Chapter 843

Mournful cries filled the land under the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance.

The same was true for Congyun Sea.

Fortunately, on Haixuan Island, the few members of the Mutual Aid Association who had remained were in seclusion, preparing for their cultivation exams.

As a result, no outsiders had come and gone during this period.

By sheer luck, they escaped this calamity.

However, at this point, none of them had the heart to continue their studies.

Clone Ji Shaoli shut down the teleportation formation and activated the island’s defensive formation, completely sealing off all contact with the outside world.

The only way they stayed informed was by monitoring external events through the Tianxuan Mirror.

"Truly, fate works in mysterious ways. Fortunately, I chose to seclude myself here for preparation. Fellow Daoist Zhang Mu and Fellow Daoist Sun Ying... they could not hold on any longer. They have fallen."

"The other members of the Mutual Aid Association are also showing severe symptoms…" He Zhenghao said with lingering fear.

Zhang Mu and Sun Ying were both members of the Congyun Mutual Aid Association.

Among the thirteen Mutual Aid cultivators out in the world, two had already perished.

This alone was enough to show the terrifying lethality of the mutated Immortal-Mortal Miasma.

And the disastrous state the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance was now in under its rampage.

"The rest of our fellow Daoists are also in grave danger. They can barely speak properly now."

"Even though we are all brothers in the Mutual Aid Association, seeing them in such a state pains me. But letting them in is absolutely out of the question," Ji Shaoli said in a deep voice.

"This Immortal-Mortal Miasma is eerie and perilous, and we still haven't found a proper method to counter it. We are powerless."

Ji Shaoli paused, looking out beyond Haixuan Island, his expression unreadable.

"It is said that the Immortal-Mortal Miasma can even spread through spiritual energy. I have completely sealed the island’s connection to external spiritual energy. Fortunately, we have a stockpile of spirit stones on the island, so we should be fine for the short term."

"But as for cultivation… that is out of the question. We can only struggle to survive." Ji Shaoli turned back to the others, his face grim.

"Just having a safe place to stay is already a great blessing. We only need to endure until the Immortal Alliance comes up with a solution," the cultivators all sighed.

"What exactly is this Immortal-Mortal Miasma? It is said to exist within mortals, yet it is formless, tasteless, and intangible. How could it evade the Immortal Alliance's detection and spread across the world in such a short time?"

After a moment of silence, He Zhenghao asked again, full of confusion.

Deep in his eyes, a hint of worry flickered.

No one present, including Ji Shaoli, could answer.

A heavy silence fell over them.

What was the Immortal-Mortal Miasma?

At this moment, Li Fan also wanted to know the answer.

"Cough… Are you two alright?" He squinted at Tianyang and Lin Ling, both of whom appeared full of energy, and asked somewhat begrudgingly.

"Senior Brother, please say less and get some rest," Tianyang advised with concern.

"I’m fine… cough, cough…"

Before he could finish speaking, Li Fan was seized by a violent coughing fit.

It felt as if his internal organs were shattering and spilling out all at once.

Though he appeared to be critically ill, there was no trace of panic in his heart.

Instead, he remained calm, carefully sensing the changes happening within his body.

Seeing this, Tianyang couldn’t help but feel immense admiration.

"Shang Tianci's symptoms seem milder than mine, but he’s still having a hard time."

Scanning his body with his divine sense, Li Fan searched everywhere but found no trace of the culprit—the Immortal-Mortal Miasma.

He decisively gave up searching and instead pondered deeply.

"It has no physical form. Yet mortals, cultivators, and even spiritual energy serve as its carriers."

"Even after a thousand years, it could still mutate."

"Is this Immortal-Mortal Miasma truly a phenomenon that defies the natural order?"

A trace of doubt flashed in Li Fan’s mind.

After a brief moment of contemplation, he took out the communication talisman he had reserved for Master Yin and established contact.

A short moment later, Master Yin’s voice rang out.

“Fellow Daoist Li Fan, are you here because of the Immortal-Mortal Miasma?”

“Cough, cough… Daoist Yin, you’re actually fine?” Li Fan looked at the other party, who appeared full of vigor, and couldn’t help but feel a bit surprised.

“Haha, I’m not like you all. Perhaps it’s because I’ve been exposed to the Immortal-Mortal Miasma for years. I only felt unwell for a day or two before bouncing back full of energy!” Master Yin said with a smile.

Hearing this, Li Fan’s eyes flickered. “Fellow Daoist, you truly have good fortune. I, on the other hand, am growing weaker by the day. I fear I may not escape this calamity…”

“Fellow Daoist, don’t scare yourself. Rest well, and you will recover in time.” Master Yin replied indifferently.

“You’ve been infected for quite some time now, and since you can still speak normally, it means the situation isn’t too dire. Those truly in danger will find themselves on the brink of death within three to five days.” Master Yin explained with his professional insight.

“Then I shall take your auspicious words to heart.” Li Fan nodded.

After another bout of coughing, Li Fan steadied himself and asked again, “Fellow Daoist Yin, in terms of research on the Immortal-Mortal Miasma, there are likely few in this world who surpass you. What exactly is this miasma? How has it lingered for thousands of years and remained so terrifying?”

Master Yin was silent for a moment before speaking softly, “The Immortal-Mortal Miasma… is perhaps the product of cultivators going against the natural order.”

“Even mere mortals can kill immortals.”

“It disregards strength and weakness alike.”

Li Fan was puzzled. “If that’s the case, then what about the mutated Immortal-Mortal Miasma? If it already defies natural order, how could it change further?”

Master Yin shook his head. “Only its external form has changed. The principle it defies—has that ever changed?”

“Perhaps it’s because the ratio of cultivators to mortals is even greater than it was in ancient times. That’s why the destructive power of the Immortal-Mortal Miasma is far stronger than before.”

Li Fan pondered the implications of Master Yin’s words.

Then, a thought suddenly surfaced in his mind.

“Daoist Yin, according to your explanation, the Immortal-Mortal Miasma was created to protect mortals and eradicate cultivators.”

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“Since it has reappeared and even mutated, does that not mean that the Longevity Immortal Heavenly Sovereign, who defied this principle, still exists in this world?”

“Why have we never heard of this Heavenly Sovereign’s name?”

After a brief silence, Master Yin hesitated before answering, “Regarding this… I already have some thoughts.”

“But I cannot confirm them just yet.”

“However, I am certain—if we can uncover this Heavenly Sovereign’s identity, then we won’t be far from fully unraveling the mystery of the Immortal-Mortal Miasma.”

His voice seemed to drift, as if carrying some hidden emotions.

Li Fan narrowed his eyes slightly.

But he did not press the matter further.

After a moment, he shifted the conversation, asking for Master Yin’s opinion on the projected spread of the Immortal-Mortal Miasma.

“Daoist Friend, there is no need for concern. The Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance has some experience in handling the Immortal-Mortal Miasma.”

“At present, we only seem passive because we have yet to find a way to suppress the mutated miasma.”

“But that solution should come soon.”

“As long as we handle it properly, the outcome of this Immortal-Mortal Miasma will be the same as it was thousands of years ago—it will vanish once more.”

“It will only remain dormant within mortal bodies, serving as a deterrent.” Master Yin’s tone carried a hint of something indescribable.

Within his words, there seemed to be hidden emotions.

Li Fan, on the other hand, appeared lost in thought.