Li Fan chose Zhang Haobo as the "reborn" to incite a battle between the Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals and the red flame, naturally because Zhang Haobo's fate was extraordinary. In his previous life, though a mere mortal, he could vaguely sense the impending crisis of the burning sea and fled before the calamity struck.
Moreover, it seemed he had another encounter on a distant continent. In just a few decades, he leaped from being a mortal to a Foundation Establishment cultivator. In this life, with the cultivation methods provided by Li Fan, he believed Zhang Haobo could grow even faster.
Only then would he be qualified to participate in the significant event of the red flame burning the sea. The seed has now been planted, and it awaits to slowly grow into a towering tree. Of course, during its growth, it will inevitably need some pruning.
Li Fan watched as Zhang Haobo, after a drastic change in his mental state, fell into a deep sleep again. He rose into the air, preparing to return to Ten Thousand Immortals Island. Under the night sky, most residents of Glass Island were already asleep, and the island was enveloped in darkness. Only one residence remained brightly lit, though the courtyard was draped with white mourning banners. Li Fan had visited this residence before; it was the home of Steward Zhao, who once managed the finances of Glass Island. So, Li Fan casually swept his divine sense over it.
His body suddenly halted, suspended in mid-air, as a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes. He descended into Steward Zhao's courtyard and entered the mourning hall. Steward Zhao, clad in mourning clothes, knelt before the spirit tablet.
Li Fan stared blankly at the words on the tablet.
"In memory of Immortal Master He Zhenghao."
He Zhenghao... was dead? Li Fan wasn't exactly shocked, but he was deeply puzzled. It's said that one cannot step into the same river twice.
But with "Return to Origin," Li Fan could tread the same river countless times. His subtle actions might cause ripples in the river but couldn't change its course.
He Zhenghao's death was unexpected for Li Fan. "How did Daoist Friend He die?" Li Fan couldn't help but ask. Steward Zhao was startled but quickly turned around and respectfully replied, "It is said that Immortal Master He encountered a mechanism while exploring an ancient cave mansion and unfortunately perished. It has been fifty-six days since then." Li Fan recalled He Zhenghao's message at that time.
"Coincidentally, a few friends recently discovered an ancient cave mansion and invited me to explore it with them. According to them, this cave mansion should have been sealed before the great catastrophe, and it must contain many rare treasures, possibly even some cultivation methods."
He Zhenghao wanted to explore the cave mansion and asked Li Fan to temporarily guard Glass Island. Li Fan, because he was plotting the Cloud Water Scroll, did not agree. At that time, he didn't take it to heart, thinking He Zhenghao would surely return safely.
After all, in his previous life, Li Fan met He Zhenghao many years later, and he was still alive and well.
Unexpectedly, he had perished directly.
"So, in the previous life, He Zhenghao did not participate in this cave mansion exploration."
"The change occurred because..."
"He lost all the contribution points he had accumulated over half his life in one go. To exchange for a Nascent Soul method, he decided to take a gamble."
"And the reason he lost everything was because the island producing Spirit Mist Grass was destroyed by that exotic beast, the Dragon Whale, making him think there was a big profit opportunity."
"In the previous life, this incident should not have happened."
"And what caused the exotic beast attack to occur?"
A scene suddenly flashed in Li Fan's mind. In the stomach of the Dragon Whale, he had found many Glass Pearls that were not yet fully digested. Glass Pearls are the main material for refining Glass Pills.
After taking a Glass Pill, it can produce an effect similar to enlightenment.
"Glass can enlighten..."
This exotic beast, the Dragon Whale, gradually developed intelligence because it devoured a large number of Glass Pearls. By coincidence, it encountered the island where Spirit Mist Grass was planted. This Spirit Mist Grass must have been beneficial to it, so the Dragon Whale launched a fierce attack, devouring most of the Spirit Mist Grass on the island.
And the reason it could devour so many Glass Pearls was because... Li Fan narrowed his eyes. In his previous life, when he transformed into the vast sea, he had seen the massive skeleton of a Glass Fish. Within the skeleton, a giant Glass Pearl shone brilliantly under the sunlight. So, in this life, when passing by, he casually slaughtered the leader of the Glass Fish. Without their leader, the Glass Fish were like a dragon without a head, unable to resist being devoured by the Dragon Whale.
In a flash of insight, Li Fan understood the entire sequence of events and was utterly stunned. So, it was his unintentional action that led to He Zhenghao's death? Moreover, it wasn't just He Zhenghao alone.
In the speculation of Spirit Mist Grass, how many others also lost everything? And then had to take desperate risks, ending up dead and their paths extinguished? The reason for this series of subsequent events was simply because Li Fan killed a giant Glass Fish.
The death of the Glass Fish leader led to the Glass Fish being unable to fend off other predators. This resulted in an exotic beast, the Dragon Whale, developing intelligence after devouring Glass Pearls. This intelligent Dragon Whale, by chance, destroyed an island's Spirit Mist Grass entirely.
The destruction of Spirit Mist Grass was then secretly fueled, causing countless people to lose everything. The final result was the premature death of several Foundation Establishment cultivators.
These events were like a chain of interconnected locks. Initially, they gently bound, then one after another, tightening more and more. Until finally, when the deadly chain formed, it was impossible to break free! "So, even killing a Foundation Establishment cultivator can be so simple. This is the correct way to use heavenly killing intent." "Formless killing intent still seems a bit crude." Li Fan couldn't help but feel a surge of emotions and countless thoughts.
In the Profound Mirror, Lin Fan, who was immersed in various secrets, suddenly changed his expression. He quickly activated the auxiliary cultivation mode, and under the enlightenment blessing, began to comprehend.
"To kill, there's no need to do it personally. With Return to Origin's foresight, I can, like killing He Zhenghao, orchestrate through planning, transcending time and space."
"From thousands of miles away, years in advance, claim a life."
It's said that one cannot see the true face of Mount Lu because they are in the mountain. If not for He Zhenghao's unexpected death, Li Fan might have taken a long time to comprehend this technique, the Chain of Life and Death.
"Daoist Friend He, your death is truly beneficial!" Thinking of this, Li Fan sincerely offered incense to He Zhenghao's spirit tablet. "You may go; in your next life, I will not treat you poorly." Li Fan murmured. After standing for a moment, waiting for the incense to burn almost completely, Li Fan turned to leave. At this moment, Steward Zhao suddenly spoke. "Immortal Master, please wait!"
(End of Chapter)