[Simulation End]
Li Fan regained consciousness, still somewhat speechless. This was the shortest life he had experienced since he began his cycle of Return to Origin. After only nine years, it was abruptly ended.
Initially, he had grand ambitions and made numerous plans. Unexpectedly, upon entering the Immortal Cultivation World, he was inexplicably hunted down. Even more absurd, his pursuers were from the Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals.
Unaware of their identity, he had attempted to seek refuge with Immortal Master He Zhenghao on Glass Island. However, he was cornered by two Foundation Establishment cultivators. They had traveled a great distance with a clear objective: to kill Li Fan.
Li Fan didn't believe that asking them why they were hunting him would result in an honest answer. Facing two Foundation Establishment cultivators, he had no chance of survival. Thus, he decisively chose to start over.
Why were the people from the Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals hunting him? And so soon after he entered the Immortal Cultivation World? Li Fan furrowed his brows, deeply puzzled. If he couldn't solve this problem, all his future plans would be mere talk. The Congyun Sea was still under the control of the Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals, and they clearly had a way to pinpoint his location. Where did things go wrong? Could it be because he brought Qian Hong's remains back to the Immortal Cultivation World? Or perhaps...
Li Fan meticulously examined and eliminated each item he possessed. Eventually, he focused on the Small Cyclic Water Art. After much thought, he concluded that this technique was the most suspicious.
After all, he had no connection with the Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals, except for this technique, which he inherited from his previous life within the alliance. Li Fan squinted, pondering deeply, and came to a faint realization.
"The Small Cyclic Water Art, and indeed all techniques, are surely under constant surveillance by the Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals. If they suddenly notice a technique that hasn't been exchanged yet has an additional practitioner, they will know it has been leaked."
"No matter how it was leaked, the Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals will undoubtedly retrieve the technique. And the method of retrieval is simply to kill." "How can they pinpoint my location so precisely?" "Practitioners of the same technique can sense each other's presence and location." "To dispatch Foundation Establishment cultivators for a mere Qi Condensation technique... Judging by the way he spoke to He Zhenghao, his cultivation might be even higher than He Zhenghao's, at least mid-Foundation Establishment, possibly late-Foundation Establishment."
He envisioned a scene: within the Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals, countless techniques were meticulously arranged, dense like a towering wall. In front of this wall, a pair of eyes watched intently, capturing every slight change in these techniques. If a technique that was being practiced suddenly had zero practitioners, or if a technique that wasn't exchanged suddenly had a practitioner, the owner of those eyes would calmly make arrangements.
"Protector, protector..."
"What a protector!"
Li Fan clapped his hands in admiration. Looking at the options still hovering before him, he calmed his mind and chose to retain the cultivation level from his previous life. In an instant, he returned to the Qi Condensation stage.
Without hesitation, Li Fan operated the Supreme Primordial True Scripture to dissolve the late-Qi Condensation cultivation of the Small Cyclic Water Art. Thereafter, as he had done in his previous life, he anchored for nine years and returned to the Immortal Cultivation World. Passing through the Immortal-Sealing Grand Formation, Li Fan waited patiently.
As expected, his hypothesis was correct. Without practicing the Small Cyclic Water Art, he did not attract the pursuit of the Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals' protector. Only then did Li Fan slowly head towards Glass Island.
As he flew near the waters of Glass Island, a memory flashed through his mind. He stopped abruptly and looked down. His gaze penetrated the barrier of the sea, reaching the depths of the ocean.
There, schools of Glass Fish were dragging the bodies of mortals who had perished for various reasons from different parts of the ocean, offering them as tribute to a giant golden Glass Fish. The golden Glass Fish, with its bloated body, swallowed the human corpses collected by its subordinates one by one.
After chewing, it spat out the broken bones, displaying a dissatisfied expression. Its large eyes greedily gazed at the surface, as if there were more, fresher mortals up there.
Li Fan watched this scene and snorted coldly. Formless killing intent responded to his will. In the depths of the sea, the Glass Fish that had been diligently offering food to their leader suddenly froze.
The golden Glass Fish, feeling displeased and ready to reprimand its subordinates, suddenly noticed something strange about the Glass Fish around it. Their eyes glowed red as they collectively stared at the golden giant Glass Fish. Sensing danger, the golden Glass Fish attempted to flee.
But it was too late. Countless Glass Fish, as if possessed, surrounded it. The golden Glass Fish's form disappeared within the swarm.
Streams of golden blood slowly rose to the surface.
Li Fan held a Glass Pearl, the size of a pigeon egg, in his hand, examining it closely.
"Unfortunately, it's not a treasure of heaven and earth."
"However, merely carrying it has effects similar to consuming a Glass Pill. This item is indeed extraordinary."
Satisfied, Li Fan stored it away and continued flying towards Glass Island. As he neared Glass Island, he paused mid-air, releasing his spiritual energy. In a moment, a voice echoed from afar, "Which fellow Daoist visits our Glass Island?"
Along with the voice, the figure of He Zhenghao appeared. Despite being a Foundation Establishment cultivator, He Zhenghao did not act arrogantly towards a late-Qi Condensation cultivator who approached unannounced, addressing him as a fellow Daoist.
"Greetings, Daoist He!" Li Fan cupped his hands in salute. "I am Li Fan, a rogue cultivator from the Congyun Sea. Reaching the late-Qi Condensation stage has been exceedingly difficult, and I know that as a rogue cultivator, my chances of Foundation Establishment are slim." "Therefore, I wish to join the Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals to obtain a Foundation Establishment technique." Li Fan paused, then added, "I have long heard of your reputation for being just and generous, so I have come to seek your acquaintance." "I hope you can introduce me. If successful, I will surely repay you!"
He Zhenghao was already somewhat stunned upon hearing Li Fan's desire to join the Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals. He never expected such a fortuitous opportunity to fall into his lap. When Li Fan mentioned future repayment, He Zhenghao was overjoyed, "Oh, Daoist, there's no need for such words. We cultivators know the hardships of cultivation. We help where we can. Rest assured, your joining the Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals is in my hands!"
Li Fan smiled slightly, "Your reputation as a timely rain is indeed well-deserved; I am impressed." He Zhenghao was about to explain that he didn't have the nickname "timely rain," but upon reconsideration, he found the name quite fitting. If it spread, it would greatly benefit his cultivation of the Mountain-Sitting Technique, so he did not deny it. The two exchanged smiles.
(End of Chapter)