My Simulated Road to Immortality Chapter 2324: 1739

“The petrification of Mountain and Sea, akin to drinking poison to quench thirst. Though it temporarily cuts off the possibility of Dao Yan’s invasion, it simultaneously means that this Mountain and Sea…”

Li Fan gazed ahead at the Mountain and Sea Stone Plate, a feeling akin to facing an Ancient Tomb rose in his heart.

Timeworn and solemn, deathly stagnant.

It blocked the attack from the Void Realm, yet severed its own future.

“This is a delaying tactic of Mountain and Sea. Dao Yan invades through the veins of Mountain and Sea, like toxin entering the bloodstream. Mountain and Sea actively petrifies itself, though it may avoid short-term disturbances from toxins, it is ultimately harmful rather than beneficial to the entirety of Mountain and Sea. One might even say that the harm does not fall short of being swallowed by the Void Realm. Otherwise, facing Dao Yan’s massive invasion, Mountain and Sea could have long chosen complete petrification…”

Li Fan’s divine sense swept across the petrified Mountain and Sea, thoughts surged within him. He acutely sensed that the Mountain and Sea Stone Plate was slowly expanding its scope over time.

Though the speed accelerated slowly, it was indomitably resolute.

Thus, realization dawned in his heart: “This process is irreversible. Once initiated, eventually the entire Mountain and Sea will become a single Stone Plate. It can force the retreat of the Void Realm’s invasion, but it is still difficult to stop the descent of the Star. On the day the transformation of Mountain and Sea is complete, it will be the time of the Lone Star’s emergence.”

“Ultimately, the division of Mountain and Sea is meant to inherit the power of the God. And the Stone Plate before us…”

“Though embodying a hundred paths of Mountain and Sea, it is not qualified to be called ‘God’.”

Guardian Hill sensed Li Fan’s thoughts and transmitted his voice with a heavy heart: “Once I sat on the mountain and gazed at the sea, feeling my own smallness against the vastness of Mountain and Sea, thereby experiencing various enlightenments. Yet now, facing this petrified Mountain and Sea, no realization arises at all. Its territory may be expansive, its path may be extensive. Ultimately, it serves no benefit to the Living Beings.”

Morality also agreed: “We can all sense this; Mountain and Sea surely knows better. Faced with an absolute dead end for the future, only to delay time momentarily. It seems that at the dawn of Mountain and Sea, indeed a great change occurred!”

“Previously, the Three Saints said that ‘the time for Divine Split has arrived,’ which is not ‘Mountain and Sea Division.’ Undoubtedly, it refers to the initial group of Saints vying with Mountain and Sea for the creation of Divine Split. If in those years, Mountain and Sea did not undergo Divine Split, it would not exist now. Everything concerning Mountain and Sea’s evolution comes down to a desperate struggle. Mountain and Sea’s actions are likely also out of helplessness. They must face the Taotie of All Saints, while protecting themselves amid Dao Yan’s fierce assault…” Li Fan sneered.

“All Saints contending with Mountain and Sea for God. The thought alone is exhilarating, but it’s a pity that we can’t partake in this feast. However, Mr. Fan, why didn’t you witness this change in previous lifetimes?” Morality inquired.

“The origin of this disturbance may trace back to ‘Suo’.” Li Fan looked at the Dao Hall, at the ancient characters no longer struggling.

“I devoured a portion of its essence using the Dao of Theft. Suo’s power must have severely declined. The Taichu Immortal Realm is full of formidable people. Suo’s abnormality will inevitably be noticed by others. I fear it might become prey on someone else’s plate.”

“Perhaps this is the fuse for the Divine Split.” Li Fan furrowed his brow, seeking to deduce something.

Yet, knowledge about the Taichu Immortal Realm was truly scant.

Ultimately, no insights were gained.

“However, we can infer that the initial Saints of Mountain and Sea were indeed just one step away from executing the Divine Split action. With a slight push, they would surpass that mysterious limit.”

The three secretly conversed.

And upon witnessing the petrification of Mountain and Sea, the Void Realm withdrew its encircling force heavily.

Though still pitch black, in the eyes of Li Fan and the others, it seemed considerably brighter.

This segment of Mountain and Sea had lost its value for devouring, dissolving the crisis by itself.

Such changes were previously unimaginable.

The act of redirecting disaster to the east led to an unexpected response from Mountain and Sea, attaining the same ultimate effect.

“The petrification of Mountain and Sea is like a giant stone blocking the way. The act of reconnecting becomes meaningless too.”

Li Fan and the others returned to the still-normal Mountain and Sea, sitting within the Xuanji Ring. Other Saints became somewhat bewildered with the disappearance of the long-held goal.

“We now resemble being in a small boat on the river. Whether the ship sinks is determined by others. Fate beyond our control… truly unsettling.” Bai Xiao sighed.

“If it’s still Mountain and Sea’s Divine Split, it’s fine. The fear is of another Saint occupying the original path of Mountain and Sea. We were born of Mountain and Sea; if Mountain and Sea ceased to exist initially, wouldn’t it mean we too would vanish?”

Gui Ming’s concern was not unfounded.

Since the departure of the Three Saints, a profound unease silently crept into the hearts of all Saints.

Originally thought to stem from the Void Realm’s erosion, as the waves of Dao Yan receded, this unease not only failed to disperse but intensified.

As if a great calamity loomed, catastrophe was imminent.

However, besides awaiting their own fate silently, it seemed the Saints could do nothing else.

“Even ants cling to life, do we merely wait to die?” The eyes of Theft were full of unwillingness.

“The dawn of Mountain and Sea. If only our steps were quicker back then!”

Just when all Saints were mentally chaotic, Li Fan suddenly spoke: “I have an idea that might save you from this catastrophe. However, I’m not fully confident.”

“Go ahead, Fellow Taoist Zhouhui!”

“The result of Divine Split determines our fate. To avoid its impact, the only way is to leap beyond Mountain and Sea. Although we Saints stand side by side with Mountain and Sea, we cannot be said to be separate from Mountain and Sea.” Li Fan slowly said.

“Indeed true. But the time left for us is already short. The result of Divine Split will soon be revealed; how can we possibly accomplish this before then?” All Saints were puzzled.

“If Mountain and Sea doesn’t accommodate us, then we’ll head towards that Void Realm.” Li Fan pointed at the darkness beyond Mountain and Sea.

“Over the years, I have continually infused True Spirit, accumulating it deeply within the Void Realm. Calling upon it through the ages, I seemed to have formed some inexplicable connection with the Void Realm. However, as we sought to reconnect with Mountain and Sea previously, it was inconvenient to reveal this. Times have changed; sharing now poses no issue.”

Having long battled against the Dao Yan of the Void Realm, it had become instinctual. Initially, all Saints were taken aback by Li Fan’s words.

But thinking of the current circumstances, the solemn vigilance slowly dissipated.

“Return to the Void Realm? Have you truly tried it, Fellow Taoist Zhouhui?”

“In the Void Realm, all existence disappears. What fate awaits us upon return?”

Though not opposed, doubts lingered in the hearts of all Saints.

Li Fan spoke with calm conviction: “Though I’ve never actually attempted it, the chance of success seems high. Did you not see the Void Realm incarnates that previously besieged the Mountain and Sea? Their forms, indistinguishable from real Saints.”

“If it can contain incarnates, why not true Saints?”

Li Fan spoke solemnly: “Only a trial is needed. With disaster imminent, does anyone have a better method?”

Though spoken so, yet the most critical moment was still to come.

All Saints remained hesitant.

Until…

Suddenly, Mountain and Sea turned illusionary and ethereal.