「 yǒu bǎ wò shí nián zhī nèi jìn shēng yuán yīng ？」 zhōu qīng áng kàn zhe dé yì yáng yáng de hé zhèng hào ， liǎn shàng shǎn guò yī sī cuò è 。
「有把握十年之内晋升元婴？」周青昂看着得意洋洋的何正浩，脸上闪过一丝错愕。
"Is he really confident of advancing to the Core Formation Realm within ten years?" Zhou Qingang looked at He Zhenghao with a smug expression, his face showing a hint of surprise.
zhè què bú shì zhuāng chū lái 。
这却不是装出来。
This wasn't just an act. After carefully observing for a moment, Zhou Qingang realized that He Zhenghao might not be exaggerating. A mysterious aura was hidden in him, extremely subtle and only revealed when He Zhenghao himself exposed it. If not for the fact that this "Zhou Qingang" had already transformed into Li Fan's true self, it would have been hard to notice.
zǐ xì duān xiáng piàn kè ， zhè cái kàn chū hé zhèng hào huò xǔ bìng fēi xū yán 。 zài tā shēn shàng ， àn cáng zhe yī gǔ xuán zhī yòu xuán de qì xī 。 jí qí yǐn mì ， rú guǒ bú shì hé zhèng hào zì jǐ bào lù ， ér qiě cǐ kè de 「 zhōu qīng áng 」 qí shí yǐ jīng shì yóu lǐ fán běn zūn biàn huàn ér lái ， hái zhēn bù néng qīng yì chá jué 。
仔细端详片刻，这才看出何正浩或许并非虚言。在他身上，暗藏着一股玄之又玄的气息。极其隐秘，如果不是何正浩自己暴露，而且此刻的「周青昂」其实已经是由李凡本尊变幻而来，还真不能轻易察觉。
Recalling the records on the Transformation Path Stone, Li Fan instantly understood the origin of these changes. It was indeed He Xingxing who, before leaving unwillingly, gave He Zhenghao a simple white jade and instructed him to nurture it within his dantian.
nǎo hǎi zhōng huí fàng zhe huà dào shí de jì lù ， lǐ fán shùn jiān chá qīng chǔ le zhè zhǒng biàn huà de yóu lái 。 zhèng shì hé xīng xīng zài bù shě lí qù qián ， jiāo gěi le hé zhèng hào yī méi pǔ sù bái yù ， dīng zhǔ tā jiāng qí fàng zài dān tián nèi yùn yǎng 。
脑海中回放着化道石的记录，李凡瞬间查清楚了这种变化的由来。正是何猩猩在不舍离去前，交给了何正浩一枚朴素白玉，叮嘱他将其放在丹田内蕴养。
"There's no real cultivation here; he relies solely on this plain white jade to have such confidence in advancing from Golden Core to Core Formation in such a short time..."
「 gēn běn méi yǒu hǎo hǎo xiū liàn guò ， jǐn jǐn kào zhe zhè méi bái yù ， jiù yǒu bǎ wò zài zhè me duǎn de shí jiān nèi yóu jīn dān rù yuán yīng ……」
「根本没有好好修炼过，仅仅靠着这枚白玉，就有把握在这么短的时间内由金丹入元婴……」
"This white jade is indeed an excellent treasure! It must be quite rare even for the Heng Family of Heavenly Yu Province. He Xingxing spared no effort to save his father's life."
「 zhè bái yù dào yě shì jiàn bù sú de bǎo bèi ！ kǒng pà jí biàn duì yú tiān yǔ zhōu héng jiā ér yán ， yě shì shí fēn zhēn xī le 。 hé xīng xīng wèi le bǎo zhù tā lǎo fù qīn de xìng mìng ， zhēn kě wèi shì jìn xīn jìn lì 。」
「这白玉倒也是件不俗的宝贝！恐怕即便对于天禹州衡家而言，也是十分珍稀了。何猩猩为了保住他老父亲的性命，真可谓是尽心尽力。」
"Too bad..."
「 zhǐ kě xī ……」
「只可惜……」
Zhou Qingang used a barely perceptible cold gaze to look at He Zhenghao, sneering inwardly.
「 zhōu qīng áng 」 yòng wēi bù kě jué de bīng lěng mù guāng kàn guò hé zhèng hào ， xīn zhōng lěng xiào 。
「周青昂」用微不可觉的冰冷目光看过何正浩，心中冷笑。
He then pretended to be greatly surprised: "Friend, your progress is so rapid? Truly unexpected. It seems your cultivation talent far surpasses mine and Gao Yuan."
yòu zhuāng chū yī fù shí fēn chī jīng de yàng zi ：「 dào yǒu jìn jìng jū rán rú cǐ zhī kuài ？ zhēn shì yì xiǎng bù dào 。 kàn lái dào yǒu xiū xíng tiān fù zhī gāo ， yào yuǎn chāo wǒ yǔ gāo yuǎn 。」
又装出一副十分吃惊的样子：「道友进境居然如此之快？真是意想不到。看来道友修行天赋之高，要远超我与高远。」
A hint of embarrassment flashed across He Zhenghao's face but was quickly concealed. He confidently said, "Haha, you needn't feel discouraged. A cultivator's realm depends not only on innate talent but also diligence and good fortune. With this opportunity in front of us, we must seize it!"
hé zhèng hào liǎn shàng shǎn guò yī sī gān gà ， bù guò suí jí hěn kuài jiù bèi yǎn shì guò qù ， dà yán bù cán dào ：「 hē hē ， dào yǒu bù bì jǔ sàng 。 wǒ bèi xiū shì de xiū wèi jìng jiè ， chú le shòu tiān fù yǐng xiǎng zhī wài ， hái gēn qín miǎn 、 jī yuán děng yīn sù mì bù kě fēn 。 dào yǒu tiān fù yǐ jīng shāo chà le yì diǎn ， rú jīn jī yuán zài qián ， gèng jiā bù néng cuò shī a ！」
何正浩脸上闪过一丝尴尬，不过随即很快就被掩饰过去，大言不惭道：「呵呵，道友不必沮丧。我辈修士的修为境界，除了受天赋影响之外，还跟勤勉、机缘等因素密不可分。道友天赋已经稍差了一点，如今机缘在前，更加不能错失啊！」
Zhou Qingang seemed to be lost in thought as he listened.
tīng zhe hé zhèng hào de quàn shuō ， zhōu qīng áng shì shì dī tóu xiàn rù le chén sī 。
听着何正浩的劝说，周青昂似是低头陷入了沉思。
Just when He Zhenghao thought his words had convinced the other, Zhou Qingang sighed deeply and rejected his advice.
zhèng dāng hé zhèng hào yǐ wéi duì fāng yǐ jīng bèi shuō dòng ， ér xīn zhōng qiè xǐ de shí hòu 。 zhōu qīng áng què shì cháng tàn yī shēng ， jù jué le tā de jiàn yì 。
正当何正浩以为对方已经被说动，而心中窃喜的时候。周青昂却是长叹一声，拒绝了他的建议。
"Indeed, as you said, better service to the Secret Envoy requires strong personal strength. But opportunities often come with danger. I...," Zhou Qingang shook his head, looking regretful.
「 chéng rú dào yǒu suǒ yán ， xiǎng yào gèng hǎo de wèi mì shǐ dà rén xiào lì ， zì shēn shí lì shí fēn zhòng yào 。 dàn jī yuán wǎng wǎng yǔ wēi xiǎn bìng cún 。 wǒ zhè ge rén a ……」 zhōu qīng áng yáo le yáo tóu ， yī liǎn wǎn xī de yàng zi 。
「诚如道友所言，想要更好的为秘使大人效力，自身实力十分重要。但机缘往往与危险并存。我这个人啊……」周青昂摇了摇头，一脸惋惜的样子。
"I've always been unlucky! Even if there are opportunities within the Auspicious Origin Sect, they probably won't fall on me! I'll just stick to my duties in Cunyun Sea."
「 xiàng lái shì méi yǒu shén me fú qì de ！ jiù suàn nà cháo yuán zōng nèi zhēn de yǒu shén me jī yuán ， xiǎng bì yě shì lún bú dào wǒ de ！ wǒ hái shì ān fèn de dài zài cóng yún hǎi ， zuò hǎo zì jǐ běn zhí gōng zuò ba 。」
「向来是没有什么福气的！就算那朝元宗内真的有什么机缘，想必也是轮不到我的！我还是安分的待在丛云海，做好自己本职工作吧。」
"Until the Secret Envoy..."
「 děng mì shǐ dà rén ……」
「等秘使大人……」
Zhou Qingang paused and then said, "He never neglects his subordinates. He sees our hard work and might reward us with a promotion when he's happy!"
zhōu qīng áng gù yì dùn le dùn ， yòu zhuǎn ér shuō dào ：「 dà rén tā cóng lái bú huì kuī dài xià shǔ 。 jiāng wǒ děng kǔ láo kàn zài yǎn lǐ ， shuō bù dìng yī gāo xìng ， suí biàn shǎng cì xiē shén me xià lái ， jiù néng bāng wǒ men tí gāo jìng jiè ne ！」
周青昂故意顿了顿，又转而说道：「大人他从来不会亏待下属。将我等苦劳看在眼里，说不定一高兴，随便赏赐些什么下来，就能帮我们提高境界呢！」
"Still, thank you for your kind offer!" Zhou Qingang bowed and left the Office of Administration.
「 bù guò hái shì xiè guò hé dào yǒu nǐ de hǎo yì le ！」 zhōu qīng áng gǒng le gǒng shǒu ， zhuǎn shēn lí kāi le bù zhèng táng 。
「不过还是谢过何道友你的好意了！」周青昂拱了拱手，转身离开了布政堂。
---
【 jiàn yú dà huán jìng rú cǐ ，
【鉴于大环境如此，
Given the current situation,
kàn zhe zhōu qīng áng de bèi yǐng ， hé zhèng hào miàn sè yīn qíng bù dìng ：「 zhè xiǎo zi bù kuì shì dà rén xīn fù ， guǒ rán zhī dào xiē shén me ！ kàn lái wǒ zuò de jué zé bù cuò ， jì rán tā dōu bù kěn lí kāi cóng yún hǎi ， shuō míng zhè lǐ bù jǐn méi yǒu shén me wēi xiǎn ， ér qiě hái néng dé dào mò dà de hǎo chù ……」
看着周青昂的背影，何正浩面色阴晴不定：「这小子不愧是大人心腹，果然知道些什么！看来我做的抉择不错，既然他都不肯离开丛云海，说明这里不仅没有什么危险，而且还能得到莫大的好处……」
looking at Zhou Qingang's back, He Zhenghao's expression fluctuated: "This kid truly is a trusted confidant; he knows something! It seems I made the right choice. Since he won't leave Cunyun Sea, it means there are no dangers here and great benefits await..."
xīn zhōng zuì hòu yī sī gù lǜ xiāo chú ， hé zhèng hào chè dǐ xià le jué xīn 。
心中最后一丝顾虑消除，何正浩彻底下了决心。
The last trace of doubt vanished as He Zhenghao firmly decided.
ér kàn zhe hé zhèng hào nà yīn yù zhōng yòu yǒu wú qióng tān liàn de yǎn shén ， lǐ fán jiù zhī dào tā xīn lǐ zài xiǎng xiē shén me 。
而看着何正浩那阴郁中又有无穷贪恋的眼神，李凡就知道他心里在想些什么。
Seeing He Zhenghao's gloomy yet greedy gaze, Li Fan knew what was on his mind.
「 yuè tān yuè chǔn ， yuè chǔn yuè tān 。」
「越贪越蠢，越蠢越贪。」
"More greed, more foolishness; more foolishness, more greed."
「 è xìng xún huán ， cǐ shì de hé zhèng hào ， yǐ jīng bù zài shì wǒ shú xī de nà ge hé dào yǒu le ！」
「恶性循环，此世的何正浩，已经不再是我熟悉的那个何道友了！」
"A vicious cycle. This world’s He Zhenghao is no longer the familiar He Daoist!"
「 jīng lì de bù tóng ， duì rén gé de sù zào 、 yǐng xiǎng ， jìng rán rú cǐ shēn yuǎn 。」
「经历的不同，对人格的塑造、影响，竟然如此深远。」
"The impact of different experiences on personality is profound."
lǐ fán chén yín piàn kè ， xīn zhōng yòu yǐn yǐn yǒu suǒ gǎn wù 。
李凡沉吟片刻，心中又隐隐有所感悟。
Li Fan pondered for a moment and had an inkling of understanding.
「 huò xǔ ， yòu gēn xīn fǎ tān lán lüè tiān duó dì de gēn jī ， yǒu diǎn guān xì 。」
「或许，又跟新法贪婪掠天夺地的根基，有点关系。」
"Perhaps it's related to the Greedful Plundering New Law's foundation."
bù zài qù xiǎng cǐ shì ， jiē xià lái yī duàn shí jiān ， lǐ fán zhuāng zuò hé yǐ wǎng de zhōu qīng áng yī yàng ， yǒu tiáo bù wěn de chǔ lǐ zhe zhū duō zá shì 。
不再去想此事，接下来一段时间，李凡装作和以往的周青昂一样，有条不紊的处理着诸多杂事。
No longer thinking about this, Li Fan continued acting like his previous self, methodically handling various tasks.
ér 「 mì zì shǐ lǐ fán 」， yě jiù shì biàn huàn le mú yàng de fēn shēn ， zé shì tíng liú zài bù zhèng táng mì shì shēn chù ， hào chēng bì guān xiū xíng 。
而「秘字使李凡」，也就是变幻了模样的分身，则是停留在布政堂密室深处，号称闭关修行。
The "Elder Li Fan of the Secret Mission," a transformed avatar, stayed in the deep recesses of the Office of Administration, claiming to be in seclusion for cultivation.
qiǎo rán jiān duì huàn le běn zūn 、 fēn shēn de tóng shí ， lǐ fán yě kāi shǐ àn zhōng dǎ zào yī jù zhōu qīng áng mú yàng de kuǐ lěi 。
悄然间对换了本尊、分身的同时，李凡也开始暗中打造一具周青昂模样的傀儡。
Simultaneously swapping his true form and avatar, Li Fan secretly crafted a puppet resembling Zhou Qingang.
cóng yún hǎi shēn chù ， tā cāo zòng dì huǒ guī yuán zhèn ， xiāo hào le xiē xǔ xún cháng de cái liào ， jiàn zào chū le yī jù
丛云海深处，他操纵地火归元阵，消耗了些许寻常的材料，建造出了一具
In the depths of Cunyun Sea, he used the Fire Return Array to construct a skeletal puppet with ordinary materials. Then, using the technique "Strange True Spirit Transformation," he attached a flesh body to the skeleton's exterior.
gǔ gé kuǐ lěi 。 suí hòu yòu yǐ 【 qí xuán zhēn líng biàn 】 liàn zhì fēn shēn de shǒu duàn ， zài gǔ gé kuǐ lěi wài biǎo fù zhuó le yī céng pí náng ròu shēn 。
骨骼傀儡。随后又以【奇玄真灵变】炼制分身的手段，在骨骼傀儡外表附着了一层皮囊肉身。
He also affixed one of his divine threads to it.
yòu jiāng zì jǐ yī sī shén niàn fù zhuó qí shàng 。
又将自己一丝神念附着其上。
Ultimately, he successfully created a puppet that looked exactly like Zhou Qingang.
zuì zhōng chéng gōng chuàng zào le hé zhōu qīng áng wài biǎo yī mú yī yàng de kuǐ lěi shēn qū lái 。
最终成功创造了和周青昂外表一模一样的傀儡身躯来。
After transferring all items and storage rings, Li Fan's true form took another look at the azure Cunyun Sea and shook his head.
jiāng fú shì 、 chǔ wù jiè děng yī gān wù pǐn jìn shù zhuǎn yí zhī hòu ， lǐ fán běn zūn zuì hòu dǎ liàng zhe wèi lán de cóng yún hǎi ， yáo le yáo tóu 。
将服饰、储物戒等一干物品尽数转移之后，李凡本尊最后打量着蔚蓝的丛云海，摇了摇头。
"It's time to leave." He thought.
「 shì shí hòu lí qù le 。」 tā rú cǐ xiǎng dào 。
「是时候离去了。」他如此想到。
Returning to his original appearance, he rushed towards the location of the Immortal Valley Secret Realm without looking back.
chóng xīn biàn huí zì shēn yuán běn yàng mào ， tóu yě bù huí de cháo zhe cháng shēng gǔ mì jìng suǒ zài de wèi zhì jí chí ér qù 。
重新变回自身原本样貌，头也不回的朝着长生谷秘境所在的位置疾驰而去。
The puppet Zhou Qingang, controlled by a residual divine thread, returned alone to Cunyun City.
ér kuǐ lěi zhōu qīng áng zé shì zài lǐ fán nà yī sī liú cún shén niàn de cāo zòng xià ， dú zì fǎn huí le cóng yún xiān chéng 。
而傀儡周青昂则是在李凡那一丝留存神念的操纵下，独自返回了丛云仙城。
Though Zhou Qingang was usually solemn, his expression appeared somewhat dull, and no other cultivators suspected him. Moreover, Li Fan had reduced his interactions with outsiders, appearing busy with official duties when they did meet.
yīn wèi zhōu qīng áng píng rì lǐ běn jiù bù gǒu yán xiào ， suǒ yǐ jí biàn tā de shén sè kàn shàng qù xiǎn de yǒu xiē mù nè ， yī shí jiān yě méi yǒu yǐn qǐ bié de xiū shì de huái yí 。
因为周青昂平日里本就不苟言笑，所以即便他的神色看上去显得有些木讷，一时间也没有引起别的修士的怀疑。
Thus, in the bustling Cunyun City, no one noticed that Zhou Qingang had secretly completed a swap.
ér qiě lǐ fán yě yǒu yì jiǎn shǎo le hé wài rén huì jiàn de cì shù ， ǒu yǒu jiē chù shí ， yě shì yī fù fú ān rèn zhēn chǔ lǐ zhèng wù 、 máng de bù kě kāi jiāo de mú yàng 。
而且李凡也有意减少了和外人会见的次数，偶有接触时，也是一副伏桉认真处理政务、忙的不可开交的模样。
Despite significant flaws, it would eventually be discovered by others over time.
suǒ yǐ ruò dà de cóng yún chéng zhōng 、 jí biàn lái wǎng xiū shì luò yì bù jué ， jìng shuí yě bù céng fā xiàn ， zhōu qīng áng yǐ rán zài àn zhōng wán chéng le tōu tiān huàn rì zhī jǔ 。
所以偌大的丛云城中、即便来往修士络绎不绝，竟谁也不曾发现，周青昂已然在暗中完成了偷天换日之举。
However, all of Cunyun Sea and its inhabitants were nearing their end.
suī shuō réng rán yǒu bù xiǎo de pò zhàn 、 shí jiān yī zhǎng bì rán huì bèi páng rén fā xiàn 。
虽说仍然有不小的破绽、时间一长必然会被旁人发现。
---
dàn zhěng zuò cóng yún hǎi ， bāo kuò qí nèi de yún yún zhòng shēng ， què quán dōu yǐ jīng dà xiàn jiāng zhì le 。
但整座丛云海，包括其内的芸芸众生，却全都已经大限将至了。
Just as Li Fan's true form was still on his way,
jiù zài lǐ fán běn zūn réng zài bàn lù shàng de shí hòu 。
就在李凡本尊仍在半路上的时候。
suddenly, both he and the puppet felt an unusual disturbance.
zhè yī rì ， wú lùn shì běn shēn ， hái shì shén niàn fù zhuó de kuǐ lěi ， jù shì hū de gǎn dào yī zhèn jì dòng 。
这一日，无论是本身，还是神念附着的傀儡，俱是忽的感到一阵季动。
"What is that!"
「 nà shì shén me ！」
「那是什么！」
The echoing cries from Cunyun City alerted Li Fan. He looked up at the sky.
cóng yún chéng shàng cǐ qǐ bǐ fú de jīng hū shēng ， ràng lǐ fán xīn zhōng yī dòng ， cháo zhe tiān mù shàng wàng qù 。
丛云城上此起彼伏的惊呼声，让李凡心中一动，朝着天幕上望去。
A large black fireball suddenly appeared in the heavens without warning.
zhǐ jiàn yī méi hēi sè de jù dà huǒ qiú ， háo wú zhēng zhào de tū rán chū xiàn zài tiān qióng zhī shàng 。
只见一枚黑色的巨大火球，毫无征兆的突然出现在天穹之上。
Dragging a dark trail behind it, it crashed into Cunyun Sea with great force.
tuō zhe qī hēi wěi jì ， wāi xié zhe cháo cóng yún hǎi hěn hěn dì zá le guò lái 。
托着漆黑尾迹，歪斜着朝丛云海狠狠地砸了过来。
Boom!
「 zhè shì ！」 lǐ fán tóng kǒng zhòu rán měng suō 。
「这是！」李凡童孔骤然勐缩。
Boom!
「 chì yán ？」 gǎn shòu zhe cóng hēi sè huǒ qiú zhōng chuán lái de ， sì shì ér fēi de qì xī ， lǐ fán yǒu xiē bù gǎn què dìng 。
「赤炎？」感受着从黑色火球中传来的，似是而非的气息，李凡有些不敢确定。
Boom!
hēi sè huǒ qiú de sù dù jí kuài ， cóng yún hǎi nèi zhòng xiū shì shàng qiě lái bù jí fǎn yìng ， tā yǐ jīng cóng tiān kōng zhī shàng zhuì luò dào le hǎi zhōng 。
黑色火球的速度极快，丛云海内众修士尚且来不及反应，它已经从天空之上坠落到了海中。
The massive explosions caused the entire Cunyun Sea to tremble violently. Even the towering Cunyun City swayed like reeds in the wind.
fán shì tā suǒ chù jí de hǎi shuǐ ， quán dōu zài chà nà zhī jiān yīn gāo wēn ér zhēng fā 。
凡是它所触及的海水，全都在刹那之间因高温而蒸发。
Under the intense impact, towering waves surged from the point of impact, spreading outward.
hǎi yù zhōng ， xiān shì chū xiàn le yí gè jù dà de kōng dòng 。 ér hòu hēi sè huǒ qiú hěn hěn dì gēn hǎi chuáng zhuàng jī zài yì qǐ 。
海域中，先是出现了一个巨大的空洞。而后黑色火球狠狠地跟海床撞击在一起。
The waves contained half-black flames, and as they passed, countless islands were instantly reduced to ashes!
"Is he really confident of advancing to the Core Formation Realm within ten years?" Zhou Qingang looked at He Zhenghao with a smug expression, his face showing a hint of surprise.
This wasn't just an act. After carefully observing for a moment, Zhou Qingang realized that He Zhenghao might not be exaggerating. A mysterious aura was hidden in him, extremely subtle and only revealed when He Zhenghao himself exposed it. If not for the fact that this "Zhou Qingang" had already transformed into Li Fan's true self, it would have been hard to notice.
Recalling the records on the Transformation Path Stone, Li Fan instantly understood the origin of these changes. It was indeed He Xingxing who, before leaving unwillingly, gave He Zhenghao a simple white jade and instructed him to nurture it within his dantian.
"There's no real cultivation here; he relies solely on this plain white jade to have such confidence in advancing from Golden Core to Core Formation in such a short time..."
"This white jade is indeed an excellent treasure! It must be quite rare even for the Heng Family of Heavenly Yu Province. He Xingxing spared no effort to save his father's life."
"Too bad..."
Zhou Qingang used a barely perceptible cold gaze to look at He Zhenghao, sneering inwardly.
He then pretended to be greatly surprised: "Friend, your progress is so rapid? Truly unexpected. It seems your cultivation talent far surpasses mine and Gao Yuan."
A hint of embarrassment flashed across He Zhenghao's face but was quickly concealed. He confidently said, "Haha, you needn't feel discouraged. A cultivator's realm depends not only on innate talent but also diligence and good fortune. With this opportunity in front of us, we must seize it!"
Zhou Qingang seemed to be lost in thought as he listened.
Just when He Zhenghao thought his words had convinced the other, Zhou Qingang sighed deeply and rejected his advice.
"Indeed, as you said, better service to the Secret Envoy requires strong personal strength. But opportunities often come with danger. I...," Zhou Qingang shook his head, looking regretful.
"I've always been unlucky! Even if there are opportunities within the Auspicious Origin Sect, they probably won't fall on me! I'll just stick to my duties in Cunyun Sea."
"Until the Secret Envoy..."
Zhou Qingang paused and then said, "He never neglects his subordinates. He sees our hard work and might reward us with a promotion when he's happy!"
"Still, thank you for your kind offer!" Zhou Qingang bowed and left the Office of Administration.
---
Given the current situation,
looking at Zhou Qingang's back, He Zhenghao's expression fluctuated: "This kid truly is a trusted confidant; he knows something! It seems I made the right choice. Since he won't leave Cunyun Sea, it means there are no dangers here and great benefits await..."
The last trace of doubt vanished as He Zhenghao firmly decided.
Seeing He Zhenghao's gloomy yet greedy gaze, Li Fan knew what was on his mind.
"More greed, more foolishness; more foolishness, more greed."
"A vicious cycle. This world’s He Zhenghao is no longer the familiar He Daoist!"
"The impact of different experiences on personality is profound."
Li Fan pondered for a moment and had an inkling of understanding.
"Perhaps it's related to the Greedful Plundering New Law's foundation."
No longer thinking about this, Li Fan continued acting like his previous self, methodically handling various tasks.
The "Elder Li Fan of the Secret Mission," a transformed avatar, stayed in the deep recesses of the Office of Administration, claiming to be in seclusion for cultivation.
Simultaneously swapping his true form and avatar, Li Fan secretly crafted a puppet resembling Zhou Qingang.
In the depths of Cunyun Sea, he used the Fire Return Array to construct a skeletal puppet with ordinary materials. Then, using the technique "Strange True Spirit Transformation," he attached a flesh body to the skeleton's exterior.
He also affixed one of his divine threads to it.
Ultimately, he successfully created a puppet that looked exactly like Zhou Qingang.
After transferring all items and storage rings, Li Fan's true form took another look at the azure Cunyun Sea and shook his head.
"It's time to leave." He thought.
Returning to his original appearance, he rushed towards the location of the Immortal Valley Secret Realm without looking back.
The puppet Zhou Qingang, controlled by a residual divine thread, returned alone to Cunyun City.
Though Zhou Qingang was usually solemn, his expression appeared somewhat dull, and no other cultivators suspected him. Moreover, Li Fan had reduced his interactions with outsiders, appearing busy with official duties when they did meet.
Thus, in the bustling Cunyun City, no one noticed that Zhou Qingang had secretly completed a swap.
Despite significant flaws, it would eventually be discovered by others over time.
However, all of Cunyun Sea and its inhabitants were nearing their end.
---
Just as Li Fan's true form was still on his way,
suddenly, both he and the puppet felt an unusual disturbance.
"What is that!"
The echoing cries from Cunyun City alerted Li Fan. He looked up at the sky.
A large black fireball suddenly appeared in the heavens without warning.
Dragging a dark trail behind it, it crashed into Cunyun Sea with great force.
Boom!
Boom!
Boom!
The massive explosions caused the entire Cunyun Sea to tremble violently. Even the towering Cunyun City swayed like reeds in the wind.
Under the intense impact, towering waves surged from the point of impact, spreading outward.
The waves contained half-black flames, and as they passed, countless islands were instantly reduced to ashes!