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第四百五十四章 琐事不遂意

From Li Fan's previous lifetimes, the incident of the Crimson Flame Scorched Sea showed that any cultivator attempting to merge with the crimson flame would ultimately end up on a dead path.

The real terror was the fate of Mo Sha, who had received the world-destroying destiny.

Before reaching the Dao realm, Tianyang, in front of her, seemed utterly powerless.

"Little Apprentice Brother Tianyang's actual combat strength is probably no better than Zhang Ziliang from my last life; I won't let him go to his death."

"The puppet body is different from a normal human. To enhance its combat capabilities, there might be other methods besides breaking through the realm."

"The cost is high, but after the Cunyun Sea's destruction and when I flee with all the wealth, it will definitely suffice for me."

After some thought, Li Fan abandoned his plan to have Tianyang冒险 attempt merging with the Dao. Instead, he focused on observing and protecting him.

Fifteen days later,

As the resources within the Return Essence Array were exhausted, Tianyang completed his final transformation.

The puppet body was perfectly replenished, and his realm stabilized at the Transcendent Realm of Perfection.

"Little Apprentice Brother Tianyang relies mainly on brute strength in combat. We need to find ways to refine him."

After completing his cultivation, Tianyang silently stood up and followed Li Fan.

Li Fan took out prepared clothes from his storage ring and dressed Tianyang. He also taught him the Secret Technique "A Hand to遮天".

"Little Apprentice Brother, learn this secret technique next. Once you've mastered it, you can follow me," Li Fan instructed.

Tianyang nodded silently and began studying intently.

With only a few instincts left, the secrets of the Taiyi Sect were still complex for Tianyang. With Li Fan's careful guidance and his undivided attention, he slowly grasped them over time.

While Tianyang focused on improving himself as per Li Fan’s instructions,

Li Fan concentrated on Lingfogao Island.

He briefly visited the island and silently used the Formless Killing Mechanism to secure it.

Returning to the Heavenly Mysteries Mirror, he began secretly purchasing Lingfogao Grass while patiently waiting.

Soon enough, it was the day when the dragon whale, a formidable beast from the previous life, was expected to attack the island.

However, something unexpected happened. The dragon whale did not appear until sunset.

Li Fan felt an ominous premonition.

As he feared, three more days passed without any sign of trouble on Lingfogao Island.

Li Fan finally confirmed that his early arrival in Xuanhuang World had brought about inevitable changes.

Without acting hastily,

Li Fan first thoroughly investigated the disappearance of the dragon whale.

Such a powerful beast, with nascent intelligence and the ability to grow stronger by consuming, should not just vanish without reason.

After extensive searches, he found no leads until an anonymous bounty mission revealed that the dragon whale had been killed recently by Jin Dan alchemist Yue Zaisen.

All valuable materials were taken from its body.

Yue Zaisen also offered to sell some parts at a discount if needed.

Li Fan bought several segments of whalebone and chatted with him, trying to understand his unusual behavior.

Yue Zaisen revealed that he was commissioned by his friend Mu Rong to gather materials for a fine defensive artifact.

Li Fan did not inquire further about why Mu Rong suddenly wanted such an item.

"Mu Rong..." Li Fan interrupted the communication, his expression changing.

He wasn't unfamiliar with this name; they had some interactions in previous lives. Mingsheng was Chen Ying's assistant and provided contact information before Chen Ying went to the Five Elements Great Caverns.

Li Fan thought, "Could it be that he saw Chen Ying purchase many life-preserving talismans and felt a sense of crisis? That’s why he took this action?"

"Or could it be that Chen Ying told him something..."

Li Fan felt a wave of helplessness.

Regardless, the dragon whale did not attack Lingfogao Island. To correct history to its intended path, Li Fan needed to take direct action.

"This is risky; I must ensure no trace remains," Li Fan carefully planned in his mind before acting.

"Should I pretend to be an animal and strike? Or should I use the Five Elders Association's power?"

"The risks are high."

"Perhaps, we don't necessarily need Lingfogao Grass. As long as it meets conditions like stable supply and grows only in certain special regions,"

Li Fan thought aloud.

"Let's first see if there are similar options available."

He searched through the Heavenly Mysteries Mirror carefully.

Many targets met the criteria, but Li Fan added restrictions to focus on those with recent unusual price fluctuations.

Now, few matched his requirements.

After examining each one, he settled on the Lingzhi plant called Pu Xian Zhen Ye.

This medicinal herb had a long growth cycle and was rarely used in daily life.

Its primary use was for creating the Talisman of Wise Discrimination.

Before the Heavenly Mysteries Locking Spirit Array was invented, the Five Elders Association's spies were everywhere. Most, like Zhou Qingang, possessed techniques that could deceive even the Jade Tablet of Conscience.

The Talisman of Wise Discrimination had been used to expose many Five Elders spies a few centuries ago and became an established custom before being phased out due to improved spy concealment methods by the Five Elders Association.

However, using this talisman had become a habit. The Five Elders Association would not openly announce its ineffectiveness, nor would the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance remove it from use.

Moreover, the production and manufacturing of the Talisman of Wise Discrimination had formed an interest chain.

With multiple factors at play, the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance now needed a significant amount of Pu Xian Zhen Ye each year.

Recently, the stable price of this herb began to drop unusually.

Li Fan frowned slightly. He remembered that in his last life, as Lingfogao Grass prices soared, other medicinal herbs' prices also increased. However, Pu Xian Zhen Ye was an exception.

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