My Longevity Simulation Chapter 1237: Borrowing Fortune to Devour the Heavenly Thought

“Mere words offer no substance. How can such a claim be substantiated?”

Despite Xu Ke already sensing the familiar aura emanating from the other party, the Xuanhuang evil thought sealed behind him was of paramount importance. Entrusting it to an unsuitable individual would invariably lead to calamitous consequences beyond imagination.

This was precisely the reason Xu Ke had dedicated so many years to its solitary sealing.

He had simply failed to discover anyone possessing both the capability and the trustworthiness required.

Observing Xu Ke’s extreme caution and his outright refusal, Li Ping did not display any anger. His laughter echoed continuously.

“It is not for me to provide proof to you, but for you to perceive the truth with your own eyes!”

As Li Ping uttered these words, the ceiling of the Holy Emperor’s throne hall, and indeed the very sky of the Great Qi small world, appeared to tear open.

Xu Ke’s vision was instantaneously transported back to the Xuanhuang Realm. Scene after scene unfolded before him in rapid succession.

Within the endless expanse of night, specks of golden light materialized from an unknown source, stirring intangible ripples across the dark, vast sea.

Suspended above this boundless ocean, golden chains formed a colossal net, crisscrossing the void. Within this golden lattice, sharp, unwilling, hate-filled laments resonated. A consciousness was being slowly, relentlessly worn away. At the heart of the golden luminescence, the Faceless Holy Emperor stood poised in the void, his aura exuding a cold, forbidding presence.

In a desolate prefecture, a potent heavenly might descended, bestowing its blessings upon the Faceless Holy Emperor. Close by his side, a shadowy, jet-black figure flickered in and out of existence. Though nothing tangible occupied the space before them, Xu Ke felt an instinctive sense of unease.

...

These swiftly flashing images collectively demonstrated the profound connection between the Faceless Holy Emperor before him and the Xuanhuang Heavenly Dao.

Concurrently, the Xuanhuang evil thought confined within the coffin behind Xu Ke thrashed with increased ferocity, as if yearning desperately to rejoin its origin. This essentially validated Xu Ke’s judgment.

Yet, for reasons unknown, a sense of hesitation continued to linger in Xu Ke’s heart.

“Could it be that I have been in proximity to this Xuanhuang evil thought for too long, and have been subconsciously influenced?” Xu Ke’s heart suddenly gave a jolt.

The depiction of the Faceless Holy Emperor was exceptionally righteous. Consequently, Xu Ke, finding himself on the opposing side, couldn't help but begin to question his own stance.

“The Xuanhuang evil thought has endured its sealing for an immense duration. It has neared the limit of what ordinary cultivators can manage. As it is intrinsically linked with the current Xuanhuang Heavenly Dao, its sudden return could precipitate extreme and unpredictable transformations within the Heavenly Dao itself.”

“Only by first subjugating it and then gradually eradicating the evil thought completely can the Dao be restored to Heaven. Throughout this undertaking, your assistance will likely still be required.” Following a brief period of tense silence, Holy Emperor Li Ping resumed speaking.

These words elicited diametrically opposed reactions within the Holy Emperor’s throne hall.

Xu Ke was filled with elation.

Conversely, the coffin lid behind him, after a moment of stillness, began to shake with even greater intensity.

Li Ping even perceived, on the pale figure’s countenance, a look radiating a venom a hundredfold more potent than before.

“Accompany me for the time being.”

Li Ping did not press Xu Ke to relinquish the Xuanhuang evil thought. Instead, he guided him to a specific vantage point high above the Great Qi small world.

“Do you perceive anything distinct in this location?”

“The emanations of the Xuanhuang evil thought are suppressed, rendered almost imperceptible. Not only the Xuanhuang evil thought, but this entire small world, and even the Xuanhuang Heavenly Dao itself…” A flicker of astonishment crossed Xu Ke’s eyes.

“This is the locus of the Grand Formation of the Myriad Spirits of Heaven and Earth. This formidable array seals the heavens and severs the earth. Let alone a world consciousness, even a True Immortal attempting descent would face significant resistance.” Li Ping stated in a tranquil manner.

Based on his recollection and comprehension, this formation could indeed impede the descent of a True Immortal to a considerable degree.

Although Xu Ke had existed for an extraordinarily long time, he had never actually witnessed the formidable power of a True Immortal. Consequently, he harbored no skepticism regarding Li Ping’s assertion.

“With this formation in place, even if it were to be released directly, escape would be rendered impossible.”

Xu Ke possessed a reasonable understanding of formations himself.

The more he scrutinized it, the more astounded he became.

This Grand Formation of the Myriad Spirits of Heaven and Earth was indeed as profound and magnificent as Li Ping had described.

“Had I possessed this formation in the past, I would not have needed to personally maintain its suppression for several millennia.” Amidst his astonishment, Xu Ke experienced a fleeting moment of bewildered contemplation.

After a thorough tour of the Myriad Spirits Grand Formation, Li Ping escorted Xu Ke to Yin Shangren’s current location.

The scene resembled a classroom bustling with diligent young students. Their innocent, pure visages drew Xu Ke’s thoughts back a thousand years, to the humble, dilapidated temple in Ningyuan City. The imagery from that time resonated somewhat with the scene before him, leaving Xu Ke momentarily dazed.

Yin Shangren’s reaction, however, proved rather disconcerting.

While imparting knowledge to the children, he abruptly ceased all movement, becoming completely still.

A moment of stillness passed, then he sprang to his feet, his gaze locked onto the coffin situated behind Xu Ke.

His form shuddered uncontrollably before it fractured, unveiling another entity that had been concealed all along.

All four of its eyes blazed with a greed previously unseen.

Xu Ke's brow furrowed slightly. That predatory stare made him profoundly uneasy.

What troubled him even more was the reaction of the Xuanhuang evil thought residing within the coffin behind him.

It had become eerily silent. The torrent of curses and insidious temptations that had continuously assailed Xu Ke's ears had abruptly ceased.

However, unlike the previous instance within the Grand Formation of the Myriad Spirits of Heaven and Earth, where the Xuanhuang evil thought itself seemed unfazed, this time it appeared startled, quieting down of its own accord.

After a brief interval, the Xuanhuang evil thought resumed its assault on the coffin lid, a clear assertion of its continued existence.

Yet, in Xu Ke's perception, its actions now seemed more like a desperate display.

Only when Li Ping's altered body positioned itself between Yin Shangren and the Xuanhuang evil thought did both entities revert to their previous states.

Yin Shangren's bifurcated form reintegrated, and he smirked, remarking, “I never would have imagined the formidable Xuanhuang Heavenly Dao would find itself in such a diminished condition.”

“Were my brethren to witness this, one can only speculate on their amusement.”

Yin Shangren licked his lips with anticipation. “I have consumed countless lesser world specters. Yet, the essence of a complete world consciousness remains an untasted delicacy. I am curious about its flavor.”

Xu Ke felt a tremor of dread at these words.

Instead, Li Ping’s voice resonated in his mind, relaying information about Yin Shangren’s origins.

“A remnant of a world devoured by the Xuanhuang Realm, a world specter that holds great reverence for Mr. Bai?”

Initially, Xu Ke harbored lingering doubts. But upon witnessing the white rib bone that Yin Shangren cherished, all uncertainty vanished.

Despite its appearance as a simple, unremarkable bone.

Xu Ke recognized it instantly as belonging to Mr. Bai.

Mr. Bai's smiling countenance flickered once more in Xu Ke’s memory, only to shatter into oblivion the next moment.

All that remained was this solitary white rib bone.

A profound wave of sorrow suddenly washed over Xu Ke.

Upon understanding Xu Ke’s deep connection to Mr. Bai, Yin Shangren shed his previously menacing demeanor, adopting a gentler expression.

His eyes, however, would occasionally drift towards the decaying coffin.

“With Yin Shangren present, even if it manages to break free from its confines, it will merely become a meal,” Li Ping stated calmly.

His emotions now more settled, Xu Ke finally accepted the identity and the grand design of this Faceless Holy Emperor.

The instant he relinquished the obsession that had long held him captive, Xu Ke experienced an unparalleled sense of liberation.

“I have endured for so long. From this point forward, let the Xuanhuang Realm manage its own affairs,” Xu Ke mused internally.

“What is it, are you also interested in that?” Yin Shangren inquired of Li Ping, a hint of surprise in his tone.

Li Ping briefly recounted the events that transpired in Luoyan Prefecture, adding, “It has been of immense assistance to me.”

Yin Shangren offered a shrug. “Then I shall not contend with you for it. Even if I were to consume it, it would merely serve to satiate my hunger momentarily before being naturally expelled.”

Li Ping remained silent, offering no reply.

“That silver needle…” Yin Shangren suddenly conjured an image, presenting it to Li Ping.

“Does it resemble this?”

Li Ping nodded affirmatively. “Why? Have you encountered it before?”

“It bears a semblance of familiarity, though it was a very long time ago,” Yin Shangren replied, his eyes narrowing as he delved into recollection.

“Indeed, ages ago, I observed it in this very vicinity. However, it was not I who saw it then, but rather a fragmented memory from a portion I had previously absorbed. Thus, the precise details are hazy. If you are curious, you may visit the location yourself. You might uncover something of value.”

Yin Shangren transmitted a set of coordinates to Li Ping.

As a world specter, he still possessed a faint, inherent connection to his original world. The location Yin Shangren conveyed corresponded precisely to the current positioning of the Xuanhuang Realm.

“I comprehend. Let us first resolve the immediate matter. With my current capabilities, even if I were to discover something significant, delving deeper would prove challenging,” Li Ping confessed with complete transparency.

“The Xuanhuang Realm is truly teeming with an excessive number of malevolent spirits and monstrous entities,” Yin Shangren remarked with a soft snort.

At this juncture, Li Ping turned his attention back to Xu Ke. “Yin Shangren and I intend to gather and inter Mr. Bai’s dispersed remains, ensuring his eternal peace. Following the conclusion of this current affair, if you are amenable, your assistance would be welcomed.”

Xu Ke’s agreement was immediate, devoid of any hesitation. His voice even carried a slight tremor as he responded, “Yes, gladly.”

Having successfully secured the cooperation of Xu Ke, the guardian, the next critical phase involved the liberation and assimilation of the Xuanhuang evil thought.

Despite his absolute confidence, Li Ping proceeded with meticulous caution.

He undertook comprehensive preparations for the impending task.

The subsequent day, a momentous announcement rippled through the entirety of the Holy Dynasty.

In seven days’ time, the Supreme Holy Emperor would bestow a significant act of grace.

Within these seven days, any citizen who offered sincere prayers would be granted a reward by the Holy Emperor.

The sincerity of one's heart would directly correlate to the generosity of the reward.

Praying to the Holy Emperor was already a customary practice for the inhabitants of Great Qi. With the Holy Emperor's explicit promise of rewards, who would dare to be remiss?

Consequently, a mere half-day after the imperial decree was issued, Li Ping sensed the fortune of the Holy Dynasty Great Qi consolidating to an unprecedented level.

Even the power of fortune within his own body, accumulated from the Qi of Heaven and Earth's myriad spirits, displayed a shift from purple hues toward a golden radiance.

“This approach,” Li Ping mused, “offers only a temporary effect and cannot be sustained indefinitely.”

“Should the promise be broken, a backlash is inevitable, potentially even leading to a decline in one's realm.”

Despite feeling his strength surge toward its zenith, Li Ping’s heart remained utterly tranquil.

Golden source power was unleashed as the collective will of the masses converged into a single point.

The Grand Formation of the Myriad Spirits of Heaven and Earth began its slow operation.

It effectively severed all external connections.

At this juncture, the Xuanhuang Realm could no longer perceive the Great Qi small world. Even Daoist Hundred Flowers, situated adjacent to it within the Five Elements Great Cave-Heaven, suddenly lost all contact with the Great Qi small world.

Had Li Ping not provided prior notification, Daoist Hundred Flowers might have mistaken this event for a catastrophic calamity befalling Great Qi.

The process of assimilating the Xuanhuang evil thought necessitated the isolation of the Xuanhuang Heavenly Dao from the perimeter.

Failure to do so could precipitate unforeseen consequences.

Seven days elapsed with startling swiftness.

Li Ping's condition, honed through seven days of preparation and anticipation, had attained its ultimate state.

Now, positioned at the core of the Myriad Spirits Grand Formation, Yin Shangren, Xu Ke, and Yi Shu formed a triangular arrangement.

Li Ping assumed a cross-legged posture in the air, precisely at the nexus of the trio.

As a component of the Taiyan Dao Deviation Stone, Yi Shu had, by natural inclination, perceived the anomalous shifts occurring within the Great Qi small world.

He had arrived of his own volition to ascertain the situation.

Li Ping, omitting no details, thoroughly explained the strategy for devouring the Xuanhuang evil thought.

Following a brief period of astonishment, Yi Shu immediately volunteered his assistance.

He further proposed that the Taiyan Sect and the Holy Dynasty Great Qi might forge even stronger collaborative ties in the future.

After careful deliberation, Li Ping gave his assent to Yi Shu's proposal.

Indeed, he had invited these three primarily for the sake of appearances.

Within the Grand Formation of the Myriad Spirits of Heaven and Earth, absolute command rested with him.

Provided Yi Shu maintained an appropriate demeanor, all would proceed smoothly. Should he exhibit any aberrant behavior, Li Ping possessed the ability to refine him with a mere thought, engulfing him alongside the Xuanhuang evil thought.

“Formation, commence!”

Li Ping's command resonated with cold finality.

The three individuals within the formation experienced a sudden disorienting shift in their surroundings.

Fleeting purple stellar points flickered intermittently across the expanse.

It felt as though they had been transported into the boundless void, detached from the tangible reality.

All three grew tense.

At this precise moment, Li Ping extended a delicate gesture toward the decaying wooden coffin situated nearby.

Without any dramatic sounds of destruction, the layered wooden seal dissolved like ethereal black smoke.

A figure gradually resolved from obscurity, materializing within the formation directly before Li Ping.

It bore no resemblance to the malevolent visage Li Ping had previously encountered.

The entity now presented was indistinguishable from the Mr. Bai of his recollections.

With a serene smile, it inquired, “Do you wish to consume me?”

Its gaze held no trace of animosity, only a profound sense of peace and acceptance.

“Mr. Bai?!” Xu Ke, unable to contain his shock, exclaimed.

It wasn't a matter of Xu Ke's composure; the figure before him bore an uncanny likeness to Mr. Bai.

Li Ping remained impassive, nodding calmly. “Precisely.”

“To be able to merge with me could be considered a fitting conclusion for your existence.”

These simple words caused the previously composed demeanor of the Xuanhuang evil thought to freeze abruptly.

“What are you?!”

The Xuanhuang evil thought, its disguise shattered, shrieked in palpable panic.

It instantaneously transmuted into a wisp of black Qi, hurtling toward Li Ping.

Yet, an insurmountable chasm appeared to separate it from Li Ping.

Despite its utmost efforts, it remained utterly incapable of approaching.

“How vexing.”

“Once you are merged with me, you shall comprehend my true nature.”

Li Ping cast a glance at the Xuanhuang evil thought.

An immense and formidable power descended from above.

It swiftly ensnared the black smoke into which the evil thought had transformed.

“The will of the myriad spirits of all beings, the grand millstone of heaven and earth!”

Li Ping’s voice was a soft chant. A vortex of purple-gold hues gradually formed directly overhead.