My Longevity Simulation Chapter 1277: A True Immortal Hidden in the Dark Sea

A potent killing intent, so thick it felt solid, surged towards the Holy Emperor, only to be nullified by the golden light emanating from before him.

Once Mo Rubin's intense rage seemed to lessen, Li Ping spoke in a measured tone, "I can discern that your anger isn't genuine."

"Are you still pretending in front of me? Or has the role become so ingrained that you too are lost within it?"

"Observe. True fury manifests like this."

The Holy Emperor abruptly advanced. A formidable power billowed from his foot, spreading outwards. The brilliance of the white jade banner pole thrashed wildly, resembling a decrepit willow swaying in the wind.

However, this unleashed energy rapidly diminished upon exiting the circle of light and entering the Dark Sea.

Gentle undulations rippled across the tranquil Dark Sea, neutralizing all disturbances as if pacifying the incensed Holy Emperor.

"I have no need for your tutelage. My understanding of this place surpasses yours!"

Mo Rubin's form materialized instantly behind Li Ping. A shadow, akin to a venomous serpent poised to strike, lay concealed beneath the jade banner pole's white luminescence, baring its fangs at Li Ping's throat.

Cracks immediately spiderwebbed across the golden armor encasing the Holy Emperor. From an opening at its core, a dark line shot forth, aimed directly at Li Ping's neck.

Just as the attack was imminent, Li Ping raised his hand to intercept.

Gazing at the struggling shadow ensnared within his grasp, Li Ping remarked drily, "Another facet of your personality? This one bears a striking resemblance to you."

Having spoken, he did not obliterate the ambushing shadow but instead released it back towards Mo Rubin. Yet, Mo Rubin himself had already relinquished the white jade banner. Seizing the opportune moment, he vanished from his position.

Li Ping gave a slight shake of his head. That earlier maneuver with his foot had not been in vain. Following the faint residual trace of his perception, he propelled himself through the Dark Sea in pursuit of Mo Rubin.

Mo Rubin's trajectory seemed to be heading towards the very fissure from which the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance was drawing dark power.

"So, you've acquired some minor skill and presume to boast before me?"

"Do you truly believe I am unaware that the Dark Sea encompasses all things, that even a cultivator's fleeting emotions create ripples eventually swallowed by the darkness?"

"And yet you claim to have peered into my heart?"

Numerous visages of Mo Rubin flickered within the darkness, materializing intermittently to taunt Li Ping.

Despite their varied intonations, each one dissolved into the Dark Sea subsequent to uttering its words.

Since these illusory faces posed no direct threat, Li Ping disregarded them, maintaining his rapid advance.

The cacophony of voices persisted.

"Who am I, truly? I am the foremost genius of the Nine Refinements Temple, destined for immortality. I am also one of the Twelve Dharma Kings of the Xuantian Sect, instrumental in Xuanyuan Hong's endeavor to establish the Xuantian Sect and unify the Xuanhuang Realm."

"Does this dictate that I must perpetually present the same facade? Must the apex genius always maintain composure? Must a Dharma King invariably meticulously plan each move?"

"Incorrect, incorrect, incorrect! My laughter and my rage are both intrinsically me. My arrogance is me. My unrestrained spirit is also me!"

"With an immortal heart guiding these demonic visages, I manifest whatever persona is required at any given instant."

"Towards those who feign, I reciprocate their pretense. Towards those consumed by fear, I instill dread. Towards the malevolent, I align myself with their actions."

"And for an individual such as yourself, a rigid adherent to righteousness, you certainly deserve to be jolted into awareness!"

"Who do you fancy yourself to be? You haven't even breached the Immortal Realm, yet you harbor delusions of saving the world!"

More faces materialized, spewing venomous invectives at the Holy Emperor.

Yet, his expression remained utterly unchanged.

His gaze penetrated the veils of darkness. Not far ahead, Mo Rubin's genuine countenance was equally serene.

A powerful surge from the Dark Sea intercepted Mo Rubin's progression.

He abruptly halted, tilting his head upwards towards the sky.

A rift continuously expelled torrents of dark power in rhythmic pulses, reminiscent of a powerful, steady heartbeat.

"What an irksome impediment."

"With so many hindrances weighing things down, how can any aspiration ever reach fruition?"

Another shadowy countenance appeared directly above Li Ping, its tone placid yet brimming with genuine killing intent.

"I once attempted to utilize the Dark Sea's power to seal that particular rift, but I was thwarted by an 'eyeball'."

"Does that peculiar eyeball belong to the Xuantian King?"

The Holy Emperor moved to stand beside Mo Rubin, placing a hand on his shoulder and transmitting his words telepathically.

Mo Rubin did not turn. A face materialized on the rear of his head, regarding Li Ping with unmistakable disdain.

"Do you truly believe that Brother Xuanyuan would engage in such a scheme?"

Li Ping remained impassive, continuing his inquiry, "Then, how is it that this eyeball possesses the ability to command the Dark Sea's power?"

The face vanished.

"Are you aware of the fundamental nature of this Dark Sea?" Mo Rubin inquired.

"A grand formation?" Li Ping ventured after a brief period of contemplation.

"How incredibly naive," Mo Rubin scoffed. "The formation is merely a superficial layer. That which genuinely engenders this convergence of darkness and enables the Xuanhuang Realm to resist the gravitational pull from the ruins of the ascension passage is..."

He suddenly ceased speaking.

"Do you possess a desire to ascertain this?" he queried playfully.

"Yes," Li Ping responded in a matter-of-fact tone.

Mo Rubin’s interest waned, and his tone shifted back to ordinary.

“Only a True Immortal’s power can contend against a True Immortal.”

“The calamitous event of the Darkest Star Sea originated from a Dao-attaining True Immortal. Therefore, the power that enabled the Xuanhuang Realm’s escape must also stem from another True Immortal.”

These pronouncements struck the Holy Emperor’s mind like powerful thunderbolts.

The surrounding darkness seemed to stir and awaken, fixated upon him.

“A True Immortal, indeed.”

“But a deceased one, am I correct?” Li Ping inquired calmly.

Mo Rubin offered a shrug. “Engaging with astute individuals becomes rather dull.”

“Precisely. The entirety of the Dark Sea is composed of the remains of a True Immortal.”

Li Ping exhibited no surprise.

The Dark Sea possessed the capability to absorb the faith of the You race, transforming it into source power essence, yet it did not prevent believers from altering their allegiance. Once a True Immortal’s network was established, it functioned independently of will. To break free necessitated a force potent enough to rend it asunder.

The feeble You race evidently lacked such might. The sole logical conclusion was that the True Immortal who conceived it had already met their end.

“True Immortal,” Li Ping echoed.

“A fallen True Immortal residing within the Xuanhuang Realm.”

“Remarkable, is it not? A mere lower realm harboring the corpse of a True Immortal. Fortunately, its presence ensures that even Brother Xuanyuan could not have preserved the Xuanhuang Realm,” Mo Rubin remarked with considerable emotion.

Li Ping proceeded to elaborate on the existence of the Fallen Immortal Realm.

“Intriguing. Someone has actually inherited the legacy of a True Immortal,” Mo Rubin commented, his aura beginning to fluctuate once more.

“It is difficult to conceive of anyone more foolish than Brother Xuanyuan.”

“He is already deceased,” Li Ping interjected.

Mo Rubin fell into a period of silence, then spoke softly, “Good. It is good that he died…”

Despite his words, a faint trace of sorrow lingered.

Li Ping then posed a question: “Is the Xuantian King truly dead?”

Mo Rubin regarded him with a vacant stare. “How would I possibly know? Most likely not. I too am endeavoring to locate him.”

He then turned his gaze away.

“The Dark Sea is constructed upon the foundation of the Spirit Gathering Ascension Formation, utilizing the corpse of a True Immortal as its very structure and the bloodline of the first Celestial Venerable as its binding agent.”

“It generates power from nothingness, sufficient to withstand a True Immortal.”

“However, lacking a central core, it has become sustenance for others.”

“Therefore, one must never perish. What if, in life, you were a True Immortal? Post-mortem, even the humblest of creatures might dare to prey upon you.”

Mo Rubin directed a scornful glance towards the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance’s extraction apparatus.

“Bloodline of the First Great Celestial Venerable?” Li Ping’s mind turned to the peculiar visage of the You Race, and his heart felt a distinct tremor.

“It is no wonder that only these individuals can commune with the Dark Sea. Nevertheless…”

A direct lineage from a True Immortal – possessing such ancestry was undoubtedly once esteemed. Yet, they had now devolved into beings neither human nor ghost.

Mo Rubin seemed to perceive Li Ping’s contemplation and stated coldly, “There is no imperative to commiserate with them. Had you inhabited that era and personally endured the enslavement wrought by the Great Celestial Venerable bloodline…”

“You would undoubtedly have been among the very first to incite rebellion.”

“Were it not for Brother Xuanyuan’s intervention at that time, eradicating all their instruments of power and malice, these so-called superior beings would have persisted in their oppressive rule for an immeasurable duration. Their current state can be regarded as fitting karmic retribution.” Mo Rubin scoffed with icy disdain.

Li Ping chose not to prolong the debate on this particular subject.

“The Dark Sea is, in essence, formed by leveraging the remains of a True Immortal, condensing dark immortal Qi to counteract the Immortal Ruins. In that case, what precisely is the eye controlled by the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance?” he inquired softly.

“Immortal Ruins…” Expressing clear dissatisfaction with the term, Mo Rubin let out another chilling laugh.

However, he did not linger on these specifics this time, directly addressing Li Ping’s query. “That is merely a mystical artifact meticulously crafted by Brother Xuanyuan in the past to maintain command over the Dark Sea. After all, he could not possibly oversee this location perpetually, and the Dark Sea played a most crucial role in the overall escape strategy, thus requiring our assistance. There were three such artifacts in total, each entrusted to a different Dharma King.”

“I simply do not know which one the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance currently possesses.” A flicker of murderous intent crossed Mo Rubin’s words.

Li Ping offered a subtle nod. “Is there any method to influence that artifact’s eye and its control over the Dark Sea?”

“If your mastery of formations surpasses even that of Brother Xuanyuan…”

“Hmm?”

Mo Rubin was on the verge of issuing a mockery, but he suddenly recalled the formidable level of formation expertise the Holy Emperor had demonstrated during their recent confrontation.

The words poised to escape his lips were abruptly retracted.

“Within the central nexus of the Spirit Gathering Ascension Formation, attempting such a feat might prove feasible,” Mo Rubin stated.

His gaze shifted away from the widening fissure in the Dark Sea, redirecting itself elsewhere.

His gaze followed, and Li Ping remarked with a degree of awe, "This formation is truly unfathomable. My own mastery of formations is considerable, yet within this obscurity, I cannot discern even the faintest trace of formation patterns."

"That is the consequence of the True Immortal’s corpse," Mo Rubin stated plainly, correcting Li Ping’s oversight. "Without the pervasive influence of the True Immortal’s remains, you ought to be able to."

The Holy Emperor became quiet.

"Follow me."

Mo Rubin beckoned, then after a rough approximation of their course, his form became a streak of black vanishing into the gloom.

Li Ping kept pace closely behind.

As their proximity to the supposed nexus of the Dark Sea increased, an inexplicable sense of disquietude suddenly washed over Li Ping.

Fleeting, indistinct visions even flickered across his mind.

Among these was a scene depicting Mo Rubin as an emptied husk, lying inert within the Dark Sea.

"Wait!"

A wave of chill coursed through him, and Li Ping’s shout halted Mo Rubin.

"Hm?" Despite a trace of displeasure, Mo Rubin nonetheless paused.

"You had better have a genuine reason."

Disregarding his demeanor, Li Ping mulled it over for a moment before inquiring, "What sort of power could bring about your instantaneous demise?"

As though recounting a highly amusing anecdote, numerous visages detached themselves from Mo Rubin’s being, coalescing before Li Ping and erupting in a clamorous chorus.

"An instant death? So long as the demonic heart remains intact and the immortal body is not annihilated, as long as even a solitary personality persists, I shall not truly perish!"

"Even a True Immortal…"

"A True Immortal conceivably could."

Mo Rubin’s primary form suddenly interjected, causing all the clamoring faces to fall instantly silent.

"Indeed, with Brother Xuanyuan’s might, if he were to strike with foresight against an unaware adversary, he could also achieve such a feat."

"I sense that the formation’s core ahead presents a potential issue."

Having absorbed Mo Rubin’s assessment, Li Ping directly articulated his apprehension. Surprisingly, Mo Rubin offered no rebuttal this time.

Instead, he offered a seemingly tangential statement. "The entirety of the Dark Sea is founded upon the remains of a True Immortal."

"In our epoch, this locale was considerably less expansive than it is presently. It appears that the lineage of the Great Celestial Venerable has proliferated quite effectively over the intervening years."

"Although a slight regression has been noted recently, it does not impact the overarching situation substantially."

"Spirit Gathering, Ascension; Ascension, Gathering Spirit. In essence, this place can also be regarded as a masterless True Immortal body that has undergone self-cultivation for close to ten millennia. Within, it is entirely saturated with unadulterated True Immortal power."

"However, this True Immortal power is cultivated drawing upon the remnants of a True Immortal. Thus, in principle, only that departed True Immortal could wield it."

"In principle." Mo Rubin echoed the qualifier.

"Yet, the world teems with innumerable arcane techniques. Who can say, perhaps some method exists that can circumvent this inherent limitation."

The Faceless Holy Emperor directed his gaze toward the immeasurable expanse of the Dark Sea. "Such prodigious energy. Should its control be achieved, it might instantaneously unleash power on par with a True Immortal."

"A child attempting to lift a cauldron would merely be crushed to death by it." Mo Rubin decisively extinguished Li Ping’s burgeoning fantasy.