Chapter 2037: Chapter 1582

Between Heaven and Earth, a desolate silence hung over everything. All things seemed to be in a state of petrification.

When Li Fan entered the Immortal Boat Ancestral Realm, this was the scene that met his eyes.

However, this deathly silence did not last very long.

Like a spring breeze, everything began to awaken from petrification. Light returned, and all things revived.

The world became noisy once more, filled with vitality.

Yet, the living beings of the Immortal Boat Ancestral Realm seemed to have a clear understanding of their petrified plight. Upon finding sanctuary in despair, they all knelt together and sang praises to the Divine’s benevolence.

This realm was not very large, not even comparable to the Xuanhuang World before ascension. In an instant, Li Fan’s Divine Sense swept through it.

Thus, he understood the truth behind this so-called Divine.

Approximately every hundred years, a Great Calamity would emerge between Heaven and Earth, threatening to annihilate all living beings and even this realm itself.

In humanity’s moment of desperation, a Divine entity—filled with great compassion—discovered the sole method of salvation.

Before the Calamity arrives, the Divine first petrifies all beings and even Heaven and Earth to resist the disaster. After the Tribulation passes, they transform back once again.

It’s uncertain how the beings of the Immortal Boat Ancestral Realm initially viewed this somewhat crazy plan, but after countless petrifications to avoid the calamity, the living beings of this world have grown accustomed to the dramatic change that occurs every century.

“The time flow in this realm is different from the outside world.”

“One year here is roughly equivalent to one day in the Xuanhuang Immortal Realm.”

“Yet, the situation here is the opposite of what I observed outside. When it appears black with Dao Yan, here it teems with vitality. When it reveals that white light of vitality, this realm is instead in a state of annihilative petrification.”

Li Fan raised his head to look up at the Vault of Heaven above.

There, a massive intent hovered, the culprit behind all these anomalies.

“Massive” only in comparison to the other beings of the Immortal Boat Ancestral Realm. Compared to Li Fan’s differentiated intent, it was insignificant.

There was no need for caution; Li Fan cut straight to the truth.

All things revived, but the “Divine” was caught in slumber. Even with some defenses, it couldn’t thwart Li Fan.

Consequently, Li Fan could freely peruse the other party’s memories.

Countless images surged in his mind.

The origin of everything traced back to the Mysterious Merchant Immortal Boat’s defection. What should have been observed experimental data escaped from the experiment field. Triggering emergency response measures, this experimental field was isolated and sealed.

And the original Watcher of this world was punished, wiped out in ashes. If the Rotten Stump Dojo were operating normally, a new Watcher would quickly be dispatched. But with Dao Yan approaching, the Dojo had been abandoned.

The Immortal Boat Ancestral Realm fell into isolation and seclusion.

In fact, during the period without the interference of Dojo forces, the Immortal Boat Ancestral Realm developed at the fastest pace. Forces collaborated to study the Immortal Boat’s defection and the reason behind the changes in Heaven and Earth.

Ultimately, they discovered, to their shock, that their world was actually an experiment field set by the Immortal World.

Who would want to be a mere test subject?

Naturally, they wished to escape this fate like the Mysterious Merchant Immortal Boat.

They began to analyze and delve into the hidden Immortal Forbidden Formation and Array within the world. Each faction worked together, transforming immortality for their use.

The collective strength of the Immortal Boat Ancestral Realm cultivators skyrocketed.

Yet, they were still far from breaking the Rotten Stump Dojo’s sealing methods.

At this moment, Dao Yan descended.

Strictly speaking, the Immortal Boat Ancestral Realm didn’t face the true, devastating surge of Dao Yan that annihilated the Immortal World. After all, within the Rotten Stump Dojo, the Phantom of the Guarded Hill supported them. They only encountered some droplets from the collision of Dao Yan and the Phantom of the Guarded Hill.

Even so, Dao Yan was not something the Immortal Boat Ancestral Realm could bear.

What was once an infinite world, countless Cave Heavens like stars in the sky, most were swallowed instantly.

A small remaining portion, in alarm, struggled to support.

Fortunately, their collective research into the Immortal Array Forbidden Formation at the Rotten Stump Dojo allowed them to activate the residual Immortal Array, giving them the capital to face “Dao Yan.”

Just like the Immortal World once resisted Dao Yan.

In the ensuing years, the remaining living beings of the Immortal Boat Ancestral Realm exhausted all efforts and resources, seeking a way to survive under the shadow of Dao Yan.

Perhaps in the face of life-and-death adversity, human potential can indeed be infinitely invoked.

The Immortal Boat Ancestral Realm cultivators unexpectedly discovered a possible method of response.

Li Fan observed the slumbering consciousness before him.

This consciousness didn’t belong to a single being but was a fusion of countless differing intents.

Each intent represented a supremely talented cultivator within the Immortal Boat Ancestral Realm.

“These cultivators each perceive the Cultivation Tao differently.”

“Each cultivates a Tao, intertwining like a Dao Network. The Dao Network could bear the weight of Dao Yan!”

“Though merely mortal cultivators, the depth of their Taoist Principle comprehension can’t match a True Immortal. However, they face not the true surge of Dao Yan. From a theoretical standpoint, if more and more are sacrificed joining this consciousness, there’s a real chance of success.”

“What a pity…”

Li Fan’s sight passed through the fused consciousness, reaching its core.

There, a small void seemed to exist.

Threads of blackness seeped from this void, gathering like stream water.

“Dao Yan is not a static object. Rather, Dao Yan even seems to possess a sly consciousness. Initially, it was merely scattered droplets, but true Dao Yan is pervasive. Slowly, it seeped through these faint droplets.”

“The people of this world could not realize this. Or rather, by the time they were aware, it was already too late.”

With support, the once weak droplets slowly developed into a true surge.

This degree of disaster is beyond the capability of mortal cultivators to withstand. No matter how genius they are.

“Yet, even in dire straits like these, they still find a survival method…”

“Impressive!” Li Fan praised without restraint.

“Though merely a desperate method for survival.”

The final desperate measure of the Immortal Boat Ancestral Realm naturally did not escape Li Fan’s discerning eye.

They adopted the method of channeling rather than resisting.

Gathering all the leaking Dao Yan into one place, forming a dam-like high wall with collective intent to resist.

When it reaches the limit of intent endurance, they actively detonate the dam, guiding the disaster eastward, directing Dao Yan into other spaces within the Rotten Stump Dojo.