lǐ fán lí kāi liú lí dǎo hòu ， àn zhào hé zhèng hào gěi de zhǐ yǐn ， yī lù xiàng xī fēi xíng le liǎng tiān ， lái dào le yī chù biàn bù àn jiāo hé xuán wō de hǎi yù 。
李凡离开琉璃岛后，按照何正浩给的指引，一路向西飞行了两天，来到了一处遍布暗礁和漩涡的海域。
After leaving Lustrous Isle, Li Fan followed the instructions given by He Zhenghao and flew west for two days. He arrived at a sea filled with hidden reefs and whirlpools.
jī fā cáng xíng fú ， lǐ fán qián rù hǎi zhōng hòu ， zài hǎi dǐ shēn chù de yī chù fèi xū zhōng zhǎo dào le lí jiè de rù kǒu 。
激发藏形符，李凡潜入海中后，在海底深处的一处废墟中找到了离界的入口。
Activating the Concealment Talisman, Li Fan dived into the water and found the entrance to the Discrete Realm in an ancient ruin deep beneath the seabed.
yī kǒu bù qǐ yǎn de jǐng 。
一口不起眼的井。
A small, unremarkable well.
zuān rù jǐng zhōng ， sì zhōu chuán lái lǐ fán shú xī de ， lèi sì yú dà xuán xū yuān de qì xī 。
钻入井中，四周传来李凡熟悉的，类似于大玄墟渊的气息。
Descending into the well, he was met with the familiar aura of the Great Desolation Array, similar to that of the Void Abyss in Great Xuan.
shùn zhe jǐng zhōng tōng dào jì xù wǎng xià ， bù zhī guò le duō jiǔ ， lǐ fán hū rán gǎn dào yī zhèn xuàn yūn 。
顺着井中通道继续往下，不知过了多久，李凡忽然感到一阵眩晕。
Traversing the well’s passage, Li Fan suddenly felt a wave of dizziness.
huí guò shén lái shí ， zhōu shēn méi le hǎi shuǐ ， yǐ jīng shēn chù zài le yī piàn qī hēi wú yín de kōng jiān zhōng 。
回过神来时，周身没了海水，已经身处在了一片漆黑无垠的空间中。
When his senses returned, he found himself in an endless black space devoid of water.
“ kàn lái ， fēng suǒ gè gè xiǎo shì jiè de xiān jué dà zhèn dōu shì yī yàng de 。” lǐ fán tiào wàng zhe zhè piàn kōng jiān ， sī suǒ dào 。
“看来，封锁各个小世界的仙绝大阵都是一样的。”李凡眺望着这片空间，思索道。
"Seems like all the Great Desolation Arrays separating these small worlds are alike," Li Fan mused as he surveyed this space.
shàng wàn tóu liè jiè jīng zǔ chéng de qún luò ， yǐn cáng zài hēi àn zhōng ， zhèng zī zī bù juàn dì kāi pì zhe kōng jiān ， jiāng lí jiè tuī lí xiū xiān jiè 。
上万头裂界鲸组成的群落，隐藏在黑暗中，正孜孜不倦地开辟着空间，将离界推离修仙界。
A cluster ofboundary whale (Split World Whales) lurked in the darkness, tirelessly carving out space to push the Discrete Realm away from the world of cultivation. This was similar to his previous experience in Great Xuan.
zhèng rú lǐ fán zhī qián suǒ zài de dà xuán yī yàng 。
正如李凡之前所在的大玄一样。
The Split World Whales were highly sensitive to mundane life energy but indifferent to cultivators.
liè jiè jīng duì yú fán rén qì xī shí fēn mǐn gǎn ， dàn duì yú xiū xiān zhě què shú shì wú dǔ ，
裂界鲸对于凡人气息十分敏感，但对于修仙者却熟视无睹，
Nevertheless, Li Fan carefully avoided them and arrived at the Thunderstorm Layer.
bù guò lǐ fán hái shì xuǎn zé xiǎo xīn yì yì de bì kāi liè jiè jīng ， lái dào le léi bào céng qián 。
不过李凡还是选择小心翼翼的避开裂界鲸，来到了雷暴层前。
At this moment, he recalled He Zhenghao's instructions: "The Great Desolation Array separates the Discrete Realm from the world of cultivation. If you force your way through, even Foundation Establishment cultivators must proceed with caution. But as long as you follow my method to traverse the array, it won't trigger an attack..."
cǐ shí ， tā nǎo hǎi zhōng yòu fú xiàn chū le hé zhèng hào de dīng zhǔ 。
此时，他脑海中又浮现出了何正浩的叮嘱。
Li Fan guided his spirit energy according to He Zhenghao's instructions and flew into the Thunderstorm Layer.
“ xiān jué dà zhèn jiāng lí jiè yǔ xiū xiān jiè gé jué ， ruò shì yìng chuǎng ， zhù jī qī xiū shì yě dé xiǎo xīn yì yì 。 bù guò zhǐ yào àn zhào wǒ suǒ shuō de fāng fǎ chuǎng zhèn ， biàn bú huì chù fā dà zhèn gōng jī ……”
“仙绝大阵将离界与修仙界隔绝，若是硬闯，筑基期修士也得小心翼翼。不过只要按照我所说的方法闯阵，便不会触发大阵攻击……”
The raging lightning continuously struck around him but never hit him.
lǐ fán jiāng tǐ nèi líng qì àn zhào hé zhèng hào suǒ shuō de fāng shì yùn zhuàn ， rán hòu fēi rù léi bào céng 。
李凡将体内灵气按照何正浩所说的方式运转，然后飞入雷暴层。
"Sure enough, this works. With this, I can pass through the Great Desolation Array without relying on the Taiyin Boat. The ordinary wooden boat given to the people of the Discrete Realm was fixed in place by an array to avoid triggering the Great Desolation Array's attack."
yuán dì tíng liú le yī duàn shí jiān ， kuáng bào de léi tíng bù tíng zài lǐ fán shēn biān là xià ， què shǐ zhōng méi yǒu yī dào jī dǎ zài lǐ fán shēn shàng 。
原地停留了一段时间，狂暴的雷霆不停在李凡身边落下，却始终没有一道击打在李凡身上。
"The Taiyin Boat passed through the Great Desolation Array using a method set up during its construction, while He Zhenghao essentially broke the array’s defenses and opened a secret passage for himself."
“ guǒ rán yǒu xiào guǒ 。 rú cǐ yī lái ， jí shǐ bù yòng tài yǎn zhōu ， yě néng tōng guò zhè xiān jué dà zhèn le 。 gěi lí jiè fán rén de nà sōu pǔ tōng mù zhōu ， biàn shì tōng guò zhèn fǎ jiāng zhè zhǒng bō dòng gěi gù dìng zhù ， cóng ér bì miǎn xiān jué dà zhèn gōng jī de 。”
“果然有效果。如此一来，即使不用太衍舟，也能通过这仙绝大阵了。给离界凡人的那艘普通木舟，便是通过阵法将这种波动给固定住，从而避免仙绝大阵攻击的。”
"From this, it seems he didn't exaggerate. Truly, his expertise in array techniques is remarkable."
“ tài yǎn zhōu tōng guò xiān jué dà zhèn ， shì yòng zhèn fǎ zài jiàn zào zhī chū jiù shè zhì hǎo de fāng fǎ 。 ér hé zhèng hào jiù xiāng dāng yú pò jiě le dà zhèn de fáng yù tǐ xì ， gěi zì jǐ dān dú kāi le yī dào àn mén 。”
“太衍舟通过仙绝大阵，是用阵法在建造之初就设置好的方法。而何正浩就相当于破解了大阵的防御体系，给自己单独开了一道暗门。”
With the information verified, Li Fan no longer chose to cross by physical means.
“ rú cǐ kàn lái ， tā dào yě méi yǒu chuī xū 。 guǒ rán zài zhèn fǎ yī dào shàng zào yì fēi fán 。”
“如此看来，他倒也没有吹嘘。果然在阵法一道上造诣非凡。”
He deployed the Taiyin Boat and easily navigated through the Great Desolation Array towards the Discrete Realm.
xìn xī dé dào yàn zhèng ， lǐ fán jiù bù zài xuǎn zé ròu shēn héng dù le 。
信息得到验证，李凡就不再选择肉身横渡了。
...
dāng xià fàng chū tài yǎn zhōu ， jià qīng jiù shú de chuān guò xiān jué dà zhèn ， cháo zhe dà lí ér qù 。
当下放出太衍舟，驾轻就熟的穿过仙绝大阵，朝着大离而去。
The Discrete Realm and Great Xuan were both mundane worlds with similar landscapes. However, at the center of this world was a volcano towering thousands of meters high.
……
……
This volcano erupted every few hundred years, causing countless casualties. The intervals between eruptions grew shorter, and their scale increased.
dà lí hé dà xuán dōu shì fán sú shì jiè ， dà zhì qíng jǐng lèi sì 。
大离和大玄都是凡俗世界，大致情景类似。
The upper echelons of the Discrete Realm's imperial court feared that one day the volcano would turn this world into a fiery hell. They desperately sought ways to escape but found none.
zhǐ shì zài cǐ fāng shì jiè zhōng yāng ， yǒu yī zuò gāo dá shù qiān mǐ de huǒ shān 。
只是在此方世界中央，有一座高达数千米的火山。
Fifty years ago, an Immortal Master suddenly appeared. He promised to take groups of people out every ten years in exchange for supplies on his list.
huǒ shān měi gé liǎng sān bǎi nián ， dū huì pēn fā yī cì ， zào chéng wú shù shāng wáng 。
火山每隔两三百年，都会喷发一次，造成无数伤亡。
The various nobles of Discrete Realm were overjoyed and agreed.
bìng qiě jiàn gé yuè lái yuè pín fán ， pēn fā de guī mó yě yuè lái yuè dà 。
并且间隔越来越频繁，喷发的规模也越来越大。
Thus, this transaction had been ongoing for fifty years. As the time approached for their next meeting, watchtowers in the capital city of Discrete Realm were always manned by officials who could see Immortal Masters.
dà lí huáng cháo shàng céng tǒng zhì jiē jí dān xīn zhōng yǒu yī rì ， huǒ shān jiāng huì chè dǐ jiāng cǐ fāng shì jiè biàn chéng róng yán dì yù ， yú shì qiān fāng bǎi jì de xún zhǎo zháo néng gòu táo lí zhè ge shì jiè de fāng fǎ 。
大离皇朝上层统治阶级担心终有一日，火山将会彻底将此方世界变成熔岩地狱，于是千方百计的寻找着能够逃离这个世界的方法。
When Li Fan arrived above the capital, he heard continuous bell sounds below.
dàn shǐ zhōng zhǎo bú dào chū lù 。
但始终找不到出路。
Soon, Emperor of Discrete Realm and his ministers came before him.
zhí dào wǔ shí nián qián ， yī wèi xiān shī tū rán jiàng lín 。 tā xǔ nuò ， měi shí nián kě yǐ jiāng yī pī rén dài lí zhè lǐ 。
直到五十年前，一位仙师突然降临。他许诺，每十年可以将一批人带离这里。
"Welcome, Immortal Master!"
tiáo jiàn zé shì yào bāng tā sōu jí qīng dān shàng de wù zī 。
条件则是要帮他搜集清单上的物资。
The emperor and his ministers knelt on the square as they shouted in unison.
dà lí zhū quán guì zì shì mǎn xīn huān xǐ de dā yìng 。
大离诸权贵自是满心欢喜的答应。
"Is the time for our agreement here? Have you gathered all the supplies?" Li Fan asked coldly from above.
rú cǐ ， shuāng fāng de jiāo yì yǐ jīng chí xù le wǔ shí nián le 。
如此，双方的交易已经持续了五十年了。
The emperor hurried to reply: "Master, we have prepared everything according to your list."
ér jù lí zhè cì shuāng fāng yuē dìng de jiāo yì shí jiān yě yǐ jīng yuè lái yuè jìn le ， suǒ yǐ dà lí jīng chéng de sì zuò liào wàng tǎ zhōng ， shí kè dōu yǒu wàng xiān guān zhí shǒu 。
而距离这次双方约定的交易时间也已经越来越近了，所以大离京城的四座瞭望塔中，时刻都有望仙官值守。
Nodding, Li Fan said, "Then bring me to collect them."
gù ér ， dāng lǐ fán yī fēi lín dà lí jīng chéng ， biàn tīng dào xià fāng bù duàn xiǎng qǐ de zhōng míng zhī shēng 。
故而，当李凡一飞临大离京城，便听到下方不断响起的钟鸣之声。
Under the emperor's guidance, Li Fan arrived at the imperial treasury. The supplies He Zhenghao had prepared were neatly categorized and labeled with their names and quantities.
bù jiǔ zhī hòu ， dà lí huáng dì shuài lǐng zhe wén wǔ bǎi guān ， lái dào le lǐ fán miàn qián 。
不久之后，大离皇帝率领着文武百官，来到了李凡面前。
Satisfied with his inspection, Li Fan nodded.
“ gōng yíng xiān shī ！”
“恭迎仙师！”
The supplies not only met the requirements but exceeded them in quantity. After placing the items into the storage ring given by He Zhenghao, this mission was completed successfully.
guǎng chǎng shàng ， dà lí huáng dì yǔ bǎi guān guì dǎo yī dì ， qí shēng gāo hū 。
广场上，大离皇帝与百官跪倒一地，齐声高呼。
Smooth sailing without any complications.
“ yuē dìng zhī rì yǐ dào ， ěr děng wù zī kě zēng sōu jí hǎo ？” lǐ fán jū gāo lín xià ， lěng shēng wèn dào 。
“约定之日已到，尔等物资可曾搜集好？”李凡居高临下，冷声问道。
Apart from the time needed for travel, the risks were almost negligible.
dà lí huáng dì máng bù dié dì huí dá ：“ qǐ bǐng xiān shī ， qīng dān shàng wù pǐn yǐ jīng quán bù zhǔn bèi tuǒ dàng 。”
大离皇帝忙不迭地回答：“启禀仙师，清单上物品已经全部准备妥当。”
No wonder He Zhenghao had been eager to secure this deal; it was indeed a win-win situation.
lǐ fán diǎn diǎn tóu ：“ jì rú cǐ ， dài wǒ qù ná ba 。”
李凡点点头：“既如此，带我去拿吧。”
Handing over the wooden boat with embedded array techniques to the emperor, Li Fan noticed his pleased expression and asked: "Is Prince Xiao Heng of the Southern Command here today?"
yú shì ， zài dà lí huáng dì de qīn zì dài lǐng xià ， lǐ fán lái dào le huáng gōng bǎo kù zhōng 。
于是，在大离皇帝的亲自带领下，李凡来到了皇宫宝库中。
The emperor was taken aback. Immortal Masters usually flew away after collecting supplies without any further interaction. He wondered why this one had suddenly inquired about Prince Xiao Heng.
zhè lǐ ， hé zhèng hào ràng qí zhǔn bèi de wù zī yǐ jīng fēn mén bié lèi duī fàng hǎo ， bìng qiě dōu yī yī tiē shàng le biāo qiān ， biāo zhù le míng chēng hé shù liàng 。
这里，何正浩让其准备的物资已经分门别类堆放好，并且都一一贴上了标签，标注了名称和数量。
Not wanting to delay, the emperor replied anxiously: "Master, my younger brother has been stationed at the southern border for years and is not here."
lǐ fán shén shí yī sǎo ， mǎn yì dì diǎn diǎn tóu 。
李凡神识一扫，满意地点点头。
"But his son, Xiao Heng, is," the emperor quickly added, fearing angering the Immortal Master.
xiāng yìng wù zī bù jǐn méi yǒu shǎo ， ér qiě měi yī yàng dōu bǐ yāo qiú de duō le shǎo xǔ 。
相应物资不仅没有少，而且每一样都比要求的多了少许。
Nodding, Li Fan knew that Xiao Heng was a hostage in the capital. He wasn't surprised: "Where is he now? Take me to see him!"
jiāng wù zī zhuāng rù hé zhèng hào gěi de chǔ wù jiè zhōng ， cǐ cì rèn wù jiù suàn yuán mǎn wán chéng le 。
将物资装入何正浩给的储物戒中，此次任务就算圆满完成了。
The emperor couldn’t recall where such a minor prince lived and stammered, causing beads of sweat to form on his forehead.
yī fān fēng shùn ， méi yǒu bō zhé 。
一帆风顺，没有波折。
Fortunately, a nearby eunuch whispered urgently: "Your Majesty, Prince Xiao Heng should be staying at the residence of Scholar Su."
chú le gǎn lù xū yào diǎn shí jiān wài ， qí yú fēng xiǎn jī hū děng yú líng 。
除了赶路需要点时间外，其余风险几乎等于零。
"Scholars Su's home..." Li Fan thought with interest.
yě nán guài hé zhèng hào huì diàn jì zhe le ， zhe shí shì yī běn wàn lì de mǎi mài 。
也难怪何正浩会惦记着了，着实是一本万利的买卖。
Relieved by this news, the emperor quickly arranged for someone to guide them.
jiāng kè zhe zhèn fǎ de mù chuán jiāo gěi dà lí huáng dì ， kàn zhe duì fāng liǎn shàng xīn xǐ de biǎo qíng ， lǐ fán hū rán kāi kǒu wèn dào ：“ bù zhī dà lí zhèn nán wáng jīn rì zài bù zài ？”
将刻着阵法的木船交给大离皇帝，看着对方脸上欣喜的表情，李凡忽然开口问道：“不知大离镇南王今日在不在？”
Soon, Li Fan met Xiao Heng at the Su household. At seven or eight years old, Xiao Heng was surrounded by strangers and looked nervous.
huáng dì yī lèng ， yǐ wǎng xiān shī dōu shì ná le wù zī jiù jìng zhí fēi zǒu de ， bù zhī jīn rì wèi hé huì tū rán wèn qǐ le zhèn nán wáng de shì 。
皇帝一愣，以往仙师都是拿了物资就径直飞走的，不知今日为何会突然问起了镇南王的事。
Recalling his memory of Xiao Heng, Li Fan chuckled softly.
bù gǎn dài màn ， huáng dì yǒu xiē huáng kǒng dì huí dá ：“ huí xiān shī ， wú dì cháng nián zhèn shǒu nán jiāng ， bù zài jīng chéng 。”
不敢怠慢，皇帝有些惶恐地回答：“回仙师，吾弟常年镇守南疆，不在京城。”
"I see this child has great potential; he will not remain in a small pond," he said suddenly.
“ bù guò tā de ér zi ， xiāo héng ， dǎo shì zài zhè lǐ 。” shēng pà rě nù xiān shī ， huáng dì lián máng bǔ chōng dào 。
“不过他的儿子，萧恒，倒是在这里。”生怕惹怒仙师，皇帝连忙补充道。
The gathered people exchanged glances as they watched the bewildered Xiao Heng who had no idea what was happening.
lǐ fán diǎn diǎn tóu ， zhī dào xiāo héng zhè shì bèi dàng zuò zhì zi liú zài jīng chéng de ， yě bù jīng yà ：“ rú jīn tā zài hé chù ， dài wǒ qù jiàn tā ！”
李凡点点头，知道萧恒这是被当做质子留在京城的，也不惊讶：“如今他在何处，带我去见他！”
Li Fan then pointed at Xiao Heng's forehead and transmitted the use of the *Xuan Huang Qing Xin Zhi* (Clear Heart Spell) along with its accompanying medicines.
huáng dì nǎ lǐ zhī dào qū qū yí gè zhèn nán wáng zhì zi píng rì jū zhù zài nǎ lǐ ， huí dá bù chū ， dùn shí lèng zài dāng chǎng ， jí de é tóu lěng hàn zhí mào 。
皇帝哪里知道区区一个镇南王质子平日居住在哪里，回答不出，顿时愣在当场，急的额头冷汗直冒。
"I will come back in ten years to take him," Li Fan said, surveying everyone.
hǎo zài tā shēn páng yí gè jìn wèi tài jiàn cǐ shí lián máng xiǎo shēng tí xǐng ：“ bì xià ， nà xiāo héng yīng dāng bèi jì yǎng zài sū xué shì jiā zhōng 。”
好在他身旁一个近卫太监此时连忙小声提醒：“陛下，那萧恒应当被寄养在苏学士家中。”
People who had harbored mischievous thoughts suddenly broke out in cold sweat, trembling in fear.
“ sū jiā me ……” lǐ fán tīng le xīn zhōng yī dòng 。
“苏家么……”李凡听了心中一动。
The emperor understood Li Fan's meaning and promised: "Master, I will take good care of him."
huáng dì wén yán ， zé shì sōng le kǒu qì ， lián máng ān pái rén dài lù 。
皇帝闻言，则是松了口气，连忙安排人带路。
Satisfied, Li Fan nodded.
bù duō shí ， lǐ fán biàn zài sū jiā jiàn dào le xiāo héng 。
不多时，李凡便在苏家见到了萧恒。
Stabilizing his position in the world of cultivation was still a challenge for him, and he had to explore the Cloud Water Heavenly Palace two years later, with an uncertain future.
cǐ shí tā hái zhǐ shì gè qī bā suì dà de xiǎo wá wá ， tū rán bèi rú cǐ duō de mò shēng rén wéi guān ， xiǎo liǎn mǎn shì jǐn zhāng 。
此时他还只是个七八岁大的小娃娃，突然被如此多的陌生人围观，小脸满是紧张。
Thus, he could only transmit the *Xuan Huang Qing Xin Zhi* to Xiao Heng now, waiting until he was ready before bringing him into the world of cultivation.
xiǎo xiǎo de shēn yǐng hé jì yì zhōng xiāo héng de yàng zi chóng hé ， lǐ fán qīng xiào le shēng 。
小小的身影和记忆中萧恒的样子重合，李凡轻笑了声。
With the Discrete Realm matter settled, Li Fan prepared to leave.
“ wǒ guān cǐ zi tiān fù bù fán ， jiāng lái bì dìng bú shì chí zhōng zhī wù 。” tā hū rán chū shēng shuō dào 。
“我观此子天赋不凡，将来必定不是池中之物。”他忽然出声说道。
Suddenly, a young voice rang out from the crowd: "Please save my sister!"
After leaving Lustrous Isle, Li Fan followed the instructions given by He Zhenghao and flew west for two days. He arrived at a sea filled with hidden reefs and whirlpools.
Activating the Concealment Talisman, Li Fan dived into the water and found the entrance to the Discrete Realm in an ancient ruin deep beneath the seabed.
A small, unremarkable well.
Descending into the well, he was met with the familiar aura of the Great Desolation Array, similar to that of the Void Abyss in Great Xuan.
Traversing the well’s passage, Li Fan suddenly felt a wave of dizziness.
When his senses returned, he found himself in an endless black space devoid of water.
"Seems like all the Great Desolation Arrays separating these small worlds are alike," Li Fan mused as he surveyed this space.
A cluster ofboundary whale (Split World Whales) lurked in the darkness, tirelessly carving out space to push the Discrete Realm away from the world of cultivation. This was similar to his previous experience in Great Xuan.
The Split World Whales were highly sensitive to mundane life energy but indifferent to cultivators.
Nevertheless, Li Fan carefully avoided them and arrived at the Thunderstorm Layer.
At this moment, he recalled He Zhenghao's instructions: "The Great Desolation Array separates the Discrete Realm from the world of cultivation. If you force your way through, even Foundation Establishment cultivators must proceed with caution. But as long as you follow my method to traverse the array, it won't trigger an attack..."
Li Fan guided his spirit energy according to He Zhenghao's instructions and flew into the Thunderstorm Layer.
The raging lightning continuously struck around him but never hit him.
"Sure enough, this works. With this, I can pass through the Great Desolation Array without relying on the Taiyin Boat. The ordinary wooden boat given to the people of the Discrete Realm was fixed in place by an array to avoid triggering the Great Desolation Array's attack."
"The Taiyin Boat passed through the Great Desolation Array using a method set up during its construction, while He Zhenghao essentially broke the array’s defenses and opened a secret passage for himself."
"From this, it seems he didn't exaggerate. Truly, his expertise in array techniques is remarkable."
With the information verified, Li Fan no longer chose to cross by physical means.
He deployed the Taiyin Boat and easily navigated through the Great Desolation Array towards the Discrete Realm.
...
The Discrete Realm and Great Xuan were both mundane worlds with similar landscapes. However, at the center of this world was a volcano towering thousands of meters high.
This volcano erupted every few hundred years, causing countless casualties. The intervals between eruptions grew shorter, and their scale increased.
The upper echelons of the Discrete Realm's imperial court feared that one day the volcano would turn this world into a fiery hell. They desperately sought ways to escape but found none.
Fifty years ago, an Immortal Master suddenly appeared. He promised to take groups of people out every ten years in exchange for supplies on his list.
The various nobles of Discrete Realm were overjoyed and agreed.
Thus, this transaction had been ongoing for fifty years. As the time approached for their next meeting, watchtowers in the capital city of Discrete Realm were always manned by officials who could see Immortal Masters.
When Li Fan arrived above the capital, he heard continuous bell sounds below.
Soon, Emperor of Discrete Realm and his ministers came before him.
"Welcome, Immortal Master!"
The emperor and his ministers knelt on the square as they shouted in unison.
"Is the time for our agreement here? Have you gathered all the supplies?" Li Fan asked coldly from above.
The emperor hurried to reply: "Master, we have prepared everything according to your list."
Nodding, Li Fan said, "Then bring me to collect them."
Under the emperor's guidance, Li Fan arrived at the imperial treasury. The supplies He Zhenghao had prepared were neatly categorized and labeled with their names and quantities.
Satisfied with his inspection, Li Fan nodded.
The supplies not only met the requirements but exceeded them in quantity. After placing the items into the storage ring given by He Zhenghao, this mission was completed successfully.
Smooth sailing without any complications.
Apart from the time needed for travel, the risks were almost negligible.
No wonder He Zhenghao had been eager to secure this deal; it was indeed a win-win situation.
Handing over the wooden boat with embedded array techniques to the emperor, Li Fan noticed his pleased expression and asked: "Is Prince Xiao Heng of the Southern Command here today?"
The emperor was taken aback. Immortal Masters usually flew away after collecting supplies without any further interaction. He wondered why this one had suddenly inquired about Prince Xiao Heng.
Not wanting to delay, the emperor replied anxiously: "Master, my younger brother has been stationed at the southern border for years and is not here."
"But his son, Xiao Heng, is," the emperor quickly added, fearing angering the Immortal Master.
Nodding, Li Fan knew that Xiao Heng was a hostage in the capital. He wasn't surprised: "Where is he now? Take me to see him!"
The emperor couldn’t recall where such a minor prince lived and stammered, causing beads of sweat to form on his forehead.
Fortunately, a nearby eunuch whispered urgently: "Your Majesty, Prince Xiao Heng should be staying at the residence of Scholar Su."
"Scholars Su's home..." Li Fan thought with interest.
Relieved by this news, the emperor quickly arranged for someone to guide them.
Soon, Li Fan met Xiao Heng at the Su household. At seven or eight years old, Xiao Heng was surrounded by strangers and looked nervous.
Recalling his memory of Xiao Heng, Li Fan chuckled softly.
"I see this child has great potential; he will not remain in a small pond," he said suddenly.
The gathered people exchanged glances as they watched the bewildered Xiao Heng who had no idea what was happening.
Li Fan then pointed at Xiao Heng's forehead and transmitted the use of the *Xuan Huang Qing Xin Zhi* (Clear Heart Spell) along with its accompanying medicines.
"I will come back in ten years to take him," Li Fan said, surveying everyone.
People who had harbored mischievous thoughts suddenly broke out in cold sweat, trembling in fear.
The emperor understood Li Fan's meaning and promised: "Master, I will take good care of him."
Satisfied, Li Fan nodded.
Stabilizing his position in the world of cultivation was still a challenge for him, and he had to explore the Cloud Water Heavenly Palace two years later, with an uncertain future.
Thus, he could only transmit the *Xuan Huang Qing Xin Zhi* to Xiao Heng now, waiting until he was ready before bringing him into the world of cultivation.
With the Discrete Realm matter settled, Li Fan prepared to leave.
Suddenly, a young voice rang out from the crowd: "Please save my sister!"