My longevity simulation

Based on the current information, Senior Sister Zhao might be the only person in the Xuanhuang World apart from the Dharma King of the Xuantian Sect who understands those inherited cultivation methods from the Immortal Realm.

“Senior Sister Zhao’s foundation lies in the Eternal Sole Dominance Art. As for the others…”

“Perhaps we can exchange something with her.”

The One-Heart Immortal Sect, the Great Dao is mine alone.

After pondering for a moment, Li Fan made his decision.

“I will wait until my clone retrieves the Black Sword from the Sword Tomb. I have already altered the clone’s soul—its mind holds no memories of [Truth]. Even if it becomes lost and trapped in her illusions, it won’t matter.”

“It will only take a year. No need to rush.”

For now, he temporarily left the surrounding crater. Just as he was nearing the Spiritwood Realm, Li Fan suddenly stopped in place.

He turned his gaze toward a certain direction at the center of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance.

At that very moment, the Final Dissociation Disc within his sea of consciousness had unexpectedly stirred with faint resonance.

Somewhere, nine new Dissociation Discs of this era had been born.

Perhaps the Final Dissociation Disc had originally been created by the fusion of nine such discs. Now, upon the birth of new sub-bodies, even across millions of miles, the Final Dissociation Disc could clearly sense their presence.

Even more…

Li Fan faintly perceived from the Final Dissociation Disc an emotion of hunger, of greed.

“Nine Discs becoming One has already forged a flawless, perfect Dissociation Disc. But if it were to devour another version of itself…”

“To what kind of evolution would the Dissociation Disc ascend?”

Even Li Fan, who had seen countless treasures, could not help but feel his heart stir with excitement.

After all, the Dissociation Disc had aided him immensely.

In this Xuanhuang Realm, a land crawling with hidden ancient monsters, compared with them in terms of foundation, cultivation, and divine abilities—even after cycling through countless reincarnations—Li Fan held no true advantage.

Except in the Dao of Formations…

Through lifetimes of accumulated experience, combined with the existence of this heaven-defying creation, the Dissociation Disc, Li Fan’s attainments in formations were enough to utterly crush others.

It could even be said that his level was far ahead of his era—an entire age beyond the rest!

Not long ago, he had laid down a recording formation in front of both the Dharma-Transmitter and the Xuantian Sect’s Dharma King, Mo Rubin, and yet neither side had noticed. This alone proved his superiority.

“In the Dao of Formations, only by overtaking through innovation is there any chance to break this stalemate early.”

“When ordinary formations are pushed to their utmost limits, the next step is…”

“Immortal-Rank Formations!”

“Between immortal-rank formations and common ones lies a gulf of qualitative difference. For the Dissociation Disc to undergo this next transformation, it requires data from at least one Immortal-rank formation…”

In Li Fan’s mind flashed the image of the Floating Starry Sky Grand Formation.

It had once been personally designed by King Xuantian, Xuanyuan Hong, bearing the hope of carrying the Xuanhuang World over the High Wall Barrier. That Floating Starry Sky Formation was likely the closest thing in the Xuanhuang World to an immortal-rank formation.

“Although the formation was damaged long ago in the era of the Ten Great Immortal Sects, some remnants must still exist.”

“In fact, in the 114th Era, the countless obelisks scattered across the Xuanhuang Continent may well be connected to the Floating Starry Sky Formation.”

“The Dissociation Disc, the Floating Starry Sky Grand Formation…”

“Both are top-level secrets that only the upper echelons of the Immortal Alliance can touch.”

Thus, Li Fan’s path in this lifetime had become clear.

He would have to find a way to contact Mo Rubin and gain his trust.

Then, by leveraging his status as a Dharma-Transmitter, he would acquire the classified knowledge he needed.

Compared with this, the improvement of his cultivation realm was of lesser importance.

With Li Fan’s current combat strength, as long as a Longevity Immortal did not appear, he could essentially move unhindered and remain safe from death.

The gulf between Dao Integration and Longevity Immortal realm cultivators was simply too vast. Even if Li Fan were to break through one or two more realms, he still might not be a match for a cultivator of the Longevity Realm.

Thus, it was better to take another path—a circuitous strategy to achieve the goal.

“Whether it succeeds or not will depend on Senior Sister Zhao.”

“But one mustn’t hang oneself from a single tree.”

With this thought, Li Fan returned to the Spiritwood Realm.

Before long, Shang Tianci came looking for him.

“Senior…” he stammered, clearly hesitant, words caught in his throat.

“What is it?”

“Yan Fangzhou’s condition seems a little bad. Would it be possible to let him out?” Shang Tianci asked cautiously.

Li Fan’s expression remained unchanged, revealing neither joy nor anger. “I will handle this matter myself. You may go.”

Shang Tianci did not dare to argue. He bowed and withdrew.

At once, Li Fan’s divine sense focused on Yan Fangzhou.

Speaking of which, this so-called “Heaven’s Chosen” had already been imprisoned by Li Fan for quite some time.

Confined within a reinforced version of the Two-Extreme Microdust Formation, no matter how he struggled, all he faced was endless repetition and monotonous scenery. There was no escape.

The formation severed him from the spiritual energy outside, preventing cultivation.

Even when he tried to calm his mind and meditate, it was impossible. At every crucial moment, the formation would issue precise disturbances, leaving him irritable, restless, and nearly driven mad.

Under such torment, Yan Fangzhou was on the brink of insanity.

He struck out indiscriminately at the surrounding illusions, venting his fury.

But it was nothing more than impotent rage.

Not only did it fail to change anything, it only worsened his own condition.

When Yan Fangzhou finally regained awareness, all his strength had been completely exhausted—leaving him like an ordinary mortal, slumped in defeat within the sealed formation, helpless and awaiting death.

After passing through stages of skyward roars, weeping, and despair, this “Heaven’s Chosen” now seemed to have lost all essence, spirit, and vitality.

He sat limp on the ground, eyes vacant, motionless like a statue.

Yet Li Fan did not appear to mock him. Instead, he carefully observed Yan Fangzhou.

Soon, a faint smile curved his lips.

Though Yan Fangzhou acted well, deceiving the sly and cunning Li Fan was still beyond him.

It was clear he had never truly seen what a completely broken person looked like.

For deep in his hollow gaze, a trace of spirit still remained.

“This is nothing but feigned madness—hoping to deceive the heavens and cross the sea, waiting for me to lower my guard so he can strike back.”

“Too bad. He might fool that fool Shang Tianci, but he can’t fool me.”

Li Fan shook his head slightly. “As long as you still have the wits to play tricks like this, you’re far from true collapse.”

“When you’re truly insane—then we’ll talk.”

With a light tap on Yan Fangzhou’s body, which stood stiffly before the black jade gateway, Li Fan once more reinforced the formation.

Only then did he leave in satisfaction.

Unaware that his cleverness had backfired, Yan Fangzhou continued his act of stupidity within the formation, waiting futilely for someone to come.

…

After resolving this small matter, Li Fan came before the Faceless Divine Statue.

Since he intended to win the trust of Mo Rubin, the Dharma King of the Xuantian Sect, Li Fan naturally had to play his role well.

The recruitment of followers must not be interrupted.

The closer he drew to the statue, the more images involuntarily surfaced in his mind.

They were all former members of the Mutual Aid Association who had once sworn oaths before the Faceless Stone Statue in the name of True Immortal of Salvation and Mortal Compassion.