xū jiè dào yān suī duì lǐ fán dǐng lǐ mó bài ， rán bìng fēi chén fú lǐ fán běn shēn 。
虚界道湮虽对李凡顶礼膜拜，然并非臣服李凡本身。
Though the Void Realm Daoian revered Li Fan, it was not out of submission to him personally.
ér shì tā shēn shàng suǒ pī yī céng xīng huī 。
而是他身上所披一层星辉。
Instead, a layer of starlight enveloped his body.
zuò wéi “ xīng ” zhī tè shǐ ， zì rán yōng yǒu diào yòng dào yān dà jūn de quán xiàn 。 dàn ruò shì xū jiè mù hòu xiàn shēn ， dào yān zé bì huì shùn jiān shī kòng 。
作为“星”之特使，自然拥有调用道湮大军的权限。但若是虚界幕后现身，道湮则必会瞬间失控。
As a special envoy for "Star," he naturally had the authority to summon the Daoian army. However, if the Void Realm were to reveal itself, Daoian would instantly lose control.
ér lǐ fán zhè yī shì suǒ qiú ， nǎi shì míng fù qí shí zhī 【 xū jiè zhǔ 】。
而李凡这一世所求，乃是名副其实之【虚界主】。
Li Fan's current goal was to become the actual [Master of the Void Realm].
“ qiě ràng dào yān ， huàn míng xìng ！”
“且让道湮，换名姓！”
"Let Daoian change its name and identity!"
lǐ fán xiǎn lù xīng huī ， láo láo bǎ kòng zhù zhōu zāo wàn qiān dào yān 。
李凡显露星辉，牢牢把控住周遭万千道湮。
Li Fan revealed the starlight, firmly controlling all the myriad Daoians around him.
ér hòu cāo zòng shān hǎi tú ， duì tā men jìn xíng fēn pī cì de gǎi zào 。
而后操纵山海图，对它们进行分批次的改造。
Then, he manipulated the Map of Mountains and Seas, transforming them in batches.
mò sè shān hǎi bù tíng tūn tǔ ， fēng qǐ yún yǒng jiān ， wú xíng zhī dào yān yǐ jīng jiàn bèi zhān rǎn le “ dào yī ” qì xī 。
墨色山海不停吞吐，风起云涌间，无形之道湮已经渐被沾染了“道一”气息。
The dark-colored mountains and seas continuously absorbed and expelled energy, with clouds swirling around. The invisible Daoians were gradually tainted by the "Dao One" essence.
jìn shān hǎi tú qián ， hái shì chún cuì de dào yān lì liàng 。 dàn cóng shān hǎi tú zǒu yī zāo ， chū lái hòu biàn bèi dǎ shàng le “ lǐ jiā jūn ” de biāo qiān 。
进山海图前，还是纯粹的道湮力量。但从山海图走一遭，出来后便被打上了“李家军”的标签。
Before entering the Map of Mountains and Seas, they were pure Daoian power. But after passing through it, they bore the mark of "Li Family's Army."
zhè xiē jīng guò gǎi zào hòu de dào yān ， yǐ rán jué duì zhōng yú lǐ fán 。 suī mù qián xiāng jiào máng máng xū jiè ， bù guò wēi bù zú dào yì diǎn lì liàng 。
这些经过改造后的道湮，已然绝对忠于李凡。虽目前相较茫茫虚界，不过微不足道一点力量。
These transformed Daoians were absolutely loyal to Li Fan. While currently insignificant compared to the vast Void Realm, he believed that change was inevitable; the colors of his dominion would eventually shift.
dàn lǐ fán xiāng xìn ， biàn jì yǐ shēng 。 jiāng shān gǎi huàn yán sè ， yě shì zǎo wǎn zhī shì ！
但李凡相信，变既已生。江山改换颜色，也是早晚之事！
The Map of Mountains and Seas, like a vortex, slowly corroded the original Daoian forces.
dào yī shān hǎi tú rú tóng xuán wō ， huǎn huǎn fǔ shí yuán běn dào yān 。
道一山海图如同漩涡，缓缓腐蚀原本道湮。
Still, Li Fan found it too slow: "The pace of changing allegiances is still too slow..."
lǐ fán què réng xián bù zú ：“ gǎi huàn mén tíng de sù dù ， hái shì yǒu xiē tài màn le ……”
李凡却仍嫌不足：“改换门庭的速度，还是有些太慢了……”
His gaze focused on the mountains and seas.
mù guāng wēi níng ， kàn xiàng yī páng shān hǎi 。
目光微凝，看向一旁山海。
A thought arose, and his Daoians transformed into a long spear, piercing directly into the mountains and seas!
niàn tou wēi dòng ， zì jǐ huī xià dào yān biàn rú yī bǐng cháng qiāng ， bǐ zhí chā rù shān hǎi zhī zhōng ！
念头微动，自己麾下道湮便如一柄长枪，笔直插入山海之中！
The Peers Beyond the Shore were well acquainted with Daoian.
bǐ àn zhū shèng ， duì dào yān bù kě wèi bù shú xī 。
彼岸诸圣，对道湮不可谓不熟悉。
In previous instances, even if the Daoian tide was overwhelming, the protective white light of the璇玑环with its saints present could temporarily hold them off.
àn zhào yǐ wǎng ， nǎ pà dào yān làng cháo tāo tiān ， yǒu zhe zhū shèng zuò zhèn de xuán jī huán bái guāng ， yě néng zàn shí dǐ dǎng yī èr 。
按照以往，哪怕道湮浪潮滔天，有着诸圣坐镇的璇玑环白光，也能暂时抵挡一二。
But this time...
dàn zhè yī cì ……
但这一次……
The white light barely held for a moment before shattering in the collision!
bái guāng zhǐ shì shāo wēi zǔ dǎng le yī shùn ， ér biàn zài pèng zhuàng zhōng hōng rán pò suì kāi lái ！
白光只是稍微阻挡了一瞬，而便在碰撞中轰然破碎开来！
Li Fan's elite Daoians surged forward, descending into the mountains and seas.
lǐ fán huī xià 、 dào yān jīng ruì ， dé yǐ cháng qū zhí rù ， jiàng lín shān hǎi 。
李凡麾下、道湮精锐，得以长驱直入，降临山海。
They turned into an apocalyptic flood, instantly reducing countless possibilities to ashes.
huà zuò miè shì hóng liú ， jiāng chéng qiān shàng wàn kě néng xìng ， qǐng kè jiān huà zuò fēi huī 。
化作灭世洪流，将成千上万可能性，顷刻间化作飞灰。
The Peers Beyond the Shore were stunned by this sudden change; they had never seen Daoian disregard the protection of the璇玑环!
bǐ àn zhū shèng bèi rú cǐ cù bù jí fáng biàn gù jīng dāi le ， dào yān jìng rán shì xuán jī huán fáng hù wèi wú wù ， zhè shì qián suǒ wèi yǒu zhī shì ！
彼岸诸圣被如此猝不及防变故惊呆了，道湮竟然视璇玑环防护为无物，这是前所未有之事！
Their gazes shifted towards the Three Saints.
zhū shèng shì xiàn bù yóu kàn xiàng sān shèng 。
诸圣视线不由看向三圣。
The Sea-Returning Saint saw myriad images flash before him but ultimately faded into chaos. He could not derive the cause of these events.
guī hǎi shèng zhě ， yǎn qián shà shí yǒng xiàn wàn qiān guāng yǐng ， dàn zuì zhōng dōu guī yú hùn dùn yī piàn 。 wú fǎ tuī yǎn chū zhè biàn gù yuán yóu 。
归海圣者，眼前霎时涌现万千光影，但最终都归于混沌一片。无法推衍出这变故缘由。
However, the Mountain-Connecting Saint summoned his true form from the Void Realm and used his staff to halt the rampaging Daoian forces.
ér lián shān shèng zhě ， què shì yǐ jīng jiāng běn zūn cóng xū jiè zhōng huàn huí 。 lián shān zhàng chū ， jiāng zhèng zài sì nüè de rú jiàn dào yān jí shí lán xià 。
而连山圣者，却是已经将本尊从虚界中唤回。连山杖出，将正在肆虐的如剑道湮及时拦下。
"Retreat!"
“ chè ！”
“撤！”
Among the Peers Beyond the Shore, only the Three Saints were worthy of Li Fan's concern. With the Mountain-Connecting Saint back in his true form, Li Fan knew he would not engage him head-on.
bǐ àn zhū shèng zhōng ， néng ràng lǐ fán yǒu xiē jì dàn de ， wéi yǒu sān shèng 。 lián shān běn zūn jì huí ， zhī xiǎo qí shí lì de lǐ fán zì rán bú huì xuǎn zé gēn qí yìng pèng yìng 。
彼岸诸圣中，能让李凡有些忌惮的，唯有三圣。连山本尊既回，知晓其实力的李凡自然不会选择跟其硬碰硬。
A third of his elite forces chose to hold the rear while the main force quickly retreated.
sān fēn zhī yī jīng ruì xuǎn zé duàn hòu ， qí yú dà bù duì huǒ sù chè lí 。
三分之一精锐选择断后，其余大部队火速撤离。
The retreat was swift and decisive; soon, all signs of the apocalyptic disaster vanished.
lái shí xùn jí ， dùn shí gèng shì guǒ duàn 。
来时迅疾，遁时更是果断。
"Surely, the Sea-Returning Saint's mastery of creation is evident. He effortlessly resolved the Daoian crisis with a mere gesture," the Peers Beyond the Shore praised.
bù xiāo piàn kè ， kàn shì yī cháng miè shì hào jié ， biàn zài wú bàn diǎn jì xiàng 。
不消片刻，看似一场灭世浩劫，便再无半点迹象。
However, the Mountain-Connecting Saint sensed something amiss: "This Daoian... seems suspicious."
“ lián shān shèng zhě guǒ rán gōng cān zào huà ， jǔ shǒu tóu zú jiān biàn qīng sōng huà jiě dào yān zhī jié 。” zhū shèng zàn dào 。
“连山圣者果然功参造化，举手投足间便轻松化解道湮之劫。”诸圣赞道。
"It is true. Perhaps it will return soon. We must be cautious."
lián shān shèng zhě què yǐn yuē gǎn jué dào ， sì hū yǒu nǎ lǐ bú duì jìn 。
连山圣者却隐约感觉到，似乎有哪里不对劲。
---
“ zhè gǔ dào yān …… lái de qī qiāo 。”
“这股道湮……来的蹊跷。”
In the Void Realm, despite losing some of his elite forces due to the Sea-Returning Saint's intervention, it was worth it.
“ dí què 。 bù jiǔ hòu ， huò xǔ huì juǎn tǔ chóng lái 。 wú děng xū xiǎo xīn xiē 。”
“的确。不久后，或许会卷土重来。吾等需小心些。”
"Daoian devours the mountains and seas; the essence of the gods returns to the Void Realm and the solitary star."
……
……
It should have been so. But...
xū jiè zhōng ， suī rán yóu yú lián shān shèng zhě chū shǒu ， shǐ de lǐ fán sǔn shī le bù fèn huī xià jīng ruì 。 dàn jué duì shì zhí de de 。
虚界中，虽然由于连山圣者出手，使得李凡损失了部分麾下精锐。但绝对是值得的。
Li Fan tightly focused on the stars emerging from the Map of Mountains and Seas.
“ dào yān tūn shān hǎi ， shén zhī jīng suǐ ， jǐn guī xū jiè 、 hái yú gū xīng 。”
“道湮吞山海，神之精髓，尽归虚界、还于孤星。”
Their paths seemed predetermined. Even if his trusted Daoians had completed the apocalyptic purge, they could not leave any trace behind. The light drifted out of the map towards an unknown star in the Void Realm.
“ běn yīng rú cǐ 。 dàn ……”
“本应如此。但……”
No force could stop it.
lǐ fán jǐn jǐn dīng zhe shān hǎi tú zhōng ， huǎn huǎn shēng téng qǐ de xīng xīng diǎn diǎn guāng máng 。
李凡紧紧盯着山海图中，缓缓升腾起的星星点点光芒。
"This is why the Void Realm's幕后 master will always be a poor worker."
zhè xiē guāng diǎn de qù xiàng ， fǎng fú zǎo yǐ jīng dìng xià 。
这些光点的去向，仿佛早已经定下。
"Devoting great effort to devouring the mountains and seas but reaping no benefits; all the gains go to the solitary star..."
nǎ pà shì lǐ fán qīn xìn dào yān wán chéng le miè shì qīng jiǎo ， tā men yě wú fǎ liú xià fēn háo 。 guāng huá piāo chū shān hǎi tú ， cháo zhe xū jiè zhī shàng 、 bù kě zhī de gū xīng ér qù 。
哪怕是李凡亲信道湮完成了灭世清剿，它们也无法留下分毫。光华飘出山海图，朝着虚界之上、不可知的孤星而去。
Before Li Fan, the image of the solitary star swallowing everything appeared. He suddenly had an epiphany.
rèn hé lì liàng ， dōu wú fǎ wǎn liú 。
任何力量，都无法挽留。
"Perhaps, it is not unwillingness but inability."
“ zhè yě shì wèi hé ， xū jiè mù hòu zhù dìng shì gè kě lián de dǎ gōng zǎi 。”
“这也是为何，虚界幕后注定是个可怜的打工仔。”
"Dividing consciousness to evolve the mountains and seas. After their destruction, everything returns to the divine."
“ huā fèi dà lì qì miè diào shān hǎi ， què bù néng xiǎng shòu fēn háo 。 quán pián yi le gū jiàng shì gū xīng ……”
“花费大力气灭掉山海，却不能享受分毫。全便宜了孤降世孤星……”
"The幕后 master of the Void Realm may covet, but they are powerless."
lǐ fán yǎn qián ， zài dù fú xiàn gū xīng tūn mò yī qiè huà miàn ， xīn zhōng hū de yī dòng 。
李凡眼前，再度浮现孤星吞没一切画面，心中忽的一动。
"But..."
“ huò xǔ ， fēi bù yuàn yě 、 ér bù néng yě 。”
“或许，非不愿也、而不能也。”
In the Map of Mountains and Seas, as Li Fan's thoughts flowed, a faint, mysterious light emanated from the non-existent boundary stone.
“ fēn shén yǎn huà shān hǎi ， shān hǎi miè hòu ， yī qiè huí guī yú shén 。”
“分神衍化山海，山海灭后，一切回归于神。”
Even if it was not a true boundary stone, even if it was just a faint shadow.
“ xū jiè mù hòu ， jí biàn jì yú ， kǒng pà yě shì yǒu xīn wú lì 。”
“虚界幕后，即便觊觎，恐怕也是有心无力。”
At that moment, its light seemed to lose direction, hesitating.
“ dàn ……”
“但……”
"Indeed," Li Fan smiled in relief.
dào yī shān hǎi tú zhōng ， suí zhe lǐ fán yì niàn liú zhuǎn ， nà yī kē shān hǎi wú jiè bēi 、 dùn shí bèng fā chū dàn dàn xuán ào liú guāng 。
道一山海图中，随着李凡意念流转，那一颗山海无界碑、顿时迸发出淡淡玄奥流光。
But his joy did not last long. The virtual boundary stone could not match the influence of the solitary star.
jí biàn bìng fēi zhēn zhèng de wú jiè bēi ， jí biàn zhǐ shì dàn dàn cán yǐng 。
即便并非真正的无界碑，即便只是淡淡残影。
Most of the mountains and seas' essence was still absorbed by the solitary star's location.
dàn zài qí guāng huī xiàn shì de nà yī kè ， guī xiàng xīng guāng ， què fǎng fú shùn jiān mí shī le fāng xiàng 。
但在其光辉现世的那一刻，归向星光，却仿佛瞬间迷失了方向。
Only about one millionth remained, enticed by Li Fan to linger within the Map of Mountains and Seas.
xiàn rù yóu yí bù dìng zhī zhōng 。
陷入犹疑不定之中。
The light descended, attaching itself to the boundary stone.
“ guǒ rán rú cǐ ……” lǐ fán jiàn zhuàng yī xǐ 。
“果然如此……”李凡见状一喜。
Making the virtual shadow clearer.
dàn jīng xǐ bìng méi yǒu néng chí xù tài jiǔ 。 xū huà wú jiè bēi ， bì jìng wú fǎ yǔ zhēn zhèng gū xīng de yǐng xiǎng xiāng kàng héng 。
但惊喜并没有能持续太久。虚化无界碑，毕竟无法与真正孤星的影响相抗衡。
Though only a few threads, Li Fan felt that the overall weight of the Map of Mountains and Seas had increased significantly.
zuì zhōng ， jué dà duō shù tūn shì suǒ de shān hǎi jīng cuì ， hái shì cháo zhe gū xīng suǒ zài 、 xiāo shī wú zōng 。
最终，绝大多数吞噬所得山海精粹，还是朝着孤星所在、消失无踪。
---
zhǐ yǒu yuē bǎi wàn fēn zhī yī de cán yú ， bèi lǐ fán gǔ huò ， mí liú dào yī shān hǎi tú zhōng 。
只有约百万分之一的残余，被李凡蛊惑，弥留道一山海图中。
There was more good news.
xīng guāng jiàng luò ， xī fù zài wú jiè bēi shàng 。
星光降落，吸附在无界碑上。
Li Fan himself stole the starlight with his own abilities.
shǐ de yuán běn xū huà cán yǐng ， shà shí jiān biàn qīng xī le jǐ fēn 。
使得原本虚化残影，霎时间变清晰了几分。
While his Daoians devoured the mountains and seas, there were "rewards" from the幕后 master in the Void Realm.
xīng guāng shì chéng shān hǎi ， suī zhǐ jǐ lǚ ， lǐ fán què míng xiǎn gǎn jué 【 dào yī shān hǎi tú 】 zhěng tǐ biàn dé gèng jiā hòu zhòng qǐ lái 。
星光似承山海，虽只几缕，李凡却明显感觉【道一山海图】整体变得更加厚重起来。
A thought descended and then vanished.
jīng xǐ hái bù zhǐ yú cǐ 。
惊喜还不止于此。
Though sudden, Li Fan's dual-layered Map of Mountains and Seas did not notice it.
kè kòu qiè qǔ xīng guāng ， quán píng lǐ fán zì shēn běn shì 。
克扣窃取星光，全凭李凡自身本事。
Checking the changes, he found that his Daoian forces had been elevated after gaining the approval of the幕后 master. They now led all the surrounding Daoians.
ér zì shēn huī xià dào yān tūn mò shān hǎi ， xū jiè mù hòu nà biān zé shì lìng yǒu “ shǎng cì ”。
而自身麾下道湮吞没山海，虚界幕后那边则是另有“赏赐”。
"More nearby mountain and sea Daoians can be mobilized. Even with a limited number, there's still much potential!"
yī dào yì niàn ， shū rán jiàng lín ér yòu xiāo tuì 。
一道意念，倏然降临而又消退。
From this change, Li Fan began to understand how the Daoian system in the Void Realm operated.
lái de tū rán ， dàn lǐ fán huàn yì zhēn gēn shān hǎi tú shuāng chóng jiā chí ， dǎo shì méi yǒu bèi fā xiàn 。
来的突然，但李凡幻亦真跟山海图双重加持，倒是没有被发现。
The幕后 master surveyed everything.
chá kàn biàn huà ， lǐ fán fā xiàn zì jǐ suǒ zhǎng dào yān ， dé dào xū jiè mù hòu kěn dìng hòu 、 yǐ rán jìn shēng ， hè rán yǐ jīng chéng wéi le zhōu zāo wàn qiān dào yān de “ lǐng dǎo zhě ”。
查看变化，李凡发现自己所掌道湮，得到虚界幕后肯定后、已然晋升，赫然已经成为了周遭万千道湮的“领导者”。
Daoians fought individually, dividing and conquering the mountains and seas.
“ kě diào dòng gèng duō fù jìn shān hǎi dào yān lì liàng ， shèn zhì kě yǐ gēn jī 【 xū jiè jì yì 】， sù zào shān hǎi shèng zhě ！ suī rán shù liàng mù qián zhǐ bèi jú xiàn zài yī ， què dà yǒu kě wéi a ！”
“可调动更多附近山海道湮力量，甚至可以根基【虚界记忆】，塑造山海圣者！虽然数量目前只被局限在一，却大有可为啊！”
Those who achieved success were promoted according to effective methods, influencing nearby Daoians.
cóng cǐ fān biàn huà ， lǐ fán yǐ jīng yǐn yǐn kàn chū le xū jiè dào yān yùn zhuàn mó shì 。
从此番变化，李凡已经隐隐看出了虚界道湮运转模式。
"Regarding the Void Realm's memory..."
xū jiè mù hòu yì zhì ， zòng lǎn quán jú 。
虚界幕后意志，纵览全局。
"It originates from that mysterious幕后 master."
dào yān gè zì wéi zhàn ， qiē gē qīn tūn shān hǎi 。
道湮各自为战，切割侵吞山海。
"When the Daoians devour the mountains and seas, they cannot hide. During the process of erosion, everything, including the saints, is observed in great detail. With enough power, re-creation would be effortless."
néng jiàn gōng lì yè zhě ， biàn dé tí bá 。 àn zhào xíng zhī yǒu xiào de qīn xí fāng fǎ ， yǐng xiǎng gǎi zào zhōu wéi yǐng xiǎng dào yān 。
能建功立业者，便得提拔。按照行之有效的侵袭方法，影响改造周围影响道湮。
Li Fan felt the presence of familiar saints within his Daoian forces.
“ zhì yú xū jiè jì yì ……”
“至于虚界记忆……”
"Given my current scale, I am not yet capable of creating a Three Saint. But..."
“ yuán yú nà dào shén mì de xū jiè mù hòu yì zhì 。”
“源于那道神秘的虚界幕后意志。”
A thought arose as Daoians churned and shadows gathered.
“ dào yān tūn mò shān hǎi ， suī wú fǎ cáng sī 。 bù guò zài qīn shí guò chéng zhōng ， shān hǎi nǎi zhì shèng zhě zài nèi yī qiè shēng líng ， jiē bèi qí guān chá de wú bǐ tòu chè 。 ruò shì yǒu zú gòu lì liàng ， chóng xīn sù zào yǎn huà 、 yě zài jǔ shǒu zhī jiān 。”
“道湮吞没山海，虽无法藏私。不过在侵蚀过程中，山海乃至圣者在内一切生灵，皆被其观察的无比透彻。若是有足够力量，重新塑造衍化、也在举手之间。”
The dark-colored守丘soon appeared before him.
lǐ fán cóng zì shēn huī xià dào yān zhōng ， gǎn shòu dào le yī dào dào piāo hū shēn yǐng 。
李凡从自身麾下道湮中，感受到了一道道飘忽身影。
Initially confused upon appearing, it quickly understood its situation and bowed to Li Fan.
hè rán biàn shì shú xī zhū shèng 。
赫然便是熟悉诸圣。
Created by his own Daoian forces, it obeyed Li Fan's commands.
“ yǐ wǒ mù qián suǒ zhǎng wò dào yān guī mó ， dǎo shì bù zú yǐ sù zào sān shèng 。 bù guò ……”
“以我目前所掌握道湮规模，倒是不足以塑造三圣。不过……”
"Not just an empty shell; it still retains some of the deceased's will."
niàn tou wēi dòng ， dào yān fān gǔn ， yīn yǐng huì jù 。
念头微动，道湮翻滚，阴影汇聚。
"But it is not truly a守丘."
mò sè shǒu qiū ， bù duō shí biàn jiàng lín miàn qián 。
墨色守丘，不多时便降临面前。
"However..."
xiàn shì zhī shí ， wēi wēi mí máng le piàn kè 。
现世之时，微微迷茫了片刻。
Li Fan had repeatedly aligned with and inherited the memories of守丘.
dàn hěn kuài biàn míng bái le zì shēn chǔ jìng ， duì zhe lǐ fán gǒng le gǒng shǒu 。
但很快便明白了自身处境，对着李凡拱了拱手。
All of its knowledge and experiences converged in his fingertips, which he then pressed into the dark-colored守丘's brow.
Though the Void Realm Daoian revered Li Fan, it was not out of submission to him personally.
Instead, a layer of starlight enveloped his body.
As a special envoy for "Star," he naturally had the authority to summon the Daoian army. However, if the Void Realm were to reveal itself, Daoian would instantly lose control.
Li Fan's current goal was to become the actual [Master of the Void Realm].
"Let Daoian change its name and identity!"
Li Fan revealed the starlight, firmly controlling all the myriad Daoians around him.
Then, he manipulated the Map of Mountains and Seas, transforming them in batches.
The dark-colored mountains and seas continuously absorbed and expelled energy, with clouds swirling around. The invisible Daoians were gradually tainted by the "Dao One" essence.
Before entering the Map of Mountains and Seas, they were pure Daoian power. But after passing through it, they bore the mark of "Li Family's Army."
These transformed Daoians were absolutely loyal to Li Fan. While currently insignificant compared to the vast Void Realm, he believed that change was inevitable; the colors of his dominion would eventually shift.
The Map of Mountains and Seas, like a vortex, slowly corroded the original Daoian forces.
Still, Li Fan found it too slow: "The pace of changing allegiances is still too slow..."
His gaze focused on the mountains and seas.
A thought arose, and his Daoians transformed into a long spear, piercing directly into the mountains and seas!
The Peers Beyond the Shore were well acquainted with Daoian.
In previous instances, even if the Daoian tide was overwhelming, the protective white light of the璇玑环with its saints present could temporarily hold them off.
But this time...
The white light barely held for a moment before shattering in the collision!
Li Fan's elite Daoians surged forward, descending into the mountains and seas.
They turned into an apocalyptic flood, instantly reducing countless possibilities to ashes.
The Peers Beyond the Shore were stunned by this sudden change; they had never seen Daoian disregard the protection of the璇玑环!
Their gazes shifted towards the Three Saints.
The Sea-Returning Saint saw myriad images flash before him but ultimately faded into chaos. He could not derive the cause of these events.
However, the Mountain-Connecting Saint summoned his true form from the Void Realm and used his staff to halt the rampaging Daoian forces.
"Retreat!"
Among the Peers Beyond the Shore, only the Three Saints were worthy of Li Fan's concern. With the Mountain-Connecting Saint back in his true form, Li Fan knew he would not engage him head-on.
A third of his elite forces chose to hold the rear while the main force quickly retreated.
The retreat was swift and decisive; soon, all signs of the apocalyptic disaster vanished.
"Surely, the Sea-Returning Saint's mastery of creation is evident. He effortlessly resolved the Daoian crisis with a mere gesture," the Peers Beyond the Shore praised.
However, the Mountain-Connecting Saint sensed something amiss: "This Daoian... seems suspicious."
"It is true. Perhaps it will return soon. We must be cautious."
---
In the Void Realm, despite losing some of his elite forces due to the Sea-Returning Saint's intervention, it was worth it.
"Daoian devours the mountains and seas; the essence of the gods returns to the Void Realm and the solitary star."
It should have been so. But...
Li Fan tightly focused on the stars emerging from the Map of Mountains and Seas.
Their paths seemed predetermined. Even if his trusted Daoians had completed the apocalyptic purge, they could not leave any trace behind. The light drifted out of the map towards an unknown star in the Void Realm.
No force could stop it.
"This is why the Void Realm's幕后 master will always be a poor worker."
"Devoting great effort to devouring the mountains and seas but reaping no benefits; all the gains go to the solitary star..."
Before Li Fan, the image of the solitary star swallowing everything appeared. He suddenly had an epiphany.
"Perhaps, it is not unwillingness but inability."
"Dividing consciousness to evolve the mountains and seas. After their destruction, everything returns to the divine."
"The幕后 master of the Void Realm may covet, but they are powerless."
"But..."
In the Map of Mountains and Seas, as Li Fan's thoughts flowed, a faint, mysterious light emanated from the non-existent boundary stone.
Even if it was not a true boundary stone, even if it was just a faint shadow.
At that moment, its light seemed to lose direction, hesitating.
"Indeed," Li Fan smiled in relief.
But his joy did not last long. The virtual boundary stone could not match the influence of the solitary star.
Most of the mountains and seas' essence was still absorbed by the solitary star's location.
Only about one millionth remained, enticed by Li Fan to linger within the Map of Mountains and Seas.
The light descended, attaching itself to the boundary stone.
Making the virtual shadow clearer.
Though only a few threads, Li Fan felt that the overall weight of the Map of Mountains and Seas had increased significantly.
---
There was more good news.
Li Fan himself stole the starlight with his own abilities.
While his Daoians devoured the mountains and seas, there were "rewards" from the幕后 master in the Void Realm.
A thought descended and then vanished.
Though sudden, Li Fan's dual-layered Map of Mountains and Seas did not notice it.
Checking the changes, he found that his Daoian forces had been elevated after gaining the approval of the幕后 master. They now led all the surrounding Daoians.
"More nearby mountain and sea Daoians can be mobilized. Even with a limited number, there's still much potential!"
From this change, Li Fan began to understand how the Daoian system in the Void Realm operated.
The幕后 master surveyed everything.
Daoians fought individually, dividing and conquering the mountains and seas.
Those who achieved success were promoted according to effective methods, influencing nearby Daoians.
"Regarding the Void Realm's memory..."
"It originates from that mysterious幕后 master."
"When the Daoians devour the mountains and seas, they cannot hide. During the process of erosion, everything, including the saints, is observed in great detail. With enough power, re-creation would be effortless."
Li Fan felt the presence of familiar saints within his Daoian forces.
"Given my current scale, I am not yet capable of creating a Three Saint. But..."
A thought arose as Daoians churned and shadows gathered.
The dark-colored守丘soon appeared before him.
Initially confused upon appearing, it quickly understood its situation and bowed to Li Fan.
Created by his own Daoian forces, it obeyed Li Fan's commands.
"Not just an empty shell; it still retains some of the deceased's will."
"But it is not truly a守丘."
"However..."
Li Fan had repeatedly aligned with and inherited the memories of守丘.
All of its knowledge and experiences converged in his fingertips, which he then pressed into the dark-colored守丘's brow.