「 dàn shī jiě de cháng shēng zhī dào ， xiǎng yào yǐ wǒ dài jià ……」
「但师姐的长生之道，想要以我代价……」
"But Senior Sister's path to immortality, wanting me to pay the price..."
「 wǒ què bù yuàn ！」
「我却不愿！」
"I won't let you do that!"
「 wǒ kě bù huì ， ràng shī jiě cóng jīn wǎng hòu ， nà me gū dān ！」
「我可不会，让师姐从今往后，那么孤单！」
"I won't make Senior Sister feel so lonely from now on!"
lǐ fán dà xiào zhī shēng ， xiǎng chè tiān dì 。
李凡大笑之声，响彻天地。
Li Fan's loud laughter echoed through the heavens.
「 zhè xiē nián lái ， shī jiě lǐng wù chū le 【 wàn zhòng yī xīn 】。 shī dì wǒ suī rán yú dùn ， què yě méi yǒu xián zhe 。」
「这些年来，师姐领悟出了【万众一心】。师弟我虽然愚钝，却也没有闲着。」
"Over these years, Senior Sister has mastered 'Unity of All Hearts.' Although I am dull-witted, I haven't been idle."
「 wǒ yǒu yī zhāo ， hái qǐng shī jiě cì jiào ！」
「我有一招，还请师姐赐教！」
"I have a technique for your consideration!"
wú liàng liàng cì yǎn guāng huá zhōng ， lǐ fán rú duàn jīn shí de hē shēng chuán lái 。
无量量刺眼光华中，李凡如断金石的喝声传来。
Amidst the countless beams of light, Li Fan's voice rang out like cutting through stone.
「 shòu ！」
「寿！」
"Longevity!"
lǐ fán de shēn qū chè dǐ yān miè zài dà fàng guāng míng zhōng 。
李凡的身躯彻底湮灭在大放光明中。
Li Fan's body was completely engulfed by the brilliant light.
ér zhào shī jiě ， cǐ shí ， yě zhōng yú dì yī cì wēi wēi biàn le liǎn sè 。
而赵师姐，此时，也终于第一次微微变了脸色。
At this moment, Senior Sister Zhao finally showed a slight change in expression. No longer indifferent and confident, she looked both angry and amused: "No wonder you've progressed so slowly these years. You were actually trying to find ways to restrain me?"
bù zài shì nà me mǎn bù zài hū 、 yī qiè dōu jǐn zài zhǎng wò ， ér shì yī fù yòu hǎo qì 、 yòu hǎo xiào de yàng zi ：「 nán guài shī dì nǐ zhè xiē nián dōu jìn bù huǎn màn ， yuán lái xīn sī dōu fàng zài zěn me xiǎng fāng shè fǎ jié zhì wǒ le ？」
不再是那么满不在乎、一切都尽在掌握，而是一副又好气、又好笑的样子：「难怪师弟你这些年都进步缓慢，原来心思都放在怎么想方设法节制我了？」
"Since we are co-practitioners of 'The Great Assignment of Heaven and Earth,' it's hard to say where I end and you begin. This technique of unity with heaven and earth does indeed pose a threat..."
「 nǐ wǒ tóng xiū 《 tiān dì jiāo zhēng fù 》， shí zé zǎo yǐ nán fēn bǐ cǐ 。 zhè shì tiān dì tóng shòu ， dí què néng duì wǒ chǎn shēng wēi xié ……」
「你我同修《天地交征赋》，实则早已难分彼此。这式天地同寿，的确能对我产生威胁……」
"Provided your cultivation is higher."
「 rú guǒ shī dì nǐ de xiū wèi néng zài gāo diǎn de huà 。」
「如果师弟你的修为能再高点的话。」
A myriad of Senior Sister Ochos watched the countless beams of light emanating from Li Fan, spreading their arms to gather the white light into themselves.
qiān qiān wàn wàn gè zhào shī jiě kàn zhe zì lǐ fán shēn shàng yǒng chū de wàn qiān guāng huá ， qí qí zhāng kāi shuāng shǒu ， jiāng bái guāng yǒng rù huái zhōng 。
千千万万个赵师姐看着自李凡身上涌出的万千光华，齐齐张开双手，将白光涌入怀中。
"Junior Brother, stop resisting! Merge with me!"
「 shī dì ， bié fǎn kàng le ， gēn wǒ róng wéi yī tǐ ba ！」
「师弟，别反抗了，跟我融为一体吧！」
Cracks began appearing on their faces. But they quickly healed as the white light grew dimmer and slowly vanished.
tā wú shù shēn qū de liǎn shàng ， kāi shǐ chū xiàn yī dào dào liè wén 。
她无数身躯的脸上，开始出现一道道裂纹。
When Li Fan's presence was completely gone within the Daoist Sect, everything seemed to come to a standstill.
dàn liè wén hěn kuài jiù zì xíng huī fù 。 ér bái guāng què yuè lái àn ， huǎn huǎn xiāo shī yú tiān dì zhī jiān 。
但裂纹很快就自行恢复。而白光却越来暗，缓缓消失于天地之间。
"Haha, Junior Brother Li Fan."
dāng dà dào zōng nèi ， chè dǐ méi yǒu le lǐ fán qì xī de shí hòu 。
当大道宗内，彻底没有了李凡气息的时候。
"Thank you for playing such an interesting game with me."
yī qiè dōu fǎng fú jìng zhǐ le xià lái 。
一切都仿佛静止了下来。
"I haven't had this much fun in years."
「 hē hē ， lǐ fán shī dì 。」
「呵呵，李凡师弟。」
Senior Sister Zhao's expression was dazed as she looked up at the sky and muttered to herself.
「 zhēn shì yào xiè xiè nǐ ， gēn wǒ wán le chǎng hěn bú cuò de yóu xì ne 。」
「真是要谢谢你，跟我玩了场很不错的游戏呢。」
-----------------
「 wǒ kě shì hǎo duō nián ， bù céng yǒu guò zhè me yǒu qù de jīng lì le 。」
「我可是好多年，不曾有过这么有趣的经历了。」
"Divine guiding light! That’s divine guiding light!"
zhào shī jiě shén sè mí lí ， kàn zhe tiān kōng ， nán nán zì yǔ dào 。
赵师姐神色迷离，看着天空，喃喃自语道。
"Who is it? Another cultivator from our残虹州has been chosen by Great Sovereign?"
-----------------
-----------------
"Hahaha, just a month and three new Daoist disciples have appeared! Our残虹州is truly making a name for itself now!"
「 jiē yǐn xiān guāng ！ nà shì jiē yǐn xiān guāng ！」
「接引仙光！那是接引仙光！」
Noisy voices seemed to come from afar as Li Fan suddenly woke up.
「 shì shuí ？ wǒ men cán hóng zhōu zhè me kuài jiù yòu yǒu xiū shì bèi tiān zūn dà rén kàn shàng le ？」
「是谁？我们残虹州这么快就又有修士被天尊大人看上了？」
He looked around in confusion. He found himself in an environment that was both familiar and strange.
「 hā hā hā ， duǎn duǎn yí yuè shí jiān ， lián chū sān wèi xiān zōng dì zǐ ！ zhè xià wǒ men cán hóng zhōu ， kě shì zhēn de yào shēng wēi dà zhèn le ！」
「哈哈哈，短短一月时间，连出三位仙宗弟子！这下我们残虹州，可是真的要声威大震了！」
In an instant, long-forgotten memories flooded back like a tidal wave.
cáo zá de shēng yīn sì hū zì yuǎn fāng chuán lái ， lǐ fán shū rán sū xǐng 。
嘈杂的声音似乎自远方传来，李凡倏然苏醒。
The Five Elders' Gathering, the Heart Dao Sect,残虹州.
yǒu xiē máng rán de huán shì sì zhōu ， tā fā xiàn zì jǐ suǒ chù de huán jìng jì shú xī yòu mò shēng 。
有些茫然的环视四周，他发现自己所处的环境既熟悉又陌生。
Divine guiding light.
guò le chà nà ， chén fēng xǔ jiǔ 、 wǎn ruò gé shì de jì yì dùn shí rú cháo shuǐ zhōng yǒng lái 。
过了刹那，尘封许久、宛若隔世的记忆顿时如潮水中涌来。
It turned out he was still being guided by divine light.
wǔ lǎo huì ， yī xīn xiān zōng ， cán hóng zhōu 。
五老会，一心仙宗，残虹州。
But what had just happened for hundreds of years, so real?
jiē yǐn xiān guāng 。
接引仙光。
Was it a hallucination?
yuán lái ， zì jǐ hái shì chù zài ， bèi xiān guāng jiē yǐn de nà ge shí hòu 。
原来，自己还是处在，被仙光接引的那个时候。
Li Fan couldn't help but look up.
zhǐ shì ， gāng gāng nà chí xù le shù bǎi nián 、 yòu wú bǐ zhēn shí de jīng lì yòu shì shén me 。
只是，刚刚那持续了数百年、又无比真实的经历又是什么。
Through the cracks in the sky, he could vaguely see a mountainous sect.
huàn jìng ？
幻境？
It was one of the ancient Ten Daoist Sects, the Great Dao Sect.
lǐ fán bù jīn tái tóu xiàng shàng kàn qù 。
李凡不禁抬头向上看去。
Now, to welcome this new member, countless disciples within the Great Dao Sect looked up and stared at him.
tòu guò tiān kōng zhōng de liè xì ， yǐn yǐn kě yǐ kàn dào yī chù qún shān lián mián de zōng mén 。
透过天空中的裂隙，隐隐可以看到一处群山连绵的宗门。
Unlike in the hallucination, here the Great Dao Sect seemed full of life. Each disciple's expression wasn't stiff or dead; they were alive and well, engaging in lively discussions with each other.
zhèng shì shàng gǔ shí dà xiān zōng zhī yī ， dà dào zōng 。
正是上古十大仙宗之一，大道宗。
Unlike what Li Fan saw in the hallucination, which was so silent and still.
cǐ kè ， sì hū shì wèi le huān yíng lǐ fán zhè yī xīn chéng yuán de jiā rù ， dà dào zōng nèi wú shù dì zǐ ， yě qí qí tái tóu ， kàn xiàng zhè biān 。
此刻，似乎是为了欢迎李凡这一新成员的加入，大道宗内无数弟子，也齐齐抬头，看向这边。
As he ascended under the guiding light, his body gradually became rigid and numb.
hé huàn jìng zhōng yǒu suǒ bù tóng de shì ， zhè lǐ de dà dào zōng ， duō le xǔ duō zhī qián bù céng yǒu de 「 shēng qì 」。
和幻境中有所不同的是，这里的大道宗，多了许多之前不曾有的「生气」。
His consciousness began to fade away.
bù jǐn jǐn měi yí gè dì zǐ liǎn shàng de biǎo qíng bù zài nà me jiāng yìng 、 sǐ bǎn ， ér shì gè yǒu bù tóng ， hé zhēn rén wú yì 。
不仅仅每一个弟子脸上的表情不再那么僵硬、死板，而是各有不同，和真人无异。
"Turns out it's just a wooden puppet..."
ér qiě tā men bǐ cǐ zhī jiān yě huì hù xiāng jiāo tán ， rè liè de tǎo lùn zhe 。
而且他们彼此之间也会互相交谈，热烈的讨论着。
Li Fan pondered. The figure dissipated with the wind, leaving behind a withered wooden body heading towards the Great Dao Sect.
bù xiàng shì lǐ fán zài huàn jìng zhōng jiàn dào de ， nà me de sǐ jì 、 ān jìng 。
不像是李凡在幻境中见到的，那么的死寂、安静。
The disciples of the Great Dao Sect had various reactions upon seeing this scene.
zài jiē yǐn xiān guāng zhōng ， bù duàn shàng shēng 。
在接引仙光中，不断上升。
Some were enraged.
lǐ fán de shēn qū què zhú jiàn biàn dé jiāng huà 、 má mù 。
李凡的身躯却逐渐变得僵化、麻木。
Some looked thoughtful.
lǐ fán yě jué de zì jǐ de yì shí zhèng zài màn màn xiāo sàn 。
李凡也觉得自己的意识正在慢慢消散。
Others clapped their hands in satisfaction.
「 yuán lái zhè shì yī jù mù tou kuǐ lěi ……」
「原来这是一具木头傀儡……」
And some smiled.
lǐ fán ruò yǒu suǒ sī 。
李凡若有所思。
...
zhī hòu suí fēng xiāo sàn 。
之后随风消散。
It was clear that "Unity of All Hearts" didn't exist anywhere.
zhǐ liú yī jù kū xiǔ de mù zhì shēn qū ， cháo zhe dà dào zōng ér lái 。
只留一具枯朽的木制身躯，朝着大道宗而来。
No one knew who made the final decision.
ér dà dào zōng nèi de yī zhòng dì zǐ men ， jiàn dào cǐ mù ， fǎn yìng gè bù xiāng tóng 。
而大道宗内的一众弟子们，见到此幕，反应各不相同。
A beam of white light emerged from the crack, completely annihilating the puppet body.
yǒu de bó rán dà nù 。
有的勃然大怒。
The guiding light then disappeared as the crack slowly closed. The scene of the Heart Dao Sect vanished from sight.
yǒu de ruò yǒu suǒ sī 。
有的若有所思。
Only the Five Elders' Gathering cultivators remained in the dark, silently marveling at what had just happened.
yǒu de pāi shǒu chēng kuài 。
有的拍手称快。
Meanwhile, in Cunyun Sea, where the Ten Thousand Immortals Island once stood, Li Fan's true self, who was overseeing the reconstruction of Cunyun City, stood stunned.
yǒu de zé shì miàn dài wēi xiào 。
有的则是面带微笑。
"Is something wrong, Lord Island? Is there a problem?"
……
……
"I'll have them correct it immediately!" Gao Yuan said hurriedly.
sī háo kàn bù chū ， suǒ wèi de 【 wàn zhòng yī xīn 】，「 yī 」 zài hé chù 。
丝毫看不出，所谓的【万众一心】，「一」在何处。
After a moment, Li Fan waved his hand.
bù zhī zuì zhōng ， shì hé rén zuò de jué dìng 。
不知最终，是何人做的决定。
"It's fine. You've done well! Keep up the good work!"
yī dào bái guāng ， zì liè xì zhōng fā chū ， jiāng kuǐ lěi shēn qū chè dǐ yān miè 。
一道白光，自裂隙中发出，将傀儡身躯彻底湮灭。
He resumed his usual expression and continued to inspect for another half day before returning to his temporary construction site.
suí hòu shōu qǐ jiē yǐn xiān guāng ， liè xì huǎn huǎn guān bì ， yī xīn xiān zōng de jǐng xiàng ， xiāo shī zài tiān dì jiān 。
随后收起接引仙光，裂隙缓缓关闭，一心仙宗的景象，消失在天地间。
Li Fan's face was solemn as he sealed off the area.
zhǐ liú xià fāng bù míng zhēn xiàng de wǔ lǎo huì xiū shì àn zì gǎn tàn 。
只留下方不明真相的五老会修士暗自感叹。
"Haha, Junior Brother. I am very much looking forward to meeting you formally."
yǔ cǐ tóng shí ， cóng yún hǎi 。
与此同时，丛云海。
Senior Sister Zhao's light laughter seemed still ringing in his ears.
xī rì wàn xiān dǎo suǒ zài ， zhèng zài dū chá cóng yún xiān chéng chóng jiàn jìn dù de lǐ fán běn zūn ， lèng zài dāng chǎng 。
昔日万仙岛所在，正在督查丛云仙城重建进度的李凡本尊，愣在当场。
Was it a fragment of her divine consciousness or did Li Fan hear it with his own ears?
「 zěn me ， dǎo zhǔ dà rén ？ shì yǒu shén me bú duì ma ？」
「怎么，岛主大人？是有什么不对嘛？」
He couldn't tell for sure.
「 wǒ lì kè ràng tā men gǎi zhèng ！」 gāo yuǎn lián shēng shuō dào 。
「我立刻让他们改正！」高远连声说道。
"Senior Sister Zhao... what a wonderful hallucination."
piàn kè zhī hòu ， lǐ fán bǎi le bǎi shǒu 。
片刻之后，李凡摆了摆手。
Li Fan reflected on the hundred years at the Great Dao Sect.
「 méi shì ， nǐ men zuò de hěn hǎo ！ jì xù bǎo chí ！」
「没事，你们做的很好！继续保持！」
Although some details were unclear, most events felt like he had personally experienced them, just as real as life.
yòu shén sè rú cháng de xún shì le yī fān ， guò le xiǎo bàn tiān hòu ， cái huí dào zì jǐ de lín shí shī gōng zhù suǒ 。
又神色如常的巡视了一番，过了小半天后，才回到自己的临时施工住所。
It even made him feel that he was indeed once Senior Sister Zhao's junior brother and part of the ancient Great Dao Sect.
jiāng zhōu wéi fēng bì ， lǐ fán shén sè sù mù 。
将周围封闭，李凡神色肃穆。
After reincarnating for decades, his memories had finally returned.
「 hē hē ， shī dì 。 wǒ kě shì shí fēn qī dài ， hé nǐ zhèng shì xiāng yù a 。」
「呵呵，师弟。我可是十分期待，和你正式相遇啊。」
He even thought about going to meet Senior Sister Zhao sooner.
zhào shī jiě de qīng xiào shēng fǎng fú yī rán hái zài ěr biān huí dàng 。
赵师姐的轻笑声仿佛依然还在耳边回荡。
If he only had one lifetime memory without "This True," maybe he would have done so.
jiū jìng shì nà yī lǚ shén shí chuán lái de zuì hòu xìn xī ， hái shì lǐ fán běn zūn qīn ěr suǒ tīng jiàn de ？
究竟是那一缕神识传来的最后信息，还是李凡本尊亲耳所听见的？
Li Fan shuddered at the thought.
tā jìng rán yī shí jiān fēn bù qīng chǔ 。
他竟然一时间分不清楚。
Even with just a fragment of her divine consciousness, being immersed in Senior Sister Zhao's hallucination had such an impact on his true self...
「 zhào shī jiě …… hǎo huàn jìng 。」
「赵师姐……好幻境。」
No wonder the Five Elders' Gathering cultivators within the Heart Dao Sect were so devoted to Senior Sister Zhao.
lǐ fán huí wèi zhe dà dào zōng nèi bǎi yú nián jiān de zhǒng zhǒng 。
李凡回味着大道宗内百余年间的种种。
The Yellow and Black Refining Heart Spell ran through Li Fan’s mind, transforming his thoughts of joining Senior Sister Zhao into nourishment for his reversed cultivation of daoist heart.
suī rán yǒu xiē xì jié yǐ jīng jì bù qīng chǔ ， dàn shì jué dà duō shù shì jiàn ， dōu rú tóng zì jǐ qīn shēn jīng lì yì bān ， hé zhēn shí wú yì 。
虽然有些细节已经记不清楚，但是绝大多数事件，都如同自己亲身经历一般，和真实无异。
After three days and nights, Li Fan finally managed to eliminate the effects of this trip to the Heart Dao Sect.
shèn zhì ràng lǐ fán chǎn shēng le yī zhǒng cuò jué ， zì jǐ dí què céng jīng shì zhào shī jiě de shī dì 、 shàng gǔ dà dào zōng de yī yuán 。
甚至让李凡产生了一种错觉，自己的确曾经是赵师姐的师弟、上古大道宗的一员。
At least on the surface.
bù guò shì zhuǎn shì chóng xiū ， jīng guò shù shí nián ， rú jīn zhōng yú huī fù liǎo dàng nián de jì yì 。
不过是转世重修，经过数十年，如今终于恢复了当年的记忆。
Completely detached, he analyzed and organized what he had gained from this journey.
jìng rán hái shēng chū le ， bù rú zǎo diǎn qù zhǎo zhào shī jiě 「 xiāng rèn 」 de xiǎng fǎ 。
竟然还生出了，不如早点去找赵师姐「相认」的想法。
Undoubtedly, his experiences at the Great Dao Sect were fabricated by Senior Sister Zhao.
rú guǒ tā jǐn jǐn yǒu yī shì jì yì ， méi yǒu 【 hái zhēn 】 de huà 。 shuō bù dìng hái zhēn jiù huì zhè me zuò le 。
如果他仅仅有一世记忆，没有【还真】的话。说不定还真就会这么做了。
Even from start to finish, Li Fan didn’t know Senior Sister Zhao's true name.
lǐ fán bù jīn àn zì lǐn rán 。
李凡不禁暗自凛然。
But in the hallucination, there was no sense of incongruity.
nǎ pà zhǐ yǒu yī lǚ shén shí ， chén jìn zài zhào shī jiě biān zhī de huàn jìng zhī zhōng ， dū huì gěi běn zūn dài lái zhè me dà de yǐng xiǎng ……
哪怕只有一缕神识，沉浸在赵师姐编织的幻境之中，都会给本尊带来这么大的影响……
Yet, there was truth within illusion and falsehood within reality.
yě nán guài 【 yī xīn xiān zōng 】 nèi de wǔ lǎo huì xiū shì ， huì duì zhào shī jiě rú cǐ sǐ xīn tā dì le 。
也难怪【一心仙宗】内的五老会修士，会对赵师姐如此死心塌地了。
At least, figures like Ji Changxi and Mo Zhiran who appeared in the hallucination had once existed.
xuán huáng liàn xīn zhòu yùn zhuàn ， jiāng cǐ kè xīn zhōng bù shí yǒng xiàn de 「 tóu bèn zhào shī jiě 」 huà zuò nì liàn dào xīn de yǎng liào 。
玄黄炼心咒运转，将此刻心中不时涌现的「投奔赵师姐」化作逆练道心的养料。
Techniques such as "The Great Assignment of Heaven and Earth" and "Soul-Cutting Divine Insight Skill" might not be fake.
guò le sān tiān sān yè ， lǐ fán cái zuì zhōng jiāng cǐ cì 【 yī xīn xiān zōng 】 zhī xíng dài lái de yǐng xiǎng gěi xiāo chú 。
过了三天三夜，李凡才最终将此次【一心仙宗】之行带来的影响给消除。
Unfortunately, just like his return from the Fall of Immortals Realm, he couldn’t remember many details.
zuì qǐ mǎ biǎo miàn shàng kàn qǐ lái rú cǐ 。
最起码表面上看起来如此。
There were also countless changes that occurred while he was a junior brother in the hallucination.
chè dǐ tuō lí ， lǐ fán yòu fēn xī zhěng lǐ qǐ cǐ cì de shōu huò 。
彻底脱离，李凡又分析整理起此次的收获。
"It turns out the仙凡瘴really is the work of some Great Sovereign, and not a natural evolution."
háo wú yí wèn ， tā zài dà dào zōng de jīng lì shì zhào shī jiě xū gòu de 。
毫无疑问，他在大道宗的经历是赵师姐虚构的。
Li Fan thought about Elder Yin on Yin Island.
shèn zhì cóng shǐ zhì zhōng ， lǐ fán lián zhào shī jiě de zhēn zhèng míng zì shì shén me ， dōu bù qīng chǔ 。
甚至从始至终，李凡连赵师姐的真正名字是什么，都不清楚。
"Could this be the one who discovered the hidden Great Sovereign's whereabouts and was silenced?"
ér piān piān zài huàn jìng zhōng shí ， bú huì gǎn dào rèn hé de wéi hé gǎn 。
而偏偏在幻境中时，不会感到任何的违和感。
Thinking back to Elder Yin’s mysterious suicide in his previous lives, Li Fan couldn’t help but wonder.
"But Senior Sister's path to immortality, wanting me to pay the price..."
"I won't let you do that!"
"I won't make Senior Sister feel so lonely from now on!"
Li Fan's loud laughter echoed through the heavens.
"Over these years, Senior Sister has mastered 'Unity of All Hearts.' Although I am dull-witted, I haven't been idle."
"I have a technique for your consideration!"
Amidst the countless beams of light, Li Fan's voice rang out like cutting through stone.
"Heaven!"
"Earth!"
"Same!"
"Longevity!"
Li Fan's body was completely engulfed by the brilliant light.
At this moment, Senior Sister Zhao finally showed a slight change in expression. No longer indifferent and confident, she looked both angry and amused: "No wonder you've progressed so slowly these years. You were actually trying to find ways to restrain me?"
"Since we are co-practitioners of 'The Great Assignment of Heaven and Earth,' it's hard to say where I end and you begin. This technique of unity with heaven and earth does indeed pose a threat..."
"Provided your cultivation is higher."
A myriad of Senior Sister Ochos watched the countless beams of light emanating from Li Fan, spreading their arms to gather the white light into themselves.
"Junior Brother, stop resisting! Merge with me!"
Cracks began appearing on their faces. But they quickly healed as the white light grew dimmer and slowly vanished.
When Li Fan's presence was completely gone within the Daoist Sect, everything seemed to come to a standstill.
"Haha, Junior Brother Li Fan."
"Thank you for playing such an interesting game with me."
"I haven't had this much fun in years."
Senior Sister Zhao's expression was dazed as she looked up at the sky and muttered to herself.
-----------------
"Divine guiding light! That’s divine guiding light!"
"Who is it? Another cultivator from our残虹州has been chosen by Great Sovereign?"
"Hahaha, just a month and three new Daoist disciples have appeared! Our残虹州is truly making a name for itself now!"
Noisy voices seemed to come from afar as Li Fan suddenly woke up.
He looked around in confusion. He found himself in an environment that was both familiar and strange.
In an instant, long-forgotten memories flooded back like a tidal wave.
The Five Elders' Gathering, the Heart Dao Sect,残虹州.
Divine guiding light.
It turned out he was still being guided by divine light.
But what had just happened for hundreds of years, so real?
Was it a hallucination?
Li Fan couldn't help but look up.
Through the cracks in the sky, he could vaguely see a mountainous sect.
It was one of the ancient Ten Daoist Sects, the Great Dao Sect.
Now, to welcome this new member, countless disciples within the Great Dao Sect looked up and stared at him.
Unlike in the hallucination, here the Great Dao Sect seemed full of life. Each disciple's expression wasn't stiff or dead; they were alive and well, engaging in lively discussions with each other.
Unlike what Li Fan saw in the hallucination, which was so silent and still.
As he ascended under the guiding light, his body gradually became rigid and numb.
His consciousness began to fade away.
"Turns out it's just a wooden puppet..."
Li Fan pondered. The figure dissipated with the wind, leaving behind a withered wooden body heading towards the Great Dao Sect.
The disciples of the Great Dao Sect had various reactions upon seeing this scene.
Some were enraged.
Some looked thoughtful.
Others clapped their hands in satisfaction.
And some smiled.
...
It was clear that "Unity of All Hearts" didn't exist anywhere.
No one knew who made the final decision.
A beam of white light emerged from the crack, completely annihilating the puppet body.
The guiding light then disappeared as the crack slowly closed. The scene of the Heart Dao Sect vanished from sight.
Only the Five Elders' Gathering cultivators remained in the dark, silently marveling at what had just happened.
Meanwhile, in Cunyun Sea, where the Ten Thousand Immortals Island once stood, Li Fan's true self, who was overseeing the reconstruction of Cunyun City, stood stunned.
"Is something wrong, Lord Island? Is there a problem?"
"I'll have them correct it immediately!" Gao Yuan said hurriedly.
After a moment, Li Fan waved his hand.
"It's fine. You've done well! Keep up the good work!"
He resumed his usual expression and continued to inspect for another half day before returning to his temporary construction site.
Li Fan's face was solemn as he sealed off the area.
"Haha, Junior Brother. I am very much looking forward to meeting you formally."
Senior Sister Zhao's light laughter seemed still ringing in his ears.
Was it a fragment of her divine consciousness or did Li Fan hear it with his own ears?
He couldn't tell for sure.
"Senior Sister Zhao... what a wonderful hallucination."
Li Fan reflected on the hundred years at the Great Dao Sect.
Although some details were unclear, most events felt like he had personally experienced them, just as real as life.
It even made him feel that he was indeed once Senior Sister Zhao's junior brother and part of the ancient Great Dao Sect.
After reincarnating for decades, his memories had finally returned.
He even thought about going to meet Senior Sister Zhao sooner.
If he only had one lifetime memory without "This True," maybe he would have done so.
Li Fan shuddered at the thought.
Even with just a fragment of her divine consciousness, being immersed in Senior Sister Zhao's hallucination had such an impact on his true self...
No wonder the Five Elders' Gathering cultivators within the Heart Dao Sect were so devoted to Senior Sister Zhao.
The Yellow and Black Refining Heart Spell ran through Li Fan’s mind, transforming his thoughts of joining Senior Sister Zhao into nourishment for his reversed cultivation of daoist heart.
After three days and nights, Li Fan finally managed to eliminate the effects of this trip to the Heart Dao Sect.
At least on the surface.
Completely detached, he analyzed and organized what he had gained from this journey.
Undoubtedly, his experiences at the Great Dao Sect were fabricated by Senior Sister Zhao.
Even from start to finish, Li Fan didn’t know Senior Sister Zhao's true name.
But in the hallucination, there was no sense of incongruity.
Yet, there was truth within illusion and falsehood within reality.
At least, figures like Ji Changxi and Mo Zhiran who appeared in the hallucination had once existed.
Techniques such as "The Great Assignment of Heaven and Earth" and "Soul-Cutting Divine Insight Skill" might not be fake.
Unfortunately, just like his return from the Fall of Immortals Realm, he couldn’t remember many details.
There were also countless changes that occurred while he was a junior brother in the hallucination.
"It turns out the仙凡瘴really is the work of some Great Sovereign, and not a natural evolution."
Li Fan thought about Elder Yin on Yin Island.
"Could this be the one who discovered the hidden Great Sovereign's whereabouts and was silenced?"
Thinking back to Elder Yin’s mysterious suicide in his previous lives, Li Fan couldn’t help but wonder.