“ shuō qǐ lái ， wǒ xiān qián zhǐ ǒu rán tīng shuō guò lìng zūn 【 fēi xuě 】 zhī míng 。 shí lì gāo shēn ， jí shàn liàn qì ， shòu rén jìng yǎng 。 què bù zhī nǐ men xuán jiā zài wàn xiān méng zhōng jìng rán yǒu rú cǐ quán shì 。”
“说起来，我先前只偶然听说过令尊【绯雪】之名。实力高深，极擅炼器，受人敬仰。却不知你们玄家在万仙盟中竟然有如此权势。”
"Speaking of it, I only heard about your father, Fēixuě, by chance. He is highly skilled and very adept at forging weapons; he commands great respect from others. Yet, I had no idea that the Xuan family has such power in the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance."
“ shì wǒ zhè děng wú míng sàn xiū ， yě zhī xiān méng gōng xūn lái zhī bù yì 。 duō shǎo xiū shì jīng jīng yè yè 、 shě shēng wàng sǐ ， dào tóu yě bù guò hùn dé yǎn èr shí děng jí 。 ér zhǐ yào dé shuò xiōng nǐ zhī shǒu kěn ， jiù néng lì mǎ huò dé yǎn sān shí quán xiàn ……”
“似我这等无名散修，也知仙盟功勋来之不易。多少修士兢兢业业、舍生忘死，到头也不过混得衍二十等级。而只要得朔兄你之首肯，就能立马获得衍三十权限……”
"Even someone like me, a nameless wandering cultivator, knows how hard it is to earn merit in the alliance. How many cultivators work tirelessly and risk their lives, only to end up with just twenty levels of Derivation. But as long as you, Brother Shuoxiong, approve, I can instantly gain access to level thirty Derivation..."
“ dāng rì néng gòu qiǎo yù shuò xiōng ， zhēn nǎi wǒ sān shēng zhī xìng ！” yòu shì yī bēi líng chá xià dù ， lǐ fán wēi wēi yǒu xiē gǎn kǎi dào 。
“当日能够巧遇朔兄，真乃我三生之幸！”又是一杯灵茶下肚，李凡微微有些感慨道。
"Meeting Brother Shuoxiong by chance on that day was truly my three lifetimes' good fortune!" Li Fan said with a slight sigh after drinking another cup of spirit tea.
“ hā hā hā ， wǒ yě méi yǒu xiǎng dào ，【 jiàn 】 de yī shí mò míng shī kòng ， jìng néng jié shí lǐ xiōng zhè děng qí rén 。 yuán yīng jìng jiè ， néng gòu yǐ shén tōng bài wǒ zhě ， zhěng gè wàn xiān méng yě zhǎo bù chū jǐ gè ！” shuò fēng duì yú lǐ fán de píng jià shí fēn zhī gāo ， bìng méi yǒu yīn wèi tā de bái shēn ér kàn qīng 。
“哈哈哈，我也没有想到，【剑】的一时莫名失控，竟能结识李兄这等奇人。元婴境界，能够以神通败我者，整个万仙盟也找不出几个！”朔锋对于李凡的评价十分之高，并没有因为他的白身而看轻。
"Hahaha, I never expected the Sword technique to lose control and actually meet such an extraordinary person like Brother Li. Only a few cultivators in the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance can defeat me using their divine powers at the Core Formation realm!" Shuoxiong spoke highly of Li Fan, not looking down on him because he was a commoner.
“ nǐ wǒ èr rén ， dàng zhēn shì yǒu yuán ……” shuò fēng xīng qǐ ， yòu ràng zhī jǐn shàng le xiē zhēn xiū měi zhuàn 。
“你我二人，当真是有缘……”朔锋兴起，又让知瑾上了些珍馐美馔。
"Indeed, we are truly destined to meet..." Shuoxiong said as he summoned some exquisite delicacies for them to enjoy.
èr rén jiù zhe xiāng qì pū bí de líng jiǔ ， chī dào yí bàn 。
二人就着香气扑鼻的灵酒，吃到一半。
The two continued eating and drinking the fragrant spirit wine when suddenly they heard voices from outside.
hū tīng dé wū wài yǐn yǐn yǒu shēng yīn chuán lái 。
忽听得屋外隐隐有声音传来。
"Brother Shuoxiong! Brother Shuoxiong!"
“ shuò gē gē ！ shuò gē gē ！”
“朔哥哥！朔哥哥！”
Shuoxiong's face showed a hint of displeasure, and his smile vanished instantly.
shuò fēng liǎn shàng shǎn guò yī sī bú yuè ， xiào róng shùn jiān xiāo shī 。
朔锋脸上闪过一丝不悦，笑容瞬间消失。
Before he could speak, a white figure flew into the center of the hall.
hái méi lái de jí shuō huà ， yī dào bái sè shēn yǐng jiù yǐ jīng fēi shēn lái dào dà tīng zhōng yāng 。
还没来得急说话，一道白色身影就已经飞身来到大厅中央。
The newcomer wore a white dress, with a slender figure and skin as smooth as jade.
lái zhě shēn zhe bái qún ， shēn xíng xiū cháng ， pí fū rú bái yù bān guāng rùn 。
来者身着白裙，身型修长，皮肤如白玉般光润。
"Why didn't you tell me that you were back? " she pouted, seemingly angry but her eyes full of admiration for Shuoxiong.
“ shuò gē gē nǐ huí lái le zěn me méi gào sù wǒ yī shēng a 。” tā gǔ zhe sāi bāng zi ， sì hū yǒu xiē shēng qì 。 dàn shì yǎn jīng zhōng què mǎn shì jìng yǎng de kàn zhe shuò fēng 。
“朔哥哥你回来了怎么没告诉我一声啊。”她鼓着腮帮子，似乎有些生气。但是眼睛中却满是敬仰的看着朔锋。
"I just got back not long ago," Shuoxiong explained impatiently.
“ wǒ yě shì gāng huí lái bù jiǔ 。” shuò fēng yǒu xiē bù nài fán de suí hòu jiě shì dào 。
“我也是刚回来不久。”朔锋有些不耐烦的随后解释道。
"Alright then." The woman looked dejected.
“ hǎo ba 。” nǚ zǐ mèn mèn bù lè dào 。
“好吧。”女子闷闷不乐道。
She turned to Li Fan and asked with big eyes: "Brother Shuoxiong, who is this? I've never seen him before."
tā bǎ mù guāng zhuǎn xiàng yī páng de lǐ fán ， dà yǎn jīng zhuǎn le zhuǎn ：“ shuò gē gē ， zhè wèi shì shuí a ？ wǒ zhī qián zěn me cóng lái méi jiàn guò ？”
她把目光转向一旁的李凡，大眼睛转了转：“朔哥哥，这位是谁啊？我之前怎么从来没见过？”
Shuoxiong replied evasively: "This is a new friend of mine, Li Fan."
shuò fēng fū yǎn dào ：“ zhè shì wǒ xīn jiāo de péng yǒu ， lǐ fán 。”
朔锋敷衍道：“这是我新交的朋友，李凡。”
"That name sounds familiar..." She tilted her head and scrutinized Li Fan.
“ zhè ge míng zì ， hǎo xiàng zài nǎ tīng guò ne ……” nǚ zǐ wāi le wāi tóu ， zǐ xì dǎ liàng qǐ lǐ fán lái 。
“这个名字，好像在哪听过呢……”女子歪了歪头，仔细打量起李凡来。
Li Fan merely glanced at the woman, his mind stirring. Although she didn't recognize him, he knew her well—she was Lu Xuejing, the daughter of Lu Xi Chan, the chief array mage in the Strategy Array Hall from his previous life!
lǐ fán jǐn jǐn shì mù guāng zài nǚ zǐ shēn shàng yī sǎo ér guò ， xīn zhōng wēi dòng 。
李凡仅仅是目光在女子身上一扫而过，心中微动。
"Since they are both second-generation members of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, it makes sense for them to know each other. But I never expected Lu Xuejing, with her noble status, capricious nature, and numerous admirers, to be in this state before Shuoxiong."
suī rán zhè nǚ zǐ bù rèn shí lǐ fán ， dàn lǐ fán duì tā kě shì shí fēn shú xī 。 zhèng shì shàng yī shì èr rén zhī jiān yǒu guò zhǔ pú guān xì de ， cè zhèn táng shǒu xí zhèn fǎ shī lù xī chán de nǚ ér ， lù xuě jìng ！
虽然这女子不认识李凡，但李凡对她可是十分熟悉。正是上一世二人之间有过主仆关系的，策阵堂首席阵法师陆溪婵的女儿，陆雪静！
Li Fan cast a quick glance at Lu Xuejing and quickly looked away, then turned back to Shuoxiong and asked knowingly: "Brother Shuoxiong, what..."
“ tóng wèi xiān méng èr dài ， tā men èr rén hù xiāng rèn shí ， yě shì yīng yǒu zhī lǐ 。 zhǐ shì méi yǒu xiǎng dào ， shēn fèn pǒ wèi zūn guì 、 diāo mán rèn xìng 、 yǒu zhe yī zhòng cù yōng qīng nián jùn jié de lù xuě jìng ， zài shuò fēng miàn qián ， jìng rán shì zhè fù mú yàng 。”
“同为仙盟二代，他们二人互相认识，也是应有之理。只是没有想到，身份颇为尊贵、刁蛮任性、有着一众簇拥青年俊杰的陆雪静，在朔锋面前，竟然是这副模样。”
"Her surname is Lu, and her name is Lu Xuejing." He only introduced the names without mentioning her mother's identity.
lǐ fán jǐn jǐn shì mù guāng sǎo le lù xuě jìng yī yǎn ， suí hòu hěn kuài bì kāi 。 kàn xiàng shuò fēng ， míng zhī gù wèn dào ：“ shuò xiōng ， zhè ……”
李凡仅仅是目光扫了陆雪静一眼，随后很快避开。看向朔锋，明知故问道：“朔兄，这……”
The message was clear. Li Fan didn't ask further.
“ tā xìng lù ， jiào lù xuě jìng 。” zhǐ jiè shào le míng zì ， méi yǒu tí jí tā mǔ qīn de shēn fèn 。
“她姓陆，叫陆雪静。”只介绍了名字，没有提及它母亲的身份。
"I won't disturb you any longer with such a lovely visitor," Li Fan said as he bowed and prepared to leave.
yì si hěn míng xiǎn le ， lǐ fán yú shì méi yǒu duō wèn 。
意思很明显了，李凡于是没有多问。
"Please help me find out more about the Heavenly Spirit Flower." Before leaving, Li Fan casually added one last request.
“ jì yǒu jiā rén lái fǎng ， wǒ jiù bù dǎ rǎo shuò xiōng le 。” lǐ fán gǒng le gǒng shǒu ， zhǔn bèi gào cí lí kāi 。
“既有佳人来访，我就不打扰朔兄了。”李凡拱了拱手，准备告辞离开。
Little did he know that this sentence would infuriate Lu Xuejing.
“ tiān líng huā yī shì ， hái qǐng shuò fēng zài bāng wǒ dǎ tīng dǎ tīng 。” lín xíng zhī qián ， lǐ fán yòu suí kǒu dīng zhǔ le jù 。
“天灵花一事，还请朔锋再帮我打听打听。”临行之前，李凡又随口叮嘱了句。
"What do you mean, Heavenly Spirit Flower? You asked Brother Shuoxiong to look into it?" She glared at Li Fan fiercely. "He lied to me and said he wanted to find it himself! I wasted so much effort getting those guys to help me!"
què méi xiǎng dào ， zhè yī jù huà què shì ràng lù xuě jìng nǎo nù le qǐ lái 。
却没想到，这一句话却是让陆雪静恼怒了起来。
Li Fan looked at Shuoxiong.
“ shén me ， tiān líng huā shì nǐ ràng shuò gē gē dǎ tīng de ？” tā è hěn hěn dì dīng zhe lǐ fán ，“ tā zěn me piàn wǒ shuō ， shì tā zì jǐ xiǎng yào ？ kuī wǒ hái fèi le hǎo dà lì qì ， ràng nà qún jiā huo bāng wǒ qù zhǎo ne 。”
“什么，天灵花是你让朔哥哥打听的？”她恶狠狠地盯着李凡，“他怎么骗我说，是他自己想要？亏我还废了好大力气，让那群家伙帮我去找呢。”
"How could he lie to you? My matter is your matter," Shuoxiong explained awkwardly, looking pained by Lu Xuejing's hurt expression.
lǐ fán wén yán ， bù jīn kàn xiàng shuò fēng 。
李凡闻言，不禁看向朔锋。
Lu Xuejing continued to protest: "I don't believe a word of it! You look like no good—Shuoxiong has never lied to me before..."
“ zěn me piàn nǐ le 。 lǐ xiōng zhī shì ， jiù shì wǒ de shì 。” shuò fēng suī rán yǒu xiē gān gà ， dàn shì kàn zhuó lù xuě jìng wěi qū de liǎn páng ， yě shì yǒu diǎn tóu téng ， lián shēng jiě shì dào 。
“怎么骗你了。李兄之事，就是我的事。”朔锋虽然有些尴尬，但是看着陆雪静委屈的脸庞，也是有点头疼，连声解释道。
"Lu Xuejing, what are you saying?" Shuoxiong's face changed as he scolded her for speaking without thinking.
ér lù xuě jìng zé shì yī fù “ wǒ bù tīng wǒ bù tīng ” de yàng zi 。
而陆雪静则是一副“我不听我不听”的样子。
Li Fan, affected by Lu Xuejing’s bizarre thoughts, was not too upset. Instead, his eyes narrowed at her words.
méi yǒu zhí jiē bǎ yuàn qì sā zài shuò fēng shēn shàng ， fǎn dào shì yuè fā qiáo lǐ fán bù shùn yǎn le 。
没有直接把怨气撒在朔锋身上，反倒是越发瞧李凡不顺眼了。
"The Xuan family does indeed have some connection to the Heavenly Spirit Mirror."
“ nǐ shì shuí jiā zǐ dì ？ wǒ kàn nǐ yǎn shēng de hěn ！ bú huì shì wèi le dǎ tàn tiān xuán jìng de wèi zhì ， gù yì jiē jìn shuò gē gē de wǔ lǎo huì jiàn dié ba ！ nǐ yī kàn jiù bú shì shén me hǎo rén ， zhī qián shuò gē gē hái cóng lái méi yǒu piàn wǒ ne ……”
“你是谁家子弟？我看你眼生的很！不会是为了打探天玄镜的位置，故意接近朔哥哥的五老会间谍吧！你一看就不是什么好人，之前朔哥哥还从来没有骗我呢……”
"Brother Li, I apologize. Let's end our visit here for today and invite you over another time," Shuoxiong said apologetically.
“ lù xuě jìng ， nǐ hú shuō xiē shén me ！” yǎn jiàn tā kǒu bù zé yán ， shuò fēng miàn sè wēi biàn ， lì mǎ hē chì dào 。
“陆雪静，你胡说些什么！”眼见她口不择言，朔锋面色微变，立马呵斥道。
While dismissing guests, he tried to comfort Lu Xuejing who was on the verge of tears.
bèi lù xuě jìng mò míng qí miào de nǎo huí lù yāng jí de lǐ fán ， què shì méi yǒu duō shǎo nǎo nù 。
被陆雪静莫名其妙的脑回路殃及的李凡，却是没有多少恼怒。
After a deep look at both of them, Li Fan left the cave.
ér shì tīng dào tā de huà hòu ， yǎn shén wēi níng 。
而是听到她的话后，眼神微凝。
"Brother Shuoxiong, you must believe me. The Li Fan just now is truly not someone good. That look was unsettling," she said after Shuoxiong's gentle persuasion made her calm down.
“ xuán jiā ， guǒ rán hé tiān xuán jìng yǒu diǎn guān xì me 。”
“玄家，果然和天玄镜有点关系么。”
She continued to swear on it.
“ lǐ xiōng ， shí zài bù hǎo yì sī le 。 jīn tiān jiù xiān dào zhè lǐ ba ， gǎi tiān zài qǐng nǐ lái fǔ shàng zuò kè 。” shuò fēng shí fēn bào qiàn dào 。
“李兄，实在不好意思了。今天就先到这里吧，改天再请你来府上做客。”朔锋十分抱歉道。
Shuoxiong clearly trusted his own feelings more than others' words.
ràng zhī jǐn sòng kè de tóng shí ， yòu yǒu xiē tóu téng de ān fǔ qǐ xuàn rán yù qì de lù xuě jìng qǐ lái 。
让知瑾送客的同时，又有些头疼的安抚起泫然欲泣的陆雪静起来。
"Alright, I understand." He replied dismissively, not taking Lu Xuejing’s words seriously at all.
shēn shēn de kàn le liǎng rén yī yǎn ， lǐ fán lí kāi le cǐ chù dòng fǔ 。
深深的看了两人一眼，李凡离开了此处洞府。
——
“ shuò gē gē ， nǐ yí dìng yào xiāng xìn wǒ 。 gāng gāng nà ge lǐ fán ， zhēn de bú shì shén me hǎo rén 。 nà ge yǎn shén jiù lìng rén bù zěn me shū fú ， nǐ yǐ hòu gēn tā shǎo lái wǎng 。” jīng guò shuò fēng yī zhèn hǎo yán xiāng quàn ， lù xuě jìng zǒng suàn qíng xù píng fù le xià lái 。
“朔哥哥，你一定要相信我。刚刚那个李凡，真的不是什么好人。那个眼神就令人不怎么舒服，你以后跟他少来往。”经过朔锋一阵好言相劝，陆雪静总算情绪平复了下来。
"Fēixuě Immortal, highly skilled in forging weapons. Has one son, unknown father."
tā yòu xìn shì dàn dàn dào 。
她又信誓旦旦道。
"Lü Xi Chan, chief of the Strategy Array Hall. The primary organizer of the Heavenly Spirit Locking Spell from a previous life. Has one daughter, also unknown father."
gēn bié rén de yí miàn zhī cí xiāng bǐ ， shuò fēng xiǎn rán shì gèng xiāng xìn zì jǐ de gǎn jué 。
跟别人的一面之词相比，朔锋显然是更相信自己的感觉。
"Both seem to be close friends..."
“ ń ， hǎo de ， wǒ zhī dào le 。” tā fū yǎn dào ， quán rán méi yǒu bǎ lù xuě jìng de huà dàng chéng yī huí shì 。
“嗯，好的，我知道了。”他敷衍道，全然没有把陆雪静的话当成一回事。
"Connected to the Heavenly Spirit Mirror..."
——
——
On his way back to the Immortal Valley, Li Fan analyzed limited information and gained some clues.
“ fēi xuě xiān zūn ， jí shàn liàn qì 。 yǒu yī ér ， bù zhī qí fù 。”
“绯雪仙尊，极擅炼器。有一儿，不知其父。”
"Interesting. I wonder if there's an opportunity in this life for the Fisher Father to act again. But the Steal Heaven Replace Sun Order was lost in the Cloud Water Celestial Palace, so even if Lu Xuejing is captured, it’s uncertain what can exchange her," Li Fan thought silently.
“ lù xī chán ， cè zhèn táng shǒu xí 。 qián shì tiān xuán suǒ líng de zhǔ dǎo zhě 。 yǒu yī nǚ ， tóng yàng bù zhī qí fù 。”
“陆溪婵，策阵堂首席。前世天玄锁灵的主导者。有一女，同样不知其父。”
Upon returning to the Immortal Valley, he found that Fang Zaiji had vanished. He didn't know where he went but was busy crafting protective talismans for Xu Bai.
“ liǎng rén bǐ cǐ jié shí ， kě néng shì zhì jiāo hǎo yǒu 。”
“两人彼此结识，可能是至交好友。”
Liu San was also busy integrating the consciousness of Medicine King Sect disciples into the Great Springtime Chronicles Array.
“ dōu gēn tiān xuán jìng yǒu suǒ guān lián ……”
“都跟天玄镜有所关联……”
"Six months later, everything will be ready, and the clone can leave the valley."
fǎn huí cháng shēng gǔ lù shàng ， lǐ fán fēn xī bù duō de qíng bào ， yǐn yǐn huò dé le xiē xǔ xiàn suǒ 。
返回长生谷路上，李凡分析不多的情报，隐隐获得了些许线索。
"Until then, I'll continue to remain hidden."
“ yǒu yì si 。 bù zhī dào cǐ shì yǒu méi yǒu jī huì ， zài ràng yú fù chū shǒu yī cì 。 bù guò tōu tiān huàn rì lìng cǐ shì què shì yí shī zài le yún shuǐ tiān gōng zhī zhōng ， jiù suàn lù xuě jìng bèi zhuā ， yě bù zhī dào shén me dōng xī cái néng bǎ tā gěi huàn chū lái 。” lǐ fán àn zì sī cǔn dào 。
“有意思。不知道此世有没有机会，再让渔父出手一次。不过偷天换日令此世却是遗失在了云水天宫之中，就算陆雪静被抓，也不知道什么东西才能把她给换出来。”李凡暗自思忖道。
Entering his seclusion chamber, he no longer had any restrictions in the陨仙境 (Fallen Star Realm).
huí dào cháng shēng gǔ hòu ， fā xiàn fāng zài jì rén yǐ jīng xiāo shī bú jiàn 。 què shì bù zhī qù le nǎ lǐ ， kāi shǐ dǎ zào fēn shēn xǔ bái suǒ xū de hù shēn fǎ bǎo qù le 。
回到长生谷后，发现方再济人已经消失不见。却是不知去了哪里，开始打造分身许白所需的护身法宝去了。
"Fúshēng, Xuanhuang Heavenly Lord!"
ér liǔ sān yě shì zhèng máng zhe zhǔ chí yào wáng zōng dì zǐ shén niàn jiē rù 【 dà mèng chūn qiū zhèn 】 de gōng zuò 。
而柳三也是正忙着主持药王宗弟子神念接入【大梦春秋阵】的工作。
Li Fan performed the ritual and returned to the distorted transparent space.
“ bàn nián shí jiān ， yī qiè zhǔn bèi jiù xù ， fēn shēn jiù kě yǐ chū gǔ le 。”
“半年时间，一切准备就绪，分身就可以出谷了。”
Before him were three different scenes.
“ zài cǐ zhī qián ， běn zūn hái shì jì xù zhé fú ba 。”
“在此之前，本尊还是继续蛰伏吧。”
The newly unlocked Heaven Sword Sect forging technique was available for entry.
lái dào bì guān mì shì zhōng ， jìn rù yǔn xiān jìng de xiàn zhì yǐ jīng xiāo chú 。
来到闭关密室中，进入陨仙境的限制已经消除。
Without hesitation, Li Fan focused his spirit. The next moment, he briefly felt dizzy before entering the Fallen Star Realm.
“ fú shēng ， xuán huáng tiān zūn ！”
“福生，玄黄天尊！”
Before he could gather information about this incarnation, a voice filled with excitement and anger reached his ears.
lǐ fán shī zhǎn yí shì ， zài dù lái dào jī biàn de tòu míng kōng jiān 。
李凡施展仪式，再度来到畸变的透明空间。
"Quickly, there's something to watch! A new outer sect disciple just challenged the Senior Brother!"
zài tā miàn qián ， shǎn shuò zhe sān gè bù tóng de chǎng jǐng 。
在他面前，闪烁着三个不同的场景。
"What are you talking about? How can an outer sect disciple challenge the Senior Brother when he has such high cultivation?"
"Speaking of it, I only heard about your father, Fēixuě, by chance. He is highly skilled and very adept at forging weapons; he commands great respect from others. Yet, I had no idea that the Xuan family has such power in the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance."
"Even someone like me, a nameless wandering cultivator, knows how hard it is to earn merit in the alliance. How many cultivators work tirelessly and risk their lives, only to end up with just twenty levels of Derivation. But as long as you, Brother Shuoxiong, approve, I can instantly gain access to level thirty Derivation..."
"Meeting Brother Shuoxiong by chance on that day was truly my three lifetimes' good fortune!" Li Fan said with a slight sigh after drinking another cup of spirit tea.
"Hahaha, I never expected the Sword technique to lose control and actually meet such an extraordinary person like Brother Li. Only a few cultivators in the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance can defeat me using their divine powers at the Core Formation realm!" Shuoxiong spoke highly of Li Fan, not looking down on him because he was a commoner.
"Indeed, we are truly destined to meet..." Shuoxiong said as he summoned some exquisite delicacies for them to enjoy.
The two continued eating and drinking the fragrant spirit wine when suddenly they heard voices from outside.
"Brother Shuoxiong! Brother Shuoxiong!"
Shuoxiong's face showed a hint of displeasure, and his smile vanished instantly.
Before he could speak, a white figure flew into the center of the hall.
The newcomer wore a white dress, with a slender figure and skin as smooth as jade.
"Why didn't you tell me that you were back? " she pouted, seemingly angry but her eyes full of admiration for Shuoxiong.
"I just got back not long ago," Shuoxiong explained impatiently.
"Alright then." The woman looked dejected.
She turned to Li Fan and asked with big eyes: "Brother Shuoxiong, who is this? I've never seen him before."
Shuoxiong replied evasively: "This is a new friend of mine, Li Fan."
"That name sounds familiar..." She tilted her head and scrutinized Li Fan.
Li Fan merely glanced at the woman, his mind stirring. Although she didn't recognize him, he knew her well—she was Lu Xuejing, the daughter of Lu Xi Chan, the chief array mage in the Strategy Array Hall from his previous life!
"Since they are both second-generation members of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, it makes sense for them to know each other. But I never expected Lu Xuejing, with her noble status, capricious nature, and numerous admirers, to be in this state before Shuoxiong."
Li Fan cast a quick glance at Lu Xuejing and quickly looked away, then turned back to Shuoxiong and asked knowingly: "Brother Shuoxiong, what..."
"Her surname is Lu, and her name is Lu Xuejing." He only introduced the names without mentioning her mother's identity.
The message was clear. Li Fan didn't ask further.
"I won't disturb you any longer with such a lovely visitor," Li Fan said as he bowed and prepared to leave.
"Please help me find out more about the Heavenly Spirit Flower." Before leaving, Li Fan casually added one last request.
Little did he know that this sentence would infuriate Lu Xuejing.
"What do you mean, Heavenly Spirit Flower? You asked Brother Shuoxiong to look into it?" She glared at Li Fan fiercely. "He lied to me and said he wanted to find it himself! I wasted so much effort getting those guys to help me!"
Li Fan looked at Shuoxiong.
"How could he lie to you? My matter is your matter," Shuoxiong explained awkwardly, looking pained by Lu Xuejing's hurt expression.
Lu Xuejing continued to protest: "I don't believe a word of it! You look like no good—Shuoxiong has never lied to me before..."
"Lu Xuejing, what are you saying?" Shuoxiong's face changed as he scolded her for speaking without thinking.
Li Fan, affected by Lu Xuejing’s bizarre thoughts, was not too upset. Instead, his eyes narrowed at her words.
"The Xuan family does indeed have some connection to the Heavenly Spirit Mirror."
"Brother Li, I apologize. Let's end our visit here for today and invite you over another time," Shuoxiong said apologetically.
While dismissing guests, he tried to comfort Lu Xuejing who was on the verge of tears.
After a deep look at both of them, Li Fan left the cave.
"Brother Shuoxiong, you must believe me. The Li Fan just now is truly not someone good. That look was unsettling," she said after Shuoxiong's gentle persuasion made her calm down.
She continued to swear on it.
Shuoxiong clearly trusted his own feelings more than others' words.
"Alright, I understand." He replied dismissively, not taking Lu Xuejing’s words seriously at all.
——
"Fēixuě Immortal, highly skilled in forging weapons. Has one son, unknown father."
"Lü Xi Chan, chief of the Strategy Array Hall. The primary organizer of the Heavenly Spirit Locking Spell from a previous life. Has one daughter, also unknown father."
"Both seem to be close friends..."
"Connected to the Heavenly Spirit Mirror..."
On his way back to the Immortal Valley, Li Fan analyzed limited information and gained some clues.
"Interesting. I wonder if there's an opportunity in this life for the Fisher Father to act again. But the Steal Heaven Replace Sun Order was lost in the Cloud Water Celestial Palace, so even if Lu Xuejing is captured, it’s uncertain what can exchange her," Li Fan thought silently.
Upon returning to the Immortal Valley, he found that Fang Zaiji had vanished. He didn't know where he went but was busy crafting protective talismans for Xu Bai.
Liu San was also busy integrating the consciousness of Medicine King Sect disciples into the Great Springtime Chronicles Array.
"Six months later, everything will be ready, and the clone can leave the valley."
"Until then, I'll continue to remain hidden."
Entering his seclusion chamber, he no longer had any restrictions in the陨仙境 (Fallen Star Realm).
"Fúshēng, Xuanhuang Heavenly Lord!"
Li Fan performed the ritual and returned to the distorted transparent space.
Before him were three different scenes.
The newly unlocked Heaven Sword Sect forging technique was available for entry.
Without hesitation, Li Fan focused his spirit. The next moment, he briefly felt dizzy before entering the Fallen Star Realm.
Before he could gather information about this incarnation, a voice filled with excitement and anger reached his ears.
"Quickly, there's something to watch! A new outer sect disciple just challenged the Senior Brother!"
"What are you talking about? How can an outer sect disciple challenge the Senior Brother when he has such high cultivation?"