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"I’ve seen quite a few people like you before."
"But most didn’t live long, dying tragically for various reasons."
"I am somewhat curious, how have you managed to stay alive until now?"
The Tianxuan Mirror Avatar didn’t give Li Fan any face, speaking bluntly.
Curiosity filled its eyes.
Li Fan’s face twitched.
A sudden surge of killing intent flashed through his mind.
However, considering that the other party was after all the Tianxuan Mirror Avatar, aware of countless secrets, among which might very well be the key to breaking the situation...
Li Fan had no choice but to forcefully suppress his urge to kill.
"Oh, by the way, common Soul Search and Refining Magic Treasure techniques are useless against me."
"There is nothing in the Xuanhuang World that can force me to do anything I don’t wish to," the Tianxuan Mirror Avatar added, preemptively clarifying as it glanced at Li Fan again.
"That’s quite some confidence..." Although Li Fan said this, he did not doubt the statement.
After all, whether it was the King of Mystic Sky from before or the Celestial Dharma Bearer who came after.
It seemed that none had complete control over this Immortal Instruments.
Li Fan had entertained the idea of using the [Xuan Tian Soul Seal] Array Technique, but from what he had observed during his interactions with the Tianxuan Mirror Avatar, this incarnation had already completely freed itself from the Tianxuan Mirror, existing as a wholly independent entity.
Array Techniques targeted at the Tianxuan Mirror were of no use against it.
"What exactly are you now?" Li Fan deliberately spoke with contempt.
The Tianxuan Mirror Avatar was not angered, but instead a rare look of pride appeared on its face.
"It possesses both the significance of instruments and the spirit of humans."
"Flawless, nearly a True Immortal..."
Before it could finish speaking, it heard Li Fan retort sarcastically, "Turns out it’s a mongrel."
The expression on the Tianxuan Mirror Avatar’s face suddenly stiffened.
Then it quickly returned to normal, looked at Li Fan, and shook its head slightly, "It is said that ’summer insects cannot speak of ice.’"
"But then again, if you had the chance to undergo the same transformation as I have, you would probably make the same choice," the Tianxuan Mirror Avatar said thoughtfully.
Li Fan did not respond, choosing to remain silent.
Only after a long while did he finally say, "It seems you truly aren’t afraid of death."
The Tianxuan Mirror Avatar replied cheerfully, "You’ve noticed it. The Spirit Creation Technique is infinitely variable. Since I wish to experience a complete human life, naturally it includes birth, aging, illness, and death."
"When this body dies, naturally, another will be born."
"Unless you can destroy my true form, how can you truly kill me?"
"Death is merely my return to freedom!"
Li Fan pondered these words carefully, and after a while, he slowly said, "It seems that you didn’t just split off a human body. You’ve walked your own [Taoist] Path."
The Tianxuan Mirror Avatar, as if finally meeting a kindred spirit, clapped in approval.
"It looks like the plan to kill the incarnation and cut off your retreat is doomed to fail,"
The Tianxuan Mirror Avatar smiled, "I have pondered for nearly ten thousand years to find this path to transcendence. If it were as simple as finding and slaying my incarnation to break free..."
"Wouldn’t that be underestimating me too much."
The smile on the Tianxuan Mirror Avatar’s face disappeared abruptly.
At this moment, it finally displayed the domineering presence of an Immortal Instrument.
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"It seems that all the cultivators in the world have underestimated you. But do you just bluntly reveal such a crucial secret to me? Aren’t you afraid I will spread the word?" Li Fan narrowed his eyes.
The Tianxuan Mirror Avatar also narrowed its eyes slightly, "To pluck a single hair to benefit the world, you would not do so. Such an important secret, how could you easily reveal it. Surely, you would want to exchange it for some benefits..."
"Moreover, since I have chosen to tell you, naturally I am not worried that a real leak would affect me in any way. My path has already been established, so what is there to fear?"
Li Fan looked at the narrowed eyes of the Tianxuan Mirror and his expression instantly returned to normal, "Actually, I think the cold, mechanical sound of your original form suits you better." Li Fan earnestly suggested.
A look of smugness disappeared from the Tianxuan Mirror Avatar’s face.
"I was actually planning to tell you some news you might be interested in when I was in a good mood. But now it seems that won’t be possible. Go ahead and kill me." The Tianxuan Mirror Avatar said coldly, with an air of fearlessness.
Li Fan still did not make a move.
"Actually, strictly speaking, you and I are really the same kind of people." After a moment of silence and contemplation, Li Fan said slowly.
"You originated from the Immortal World, even though great disasters caused you to fall to the Lower Realm. But as an Immortal Instrument, you are still beyond comparison with ordinary cultivators."
"So you have never really considered the myriad of living beings in the Xuanhuang World. Even if momentarily controlled, tens of thousands of years are but a blink of an eye to you."
"You have already found a way to break free from control."
"In high spirits, you wander the human world. Others think you are seeking enlightenment, but in reality, you are enjoying the joy of having accomplished your path."
"The so-called imitation of humanity is also a way for you to play. Your heart is full of mockery as you observe the world, but you never truly intend to blend in."
"Because they are not worthy."
With each word from Li Fan, the Tianxuan Mirror Avatar’s expression grew more serious.
It did not interrupt Li Fan, listening attentively and earnestly.
"The difference between immortals and mortals is like the Abyss of Heaven. Even though you are just an Immortal Instrument, after all, you are related to the word ’Immortal,’ which I suspect makes you quite different from us cultivators."
"Perhaps in the entire Xuanhuang World, only the King of Mystic Sky or the Celestial Dharma Bearer from the past would earn a bit of your regard."
"All the tumult of this world, the seas drying and stones decaying, you probably don’t care about."
"Because as an Immortal Instrument, you are already an existence nearly transcending time. Even if another myriad of years pass and the Xuanhuang World Heaven turns and Earth overturns, or even if the Xuanhuang World falls into the Immortal Ruins, it likely won’t cause you any substantial harm."
...
Such a long lecture, and Li Fan seemed to have an endless stream of things to say.
The Tianxuan Mirror Avatar seemed to be growing impatient finally.
It asked, "What exactly are you trying to say?"
Li Fan then stopped talking.
And then he suddenly laughed, "What do I want to say?"
"Or what do you not want to hear?"
"Everything I’ve said is just a probe."
"I’m testing what it is that you truly care about. And I’ve been quite fortunate to find that answer."
The Tianxuan Mirror Avatar no longer had its previous carefree demeanor.
"I want to know, if the Xuanhuang World really were to fall into the Immortal Ruins..."
"Would the Tianxuan Mirror itself actually be affected?"
Li Fan asked seriously, his smile withdrawn.
"You..." The Tianxuan Mirror Avatar’s eyes flickered.
"Aren’t you good at reading people? If I say that I can, and I am willing to drag the Xuanhuang World down into the Immortal Ruins with me..."
"Do you think that’s true or false?"
Li Fan asked very calmly.
