CHAPTER 999: CHAPTER 995: THE MASK WITHOUT A SHADOW

As the unshadowed figure was injured, the scorched wasteland around them transformed back into the courtyard of cottages within "Zhangzhou City." It was nighttime, and the mortals who had been frantically searching for their families now returned home to sleep. When they awoke, they would not remember what had happened yesterday, continuing their lives within the illusion.

"What happened, that old unshadowed fellow actually got hurt?" Wu Ding looked at the unshadowed figure, exclaiming in shock, "Hurt from just one encounter, unshadowed figure, you really know how to put on a show."

From the moment they encountered the unshadowed figure to when Ye Fan was injured, a considerable time had elapsed, but that was within the independent dimension of the unshadowed figure and Ye Fan. In the real world, time passed very briefly. Even cultivators like Wu Ding and Elder Wu, with their Body Integration Realm cultivation, did not perceive how the unshadowed figure was hurt.

Ye Fan cautiously scrutinized the unshadowed figure; in the willpower confrontation just now, he had won against the unshadowed figure. But in terms of cultivation, the unshadowed figure was far above them. If the unshadowed figure became enraged, killing them would be effortless.

"Cough cough!" The unshadowed figure coughed as he walked out of the cottage, appearing extraordinarily weathered. He asked, "What brings you here?"

Ye Fan replied, "Unshadowed senior, this junior has come to seek the formula for the Light Refining Pill."

"You came for the sake of mortals?" The unshadowed figure appeared slightly disappointed and said, "Your will is the most resolute I’ve seen among people, and your cultivation could advance rapidly. Why seek the Light Refining Pill for mortals? Their birth, aging, illness, and death—isn’t that their fate?"

Ye Fan said, "Since this junior holds them dear in my heart, I won’t endure the pain of separation, even if it means reversing their fate."

"Good, good." The unshadowed figure nodded, turning away and said, "Follow this old man inside."

The group entered the cottage together. The cottage was small, with a table in the center adorned with some herbs and books. The young servant seen earlier was diligently grinding the medicinal ingredients, but Ye Fan knew this person was an illusion, nonexistent in the real world. In this illusion, the unshadowed figure decides the willpower of the people. If the unshadowed figure doesn’t allow him to see Ye Fan and others, even if walking up to him, he remains oblivious.

Wu Ding said, "Unshadowed old man, you’re truly carefree hiding here."

"I am hiding here to avoid calamity. I created Zhangzhou City and many surrounding cities. The people here have long been accustomed to a normal life. Why disturb their peace?" said the unshadowed figure, his face lined with age, "Ye Fan, the formula for the Light Refining Pill you want! The required herbs and ingredients aren’t easy to find—there are only two pills here. I’ll give them to you, but how you make the potion is your matter. Although you have some cultivation, in alchemy, you are still an outsider!"

His words hit Ye Fan’s sore spot. Although his cultivation advanced quickly, thanks to the harmonious blend of the Nine Yang Divine Skill and his Spirit Root physique, he hadn’t mastered skills beyond cultivation, particularly the alchemy skills frequently employed by cultivators.

Pills are a great aid in cultivation; many cultivators spend their lives seeking fast methods of cultivation through pills.

Ye Fan obtained the formula for the Light Refining Pill along with two completed pills. The ingredients listed on the formula weren’t numerous, but neither were they easy to find. As for usage, it was simple; after taking the pill, a cultivator follows the cultivation method of immortality and can form the Golden Core in about one hundred days to a year. But the formed Golden Core isn’t stable and needs a long time to consolidate. Beyond the Golden Core Stage, the Light Refining Pill is not helpful.

This is the legendary elixir of immortality, though it merely extends life to around five hundred years.

"Where can these ingredients be found?" Ye Fan asked.

"Ask your fellow sect members—they aren’t rare in the world, but some ingredients require going to harsh places, making searching relatively troublesome," said the unshadowed figure, gesturing with his hand, "If there’s nothing else, leave; this old man needs to continue resting."

Wu Ding, angry, said, "You used a nonexistent illusion to toy with us, now want to rest? Let me ask you—do you know about the prophecy jade?"

"Oh?" The unshadowed figure glanced at Wu Ding and said, "You came claiming to seek the Light Refining Pill, but in fact, you’re asking about the great calamity?"

Ye Fan said, "If the senior knows, please enlighten us."

"Great calamity... great calamity..." The unshadowed figure murmured twice, seemingly pondering, "Such a prophecy existed in ancient times, but whether it can be fulfilled, how would someone secluded like me know?"

Ye Fan thought, the unshadowed figure clearly wasn’t being truthful.

A master with the abilities of a creator shouldn’t exist within the Pan Gu Secret Realm, or perhaps the unshadowed figure is unconcerned with the great calamity because, even if it occurs, it cannot harm someone like the unshadowed figure. Ye Fan further speculated—could the great calamity have been created by a creator?

Wu Ding said, "You say you don’t know, we won’t insist. Now I ask: Is my junior brother Ye Fan the chosen savior of the world?"

The unshadowed figure glanced at Ye Fan impatiently, as if to say, how should I know who’s chosen?

"Maybe he is, maybe he’s not," said the unshadowed figure irritably, "Who chose him, shouldn’t you ask them?"

Wu Ding, a little vexed, thought, since he’s the "chosen one," it was surely chosen by the heavens; the heavens don’t speak, so whom to ask?

However, Elder Wu, who hadn’t spoken, asked, "Then what calamity is the unshadowed senior avoiding?"

"Avoiding what calamity—I’ll speak plainly; it’s... a personal grudge, unrelated to you... or the common people." The unshadowed figure sighed lightly, "Given this, if you don’t leave, I might have to send you off."

His mention of sending them off likely meant using forceful methods.

Even cultivators like Wu Ding and Elder Wu, feeling a bit angry, knew they were far beneath the unshadowed figure’s cultivation. If he wanted them to leave, resisting would only invite trouble.

"Farewell."

After paying their respects, the group departed, leaving the door. None needed to consider this as a human residence, and they left riding their swords. Since it was an illusion, there was no concern about disturbing ordinary people.

On the road, Wu Ding said, "Even immortals about to transcend their tribulation don’t have creative abilities. Might this unshadowed figure have already ascended as an immortal? It’s truly peculiar; isn’t it said no immortal can stay in the Pan Gu Secret Realm?"

Ye Fan said, "Since he’s basically a creator, the whole Pan Gu Secret Realm might have been created by him; his entry isn’t strange."

Meanwhile, in the cottage, the unshadowed figure, after sending off Ye Fan and the others, vomited blood again; he had been severely injured in the willpower confrontation with Ye Fan.

Then his aged appearance faded, transforming into a mature and graceful face, like the most noble queen in the world.

"I stole someone else’s woman; do I have to tell you as well?" The unshadowed figure laughed grimly, but could only sit and mediate the injuries.