted here."

Buzz.

As Li Fan anticipated, the echoing immortal power arrived exactly on schedule.

It resembled both a roaring tidal wave and a terrifying storm.

With unwavering determination, Li Fan activated each Ascension Formation one after another.

Near the Xuanhuang Realm within the Darkest Star Sea, an extraordinary spectacle appeared.

Ordinary cultivators could not perceive it.

Only peerless experts standing upon the highest peak might perhaps look down from above and witness it.

One low mountain after another suddenly rose from nothingness.

They stood directly before the overwhelming torrent of True Immortal power.

Although each mountain quickly collapsed soon after rising.

They nevertheless truly collided with the incoming tide.

The low peaks crumbled amid deafening explosions.

The torrent of True Immortal power, however, gradually changed direction after each collision.

Wave after wave surged violently toward the depression Li Fan had designated.

Whoosh. Whoosh. Whoosh.

At first, it was only a gentle breeze.

But as more and more immortal power was diverted, the howling current within this region eventually surpassed even the original eruption beneath the High Wall.

Li Fan had no choice but to hide within the phantom of the Wooden Sword.

Relying on the profound mystery of Truth and Falsehood Transformation, he avoided the effects of the True Immortal power.

Watching the depression gradually fill to the brim.

Even someone with Li Fan's composure could not help feeling a deep sense of pride.

"What a True Immortal can accomplish, I can now accomplish as well."

"It may require a little more effort, but once the method is mastered, it can be reproduced countless times."

Just as beneath the High Wall, where the Remnant World Great Wall had once blocked the immortal power.

An enormous quantity of True Immortal power accumulated within the depression.

Because of the insulating layer formed by the Source Power Essence, combined with the naturally unique properties of this place.

The fundamental potential of the surrounding space did not rise.

Only its stored power continued increasing.

It was as though another Immortal Ruins was slowly taking shape before Li Fan's eyes.

The phantom of the Wooden Sword flickered between brightness and darkness.

The attraction acting upon it grew stronger and stronger.

It felt as though Li Fan were truly facing a living True Immortal within the Immortal Ruins.

Frowning, Li Fan controlled the phantom and withdrew from the depression.

The instant he left its boundary, he immediately felt that the overwhelming attraction within had diminished by more than half.

It was as though the inside and outside belonged to entirely different worlds.

The torrent of True Immortal power continued pouring into the depression.

Eventually, only after the entire depression had been completely filled did the overflowing torrent resume sweeping toward the other regions of the Star Sea.

However, with such an enormous reservoir absorbing the power, the destructive force of the storm had already been greatly weakened.

More importantly, this reservoir stood directly before the Xuanhuang Realm.

As a result, the countless living beings of the Xuanhuang Realm barely noticed the disturbance at all.

In this life, the members of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance likewise received the warning transmitted by the Dharma-Transmitting Immortal Ancestor.

They exchanged puzzled glances.

"The disturbance the Immortal Ancestor mentioned has not arrived yet, has it?"

"This is definitely only the prelude. The real event is still to come."