Chapter 561-565: Mixed Feelings (6k+ words)

He Zhenghao's worries disappeared naturally after the prices of stockpiled goods doubled.

"One hundred million contribution points, that's one hundred million contribution points!" He Zhenghao's eyes were bloodshot, and his body couldn't help but tremble slightly.

The constant rise in prices brought psychological stimulation, making him feel like he was on cloud nine, reaching an extraordinary state.

He Zhenghao swore that he had never been so happy in his life.

"Master Secret Envoy mentioned casually when giving me the inventory list that since I control this fundraising, my profit share has increased from one percent of the first three times to ten percent."

"In just one day, I earned contribution points that I couldn't have earned in a lifetime."

Blood rushed to his head, and He Zhenghao felt his body boiling.

A boundless courage surged in his heart, and the usually feared iron rules of the Immortal Alliance seemed less terrifying.

"Raise it for me! The prices are rising so fast, surely I'm not the only one doing this. The law does not blame the crowd!"

"Besides, even if the sky falls, Master Secret Envoy will bear the responsibility. I'm just following orders!"

He Zhenghao muttered to himself and quickly convinced himself, erasing any fear from his heart.

All that remained was the wild joy brought by massive profits.

In the entire Wanxian Alliance, many cultivators were as ecstatic as He Zhenghao.

In an unknown space.

"A big harvest, a big harvest. This profit directly compensates for the losses before. There's even extra!"

"How about that! I was right, wasn't I? I knew that Li Fan guy had a few tricks up his sleeve. This time, we bet right! Follow him and enjoy the benefits!"

"Hehe, Senior Lu, how do I remember that last time you clearly expressed opposition?"

"Nonsense! You must be mistaken!"

...

Zhou Kebao watched his companions around him ecstatically, and he also felt a bit excited.

Up to this point, he had made a profit of nearly two million contribution points.

Although he didn't know the specific profit situation of others, judging from their performance, they definitely made a considerable profit too.

"Li Fan's predictive ability is truly terrifying. He could foresee a war that erupted without any warning."

As for the reason for the sudden declaration of war by the Wanxian Alliance, Zhou Kebao and the others were still investigating.

They hadn't obtained a definite result yet.

"Ah, I'm still too cautious. If I had invested more initially..."

A thought flashed through Zhou Kebao's mind.

Just then, a voice suddenly sounded.

"Hmm? Where's Senior Long?"

For a moment, the place fell silent.

"Yeah, I remember he was very decisive this time, spending at least five million contribution points to stockpile goods. He should be making a huge profit!"

"Could he still be in seclusion, unaware that the prices have skyrocketed?"

"I'll contact him and share the good news!"

To their surprise, all messages went unanswered.

The people couldn't help but look at each other.

Just as they were puzzled, the figure of Long Yueyou appeared before them.

Dazed, bloodshot eyes, pale complexion.

All the people present had an indistinct ominous premonition in their hearts.

Finally, Zhou Kebao was the first to ask, "Senior Long, what happened? Why are you..."

Long Yueyou seemed a bit absent-minded.

Zhou Kebao called him several times before he snapped back to reality.

Looking at the people around him, Long Yueyou's lips trembled slightly. He summoned all his strength and finally said slowly, "My brother... unfortunately, he fell!"

Boom!

Everyone felt like their brains were heavily hammered, feeling a bit dizzy.

Long Nine Abyss, who had just achieved the rank of Dao Ancestor, had fallen?

Chapter 562: Mixed Emotions

In an instant, the atmosphere in the room became deathly silent.

The joy of earning numerous contribution points vanished in an instant.

For them, the loss of a Dao Ancestor was something that no amount of contribution points could compensate for!

Amidst the profound shock, a sense of dread crept over them.

A Dao Ancestor had fallen at the very beginning of the great war. The scale of this conflict was likely far beyond their imagination.

How many would perish in this war?

For a moment, even these profit-seeking cultivators couldn't help but feel a chill.

In the political hall of Congyun City, chaos ensued.

Although the Immortal Alliance had issued a mobilization order, they couldn't get in touch with Master Secret Envoy no matter what.

Even though Li Fan had announced his deep seclusion a month ago, given the gravity of the situation, he left the difficult problem to his subordinates...

Wasn't this a bit too much?

Countless cultivators complained inwardly.

"Everyone!"

Gao Yuan looked at the diverse expressions of the crowd and knocked on the table.

"Now that Master is absent, the moment to test us has arrived," he said solemnly.

"At present, although the situation is unclear, it is undeniable that this war will not end easily. We need to be mentally prepared."

"Especially since Congyun Hai borders the Five Elders Council, we must patrol and be on guard against cultivators from the other side."

Gao Yuan paused, looking at the worried faces. He had to reassure them, saying, "However, there's no need to worry excessively."

"When the sky falls, there's always someone tall enough to hold it up. Since the last time Congyun Hai was destroyed by the Five Elders Council, we still haven't recovered."

"Even Nascent Soul cultivators are in short supply. With this level of strength, we shouldn't have to go all out."

Hearing this, the cultivators felt somewhat comforted, but Gao Yuan had one more thing on his mind that he didn't say.

If it came to the point where the remaining cultivators in Congyun Hai had to go to the battlefield, the brutality of this war...

Gao Yuan couldn't help but shiver.

---

While the entire Wanxian Alliance was in chaos due to the unexpected mobilization order, Li Fan was quite relaxed.

He finished the cup of translucent blue liquid in his hand, gave a thumbs up, and praised, "Good wine!"

"With such fine wine and Senior Sima recounting exciting events from a thousand years ago, life is truly fulfilling! What more could one ask for?"

Sima Changkong, slightly intoxicated, responded, "Although I've just met you, I feel a sense of camaraderie. Fate is truly wonderful!"

"Come, let's have another drink!"

Sima Changkong poured the wine into his mouth.

"Senior, which part of the history of the Xuanhuang Realm would you like to hear next?"

"Events from ancient times are hard to trace, but I'm quite knowledgeable about the history since the Wanxian Alliance was reestablished."

He looked slightly drunk but proud as he spoke.

"I heard that about five hundred years ago, there was a collective uprising of small worlds against the immortal realm."

"Please share the story, Senior!"

Li Fan, half-drunk and half-awake, said.

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 562: Discussing Ancient History Over Wine

"Counterattack against the immortal realm..."

Sima Changkong squinted his eyes, as if recalling something.

After a moment, he slowly said, "Nowadays, when people mention this incident, cultivators often dismiss it as a farce. However, the scale of the coalition of small worlds was not as simple as a farce."

"Otherwise, why would even the perennially hostile Wanxian Alliance and the Five Elders Council unite against them?"

Li Fan's eyes flashed imperceptibly. He leaned forward, asking in a vague tone, "Unite? To deal with the coalition of small worlds?"

"Sima Fellow Daoist, could you be mistaken? Weren't these small worlds inhabited by ordinary people who were exiled?"

"Why would we cultivators exert so much effort against these ants? Moreover, we have the Supreme Being suppressing the world. Can they really defeat us?"

Sima Changkong, faced with Li Fan's disbelief, didn't get angry. Instead, he smiled faintly, flicked his finger, and a drop of blood flew between them.

The blood droplet, like a living creature, hovered in the air, then wriggled and spread in all directions, forming a canvas made of blood mist.

On the canvas, scenes of thrilling battles unfolded one after another.

The side in combat should be the cultivators of the Xuanhuang Realm. But the other side, equally capable of flying and escaping, clearly wasn't composed of mere mortals.

Although their methods of fighting varied, they were able to engage cultivators in a back-and-forth battle.

Some relied solely on their physical bodies, resisting the attacks of cultivators' flying swords and Dao techniques. Approaching, they tore the cultivators apart with bare hands.

There were also those stationed in the rear, remotely controlling strange energies that descended from the sky, locking onto cultivators and launching targeted attacks.

Furthermore, some were shapeless, transparent figures resembling white skins. They floated and roamed in the center of the battlefield. When someone was seriously injured, they attached themselves to that person. Those seemingly dying individuals would instantly revive, regaining their combat strength.

Li Fan stared at the ever-changing scenes in the blood screen, and his expression gradually became serious.

"Where are the high-level cultivators of our Xuanhuang Realm? Dao Ancestors and experts in the Longevity Realm—do they just watch us fight without any reaction?" Li Fan's tone showed some dissatisfaction.

Sima Changkong shook his head slightly. "Not exactly. They naturally have their opponents too."

"Although our ancestors couldn't witness the scenes of the powerful experts in battle due to their limited cultivation realms, it's said that our Xuanhuang Realm suffered heavy losses as well."

Sima Changkong sighed, "To the point that for the past five hundred years, both sides have been unwilling to provoke each other and have focused on recuperating."

Li Fan was somewhat surprised. "So powerful? Are these people really from small worlds?"

"Yes and no." Sima Changkong summoned a mermaid-like creature and filled the cups for both of them.

He continued, "They are just pawns controlled by others."

"The true mastermind behind the scenes is someone else."

Li Fan was slightly shaken and asked eagerly, "What do you mean by that?"

"Their origin seems to trace back to the time just after the ancient calamity. The specifics are not recorded by our ancestors," Sima Changkong said.

"But based on the fragmented information gathered after the war, it seems they are a group of 'returners.'"

Sima Changkong looked puzzled as he continued, "Not only did the high-level cultivators of the Xuanhuang Realm who fought against them call them traitors, but even those who didn't know their identities harbored immense resentment upon seeing them."

"Even during the battles, thunderbolts descended, striking these people."

"They seem to be hated by the entire Xuanhuang Realm."

"Returners, traitors..." Li Fan pondered upon hearing this. From Sima Changkong's description and his previous experiences in Senior Zhao's illusion, he couldn't help but make some conjectures.

Originally, when various calamities such as the Incompatible Paths Tribulation and the Immortal and Mortal Miasma descended, the ten immortal sects initially planned to unite and face these challenges together.

Chapter 562: Brewing Wine and Discussing Ancient History

"But later, the situation deteriorated too quickly, and the various sects were too busy to take care of themselves, let alone assist each other.

Facing a great calamity, each fate took a different turn.

Some completely disappeared into the river of history due to infighting among their disciples.

Some sealed their sects, withdrew from the world, and barely survived.

However, there were also those, like the Southern Darkness Monster Mountain and the Heaven Sword Sect, who chose to outright leave the Xuanhuang Realm.

"Just as Emperor Yi said, individuals within a group each make their own choices. Without an absolute leader, it's impossible for everyone to act with the same will."

"Cultivators have their own choices, and that is only natural."

"When these people fled, perhaps they took something with them. This led even the Xuanhuang Realm itself to harbor resentment towards them."

"It's just that it's unclear why they returned. But being able to safely come back from the powerful attraction of the Immortal Burial Ground, their strength is undoubtedly not weak."

Li Fan gradually calmed his thoughts. He turned to look at Sima Changkong with a more intense gaze.

Truly a historian of the cultivation world.

In the nearly a thousand years, Sima Changkong could find answers to many things sealed and forgotten in the history of the Xuanhuang Realm.

Since Li Fan returned from Tianlingzhou, in order to avoid the waves of war, he came to Sima Changkong's underwater crystal cave.

Relying on his familiarity from the previous encounter and Li Fan's already extensive knowledge, he quickly gained Sima Changkong's favor.

The two spent their days drinking, chatting about the history of the Xuanhuang Realm, and enjoying themselves.

To avoid disturbances and extract more information from Sima Changkong, Li Fan even took the initiative to suggest setting up concealment and protective formations for his crystal cave.

Seeing such enthusiasm from Li Fan, Sima Changkong felt that this person was worth making deeper connections with.

Their relationship became even more harmonious.

"Peace is temporary, while war is the eternal theme of history." After a long silence, Sima Changkong suddenly sighed, putting down the raised wine cup, his enthusiasm waning.

"Why do you say that..." Li Fan suddenly woke up.

"Has the war between the Wanxian Alliance and the Five Elders Council officially begun?"

Sima Changkong nodded with some weight, "I don't know how many cultivators will lose their lives on the battlefield."

"This is the natural order of heaven and earth. We are not the Supreme Being, how can we resist? Let's drink, let's drink!" Li Fan took the initiative to pour another cup for Sima Changkong, consoling him.

"What you say is true." Sima Changkong finished his drink, swallowing both the fine wine and the emotions. Li Fan shifted the topic elsewhere.

...

Time passed swiftly, and in the blink of an eye, a year had gone by.

The war between the Wanxian Alliance and the Five Elders Council had reached a white-hot stage. However, Li Fan had completely settled in Sima Changkong's residence and hadn't left for a single step in a year.

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 563: All Perish for Gain

"No more wine?"

On this day, as Li Fan was about to invite the other party for another round of drinking, he received such a response, leaving him bewildered.

Sima Changkong's face turned slightly red, and he seemed hesitant to speak. Eventually, he awkwardly said, "I don't have many close friends here in the Congyun Sea, so I didn't prepare much."

"Brother Li has been a guest for quite some time..."

Li Fan calculated with his fingers, astonished, "Time has passed so quickly. It's been a whole year already."

Apologetically, he said, "Since Brother Sima finds me bothersome, it's time for me to leave."

"But before that, please tell me the ingredients for brewing that wine. I'll go gather some for you..."

Before Li Fan could finish speaking, Sima Changkong's face turned even redder. He quickly waved his hand, "Brother Li, there's no need for that. It's not that I'm complaining; it's just..."

Sima Changkong wanted to explain, but for some reason, he shook his head, giving up.

"Never mind, Brother Li, wait for me at home for a few days. I'll be back soon!"

Without waiting for Li Fan's response, he hurriedly left.

"Sima Changkong is quite an interesting person," Li Fan chuckled as he watched Sima Changkong's departing figure.

Although Li Fan hadn't gone out in this past year, he was not unaware of the events happening outside.

On the other hand, Zhou Qingang, his clone, was busy with many matters.

Let's not talk about various trivial matters. The most critical issue was the monthly "List of Conscripted Cultivators."

Yes, even though the strength of the Congyun Sea was already extremely weak, the headquarters of the Immortal Alliance still issued conscription orders.

Fortunately, considering the actual situation of the Congyun Sea, most of the conscripted cultivators did not need to personally go to the battlefield. They were mainly involved in logistics and support work.

Although that was the case, no one could guarantee that the scale of the war wouldn't suddenly expand again, affecting everyone.

Therefore, no one was willing to be conscripted to go to Tianlingzhou.

The task of arranging this list should have been decided by Li Fan as the authorized secret envoy.

However, He Zhenghao was a kind person, and Gao Yuan was diplomatic and versatile. Neither of them wanted to do this kind of offending task.

So, the two of them privately found the relatively isolated "Zhou Qingang" and asked him for help.

"Zhou Qingang" naturally refused.

He had no reason to take on this basket of tasks.

However, soon, He Zhenghao pulled out his trump card.

"Brother Zhou, take a look at this." He mysteriously took out a scroll and unfolded it in front of "Zhou Qingang."

"Liu Yihang, ten million contribution points."

"Zhou Peng, eight hundred thousand contribution points."

"Sikong Yi, three hundred thousand contribution points."

...

As Li Fan scanned through several scrolls with familiar names, he was stunned. Pretending not to know, he asked, "What is this?"

He Zhenghao cleared his throat, "This is the contribution points list from the recruitment plan I organized last year."

"The one-year period has come to an end, and it's time to return the principal and interest. Thanks to the guidance of the secret envoy, when the prices of hoarded goods rose to more than three times their original value, I gradually sold them all."

"In the end, I sold roughly..."

He Zhenghao paused, his face showing an unrestrained satisfaction, "Three hundred and fourteen million five hundred and seventy thousand contribution points."

Li Fan, in perfect harmony, took a cold breath and said, "So much? I've only heard that battlefield supplies are in short supply, but I didn't expect the prices to become so absurd. Doesn't the Immortal Alliance manage it at all?"

Chapter 563: All Perish for Gain

"Manage? How do you manage? Buying and selling is a mutual agreement. If you don't want to, you don't have to buy it! Anyway, the more prepared you are, the more chances you have on the battlefield. If you don't buy it, there are plenty of others who will!" Unlike a year ago when he appeared somewhat fearful, He Zhenghao was now indifferent to "Zhou Qingang's" reaction, not caring at all.

Li Fan just shook his head slightly, choosing not to comment further on the matter.

"So what? What does Brother He mean by showing me this?" Glancing at the scroll again, Li Fan pretended to be puzzled and asked.

He Zhenghao and Gao Yuan exchanged glances, surveyed their surroundings, and casually set up a concealment formation before feeling relieved.

He took out a pen and circled five names on the scroll. Then, on each of these five names, he drew a thick line.

Li Fan suddenly seemed to understand, exclaiming, "These cultivators fell in the battle at Tianlingzhou!?"

"Keep your voice down, keep it down!" He Zhenghao was startled, quickly stopping Li Fan from making a loud noise. "This matter cannot be publicized. I only informed you because I saw that Brother Zhou is one of us." He complained a bit.

Li Fan nodded repeatedly, indicating that he understood.

"So, these people's principal amounts are now unclaimed?" he asked in a hushed tone.

He Zhenghao's tone carried a hint of excitement, "Exactly. I secretly inquired, and these people I circled did indeed fall on the Tianlingzhou battlefield without a doubt."

"And, they didn't leave any wills."

"The total principal for these five individuals is thirty-three thousand contribution points. Adding the deserved thirty-three thousand bonuses..."

Li Fan quickly interrupted him, "Wasn't it tripled? Why only thirty thousand?"

He Zhenghao snorted, "Even thirty thousand is thanks to the Secret Envoy's benevolence. He adjusted the bonus distribution ratio to get this much."

"According to the original agreement, only fifty percent of the principal's profit needed to be given annually."

"But the Envoy is merciful, so I won't say much."

"In short, these sixty-six contribution points are now ownerless."

"As long as Brother helps to resolve this matter, it will be yours." He Zhenghao's tone was full of temptation.

"Zhou Qingang" clearly showed some interest, but he still seemed a bit hesitant.

"Will it be discovered? It's taboo to be greedy for people's money. And does the Secret Envoy know about this?" Li Fan intentionally asked.

He Zhenghao's gaze flickered as he reassured, "Brother Zhou, rest assured. The list of fundraising participants is top secret, only a few of us know about it. It absolutely won't be leaked."

"I also asked the Secret Envoy, and he said I could handle this matter on my own." He Zhenghao asserted confidently.

"Is that so..." Li Fan stared at He Zhenghao for quite a while.

Only when the other party began to feel a bit creepy did he retract his gaze.

"In that case, I'll take care of this matter." Li Fan agreed.

He Zhenghao and Gao Yuan exchanged glances, revealing a pleased expression.

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 564: Tianlingzhou Anomaly

"Thank you for your trouble, friend!" He Zhenghao smiled and cupped his hands, then left with Gao Yuan.

Watching their departing figures, Li Fan's expression became inexplicable.

"Just one year, and they've become like this..."

"Hmm, not long ago, these two were still speculating whether I was the Fallen Transcendent, seeking a bright future following me."

"Now they dare to deceive and take advantage."

A cold light flashed in Li Fan's eyes.

After all, the battle at Tianlingzhou in this world was pushed by him.

He had long anticipated that some of the cultivators participating in the fundraising plan would fall in the Tianlingzhou battle.

However, he didn't actively mention this to He Zhenghao, just to see what choice He Zhenghao would make faced with unclaimed principal.

The result...

"People's hearts are indeed not withstandable."

"Especially in the face of so many contribution points. Once you're accustomed to astronomical numbers, how can you be content with your meager salary?"

"They must find some extra income."

Li Fan shook his head inwardly, not so much disappointed.

But originally, he planned to give He Zhenghao a way out during the Red Flame Sea event as a reward for his efforts in "The Art of Sitting on the Mountain" and his hard work in previous lives.

Now...

Let's talk about it in the next life.

Expressionless, Li Fan began to select personnel from the cultivators within the Cloud Sea System for the current conscription.

Yes, at the beginning of the war, the first to be conscripted were members of the Immortal Alliance System.

After all, enjoying the special treatment of the Immortal Alliance, they naturally had to shoulder corresponding responsibilities.

"Zhu Yongshou..."

"This person was once disrespectful. Include him."

"Qi Yan. Hmm, no impression. I haven't seen this person during the reconstruction ceremony of Cloud City and the foundation-laying ceremony of the Immortal City. Include him too."

"Zhao Kuo, the feedback collector for the Immortal Alliance Cloud Sea cultivators?"

Li Fan's gaze shifted, slightly stunned.

After so many years of reincarnation in the Cloud Sea, he had been in charge of the political affairs of the Cloud Sea for some time in this life.

But he had never had the chance to meet this person.

What about collecting opinions?

"You don't die, who dies." Li Fan made a big stroke, also including this person.

After a while, the highly debated "List of Conscripted Cultivators" by He Zhenghao and Gao Yuan was already completed.

In general, Li Fan's selection of cultivator names was quite casual.

After all, in Li Fan's eyes, even if they could escape the Tianlingzhou battle, they couldn't escape the Red Flame Sea event.

It's just a difference between dying early and dying late.

On the conscription order, the two names were already stamped with the special seal left by Li Fan before he closed.

Now, it only required "Zhou Qingang" to stamp the seal and issue it.

Soon, "Zhou Qingang" completed the final step.

"Wrongs have heads, debts have masters. Everything was done by Zhou Qingang, and it has nothing to do with me, Li Fan."

Li Fan felt no pressure at all.

"Brother Zhou is indeed efficient! Hehe, it seems I'll have to trouble you next time!" Soon, He Zhenghao's admiring voice came.

Li Fan smiled faintly, just perfunctory.

Underwater, in the crystal palace.

Just a short half-day later, Sima Changkong, who had gone out to collect brewing materials, hurriedly returned.

"Huh? Brother Sima is so quick?" Li Fan couldn't help but ask in surprise.

Chapter 564: Tianlingzhou Anomaly

"Ah, friend, you've misunderstood," Sima Changkong shook his head repeatedly, explaining, "I had an urgent matter, that's why I rushed back suddenly."

"The materials for the Tianqing brew are not easy to collect, and I haven't had time to prepare them yet. If you want to enjoy a good drink, you may have to wait a bit longer, friend." He showed a hint of apology on his face.

"No problem!" Li Fan waved his hand, indicating that he didn't mind.

"What happened, Brother Sima, that made you rush back so urgently?" Li Fan then asked curiously.

"On the Tianlingzhou battlefield, something extraordinary happened. My Blood Division Avatar was unfortunately destroyed. So, I had to rush back to create a new one," Sima Changkong replied, looking a bit helpless.

"Something extraordinary?" Li Fan squinted his eyes, inviting Sima Changkong back into the crystal palace to sit down.

"Yes, when I saw it, I was also greatly shocked." Sima Changkong seemed to be exerting all his effort to return using his teleportation technique and appeared somewhat exhausted.

However, after only a short rest, he took out a black can from somewhere.

He formed hand seals and crushed the can. In an instant, a large amount of blood gushed out, as if it had just been extracted from the body, and a pungent smell of blood lingered in the air.

The blood wriggled in the air, slowly forming a blurry human figure.

Sima Changkong didn't hide anything from Li Fan. He lightly touched his own brow with his index finger, guiding a drop of blood with a rainbow glow into the blood mass in front of him.

Afterward, a faint light emanated, and soon, a Blood Division Avatar identical to Sima Changkong appeared in front of the two.

He took out clothes for the Avatar to wear. The Avatar bowed to the two and then fled towards the direction of Tianlingzhou.

Only at this point did Sima Changkong breathe a sigh of relief.

However, he appeared even weaker, with a pale complexion, struggling to stand steadily.

Seeing this, Li Fan quickly helped him sit down.

After a while, Sima Changkong gradually recovered.

"How do you feel, friend?" Li Fan didn't rush to inquire about the situation on the Tianlingzhou battlefield but first expressed concern.

"It's nothing. I just need to rest a bit." Sima Changkong shook his head weakly.

"That's good. So, Brother Sima, is this body of yours the main body? I thought it was just a Blood Division Avatar," Li Fan said with a hint of surprise.

"Hehe, after practicing the Bloodline Chronicles, there is no such thing as a main body. Only here in the Cloud Sea, where there is still refined blood, can a new Avatar be made immediately." Sima Changkong smiled bitterly and said, "It's just that this method of creating Avatars is quite draining of energy."

"You're right, friend. That's why I need to drink Tianqing brew regularly to replenish the energy deficit in my body," Sima Changkong nodded.

"Oh no! If I indulge in so much Tianqing brew from Brother Sima, won't..." Li Fan sighed, showing a regretful look.

"Hehe, Li brother, no need to worry!" Sima Changkong turned to comfort Li Fan.

"I told you before, practicing our Sima family's Blood Chronicles will make our lifespans the same as ordinary people's."

"In one lifetime, just a short few decades. It's truly like a passing moment, fleeting."

"In such a short life, being able to meet a friend like Li brother, I have no regrets even if I die."

"So, let's live in the moment! I'm grateful for Li brother's company every day. How could I blame you?" Sima Changkong explained.

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 565: Mysterious Net Descends Again

"However, I'm worried that if you spend your days drinking with me, it might delay your cultivation. That's why I wanted to advise you earlier," Sima Changkong said.

"But I see that you are a broad-minded person, and you must have your own considerations. So, I won't say much more."

After a brief pause to recover some energy, Sima Changkong continued, "However, Brother Li, with such heartfelt words, I feel ashamed!"

"Hehe, if you keep making such gestures, then you're truly treating me as an outsider!" Sima Changkong pretended to be angry.

Li Fan could only sigh and say nothing more.

After a heartfelt exchange, the bond between the two deepened once again.

After another short break, Li Fan brought the topic back to the Tianlingzhou battlefield.

"Brother Sima, what did you see on the battlefield? Your vast knowledge of the history of the Xuanhuang Realm is highly praised by others. It must be a formidable existence," he asked with a furrowed brow.

Sima Changkong sighed, "Friend, you're overpraising me. But you're right about the latter part."

"What the Wanxian Alliance brought out this time is indeed a powerful weapon."

With that, he activated a drop of blood in his body, wanting to form a blood curtain as he did before to show Li Fan.

On the blood curtain, images indeed appeared.

However, immediately after, Sima Changkong's expression changed.

"How could this be?" he exclaimed, his face full of astonishment.

Li Fan also stared at the scene on the blood curtain.

Countless Elder Council cultivators from the Five Elders Sect filled the sky, forming a formation, surrounding a group of Wanxian Alliance cultivators in the center.

Although the Wanxian Alliance was surrounded and only had about a hundred people, they showed no fear, each one valiant.

As if blessed by something, they charged towards the enemy, outnumbered a hundredfold.

This seemingly predictable war with no suspense, the outcome already decided, suddenly underwent a drastic change.

In the center of the Wanxian Alliance cultivators, one person suddenly raised something.

Then...

Large numbers of Elder Council cultivators fell from the sky without any warning, crashing to the ground in a bloody mess, writhing in pain and unable to move.

The Wanxian Alliance cultivators, as if anticipating this scene, swiftly and mercilessly harvested the lives of their enemies.

For a moment, in the sky, the falling figures created a strange and eerie picture.

"How could this happen?" Sima Changkong looked at the scene recorded on the blood curtain in disbelief, his expression somewhat trance-like.

Seeing Sima Changkong's strange reaction, Li Fan suddenly thought of something and asked, "Is the scene recorded on this blood curtain different from what Brother Sima saw with his own eyes?"

"Exactly!" Sima Changkong immediately nodded.

"What I saw was that this cultivator was clearly holding a square mirror in his hand, high in the air. And from the sky, countless green threads descended."

"It was because of these inexplicable green threads that the Elder Council cultivators lost their ability to resist in an instant."

"But why..." After explaining, Sima Changkong still found it difficult to accept.

For Sima Changkong, who considered faithfully recording historical events his duty, the occurrence of something that could not be recorded was undoubtedly a significant blow.

"Unrecordable, green energy..." Li Fan squinted his eyes.

"It's indeed the Mysterious Net. I speculated earlier that the Mysterious Net has descended. Indeed, as the war escalated, the Wanxian Alliance couldn't resist using it."

"But the Mysterious Net in this world is different from the Heaven-Sealing Spirit Array I saw in my previous life. It can be summoned with just a portable square mirror."

"Is it an incomplete version, or..."

Chapter 565: The Descent of the Mysterious Net

Li Fan fell into deep thought for a moment.

"No, I must find a way to record it," Sima Changkong muttered to himself, still not recovering from the shock, appearing somewhat deranged.

"Sima Brother, you're mistaken. Even if you can't directly record it with images or words, you can use an indirect description to document its existence," Li Fan reminded him.

Sima Changkong suddenly froze and then exclaimed with joy, "I was being foolish!"

He slapped his head, forcing out a few more drops of blood, which merged into the blood curtain.

Twisted lines of text formed and integrated with the blood curtain.

"Wanxian Alliance battles Five Elders Sect in the northeast of Tianling..."

"Threads of green light descend from the sky..."

"Those affected lose their immortal power and fall to the ground."

...

As the characters stabilized and were about to merge with the blood curtain, a hint of green emerged from the twisted blood characters.

"Not good!"

Sima Changkong's face turned pale in an instant, exclaiming in horror.

Before he could finish his sentence, the green line had turned into a surging green light.

After completely distorting the scenes recorded in the blood curtain, it suddenly retracted, condensing into a point of light.

Silence fell for a moment.

The green dot suddenly exploded.

"Still..."

Even before Sima Changkong could warn, Li Fan had already activated the Purple Heaven Divine Thunder at its peak.

At the same time, two bone wings protruded from his back, utilizing the Peng Flying technique.

He fled towards the distance at the fastest speed since entering the cultivation world.

However, Li Fan clearly hadn't anticipated the intense reaction of the Mysterious Net this time.

It was more volatile than the outburst in the Wanxian Island Martial Arts Hall.

As the green dot exploded, the light waves swept across the surroundings in an instant.

Just as the green light was about to touch his body, although he felt some reluctance, Li Fan exhaled and released the True form.

But soon, he swallowed the remaining "True" character.

Because he found that the charging energy for the True character used to protect himself had not changed at all.

"Huh? Was it a false alarm?"

Li Fan immediately stopped his escape and stood still in mid-air.

After waiting for a moment without any unusual events, the surroundings remained calm.

After pondering for a moment, Li Fan decided to go back and take a look.

In the crystal palace, everything was as before.

Just the terrifying stillness.

Sima Changkong still stood in place, the horrified expression frozen on his face, his body motionless.

"Sima Brother?"

Li Fan shouted from a distance.

No response.

After a while, Li Fan cautiously approached and said, "Sima Brother?"

Although he could still faintly sense the "life" breath from the other party, for some reason, Sima Changkong never showed any response.

Moreover...

That vitality seemed to have solidified.

Li Fan felt something was wrong and slowly backed away.

"Puff!"

At this moment, Sima Changkong suddenly burst open from the inside.

Splattering everywhere wasn't red flesh, but one puddle after another of thick green fluid.

Splashes covered the entire floor of the crystal palace.

Li Fan narrowly avoided the attack of the green liquid.

But as he looked at the remains of Sima Changkong, his face twitched.

(End of this chapter)