My Longevity Simulation Chapter 1266: Stealing the Power of the Darkness

Li Fan let out a sigh, compelled to temporarily halt the operation of the Boundless Mirror.

He casually propelled forth another mass of source power essence, pulling the spirit of the Boundless Mirror back from the precipice of demise.

The source power essence currently amassed on his person had been meticulously gathered from the day and night supplications of the hundred members of the You Clan, toiling within the subterranean blood pool chamber of the Sun family during this ongoing period.

A portion of this essence had already been expended when he lured out the obliterating wind calamity that lay dormant within the Boundless Mirror.

Furthermore, some more was subsequently utilized to mend both the Boundless Mirror and Li Fan’s own clone.

What remained was quite limited.

Li Fan diligently calculated the consumption rate of the source power essence. "It's just sufficient. There's no need for another expedition."

"It's just that…"

Li Fan's gaze casually drifted towards the heart of this eerily silent, desolate small world.

"Hmph. Regardless of your illustrious origins in life, you are now naught but a skull. And you still dare to display audacity before me…" Li Fan stood with his hands clasped behind his back. With a mere flicker of his intention, a containment formation materialized instantly.

It ensnared the very space where the golden skull resided, effectively sealing it off.

"I shall attend to you in the subsequent cycle of existence."

This time, Li Fan harbored no intention of delving deeper into the mysteries of the golden skull.

His primary objective was to deconstruct the world protection formation present here, then to journey back to the Xuanhuang Realm and meticulously retrace the sequence of events from their outcomes to pinpoint the concealed world protection formation.

Under the revitalizing influence of the source power essence, Sun Luyao gradually stirred back to consciousness, emerging from his state of oblivion.

"Rest for a while longer, then we shall resume," Li Fan stated calmly.

The possibility of him, the mirror spirit, being erased and replaced by the consciousness of another cultivator was not beyond the realm of possibility.

"This ordeal may inflict pain upon you, but in a broader perspective, it represents a crucial form of tempering. As the adage goes, iron is refined through a thousand fires, and steel is forged through ten thousand trials. You were once an ordinary individual who, by sheer fortune, became the spirit guiding the Boundless Mirror. You have witnessed its current performance; it falters and nearly collapses merely from analyzing a sliver of information. How can such an entity be worthy of the designation 'immortal artifact'?"

"While it is true that the Boundless Mirror is damaged and incomplete, a significant contributing factor to its current state is your own inherent weakness as its spirit," Li Fan proclaimed, his voice resonating with gravity.

These pronouncements filled Sun Luyao with profound shame.

"This source power essence is a treasure that even Longevity Immortals would covet relentlessly. To expend it upon you can only be deemed a complete squandering of resources. Yet, I persist in doing so…" Li Fan's tone softened, becoming more ethereal.

"Between the precipice of life and the abyss of death lies immense terror, but also unparalleled opportunity. Absorb its lessons profoundly."

With these words, Li Fan once more guided the Boundless Mirror, directing its focus towards analyzing the residual fragments of the formation concealed beneath the world's desolation.

Sun Luyao experienced a renewed sensation of rapidly diminishing vitality, yet spurred by Li Fan’s earlier admonishments, he exerted his will to remain vigilant and preserve the sharpness of his mind.

"I must not betray Senior's expectations."

Vivid recollections of his past encounters with Li Fan flooded his consciousness. The assistance Li Fan had consistently provided was undeniable, yet Sun Luyao felt he had never truly contributed anything in return. Now, presented with a genuine opportunity to reciprocate, he resolutely vowed not to falter.

Moreover, he acknowledged the undeniable truth in Li Fan’s words.

Through repeated confrontations with the edge of oblivion, his core consciousness had undergone a steady and significant strengthening. The progress achieved over these past few days dwarfed the decades he had spent in seclusion within the Sun family’s chambers.

As his emotions surged with renewed purpose, the initially wavering, dim luminescence stabilized once more.

Observing this change, Li Fan offered a slight nod of acknowledgment.

Within the confines of the Holy Dynasty.

Residing upon the imperial throne, Li Ping had successfully concluded the intricate process of replicating and implanting ten distinct clusters of the Xuanhuang Heavenly Dao aura.

However, as a consequence of prolonged and uninterrupted exertion, the creature known as Cat Treasure had experienced an emotional breakdown and had utterly ceased its cooperation, initiating a complete strike.

Irrespective of the enticements offered in the form of source power essence, it remained unresponsive, deeply immersed in a profound slumber.

The Holy Emperor found himself compelled to institute a temporary cessation of operations.

His gaze then shifted, directed towards the central four prefectures that constituted the heart of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance.

"The departure phenomenon, the 'rainbow light,' from the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance should be prepared by now."

Following the recent advantages gleaned from comprehending the true essence of the Star Sea origin, the Heavenly Dao consciousness of the Xuanhuang Realm had begun to exhibit signs of agitation, instinctively seeking to re-establish its connection and hitch another ride.

But Li Ping intervened, halting its predetermined course.

A premonition struck the Holy Emperor’s heart, forewarning him that the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance’s upcoming expedition would not proceed with the ease he experienced.

While his personal foresight offered advantages the alliance lacked, a more critical factor was the expedition’s composition: an assembly of Dao Integration cultivators without a single individual possessing sufficient authority to truly command and subdue the others.

Within the Xuanhuang Realm, the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance adhered to a strict hierarchy. However, traversing the star sea, particularly in dire circumstances, rendered such rankings uncertain and prone to disregard.

“Daoyuan prefecture, Lan Yu.”

“Liuguang prefecture, Jin Ri.”

[T/N:- (Lan Yu) = Blue Feather, (Jin Ri) = Golden Sun]

…

The roster of Dao Integration cultivators participating in this venture was public knowledge.

Perusing these names, the Holy Emperor couldn’t help but let out a soft sigh.

“The demise of dozens of Dao Integration cultivators would undeniably serve the interests of both the Xuanhuang Heavenly Dao and the Holy Dynasty.”

“It is merely a pity…”

Despite his internal reflections, the Holy Emperor would never falter with misplaced compassion to halt their journey.

He merely awaited their departure.

Furthermore, perhaps among them were individuals blessed with extraordinary fortune, destined to survive the perils of the star sea and ultimately achieve enlightenment.

Even an attempt to dissuade them would likely be perceived as an obstruction, inevitably forging an irreconcilable rift.

Five days passed, and a seven-hued rainbow light ascended into the heavens, observed by all cultivators of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance.

Compared to their previous endeavor, this departure appeared considerably more organized. The distinct colors diverged, eventually dissolving into the vast, inky blackness of the star sea.

Li Ping watched their ascent, offering a silent moment of commiseration.

Seven days later, the Holy Emperor’s countenance shifted dramatically.

He immediately proceeded to the secluded domain inhabited by the You Clan.

Under the dominion of the Holy Dynasty, the You Clan had been broadly categorized into three distinct factions, each fulfilling a specific role.

The most substantial faction lived solely to offer unending praise for the Holy Emperor’s benevolence, from the moment of their birth until their final breath. This group was cultivated through interbreeding with extraordinary beasts, possessing incredibly brief lifespans and reproductive cycles. akin to crops, they were repeatedly harvested and endlessly replenished.

The second faction, of moderate size, experienced significantly more favorable conditions. They were afforded ample rest daily and were even permitted to peruse various texts. As indigenous members of the You Clan, some were selected for participation in advanced augmentation experiments.

As for the third group, the smallest and most unique, they could be regarded as the most pristine and ancestralYou Clan. They continued to venerate the great Dark Sea and maintained their time-honored traditions. However, existing under the rule of the Holy Dynasty, they were compelled to heed Li Ping’s directives. Even the internal discourse regarding the supremacy of the Holy Emperor versus the Dark Sea had reached a consensus.

The Holy Emperor was deemed the corporeal manifestation of the Dark Sea’s will. The Holy Emperor, the Dark Sea, and the progenitor of the You Clan were united as one indivisible entity. Though the doctrine was somewhat rudimentary, it effectively neutralized potential discord arising from Li Ping’s involvement and brought stability to the clan.

“We humbly greet the Holy Emperor.”

Upon beholding Li Ping, the clan leader of the You Clan immediately prostrated himself and performed a deep kowtow.

Prior to this development, as Li Ping had not instituted any stringent mandates, these You Clan members were not required to kneel in his presence. However, since the establishment of the new doctrine, various formal rituals had been integrated into the You Clan’s customs. Even the clan chief was obliged to adhere to these protocols. Li Ping chose to permit their practices.

“Unseal the passage to the Nether Realm,” Li Ping commanded sternly, his gaze fixed upon the kneeling You Clan members below.

The You Clan commenced their actions. Amidst arcane and ancient incantations, a portal gradually materialized.

Li Ping was the first to enter.

The instant he crossed the threshold, he was engulfed by an immeasurable void.

Yet, Li Ping did not falter, accelerating towards the direction his senses indicated.

Stealthily, he drew ever nearer.

The object of his focused perception was, naturally, the profound cultivation technique capable of amplifying a cultivator’s source power output — a technique he had previously disseminated to the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance under the guise of the Lingyuan Sect’s leader.

In matters of resource acquisition, the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance demonstrated an astonishing level of effectiveness.

Li Ping could now perceive substantial quantities of distinct source power, meticulously condensed and compressed, flowing into this abyssal expanse.

Paradoxically, however, such immense and formidable energy failed to provoke even the slightest disturbance within this realm.

It remained unclear whether the Dark Sea itself was of unfathomable immensity, or if some entity residing within its depths was silently consuming all ripples of activity.

As he approached his objective, Li Ping deliberately reduced his speed.

Despite possessing absolute confidence in his own might, meticulous caution remained essential. He cloaked his aura and proceeded with stealth.

Thump.

Thump.

Within the oppressive silence of the Dark Sea, where sound should have been nonexistent, intermittent, dull impacts began to resonate.

These thuds, akin to a colossal drum being struck with immense force, caused even the Holy Emperor’s heart to thrum in response.

Li Ping grew grave.

His qi and blood were now perfectly unified. Even assaults from the Longevity Immortal Realm might struggle to unsettle him. Yet, this simple, muffled sound introduced unsettling fluctuations within him.

“This phenomenon is not external; it originates from the Dark Sea’s inherent rhythm itself,” he concluded swiftly.

Instead of opposing the resonance, Li Ping paused, aligning his own heartbeat with the Dark Sea’s cadence.

As if he had become one with the profound darkness, his unease dissipated entirely.

Only then did Li Ping advance. Before long, he “perceived,” or rather sensed, the genesis of the dull impacts.

Resembling a deflated balloon, or perhaps the Great Rift Vortex of the Xuanhuang Realm, a small fissure had opened in the Dark Sea ahead. Through this breach, surging, compressed source power was violently inundating the area. Under the Dark Sea’s natural repulsion, a sliver of dark power was being siphoned away through the channel created by the opposing forces.

Li Ping halted his approach, observing from a distance with an increasingly solemn expression.

“Magnificent,” was his assessment after a considerable duration.

The Dark Sea's power and the influx of compressed source power had achieved a state of perfect equilibrium.

The source power could not fully breach the Dark Sea, nor was the Dark Sea’s retaliatory force fully engaged.

Within this peculiar balance, a form of exchange between source power and dark power was being facilitated.

It was crucial to recognize that the Dark Sea was in a perpetual state of flux.

This implied that the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance’s output of source power required constant, corresponding adjustments. Any disruption to this delicate balance would immediately provoke a violent reprisal from the Dark Sea.

The Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance had evidently sustained this arrangement for an extended period, their investigation into the Dark Sea having clearly attained an exceptional level of proficiency.

“The Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance indeed harbors exceptionally capable individuals,” Li Ping couldn't help but comment.

Given their millennia-long dominion over half of the Xuanhuang Realm, possessing such a formidable strategic advantage was hardly surprising.

“Compared to the dark power that typically leaks into various regions of the Xuanhuang Realm, this extracted dark power is significantly more stable.”

“And considerably easier to harness.”

Having observed for additional time, Li Ping began to grasp the underlying mechanism.

“The precise reason for the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance’s extensive efforts to extract this stable dark power remains elusive.”

However, this uncertainty did not deter Li Ping’s resolve.

While the Dark Sea maintained the stability of the Xuanhuang Realm, the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance’s appropriation of its power constituted a profound defiance of natural order.

As the very embodiment of the Xuanhuang Heavenly Dao, Li Ping could not permit this transgression.

Yet, he refrained from immediate action.

Firstly, the intricate balance, if carelessly disturbed, risked inciting even greater turmoil within the Dark Sea.

Secondly, halting the extraction alone would merely address the immediate issue, not the fundamental problem. Li Ping’s objective was a definitive resolution, eradicating the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance’s ongoing pilfering.

The Holy Emperor demonstrated remarkable patience.

After observing the scene for over a month, he first retreated to the Holy Dynasty.

Subsequently, he brought nearly a hundred members of the original You Clan back to this location.

“Unacceptable! What utter sacrilege this is!”

From the You Clan chief’s gestures, Li Ping could discern his profound outrage.

The other You Clan members, witnessing their sacred Dark Sea being plundered, were similarly consumed by intense hatred. Had Li Ping not shielded them, their potent emotional surges would have already triggered a chaotic outburst.

“We are here to rectify this matter.”

“These blasphemers shall be put to death.”

Li Ping’s intent was conveyed directly into the minds of the You Clan.

They immediately resumed their kneeling posture, their faces etched with unwavering determination. In a secluded area, unnoticed by the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, the You Clan commenced an ancient rite.

This was a method passed down through ages, designed to commune with the very essence of the Dark Sea.

Li Ping intended for them to draw the attention of the Dark Sea’s origin.

Although the current disturbance appeared significant, in the context of the vast expanse of darkness, it was comparable to a minor puncture.

As long as the equilibrium remained unbroken, it would not attract the attention of the Dark Sea’s core.

This was the very reason the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance could continuously abscond with dark power.

However, with the You Clan’s ritual serving as a beacon, the situation was poised to change. Even if it did not immediately repel the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, the abrupt shift in repulsive forces would be sufficient to shatter the existing balance.