“ gù rán yǒu cǐ shì wǒ yì zhí jiāng tā men kùn yú yī chù de yuán yīn ， dàn huò xǔ ， yě yǒu kě néng shì lí jiè nà biān chū le wèn tí 。”
“固然有此世我一直将他们困于一处的原因，但或许，也有可能是离界那边出了问题。”
"Of course, there is a reason I have kept them confined in one place since this world. But perhaps, something went wrong on the other side of the Boundary Realm."
“ fǒu zé ， zhè xiē lí jiè tiān jiāo ， yě bù zhì yú lián sūn èr láng 、 wáng xuán bà zhè liǎng gè lái zì dà xuán de shào nián láng dōu bǐ bù guò le 。”
“否则，这些离界天骄，也不至于连孙二郎、王玄霸这两个来自大玄的少年郎都比不过了。”
"If not, these prodigies from the Boundary Realm wouldn't even be able to surpass young men like Sun Erlang and Wang Xuanbao from Great Xuan."
dāng chū lǐ fán kě shì qīn zì yàn zhèng le yī fān tā men de xiū xíng tiān fù de 。
当初李凡可是亲自验证了一番他们的修行天赋的。
Li Fan had personally tested their cultivation talents when he first entered the Boundary Realm.
yě zhǐ shì miǎn qiǎng néng xiū xíng de dì bù ， jué duì shì bǐ bù shàng lí jiè zhòng rén de 。
也只是勉强能修行的地步，绝对是比不上离界众人的。
Their abilities were barely sufficient for cultivation; they were definitely no match for the others in the Boundary Realm.
rú jīn què zài bù zhī bù jué jiān shí xiàn le fǎn chāo ……
如今却在不知不觉间实现了反超……
Yet, they have now unknowingly surpassed everyone...
lǐ fán de yǎn qián ， hū de fú xiàn chū dà lí zhōng yāng de nà zuò huǒ shān 。
李凡的眼前，忽的浮现出大离中央的那座火山。
Before Li Fan's eyes appeared the volcano at the heart of Great Separation.
cóng yī kāi shǐ jìn rù lí jiè ， tā xīn zhōng jiù yǐn yǐn jué de nà zuò huǒ shān yǒu wèn tí 。
从一开始进入离界，他心中就隐隐觉得那座火山有问题。
From the moment he entered the Boundary Realm, he had a vague feeling that something was amiss with the volcano.
kě huò xǔ shì yīn wèi jìng jiè 、 yǎn jiè bù gòu de yuán gù ， zhī qián qīn zì tàn suǒ le shù cì ， dōu méi néng zhǎo chū qí zhōng de māo nì 。
可或许是因为境界、眼界不够的缘故，之前亲自探索了数次，都没能找出其中的猫腻。
But perhaps due to his own realm and perspective, he hadn't been able to uncover any secrets despite several explorations.
“ zhǐ kě xī cǐ shì lí jiè rù kǒu ， yǐ jīng bèi kōng jiān liè xì suǒ tūn mò ， wú fǎ zài dù jìn rù le 。”
“只可惜此世离界入口，已经被空间裂隙所吞没，无法再度进入了。”
"Unfortunately, the entrance to this world's Boundary Realm has been swallowed by spatial rifts, making it impossible to re-enter."
“ bù guò ， xià yī shì zài qù de shí hòu ， kě yǐ zhuó zhòng zhù yì xià 。”
“不过，下一世再去的时候，可以着重注意下。”
"But when I go next time, I will pay more attention," Li Fan thought as he waved his hand lightly and brought Su Changyu, Su Xiaomei, and others before him.
lǐ fán zhè me xiǎng zhe ， qīng qīng yī huī shǒu ， jiāng sū zhǎng yù 、 sū xiǎo mèi děng rén píng kōng shè yú miàn qián 。
李凡这么想着，轻轻一挥手，将苏长玉、苏小妹等人凭空摄于面前。
Their vigilance was much weaker than in previous lives. After a few breaths, they regained their senses upon seeing Li Fan clearly. They hurriedly bowed.
zhòng rén de jī jǐng chéng dù ， bǐ qǐ qián jǐ shì ， míng xiǎn yào ruò shàng tài duō 。
众人的机警程度，比起前几世，明显要弱上太多。
"Meeting the Sect Master!"
shù xī zhī hòu ， fāng cái cóng mí máng zhōng huí guò shén lái 。 kàn qīng chǔ le tā men miàn qián de lǐ fán zhī hòu ， huāng máng xíng lǐ dào 。
数息之后，方才从迷茫中回过神来。看清楚了他们面前的李凡之后，慌忙行礼道。
Li Fan swept his gaze over them and asked solemnly, "I have brought you out of your ordinary world for more than ten years now. I first confined you on an island, then brought you to Eternal Valley. I never allowed any of you to venture outside..."
“ jiàn guò zōng zhǔ ！”
“见过宗主！”
"Do you have any grievances?"
lǐ fán mù guāng sǎo guò zhòng rén ， ér hòu chén shēng wèn dào ：“ wǒ jiāng nǐ men zì fán rén xiǎo shì jiè zhōng dài chū ， yǐ jīng yǒu shí duō nián le 。 xiān shì jiāng nǐ men jìn gù zài dǎo shàng ， ér hòu yòu bǎ nǐ men dài dào zhè cháng shēng gǔ zhōng 。 shǐ zhōng bù fàng nǐ men wài chū ……”
李凡目光扫过众人，而后沉声问道：“我将你们自凡人小世界中带出，已经有十多年了。先是将你们禁锢在岛上，而后又把你们带到这长生谷中。始终不放你们外出……”
Ye Feipeng responded the quickest: "How could we have any grievances towards the Sect Master? We've lived happily these past few years. Especially in Eternal Valley and Beast Kindom; they might just be a corner to you, but to us, they are larger than our hometowns."
“ nǐ men kě yǒu yuàn yán ？”
“你们可有怨言？”
He spoke with some flattery.
yè fēi péng huí dá de zuì kuài ：“ zěn me huì duì zōng zhǔ dà rén nín yǒu yuàn yán ne ？ zhè xiē nián wǒ men shēng huó de shí fēn kuài lè 。 yóu qí shì zhè cháng shēng gǔ hé shòu zhǒng jiè ， zài zōng zhǔ nín de yǎn zhōng huò xǔ zhǐ shì yī yú zhī dì ， bù guò zài wǒ men kàn lái ， yǐ jīng bǐ wǒ men de jiā xiāng hái dà le 。”
叶飞鹏回答的最快：“怎么会对宗主大人您有怨言呢？这些年我们生活的十分快乐。尤其是这长生谷和兽种界，在宗主您的眼中或许只是一隅之地，不过在我们看来，已经比我们的家乡还大了。”
Xiao Heng agreed wholeheartedly, nodding his head in agreement. The others followed suit.
tā yǒu xiē chǎn mèi dì shuō dào 。
他有些谄媚地说道。
Li Fan remained silent for a moment before saying, "The Yellow and Black World is currently undergoing unprecedented changes, offering countless opportunities. It's time to make your mark. Pack up and leave the valley tomorrow."
xiāo héng shēn yǐ wéi rán ， lián máng diǎn tóu fù hè 。
萧恒深以为然，连忙点头附和。
Their faces froze at these words.
qí yú rén jiē shì xiào fǎng 。
其余人皆是效仿。
But before they could react, Li Fan swept his sleeves and left on his own.
lǐ fán chén mò piàn kè ， děng dài tā men quán dōu jǐn zhāng qǐ lái zhī hòu ， fāng cái shuō dào ：“ rú jīn wài bù xuán huáng jiè ， zhèng chǔ yú qiān nián wèi yǒu de dà biàn gé zhī qī ， yǒu wú shù jī yuán 。 zhèng shì nǐ men dà zhǎn hóng tú de shí hòu ， shōu shí shōu shí ， míng rì chū gǔ qù ba 。”
李凡沉默片刻，等待他们全都紧张起来之后，方才说道：“如今外部玄黄界，正处于千年未有的大变革之期，有无数机缘。正是你们大展宏图的时候，收拾收拾，明日出谷去吧。”
Leaving Ye Feipeng and others to stare at each other in confusion.
cǐ yán yī chū ， zhòng rén liǎn shàng de shén qíng jù shì jiāng zhù 。
此言一出，众人脸上的神情俱是僵住。
They couldn't defy the orders of Sect Master Li Fan; thus, they reluctantly accepted this reality. They went to seek help from familiar disciples of Medicine King Sect with sad faces.
rán ér hái bù děng tā men yǒu suǒ fǎn yìng ， lǐ fán biàn dà xiù yī huī ， zì gù lí kāi le 。
然而还不等他们有所反应，李凡便大袖一挥，自顾离开了。
"I hope they bring me some surprises when they return home. Otherwise, it might really be something wrong on the other side of the Boundary Realm."
zhǐ liú xià yè fēi péng děng rén miàn miàn xiāng qù 。
只留下叶飞鹏等人面面相觑。
Li Fan then silently returned to his seclusion room in Eternal Valley.
zōng zhǔ lǐ fán de mìng lìng tā men zì rán shì bù gǎn wéi bèi de ， dāng xià yě zhǐ yǒu wú nài de jiē shòu le zhè ge xiàn shí 。 kū sāng zhe liǎn ， lián máng qù xún xiàng gè zì shú xī de yào wáng zōng dì zǐ qiú zhù qù le 。
宗主李凡的命令他们自然是不敢违背的，当下也只有无奈的接受了这个现实。哭丧着脸，连忙去寻向各自熟悉的药王宗弟子求助去了。
"Prosperity and Good Fortune! Yellow and Black Supreme Deity!"
“ xī wàng tā men lóng guī dà hǎi zhī hòu ， néng dài gěi wǒ yì diǎn jīng xǐ 。 fǒu zé ， kǒng pà zhēn de jiù shì lí jiè nà biān yǒu gǔ guài le 。”
“希望他们龙归大海之后，能带给我一点惊喜。否则，恐怕真的就是离界那边有古怪了。”
Setting up the ritual, Li Fan re-entered the Heaven Sword Sect's Furnace Technique scene.
wú xiāng shā jī suǒ dìng zhòng rén ， lǐ fán ér hòu qiǎo rán huí dào cháng shēng gǔ bì guān mì shì zhōng 。
无相杀机锁定众人，李凡而后悄然回到长生谷闭关密室中。
Without hesitation, he chose the "Heaven Sword Sect's Furnace Technique."
“ fú shēng ， xuán huáng tiān zūn ！”
“福生，玄黄天尊！”
The scene distorted before a furious voice echoed in his ears.
bù xià yí shì ， xià yī kè ， lǐ fán zài dù jìn rù yǔn xiān jìng zhōng 。
布下仪式，下一刻，李凡再度进入陨仙境中。
"Why didn't you hand over the 'Sword Embryo' this time, Ji Zhaoxuan? You've delayed Senior Brother's plans again!"
méi yǒu yóu yù ， zhí jiē xuǎn zé 【 tiān jiàn zōng liàn jiàn 】 chǎng jǐng 。
没有犹豫，直接选择【天剑宗炼剑】场景。
"Can you bear the consequences of holding up your senior brother's progress?"
yǎn qián chǎng jǐng niǔ qū mó hú ， ér hòu ěr biān yī shēng nù hè chuán lái 。
眼前场景扭曲模糊，而后耳边一声怒喝传来。
Memories flooded Li Fan as he instantly understood his current situation.
“ jī zhào xuàn ！ zhè cì nǐ zěn me yòu méi yǒu shàng jiāo 【 jiàn tāi 】？”
“姬兆炫！这次你怎么又没有上交【剑胎】？”
Since Mr. Bai left, Heaven Sword Sect had planned to forge a裂界神兵 (crack-world divine weapon).
“ dān gē le dà shī xiōng de jì huà ， nǐ dān dāng de qǐ ma ！”
“耽搁了大师兄的计划，你担当的起吗！”
They needed disciples to draw insights from wooden swords and infuse them into an elemental stone called "Sword Embryo." Then, they would be placed in the deep pit at the back of the mountain to be forged by molten fire.
jì yì cháo shuǐ bān yǒng lái ， lǐ fán shùn jiān liǎo jiě le mù qián zì shēn chǔ jìng 。
记忆潮水般涌来，李凡瞬间了解了目前自身处境。
Everyone in Heaven Sword Sect followed this plan—disciples, elders, even the strongest "Senior Brother," Su Tao Yao.
zì dāng rì bái xiān shēng lí qù zhī hòu ， tiān jiàn zōng biàn zhì dìng le duàn zào liè jiè shén bīng de xiǎng fǎ 。
自当日白先生离去之后，天剑宗便制定了锻造裂界神兵的想法。
But the Golden Core cultivator Ji Zhaoxuan, whom Li Fan possessed, had failed to hand over the Sword Embryo several times.
xū yào zhòng dì zǐ cóng mù jiàn zhōng jí qǔ gǎn wù ， zhù rù dào míng wèi 【 jiàn tāi 】 de yuán shí zhī zhōng 。 ér hòu tóu rù hòu shān shēn kēng ， jiè zhù róng huǒ duàn zào liè jiè shén bīng de chú xíng 。
需要众弟子从木剑中汲取感悟，注入到名为【剑胎】的元石之中。而后投入后山深坑，借助熔火锻造裂界神兵的雏形。
This led to the current scene where he was being questioned.
tiān jiàn zōng shàng xià jiē shì rú cǐ 。
天剑宗上下皆是如此。
Li Fan's expression remained calm as he bowed: "I hope Senior Brother Chu can be more lenient for a few days! My disciple has duller talents and takes longer to understand, refine, and purify."
dì zǐ 、 zhǎng lǎo ， nǎi zhì zōng mén zuì qiáng de “ dà shī xiōng ” sī tú yáo yì shì rú cǐ 。
弟子、长老，乃至宗门最强的“大师兄”司徒遥亦是如此。
Chu Brother sized him up before coldly snorted. "This is your last chance. Don't think I don't know what you're planning. Your method of condensing qi into a sword resembles the process of infusing sword intent into the Sword Embryo. The longer it stays in your body, the more beneficial it is to you, isn't that right?"
ér lǐ fán fù shēn de jīn dān xiū shì “ jī zhào xuàn ”， què shì yǒu hǎo jǐ cì méi yǒu àn shí shàng jiāo 【 jiàn tāi 】 le 。
而李凡附身的金丹修士“姬兆炫”，却是有好几次没有按时上交【剑胎】了。
Li Fan's expression turned panicked as he hurriedly said, "Senior Brother Chu..."
yú shì biàn chū xiàn le yǎn qián ， guò lái xún wèn de zhè yí mù 。
于是便出现了眼前，过来询问的这一幕。
Chu Brother waved his hand and his face grew cold: "I'm not ignoring our brotherhood. Which matters more—your personal cultivation or Heaven Sword Sect's future? You should understand!"
lǐ fán miàn sè rú cháng ， gǒng le gǒng shǒu ：“ hái wàng chǔ shī xiōng duō kuān xiàn jǐ rì ！ shī dì wǒ zī zhì nú dùn ， gǎn wù 、 tí chún děng yī xì liè bù zhòu ， shí zài shì bǐ bié rén yào màn shàng yī xiē 。”
李凡面色如常，拱了拱手：“还望楚师兄多宽限几日！师弟我资质驽钝，感悟、提纯等一系列步骤，实在是比别人要慢上一些。”
"I'll come back in two days. Take care of yourself!"
chǔ shī xiōng dǎ liàng le lǐ fán yī yǎn ， lěng hēng yī shēng ：“ zuì hòu yī cì le 。 bié yǐ wéi wǒ bù zhī dào nǐ qǐ de shén me xiǎo xīn sī ， nǐ nà níng qì chéng jiàn zhī fǎ ， gēn jiàn yì zhù rù jiàn tāi de guò chéng ， shén sì ér xíng fǎn 。 jiàn tāi měi zài nǐ tǐ nèi duō tíng liú yī kè ， dōu duì nǐ dà yǒu bì yì ， shì yě bú shì ？”
楚师兄打量了李凡一眼，冷哼一声：“最后一次了。别以为我不知道你起的什么小心思，你那凝气成剑之法，跟剑意注入剑胎的过程，神似而行反。剑胎每在你体内多停留一刻，都对你大有裨益，是也不是？”
With that, Chu Brother turned and left.
lǐ fán dùn shí lù chū bèi jiē chuān de huāng luàn ， lián máng shuō dào ：“ chǔ shī xiōng ……”
李凡顿时露出被揭穿的慌乱，连忙说道：“楚师兄……”
Li Fan ignored the whispers from other disciples as he returned to his room, his panic vanishing. He checked his condition and understood.
duì fāng yī bǎi shǒu ， miàn sè lěng le xià lái ：“ bú shì wǒ bù gù shī xiōng dì qíng miàn 。 gè rén xiū wèi ， yǔ zhěng gè tiān jiàn zōng qián tú xiāng bǐ ， jiū jìng nǎ ge zhòng yào ， xī wàng nǐ yào gǎo qīng chǔ ！”
对方一摆手，面色冷了下来：“不是我不顾师兄弟情面。个人修为，与整个天剑宗前途相比，究竟哪个重要，希望你要搞清楚！”
"Indeed, this time, it wasn't an ordinary person."
“ wǒ liǎng rì hòu zài lái 。 nǐ hǎo zì wèi zhī ！”
“我两日后再来。你好自为之！”
In Ji Zhaoxuan's dantian, a grayish golden core, like a gaseous planet, continuously emitted gray gas that corroded and consumed nearby Sword Embryos.
shuō bà ， chǔ shī xiōng zhuǎn shēn lí kāi 。
说罢，楚师兄转身离开。
Simultaneously, profound sword dao insights surfaced in Li Fan's mind—more pure and powerful than those gained from directly touching the wooden swords.
wú shù zhōu wéi qí tā shī xiōng dì de zhǐ zhǐ diǎn diǎn ， lǐ fán huāng zhāng de shén sè dùn shí xiāo shī ， zì gù zì de huí dào le zì jǐ fáng zhōng 。
无数周围其他师兄弟的指指点点，李凡慌张的神色顿时消失，自顾自的回到了自己房中。
This was why Ji Zhaoxuan repeatedly delayed handing over the Sword Embryo. Each time he got a new one, he absorbed it first to incorporate its essence into his own knowledge before giving it to Heaven Sword Sect.
chá kàn le yī fān zì shēn tǐ nèi zhuàng kuàng ， xīn zhōng liǎo rán 。
查看了一番自身体内状况，心中了然。
In truth, this body's sword dao talent was among the top tier of prodigies.
“ guǒ rán ， zhè yī cì fù shēn de ， yě bú shì shén me jiǎn dān rén wù 。”
“果然，这一次附身的，也不是什么简单人物。”
However, even with such talent, parsing the true intent from the Sword Embryos was extremely slow. It took him a lot of time each time, making him appear slower than others.
zhǐ jiàn “ jī zhào xuàn ” de dān tián zhī zhōng ， huī wù méng méng 、 rú tóng yī kē qì tài xīng qiú de “ jīn dān ”， zhèng zài bù duàn pēn yǒng chū huī sè qì tǐ 。
只见“姬兆炫”的丹田之中，灰雾蒙蒙、如同一颗气态星球的“金丹”，正在不断喷涌出灰色气体。
Even Senior Brother Chu only noticed that he could benefit and improve his cultivation by drawing insights from the Sword Embryo.
jiāng yóu lí zài páng de jiàn tāi yuán shí fǔ shí 、 tūn shì 。
将游离在旁的剑胎元石腐蚀、吞噬。
But no one would have guessed that Ji Zhaoxuan could directly use the true intent within the Sword Embryo.
yǔ cǐ tóng shí ， yī gǔ gǔ jí wéi jīng miào de jiàn dào zhēn jiě ， fú xiàn zài lǐ fán nǎo hǎi zhōng 。
与此同时，一股股极为精妙的剑道真解，浮现在李凡脑海中。
"What about Heaven Sword Sect's crack-world plans? This body doesn't care."
bǐ qǐ qīn zì chù pèng mù jiàn lái de gǎn wù ， hái yào chún cuì 、 qiáng dà 。
比起亲自触碰木剑来的感悟，还要纯粹、强大。
"Because he is a complete fool."
zhè yě shì jī zhào xuàn wèi shén me huì lǚ cì yán chí shàng jiāo jiàn tāi de yuán yīn 。
这也是姬兆炫为什么会屡次延迟上交剑胎的原因。
While absorbing the Sword Embryo, Li Fan recalled the new memories in his mind.
měi huò qǔ yī kuài jiàn tāi ， tā dōu yào zì jǐ xiān xī shōu yī biàn 。 jiāng qí zhuǎn huà wèi zì shēn suǒ xué ， rán hòu cái shàng jiāo tiān jiàn zōng 。
每获取一块剑胎，他都要自己先吸收一遍。将其转化为自身所学，然后才上交天剑宗。
One night, without anyone noticing, Ji Zhaoxuan used secret techniques to transmit everything that had happened at Heaven Sword Sect to the outside world.
qí shí zhè jù shēn qū de jiàn dào tiān fù ， jué duì shì shǔ yú tiān jiāo yì liú le 。
其实这具身躯的剑道天赋，绝对是属于天骄一流了。
He didn't know who or why he did this. One day, he suddenly acted as if controlled by someone else and carried out such actions.
bù guò jí biàn rú cǐ ， jiě xī qǐ jiàn tāi zhōng de zhēn yì ， jìn dù yě shì shí fēn huǎn màn 。
不过即便如此，解析起剑胎中的真意，进度也是十分缓慢。
And he never felt anything was wrong with it.
měi cì dōu yào hào fèi bù shǎo shí jiān ， suǒ yǐ zài wài rén kàn lái ， tā níng liàn jiàn tāi de sù dù yào màn shàng xǔ duō 。
每次都要耗费不少时间，所以在外人看来，他凝练剑胎的速度要慢上许多。
"Even fooling myself is indeed a top-notch espionage technique."
jí biàn shì nà wèi chǔ shī xiōng ， yě zhǐ shì kàn chū lái tā néng gòu cóng jiàn tāi zhōng huò qǔ hǎo chù 、 tí shēng xiū wèi 。
即便是那位楚师兄，也只是看出来他能够从剑胎中获取好处、提升修为。
Li Fan thought to himself.
dàn yě jué duì xiǎng bú dào ， jī zhào xuàn jìng rán néng zhí jiē jiāng jiàn tāi zhōng de zhēn yì ， huà wèi jǐ yòng 。
但也绝对想不到，姬兆炫竟然能直接将剑胎中的真意，化为己用。
"Heaven Sword Sect's forging plans will likely be known soon."
“ shén me tiān jiàn zōng liè jiè dà jì ， zhè jù shēn qū cái bù zài hū 。”
“什么天剑宗裂界大计，这具身躯才不在乎。”
"The next few days might not be peaceful," Li Fan thought, recalling the scene of the Southern Abyss Saint Beast Mountain tearing through the Yellow and Black World.
“ yīn wèi tā běn shēn jiù shì yí gè èr wǔ zǎi 。”
“因为他本身就是一个二五仔。”
(End of Chapter)
"Of course, there is a reason I have kept them confined in one place since this world. But perhaps, something went wrong on the other side of the Boundary Realm."
"If not, these prodigies from the Boundary Realm wouldn't even be able to surpass young men like Sun Erlang and Wang Xuanbao from Great Xuan."
Li Fan had personally tested their cultivation talents when he first entered the Boundary Realm.
Their abilities were barely sufficient for cultivation; they were definitely no match for the others in the Boundary Realm.
Yet, they have now unknowingly surpassed everyone...
Before Li Fan's eyes appeared the volcano at the heart of Great Separation.
From the moment he entered the Boundary Realm, he had a vague feeling that something was amiss with the volcano.
But perhaps due to his own realm and perspective, he hadn't been able to uncover any secrets despite several explorations.
"Unfortunately, the entrance to this world's Boundary Realm has been swallowed by spatial rifts, making it impossible to re-enter."
"But when I go next time, I will pay more attention," Li Fan thought as he waved his hand lightly and brought Su Changyu, Su Xiaomei, and others before him.
Their vigilance was much weaker than in previous lives. After a few breaths, they regained their senses upon seeing Li Fan clearly. They hurriedly bowed.
"Meeting the Sect Master!"
Li Fan swept his gaze over them and asked solemnly, "I have brought you out of your ordinary world for more than ten years now. I first confined you on an island, then brought you to Eternal Valley. I never allowed any of you to venture outside..."
"Do you have any grievances?"
Ye Feipeng responded the quickest: "How could we have any grievances towards the Sect Master? We've lived happily these past few years. Especially in Eternal Valley and Beast Kindom; they might just be a corner to you, but to us, they are larger than our hometowns."
He spoke with some flattery.
Xiao Heng agreed wholeheartedly, nodding his head in agreement. The others followed suit.
Li Fan remained silent for a moment before saying, "The Yellow and Black World is currently undergoing unprecedented changes, offering countless opportunities. It's time to make your mark. Pack up and leave the valley tomorrow."
Their faces froze at these words.
But before they could react, Li Fan swept his sleeves and left on his own.
Leaving Ye Feipeng and others to stare at each other in confusion.
They couldn't defy the orders of Sect Master Li Fan; thus, they reluctantly accepted this reality. They went to seek help from familiar disciples of Medicine King Sect with sad faces.
"I hope they bring me some surprises when they return home. Otherwise, it might really be something wrong on the other side of the Boundary Realm."
Li Fan then silently returned to his seclusion room in Eternal Valley.
"Prosperity and Good Fortune! Yellow and Black Supreme Deity!"
Setting up the ritual, Li Fan re-entered the Heaven Sword Sect's Furnace Technique scene.
Without hesitation, he chose the "Heaven Sword Sect's Furnace Technique."
The scene distorted before a furious voice echoed in his ears.
"Why didn't you hand over the 'Sword Embryo' this time, Ji Zhaoxuan? You've delayed Senior Brother's plans again!"
"Can you bear the consequences of holding up your senior brother's progress?"
Memories flooded Li Fan as he instantly understood his current situation.
Since Mr. Bai left, Heaven Sword Sect had planned to forge a裂界神兵 (crack-world divine weapon).
They needed disciples to draw insights from wooden swords and infuse them into an elemental stone called "Sword Embryo." Then, they would be placed in the deep pit at the back of the mountain to be forged by molten fire.
Everyone in Heaven Sword Sect followed this plan—disciples, elders, even the strongest "Senior Brother," Su Tao Yao.
But the Golden Core cultivator Ji Zhaoxuan, whom Li Fan possessed, had failed to hand over the Sword Embryo several times.
This led to the current scene where he was being questioned.
Li Fan's expression remained calm as he bowed: "I hope Senior Brother Chu can be more lenient for a few days! My disciple has duller talents and takes longer to understand, refine, and purify."
Chu Brother sized him up before coldly snorted. "This is your last chance. Don't think I don't know what you're planning. Your method of condensing qi into a sword resembles the process of infusing sword intent into the Sword Embryo. The longer it stays in your body, the more beneficial it is to you, isn't that right?"
Li Fan's expression turned panicked as he hurriedly said, "Senior Brother Chu..."
Chu Brother waved his hand and his face grew cold: "I'm not ignoring our brotherhood. Which matters more—your personal cultivation or Heaven Sword Sect's future? You should understand!"
"I'll come back in two days. Take care of yourself!"
With that, Chu Brother turned and left.
Li Fan ignored the whispers from other disciples as he returned to his room, his panic vanishing. He checked his condition and understood.
"Indeed, this time, it wasn't an ordinary person."
In Ji Zhaoxuan's dantian, a grayish golden core, like a gaseous planet, continuously emitted gray gas that corroded and consumed nearby Sword Embryos.
Simultaneously, profound sword dao insights surfaced in Li Fan's mind—more pure and powerful than those gained from directly touching the wooden swords.
This was why Ji Zhaoxuan repeatedly delayed handing over the Sword Embryo. Each time he got a new one, he absorbed it first to incorporate its essence into his own knowledge before giving it to Heaven Sword Sect.
In truth, this body's sword dao talent was among the top tier of prodigies.
However, even with such talent, parsing the true intent from the Sword Embryos was extremely slow. It took him a lot of time each time, making him appear slower than others.
Even Senior Brother Chu only noticed that he could benefit and improve his cultivation by drawing insights from the Sword Embryo.
But no one would have guessed that Ji Zhaoxuan could directly use the true intent within the Sword Embryo.
"What about Heaven Sword Sect's crack-world plans? This body doesn't care."
"Because he is a complete fool."
While absorbing the Sword Embryo, Li Fan recalled the new memories in his mind.
One night, without anyone noticing, Ji Zhaoxuan used secret techniques to transmit everything that had happened at Heaven Sword Sect to the outside world.
He didn't know who or why he did this. One day, he suddenly acted as if controlled by someone else and carried out such actions.
And he never felt anything was wrong with it.
"Even fooling myself is indeed a top-notch espionage technique."
Li Fan thought to himself.
"Heaven Sword Sect's forging plans will likely be known soon."
"The next few days might not be peaceful," Li Fan thought, recalling the scene of the Southern Abyss Saint Beast Mountain tearing through the Yellow and Black World.
(End of Chapter)