My longevity simulation

"Exchange insights..." Li Fan pondered in silence, not agreeing for a long while.

Seeing this, Zhong Daogong let out a long breath. The black and white brush formed from drifting energy wrote characters into the void.

"Please take a look, fellow Daoist." Zhong Daogong was extremely solemn. Even though they were in the uninhabited star sea, he still set up restrictions around them to prevent the characters from leaking out.

The characters flickered between light and shadow, like living beings with intelligence, coiling and flowing.

Li Fan glanced at them and casually said, "So it is the character for [Hatred]..."

"However, your [Hatred] seems to contain some errors."

Zhong Daogong's expression changed slightly upon hearing this. Just as he was about to speak, Li Fan proudly declared, "Take a look at how my [Hatred] character should be written."

His brush moved like dragons and serpents. In an instant, another seemingly identical character suddenly appeared.

The two [Hatred] characters stood side by side.

As Zhong Daogong looked at the True Immortal seal script character written by Li Fan, he was first stunned. Then his body began trembling uncontrollably.

As the Grand Elder of the Severed Immortal Tower and the cultivator within the Xuan Immortal Ark who had studied True Immortal seal script the most deeply, Zhong Daogong could naturally distinguish the subtle differences between the two characters.

Judging from the faint fluctuations emanating from them, the completeness of the character written by the other party was clearly superior to his own.

The gap was even greater than it had been with the previous [Separation] character.

"This... this..." Repeatedly struck by such revelations, Zhong Daogong found it difficult to accept for a moment. However, his instinct developed through years of research compelled him to temporarily set aside all distractions and carefully study Li Fan's [Hatred] character.

Every modification to each detail brought it closer to its original essence. If he had explored it by himself, it would likely have taken him ten or twenty years to catch up.

But now, a single glance surpassed countless days and nights of painstaking research.

Naturally, Zhong Daogong had no idea that this [Hatred] character before him had originated from his own future self decades later. At this moment, only one thought remained in his mind.

He had to invite this cultivator back to the Xuan Immortal Ark, no matter what methods he had to use.

True Immortal seal script was simply too important to the Xuan Immortal Ark. Every additional character they understood would greatly increase the Ark's combat power.

Not to mention that their crucial long-term plan required them to collect as many different types of True Immortal seal script characters as possible.

Thinking of this, after firmly engraving the new [Hatred] character into his memory, Zhong Daogong looked toward Li Fan and sighed in admiration.

"Fellow Daoist's attainments are profound. I am far inferior."

"However, in my homeland, there are more than a dozen scholars who study True Immortal seal script just as I do. They have devoted many years to this field, and their understanding is no less than mine..."

Li Fan shook his head upon hearing this. A trace of disdain flashed through his eyes as he interrupted Zhong Daogong.

"To be frank, in our Great Qi..."

Li Fan paused briefly.

"Everyone works together with a single goal, surviving within the ruined Star Sea. All research concerning True Immortal seal script is shared openly. As for your side..."

Hearing this, Zhong Daogong became even more delighted. He explained seriously, "Actually, we have a similar sharing system as well. However, since these are the results of others' research, it would be inappropriate for me to reveal them without approval. But if fellow Daoist is willing to exchange insights with us, I can guarantee you will gain new discoveries."

"You surely understand how difficult it is to study True Immortal seal script. If we can complement each other's strengths..."

After Zhong Daogong's earnest persuasion, Li Fan gradually became interested.

Finally, Zhong Daogong delivered his strongest incentive.

"In my homeland, we possess an original True Immortal seal script manuscript. If our exchanges proceed pleasantly, it may not be impossible for fellow Daoist to see it personally."

Zhong Daogong understood very clearly the irresistible temptation an authentic True Immortal seal script held for people like them. After speaking, he stared fixedly at Li Fan.

As expected, Li Fan's eyes lit up, and all hesitation vanished.

"Are your words true?"

After receiving Zhong Daogong's firm confirmation, Li Fan finally nodded in agreement.

"However, for our first exchange, let us do it here in the void."

Li Fan suddenly added this condition.

With a casual wave toward the distance, silver-white lines connected and spread outward as a grand formation slowly unfolded.

Within the formation, pavilions and towers rose from the ground. Small bridges stretched across flowing streams. Clear spring water rippled beneath the bridges, and fish could even be seen swimming playfully below.

Light and shadow shifted endlessly, appearing both illusory and real.

Zhong Daogong's pupils contracted sharply at the sight.

Li Fan entered the formation first and sat within a waterside pavilion. Turning back, he said, "This place will do."

"One must always guard against others. Since I came alone to the edge of the star sea, caution is only natural."

His expression was completely matter-of-fact.

After pondering for a moment, Zhong Daogong followed him into the formation.

Birdsong echoed beside his ears. As he walked across the bridge, water flowed beneath him. He could even feel the moist warmth in the air.

It was difficult to imagine that this landscape of pavilions and flowing water had been created instantly through a formation.

"I never expected that besides True Immortal seal script, fellow Daoist is also skilled in formations?" Zhong Daogong looked around carefully. He could vaguely tell that this was merely a formation designed to create structures within the Star Sea. Yet its ability to produce such lifelike illusions, enough to deceive even him, clearly demonstrated its extraordinary nature.

"Just trivial tricks."

Li Fan spoke indifferently.

"Researching True Immortal seal script already consumes all my effort. How could I have any spare energy to study formations?"

Zhong Daogong deeply agreed and nodded.

After inspecting the formation and finding nothing suspicious, Zhong Daogong cupped his hands.

"Then it is settled. Fellow Daoist may wait here. Before this incense stick burns out, I will certainly return with the others."

As he spoke, Zhong Daogong waved his sleeve, and a stick of earthen-yellow incense flew out and stood upright in the air.

Its flame had already been lit, and wisps of fragrant smoke drifted upward.

After bidding farewell, Zhong Daogong departed, his figure vanishing into the dark Star Sea.

Li Fan gazed after him for a long time. Only after several moments did he return to Yin Shangren and the others.

"Holy Teacher..."

Li Fan had suddenly departed and remained gone for a long time. Yin Shangren and the others naturally realized he had encountered some kind of trouble. The moment he reappeared, they immediately asked with concern.

"I did not expect that civilization still survives at the edge of the Star Sea. We likely disturbed them when we established the formation connecting to the Xuanhuang Realm."

Li Fan's expression was grave.

His words shocked everyone present.

"Here? In such utter desolation? Where could they possibly live?"

"I still do not know. We only made brief contact. However, anyone capable of surviving within the ruined Star Sea until now is certainly not easy to deal with. Do not reveal yourselves for now. Wait until I gather more information."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Unknown beings within the Star Sea were more likely enemies than friends. No amount of caution would be excessive.

While waiting for the people from the Immortal Ark to arrive, Li Fan continued teaching Yin Shangren and the others.

"Relic artifacts contain residual True Immortal power, and fragments of destroyed worlds are even more so. If world fragments saturated with residual True Immortal power are absorbed by the Xuanhuang Realm..."

"I fear it would trigger upheavals throughout the world and bring calamity upon all living beings."

"However, so many years have passed since the great catastrophe of the Star Sea. There are always some remnant worlds where the residual True Immortal power has mostly dissipated."

"Only such fragments can serve as medicinal catalysts."

Li Fan spoke eloquently.

"With so many of us splitting up, finding suitable medicinal catalysts should not be too difficult," Qiao Gong said as he gazed at the endless Great Wall of Remnant Worlds in the distance.

Li Fan shook his head slightly.

Pointing a finger ahead, the phantom of the Wooden Sword instantly flashed to the frontier of the Great Wall of Remnant Worlds.

"Why don't you go out and try it yourselves," Li Fan said.

Qiao Gong was the first to step beyond the area covered by the Wooden Sword phantom.

The moment he reached the outside world, his expression changed drastically. It was as if an immense force of attraction seized him in an instant, dragging him uncontrollably toward the Great Wall of Remnant Worlds.

"Freeze!"

A layer of golden armor appeared around his body. Qiao Gong flailed in panic and expended considerable effort before barely managing to stabilize himself within the void.

Even so, he could not stop himself from continuing to drift toward the Great Wall of Remnant Worlds. The light radiating from his armor flickered ceaselessly, as if it had already reached its limit.

Li Fan guided the Wooden Sword phantom to envelop Qiao Gong once more.

Freed from the terrifying attraction, Qiao Gong stared ahead at the Great Wall of Remnant Worlds with lingering fear in his eyes.

"There is an Immortal Ruin here as well?!" everyone exclaimed in shock.

"Not an Immortal Ruin. A High Wall," Li Fan replied slowly, his voice distant and ethereal.

"The attraction from the Immortal Ruins is blocked by the High Wall at the frontier of the Star Sea. Then, through a mechanism beyond our current understanding, it accumulates beneath the High Wall."

"Over countless years, this formed a different kind of Immortal Ruin."

"The reason these world fragments are linked together is also to resist this Rebounding Star Force..."

The scene Li Fan described deeply shocked everyone present.

Although they could not see the invisible High Wall, the mere fact that it could firmly confine the attractive force of the Immortal Ruins, a force capable of destroying the entire star sea, was enough to prove its power and mystery.

"Operating within the Great Wall of Remnant Worlds is not much easier than enduring the attraction at the frontier of the Xuanhuang Realm. One moment of carelessness and you will lose control, crashing directly into one of the remnant worlds. If any residual True Immortal power still remains within them..."

"Moreover, under the influence of the Rebounding Star Force, the range our divine senses can explore is greatly reduced. That is precisely why finding medicinal catalysts and suitable remnant worlds to fill is so difficult," Li Fan said gravely.

Li Fan extended his hand, and a silky seven-colored crystal appeared within his palm.

"This is Voidbright Flow Crystal. When used together with the Rainbow Split Light Transformation technique, it can resist this omnipresent attraction to a certain degree."

"Remember, do not overestimate yourselves. Once your rainbow light has been consumed down to one-third, leave in advance."

Li Fan distributed the Voidbright Flow Crystals and imparted the Rainbow Split Light Transformation technique, obtained from the Immortal Ancestor, to everyone.

"Of course, if you can reach the state I have attained, the realm of No Sword, No Self, you may be able to ignore the Rebounding Star Force to some extent."

The Wooden Sword phantom flashed, bringing everyone back to safety.

"The Great Wall of Remnant Worlds contains countless world fragments. With my strength alone, finding suitable medicinal catalysts would be extraordinarily difficult. That is why I need your assistance," Li Fan said seriously.

At this moment, Hundred Flowers could not help asking, "Holy Teacher, what exactly are you seeking after going to such lengths? Are you merely trying to benefit from helping the Xuanhuang Realm ascend?"

Li Fan chuckled.

"If the Xuanhuang Realm ascends and escapes the world-ending crisis, we will all receive the world's blessings in return. We may even have a chance to break through the limits of mortals."

"With so many benefits at once, is that still not enough?"

The crowd still wanted to ask more questions, but Li Fan's eyes suddenly flashed.

"More people have arrived over there. I'll be back shortly."

"You should remain here and familiarize yourselves with the Rainbow Split Light Transformation technique first."

Before his words had even finished, Li Fan vanished.

Standing atop the Wooden Sword phantom, everyone remained silent for a long while.

In the end, Xu Ke broke the silence.

"Actually, with the Holy Teacher's strength alone, he could probably promote the ascension of the Xuanhuang Realm himself. It would only take more time."

"Yet he still brought along burdens like us... It reminds me of Mr. Bai from back then."

Xu Ke sighed with emotion, his eyes filled with longing and remembrance.

The others fell silent.

Indeed, from their perspective, they possessed nothing worth scheming for in the eyes of the Holy Teacher.

...

Outside the pavilion grand formation.

The elders of the Immortal Ark had all gathered. None of them entered, instead observing from afar.

Their divine senses continuously communicated.

"What do you think? Is it a trap?"

"It seems we were overly cautious. There are indeed no offensive measures. It should merely be an illusion formation."

"It is only a formation. How strong could it possibly be? With so many of us here, are we supposed to fear him alone?"

"Exactly. Under the power of True Immortal seal script, any formation will be reduced to ashes."

"Do not forget. The other side also understands True Immortal seal script. In fact, perhaps even more deeply than we do..."

The elders' discussion came to an abrupt halt.

At that moment, Li Fan, whom they had been waiting for, slowly emerged from the grand formation.

In his hand, he held the incense stick left behind by Zhong Daogong.

Only one-third of the incense remained. Li Fan glanced around at everyone and nodded.

"As expected, you all kept your word."

Zhong Daogong introduced everyone to Li Fan.

"This is Gan Jingda. This is Nangong Lie..."

After exchanging pleasantries, Li Fan invited everyone into the formation for further discussion.

The people of the Immortal Ark exchanged glances. In the end, they reached a consensus and followed him into the formation together.

After taking their seats in one of the pavilions, everyone immediately got to the point.

"I wonder how many True Immortal seal script characters your homeland has fully deciphered?" Zhong Daogong asked directly.

This question was extremely important. Every elder of the Immortal Ark stared at Li Fan, waiting for his answer.

"Thirteen," Li Fan replied calmly.

The elders of the Immortal Ark looked at one another. Most of them showed expressions of disbelief.

"Of course, that number is somewhat low. We only count those with a deciphering completeness above ninety percent," Li Fan added.

This time, the elders could no longer remain calm.

"Are your words truly not an exaggeration?"

Li Fan let out a light laugh, his expression filled with pride.

Zhong Daogong waved his hand, and the elders gradually settled down.

"It is not that we distrust you. It is simply that thirteen True Immortal seal script characters, each over ninety percent complete..."

"It is honestly difficult to believe," Zhong Daogong said as he looked at Li Fan.

Li Fan smiled.

"One character for one character."

The elders of the Immortal Ark held another round of silent discussion and reached a unified decision.

"I have already demonstrated the characters [Separation] and [Hatred] before. This time, you may go first," Li Fan said loudly as he looked at the assembled elders.

Though surrounded by a crowd, his face showed not the slightest trace of fear.