「 bù guò shì lì yì zhī zhēng ， hé fēn shàn è ？」
「不过是利益之争，何分善恶？」
"Merely a dispute over interests, how can one distinguish between good and evil?"
「 ruò shì wǒ men dàng zhēn xié è zhì jí ， yòu rú hé néng zài qiān nián de dòu zhēng zhōng ， miàn duì wàn xiān méng de gōng shì ér bù luò bài ？」
「若是我们当真邪恶至极，又如何能在千年的斗争中，面对万仙盟的攻势而不落败？」
"If we truly were as wicked as it seems, how could we have withstood the attacks of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance for thousands of years without falling?"
shū shēng zài dù zhèn lóng fā kuì de wèn dào 。
书生再度振聋发聩的问道。
The scholar's voice boomed once more.
wàn xiān méng xiū shì zhōng ， yǒu xǔ duō rén wén yán miàn lù sī suǒ zhī sè 。
万仙盟修士中，有许多人闻言面露思索之色。
Many cultivators in the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance showed signs of contemplation. More appeared bewildered, their values greatly shaken.
ér gèng duō de zé shì yī liǎn de mí máng ， sì hū jià zhí guān shòu dào le jí dà de chōng jī 。
而更多的则是一脸的迷茫，似乎价值观受到了极大的冲击。
"Very well, let me introduce you to the current state of the Five Elders' Assembly."
「 yě bà ， jiù ràng wǒ xiān wèi nǐ men jiè shào yī fān ， rú jīn wǔ lǎo huì de qíng jǐng 。」
「也罢，就让我先为你们介绍一番，如今五老会的情景。」
The scholar stood tall between heaven and earth, filling everyone's vision as he spoke softly yet clearly.
shū shēng jù dà de shēn qū yì lì zài tiān dì jiān ， chōng chì zhe zhòng rén de shì yě ， wěi wěi dào lái 。
书生巨大的身躯屹立在天地间，充斥着众人的视野，娓娓道来。
"The territories of the Five Elders' Assembly are now divided into five parts."
「 rú jīn wǔ lǎo huì lǐng dì ， yī fēn wèi wǔ 。」
「如今五老会领地，一分为五。」
"Each of the Five Heavenly Lords governs their own domain."
「 wǔ wèi tiān zūn ， gè zì bǐng zhèng 。」
「五位天尊，各自秉政。」
"As for the regions of other heavenly lords, I cannot comment on them. If you have the chance in the future, explore them yourselves."
「 qí yú tiān zūn de qū yù ， wǒ dào yě bù hǎo shàn zì píng lùn 。 rì hòu nǐ men ruò yǒu jī huì ， kě zì xíng qián qù tàn suǒ 。」
「其余天尊的区域，我倒也不好擅自评论。日后你们若有机会，可自行前去探索。」
"Now, let's talk about the [Human Realm Heavenrealm/scenario/environment]."
「 dān shuō nǐ men mù qián suǒ chù de 【 rén dào tiān jìng 】。」
「单说你们目前所处的【人道天境】。」
The scholar's words caught everyone's attention, including Li Fan.
shū shēng de huà xī yǐn le zài chǎng suǒ yǒu xiū shì ， bāo kuò lǐ fán de zhù yì lì 。
书生的话吸引了在场所有修士，包括李凡的注意力。
"Each of the Five Heavenly Lords defies the laws of heaven and earth to create unique regions."
「 wǔ wèi tiān zūn ， gè zì nì fǎn tiān dì zhī lǐ ， chuàng zào dú tè de dì yù 。」
「五位天尊，各自逆反天地之理，创造独特的地域。」
"In our [Human Realm Heaven], the most important principle is the path to enlightenment by the heavenly lords."
「 zài wǒ men 【 rén dào tiān jìng 】 zhōng ， zuì wèi zhòng yào de zhǔn zé ， jiù shì tiān zūn zhèng dào zhī lǐ 。」
「在我们【人道天境】中，最为重要的准则，就是天尊证道之理。」
"It is also the fundamental law that all must follow; no one can defy it."
「 tā yě shì tiān dì gāng cháng ， rén rén dōu xū zūn xún 、 wú rén kě yǐ wéi bèi 。」
「它也是天地纲常，人人都需遵循、无人可以违背。」
The scholar paused, revealing the origin of the name.
shū shēng dùn le dùn ， shuō chū le 【 rén dào tiān jìng 】 míng zì de yóu lái 。
书生顿了顿，说出了【人道天境】名字的由来。
"Compared to the vastness of heaven and earth, humans are but a tiny speck."
「 rén hé tiān dì xiāng bǐ ， bù guò miǎo xiǎo yī wù 。」
「人和天地相比，不过渺小一物。」
"Their names may fade away, yet rivers continue to flow for eternity."
「 shēn yǔ míng jù miè ， bù fèi jiāng hé wàn gǔ liú 。」
「身与名俱灭，不废江河万古流。」
"Even cultivators who can turn mountains into mud and seas into deserts seem to change the shape of the world. But after their deaths, all is left in emptiness; past events become mere illusions, no longer existing."
「 nǎ pà shì néng gòu fān jiāng dǎo hǎi de xiū shì ， kàn shì gǎi biàn le tiān dì de xíng zhuàng 。 dàn jiāng hé fù yǒu zhòng lái rì ， xiū shì sǐ hòu ， zé shì wàn shì jiē kōng 。 wǎng xī zhǒng zhǒng ， jiē chéng pào yǐng ， bù fù cún zài 。」
「哪怕是能够翻江倒海的修士，看似改变了天地的形状。但江河复有重来日，修士死后，则是万事皆空。往昔种种，皆成泡影，不复存在。」
"Only the Everlasting Heavenly Lord defies the laws of heaven and earth, truly altering the fabric of the cosmos!"
「 wéi yǒu cháng shēng tiān zūn ， nì tiān dì zhī lǐ ， kě wèi shì zhēn zhèng de gǎi tiān huàn dì ！」
「唯有长生天尊，逆天地之理，可谓是真正的改天换地！」
"Why can only the Everlasting Heavenly Lord accomplish such feats?"
「 wèi hé zhǐ yǒu cháng shēng tiān zūn ， cái néng xíng rú cǐ zhuàng jǔ ？」
「为何只有长生天尊，才能行如此壮举？」
"In our [Human Realm Heaven], anyone can change the world!"
「 zài wǒ men 【 rén dào tiān jìng 】， gǎi tiān huàn dì ， rén rén kě wèi ！」
「在我们【人道天境】，改天换地，人人可为！」
The scholar's voice echoed with conviction.
shū shēng zhì dì yǒu shēng dào 。
书生掷地有声道。
Though the crowd felt a surge of courage from his words, many remained confused.
cǐ yán jì chū ， zhòng rén suī rán xīn zhōng gǎn dào nà gǔ háo qì ， dàn què yǒu zhū duō bù jiě 。
此言既出，众人虽然心中感到那股豪气，但却有诸多不解。
Several brave cultivators asked: "Mister, could you explain what it means for everyone to be able to alter heaven and earth?"
yǒu bù shǎo xiū shì zhuàng zhe dǎn zi ， chū shēng wèn dào ：「 xiān shēng ， qǐng wèn rén rén jiē kě gǎi tiān huàn dì ， yòu zuò hé jiě ？」
有不少修士壮着胆子，出声问道：「先生，请问人人皆可改天换地，又做何解？」
The scholar smiled slightly. "Did you see the dazzling stars when you arrived?"
shū shēng wēi wēi yī xiào ：「 nǐ men lái shí ， kě zēng jiàn màn tiān cuǐ càn xīng guāng ？」
书生微微一笑：「你们来时，可曾见漫天璀璨星光？」
Everyone nodded.
zhòng rén fēn fēn diǎn tóu 。
众人纷纷点头。
"Actually, those aren't true stars; they are former cultivators," his words reverberated like thunder across the land.
「 qí shí nà xiē bú shì zhēn zhèng de qún xīng ， ér shì céng jīng de xiū shì 。」 shū shēng cǐ yán ， rú jīng léi bān xiǎng chè tiān dì 。
「其实那些不是真正的群星，而是曾经的修士。」书生此言，如惊雷般响彻天地。
He waved his hand, and the bright sky instantly turned dim.
tā dà shǒu yī huī ， yuán běn míng liàng de tiān kōng shùn jiān biàn dé àn dàn le xià lái 。
他大手一挥，原本明亮的天空瞬间变得暗澹了下来。
Darkness lasted only a moment before countless stars illuminated it again.
hēi àn zhǐ chí xù le yī shùn ， suí hòu yòu bèi wú shù de xīng guāng zhào liàng 。
黑暗只持续了一瞬，随后又被无数的星光照亮。
"In the [Human Realm Heaven], regardless of your cultivation level, if you have enough belief and courage, you can transform into a star and ascend to the heavens."
「 rén dào tiān jìng zhōng ， wú lùn xiū wèi gāo dī ， zhǐ yào yǒu zú gòu de xìn niàn yǔ yǒng qì ， jiù kě shēn huà fán xīng 、 shēng rù cāng qióng 。」
「人道天境中，无论修为高低，只要有足够的信念与勇气，就可身化繁星、升入苍穹。」
"Shining forever in this world while also changing the shape of heaven and earth."
「 yǒng héng zhào yào shì jiān de tóng shí ， gèng néng gǎi biàn tiān dì jiān yuán běn de xíng zhuàng 。」
「永恒照耀世间的同时，更能改变天地间原本的形状。」
"A long time ago, there was a young man born between two great mountains."
「 xǔ jiǔ zhī qián ， rén dào tiān jìng zhōng ， yǒu yī shào nián ， shēng yú liǎng zuò dà shān zhī zhōng 。」
「许久之前，人道天境中，有一少年，生于两座大山之中。」
The scholar began telling another story.
shū shēng yòu jiǎng qǐ le gù shì 。
书生又讲起了故事。
"The mountains blocked all paths, making it difficult for anyone to enter or leave. The villagers lived in poverty due to this isolation. This youth vowed from childhood to remove these mountains entirely, seeking a way out for his family."
「 dà shān zǔ sè ， jìn chū shí fēn bù biàn 。 shān zhōng cūn mín yīn cǐ shí fēn qióng kǔ 。 zhè shào nián jiàn dào rú cǐ qíng jǐng ， zì yòu fā xià hóng yuàn ， yào chè dǐ jiāng zhè liǎng zuò dà shān chǎn chú ， wèi qīn rén móu qiú yī tiáo chū lù 。」
「大山阻塞，进出十分不便。山中村民因此十分穷苦。这少年见到如此情景，自幼发下宏愿，要彻底将这两座大山铲除，为亲人谋求一条出路。」
"Living in the remote mountain area, few people ventured there. The young man knew nothing of immortals and tried to dig through the mountains with human effort alone."
「 shān zhōng piān pì ， xiǎn yǒu rén zhì 。 shào nián yě bù zhī shì jiān yǒu xiān ， zhǐ shì shì tú yǐ rén lì jué zhī 。」
「山中偏僻，鲜有人至。少年也不知世间有仙，只是试图以人力掘之。」
"Despite ridicule and misunderstanding, he never wavered or regretted his path."
「 suī zāo bù jiě hé cháo xiào ， yì shì cóng bù dòng yáo 、 hé hòu huǐ 。」
「虽遭不解和嘲笑，亦是从不动摇、和后悔。」
"Determined will turns even stone to dust; after a century, when the youth had become an old man on his deathbed, he still held onto his resolve."
「 jīng chéng suǒ zhì jīn shí wéi kāi ， bǎi nián guò qù ， dāng shào nián biàn chéng le mào dié lǎo zhě ， chuí sǐ zhī jì ， tā réng rán bù gǎi qí zhì 。」
「精诚所至金石为开，百年过去，当少年变成了耄耋老者，垂死之际，他仍然不改其志。」
"After his death, he became a star in the sky. And under its light, these mountains vanished from sight."
「 sǐ hòu ， tā huà zuò yī kē xīng chén ， shēng rù cāng qióng 。 ér zài xīng guāng zhào yào zhī xià ， zhè liǎng zuò dà shān zì cǐ xiāo shī bú jiàn 。」
「死后，他化作一颗星辰，升入苍穹。而在星光照耀之下，这两座大山自此消失不见。」
"This is a case of a mere mortal altering heaven and earth."
「 zhè shì chè dǐ de fán rén zhī qū ， gǎi tiān huàn dì de lì zi 。」
「这是彻底的凡人之躯，改天换地的例子。」
"Given such examples, how much more so for cultivators? Countless instances of changing the world exist within our [Human Realm Heaven]!"
「 fán rén rú cǐ ， hé kuàng xiū shì hū ？ rén dào tiān jìng zhōng ， céng jīng biàn tiān gé dì de lì zi ， shǔ bù shèng shǔ a ！」
「凡人如此，何况修士乎？人道天境中，曾经变天革地的例子，数不胜数啊！」
...
……
……
While Li Fan's puppet body was engrossed in the scholar's narrative, his true self had already arrived at Shi Lin State via a teleportation array.
jiù zài lǐ fán de kuǐ lěi shēn qū chén jìn zài shū shēng de jiǎng shù zhōng de shí hòu 。
就在李凡的傀儡身躯沉浸在书生的讲述中的时候。
With the Ten Thousand Immortals Island abducted and all portals to the Cunyun Sea rendered ineffective, he could only settle for arriving first at Shi Lin State, adjacent to the Cunyun Sea.
tā běn zūn què shì yǐ jīng tōng guò chuán sòng zhèn ， lái dào le shí lín zhōu 。
他本尊却是已经通过传送阵，来到了石临州。
When attempting to fly into the Cunyun Sea, Li Fan suddenly discovered an invisible barrier enveloping the entire sea, sealing it off from outsiders.
wàn xiān dǎo bèi lǔ zǒu ， suǒ yǒu tōng xiàng cóng yún hǎi de chuán sòng jié diǎn dōu yǐ jīng shī xiào 。
万仙岛被掳走，所有通向丛云海的传送节点都已经失效。
"It seems they've finally taken notice and are enforcing a lockdown," Li Fan narrowed his eyes, refraining from forceful entry.
tā zhǐ dé tuì ér qiú qí cì ， yī lù tōng guò chuán sòng zhèn ， xiān lái dào le hé cóng yún hǎi xiāng lín de shí lín zhōu 。
他只得退而求其次，一路通过传送阵，先来到了和丛云海相邻的石临州。
Instead, he returned to the nearby Immortal City in his true form, shifting his focus to his puppet Zhou Qingang.
shì tú fēi zhe jìn rù cóng yún hǎi de shí hòu ， lǐ fán què dǒu rán fā xiàn ， yī céng kàn bú jiàn de hù zhào lǒng zhào le zhěng zuò cóng yún hǎi 。
试图飞着进入丛云海的时候，李凡却陡然发现，一层看不见的护罩笼罩了整座丛云海。
Ignoring the constant communication spirit tokens that kept alerting him, his puppet flew directly towards where the Ten Thousand Immortals Island had been.
jiāng qí fēng suǒ ， wài rén wú fǎ jìn rù 。
将其封锁，外人无法进入。
Along the way, many cultivators with fearful expressions could be seen rushing toward the Ten Thousand Immortals Island, realizing how valuable instant travel was without teleportation arrays.
「 kàn lái zhōng jiū shì fǎn yìng guò lái ， jiè yán le 。」 lǐ fán mī zhuó yǎn ， méi yǒu qiáng chuǎng 。
「看来终究是反应过来，戒严了。」李凡眯着眼，没有强闯。
It took Li Fan nearly a dozen days to reach his destination.
ér shì běn zūn xiān fǎn huí le lín jìn de xiān chéng ， zhù yì lì zhuǎn yí dào le fēn shēn zhōu qīng áng shēn shàng 。
而是本尊先返回了临近的仙城，注意力转移到了分身周青昂身上。
Here, a large black void had gathered an assembly of cultivators who were pointing and whispering among themselves.
méi yǒu zài yì shēn shàng de bù duàn chuán lái de tōng xùn líng fú tí shì ， fēn shēn jìng zhí cháo zhe yuán lái wàn xiān dǎo suǒ chù de wèi zhì fēi qù 。
没有在意身上的不断传来的通讯灵符提示，分身径直朝着原来万仙岛所处的位置飞去。
In the center stood a massive black hole.
yī lù shàng kě yǐ kàn dào yǒu bù shǎo miàn sè huáng kǒng ， bù zhī dào fā shēng le shén me shì de xiū shì ， yě zài cháo zhe wàn xiān dǎo gǎn qù 。
一路上可以看到有不少面色惶恐，不知道发生了什么事的修士，也在朝着万仙岛赶去。
Around it, the surrounding seawater seemed blocked by some unseen force from entering the black hole.
shī qù le chuán sòng zhèn ， cái zhī dào néng gòu shùn xī ér zhì de kě guì 。
失去了传送阵，才知道能够瞬息而至的可贵。
This blackness on the azure sea appeared so out of place and strange.
zú zú yòng le shí jǐ tiān de shí jiān ， fēn shēn cái lái dào le mù dì dì 。
足足用了十几天的时间，分身才来到了目的地。
Li Fan frowned slightly.
zhè lǐ yǐ jīng jù jí le yī dà pī de xiū shì ， tā men zhǐ zhǐ diǎn diǎn ， bù duàn dī shēng yì lùn zhe 。
这里已经聚集了一大批的修士，他们指指点点，不断低声议论着。
"This form... how similar is it to when I first saw the Red Flame's destruction of the Burning Sea?"
ér zài zhòng rén zhōng yāng ， shì yí gè jù dà de hēi sè kōng dòng 。
而在众人中央，是一个巨大的黑色空洞。
"Could this be..."
zhōu wéi hǎi shuǐ fǎng fú shòu dào le mǒu zhǒng lì liàng de zǔ ài ， méi néng liú rù hēi sè dà dòng zhī zhōng 。
周围海水仿佛受到了某种力量的阻碍，没能流入黑色大洞之中。
A thought flashed through his mind, causing Li Fan to pause momentarily. The disappearance of the Ten Thousand Immortals Island, the lingering heat around the void, and the Red Flame high in the sky had all led him to believe that it was the Red Flame that destroyed the island.
zài wèi lán de hǎi yù shàng ， zhè hēi dòng de cún zài ， kàn shàng qù shì nà me guǐ yì hé bù hé xié 。
在蔚蓝的海域上，这黑洞的存在，看上去是那么诡异和不和谐。
Indeed, it looked like it.
lǐ fán jiàn zhuàng ， bù jīn wēi wēi zhòu méi 。
李凡见状，不禁微微皱眉。
But since he hadn't witnessed the destruction firsthand, there remained a second possibility: the Ten Thousand Immortals Island might have been emptied by some means similar to this world.
「 zhè ge mú yàng ， zěn me gēn wǒ dì yī cì jiàn dào chì yán fén hǎi de shí hòu rú cǐ xiāng sì ？」
「这个模样，怎么跟我第一次见到赤炎焚海的时候如此相似？」
Even after the Red Flame's death and the emergence of Mo Shi, Li Fan had not seen its destruction with his own eyes before being consumed by the black particles.
「 nán dào shuō ……」
「难道说……」
Considering the Five Elders' Assembly's recent abduction of the Ten Thousand Immortals Island, he felt a bit dazed.
yí gè cāi xiǎng bù jīn fú xiàn zài tā de nǎo hǎi zhōng ， ràng lǐ fán wēi wēi yí zhèng 。
一个猜想不禁浮现在他的脑海中，让李凡微微一怔。
"Could it be that this Ten Thousand Immortals Island truly harbors some secret?"
dāng chū jiàn dào xiāo shī bú jiàn de wàn xiān dǎo ， yǐ jí kàn dào kōng dòng zhōu wéi nà zhǒng huī zhī bù qù de zhì rè néng liàng 。
当初见到消失不见的万仙岛，以及看到空洞周围那种挥之不去的炙热能量。
Recalling all the secrets he had read about but found no mention of this, Li Fan began to doubt his initial judgment.
suí hòu yòu kàn jiàn le lì yú gāo kōng ， shǒu wò huǒ yàn ， hōng kǎo zhe cóng yún hǎi de chì yán 。
随后又看见了立于高空，手握火焰，烘烤着丛云海的赤炎。
"This doesn't make sense either? If there were something hidden on the island, the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance wouldn't be unaware. They should have strictly guarded it; why would they allow the Five Elders' Assembly to take it so easily?"
lǐ fán jiù xià yì shí de yǐ wéi ， shì chì yán chū shǒu ， chè dǐ huǐ miè le wàn xiān dǎo 。
李凡就下意识的以为，是赤炎出手，彻底毁灭了万仙岛。
Just as Li Fan struggled to find an answer, he heard a cultivator among the crowd exclaim: "The world is ever-changing; I never thought that the original place where the Teaching Heavenly Lord first imparted teachings would one day vanish."
dí què ， kàn shàng qù hěn xiàng 。
的确，看上去很像。
Li Fan was taken aback.
dàn bì jìng méi néng qīn yǎn jiàn dào wàn xiān dǎo de huǐ miè ， suǒ yǐ shí jì cún zài zhe dì èr zhǒng kě néng 。
但毕竟没能亲眼见到万仙岛的毁灭，所以实际存在着第二种可能。
He hurried forward and greeted the cultivator.
nà jiù shì wàn xiān dǎo yě hé cǐ shì yī yàng ， shì bèi mǒu zhǒng fāng shì chè dǐ bān kōng de 。
那就是万仙岛也和此世一样，是被某种方式彻底搬空的。
"Friend, what do you mean by 'the original place where the Teaching Heavenly Lord first imparted teachings'?" Li Fan asked.
"Merely a dispute over interests, how can one distinguish between good and evil?"
"If we truly were as wicked as it seems, how could we have withstood the attacks of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance for thousands of years without falling?"
The scholar's voice boomed once more.
Many cultivators in the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance showed signs of contemplation. More appeared bewildered, their values greatly shaken.
"Very well, let me introduce you to the current state of the Five Elders' Assembly."
The scholar stood tall between heaven and earth, filling everyone's vision as he spoke softly yet clearly.
"The territories of the Five Elders' Assembly are now divided into five parts."
"Each of the Five Heavenly Lords governs their own domain."
"As for the regions of other heavenly lords, I cannot comment on them. If you have the chance in the future, explore them yourselves."
"Now, let's talk about the [Human Realm Heavenrealm/scenario/environment]."
The scholar's words caught everyone's attention, including Li Fan.
"Each of the Five Heavenly Lords defies the laws of heaven and earth to create unique regions."
"In our [Human Realm Heaven], the most important principle is the path to enlightenment by the heavenly lords."
"It is also the fundamental law that all must follow; no one can defy it."
The scholar paused, revealing the origin of the name.
"Compared to the vastness of heaven and earth, humans are but a tiny speck."
"Their names may fade away, yet rivers continue to flow for eternity."
"Even cultivators who can turn mountains into mud and seas into deserts seem to change the shape of the world. But after their deaths, all is left in emptiness; past events become mere illusions, no longer existing."
"Only the Everlasting Heavenly Lord defies the laws of heaven and earth, truly altering the fabric of the cosmos!"
"Why can only the Everlasting Heavenly Lord accomplish such feats?"
"In our [Human Realm Heaven], anyone can change the world!"
The scholar's voice echoed with conviction.
Though the crowd felt a surge of courage from his words, many remained confused.
Several brave cultivators asked: "Mister, could you explain what it means for everyone to be able to alter heaven and earth?"
The scholar smiled slightly. "Did you see the dazzling stars when you arrived?"
Everyone nodded.
"Actually, those aren't true stars; they are former cultivators," his words reverberated like thunder across the land.
He waved his hand, and the bright sky instantly turned dim.
Darkness lasted only a moment before countless stars illuminated it again.
"In the [Human Realm Heaven], regardless of your cultivation level, if you have enough belief and courage, you can transform into a star and ascend to the heavens."
"Shining forever in this world while also changing the shape of heaven and earth."
"A long time ago, there was a young man born between two great mountains."
The scholar began telling another story.
"The mountains blocked all paths, making it difficult for anyone to enter or leave. The villagers lived in poverty due to this isolation. This youth vowed from childhood to remove these mountains entirely, seeking a way out for his family."
"Living in the remote mountain area, few people ventured there. The young man knew nothing of immortals and tried to dig through the mountains with human effort alone."
"Despite ridicule and misunderstanding, he never wavered or regretted his path."
"Determined will turns even stone to dust; after a century, when the youth had become an old man on his deathbed, he still held onto his resolve."
"After his death, he became a star in the sky. And under its light, these mountains vanished from sight."
"This is a case of a mere mortal altering heaven and earth."
"Given such examples, how much more so for cultivators? Countless instances of changing the world exist within our [Human Realm Heaven]!"
...
While Li Fan's puppet body was engrossed in the scholar's narrative, his true self had already arrived at Shi Lin State via a teleportation array.
With the Ten Thousand Immortals Island abducted and all portals to the Cunyun Sea rendered ineffective, he could only settle for arriving first at Shi Lin State, adjacent to the Cunyun Sea.
When attempting to fly into the Cunyun Sea, Li Fan suddenly discovered an invisible barrier enveloping the entire sea, sealing it off from outsiders.
"It seems they've finally taken notice and are enforcing a lockdown," Li Fan narrowed his eyes, refraining from forceful entry.
Instead, he returned to the nearby Immortal City in his true form, shifting his focus to his puppet Zhou Qingang.
Ignoring the constant communication spirit tokens that kept alerting him, his puppet flew directly towards where the Ten Thousand Immortals Island had been.
Along the way, many cultivators with fearful expressions could be seen rushing toward the Ten Thousand Immortals Island, realizing how valuable instant travel was without teleportation arrays.
It took Li Fan nearly a dozen days to reach his destination.
Here, a large black void had gathered an assembly of cultivators who were pointing and whispering among themselves.
In the center stood a massive black hole.
Around it, the surrounding seawater seemed blocked by some unseen force from entering the black hole.
This blackness on the azure sea appeared so out of place and strange.
Li Fan frowned slightly.
"This form... how similar is it to when I first saw the Red Flame's destruction of the Burning Sea?"
"Could this be..."
A thought flashed through his mind, causing Li Fan to pause momentarily. The disappearance of the Ten Thousand Immortals Island, the lingering heat around the void, and the Red Flame high in the sky had all led him to believe that it was the Red Flame that destroyed the island.
Indeed, it looked like it.
But since he hadn't witnessed the destruction firsthand, there remained a second possibility: the Ten Thousand Immortals Island might have been emptied by some means similar to this world.
Even after the Red Flame's death and the emergence of Mo Shi, Li Fan had not seen its destruction with his own eyes before being consumed by the black particles.
Considering the Five Elders' Assembly's recent abduction of the Ten Thousand Immortals Island, he felt a bit dazed.
"Could it be that this Ten Thousand Immortals Island truly harbors some secret?"
Recalling all the secrets he had read about but found no mention of this, Li Fan began to doubt his initial judgment.
"This doesn't make sense either? If there were something hidden on the island, the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance wouldn't be unaware. They should have strictly guarded it; why would they allow the Five Elders' Assembly to take it so easily?"
Just as Li Fan struggled to find an answer, he heard a cultivator among the crowd exclaim: "The world is ever-changing; I never thought that the original place where the Teaching Heavenly Lord first imparted teachings would one day vanish."
Li Fan was taken aback.
He hurried forward and greeted the cultivator.
"Friend, what do you mean by 'the original place where the Teaching Heavenly Lord first imparted teachings'?" Li Fan asked.