Chapter 2068: Chapter 1598: Surviving the Mountain Sea Ceremony
At the brink of death, suddenly discovering the cry for help from a kindred spirit.
Threads of tremors, like the sound of a mountain call and sea roar, emanate from the fragment.
Li Fan knew in his heart that this was a peculiar "language" created by the fragment, mimicking the communication sounds of the Mountain and Sea he had glimpsed.
The Mountain and Sea Sound!
Though Li Fan couldn’t naturally understand its meaning now, it did not hinder him from trying to interpret the inner significance, to a certain degree, "translate" it.
The specific method was to continuously irrigate and withdraw irrigation, recording the vibration changes of the fragment. Then try various permutations and combinations.
Just as one yin and one yang can evolve Heaven and Earth.
This simple give and take can achieve communication between living beings at different Mountain and Sea periods.
Even if it takes an exceedingly long time.
"What world is it today? Has the Dynasty collapsed?"
Just these eight simple words cost Li Fan over thirty years.
Thankfully, the beginning is always difficult, and their communication thereafter became much smoother.
"At the end of the Mountain and Sea, world calamities innumerable. The Dynasty has long been annihilated, fading from the memory of the masses, unknown what day it is today."
After this sentence, the fragment seemed to be ice sealed, suddenly sinking into silence, nearly returning to its prior transparent and invisible state.
As if immersed in this unbearable fact, it didn’t respond for a long time.
Li Fan did not urge it, nor did he again use the Power of Immortality to irrigate. He just silently waited by the side.
The silence of the fragment lasted for a full three years.
It seems the ancient existence’s concept of time passage differed from that of current Mountain and Sea living beings.
"Who art thou? Thanks for your creation, raising me from my sickbed."
What came again was actually a word of gratitude.
Li Fan found it speechless in his heart, but still did not show it, solemnly replied with seriousness: "Just an insignificant Immortal, not worth mentioning. By Heavenly Luck, encountered Eternal Creation. Just a casual rescue, nothing to speak of."
And then, without giving the other a chance to respond, he immediately took control of the dialogue and asked: "Thee, what kind of person? Dwelling in which era? Yet able to survive myriad calamities until now?"
For his lifesaver, this ancient existence did not seem inclined to hide anything.
It slowly recounted its past: "I am the Mountain Sea Priest, serving the Monarch to communicate with Ghosts, seeking the celestial path for Zhao Min. Yet, witnessing the changing world of valleys and peaks, unable to save, surviving with frosted temples, carrying guilt and grief. Such a remnant body dares not claim uniqueness, merely fleeting grass and fireflies..."
Li Fan caught a glimpse of the corner of an ancient civilization once present in the Mountain and Sea from the other’s words.
It was a vast Dynasty self-identified as [Yin], born from the Infinite Sea, evolving and flourishing to the utmost. The Monarch, or the subjects, possessed power nearly akin to that of today’s "Immortals". And within the Dynasty, the most powerful entities responsible for safeguarding the Dynasty’s safety and future were a group known as the [Mountain Sea Priests].
The Dynasty Mountain Sea Priests were the earliest to realize the circumstances of the Mountain and Sea they were in, and tried to harness the Mountain and Sea Power for their use. Thanks to their aid, the Yin Dynasty was able to establish an infinite and limitless huge power in the vast Mountain and Sea.
Mountain Sea Priests prayed day and night, communicating with Ghosts, able to peer into the Mountain and Sea’s communication with mere ant-like bodies.
The more ancient the Mountain Sea Priests, the longer they spent immersed in the Mountain and Sea’s communication. Their bodies seemed to undergo transformation, becoming akin to the Mountain and Sea.
But relying on a single living being, no matter how powerful, it was impossible to withstand such changes for long. For the Dynasty to be passed down forever, generations of Mountain Sea Priests decided to merge all their bodies and consciousness into a whole.
To resist the erosion of the Mountain and Sea.
The erosion of the Mountain and Sea continued, but with new priests continuously joining from all parts of the Dynasty, the Mountain Sea Priests could carry on steadily and peacefully as planned.
But one day, an unforeseen change suddenly occurred in the Mountain and Sea.
"The Mountain and Sea actually melded. Our spiritual altar was injured, gradually losing its original essence. Falling into the abyss of madness and disobedience, or initiating the calamity of mutual slaughter, like boiling ants devouring their own nest..."
"All the Priests perished, and I alone survived!"
Li Fan could feel the compassion in this ancient existence’s heart.
To draw closer to each other, Li Fan also expressed similar grief. He showed the Mountain Sea Priest a vision of his Hometown’s possible primordial devastation by a single path.
The same fate, combined with the previous lifesaving grace, indeed made it more trusting of Li Fan.
"The trials you all suffered are a thousand times worse than ours. How tragic..."
Li Fan nodded painfully: "The Mountain Sea covers all, there is no stable place. Can only create a drifting boat, suspended above the Mountain and Sea."
Mountain Sea Priest responded: "Not a long-term plan, merely a way to survive."
Li Fan showed a sorrowful expression: "We know, but the Mountain and Sea melded, we are powerless to stop it. Does the elder have any good strategies to teach us?"
This time, the Mountain Sea Priest fell into a silence longer than all previous moments combined.
However, the longer the other’s silence, the more expectant Li Fan’s heart grew.
Because Li Fan faintly felt that the Mountain Sea Priest was not silent due to refusal, but instead was contemplating a truly viable plan!
Perhaps, to remedy the unfulfilled regret of saving the Dynasty as Mountain Sea Priests. That compensation was to be achieved in this epoch.
"I have a method, once devised collectively by the Mountain Sea Priests of yore..."
"Please, elder, speak freely," Li Fan immediately said, afraid the other might hesitate.
And with the Mountain Sea Priest’s continuous trembling sounds, as if echoing ancient Mountain and Sea communication, Li Fan’s eyes gradually lit up.
It must be said, the Mountain Sea Priests indeed were the collection of the most powerful existences in the ancient Dynasty of the Mountain and Sea.