「 lǐ chén ？！」
「李尘？！」
"Li Chen?!"
chà nà zhī jiān ， yí gè wén ruò qīng nián de miàn róng shǎn guò lǐ fán de nǎo hǎi 。
刹那之间，一个文弱青年的面容闪过李凡的脑海。
In an instant, the image of a delicate young man flashed through Li Fan's mind.
「 tā jū rán shì àn zhōng yǐn cáng de xuán tiān jiào fǎ wáng ？ zhè zěn me kě néng ？」
「他居然是暗中隐藏的玄天教法王？这怎么可能？」
"He is actually the Hidden Dharmic King of Xuan Tian Sect? This is impossible!"
lǐ fán xīn zhōng zhèn dòng bù yǐ 。
李凡心中震动不已。
Li Fan's heart was agitated with shock.
zhè lǐ chén bú shì bié rén ， zhèng shì lǐ fán zài yǔn xiān jìng 【 níng yuǎn qǔ shòu guǒ 】 shì jiàn zhōng de fù shēn zhī rén 。
这李尘不是别人，正是李凡在陨仙境【宁远取寿果】事件中的附身之人。
This Li Chen wasn't just anyone; he was the one who possessed Li Fan during the event "Ning Yuan to Take Life Fruit" in the Realm of Fallen Immortals.
zǐ xiāo zōng nèi mén dì zǐ ， zhāng qiān mò de shī dì ！
紫霄宗内门弟子，章阡陌的师弟！
He was a junior disciple of Zhang Qianmo, an inner sect disciple of Purple Void Sect!
lǐ fán jiàng lín yǔn xiān jìng 、 qǔ qí dài zhī yǐ jīng yǒu hěn duō cì le 。
李凡降临陨仙境、取其代之已经有很多次了。
Li Fan had already taken over and replaced several people from the Realm of Fallen Immortals many times before.
duì fāng nǎo hǎi zhōng de jì yì ， lǐ fán kě shì zhī xiǎo de yì qīng èr chǔ 。
对方脑海中的记忆，李凡可是知晓的一清二楚。
The memories within his opponent's mind were well-known to Li Fan.
lǐ chén zhǐ shì xún cháng shān cūn jiā hái zi ， yīn wèi xiū xíng tiān zī bù cuò ， zhè cái bèi shōu rù zǐ xiāo zōng mén zhōng 。
李尘只是寻常山村家孩子，因为修行天资不错，这才被收入紫霄宗门中。
Li Chen was just an ordinary child from a small village with decent cultivation talents who was admitted into Purple Void Sect as a result.
gēn běn méi yǒu shén me shǔ yú shàng gǔ xuán tiān jiào fǎ wáng de jì yì 。
根本没有什么属于上古玄天教法王的记忆。
There was no memory of an ancient Dharmic King of Xuan Tian Sect at all.
「 yǒu sān zhǒng kě néng 。 yī zhǒng shì ， zhè fǎ wáng zhǐ shì lèi sì yú yī dào shén hún ， jì shēng zài lǐ chén tǐ nèi 。 yǔn xiān lín zhōng yī yǎn ， yìng zhào shì jiān wàn wù zhòng shēng 。 zài yǔn xiān jìng nèi fù kè de ， zhǐ shì shēng líng běn wǒ 。 tǐ nèi de qí yú yì zhǒng cún zài ， zé bú huì huán yuán 。」
「有三种可能。一种是，这法王只是类似于一道神魂，寄生在李尘体内。陨仙临终一眼，映照世间万物众生。在陨仙境内复刻的，只是生灵本我。体内的其余异种存在，则不会还原。」
"There are three possibilities. One, this Dharmic King is merely like a divine soul, parasitizing in Li Chen's body. The final glimpse of a Fallen Immortal before death reflects the world and its myriad beings. What was replicated within his body during the Realm of Fallen Immortals were only the essence of living creatures. Other anomalous existences within him would not be restored."
「 dì èr zhǒng kě néng shì ， níng yuǎn qǔ shòu guǒ fā shēng de shí jiān nèi ， fǎ wáng shàng wèi zhàn jù lǐ chén de shēn qū 。 děng dào lǐ chén zài cǐ cì shì jiàn zhōng shēn shòu zhòng shāng ， bèi zhāng qiān mò dài huí zōng mén 。 qián fú zài zǐ xiāo zōng nèi de xuán tiān jiào fǎ wáng ， zhè cái chèn xū ér rù ， lǐ dài táo jiāng 。」
「第二种可能是，宁远取寿果发生的时间内，法王尚未占据李尘的身躯。等到李尘在此次事件中身受重伤，被章阡陌带回宗门。潜伏在紫霄宗内的玄天教法王，这才趁虚而入，李代桃僵。」
"Secondly, 'Ning Yuan to Take Life Fruit' occurred at a time when this Dharmic King had yet to possess Li Chen's body. After he was severely injured in this event and brought back by Zhang Qianmo, the hidden Dharmic King of Xuan Tian Sect took advantage of the situation to take over his body."
「 zuì hòu yī zhǒng kě néng ， zé shì ……」
「最后一种可能，则是……」
"The third possibility is..."
「 xuán tiān jiào fǎ wáng xiū wèi tōng tiān chè dì ， yǐn cáng jí shēn 。 jiù suàn néng dòng xī shì jiān yī qiè de nà wèi yǔn xiān ， yě kàn bù chuān tā shēn shàng de mì mì 。」
「玄天教法王修为通天彻地，隐藏极深。就算能洞悉世间一切的那位陨仙，也看不穿他身上的秘密。」
"The Dharmic King of Xuan Tian Sect has a cultivation level that reaches the heavens and earth. Even if the Fallen Immortal who could perceive everything in this world couldn't see through his secrets, he must be deeply hidden."
「 suǒ yǐ zài yǔn xiān jìng zhōng chuàng zào chū lái de ， zhǐ shì liú yú biǎo miàn 。」
「所以在陨仙境中创造出来的，只是流于表面。」
"So what was created within the Realm of Fallen Immortals was only superficial."
jīng guò yī fān xì zhì de fēn xī zhī hòu ， lǐ fán rèn wéi dì sān zhǒng kě néng xìng bù dà 。
经过一番细致的分析之后，李凡认为第三种可能性不大。
After a thorough analysis, Li Fan believed the third possibility to be unlikely.
rú guǒ lián yī wèi qióng tú mò lù de fǎ wáng ， xiū wèi dōu kān bǐ yǔn xiān 。 nà me dāng chū de xuán tiān jiào ， zhěng tǐ shí lì yòu huì shì hé děng de qiáng hàn ？
如果连一位穷途末路的法王，修为都堪比陨仙。那么当初的玄天教，整体实力又会是何等的强悍？
If even a Dharmic King on the brink of death had cultivation comparable to a Fallen Immortal, how formidable would the ancient Xuan Tian Sect have been?
gēn běn bù zhì yú bèi xiān dào shí zōng zǔ chéng de lián méng tuī fān 。
根本不至于被仙道十宗组成的联盟推翻。
It wouldn't have been defeated by an alliance of Ten Daoist Sects.
「 yǔn xiān jìng nèi ， jī hū hé xiàn shí shì jiè wán quán wú èr 。 jiù lián líng qì guǐ jì 、 gōng fǎ yùn zhuàn dōu néng huán yuán ， tǐ nèi cán hún ， yě yīng dāng táo tuō bù liǎo xiān rén fǎ yǎn 。」
「陨仙境内，几乎和现实世界完全无二。就连灵气轨迹、功法运转都能还原，体内残魂，也应当逃脱不了仙人法眼。」
"The Realm of Fallen Immortals is almost identical to the real world. Even the trajectory of spirit energy and the operation of mystical techniques can be replicated. The residual soul within his body should escape the gaze of a divine being."
「 zhè me shuō lái ， yīng gāi shì lǐ chén xiàn rù hūn mí hòu ， bèi xuán tiān jiào fǎ wáng duó shě le ？」
「这么说来，应该是李尘陷入昏迷后，被玄天教法王夺舍了？」
"Perhaps Li Chen fell into a coma, and the Dharmic King of Xuan Tian Sect took over his body?"
「 zhè xuán tiān jiào fǎ wáng de shí jì zhuàng tài kě néng yě bù tài hǎo ， zhǐ néng suàn shì gǒu yán cán chuǎn 。 dāng nián jiǎo xìng táo guò xiān dào shí zōng tè shǐ de zhuī chá hòu ， réng jiù yì zhí yǐn cáng zài zǐ xiāo zōng nèi 。 zhè qī jiān huò xǔ gǎi huàn le duō jù shēn qū ， zhí dào zuì zhōng chéng wéi le lǐ chén 。」
「这玄天教法王的实际状态可能也不太好，只能算是苟延残喘。当年侥幸逃过仙道十宗特使的追查后，仍旧一直隐藏在紫霄宗内。这期间或许改换了多具身躯，直到最终成为了李尘。」
"The actual state of this Dharmic King might not be good either; he's just barely hanging on. After narrowly escaping the pursuit by the special envoy of Ten Daoist Sects, he continued to hide within Purple Void Sect for years. He may have switched bodies multiple times before becoming Li Chen."
gēn jù cóng gè zhǒng qú dào zhǎng wò de zhǒng zhǒng xìn xī ， lǐ fán chōu sī bō jiǎn ， huán yuán le yí gè kě néng de zhēn xiàng 。
根据从各种渠道掌握的种种信息，李凡抽丝剥茧，还原了一个可能的真相。
Based on various pieces of information, Li Fan pieced together a possible truth.
jǐn jiē zhe ， tā jiù pēng rán xīn dòng qǐ lái 。
紧接着，他就怦然心动起来。
He then felt his heart race with excitement.
xuán tiān jiào fǎ wáng ， zì shàng gǔ xiū xiān shí dài jiù yǐ jīng cún zài yú shì 。
玄天教法王，自上古修仙时代就已经存在于世。
The Dharmic King of Xuan Tian Sect had existed since the ancient era of cultivation.
suǒ zhī zhǒng zhǒng yǐn mì ， dìng rán bù jì qí shù 。
所知种种隐秘，定然不计其数。
Countless secrets were bound to be known by him.
zì jǐ ruò shì néng jiāng qí sōu hún duó pò ……
自己若是能将其搜魂夺魄……
If he could search and seize his soul...
「 jué duì kě yǐ yī shì 。」
「绝对可以一试。」
"Absolutely worth a try."
「 cǐ shì wàn xiān méng fā jué chū tā shí ， zhè fǎ wáng hái zài chén shuì zhī zhōng ， fáng bèi néng lì dìng rán qiáng bú dào nǎ qù 。」
「此世万仙盟发掘出他时，这法王还在沉睡之中，防备能力定然强不到哪去。」
"When the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance discovered him, this Dharmic King was still in a deep sleep. His defensive capabilities must not be too strong."
「 rú guǒ néng jiāng qí kòng zhì zhù ， bù jǐn jǐn néng huò xiǎo zhū duō yǐn mì 、 gōng fǎ ， shèn zhì lián yǐ hòu chū xiàn zài xuán huáng jiè de shēn fèn dōu yǒu le zhuó luò ， bù yòng zài měi cì wěi zhuāng tiān jī zōng xiū shì le ， pò zhàn tài dà 。」
「如果能将其控制住，不仅仅能获晓诸多隐秘、功法，甚至连以后出现在玄黄界的身份都有了着落，不用再每次伪装天机宗修士了，破绽太大。」
"If I can control him, it would mean gaining knowledge of many secrets and techniques. Even my identity within Xuan Huang Realm would have a resolution; no need to keep pretending to be a Heaven Medicine Sect cultivator anymore—too obvious."
lǐ fán xīn zhōng wēi wēi yì dòng 。
李凡心中微微意动。
Li Fan's heart stirred slightly.
「 bù guò ， dào yě bù kě dà yì 。」 tā yòu zhuǎn niàn xiǎng dào 。
「不过，倒也不可大意。」他又转念想到。
"But we shouldn't be overly careless," he thought again.
「 xī rì xuán tiān jiào zhí zhǎng tiān zhī bǐng quán ， jiào nèi zhū wèi fǎ wáng ， kěn dìng dū shì jiù fǎ cháng shēng zhī jìng 。 suī shuō zài xuán tiān jiào fù miè de guò chéng zhōng ， tā yīng gāi shòu shāng pǒ zhòng 。 yòu chén shuì le zhè me duō nián ， shí lì yě dìng rán dà bù cóng qián 。」
「昔日玄天教执掌天之柄权，教内诸位法王，肯定都是旧法长生之境。虽说在玄天教覆灭的过程中，他应该受伤颇重。又沉睡了这么多年，实力也定然大不从前。」
"Back in the day, the Dharmic King of Xuan Tian Sect held power over heaven. The various Dharmic Kings within the sect were definitely from the old realm of longevity. Although he should have suffered severe injuries during the fall of Xuan Tian Sect and has been asleep for so many years, his strength must not be what it used to be."
「 dàn shàng gǔ jù bò ， yóu qí shì zhè zhǒng bù zhī dào huó le duō jiǔ de cún zài 。 shuí zhī dào tā men hái cáng yǒu shén me dǐ pái 。 hái shì xū yào fēn shēn qù xiān yī tàn xū shí 。」
「但上古巨擘，尤其是这种不知道活了多久的存在。谁知道他们还藏有什么底牌。还是需要分身去先一探虚实。」
"But ancient giants, especially those who have lived for unknown ages—what hidden cards do they still hold? I need a body to probe his true state first."
「 zhí de yī dǔ 。 zài zěn me shuō ， yě bú huì bǐ suàn jì tiān yī hái wēi xiǎn 。」
「值得一赌。再怎么说，也不会比算计天医还危险。」
"Definitely worth a gamble. It's no more dangerous than scheming against the Healer Immortal."
zhū duō sī xù ， jiē shì zài yī shùn zhī jiān 。
诸多思绪，皆是在一瞬之间。
Many thoughts raced through Li Fan's mind in an instant.
jí biàn liǎn shàng de biǎo qíng jī hū méi yǒu gǎi biàn ， dàn qǐng kè jiān qíng xù de bù tóng ， réng rán bèi jiāo xiū yuǎn kàn zài yǎn zhōng 。
即便脸上的表情几乎没有改变，但顷刻间情绪的不同，仍然被焦修远看在眼中。
Even though his expression didn't change much, Jiao Xiuyuan noticed the difference in emotions within him.
mù guāng zhōng lù chū yī sī qí sè ， tā bù jīn wèn dào ：「 nán bù chéng ， dào yǒu gēn zhè lǐ chén ， hái dàng zhēn shì jiù
目光中露出一丝奇色，他不禁问道：「难不成，道友跟这李尘，还当真是旧
A hint of curiosity appeared in his eyes as he asked, "Could it be that you and this Li Chen are old acquaintances?"
shí bù chéng ？」
识不成？」
Li Fan shook his head slightly and replied quickly, "We aren't old acquaintances. We've only met a few times."
lǐ fán wēi wēi yáo tóu ， hěn kuài huí dá dào ：「 jiù shí dǎo shì tán bù shàng 。 zhǐ shì yǒu guò jǐ miàn zhī yuán ér yǐ 。」
李凡微微摇头，很快回答道：「旧识倒是谈不上。只是有过几面之缘而已。」
"But I thought he was just an ordinary disciple of Purple Void Sect. I never expected..."
「 bù guò dāng shí yǐ wéi ， tā zhǐ shì zǐ xiāo zōng xún cháng dì zǐ ， méi xiǎng dào ……」
「不过当时以为，他只是紫霄宗寻常弟子，没想到……」
"Indeed, one can know someone's face but not their heart!"
「 zhēn shì zhī rén zhī miàn bù zhī xīn a ！」
「真是知人知面不知心啊！」
Li Fan sighed.
lǐ fán gǎn tàn dào 。
李凡感叹道。
Jiao Xiuyuan knew Li Fan would surely say something different from the truth. But everyone had secrets, and he didn't intend to delve deeper.
jiāo xiū yuǎn yě zhī dào ， lǐ fán bì dìng yán bù fú shí 。 bù guò ， rén rén dōu yǒu mì mì ， tā yě méi yǒu shēn jiū de dǎ suàn 。
焦修远也知道，李凡必定言不符实。不过，人人都有秘密，他也没有深究的打算。
"Haha."
「 hē hē 。」
「呵呵。」
"Why did you inquire about the identity of this ancient sleeper?" Jiao Xiuyuan probed.
「 nà dào yǒu dǎ tīng zhè chén mián shàng gǔ xiū shì de shēn fèn ， yòu jiū jìng shì wèi hé ？」 jiāo xiū yuǎn shì tàn xìng de wèn dào 。
「那道友打听这沉眠上古修士的身份，又究竟是为何？」焦修远试探性的问道。
Li Fan bowed slightly: "It was a task someone asked me to undertake."
lǐ fán gǒng le gǒng shǒu ：「 shòu rén suǒ tuō ér yǐ 。」
李凡拱了拱手：「受人所托而已。」
Jiao Xiuyuan pondered for a moment and nodded without saying more.
jiāo xiū yuǎn ruò yǒu suǒ sī ， diǎn diǎn tóu ， bù zài yán yǔ 。
焦修远若有所思，点点头，不再言语。
They chatted briefly before parting ways.
liǎng rén yòu shì hán xuān yī fān 。
两人又是寒暄一番。
Just as they were about to leave, Li Fan casually asked, "By the way, are those small Medicine Kings Cauldrons you excavated still in your possession?"
jí jiāng lín bié zhī jì ， lǐ fán suí kǒu yòu wèn le jù ：「 duì le ， zhī qián wěi tuō dào yǒu wā jué de nà xiē xiǎo yào wáng dǐng ， rú jīn hái zài dào yǒu shǒu shàng me ？」
即将临别之际，李凡随口又问了句：「对了，之前委托道友挖掘的那些小药王鼎，如今还在道友手上么？」
"They've already been sold," Jiao Xiuyuan replied.
「 zǎo jiù mài chū qù le 。」 jiāo xiū yuǎn huí dá dào 。
「早就卖出去了。」焦修远回答道。
"You didn't seem too concerned back then. Why bring it up now?" he was curious.
「 dāng chū dào yǒu kě shì mǎn bù zài hū de ， zěn me rú jīn yòu jiù shì chóng tí le ？」 tā yǒu xiē hào qí 。
「当初道友可是满不在乎的，怎么如今又旧事重提了？」他有些好奇。
"Just a whim; I asked because I thought of it. You don't need to overthink it." Li Fan smiled mysteriously, avoided the question, and turned to leave the Thousand Mile Hall.
「 xīn xuè lái cháo ， xiǎng dào jiù wèn bà le 。 dào yǒu bù bì duō xiǎng 。」 lǐ fán shén mì de xiào le xiào ， bì ér bù dá ， suí hòu zhuǎn shēn lí kāi le qiān lǐ táng 。
「心血来潮，想到就问罢了。道友不必多想。」李凡神秘的笑了笑，避而不答，随后转身离开了千里堂。
Leaving Jiao Xiuyuan standing there with a puzzled expression, his brows furrowed but not stopping him from going.
zhǐ liú xià liǎn shàng jīng yí bù dìng de jiāo xiū yuǎn ， méi tóu zhòu qǐ 、 zhàn zài yuán dì 。
只留下脸上惊疑不定的焦修远，眉头皱起、站在原地。
---
dàn què bìng wèi zǔ lán 。
但却并未阻拦。
After leaving, Li Fan first returned to the Heavenly Void Mirror to search for the small Medicine Kings Cauldrons.
-----------------
-----------------
According to Jiao Xiuyuan's words, when the Medicine King Sect ruins were sealed by the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, everything valuable was taken out. He could only dig up two of them.
lí kāi zhī hòu ， lǐ fán shǒu xiān fǎn huí tiān xuán jìng zhōng ， sōu suǒ qǐ xiǎo yào wáng dǐng lái 。
离开之后，李凡首先返回天玄镜中，搜索起小药王鼎来。
But now, Li Fan found that there were seventeen small Medicine Kings Cauldrons being sold in the market.
jù jiāo xiū yuǎn suǒ shuō ， dāng shí yào wáng zōng yí jì bèi wàn xiān méng fēng suǒ ， lǐ miàn bèi jué dì sān chǐ ， yí jì nèi dàn fán hái yǒu diǎn zhí qián de ， dōu bèi qǔ zǒu 。
据焦修远所说，当时药王宗遗迹被万仙盟封锁，里面被掘地三尺，遗迹内但凡还有点值钱的，都被取走。
Clearly, they had leaked from within the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
tā zhǐ lái de jí wā chū qí zhōng liǎng zūn ér yǐ 。
他只来得及挖出其中两尊而已。
Li Fan was used to this situation.
dàn cǐ kè lǐ fán yī kàn ， jǐn jǐn shì guà zài shì chǎng chū shòu de xiǎo yào wáng dǐng ， jiù zú zú yǒu shí qī zūn 。
但此刻李凡一看，仅仅是挂在市场出售的小药王鼎，就足足有十七尊。
The true purpose of these small Medicine Kings Cauldrons was still unknown to most people.
zhè xiē xiǎn rán dōu shì cóng wàn xiān méng nèi bù liú chū de 。
这些显然都是从万仙盟内部流出的。
With his ample resources, Li Fan bought all of them instantly.
duì cǐ lǐ fán zǎo yǐ jīng xí guàn 。
对此李凡早已经习惯。
This change immediately caught someone's attention.
rú jīn xiǎo yào wáng dǐng de zhēn shí yòng tú ， shì rén shàng qiě hái wèi zhī xiǎo 。
如今小药王鼎的真实用途，世人尚且还未知晓。
"Friend Li Fan, did you make that purchase?"
cái dà qì cū de lǐ fán ， jiāng zhè xiē liú luò zài wài de xiǎo yào wáng dǐng qǐng kè jiān quán dōu mǎi xià 。
财大气粗的李凡，将这些流落在外的小药王鼎顷刻间全都买下。
"What secret does the small Medicine King Cauldron hold?"
zhè yī biàn huà ， shùn jiān jiù yǐn qǐ le mǒu xiē rén de zhù yì 。
这一变化，瞬间就引起了某些人的注意。
"Did you deduce something new?"
「 lǐ fán dào yǒu ， shì nǐ chū shǒu de ma ？」
「李凡道友，是你出手的嘛？」
Jiao Xiuyuan, who had just broken off contact, hurriedly sent a message with inquiries.
「 zhè xiǎo yào wáng dǐng ， dào dǐ yǒu shén me mì mì ？」
「这小药王鼎，到底有什么秘密？」
"You guess."
「 nǐ shì bú shì ， yòu tuī yǎn dào le shén me ？」
「你是不是，又推衍到了什么？」
Li Fan replied with a smile and ignored his reaction.
gāng gāng cái zhōng duàn lián xì de jiāo xiū yuǎn ， jí jí máng máng dì fā lái xún wèn xiāo xī 。
刚刚才中断联系的焦修远，急急忙忙地发来询问消息。
[Only Heaven Can Conceal] Secret Art covered him as he headed straight for Azure Phoenix State.
「 nǐ cāi 。」
「你猜。」
Almost without stopping, he continuously teleported.
lǐ fán xiào zhe huí le jù ， suí hòu yě bù guǎn duì fāng de fǎn yìng 。
李凡笑着回了句，随后也不管对方的反应。
After half a day, he arrived at the Abyss of Azure Phoenix.
【 zhǐ shǒu zhē tiān 】 mì shù lǒng zhào jǐ shēn ， zhí bēn cāng wú zhōu ér qù 。
【只手遮天】秘术笼罩己身，直奔苍梧州而去。
He bought a guide to touring the Abyss of Azure Phoenix and followed the path taken by Xiao Fan from his previous life down below.
jī hū shì yī kè bù tíng ， jiē lián chuán sòng 。
几乎是一刻不停，接连传送。
He passed through [Soul Speech Forest] and [Puppet Canyon], reaching the Lost City underground ten thousand feet down.
xiǎo bàn tiān hòu ， yǐ jīng shì dào dá le cāng wú zhī yuān 。
小半天后，已经是到达了苍梧之渊。
After much effort, he finally found the location where the true Medicine King Cauldron would fall in the future.
gòu mǎi le yī fèn cāng wú zhī yuān yóu lì zhǐ nán ， lǐ fán shùn zhe jì yì lǐ shàng yī shì xiāo fán tā men de xíng zōng lù xiàn ， yī lù xiàng xià 。
购买了一份苍梧之渊游历指南，李凡顺着记忆里上一世萧凡他们的行踪路线，一路向下。
Yes, Li Fan planned to wait here for the falling star.
chuān guò le 【 líng yǔ zhī sēn 】、【 kuǐ lěi xiá jiān 】， dá dào le dì xià shí wàn zhàng de 【 shī luò mí chéng 】。
穿过了【灵语之森】、【傀儡峡间】，达到了地下十万丈的【失落迷城】。
Inside the true Medicine King Cauldron, all were Medicine King Sect cultivators forced into a state of suspended animation. They were like lambs to be slaughtered.
"Li Chen?!"
In an instant, the image of a delicate young man flashed through Li Fan's mind.
"He is actually the Hidden Dharmic King of Xuan Tian Sect? This is impossible!"
Li Fan's heart was agitated with shock.
This Li Chen wasn't just anyone; he was the one who possessed Li Fan during the event "Ning Yuan to Take Life Fruit" in the Realm of Fallen Immortals.
He was a junior disciple of Zhang Qianmo, an inner sect disciple of Purple Void Sect!
But...
Li Fan had already taken over and replaced several people from the Realm of Fallen Immortals many times before.
The memories within his opponent's mind were well-known to Li Fan.
Li Chen was just an ordinary child from a small village with decent cultivation talents who was admitted into Purple Void Sect as a result.
There was no memory of an ancient Dharmic King of Xuan Tian Sect at all.
"There are three possibilities. One, this Dharmic King is merely like a divine soul, parasitizing in Li Chen's body. The final glimpse of a Fallen Immortal before death reflects the world and its myriad beings. What was replicated within his body during the Realm of Fallen Immortals were only the essence of living creatures. Other anomalous existences within him would not be restored."
"Secondly, 'Ning Yuan to Take Life Fruit' occurred at a time when this Dharmic King had yet to possess Li Chen's body. After he was severely injured in this event and brought back by Zhang Qianmo, the hidden Dharmic King of Xuan Tian Sect took advantage of the situation to take over his body."
"The third possibility is..."
"The Dharmic King of Xuan Tian Sect has a cultivation level that reaches the heavens and earth. Even if the Fallen Immortal who could perceive everything in this world couldn't see through his secrets, he must be deeply hidden."
"So what was created within the Realm of Fallen Immortals was only superficial."
...
After a thorough analysis, Li Fan believed the third possibility to be unlikely.
If even a Dharmic King on the brink of death had cultivation comparable to a Fallen Immortal, how formidable would the ancient Xuan Tian Sect have been?
It wouldn't have been defeated by an alliance of Ten Daoist Sects.
"The Realm of Fallen Immortals is almost identical to the real world. Even the trajectory of spirit energy and the operation of mystical techniques can be replicated. The residual soul within his body should escape the gaze of a divine being."
"Perhaps Li Chen fell into a coma, and the Dharmic King of Xuan Tian Sect took over his body?"
"The actual state of this Dharmic King might not be good either; he's just barely hanging on. After narrowly escaping the pursuit by the special envoy of Ten Daoist Sects, he continued to hide within Purple Void Sect for years. He may have switched bodies multiple times before becoming Li Chen."
Based on various pieces of information, Li Fan pieced together a possible truth.
He then felt his heart race with excitement.
The Dharmic King of Xuan Tian Sect had existed since the ancient era of cultivation.
Countless secrets were bound to be known by him.
If he could search and seize his soul...
"Absolutely worth a try."
"When the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance discovered him, this Dharmic King was still in a deep sleep. His defensive capabilities must not be too strong."
"If I can control him, it would mean gaining knowledge of many secrets and techniques. Even my identity within Xuan Huang Realm would have a resolution; no need to keep pretending to be a Heaven Medicine Sect cultivator anymore—too obvious."
Li Fan's heart stirred slightly.
"But we shouldn't be overly careless," he thought again.
"Back in the day, the Dharmic King of Xuan Tian Sect held power over heaven. The various Dharmic Kings within the sect were definitely from the old realm of longevity. Although he should have suffered severe injuries during the fall of Xuan Tian Sect and has been asleep for so many years, his strength must not be what it used to be."
"But ancient giants, especially those who have lived for unknown ages—what hidden cards do they still hold? I need a body to probe his true state first."
"Definitely worth a gamble. It's no more dangerous than scheming against the Healer Immortal."
Many thoughts raced through Li Fan's mind in an instant.
Even though his expression didn't change much, Jiao Xiuyuan noticed the difference in emotions within him.
A hint of curiosity appeared in his eyes as he asked, "Could it be that you and this Li Chen are old acquaintances?"
Li Fan shook his head slightly and replied quickly, "We aren't old acquaintances. We've only met a few times."
"But I thought he was just an ordinary disciple of Purple Void Sect. I never expected..."
"Indeed, one can know someone's face but not their heart!"
Li Fan sighed.
Jiao Xiuyuan knew Li Fan would surely say something different from the truth. But everyone had secrets, and he didn't intend to delve deeper.
"Haha."
"Why did you inquire about the identity of this ancient sleeper?" Jiao Xiuyuan probed.
Li Fan bowed slightly: "It was a task someone asked me to undertake."
Jiao Xiuyuan pondered for a moment and nodded without saying more.
They chatted briefly before parting ways.
Just as they were about to leave, Li Fan casually asked, "By the way, are those small Medicine Kings Cauldrons you excavated still in your possession?"
"They've already been sold," Jiao Xiuyuan replied.
"You didn't seem too concerned back then. Why bring it up now?" he was curious.
"Just a whim; I asked because I thought of it. You don't need to overthink it." Li Fan smiled mysteriously, avoided the question, and turned to leave the Thousand Mile Hall.
Leaving Jiao Xiuyuan standing there with a puzzled expression, his brows furrowed but not stopping him from going.
---
After leaving, Li Fan first returned to the Heavenly Void Mirror to search for the small Medicine Kings Cauldrons.
According to Jiao Xiuyuan's words, when the Medicine King Sect ruins were sealed by the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, everything valuable was taken out. He could only dig up two of them.
But now, Li Fan found that there were seventeen small Medicine Kings Cauldrons being sold in the market.
Clearly, they had leaked from within the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
Li Fan was used to this situation.
The true purpose of these small Medicine Kings Cauldrons was still unknown to most people.
With his ample resources, Li Fan bought all of them instantly.
This change immediately caught someone's attention.
"Friend Li Fan, did you make that purchase?"
"What secret does the small Medicine King Cauldron hold?"
"Did you deduce something new?"
Jiao Xiuyuan, who had just broken off contact, hurriedly sent a message with inquiries.
"You guess."
Li Fan replied with a smile and ignored his reaction.
[Only Heaven Can Conceal] Secret Art covered him as he headed straight for Azure Phoenix State.
Almost without stopping, he continuously teleported.
After half a day, he arrived at the Abyss of Azure Phoenix.
He bought a guide to touring the Abyss of Azure Phoenix and followed the path taken by Xiao Fan from his previous life down below.
He passed through [Soul Speech Forest] and [Puppet Canyon], reaching the Lost City underground ten thousand feet down.
After much effort, he finally found the location where the true Medicine King Cauldron would fall in the future.
Yes, Li Fan planned to wait here for the falling star.
Inside the true Medicine King Cauldron, all were Medicine King Sect cultivators forced into a state of suspended animation. They were like lambs to be slaughtered.