tài jí mù gùn yǎn yǎn yī xī ， liǎng duān hēi bái miàn kǒng ， jiē biàn dé rú zhǐ bān dàn bó 。 gùn shēn shàng huā wén gèng shì jī hū quán dōu xiāo shī bú jiàn ， zhǐ shèng xià shù tiáo cán yú 。
太极木棍奄奄一息，两端黑白面孔，皆变得如纸般淡薄。棍身上花纹更是几乎全都消失不见，只剩下数条残余。
The Tai Tian Emperor, ensnared within the transparent furnace, struggled and writhed but could not break free. The twelve Primordial Beings stood in solemn silence, their eyes fixed on the scene.
jié hòu yú shēng de tā chè dǐ lǎo shí xià lái 。
劫后余生的它彻底老实下来。
"Senior, this coffin seems to contain an ominous presence," Ruiyu said with a hint of unease.
miàn duì lǐ fán xuán huáng xū yǐng de tóu wèi ， jí bù kě nài 。 shèn zhì xiǎn lù chū tǎo hǎo de miàn kǒng 。
面对李凡玄黄虚影的投喂，急不可耐。甚至显露出讨好的面孔。
"Ominous..." Li Fan chuckled lightly, showing no concern as he opened the coffin.
zhí dào bǎo cān yī dùn ， cái màn màn huǎn guò lái 。 dàn tā bìng méi yǒu lǎo shí tài jiǔ 。
直到饱餐一顿，才慢慢缓过来。但它并没有老实太久。
Instantly, an infinite amount of light erupted from within. Black and crimson lights intertwined in a terrifying manner. A figure clad in golden imperial robes suddenly appeared before them, his presence exuding immense authority.
jǐn jǐn sān tiān hòu ， tài jí mù gùn biàn jiù tài fù fā le 。
仅仅三天后，太极木棍便旧态复发了。
After a moment's silence, this figure coldly asked, "Having seen me, why do you not bow?"
yǐ jīng yì shí dào lǐ fán shí lì de qiáng dà ， zhè cì tā méi yǒu xuǎn zé zài xí jī lǐ fán 。 ér shì zhí jiē yuè chū chuán wài ， cháo zhe xiān qián zài dào yān zhōng gǎn yìng dào de “ qì wèi ” lái yuán dùn qù 。
已经意识到李凡实力的强大，这次它没有选择再袭击李凡。而是直接跃出船外，朝着先前在道湮中感应到的“气味”来源遁去。
"Deity... Deity Emperor?" Ruiyu gasped, his eyes wide with shock.
sī háo méi yǒu chá jué dào ， xuán huáng xiān zhōu jǐn jǐn gēn zài tā de shēn hòu 。
丝毫没有察觉到，玄黄仙舟紧紧跟在它的身后。
Just as everyone was taken aback, the regal figure suddenly lunged towards them. His clothes began to tear apart, and his human head transformed into a large rat's head!
“ zhè chù sheng suī yǒu líng zhì ， dàn zhì huì chéng dù zhe shí bù zěn me gāo 。” shí èr zhēn xiān zhōng de lǎo dà ， nà míng wèi ruǎn ruì yǔ de zhū rú lǎo zhě ， jiàn zhuàng bù yóu tiáo kǎn shuō dào 。
“这畜生虽有灵智，但智慧程度着实不怎么高。”十二真仙中的老大，那名为阮瑞宇的侏儒老者，见状不由调侃说道。
The twelve Primordial Beings were shaken to their core; they could see themselves turning into food for these rats.
“ hái shì qián bèi shuō de yǒu lǐ ， chù sheng jiù shì chù sheng 。” qí tā rén jiē qí shēng zàn tóng dào 。
“还是前辈说的有理，畜生就是畜生。”其他人皆齐声赞同道。
"Indeed, it is you."
tài jí mù gùn de jì xìng zhe shí bù hǎo 。
太极木棍的记性着实不好。
Li Fan had anticipated this, as a transparent furnace rose up, encasing the rat deity within. The twelve Primordial Beings looked on in horror as the rat-like creature completely shed its human form and transformed into a monstrous rat.
měi cì zài dào yān zhōng bèi zhé mó de yǎn yǎn yī xī ， dàn zhǐ yào yī yǒu jī huì ， tā hái shì lì kè jiù běn néng táo rù qí zhōng 。 sì hū xuán huáng xiān zhōu shàng ， yǒu shén me bǐ dào yān hái yào kě bù de dōng xī 。
每次在道湮中被折磨的奄奄一息，但只要一有机会，它还是立刻就本能逃入其中。似乎玄黄仙舟上，有什么比道湮还要可怖的东西。
Li Fan sized up his old acquaintance, watching him struggle futilely inside the furnace.
shí èr zhēn xiān zài zuì chū jǐ fān tiáo xiào hòu ， zhōng yú yì shí dào le shén me 。 zòng shǐ tài jí mù gùn líng zhì bù gāo ， dàn zuò wéi shēng líng qū lì bì hài de běn néng ， zǒng bù zhì yú méi yǒu 。 yī liǎng cì de táo dùn ， rú guǒ hái néng shuō shì yī shí lì lìng zhì hūn 。 dàn yì zhí rú cǐ de huà ……
十二真仙在最初几番调笑后，终于意识到了什么。纵使太极木棍灵智不高，但作为生灵趋利避害的本能，总不至于没有。一两次的逃遁，如果还能说是一时利令智昏。但一直如此的话……
"It seems I haven't strayed too far from [Primordial]."
zhòng rén kàn xiàng dú lì chuán tóu ， miàn róng biǎo qíng shēn bù kě cè de lǐ fán 。 xīn zhōng zài dù yǒng qǐ yī zhèn hán yì 。
众人看向独立船头，面容表情深不可测的李凡。心中再度涌起一阵寒意。
"Still within the range that the Light World Sea can reach through the Time Abyss. More specifically, it's still in the near-sea region."
yuán běn dào zuǐ biān de yí wèn ， bèi qiáng xíng yā le xià qù 。
原本到嘴边的疑问，被强行压了下去。
The rat deity before him was no different from what he had seen in his previous life. The rat emperor's immense power was undeniable; however, against Li Fan now, it could not even defend itself.
shí èr zhēn xiān xīn zhōng ， jiē shì yǐ jīng yǒu xiē hòu huǐ shàng le zhè tiáo “ zéi chuán ” le 。 shuō shì shǐ xiàng bǐ àn dà shì ， dàn cóng cóng mù qián zhǒng zhǒng lái kàn ， duì fāng sì hū bìng bù xiǎng zhè me róng yì jiù bǎ tā men gěi dài guò qù 。
十二真仙心中，皆是已经有些后悔上了这条“贼船”了。说是驶向彼岸大世，但从从目前种种来看，对方似乎并不想这么容易就把他们给带过去。
Slowly, the rat was being refined within the furnace and transformed into nourishment for the Yellow Emperor's Ship.
dàn chú le jì xù dāi zài chuán shàng 、 yī tiáo dào zǒu dào hēi zhī wài ， tā men yǐ jīng méi yǒu qí tā xuǎn zé le 。 shàn rù dào yān ， sǐ lù yī tiáo 。 fǎn kàng lǐ fán ， huò xǔ sǐ de gèng kuài 。 shí èr xiōng dì xīn zhōng zòng yǒu wàn bān kǔ sè ， yě zhǐ néng mò mò chéng shòu 。
但除了继续呆在船上、一条道走到黑之外，他们已经没有其他选择了。擅入道湮，死路一条。反抗李凡，或许死的更快。十二兄弟心中纵有万般苦涩，也只能默默承受。
Li Fan remained expressionless as he watched the rat disintegrate into countless flickering lights.
shí èr zhēn xiān bù zhī ， zhè yì diǎn dǎo shì tā men wù jiě lǐ fán le 。
十二真仙不知，这一点倒是他们误解李凡了。
---
bìng fēi shì bù xiǎng bǎ tā men dài zhe shǐ xiàng bǐ àn dà shì 。
并非是不想把他们带着驶向彼岸大世。
In his mind, Li Fan pondered: "I owe my ability to reverse time to Tai Tian. However, when I returned a thousand years ago, even the Tai Tian of that past timeline had vanished. This proves that those who understand [Reversal] have become special entities dependent on the Time Abyss, spanning the entire mountain and sea tree."
ér shì lǐ fán yě bù zhī dào ， zhè suǒ wèi bǐ àn ， jiū jìng zài nǎ lǐ 、 gāi rú hé qù 。
而是李凡也不知道，这所谓彼岸，究竟在哪里、该如何去。
"Perhaps the superbeings in the Beyond also possess such abilities, but they should rely on the unique properties of the Beyond rather than their own path."
“ cóng lǐ lùn shàng lái jiǎng ， zhè cāng máng shān hǎi jiān ， yīng yǒu zhū duō lèi sì dēng tǎ xìn biāo de cún zài ， zhǐ yǐn bǐ àn jù tǐ fāng xiàng 。 xīn de chāo tuō qiáng zhě ， zhǐ xū jiān chí zhǎo dào zuì jìn de dēng tǎ 。 ér hòu jì xù xiàng zhe xià yí gè dēng tǎ bù duàn háng xíng ， hěn jiǔ jiù néng dá dào bǐ àn dà shì 。”
“从理论上来讲，这苍茫山海间，应有诸多类似灯塔信标的存在，指引彼岸具体方向。新的超脱强者，只需坚持找到最近的灯塔。而后继续向着下一个灯塔不断航行，很久就能达到彼岸大世。”
"Regardless, both those who understand [Reversal] and the superbeings are unique entities within a segment of the mountain and sea tree. No matter when or where they perish, it is considered complete death. Even if time flows backward, this cannot be changed."
“ dàn bù zhī wèi hé ， wǒ yǐ jīng zài dào yān zhōng piāo bó le zhè me zhǎng shí jiān ， què shǐ zhōng bú jiàn dēng tǎ hén jì 。”
“但不知为何，我已经在道湮中漂泊了这么长时间，却始终不见灯塔痕迹。”
"And then, there's Zhen..."
“ yǒu liǎng zhǒng kě néng ， wǒ méi yǒu níng jù zì shēn chāo tuō zhēn yì ， zòng shǐ dēng tǎ jìn zài yǎn qián ， wǒ yě wú fǎ kuī jiàn 。 zhè zhǒng kě néng xìng ， bú shì hěn gāo 。 bì jìng wǒ tóu dǐng zhè yè gū fān ， bú shì jiǎ de 。”
“有两种可能，我没有凝聚自身超脱真意，纵使灯塔近在眼前，我也无法窥见。这种可能性，不是很高。毕竟我头顶这叶孤帆，不是假的。”
Li Fan frowned slightly.
“ lìng wài ma ， zé shì héng dù shān hǎi ， běn jiù xū yào huā fèi zhè me duō de shí jiān 。 zhèng rú wǒ gū fān jì yì zhōng suǒ jiàn dào de nà yàng 。 méi yǒu fāng xiàng zhǐ yǐn ， héng dù suǒ xū guāng yīn ， néng yìng shēng shēng jiāng yī chāo tuō qiáng zhě shòu yuán hào jìn 。 ér ruò shì yǒu míng què fāng xiàng zhǐ yǐn ……”
“另外嘛，则是横渡山海，本就需要花费这么多的时间。正如我孤帆记忆中所见到的那样。没有方向指引，横渡所需光阴，能硬生生将一超脱强者寿元耗尽。而若是有明确方向指引……”
"As a force on par with the mountain and sea, it can directly reset and restore the state of the mountain and sea tree."
“ suǒ xū shí jiān ， zòng shǐ xuē jiǎn bǎi bèi 。 yě shì yī duàn nán yǐ xiǎng xiàng de màn cháng shí guāng 。”
“所需时间，纵使削减百倍。也是一段难以想象的漫长时光。”
"Unless it exceeds the boundaries of the mountain and sea, it will still be affected."
duì cǐ ， lǐ fán xīn lǐ yǐ jīng shì yǒu suǒ zhǔn bèi le 。
对此，李凡心里已经是有所准备了。
"But for now, I cannot determine if Zhen affects only this segment or all of the mountain and sea..."
tā yě bù zhǐ wàng hěn kuài jiù néng bǐ àn 。
他也不指望很快就能彼岸。
"There is a way to prove this."
“ dāng chū zǐ yī jiàng lín shí ， duō cì tí jí ‘ bù yuàn bāng máng pǎo tuǐ ’、‘ bù bái pǎo zhè yī tàng ’。 shuō míng jí biàn zài tā zhè zhǒng lǎo pái chāo tuō qiáng zhě yǎn lǐ ， cóng bǐ àn jiàng lín kě néng xìng ， yě bìng fēi shì yī jiàn xiāo hào kě yǐ hū lüè bù jì zhī shì 。”
“当初紫衣降临时，多次提及‘不愿帮忙跑腿’、‘不白跑这一趟’。说明即便在他这种老牌超脱强者眼里，从彼岸降临可能性，也并非是一件消耗可以忽略不计之事。”
"Guardian Shiuchou!"
“ dàn xiān qián ， yuán chū kě néng xìng lǚ lǚ yǒu qiān shè dào nà xiē chāo tuō qiáng zhě de shí hòu ， tā men yòu fǎng fú shùn jiān gǎn yìng 、 jiàng lín ……”
“但先前，原初可能性屡屡有牵涉到那些超脱强者的时候，他们又仿佛瞬间感应、降临……”
"In my previous life, Guardian Shiuchou was not within the mountain and sea but in the eternal void outside. If Zhen did not affect him, he should still have some memories from my past life with Cheng Dao." Li Fan's heart tightened at this thought.
chéng fēng pò làng yú dào yān zhī zhōng ， lǐ fán xīn zhōng yǐn yǐn shēng qǐ yī zhǒng yù gǎn 。
乘风破浪于道湮之中，李凡心中隐隐升起一种预感。
"It seems that once I reach the Beyond, even if Zhen awakens, I cannot use it recklessly. At least, until I understand more, I will try to avoid being seen by those saints."
zài zhè piàn cāng máng shān hǎi zhī jiān ， sì hū shì bù cún zài shí jiān liú shì zhè yī shuō fǎ de 。
在这片苍茫山海之间，似乎是不存在时间流逝这一说法的。
Li Fan did not dare to directly ask Guardian Shiuchou for clarity. Even Cheng Dao and the Purple Robe, who could interact with Guardian Shiuchou, might become a trigger.
yì huò zhě shuō ， shí jiān liú shì zhǐ zuò yòng zài tā men shēn shàng 。
亦或者说，时间流逝只作用在他们身上。
Cheng Dao was still confined within the Yellow Emperor's Ship, but the Purple Robe was beyond Li Fan's control.
wú lùn tā men zài zhè lǐ dài shàng duō jiǔ ， dōu bú huì yǐng xiǎng chén shì jiān yī qiè kě néng xìng 。
无论他们在这里待上多久，都不会影响尘世间一切可能性。
"I can only hope that Zhen affects a larger area."
kàn shàng qù yǒu xiē bù kě sī yì ， dàn céng jīng nì liú yú shí guāng cháng hé zhī zhōng ， lǐ fán dǎo shì miǎn qiǎng néng lǐ jiě qí zhōng yuán yīn 。
看上去有些不可思议，但曾经逆流于时光长河之中，李凡倒是勉强能理解其中原因。
"Otherwise, I may have to flee before reaching the Beyond," Li Fan tried to calm his sense of urgency.
“ lí kāi chén shì ， jìn rù shān hǎi ， biàn shì yī shùn jiān yuè chū shí guāng cháng hé 。 zài yuè chū de nà yī kè ， shí guāng cháng hé jiù hǎo sì xiàn rù xiāng duì bīng fēng zhī zhōng 。 zhí dào zài cì jìn rù ， shí guāng cháng hé cái huì chóng xīn liú dòng 。”
“离开尘世，进入山海，便是一瞬间跃出时光长河。在跃出的那一刻，时光长河就好似陷入相对冰封之中。直到再次进入，时光长河才会重新流动。”
Li Fan was not an overly anxious person. After this reasoning, he had already realized the possibility of exposure and needed to prepare for the future.
“ ruò shì bǎ shān hǎi běn shēn ， kàn zuò yī kē cóng xià wǎng shàng 、 mào shèng shēng zhǎng de dà shù ， nà me chén shì jiān zhū duō kě néng xìng ， biàn shì shù shēn shàng yī quān yòu yī quān de nián lún 。”
“若是把山海本身，看做一颗从下往上、茂盛生长的大树，那么尘世间诸多可能性，便是树身上一圈又一圈的年轮。”
"Better safe than sorry; do not go beyond the mountain and sea."
“ xià ， dài biǎo guò qù 。 shàng ， zhǐ shì wèi lái 。”
“下，代表过去。上，指示未来。”
"Blindly optimistic without any preparation is also unacceptable."
“ dài biǎo kě néng xìng de nián lún ， bìng fēi zhǐ shì píng miàn 。 ér shì lì tǐ ， àn zhào shí jiān ， guàn chuān shù zhī shàng xià 。”
“代表可能性的年轮，并非只是平面。而是立体，按照时间，贯穿树之上下。”
However, Li Fan could not find a way to retreat safely in front of Guardian Shiuchou with his current forces.
“ yuán běn ruò shì bù cún zài dào yān de huà ， shān hǎi de guò qù 、 wèi lái ， dōu shì lián tōng yī tǐ ， wán zhěng de 。 néng nì liú ér shàng zhě ， kě zì yóu shùn chàng de zài shù shàng xià bù tóng wèi zhì chuān suō 。”
“原本若是不存在道湮的话，山海的过去、未来，都是联通一体，完整的。能逆流而上者，可自由顺畅的在树上下不同位置穿梭。”
"The saints only fear the continuation of the mountain and sea."
“ dàn yīn wèi yǒu dào yān de chū xiàn ， shān hǎi zhī shù ， bèi lán yāo ér duàn 。”
“但因为有道湮的出现，山海之树，被拦腰而断。”
"The only thing that can slightly deter them is the [True Spirit Annihilation] secret technique I recently learned."
“ zòng shǐ néng shí guāng nì liú ， suǒ néng huó dòng de fàn wéi ， zhǐ jú xiàn zài mù qián shēn chù de yī duàn shù gàn zhī zhōng 。”
“纵使能时光逆流，所能活动的范围，只局限在目前身处的一段树干之中。”
"This method..."
“ bìng qiě ， nián lún yǔ nián lún zhī jiān ， yuán běn shǔ yú shù gàn de zǔ zhī 。 yǐ jīng jué dà duō shù bèi dào yān suǒ tūn mò 。 xún cháng shēng líng ， wéi yǒu zài nián lún xiàn tiáo zhōng ， fāng cái néng gòu shēng cún 。”
“并且，年轮与年轮之间，原本属于树干的组织。已经绝大多数被道湮所吞没。寻常生灵，唯有在年轮线条中，方才能够生存。”
Li Fan's eyes flashed as he made up his mind. "I must make good use of it."
“ wǒ yú shí guāng cháng hé zhōng nì liú ， biàn shì zì shàng ér xià ， yán zhe nián lún de hén jì 、 zòng xiàng zài shān hǎi zhī shù zhōng chuān suō 。 ér héng dù chāo tuō ， biàn shì lí kāi suǒ zài nián lún xiàn ， zài shān hǎi zhī shù de héng jié miàn zhōng 、 dǐ yù dào yān ér xíng zǒu 。”
“我于时光长河中逆流，便是自上而下，沿着年轮的痕迹、纵向在山海之树中穿梭。而横渡超脱，便是离开所在年轮线，在山海之树的横截面中、抵御道湮而行走。”
"Though True Spirit Annihilation has the power to burn mountains and boil seas, its drawback is that the true spirit fire spreads too slowly."
“ wú lùn héng shù ， dōu zhǐ jú xiàn zài yī shù gàn zhī nèi 。”
“无论横竖，都只局限在一树干之内。”
"Unless..."
“ ér bǐ àn dà shì ……”
“而彼岸大世……”
"I have prepared for this. I scattered seeds of fire across different possibilities and timelines within the mountain and sea!"
qīn dù shān hǎi ， lǐ fán duì shān hǎi gé jú yǒu le jù tǐ xíng xiàng de rèn zhī 。
亲渡山海，李凡对山海格局有了具体形象的认知。
"A spark can ignite a prairie fire, and my infinite spiritual essence is enough for me to spread these seeds throughout the mountain and sea."
dàn dào mù qián wéi zhǐ ， què yī jiù wú fǎ xiǎng xiàng ， nà bǐ àn jiū jìng shì hé zhǒng cún zài 。
但到目前为止，却依旧无法想象，那彼岸究竟是何种存在。
"At that time, with a single thought, the mountain and sea will burn."
“ bù guò kě yǐ kěn dìng de shì ， bǐ àn xiāng jiào shān hǎi zhōng zhū duō kě néng xìng ， shì wán quán dú lì de 。”
“不过可以肯定的是，彼岸相较山海中诸多可能性，是完全独立的。”
"Although it's highly likely that the superbeings in the Beyond will extinguish it before I can completely burn the mountain and sea, the energy I expend will also become nourishment for the mountain and sea."
“ ruò shì qiáng xíng lèi bǐ ， huò xǔ ， kě yǐ kàn zuò shì jiāng zhè jié shù gàn mǒu gè wèi zhì 、 zì shàng dào xià ， quán bù tāo kōng 。 dǎ zào chū de chǎng suǒ 。”
“若是强行类比，或许，可以看作是将这截树干某个位置、自上到下，全部掏空。打造出的场所。”
"A severely damaged mountain and sea may not survive the erosion of the Time Abyss."
“ nǎ pà bù jīng lì shí guāng cháng hé ， bù dù dào yān 。 yě néng shùn lì qián wǎng suǒ yǒu kě néng xìng de suǒ yǒu shí jiān jié diǎn ……”
“哪怕不经历时光长河，不渡道湮。也能顺利前往所有可能性的所有时间节点……”
"The superbeings in the Beyond... cannot take this risk!"
“ ruò shì zhēn yǒu cǐ néng ， biàn dāng zhēn wú kuì bǐ àn zhī míng le 。”
“若是真有此能，便当真无愧彼岸之名了。”
"This deterrent should be effective."
lǐ fán chàng xiǎng bǐ àn qíng xíng ， sī xù fān yǒng qǐ fú 。
李凡畅想彼岸情形，思绪翻涌起伏。
Li Fan repeatedly pondered his strategy until he felt more at ease.
ér zài dào yān zhōng fēng kuáng táo cuàn de tài jí mù gùn ， jīng lì le shù shí cì de cháng shì ， zhōng yú jiāng xuán huáng xiān zhōu dài dào le yī chù shēng jī huì jù suǒ zài ！
而在道湮中疯狂逃窜的太极木棍，经历了数十次的尝试，终于将玄黄仙舟带到了一处生机汇聚所在！
"Seems I need to prepare thoroughly before heading beyond the mountain and sea."
bìng fēi shì yī tiáo wán zhěng de kě néng xìng 。
并非是一条完整的可能性。
"In any case, proceed step by step. At each possibility, secretly lay down my traps."
ér shì yī jù piāo fú zài dào yān zhī shàng de xiān guān ！
而是一具漂浮在道湮之上的仙棺！
"While other superbeings merge into one, I must transform from one to countless!"
bù zhī dào yǐ jīng chí xù piāo bó le duō zhǎng shí jiān ， xiān guān biǎo miàn ， yǐ jīng biàn dé qī hēi yī piàn 。
不知道已经持续漂泊了多长时间，仙棺表面，已经变得漆黑一片。
"Haha..."
The Tai Tian Emperor, ensnared within the transparent furnace, struggled and writhed but could not break free. The twelve Primordial Beings stood in solemn silence, their eyes fixed on the scene.
"Senior, this coffin seems to contain an ominous presence," Ruiyu said with a hint of unease.
"Ominous..." Li Fan chuckled lightly, showing no concern as he opened the coffin.
Instantly, an infinite amount of light erupted from within. Black and crimson lights intertwined in a terrifying manner. A figure clad in golden imperial robes suddenly appeared before them, his presence exuding immense authority.
After a moment's silence, this figure coldly asked, "Having seen me, why do you not bow?"
"Deity... Deity Emperor?" Ruiyu gasped, his eyes wide with shock.
Just as everyone was taken aback, the regal figure suddenly lunged towards them. His clothes began to tear apart, and his human head transformed into a large rat's head!
The twelve Primordial Beings were shaken to their core; they could see themselves turning into food for these rats.
"Indeed, it is you."
Li Fan had anticipated this, as a transparent furnace rose up, encasing the rat deity within. The twelve Primordial Beings looked on in horror as the rat-like creature completely shed its human form and transformed into a monstrous rat.
Li Fan sized up his old acquaintance, watching him struggle futilely inside the furnace.
"It seems I haven't strayed too far from [Primordial]."
"Still within the range that the Light World Sea can reach through the Time Abyss. More specifically, it's still in the near-sea region."
The rat deity before him was no different from what he had seen in his previous life. The rat emperor's immense power was undeniable; however, against Li Fan now, it could not even defend itself.
Slowly, the rat was being refined within the furnace and transformed into nourishment for the Yellow Emperor's Ship.
Li Fan remained expressionless as he watched the rat disintegrate into countless flickering lights.
---
In his mind, Li Fan pondered: "I owe my ability to reverse time to Tai Tian. However, when I returned a thousand years ago, even the Tai Tian of that past timeline had vanished. This proves that those who understand [Reversal] have become special entities dependent on the Time Abyss, spanning the entire mountain and sea tree."
"Perhaps the superbeings in the Beyond also possess such abilities, but they should rely on the unique properties of the Beyond rather than their own path."
"Regardless, both those who understand [Reversal] and the superbeings are unique entities within a segment of the mountain and sea tree. No matter when or where they perish, it is considered complete death. Even if time flows backward, this cannot be changed."
"And then, there's Zhen..."
Li Fan frowned slightly.
"As a force on par with the mountain and sea, it can directly reset and restore the state of the mountain and sea tree."
"Unless it exceeds the boundaries of the mountain and sea, it will still be affected."
"But for now, I cannot determine if Zhen affects only this segment or all of the mountain and sea..."
"There is a way to prove this."
"Guardian Shiuchou!"
"In my previous life, Guardian Shiuchou was not within the mountain and sea but in the eternal void outside. If Zhen did not affect him, he should still have some memories from my past life with Cheng Dao." Li Fan's heart tightened at this thought.
"It seems that once I reach the Beyond, even if Zhen awakens, I cannot use it recklessly. At least, until I understand more, I will try to avoid being seen by those saints."
Li Fan did not dare to directly ask Guardian Shiuchou for clarity. Even Cheng Dao and the Purple Robe, who could interact with Guardian Shiuchou, might become a trigger.
Cheng Dao was still confined within the Yellow Emperor's Ship, but the Purple Robe was beyond Li Fan's control.
"I can only hope that Zhen affects a larger area."
"Otherwise, I may have to flee before reaching the Beyond," Li Fan tried to calm his sense of urgency.
Li Fan was not an overly anxious person. After this reasoning, he had already realized the possibility of exposure and needed to prepare for the future.
"Better safe than sorry; do not go beyond the mountain and sea."
"Blindly optimistic without any preparation is also unacceptable."
However, Li Fan could not find a way to retreat safely in front of Guardian Shiuchou with his current forces.
"The saints only fear the continuation of the mountain and sea."
"The only thing that can slightly deter them is the [True Spirit Annihilation] secret technique I recently learned."
"This method..."
Li Fan's eyes flashed as he made up his mind. "I must make good use of it."
"Though True Spirit Annihilation has the power to burn mountains and boil seas, its drawback is that the true spirit fire spreads too slowly."
"Unless..."
"I have prepared for this. I scattered seeds of fire across different possibilities and timelines within the mountain and sea!"
"A spark can ignite a prairie fire, and my infinite spiritual essence is enough for me to spread these seeds throughout the mountain and sea."
"At that time, with a single thought, the mountain and sea will burn."
"Although it's highly likely that the superbeings in the Beyond will extinguish it before I can completely burn the mountain and sea, the energy I expend will also become nourishment for the mountain and sea."
"A severely damaged mountain and sea may not survive the erosion of the Time Abyss."
"The superbeings in the Beyond... cannot take this risk!"
"This deterrent should be effective."
Li Fan repeatedly pondered his strategy until he felt more at ease.
"Seems I need to prepare thoroughly before heading beyond the mountain and sea."
"In any case, proceed step by step. At each possibility, secretly lay down my traps."
"While other superbeings merge into one, I must transform from one to countless!"
"Haha..."