Chapter 277: Faceless Xuantian Temple

However, the detached spiritual power seemed to encounter a dam, blocked entirely outside the stone statue. Like an insulator for aura and divine consciousness, all of Li Fan's various conventional methods couldn't probe the stone statue.

"Interesting, I wonder what material it's made of."

Li Fan summoned a water blade and swiftly directed it towards the stone statue. Even ordinary stones, not to mention steel, would be cut in half by this water blade. However, the water blade couldn't affect this damaged stone statue in the slightest. Upon contact, the aura maintaining the water blade dispersed, washing over the statue without causing any damage.

"Good treasure! It's a pity there's too little of it, and I can't bring it back to reality. Otherwise, it could be used to create an absolutely safe secret room."

Li Fan mused about the various uses of this unknown stone, feeling a bit regretful. Suddenly, he was inspired, picked up a stone from the ground, and used it as a tool to knock off another fragment from the statue.

Then, he forcefully pierced this stone fragment into his arm, causing fresh blood to flow. Li Fan furrowed his brows slightly. The aura couldn't circulate freely around the wound caused by the fragment. It needed to take a detour, significantly reducing its efficiency. The fragment remained lodged in his body, and if not removed, the injury couldn't be healed with aura.

After a brief contemplation, Li Fan endured the pain and removed the fragment. He held it in his hand, thinking, "Perhaps, there's a way to defeat Senior Brother Zhang without 'consuming' it."

While Li Fan was studying the mysterious stone statue, the battle in the sky had escalated into a fierce stage. Song Hesong revealed his true form, engaging with Chu Liang and others to besiege Zhang Qianmo.

The aftermath of their clash brought tremendous destruction to the city below, turning Ninyuan City into a scene of devastation. Countless houses collapsed, and numerous ordinary people died inexplicably.

On the other hand, the temple where Li Fan and the children were remained untouched, thanks to Li Fan's intervention.

"Even without me, with the presence of this damaged stone statue, these children probably wouldn't be in danger. No wonder they could organize rescue efforts so lively after the previous battle."

Li Fan thought to himself. The battle continued according to the predetermined script. Song Hesong was at a disadvantage; he clapped his hands towards Ninyuan City. In an instant, numerous ordinary people suffered casualties.

The blood-red aura formed the "Life Refinement Array," trapping Zhang Qianmo. Song Hesong, relentless, continued his assault, each palm taking the lives of tens of thousands of ordinary people. One of the palms was aimed directly at the temple.

Li Fan's eyes flashed slightly. He withdrew his protection and quickly hid behind the remaining stone statue. The force of the palm encountered the statue but dissipated into nothingness, and apart from the blocked area, everything else turned into ruins.

It seemed like there was a vacuum zone with no spiritual power effect, and Song Hesong didn't sense anything. Li Fan stood up from behind the stone statue, casually clearing away the debris.

He continued to watch the battle in the sky. When Zhang Qianmo broke through and entered the Purple Pill state, causing havoc, Li Fan pondered for a moment. He pushed the stone statue aside and entered the underground secret room.

The children in the secret room, seeing someone coming in, were initially nervous. After recognizing Li Fan as the "good person," they breathed a sigh of relief.

"Come in and take cover. It's too dangerous outside!" Li Fan shook his head and sighed.

Luyao grinned, didn't say much, just gestured for Li Fan to sit down.

The underground secret room wasn't large, but it was enough to accommodate everyone. It also stored some water and food, apparently used as a shelter frequently.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Li Fan chatted casually with the yellow-haired Luyao. He learned that this temple was originally called the "Xuantian Temple." The existence of the underground secret room was discovered by them by chance, as it had already existed. As for who was worshipped here, they didn't know because it had been abandoned for many years.

As they were chatting, a girl nearby interjected, "I know, I know! It's at Mr. Bai's house! I saw it when Mr. Bai took me back to heal last time."

"Half of its body stuck there, no face, really creepy!"

Luyao was stunned, "You know where Mr. Bai lives? Then why did you say you didn't know when I asked you last time?"

The little girl blushed, glared at Luyao, and said, "I've been there, but I was sick and confused. Who remembers how to get there!"

"Mr. Bai..."

Listening to the conversation between the two children, Li Fan pondered.

...

Above Ninyuan City, Zhang Qianmo, who had killed all the thieves, hurriedly searched for the whereabouts of his junior brother who had issued the warning for him.

However, his spiritual consciousness swept through Ninyuan City several times but couldn't find anything.

Thinking that his junior brother had met a tragic fate, Zhang Qianmo regretted it deeply. Still unwilling to give up, he searched several more times, hoping to at least find his junior brother's body.

Still, he found nothing.

Zhang Qianmo had to leave Ninyuan City alone, filled with sorrow, taking some longevity fruit with him.

Not long after he left, a petite figure cautiously emerged from the ruins of the small temple.

After observing carefully for a long time, she shouted confidently, "It's safe now, come out!"

Following that, Li Fan and a group of children emerged from the underground secret room.

The children, looking at the now-ruined Ninyuan City with bodies scattered everywhere, were a bit dazed. However, being orphans who survived on their own, they had strong psychological resilience.

Li Fan didn't see fear or panic in their eyes. They were just momentarily bewildered, unsure of what to do.

"Mr. Bai should be here soon."

At this point, only cultivators, excluding Li Fan, remained in the city. Li Fan, without any concerns, used his spiritual consciousness to search for the trace of "Mr. Bai" among the survivors.

Following the children's descriptions, it was easy to find him—a young, gentle, and extremely good-looking scholar. But...

Li Fan's expression changed slightly.

He couldn't find a matching individual.

Li Fan searched several times, but the result was the same.

"Could it be that 'extremely good-looking' is a spontaneous embellishment in the children's minds?"

Li Fan couldn't help but speculate.

With no other options, he could only wait for Mr. Bai to arrive at the small temple.

However, contrary to Li Fan's expectations, even until the end of the continuous time in the Immortal Falling Realm, he still hadn't seen this "Mr. Bai."

As the surroundings became hazy, and Li Fan was about to leave the Immortal Falling Realm, he vaguely heard the excited shouts of the children, "Xiaobai! Xiaobai is here!"

"Mr. Bai! Mr. Bai!"

Li Fan turned his head suddenly, but only saw a blurry figure.

(End of this chapter)