At first, some skeptical cultivators ignored the warning from the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
They continued to act recklessly, relying on their concealment techniques to secretly infiltrate Jiushan Province.
However, the Soul Transformation experts assigned to suppress them came well-prepared.
They joined hands to set up a grand formation that enveloped the entire Jiushan Province.
The purpose of this formation was not to kill but instead to automatically mark the locations of Five Elders Association cultivators within its range.
The principle behind it was unclear, but once a Five Elders Association cultivator stepped into the formation, a towering pillar of light would lock onto them.
Even if they used a concealment technique, they were as clearly visible as a candle in the dark.
Now, there was no need for the Soul Transformation cultivators to take action.
The infiltrators were torn to pieces by the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance cultivators who swarmed around them.
This kind of formation, capable of identifying the identities of both sides’ cultivators, had never appeared before.
It hadn’t even made an appearance in the previous battle in Tianling Province.
Its debut this time was extraordinary.
The Five Elders Association’s side seemed to be momentarily unable to find a way to crack it and wasn’t ready for another full-scale war.
Therefore, they temporarily halted their infiltrations and did not take more aggressive measures.
However, it seemed they had not completely abandoned their intention to explore the ruins of the Chaoyuan Sect.
Gathering their forces at the border of Jiushan Province, they took a stance of potentially invading at any moment.
On the front lines, both sides were at a tense standoff, and a major battle was imminent.
Meanwhile, in the secure rear of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, the motivation behind the actions of the Five Elders Association became a hot topic among cultivators.
According to common sense, both sides had recently concluded a major battle, resulting in countless casualties.
During this time, there should have been a period of peace for rest and recovery.
However, the Five Elders Association acted contrary to the norm, constantly provoking the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
What was their purpose?
Moreover, the last major battle was due to the rare Five Element Subworlds.
This time, why were they mobilizing?
After discussions and analyses, most cultivators generally believed there were only two possibilities.
One was that there was indeed a precious treasure inside the ruins of the Chaoyuan Sect.
The Five Elders Association was willing to go to war with the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance to obtain it.
The second reason was that Jiushan Province was merely a decoy for the Five Elders Association.
Taking advantage of the opportunity presented by the emergence of the ruins, they created a big disturbance to divert the attention of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
Their true goal was elsewhere.
Regardless of the purpose, it was certain that the Five Elders Association harbored malicious intentions.
For the vast majority of Qi Condensation and Foundation Establishment cultivators, war seemed a bit distant to them.
After all, the last large-scale war in Tianling Province did not see them taking the field at all.
Furthermore, after the war, the benefits brought by the discounted cultivation techniques were substantial.
So, most people watched the unfolding events with a mixture of nervousness and anticipation, paying close attention to the further developments.
“Chaoyuan Sect…”
In the Cong Yun Sea, the situation had not yet reached the point where Formation Repairers needed to patrol.
Li Fan remained in the Tianxuan Mirror, collecting and reviewing information about the new events.
“Judging by the accounts of cultivators who have successfully explored the Chaoyuan Sect ruins and safely returned, it seems like an ordinary ruin. Apart from being larger in scale, there doesn’t appear to be anything special.”
“The only strange thing is that the interior of the ruins is remarkably smooth, showing no signs of battle or remnants of fallen cultivators.”
“Even most of the restrictions inside the sect’s ruins are in an inactive state.”
“It’s as if, at a certain moment, all Chaoyuan Sect cultivators disappeared. The sect then traveled through a thousand years and arrived directly in the present.”
“Reportedly, some Soul Transformation cultivators from the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance had also explored it before. Unfortunately, it seems they couldn’t figure out anything peculiar.”
“Hmm, it’s a bit interesting…”
Li Fan’s eyes flashed.
Discerning individuals could see that there was something unusual about the Chaoyuan Sect.
However, even Soul Transformation cultivators couldn’t understand it thoroughly, indicating exceptionally high danger.
“I hope in this lifetime, there will be results before I return to the anchor point. I can seize the opportunity in the next life.”
Just as Li Fan was quietly awaiting the next development, the clone received an urgent message from Jiao Xiuyuan.
It turns out he couldn’t wait any longer and wanted to hold the first auction for the Minor Medicine King Cauldron.
“I’ve been planning for so long; the money that should be spent has been spent. Seeing that war is about to break out again, I really can’t wait any longer!”
Jiao Xiuyuan complained.
“Although the cultivators may still not be so affluent now, it’s better than dragging on for a few more years without making a profit and being unable to return the capital.”
“The early promotion of the Minor Medicine King Cauldron has cost me too much. If we wait any longer, the funds will be in trouble.”
While the financial difficulty might not be entirely true, Li Fan agreed with his decision.
If he didn’t sell the Minor Medicine King Cauldron now, when the true Medicine King Cauldron appeared, these small cauldrons wouldn’t be priceless commodities anymore; they would mean big trouble.
Even Jiao Xiuyuan might not fare well then.
“The venue for the first auction is set in Tianhua Province. It’s located in the core of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance and is connected to eight other provinces, including Tianyu Province. Cultivators in the province are generally wealthier than those in other states.”
“Would fellow Daoist like to come and observe?”
Jiao Xiuyuan attached great importance to the person who formulated the business plan and extended an invitation to Li Fan.
Li Fan smiled and declined, “For such a grand occasion, as a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator, I won’t go there to join the excitement.”
“I wish fellow Daoist every success in establishing the reputation of the Minor Medicine King Cauldron.”
Although Jiao Xiuyuan was a bit regretful, he couldn’t force it.
“By the way, fellow Daoist Jiao, what do you think of the recent movements of the Five Elders Association?” Li Fan suddenly asked.
“The Five Elders Association?” Jiao Xiuyuan was initially stunned, then tilted his head, seemingly receiving some information.
After a moment, he replied, “In my personal judgment, this time, the Five Elders Association is probing opportunistically.”
“Probing? How do you explain that?” Li Fan became interested and asked.
Jiao Xiuyuan lowered his voice, “Let’s keep this private; fellow Daoist must not spread this around.”
“I have a special source of information. A certain Dao Integration cultivator in the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance wants to defy the principles of heaven to achieve Longevity Immortal and establish their immortality.”
“This Immortal Sage has a good relationship with other Dao Integration powerhouses in the alliance and reportedly has invited many helpers.”
“I guess the Five Elders Association got wind of it somewhere and wants to apply some pressure to test if the information is true.”
“The upheaval in Jiushan Province was just the appetizer. If everything goes as expected, the bigger part is yet to come.”
When Li Fan first heard what Jiao Xiuyuan said, he thought the Dao Integration cultivator he mentioned was the Blue Feather Immortal Sage from Dao Yuan Province.
However, the subsequent descriptions were clearly inconsistent with Blue Feather.
“Another one aiming for immortality?” Li Fan’s interest was piqued.
However, a doubt arose in his mind.
“This immortal wants to break through, yet they’re also seeking help from friends? Aren’t they afraid…” Li Fan didn’t finish his sentence, but the meaning was already clear.