Four years ago, on the 24th year.
When Zhang Zhiliang was explaining the matter of the Tianyu Province’s formation training, he mentioned that the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance planned to cover every inch of territory within its domain with the Tianxuan Spirit Lock Formation within thirty years.
In other words, as early as that time, had the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance already sensed the impending changes in heaven and earth?
From his few encounters with the top experts in this world, Li Fan didn’t think it was an exaggeration.
“The ducks are the first to know when the spring river flows warm. Those who have reached the Dao Integration realm and even the Longevity Immortal realm have already have the strength to contend with the heavens and earth. It’s normal for them to sense the changes in heaven and earth early.”
“The policy has been set, but not everyone can understand the deeper meaning behind it.”
“Most think it as just an unusual infrastructure task. That’s why, for the position of the Chief Commander of the Garrison Courtyard, they used Tantai Tao and the others as pawns in their conspiracies.”
“However, they clearly underestimated the importance of the widespread dissemination of the Tianxuan Spirit Lock Formation.”
“As a result, they brought disaster upon themselves. The position of commander of the Garrison Courtyards in the Tianyu, Tianchen, Tianshu, and Tianquan provinces is not low. Still, they do not understand the true meaning behind the policy.”
“So, who exactly is the policy maker of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance?”
From what Li Fan currently knew about the several departments of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, such as the Government Hall, the Martial Hall, the Formation Hall, the Heavenly Secrets Hall, and the Garrison Courtyard, they all had their own responsibilities.
They were the specific executors of policies.
As for the mysterious and transcendent Law Enforcement Hall, they were only responsible for maintaining the integrity of the techniques.
Who represented the true will of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance?
Who decided the fate of countless cultivators in a turn of a thought?
Was it the Immortal Ancestor?
Li Fan had consulted countless secret documents and knew that now, whether it was the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance or the Five Elders Association, it was a recognized fact that the whereabouts of the Immortal Ancestor were elusive and he had long ceased to care about worldly affairs.
This was not something that needed to be avoided. A quick check would reveal it.
So, besides the Immortal Ancestor, did the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance have another Longevity Immortal Heavenly Sovereign?
If it was only Dao Integration realm cultivator, how could they convince everyone?
Li Fan also thought of the mysterious and unpredictable Heavenly Doctor.
His strength was above the Dao Integration realm.
But he seemed to travel outside the system of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
Otherwise, there was no need to issue a bounty mission for the “Cloud Water Map”.
Why not just issue a decree?
“Outside of the public eye, there must be a group of unknown people. They are the true leaders of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.”
“Even…”
Li Fan frowned slightly, a somewhat absurd thought suddenly emerging in his mind.
He had always subconsciously believed that the Tianxuan Mirror was just an extremely powerful spiritual treasure.
Although it had its own mind, it was just an item.
It was an item that served the masses of cultivators of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
This was the consensus of almost all cultivators of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
But…
What if the true leader of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance was actually the Tianxuan Mirror?
The thought startled even Li Fan himself.
But on careful consideration, it might not be impossible.
At the level reached by the Tianxuan Mirror, there was no clear boundary between objects and people.
Li Fan believed that creating a body to move around for the Tianxuan Mirror was definitely not a difficult task.
Furthermore, during the Spirit Mist Grass incident, just as the situation was about to get out of control, the Tianxuan Mirror timely issued an announcement to settle the disturbance.
This may not have been the order of other cultivators, but its own decision.
“Tianxuan Mirror…”
At this point, in the space where Li Fan was cultivating within the Tianxuan Mirror, he suddenly felt somewhat uncomfortable.
Even this spacious private space seemed to have inexplicably become dim and oppressive.
Shaking his head inwardly, he suppressed the thoughts in his mind.
Assessing the Tianxuan Mirror space, Li Fan’s eyes flickered.
“Even if my speculation is true, as long as I don’t show any obvious abnormalities, the Tianxuan Mirror may not notice me.”
“After all, there are too many cultivators in the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, and I am just a small Golden Core cultivator.”
“It’s also possible that I am just scaring myself.”
Taking a deep breath, he slowly forced down such thoughts.
“Anyways, with the current upheaval in the world, cultivation has become much easier, which will be beneficial to me in the short term.”
“It’s the perfect time to take advantage of this opportunity and make a breakthrough to the mid-Golden Core stage in one go.”
The Xuanhuang Heart Refinement Mantra slowly circulated, crushing all distractions.
Li Fan became calm again and immersed himself in cultivation.
In the remaining months of the 28th year, Li Fan not only made rapid progress in his own cultivation, but also received continuous feedback, indicating that everyone’s realm was rapidly improving.
Even the young man named Han Wuyou from Dali had already entered the Foundation Establishment stage, providing a steady stream of assistance.
With the support of various factors, Li Fan successfully cultivated to the end of early stage Golden Core by the end of year 28.
As other cultivators had said, the bottlenecks between each realm had all become as fragile as paper.
With a surge of spiritual energy, Li Fan successfully entered the mid-Golden Core stage.
“Successful breakthrough, so now I can start making my clone.”
This clone was still meant to be used as a cover-up.
Li Fan even planned to send the clone to Yuandao Province in the 29th year to find out what had happened during the missing ten years.
Furthermore, he would experience being both inside and outside Yuandao Province.
Li Fan naturally didn’t need to spend much effort on this destined cannon fodder.
Li Fan left Tianyu City again, flew in a random direction for more than ten days, and found a remote area.
Just like before, he dug out a secret room and sealed the entrance.
“There shouldn’t be such a big disturbance this time. I hoped I won’t be unlucky and be found again.”
Li Fan muttered softly and began to refine the clone.
Beginning with the Heaven Crystal Spirit Sand, he skillfully added the materials into the flesh and blood of the clone one by one.
He also added a medium-grade Human Treasure, the Furious Flying Butterfly, as the Foundation Treasure.
He then threw in a Golden Core Fragment containing insights into the Law of Water for core formation.
The Furious Flying Butterfly was previously purchased at the Wanfa Chamber of Commerce in Jiushan Province for the Immortal Revival Organization.
The buyer, Fan Lin, had disappeared from the world along with the Cong Yun Sea.
There was no need to worry about tracing.
As for the Golden Core Fragment…
There were countless cultivators in the world who formed pills with water-based laws, and it was impossible to trace them.
All preparations were complete.
Li Fan concentrated his mind and began to condense the clone.
Seven days later.
“Slash!”
Li Fan used his fingers as a sword to sever the fate of the clone from its surroundings.
A trace of vitality emanated from the clone.
A brand new clone, with the strength of the early Golden Core stage, was born.
“Let’s call you Xiao Fan!”
After dressing him, Li Fan looked at the clone for a few moments and said with satisfaction.