Chapter 2039: Chapter 1583: Surviving in Desperation (Part 2)

The sect leader reached out to receive the Mountain and River Sorrow, the sword’s blade glowing red, slowly condensing into the characters “Li Fan,” engraved upon the sword, radiating an eerie light.

Only then did Li Fan see that, besides his own name, the sword bore other densely packed names, numbering in the hundreds, all written in blood. However, the depth of the red varied.

“Ranked third.” The sect leader’s eyes flashed with a trace of joy, officially accepting Li Fan as a direct disciple.

After acknowledging the sect leader as his master, Li Fan received further preferential treatment.

The main benefit was being able to spar and exchange insights with other Immortal Sect disciples.

“Do you know what sparring entails?” the sect leader stroked his beard and asked.

Li Fan replied solemnly, “It determines superiority and decides life and death; that is sparring.”

The sect leader’s face showed a gratified expression.

In five years, Li Fan sparred nearly a thousand times with other Immortal Sect disciples, undefeated in each battle.

Gradually becoming a legendary undefeated figure among the disciples of the five Immortal Sects.

Following yet another exhilarating victory, he finally broke through to the Nascent Soul Realm.

Upon reaching the Nascent Soul stage, he could no longer bully junior disciples of the Immortal Boat; he had new goals.

Under the guidance of a mysterious black-clothed figure, newly promoted Nascent Soul disciples from the five Immortal Sects gathered together in a Blessed Lands.

Within the Cave Heaven were numerous ancient array techniques and relics.

Emitting a chilling aura.

According to the mysterious figure, these relics were the handiwork of Immortals.

They would be confined here for ten years.

After ten years, the forbidden formation within the relic would erupt on schedule. If they failed to unravel the mysteries of the Immortal formation, the only path was a tragic death.

This was the trial they had to undergo upon ascending to the Nascent Soul stage.

Facing a life and death plight, the disciples of the Immortal Sects all remained calm. None clamored to return to their sects. To them, life and death were matters of course. Being able to wait peacefully for ten years was already considered extremely fortunate.

Inside the sealed Cave Heaven, there was no guidance from a teacher. It all depended on individual comprehension.

Some formed alliances, studying together. Others, with solitary personalities, indulged in research alone.

Sometimes conflicts erupted, and many died from the battles.

However, for the vast majority of the time, everyone was preoccupied with researching the relics of the Immortal World.

Just as they thought they would spend a full ten years in the sealed Cave Heaven.

On a certain day in the sixth year, the Cave Heaven suddenly shook with a rumbling. As everyone was bewildered, a long-lost beam of light from the outside world was cast from the sky.

Shining upon Li Fan.

The disciples of the five Immortal Sects, each proud and talented, all turned their gaze toward Li Fan, full of disbelief.

The mysterious black-clothed figure who had once led them into the Cave Heaven appeared again.

Gazing at Li Fan, he murmured under his breath, “Rank fifty-two in past editions. This score is fine. Let’s hope for another addition.”

The array of gifted disciples heard the words of the black-clothed figure, their expressions even more surprised. They had thought Li Fan unveiling the Immortal secrets ahead of time was impressive enough, only to find out he ranked fifty-second. What kind of prodigies were those ahead?

While everyone was struggling to calm their shocked hearts, they again heard the black-clothed figure speak.

“As for all of you…”

“Go to reincarnation for further toils.”

“Next time, hopefully, you can be born into a good fate, with higher comprehension.”

The black-clothed figure took only Li Fan away, while the others perished in the collapse of the Cave Heaven.

Li Fan silently watched as the cave swallowed up hundreds of sects’ gifted disciples and transformed into a black elixir in the hand of the black-clothed figure.

“Eat it.” The black-clothed figure said indifferently, tossing the elixir over.

Li Fan swallowed it without hesitation.

Instantly, spirit light burst forth in his consciousness, countless thoughts erupting—all derived from the insights of those gifted disciples during their time in the Cave Heaven. Though their progress in comprehending the Immortal relics wasn’t as advanced as Li Fan’s, there were points worth learning.

Five years of seclusion, coupled with the Cave Heaven, and the transformation of the prodigies into elixir.

Li Fan ascended directly into the God Transformation stage.

Without having time to rest, Li Fan was then taken by the black-clothed figure to fly towards the sky above.

The Gang Wind was fierce, seemingly possessing erosion abilities; protective spiritual power was useless, causing Li Fan’s cheeks to sting.

In no time, tiny streams of blood began flowing from various parts of his body.

Li Fan merely squinted slightly, quietly wiping away the blood. He closely followed behind the black-clothed figure.

Continuing to ascend into the heavens.

As if endless, the higher they went, the greater the resistance encountered.

Until reaching a certain limit, Li Fan’s vision suddenly became clear.

A magnificent purple Dao Palace, akin to the dwelling of Immortals, stood towering among the clouds.

The people in Dao Palace all wore hurried expressions, indifferent to other matters.

Li Fan followed along the way and arrived at the central main hall of Dao Palace.

What stood in the hall was not a statue of anyone.

Rather, it was a peculiar device.

Amidst countless rings, the revealed light and shadow depicted the countless beings below.

“This is the [Divine Ring of Heavenly Insight]. Within it, you may witness the secrets of Heaven and Earth.”

“But do not be greedy, remember, even though thousands of divine laws appear before you, you can only take one.”

“Go on.” The black-clad figure rarely offered advice, and then pointed towards the Divine Ring of Heavenly Insight.

He did not mention the consequences of failure.

Li Fan had no other choice but to step closer to the divine ring.

The closer he got to the divine ring, the faster the light and shadow seemed to flicker.

The blood within his body roared, as if it could burst out at any moment.

Li Fan suppressed the discomfort and slowly stepped into the light and shadow.

At the moment his body was swallowed by the light and shadow of the divine ring, Li Fan felt as if he had completely disappeared.

It was as if he transformed into the ring itself, with everything in the world—people, events, objects—unfolding before him.

People, their names and surnames, life experiences, talents, divine techniques, all became clear to him.

Events, from the breaking of the realm in Mysterious Merchant’s Cave Heaven, the beginning of the world’s closure, all occurrences in the past, whether great or small, appeared before him in scenes.

Objects, their appearances were decomposed inch by inch, revealing the foundational principles of Tao they represented.

…

Indeed, deserving of the name of the Divine Ring of Heavenly Insight, with its help, Li Fan, at the God Transformation Stage, could fully comprehend the principles of one realm.

But after all, being mortal, slowly, his body began to struggle under the strain.

—————–

Soon restored.

Before long, threads of fresh blood began to seep from various parts of his body.

Li Fan merely squinted slightly, discreetly wiped away the blood, and tightly followed behind the black-clad figure.

Continuously ascended towards the sky above.

As if endlessly, the higher he went, the greater the resistance.

Until he crossed some boundary, Li Fan’s vision suddenly opened up.

The majestic Dao Palace, like an Immortal’s palace, towered above the clouds.

The people in Dao Palace all wore hurried expressions, indifferent to other matters.

Li Fan followed along the way and arrived at the central main hall of Dao Palace.

What stood in the hall was not a statue of anyone.

Rather, it was a peculiar device.

Amidst countless rings, the revealed light and shadow depicted the countless beings below.

“This is the [Divine Ring of Heavenly Insight]. Within it, you may witness the secrets of Heaven and Earth.”

“But do not be greedy, remember, even though thousands of divine laws appear before you, you can only take one.”

“Go on.” The black-clad figure rarely offered advice, and then pointed towards the Divine Ring of Heavenly Insight.

He did not mention the consequences of failure.

Li Fan had no other choice but to step closer to the divine ring.

The closer he got to the divine ring, the faster the light and shadow seemed to flicker.

The blood within his body roared, as if it could burst out at any moment.

Li Fan suppressed the discomfort and slowly stepped into the light and shadow.

At the moment his body was swallowed by the light and shadow of the divine ring, Li Fan felt as if he had completely disappeared.

It was as if he transformed into the ring itself, with everything in the world—people, events, objects—unfolding before him.

People, their names and surnames, life experiences, talents, divine techniques, all became clear to him.

Events, from the breaking of the realm in Mysterious Merchant’s Cave Heaven, the beginning of the world’s closure, all occurrences in the past, whether great or small, appeared before him in scenes.

Objects, their appearances were decomposed inch by inch, revealing the foundational principles of Tao they represented.

…

Indeed, deserving of the name of the Divine Ring of Heavenly Insight, with its help, Li Fan, at the God Transformation Stage, could fully comprehend the principles of one realm.

But after all, being mortal, slowly, his body began to struggle under the strain.