Chapter 1746: Lights

Zhen Shiyin and Jia Yucun were still in the state they were in during the previous cycle, before the Shan Hai world was reset.

This was sufficient proof that this eternal void world could indeed exist independently, unaffected by Huan Zhen.

“Are we… still here?”

Amidst his pleasant surprise, Zhen Shiyin’s expression suddenly turned a little strange as he looked at Zhang Fan and asked.

“Within Shan Hai, there are still individuals named ‘Zhen Shiyin’ and ‘Jia Yucun’. It’s just that they are no longer you.”

Just now, on his way from where he came, Zhang Fan had noticed two different eternal void worlds within Shan Hai. One of them, however, did not involve a true-false transformation; it was merely a pure land created by Jia Yucun.

The other place was where he currently stood. It was a new ark, nurtured into being only after countless saints had worked together time and again to restore Shan Hai, after an endlessly long period of time, and through his ceaseless refinement, day and night, with his profound understanding of truth and falsehood.

Zhen Shi's expression became somewhat complex upon receiving the answer. “We are now like items once bound by Huan Zhen,” he said. “Independent of Shan Hai, yet unable to perceive each other. Otherwise, only one of us could remain.”

Jia Yucun, on the other hand, had an indifferent attitude. “I am me, and he is not me,” he stated. “Here within the new ark, the fates of others no longer concern us.”

“Since the results have been verified, I will go inform the Angler and the others,” Zhang Fan said with deep emotion. “After countless cycles, we finally see hope of escaping our fate.”

“Does this world have a carrying capacity limit?” Jia Yucun suddenly asked, a hint of anxiety in his tone, worrying needlessly. “Furthermore, we, the God-attaining guests, originate from Shan Hai after all. If too many of us pour in, it might cause the ark to enter a whirlpool, making escape impossible…”

Zhang Fan simply smiled and replied, “One try will tell.”

Soon after, the Angler, the Fate-Cutter, and their companions all arrived.

Upon learning of the new ark's birth, they too were filled with mixed emotions.

After countless failed attempts to save Shan Hai, choosing to withdraw and protect themselves might indeed be the wiser course of action.

This eternal world was boundless and endless. It was originally created by Jia Yucun to emulate Shan Hai, a creation meant to nurture truth and falsehood. Especially now that it had truly given birth to its own unique Dao of Truth and Falsehood, it could, in a sense, be regarded as another Shan Hai.

All the God-attaining guests gathered there, yet their presence did not impose any burden on it.

Eternal tranquility, surrounded by the void.

Soon, everyone began to discuss the evacuation plan.

“Should we bring some others with us?” Xuanyuan Hong asked, though he hesitated a moment before speaking.

All the God-attaining guests looked at Zhang Fan.

If the new ark were to have a navigator, it could only be Zhang Fan.

The God-attaining guests were actually indifferent, but the most important thing was to respect Zhang Fan's opinion.

Bai Souyue's face flashed through his mind. Zhang Fan pondered for a moment, then finally nodded. “You may selectively bring some along, regardless of their cultivation realm. Also…”

“I won't be going.”

Everyone was stunned by his words.

“However, this world still needs a helmsman.” As he spoke, a faint figure floated out from Zhang Fan's body.

It bore some resemblance to Zhang Fan's face but had no trace of a cultivation aura.

This was precisely the inspiration Zhang Fan had drawn from his former "true self" having had countless clones.

“He will take my place and leave with you.”

“As for me...” Zhang Fan remained silent, merely shaking his head slightly.

“Friend Fan, are you perhaps worried that once you leave Shan Hai, you might be unable to use Huan Zhen to return to the beginning?” Zhen Shiyin couldn't help but ask upon seeing his reaction.

Zhang Fan smiled and said confidently, “With a single thought of truth and falsehood, no matter when, where, or in what state one originally was, if I activate Huan Zhen while on the new ark, then Shan Hai will vanish from its original spot and reappear outside the new ark.”

Upon hearing this, all the God-attaining guests looked puzzled. “If that's the case, Friend Fan, why are you unwilling to come with us?”

“There is one thing that still needs to be verified,” Zhang Fan said, pointing to his clone. “Don't worry, his presence is like my presence.”

Seeing that Zhang Fan's mind was made up, the God-attaining guests no longer pressed him.

As he had said, they “selectively” brought some familiar or potentially powerful beings and hid them inside the new ark.

The originally void and silent world became much livelier after being adorned.

With all the God-attaining guests working on the transformation, there was no need to worry about survival issues.

Zhang Fan took everything in, then his gaze imperceptibly shifted to his clone.

“Let's call him... Zhang Xiaofan.”

“He is my clone, born with the inherent knowledge of truth and falsehood. Though he appears to be just a mortal now, he, like me, already possesses the ability to instantly reverse and reset.”

“The initial anchor point is the moment the new ark departs from Shan Hai.”

“I hope they can last a bit longer.” A strange look flashed in Zhang Fan's eyes.

Although everything was ready, the new ark currently could not separate from Shan Hai.

This was because, in everyone's understanding, both Shan Hai and the Void Realm were once parts of the True God.

Even with the new ark as a vessel, they still could not escape this limitation.

“Only when Shan Hai is completely submerged and the True God is about to revive, at that very instant, will be our chance to escape,” Zhang Xiaofan said with a solemn expression, his tone and demeanor almost indistinguishable from his main body, Zhang Fan.

The God-attaining guests nodded, all indicating their understanding.

They had already endured countless cycles; now it was merely a matter of waiting a little longer.

This time, Zhang Fan again served as Shan Hai's undertaker.

Swallowing mountains and rivers, annihilating solitary stars, approaching the True God.

Everything was done with practiced ease.

From the initial mental turmoil and shock, though this was only his second time, Zhang Fan had already grown somewhat numb and proficient.

Endless darkness once again enveloped Zhang Fan.

It seemed as if there was nothing else in the world but him.

At this moment, time seemed to fall into stagnation, yet also to flow at a hundred billion times its speed.

This was a power that could even cause a divine body to decay.

Perhaps only the True God who had already fallen could withstand it.

Zhang Fan had, after all, only devoured the divine body and inherited the principles of truth and falsehood. He did not possess the will a god should have.

Thus, he could only watch himself slowly wither and rot in the darkness.

But...

He seemed to sense an unusual aura on himself. At that moment, Zhang Fan's gaze turned towards a certain spot in the darkness.

He vaguely sensed that there, a new ark carried his clone and a large number of living beings.

Compared to Zhang Fan, who was now a god, the new ark was undoubtedly tiny.

Yet, for some unknown reason, the ark's presence could illuminate the darkness like a candle.

Expelling the corrupting power of the darkness.

“Indeed.”

Zhang Fan slowly regained his consciousness, attempting to find a way to survive safely within this darkness.

However...

In the darkness, a gust of wind suddenly seemed to sweep through.

The world's only candle immediately flickered precariously.

Zhang Fan vaguely seemed to see the God-attaining guests struggling to save it.

But in the end, the light still went out.

Without the candle's illumination, coldness, dead silence, and decay once again enveloped Zhang Fan.

He seemed to be at his end, but Zhang Fan did not immediately activate Huan Zhen.

Instead, he was waiting for something.

Indeed, he was not disappointed. A moment later, a flickering flame ignited once more in the darkness.

That was...

Zhang Xiaofan's transformation of truth and falsehood!