“Danger?” He Zhenghao was slightly stunned.
Then, he dismissed the idea with a smile and said, “Xin Xin, you’re overthinking this! Your father now oversees the administration of the Congyun Sea and stays in the Bureau Hall all day, without venturing out. How could there be any danger?”
“It’s true!” Seeing her father’s disbelief, He Xinxin stomped her foot in frustration.
She leaned closer and whispered, “Father, you don’t know. My Foundation Establishment treasure is an innate companion artifact called the Dao Pattern Compass. The cultivation technique I practice was custom-made by Mother for me, known as [Heavenly Dao Net]…”
After listening to his daughter’s explanation, He Zhenghao was slightly tongue-tied.
He had thought that by following the secret envoy, he had done well for himself, earning enough contribution points to barely count as a prominent figure.
Yet, compared to the deep-rooted heritage of cultivation families like the Heng clan in Tianyu Prefecture, he realized there was still a vast gap.
At the very least, the concept of a custom-tailored cultivation technique was something far beyond his current capability.
This realization left He Zhenghao with a bitter feeling in his heart.
Looking at her serious demeanor, He Zhenghao began to feel doubtful.
“It’s impossible. How could there be a life-threatening crisis in Congyun City? I’ve been upright and honest lately, not doing anything to provoke the secret envoy’s wrath.”
Pondering over it carefully, He Zhenghao’s brow furrowed tightly.
“Could it be that the Five Elders Association is up to their old tricks, planning another surprise attack on Congyun Immortal City?” Suddenly, He Zhenghao recalled past events in the Congyun Sea and was startled.
“That can’t be… Didn’t we just host a friendly exchange meeting recently?” His expression grew uncertain.
Pacing back and forth in the room, his face betrayed his growing anxiety.
He Xinxin, seeing her father’s indecision, couldn’t help but feel both worried and frustrated.
Moreover, He Zhenghao’s reaction fell far short of her expectations. She had thought he would immediately follow her back to Tianyu Prefecture after hearing the deduction results. Disappointed, she began to feel a bit resentful of his lack of trust. ℞äΝȯ𝔟Еš
Unaware of his daughter’s emotional turmoil, He Zhenghao continued to hesitate.
It wasn’t that he didn’t believe her. As someone who had personally witnessed the power and influence of the Heng clan in Tianyu Prefecture, he understood their capability all too well. The [Heavenly Dao Net] his daughter practiced did not appear to be ordinary.
But He Zhenghao had risen from a destitute and marginalized guardian of an island to become a key figure in the Congyun Sea, with countless cultivators eager to curry favor with him.
This hard-earned status was not something he could abandon easily, not even for his daughter’s warning.
Furthermore, his roots were firmly planted in the Congyun Sea. Without the connections he had painstakingly built here, he would be reduced to nothing.
Even if he returned to Tianyu Prefecture, what would he become?
A Golden Core cultivator too insignificant to even qualify as a guard for the Heng family.
What face would he have to meet Heng Ruoshui again?
…
Gradually, He Zhenghao made up his mind.
With a sly glint in his eye, an idea came to him. Smiling, he said, “Xin Xin…”
He Xinxin glared at him, puffing her cheeks in anger.
He Zhenghao, slightly embarrassed, straightened his expression and said, “I know you care about me and that your cultivation technique is extraordinary. But the world is unpredictable, and the art of deduction is, after all, just that—deduction.”
“It only reveals one of many possible outcomes for the future. As for whether it will actually happen…”
“Even a Longevity Immortal Heavenly Sovereign wouldn’t dare guarantee it, would they?”
He Xinxin, unconvinced, pursed her lips but couldn’t find a rebuttal.
At this moment, He Zhenghao spoke again, “Moreover, speaking of the art of deduction, my direct superior—Secret Envoy of the Congyun Sea and a cultivator of the Ancient Heavenly Mechanism Sect, Master Li Fan—he’s far superior to you!”
“That’s truly world-shaking and awe-inspiring! I’m a trusted confidant of Lord Secret Envoy. If there really were any danger, how could he not warn me?”
Hearing this, He Xinxin’s eyes widened in surprise. “Li Fan of the Heavenly Mechanism Sect?”
She had heard of the name Li Fan before. He had accurately predicted several major events that were about to occur in the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, something she herself could not achieve.
Could it be that she had indeed made a miscalculation? For a moment, He Xinxin hesitated, feeling unsure.
Seeing the effect of his words, He Zhenghao immediately pressed his advantage.
“If you’re still worried, I’ll ask secret envoy myself in your presence.”
As he spoke, He Zhenghao took out a shard of a jade slip left by Li Fan and began summoning.
In no time, Li Fan’s projection appeared in midair in the room.
“What is it?” Li Fan asked indifferently, his expression emotionless.
At the same time, his gaze casually swept over to He Xinxin.
The young girl showed no fear, meeting Li Fan’s eyes directly.
In contrast, He Zhenghao lowered his head nervously, recounting the situation in a submissive manner.
“Dare I ask, Master, will there be any upheaval in the Congyun Sea soon?” After explaining, he looked at Li Fan with hopeful anticipation.
A silence fell over the room.
On the projection, the Heaven and Earth Divination Dice seemed to spin unceasingly in Li Fan’s palm.
“Dao Pattern Compass? As expected, the Heng family of Tianyu lives up to its reputation.”
“Your daughter possesses such exceptional talent that her future achievements will certainly not be beneath mine.”
After a brief pause, Li Fan did not directly answer He Zhenghao’s question but instead looked at He Xinxin and praised her.
He Zhenghao was stunned. He had not expected lord secret envoy to discern his daughter’s abilities with just one glance.
He Xinxin, too, was astonished, her mouth slightly agape.
“You flatter me, Lord,” He Zhenghao replied hurriedly.
“Such promising youth,” Li Fan shook his head, seeming to recall something with a hint of nostalgia.
Then, he pointed a finger toward He Xinxin’s forehead.
“Lord!” He Zhenghao’s expression changed slightly, but he quickly realized Li Fan bore no malice and was merely imparting knowledge to his daughter. This calmed him.
Soon, golden light dissipated, and He Xinxin regained her composure.
She began examining the newfound knowledge in her mind.
Taiwei Celestial Calculations, Thousand Mechanisms Hidden Records,Theories of Qi Mechanism Circulation…
These were works of the Ancient Heavenly Mechanism Sect?
Moreover, they were versions she had never encountered before.
Her eyes lit up, and she was overjoyed.
With a radiant smile, she bowed and said softly, “Thank you, Senior.”
“No need to be so formal. It’s rare to find a suitable candidate. Besides, these are not particularly valuable,” Li Fan replied with a wave of his hand.
Then, he turned his gaze to He Zhenghao.
He Zhenghao felt his heart skip a beat.
“Will there be upheaval in the Congyun Sea?” Li Fan chuckled lightly.
“If I’m not leaving, what are you so afraid of, He Zhenghao?”