My Longevity Simulation

Chapter 1104: Heaven and Man Follow Different Paths

"From the first signs of the reversal of heaven and earth's principles to the successful reversal and attainment of longevity, the entire process took no more than ten years."

"Under normal circumstances, a Dao Integration cultivator would not even complete the first step of reversing principles, yet this one has already achieved ascension."

"I almost suspect that this Rebirth Heavenly Sovereign is a survivor from the outside world, already a great cultivator very close to the Longevity Immortal realm. That would explain how everything went so smoothly." Dharma-Transmitter Zhou's tone carried a hint of horror.

"An outsider?" Li Fan fell into inexplicable contemplation upon hearing his words.

"But fortunately, this Heavenly Sovereign seems to have no intention of intervening in the Xuanhuang Realm's conflicts. Neither we nor the Five Elders Association side has seen Him make any proactive contact. As for the effects brought by reversing life and death, we are still assessing them. However, it is foreseeable that both sides will become increasingly cautious about launching wars in the future." Dharma-Transmitter Zhou sighed with some emotion.

Li Fan nodded in agreement. Do not be fooled into thinking that reversing life and death, with infinite resurrection, means endless manpower. The key issue lies in the time required for resurrection. Meanwhile, the Xuanhuang Realm's own rate of nurturing new life has been weakened to the extreme.

Once major casualties occur, it would take a very long recovery window to slowly rebuild. Moreover, as the number of resurrections increases, the time required for each revival is estimated to grow longer. In the short term, there would be no major issues. But if this continues indefinitely...

Li Fan suddenly spoke: "Fellow Daoist Zhou need not worry excessively. If I remember correctly, does your Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance not have many cultivators suppressed and eternally slumbering? In a critical moment, releasing them could serve as an emergency measure."

Li Fan was referring to the cultivators suppressed by the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance within the Eternal Immortal Wall, including those whose bodies had been occupied by the million gods and demons he previously summoned using the [Three Disasters and Hundred Tribulations Divine Clarity Method]. Though they had largely lost their self-awareness and were reduced to empty shells, they could still barely serve as cannon fodder.

Dharma-Transmitter Zhou gazed at Li Fan for a moment but did not respond. He simply ended the conversation with a polite smile.

"I always have a premonition about this Rebirth Heavenly Sovereign's identity..."

"Perhaps in the next life, we can test and verify it together. In this life, it would only add unnecessary variables."

Li Fan's eyes flickered as he returned to his preparations.

...

Time passed swiftly, and in the blink of an eye, it was Anchor year 24th.

At the edge of Congyun Sea, Li Fan appeared quietly and looked up into the distance.

"Because I previously did False Misconversion of the heaven, provoking the Heavenly Dao consciousness's fury, this life's Crimson Flame Incinerating Sea calamity has not only advanced by three years, but the intensity of the Crimson Flame has also increased further."

He narrowed his eyes, gazing at that crimson figure that seemed to dance with the wind. It was still a vague humanoid form, but unlike the detached figure cradling a flame he had seen before. In this life, the Crimson Flame sat cross-legged atop auspicious clouds conjured from flames, its eyes filled with killing intent as it stared down at the beings of Congyun. Coiled around its body was a serpentine creature like a roaming dragon, also fixating on the Congyun Sea below like a predator eyeing its prey.

Suddenly, it seemed to sense Li Fan's gaze and abruptly turned toward his position. But with the formations enveloping Li Fan's body, it was naturally impossible for them to detect him.

"An entirely new form I've never seen before; it seems that my gradual arrangements over these years have stirred unease and vigilance in the Xuanhuang Heavenly Dao," Li Fan thought, a smile in his eyes. "But unfortunately, as long as I do not act, no one in this world can predict what I am truly scheming."

"All your resistance is in vain."

Li Fan did not halt the progression of the Crimson Flame Incinerating the Sea; he merely observed silently from the side.

In this life, he had no intention of drawing out the Ink Death. As the strongest among the Spirits of Heaven and Earth, once the Ink Death emerged, it would inevitably attract the attention of all the Longevity Immortal Heavenly Sovereigns in the world. Even though Li Fan no longer feared them now.

But the world-ending preparations he had made were not to be seen by the light of day. To avoid disrupting the plan of driving the tiger to swallow the wolf, maintaining a low profile for the time being was the wise course.

Li Fan had come to the Congyun Sea today precisely to observe the specific changes that would occur in the Xuanhuang Realm during its self-purification process. Having thoroughly studied the Heavenly Doctor's Record of Mending the Heavens, Li Fan had gained a completely new understanding of the Crimson Flame Incineration Sea event.

The Congyun Sea originated from the Heavenly Law Realm and did not belong to the Xuanhuang Realm's core. During the mutual fusion of the two realms, various "rejection" reactions were bound to occur. The most representative were the frequent bizarre incidents erupting across the Congyun Sea. The Crimson Flame's seemingly world-destroying actions were, in truth, to better facilitate the fusion of the Congyun Sea with the Xuanhuang Realm.

"The same event looks entirely different from the perspective of Human versus the perspective of the Heavenly Dao."

"There is no right or wrong."

As the mutated Crimson Flame slowly accumulated power, a layer of sealing force began to emerge along the entire boundary of the Congyun Sea, attempting to prevent living beings from escaping.

And in the final moment before this heavenly prison fully took effect, Li Fan spotted a group of people hastily sailing across the sea toward him. After finally reaching the shore, they hurriedly abandoned their ship and fled.

The leader was someone Li Fan recognized: Zhang Haobo!

In this life, Li Fan had no dealings with him. But relying on his own faint premonitions and his personal fortune, Zhang Haobo had still led his close friends and family to escape before the great calamity arrived.

"Haobo, we were living just fine on Liuli Island. Why did we have to leave our home and come to this unfamiliar continent?"

"Yes, boss. Although I definitely trust you and will follow you forever, I'm still really confused inside."

...

Faced with the doubts from those around him, Zhang Haobo's expression showed little fluctuation. He simply unfolded the map, confirmed their position, and calmly directed everyone to continue on their way.

As they walked, he said: "Haven't you noticed that the island seems to have fewer people lately? Ever since that last time when it was said that immortals from the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance came for a visit. It's not just our island; other islands, including the immortals themselves, are quietly withdrawing from the Congyun Sea."

"Clearly, some major upheaval is about to happen," Zhang Haobo analyzed calmly. "Rather than stay in the Congyun Sea and wait for death, it's better to come here and take our chances."

The others, upon hearing this, still wore expressions of disbelief.

Some even couldn't help but retort: "But isn't it said now that under the great power of the Heavenly Sovereigns, everyone can be resurrected after death? If we can be revived, then what's there to fear?"

Zhang Haobo snorted coldly and offered no explanation.

"Those who wish to follow me, keep following. Those who don't, the ship is still at the seaside; you can return on your own at any time," he said indifferently.

The crowd fell silent upon hearing this, not daring to say another word.