An item capable of influencing or even altering the mindset of a Dao Integration cultivator must undoubtedly be a supreme treasure.
After all, with the Longevity Immortals remaining hidden, Dao Integration cultivators stand at the pinnacle of authority in the Xuanhuang Realm.
Thus, even after experiencing multiple reincarnations and uncovering countless secrets of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, Li Fan still did not know whether the alliance possessed an artifact comparable to the [Fruit of True Temptation].
Therefore, to resolve Jiang Yushan’s hidden concerns, he had no choice but to seek out the Five Elders Association!
Fortunately, Li Fan had already determined his bargaining chip for this trade with the Five Elders Association.
As for how to establish contact with them…
During this period, disciples of the Medicine King Sect had been scattered throughout various regions of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, gathering intelligence.
Following Li Fan’s instructions, they identified a number of suspicious individuals based on previously known methods used by Five Elders Association spies to make contact.
After reviewing the list of cultivators and cross-referencing it with knowledge from his past lives, Li Fan finally confirmed the identity of one particular spy.
This Wang Qiupo, despite only being at the Golden Core stage, had already reached the astonishing age of eight hundred years.
His lifespan far exceeded the typical limits of a Golden Core cultivator. Though his hair had turned completely white, his spirit remained vigorous, showing no signs of aging.
Having lived for such an extraordinarily long time, all those from his era who were still alive had already ascended to Soul Transformation or Dao Integration levels, holding key positions within the Immortal Alliance.
As the saying goes, one must respect the monk for the sake of the Buddha. Even though Wang Qiupo himself lacked remarkable abilities, his vast network of connections made him influential.
As a result, even the City Lord of Tianliang treated him with great courtesy.
Yet, no one would have ever imagined that such a figure was, in fact, a spy for the Five Elders Association.
This infiltrator had remained hidden for so long—buried so deeply—that when he finally perished in Li Fan’s previous life, the Five Elders Association openly revealed his identity, intending to mock the Immortal Alliance.
Embarrassed by the revelation, the Immortal Alliance immediately suppressed all information regarding the matter.
Li Fan had only heard rumors of a deeply hidden spy whose exposure had caused the Immortal Alliance great humiliation but had never known the spy’s actual name.
Only in this life, after observing Wang Qiupo’s unusual behavior—combined with intelligence gathered by Medicine King Sect disciples and his own past-life knowledge—was he able to deduce the truth.
“It seems that Wang Qiupo’s lifespan is nearing its end,” Xu Bai mused before swiftly departing Longevity Valley.
Stepping into the White Mist, he soon encountered a Samantabhadra True Boat.
The occupants of the vessel failed to notice Xu Bai and continued flying deeper into the mist.
“More and more people are passing through here. I wonder how much longer this place can remain hidden.”
With that fleeting thought, Xu Bai exited the White Mist and set out directly for Tianliang Prefecture.
Tianliang Prefecture.
Located in the northwest of Tianling Prefecture, Tianliang was renowned for its perpetual autumn-like climate.
It was said that the lingering killing intent from an ancient war had never dissipated, leaving the land barren and unable to sustain normal growth. This unique phenomenon was what gave the region its distinct character.
Wang Qiupo did not reside in Tianliang City.
Instead, he lived in seclusion beneath Liang Mountain, in a humble cottage.
Though his dwelling was remote, many cultivators eager to benefit from his connections frequently visited to curry favor.
Most of them, however, were turned away, leaving disappointed.
When Xu Bai arrived, he found a long queue already formed at Wang Qiupo’s doorstep.
Over ten cultivators were patiently waiting for their turn.
Xu Bai’s presence immediately attracted their attention.
One cultivator even offered to swap places with him in line.
Xu Bai first thanked the cultivator for their kindness before politely declining with a smile.
His courteous demeanor won over the gathered cultivators, who, in turn, enthusiastically began explaining the situation to him.
Old Wang didn’t know why, but he had been feeling quite irritable lately. He had already rejected the visits of a hundred cultivators in a row.
“Old Wang has always been eccentric. No one can guess what he’s thinking. But that doesn’t stop people from trying. Who knows? Maybe when it’s their turn, his mood will suddenly improve. After all, there’s precedent for this!”
“That’s right. There was once a young Foundation Establishment cultivator, completely unknown. But after receiving Old Wang’s recommendation, he soared to prominence overnight and directly entered the Immortal Alliance system.”
The gathered cultivators were engaged in heated discussions.
Meanwhile, under Wang Qiupo’s repeated angry shouts of “I’m not seeing anyone!” the line outside gradually shortened.
Some cultivators who were turned away left with their heads hanging low, while others had expressions of frustration.
However, none dared to speak out of turn.
Otherwise, even without Wang Qiupo lifting a finger, the waiting cultivators at the entrance—eager to win his favor—would immediately step in to teach them a lesson.
Xu Bai, however, remained composed, patiently waiting in silence.
Finally, when it was his turn, he stepped forward and heard a deep voice from inside:
“You brat, why have you come?”
Xu Bai’s cultivation was actually higher than Wang Qiupo’s, yet the latter still addressed him that way.
None of the surrounding cultivators found this surprising.
Xu Bai, too, was unfazed. He cupped his hands in greeting and said with a smile:
“I have come to…”
“…send you off!”
His voice was as loud as a bell, echoing at the foot of Cool Mountain.
The gathered cultivators were stunned. They stared at Xu Bai in disbelief, as if unable to comprehend how such an elegant-looking person could utter something so disrespectful.
Many even showed regretful expressions.
“This is bad. He’s completely enraged Old Wang now. We probably won’t get to see him for months!”
However, things took an unexpected turn.
At first, the hut fell into complete silence.
Then, Wang Qiupo’s hearty laughter erupted from within.
With a loud boom, the doors swung open. Wang Qiupo instantly stopped laughing and said:
“Interesting. Come inside, brat. I want to see what gives you such a bold tongue!”
Xu Bai remained calm and strode into the house.
The doors closed behind him, cutting off everything inside from the outside world.
Inside the hut—
Wang Qiupo scrutinized Xu Bai and raised an eyebrow.
“You’ve got quite the fine appearance. Brat, you—”
Before he could finish, Xu Bai interrupted him:
“Do you realize that you don’t have much time left?”
Wang Qiupo’s eyes narrowed instantly.
“You…”
“Do you want to die alone in a foreign land, or do you wish to return home before the end?” Xu Bai continued, completely ignoring the other’s reaction.
“!”
Wang Qiupo abruptly stood up from his reclining wooden chair, his movements so swift that he showed no sign of age.
“Young man, what exactly do you mean?” He clutched his wooden staff tightly, pressing it against the floor, his eyes glinting with danger.
Xu Bai met his gaze without a hint of fear and asked, enunciating each word clearly:
“Where is your homeland? The Land of Carefree Bliss? Realm of Reality? Or the Humane Heavenly Domain?”
In an instant, a violent surge of spiritual energy erupted from his body.
The wooden staff in Wang Qiupo’s hand glowed with a cyan light, as if he was ready to fight to the death.
But just then, Xu Bai spoke a single sentence that made him change his mind.
“Do you want to go home?”
“Our Heaven-Suppressing Society can help you.”
Xu Bai smiled—a sincere and confident smile.