My Simulated Road to Immortality Chapter 2256 - 1699: The Xuanji Ring Within the Heart_2

A sudden wave of horror washed over him as he cried out, "Thief of the Heavenly Dao?"

The Thief of the Heavenly Dao, recognized as the most powerful among All Saints, had vanished without a trace. Yet, his specific cultivation Dao was now manifesting on Li Fan, the very man he had been pursuing.

What had transpired within the distant reaches of the Void Realm? The answer seemed obvious now.

Incredible as it appeared, Li Fan was the bearer of the Supreme Treasure of the Three Saints and was entrusted with their sacred mission.

Aside from the staff, shovel, and rod, who could say what other mystical artifacts the Three Saints had bequeathed to him?

The true depth of the Three Saints' Foundation was simply beyond comprehension.

Even if the Thief of the Heavenly Dao stood at the pinnacle of All Saints, he would still be easily crushed by the might of the Three Saints.

Terrified by these realizations, the Four Saints of Gui Ming didn't hesitate; they turned and fled, scattering in every direction!

Only Lord Guardian Hill remained, standing frozen in sheer astonishment.

“Guardian Hill, snap out of it. If we stay until they regain their senses, we won't be able to escape,” Li Fan warned.

As he spoke, the powerful aura radiating from Li Fan’s body began to rapidly fade.

Realizing the situation, Guardian Hill grabbed Li Fan and retreated at high speed toward the safety of Mountain Sea.

Amidst the turbulent currents of Mountain Sea, Li Fan began to recount the recent events to Guardian Hill.

Naturally, his narrative was a calculated blend of truth and fabrication.

“So, you managed to slay Sui Jun and the Thief of the Heavenly Dao by relying on the Supreme Treasure of the Three Saints, but the cost was a devastating injury to yourself?”

“Your path of the Cosmic Cycle is utterly ruined, yet you have somehow mastered the Dao of the Thief of the Heavenly Dao?” Lord Guardian Hill asked, his voice filled with contemplation.

“That is right. Realizing he was cornered, the Thief of the Heavenly Dao made a final, desperate gamble. He cast aside the countless Qi Destinies he had plundered to try and seize the Creation within my own body, hoping to cheat death. He very nearly succeeded...” Li Fan recounted, his voice trembling with feigned fear.

“Such a scheme is exactly what he would attempt,” Lord Guardian Hill remarked with a soft sigh after a long pause.

“The Thief of the Heavenly Dao was cunning, but he overlooked one thing. I arrived from the end of Mountain Sea long ago, possessing techniques that allow me to rise again even if my cultivation base is entirely destroyed. Perhaps you didn't know, Guardian Hill, but in the previous Mountain Sea, I was a Sage of [Xuan Pin]. However, when Mountain Sea reconnected, two Sages of Xuan Pin existed in this world. I could not stand the thought of us fighting one another. Thus, I chose to surrender my [Xuan Pin] Dao Path.”

“The Three Saints acknowledged my skill in True Spirit Infusion and subsequently provided guidance for my [Cosmic Cycle] Creation...”

Li Fan wasn't lying about this specific detail; it was an actual experience from his current life cycle.

Hearing this, Lord Guardian Hill nodded in admiration. “Daoist, your virtue is great! It is no wonder the Three Saints entrusted you with such a vital burden.”

The two then began to deliberate on their next steps.

“The Three Saints gave me the authority to act as I see fit. However, Mountain Sea is in chaos and risks being consumed by Dao Yan at any moment. I fear that the two of us alone lack the strength to stabilize it. We require the aid of the Four Saints of Gui Ming, though it would be unwise to turn to bloodshed,” Li Fan suggested calmly.

This sentiment resonated perfectly with Guardian Hill’s own thoughts.

Having spent countless eons together within the Xuanji Ring, some semblance of camaraderie still existed between them.

“The problem is, I don't know how to convince the Four Saints to help us rebuild Mountain Sea. If only the Xuanji Ring hadn't been lost,” Li Fan lamented, his brow furrowed in concern.

Lord Guardian Hill’s expression shifted slightly at those words.

He remained silent for a moment, weighing his thoughts carefully before speaking. “In truth, during the vast ages we spent within the Xuanji Ring, its power was actually invoked only a few times.”

“After witnessing the terrifying divine might of the Xuanji Ring just once, all the saints were paralyzed with fear. They dared not harbor any rebellious thoughts and were forced to follow the will of the Three Saints.”

Li Fan narrowed his eyes, immediately catching the implication behind Guardian Hill’s statement.

“The Xuanji Ring is shattered beyond repair. But if we can trick All Saints into believing it is still in our possession, can we manipulate them into returning to their positions?”

“Knowing them as I do, it should work. At the very least, they won't suspect a thing in the short term. That should give us enough time to work together to stabilize and reconstruct the failing state of Mountain Sea.”

“However, our imitation of the Xuanji Ring cannot be too obvious. If they see through the ruse immediately, our plan fails,” Lord Guardian Hill added slowly.

“Were there any remnants left behind when the Xuanji Ring was destroyed that day?” Li Fan inquired.

Lord Guardian Hill paused, searching through his memories.

Finally, he replied with a hint of uncertainty, “There likely are. We were so distraught by the fall of the Three Saints that we ignored the fragments. But since Mountain Sea still exists, the pieces of the Xuanji Ring must be hidden somewhere within it.”

“Then we have to locate them quickly. Also, I haven't seen any sign of the Taiwei Saint Emperor since I arrived. Do you know what became of him?” Li Fan asked suddenly.

Guardian Hill’s face darkened with sorrow. “The shock of the Three Saints' fall shook the very foundations of heaven and earth. Taiwei sensed the disturbance and, fearing a catastrophe on the Other Shore, rushed to investigate. He was ambushed by All Saints, who had just been freed from their shackles.”

“A calculated strike against an unsuspecting foe... He couldn't withstand them and was slain. With his death, the countless souls of the Taiwei Holy Dynasty were wiped out. That is why I went into hiding when you first appeared. After seeing their cruelty, I couldn't bear to be near them, yet I was powerless to stop it,” Guardian Hill sighed heavily.

Li Fan offered words of comfort: “Do not despair. I am here now, and I will set things right. We will return everything to its proper path. Once Mountain Sea is restored, the Taiwei Saint Emperor will be brought back. We will simply have to endure the surge of power from the reconnection of Mountain Sea once more.”

Guardian Hill gave a small nod, finding agreement in Li Fan’s promise.