Li Fan piloted the Taiyan Boat back above the Void Abyss.
"What on earth is that thing..."
Li Fan's expression was somewhat grim. Although he used a small trick to see the true form of the creature, he had no clue how to escape its sight and successfully traverse the Dark Layer.
"That Realm-Splitting Whale is so enormous, while the Taiyan Boat is so small. Yet every time I approach, it finds me like a cat spotting a mouse..."
Thinking of this, Li Fan felt a headache coming on.
"I can only try other methods. Fortunately, I still have plenty of opportunities to attempt."
Li Fan sighed helplessly.
...
Another fifteen years passed, anchoring for thirty-five years. Li Fan had long since infiltrated the Thunderstorm Layer. During these fifteen years, he had attempted several times to force his way through the Dark Layer.
But during these days, the time it took for the Realm-Splitting Whale to discover him after entering the Dark Layer had greatly reduced. Given the Taiyan Boat's speed, he simply couldn't escape in time. So, he could only return in embarrassment after a brief struggle with the whale.
"Only on the day when the white mist disperses does the whale seem to be delayed by something, taking a while to notice me. With this extra time, perhaps I can reach the bottom of the Void Abyss."
This time, Li Fan decided to take a gamble, crossing the Dark Layer at the fastest speed before the whale reacted.
The wind began to rise. The Taiyan Boat powered up fully, bursting forth with astonishing speed. The illusory scenery drew nearer, and just as he was about to reach it, the terrifying call of the whale resounded once more, approaching swiftly.
"About a quarter of the distance remains, it's too late."
Li Fan made a judgment. Squinting his eyes, Li Fan's ferocity was aroused. Instead of flying towards the bottom of the Void Abyss, he turned around and fiercely charged in the direction of the whale's call.
Unfortunately, being fierce was of no use. Without a collision, Li Fan only felt darkness around him and knew he had been swallowed by the whale once again.
"Return to Origin!"
Li Fan shouted angrily.
...
[Simulation Ends]
Li Fan exhaled in frustration. After calming his mind for a long time, Li Fan chose to accelerate the charging progress this time. Name: Li Fan Realm: Mortal Biological Age: 20/86 Mental Age: 368/1116 The Mental Age had completely reached its limit and would no longer increase. "Fortunately, I still have 748 years to squander." Li Fan could only comfort himself this way.
Eighth Life. Anchoring for four years. Li Fan once again opened Qian Hong's tomb. "Discovered chargeable item: Stopping Stele Fragment (Damaged)." "Proceed with charging?" Seeing the [Return to Origin] prompt, Li Fan's mood finally improved a bit. At this moment, the anchor charging progress had reached 51%. "At least this life wasn't in vain..." Li Fan said self-mockingly.
Anchoring for five years, on the day the white mist dispersed, the Void Energy Charge progress was nearing 90%. But less than 100% made little difference to Li Fan. He could only choose to wait patiently. Anchoring for twenty years, Li Fan tried and failed. Anchoring for thirty-five years, Li Fan tried again and still failed. However, these attempts were not entirely useless; at least he became more proficient in controlling the Taiyan Boat and could endure longer under the whale's pursuit.
Anchoring for fifty years, Li Fan did not choose to forcefully break through the Dark Layer again. He was already old, with significantly deteriorated reactions and spirit. Success was unlikely. So he chose to visit two old friends to see if he could get any clues from them. On Li Fan's seventieth birthday, Kou Hong and Dao Xuanzi arrived on time. "Dao Xuanzi, don't push me too far!" ...
Listening, Li Fan suddenly felt a bit nostalgic. Still using the pretext of a Golden Core technique to lure the two to the Grand Tutor's residence, after three rounds of drinks, Li Fan took out a painting scroll. The painting seemed aged, depicting a terrifying and enormous Realm-Splitting Whale, hidden in darkness, revealing only its ferocious maw, ready to devour.
"Have either of you seen such a creature? My ancestor once said on his deathbed that if there was ever a chance to escape this desperate land, there was nothing else to worry about. With the protection of our sect's Taiyan Boat, there would be no harm. Only the last layer, where a Realm-Splitting Whale lurks, requires utmost caution."
Li Fan inquired.
"Such a ferocious beast in that pitch-black void?"
Kou Hong looked at the painting, frowning slightly, somewhat incredulous, "Why haven't I seen it?"
"Could it be..."
Dao Xuanzi seemed to recall something.
"Oh? Does fellow Daoist know of this beast?"
Li Fan asked with some anticipation. Dao Xuanzi shook his head: "I only saw related records in an ancient text. It is said that in ancient times, there was a sect named Beast-Taming.
The Beast-Taming Sect had no profound techniques but could control exotic beasts in the world to fight for them with a single Beast-Taming Art. At its peak, the Beast-Taming Sect was said to rival top sects like the Supreme and Great Dao."
"Unfortunately, due to a great calamity, the Beast-Taming Sect, which practiced only one technique, was the first to perish."
"Among the most famous exotic beasts controlled by the Beast-Taming Sect, there seemed to be such a Realm-Splitting Whale."
"Now that you mention it, I remember. Wasn't it called the Realm-Splitting Whale?"
Kou Hong clapped his hands and said hastily.
Li Fan's heart stirred, and he quickly asked, "Do either of you know how to avoid this Realm-Splitting Whale?" Kou Hong and Dao Xuanzi both smiled awkwardly: "We've only heard bits and pieces. Such an exotic beast has long disappeared from the Immortal Cultivation World for thousands of years. How could we know its habits?" Li Fan couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed. In the end, does it still rely on oneself? After handing the Thousand Mysteries Jade Golden Seal to Dao Xuanzi and sending the two away, Li Fan chose to end this life.
...
Name: Li Fan Realm: Mortal Biological Age: 20/86 Mental Age: 418/1116 Ninth Life! In this life, Li Fan once again opened Qian Hong's tomb, intending to absorb the Stopping Stele Fragment for charging. Unfortunately, [Return to Origin] showed no response. Although he felt regret, Li Fan was already mentally prepared. Thus, the [Return to Origin] anchor charging progress was fixed at 51%.
Anchoring for twenty years, anchoring for thirty-five years, anchoring for fifty years, Li Fan tried various methods, but none could break through the Dark Layer under the whale's watchful eyes. Anchoring for sixty-five years, Li Fan was already eighty-five years old, nearing the end of his life.
This time, he did not choose to end early because he didn't know how many more attempts it would take to break through the Immortal-Sealing Grand Formation. Trying one more time was always good. Unfortunately, he was too old this time, his thinking slow, and his reactions sluggish.
Unable to outsmart the whale, Li Fan didn't force it and simply gave up controlling the Taiyan Boat, letting it slowly drift towards the bottom of the Void Abyss from the start.
Gale Wind Layer, Illusionary Light Layer, Inversion Layer, Flowing Fire Layer, Mysterious Ice Layer, Thunderstorm Layer, Dark Layer... Li Fan dozed off, and when he awoke, he was astonished to find the Taiyan Boat had almost reached the bottom of the Void Abyss!
"What's going on? Why didn't the Realm-Splitting Whale appear this time?"
Li Fan was utterly puzzled, but it didn't stop him from accelerating, heading full speed towards the place where the faint lights appeared. But as Li Fan accelerated, the whale's roar suddenly emerged!
"Why did it suddenly notice me now?"
Li Fan frowned deeply. Then, as if a lightning bolt illuminated the night sky, Li Fan suddenly realized.
"So that's it! The Realm-Splitting Whale can't see or ignores objects moving at a constant speed! As long as I maintain the same speed, I can safely pass through this Immortal-Sealing Grand Formation!"
Understanding this crucial point, Li Fan couldn't help but laugh heartily. Thus, the last shackle to leaving this Immortal-Forsaken Land was completely unlocked!
Amidst Li Fan's wild laughter and the whale's roars, the Taiyan Boat broke through the rift between the two realms, about to return to the Immortal Cultivation World. The surrounding scenery blurred, as if traversing the distance of several worlds in an instant. Under immense pressure, Li Fan groaned, blood streaming from his nose and eyes.
Yet he didn't care in the slightest. Looking back at the Immortal-Forsaken Land from a distance, with the perspective infinitely elevated, Li Fan saw a scene he would never forget: Hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands of Realm-Splitting Whales, in groups, day and night, carving out patches of dark space in the void.
And the Immortal-Forsaken Land where Li Fan came from was getting farther and farther from the Immortal Cultivation World.
(End of Chapter)