lǐ fán yǎn shén wēi mī ， tiào wàng qián fāng ， shì yǒu wú xiàn miǎn huái zhī sè 。
李凡眼神微眯，眺望前方，似有无限缅怀之色。
Li Fan's eyes narrowed as he gazed ahead, a look of infinite nostalgia on his face.
“ dāng chū xiān zǔ suī rù dé tài yǎn zōng ， dàn què bù xǐ xiū liàn ， ér shì chī mí yú tuī yǎn cè suàn zhī shù 。 yuán běn dào yě wú fáng ， shuí céng xiǎng tiān dì jù biàn ， fán rén jǐn xū qiān xǐ 。
“当初先祖虽入得太衍宗，但却不喜修炼，而是痴迷于推衍测算之术。原本倒也无妨，谁曾想天地巨变，凡人尽需迁徙。
"Back then, our ancestors did enter the Taiyin Sect. However, they were not fond of cultivation; instead, they were obsessed with the art of derivation and calculation. While this was fine at first, who would have thought that the heavens underwent such great changes, forcing all mortals to migrate?"
yǐ xiān zǔ liàn qì chū qī de xiū wèi ， suī shuō ruò shì bù yuàn ， yě bú huì yǒu rén qiǎng pò 。 nài hé xiān zǔ chén yuán wèi liǎo ， jiàn jiā zú zhōng rén fǎng huáng kǒng huāng ， yú shì qǐng mìng fù zé fán rén qiān xǐ yī shì 。 zhī hòu jiù suí jiā zú yì zhí liú zài le cǐ chù 。”
以先祖炼气初期的修为，虽说若是不愿，也不会有人强迫。奈何先祖尘缘未了，见家族中人仿徨恐慌，于是请命负责凡人迁徙一事。之后就随家族一直留在了此处。”
Li Fan spoke eloquently, his words filled with emotion.
lǐ fán kǎn kǎn ér tán ， gǎn kǎi wàn fēn 。
李凡侃侃而谈，感慨万分。
Cao Hong and Dao Xuanzi both nodded slowly as they heard their conversation hinting at various ancient legends they had previously learned. Cao Hong even asked curiously, "The Taiyin Sect still existed during the Great Migration? I heard that all ancient sects perished in the previous cosmic calamity."
kòu hóng yǔ dào xuán zi èr rén tīng dé duì fāng huà zhōng suǒ yán yǐn yǐn àn hé zhī qián tīng dào de zhǒng zhǒng shàng gǔ yì wén ， jūn shì huǎn huǎn hàn shǒu 。
寇洪与道玄子二人听得对方话中所言隐隐暗合之前听到的种种上古异闻，均是缓缓颔首。
Li Fan was taken aback for a moment before shaking his head. "It's just a case of mistaken information passing around. Although the cosmic calamity prevented the simultaneous practice of immortal techniques, the Taiyin Sect had a vast array of true arts. It wouldn't be difficult for one to obtain a single art. The sect did suffer some losses back then, but it was far from being destroyed."
kòu hóng gèng shì qí dào ：“ tài yǎn zōng zài dà qiān xǐ shí dài shí hái cún yú shì ？ wǒ zhī qián tīng wén ， shàng gǔ zōng mén jù zài zhī qián de tiān dì dà jié zhōng pò miè le 。”
寇洪更是奇道：“太衍宗在大迁徙时代时还存于世？我之前听闻，上古宗门俱在之前的天地大劫中破灭了。”
Cao Hong and Dao Xuanzi were left speechless by Li Fan's words, particularly his statement about the vast array of true arts in the Taiyin Sect.
lǐ fán xiān shì yī lèng ， suí hòu yáo yáo tóu ：“ bù guò shì yǐ é chuán é bà le 。 suī shuō tiān dì dà jié ， xiān fǎ bù néng tóng xiū ， kě tài yǎn zōng nèi gōng fǎ hào rú xīng hǎi ， yī rén fēn de yī mén yòu qǐ shì shén me nán shì ？ dāng chū zōng mén shì yǒu bù xiǎo sǔn shī ， dàn jué wú pò miè kě néng 。”
李凡先是一愣，随后摇摇头：“不过是以讹传讹罢了。虽说天地大劫，仙法不能同修，可太衍宗内功法浩如星海，一人分得一门又岂是什么难事？当初宗门是有不小损失，但绝无破灭可能。”
Next, Li Fan suddenly asked, "From your conversation, it seems that the Taiyin Sect hasn't appeared for a long time outside?"
lǐ fán huà shuō de háo hèng ， yóu qí shì nà jù “ gōng fǎ hào rú xīng hǎi ， yī rén fēn de yī mén ” gèng shì tīng dé kòu hóng yǔ dào xuán zi mù xuàn shén mí 。
李凡话说的豪横，由其是那句“功法浩如星海，一人分得一门”更是听得寇洪与道玄子目眩神迷。
Dao Xuanzi shook his head. "Not just the Taiyin Sect; even ancient sects like the Tai Shang Sect and the Great Dao Sect have vanished without a trace."
jǐn jiē zhe ， lǐ fán hū de wèn dào ：“ wǒ guān èr wèi yán yǔ ， sì hū wài jiè tài yǎn zōng xǔ jiǔ méi yǒu xiàn shì le ？”
紧接着，李凡忽的问道：“我观二位言语，似乎外界太衍宗许久没有现世了？”
Li Fan muttered to himself, "The path of immortals is arduous indeed. Just as my ancestors said, the sects chose to retreat from the world to avoid calamities..."
dào xuán zi yáo tóu ：“ bù zhǐ tài yǎn zōng ， bāo kuò tài shàng zōng 、 dà dào zōng 、 tiān jiàn pài zhè xiē shàng gǔ zōng mén ， rú jīn quán dōu méi le zōng yǐng 。”
道玄子摇头：“不止太衍宗，包括太上宗、大道宗、天剑派这些上古宗门，如今全都没了踪影。”
Dao Xuanzi and Cao Hong exchanged glances and whispered privately, "I've always had doubts about the disappearance of ancient sects. Now that I think about it, there's something strange going on. How could such deeply rooted ancient sects vanish so suddenly?"
lǐ fán wén yán zì yǔ dào ：“ xiān dào jiān nán 。 guǒ zhēn rú xiān zǔ suǒ shuō ， zōng mén yě xuǎn zé yǐn shì bì huò le ……”
李凡闻言自语道：“仙道艰难。果真如先祖所说，宗门也选择隐世避祸了……”
"It makes sense for them to retreat from the world. If news spreads that these sects still exist, even if they are powerful, people would surely try to find their way in."
dào xuán zi hé kòu hóng duì shì yī yǎn ， sī xià chuán yīn dào ：“ zhī qián wǒ jiù duì shàng gǔ zōng mén fēn fēn pò miè yī shì yǒu suǒ huái yí ， xiàn zài xiǎng xiǎng ， què shí yǒu xiē qī qiāo 。 shàng gǔ zōng mén dǐ yùn hé qí shēn hòu ， zěn me kě néng dàn xī jiān jiù xiāo shī bú jiàn 。”
道玄子和寇洪对视一眼，私下传音道：“之前我就对上古宗门纷纷破灭一事有所怀疑，现在想想，确实有些蹊跷。上古宗门底蕴何其深厚，怎么可能旦夕间就消失不见。”
...
“ yě nán guài huì xuǎn zé yǐn shì bù chū ， ruò shì zhè xiē zōng mén hái cún zài de xiāo xī chuán chū qù ， nǎ pà tā men zài qiáng ， kǒng pà yě gé sān chà wǔ yǒu rén dǎ shàng mén qù 。”
“也难怪会选择隐世不出，若是这些宗门还存在的消息传出去，哪怕它们再强，恐怕也隔三差五有人打上门去。”
The two quickly exchanged a few words before Dao Xuanzi politely asked, "May I ask why you stopped us?"
……
……
Li Fan sighed, "This place has never been visited by cultivators for thousands of years. Today, seeing the two of you, I knew that you were the ones my ancestors predicted would be key to our liberation. Seeing your determination to fight over a cultivation technique, I rushed to stop you."
èr rén qǐng kè jiān jiù jiāo liú le shù jù ， suí hòu dào xuán zi gǒng le gǒng shǒu ：“ bù zhī dào yǒu lán xià wǒ èr rén suǒ wèi hé shì ？”
二人顷刻间就交流了数句，随后道玄子拱了拱手：“不知道友拦下我二人所为何事？”
Dao Xuanzi admitted with a smile, "I apologize for any inconvenience caused. However, you might not know that outside, obtaining techniques is extremely difficult. People often turn on each other and fight over a single technique."
lǐ fán tàn le kǒu qì ：“ cǐ dì qiān bǎi nián lái dōu wèi yǒu xiū xiān zhě tà zú 。 jīn rì dé jiàn èr wèi ， wǒ jiù zhī nǐ men jiù shì xiān zǔ lín zhōng qián yù yán zhī rén ， wǒ zú tuō kùn qì jī suǒ zài 。 ér yǎn jiàn nǐ men yào wèi le yī jié dān gōng fǎ shēng sǐ xiāng dòu ， zhè cái gǎn máng chū yán quàn zǔ 。”
李凡叹了口气：“此地千百年来都未有修仙者踏足。今日得见二位，我就知你们就是先祖临终前预言之人，我族脱困契机所在。而眼见你们要为了一结丹功法生死相斗，这才赶忙出言劝阻。”
Li Fan shook his head vigorously. "That's too extreme!"
dào xuán zi tǎn rán dào ：“ ràng dào yǒu jiàn xiào le 。 bù guò nǐ kě néng bù zhī ， wài jiè gōng fǎ nán dé ， wèi le yī juàn gōng fǎ ér fǎn mù sī shā ， shí shǔ zhèng cháng 。”
道玄子坦然道：“让道友见笑了。不过你可能不知，外界功法难得，为了一卷功法而反目厮杀，实属正常。”
Dao Xuanzi probed further, "Based on your tone, it seems..."
lǐ fán lián lián yáo tóu ：“ hé zhì yú cǐ a ！”
李凡连连摇头：“何至于此啊！”
"Indeed, my ancestors left behind a technique that directly leads to the Golden Core Realm," Li Fan said proudly.
dào xuán zi shì tàn xìng de wèn dào ：“ tīng dào yǒu de yǔ qì ， sì hū ……”
道玄子试探性的问道：“听道友的语气，似乎……”
Dao Xuanzi took a deep breath. "May I ask what you seek?"
“ bù cuò ， xiān zǔ lín zhōng qián céng chuán xià yī juàn gōng fǎ ， zhí zhǐ jīn dān jìng 。” lǐ fán ào rán dào 。
“不错，先祖临终前曾传下一卷功法，直指金丹境。”李凡傲然道。
Cao Hong was overjoyed. "This is great! If Dao Xuanzi can obtain this technique, we brothers won't need to fight anymore."
dào xuán zi shēn xī le kǒu qì ：“ bù zhī dào yǒu suǒ qiú hé shì ？”
道玄子深吸了口气：“不知道友所求何事？”
"My ancestor's lifelong wish was to return to the Taiyin Sect in the cultivation world. Before his death, he passed down a magical artifact called the Taiyin Boat. Although it has been damaged, my ancestors used the derivation technique to predict that two cultivators would come here one day—a swordsman and an alchemist—capable of restoring the boat and helping us escape this desolate place," Li Fan said as he took a sip of wine.
kòu hóng gèng shì dà xǐ ：“ tài hǎo le 。 ruò shì dào xuán zi nǐ néng dé cǐ gōng fǎ ， wǒ men xiōng dì èr rén yě bù xū zài zhēng dòu le 。”
寇洪更是大喜：“太好了。若是道玄子你能得此功法，我们兄弟二人也不需再争斗了。”
Cao Hong and Dao Xuanzi's expressions changed dramatically. "Brother Cao Hong is obsessed with alchemy, while my strength lies in sword techniques. This derivation technique is truly beyond comprehension?" Dao Xuanzi was shocked, taking his time to recover from the shock.
“ xiān zǔ píng shēng sù yuàn ， jiù shì néng fǎn huí xiū xiān jiè tài yǎn zōng mén 。 lín zhōng qián ， chú le zhè juǎn gōng fǎ wài ， hái chuán xià yī fǎ qì ， míng yuē tài yǎn zhōu 。 suī rán yǐ jīng sǔn huài ， dàn shì xiān zǔ céng yòng tài yǎn zhī shù cè suàn ， ruò gān nián hòu ， huì yǒu èr wèi xiū xiān zhě lái dào cǐ dì ， yī wèi shàn shǐ jiàn fǎ ， yī wèi xǐ ài liàn qì 。 kě zhù hòu rén xiū fù tài yǎn zhōu ， tuō lí cǐ chù jué dì 。” lǐ fán mǐn le kǒu jiǔ ， huǎn huǎn shuō dào 。
“先祖平生夙愿，就是能返回修仙界太衍宗门。临终前，除了这卷功法外，还传下一法器，名曰太衍舟。虽然已经损坏，但是先祖曾用太衍之术测算，若干年后，会有二位修仙者来到此地，一位擅使剑法，一位喜爱炼器。可助后人修复太衍舟，脱离此处绝地。”李凡抿了口酒，缓缓说道。
"Having such formidable power at the Foundation Establishment Realm is unimaginable..." Cao Hong was left speechless by the revelation.
kòu hóng yǔ dào xuán zi jiē shì sè biàn 。
寇洪与道玄子皆是色变。
Li Fan smiled and said after a moment, "Words are meaningless; please follow me to see this technique."
“ wǒ xiōng kòu hóng xīn zuì liàn qì zhī dào ， ér wǒ zhī suǒ zhǎng zhèng shì jiàn fǎ 。 zhè tài yǎn zhī shù ， jìng rán rú cǐ bù kě sī yì ？” dào xuán zi zhèn jīng mò míng ， zú zú bàn shǎng hòu cái huí guò shén lái 。
“我兄寇洪心醉炼器之道，而我之所长正是剑法。这太衍之术，竟然如此不可思议？”道玄子震惊莫名，足足半晌后才回过神来。
Dao Xuanzi's face lit up as he followed. Seeing that Cao Hong wanted to join them, Dao Xuanzi became wary: "Why, brother, you already have a Dan Foundation technique, yet you're still not satisfied?"
“ yǐ zhù jī qī xiū wèi jiù yǒu rú cǐ mò cè shén wēi ， zhēn shì nán yǐ xiǎng xiàng ……” kòu hóng yě shì bèi jīng dé mù dèng kǒu dāi 。
“以筑基期修为就有如此莫测神威，真是难以想象……”寇洪也是被惊得目瞪口呆。
Cao Hong sheepishly said, "Alright, I won't go in."
lǐ fán xiào le xiào ， guò le piàn kè ， yòu shuō dào ：“ kǒu shuō wú píng ， hái xiān qǐng èr wèi suí wǒ lái yī guān zhè gōng fǎ 。”
李凡笑了笑，过了片刻，又说道：“口说无凭，还先请二位随我来一观这功法。”
Dao Xuanzi coldly snorted and caught up with Li Fan.
dào xuán zi miàn shàng yī xǐ ， qǐ shēn gēn shàng 。 kàn dào kòu hóng yě xiǎng gēn zhe guò lái ， lì mǎ yǒu xiē jǐng tì ：“ zěn me ， xiōng zhǎng yǐ jīng dé le yī piān jié dān gōng fǎ ， hái bù zhī zú me ？”
道玄子面上一喜，起身跟上。看到寇洪也想跟着过来，立马有些警惕：“怎么，兄长已经得了一篇结丹功法，还不知足么？”
Seeing that Cao Hong didn't follow as expected, Li Fan finally breathed a sigh of relief. He knew his plan for this world was half successful.
kòu hóng wén yán ， shàn shàn dì shuō dào ：“ hǎo ba ， wǒ jiù bù guò qù le 。”
寇洪闻言，讪讪地说道：“好吧，我就不过去了。”
He led Dao Xuanzi to the secret underground chamber beneath the Taiyi Mansion.
dào xuán zi lěng hēng yī shēng ， zhuī shàng le lǐ fán de jiǎo bù 。
道玄子冷哼一声，追上了李凡的脚步。
As Dao Xuanzi stepped into the chamber, he suddenly felt an eerie sensation and stopped in his tracks.
lǐ fán kàn dào kòu hóng gēn yù liào zhōng de yī yàng méi yǒu gēn lái ， zhōng yú sōng le kǒu qì ， zhī dào cǐ shì móu huà yǐ rán chéng gōng le yí bàn 。
李凡看到寇洪跟预料中的一样没有跟来，终于松了口气，知道此世谋划已然成功了一半。
Using his divine sense, he carefully scanned the surroundings and exclaimed, "Immortal-Demon Mist!"
tā dài lǐng zhe dào xuán zi dǎ kāi jī guān ， lái dào le tài shī fǔ de dì xià mì shì zhōng 。
他带领着道玄子打开机关，来到了太师府的地下密室中。
Indeed, all the mechanisms inside the chamber were hidden with Immortal-Demon Mist. The intensity of the mist was enough to make Dao Xuanzi's heart race.
dào xuán zi zhèng yù zǒu jìn mì shì ， hū jué yī zhèn máo gǔ sǒng rán ， shōu zhù le jiǎo bù 。
道玄子正欲走进密室，忽觉一阵毛骨悚然，收住了脚步。
Li Fan smiled. "We can't be too careful; for our sake, we must act this way."
zǐ xì yòng shén shí sǎo shì le sì zhōu ， dùn shí jīng shēng dào ：“ xiān fán zhàng ！”
仔细用神识扫视了四周，顿时惊声道：“仙凡瘴！”
Dao Xuanzi forced a smile but hesitated and took a step back instead.
yuán lái ， mì shì shàng xià sì fāng de jī guān nèi ， quán bù àn cáng xiān fán zhàng 。 qì xī zhī nóng hòu ， ràng dào xuán zi xīn jīng dǎn zhàn 。
原来，密室上下四方的机关内，全部暗藏仙凡瘴。气息之浓厚，让道玄子心惊胆战。
Li Fan said nothing more as he stepped into the chamber and retrieved an emerald jade slip from a box.
lǐ fán xiào le xiào ：“ fáng rén zhī xīn bù kě wú ， wǒ děng fán rén ， wèi le shǒu hù jiā zú zhì bǎo ， yě zhǐ yǒu rú cǐ xíng shì le 。”
李凡笑了笑：“防人之心不可无，我等凡人，为了守护家族至宝，也只有如此行事了。”
He didn't leave the chamber; instead, he held it so Dao Xuanzi could see.
dào xuán zi jiān nán dì xiào le xiào ， què shì zài yě bù kěn xiàng qián bàn bù ， fǎn dào shì yòu hòu tuì le shǎo xǔ 。
道玄子艰难地笑了笑，却是再也不肯向前半步，反倒是又后退了少许。
This jade slip was actually the "Thousand Mechanisms and Jade Circle" that Li Fan had obtained from Cao Hong in his previous life!
lǐ fán dào yě méi shuō shén me ， ér shì zǒu jìn mì shì ， cóng yí gè xiāng zi lǐ ， ná chū le yī méi yù jiǎn 。
李凡倒也没说什么，而是走进密室，从一个箱子里，拿出了一枚玉简。
Li Fan was gambling. According to Cao Hong's description, when he stole the technique and ran away, Dao Xuanzi hadn't seen its true form.
tā yě méi yǒu zǒu chū mì shì ， zhǐ shì shǒu chí ràng dào xuán zi néng gòu kàn dào 。
他也没有走出密室，只是手持让道玄子能够看到。
He intended to use this as bait to get Cao Hong and Dao Xuanzi to help repair the Taiyin Boat!
zhè méi yù jiǎn ， zhèng shì shàng yī shì cóng kòu hóng shǒu zhōng dé dào de 《 qiān jī yù huán jīn zhāng 》！
这枚玉简，正是上一世从寇洪手中得到的《千机玉寰金章》！
If Li Fan guessed wrong...
méi cuò ， lǐ fán zài dǔ 。
没错，李凡在赌。
The assassins in the Taiyi Mansion were already prepared. If they couldn't handle it...
gēn jù shàng yī shì kòu hóng de miáo shù ， dāng chū tā qiǎng le gōng fǎ jiù pǎo ， dào xuán zi xiǎn rán shì méi yǒu jiàn guò zhè mén gōng fǎ de zhēn miàn mù dì 。
根据上一世寇洪的描述，当初他抢了功法就跑，道玄子显然是没有见过这门功法的真面目的。
He would simply try a different approach next life!
zhèng hǎo yǐ cǐ zuò wéi yòu ěr ， ràng kòu hóng yǔ dào xuán zi èr rén bāng tā xiū fù tài yǎn zhōu ！
正好以此作为诱饵，让寇洪与道玄子二人帮他修复太衍舟！
Li Fan was completely at ease, knowing that Dao Xuanzi's mind had been fully captured by the golden jade slip.
zhì yú ruò shì lǐ fán cāi cè cuò wù ……
至于若是李凡猜测错误……
"Thousand Mechanisms and Jade Circle, an Incubation Core technique... It's actually an Incubation Core technique..." Dao Xuanzi's breathing became heavy as a dangerous glint appeared in his eyes.
tài shī fǔ nèi yī zhòng sǐ shì zǎo yǐ jiù wèi ， ruò shì shí zài bù dí ……
太师府内一众死士早已就位，若是实在不敌……
However, seeing Li Fan's nonchalant smile and the faint sense of danger from the Immortal-Demon Mist, Dao Xuanzi quickly regained his composure.
dà bù liǎo xià yī shì huàn gè bàn fǎ ！
大不了下一世换个办法！
"How about that? Is what old man said true?" Li Fan asked with a smile. "Earlier, I only mentioned it was a Dan Foundation technique in front of your brother Cao Hong to prevent him from having any evil thoughts."
lǐ fán xīn zhōng wán quán bù huāng ， yīn wèi tā fā xiàn ， dào xuán zi de xīn shén yǐ jīng wán quán bèi zì jǐ shǒu zhōng de jīn sè yù jiǎn suǒ xī yǐn le 。
李凡心中完全不慌，因为他发现，道玄子的心神已经完全被自己手中的金色玉简所吸引了。
"Your mind is meticulous; I admire you," Dao Xuanzi said with a nod.
“《 qiān jī yù huán jīn zhāng 》， yuán yīng gōng fǎ ， jìng rán shì yuán yīng gōng fǎ ……” dào xuán zi de hū xī biàn dé yǒu xiē chén zhòng ， yǎn zhōng de shèn zhì shǎn guò yī sī wēi xiǎn de shén sè 。
“《千机玉寰金章》，元婴功法，竟然是元婴功法……”道玄子的呼吸变得有些沉重，眼中的甚至闪过一丝危险的神色。
He then became more enthusiastic: "Rest assured, my brother Dao Xuan is proficient in alchemy. I will persuade him to help you repair the Taiyin Boat wholeheartedly."
bù guò kàn dào lǐ fán sì xiào fēi xiào de mú yàng ， yǐ jí mì shì zhōng xiān fán zhàng chuán lái de dàn dàn wēi jī gǎn ， ràng dào xuán zi shùn jiān qīng xǐng le guò lái 。
不过看到李凡似笑非笑的模样，以及密室中仙凡瘴传来的淡淡危机感，让道玄子瞬间清醒了过来。
Li Fan laughed heartily. "Then please do so. Once it's done, I'll present this technique to you personally."
“ zěn me yàng ？ lǎo xiǔ suǒ yán shǔ shí fǒu ？” lǐ fán xiào zhe wèn dào 。“ xiān qián zài nǐ nà kòu hóng xiōng zhǎng miàn qián ， wǒ zhǐ shuō xiān zǔ suǒ chuán shì jié dān gōng fǎ ， jiù shì pà tā zài qǐ dǎi niàn 。”
“怎么样？老朽所言属实否？”李凡笑着问道。“先前在你那寇洪兄长面前，我只说先祖所传是结丹功法，就是怕他再起歹念。”
With eternal life within reach, Dao Xuanzi was eager to start working with Cao Hong immediately.
“ dào yǒu xīn sī zhěn mì ， zài xià pèi fú 。” dào xuán zi yī fù shēn yǐ wéi rán de mú yàng 。
“道友心思缜密，在下佩服。”道玄子一副深以为然的模样。
He reluctantly watched as Li Fan sealed away the technique and closed the chamber. He then eagerly found Cao Hong.
Li Fan's eyes narrowed as he gazed ahead, a look of infinite nostalgia on his face.
"Back then, our ancestors did enter the Taiyin Sect. However, they were not fond of cultivation; instead, they were obsessed with the art of derivation and calculation. While this was fine at first, who would have thought that the heavens underwent such great changes, forcing all mortals to migrate?"
Li Fan spoke eloquently, his words filled with emotion.
Cao Hong and Dao Xuanzi both nodded slowly as they heard their conversation hinting at various ancient legends they had previously learned. Cao Hong even asked curiously, "The Taiyin Sect still existed during the Great Migration? I heard that all ancient sects perished in the previous cosmic calamity."
Li Fan was taken aback for a moment before shaking his head. "It's just a case of mistaken information passing around. Although the cosmic calamity prevented the simultaneous practice of immortal techniques, the Taiyin Sect had a vast array of true arts. It wouldn't be difficult for one to obtain a single art. The sect did suffer some losses back then, but it was far from being destroyed."
Cao Hong and Dao Xuanzi were left speechless by Li Fan's words, particularly his statement about the vast array of true arts in the Taiyin Sect.
Next, Li Fan suddenly asked, "From your conversation, it seems that the Taiyin Sect hasn't appeared for a long time outside?"
Dao Xuanzi shook his head. "Not just the Taiyin Sect; even ancient sects like the Tai Shang Sect and the Great Dao Sect have vanished without a trace."
Li Fan muttered to himself, "The path of immortals is arduous indeed. Just as my ancestors said, the sects chose to retreat from the world to avoid calamities..."
Dao Xuanzi and Cao Hong exchanged glances and whispered privately, "I've always had doubts about the disappearance of ancient sects. Now that I think about it, there's something strange going on. How could such deeply rooted ancient sects vanish so suddenly?"
"It makes sense for them to retreat from the world. If news spreads that these sects still exist, even if they are powerful, people would surely try to find their way in."
...
The two quickly exchanged a few words before Dao Xuanzi politely asked, "May I ask why you stopped us?"
Li Fan sighed, "This place has never been visited by cultivators for thousands of years. Today, seeing the two of you, I knew that you were the ones my ancestors predicted would be key to our liberation. Seeing your determination to fight over a cultivation technique, I rushed to stop you."
Dao Xuanzi admitted with a smile, "I apologize for any inconvenience caused. However, you might not know that outside, obtaining techniques is extremely difficult. People often turn on each other and fight over a single technique."
Li Fan shook his head vigorously. "That's too extreme!"
Dao Xuanzi probed further, "Based on your tone, it seems..."
"Indeed, my ancestors left behind a technique that directly leads to the Golden Core Realm," Li Fan said proudly.
Dao Xuanzi took a deep breath. "May I ask what you seek?"
Cao Hong was overjoyed. "This is great! If Dao Xuanzi can obtain this technique, we brothers won't need to fight anymore."
"My ancestor's lifelong wish was to return to the Taiyin Sect in the cultivation world. Before his death, he passed down a magical artifact called the Taiyin Boat. Although it has been damaged, my ancestors used the derivation technique to predict that two cultivators would come here one day—a swordsman and an alchemist—capable of restoring the boat and helping us escape this desolate place," Li Fan said as he took a sip of wine.
Cao Hong and Dao Xuanzi's expressions changed dramatically. "Brother Cao Hong is obsessed with alchemy, while my strength lies in sword techniques. This derivation technique is truly beyond comprehension?" Dao Xuanzi was shocked, taking his time to recover from the shock.
"Having such formidable power at the Foundation Establishment Realm is unimaginable..." Cao Hong was left speechless by the revelation.
Li Fan smiled and said after a moment, "Words are meaningless; please follow me to see this technique."
Dao Xuanzi's face lit up as he followed. Seeing that Cao Hong wanted to join them, Dao Xuanzi became wary: "Why, brother, you already have a Dan Foundation technique, yet you're still not satisfied?"
Cao Hong sheepishly said, "Alright, I won't go in."
Dao Xuanzi coldly snorted and caught up with Li Fan.
Seeing that Cao Hong didn't follow as expected, Li Fan finally breathed a sigh of relief. He knew his plan for this world was half successful.
He led Dao Xuanzi to the secret underground chamber beneath the Taiyi Mansion.
As Dao Xuanzi stepped into the chamber, he suddenly felt an eerie sensation and stopped in his tracks.
Using his divine sense, he carefully scanned the surroundings and exclaimed, "Immortal-Demon Mist!"
Indeed, all the mechanisms inside the chamber were hidden with Immortal-Demon Mist. The intensity of the mist was enough to make Dao Xuanzi's heart race.
Li Fan smiled. "We can't be too careful; for our sake, we must act this way."
Dao Xuanzi forced a smile but hesitated and took a step back instead.
Li Fan said nothing more as he stepped into the chamber and retrieved an emerald jade slip from a box.
He didn't leave the chamber; instead, he held it so Dao Xuanzi could see.
This jade slip was actually the "Thousand Mechanisms and Jade Circle" that Li Fan had obtained from Cao Hong in his previous life!
Li Fan was gambling. According to Cao Hong's description, when he stole the technique and ran away, Dao Xuanzi hadn't seen its true form.
He intended to use this as bait to get Cao Hong and Dao Xuanzi to help repair the Taiyin Boat!
If Li Fan guessed wrong...
The assassins in the Taiyi Mansion were already prepared. If they couldn't handle it...
He would simply try a different approach next life!
Li Fan was completely at ease, knowing that Dao Xuanzi's mind had been fully captured by the golden jade slip.
"Thousand Mechanisms and Jade Circle, an Incubation Core technique... It's actually an Incubation Core technique..." Dao Xuanzi's breathing became heavy as a dangerous glint appeared in his eyes.
However, seeing Li Fan's nonchalant smile and the faint sense of danger from the Immortal-Demon Mist, Dao Xuanzi quickly regained his composure.
"How about that? Is what old man said true?" Li Fan asked with a smile. "Earlier, I only mentioned it was a Dan Foundation technique in front of your brother Cao Hong to prevent him from having any evil thoughts."
"Your mind is meticulous; I admire you," Dao Xuanzi said with a nod.
He then became more enthusiastic: "Rest assured, my brother Dao Xuan is proficient in alchemy. I will persuade him to help you repair the Taiyin Boat wholeheartedly."
Li Fan laughed heartily. "Then please do so. Once it's done, I'll present this technique to you personally."
With eternal life within reach, Dao Xuanzi was eager to start working with Cao Hong immediately.
He reluctantly watched as Li Fan sealed away the technique and closed the chamber. He then eagerly found Cao Hong.