My Longevity Simulation Chapter 1104: Heaven and Man Follow Different Paths

"The journey from the initial reversal of heaven and earth's principles to fully succeeding in that reversal and gaining immortality lasted barely a decade."

"In typical scenarios, a Dao Integration cultivator couldn't even finish the opening phase of principle reversal, but this figure has already ascended."

"I nearly believe that this Rebirth Heavenly Sovereign hails from beyond our world, a mighty cultivator on the verge of the Longevity Immortal stage. That alone accounts for the effortless flow of events." A trace of dread laced Dharma-Transmitter Zhou's voice.

"From the outside?" Upon catching those words, Li Fan sank into a puzzling silence.

"Thank goodness, though, this Heavenly Sovereign shows no desire to meddle in the Xuanhuang Realm's disputes. Neither our side nor the Five Elders Association has witnessed any outreach from Him. We're still evaluating the impacts of this life-and-death reversal, but it's clear that both factions will grow far more hesitant about starting conflicts going forward." Dharma-Transmitter Zhou let out a sigh tinged with feeling.

Li Fan gave a nod of understanding. Don't let the idea of reversing life and death, complete with endless revivals, trick you into assuming boundless troops. The real hurdle is the duration needed for each comeback. At the same time, the Xuanhuang Realm's natural birth rate for new souls has dwindled to its lowest point.

When heavy losses strike, rebuilding demands an agonizingly drawn-out period. Plus, with more revivals piling up, the wait for each subsequent one is bound to stretch out. Short-term, no big problems arise. Yet if this drags on forever...

Li Fan broke in suddenly: "Fellow Daoist Zhou, there's no need to fret too much. If my memory serves, doesn't your Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance hold numerous cultivators in suppression, locked in eternal sleep? At a dire hour, freeing them could act as a desperate backup."

Li Fan meant the cultivators the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance had confined inside the Eternal Immortal Wall, among them those whose forms he'd once commandeered with the million gods and demons via the [Three Disasters and Hundred Tribulations Divine Clarity Method]. Most had forfeited their sense of self, left as hollow husks, yet they might still function as basic fodder in a pinch.

"I keep sensing something off about this Rebirth Heavenly Sovereign's true nature..."

"Maybe in the next existence, we can probe and confirm it side by side. For now, it'd just introduce pointless complications."

Li Fan's gaze shifted as he turned back to his schemes.

...

Days flew by, and soon enough, Anchor year 24 arrived.

At the Congyun Sea's border, Li Fan materialized without a sound and peered far ahead.

"Since I earlier faked the heaven's conversion last time, enraging the Heavenly Dao's awareness, this cycle's Crimson Flame Incinerating Sea disaster has jumped forward three years, and the Crimson Flame's ferocity has ramped up even more."

He squinted at that scarlet silhouette swaying with the breeze. It retained a hazy human shape, yet it differed from the aloof form holding a blaze he'd glimpsed previously. This time, the Crimson Flame perched in lotus position on flame-born lucky clouds, its stare brimming with murderous intent toward Congyun's inhabitants. A dragon-like serpent twisted around its frame, also locking eyes on the sea below like a hunter sizing up quarry.

All at once, it appeared to pick up on Li Fan's scrutiny and whipped around his way. Still, the arrays shielding Li Fan ensured it couldn't spot him.

"A fresh manifestation I've never encountered; clearly, my steady maneuvers across these years have roused suspicion and wariness in the Xuanhuang Heavenly Dao," Li Fan mused inwardly, amusement gleaming in his eyes. "Regrettably, though, unless I make a move, nobody here can guess my real intentions."

"Every bit of your struggle proves futile."

Li Fan let the Crimson Flame Incinerating the Sea unfold without interference; he just watched quietly from afar.

This round, he had zero plans to summon the Ink Death. As the mightiest of the Spirits of Heaven and Earth, its appearance would surely draw the gaze of every Longevity Immortal Heavenly Sovereign around. Even if Li Fan held no dread for them anymore.

However, the apocalypse-level setups he'd crafted weren't meant for open display. To keep the scheme of pitting tiger against wolf on track, staying under the radar remained the smart play for now.

Li Fan's visit to the Congyun Sea this day aimed solely to witness the precise shifts unfolding in the Xuanhuang Realm amid its self-cleansing. After delving deep into the Heavenly Doctor's Record of Mending the Heavens, Li Fan had unlocked a fresh perspective on the Crimson Flame Incineration Sea occurrence.

The Congyun Sea stemmed from the Heavenly Law Realm and stood apart from the Xuanhuang Realm's essence. As the realms merged, all sorts of "repulsion" clashes were inevitable. The odd happenings bursting out often in the Congyun Sea served as prime examples. The Crimson Flame's apparent doomsday rampage actually worked to smooth the Congyun Sea's integration into the Xuanhuang Realm.

"Viewing the same occurrence through human eyes versus the Heavenly Dao's lens reveals a world of difference."

"No good or evil exists here."

As the altered Crimson Flame steadily built its might, a barrier of containment started forming across the whole Congyun Sea's edge, aiming to trap all life within.

And right before this celestial cage locked in completely, Li Fan caught sight of a band of folks racing over the waves toward him. Upon hitting land at last, they ditched their vessel in haste and bolted away.

Heading the group was a face Li Fan knew: Zhang Haobo!

This lifetime, Li Fan had shared no ties with him. Yet through his subtle instincts and innate luck, Zhang Haobo had guided his loved ones and allies to safety just ahead of the catastrophe.

"Haobo, life was peaceful enough on Liuli Island. Why drag us from our home to this strange mainland?"

"Yeah, boss. I trust you completely and will stick by you always, but deep down, I'm totally puzzled."

...

Despite the questions from his companions, Zhang Haobo's face stayed steady. He merely spread out the chart, checked their spot, and steadily guided the group onward.

While moving, he remarked: "Didn't any of you sense the island's population thinning out recently? It started after that occasion when Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance immortals supposedly dropped by. It's not only our spot; surrounding isles and even the immortals are slipping away from the Congyun Sea on the sly."

"Something huge is brewing, no doubt," Zhang Haobo broke it down evenly. "Sticking around the Congyun Sea spells doom, so heading here offers a shot at survival."

His listeners still looked skeptical at that.

A few even piped up: "But word is that with the Heavenly Sovereigns' immense power, death just means revival for all? If we come back to life, why worry at all?"

Zhang Haobo gave a cold huff and skipped any reply.

"If you want to come along, do it. If not, the boat's back by the water; sail home whenever you like," he stated flatly.

The group went quiet then, too afraid to utter more.