Facing Zhang Qianmo’s questioning, Li Fan just smiled without answering.
“I never expected that the former number one sect in the world would now fall to the level of associating with demonic beasts.”
A hint of disdain flashed across Zhang Qianmo’s face. “It seems that the efforts of the Ten Great Immortal Sects over the years have not been in vain.”
Li Fan’s expression remained unchanged, speaking calmly, “Senior Brother Zhang, some things in this world are not as simple as they appear on the surface.”
“If I were to say that I have no connection whatsoever with the so-called Xuantian Sect, would you believe me?”
Zhang Qianmo looked at Li Fan as if he were an idiot, with an expression that seemed to say, “Do you think I would believe that?” He snorted coldly but said nothing.
Li Fan smiled and didn’t dwell on the question further.
Observing Zhang Qianmo and reviewing Li Chen’s memories, he discovered some interesting details that he hadn’t noticed before.
After pondering silently for a moment, he tentatively spoke, “The Xuantian Sect, huh? That’s something from many years ago. The Ten Great Immortal Sects consider it taboo. Since I joined the Purple Heaven Sect all these years, I’ve never heard any news about the Xuantian Sect.”
“Senior Brother, you’re not much older than me. How do you know so much about these secrets?”
Zhang Qianmo’s expression changed slightly, but he still didn’t answer.
Seeing his speculation confirmed, Li Fan continued, “I’ve always felt that our Master and Senior Uncle’s attitude toward you was a bit strange before.”
“I used to think it was because your talent was exceptional.”
“Now that I think about it…”
Li Fan smiled.
Zhang Qianmo’s face gradually darkened.
“Moreover, although we are brothers, your mastery of techniques and spells far surpasses mine!”
“Especially your Purple Core Rebirth Technique…”
When Li Fan mentioned this, Zhang Qianmo’s expression finally changed completely.
He stared deeply at Li Fan as if trying to remember him forever.
In an instant, the aura that had already weakened to that of an ordinary person was rapidly disappearing.
Li Fan was somewhat astonished and hurriedly approached to check, but it was already too late.
By the time he reached Zhang Qianmo’s side, Senior Brother Zhang had completely lost his breath of life.
“False death?”
“Rebirth?”
Li Fan remained cautious as he investigated.
After a long time, Li Fan stood up and stroked his chin.
The result was somewhat unexpected.
Zhang Qianmo had actually died.
Moreover, unlike before, he didn’t undergo rebirth from his purple core but instead completely perished.
If they were in the real world, there should have been signs of a death announcement above.
“A secret method that can still allow suicide even with the vital acupoints sealed… knowledge of ancient secrets, subtly different status within the sect…”
“Although only at the Foundation Establishment stage, he has ambitions that defy the heavens. His vision is terrifyingly broad…”
Li Fan pondered, sighing, “It seems that this Senior Brother Zhang has another identity.”
“Unfortunately…”
As a precaution, instead of removing the Absolute Immortal Stone needles, he searched directly through Zhang Qianmo’s corpse.
Apart from a storage ring, there were no other valuable items.
When he tried to probe into the ring with his spiritual consciousness, purple electricity flashed and blocked him from entry.
“It seems there’s a restriction that can’t be broken.” Despite trying more than ten times, Li Fan couldn’t succeed, feeling somewhat regretful.
“Well, it doesn’t matter, since I can’t take it back to reality anyway.”
Li Fan decided to give up directly.
“Senior Brother Zhang has been taken care of. Next, it’s that Steward Song’s turn.”
After some thought, Li Fan dug a hole in the secret chamber and buried Zhang Qianmo’s body.
Then he used that Absolute Immortal Stone slab to cover it.
Afterward, he headed straight to the central area of the city towards the Tree of Everlasting Life.
As he was about to approach, he released his own aura.
“Which senior brother is coming?!” Song Hesong’s surprised voice came.
Soon, a figure in a gray Daoist robe arrived in front of Li Fan.
“So it’s Senior Brother Li in person!”
Li Fan didn’t exchange pleasantries with him but directly said in a cold voice, “Steward Song, you’re managing Ningyuan City quite well!”
Song Hesong was intimidated by Li Fan’s aggressive attitude, thinking that his ambush had been exposed.
He instinctively wanted to take action.
But he held back and asked tentatively, “Senior Brother, what do you mean by this?”
Li Fan snorted, “Senior Brother Zhang and I found some taboo items in the city. If these things were exposed in the territory of our Purple Heaven Sect, let alone a mere steward like you, I’m afraid the sect would be implicated.”
“Taboo items?” Song Hesong couldn’t help but feel confused.
Wearing a panicked and ignorant look, Song Hesong asked, “What exactly are these things that violate such a taboo? Please enlighten me, Senior Brother!”
Li Fan turned and flew towards Mr. Bai’s courtyard.
“Follow me!”
Watching Li Fan’s departing figure, Song Hesong hesitated for a moment.
With a sweep of his spiritual consciousness, he confirmed that Chu Liang and the others were still waiting at the planned location, without any mishaps.
Relying on his Golden Core cultivation, Song Hesong followed without fear.
Soon, they arrived at the entrance of the underground chamber.
Li Fan’s surprised voice came from below, “Huh? Where’s Senior Brother Zhang?”
Song Hesong scanned with his spiritual consciousness, found no ambush, and followed suit into the chamber.
After seeing the broken and faceless stone statue standing in the secret chamber, he was slightly taken aback.
Because this stone statue was completely beyond the perception of his spiritual consciousness.
“Could it be that the taboo item Senior Brother mentioned is this stone statue?” Song Hesong couldn’t help but ask.
Li Fan nodded and approached, “That’s right, it’s this Xuantian Statue!”
“Xuantian Statue…” Steward Song furrowed his brows slightly as if he had heard the name long ago.
After a moment, he seemed to recall something; his body trembled slightly, and his pupils contracted.
Suddenly, he looked back at the faceless stone statue.
At that moment…
“Pfft!”
A stone needle ruthlessly pierced from behind, piercing his dantian.
Filled with horror, as he was about to retaliate, his spiritual energy stagnated.
What awaited him next were thirty-five more Absolute Immortal Stone needles.
With all his vital acupoints sealed, Song Hesong collapsed to the ground.
A wave of regret surged in his mind, but there was still a glimmer of hope. He struggled to ask, “Senior Brother, what is the meaning of this? I truly didn’t know about this Xuantian Statue hidden in the city.”
“Although I am guilty of negligence, it doesn’t warrant this…”
Li Fan’s words mercilessly interrupted him, plunging his heart into despair.
“What if we add colluding with outsiders and plotting betrayal? A Golden Core cultivator disguised as a Qi Condensation cultivator, you’ve really been wronged!”
Song Hesong’s face turned extremely pale.
He wanted to struggle one last time, but it was futile.
Step by step, Li Fan approached, “Let me see what you really know.”
Seeing every subtle change in Song Hesong’s expression, Li Fan’s face revealed a somewhat eerie smile.
Song Hesong watched as Li Fan took out tools such as hammers, knives, and nails from the wooden box one by one, laying them out on the table in a leisurely manner.
Cold sweat dripped down his forehead.