huà dào shí mǔ bì jìng shì néng cóng xuán huáng jiè miè jué zhè děng jié nàn zhōng shùn lì táo shēng de cún zài ， lǐ fán yě bú huì qīng dí 。
化道石母毕竟是能从玄黄界灭绝这等劫难中顺利逃生的存在，李凡也不会轻敌。
Truly Real Essence Stone was a survivor from the Xuanhuang Realm's annihilation, so Li Fan wouldn't underestimate it.
“ wèi bì yào jí yú qiú chéng 。 zhè yī shì ， jiù dāng gè jué duì kě kào de hé zuò huǒ bàn ， huàn qǔ tài yǎn zōng de xìn rèn ， cóng ér zhī xiǎo qí gèng duō de yǐn mì xìn xī 。”
“未必要急于求成。这一世，就当个绝对可靠的合作伙伴，换取太衍宗的信任，从而知晓其更多的隐秘信息。”
"There’s no need to rush. This time around, I'll be an absolutely reliable partner, earning Taiyin Sect's trust in exchange for more secret information."
“ wǒ zì jǐ zé shì xiān wán shàn zhè shù jù wū rǎn zhī zhèn fǎ ， ruò yǒu jī huì ， jiù niú dāo xiǎo shì 、 kàn kàn xiào guǒ 。”
“我自己则是先完善这数据污染之阵法，若有机会，就牛刀小试、看看效果。”
"I will first perfect this data pollution array. If there's a chance, I’ll test its effects."
yǎn fǎ jué kōng jiān gěi lǐ fán tí gōng le zú gòu ān quán de 、 bú huì bèi wài jiè dǎ rǎo de shí jiān 。
衍法珏空间给李凡提供了足够安全的、不会被外界打扰的时间。
The Derivation Method Jewel provided Li Fan with enough safe and undisturbed time.
chú le ǒu ěr xū yào yìng duì xiǎo luó lì de bà gōng zhī wài ， qí tā shí hòu dōu kě yǐ shuō shì xiāng dāng qīng xián 。
除了偶尔需要应对小萝莉的罢工之外，其他时候都可以说是相当清闲。
Apart from occasionally dealing with the little girl’s strikes of laziness, it was quite peaceful most of the time.
sān wèi zhèn shǒu zhǎng lǎo zhī jiān de hù xiāng jiāo liú yě yuè lái yuè shǎo ， bǐ cǐ dōu chén jìn zài zì jǐ shì jiè lǐ 。
三位镇守长老之间的互相交流也越来越少，彼此都沉浸在自己世界里。
Interactions among the three guarding elders were becoming fewer as they each immersed themselves in their own worlds.
bù guò ， zhè yī rì ， yǎn fǎ jué kōng jiān zhōng què shì lái le qún tè bié de rén 。
不过，这一日，衍法珏空间中却是来了群特别的人。
However, on this day, a group of special people arrived at the Derivation Method Jewel space.
méi yǒu jìn fǎ yù pái ， què dé dào xiān méng tè pī ， zài hù fǎ táng shǒu xí zhǎng lǎo de dài lǐng xià ， lái dào le cǐ chù 。
没有觐法玉牌，却得到仙盟特批，在护法堂首席长老的带领下，来到了此处。
Without the Ordination Method Jade Token, yet with special approval from the Immortal Alliance, led by the Chief Guardian Elder, they came here.
yí xiàng yǒu xiē yōng lǎn de huā yuè yè sì hū biàn dé yǒu xiē jǐn zhāng ， lián shēng dǎ zhāo hū ：“ jiàn guò xū zhǎng lǎo 。”
一向有些慵懒的花月夜似乎变得有些紧张，连声打招呼：“见过虚长老。”
Flower Moon Night, usually rather lazy, seemed tense as she greeted: "Greetings, Void Elder."
lǐ fán chá jué dào bù jǐn jǐn shì qí tā liǎng wèi zhèn shǒu ， jiù lián yí xiàng dà dà liē liē 、 tiān bù pà dì bù pà de yǎn fǎ jué xiǎo luó lì ， yě shōu liǎn le xǔ duō 。
李凡察觉到不仅仅是其他两位镇守，就连一向大大咧咧、天不怕地不怕的衍法珏小萝莉，也收敛了许多。
Li Fan noticed that not only were the other two guarding elders present but even the usually carefree Derivation Method Jewel little girl had become more restrained.
gēn zhe xíng lǐ de tóng shí ， lǐ fán kàn zhuó yǎn qián zhè wèi sì hū shuāng mù shī míng de bái fà lǎo zhě ， nǎo hǎi zhōng shǎn guò zhè wèi hù fǎ táng shǒu xí de zī liào 。
跟着行礼的同时，李凡看着眼前这位似乎双目失明的白发老者，脑海中闪过这位护法堂首席的资料。
As he bowed and greeted, Li Fan looked at this seemingly blind white-haired elder, recalling his profile in his mind.
“ xū yuān xiàn ， dān rèn hù fǎ táng shǒu xí yǐ jīng sān qiān duō zài 。 suī biǎo miàn kàn shàng qù píng yì jìn rén ， shí zé pí qì gǔ guài 、 kè bǎn 。 duì xiān méng zhì dù zūn shǒu dào jiào tiáo de dì bù ， bù jiǎng qíng miàn 。 shèn zhì ǒu ěr chuán fǎ zhě lái ， xiǎng yào pò huài guī jǔ yě bù xíng 。 shòu dào chuán fǎ zhě jiǎng kàn zhòng ， qí tā chuán fǎ zhě suī yǒu kàn bù guàn tā zhě ， què yě ná tā méi yǒu shén me bàn fǎ 。”
“虚渊献，担任护法堂首席已经三千多载。虽表面看上去平易近人，实则脾气古怪、刻板。对仙盟制度遵守到教条的地步，不讲情面。甚至偶尔传法者来，想要破坏规矩也不行。受到传法者蒋看重，其他传法者虽有看不惯他者，却也拿他没有什么办法。”
"Xuyuanxian has served as Chief Guardian of the Protection Hall for over 3000 years. Though he appears approachable on the surface, he is actually quirky and rigid. He strictly adheres to the Immortal Alliance's rules without any leniency. Even when faced with a Law Giver who wants to break the rules, his actions are firm."
“ jì rán néng dān rèn hù fǎ táng shǒu xí ， xū yuān xiàn zì shēn de shí lì yě shēn bù kě cè 、 bú shì xún cháng hé dào néng bǐ 。 wàn xiān méng jǐn yǒu de yī cì zhū shā hé dào 、 qǔ huí xiè lòu gōng fǎ de jì lù ， jiù shì cǐ rén chū shǒu 。 gān jìng lì luò ， shèn zhì dōu méi yǒu gěi páng guān zhě fǎn yìng de shí jiān 。”
“既然能担任护法堂首席，虚渊献自身的实力也深不可测、不是寻常合道能比。万仙盟仅有的一次诛杀合道、取回泄露功法的记录，就是此人出手。干净利落，甚至都没有给旁观者反应的时间。”
"Given that Xuyuanxian can serve as Chief Guardian, his own strength is unfathomable, far beyond ordinary Dao Companions. The only recorded incident of the Immortal Alliance executing a Dao Companion and retrieving leaked techniques was done by him. It was clean and swift, leaving no time for observers to react."
xū yuān xiàn shuō míng le cǐ cì lái yì ：“ cǐ cì xiān méng dà kǎo gāng jié shù bù jiǔ ， zhè xiē xiǎo wá wá dōu shì qí zhōng jiǎo jiǎo zhě 。 chuán fǎ zhě yì huì tè pī ， yǔn xǔ tā men dòng yòng yǎn fǎ jué 、 tuī yǎn yī cì hé dào jí gōng fǎ de jī huì 。”
虚渊献说明了此次来意：“此次仙盟大考刚结束不久，这些小娃娃都是其中佼佼者。传法者议会特批，允许他们动用衍法珏、推衍一次合道级功法的机会。”
Xuyuanxian explained their purpose: "The Great Exam of the Immortal Alliance has just concluded. These younglings are among its top performers. The Law Giver Council specially approved them to use Derivation Method Jewel to derive a Dao Companion technique once."
“ zěn me zhè yàng ？！”
“怎么这样？！”
"Why like this!"
sān wèi zhèn shǒu yǐ jí yǎn fǎ xiǎo luó lì jù shì yǒu diǎn jīng yà 。
三位镇守以及衍法小萝莉俱是有点惊讶。
The three guarding elders and the little girl were surprised.
xiǎo luó lì dū nāng zhe zuǐ ， hái yù bào yuàn 。
小萝莉嘟囔着嘴，还欲抱怨。
The little girl pouted, ready to complain but stopped when she saw Xuyuanxian's expression.
piē jiàn xū yuān xiàn de shén qíng zhī hòu ， què shì xiǎo xīn yì yì bǎ huà tūn jìn le dǔ zi lǐ 。
瞥见虚渊献的神情之后，却是小心翼翼把话吞进了肚子里。
Li Fan reacted quickly and asked: "Chief, please show the Law Giver seal."
lǐ fán fǎn yìng zuì kuài ， diǎn diǎn tóu dào ：“ hái qǐng shǒu xí chū shì yì huì fǎ yìn 。”
李凡反应最快，点点头道：“还请首席出示议会法印。”
He was serious and did not treat his superior with leniency.
yī liǎn yán sù 、 sī háo méi yǒu yīn wèi duì fāng shì zì jǐ de dǐng tóu shàng sī jiù fū yǎn guò qù 。
一脸严肃、丝毫没有因为对方是自己的顶头上司就敷衍过去。
Xuyuanxian complied by producing a Law Giver seal.
xū yuān xiàn yě shì hěn pèi hé de ， dǎ chū yī dào fǎ yìn 。
虚渊献也是很配合的，打出一道法印。
After sensing the Law Giver’s aura on it, Li Fan carefully verified the information before nodding to indicate the check was complete.
gǎn shòu zhe shàng miàn huán rào de chuán fǎ zhě qì xī ， lǐ fán rèn zhēn de hé duì le qí zhōng de xìn xī shuō míng ， zuì hòu cái shì yì diǎn tóu biǎo shì jiǎn chá tōng guò 。
感受着上面环绕的传法者气息，李凡认真的核对了其中的信息说明，最后才示意点头表示检查通过。
He delayed the original waiting cultivators and assigned Derivation Method Jewel to handle these new Immortal Alliance members' tasks first.
jiāng yuán běn děng dài tuī yǎn de xiū shì yán hòu ， lǐ fán ān pái yǎn fǎ jué xiān jiě jué zhè xiē xiān méng xīn rù zhí xiū shì de rèn wù 。
将原本等待推衍的修士延后，李凡安排衍法珏先解决这些仙盟新入职修士的任务。
---
yī gòng shí liù rén ， nián jì 、 jìng jiè jiē bù xiāng tóng 。
一共十六人，年纪、境界皆不相同。
There were sixteen in total, with varying ages and cultivation stages.
jù dà de yǎn fǎ guāng qiú bù duàn zhuǎn dòng ， xiǎo luó lì qì gǔ gǔ de jìn xíng tuī yǎn gōng zuò 。
巨大的衍法光球不断转动，小萝莉气鼓鼓的进行推衍工作。
The giant Derivation Method light ball kept spinning as the little girl grumpily worked on deriving techniques.
zài zhè qún rén pái duì děng dài gōng fǎ tuī yǎn de shí hòu ， lǐ fán yǒu xiē hào qí de xiàng xū yuān xiàn chuán yīn wèn dào ：“ shǒu xí dà rén ， shù xiǎo zi yǎn zhuō ， zhè qún xiū shì …… sì hū yě bù xiàng shì zī zhì tè bié hǎo de yàng zi 。 zěn me xiān méng rú cǐ yōu dài ？”
在这群人排队等待功法推衍的时候，李凡有些好奇的向虚渊献传音问道：“首席大人，恕小子眼拙，这群修士……似乎也不像是资质特别好的样子。怎么仙盟如此优待？”
As they waited for their turn, Li Fan curiously asked Xuyuanxian: "Chief, I must admit, these cultivators don’t seem to have particularly good资质. Why such special treatment from the Immortal Alliance?"
chuán yīn méi yǒu bì kāi lìng wài liǎng wèi zhèn shǒu ， tā men yě shì mù lù hào qí zhī sè 。
传音没有避开另外两位镇守，他们也是目露好奇之色。
The other two guarding elders also showed interest in his question.
rán ér ， děng lái de què zhǐ yǒu chén mò 。
然而，等来的却只有沉默。
But there was no response.
xū yuān xiàn yī yán bù fā ， sì hū gēn běn méi yǒu tīng dào lǐ fán de chuán yīn yì bān 。
虚渊献一言不发，似乎根本没有听到李凡的传音一般。
Xuyuanxian remained silent as if he hadn't heard Li Fan's transmission.
liǎng wèi zhèn shǒu shí qù de shōu huí mù guāng 。
两位镇守识趣的收回目光。
The two guardians withdrew their attention.
lǐ fán yě méi yǒu jì xù zài wèn ， chǎng jiān yí shì xiàn rù guǐ yì de chén mò zhī zhōng 。
李凡也没有继续再问，场间仪式陷入诡异的沉默之中。
Li Fan didn't press further, and the silence continued until the sixteen finished their derivations and were about to leave.
zhí dào zhè shí liù rén jí tǐ quán bù wán chéng gōng fǎ de tuī yǎn ， jiù yào lí qù zhī shí ， xū yuān xiàn cái hū de huí yìng 。
直到这十六人集体全部完成功法的推衍，就要离去之时，虚渊献才忽的回应。
"Actually, I'm curious too."
“ zhè ge wèn tí ， qí shí wǒ yě xiǎng zhī dào 。”
“这个问题，其实我也想知道。”
"But there are so many unknowns in this world. We don’t need to know everything. Just do our job well."
“ bù guò tiān xià wèi zhī de shì qíng tài duō ， yě wú xū zuò dào shì shì jǐn zhī 。 zhǐ yào zuò hǎo zì jǐ de běn zhí jiù xíng 。”
“不过天下未知的事情太多，也无需做到事事尽知。只要做好自己的本职就行。”
"Since the Law Giver Council decided this way, they must have their reasons. As subordinates, we just follow orders."
“ jì rán chuán fǎ zhě yì huì dōu zhè me jué dìng le ， yí dìng yǒu tā men de dào lǐ 。 wǒ men zhè xiē zuò xià shǔ de ， tīng lìng jiù shì 。”
“既然传法者议会都这么决定了，一定有他们的道理。我们这些做下属的，听令就是。”
The three guardians bowed low, acknowledging his words.
sān wèi zhèn shǒu fēn fēn dī shēn ， biǎo shì shòu jiào 。
三位镇守纷纷低身，表示受教。
Only after Xuyuanxian left did they dare speak again.
zhí dào xū yuān xiàn chè dǐ lí kāi yǎn fǎ jué kōng jiān ， cái gǎn jiāo liú qǐ lái 。
直到虚渊献彻底离开衍法珏空间，才敢交流起来。
"Chief, he’s truly a stickler for rules."
“ shǒu xí dà rén ， hái zhēn shì míng bù xū chuán de gǔ bǎn a 。”
“首席大人，还真是名不虚传的古板啊。”
"Sun Daoist responded quickly, and Chief likes it when you follow the rules. Maybe he'll take you under his wing. In 500 years, he might choose you as his successor," Flower Moon Night joked.
“ sūn dào yǒu zhè cì fǎn yìng hǎo kuài ， shǒu xí jiù xǐ huān nǐ gāng gāng nà yàng de àn guī jǔ bàn shì 。 shuō dìng jiù cǐ rù shǒu xí fǎ yǎn ， děng wǔ bǎi nián hòu dào yǒu chū qù ， tā jiù xuǎn nǐ dāng xià rèn shǒu xí le 。” huā yuè yè tiáo xiào dào 。
“孙道友这次反应好快，首席就喜欢你刚刚那样的按规矩办事。说定就此入首席法眼，等五百年后道友出去，他就选你当下任首席了。”花月夜调笑道。
Li Fan ignored their teasing and first recorded this special use of Derivation Method Jewel according to regulations.
lǐ fán méi yǒu lǐ huì èr rén de tiáo kǎn ， xiān shì àn zhào guī dìng ， jiāng zhè cì yǎn fǎ jué tè shū diào yòng qíng kuàng jì lù shàng bào 。
李凡没有理会二人的调侃，先是按照规定，将这次衍法珏特殊调用情况记录上报。
Then he said indifferently: "Being Chief Guardian is even more of a prison than our job. I have no interest."
ér hòu dàn dàn de shuō le jù ：“ hù fǎ táng shǒu xí ， kě shì bǐ qǐ wǒ men zhè fèn gōng zuò hái yào zuò láo 。 wǒ kě méi yǒu xìng qù 。”
而后淡淡的说了句：“护法堂首席，可是比起我们这份工作还要坐牢。我可没有兴趣。”
"I still have my wife waiting for me at home."
“ jiā zhōng hái yǒu jiāo qī ， zài děng wǒ huí qù ne 。”
“家中还有娇妻，在等我回去呢。”
His half-true, half-false words made the two guardians laugh.
bàn zhēn bàn jiǎ ， yǐn dé liǎng wèi zhèn shǒu dà xiào 。
半真半假，引得两位镇守大笑。
This was just a small interlude in their guarding Derivation Method Jewel process.
zhè jiàn shì ， bù guò shì zhèn shǒu yǎn fǎ jué de guò chéng zhōng suǒ jīng lì de yí gè xiǎo chā qǔ 。
这件事，不过是镇守衍法珏的过程中所经历的一个小插曲。
Soon, they put it behind them, except Li Fan.
hěn kuài ， jǐ rén jiù jiāng cǐ shì pāo zhī nǎo hòu 。
很快，几人就将此事抛之脑后。
Because...
dāng rán ， chú le lǐ fán 。
当然，除了李凡。
Among those sixteen people were secretly agents from Great Qi Dynasty embedded in the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance. His name was Yang Fei.
yīn wèi ……
因为……
Li Fan recognized him, but he didn’t know Li Fan.
gāng gāng nà shí liù rén zhōng ， hè rán yǒu yī míng ， shèng cháo dà qǐ dǎ rù wàn xiān méng de dīng zi 。
刚刚那十六人中，赫然有一名，圣朝大启打入万仙盟的钉子。
But this didn't lessen Li Fan's vigilance.
míng jiào yáng fěi 。
名叫杨斐。
The Immortal Alliance never did meaningless things. These sixteen new members receiving such special treatment made it hard for Li Fan to believe there wasn’t a hidden agenda behind it.
lǐ fán rèn shí tā ， tā què bù rèn shí lǐ fán 。
李凡认识他，他却不认识李凡。
"Maybe they’re like the previous [Selected by Immortals], used to awaken the Law Giver’s power in local stone statues? No, if that were true, they would be destined to die. There's no need to waste Derivation Method Jewel’s computational power..."
dàn bù yǐng xiǎng lǐ fán xīn zhōng de jǐng jué 。
但不影响李凡心中的警觉。
Li Fan敏锐ly sensed something amiss.
xiān méng cóng lái bù zuò wú yì yì zhī shì ， zhè shí liù wèi gāng gāng rù zhí wàn xiān méng 、 jiù dé dào rú cǐ yōu dài ， hěn nán bù ràng lǐ fán huái yí ， zhè bèi hòu yǒu shén me yīn móu zài lǐ miàn 。
仙盟从来不做无意义之事，这十六位刚刚入职万仙盟、就得到如此优待，很难不让李凡怀疑，这背后有什么阴谋在里面。
In Sun Family’s underground secret chamber, his consciousness finally found an opportunity.
“ bú huì yòu xiàng shì zhī qián de 【 xiān xuǎn zhě 】， shì yòng lái huàn xǐng chuán fǎ tiān zūn liú zài gè dì shí xiàng zhōng lì liàng de jì pǐn ba ？ yě bú duì ， rú guǒ shì jì pǐn ， zhù dìng yào sǐ 。 gēn běn méi bì yào làng fèi yǎn fǎ jué de suàn lì ……”
“不会又像是之前的【仙选者】，是用来唤醒传法天尊留在各地石像中力量的祭品吧？也不对，如果是祭品，注定要死。根本没必要浪费衍法珏的算力……”
Sun Luduan returned to the secret chamber with red eyes.
lǐ fán mǐn ruì de chá jué dào le zhè bèi hòu de yì yàng 。
李凡敏锐的察觉到了这背后的异样。
Struggling visibly, he took out a Heavenly Xuan small mirror and explained: "The pressure is too great. Forgive me, brother."
ér zài sūn jiā dì xià mì shì ， tā de fēn shén yě zhōng yú děng lái le hé shì de shí jī 。
而在孙家地下密室，他的分神也终于等来了合适的时机。
"I thought I could die rather than submit. But seeing those faces of Sun Family..."
sūn lù yuǎn zài dù lái dào le mì shì ， shuāng yǎn tōng hóng 。
孙路远再度来到了密室，双眼通红。
Barry's shadow appeared as he transformed into his form, comforting according to Li Fan’s instructions.
miàn lù zhēng zhá zhī sè ， zuì zhōng hái shì jiāng yī méi tiān xuán xiǎo jìng qǔ chū 。
面露挣扎之色，最终还是将一枚天玄小镜取出。
Sun Luduan trembled slightly, clenching his fists so hard that his nails dug deep into the flesh.
ér hòu yòng zì shēn jīng xuè ， yī biān zī bǔ wú liàng jìng zhōng de sūn lù yáo ， yī biān jiě shì dào ：“ shàng miàn gěi de yā lì shí zài tài dà ， yuán liàng gē gē ba 。”
而后用自身精血，一边滋补无量镜中的孙路遥，一边解释道：“上面给的压力实在太大，原谅哥哥吧。”
At this moment, memories of the information about Great Qi Dynasty flashed in his mind.
“ yuán běn yǐ wéi ， wǒ néng zuò dào shì sǐ bù cóng 。 kě shì kàn zhe sūn jiā nà yī zhāng zhāng miàn kǒng ……”
“原本以为，我能做到誓死不从。可是看着孙家那一张张面孔……”
"Perhaps I should try contacting them."
sūn lù yáo huàn huà chéng yī dào hēi yǐng ， xiǎn xiàn chū shēn xíng ， àn zhào lǐ fán fēn shén de zhǐ shì ， ān wèi dào ：“ gē ， wǒ dǒng 。 méi guān xì de ， jiāo gěi wǒ jiù hǎo 。”
孙路遥幻化成一道黑影，显现出身形，按照李凡分神的指示，安慰道：“哥，我懂。没关系的，交给我就好。”
"Being a dog for life carries risks. Perhaps this 'Great Qi' really has something surprising for me?"
sūn lù yuǎn wén yán wēi chàn ， quán tou jǐn wò ， zhǐ jiǎ dōu yào shēn shēn cì rù ròu lǐ 。
孙路远闻言微颤，拳头紧握，指甲都要深深刺入肉里。
The Infinite Mirror pretended to search for information related to its Heavenly Xuan counterpart within the Heavenly Xuan Realm.
cǐ kè ， tā de nǎo hǎi zhōng bù jīn yòu fú xiàn zhī qián sōu xún dào de nà ge 【 shèng cháo dà qǐ 】 de xìn xī 。
此刻，他的脑海中不禁又浮现之前搜寻到的那个【圣朝大启】的信息。
In reality, it was probing why these sixteen cultivators were given such special treatment.
“ huò xǔ ， kě shì shì zhe gēn qí jiē chù xià 。”
“或许，可是试着跟其接触下。”
And Chapter 12 is halfway through...
“ dāng yī bèi zi de gǒu ， yě yǒu zhe suí shí bèi shā tóu de fēng xiǎn 。 huò xǔ zhè shén me dà qǐ ， hái zhēn néng gěi wǒ diǎn jīng xǐ ne ？”
“当一辈子的狗，也有着随时被杀头的风险。或许这什么大启，还真能给我点惊喜呢？”
(End of chapter)
Truly Real Essence Stone was a survivor from the Xuanhuang Realm's annihilation, so Li Fan wouldn't underestimate it.
"There’s no need to rush. This time around, I'll be an absolutely reliable partner, earning Taiyin Sect's trust in exchange for more secret information."
"I will first perfect this data pollution array. If there's a chance, I’ll test its effects."
The Derivation Method Jewel provided Li Fan with enough safe and undisturbed time.
Apart from occasionally dealing with the little girl’s strikes of laziness, it was quite peaceful most of the time.
Interactions among the three guarding elders were becoming fewer as they each immersed themselves in their own worlds.
However, on this day, a group of special people arrived at the Derivation Method Jewel space.
Without the Ordination Method Jade Token, yet with special approval from the Immortal Alliance, led by the Chief Guardian Elder, they came here.
Flower Moon Night, usually rather lazy, seemed tense as she greeted: "Greetings, Void Elder."
Li Fan noticed that not only were the other two guarding elders present but even the usually carefree Derivation Method Jewel little girl had become more restrained.
As he bowed and greeted, Li Fan looked at this seemingly blind white-haired elder, recalling his profile in his mind.
"Xuyuanxian has served as Chief Guardian of the Protection Hall for over 3000 years. Though he appears approachable on the surface, he is actually quirky and rigid. He strictly adheres to the Immortal Alliance's rules without any leniency. Even when faced with a Law Giver who wants to break the rules, his actions are firm."
"Given that Xuyuanxian can serve as Chief Guardian, his own strength is unfathomable, far beyond ordinary Dao Companions. The only recorded incident of the Immortal Alliance executing a Dao Companion and retrieving leaked techniques was done by him. It was clean and swift, leaving no time for observers to react."
Xuyuanxian explained their purpose: "The Great Exam of the Immortal Alliance has just concluded. These younglings are among its top performers. The Law Giver Council specially approved them to use Derivation Method Jewel to derive a Dao Companion technique once."
"Huh? Why?"
"Why like this!"
The three guarding elders and the little girl were surprised.
The little girl pouted, ready to complain but stopped when she saw Xuyuanxian's expression.
Li Fan reacted quickly and asked: "Chief, please show the Law Giver seal."
He was serious and did not treat his superior with leniency.
Xuyuanxian complied by producing a Law Giver seal.
After sensing the Law Giver’s aura on it, Li Fan carefully verified the information before nodding to indicate the check was complete.
He delayed the original waiting cultivators and assigned Derivation Method Jewel to handle these new Immortal Alliance members' tasks first.
---
There were sixteen in total, with varying ages and cultivation stages.
The giant Derivation Method light ball kept spinning as the little girl grumpily worked on deriving techniques.
As they waited for their turn, Li Fan curiously asked Xuyuanxian: "Chief, I must admit, these cultivators don’t seem to have particularly good资质. Why such special treatment from the Immortal Alliance?"
The other two guarding elders also showed interest in his question.
But there was no response.
Xuyuanxian remained silent as if he hadn't heard Li Fan's transmission.
The two guardians withdrew their attention.
Li Fan didn't press further, and the silence continued until the sixteen finished their derivations and were about to leave.
"Actually, I'm curious too."
"But there are so many unknowns in this world. We don’t need to know everything. Just do our job well."
"Since the Law Giver Council decided this way, they must have their reasons. As subordinates, we just follow orders."
The three guardians bowed low, acknowledging his words.
Only after Xuyuanxian left did they dare speak again.
"Chief, he’s truly a stickler for rules."
"Sun Daoist responded quickly, and Chief likes it when you follow the rules. Maybe he'll take you under his wing. In 500 years, he might choose you as his successor," Flower Moon Night joked.
Li Fan ignored their teasing and first recorded this special use of Derivation Method Jewel according to regulations.
Then he said indifferently: "Being Chief Guardian is even more of a prison than our job. I have no interest."
"I still have my wife waiting for me at home."
His half-true, half-false words made the two guardians laugh.
This was just a small interlude in their guarding Derivation Method Jewel process.
Soon, they put it behind them, except Li Fan.
Because...
Among those sixteen people were secretly agents from Great Qi Dynasty embedded in the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance. His name was Yang Fei.
Li Fan recognized him, but he didn’t know Li Fan.
But this didn't lessen Li Fan's vigilance.
The Immortal Alliance never did meaningless things. These sixteen new members receiving such special treatment made it hard for Li Fan to believe there wasn’t a hidden agenda behind it.
"Maybe they’re like the previous [Selected by Immortals], used to awaken the Law Giver’s power in local stone statues? No, if that were true, they would be destined to die. There's no need to waste Derivation Method Jewel’s computational power..."
Li Fan敏锐ly sensed something amiss.
In Sun Family’s underground secret chamber, his consciousness finally found an opportunity.
Sun Luduan returned to the secret chamber with red eyes.
Struggling visibly, he took out a Heavenly Xuan small mirror and explained: "The pressure is too great. Forgive me, brother."
"I thought I could die rather than submit. But seeing those faces of Sun Family..."
Barry's shadow appeared as he transformed into his form, comforting according to Li Fan’s instructions.
Sun Luduan trembled slightly, clenching his fists so hard that his nails dug deep into the flesh.
At this moment, memories of the information about Great Qi Dynasty flashed in his mind.
"Perhaps I should try contacting them."
"Being a dog for life carries risks. Perhaps this 'Great Qi' really has something surprising for me?"
The Infinite Mirror pretended to search for information related to its Heavenly Xuan counterpart within the Heavenly Xuan Realm.
In reality, it was probing why these sixteen cultivators were given such special treatment.
And Chapter 12 is halfway through...
(End of chapter)