My Simulated Road to Immortality Chapter 2364 - 1761: A Shift in Goodwill (Part 2)

At that time, I almost thought that exposing my exotic treasure meant certain death.

Yet unexpectedly, neither Xuan Yuanhong nor the Old Fisherman harbored any intention to seize my treasures.

In fact, they often lent a helping hand on my cultivation journey thereafter.

Only then did today’s Zhang Fan come to be.

Along the way, the three of us became confidants, with nothing left unsaid.

Of course, Zhang Fan was well aware that there remained an insurmountable gap in strength between himself and the other two, which left a shadow in his heart.

Until today, having successfully attained the transcendence in Tao, Zhang Fan believed that he finally possessed the qualification and strength to truly interact on equal terms with Xuan Yuanhong and the Old Fisherman. Only then did he voice a long-lurking question in his heart.

"The True and False Dao, capable of overturning the Mountain Sea. How can Brother Xuan Yuan remain unmoved?"

Xuan Yuanhong seemed to have anticipated Zhang Fan’s question, chuckled, and said, "Firstly, I empathize. I know all too well the feeling of being coveted, so I won’t do the same to others. Secondly..."

"The True and False Dao is indeed mysterious and unfathomable. But the instant I saw it, I understood it was beyond my reach. Rather than longing in vain, I chose to ignore it, lest it becomes a source of trouble."

Xuan Yuanhong’s words seemed to carry a hidden meaning, and he smiled meaningfully.

Zhang Fan couldn’t quite grasp the undertone of the King of Mystic Sky’s words but nodded thoughtfully.

"As for Senior Fisherman..." Xuan Yuanhong glanced at the Old Fisherman of Mountains and Seas, who still sat there fishing, unmoving like a stone Buddha.

"In his eyes, there’s only the word ’fish’. The True and False Dao holds no more allure than a weak fish in the water."

Accompanying Xuan Yuanhong’s words, the Old Fisherman suddenly reeled in his line.

A panicked figure was caught in the Old Fisherman’s hands.

The Old Fisherman laughed aloud, seemingly in an extremely pleasant mood.

"A mere stone tablet dares to spy on my creation."

"Hmm?"

The Old Fisherman’s initial action seemed to be releasing the figure he had fished up but for some reason, he changed his mind shortly after.

"But then..."

"Teaching you a few tricks wouldn’t hurt."

Saying so, the Old Fisherman tossed the figure aside and gestured into the void with his finger.

"Look closely, learn well."

It is unknown what form or origin that panicked figure initially assumed, but now it transformed into a child. Dressed in a straw cloak, wearing a bamboo hat, and holding a fishing rod, he served beside the Old Fisherman.

After the initial terror passed, he imitated the Old Fisherman’s manner and cast his rod to fish.

No body of water lay in front of the Old Fisherman.

Yet with his cast, a Mountain Sea Fishery would manifest.

Immersed in fishing, he paid no heed to Zhang Fan’s praise.

Initially, Zhang Fan cared about this.

But now he has grown accustomed.

"In the Realm of Transcendence, one can traverse the Dao Yan and explore the vast Mountain Sea. Allegedly, beyond endless possibilities, in the heart of Mountain Sea, lies the Other Shore crafted by the collective efforts of All Saints."

"It is said, a grand dynasty spans myriad possibilities within Mountain Sea, its overlord known as the Taiwei Saint Emperor..." Xuan Yuanhong introduced the general landscape of the Mountain Sea to Zhang Fan.

Despite having experienced multiple reincarnations in the first half of his cultivation, he was always bound to a singular possibility.

Upon hearing Xuan Yuanhong describe the magnificent Mountain Sea, Zhang Fan couldn’t help but feel a yearning, a longing.

He was certain that with the True and False Dao in hand, no matter how formidable the obstacles ahead, he could carve out a world of his own, even achieving the Mountain Sea Saint fruit position.

Seeing the subtle changes in Zhang Fan’s expression, Xuan Yuanhong paused, and then continued: "However, whether it is the Other Shore Saints or the Taiwei Saint Emperor, their circumstances may not be as..."

"Good." The King of Mystic Sky pondered over his words.

"What do you mean, Brother Xuan Yuan?" Li Fan was a bit puzzled.

"Zhang Brother is in this realm, always under our protection, unaware of the dangers of Dao Yan. I once worried that knowing the truth of Dao Yan would affect your cultivation mind. Now that you have transcended... very well, it’s time to let you understand the true Mountain Sea."

Xuan Yuanhong glanced in the direction of the Old Fisherman of Mountains and Seas.

The Old Fisherman slightly raised his head.

Suddenly, heaven and earth changed color.

It was as if a long-standing protective disguise suddenly vanished.

Zhang Fan instantly fell into the real Mountain Sea.

It turns out that Dao Yan wasn’t merely what he had thought as an occasional trickling stream in the mountains.

It was a raging mountain flood encircling the entire mountain!

The wind was fierce, waves towering, and at any moment it seemed it could submerge the small mountain they clung to!

With Zhang Fan’s initial transcendent realm, crossing a mountain stream was still feasible.

Surviving this raging torrent...

Absolutely impossible!

One could only expect to be instantly swallowed upon setting foot in it.

Witnessing this scene, Zhang Fan was immediately drenched with cold sweat, his body trembling slightly in extreme fear.

At this moment, Xuan Yuanhong’s faint voice sounded again.

"Brother Zhang, why not look up at the sky."

There seemed to be a special magic power in Xuan Yuanhong’s voice, Zhang Fan complied and gazed up at the sky.

His body instantly froze over, ice-bound.

The endless vast sky, dark and deep.

Filled with the aura of Dao Yan!

The world he stood in was comparable to a droplet in the Vast Ocean!

"This is the Void Realm."

"The surviving Mountain Sea is merely an isolated island in the ocean of the Void Realm." Xuan Yuanhong’s voice echoed again at the right time.

Like a bolt of lightning, striking Zhang Fan’s heart.

Zhang Fan’s body went limp, nearly collapsing to the ground.

Extremely frightened, he withdrew his gaze.

Various doubts arose in his mind.

He never imagined Dao Yan to be so terrifying?

The ocean was vast and boundless, immeasurable. How to traverse? How could one traverse?

The original grand aspirations shattered in an instant.

Zhang Fan attempted repeatedly to speak but hesitated, unable to voice out.

"Enough, don’t scare him." The Old Fisherman finally spoke.

The deep, dark scene vanished instantly.

Heaven and earth returned to clarity.

The oppressive force from the Dao Yan Void Realm disappeared, as if a drowning person being pulled ashore.

Zhang Fan gasped for breath, greedily absorbing the hard-earned sense of safety.

Just moments ago, surrounded by the Void Realm, he almost despaired.

After a long time, when Zhang Fan’s emotions completely stabilized, Xuan Yuanhong spoke again.

With an apologetic look, he said, "Brother Zhang, know that I am not intentionally scaring you. But the critical state of the Mountain Sea has long been beyond cure. Even the current situation was destined countless years ago."

"Mountain Sea will eventually perish."

Having experienced the previous ordeal, hearing about the destined end of the Mountain Sea did not shock Zhang Fan as much as expected.

He simply frowned, saying, "Eventually? Destined?"

Faced with Xuan Yuanhong’s firm words, he instinctively found it hard to believe.

Xuan Yuanhong, however, did not explain, and continued, "Mountain Sea returning to the void is a fixed outcome. No matter what kind of struggle, it’s futile."

"Like the cycle of life and death in the world."

"Without death, what is the meaning of life?"

"Mountain Sea’s return to the void doesn’t signify the end of everything. Rather, it might be a new beginning."

"Striving to save the world only adds to the trouble." The King of Mystic Sky sighed lightly.

"So, Brother Xuan Yuan, what do you mean..." Zhang Fan stared blankly at the King of Mystic Sky.

In response to Zhang Fan’s question, Xuan Yuanhong replied seriously, "Instead of stepping out, struggling meaninglessly, stay here, enjoy the peace, and await the restart of the Reincarnation."

"Now it’s alright to tell you, apart from Senior Fisherman, several other seniors are also secluded here. Enough to sustain until the last moment of Mountain Sea."

What Xuan Yuanhong said did carry some truth.

But Zhang Fan embarked on the path of cultivation for longevity and comfort.

Having never personally experienced the Mountain Sea Reincarnation, he naturally wouldn’t easily extinguish the restless thoughts in his heart.

He didn’t respond, only remained silent.

Xuan Yuanhong, seeing through Zhang Fan’s inner thoughts, continued, "Of course, if you truly have a resolute will, recognizing the truth of Mountain Sea and Dao Yan, and still have the courage to move forward..."

"We absolutely will not stop you."

As Xuan Yuanhong spoke, a peculiar expression flickered on his face.