Chapter 263: Attempting to Attain Immortality

Initially, some skeptical cultivators didn't take the Immortal Alliance's warning to heart. They continued to act recklessly, relying on their hidden cultivation techniques, attempting to sneak into Jiushan Province.

However, the Nascent Soul cultivators sent to suppress them were well-prepared. They joined forces to set up a large array, enveloping the entire Jiushan Province. This array's effectiveness wasn't in killing but in automatically marking the Five Elders' Association cultivators within its range.

For some unknown reason, as long as a cultivator from the Five Elders' Association entered the array, a towering beam of light would lock onto them. Even if they tried to conceal their traces, it was as clear as a candle in the dark.

With this array in place, there was no need for the Nascent Soul cultivators to take action. The infiltrators in Jiushan Province were torn to pieces by the Immortal Alliance cultivators.

This kind of array, capable of identifying the identity of both sides, had never appeared before. It hadn't even been used in the previous Tianling Province battle.

Its first appearance showcased its extraordinary effectiveness.

The Five Elders' Association seemed to have no immediate solution to this array and wasn't prepared for another all-out war. Therefore, they temporarily ceased their provocations and didn't take more aggressive measures.

However, it seemed like they hadn't completely abandoned their plan to explore the Chao Yuan Sect's relic.

They gathered their forces at the border of Jiushan Province, posing an attitude of potential invasion.

The frontlines were tense, and a full-scale war seemed imminent.

Meanwhile, in the safe rear of the Immortal Alliance, discussions among cultivators about the Five Elders' Association's motives became a hot topic.

According to common sense, both sides had recently ended a large-scale war, resulting in numerous casualties among the cultivators. During this time, they should be in a period of peaceful recovery.

However, the Five Elders' Association acted contrary to expectations, continually provoking the Immortal Alliance. What was their purpose?

Furthermore, the previous large-scale battle occurred due to the rare Five Elements Grand Cave. Why were they mobilizing for conflict again?

After much discussion and analysis, there were two prevailing possibilities.

The first was that there might be a real treasure inside the Chao Yuan Sect's relic, and the Five Elders' Association was willing to go to war with the Immortal Alliance to seize it.

The second reason could be that the situation in Jiushan Province was just a smokescreen for the Five Elders' Association's true plans. Taking advantage of the opportunity presented by the relic's emergence, they created a commotion to divert the attention of the Immortal Alliance.

Regardless of the purpose, it was certain that the Five Elders' Association had no good intentions.

For the vast number of Qi Condensation and Foundation Establishment cultivators, war seemed somewhat distant. After all, the last large-scale war, the Tianling Province battle, didn't involve them in the battlefield.

Moreover, the benefits from the war's aftermath, especially the discounts on cultivation techniques, were substantial.

Therefore, most people watched the unfolding events with a mix of nervousness and anticipation, keeping a close eye on further developments.

"Chao Yuan Sect…"

On the side of Congyunhai, the situation hadn't escalated to the point where array maintenance cultivators needed to patrol.

Li Fan continued to stay in the Tianxuan Mirror, gathering and reviewing information about the new events.

"From the cultivators who successfully explored the Chao Yuan Sect relic and safely returned, it seems like an ordinary relic. Besides being larger in scale, there doesn't seem to be anything particularly special about it."

"The only strange thing is that the interior of the relic is very neat, without any traces of battles or the remains of fallen cultivators. Even most of the restrictions within the sect relic are in an inactive state."

"It's as if, at a certain moment, all the Chao Yuan Sect cultivators disappeared, and the sect itself crossed thousands of years, directly descending into the present."

"It's said that even the few Nascent Soul cultivators from the Immortal Alliance who entered to investigate didn't find anything significant."

"Hmm, interesting…"

Li Fan's eyes flickered slightly.

Even discerning individuals could see that something was amiss with the Chao Yuan Sect. But since even Nascent Soul cultivators couldn't thoroughly investigate, it was undoubtedly exceptionally dangerous.

"I hope this world can yield results before I, Still True, arrive. In the next life, I can seize the initiative."

Just as Li Fan was patiently awaiting the next development of the situation, his clone received an urgent message from Jiao Xiuyuan.

As it turned out, Jiao Xiuyuan couldn't wait any longer and decided to hold the first auction for the Small Medicine King Cauldron.

"I've been planning for so long, and I've spent all the money I should spend. Seeing that things are about to heat up again, I can't wait any longer!" Jiao Xiuyuan complained.

"Although the cultivators might not be so financially comfortable at the moment, it's better than dragging it out for another few years without breaking even," he added.

While the claim of financial difficulty might not be entirely true, Li Fan agreed with Jiao Xiuyuan's decision. Holding onto the Small Medicine King Cauldron for too long could lead to trouble once the true Medicine King Cauldron appeared.

"I've chosen Tianhua Prefecture as the venue for the first auction. It's also located in the heart of the Immortal Alliance, connected to eight provinces, including Tianyu Prefecture. Cultivators in the province are generally wealthier than those in other provinces."

"Would you like to come and observe?" Jiao Xiuyuan extended an invitation to Li Fan, showing his respect for the architect of the business plan.

Li Fan smiled and declined, saying, "For such a grand event, as a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator, I won't go and join the hustle and bustle. I wish you success in establishing the reputation of the Small Medicine King Cauldron."

Although Jiao Xiuyuan felt a bit regretful, he didn't insist.

"By the way, Jiao Friend, what's your take on the recent activities of the Five Elders' Association?" Li Fan suddenly asked.

"The Five Elders' Association?" Jiao Xiuyuan was first stunned, then tilted his head in thought, as if receiving some information.

After a while, he replied, "In my personal judgment, this time is a probing action by the Five Elders' Association."

"Probing? Could you explain that?" Li Fan became interested and inquired further.

Jiao Xiuyuan lowered his voice, saying, "Let's keep this conversation private, Friend. Don't spread it around. I have a special source of information. It seems that a certain Daoist Sovereign within the Immortal Alliance wishes to overturn the principles of heaven and earth to achieve immortality."

"This Daoist Sovereign has a good relationship with other powerful Daoist Sovereigns in the alliance. Rumor has it that they've enlisted considerable assistance. I'm not sure where they've gone."

"I suspect the Five Elders' Association got wind of this and wants to apply some pressure, testing whether the information is accurate or not."

"The upheaval in Jiushan Province was just an appetizer. If everything goes as expected, more significant events will follow."

Li Fan was initially intrigued by Jiao Xiuyuan's words, thinking that the Daoist Sovereign he mentioned was Blue Feather Immortal Sovereign from Dao Yuan Prefecture. However, as the description continued, it became clear that it didn't match Blue Feather's characteristics.

"Another one aiming for ascension to the Immortal Ascension Realm?" Li Fan's interest was piqued.

However, a sense of doubt arose in his mind. "This Daoist Sovereign wants to break through, and yet they're seeking assistance from friends. Aren't they afraid..." Li Fan didn't finish his sentence, but the meaning was clear.

Originally, I had written a complete version, but unfortunately, it was slapped in the face, so I had to tear it up and rewrite it.

Reading it again at home, my heart is hard to calm.

Nian Nu Jiao · Deng Duo Jing Lou (The Author is Chen Liang from the Song Dynasty)

Wandering on the precarious tower, sighing about the encounters of past and present, how many people have understood. Ghosts are arranged and gods are manipulated, mistakenly believing in heaven, spanning southern territories and northern borders. One river stretches horizontally, connecting three sides of the ridge, forming a dominant posture. What happened in the Six Dynasties? Only private calculations for the gateway to success.

Laughing at Wang Xie and others, climbing high with distant thoughts, also learning from heroes shedding tears. Able to rely on the Yangtze River to not reach, the Huai River's fishy smell is endless. It's just the right time to drive, with no need to look back, to seek a vow in the middle of the flow. The child breaks the thief, with momentum, why ask who is stronger.