Chapter 254: Ruo Shui and Zheng Hao

Li Fan's thoughts quickly shifted, and he instantly understood the origin of the "extreme danger" in He Xinxin's calculations.

It was the same flaw revealed when his clone faced the Heavenly Doctor before.

In this life, even if He Xinxin's deduction didn't occur, according to Li Fan's original plan, he would still go to Dao Yuanzhou. Would "it" notice when it devoured time again at Anchor 29? Was there already a trace on Li Fan, a sign that "it" had taken a bite?

However, "it" could confirm that it hadn't stolen Li Fan's time before. "It" believed that this unknown terrifying existence could instantly think of the most likely reason for this incident.

Facing the Heavenly Doctor, Li Fan could still activate "还真" with a clear mind. However, when facing this creature that could devour others' time, Li Fan didn't even have a chance to silently recite "还真." The reason for the extreme danger lay not in certain death but in the fact that perhaps the only lifeline was the proactive protection from "还真." It could awaken Li Fan's consciousness and resist for a moment, giving him the opportunity to use "还真."

Now, Li Fan had a basic speculation about the "disappeared ten years." In his view, this might be the closest guess to the truth. As for other possibilities...

If it was just an inability to detect the stolen ten years in one lifetime and awakening immediately after using "还真" to review the events of the previous life, Li Fan might suspect whether it was caused by the Blue Feather Immortal Lord's "Devouring Yuan Rebirth Grand Formation."

But the fact that it could influence "还真," making Li Fan unable to perceive it until reminded and searching for a long time, ruled out this possibility.

Li Fan didn't underestimate Blue Feather. With only his quasi-Saint-level strength, he might not be qualified. 

"In this world, full of wonders and dangers... Even a small mistake can lead to a complete loss. It's precisely because I have '还真' that, in the face of top powerhouses in this realm, the danger becomes even greater."

"The only good news is that 'its' influence seems to be limited to Dao Yuanzhou. Moreover, it doesn't have proactive hostility; it just steals time."

"In the tenth life, when I first entered the cultivation world, I transformed into a sea of clouds and lived until Anchor 48, but nothing happened during that time."

"It seems like Dao Yuanzhou is off-limits from now on."

"I also need to find a way to eliminate 'its' influence on me; otherwise, it could be a significant hidden danger."

People are like this. When facing completely unknown fears, the heart trembles uncontrollably. But once there's even a conceptual understanding of the opponent, the fear diminishes. As understanding deepens, fear dissipates step by step.

Although Li Fan currently didn't know what "it" was, he might as well consider it a top powerhouse lurking in Dao Yuanzhou, capable of devouring the lifespan of living beings. If you can't provoke it, just avoid it.

At least, from the current situation, "还真" should be more powerful than "it." As long as he doesn't run into "it" again, there shouldn't be a problem.

"It's also my fate not to die. Before going to Dao Yuanzhou, I encountered He Xinxin and resolved the disaster."

"Speaking of which, Dao Friend He is truly my lucky star. If it weren't for the sudden failure of his surveillance mechanism, I wouldn't have had the whim to come to the Crystal Island."

Thinking of this, Li Fan showed a rare gentle smile.

Seeing this, He Zhenghao inexplicably felt a pang in his heart and quickly asked, "Dao Friend Li, are you okay?"

Li Fan patted his shoulder. "It's nothing serious, just a minor issue. Thanks to your daughter's blessings, I've already figured out a solution."

"Speaking of which, I really need to thank Xinxin. Without her reminder, I wouldn't know what would have happened!"

Praised by Li Fan, He Xinxin blushed immediately, looking embarrassed.

He Zhenghao, on the other hand, laughed heartily, very pleased.

"Xinxin, how long do you plan to stay here..." Li Fan knew that He Xinxin must have sneaked out and couldn't stay with He Zhenghao all the time, so he asked.

"Whenever my mother finds out, I'll go back..." He Xinxin spoke halfway, then suddenly realized something.

Sticking out her tongue, she looked at He Zhenghao, who seemed a bit embarrassed, and lowered her head, not saying anything more.

He Zhenghao moved her aside and began to tell Li Fan about his past with He Xinxin's mother.

It was a typical third-rate love story.

He Xinxin's mother was named Heng Ruo Shui, a native of Tian Yu Zhou. When she was young, she secretly traveled outside without her parents' knowledge and met He Zhenghao.

At that time, He Zhenghao was quite handsome.

Heng Ruo Shui had little contact with other men. Spending time together day and night naturally led to the development of feelings between them.

Just when the couple was deeply in love, Heng Ruo Shui's parents suddenly appeared.

After careful observation of He Zhenghao, they didn't immediately intervene but took the two back to Tian Yu Zhou.

In the following period, numerous outstanding young talents appeared, pursuing Heng Ruo Shui.

In terms of appearance, each of them had sharp eyebrows and a handsome demeanor. In terms of cultivation, most were at the Golden Core or Yuan Ying stage, with Foundation Establishment cultivators unable to even enter Heng Ruo Shui's sight.

At that time, He Zhenghao was only in the later stages of Qi Refining.

Faced with cultivators two major realms higher than himself, He Zhenghao dared not even show his presence.

Heng Ruo Shui still had some feelings for He Zhenghao, but when faced with these much more outstanding cultivators, she did not develop a new love. However, she couldn't help but criticize He Zhenghao for his miserable appearance.

At that time, He Zhenghao was young and hot-tempered. His pride got the better of him, and he had a big argument with Heng Ruo Shui.

He even made bold claims that he would become a Yuan Ying cultivator and make a name for himself.

This impressed Heng Ruo Shui.

Shortly afterward, He Zhenghao left.

Young He Zhenghao then experienced a series of hardships in life.

After much effort, he finally cultivated to the Foundation Establishment stage.

Participating in the Ten-Year Assessment held by the Wan Xian Alliance, he prepared to enter the Guardian Hall and become a Guardian.

To his surprise, he did pass the assessment, but the position was not a Guardian; it was a Guardian Commander.

What's more, the area he was appointed to guard was not Tian Yu Zhou but a remote place called Cong Yun Hai that he had never heard of before.

Originally, He Zhenghao wanted to refuse, but the appointment order had already been issued at lightning speed.

Facing the command from the Wan Xian Alliance, He Zhenghao dared not defy it.

Even if he knew there was something fishy going on, likely orchestrated by Heng Ruo Shui's parents, he had no choice but to reluctantly go to Cong Yun Hai.

He stayed there for decades.

Both his love life and career were in decline, and He Zhenghao lost all his aspirations.

His cultivation stagnated at the middle stage of Foundation Establishment. Ironically, he became engrossed in array formations and made quite a few friends in that field.

Right or wrong, there was no turning back.

During a casual chat with a friend, He Zhenghao accidentally learned that Heng Ruo Shui was pregnant back then.

Knowing her parents strongly opposed, and with He Zhenghao disappearing, she used a secret technique to temporarily halt the fetus's growth to ensure its safety.

She secluded herself, diligently cultivating for over a decade, becoming a Yuan Ying weaving master.

Only then did she reveal the truth to her parents and give birth to the child, naming her He Xinxin.

This revelation caused a stir in Tian Yu Zhou, and Heng Ruo Shui was hailed as an extraordinary woman.

Many cultivators were not bothered by her having a child and vigorously pursued her.

However, she rejected all of them without exception.

In the distant Cong Yun Hai, He Zhenghao, upon hearing this, felt like he was struck by lightning.

Tears flowed, regretting his past but unable to do anything about it.

He didn't have the face or courage to meet Heng Ruo Shui again.

Until He Xinxin sensed her biological father's life-threatening crisis and came to this remote Cong Yun Hai...

After He Zhenghao's storytelling, tears shimmered in his eyes, and he sighed.

Li Fan, after listening, couldn't help but silently curse, "He Zhenghao, what kind of man are you?"

But then he patted his shoulder, making a grand promise, "Dao Friend He, rest assured. One day, I will make sure you return to Tian Yu Zhou gloriously and make up for everything!"

"A hundred years might be an unbridgeable gap for ordinary people, and regrets may seem irreparable."

"But for us cultivators, it's not something that cannot be remedied!"

(End of this chapter)