suī rán nà zhǒng rú máng zài bèi de gǎn jué yǐ jīng xiāo shī bú jiàn 。 dàn yī jiù shí bù shí ， xīn zhōng wú duān yī zhèn sǒng rán 。
虽然那种如芒在背的感觉已经消失不见。但依旧时不时，心中无端一阵悚然。
Although he had received such a great fortune, Li Fan was far from being elated. Instead, he felt an endless unease.
“ zhǎng wò shān hǎi céng miàn de dà dào ， gēn shí jì zhàn lì qí shí bìng méi yǒu duō dà de guān xì 。 jiù bǐ rú wǒ ， zòng rán shǒu wò zhì bǎo 【 hái zhēn 】， zài méi yǒu chè dǐ lǐng wù zhēn jiǎ zhī biàn qián 、 shí lì hái bù rú chāo tuō zhēn xiān 。”
“掌握山海层面的大道，跟实际战力其实并没有多大的关系。就比如我，纵然手握至宝【还真】，在没有彻底领悟真假之变前、实力还不如超脱真仙。”
The changes happening to his body seemed to be completely unnoticed by the True Self. It even seemed to welcome these changes and remained silent, only occasionally showing some different signs as if hesitating to speak.
“ shǒu qiū gōng suī zhǎng cháng shēng ， què yě méi yǒu dá dào néng yǔ shān hǎi bǐ jiān de dì bù 。 cóng zǐ yī xiān qián huà lǐ huà wài suǒ liú lù de tài dù lái kàn ， èr zhě shí lì yīng dà zhì xiāng dāng ……”
“守丘公虽掌长生，却也没有达到能与山海比肩的地步。从紫衣先前话里话外所流露的态度来看，二者实力应大致相当……”
This made Li Fan feel even more uneasy. After carefully pondering the intentions of the True Self, he realized that it had never seen the many changes brought about when the three aspects merged. Therefore, it was merely observing out of curiosity.
lǐ fán chén yín ， kàn zhe yǐ jīng gēn bǎi nián qián jiǒng rán bù tóng de shuò xīng hǎi - gāo qiáng xīng kōng ， zuì zhōng hái shì méi yǒu xuǎn zé mào xiǎn 。
李凡沉吟，看着已经跟百年前迥然不同的朔星海-高墙星空，最终还是没有选择冒险。
As time passed, Li Fan's sense of being devoured grew stronger. Vague images began to appear in his mind. He was certain these were not from his own memories but rather events that occurred in the world of the Dust.
“ jiāng cháng shēng dà dào zài cān wù shì yàn xiē ， jiù kě yǐ hái zhēn le 。”
“将长生大道再参悟试验些，就可以还真了。”
His body started to blend with the surroundings. For example, Cheng Dao seemed to have forgotten about him and would sometimes find it hard to recall Li Fan's existence as a younger brother.
“ cǐ shì zhǎn huò tài duō ， bìng qiě yǐ jīng yǐn yǐn chù jí le píng jǐng 。 jiē xià lái jù tǐ yào rú hé zǒu ， hái xū hǎo hǎo guī huà yī fān 。”
“此世斩获太多，并且已经隐隐触及了瓶颈。接下来具体要如何走，还需好好规划一番。”
When he instinctively wanted to act, he would become confused and forget what his next move should be. Only when Li Fan appeared before him did he manage to remember.
kào zhe hái zhēn zhī lì ， lǐ fán yǐ jīng zhàn zài le cháng shēng dà dào de zhōng diǎn 。
靠着还真之利，李凡已经站在了长生大道的终点。
Cheng Dao himself was unaware of the changes in his state.
bù guò xià yī shì ， lǐ fán què bìng bù dǎ suàn jì chéng zhè yī shì de xiū wèi 。 máo dìng 1 nián ， bù zhī shǒu qiū gōng jiū jìng shēn chù hé fāng ， shì fǒu zài shān hǎi chén shì zhī nèi 。 ruò shì bèi tā chá jué chū ， lǐ fán zhè wèi cháng shēng dà dào shàng de tū wù kè ， zhòu rán jiàng lín de huà 。
不过下一世，李凡却并不打算继承这一世的修为。锚定1年，不知守丘公究竟身处何方，是否在山海尘世之内。若是被他察觉出，李凡这位长生大道上的突兀客，骤然降临的话。
This was even more evident among other beings. As the creator of the Primordial World, the Heavenly Emperor and the Heaven Marks in this world had completely forgotten about Li Fan. Even the Primordial World itself seemed unrelated to him.
hái zhēn fā dòng shàng zài lěng què zhōng de lǐ fán ， gēn wèng zhōng zhī biē wú yì 。
还真发动尚在冷却中的李凡，跟瓮中之鳖无异。
As the marks left by "Li Fan" in the world faded away, he became increasingly integrated into the Dust World, not just limited to the initial possibilities.
“ hái zhēn píng kōng shēng zào de xiū wèi lián xì ， wú miàn xiān 、 dà fǎ shī tā men zì rán méi yǒu zī gé chá jué 。 dàn shǒu qiū gōng tóng zhǎng shān hǎi dà dào ， jiù bù hǎo shuō le 。”
“还真凭空生造的修为联系，无面仙、大法师他们自然没有资格察觉。但守丘公同掌山海大道，就不好说了。”
Looking up at the sky, Li Fan noticed that the once dense heavens now had countless tiny cracks, through which he could glimpse endless mountain seas. He realized he could step out of the sea and mountains anytime!
“ bù bì mào zhè ge xiǎn 。”
“不必冒这个险。”
The opportunity for transcendence was right in front of him. A sense of longing surged within his heart. However, his inner vigilance kept him from taking this final step.
“ fǎn zhèng zhè yī shì shí lì tí shēng de gēn běn ， dà duō tǐ xiàn zài duì dà dào de gǎn wù shàng 。 jiù suàn huí dào bàn xiān qǐ diǎn ， wǒ yě néng hěn kuài huī fù zhàn lì 。”
“反正这一世实力提升的根本，大多体现在对大道的感悟上。就算回到半仙起点，我也能很快恢复战力。”
"Can't stay here any longer."
jí biàn dǎ dìng le bù jì chéng xiū wèi de zhù yì ， lǐ fán zài jǐn shèng de shí jiān lǐ ， què yī jiù yào cān wù cháng shēng dà dào 。 huí dào le lǐng wù 【 cháng shēng 】 de qǐ diǎn ， zhòng zǒu 、 xì xì pǐn wèi yī fān 。
即便打定了不继承修为的注意，李凡在仅剩的时间里，却依旧要参悟长生大道。回到了领悟【长生】的起点，重走、细细品味一番。
In a moment of clarity, Li Fan thought to himself. The illusion brought by the sea's devouring made him misjudge the passage of time. He had only spent a few days since accepting Cheng Dao's guidance and understanding the path of immortality, but he discovered that ten years had passed when he checked the state of the Northern Star Sea.
zhè shì yīn wèi lǐ fán zài wèi xià yī shì pū lù 。
这是因为李凡在为下一世铺路。
Shaking his head to dispel the confusion caused by the sea's devouring, Li Fan silently repeated "True Self!" The world seemed to pause. He waited for darkness to consume him.
fā dòng hái zhēn 、 huí dào máo dìng 1 nián hòu ， rú guǒ xuǎn zé bù jì chéng xiū wèi de huà ， nà me jiù xiāng dāng yú zhǎn duàn le lǐ fán gēn cháng shēng dà dào de lián xì 。
发动还真、回到锚定1年后，如果选择不继承修为的话，那么就相当于斩断了李凡跟长生大道的联系。
One breath, two breaths, three breaths...
dàn lǐ fán huò kě píng jiè zhè yī shì suǒ liú yìn jì ， zǒu chū shǔ yú zì jǐ de cháng shēng lù lái 。
但李凡或可凭借这一世所留印记，走出属于自己的长生路来。
But the familiar darkness did not come.
bìng fēi shì shǒu qiū gōng shān hǎi zhī dào ， lǐ fán yě wú yì shē qiú yī bù dēng tiān 。 zhǐ yào néng zhān rǎn le xiē xǔ cháng shēng de xìng zhì ， biàn yǐ jīng zú gòu 。
并非是守丘公山海之道，李凡也无意奢求一步登天。只要能沾染了些许长生的性质，便已经足够。
Like being doused with icy water in winter, Li Fan repeated "True Self!" again and again.
“ shǒu qiū gōng de cháng shēng lù ， zú yǐ wú shì dào yān zhī jié 。 ér wǒ de cháng shēng zhī lù ， zhǐ qiú néng gòu héng dù shān hǎi 。”
“守丘公的长生路，足以无视道湮之劫。而我的长生之路，只求能够横渡山海。”
"True Self!"
“ dāng rán ， zhè yě zhǐ shì wǒ tà chū de dì yī bù bà le 。 rì hòu ， huò kě róng rù zhēn jiǎ zhī biàn 。”
“当然，这也只是我踏出的第一步罢了。日后，或可融入真假之变。”
"True Self!"
zài dé zhī le shān 、 hǎi 、 xīng ， shān hǎi 、 cháng shēng 、 hái zhēn děng zhī jiān cún zài de mò míng guān lián hòu ， lǐ fán céng jīng xiá xiǎng guò ， ruò shì néng gòu zhè xiē shén tōng jiē bèi ， yòu jiū jìng huì fā shēng xiē shén me 。
在得知了山、海、星，山海、长生、还真等之间存在的莫名关联后，李凡曾经遐想过，若是能够这些神通皆备，又究竟会发生些什么。
However, True Self seemed to have failed or left his body without any reaction.
“ dēng lín zhēn xiān zhī jìng ， shān hǎi zhī lì jiā shēn 。 lǐng wù zhēn jiǎ zhī biàn ， zhí zhǎng hái zhēn wú shàng wēi néng 。 ruò shì tóng shí ， zài tà cháng shēng zhī lù ……”
“登临真仙之境，山海之力加身。领悟真假之变，执掌还真无上威能。若是同时，再踏长生之路……”
A great fear arose within him, far surpassing that of being devoured by the sea. His face twisted as he roared out loud in anger. But it was as if he had been forgotten by the world; nothing responded to his rage.
xiàn zài de lǐ fán ， qí shí zài mǒu zhǒng chéng dù shàng ， yǐ jīng shì sān zhě hé yī le 。
现在的李凡，其实在某种程度上，已经是三者合一了。
In despair, a vicious spirit surged forth. Li Fan tried to destroy the star sea with his powers but found himself unable to connect with reality. He disappeared from the world and merged into the sea.
zhǐ bù guò měi yí gè ， dōu yǒu hěn dà de shuǐ fèn 。
只不过每一个，都有很大的水分。
Li Fan did not feel his body becoming transparent or fading away. Instead, he slowly faded out of existence.
shí jì yī jiù shì bàn xiān zhī jìng ， lián tōng shān hǎi quán kào de fēn shēn 。 zhēn jiǎ zhī biàn zhǐ shì lǐng wù le pí máo 。 cháng shēng dà dào yě jǐn jǐn shì zǒu mǎ guān huā ， bù míng suǒ yǐ 。
实际依旧是半仙之境，联通山海全靠的分身。真假之变只是领悟了皮毛。长生大道也仅仅是走马观花，不明所以。
More cracks appeared in the sky. The next step seemed inevitable, drawing him into the mountains and seas.
dàn jí biàn rú cǐ ， lǐ fán yě yī jiù néng shí fēn qīng xī de chá jué dào ， zì jǐ shēn shàng suǒ fā shēng de mǒu xiē shuō bù qīng 、 dào bù míng de biàn huà 。
但即便如此，李凡也依旧能十分清晰的察觉到，自己身上所发生的某些说不清、道不明的变化。
"Is this my final fate?"
zuì jù tǐ de ， jiù shì nà dào jì tóu yǐng zhū 。 zài méi yǒu lǐng wù cháng shēng dà dào zhī qián ， zòng shǐ jiè zhù yún yún xīng hǎi zhòng shēng de cān wù ， jiě xī qǐ lái bù shuō duō me kùn nán ， zuì qǐ mǎ dí què shì yào fèi xiē xīn sī de 。
最具体的，就是那道纪投影珠。在没有领悟长生大道之前，纵使借助芸芸星海众生的参悟，解析起来不说多么困难，最起码的确是要费些心思的。
When nothing could change his destiny, Li Fan became calm instead. He felt something was wrong but couldn't put his finger on it.
dàn xiàn zài ……
但现在……
Only when half of his body entered the crack did he finally wake up to see the vast mountain seas beyond the world.
wàng zhī dǒng zhī ， míng zhī huì zhī 。
望之懂之，明之会知。
Had True Self truly left him?
fǎng fú zhè kě néng xìng zhōng de wú shù shén tōng ， tā zǎo jiù kàn le bù zhī dào duō shǎo biàn 、 shī zhǎn le bù zhī duō shǎo cì 。 rú jīn bù guò shì jiù shí zhòng lái bà le 。 gēn běn wú xū zài qù huí qù ， ér zhǐ xū huí yì qǐ lái 。
仿佛这可能性中的无数神通，他早就看了不知道多少遍、施展了不知多少次。如今不过是旧时重来罢了。根本无需再去回去，而只需回忆起来。
If he lost True Self, how could he maintain this state of being devoured by the sea and mountains? He was probably already transcended. Only by merging into three aspects could one naturally integrate with the sea and mountains. Even if transcending to the Three Sages' realm, it would not be possible.
bìng qiě ， zhè zhǒng shēn tǐ zhǔ dòng qì hé zhū tiān dà dào de jìn chéng ， hái yù fā xùn sù qǐ lái 。
并且，这种身体主动契合诸天大道的进程，还愈发迅速起来。
Through simple logical reasoning, Li Fan suddenly realized: "I haven't lost True Self."
yǐ zhì yú dào le hòu lái ， dōu wú xū zài qù jiè zhù xīng hǎi shēng líng bāng máng cān wù 。 nà wǎn ruò wú shù xì xiàn jiū chán yì qǐ de dào jì tóu yǐng zhū ， lǐ fán qīng qīng yī yǎn ， jiù néng gòu kàn qīng qí zhōng měi yī gēn xiàn tiáo de zǒu xiàng 、 jù tǐ qíng xíng 。
以致于到了后来，都无需再去借助星海生灵帮忙参悟。那宛若无数细线纠缠一起的道纪投影珠，李凡轻轻一眼，就能够看清其中每一根线条的走向、具体情形。
It felt like he had found his last lifeline. His previously calm and indifferent eyes suddenly shone with hope.
nǎi zhì chōu sī bō jiǎn ， rú míng jìng bān yìng zhào ， dōu shì xún cháng zhī shì 。
乃至抽丝剥茧，如明镜般映照，都是寻常之事。
"Based on how True Self performed in the Infinite Sea and actively taught the Illusion of Truth method, it definitely doesn't want me to be discovered by the sea and mountains now."
shén me jiào tiān fù ？
什么叫天赋？
"If before, the merging was just out of curiosity, there's no reason for him not to respond when I am about to be completely devoured by the sea."
zhè biàn shì le 。
这便是了。
Li Fan's thoughts raced. The vague sense of time passed returned to normal.
shèn zhì ràng lǐ fán zì jǐ dōu gǎn dào yǒu xiē hài pà le 。
甚至让李凡自己都感到有些害怕了。
"So it's not that True Self isn't responding to me."
tā bìng méi yǒu yīn wèi shēn tǐ zhè bān biàn huà ér gǎn dào xīn xǐ ， zhǐ jué de ， zì jǐ hǎo sì zhèng zhú jiàn bèi shān hǎi tūn shì yì bān 。
他并没有因为身体这般变化而感到欣喜，只觉得，自己好似正逐渐被山海吞噬一般。
"Rather..."
chèn zhe chéng dào bù zhù yì ， lǐ fán hái zài xīng hǎi biān chuí ， jiē yǐn le xiē xǔ dào yān zhī lì 、 yòng lái shì tàn 。
趁着承道不注意，李凡还在星海边陲，接引了些许道湮之力、用来试探。
"The connection between us has been severed."
jǐn guǎn méi yǒu zhēn zhèng shè zú ， dàn zhàn zài dào yān làng cháo de fù jìn ， lǐ fán xīn zhōng guò qù de nà zhǒng zhì mìng wēi jī gǎn ， què yǐ jīng bù fù cún zài 。
尽管没有真正涉足，但站在道湮浪潮的附近，李凡心中过去的那种致命危机感，却已经不复存在。
"Or perhaps, he didn't hear my command for True Self."
rú guǒ shuō ， guò qù de gǎn jué shì zhàn zài wàn zhàng shēn yuān zhī biān ， shāo wēi bù shèn jiù huì shuāi de fěn shēn suì gǔ de huà 。 nà me xiàn zài ， jiù hǎo sì lì yú wú jìn dà hú zhī biān 。
如果说，过去的感觉是站在万丈深渊之边，稍微不甚就会摔的粉身碎骨的话。那么现在，就好似立于无尽大湖之边。
The realization dawned on Li Fan.
jiù suàn yì wài zhuì hú ， yě néng miǎn qiǎng pū téng zhe ， miǎn qiǎng zhòng huí àn shàng 。 zhǐ yào bù zì jǐ zuò sǐ ， shēn rù hú zhōng yāng ， jiù méi yǒu xìng mìng zhī yōu 。
就算意外坠湖，也能勉强扑腾着，勉强重回岸上。只要不自己作死，深入湖中央，就没有性命之忧。
"As long as True Self is still here, everything can be saved."
“ shèn zhì ， suí zhe shí jiān de tuī yí ， wǒ de shuǐ xìng 、 hái zài biàn dé yuè lái yuè hǎo 。”
“甚至，随着时间的推移，我的水性、还在变得越来越好。”
"Hell or high water, I'll make a move!"
“ wǒ nǎ pà shén me dōu bù zuò ， zhǐ yào jiù zhè me huó xià qù 。 zhōng yǒu yī rì ， wǒ dōu néng yǐ zì shēn wèi zhōu ， héng dù shān hǎi 。”
“我哪怕什么都不做，只要就这么活下去。终有一日，我都能以自身为舟，横渡山海。”
Li Fan had already entered the cracks of the sea. The light from the original possibilities began to fade as the cracks closed.
ruò shì xún cháng rén dé dào rú cǐ dà zào huà ， zǎo jiù xīn xǐ ruò kuáng le 。 dàn lǐ fán xīn zhōng ， què zhǐ yǒu wú jìn de bù ān 。
若是寻常人得到如此大造化，早就欣喜若狂了。但李凡心中，却只有无尽的不安。
Entering the sea and mountains, he felt that his process of being devoured slowed down. However, countless images and lights in his mind grew stronger like a storm, threatening to turn into reality at any moment.
zuì wèi guǐ yì de shì ， duì yú lǐ fán shēn tǐ fā shēng zhōng fā shēng de biàn huà ， hái zhēn yě shì háo wú chá jué yì bān 。 shèn zhì sì hū hái lè jiàn zhè zhǒng biàn huà de fā shēng 。 suǒ yǐ yì zhí bǎo chí le chén mò 。 zhǐ shì céng jīng ， shāo wēi liú lù chū xiē xǔ bù tóng 。
最为诡异的是，对于李凡身体发生中发生的变化，还真也是毫无察觉一般。甚至似乎还乐见这种变化的发生。所以一直保持了沉默。只是曾经，稍微流露出些许不同。
The infinite sea, the peak above, even the other side of the sea and mountains, seemed to sense Li Fan's movement. The sea roared as if ready to reveal him to all living beings.
fǎng fú yù yán yòu zhǐ 。
仿佛欲言又止。
But the more desperate he was, the calmer his heart became. He quickly found a way to save himself: self-destruction.
zhè gèng ràng lǐ fán gǎn dào bù miào 。
这更让李凡感到不妙。
The energy accumulated from cultivation and Li Fan's soul and willpower exploded in an instant.
zǐ xì chuǎi mó le yī fān hái zhēn de yì tú ， lǐ fán fā xiàn ， yīng dāng shì jiù lián hái zhēn dōu méi yǒu jiàn dào zhè sān zhě xiāng róng zhī hòu suǒ chǎn shēng de zhū duō biàn huà 。
仔细揣摩了一番还真的意图，李凡发现，应当是就连还真都没有见到这三者相融之后所产生的诸多变化。
The foundation of immortality and the path of immortality turned into endless light fuel.
gù ér hào qí guān chá 。
故而好奇观察。
Li Fan had never realized how much energy was stored within him. This sudden ignition could even block the Devouring Path, burning mountains and filling seas!
suí zhe shí jiān de liú shì ， lǐ fán nà zhǒng bèi tūn shì gǎn ， yě yù fā nóng hòu 。
随着时间的流逝，李凡那种被吞噬感，也愈发浓厚。
The first to be affected were the original possibilities that hadn't fully closed yet. The infinite light illuminated the dark sky like a sun.
nǎo hǎi zhōng ， kāi shǐ wú duān fú xiàn chū zhǒng zhǒng huàn yǐng 。
脑海中，开始无端浮现出种种幻影。
In the Northern Star Sea, the Primordial World, and everywhere else, everything was melted by the fiery light.
lǐ fán què dìng ， zhè xiē jué duì dōu bú shì lái zì zì jǐ de jì yì zhōng 。
李凡确定，这些绝对都不是来自自己的记忆中。
Only a few people in the original possibility struggled to hold on as it spread rapidly like a wildfire, spreading with the speed of sight transfer.
ér xiàng shì ， céng jīng zài shān hǎi chén shì zhōng ， fā shēng de zhǒng zhǒng shì qíng 。
而像是，曾经在山海尘世中，发生的种种事情。
Wherever Li Fan looked, he was swallowed by the light. The raging flames and intense light obscured external vision.
liú lù zài wài de tǐ xiàn ， zé shì lǐ fán zhī shēn qū ， kāi shǐ gēn zhōu wéi de shì jiè tóng huà 。
流露在外的体现，则是李凡之身躯，开始跟周围的世界同化。
In the endless light, Li Fan finally had a moment's respite. He saw his last strong moment before everything burned away.
zuì míng xiǎn de jiù shì ， chéng dào yǒu yì wú yì de ， jiāng lǐ fán yí wàng 。
最明显的就是，承道有意无意的，将李凡遗忘。
According to his observation, the possibilities being destroyed were not truly gone but transformed into illusions returning to the sea and mountains.
qián bù jiǔ ， hái shí cháng lái zhǎo lǐ fán tǎo lùn duì cháng shēng dà dào de gǎn wù 。
前不久，还时常来找李凡讨论对长生大道的感悟。
Li Fan could even sense these images in his mind.
dàn màn màn de ， tā sì hū wàng jì le zì jǐ hái yǒu zhè me yī wèi shī dì de cún zài 。
但慢慢的，他似乎忘记了自己还有这么一位师弟的存在。
"Is there any connection between the sea and the world?"
měi měi běn néng xiǎng yào xíng dòng zhī shí ， zhǐ shì yī zhèn mí máng ， yī shí jiān jìng xiǎng bù qǐ zì jǐ jiē xià lái dǎ suàn zuò shén me 。 zhí dào lǐ fán chū xiàn zài tā miàn qián ， miǎn qiǎng biàn rèn zhī hòu ， fāng cái huí yì qǐ lái 。
每每本能想要行动之时，只是一阵迷茫，一时间竟想不起自己接下来打算做什么。直到李凡出现在他面前，勉强辨认之后，方才回忆起来。
"And beyond the sea..."
piān piān chéng dào běn rén ， hái bù jué qí yì 。
偏偏承道本人，还不觉其异。
After reaching an extreme state, it suddenly collapsed. Li Fan's thoughts stopped as he couldn't think anymore.
chéng dào rú cǐ ， qí yú shēng líng ， gèng shì bù kān 。
承道如此，其余生灵，更是不堪。
"In the end, I failed to awaken True Self."
zuò wéi hóng huāng xiān jiè de zào wù zhǔ ， rú jīn zhè ge shì jiè zhōng de tiān dì 、 yǐ jí tiān hén men ， yǐ jīng quán dōu jiāng lǐ fán suǒ dàn wàng 。 shèn zhì hóng huāng xiān jiè zhè fāng tiān dì ， gēn lǐ fán zhī qián de lián xì ， dōu yǐ jīng bèi zhǎn duàn 。
作为洪荒仙界的造物主，如今这个世界中的天帝、以及天痕们，已经全都将李凡所淡忘。甚至洪荒仙界这方天地，跟李凡之前的联系，都已经被斩断。
This was Li Fan's last thought before losing consciousness.
Although he had received such a great fortune, Li Fan was far from being elated. Instead, he felt an endless unease.
The changes happening to his body seemed to be completely unnoticed by the True Self. It even seemed to welcome these changes and remained silent, only occasionally showing some different signs as if hesitating to speak.
This made Li Fan feel even more uneasy. After carefully pondering the intentions of the True Self, he realized that it had never seen the many changes brought about when the three aspects merged. Therefore, it was merely observing out of curiosity.
As time passed, Li Fan's sense of being devoured grew stronger. Vague images began to appear in his mind. He was certain these were not from his own memories but rather events that occurred in the world of the Dust.
His body started to blend with the surroundings. For example, Cheng Dao seemed to have forgotten about him and would sometimes find it hard to recall Li Fan's existence as a younger brother.
When he instinctively wanted to act, he would become confused and forget what his next move should be. Only when Li Fan appeared before him did he manage to remember.
Cheng Dao himself was unaware of the changes in his state.
This was even more evident among other beings. As the creator of the Primordial World, the Heavenly Emperor and the Heaven Marks in this world had completely forgotten about Li Fan. Even the Primordial World itself seemed unrelated to him.
As the marks left by "Li Fan" in the world faded away, he became increasingly integrated into the Dust World, not just limited to the initial possibilities.
Looking up at the sky, Li Fan noticed that the once dense heavens now had countless tiny cracks, through which he could glimpse endless mountain seas. He realized he could step out of the sea and mountains anytime!
The opportunity for transcendence was right in front of him. A sense of longing surged within his heart. However, his inner vigilance kept him from taking this final step.
"Can't stay here any longer."
In a moment of clarity, Li Fan thought to himself. The illusion brought by the sea's devouring made him misjudge the passage of time. He had only spent a few days since accepting Cheng Dao's guidance and understanding the path of immortality, but he discovered that ten years had passed when he checked the state of the Northern Star Sea.
Shaking his head to dispel the confusion caused by the sea's devouring, Li Fan silently repeated "True Self!" The world seemed to pause. He waited for darkness to consume him.
One breath, two breaths, three breaths...
But the familiar darkness did not come.
Like being doused with icy water in winter, Li Fan repeated "True Self!" again and again.
"True Self!"
"True Self!"
However, True Self seemed to have failed or left his body without any reaction.
A great fear arose within him, far surpassing that of being devoured by the sea. His face twisted as he roared out loud in anger. But it was as if he had been forgotten by the world; nothing responded to his rage.
In despair, a vicious spirit surged forth. Li Fan tried to destroy the star sea with his powers but found himself unable to connect with reality. He disappeared from the world and merged into the sea.
Li Fan did not feel his body becoming transparent or fading away. Instead, he slowly faded out of existence.
More cracks appeared in the sky. The next step seemed inevitable, drawing him into the mountains and seas.
"Is this my final fate?"
When nothing could change his destiny, Li Fan became calm instead. He felt something was wrong but couldn't put his finger on it.
Only when half of his body entered the crack did he finally wake up to see the vast mountain seas beyond the world.
Had True Self truly left him?
If he lost True Self, how could he maintain this state of being devoured by the sea and mountains? He was probably already transcended. Only by merging into three aspects could one naturally integrate with the sea and mountains. Even if transcending to the Three Sages' realm, it would not be possible.
Through simple logical reasoning, Li Fan suddenly realized: "I haven't lost True Self."
It felt like he had found his last lifeline. His previously calm and indifferent eyes suddenly shone with hope.
"Based on how True Self performed in the Infinite Sea and actively taught the Illusion of Truth method, it definitely doesn't want me to be discovered by the sea and mountains now."
"If before, the merging was just out of curiosity, there's no reason for him not to respond when I am about to be completely devoured by the sea."
Li Fan's thoughts raced. The vague sense of time passed returned to normal.
"So it's not that True Self isn't responding to me."
"Rather..."
"The connection between us has been severed."
"Or perhaps, he didn't hear my command for True Self."
The realization dawned on Li Fan.
"As long as True Self is still here, everything can be saved."
"Hell or high water, I'll make a move!"
Li Fan had already entered the cracks of the sea. The light from the original possibilities began to fade as the cracks closed.
Entering the sea and mountains, he felt that his process of being devoured slowed down. However, countless images and lights in his mind grew stronger like a storm, threatening to turn into reality at any moment.
The infinite sea, the peak above, even the other side of the sea and mountains, seemed to sense Li Fan's movement. The sea roared as if ready to reveal him to all living beings.
But the more desperate he was, the calmer his heart became. He quickly found a way to save himself: self-destruction.
The energy accumulated from cultivation and Li Fan's soul and willpower exploded in an instant.
The foundation of immortality and the path of immortality turned into endless light fuel.
Li Fan had never realized how much energy was stored within him. This sudden ignition could even block the Devouring Path, burning mountains and filling seas!
The first to be affected were the original possibilities that hadn't fully closed yet. The infinite light illuminated the dark sky like a sun.
In the Northern Star Sea, the Primordial World, and everywhere else, everything was melted by the fiery light.
Only a few people in the original possibility struggled to hold on as it spread rapidly like a wildfire, spreading with the speed of sight transfer.
Wherever Li Fan looked, he was swallowed by the light. The raging flames and intense light obscured external vision.
In the endless light, Li Fan finally had a moment's respite. He saw his last strong moment before everything burned away.
According to his observation, the possibilities being destroyed were not truly gone but transformed into illusions returning to the sea and mountains.
Li Fan could even sense these images in his mind.
"Is there any connection between the sea and the world?"
"And beyond the sea..."
After reaching an extreme state, it suddenly collapsed. Li Fan's thoughts stopped as he couldn't think anymore.
"In the end, I failed to awaken True Self."
This was Li Fan's last thought before losing consciousness.