My Simulated Road to Immortality Chapter 2258 - 1700: The Mountain Sea Potential Theory (Part 2)

Pointing toward the manifestation of potential they were both watching, he remarked, "With the Mountain Sea now fractured and chaos reigning, a chance to alter fate has emerged. To put it simply, potential acts as the soil's nutrients. While not strictly fixed in quantity, the speed at which it replenishes is incredibly sluggish. From the perspective of mortal beings, it appears 'finite.' Furthermore, the Mountain Sea is currently struggling just to survive; it lacks the strength to provide nourishment to the creatures living between the mountain and the sea."

"The surge in potential we see now is purely a result of the Mountain Sea’s disintegration and its own loss of essence."

Li Fan grasped the concept instantly. "So, this extra potential is derived from alternative possibilities that have already met their end."

In the beginning, Li Fan found it quite difficult to measure the potential concealed within these various possibilities.

However, while searching for suitable candidates with enlightenment talent, he observed that Lord Guardian Hill could often identify their target’s potential with a mere glance, maintaining an impressively high success rate.

Because of this, he decided to ask about it.

Since they were comrades in the quest for salvation, Lord Guardian Hill had no reservations about sharing this minor technique for discerning potential.

He provided Li Fan with a comprehensive explanation.

The technique was known as "Observing the Mountain Sea," and it enabled a practitioner to investigate potential stemming directly from the Mountain Sea’s veins.

By analyzing various manifestations, one could estimate the magnitude of that potential.

During the long years spent searching for assistance, Li Fan had already attained a respectable level of proficiency in this art.

"In theory, if the right techniques are applied, one could drain potential from multiple possibilities to nourish just a single one." While engaged in observation and meditation, Li Fan suddenly had an epiphany and voiced this thought.

Lord Guardian Hill was momentarily taken aback before nodding. "It is indeed possible. However..."

"There is little point in doing so."

"For beings like us, even if we originate from different possibilities, we are all born of the mountain and sea. There is no fundamental difference."

"Furthermore, potential is tied to the primordial power of the Mountain Sea. Forcing its movement might provoke a backlash from the Mountain Sea. While we Saints do not fear such things, we must worry that the already crumbling Mountain Sea could be further damaged."

The conversation ended there, and their focus returned to the Transcendent Cultivator they were monitoring.

This individual followed the Path of 'Ceaseless,' utilizing the 'All of Me Return as One' methodology.

Amidst the apocalypse of the Mountain Sea, the world was filled with both lethal dangers and sudden, explosive opportunities.

The destruction of so many possibilities meant that the requirements for the 'Ceaseless' to achieve unity were reduced to only a few instances across the entire Mountain Sea.

In just a hundred years, the 'Ceaseless' had traversed a distance on the path of Cultivation that most transcendent beings could not finish in a lifetime.

"Much like morality itself, these unique times have forged a singular entity within the Mountain Sea."

"Even though the lack of replenishment in other timelines will surely result in a weaker True Spirit."

"With my help, however, everything will be perfectly fine!"

"The moment has arrived, Guardian Hill. We must act. The state of the Mountain Sea is becoming more precarious by the second; we can wait no longer."

Li Fan spoke with absolute certainty.

Guardian Hill gave a slight nod, and the two moved in perfect synchronization.

With a flash of movement, Li Fan appeared right next to the 'Ceaseless' within the realm of possibilities.

Looking down from above, he wore a mysterious smile: "Young friend, a magnificent fortune is being granted to you this day!"

Having said that, he made a gentle downward motion with his hand.

Caught off guard by this sudden event, the 'Ceaseless' looked shocked. He instinctively tried to fight back, but he was completely paralyzed under Li Fan’s overwhelming pressure.

He could only submit as Li Fan began the infusion.

Slowly, the dread on the face of the 'Ceaseless' faded away, replaced by a look of pure ecstasy.

Closing his eyes, he entered a state of deep enlightenment, waiting for the final step to occur.

At the same time, outside the Mountain Sea, Guardian Hill charged forward to distract the Gui Ming Four Saints.

Wielding the Lianshan Staff, the Sea Returning Shovel, and the All Living Beings Stick, he engaged the Four Saints in a brutal struggle.

These Three Treasures had recovered some of their power after years of rest.

Nevertheless, they were still far from their original peak strength.

It was only a matter of time before Guardian Hill began to lose ground.

His only goal was to keep the Four Saints occupied until the new Saint of the 'Ceaseless' was successfully born.

Li Fan was an expert in the craft of producing Saints.

And the 'Ceaseless' was a once-in-an-era genius who had appeared brilliantly at the very end of the Mountain Sea's life.

Without any complications, a strange ripple soon washed over the Mountain Sea.

A new Saint had ascended.

"This is bad!"

Realizing what was happening, the Gui Ming Four Saints prepared to leave Guardian Hill behind and rush to eliminate the newborn Saint.

In that heartbeat, Li Fan had already finished exchanging information with the 'Ceaseless.'

The 'Ceaseless' felt profound gratitude toward the senior who had guided him to sainthood.

In contrast, the Gui Ming Four Saints were enemies who wanted him dead without hesitation. It was obvious which side he would choose.

"Guardian Hill, return!"

Li Fan’s voice boomed, echoing through the ruins of the Mountain Sea and into the great void.

The Lianshan Staff, one of the Three Treasures, suddenly erupted with light, shielding Guardian Hill as he made his retreat.

"We request the Xuanji Ring!"

Li Fan and Guardian Hill spoke the words together in a heavy tone.

Immediately, under the watchful eyes of the Four Saints, a familiar white ring manifested in their path.

The Four Saints, who were racing toward the Mountain Sea, came to a dead stop.

Gazing at the reappearance of the Xuanji Ring, they were filled with sheer terror.

They had been imprisoned within that ring for countless ages; they knew its terrifying power better than anyone.

An instinctive dread took hold of them.

Li Fan, Guardian Hill, and the newly ascended Saint of the 'Ceaseless' took their designated positions within the Xuanji Ring.

In an instant, they shared a single heart and mind, their thoughts becoming perfectly unified.

"So, the original Three Saints who sat here held such a deep secret."

Bathed in the white glow of the Xuanji Ring, Li Fan’s expression became dark and complicated.

Guardian Hill and the 'Ceaseless' should have been concentrating on fixing the Xuanji Ring and preparing for the Four Saints' attack.

Yet, at that moment, those tasks seemed to mean nothing to them.

They only looked toward Li Fan.

"Refine every one of the Gui Ming Four Saints. Return the Great Dao to the truth and gather more knowledge. It may provide unexpected help to the True Realm." These words did not come from Li Fan.

They came from none other than Lord Guardian Hill!

The 'Ceaseless' nodded his head in agreement. "Indeed, it isn't wise for the Mountain Sea to come back. By absorbing the remaining Saints, even Guardian Hill can sense the subtle shifts in your Qi. The Three Saints would certainly notice as well. Navigating the ancient Mountain Sea without knowing its secrets is dangerous. Do not go alone. Retreat to the True Realm first, then blend in among the Saints. Use the collective power of the many to find the truth."

"The Lianshan Staff, Sea Returning Shovel, and All Living Beings Stick are unique treasures of the Mountain Sea. Once the Four Saints are refined, we will help you analyze them. If they can be mastered and kept within the True Realm, they will be invaluable strategic assets in the next life."

"Then there is the Xuanji Ring. Once everything is settled, there is no need to rush back to the True Realm. Let us combine our strength to understand it together. If the help of the Lianshan Staff and the other treasures isn't needed in the next life, you might be able to recreate it on your own..."

"That would save a great deal of trouble."

Guardian Hill spoke these shocking words after a moment of reflection.

The secret of the True Realm had been exposed, yet Li Fan didn't show the panic one might expect.

Instead, he was filled with boundless joy.

"Xuanji, Xuanji... it truly lives up to its reputation."

"I finally see why the Three Saints of Lian Mountain were always of one mind, acting as a single being."

"Incredible, truly incredible!"

"It is indeed remarkable." Both Lord Guardian Hill and the 'Ceaseless' agreed.

The moment the three of them took their seats in the Xuanji Ring, many unexpected things happened for Li Fan.

Li Fan had significantly underestimated the Xuanji Ring, especially the power of 'sharing a common heart and mind.'

This was particularly true this time, given their joint effort in its creation and their status as the first to occupy the seats.

Sharing a common heart meant that the memories and emotions of all three were completely merged.

They had essentially become a single entity.

From that point forward, every thought and decision they made would be for the benefit of this unified whole.

If Li Fan didn't have the support of the True Realm and was merely pretending to be a villain, he would have clashed violently with the moral compass of the righteous Guardian Hill.

They would have had to resolve that internal conflict before they could truly act as one.

But...

Li Fan was backed by the immense power of the True Realm!

Guardian Hill's goal was to save the Mountain Sea.

From a logical standpoint, the stronger Li Fan became, the better the chances of saving the Mountain Sea were.

As for the Mountain Sea in this current life...

Whether it was the Saints or the Mountain Sea itself—

They were all merely useful resources!