261 Chapter 511-515: Hidden Malice (6k+ words)
When Li Fan found Sister Zhao, she was watching the sparring between Qin Shou and other disciples of the Moonlight Sect.
Qin Shou's cultivation was truly remarkable, displaying both offensive and defensive capabilities with his earth-yellow divine radiance.
At the mid-Yuan Ying stage, he effortlessly sparred with a fully cultivated Nascent Soul expert, displaying calm endurance even after continuous hours of battle.
Under Zhang Wangshuang's guidance, none of the disciples could surpass him, and Qin Shou, giving face to Zhang Wangshuang, either achieved a draw or hard-fought victory after prolonged battles.
Despite losing to him, Sister Zhao's fellow disciples held no resentment toward Qin Shou. Instead, they admired his character.
Even Sister Zhao, witnessing Qin Shou's prowess, couldn't help but be impressed.
Observing from a distance, Li Fan couldn't help but curse inwardly, "Good thing I came out in time; otherwise, the whole place might have been turned upside down."
Quietly approaching Sister Zhao, he gently held her slender hand.
Sister Zhao, momentarily surprised, looked at Li Fan's sudden appearance but didn't pull away.
"Is this Qin Senior Brother from the Lianshan Sect? Truly impressive! I wonder when I can reach his level," Li Fan said with a hint of admiration.
Sister Zhao, initially worried about Li Fan's reaction to gossip, found her concerns unnecessary.
For some reason, amidst a sense of relief, there was a slight sense of loss in her heart.
However, not showing it, she smiled and consoled Li Fan, "Junior Brother, your diligence in cultivation is truly rare. Catching up to Senior Brother Qin's footsteps won't be difficult."
Li Fan remained silent, just shaking his head slightly, sighing internally.
Seeing his reaction, Sister Zhao was puzzled and quickly asked through voice transmission, "What's wrong? Did you encounter any trouble during this closed-door cultivation?"
Li Fan slowly replied, "Originally, I intended to break through and form the Golden Core in one go during this closed-door session. However, every time I entertained this thought, my spiritual sense would strongly warn me, as if some catastrophic event would occur if I proceeded."
Hearing this, Sister Zhao frowned. After a moment of contemplation, she reassured him, "Forcing the formation of the Nascent Soul is not advisable. Your premonition should not be taken lightly; it indicates the timing is not right."
"Yeah, that's what I think too," Li Fan nodded.
Suddenly, he changed the subject, "Since joining the sect, I haven't left the mountain for several years. The cultivation world is vast, and I've been confined to the sect. Now that my cultivation progress has been hindered, I plan to go down the mountain and seek breakthrough opportunities."
"Junior Brother, you..." Sister Zhao was surprised and then tried to dissuade him, "The area below the mountain is not as peaceful as within the sect. Besides various demonic beasts, even loose cultivators are not easy to deal with. For spirit stones and techniques, they can resort to anything. Even we, disciples of the Great Dao Sect, have had cases of mysteriously disappearing when going down the mountain."
Li Fan interrupted her, determined, "I've made up my mind, Sister. You don't need to persuade me. The path of cultivation is long and challenging. If I lack the courage for even this, how can I accompany you on the journey ahead?"
Hearing Li Fan's straightforward confession, Sister Zhao blushed slightly, gripping his hand tighter.
Meanwhile, on the stage, Qin Shou, who had gained absolute superiority once again and was about to achieve another victory, turned to see Sister Zhao looking affectionately at Li Fan. His concentration wavered for a moment, almost losing to his opponent.
With a hint of resentment in his eyes, Qin Shou quickly retracted his gaze, focusing on the ongoing battle.
After finally turning the tide and securing victory, Qin Shou discovered that Sister Zhao and Li Fan had already left.
Although he smiled on the surface, a flame of jealousy burned within him.
Seven days later, Li Fan left the Great Dao Sect, seeking opportunities to form his Nascent Soul.
Worried about Li Fan's safety, not long after he left, Sister Zhao, citing the search for a breakthrough opportunity, also descended the mountain.
Though her intentions were evident to everyone, her master, Zhang Wangshuang, did not object. Instead, she bestowed upon Sister Zhao a "Heaven's Guidance Token," which could guide her to opportunities in critical moments.
Chapter 512: Sinister Intentions
After leaving the sect, Sister Zhao quickly found Li Fan using the prearranged contact method. Using the Heaven's Guidance Token, they headed southwest, crossing a series of mountains, and arrived at ruins hidden deep within a dense forest.
After a day of rest, they decided to explore the ruins the next day.
That night.
"Sister, have you noticed anything unusual? It seems like someone has been secretly following us all the way," Li Fan pretended to sleep but secretly transmitted his voice.
After a moment of silence, Sister Zhao replied, "Could it be that you are too suspicious? I haven't noticed anyone tracking us."
Li Fan was confident, "My intuition has always been accurate. Sister, do you remember the day in Daqing Mountain when bandits attacked the village? It was because I suddenly felt uneasy that you accompanied me outside to relax, and we narrowly escaped disaster."
"This feeling is exactly the same as back then."
Hearing this, Sister Zhao was convinced to some extent.
"What do you plan to do?" she asked.
Li Fan snorted, "Lure the snake out of its hole."
The next day, just as they were about to set off, they had a dispute over a trivial matter.
The argument was intense, and Sister Zhao even said hurtful words like, "You're only here today because of me. What gives you the right to be angry with me?"
Li Fan's expression turned ugly, and he left on the spot, entering the ruins alone.
Sister Zhao, still angry, didn't immediately chase after him.
At that moment, an inconspicuous insect followed Li Fan into the ruins.
As Li Fan battled the demonic beasts within the ruins, a hidden sword strike was aimed at him.
He was on the verge of being killed.
In a critical moment, a cold moonlight emanated from Li Fan, and in the blurred light, Sister Zhao's graceful figure could be vaguely seen.
However, at this moment, the stunning face of the beauty was filled with killing intent.
Amidst a violent explosion, Qin Shou was forced to reveal his figure.
"Senior Brother Qin, it's you?!" Zhao's main body and her shadow clone, who arrived later, surrounded Qin Shou, showing disbelief.
"Fighting among fellow disciples is a great taboo! Why would you do such a thing?" Zhao's main body questioned.
Seeing the exposure, Qin Shou dropped the act.
Uttering filthy words, he stared at Sister Zhao with a lecherous gaze, no longer hiding his wicked intentions.
(End of this chapter)
Chapter 512: Cultivating Together in Heaven and Earth
"After I kill your little lover, I'll take my time with you!"
"The Moonlight Constitution as a cauldron, will undoubtedly help me advance to the Nascent Soul realm!"
Revealing his true identity, Qin Shou launched an attack on Li Fan and Sister Zhao.
Although Sister Zhao had achieved perfection in the Golden Core realm and was a rare talent, facing a genius like Qin Shou proved challenging. Li Fan, on the other hand, was a complete burden.
Qin Shou aimed all his attacks at Li Fan, who was behind Sister Zhao.
Originally struggling to cope, Sister Zhao had to hastily respond to protect her lover's life.
Seeing defeat was imminent, they had no choice but to rely on the treasure bestowed by their master, retreating into the depths of the ruins.
Utilizing the mechanisms and exotic beasts hidden within the ruins, they managed to temporarily shake off Qin Shou.
Unable to find the two for a moment, Qin Shou unexpectedly set up a formation outside the ruins.
He swore to capture them alive within the formation.
"This is the Central Wugui Formation. If the formation is completed, there will be no escape for both of you." A resolute expression appeared in Sister Zhao's eyes.
"When I go out to fight him to the death, take the opportunity to escape. You must return to the sect and expose his true identity to our master," Sister Zhao said, determined.
Drawing her sword, she was about to fly out when she noticed the Heaven's Guidance Token bestowed by their master shining again.
"Sister, wait! It seems there's still hope!" Li Fan quickly shouted.
Following the light of the Heaven's Guidance Token, the two found a hidden chamber deep within the ruins.
In the chamber lay a peculiar set of bones, several times larger than an average human, with over a thousand bones arranged in a seemingly integrated but discordant manner.
Beside the bones, Li Fan found a storage ring.
Inside were several manuals, including one with a unique style and the character "Mysterious" engraved on it.
"Script of the Heaven and Earth Covenant," Li Fan mumbled as he browsed through the manuals, revealing a hint of joy in his eyes.
"Sister, look at this. 'Script of the Heaven and Earth Covenant' is actually a rare dual cultivation technique. According to the explanation in the manual, both practitioners will greatly advance during the first cultivation. We might be able to break through together..." Li Fan was talking incessantly when he suddenly noticed Sister Zhao's unpleasant expression.
"Sister Zhao, what's wrong?" Li Fan felt something was amiss and quickly asked.
"This place should be a stronghold of the Profound Heaven Sect." Sister Zhao stared at the giant bones on the ground and said in a deep voice, "This person should be one of the former kings of the Profound Heaven Sect."
"Profound Heaven Sect?" Li Fan furrowed his brows, "Never heard of it. So what?"
Sister Zhao patiently explained, "The Profound Heaven Sect was an evil sect that unified the world in ancient times. The leader of the sect claimed to be a heavenly king. They seized the heavenly mandate and committed all kinds of atrocities. In the end, they were overthrown by a coalition of cultivators. Although the Profound Heaven Sect has been annihilated for thousands of years, its remnants are still active."
"The ten sects of the immortal path, including our Grand Dao Sect, still harbor great vigilance against the remnants of the Profound Heaven Sect."
"The survivors of the Profound Heaven Sect are to be killed on sight."
Li Fan understood Sister Zhao's point but still disagreed, "The Profound Heaven Sect is the Profound Heaven Sect, and the techniques are just techniques."
"Are good and bad really distinguishable in cultivation techniques?"
"We are authentic disciples of the purest Grand Dao Sect. We are not remnants of the Profound Heaven Sect. To preserve our lives, what's wrong with practicing their techniques?" Li Fan argued.
Sister Zhao still frowned, "It's not the same..."
Li Fan scanned the surroundings, and the light from the Central Wugui Formation outside became denser.
"Anyway, it's better than losing our lives now. Moreover, falling into the hands of Qin Shou, death would be a luxury." Li Fan persuaded.
"Even if we practice their techniques, we can abolish them after we overcome this difficulty."
After much contemplation, feeling the increasing pressure from the external formation, Sister Zhao finally nodded in agreement.
Chapter 512: Cultivating Together in Heaven and Earth
So, the two of them began studying the "Script of the Heaven and Earth Covenant" together.
In the immersive dual cultivation of souls, they felt inseparable from each other.
Thoughts intertwined, blending like water and milk, a moment surpassing countless years.
Their breaths synchronized and resonated, continuously strengthening.
In the end, with the power of dual cultivation, Sister Zhao successfully ascended to the Nascent Soul realm.
Meanwhile, Li Fan successfully formed his Nascent Soul.
Sister Zhao, who had broken through to a higher realm, experienced a qualitative leap in her combat power.
Taking advantage of the final moments of the formation's completion, the two broke the formation and confronted Qin Shou.
Days of arranging the formation consumed much mental energy.
Seeing Li Fan and Sister Zhao both breaking through, Qin Shou, whose schemes were about to fail, felt a violent shock, struggling to accept the reality.
With his plans in disarray, facing Sister Zhao's lethal attacks, he became increasingly frantic.
Li Fan's occasional telepathy further fueled his anger, causing him to lose control.
"Senior Qin, are you curious why both of us achieved a breakthrough so quickly?"
"Hahaha, thanks to your little act!"
"At the critical moment in the ruins, we found a dual cultivation technique."
"Do you understand what dual cultivation means, Senior Qin?"
"Tsk tsk tsk..."
"If not for your little performance, I wouldn't have achieved my goal so soon. I wonder when it would have happened!"
Li Fan kept taunting Qin Shou with words.
At the same time, taking advantage of his loss of composure, they launched attacks.
The seamless coordination between the two infuriated Qin Shou even more.
"You! Damn you!"
Abandoning all reason, Qin Shou launched a frenzied attack against both of them.
Sister Zhao and Li Fan, working together, found it challenging for a while.
But an irrational assault couldn't last.
Gradually, once they adapted to Qin Shou's attack rhythm, he fell into a disadvantageous position.
In the midst of this fierce battle, Qin Shou despairingly realized the severity of his injuries.
Thinking of escaping again became impossible.
"You despicable couple! I curse you!"
In the spiteful gaze of Qin Shou, Sister Zhao swung her sword.
Qin Shou's head flew high, refusing to close his eyes in death.
Seeing their formidable enemy meet his end, Li Fan finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"Just now, I deliberately provoked him. If my words were offensive in any way, please forgive me, Senior Sister," Li Fan expressed some remorse to Sister Zhao.
"We are already a married couple. Do we still need to be so formal?" Sister Zhao asked, frowning.
Li Fan slapped his forehead, "I was being foolish!"
After cleaning up the aftermath, the two returned to the hidden chamber within the ruins.
Physically and mentally exhausted, Li Fan embraced Sister Zhao and fell into a deep sleep.
When they woke up, instead of immediately returning to the sect, after some hesitation, they decided to abandon the "Script of the Heaven and Earth Covenant."
There are many dual cultivation techniques; they don't necessarily have to choose this one.
However, after some experimentation, the two exchanged a glance, and their expressions changed slightly.
Chapter 513: Deep-Seated Challenges
In less than a day, the power of the "Script of the Heaven and Earth Covenant" had become as if it were innate, deeply ingrained in their very bones.
It seamlessly merged with their individual cultivation, becoming indistinguishable.
Like the fundamental cultivation method that served as the source of their progress, forcefully abandoning it might lead to a decline of several major realms. It could even severely damage their Dao foundation, making them forever unable to cultivate.
"This..." Li Fan sat cross-legged on the ground, attempting for a long time before reluctantly giving up, his face looking grim.
Sister Zhao, with a slight furrowed brow, said, "The demonic arts of the Xuan Tian Sect are indeed mysterious. It seems we cannot easily rid ourselves of it."
"It's said that the Tai Shang Original True Scripture of the Tai Shang Sect allows cultivators to change techniques as they wish. If we have the chance to study it, we might be able to abolish this 'Script of the Heaven and Earth Covenant.'"
"The Tai Shang Original True Scripture?" Li Fan furrowed his brows slightly. Although he had never heard of this technique, he strangely felt a sense of familiarity.
Sister Zhao shook her head and gave up on this unrealistic fantasy. "Unfortunately, like our Dao Sect's 'Daoist Path Scripture,' it's a mysterious technique, not passed down to others. Only the direct disciples of the sect leader can practice it, not to mention us outsiders."
Seeing Sister Zhao at a loss, Li Fan embraced her, comforting her softly, "Given the circumstances, we can only take it one step at a time."
"The Xuan Tian Sect has been extinct for a long time, and the 'Script of the Heaven and Earth Covenant' is just a dual cultivation technique. I doubt even the elders of the sect can discern anything."
Although Sister Zhao nodded in agreement, the worry in her eyes was hard to dispel.
The two of them recuperated in the secret chamber within the ruins for half a month, during which they thoroughly consolidated their cultivation realms using the power of dual cultivation.
Only then did they set out to return to the Dao Sect.
Before leaving, Sister Zhao used her sword to destroy the remnants of the ruins completely.
Back at the sect gate, the shattered life lamp of Qin Shou had long caused a commotion.
Sister Zhao and Li Fan secretly discussed the matter and believed that it couldn't be concealed.
They jointly faced the sect leader, explaining the situation of Qin Shou following them secretly and plotting against them, ultimately being killed by their combined efforts.
However, they concealed certain details and did not mention anything about the Xuan Tian Sect.
They only said that they broke through at a critical moment in the face of life and death, allowing them to successfully counter-kill Qin Shou.
Zhang Wangshuang seemed as if she had long known about it and didn't express much surprise.
They were sentenced to ten years of confinement, protected and detained on the back mountains.
Ten years passed in the blink of an eye.
The storms within the Dao Sect were no longer related to the two confined in the forbidden chambers.
Initially, there was some hesitation about practicing dual cultivation within the sect, but in the third year, both of them encountered a bottleneck. Gathering courage, they decided to practice the "Script of the Heaven and Earth Covenant" together once again.
Perhaps due to the prolonged dry spell or the improvement in their cultivation, the effect of this dual cultivation surpassed that of three years ago.
Sister Zhao broke through to the mid-Nascent Soul stage, while Li Fan reached the mid-Golden Core stage.
The rapid progress left them amazed.
However, the concerns in their hearts inevitably surfaced.
They knew that occasional breakthroughs could be explained by chance encounters. But consistently progressing at such a rapid pace exceeded the scope explainable by their talents, surely raising suspicions.
If it were discovered that they possessed demonic arts from the Xuan Tian Sect, the consequences would undoubtedly be extremely dire. Having their cultivation abolished would be the least of their worries.
After a difficult discussion, they decided not to engage in dual cultivation unless absolutely necessary.
Plans were beautiful, but...
Five more years passed, and that peculiar bottleneck reappeared within their bodies.
Despite their efforts, they couldn't make the slightest progress.
Chapter 513: Deep-Seated Challenges
The two struggled to persist for a year.
For an entire year, they didn't take a moment's rest, dedicating all their energy to cultivation.
They attempted to break through the bottleneck through sheer willpower, but all their efforts were in vain.
The despair of stagnant cultivation tormented them.
Li Fan and Sister Zhao were both devoted to the Dao and couldn't accept remaining at their current cultivation levels forever.
So, in the ninth year of their confinement, unable to resist, they engaged in dual cultivation for the third time.
Like dry firewood meeting a fierce flame, the sensation was more intense than before.
As expected, after the dual cultivation, the bottleneck vanished without a trace, and their cultivation advanced further.
Although they didn't achieve an immediate breakthrough, it was not far off.
After the passion settled, the calmness that followed left them frightened.
One reason was their fear of the discovery of practicing the forbidden techniques of the Xuan Tian Sect.
The second reason was the mysterious nature of the "Script of the Heaven and Earth Covenant," and they worried that it might control them for the rest of their lives.
Being proud individuals, they couldn't tolerate such a fate.
In the final period, they refrained from cultivation. Instead, they spent their days in simple living, like an ordinary married couple.
Simultaneously, they researched ways to break free.
"All things are born naturally, so there is talk of heavenly fathers and earthly mothers in the world. Since the birth of all living beings, they have [marks] left by the heavens and earth."
"It's rumored that the Xuan Tian Sect stole the authority of the heavens and earth and gained the power to change these [marks]."
"Even a defenseless commoner, once [conferred] by the Xuan Tian Sect, could be no different from us cultivators."
"Moreover, it is said that the Tianwang of the Xuan Tian Sect also holds the so-called [Eternal Life Position]. Anyone who obtains it can achieve eternal life, living as long as the heavens and earth."
Sister Zhao shared the secret information she had heard from various sources with Li Fan.
"Eternal life..." Li Fan's eyes flashed with an inexplicable expression.
"Sister, are you suggesting that the techniques of the Xuan Tian Sect also have the ability to manipulate these [marks]?"
Sister Zhao sighed lightly, "It's just my speculation. What remains of the Xuan Tian Sect in the world is only bits and pieces. But from the words, you can vaguely sense how terrifying the Xuan Tian Sect was. The rules were strict, as if dictated by the heavens. They dominated the world, and no one dared to defy them."
"Although they are like a rekindled ghost, getting rid of them won't be easy."
Li Fan grabbed Sister Zhao's hand, his gaze determined, "Don't worry; we will definitely succeed."
Time flew, and the ten-year confinement period came to an end.
The sealed door opened with a bang, and the two walked out of the forbidden chamber with a nervous heart.
Initially, they were a bit worried that their rapid progress within ten years would arouse suspicion.
However, upon returning to the sect gate, they were astonished to find that their modest cultivation progress was now considered insignificant.
This realization dawned on them in the second year of their confinement.
During this time, a so-called "new method" quietly spread.
Absorbing the essence of heaven and earth, employing strange techniques mimicking heaven and earth, and peering into the laws of heaven and earth...
Until going against the natural order.
It was entirely opposite to the current practice of sensing the heavenly way and aligning with it. It plundered the heavens and earth, employing any means necessary.
But the actual results far surpassed the current cultivation methods.
(End of this chapter)
Chapter 514: Immortals Aim to Sever the Transmission
Initially, the senior members within the sect regarded the "new method" as a shortcut, a minor path, and dismissed it.
However, as disciples secretly practiced it, their progress became rapid.
Incidents of disciples surpassing their masters' cultivation levels in an incredibly short time became frequent.
As a result, the situation began to change.
Seeing a multitude of disciples rapidly advancing, the elders of the Great Dao Sect became somewhat uneasy.
Although the Great Dao Sect still adhered to certain hierarchical positions and seniority, the law of the jungle in the cultivation world, where the strong prey on the weak, remained difficult to change.
In the past, the elders, relying on their own cultivation and status, firmly controlled the sect's power.
However, as they aged, they saw their cultivation levels being caught up to and even surpassed by the sect's disciples.
Unable to ignore the challenge to their ruling position, they were compelled to act.
So, the senior elders divided into two factions.
One faction believed that the "new method" plundered the heavens and earth, and although cultivation progress was rapid, it was not the righteous path. Prolonged use might cause irreversible damage to the heavens and earth, necessitating a complete ban.
The other faction argued that the vastness of the heavens and earth was endless. While cultivators might ruthlessly plunder during their lifetime, supplying their own cultivation, not everyone could reach the realm of eternal life. Once they fell, everything they had devoured would return to the heavens and earth.
Thus, there was no need to worry about it.
Now that the "new method" had spread worldwide, numerous wandering cultivators rose in power due to it. Other sects also had many disciples practicing it, significantly enhancing their strength.
If the Great Dao Sect refrained from adopting the new method, they would undoubtedly fall behind.
Both factions had their reasons, and neither side yielded. However, the faction supporting the new method secretly cultivated it. After a long period of stagnation, their strength increased, gradually gaining the upper hand.
...
When Li Fan and Sister Zhao emerged from seclusion, they witnessed this chaotic scene.
"Going against the natural order?" Sister Zhao repeated softly, a strange glint in her eyes.
However, for some unknown reason, while Li Fan was extremely fascinated by the new method, he also felt an inexplicable sense of anxiety.
As if some colossal disaster was hidden within it.
"Regardless, the peculiarities of our cultivation in 'Script of the Heaven and Earth Covenant' should not be easily noticed by others."
"Sister, what do you think of this so-called 'new method'?"
Sister Zhao chuckled, "Just a clever shortcut. No matter how fast it is, can it be faster than our dual cultivation technique?"
"But as a cover, it should work well."
After pondering for a moment, Li Fan nodded in agreement.
So, the two of them outwardly adopted the new method, while continuously leveraging the power of dual cultivation, seizing this rare opportunity to elevate their cultivation levels.
Another decade passed.
The conflict between the old and new methods escalated.
Not only was there internal strife within the sect, but outside the sect, wandering cultivators formed the "Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance," attempting to challenge the authority of the ten immortal sects.
Internal power struggles among their own people were one thing, but outsiders wanting a piece of the pie was another matter.
In order to maintain their dominance, the ten immortal sects, who claimed to be united, but were actually plotting against each other, once again joined forces after several years.
They formed a coalition to suppress and crush the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
Initially, they thought these foundationless wandering cultivators would quickly be defeated under the joint attacks of the ten immortal sects.
However, the developments were somewhat unexpected.
At the beginning, facing the onslaught of the ten immortal sects, the so-called Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance collapsed directly, with heavy casualties.
But their numbers were just too many.
Even if one batch was completely wiped out, a new group of cultivators quickly emerged.
Moreover, every battle resulted in some cultivators from the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance narrowly escaping.
After surviving bloody battles, the strength of these cultivators also underwent transformation. Even the geniuses of the ten immortal sects found it increasingly difficult to kill them.
There were countless ordinary people in the world, and with the support of the new method, these ordinary people quickly transformed into a living force for the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
On the other hand, the ten immortal sects, with their proud dignity and strict disciple selection, faced challenges in recruiting new members.
Once defeated in battle, if disciples perished, it often took several years, or even more than a decade, to replenish their numbers.
With this give-and-take, the gap in strength between the two sides gradually diminished.
The conflict reached a stalemate.
Moreover, as casualties varied among the sects, the once united immortal sect coalition began to show internal disagreements.
There were even cases where some sects intentionally refrained from participating in battles to preserve their strength.
Everyone knew that with the situation reaching this point, the rise of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance was unstoppable.
However, the leaders of the ten immortal sects remained unwilling to accept it. They couldn't bear to divide the world they had just gained among these mortals who were originally beneath their notice.
Thus, a plan was devised to capture the thief first by capturing the king.
The rapid rise of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance was greatly attributed to those so-called "transmitters of the law."
These transmitters were loyal to the immortal sect leader who initiated the transmission.
As long as the leader was killed, the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance would lose its spiritual leader and inevitably fall apart.
The law transmitter himself only had Dao Unity cultivation, and among the ten immortal sects, there were many experts in the realm of longevity.
As long as they could find him and execute the beheading plan, the current predicament could be resolved.
The ten immortal sects reached an agreement, each dispatching powerful internal members to form teams, vowing to assassinate the law-transmitting immortal.
However, due to the elusive nature of the law transmitter, the ten immortal sects also sent elite disciples to travel the world and gather information to determine his whereabouts.
Li Fan and Sister Zhao were naturally among them.
This search took more than twenty years.
With the help of dual cultivation, Sister Zhao had successfully advanced to the Nascent Soul realm.
As for Li Fan, he broke through to the Core Formation realm, albeit a bit slower.
They traveled throughout the Xuanhuang Realm, killing numerous wandering cultivators along the way.
Yet, they never found a trace of the law transmitter.
"Sister, what's your take on this person transmitting the law?" Li Fan asked.
"The Law-Transmitting Immortal..." Sister Zhao pondered for a moment and shook her head slightly.
"I don't know."
Li Fan was somewhat astonished by her response.
Sister Zhao continued, "The Law-Transmitting Immortal single-handedly altered the cultivation world's landscape. Such a monstrous figure has never appeared in the Xuanhuang Realm for countless years."
"But all the information is based on rumors. The origin and motives of this person are still a mystery."
"I'm afraid we can only get answers by meeting him in person."
"I wonder if our other fellow disciples have made any progress."
...
While the two were chatting, they suddenly received a message from the sect.
After checking, their expressions became extremely serious.
It turned out that the "Beheading Plan," which had made no progress for more than twenty years, had been unexpectedly canceled.
Li Fan and Sister Zhao exchanged a glance, knowing that something significant must have happened.
(End of this chapter)
Chapter 515: Sudden Disappearance of the Longevity Realm
Returning to the sect in haste, Li Fan and Sister Zhao were astonished to find an atmosphere of mourning among the disciples.
Upon inquiring, they learned what had happened – the head of the Dao Unity Sect, the powerful longevity realm expert Fang Dingge, had fallen.
While shaken by this news, Li Fan and Sister Zhao couldn't help but be filled with endless questions.
As one of the leaders of the Ten Immortal Sects, Fang Dingge was already among the strongest in this realm. His cultivation in Dao Unity was profound and immeasurable, even among the Longevity Realms.
How could such a figure meet his end?
As they delved deeper into the information, the situation seemed increasingly absurd and mysterious. Not only was the cause of Fang Dingge's death a mystery, but his corpse was also nowhere to be found.
Rather than falling, it seemed more like...
Disappearing.
However, the shattered soul lamp in the sect, the proof of his demise, left no room for doubt.
Despite numerous doubts and frustrations, they couldn't change this undeniable fact.
The announcement of the sect leader's death to the public was only finalized after intense debates among the sect's elders.
Such a significant event could not be concealed, especially since not only Fang Dingge but also other Longevity Realm experts from various sects had reportedly fallen.
The news was horrifying. Although the Ten Immortal Sects strictly controlled the information, it couldn't prevent its rapid spread.
So many Longevity Realm experts all falling at once. Who could have done this?
Li Fan and Sister Zhao immediately thought of the so-called "transmitter of the law."
Because the fallen Longevity Realm experts were the same ones who had agreed more than twenty years ago to unite and assassinate the "transmitter of the law." Now, their sudden demise made the Transmitter of the Law from the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance the prime suspect.
However, this reasoning didn't hold up.
The "Transmitter of the Law" had not yet advanced to the Longevity Realm. If he truly had the strength to defeat Longevity Realm experts using Dao Unity, he should have seized the opportunity to rally the world's cultivators and overthrow the existence of the Ten Immortal Sects during the victorious momentum.
However, this "Transmitter of the Law" had only appeared briefly during the initial transmission of the law and rarely at other times. Most of the time, he remained mysterious, and his whereabouts were unknown.
Or perhaps, after killing the Longevity Realm experts of the Ten Immortal Sects, the Transmitter of the Law himself suffered severe injuries, forcing him into hiding?
Even so, he could have informed the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance of his achievement to boost morale.
But, from what Li Fan knew, the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance also seemed shocked by the simultaneous fall of the Longevity Realm experts.
It seemed they were unaware of this event.
From beginning to end, this incident revealed mysteries and absurdities.
Li Fan and Sister Zhao were unable to recover for a long time after receiving the news.
The Longevity Realm they had sought so desperately, was it really so fragile? Was there any difference between them and ordinary cultivators? Did their cultivation have any meaning?
In the endless confusion, the two engaged in dual cultivation for several days before finally calming down.
"This matter is definitely not as simple as it appears. Rather than falling, I believe they have broken free from restraints and transcended the boundaries," Sister Zhao said calmly, her expression serious.
"Restraints?" This was the first time Li Fan had heard about it, and he couldn't help but ask.
"Quite some time ago, Master mentioned it to me by chance," Sister Zhao furrowed her brows, as if trying to recall.
"At that time, I asked Master what true freedom was, achieving longevity and claiming freedom. Master remained silent for a long time, sighed, and said, 'The heavens bind all beings, and no one can escape. Even Longevity Realm experts are still trapped. When the Ten Immortal Sects overturned the Xuan Tian Sect, they didn't completely overturn it.' When I wanted to ask more, he refused to say anything more."
Li Fan was shaken by this revelation. "Longevity Realm experts still can't achieve true freedom?"
Looking at her lover's distracted look, Sister Zhao couldn't help but comfort him. "Their simultaneous disappearance might be a good thing. At the very least, it indicates the possibility of breaking free and truly transcending the Longevity Realm."
Li Fan thought for a while and finally nodded, "Senior Sister, when the time comes, let's both achieve enlightenment and transcend the boundaries. From then on, we can soar together, free and easy, leaving behind a beautiful story in the Xuan Huang Realm."
A blush appeared on Senior Sister Zhao's face.
When love reached its peak, the two once again engaged in dual cultivation.
---
The disappearance of the Longevity Realm experts had a profound impact on the current situation in the Xuan Huang Realm.
After the funeral was completed, the Dao Unity Sect fell into the vortex of competing for the position of sect leader.
The sudden event caught everyone off guard, including Fang Dingge himself. Consequently, the next sect leader had not been determined.
With Fang Dingge's direct disciples only reaching the Divine Transformation realm, how could they shoulder the responsibility of sect leadership?
As the surviving Longevity Realm seniors within the sect expressed no interest in inheriting the position, a group of elders eagerly eyed the opportunity.
Inevitably, conflicts arose.
Senior Sister Zhao's master, Zhang Wangshuang, had reached the Unity of Dao realm in recent years. Naturally, he harbored ambitions for the position of sect leader.
Power struggles were often cruel.
A year later, the dust settled.
Due to his slightly lacking background within the sect, Zhang Wangshuang, regrettably, lost.
The Dao Unity Sect's sect leader position was inherited by Ji Changxi, a descendant of the Tianchen lineage.
While internal struggles in the sect didn't escalate to life-or-death battles, the substantial loss of vitality was inevitable.
After assuming the position of sect leader, Ji Changxi did not initiate any drastic reforms. Instead, he focused on recuperation and restoring strength.
To counter the declining conditions of the sect's disciples, he even issued an order to relax the promotion requirements for outer disciples. Every three years, an internal competition was held, with the cultivation quality of disciples becoming an important criterion.
Under these circumstances, Senior Sister Zhao, who repeatedly achieved victories in the competition, gradually became the brightest star among the Dao Unity Sect's younger disciples.
In contrast, Li Fan, with more defeats than victories, seemed somewhat inconspicuous.
The most beautiful gem deserved only the strongest hero.
Li Fan's mediocre performance and his constant presence beside Senior Sister Zhao naturally displeased some disciples within the sect.
Many outstanding individuals ignored Li Fan's existence and launched vigorous pursuits of Senior Sister Zhao.
Even Zhang Wangshuang, who had a relatively tolerable attitude towards Li Fan, gradually changed his stance.
Sensing the crisis, Li Fan made a decisive move.
On a sunny afternoon, he proposed to Senior Sister Zhao.
There were no celestial treasures or peerless magical artifacts.
He just gazed at her affectionately and said, "Senior Sister, be my Dao companion. From now on, let's walk hand in hand, seeking longevity together."
Without any hesitation, Senior Sister Zhao agreed.
(End of this chapter)
