zài xiáng jìn liǎo jiě le xuán huáng jiè de lì shǐ ， yòu zǐ xì gēn dì guó zhōng liáo liáo wú jǐ de xiū xíng zhě yì qǐ yán jiū yàn zhèng zhī hòu ， zhì náng tuán dé chū le yí gè dà dǎn de jié lùn 。
在详尽了解了玄黄界的历史，又仔细跟帝国中寥寥无几的修行者一起研究验证之后，智囊团得出了一个大胆的结论。
After thoroughly understanding the history of the Xuanhuang World and carefully studying with a few remaining cultivators in the empire, the think tank reached a bold conclusion.
zhè xiē xiàn zhì tiáo jiàn ， hěn yǒu kě néng zhǐ zài xuán huáng jiè zhōng yǒu xiào 。
这些限制条件，很有可能只在玄黄界中有效。
These restrictions might only be effective within the Xuanhuang World.
yīn wèi dì guó dào fǎ zhě qiè qǔ ér lái de gōng fǎ ， suī rán tóng yàng huì shòu dào fǎ bù kě tóng xiū de xiàn zhì ， dàn què bù shì zài xuán huáng jiè zhōng nà bān ， néng gòu qīng xī gǎn yìng dào gōng fǎ tóng xiū zhī rén de wèi zhì 。
因为帝国盗法者窃取而来的功法，虽然同样会受到法不可同修的限制，但却不似在玄黄界中那般，能够清晰感应到功法同修之人的位置。
Because the mystic techniques stolen by the empire's thieves would still face the limitation of not being able to practice them simultaneously. However, unlike in the Xuanhuang World, they wouldn't clearly sense the location of those who practiced them together.
yě jiù shì shuō ， xiàn zhì bèi xuē ruò le 。
也就是说，限制被削弱了。
In other words, the restrictions had weakened.
zhè yīng gāi shì dì guó bù zài xuán huáng běn jiè ， zhǐ shì qí fù shǔ xiǎo shì jiè de yuán gù 。
这应该是帝国不在玄黄本界，只是其附属小世界的缘故。
This should be due to the fact that the empire wasn't within the true Xuanhuang World but merely a small world affiliated with it.
nà me ， jiě jué zhè ge wèn tí de fāng fǎ yě jiù hū zhī yù chū le 。
那么，解决这个问题的方法也就呼之欲出了。
So, the solution was clear: sever the constraints and leave the Xuanhuang World.
nà jiù shì ， zhǎn duàn zhì gù ， tuō lí xuán huáng jiè 。
那就是，斩断桎梏，脱离玄黄界。
Become an independent small world.
chéng wéi yí gè dú lì de xiǎo shì jiè 。
成为一个独立的小世界。
For ordinary mortal civilizations, this might be an impossible task. But for the empire, which could control beast powers, it was definitely worth a try.
zhè duì yú pǔ tōng de fán rén wén míng lái shuō ， huò xǔ shì jiàn bù kě néng wán chéng de rèn wù 。
这对于普通的凡人文明来说，或许是件不可能完成的任务。
When the first generation of thieves crossed through the Great Desolation Array to enter the Xuanhuang World,
dàn duì yú néng zhǎng kòng yì shòu lì liàng de dì guó ér yán ， què jué duì kě yǐ yī shì 。
但对于能掌控异兽力量的帝国而言，却绝对可以一试。
the裂界鲸群 (rift whale herds) that hovered in the void had already caught the attention of the empire.
zài chū dài dào fǎ zhě men chuān yuè xiān jué dà zhèn ， qián wǎng xuán huáng jiè de shí hòu 。
在初代盗法者们穿越仙绝大阵，前往玄黄界的时候。
After over a hundred years of attempts and countless sacrifices, the empire finally succeeded in capturing a solitary rift whale and then proceeded to scale up its breeding.
pán huán zài xū kōng zhōng de liè jiè jīng qún ， jiù yǐ jīng yǐn qǐ le dì guó de zhù yì 。
盘桓在虚空中的裂界鲸群，就已经引起了帝国的注意。
Unlike other beasts, the rift whales used a unique form of [solitary reproduction].
jīng guò le shàng bǎi nián de cháng shì ， fù chū liǎo wú shù zhàn shì de shēng mìng zhī hòu ， dì guó zhōng yú chéng gōng bǔ huò le yī tóu lí qún de liè jiè jīng 。
经过了上百年的尝试，付出了无数战士的生命之后，帝国终于成功捕获了一头离群的裂界鲸。
Any individual within the group seemed capable of producing offspring by absorbing unknown energy from the void.
bìng qiě zài jiē xià lái ， shí xiàn le liè jiè jīng de guī mó huà yǎng zhí 。
并且在接下来，实现了裂界鲸的规模化养殖。
However, before this idea emerged, there was no thought of using rift whales to leave the Xuanhuang World in the empire. The many large-sized rift whales were primarily used as food sources.
liè jiè jīng hé qí tā de yì shòu bù tóng ， cǎi yòng de shì yī zhǒng qí tè de 【 gū tǐ fán zhí 】。
裂界鲸和其他的异兽不同，采用的是一种奇特的【孤体繁殖】。
The meat of the rift whale was fatty and nutritious, and eating it for a long time could improve one's constitution. It was very popular in the empire.
zú qún zhōng rèn yí gè tǐ ， sì hū zhǐ kào zhe xī qǔ xū kōng zhōng de wèi zhī néng liàng ， jiù néng zì jǐ chǎn xià hòu dài 。
族群中任一个体，似乎只靠着吸取虚空中的未知能量，就能自己产下后代。
But after deciding on leaving the Xuanhuang World, the empire ordered the protection of the rift whales, prohibiting their private consumption.
bù guò ， zài cǐ zhī qián ， dì guó zhōng hái méi yǒu chǎn shēng lì yòng liè jiè jīng tuō lí xuán huáng jiè de xiǎng fǎ 。
不过，在此之前，帝国中还没有产生利用裂界鲸脱离玄黄界的想法。
With national efforts, they began to breed the rift whales again and sent out elite thieves once more to steal mystic techniques from the Xuanhuang World.
nà shù liàng zhòng duō 、 yòu tǐ xíng páng dà de liè jiè jīng ， zài dì guó zuì dà de yòng tú jiù shì chōng dāng shí wù 。
那数量众多、又体型庞大的裂界鲸，在帝国最大的用途就是充当食物。
Before this, the most advanced mystic technique in the empire was the Foundation Establishment Realm True Art.
liè jiè jīng ròu zhì féi měi ， bìng qiě zhǎng shí jiān jiān chí yì zhí chī de huà ， hái yǒu gǎi shàn tǐ zhì de xiào guǒ 。
裂界鲸肉质肥美，并且长时间坚持一直吃的话，还有改善体质的效果。
Considering that they would need to completely sever ties with the Xuanhuang World, it would be too difficult for them to derive a new realm without any reference if they had to start from scratch after reaching the Formation Stage.
zài dì guó hěn shì shòu huān yíng 。
在帝国很是受欢迎。
Thus, the empire decided to try and acquire mystic techniques of the Dao Integration Realm.
bù guò zì cóng dìng xià le tuō lí xuán huáng jiè de jì huà hòu ， dì guó jiù xià lìng duì liè jiè jīng shī xíng le bǎo hù ， jìn zhì sī zì shí yòng 。
不过自从定下了脱离玄黄界的计划后，帝国就下令对裂界鲸施行了保护，禁制私自食用。
If not, they would at least aim for the Spirit Transformation Realm True Art.
jǔ quán guó zhī lì ， péi yù liè jiè jīng 。
举全国之力，培育裂界鲸。
To achieve this goal, the empire sent over a dozen extremely loyal warriors across the Xuanhuang World in succession.
bìng qiě ， zài dù pài chū jīng ruì dào fǎ zhě ， qián wǎng xuán huáng jiè qiè qǔ gōng fǎ 。
并且，再度派出精锐盗法者，前往玄黄界窃取功法。
To avoid total annihilation, they operated as small groups where members didn't know each other's identities.
zài cǐ zhī qián ， dì guó zuì wèi gāo shēn de bù guò shì yuán yīng gōng fǎ 。
在此之前，帝国最为高深的不过是元婴功法。
Zhushao Tang and Xiao Jin were originally part of the same group.
kǎo lǜ dào yǐ hòu yào chè dǐ hé xuán huáng jiè jìn xíng qiē gē ， yuán yīng zhī hòu ruò shì méi yǒu gōng fǎ jìn xíng cān zhào ， xiǎng yào cóng wú dào yǒu zì xíng tuī yǎn jìng jiè ， kǒng pà tài guò jiān nán 。
考虑到以后要彻底和玄黄界进行切割，元婴之后若是没有功法进行参照，想要从无到有自行推衍境界，恐怕太过艰难。
One member of their team unfortunately passed away due to an accident, and Li Chenfeng was a backup member who joined later.
yú shì dì guó jué dìng ， zuì hǎo néng jiāng hé dào jìng jiè de gōng fǎ gǎo dào shǒu 。
于是帝国决定，最好能将合道境界的功法搞到手。
For years, they had been steadfast in fulfilling their mission, accumulating contributions to try and exchange for Dao Integration Realm True Art before escaping back home.
shí zài bù xíng ， yě yào huà shén gōng fǎ 。
实在不行，也要化神功法。
Until Li Fan descended from the heavens, capturing them all at once.
wèi le shí xiàn zhè ge mù biāo ， dì guó qián qián hòu hòu yì qǐ pài chū le shí jǐ míng jí wéi zhōng chéng de zhàn shì tōu dù xuán huáng jiè 。
为了实现这个目标，帝国前前后后一起派出了十几名极为忠诚的战士偷渡玄黄界。
From Li Chenfeng's memories, Li Fan also learned that there was still debate within the empire about whether or not to leave the Xuanhuang World.
bì miǎn yī xià zi quán jūn fù mò de kě néng ， tā men jǐ rén wéi yī xiǎo zǔ ， bìng qiě chú le zǔ yuán zhī wài ， bǐ cǐ bù zhī dào duì fāng de shēn fèn 。
避免一下子全军覆没的可能，他们几人为一小组，并且除了组员之外，彼此不知道对方的身份。
The main opposition had a simple argument: if discovered, it would bring about their downfall.
zhù shǎo táng 、 xiào jìn ， zhè èr rén yuán běn shì tóng yī zǔ de 。
祝少堂、肖进，这二人原本是同一组的。
Could controlling beasts make any difference? Could they withstand an immortal’s sword?
xiǎo zǔ lìng wài yī rén yīn wèi yì wài bù xìng shēn gù ， lǐ chén fēng shì zhī hòu guò lái de hòu bèi chéng yuán 。
小组另外一人因为意外不幸身故，李晨风是之后过来的后备成员。
The nine-headed bird with its head cut off was still staring at them in death!
sān rén zhè xiē nián yì zhí jiān shǒu zhe zì jǐ de shǐ mìng ， jī zǎn gòng xiàn dù ， shì tú duì huàn hé dào gōng fǎ rán hòu táo huí jiā xiāng 。
三人这些年一直坚守着自己的使命，积攒贡献度，试图兑换合道功法然后逃回家乡。
Due to their inherent fear of immortals, the opposition held significant sway within the empire.
zhí dào tiān jiàng lǐ fán ， bǎ tā men yī wǎng dǎ jìn 。
直到天降李凡，把他们一网打尽。
However, Empress Shi forcefully suppressed all opposing opinions for now, allowing the ultimate thief plan to proceed.
cóng lǐ chén fēng de jì yì zhōng ， lǐ fán hái dé zhī ， dì guó shàng xià ， duì yú shì fǒu yào tuō lí xuán huáng jiè ， qí shí réng yǒu zhēng lùn 。
从李晨风的记忆中，李凡还得知，帝国上下，对于是否要脱离玄黄界，其实仍有争论。
Empress Shi was a descendant of the first person who awakened and controlled beast powers.
zuì dà de fǎn duì pài ， tā men lǐ yóu yě hěn jiǎn dān 。
最大的反对派，他们理由也很简单。
"The imperial family's surname is Xu..."
rú cǐ xíng jìng ， yí dàn bèi fā xiàn ， dì guó jiāng huì yíng lái miè dǐng zhī zāi 。
如此行径，一旦被发现，帝国将会迎来灭顶之灾。
The beasts are Xu.
néng gòu zhǎng kòng yì shòu yòu rú hé ？
能够掌控异兽又如何？
These two words made Li Fan think of Xu Ke from the Xuanhuang Realm where he encountered the Beast Taming Sect.
dǎng de zhù xiān rén yī jiàn fǒu ？
挡的住仙人一剑否？
But it could also just be coincidental.
bèi zhǎn qù tóu lú de jiǔ tóu shén niǎo ， hái zài sǐ bù míng mù de kàn zhe wǒ men nà ！
被斩去头颅的九头神鸟，还在死不瞑目的看着我们那！
"I once read in ancient texts that there were such crystal nuclei within the bodies of ancient monsters."
chū yú duì xiān rén de tiān shēng wèi jù ， fǎn duì pài zài dì guó hěn yǒu shì chǎng 。
出于对仙人的天生畏惧，反对派在帝国很有市场。
"Even cultivators could absorb their power for cultivation."
zhǐ bù guò dì guó de tǒng zhì zhě ， dì nǚ qiáng xíng jiāng suǒ yǒu fǎn duì yì jiàn zàn shí yā xià 。
只不过帝国的统治者，帝女强行将所有反对意见暂时压下。
"I thought they had disappeared, but now I see that a small number of beasts still retain this ability."
zhōng jí dào fǎ jì huà cái dé yǐ shí shī 。
终极盗法计划才得以实施。
"It seems these beasts are indeed descendants of the ancient monsters."
dì nǚ ， jiù shì xī rì nà wèi zuì xiān jué xǐng zhǎng kòng yì shòu néng lì zhī rén de hòu dài 。
帝女，就是昔日那位最先觉醒掌控异兽能力之人的后代。
The sword traces that never fade over a thousand years hint at something related to the Beast Taming Sect.
“ dì guó huáng shì ， xìng xǔ ……”
“帝国皇室，姓许……”
Li Fan couldn't help feeling interested in this small world.
yì shòu ， xǔ xìng 。
异兽，许姓。
"Perhaps someday, I can take some time to explore this empire."
zhè liǎng gè cí chū xiàn zài yì qǐ ， ràng lǐ fán hěn nán bù jiāng qí gēn yǔn xiān jìng zhōng yù dào de yù shòu zōng xǔ kè lián xì qǐ lái 。
这两个词出现在一起，让李凡很难不将其跟陨仙境中遇到的御兽宗许克联系起来。
"But for now, we must focus on our task."
bù guò yě yǒu kě néng dān chún zhǐ shì qiǎo hé ér yǐ 。
不过也有可能单纯只是巧合而已。
Looking at Li Chenfeng and his two companions who were lost in their dreams, Li Fan snapped his fingers gently.
“ wǒ céng jīng kàn guò diǎn jí ， shàng gǔ yāo shòu tǐ nèi ， jiù cún zài zhe nà zhǒng jīng hé 。”
“我曾经看过典籍，上古妖兽体内，就存在着那种晶核。”
Instantly, the dream shattered, and they returned to reality.
“ shèn zhì yǒu xiū shì kě yǐ xī shōu qí zhōng de lì liàng jìn xíng xiū liàn 。”
“甚至有修士可以吸收其中的力量进行修炼。”
Their faces filled with confusion as they looked around before gradually realizing what had happened.
“ yuán yǐ wéi yǐ jīng jué jì ， méi xiǎng dào rú jīn jū rán hái yǒu yī xiǎo bù fèn yì shòu bǎo chí zhe zhè zhǒng dōng xī cún zài 。”
“原以为已经绝迹，没想到如今居然还有一小部分异兽保持着这种东西存在。”
What they had accomplished—successfully stealing mystic techniques for the empire, leaving the Xuanhuang World, and developing their own Dao lineage—all turned out to be a dream.
“ kàn lái rú jīn de yì shòu ， què shí jiù shì shàng gǔ shí qī de yāo shòu yǎn biàn ér lái 。”
“看来如今的异兽，确实就是上古时期的妖兽演变而来。”
"You really have big guts."
jiàn qì qiān nián bù jué de jiàn hén ， yǐn yǐn dāng chū de yù shòu zōng yǒu guān 。
剑气千年不绝的剑痕，隐隐当初的御兽宗有关。
Li Fan's simple words were like thunder in their ears.
lǐ fán xīn zhōng bù yóu duì zhè xiǎo shì jiè ， chǎn shēng le yī sī xìng qù 。
李凡心中不由对这小世界，产生了一丝兴趣。
Li Chenfeng and his two companions immediately looked pale, filled with despair.
“ huò xǔ rì hòu ， kě yǐ chōu chū shí jiān lái ， qù zhè dì guó yī tàn jiū jìng 。”
“或许日后，可以抽出时间来，去这帝国一探究竟。”
Their deaths didn't matter much, but they feared the consequences for their hometowns.
“ bù guò xiàn zài ， hái shì zhèng shì yào jǐn 。”
“不过现在，还是正事要紧。”
If angered by immortals, it wouldn’t just be a few thousand or ten thousand who would die.
lǐ fán kàn zhe chén zuì zài huàn mèng zhōng de lǐ chén fēng sān rén ， qīng qīng dǎ le gè xiǎng zhǐ 。
李凡看着沉醉在幻梦中的李晨风三人，轻轻打了个响指。
But tragically, they couldn’t even commit suicide now.
shùn jiān ， měi mèng pò suì ， sān rén huí dào xiàn shí 。
瞬间，美梦破碎，三人回到现实。
However, what surprised them was that the powerful cultivator before them had something else in store for them.
liǎn shàng xiān shì chōng mǎn le mí máng ， zuǒ yòu kàn le yī fān hòu ， jiàn jiàn xǐng wù guò lái 。
脸上先是充满了迷茫，左右看了一番后，渐渐醒悟过来。
"Very good! I admire you."
yuán běn gāng gāng jīng lì de ， tā men dào fǎ chéng gōng 、 dì guó tuō lí xuán huáng jiè 、 fā zhǎn chū zì jǐ de dào tǒng ……
原本刚刚经历的，他们盗法成功、帝国脱离玄黄界、发展出自己的道统……
Li Fan nodded approvingly and released Li Chenfeng and his companions from their restraints.
tǒng tǒng dōu shì yī cháng huàn mèng 。
统统都是一场幻梦。
The three exchanged glances but didn't dare to act rashly.
“ nǐ men zhēn shì hǎo dà de dǎn zi 。”
“你们真是好大的胆子。”
Zhushao Tang cautiously asked, "Senior, are you planning to let us off?"
lǐ fán qīng qīng yī jù huà ， luò zài tā men ěr zhōng ， què shì wǎn rú jīng léi 。
李凡轻轻一句话，落在他们耳中，却是宛如惊雷。
Li Fan chuckled: "I never intended to pursue this matter in the first place. The loss of mystic techniques by the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance is none of my concern."
lǐ chén fēng sān rén dùn shí miàn rú sǐ huī ， xīn zhōng wú bǐ jué wàng 。
李晨风三人顿时面如死灰，心中无比绝望。
"Instead, it was your aggressive approach that nearly got you killed. If I hadn’t had some skills, one careless moment could have cost me my life here."
tā men shēn yǔn dǎo shì wú suǒ wèi 。
他们身陨倒是无所谓。
Li Fan smiled and looked at Li Chenfeng.
wéi yī suǒ pà de ， jiù shì zì jǐ de jiā xiāng shòu dào qiān lián 。
唯一所怕的，就是自己的家乡受到牵连。
Li Chenfeng took a deep breath and quickly said, "It's all my fault. Please forgive me."
dào shí hòu ， xiān rén yī nù ， kǒng pà sǐ de jiù bú shì chéng qiān shàng wàn zhè me jiǎn dān le 。
到时候，仙人一怒，恐怕死的就不是成千上万这么简单了。
He then knelt down to apologize to Li Fan.
dàn kě bēi de shì ， rú jīn tā men lián xiǎng yào zì jìn dōu zuò bú dào 。
但可悲的是，如今他们连想要自尽都做不到。
Li Fan shook his head and stopped him: "There’s no need for such formalities in front of me. Come on, let's go to your secret room; I have something to tell you."
rán ér ， ràng tā men méi xiǎng dào de shì ， yǎn qián zhè wèi qiáng dà de xiū xiān zhě ， jiē xià lái suǒ shuō ， què shì dà chū tā men suǒ liào 。
然而，让他们没想到的是，眼前这位强大的修仙者，接下来所说，却是大出他们所料。
The three were taken aback by the realization that their supposedly hidden plans had been so easily uncovered.
“ hěn hǎo ！ wǒ hěn xīn shǎng nǐ men 。”
“很好！我很欣赏你们。”
With uneasy hearts, they followed Li Fan into the courtyard and then his secret room.
lǐ fán mǎn yì de diǎn diǎn tóu ， sōng kāi le lǐ chén fēng děng rén de shù fù 。
李凡满意的点点头，松开了李晨风等人的束缚。
Li Fan’s next words erased all their unease and replaced it with a sense of salvation.
sān rén hù xiāng duì shì le yī yǎn ， zuì zhōng hái shì bù gǎn zào cì 。
三人互相对视了一眼，最终还是不敢造次。
"Actually, I too come from a small world outside the Xuanhuang World."
yóu zhù shǎo táng xiǎo xīn yì yì dì wèn dào ：“ qián bèi ， nín zhè shì dǎ suàn fàng wǒ men yī mǎ le ？”
由祝少堂小心翼翼地问道：“前辈，您这是打算放我们一马了？”
(End of Chapter)
After thoroughly understanding the history of the Xuanhuang World and carefully studying with a few remaining cultivators in the empire, the think tank reached a bold conclusion.
These restrictions might only be effective within the Xuanhuang World.
Because the mystic techniques stolen by the empire's thieves would still face the limitation of not being able to practice them simultaneously. However, unlike in the Xuanhuang World, they wouldn't clearly sense the location of those who practiced them together.
In other words, the restrictions had weakened.
This should be due to the fact that the empire wasn't within the true Xuanhuang World but merely a small world affiliated with it.
So, the solution was clear: sever the constraints and leave the Xuanhuang World.
Become an independent small world.
For ordinary mortal civilizations, this might be an impossible task. But for the empire, which could control beast powers, it was definitely worth a try.
When the first generation of thieves crossed through the Great Desolation Array to enter the Xuanhuang World,
the裂界鲸群 (rift whale herds) that hovered in the void had already caught the attention of the empire.
After over a hundred years of attempts and countless sacrifices, the empire finally succeeded in capturing a solitary rift whale and then proceeded to scale up its breeding.
Unlike other beasts, the rift whales used a unique form of [solitary reproduction].
Any individual within the group seemed capable of producing offspring by absorbing unknown energy from the void.
However, before this idea emerged, there was no thought of using rift whales to leave the Xuanhuang World in the empire. The many large-sized rift whales were primarily used as food sources.
The meat of the rift whale was fatty and nutritious, and eating it for a long time could improve one's constitution. It was very popular in the empire.
But after deciding on leaving the Xuanhuang World, the empire ordered the protection of the rift whales, prohibiting their private consumption.
With national efforts, they began to breed the rift whales again and sent out elite thieves once more to steal mystic techniques from the Xuanhuang World.
Before this, the most advanced mystic technique in the empire was the Foundation Establishment Realm True Art.
Considering that they would need to completely sever ties with the Xuanhuang World, it would be too difficult for them to derive a new realm without any reference if they had to start from scratch after reaching the Formation Stage.
Thus, the empire decided to try and acquire mystic techniques of the Dao Integration Realm.
If not, they would at least aim for the Spirit Transformation Realm True Art.
To achieve this goal, the empire sent over a dozen extremely loyal warriors across the Xuanhuang World in succession.
To avoid total annihilation, they operated as small groups where members didn't know each other's identities.
Zhushao Tang and Xiao Jin were originally part of the same group.
One member of their team unfortunately passed away due to an accident, and Li Chenfeng was a backup member who joined later.
For years, they had been steadfast in fulfilling their mission, accumulating contributions to try and exchange for Dao Integration Realm True Art before escaping back home.
Until Li Fan descended from the heavens, capturing them all at once.
From Li Chenfeng's memories, Li Fan also learned that there was still debate within the empire about whether or not to leave the Xuanhuang World.
The main opposition had a simple argument: if discovered, it would bring about their downfall.
Could controlling beasts make any difference? Could they withstand an immortal’s sword?
The nine-headed bird with its head cut off was still staring at them in death!
Due to their inherent fear of immortals, the opposition held significant sway within the empire.
However, Empress Shi forcefully suppressed all opposing opinions for now, allowing the ultimate thief plan to proceed.
Empress Shi was a descendant of the first person who awakened and controlled beast powers.
"The imperial family's surname is Xu..."
The beasts are Xu.
These two words made Li Fan think of Xu Ke from the Xuanhuang Realm where he encountered the Beast Taming Sect.
But it could also just be coincidental.
"I once read in ancient texts that there were such crystal nuclei within the bodies of ancient monsters."
"Even cultivators could absorb their power for cultivation."
"I thought they had disappeared, but now I see that a small number of beasts still retain this ability."
"It seems these beasts are indeed descendants of the ancient monsters."
The sword traces that never fade over a thousand years hint at something related to the Beast Taming Sect.
Li Fan couldn't help feeling interested in this small world.
"Perhaps someday, I can take some time to explore this empire."
"But for now, we must focus on our task."
Looking at Li Chenfeng and his two companions who were lost in their dreams, Li Fan snapped his fingers gently.
Instantly, the dream shattered, and they returned to reality.
Their faces filled with confusion as they looked around before gradually realizing what had happened.
What they had accomplished—successfully stealing mystic techniques for the empire, leaving the Xuanhuang World, and developing their own Dao lineage—all turned out to be a dream.
"You really have big guts."
Li Fan's simple words were like thunder in their ears.
Li Chenfeng and his two companions immediately looked pale, filled with despair.
Their deaths didn't matter much, but they feared the consequences for their hometowns.
If angered by immortals, it wouldn’t just be a few thousand or ten thousand who would die.
But tragically, they couldn’t even commit suicide now.
However, what surprised them was that the powerful cultivator before them had something else in store for them.
"Very good! I admire you."
Li Fan nodded approvingly and released Li Chenfeng and his companions from their restraints.
The three exchanged glances but didn't dare to act rashly.
Zhushao Tang cautiously asked, "Senior, are you planning to let us off?"
Li Fan chuckled: "I never intended to pursue this matter in the first place. The loss of mystic techniques by the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance is none of my concern."
"Instead, it was your aggressive approach that nearly got you killed. If I hadn’t had some skills, one careless moment could have cost me my life here."
Li Fan smiled and looked at Li Chenfeng.
Li Chenfeng took a deep breath and quickly said, "It's all my fault. Please forgive me."
He then knelt down to apologize to Li Fan.
Li Fan shook his head and stopped him: "There’s no need for such formalities in front of me. Come on, let's go to your secret room; I have something to tell you."
The three were taken aback by the realization that their supposedly hidden plans had been so easily uncovered.
With uneasy hearts, they followed Li Fan into the courtyard and then his secret room.
Li Fan’s next words erased all their unease and replaced it with a sense of salvation.
"Actually, I too come from a small world outside the Xuanhuang World."
(End of Chapter)