xiǎo bàn tiān zhī hòu ， lǐ fán tóng yàng jiāng sòng guǎn shì de shī shēn jiù dì yǎn mái ， huí xiǎng zhe cóng tā kǒu zhōng dé zhī de yǒu guān “ xuán tiān jiào ” de xìn xī 。
小半天之后，李凡同样将宋管事的尸身就地掩埋，回想着从他口中得知的有关“玄天教”的信息。
About half an hour later, Li Fan buried Song Guanxi's body where it lay. He recalled the information he had gleaned from him about the Xuantian Sect.
liǎng bǎi duō nián qián ， dāng shí sòng guǎn shì cái gāng gāng jiā rù zǐ xiāo zōng bù jiǔ ， hái zhǐ shì yī wèi zhì tóng 。
两百多年前，当时宋管事才刚刚加入紫霄宗不久，还只是一位稚童。
Two hundred years ago, when Song Guanxi first joined the Purple Heaven Sect, he was just a child.
zhèng zhí zǐ xiāo zōng de bǎi nián dà qìng ， zōng mén shàng xià dōu shì yī pài hé xié huān qìng de qì fēn 。
正值紫霄宗的百年大庆，宗门上下都是一派和谐欢庆的气氛。
At that time, the Purple Heaven Sect was celebrating its centennial festival, and everyone was in high spirits.
shuí zhī què tū rán yǒu bù sù zhī kè dào lái 。
谁知却突然有不速之客到来。
But suddenly, unexpected guests arrived.
ér duì fāng shēn fèn zhī zūn guì ， shèn zhì zǐ xiāo zōng zhǎng mén dōu bù dé bù qīn zì chū miàn jiē dài 。
而对方身份之尊贵，甚至紫霄宗掌门都不得不亲自出面接待。
The visitors were of such exalted status that even the sect leader had to personally receive them.
xiān dào shí zōng ， tè qiǎn dū chá shǐ 。
仙道十宗，特遣督查使。
Representatives from the Ten Immortal Dao Sects had been dispatched for an inspection.
zhè dū chá shǐ què bù zěn me mài zhǎng mén miàn zi ， zhí yán shōu dào xiàn bào ， zǐ xiāo zōng nèi cáng yǒu xiān dào shí zōng de tōng jī yào fàn ， xū yào chè dǐ qīng chá 。
这督查使却不怎么卖掌门面子，直言收到线报，紫霄宗内藏有仙道十宗的通缉要犯，需要彻底清查。
However, these representatives did not give much face to the sect leader. They directly stated they had received intelligence indicating that the Purple Heaven Sect harbored a wanted criminal from the Ten Immortal Dao Sects and demanded thorough investigation.
zǐ xiāo zōng shàng xià suī rán shí fēn nán kān ， dàn miàn duì dài biǎo xiān dào shí zōng yì zhì de dū chá shǐ ， què yě zhǐ dé pèi hé diào chá 。
紫霄宗上下虽然十分难堪，但面对代表仙道十宗意志的督查使，却也只得配合调查。
Despite the embarrassment, the Purple Heaven Sect complied with the investigation. No one knew who the criminal was at first, but the search was rigorous. Even Song Han and Song Song, who were just starting their apprenticeship as杂役, were interrogated.
jù tǐ shì shén me fàn rén dāng shí shéi dōu bù zhī dào ， dàn sōu chá de lì dù zhī yán ， měi gè zǐ xiāo zōng dì zǐ dōu bèi yī yī shěn xùn 。
具体是什么犯人当时谁都不知道，但搜查的力度之严，每个紫霄宗弟子都被一一审讯。
The outcome of these interrogations was unclear to Song Han and Song Song.
shèn zhì dāng shí zhǐ bù guò shì gāng gāng rù mén ， dān rèn zá yì de sòng hé sòng yě méi yǒu fàng guò 。
甚至当时只不过是刚刚入门，担任杂役的宋和颂也没有放过。
However, after the representatives left, whispers began circulating within the sect.
zuì hòu de jié guǒ ， sòng hé sòng bù zěn me qīng chǔ 。
最后的结果，宋和颂不怎么清楚。
A true disciple from the Purple Heaven Sect had vanished without a trace.
bù guò ， zài dū chá shǐ lí qù hòu ， mén nèi kāi shǐ yǒu xiǎo dào xiāo xī liú chuán 。
不过，在督查使离去后，门内开始有小道消息流传。
Many suspected that this true disciple was the wanted criminal.
zǐ xiāo zōng nèi yī zhēn chuán dì zǐ ， mò míng shī zōng le 。
紫霄宗内一真传弟子，莫名失踪了。
Although strict rules prohibited such unfounded rumors, they could not be contained.
xǔ duō rén huái yí ， zhè wèi zhēn chuán ， jiù shì nà míng tōng jī fàn rén 。
许多人怀疑，这位真传，就是那名通缉犯人。
As time passed, the confidentiality of the incident gradually diminished.
suī shuō mén nèi lì xià guī jǔ ， yán jìn zhè zhǒng bǔ fēng zhuō yǐng de liú yán 。 dàn zhǐ bì jìng bāo bú zhù huǒ 。
虽说门内立下规矩，严禁这种捕风捉影的流言。但纸毕竟包不住火。
When Song Han and Song Song took up their positions as administrators in Ningyuan City, an elder solemnly warned them to beware of remnants from the Xuantian Sect.
suí zhe shí jiān de liú shì ， dāng nián shì jiàn de bǎo mì yāo qiú yě zhú jiàn biàn dī 。
随着时间的流逝，当年事件的保密要求也逐渐变低。
Upon inquiring, Li Fan learned that the true disciple who had been taken away was actually a spy secretly infiltrating the Purple Heaven Sect.
hòu lái sòng hé sòng dān rèn zhè níng yuǎn chéng guǎn shì yī zhí de shí hòu ， shàng yī rèn shī xiōng zhèng zhòng de dīng zhǔ tā ， yào jǐn fáng xuán tiān jiào yú niè 。
后来宋和颂担任这宁远城管事一职的时候，上一任师兄郑重的叮嘱他，要谨防玄天教余孽。
"The Xuantian Sect, once the premier sect under heaven."
tā hào qí xún wèn zhī xià ， cái zhī dào ， dāng chū bèi dài zǒu de nà míng zhēn chuán ， jiù shì xuán tiān jiào àn zhōng qián fú jìn zǐ xiāo zōng de jiàn dié 。
他好奇询问之下，才知道，当初被带走的那名真传，就是玄天教暗中潜伏进紫霄宗的间谍。
"Domineering over all other sects, forcing their disciples to follow its every command."
“ xuán tiān jiào ， xī rì de tiān xià dì yī jiào pài 。”
“玄天教，昔日的天下第一教派。”
"After being颠覆 by the Ten Immortal Dao Sects. It was in that great battle that the Ten Immortal Dao Sects established their leadership."
“ wēi yā tiān xià ， suǒ yǒu qí tā zōng mén xiū shì dōu yào yǎng qí bí xī 。”
“威压天下，所有其他宗门修士都要仰其鼻息。”
Tomato
“ hòu bèi xiān dào shí zōng lián shǒu diān fù 。 zhèng shì zài nà yī cháng miè jiào zhī zhàn zhōng ， cái diàn dìng le xiān dào shí zōng de lǐng xiù wèi zhì 。”
“后被仙道十宗联手颠覆。正是在那一场灭教之战中，才奠定了仙道十宗的领袖位置。”
"However, a dead spider never truly dies. Even though the Xuantian Sect has fallen, remnants still lurk in the world."
fān qié
番茄
"To prevent any resurgence of the Xuantian Sect, the Ten Immortal Dao Sects issued an extermination order—anyone with ties to it would be killed without mercy."
“ rán ér ， bǎi zú zhī chóng sǐ ér bù jiāng 。 xuán tiān jiào suī rán yī zhāo fù miè ， dàn réng yǒu yú niè àn cáng shì jiān 。”
“然而，百足之虫死而不僵。玄天教虽然一朝覆灭，但仍有余孽暗藏世间。”
"The already formidable alliance of the Ten Immortal Dao Sects remains wary of the defunct Xuantian Sect. Why?"
“ wèi le dù jué xuán tiān jiào sǐ huī fù rán de měi yī fēn kě néng ， xiān dào shí zōng fā bù le zhū shā lìng 。 zhǐ yào hé xī rì de xuán tiān jiào chě shàng rèn hé yī sī guān xì ， shā wú shè 。”
“为了杜绝玄天教死灰复燃的每一分可能，仙道十宗发布了诛杀令。只要和昔日的玄天教扯上任何一丝关系，杀无赦。”
Li Fan's eyes flashed with a strange light.
“ ér yǐ chéng qì hòu de xiān dào shí zōng lián méng ， réng rán duì yú yǐ jīng fù miè de xuán tiān jiào réng rán rú cǐ jì dàn 。 zé shì yīn wèi ……”
“而已成气候的仙道十宗联盟，仍然对于已经覆灭的玄天教仍然如此忌惮。则是因为……”
"The Xuantian Sect's treasure, lost in that great battle."
lǐ fán yǎn zhōng shǎn guò yī sī yì sè 。
李凡眼中闪过一丝异色。
"And what is this treasure called?"
“ xuán tiān jiào zhì bǎo ， zài miè jiào yī zhàn zhōng bù zhī suǒ zōng 。”
“玄天教至宝，在灭教一战中不知所踪。”
"It is known as the Xuantian Mirror."
“ ér zhè zhì bǎo ， míng yuē ……”
“而这至宝，名曰……”
"Xuantian Mirror," Li Fan repeated to himself.
“ xuán tiān bǎo jìng 。”
“玄天宝镜。”
"This mirror is considered one of the treasures of heaven and earth, possessing boundless uses. The Ten Immortal Dao Sects even offered a reward—anyone could exchange it for an immortal fruit position."
“ xuán tiān bǎo jìng 。” lǐ fán yòu zài xīn zhōng àn zì zhòng fù le yī jù 。
“玄天宝镜。”李凡又在心中暗自重复了一句。
...
“ cǐ jìng kān chēng tiān dì zhì bǎo ， yǒu wú qióng miào yòng 。 xiān dào shí zōng shèn zhì lì xià xuán shǎng ， rèn yì yī rén ， dān píng cǐ jìng ， kě huàn yī xí cháng shēng guǒ wèi 。”
“此镜堪称天地至宝，有无穷妙用。仙道十宗甚至立下悬赏，任意一人，单凭此镜，可换一席长生果位。”
"The Xuantian Mirror's whereabouts are unknown after so many years. The remnants of the Xuantian Sect have almost been eradicated."
“……”
“……”
Li Fan processed the information he had gathered from Song Han and Song Song.
“ kě xī ， zhè me duō nián guò qù ， xuán tiān jiào yú niè sǐ shāng dài jìn ， jī hū miè jué 。”
“可惜，这么多年过去，玄天教余孽死伤殆尽，几乎灭绝。”
"Could Mr. Bai be one of those former members of the Xuantian Sect?"
“ zhì yú nà xuán tiān bǎo jìng de xià luò ， gèng shì wú cóng tán qǐ le 。”
“至于那玄天宝镜的下落，更是无从谈起了。”
"It is possible, or it might not be."
lǐ fán huǎn huǎn jiāng cóng sòng hé sòng chù dé lái de xìn xī xiāo huà 。
李凡缓缓将从宋和颂处得来的信息消化。
"But the Xuantian Mirror should be the Heaven Xuan Mirror of later times. The reason for swapping 'Xuan' and 'Heaven' remains a mystery."
“ nà bái xiān shēng ， shì fǒu jiù shì xī rì xuán tiān jiào zhōng rén ？”
“那白先生，是否就是昔日玄天教中人？”
"Without mentioning that the Ten Immortal Dao Sects have already fallen, there's no need to hide anything."
“ kě néng shì ， yě kě néng bú shì 。”
“可能是，也可能不是。”
"If someone truly wanted to conceal their origins, they could easily adopt a new name. There's no need to be so obvious about it."
“ dàn xuán tiān bǎo jìng ， yīng dāng jiù shì hòu shì de tiān xuán jìng le 。 jiù shì bù zhī wèi hé diào huàn le yī xià xuán 、 tiān èr zì de shùn xù 。”
“但玄天宝镜，应当就是后世的天玄镜了。就是不知为何调换了一下玄、天二字的顺序。”
"Is there some deeper meaning?
“ bù tí xiān dào shí zōng yǐ jīng fù miè ， bù bì zài zhē zhē yǎn yǎn 。”
“不提仙道十宗已经覆灭，不必再遮遮掩掩。”
"Did the Immortal Sage who transmitted teachings intend to overturn the cultivation order and seek revenge for the sect's destruction?"
“ jiù suàn shì zhēn de xiǎng yào yǎn shì lái lì ， wán quán kě yǐ huàn gè quán xīn de míng zì 。 méi bì yào rú cǐ yù gài mí zhāng 。”
“就算是真的想要掩饰来历，完全可以换个全新的名字。没必要如此欲盖弥彰。”
Li Fan was still uncertain.
“ nán bù chéng ， hái yǒu shén me shēn yì ？
“难不成，还有什么深意？
But he had taken a step closer to uncovering the truth of the cultivation world.
“ nà chuán fǎ xiān zūn kāi chuàng xīn fǎ ， jiù shì wèi le diān fù xiū xiān zhì xù ， yǐ bào miè jiào zhī chóu ？”
“那传法仙尊开创新法，就是为了颠覆修仙秩序，以报灭教之仇？”
After a long while, Li Fan suppressed his swirling thoughts.
lǐ fán shàng bù gǎn què dìng 。
李凡尚不敢确定。
"The two key figures have been dealt with. The next are some minor accomplices."
bù guò ， jù lí xiū xiān jiè de zhēn xiàng ， lǐ fán zǒng guī shì xiàng qián mài le yī bù 。
不过，距离修仙界的真相，李凡总归是向前迈了一步。
Without hesitation, the core consciousness of Li Chen emerged from its body, revealing its true form.
liáng jiǔ zhī hòu ， lǐ fán jiāng yī shí fān yǒng de sī xù yā xià 。
良久之后，李凡将一时翻涌的思绪压下。
Li Fan quietly approached Chu Liang and others.
“ liǎng wèi guān jiàn rén wù yǐ jīng jiě jué ， jiē xià lái jiù shì yī xiē wú guān jǐn yào de xiǎo lóu luō le 。”
“两位关键人物已经解决，接下来就是一些无关紧要的小喽啰了。”
In one move, he activated his insect-binding technique without a word.
bù zài yóu yù ， lǐ chén qū qiào de běn wǒ yì shí pò tǐ ér chū ， lù chū yuán běn miàn mào 。
不再犹豫，李尘躯壳的本我意识破体而出，露出原本面貌。
Within no time, the other four hidden individuals were captured.
lǐ fán cháo zhe chǔ liáng děng rén qiǎo rán ér qù 。
李凡朝着楚良等人悄然而去。
With this, there were no more cultivators in Ningyuan City except for Li Fan.
yí gè zhào miàn ， èr huà bù shuō ， fā dòng fù chóng shén tōng 。
一个照面，二话不说，发动缚虫神通。
The "Ningyuan Fetch Longevity Fruit" incident was finally resolved with no casualties among ordinary people.
bù guò yī zhǎn chá de gōng fu ， jiù jiāng lìng wài mái fú de sì rén tōng tōng zhuō ná 。
不过一盏茶的功夫，就将另外埋伏的四人通通捉拿。
"I hope this is the last time I have to come here."
zhì cǐ ， níng yuǎn chéng nèi chú le lǐ fán zhī wài ， zài wú xiū xiān zhě cún zài 。
至此，宁远城内除了李凡之外，再无修仙者存在。
"Don't let me down, Mr. Bai," Li Fan thought to himself.
【 níng yuǎn qǔ shòu guǒ 】 shì jiàn ， yě zhōng yú dé yǐ zài méi yǒu rèn hé yī wèi fán rén shāng wáng de qíng kuàng xià ， chéng gōng jiě jué 。
【宁远取寿果】事件，也终于得以在没有任何一位凡人伤亡的情况下，成功解决。
He did not wander around but stood silently in mid-air above Ningyuan City, waiting for the deadline.
“ xī wàng zhè shì zuì hòu yī cì lái zhè lǐ le 。”
“希望这是最后一次来这里了。”
After a long while, the surroundings began to blur.
“ bái xiān shēng ， kě bù yào ràng wǒ shī wàng a 。”
“白先生，可不要让我失望啊。”
Li Fan's expression changed as he looked downward.
lǐ fán àn zì sī cǔn 。
李凡暗自思忖。
A thin, green figure was standing on the street, looking up at him.
méi yǒu zài sì chù zǒu dòng ， ér shì jìng jìng dì líng kōng lì yú níng yuǎn chéng shàng fāng ， jìng dài shí xiàn dào lái 。
没有再四处走动，而是静静地凌空立于宁远城上方，静待时限到来。
Beside it was an ordinary woman, wearing a simple light-colored dress, but her appearance could not be discerned.
guò le xǔ jiǔ ， zhōu wéi de jǐng sè màn màn kāi shǐ biàn dé mó hú 。
过了许久，周围的景色慢慢开始变得模湖。
"Ah, I see..."
lǐ fán shén sè yī dòng ， cháo xià fāng wàng qù 。
李凡神色一动，朝下方望去。
The scene around Li Fan suddenly vanished.
zhǐ jiàn yī dào shòu xuē de qīng sè shēn yǐng ， kàn bù qīng miàn páng 。
只见一道瘦削的青色身影，看不清面庞。
In its place appeared another image.
zhàn zài dà jiē shàng ， yǎng tóu kàn zhe tā 。
站在大街上，仰头看着他。
On a vast expanse of ruins, only one green figure stood there, lost in thought.
zài tā shēn biān ， què shì yī wēi zhe yī wèi fán rén nǚ zǐ ， shēn chuān fěn sè sù yǎ zhǎng qún ， tóng yàng kàn bù qīng yàng mào 。
在他身边，却是依偎着一位凡人女子，身穿粉色素雅长裙，同样看不清样貌。
Bloodstains were visible on his hands, suggesting he had been digging through the rubble.
“ yuán lái rú cǐ ……”
“原来如此……”
"This is the original history?"
lǐ fán zhèng sī suǒ zhe ， zhōu wéi de jǐng xiàng què dǒu rán jiān xiāo shī 。
李凡正思索着，周围的景象却陡然间消失。
The screen went black.
qǔ ér dài zhī de ， shì lìng wài yī fú huà miàn 。
取而代之的，是另外一幅画面。
Li Fan felt dizzy and then returned to the Heaven Xuan Mirror.
lián mián fèi xū zhī shàng ， zhǐ shèng xià yī dào qīng sè shēn yǐng ， máng rán ér lì 。
连绵废墟之上，只剩下一道青色身影，茫然而立。
His head was heavy as he carefully pondered two new insights: one being "Purple Heaven Grand Resolve," a secret technique from the Purple Heaven True Dao of Lightning, which cleansed his spirit and purified his body.
yī xī néng kàn dào tā de shǒu shàng mǎn shì xuè hén ， sì hū zhī qián shì tú zài fèi xū zhōng wā jué shén me 。
依稀能看到他的手上满是血痕，似乎之前试图在废墟中挖掘什么。
"Chapter Master, could self-destruction also be your执念?"
“ zhè jiù shì yuán běn de lì shǐ me ？”
“这就是原本的历史么？”
This thought made Li Fan's face twist into an odd expression.
huà miàn yī hēi 。
画面一黑。
"But it's good that I don't have to search for another cleansing technique."
lǐ fán gǎn dào yī zhèn xuàn yūn ， xià yī miǎo ， tā huí dào le tiān xuán jìng zhōng 。
李凡感到一阵眩晕，下一秒，他回到了天玄镜中。
"I've mastered three secret techniques from the Purple Heaven True Dao of Lightning: the Purple Heaven Soul Search Technique, Purple Heaven Divine Thunder Escape, and Purple Heaven Grand Resolve. Unfortunately, I can't see the fundamental scripture. It seems there will be no chance to complete it in the future."
nǎo dài hūn hūn chén chén ， zǐ xì gǎn wù ， cǐ cì jū rán yǒu liǎng gè shōu huò 。
脑袋昏昏沉沉，仔细感悟，此次居然有两个收获。
The second insight was more tangible.
yí gè shì 《 zǐ xiāo hào rán yì 》， nǎi shì 《 zǐ xiāo yù léi zhēn jué 》 zhōng ， dí dàng shén hún 、 chéng jìng shēn xīn de mì shù 。
一个是《紫霄浩然意》，乃是《紫霄御雷真诀》中，涤荡神魂、澄净身心的秘术。
Li Fan's mind settled as he gazed into his识海.
“ zhāng shī xiōng ， nán bù chéng ， zì wǒ liǎo duàn ， yě shì nǐ de zhí niàn ？”
“章师兄，难不成，自我了断，也是你的执念？”
Three emerald fruits lay quietly within.
xiǎng dào zhè lǐ ， lǐ fán de miàn sè biàn dé yǒu xiē gǔ guài 。
想到这里，李凡的面色变得有些古怪。
Their aura alone rejuvenated Li Fan, making him feel much younger.
“ bù guò dào yě zhèng hǎo ， shěng qù le wǒ lìng xún yī mén dí dàng fǎ jué de gōng fu 。”
“不过倒也正好，省去了我另寻一门涤荡法诀的功夫。”
"Immortal Fruit of Rebirth."
“ zhè 《 zǐ xiāo yù léi zhēn jué 》， wǒ yǐ jīng zhǎng wò le zǐ xiāo sōu hún shù 、 zǐ xiāo shén léi dùn 、 zǐ xiāo hào rán yì sān mén mì shù 。 kě xī gēn běn zhēn jīng què shì wú yuán dé jiàn 。 kǒng pà rì hòu yě zài nán yǒu bǔ quán de jī huì le 。”
“这《紫霄御雷真诀》，我已经掌握了紫霄搜魂术、紫霄神雷遁、紫霄浩然意三门秘术。可惜根本真经却是无缘得见。恐怕日后也再难有补全的机会了。”
"Eating one adds three hundred years to your lifespan."
zhì yú cǐ cì yǔn xiān jìng zhī xíng de dì èr gè shōu huò 。
至于此次陨仙境之行的第二个收获。
"This is the reward for resolving Mr. Bai's执念."
lǐ fán xīn shén chén diàn 。
李凡心神沉淀。
Resisting the urge to consume it himself, Li Fan turned his gaze away from the crystal fruits.
shí hǎi zhī zhōng ， sān méi bì lǜ jīng yíng de guǒ shí ， jìng jìng dì tǎng zài nà lǐ 。
识海之中，三枚碧绿晶莹的果实，静静地躺在那里。
"To me, three hundred years is just another cycle of reincarnation."
jǐn jǐn shì qí liú lù de qì xī ， jiù ràng lǐ fán gǎn dào jīng shén yī zhèn ， sì hū nián qīng le bù shǎo 。
仅仅是其流露的气息，就让李凡感到精神一震，似乎年轻了不少。
"But to other cultivators, this would be invaluable."
“ wǎng shēng shòu guǒ 。”
“往生寿果。”
"Rather than consuming it myself, I should maximize its value by exchanging it for something more useful."
“ měi kē fú zhī ， kě zēng shòu sān bǎi zài 。”
“每颗服之，可增寿三百载。”
"What exactly to exchange it for remains to be decided."
“ zhè jiù shì jiě jué bái xiān shēng zhí niàn de bào chóu ma 。”
“这就是解决白先生执念的报酬嘛。”
For now, he set the matter aside.
qiáng rěn zhù zì xíng tūn fú de chōng dòng ， lǐ fán cóng jīng yíng de shòu guǒ shēn shàng yí kāi shì xiàn 。
强忍住自行吞服的冲动，李凡从晶莹的寿果身上移开视线。
After some hesitation, Li Fan abandoned his search for information about the Xuantian Sect and the Xuantian Mirror.
“ duì wǒ lái shuō ， sān bǎi zài shòu yuán ， bù guò yī cì lún huí ér yǐ 。”
“对我来说，三百载寿元，不过一次轮回而已。”
There would likely be no results.
“ dàn duì qí tā xiū shì lái jiǎng ， zhè jī hū shì wú jià zhī bǎo 。”
“但对其他修士来讲，这几乎是无价之宝。”
If he forced a search and inadvertently drew unwanted attention, forcing him to start over, it might not be beneficial.
About half an hour later, Li Fan buried Song Guanxi's body where it lay. He recalled the information he had gleaned from him about the Xuantian Sect.
Two hundred years ago, when Song Guanxi first joined the Purple Heaven Sect, he was just a child.
At that time, the Purple Heaven Sect was celebrating its centennial festival, and everyone was in high spirits.
But suddenly, unexpected guests arrived.
The visitors were of such exalted status that even the sect leader had to personally receive them.
Representatives from the Ten Immortal Dao Sects had been dispatched for an inspection.
However, these representatives did not give much face to the sect leader. They directly stated they had received intelligence indicating that the Purple Heaven Sect harbored a wanted criminal from the Ten Immortal Dao Sects and demanded thorough investigation.
Despite the embarrassment, the Purple Heaven Sect complied with the investigation. No one knew who the criminal was at first, but the search was rigorous. Even Song Han and Song Song, who were just starting their apprenticeship as杂役, were interrogated.
The outcome of these interrogations was unclear to Song Han and Song Song.
However, after the representatives left, whispers began circulating within the sect.
A true disciple from the Purple Heaven Sect had vanished without a trace.
Many suspected that this true disciple was the wanted criminal.
Although strict rules prohibited such unfounded rumors, they could not be contained.
As time passed, the confidentiality of the incident gradually diminished.
When Song Han and Song Song took up their positions as administrators in Ningyuan City, an elder solemnly warned them to beware of remnants from the Xuantian Sect.
Upon inquiring, Li Fan learned that the true disciple who had been taken away was actually a spy secretly infiltrating the Purple Heaven Sect.
"The Xuantian Sect, once the premier sect under heaven."
"Domineering over all other sects, forcing their disciples to follow its every command."
"After being颠覆 by the Ten Immortal Dao Sects. It was in that great battle that the Ten Immortal Dao Sects established their leadership."
Tomato
"However, a dead spider never truly dies. Even though the Xuantian Sect has fallen, remnants still lurk in the world."
"To prevent any resurgence of the Xuantian Sect, the Ten Immortal Dao Sects issued an extermination order—anyone with ties to it would be killed without mercy."
"The already formidable alliance of the Ten Immortal Dao Sects remains wary of the defunct Xuantian Sect. Why?"
Li Fan's eyes flashed with a strange light.
"The Xuantian Sect's treasure, lost in that great battle."
"And what is this treasure called?"
"It is known as the Xuantian Mirror."
"Xuantian Mirror," Li Fan repeated to himself.
"This mirror is considered one of the treasures of heaven and earth, possessing boundless uses. The Ten Immortal Dao Sects even offered a reward—anyone could exchange it for an immortal fruit position."
...
"The Xuantian Mirror's whereabouts are unknown after so many years. The remnants of the Xuantian Sect have almost been eradicated."
Li Fan processed the information he had gathered from Song Han and Song Song.
"Could Mr. Bai be one of those former members of the Xuantian Sect?"
"It is possible, or it might not be."
"But the Xuantian Mirror should be the Heaven Xuan Mirror of later times. The reason for swapping 'Xuan' and 'Heaven' remains a mystery."
"Without mentioning that the Ten Immortal Dao Sects have already fallen, there's no need to hide anything."
"If someone truly wanted to conceal their origins, they could easily adopt a new name. There's no need to be so obvious about it."
"Is there some deeper meaning?
"Did the Immortal Sage who transmitted teachings intend to overturn the cultivation order and seek revenge for the sect's destruction?"
Li Fan was still uncertain.
But he had taken a step closer to uncovering the truth of the cultivation world.
After a long while, Li Fan suppressed his swirling thoughts.
"The two key figures have been dealt with. The next are some minor accomplices."
Without hesitation, the core consciousness of Li Chen emerged from its body, revealing its true form.
Li Fan quietly approached Chu Liang and others.
In one move, he activated his insect-binding technique without a word.
Within no time, the other four hidden individuals were captured.
With this, there were no more cultivators in Ningyuan City except for Li Fan.
The "Ningyuan Fetch Longevity Fruit" incident was finally resolved with no casualties among ordinary people.
"I hope this is the last time I have to come here."
"Don't let me down, Mr. Bai," Li Fan thought to himself.
He did not wander around but stood silently in mid-air above Ningyuan City, waiting for the deadline.
After a long while, the surroundings began to blur.
Li Fan's expression changed as he looked downward.
A thin, green figure was standing on the street, looking up at him.
Beside it was an ordinary woman, wearing a simple light-colored dress, but her appearance could not be discerned.
"Ah, I see..."
The scene around Li Fan suddenly vanished.
In its place appeared another image.
On a vast expanse of ruins, only one green figure stood there, lost in thought.
Bloodstains were visible on his hands, suggesting he had been digging through the rubble.
"This is the original history?"
The screen went black.
Li Fan felt dizzy and then returned to the Heaven Xuan Mirror.
His head was heavy as he carefully pondered two new insights: one being "Purple Heaven Grand Resolve," a secret technique from the Purple Heaven True Dao of Lightning, which cleansed his spirit and purified his body.
"Chapter Master, could self-destruction also be your执念?"
This thought made Li Fan's face twist into an odd expression.
"But it's good that I don't have to search for another cleansing technique."
"I've mastered three secret techniques from the Purple Heaven True Dao of Lightning: the Purple Heaven Soul Search Technique, Purple Heaven Divine Thunder Escape, and Purple Heaven Grand Resolve. Unfortunately, I can't see the fundamental scripture. It seems there will be no chance to complete it in the future."
The second insight was more tangible.
Li Fan's mind settled as he gazed into his识海.
Three emerald fruits lay quietly within.
Their aura alone rejuvenated Li Fan, making him feel much younger.
"Immortal Fruit of Rebirth."
"Eating one adds three hundred years to your lifespan."
"This is the reward for resolving Mr. Bai's执念."
Resisting the urge to consume it himself, Li Fan turned his gaze away from the crystal fruits.
"To me, three hundred years is just another cycle of reincarnation."
"But to other cultivators, this would be invaluable."
"Rather than consuming it myself, I should maximize its value by exchanging it for something more useful."
"What exactly to exchange it for remains to be decided."
For now, he set the matter aside.
After some hesitation, Li Fan abandoned his search for information about the Xuantian Sect and the Xuantian Mirror.
There would likely be no results.
If he forced a search and inadvertently drew unwanted attention, forcing him to start over, it might not be beneficial.