Li Fan and Huangfu Song had vastly different levels of strength and status. Naturally, threats carried risks. However, due to the strange phenomena that occur after a cultivator’s death, it was difficult to kill and silence someone without being discovered. Moreover, Li Fan had now become a role model for the world, living under the spotlight. Even if Huangfu Song wanted to act, he had to consider the consequences. Huangfu Song was certainly not prepared or determined to exchange his life for Li Fan’s. Compromise was inevitable.
Therefore, although this move seemed dangerous, it was well within Li Fan’s plan.
“The Great Five Elements Subworld…”
Li Fan pondered for a moment, closed his eyes, and began to connect with Lu Xuejing, whom he had not contacted since he subdued her. The Fisherman’s methods were indeed incredibly mysterious. Even in the thick white fog, he could communicate with his subordinate from an unknown distance at any time.
“Master…”
Feeling Li Fan’s summons, after a moment, Lu Xuejing’s timid voice sounded. Without any small talk after a long time of no contact, Li Fan directly inquired about her recent situation. After understanding her general circumstances, Li Fan thought for a while and then asked about her mother’s whereabouts. The loyal Lu Xuejing told him everything truthfully.
“My mother has been very busy recently, constantly patrolling various subworlds.”
“These are places I’ve never heard of. Sometimes she even loses contact for a long time…”
Listening to this, Li Fan slowly formed a plan. Before ending the contact, Li Fan comforted and praised the young girl. Lu Xuejing was extremely excited, her soft voice very pleasing to the ear. After instructing her on the planned matters, Li Fan reluctantly ended the communication.
“Whether the plan succeeds or not depends on my luck,” Li Fan thought to himself. Fortunately, Li Fan’s luck was not bad. The next day, when Huangfu Song was about to depart from Duanzhang Immortal City on the Dust Crossing Boat, Li Fan received a message from Lu Xuejing. A gleam of light flashed in Li Fan’s eyes as he flew onto the Dust Crossing Boat.
“What do you want now, boy?” Huangfu Song’s expression was unfriendly as he looked at the intruding Li Fan. He dismissed the others and took Li Fan to a closed cabin. His cold eyes fixed on Li Fan, waiting for his explanation.
“To compete for rankings, I want to make a desperate effort. Other aspects have been taken care of, but now I need senior’s help one more time.” Huangfu Song was stunned, “So soon?” He narrowed his eyes, observing Li Fan carefully. After a moment of thought, he asked, “What do you want me to do?”
Li Fan said in a low voice, “I want senior to change course and take me to the Green River Deep Gorge as quickly as possible.”
“Green River Deep Gorge?” Huangfu Song was slightly surprised. “Why do you want to go there?”
Li Fan did not answer, instead he continued with his request: “And, you need to find a legitimate reason so that it doesn’t look abrupt to others.” Huangfu Song sneered, “You sure have a lot of demands.”
He did not refuse outright but fell into a long silence, seemingly contacting someone. Li Fan stood still, waiting patiently. After a cup of tea’s time, Huangfu Song nodded slightly and looked at Li Fan again.
“You’re in luck. I have a friend currently overseeing the construction of an array at Green River Deep Gorge.”
“The construction is nearly complete, and his next destination is close to mine.”
“We haven’t seen each other in a long time, so I’ll meet him and catch up,” Huangfu Song said succinctly.
Li Fan was delighted and bowed, “Thank you, senior.” Huangfu Song put away his smile, “Don’t play games with me. I’m helping you because I want to see who your backer really is.”
Li Fan replied seriously, “Senior overthinks. I am a lone wolf, with no backing to speak of.”
Huangfu Song, seeing that Li Fan was still pretending to be ignorant, did not argue further. He simply sneered.
“How long will it take to reach Green River Deep Gorge?” Li Fan asked nonchalantly.
“If we’re quick, two days; if slow, seven days. It depends on any unforeseen circumstances along the way,” Huangfu Song answered impatiently. “Just wait patiently. Since I promised you, I won’t mess around.”
Li Fan nodded slightly and thanked him again.
The sudden change of destination for the Dust Crossing Boat surprised the cultivators on board. However, since it was Huangfu Song who commanded it, they did not dare to voice any objections. The Dust Crossing Boat turned into a red light, piercing through the devouring white mist and moving rapidly. After leaving the white mist barrier, it first flew to the nearest Quyang Immortal City and used the teleportation array there to reach a barren land filled with scorched earth. Then, it continued to speed towards its goal.
“This is the Ten Thousand Miles of Burning Sands, and Green River Deep Gorge is deep within,” Huangfu Song explained as he noticed Li Fan curiously observing the outside scenery.
Even with the array’s barrier, Li Fan could still feel the intense heat from the outside. It was a pure, destructive force that seemed to burn everything in its path. The sky and earth seemed to be filled with dark red energy. The ground was cracked, and the sky seemed to be burning with flames.
“A thousand years ago, this place was also a good place. Unfortunately, it has now turned into this hellish sight,” Huangfu Song sighed, moved by the desolate scene. “If it weren’t for the uniqueness of Green River Deep Gorge, the alliance would have abandoned this area long ago.”
“What is special about Green River Deep Gorge?” Li Fan asked, following up on Huangfu Song’s words.
“You don’t know?” Huangfu Song was genuinely surprised. “Then why are you in such a hurry to go there?”
Li Fan showed an innocent expression, making Huangfu Song’s face twitch. However, his good temper kept him from getting angry. Instead, he explained again, “Green River Deep Gorge itself isn’t special. But it produces a greenish stone that has a strong suppressive effect on spiritual energy.”
“For us cultivators, without special countermeasures, approaching it would cause all our spiritual energy to be suppressed, making us as weak as mortals.”
“This stone is called Spirit Transformation Stone by the alliance.”
Upon hearing this, Li Fan felt that the stone seemed familiar, as if he had seen it somewhere before. But he couldn’t recall it. Li Fan realized that it might be related to the vanished avatar’s experiences, so he didn’t dwell on it.
After thinking for a while, Li Fan asked again, “I once read about an ancient stone called Juexian Stone. It seems to have similar effects to the Spirit Transformation Stone.”
“Are they the same thing?”