My Longevity Simulation Chapter 1050: Enlightenment of Grand Mage

The paper person manifested without warning when Li Fan attempted to use the Seven-Colored Jade Void Glimmering Light—now contaminated by gray mold spots—to corrode the Du'e Book.

According to the paper person's own explanation, its appearance was triggered by a specific warning mechanism.

It appeared the Du'e Sect had no intention of completely abandoning the mortal plane after their transformation into paper persons.

These paper entities kept watch over the Xuanhuang Realm; whenever an external threat surpassed a certain limit, the alarm system would activate.

The number of awakened paper persons was directly proportional to the severity of the crisis.

Because the gray mold spots released by Li Fan remained trapped within the seven-colored divine light, only a faint trace of its aura had leaked out, which was just enough to wake a single paper person.

Nevertheless, once this entity assessed the current state of both the Du'e Book and the Xuanhuang Realm, the question remained: would it summon the rest of its dormant kin?

Judging by the numerous chaotic ripples that had pulsed from the Du'e Book moments earlier, the answer was clearly yes.

Some form of constraint seemed to be in effect, as after a period of deliberation, the majority of the Du'e Sect's paper persons opted to return to their sleep.

Only the one identifying as "Dan Xuan" stayed behind, taking full responsibility for communicating with Li Fan.

As the one carrying the burden of the Du'e Sect's survival, Dan Xuan's position was clearly of great importance.

However, despite his clever schemes, he found himself constantly retreating and compromising when faced with Li Fan's frequent threats to destroy the world.

This was because Dan Xuan could sense that every flicker of Li Fan's killing intent was genuine.

Li Fan truly did not care about his own existence or the lives of everyone in the Xuanhuang Realm; he was fully prepared to drag the entire world into ruin with him.

Dan Xuan felt completely powerless against such an utterly irrational "madman."

Sensing that Li Fan's dangerous impulses were resurfacing, Dan Xuan hurriedly manifested again to begin his persuasion.

"You people drag your feet even when tasked with finding a single person. It seems your Du'e Sect doesn't truly care about the Xuanhuang Realm after all," Li Fan sneered with mockery.

The face of the paper person, Dan Xuan, twisted into a knot of frustration: "Young friend, I have explained this many times. It is not a lack of will, but a lack of ability. We never anticipated that the Xuanhuang Realm would expand so drastically during our slumber."

"Too many blind spots have appeared. Consequently, the monitoring system of the Du'e Book has been compromised. We can still inspect a specific paper person if you provide a designation, but to survey the entire realm..."

Dan Xuan's body gave a slight shake: "Unless we fill those newly formed regions with more paper persons."

Li Fan met Dan Xuan's excuses with a look of total disbelief.

"Young friend, your desire for vengeance against Dharma King Mo and the Xuantian Treasure Mirror is understandable."

"However, in this world, perhaps no one understands the terror of the Xuantian Sect better than the Elders of our Ten Great Immortal Sects. In those days, we would have stood no chance of victory without the assistance of the Heavenly Capital Grand Mage."

"The legacy of the Immortal Realm's orthodox Dao is not something the techniques native to our Xuanhuang Realm can hope to match."

As if remembering the overwhelming power the Xuantian Sect once wielded, Dan Xuan’s paper frame trembled slightly.

"Losing to them..."

"Is no disgrace. Young friend, there is no need to dwell on it so heavily. Of course, if you are determined to have your revenge..."

Dan Xuan hesitated before offering the same suggestion he had proposed several times: "Why not invite the Heavenly Capital Grand Mage to intervene? He would certainly find the remnants of the Xuantian Sect very interesting."

Dan Xuan's voice remained as earnest as ever, as though he were genuinely looking out for Li Fan's best interests.

"Someone who values trash like your Du'e Sect cannot be that powerful." With a single remark, Li Fan caused Dan Xuan to instantly lose his cool.

Yet, his mental Cultivation was deep; he regained his composure almost immediately.

Ignoring Li Fan's contempt and scorn, he continued his attempt to persuade him.

"Our skills were lacking, and we failed to inherit the Grand Mage's divine power; that is only to be expected. But the fact that the Grand Mage could fight the Xuantian King to a standstill is proof enough of his strength."

Li Fan continued his mockery: "Based on the evidence I've found, the Heavenly Capital Grand Mage was severely injured in that battle and has been hiding to recover ever since. Has he still not healed?"

"Every so often, the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance's Yuandao Prefecture is consumed for a decade. That is his doing."

Dan Xuan was momentarily dazed: “It has already been ten years?”

He then shook his head vigorously and clarified: “I do not know where you heard such things; it is completely incorrect. The Grand Mage did not enter seclusion because of wounds, but because of enlightenment in the Dao!”

“Enlightenment in the Dao?” Li Fan's eyes narrowed slightly.

“Indeed. The closer one gets to the Immortal Ruins above, the slower time flows. The Grand Mage told us back then that this is a spatiotemporal anomaly caused by immortals achieving enlightenment in the Dao. If one has sufficient talent, they can use this anomaly to reverse-engineer the immortals' own enlightenment.” Dan Xuan’s voice held a trace of sadness.

“However, none of the cultivators from our Ten Great Immortal Sects were capable of this resonant enlightenment in the Dao. Only the Grand Mage himself...”

“The so-called lost decade in the Yuandao Prefecture was merely the manifestation of time slowing to its limit. That must have been an accidental influence on the world while the Grand Mage was undergoing enlightenment in the Dao. Before we slept, the Grand Mage's domain of enlightenment affected less than a year. It appears he has made significant progress in his enlightenment in the Dao over these years.”

Li Fan processed Dan Xuan's words before letting out a cold sneer: “The Grand Mage is so mighty, yet when disaster strikes the Xuanhuang Realm, why don't you go to him? Instead, some of you run away while others hide like cowards?”

Dan Xuan looked as if he were choking, rendered speechless by the discomfort of the question.

After a long silence, he finally spoke in a dejected tone: “Perhaps the Grand Mage simply does not care if we live or die. We tried to reach him once, but there was no response at all.”

“He didn't answer then, but he will now? And you keep pushing me to find him...”

“You truly have hidden motives.” The killing intent that had started to fade from Li Fan's eyes returned.

Dan Xuan protested loudly: “That was a different era! Is it not a perfectly normal reaction to want to contact the Grand Mage immediately upon waking up?”

“Enough talk!”

Li Fan's patience was gone. Forced by the [Nothingness] Character Script, Dan Xuan was pulled back into the Du'e Book.

“If you change your mind, young friend, just call for me. I truly mean you no harm! The Grand Mage is a benevolent soul...”

Dan Xuan's voice was suddenly cut off.

Li Fan sealed the Du'e Book once more and sank into thought.

“How curious. Regarding the battle between the Xuantian King and the Heavenly Capital Grand Mage, the Xuantian Sect and the Ten Great Immortal Sects each have their own story.”

“Each side claims the other was mortally wounded, while insisting their own leader achieved a breakthrough during the clash.”