Chapter 526-530: I Am the Grand Sect (6k+ words)

Even though he had become somewhat insane.

At this moment, being stared at by the cultivators who had previously ignored him, Li Fan's body stiffened.

He stopped the meaningless low roars and tried to move his body slightly, attempting to escape the attention of the onlookers.

However, he found that the gazes of all the cultivators followed him.

This eerie scene sent shivers down Li Fan's previously silent heart.

He then became resolute.

Li Fan, who had turned vicious, picked up a rock and fiercely smashed it towards the nearest Grand Sect disciple.

Although the disciple only had Golden Core cultivation, at this moment, Li Fan's cultivation was completely sealed, making him no different from an ordinary person.

In theory, the disciple should not be his match.

However, facing Li Fan's sudden attack, the cultivator did not dodge.

The large stone still smashed his head open.

With a thud, the disciple fell to the ground, and fresh blood slowly flowed out from his now deformed skull.

But the disappearance of a life did not bring the slightest change.

The entire Grand Sect continued to function as before.

"Sister, come out and see me!" Li Fan shouted.

Still, there was only an array of countless gazes as a response.

So, like a madman, Li Fan picked up a stone and began to attack the next Grand Sect disciple.

After killing hundreds in a row, Li Fan, panting, finally collapsed, exhausted.

At this moment, lying on the ground, Li Fan was horrified to discover that those cultivators he had turned into meat chunks were now alive again.

Their faces were normal, as if Li Fan's rampage was just an illusion.

Li Fan looked at his own hands and then at the blood-soaked stone that had become somewhat dark.

He felt bewildered.

"Monsters... they're all monsters..." he muttered under his breath.

"Hehe, why would we be monsters?"

At this moment, a voice, extremely familiar to Li Fan, pleasant and crisp, suddenly sounded.

Li Fan abruptly raised his head, looking in the direction of the voice.

However, what he saw made his scalp numb and even disgusted him.

Because that voice, similar to Sister Zhao's, actually came from the mouth of a middle-aged, plump cultivator.

Li Fan was scared and kept backing away.

"Junior brother, don't you find me beautiful like this?"

The voice sounded again from behind Li Fan.

Li Fan turned around, and this time, it was a young and beautiful female cultivator with an enchanting figure, gazing at him affectionately, slowly speaking.

"I used to show you that face every day. After a few hundred years, you must be tired of it. Isn't it refreshing to change things up a bit?" Another charming mature woman approached. She pressed her well-proportioned body tightly against Li Fan and whispered in a low voice.

Li Fan turned his head away and glanced.

His body trembled involuntarily.

Because the face of the other party belonged to the former sect leader's Dao companion, Madam Qingxi.

"The taste of the sect leader's wife, junior brother, haven't you longed for it for a long time? Didn't you ask me to transform into her appearance before? This time, it's the true me accompanying you, junior brother. Don't you feel tempted?" She licked Li Fan's earlobe and whispered.

Li Fan shivered slightly, enduring the advances.

After a while, Li Fan suddenly pushed her away.

He fled in embarrassment.

But soon, many enchanting and graceful female cultivators surrounded him.

They all looked at him affectionately, wanting to ascend to bliss together with Li Fan.

Moreover, all their words were filled with the seductive charm Sister Zhao excelled in.

"Hehe, I understand now. Junior brother, are you not finding this exciting enough?

"It's okay, I can let all the female cultivators of the Grand Sect accompany you."

"Among them, there are many sisters, sisters-in-law, and even mothers and daughters, as well as master-disciple relationships..."

...

Seeing Li Fan about to be engulfed by an ocean of female cultivators, he suddenly gave up struggling.

He sat despondently on the ground, pounding the earth with his hands, crying out loudly.

"I don't want Madam Qingxi, I don't want sisters. I just want my sister."

"Give my sister back to me..."

Like a child with nothing left, Li Fan was heartbroken.

As he cried, the surroundings slowly quieted down.

One by one, the figures of female cultivators disappeared.

In the end, after who knows how long, only an elegant figure in white remained alone.

She approached Li Fan and slowly squatted down.

Embracing Li Fan's sobbing and trembling body.

"Junior brother, you always seem like an everlasting child."

Li Fan's body suddenly stiffened. He abruptly raised his head, clearly seeing the face in front of him.

"Sis...ter."

"Good..."

Li Fan embraced Sister Zhao, passionately seeking solace from her.

Sister Zhao didn't mind Li Fan, who had been trapped for so long, and his unkempt appearance and peculiar smell.

Blending together, their souls intertwined.

"Heaven and Earth Exchange Tribute".

"Back then, we found four cultivation techniques in the Xuantian Sect ruins."

"In addition to cultivating "Heaven and Earth Exchange Tribute" together, I practiced "Soul-Severing Divine Technique", and you practiced "Heavenly Grief and Earthly Desolation Scripture". That makes only three."

"The remaining cultivation technique, I just can't remember."

"Even in these years, I have deliberately ignored its existence."

"Junior brother, you became like this because of that cultivation technique."

After the passionate intimacy, Li Fan's desire in his eyes suddenly disappeared.

Turning cold, he suddenly asked, "Sister, is it worth it?"

Sister Zhao wasn't surprised at all. She lazily stretched, saying, "Junior brother, have you finally noticed? It really shouldn't have been like this."

Pausing for a moment, she revealed the name of the cultivation technique, ""Eternal I Alone Secret"."

""Eternal I Alone Secret"..." Li Fan tasted these four words, looking at the vast Grand Sect people who had slowly reappeared, his eyes complicated.

"Sister, is it worth it?"

Sister Zhao sneered, "Worth it? Is there anything wrong with me now? I am one, and one is the whole. Thousands of bodies, one heart!"

"In this life, I have never felt better!"

She suddenly stood up, automatically putting on the Grand Sect leader's robe.

Looking down, she said, "I alone am the Grand Sect!"

As if in response to her words.

Within the Grand Sect, at this moment, all the cultivators, with one voice, proclaimed:

"I, am, the, Grand, Sect!"

Li Fan's heart trembled at the words, but his expression remained unchanged.

"Since when, Ji Changye?" he asked.

"It was him." Sister Zhao nodded lightly.

"Do you remember when we reported the Immortal Plague and submitted blood samples?"

"At that time, he sensed the traces of the Xuantian Sect cultivation technique we practiced."

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 527: A Desperate Strike

As Sister Zhao spoke, the figure of the former Grand Sect leader, Ji Changye, suddenly appeared in front of Li Fan, ready to narrate the story.

"At that time, we were still too young. We thought we were hiding deep enough, but we couldn't imagine that true powerhouses could see through our cultivation techniques with just a drop of blood."

"The Xuantian Sect's cultivation techniques, divided into Xuan, Tian, Di, and Huang levels from top to bottom. The four techniques we obtained from the ruins were all of the highest Xuan level."

"Not only were they profound and divine, surpassing the true transmissions of the Grand Sect, but there was also a marvelous aspect that even Ji Changye, the Grand Sect leader, couldn't resist being excited about."

"Rumors say that the Xuantian Sect's cultivation techniques all originate from the treasure of the Xuantian Sect: the Xuantian Mirror. When cultivated to a profound level, a connection can be established with the Xuantian Mirror."

"Although Ji Changye wanted to capture us on the spot and interrogate us when he found out, he also knew that the Xuantian Sect's cultivation techniques had built-in security measures. Even if someone from the outside wanted to forcibly probe, they would only get distorted and incorrect information."

"Only the practitioner willingly wrote down their experiences, and at that time, his strength was only in the later stages of the Combined Dao, not much stronger than me. If he forced coercion, the odds weren't high."

"So, he decided to play the long game and catch a big fish."

"Scheming Ji Changye," he sneered, "On one hand, he deliberately sent us on various missions to suppress our strength growth. Meanwhile, he used the resources and privileges of the Grand Sect leader to enhance his own cultivation."

"On the other hand, he scoured through various scriptures, trying to find a way to decrypt the encryption of the Xuantian Sect's cultivation techniques."

"In fact, he almost succeeded. From the Grand Sect's secret storage, Ji Changye found the legacy obtained after the destruction of the Xuantian Sect."

"Inside, there was a secret technique called 'Take Heaven and Replace.' It was used by the Xuantian Sect to deal with their own people. It could completely strip the opponent of their techniques and cultivation, and transfer the attained realms and strength from practicing Xuantian Sect's techniques like a game of chess, transferring it to oneself."

"So, when we returned to the sect that day, he couldn't wait to summon me..."

Ji Changye's face changed for a moment. Amidst the distortion of light and shadow, it turned back to the enchanting appearance of Sister Zhao.

"Unfortunately, he miscalculated. I didn't cultivate just one Xuantian Sect's technique."

"Even more unexpected was that I had long disliked him and wanted to replace him."

Sister Zhao reached out, stroking Li Fan's face with a bewitching expression. "Junior brother, do you know what kind of pain it is to be permeated by tens of thousands of drops of blood filled with the Immortal Plague?"

"Even our Grand Sect leader couldn't resist it."

"The only regret is that he was too severely damaged by the Immortal Plague. I had to give up a part of it."

Sister Zhao licked her lips, seemingly reminiscing about the wonderful taste.

"'Eternal I Alone Secret,' when cultivated to the end, there is nothing else in this world except for me. Because this technique is too evil, that's why you didn't choose it back then."

"Now, do you feel a bit regretful, junior brother?" Sister Zhao asked softly.

Indeed, a hint of regret flashed in Li Fan's heart. But he was stubborn and retorted, "Hmph, what's the use of regret? Things have already happened, and there's no chance to start over."

Li Fan suddenly stopped.

In that moment, he felt a peculiar sensation in his heart.

It seemed that if he wished, he truly had the power to change everything.

But...

Upon careful consideration, he didn't know where this feeling came from. There was a faint sense of loss and confusion in his heart.

Sister Zhao couldn't perceive the strangeness in Li Fan's heart.

She continued, "A sip and a bite, everything is predetermined. So, junior brother, everything is destined."

"I vaguely sensed Ji Changye's malicious intent, so to save our lives, I secretly practiced the 'Eternal I Alone Secret,' attempting to find a way out of his schemes."

"This technique is indeed extremely domineering, thoroughly implementing the 'Only Me' concept. After practicing it, I even gradually erased your memories about this technique from your mind."

"And when I successfully made Ji Changye a part of me, I finally understood."

"This is our destination, this is my destiny."

"In this world full of distractions, there are too many irrelevant people."

"So, with only me remaining, that is enough."

"The so-called multitude, yet one heart."

At the moment these words were spoken, the faces of all the figures in the Grand Sect transformed into the appearance of Sister Zhao.

"Junior brother, do you still love me?"

"Merge with Sister now, and never be apart again."

They all gazed at Li Fan with deep affection and spoke in unison.

Li Fan didn't answer but responded solemnly.

A radiant light, black yet colorful, appeared above his head, eventually forming a flying knife-like shape.

At the same time, Li Fan's aura erupted suddenly.

Ascending from an ordinary person to the pinnacle of Foundation Building, Golden Core...

Until reaching the peak of Nascent Soul, just stopping there.

It turned out that Li Fan had already broken through the restrictions on his body.

This breakthrough was achieved through the recent intimate cultivation with Sister Zhao.

"I thought you missed me for a long time, eagerly wanting to cultivate with me."

"I didn't expect you to have other intentions, a sinister motive."

Although she spoke this way, Sister Zhao seemed to have long noticed Li Fan's subtle movements, showing no surprise in her tone.

"What? Junior brother, do you think that restoring your realm will allow you to confront me?"

She looked at Li Fan with interest. "Who gave you the courage?"

"Is it the 'Soul-Annihilating Knife' of the 'Soul-Severing Illumination Technique'?"

Facing Sister Zhao's mockery, Li Fan didn't directly answer.

Instead, his expression turned serious, and the colorful black 'Soul-Annihilating Knife' continued to flicker, ready to unleash its power.

This 'Soul-Annihilating Knife' was the ultimate move of the 'Soul-Severing Illumination Technique.' Although the name was ordinary, it was a life-threatening method that required one's own soul as a sacrifice.

"Multitude with one heart, does this path lead to overturning the principles of heaven and earth in the end?"

"Sister, you truly are a genius. Unfortunately..."

"Your path is not my path."

"I once said that I would like to become eternal Dao companions with Sister, to face the boundless life together and enjoy boundless freedom."

"This vow came from the sincerity of my heart, and it remains unchanged to this day."

Li Fan's eyes were filled with memories as he sighed.

Just as Sister Zhao was momentarily lost in thought!

An extremely brilliant light suddenly emerged from his body.

Illuminating the entire sky of the Grand Sect.

Even Sister Zhao's countless bodies couldn't help but slightly close their eyes at this moment.

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 528: Different Lifespan between Heaven and Earth

"But Sister's path to eternal life, wanting to use me as the cost..."

"I am unwilling!"

"I won't let Sister be so lonely from now on!"

Li Fan's laughter echoed through heaven and earth.

"In these years, Sister has comprehended 'Unity of the Multitude.' Although I am dull, I haven't been idle."

"I have a move, and I ask Sister to teach me!"

In a dazzling light, Li Fan's resolute voice rang out like the sound of breaking gold and stone.

"Heaven!"

"Earth!"

"Same!"

"Lifespan!"

Li Fan's figure completely vanished into the radiant brilliance.

At this moment, Sister Zhao finally showed a slight change in expression.

No longer indifferent and in control of everything, she now wore an expression that was both annoyed and amused. "No wonder you progressed slowly in recent years. It turns out your thoughts were on how to control me?"

"You and I cultivated 'Unity of the Multitude.' In reality, we were already inseparable. This Heaven and Earth Same Lifespan can indeed pose a threat to me..."

"If only your cultivation were a bit higher."

Countless Sister Zhaos looked at the myriad radiance pouring out of Li Fan. They all opened their hands, and the white light entered their embrace.

"Junior brother, stop resisting and merge with me!"

Cracks began to appear on the faces of the countless Sister Zhao bodies, but they quickly healed on their own. The white light grew dimmer and slowly disappeared into the heavens and earth.

When the aura of Li Fan completely disappeared from the Grand Sect, everything seemed to freeze.

"Hehe, Li Fan junior brother."

"I really have to thank you for playing such a nice game with me."

"For many years, I haven't had such an interesting experience."

Sister Zhao's expression was blurry as she looked at the sky and muttered to herself.

---

"Guiding Immortal Light! It's Guiding Immortal Light!"

"Who is it? Has another cultivator from our Canhongzhou caught the attention of Lord Tianzun so quickly?"

"Haha, in just a month, three disciples from the immortal sects have emerged! Now our Canhongzhou is truly going to make a name for itself!"

The noisy voices seemed to come from a distance, and Li Fan suddenly woke up.

Looking around somewhat confused, he found that the environment was both familiar and unfamiliar.

In an instant, memories that had been sealed for a long time rushed back like a tide.

Wulao Club, One Heart Immortal Sect, Canhongzhou.

Guiding Immortal Light.

It turned out he was still in that time when he was guided by the Immortal Light.

But what was the experience he had just had, which lasted for hundreds of years and felt so real?

An illusion?

Li Fan couldn't help but look up.

Through the cracks in the sky, he could vaguely see a sect with continuous mountain ranges.

It was one of the ancient top ten immortal sects, the Grand Dao Sect.

At this moment, seemingly to welcome the arrival of Li Fan as a new member, countless disciples of the Grand Dao Sect also looked up and gazed in his direction.

Unlike the illusion, the Grand Dao Sect here had many "vitalities" that were absent before.

Not only did the expressions on the faces of each disciple no longer look rigid and rigid, but they were diverse and lifelike, resembling real people.

Moreover, they could talk to each other and engage in enthusiastic discussions, unlike the silence and tranquility Li Fan saw in the illusion.

Rising continuously in the Guiding Immortal Light, Li Fan's body gradually became stiff and numb.

He also felt his consciousness gradually dissipating.

"So, this is a wooden puppet..."

Li Fan seemed contemplative.

Afterward, he dissipated with the wind, leaving only a withered wooden body heading towards the Grand Dao Sect. The various disciples within the Grand Dao Sect had different reactions upon witnessing this scene.

Some were furious.

Some seemed contemplative.

Some applauded.

Some smiled.

...

It was impossible to tell where the "one" in the so-called "Unity of the Multitude" was.

In the end, it was unclear who made the decision.

A white light emerged from the crack, completely annihilating the puppet body. Afterwards, the Guiding Immortal Light was put away, the crack slowly closed, and the scene of the One Heart Immortal Sect disappeared from the heavens and earth.

Only the Five Elders who didn't know the truth sighed in secret.

At the same time, in the Cloudmist Sea.

Li Fan, who was inspecting the progress of rebuilding the Cloudmist Immortal City, froze on the spot.

"What's wrong, Lord Island Master? Is there something not right?"

"I'll make them correct it immediately!" Gao Yuan said repeatedly.

After a moment, Li Fan waved his hand.

"It's fine. You're doing well! Keep it up!"

After inspecting with a calm expression, he returned to his temporary construction residence after half a day and closed off the surroundings. Li Fan's expression turned solemn.

"Hehe, junior brother. I'm really looking forward to formally meeting you."

Sister Zhao's laughter seemed to linger in his ears.

Whether it was the final message transmitted by that strand of divine consciousness or what Li Fan's main body heard with his own ears, he couldn't distinguish for a moment.

"Senior Sister Zhao... What an illusion."

Li Fan reminisced about the events in the Grand Dao Sect over the past hundred years.

Although some details were now fuzzy, the majority of the events felt as if he had experienced them firsthand, as real as reality.

It even gave Li Fan a sense of illusion, as if he had indeed been Sister Zhao's junior brother and a member of the ancient Grand Dao Sect. It was just a reincarnation, and now, after several decades, he had finally recovered the memories of that time.

He even had the idea of recognizing Sister Zhao as soon as possible.

If he only had the memories of one lifetime and didn't have the "Returning True" ability, he might really have done that.

Li Fan couldn't help but shudder.

Even with just a strand of divine consciousness immersed in Sister Zhao's woven illusion, it had such a significant impact on his main body...

No wonder the Five Elders in the One Heart Immortal Sect were so devoted to Sister Zhao.

The Mysterious Yellow Heart Refining Mantra operated, turning the occasional emergence of the thought "join Sister Zhao" into nourishment for reverse cultivating the Dao Heart.

After three days and nights, Li Fan finally eliminated the impact of this trip to the One Heart Immortal Sect.

At least, on the surface, it seemed so.

Completely detached, Li Fan then analyzed and organized the gains from this visit to the One Heart Immortal Sect.

Undoubtedly, his experiences in the Grand Dao Sect were fabricated by Sister Zhao.

Even until the end, Li Fan didn't know Sister Zhao's real name.

Yet, during the illusion, he didn't feel any sense of incongruity.

But there was substance in the illusion and falsehood in the truth.

At least, figures like Ji Changye and Mo Zhiran, the cultivators from the Grand Dao Sect in the illusion, had once truly existed.

Techniques like the "Taxation of Heaven and Earth" and the "Soul-Extinquishing Blade" might not be fake either.

It was a pity that, just like when he returned from the Fallen Immortal Realm, the details were impossible to recall.

And the various upheavals he had experienced as a junior brother.

"So, the Immortal Mortal Plague is indeed the work of a certain Celestial, not the natural evolution of the world."

Li Fan also thought of Yin Shangren from Yinyang Island.

"Could it be that he discovered the traces of this hidden Celestial and was eventually silenced?"

Associating it with Yin Shangren's inexplicable suicide in the previous lives, Li Fan couldn't help but think so.

(End of this part)

Chapter 529: Ingenious Use of Spies

Reaching the Longevity Realm, even if confined to a corner of the Mysterious Yellow Realm as a pseudo-Longevity, is beyond the speculation of ordinary cultivators.

Just like the "love simulation" illusion Sister Zhao created during the Guiding process.

What significance did it hold for her? Li Fan believed that, with her strength, even without the enticement of illusions, she could easily assimilate and merge with other cultivators.

Yet, she chose not to do so.

Insisting on playing this game with Li Fan, spanning hundreds of years.

Could it be that she was truly extremely bored? While not ruling out this possibility, Li Fan preferred to believe that there was some hidden secret.

"Ants" spying on the Longevity Celestial, thinking they were well-hidden, might be unable to escape their gaze. Since their sights fell on them, they had likely been aware.

Similar to Sister Zhao's last reminder, or perhaps a warning.

Li Fan, attempting to uncover the secrets of the Immortal Mortal Plague, probably faced a similar situation.

With a thought, activating the Phantomless Killing Intent, Li Fan's gaze fell on Yin Yinyang Island.

After observing for a while, Yin Shangren was still conducting experiments on mortals as usual.

"So many years have passed, and the lethality of the Immortal Mortal Plague seems to have not weakened at all. It's just that the infectivity has weakened compared to the initial version..." Watching the mortals experiment subjects wail in agony, Li Fan recalled the scenes he saw in Sister Zhao's illusion, comparing the two and pondering.

Yin Shangren was deeply absorbed, with a focused expression. The miserable cries of mortals did not affect him in the slightest. It was as if what was vanishing before him wasn't life but pure expendable materials.

After watching for a while, Li Fan found it uninteresting.

"It seems we'll have to wait for him to research something. It will take some time." Thinking this, he withdrew his gaze.

His thoughts returned to the construction work in the Cloudmist Immortal City.

Half a year had passed, and most of the overall foundation structure of the Immortal City had been built. The next steps included the construction of many key facilities such as the "Transmission of the Law Celestial Statue" and the "Long-Distance Teleportation Array."

In this regard, there were cultivators sent by the headquarters of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance to assist, so there was no need to worry excessively.

However, due to the extension of the construction period, shortages of materials inevitably began to appear.

After all, the materials Li Fan received at that time were only enough to build a floating city without exposing any mistakes, relying on the coordination of He Zhenghao and Gao Yuan.

Even Zhou Kebao, who was secretly causing trouble, showed surprising patience.

For such a long time, he hadn't taken the initiative to contact or probe for information from Li Fan.

"It seems I can't rely entirely on the other party to take the initiative. I have to find a way to solve this myself."

"Ordinary materials have Jiao Xiuyuan's channels, and they can be purchased with contribution points."

"As for those strategic materials, ordinary means won't get them. However..."

Li Fan smiled faintly and manipulated the current "Commander-in-Chief of the Cloudmist Immortal City Reconstruction," Zhou Qing'ang.

In the reconstruction work, each cultivator had their own responsibilities, and although the title of commander-in-chief sounded busy, it wasn't actually so.

When there was no one around, "Zhou Qing'ang" quietly left the Cloudmist City.

To prevent anyone from tracking, he lurked in the deep sea for three days and nights.

Only when he was sure it was completely safe did he contact the Five Elders.

The light flashed, and after a moment, a blurry figure appeared.

"Hmm? Why did you take the initiative to contact me suddenly? Did something happen?" Perhaps due to his repeated remarkable achievements, the elder's attitude was much better than before. 

Even breaking the rules and taking the initiative to contact didn't provoke anger. Instead, the elder asked with genuine concern.

"Haha, Elder, rest assured. It's not trouble; it's a tremendous opportunity!" Zhou Qing'ang exclaimed with excitement.

"Oh?" The elder's face became much more stable.

"Elder, you should also know that I've benefited from the light of Elder He Zhenghao. I've become the overall commander of the Cloudmist City reconstruction." Zhou Qing'ang lowered his voice.

"And recently, we've encountered some troubles..."

In the current situation, Zhou Qing'ang briefly explained the internal matters of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, where some wanted to scheme against Li Fan, withhold resources, and exert pressure.

The stone-faced person listened, frowning continuously.

"This is intolerable. Master Li and such figures can't endure such humiliation."

"He privately told us that he would rather defect to the Five Elders than submit to those people."

Before Zhou Qing'ang finished speaking, the stone-faced person inexplicably exclaimed, "Oh? So, does this mean Li Fan intends to surrender?"

But soon, he became suspicious again, "Could it be that he's cooperating with the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance to set up a trap for us?"

Zhou Qing'ang felt awkward, "Ahem, Head, obviously, it was just venting..."

"Uh..." The stone-faced person suddenly fell silent.

Zhou Qing'ang hastily continued, explaining, "Although the chance of defection is slim, we can't afford to ignore the opportunity."

"He made a military order in front of the First Law Celestial. If he can't complete the construction on time, his head will roll. Li Fan is desperate for the materials he lacks."

"Are you suggesting..." The stone-faced person suddenly understood.

"A deal?"

Zhou Qing'ang nodded repeatedly, placing his palms on the stone, transmitting a list of materials.

"Not bad! Head, take a look at these. Can we get our hands on them?" he asked.

A moment of silence.

Shortly afterward, the stone-faced person spoke slowly, "No major issues."

"That makes it easy! We've been tasked with gathering confidential information about the protective array of the Immortal City. With these materials as bargaining chips, we can obtain not only the blueprints for the protective array but even the entire construction plan for the Immortal City!" Zhou Qing'ang confidently declared.

The stone-faced person remained silent but seemed intrigued.

"The importance of the array map has been downgraded by two levels. It's not very cost-effective to trade for it now..." after a while, the stone-faced person instructed.

"If possible, it would be best to inquire from Li Fan about what happened on the day of the 'Ten Thousand Immortals Island Incident.'"

"If he could use a memory stone to record the situation at that time, that would be even better."

Zhou Qing'ang's expression changed slightly, curious as he inquired, "Head, was it our doing to take the entire Ten Thousand Immortals Island away?"

"It's too frightening! I regret not being on the island at that time; otherwise, I could have taken this opportunity to go home directly!"

"Oh, by the way, what are we really looking for with such a grand operation?"

The stone-faced person snorted coldly, "It's not something you should inquire about. Just do what you're assigned within your scope of responsibilities."

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 530: Profound and Unforgettable

Zhou Qing'ang shrank his neck, indicating that he knew he was in the wrong.

Seeing this, the stone-faced person's expression eased slightly, "This matter is of great importance, and even I cannot fully understand the details."

"But what can be confirmed is that our gains this time are substantial."

There was a hint of excitement in his tone, "Along with that, the attitude from above towards us has improved quite a bit recently."

"And the funds are unexpectedly generous, more than doubled."

"What about my share?" Zhou Qing'ang quickly asked.

"Hmph, why are you in such a hurry? I've never shortchanged you guys." The stone-faced person reprimanded.

"When the transaction takes place, I will hand over everything Li Fan needs along with you."

"Thank you, Boss!" Zhou Qing'ang said happily. "Although I'm doing well now and often receive various gifts from cultivators, no one would complain about having more money..."

"Well, don't get too carried away. I didn't expect you to become the overall commander. It seems that making moves with He Zhenghao was the right move."

After contemplating for a moment, the stone-faced person instructed, "He Zhenghao and Li Fan both have deep backgrounds. You need to maintain good relations with them."

"When Cloud City is rebuilt, even if Li Fan can't become the true lord of Cloud Island, his status won't be low. Following him, you'll advance much faster than trying to climb alone. It's an unlimited future. By then, you'll even infiltrate the enemy's ranks for real."

"When we intervened this time and helped them through this difficult situation, the next time we need their help, they probably won't be able to refuse."

The stone-faced person suddenly burst into a low, deep laugh.

"Wise Boss!" Zhou Qing'ang praised.

The two discussed the details of the trade, and then the stone-faced person cut off the communication.

Zhou Qing'ang, acting as if nothing happened, returned to the bustling construction site of Cloud City.

He swaggered around, proudly inspecting the surroundings.

"The recording of the scene on the day of the Ten Thousand Immortals Island incident..." Li Fan pondered for a moment and took out a recording stone.

In his mind, the light of the stone transformed, meticulously recording every detail of what happened that day.

In an instant, it was completed.

Out of habit, Li Fan checked it again.

This time, he found a problem.

In the image, the "green" that destroyed the Martial Arts Hall couldn't be recorded at all.

Reviewing the recording stone, all he saw was the entire building and over a dozen cultivators mysteriously disappearing into thin air, while the cultivators were desperately trying to escape.

Later, Chief Lu personally arrived, and his actions to prevent the situation from getting out of control seemed somewhat ridiculous.

"Unforgettable, huh?"

Li Fan lightly tapped his fingers, sinking into thought.

Having spent hundreds of years in the Great Dao Sect's illusion, Li Fan had learned many secrets that ordinary cultivators couldn't know. Some faded away upon returning to reality, but others remained in his mind.

"Like the one hovering above the Source Dao Province, there are indeed terrifying existences that cannot be recorded."

"Whether it's paper and pen, jade slips, or other methods, they can't be documented."

"If the restricting force is a bit stronger, they might even disappear from people's memories."

"But, all of this is based on the premise that these things truly exist..."

A glint of insight flashed in Li Fan's mind.

"It seems that a year ago, this phenomenon of being unable to record things didn't exist."

"In other words, the Profound Web has already appeared in the mortal realm?"

Li Fan was slightly surprised.

"Without a large-scale construction of the Tianxuan Locking Spirit Formation, it seems that it's likely still in its infancy."

"These years, the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance has continuously mobilized elite forces. The Five Elders' unprecedented major move seems to be related to this."

...

After deep contemplation, Li Fan looked at the recording stone in his hand and decided not to overthink or make additional modifications.

Chapter 530: Profound and Unforgettable

So much time has passed since the anomaly in the Ten Thousand Immortals Island's Profound Web. Now, the Five Elders suddenly bring up old matters again, and Li Fan speculates that their target is likely the missing Elder Gongsun.

Not only the Five Elders but also the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance has been searching for him.

To remain unseen under the scrutiny of the two largest forces in the Xuanhuang Realm, Elder Gongsun Qiuxuan truly possesses some skills.

"Perhaps he isn't intentionally hiding, but more likely, he suffered severe injuries and lost consciousness."

Shaking his head, Li Fan stops dwelling on it.

Taking the opportunity, Li Fan hands over the recording stone and the blueprint for the reconstruction of Cloud City to his clone "Zhou Qing'ang."

Ten days later, Zhou Qing'ang hands over these two top-secret items to the stone-faced person.

After confirmation, the stone-faced person is ecstatic.

Without breaking the agreement, he hands over a storage ring filled with strategic resources.

With ample material support, the construction progress of Cloud City accelerates once again.

Li Fan frequently appears, demonstrating his importance to this project.

The cultivators under his command are also filled with enthusiasm.

However, there is a group of people who can't sit still.

On the Dust-Crossing Boat, in a dimly lit room.

"Zhou Kebao, your idea of searching for the owner!"

"Yeah, at this critical juncture, what's the use of pretending? Haven't you seen that Cloud City is almost completed?"

"You were so confident in the beginning, saying that Li Fan must be pretending to be calm. What do you say now?"

...

Listening to his companions' constant blame, Zhou Kebao's face turns pale.

He defends himself, "There's something fishy! There must be something fishy!"

"A while ago, the information I inquired about clearly indicated that the resources were insufficient."

"Why are the resources suddenly abundant again so quickly?"

Zhou Kebao's face is full of doubt.

His eyes rapidly turn, seemingly trying to unravel the big secret among them.

However, his words obviously fail to convince everyone present.

"Let's not talk about that. What should we do now?"

"When Li Fan completes the construction of Cloud City, won't all our resources be useless?"

"If we suffer losses and Li Fan turns around to report us, what should we do?"

"Zhou Kebao, you caused this trouble, solve it yourself. Go find Li Fan and negotiate!"

...

Everyone talks at once, causing Zhou Kebao to feel overwhelmed.

The fleeting moment of insight in his mind is gone, and he can no longer capture it.

In this situation, Zhou Kebao can only sigh deeply and surrender.

A day later, Zhou Kebao finds Li Fan.

Without any tricks, he sincerely explains the ins and outs of the matter.

"Friend Li, your chess move was superior; we deserved to lose."

"But from the beginning, it was Dantai Can's idea. We were just temporarily deceived..."

Li Fan smiled and didn't say anything.

"So, what do you mean by coming to me now?"

(End of this chapter)