“Although it may seem a bit inconsiderate, we must admit that it was precisely this calamity that led to the demise of Daoist Zhou Qingang. As a result, the enormous debt we originally owed no longer needs to be repaid. As long as Elder Liu refines more Longevity Pills and other useful elixirs for sale, after a few years of accumulation, exchanging them for a Dao Integration cultivation method won’t be a problem,” Li Fan said confidently.
Upon hearing this, Liu San’s eyes regained a glimmer of spirit.
A few years of waiting was insignificant to him. As for Zhou Qingang, who had unfortunately fallen, Liu San had only met him a few times and had no deep connection with him. Naturally, he felt no sorrow.
“This person’s death is truly convenient! It saved me years of effort!” Liu San thought to himself.
Li Fan continued, “During this period of accumulating contribution points, I also need to devise a reasonable identity for Elder Liu. After all, with your Dao Integration cultivation, it’s not as easy to conceal yourself as it is for people like us. Originally, I planned to use the excuse of an ‘Ancient Cultivator Awakening from Slumber’ to get past any inquiries. But for some reason, recent events have made the cultivators of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance more cautious and skeptical of such claims. So, I need to come up with a more reliable explanation.”
“But Elder Liu, don’t worry, I already have some ideas in mind.”
Liu San did not dwell on the details of Li Fan’s words. His natural trust in Li Fan made him simply nod in agreement. “Young Master, you make the decisions!”
After temporarily reassuring Liu San, one of the two Dao Integration cultivators of the Medicine King Sect, Li Fan headed to the newly built artifact refinement workshop in Longevity Valley. There, he met another Dao Integration cultivator—Fang Zaiji.
At this moment, Fang Zaiji was staring intently at the Medicine King True Cauldron floating in the air before him, his eyes filled with fascination.
Beyond providing some comfort, Li Fan also hoped that Fang Zaiji’s artifact refinement skills would improve further—ideally to the point where he could enhance and modify the Medicine King True Cauldron.
As for why this was necessary…
In this lifetime, Li Fan intended to use his clone to control the Medicine King True Cauldron and break free from the Xuanhuang Realm, plunging into the Immortal Ruins to uncover its secrets!
He wanted to see with his own eyes—the figure within the Immortal Ruins. Was it alive or dead? What did it truly look like?
Li Fan knew that upon approaching the Immortal Ruins, the terrifying gravitational pull would warp even time and space.
A mere moment inside the Immortal Ruins could mean tens of millions of years had passed in the outside world.
Under normal circumstances, if one were to send an clone to explore, the immense time dilation would make it impossible to receive any information. The original body would simply perceive a loss of connection, and before any message could be transmitted back, the main body would have perished from the passage of time.
But Li Fan had a way to circumvent this issue.
It was thanks to the new ability [Incarnation] that he had awakened after absorbing the remnants of Tianyang.
Transforming into an object—traversing the ages!
In his previous life, with only a Golden Core cultivation, he had managed to exist in an [Incarnation] state for over three thousand years. Now, with his Five Elements Cave Heaven having elevated him to the Nascent Soul stage, his strength had undergone a qualitative transformation. Furthermore, he had awakened the Xuanhuang Immortal Heart Mantra, which should allow him to endure even longer.
It would be enough to withstand the long years and wait for his clone’s report.
The Immortal Ruins concealed great secrets, including but not limited to the lost history of the Xuanhuang Realm and its future destiny.
If he could glimpse its truth, it would be of immense significance to Li Fan—perhaps even revealing the mystery of the Fallen Immortals!
Of course, all of this was based on the premise that the Medicine King True Cauldron could withstand the terrifying gravitational force of the Immortal Ruins for long enough without disintegrating.
“The Medicine King Sect, due to material and cost limitations, did not forge the Medicine King True Cauldron from the highest-grade materials. However, its artifact refinement philosophy and techniques are unique and worth studying.”
“Give me enough time, and I will definitely return to you a stronger Medicine King True Cauldron!”
When Li Fan presented his request for strengthening the cauldron, Fang Zaiji responded with this firm declaration.
And Fang Zaiji was indeed highly skilled. The small cauldrons he casually refined in recent times were far superior to those used by disciples, already carrying traces of the True Cauldron’s essence.
At that moment, Fang Zaiji was so engrossed in his work that Li Fan had to call out to him several times before he finally snapped out of it.
Li Fan then narrated the events of the disappearance of Congyun Sea and the existence of Carefree Heavenly Sovereign.
Unlike Liu San’s shock, Fang Zaiji remained exceptionally calm.
He merely responded with a simple “Oh,” before once again focusing his gaze on the Medicine King True Cauldron.
After a while, seeing that Li Fan had not left, he finally asked, “Sect Master, is there anything else?”
Li Fan hesitated briefly before saying, “I intend to return to Congyun Sea. However, since the calamity has only recently passed, I am uncertain about the current situation. There may still be hidden dangers, so I would like to ask you to accompany me.”
Fang Zaiji’s expression instantly brightened.
He smirked smugly and said to Li Fan, “So, you finally understand who’s truly reliable in critical moments, huh? That Liu San is nothing more than a short-sighted servant who got lucky. When real trouble arises, you still have to rely on me!”
“Let’s go! We’ll set off immediately! With me here, you will be safe!”
Li Fan simply smiled and nodded without arguing.
Without alerting the other members of Longevity Valley, Li Fan and Fang Zaiji headed east, swiftly traveling toward Congyun Sea.
With Fang Zaiji’s assistance, they neared their destination in just over ten days.
However, upon entering Shilin Prefecture, Fang Zaiji suddenly halted and cast a glance toward the neighboring Yuandao Prefecture, his expression turning serious.
“Strange…” Fang Zaiji furrowed his brows, then shook his head and muttered to himself.
Li Fan’s heart stirred, but he feigned surprise and asked, “Sir, what’s the matter?”
“I sensed a familiar aura,” Fang Zaiji explained.
“A familiar aura? Could it be an old acquaintance?” Li Fan asked, astonished.
“No, it seems like [Heavenly Capital Purple Qi], but there’s something slightly different about it,” Fang Zaiji observed the distant scene carefully before speaking again.
“Heavenly Capital? That name sounds familiar, but I can’t quite recall it,” Li Fan followed Fang Zaiji’s gaze and pondered aloud.
Fang Zaiji chuckled, “It’s no surprise that you juniors don’t know. Even Liu San might not have heard of the name [Heavenly Capital]. I only learned of it during my travels, when I explored with the direct disciples of the Ten Great Immortal Sects.”
“You must have heard of the Xuantian Sect, right? Back then, the Xuantian Sect was at its peak, dominating the Xuanhuang Realm. The so-called Ten Great Immortal Sects were nothing more than its vassals, treated like mere cattle and horses.”
“Under normal circumstances, we cultivators would never have had a chance to rise up.”
“But one day, a surge of purple qi descended from the heavens, transforming into a massive, towering city that hovered in the sky.”
“The Xuantian Sect swiftly issued a decree forbidding anyone from approaching. But some cultivators, disregarding the risks, ventured inside.”
“And that… was the origin of the Ten Great Immortal Sects!”