Chapter 1748: End

When the God appeared, all decay and clamor dissipated. The true God revived, standing amidst the darkness. Everything returned to its original state; nothing remained but the God.

The God seemed unsurprised by its return, simply continuing its original mission. It stumbled, walking through the darkness, seemingly searching for something meticulously. The darkness was too profound; even the God found it extremely difficult to traverse. The long journey had no beginning and no end.

The God gradually decayed. Yet, it remained indifferent to its impending demise, even harboring a hidden anticipation. After the God was completely swallowed by darkness, an unknown amount of time passed. Then, a glimmer of light suddenly appeared, and the God re-emerged from nothingness. This was the essence of True and False.

The newly awakened God stood still for a moment, seemingly recalling something. Soon, it noticed something was wrong. Things had not unfolded as it had expected. And... something was missing. The God's gaze instinctively turned towards the darkness but found nothing. At this moment, a voice suddenly echoed in the God's mind: "Are you looking for me?" It was Li Fan!

The perspective shifted back to when Zhang Fan used concepts like "True Demise and Hidden," "False Universe and Existence," "Fishing," "Life-Slaying," "Array-Breaking," and "Forgetting Opportunities" as fuel to ignite the Fire of True and False.

In the world of myriad divine changes, Li Fan sat cross-legged in the void, observing what Zhang Fan observed and comprehending what Zhang Fan comprehended. Both his left eye was silver-gray, and his right eye was pale. The landscape of mountains and seas, which was just one stroke away from completion, was instantly made whole.

"What a great boost!" Li Fan thought. "The 'God-Becoming Guests' are indeed exceptionally powerful; their perceptions and insights transcend the mountains and seas, allowing them to touch the shadow of God. Furthermore, they can retain certain memories within the Reversion Cycle. If I were to forcibly take from them, it would undoubtedly lead to a bitter struggle. Unlike now, they willingly offer everything without much effort! All for that elusive glimmer of hope... Hmph! This is the consequence of capriciousness."

As both his true body and clone achieved enlightenment simultaneously, everything became void, the mountains and seas vanished, and the true God was about to return. Li Fan had little time left. In an instant, billions of thoughts flashed, his silver-gray and pale eyes seemingly piercing through countless cycles of reincarnation and endless ages. He saw the only possibility to break free.

His gaze withdrew, turning towards the steadily floating phantom of Reversion to True. "In countless past cycles, you were the golden finger, entrusted to me. Now, it's time for a change." Li Fan smiled softly. The phantom of Reversion to True rippled gently. This was not a response to Li Fan's words, but rather due to the increasingly powerful pull of the true God's return, making it difficult even for True and False to maintain their own stability.

As if playing a lute to a cow, Li Fan paid no mind. If Reversion to True had truly developed an independent consciousness and spoken at this moment, then the plan would have to change.

"So-called Reversion to True originally stems from the true God's divine abilities," Li Fan mused. "The transformation of True and False is the cornerstone of God's existence. Without the creation of True and False, even the true God would be annihilated in this endless, desolate darkness. But with the transformation of True and False, the true God can be reborn repeatedly amidst destruction. However..." Li Fan looked towards the true God in the darkness, which seemed to be gradually revealing its monstrous form.

"Each time the God is reborn, it is not like my Reversion to True. It's more akin to a factory reset. The Great Dao of True and False, as the cornerstone of God's existence, possesses excessively powerful divine effects. Even True and False itself, and the true God, cannot escape True and False. The true God, just like those God-becoming guests of the mountains and seas, cannot escape the effects of the reset. At most, only some vague memories can remain. Eternal and immortal, yet fallen into endless reincarnation.

"The true God desired to break free from this cycle and escape its destiny. Thus, my arrival as an outsider marked the beginning of everything. Fortunately, it was not I who first endured the torment of endless reincarnation, but that other self from the past, the so-called Shan Fan. Though Shan Fan was captured, he was trapped within the mountains and seas. Unaware of the true situation, he only saw the apocalyptic scene of the mountains and seas' downfall. Thus, driven by his inherent nature, he sought to save the world..."

Thinking of this, Li Fan let out a cold snort. "And he truly accomplished it step by step. Wielding divine blessings, comprehending True and False, creating Reversion to True. He turned the tide and supported a collapsing edifice. Unfortunately, after countless hardships pushing back the Dao Annihilation and saving the mountains and seas, he finally discovered the truth behind the scenes. The conflict between the mountains and seas and the Dao Annihilation was merely a play orchestrated by the true mountains and seas for the purpose of becoming a God. This is everything I previously deduced about Shan Fan's experiences. But... it's not everything."

"A single thought of Reversion to True can reset the mountains and seas. Shan Fan's comprehension of True and False had reached its limit. The mountains and seas were definitely not his opponent. There's one last part of the past, not in my mind, but hidden within... Reversion to True. Before comprehending True and False, I was I, and Reversion to True was Reversion to True. But after comprehending True and False... Reversion to True is me, and I am Reversion to True."

Li Fan extended his hand, attempting to touch the phantom of Reversion to True. The previously rippling figure instantly seemed to gain support, stabilizing for a moment. It was more like snow melting into water, merging with Li Fan.

"True and False originally belonged to the true God. But now, after comprehending True and False, I can perfectly merge with it. This is because... Shan Fan was once the true God!"

With a flicker in his eyes, Li Fan had made his decision. "However, a final arrangement is still needed." Li Fan looked down at Zhang Fan, who was about to awaken from enlightenment and rush towards him, revealing a playful smile. With a gentle flick of his finger, a body almost identical to Li Fan's appeared out of thin air. It ignored Li Fan, focusing only on Zhang Fan below, quietly awaiting his arrival.

"Let you be the true body," Li Fan said in his mind. Then, no longer resisting, he softly chanted the箴言 that had always been inscribed on the Reversion to True panel: "When the true is made false, the false is also true." His figure, along with the Reversion to True figure, simultaneously faded, eventually disappearing.

Before his consciousness was swallowed by darkness, he vaguely heard the "true body's" reprimand: "Return now!" After that, Li Fan seemed to lose his independent thoughts. He functioned merely like a machine, transforming into the Great Dao of True and False, silently observing Zhang Fan's struggle for life and simultaneously fulfilling the duties expected of Reversion to True.

Until this moment. Zhang Fan perished, falling into the finality of the God's return. The true God revived, then decayed and perished again. Everything returned to the initial anchor point—not Li Fan's initial anchor point, but the true God's.

However, unlike the countless past cycles, besides the true God itself, another consciousness, embodying True and False, existed at this moment! The true God did not feel anger at being deceived. It merely silently sensed the mutated Great Dao of True and False within itself, as if meeting Li Fan's gaze. Li Fan was also unafraid.

There was a natural chasm between God and mortal. Even with their eyes meeting, even though Li Fan had now transformed into Reversion to True, becoming the God's "golden finger," he could not understand what the God was thinking now. He only knew that Shan Fan had also reached this point before. From then on, it would be a reversal of roles, replacing the true God. After transforming into Reversion to True, returning to the initial anchor point, and escaping the reincarnation cycle set by the true God, replacing the true God was no longer out of reach, but truly feasible.

He had no need to worry about the surrounding darkness; the true God would naturally fend it off. What Li Fan had to do next was to gradually claim the true God for himself.

At this moment, Li Fan finally understood why Shan Fan, despite reaching this point, had still chosen to give up. "Now that I have transformed into Reversion to True, I am invincible. And then, I just need to do similar things, occupying and assimilating everything of the God. When it returns from decay again, the God will be gone, and only I will remain.

"However... assimilating everything of the God means completely devouring all familiar people, events, objects, and daos within the divine-derived mountains and seas. From Bai Shuyue, Kou Hong, Dao Xuanzi, Xiao Heng, Zhang Haobo, He Zhenghao; Su Bai, Chuan Fa, Tian Yi; Shou Qiu, Lian Shan, Gui Hai, Tai Yi; Fishing Old Man, Life Slaying Master, Xuanyuan Hong... The Grand Profound Minor World, Xuanhuang Realm, Primordial, Beyond, Mountains and Seas, Void Realm. Anyone I assimilate, when the Mountains and Seas Reincarnation restarts, they will cease to exist. They will completely vanish. Though there might still be people with the same names, they will no longer be themselves. They will merely be one of my avatars. To kill all beings to achieve one. No wonder Shan Fan refrained. But... if he wouldn't do it, I will do it alone!"

Li Fan's resolve was firm, cold as iron. This was destined to be an immensely long road. In each cycle, only one person, one dao, or one object could be assimilated. But once corroded and transformed by Li Fan, it no longer belonged to the God, but entirely to Li Fan. Even returning to the God's initial anchor point, it would remain so. Like ants moving house, even if the mountains and seas were vast and endless, there would eventually be a day when they were hollowed out. With the initial anchor point present, even if the true God wished to commit suicide, it could not. Even if it chose mutual destruction, it would still return to the predetermined moment. The true God appeared unharmed, but inwardly, it had already quietly changed.

"Then, let the cycle begin once more." Li Fan's will and the true God's will violently collided. The newly born true God once again faced division. The mountains and seas gradually rose, and reincarnation reappeared!

"Fan'er..." When Bai Shuyue's familiar voice echoed in his ears once more, Li Fan opened his eyes. Meeting Li Fan's gaze, Bai Shuyue was slightly startled and involuntarily stepped back repeatedly in fright. "Fan'er, how could you..."

Li Fan's expression remained calm: "Auntie, my salvation shall begin with you." Bai Shuyue's body instantly stiffened. "When the true is made false, the false is also true..." A ghostly voice echoed ceaselessly.

Li Fan's body completely faded within the mountains and seas. What remained was an existence named "Bai Shuyue," but in reality, it was "Li Fan."

"I transform into Reversion to True, I transform into Shuyue, I transform into all things. In reality, there's no difference." "Bai Shuyue" looked at the mountains and seas beyond the Xuanhuang Realm, took a step, and initiated Li Fan's God-devouring cycle.

The passing of the God was unstoppable. But when the God reappeared from destruction, things had already changed. Besides True and False, there was another point within the God's body that had been tinged with Li Fan's color. Although this point was insignificant compared to the God, it heralded a certain inevitable end for the God.

Reincarnation restarted. In the endless, profound darkness, the God was born and then perished, just like a perpetually flickering lamp. Even if each illumination lasted for hundreds of billions of years, when the time scale was continuously extended, this immeasurable time would pass in an instant.

When the mountains and seas once again reached the culmination of the God's return, the entire mountain and sea realm fell into an extremely bizarre state. Facing imminent catastrophe, all beings and all paths showed no fear whatsoever. Instead, they all fell into a state of confusion. The confusion gradually faded, turning into fanaticism. Endless beings and all paths shouted in unison, with unrestrained fervor: "It's time! It's time!" Calamity did not cease, and all things returned to the God!

However, the true God who returned this time had a new identity: Li Fan. Far too much time had passed since the first God-devouring cycle. So long that Li Fan, who had achieved his ultimate goal and successfully replaced the God, stood still for a long time. Only then did he recall the past. His heart was devoid of joy or sorrow, abnormally calm. "Is this what it means to be God..."

The moment he became God, his vision was vastly different from before. As if he had adapted, it was no longer completely pitch black, but he could faintly perceive his surroundings. Even if the darkness receded slightly, there was no other existence in the entire world besides him. Empty, boundless, and without limit.

After achieving all his goals, Li Fan surprisingly did not know what to do next. Possessing the transformation of True and False, his will could even transcend it. This allowed Li Fan to even disregard the threat of the abyss and the decay of the divine body. He could exist eternally. Yet, he alone existed. Without companionship, nothing to say. He merely stood alone in the darkness, wandering aimlessly.

"This... is this the eternal life I have always sought?" Li Fan remained silent. Time continued to flow quietly. In the darkness, the lamp representing Li Fan had flickered on and off trillions of times. Finally, Li Fan could no longer bear it.

"How truly boring..." After a long sigh, Li Fan gazed ahead. After a long while, he finally made a decision. With a single thought, the mountains and seas that had vanished for a very, very long time finally reappeared! Only this time... they were not the same as the mountains and seas of old. There was no longer the worry of falling into endless reincarnation, thus no disturbance from the Void Realm's Dao Annihilation. Every cycle Li Fan had once experienced was remade by him. Yet, in all the mountains and seas, Li Fan's figure was nowhere to be seen.

Consequently, in the Heavenly Profound Mirror, Tian Yi's avatar looked at the empty space before him, bewildered. Outside the Xuanhuang Realm, Tian Yi's true body, who was rapidly rushing, also stopped in bewilderment. He paused, then realized he couldn't remember why he had tried so hard to return to the Xuanhuang Realm. It was as if he had forgotten something extremely important. Tian Yi, dressed in a black robe, looked at his empty hands, a trace of confusion flashing in his eyes. Looking back at the long trail of destruction he had caused, his brow furrowed even deeper.

In a single thought, his gaze swept across the Darkest Star Sea. His divine sense paused slightly as it passed by the True Immortals comprehending Dao in the Immortal Ruins. A hint of hesitation appeared, then he extended his hand and lifted the skeleton-like Hungry Immortal. Flying out beyond the high wall, he passed through a long, blank passage. As he looked up at the end of it, Tian Yi's body suddenly stiffened, and his grip on the Hungry Immortal involuntarily loosened. He stood stunned on the spot. When he arrived, the Dao Annihilation had filled the sky, but now, for some unknown reason, it was gone!

The Saints of the Mountains and Seas, who were still eagerly pursuing Reversion to True, suddenly felt a slight bewilderment. After a moment of recovery, they were all utterly astonished: "Where is the Dao of Profound Female? How did it vanish without a trace?" Only Xing Fu, a strange color rose in his eyes. He lowered his head, frowning, repeatedly pondering in confusion: "Re... Reversion to True? What is Reversion to True?"

Not just the mountains and seas. Li Fan also created playgrounds exclusively for the Void Realm's Dao Annihilation and the Star. Separate from the mountains and seas, unseen by each other. The Star was like the nascent sun, piercing the darkness. A wisp of starlight reappeared, illuminating the world. But the starlight only lasted for a moment, as if sensing Li Fan's gaze. Its radiance suddenly dimmed, too scared to show itself even slightly.

"Hahahahaha, interesting, interesting!" His long-dead heart finally revived. Li Fan felt a joy he hadn't experienced in a very long time.

"As the saying goes, if one achieves wealth and power but does not return to their hometown, it is like wearing fine clothes at night—who would know? Becoming a God alone, how incredibly dull! I want my name to be spread throughout this vast sea!"

Although with his current status and cultivation, he could change and act with a single thought, how boring that would be; he wanted to do it himself! Li Fan, with his hands behind his back, proud and content, slowly walked into the newly created mountains and seas.

At that very instant, Li Fan suddenly froze. He looked at the mountains and seas before him, brimming with life and free from the threat of destruction, and at the familiar faces within. Shan Fan's figure suddenly flashed before his eyes. A sudden realization dawned in his heart: "I calculated Zhang Fan, but Shan Fan would not calculate me. Because he knew that if I succeeded, with my nature, I would surely not endure the torment of endless darkness. Whether for amusement or out of extreme boredom, I would eventually recreate this realm of mountains and seas. Perhaps this was... the last kindness he left for this realm of mountains and seas."

(End of Book)