“One person’s defection is manageable, but what I fear most is them seeking merit by sacrificing our Medicine King Sect.”
Liu San’s eyebrows slightly furrowed as he said, “Therefore, the Young Master must prepare thoroughly.”
Li Fan feigned hesitation but eventually let out a long sigh and reluctantly agreed.
“The Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance has everything one could need. As long as we have enough contributions, acquiring a powerful controlling technique shouldn’t be too difficult.”
“It’s just that we’ve already accumulated significant contribution debt…”
Hearing this, Liu San patted his chest confidently, reassuring Li Fan.
“This time, when I returned, I brought some top-quality mature herbs from the Longevity Valley. They should be enough to refine some high quality Longevity Pills.”
Li Fan nodded. “In that case, I will have to trouble you again, Elder Liu.”
Liu San waved it off without concern and immediately led a group of disciples to begin refining the Longevity Pills.
Once the Congyun Sea disappears, the Immortal Alliance will likely investigate the surviving cultivators from the area.
As members of the Medicine King Sect are all registered as being “from the Congyun Sea,” if only they survive this calamity, it might arouse suspicion.
To avoid this, Li Fan planned to muddy the waters. He intended to find an excuse to send out another group of people from the Congyun Sea. The number of survivors would need to be at least double the registered cultivators of the Medicine King Sect to make it appear reasonable.
As he deliberated over names, one by one passing through his mind, he was about to leave when he suddenly heard the cry of a baby.
Startled, Li Fan scanned with his spiritual sense, and his expression became somewhat peculiar.
It turned out that, being young men and women full of vigor, some had inevitably developed romantic feelings for each other while living together on the island.
To his surprise, the newborn’s mother was none other than the mother of Han Wuyou from his previous life, though her father was now a different man.
“So, in this lifetime, Han Wuyou won’t exist?”
“Does this mean that nothing is truly predestined? Or does fate itself constantly shift with the actions of living beings?”
Li Fan’s eyes narrowed slightly as he fell into deep thought.
The birth of new life always brings hope, especially to these young people who had been confined for so long.
They gazed at the wrinkled face of the baby girl with genuine joy, grinning foolishly.
Su Xiaomei, in particular, was overjoyed, hopping around and clamoring to hold the baby. However, she was firmly stopped by Xiao Heng.
Watching the warm scene on the island, a distant memory of a similar moment surfaced in Li Fan’s mind, causing a fleeting ripple in his gaze.
But the emotion quickly dissipated.
“Without longevity, all is fleeting.”
Having witnessed too many instances of parents burying their children and personally experiencing numerous separations through life and death, Li Fan no longer dwelled on such matters. ȐΆƝȯΒĚš
With a cold heart, he turned away and flew toward Congyun Immortal City in the clouds.
Upon his return to the city, Li Fan spotted a familiar figure.
“It’s her? So, she also sensed her father’s peril?” Li Fan’s eyes flickered.
A young girl was sitting in a room in the Administrative Hall, curiously looking around. She was none other than He Zhenghao’s daughter, He Xinxin.
Meanwhile, He Zhenghao, usually idle and not very busy with work, appeared to be working frantically.
“Lord He, please, you must help our island!”
“My lord, the Taian Fruits from Taian Island have had a poor harvest this year. Could we ask for some leniency?”
…
A crowd of people surrounded He Zhenghao, following him as he entered the room.
He Xinxin first studied He Zhenghao carefully, confirming that this man was indeed her father, and a look of surprise flashed across her face.
Then, noticing how busy he appeared at the center of the crowd, her face showed a trace of astonishment.
After all, she was young and couldn’t hide her emotions well.
He Zhenghao noticed all the expressions on his daughter’s face and couldn’t help feeling a bit proud.
“Ahem…”
He cleared his throat, putting on a stern face, and reprimanded, “I’ve told you all—I’m handling urgent matters right now! Here’s what we’ll do: come back tomorrow, and I’ll make sure everything is properly taken care of!”
The cultivators around He Zhenghao exchanged glances and nodded in agreement before scattering and disappearing in no time.
Li Fan found the scene amusing. This group was clearly invited by He Zhenghao to help him put on an act, just to impress his daughter.
“What a little scheme…”
Li Fan continued observing from the shadows.
Meeting his daughter for the first time, He Zhenghao seemed somewhat nervous. He stared at He Xinxin for a long time before murmuring, “She looks like me… truly like me…”
He Xinxin timidly looked back at He Zhenghao. When their gazes met, she quickly averted her eyes in a fluster.
After a long silence, He Xinxin finally mustered up the courage and softly called out, “Fa…ther…”
He Zhenghao’s eyes instantly filled with tears.
However, he quickly suppressed his emotions and stepped forward hastily, holding He Xinxin’s small hands.
“Ah…”
“Let me take a good look at you…”
He Zhenghao seemed to be in a dream.
“I never imagined that I’d have a daughter…”
He Xinxin’s eyes reddened as well, and she began to sob softly.
A reunion between a father and daughter who had been separated for many years was naturally a touching and emotional scene.
After a long time, their emotions finally calmed down.
He Xinxin said, “I wanted to come find you a few years ago, but Mother suddenly appeared and stopped me.”
“She wouldn’t let me come no matter what, so it was delayed.”
He Xinxin pouted, looking quite upset.
Hearing this, He Zhenghao’s expression grew somber.
“It’s my fault. It’s only natural that your mother wouldn’t want you to see me. Don’t blame her.”
As he spoke, He Zhenghao hesitated for a moment. “But why did your mother suddenly let you come now?”
“Has she forgiven me? Has she changed her mind?”
He Zhenghao was overjoyed.
He Xinxin’s face turned slightly red, and she tugged at He Zhenghao’s clothes, shaking her head slightly.
“No, Father. Mother doesn’t know. I succeeded in establishing my foundation and sneaked over here without telling her.”
He Xinxin stuck out her tongue, looking a little embarrassed.
He Zhenghao’s body stiffened slightly, and his expression became a bit awkward.
Seeing this, He Xinxin quickly changed the subject.
“Father, you don’t know, but I came here at the risk of being scolded because I have something very important to warn you about.”
He Xinxin’s face turned serious.
“What important matter?” He Zhenghao, though somewhat dismissive, still tilted his head to listen, noticing her solemn demeanor.
He Xinxin lowered her voice and said, “When I broke through, I had a premonition that your life is in danger, Father.”
“That’s why I traveled all this way to find you.”
“I’ve discovered that the danger comes from this Congyun Sea. Father, come back with me. As long as you leave this place and return to Tianyu Prefecture, you’ll be safe.”