Jiao Xiuyuan was genuinely intrigued this time.
News meant opportunities—potential breakthroughs.
He poured tremendous effort into infiltrating and persuading people, spending an incalculable amount of money. However, no cultivator was willing to disclose even a single detail.
Some subtly indicated that this matter was far more significant than anything else before.
“If any of this leaks, you might live to know it but not to enjoy its rewards.”
Despite his reluctance, Jiao Xiuyuan had no choice but to abandon the endeavor.
With no results, there was naturally no response to send to Li Fan.
Yet, just as he was about to let the matter fade from his mind, an unexpected turn of events occurred.
Not long after the end of the Great Battle in the Tianling Prefecture, a previously tight-lipped cultivator who had sworn to keep the secret suddenly contacted him in private.
The person confessed directly: “Things have changed. The current situation isn’t what it used to be.”
The confidentiality level of the matter had been downgraded by several levels, but of course, a reward was still expected.
Jiao Xiuyuan paid a hefty price, one that even made him feel the pinch, to acquire this piece of secret information.
The revelation left him both shocked and impressed.
Such information couldn’t just be handed over to Li Fan for free.
Furthermore, Jiao Xiuyuan doubted Li Fan could afford to pay the price for this classified intel.
Thus, he chose to let the matter rest.
Until today, when Li Fan sought him out personally.
“The future of ultimate creations…”
“That’s sufficient.”
In an instant, countless thoughts flashed through Jiao Xiuyuan’s mind.
Finally, he made a decision.
“Ah, my memory is failing me—I almost forgot!” Jiao Xiuyuan exclaimed, patting his forehead.
“Honestly, what you asked me to investigate is truly a top secret of the Immortal Alliance. Even if someone else offered a huge contribution, I wouldn’t have disclosed a thing.”
“But…”
Jiao Xiuyuan sized up Li Fan and said, “What’s our relationship? We’ve made money together!”
“And with today’s guidance, how could I refuse?” Jiao Xiuyuan emphasized his words.
“I don’t mind telling you for free.”
“But this isn’t something I can discuss over a talisman message. If you’re truly interested, come see me at the nearest Qianli Hall.”
Li Fan’s eyes narrowed slightly.
It seemed this matter was indeed extraordinary. Jiao Xiuyuan was being extremely cautious.
With that, he nodded and ended the communication.
After thinking it over, he decided to return to the Congyun Sea through the teleportation formation.
At a Qianli Hall shop in Immortal City of the Congyun Sea, he met Jiao Xiuyuan.
There weren’t many customers, and after sending them all away, Jiao Xiuyuan locked the doors and seemed to set up a barrier around them before beginning to speak.
“Do you know the Xuantian Sect?”
Jiao Xiuyuan started with a shocking question.
Li Fan’s eyes flickered, and he nodded slightly.
“An ancient cult—everyone seeks its destruction.”
Although the Xuantian Sect was no longer known to the world, Li Fan, as a cultivator from the Heavenly Mechanism Sect, was naturally aware of its existence.
Jiao Xiuyuan wasn’t surprised by his answer and continued:
“This time, the Immortal Alliance discovered an ancient slumbering cultivator, who happens to be one of the Twelve Dharma Kings of the Xuantian Sect.”
“What?”
A spark of light flashed in Li Fan’s eyes.
“A Dharma King of the Xuantian Sect? Still alive?” he asked in surprise.
“Indeed. I was shocked when I learned of it too. This individual has managed to survive across several eras…”
“Considering they once unified the Xuanhuang Realm, they indeed had some remarkable abilities,” Jiao Xiuyuan sighed.
Li Fan fell into deep thought.
According to earlier intelligence from the Five Elders Association, this ancient cultivator had been excavated from the ruins of the Purple Heaven Sect by the Immortal Alliance.
However, the exact identity of this figure was unclear.
Moreover, this person seemed critical to the Five Elders Association, prompting them to seek Li Fan’s help in investigating.
Originally, Li Fan thought the individual might be connected to Zhang Qianmo, but he hadn’t expected it to be a remnant of the Xuantian Sect.
Why was a Dharma King of the Xuantian Sect hiding in the Purple Heaven Sect?
Li Fan was puzzled.
“Wait…”
Something clicked in Li Fan’s mind, and his gaze sharpened.
In the illusion realm of the Fallen Immortal Realm, during the quest for the Longevity Fruit in Ningyuan, Li Fan had learned from Song Hesong, the city steward.
About 200 years ago, during the Purple Heaven Sect’s centennial celebration, the Ten Great Immortal Sects had sent envoys to investigate a wanted criminal hiding within the Purple Heaven Sect.
The outcome of the investigation was inconclusive—they merely apprehended an inner disciple as a scapegoat.
“Could it be that the one hiding within the Purple Heaven Sect back then was this Dharma King of the Xuantian Sect?
“And the Ten Great Immortal Sects failed to locate them, instead capturing a decoy?”
Realizing this, Li Fan was shaken.
Meanwhile, Jiao Xiuyuan observed the subtle changes in Li Fan’s expression and continued:
“The reason the Immortal Alliance went to such great lengths, digging through ruins to find this Dharma King, is related to the Xuantian Sealing Spirit Formation.”
Jiao Xiuyuan paused, studying Li Fan’s reaction before continuing:
“The details aren’t clear, but it seems this Dharma King is an essential component for maintaining the formation.”
“At the time, the Immortal Alliance was preparing for war with the Five Elders Association. They placed all their hopes of victory on the Xuantian Sealing Spirit Formation.”
“Naturally, they guarded the Dharma King closely, not allowing any room for error.”
“But strangely, despite their precautions, the information leaked.”
“This ultimate weapon was quickly countered by the Five Elders Association in a very short time.”
“Given the formation’s complexity, it’s highly unusual. If there wasn’t an inside informant, who would believe it?”
“With the formation’s intricacy, even a figure like the Immortal Ancestor might not have cracked it so swiftly without prior knowledge.”
Jiao Xiuyuan sighed, “And yet, the insider remains hidden. Despite extensive purges within the Immortal Alliance, they’ve yet to be found. Isn’t that peculiar?”
“Indeed,” Li Fan agreed, his expression calm but slightly amazed.
“It makes me wonder—could someone within the Immortal Alliance have deliberately leaked the formation’s details to prevent a one-sided war?” Li Fan suggested.
“That’s unlikely. Too far-fetched…” Jiao Xiuyuan began, then froze.
“Although… maybe not impossible,” he muttered after a long pause, his face turning serious.
Li Fan was left speechless for a moment.
“By the way, what’s the name and appearance of this Dharma King from the Xuantian Sect?”
“The Purple Heaven Sect…”
“I knew many of their members back in the day,” Li Fan inquired.
Jiao Xiuyuan, still lost in thought, replied absentmindedly, “Oh, he shares your family name.”
“I think he’s called…”
“Li Chen?”