According to the previous intelligence from Jiao Xiuyuan, Sikong Yi visited this cave every once in a while.
Li Fan decided to wait here.
His luck was good.
Ten days later, Li Fan, who was in the middle of cultivation, opened his eyes.
Sikong Yi and Baili Chen walked into the concealed cave expressionlessly.
When they saw Li Fan waiting inside, expressions of astonishment and disbelief involuntarily appeared on their faces.
"You..."
Before a single word could be spoken, Li Fan's Insect Binding Technique instantly captured them.
No words were exchanged; Li Fan killed them on the spot.
He waited for their resurrection chances to be exhausted, completely disappearing from the world.
Li Fan put away the Sun Stealing Token that fell on the ground and began crafting his clone.
In theory, the cultivation of the clone was only one small realm behind the main body.
However, Li Fan found that to craft a Foundation Establishment stage clone, it was still necessary to use Heavenly Treasures.
"Perhaps the Sun Stealing Technique was indeed powerful initially, but after the Immortal Ancestor passed down his path, it became somewhat redundant."
"No wonder the Sun Stealing Sect has been declining generation by generation."
"Anyway, this clone is just for sacrifice, so there's no need to waste Heavenly Treasures."
"A complete Qi Condensation cultivation is sufficient."
After some contemplation, Li Fan began the crafting process for his clone.
This was already the third time Li Fan crafted a clone, and he was familiar with the process.
Before long, the clone reappeared in the world.
After donning clothes, the clone went to Flowing Cloud Island and joined the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
Li Fan did not leave; instead, he took out He Zhenghao's Communication Talisman and sent a message.
"Fellow Daoist He, I've been traveling outside these days and heard some unfavorable rumors about you."
He Zhenghao quickly replied, "Unfavorable rumors? Hehe, fellow Daoist must have been mistaken. I, He Zhenghao, have cultivated good karma, and my reputation is excellent. How could it be..."
"Oh? So those rumors about you smuggling mortals are false? It's really hateful; they're spreading malicious rumors! But the rumors are quite elaborate, mentioning Lands of Immortal Extinction and whatnot..."
"Cough, cough, cough..." Li Fan hadn't finished speaking, and He Zhenghao's panicked voice came through. "Where did fellow Daoist hear about this?"
"This matter requires a face-to-face discussion. Do you have time? Please trouble yourself with coming to my Liuli Island." He Zhenghao's voice sounded somewhat serious.
"Hehe, sure, sure." Li Fan smiled and put away the Communication Talisman, heading straight to Liuli Island.
After leaving the teleportation array, He Zhenghao greeted him and then activated the Mountain River Star Formation.
After studying the art of formations for decades, Li Fan's perspective changed.
The mountains and rivers above his head rotated like stars. The power of this formation was unexpectedly superior to the Spirit Illusory Wave Formation Li Fan had purchased.
"Your island protection formation is truly extraordinary!" Li Fan exclaimed.
"Oh? Fellow Daoist also understands formations?" He Zhenghao, upon hearing this, showed a hint of surprise on his face.
"A little, just a little. But formations are vast and profound. Without a master, progress is slow with only self-study." Li Fan sighed.
"Hehe, if fellow Daoist doesn't mind, you can come to my place for a discussion." He Zhenghao, once he started talking about formations, immediately became spirited, putting aside the reason why he invited Li Fan for the time being.
"Not to boast, but in terms of formations, ignoring cultivation level, the ordinary Nascent Soul realm formation masters on Ten Thousand Immortals Island might not necessarily be better than me. Perhaps only Zhang Zhiliang, Gong Boyu, and three or four others could barely surpass me."
"Most of this Mountain River Star Formation was built by me personally." He Zhenghao proudly declared.
Li Fan chuckled and didn't interrupt.
Instead, he asked, "Let's set aside the issue of formations for now. I'm curious, did you call me here regarding the matter of smuggling mortals across the border?"
The expression on He Zhenghao's face immediately froze.
Ah, he sighed.
"I won't hide it from you, my friend. I've indeed been secretly involved in some dealings to smuggle mortals across the border. I thought I had concealed it well all this time, but unexpectedly, the news leaked. Fellow Daoist, where did you hear about it?" He Zhenghao's eyes were full of sorrow and doubt.
"I was participating in the fish gambling recently. I overheard people talking about rumors regarding you during a casual conversation. As for the specifics or who said it, I don't know." Li Fan had already prepared his statement and responded.
Upon hearing this, He Zhenghao felt a chill in his heart.
"Oh no! Every time during fish gambling, there are so many cultivators attending! The matter of me smuggling mortals across the border might have already spread throughout the Cong Yun Sea!" He Zhenghao's face showed signs of panic.
"Hehe, don't scare yourself, my friend," Li Fan hurriedly comforted.
"Moreover, it's just smuggling mortals return to the cultivation world. Although it violates some taboos, it's not a big deal. After all, you're a Foundation Establishment cultivator, and you're also guarding an island. Do you really think the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance would do anything to you?" Li Fan was somewhat dismissive.
However, He Zhenghao shook his head repeatedly, sighing, "Fellow Daoist, you don't do business in this area, so it's normal not to understand the situation. Smuggling mortals across the border is not as simple as violating taboos."
"If compared seriously, the most severe consequence could be dealt with according to the 'Sin of Rebellion.' At that time, not to mention the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, even the Five Elders Association might not provide a refuge."
Li Fan was truly stunned this time, "Sin of Rebellion? How could it be so serious?"
Helpless, He Zhenghao explained, "It all traces back to the farce that happened five hundred years ago."
With his explanation, Li Fan understood what had happened.
Originally, during the Great Migration Plan, thousands of subworlds were settled by mortals.
After thousands of years, these places, which were originally desolate with no spiritual energy coverage, had given birth to various extraordinary powers due to various fortuitous encounters.
Some had a revival of spiritual energy, while others, due to the methods brought back by mortals crossing the border, reopened the cultivation path by removing the Immortal-Mortal Miasma.
Some developed body refining techniques, specializing in physical strength. Their bodies were robust, and attacks from ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators were like tickles.
Some, although physically weak, mastered ways to communicate with spirit beasts. By controlling spirit beasts in battle, they could also unleash formidable combat power.
...
Harboring resentment from being forcibly expelled from their hometown years ago, these subworlds, under someone's persuasion, surprisingly reached a consensus.
They united to counterattack the cultivation world!
It was said that at the time, dozens of subworlds responded to the call, creating a huge momentum.
The coalition of subworlds appeared suddenly, catching the cultivators at that time off guard.
"But after all, it was a motley crew. When an Immortal Sage stepped in, he easily suppressed them!"
"The whole process didn't seem to cause much damage to our cultivators."
"So, it was just a farce."
"Think about it, counterattacking the cultivation world? Haha, how is that possible!"
"However, considering the precedent, the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance and the Five Elders Association established rules."
He Zhenghao furrowed his brows, his face filled with concern.
According to the previous intelligence from Jiao Xiuyuan, Sikong Yi visited this cave every once in a while.
Li Fan decided to wait here.
His luck was good.
Ten days later, Li Fan, who was in the middle of cultivation, opened his eyes.
Sikong Yi and Baili Chen walked into the concealed cave expressionlessly.
When they saw Li Fan waiting inside, expressions of astonishment and disbelief involuntarily appeared on their faces.
"You..."
Before a single word could be spoken, Li Fan's Insect Binding Technique instantly captured them.
No words were exchanged; Li Fan killed them on the spot.
He waited for their resurrection chances to be exhausted, completely disappearing from the world.
Li Fan put away the Sun Stealing Token that fell on the ground and began crafting his clone.
In theory, the cultivation of the clone was only one small realm behind the main body.
However, Li Fan found that to craft a Foundation Establishment stage clone, it was still necessary to use Heavenly Treasures.
"Perhaps the Sun Stealing Technique was indeed powerful initially, but after the Immortal Ancestor passed down his path, it became somewhat redundant."
"No wonder the Sun Stealing Sect has been declining generation by generation."
"Anyway, this clone is just for sacrifice, so there's no need to waste Heavenly Treasures."
"A complete Qi Condensation cultivation is sufficient."
After some contemplation, Li Fan began the crafting process for his clone.
This was already the third time Li Fan crafted a clone, and he was familiar with the process.
Before long, the clone reappeared in the world.
After donning clothes, the clone went to Flowing Cloud Island and joined the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
Li Fan did not leave; instead, he took out He Zhenghao's Communication Talisman and sent a message.
"Fellow Daoist He, I've been traveling outside these days and heard some unfavorable rumors about you."
He Zhenghao quickly replied, "Unfavorable rumors? Hehe, fellow Daoist must have been mistaken. I, He Zhenghao, have cultivated good karma, and my reputation is excellent. How could it be..."
"Oh? So those rumors about you smuggling mortals are false? It's really hateful; they're spreading malicious rumors! But the rumors are quite elaborate, mentioning Lands of Immortal Extinction and whatnot..."
"Cough, cough, cough..." Li Fan hadn't finished speaking, and He Zhenghao's panicked voice came through. "Where did fellow Daoist hear about this?"
"This matter requires a face-to-face discussion. Do you have time? Please trouble yourself with coming to my Liuli Island." He Zhenghao's voice sounded somewhat serious.
"Hehe, sure, sure." Li Fan smiled and put away the Communication Talisman, heading straight to Liuli Island.
After leaving the teleportation array, He Zhenghao greeted him and then activated the Mountain River Star Formation.
After studying the art of formations for decades, Li Fan's perspective changed.
The mountains and rivers above his head rotated like stars. The power of this formation was unexpectedly superior to the Spirit Illusory Wave Formation Li Fan had purchased.
"Your island protection formation is truly extraordinary!" Li Fan exclaimed.
"Oh? Fellow Daoist also understands formations?" He Zhenghao, upon hearing this, showed a hint of surprise on his face.
"A little, just a little. But formations are vast and profound. Without a master, progress is slow with only self-study." Li Fan sighed.
"Hehe, if fellow Daoist doesn't mind, you can come to my place for a discussion." He Zhenghao, once he started talking about formations, immediately became spirited, putting aside the reason why he invited Li Fan for the time being.
"Not to boast, but in terms of formations, ignoring cultivation level, the ordinary Nascent Soul realm formation masters on Ten Thousand Immortals Island might not necessarily be better than me. Perhaps only Zhang Zhiliang, Gong Boyu, and three or four others could barely surpass me."
"Most of this Mountain River Star Formation was built by me personally." He Zhenghao proudly declared.
Li Fan chuckled and didn't interrupt.
Instead, he asked, "Let's set aside the issue of formations for now. I'm curious, did you call me here regarding the matter of smuggling mortals across the border?"
The expression on He Zhenghao's face immediately froze.
Ah, he sighed.
"I won't hide it from you, my friend. I've indeed been secretly involved in some dealings to smuggle mortals across the border. I thought I had concealed it well all this time, but unexpectedly, the news leaked. Fellow Daoist, where did you hear about it?" He Zhenghao's eyes were full of sorrow and doubt.
"I was participating in the fish gambling recently. I overheard people talking about rumors regarding you during a casual conversation. As for the specifics or who said it, I don't know." Li Fan had already prepared his statement and responded.
Upon hearing this, He Zhenghao felt a chill in his heart.
"Oh no! Every time during fish gambling, there are so many cultivators attending! The matter of me smuggling mortals across the border might have already spread throughout the Cong Yun Sea!" He Zhenghao's face showed signs of panic.
"Hehe, don't scare yourself, my friend," Li Fan hurriedly comforted.
"Moreover, it's just smuggling mortals return to the cultivation world. Although it violates some taboos, it's not a big deal. After all, you're a Foundation Establishment cultivator, and you're also guarding an island. Do you really think the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance would do anything to you?" Li Fan was somewhat dismissive.
However, He Zhenghao shook his head repeatedly, sighing, "Fellow Daoist, you don't do business in this area, so it's normal not to understand the situation. Smuggling mortals across the border is not as simple as violating taboos."
"If compared seriously, the most severe consequence could be dealt with according to the 'Sin of Rebellion.' At that time, not to mention the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, even the Five Elders Association might not provide a refuge."
Li Fan was truly stunned this time, "Sin of Rebellion? How could it be so serious?"
Helpless, He Zhenghao explained, "It all traces back to the farce that happened five hundred years ago."
With his explanation, Li Fan understood what had happened.
Originally, during the Great Migration Plan, thousands of subworlds were settled by mortals.
After thousands of years, these places, which were originally desolate with no spiritual energy coverage, had given birth to various extraordinary powers due to various fortuitous encounters.
Some had a revival of spiritual energy, while others, due to the methods brought back by mortals crossing the border, reopened the cultivation path by removing the Immortal-Mortal Miasma.
Some developed body refining techniques, specializing in physical strength. Their bodies were robust, and attacks from ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators were like tickles.
Some, although physically weak, mastered ways to communicate with spirit beasts. By controlling spirit beasts in battle, they could also unleash formidable combat power.
...
Harboring resentment from being forcibly expelled from their hometown years ago, these subworlds, under someone's persuasion, surprisingly reached a consensus.
They united to counterattack the cultivation world!
It was said that at the time, dozens of subworlds responded to the call, creating a huge momentum.
The coalition of subworlds appeared suddenly, catching the cultivators at that time off guard.
"But after all, it was a motley crew. When an Immortal Sage stepped in, he easily suppressed them!"
"The whole process didn't seem to cause much damage to our cultivators."
"So, it was just a farce."
"Think about it, counterattacking the cultivation world? Haha, how is that possible!"
"However, considering the precedent, the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance and the Five Elders Association established rules."
He Zhenghao furrowed his brows, his face filled with concern.
