chú le jiǔ shān zhōu dì xíng xiǎn yào ， chuán sòng zhèn wú fǎ shēng xiào 、 yuán yīng yǐ xià xiū shì wú fǎ fēi yuè shān chuān de yīn sù yǐ wài 。
除了九山州地形险要，传送阵无法生效、元婴以下修士无法飞跃山川的因素以外。
Besides the险要 terrain of Jiushan Prefecture and the inefficacy of the teleportation阵, which prevented the Foundation Establishment realm cultivators from crossing the mountains and rivers,
líng yuán jiào de chè dǐ fǎn shuǐ ， yě shì wàn xiān méng de jìn gōng duō cì wú gōng ér fǎn de zhòng yào yuán yīn 。
灵元教的彻底反水，也是万仙盟的进攻多次无功而反的重要原因。
the complete betrayal of Lingyuan Sect was another crucial reason for the repeated failures in Wanxian League's attacks.
bù zhī dào wǔ lǎo huì xǔ le líng yuán jiào shén me hǎo chù 。
不知道五老会许了灵元教什么好处。
It remains unknown what benefits the Five Elders' Council offered to Lingyuan Sect.
zài wàn xiān méng zhì xià ， duō yǒu fǎn fù de zhè ge zǔ zhī 。 bèi nà rù wǔ lǎo huì de zhǎng guǎn hòu ， jiù gēn wán quán biàn le xìng zi bān ， jué duì de zhōng xīn gěng gěng qǐ lái 。
在万仙盟治下，多有反复的这个组织。被纳入五老会的掌管后，就跟完全变了性子般，绝对的忠心耿耿起来。
This organization had shown numerous fluctuations under the rule of the Wanxian Alliance, but after being placed under the control of the Five Elders' Council, it suddenly became utterly loyal and obedient.
shèn zhì dāng chǎng bǎ jǐ gè wàn xiān méng tōu tōu qián rù de shuō kè gěi bǎng le ， shàng jiāo 。
甚至当场把几个万仙盟偷偷潜入的说客给绑了，上交。
Even going so far as to capture a few of Wanxian League's covert agents on the spot and hand them over to show their absolute loyalty.
yǐ biǎo zì jǐ de jué duì zhōng chéng 。
以表自己的绝对忠诚。
With Jiushan Prefecture's offensive failing, Wanxian League adjusted its strategy.
jiǔ shān zhōu jìn gōng shòu cuò ， wàn xiān méng suí zhī gǎi biàn le cè lüè 。
九山州进攻受挫，万仙盟随之改变了策略。
They shifted from an aggressive stance to a defensive one, drawing heavy troops to defend along the border regions.
yóu gōng zhuǎn shǒu 。
由攻转守。
Even the protective mystical arrays were activated to cover the entire prefecture.
zài biān jìng jiē rǎng zhōu yù ， fēn fēn chōu diào zhòng bīng fáng shǒu 。
在边境接壤州域，纷纷抽调重兵防守。
"Sky Originization Life-Generating Array..."
jiù lián fáng hù fǎ zhèn ， dōu kāi qǐ le lǒng zhào quán zhōu de chéng dù 。
就连防护法阵，都开启了笼罩全州的程度。
Li Fan looked up at the sky that had turned a dull yellow and the essence being constantly drawn away. He narrowed his eyes slightly.
“ tiān yuán huà shēng zhèn ……”
“天元化生阵……”
"The Wanxian League's protective array indeed has some merit, but it is far inferior to the Heavenly Xuan Locking Spirit Array. With my Disentanglement Plate in hand, I can break through at any moment," he thought as many images flashed across his mind.
lǐ fán tái tóu kàn zhe yǐ jīng biàn chéng tǔ huáng sè de tiān kōng ， yǐ jí shēn biān bù shí bèi chōu lí ér qù de jīng qì ， wēi wēi mī qǐ le yǎn jīng 。
李凡抬头看着已经变成土黄色的天空，以及身边不时被抽离而去的精气，微微眯起了眼睛。
In an instant, with a light flick of his fingers, Li Fan seemed to create a vacuum around him.
“ wàn xiān méng de fáng hù dà zhèn ， guǒ rán yǒu jǐ fēn mén dào 。 zhǐ kě xī ， ruò yú tiān xuán suǒ líng zhèn yuǎn yǐ 。 wǒ jiě lí dié zài shǒu ， qǐng kè kě pò 。” yǎn zhōng xǔ duō huà miàn yī shǎn ér guò 。
“万仙盟的防护大阵，果然有几分门道。只可惜，弱于天玄锁灵阵远矣。我解离碟在手，顷刻可破。”眼中许多画面一闪而过。
The Sky Originization Life-Generating Array's ability to draw essence from the heavens and earth lost its effect within his vicinity.
chà nà zhī hòu ， suí zhe lǐ fán qīng qīng qiā zhǐ shī fǎ ， tā de zhōu shēn jiù hǎo sì chū xiàn le yí gè zhēn kōng 。
刹那之后，随着李凡轻轻掐指施法，他的周身就好似出现了一个真空。
More importantly, no one noticed anything amiss.
tiān yuán huà shēng zhèn chōu qǔ tiān dì jīng qì de gōng néng ， zài lǐ fán fù jìn ， shī qù le xiào yòng 。
天元化生阵抽取天地精气的功能，在李凡附近，失去了效用。
"The Wanxian League's protective array is not easily broken by the Five Elders' Council in normal circumstances."
gèng wéi guān jiàn de shì ， sī háo méi yǒu bèi rén chá jué chū yì cháng 。
更为关键的是，丝毫没有被人察觉出异常。
"Perhaps this war will soon reach a stalemate, slowly fading into oblivion..."
“ wàn xiān méng kāi qǐ fáng hù dà zhèn ， zhèng cháng qíng kuàng xià ， bú shì wǔ lǎo huì yī shí sān kè néng gōng pò de 。”
“万仙盟开启防护大阵，正常情况下，不是五老会一时三刻能攻破的。”
"No, no! Let me lend you a helping hand!"
“ zhàn zhēng huò xǔ jí jiāng xiàn rù jiāng jú 、 ér hòu zài zhòng rén yí wàng zhōng ， màn màn píng xiē ……”
“战争或许即将陷入僵局、而后在众人遗忘中，慢慢平歇……”
Li Fan chuckled and flew towards the border of Shi Lin Prefecture.
“ bù hǎo ， bù hǎo ！ qiě ràng wǒ zài zhù nǐ men yī bì zhī lì ！”
“不好，不好！且让我再助你们一臂之力！”
Instead of crossing the defenses to Jiushan Prefecture,
lǐ fán qīng xiào yī shēng ， shēn xíng rú guǐ mèi bān ， cháo zhe shí lín zhōu biān jìng fēi dùn 。
李凡轻笑一声，身形如鬼魅般，朝着石临州边境飞遁。
he landed near a small city named [Heshi] on the border, close to the White Mist Barrier.
méi yǒu chuān guò fáng xiàn ， qù wǎng jiǔ shān zhōu 。
没有穿过防线，去往九山州。
A group of Wanxian League's martial arts hall cultivators were stationed in this city.
ér shì lái dào le bái wù bì zhàng bù yuǎn chù ， yī zuò míng wèi 【 hè shí 】 de biān jìng xiǎo chéng fù jìn 。
而是来到了白雾壁障不远处，一座名为【鹤石】的边境小城附近。
Heshi was also carefully overseeing and checking the defensive measures such as the array and prohibitions.
chéng zhōng zhù zhā zhe yī duì wàn xiān méng yǎn wǔ táng de xiū shì 。
城中驻扎着一队万仙盟演武堂的修士。
Without alerting the guards, Li Fan sneaked into the city.
ér hè shí zhèn shǒu ， yě shì miàn sè shí fēn jǐn zhāng dì péi tóng zhe ， jiǎn chá zhe zhèn fǎ 、 jìn zhì děng fáng yù cuò shī de jù tǐ qíng kuàng 。
而鹤石镇守，也是面色十分紧张地陪同着，检查着阵法、禁制等防御措施的具体情况。
After they finally dispersed, he quietly found Heshi.
méi yǒu jīng dòng fáng wèi rén yuán ， lǐ fán tōu tōu chuǎng jìn chéng zhōng 。
没有惊动防卫人员，李凡偷偷闯进城中。
His name was Yu Daya, a Foundation Establishment realm cultivator with a large belly. He had a kind face that looked very honest.
děng dào tā men zhōng yú fēn kāi lái zhī hòu ， qiǎo rán zhǎo dào le hè shí zhèn shǒu 。
等到他们终于分开来之后，悄然找到了鹤石镇守。
He was sipping some spirit tea to calm his nerves when suddenly, Li Fan appeared before him without any warning.
zhèn shǒu míng wèi yú dà yí ， bù guò gāng gāng jīn dān xiū wèi 。
镇守名为余大宜，不过刚刚金丹修为。
Yu Daya's expression changed as he tried to call for help.
tǐng zhe gè dà dù zi ， miàn róng hé shàn 。 kàn shàng qù shí fēn lǎo shí 。
挺着个大肚子，面容和善。看上去十分老实。
But seeing the interest in Li Fan’s eyes, he held back what was about to be said.
xiē xià lái bù jiǔ ， zhèng hē zhe bēi líng chá huǎn shén 。 què hū de kàn dào lǐ fán háo wú zhēng zhào dì chū xiàn zài tā de miàn qián 。
歇下来不久，正喝着杯灵茶缓神。却忽的看到李凡毫无征兆地出现在他的面前。
"Who are you?" Yu Daya asked with narrowed eyes.
miàn sè yī biàn ， zhèng yù kāi kǒu hǎn rén 。
面色一变，正欲开口喊人。
"You should know the Interdimensional Federation," Li Fan said with an odd voice.
què fā xiàn duì fāng ráo yǒu xìng qù dì dǎ liàng zhe zì jǐ ， xīn zhōng yī dòng ， yǐ jīng dào zuǐ biān de shēng yīn bèi shōu le huí qù 。
却发现对方饶有兴趣地打量着自己，心中一动，已经到嘴边的声音被收了回去。
Yu Daya's face changed again, but he did not acknowledge it.
“ gé xià shì ？” yú dà yí mī zhuó yǎn jīng wèn dào 。
“阁下是？”余大宜眯着眼睛问道。
Li Fan continued to scrutinize him and laughed, "You've been thoroughly compromised. The Wanxian League is indeed on its last legs!"
“ wàn jiè lián hé huì ， nǐ yīng gāi zhī dào ba 。” lǐ fán gù yì yòng guài yì de sǎng yīn shuō dào 。
“万界联合会，你应该知道吧。”李凡故意用怪异的嗓音说道。
Yu Daya’s aura suddenly became uncertain and perilous as Li Fan spoke.
yú dà yí liǎn sè shùn jiān zài dù biàn huà ， bù guò què shí fēn jǐn shèn de méi yǒu chéng rèn 。
余大宜脸色瞬间再度变化，不过却十分谨慎的没有承认。
"Don't worry. Your Five Elders' Council spy identity is known only by us in the Interdimensional Federation," Li Fan said coolly, casting a glance at him.
lǐ fán zé shì bù duàn shàng xià dǎ liàng zhe yú dà yí ， guài xiào dào ：“ bèi shèn tòu de qiān chuāng bǎi kǒng ， wàn xiān méng guǒ rán yǐ yǒu fù miè zhī zhào ！”
李凡则是不断上下打量着余大宜，怪笑道：“被渗透的千疮百孔，万仙盟果然已有覆灭之兆！”
At this point, Yu Daya finally dropped his facade.
yú dà yí shēn shàng de qì xī ， suí zhe lǐ fán de zhè jù huà ， chà nà jiān biàn dé piāo hū 、 wēi xiǎn qǐ lái 。
余大宜身上的气息，随着李凡的这句话，刹那间变得飘忽、危险起来。
Though he didn’t know how he was exposed, he still maintained the basic素养 of a spy and responded calmly: "Why have you come to me?"
“ bù yòng dān xīn 。 nǐ wǔ lǎo huì jiàn dié de shēn fèn ， chú le wǒ men wàn jiè lián hé huì zhī wài ， bìng wú qí tā rén zhī xiǎo 。” lǐ fán piē le duì fāng yī yǎn ， dàn dàn dì shuō dào 。
“不用担心。你五老会间谍的身份，除了我们万界联合会之外，并无其他人知晓。”李凡撇了对方一眼，淡淡地说道。
"Because your Five Elders' Council has disappointed us. You should have taken Jiushan Prefecture and continued to expand your territory instead of stopping now," Li Fan said coldly.
ér zhè shí ， yú dà yí yě zhōng yú bù zhuāng le 。
而这时，余大宜也终于不装了。
Yu Daya looked displeased, "Do you really think the Wanxian League is easy to deal with? This sudden attack on Jiushan Prefecture was well-planned. Look at how strict the defenses are here! The protective array covering the entire prefecture isn't easily broken."
suī rán bù zhī dào zì jǐ jiū jìng shì zěn me bào lù de ， bù guò yú dà yí yě yī jiù bǎo chí zhe shēn wèi jiàn dié de jī běn sù yǎng ， chén zhuó yìng duì ：“ gé xià zhǎo shàng mén lái ， jiū jìng ……”
虽然不知道自己究竟是怎么暴露的，不过余大宜也依旧保持着身为间谍的基本素养，沉着应对：“阁下找上门来，究竟……”
"Ha, weaklings always make excuses for themselves. Or do you fear that Teaching Immortal and dare not act decisively?" Li Fan sneered.
“ hái bú shì nǐ men wǔ lǎo huì ， tài ràng wǒ men shī wàng le 。 zhàn le jiǔ shān zhōu ， běn yīng dāng yī gǔ zuò qì ， chéng shèng zhuī jī 、 duō tūn bìng jǐ gè zhōu cái shì 。 zěn me zhè jiù mǎn zú ， bù dòng tán le ？”
“还不是你们五老会，太让我们失望了。占了九山州，本应当一鼓作气，乘胜追击、多吞并几个州才是。怎么这就满足，不动弹了？”
Before Yu Daya could reply, Li Fan continued, "But your concerns are valid. It's indeed not the time to launch a large-scale attack now."
yú dà yí biàn dé yǒu xiē nán kàn ：“ gé xià mò bú shì zhēn de rèn wéi ， wàn xiān méng shì hǎo xiāng yǔ de ？ cǐ fān jiǔ shān zhōu tū xí chéng gōng ， yě shì jīng guò xiáng jìn móu huà de 。 jūn bú jiàn zhè biān jìng fáng bèi shì rú hé sēn yán ？ guāng shuō zhè lǒng zhào quán bù zhōu yù de fáng hù dà zhèn ， jiù bú shì nà me róng yì tū pò de 。”
余大宜变得有些难看：“阁下莫不是真的认为，万仙盟是好相与的？此番九山州突袭成功，也是经过详尽谋划的。君不见这边境防备是如何森严？光说这笼罩全部州域的防护大阵，就不是那么容易突破的。”
"But if we take it just one step further, expand our gains slightly, it won't trigger any intervention from the Teaching Immortal."
“ jié jié ， ruò zhě dōu xǐ huān gěi zì jǐ zhǎo jiè kǒu bà le 。 hái shì shuō ， nǐ men shì wèi jù nà wèi chuán fǎ tiān zūn ， cái chí chí bù gǎn chè dǐ dòng shǒu ne ？” lǐ fán piē le yú dà yí yī yǎn ， lěng xiào dào 。
“桀桀，弱者都喜欢给自己找借口罢了。还是说，你们是畏惧那位传法天尊，才迟迟不敢彻底动手呢？”李凡撇了余大宜一眼，冷笑道。
Saying this, he threw an jade slip at Yu Daya.
bù děng duì fāng huí yìng ， lǐ fán què yòu zì gù zì de shuō dào ：“ bù guò nǐ men de gù lǜ yě duì 。 xiàn zài dí què bú shì dà jǔ jìn gōng de shí hòu 。”
不等对方回应，李凡却又自故自的说道：“不过你们的顾虑也对。现在的确不是大举进攻的时候。”
Yu Daya quickly caught and examined it.
“ bù guò ma ， shāo wēi gèng jìn yí bù 、 zài kuò dà diǎn zhàn guǒ ， yě bù zhì yú huì yǐn dé chuán fǎ chū shǒu 。”
“不过嘛，稍微更进一步、再扩大点战果，也不至于会引得传法出手。”
He could no longer maintain his composure. "The flaw in the Sky Originization Life-Generating Array?"
shuō zhe ， lǐ fán zhì le méi yù jiǎn guò qù 。
说着，李凡掷了枚玉简过去。
"Test it to see if it's true," Li Fan said with a grim smile, "But I hope you have the courage."
yú dà yí fǎn yìng hěn kuài ， jiāng qí jiē zhù hòu ， yī fān chá kàn 。
余大宜反应很快，将其接住后，一番查看。
Before he could say more, he vanished from Yu Daya’s sight.
zài yě wú fǎ wéi chí zhèn dìng ：“ tiān yuán huà shēng zhèn de pò zhàn suǒ zài ？”
再也无法维持镇定：“天元化生阵的破绽所在？”
Yu Daya tightly held onto the jade slip, his expression fluctuating between fear and determination.
tā kàn xiàng lǐ fán ， mǎn mù hài rán ：“ zhè ……”
他看向李凡，满目骇然：“这……”
This mysterious cultivator claiming to be from the Interdimensional Federation had an intimidating demeanor.
“ shì zhēn shì jiǎ ， yī shì biàn zhī 。 zhǐ bù guò xī wàng nǐ men yǒu nà ge dǎn zi 。” lǐ fán mǎn shì yīn chén dì xiào dào 。
“是真是假，一试便知。只不过希望你们有那个胆子。”李凡满是阴沉地笑道。
Not only did he know about his spy identity but also the secret of the Wanxian League's protective array.
bù děng duì fāng zài shuō ， shēn xíng yí gè shǎn shuò ， biàn xiāo shī zài duì fāng de shì yě zhōng 。
不等对方再说，身形一个闪烁，便消失在对方的视野中。
"..."
yú dà yí sǐ sǐ wò zhe yù jiǎn ， liǎn shàng yīn qíng bù dìng 。
余大宜死死握着玉简，脸上阴晴不定。
Yu Daya was now in a dilemma.
zhè wèi zì chēng wàn jiè lián hé huì de xiū shì ， lái lì shén mì 。 kǒu qì gèng shì dà de xià rén 。
这位自称万界联合会的修士，来历神秘。口气更是大的吓人。
"Do I really need to report this?"
bù jǐn zhī xiǎo zì jǐ de wò dǐ shēn fèn ， jiù lián wàn xiān méng fáng hù dà zhèn zhè děng jué mì ， tā dōu zhī dào de yì qīng èr chǔ 。
不仅知晓自己的卧底身份，就连万仙盟防护大阵这等绝密，他都知道的一清二楚。
"With such strict defenses at the front, we can only sacrifice this hard-won position."
“……”
“……”
After careful consideration, Yu Daya read through the contents of the jade slip again.
yú dà yí cǐ kè xiàn rù le yóu yù zhī zhōng 。
余大宜此刻陷入了犹豫之中。
He then went alone to a quiet part of the city and faced the Sky Originization Life-Generating Array covering the entire prefecture.
“ dào dǐ yào bù yào jiāng zhè xiāo xī chuán dì chū qù ？”
“到底要不要将这消息传递出去？”
After half a day, Yu Daya maintained his usual demeanor on the surface but could not suppress his trembling body from excitement.
“ rú jīn qián xiàn fáng bèi tài yán 。 xiǎng yào chéng gōng ， yě wéi yǒu shě qì zhè lái zhī bù yì de shēn fèn le 。”
“如今前线防备太严。想要成功，也唯有舍弃这来之不易的身份了。”
"It's really true," Yu Daya took a deep breath and suppressed his excitement.
yī fān sī liáng zhī hòu ， yú dà yí yòu zǐ xì yuè dú qǐ yù jiǎn zhōng de nèi róng 。
一番思量之后，余大宜又仔细阅读起玉简中的内容。
He continued to act normally until three days later when he seized an opportunity to leave Heshi City under some pretext.
ér hòu gū shēn lái dào chéng zhōng jì jìng chù ， miàn duì lǒng zhào zhōu yù de tiān yuán huà shēng zhèn lái 。
而后孤身来到城中寂静处，面对笼罩州域的天元化生阵来。
Li Fan slowly revealed himself. "I hope the Five Elders' Council does not disappoint me."
xiǎo bàn tiān zhī hòu ， yú dà yí biǎo miàn shén sè bù biàn 。
小半天之后，余大宜表面神色不变。
...
shí zé shēn qū yǐ jīng zhǐ bú zhù de wēi wēi chàn dǒu qǐ lái 。
实则身躯已经止不住的微微颤抖起来。
Yu Daya’s mysterious disappearance quickly caught the attention of the martial arts hall cultivators stationed in the city.
nà shì xīng fèn suǒ zhì 。
那是兴奋所致。
When they confirmed his betrayal and issued a warrant for his arrest, Yu Daya had already returned to Jiushan Prefecture and found his organization.
“ jū rán shì zhēn de 。” yú dà yí shēn xī yì kǒu qì ， qiáng yā xià xīn zhōng de jī dòng 。
“居然是真的。”余大宜深吸一口气，强压下心中的激动。
After only a short period of calm, before even the espionage incident at Heshi City or Wanxian League's accountability process could be completed,
shén sè rú cháng de zhèng cháng huó dòng 。
神色如常的正常活动。
the Five Elders' Council launched an intense attack.
zhí dào sān tiān zhī hòu ， zhuā zhù nán dé de shí jī ， jiè gù lí kāi le hè shí chéng 。
直到三天之后，抓住难得的时机，借故离开了鹤石城。
Not just Shi Lin Prefecture, but all border regions erupted into war.
lǐ fán zé shì huǎn huǎn xiàn chū shēn xíng 。
李凡则是缓缓现出身形。
The Wanxian League’s protective mystical array proved useless and merely a facade.
“ xī wàng wǔ lǎo huì bú yào ràng wǒ shī wàng a 。”
“希望五老会不要让我失望啊。”
Caught off guard, the Wanxian League suffered significant losses. Within seven days, several prefectures fell to enemy hands.
……
……
Shi Lin Prefecture, however, was still struggling due to its heavy defenses.
yú dà yí mò míng shī zōng ， hěn kuài yǐn qǐ le zhù zhā chéng nèi yǎn wǔ táng xiū shì de zhù yì 。
余大宜莫名失踪，很快引起了驻扎城内演武堂修士的注意。
The changing battlefield surprised everyone.
děng què dìng le tā zhēn de pàn táo ， lián máng xiàng biān jìng fā chū xié chá tōng jī de shí hòu 。
等确定了他真的叛逃，连忙向边境发出协查通缉的时候。
Wanxian League cultivators were suddenly in a state of panic.
yú dà yí zǎo yǐ jīng chéng gōng fǎn huí le jiǔ shān zhōu ， zhǎo dào le zǔ zhī 。
余大宜早已经成功返回了九山州，找到了组织。
---
zhǐ duǎn zàn píng jìng le xiǎo bàn gè yuè 。
只短暂平静了小半个月。
I might have caught a cold; my throat started hurting.
lián hè shí chéng jiàn dié shì gù 、 wàn xiān méng de wèn zé liú chéng dōu méi yǒu zǒu wán ， wǔ lǎo huì kuáng fēng zhòu yǔ bān de gōng jī ， jiù xùn sù lái lín 。
连鹤石城间谍事故、万仙盟的问责流程都没有走完，五老会狂风骤雨般的攻击，就迅速来临。
(End of Chapter)
Besides the险要 terrain of Jiushan Prefecture and the inefficacy of the teleportation阵, which prevented the Foundation Establishment realm cultivators from crossing the mountains and rivers,
the complete betrayal of Lingyuan Sect was another crucial reason for the repeated failures in Wanxian League's attacks.
It remains unknown what benefits the Five Elders' Council offered to Lingyuan Sect.
This organization had shown numerous fluctuations under the rule of the Wanxian Alliance, but after being placed under the control of the Five Elders' Council, it suddenly became utterly loyal and obedient.
Even going so far as to capture a few of Wanxian League's covert agents on the spot and hand them over to show their absolute loyalty.
With Jiushan Prefecture's offensive failing, Wanxian League adjusted its strategy.
They shifted from an aggressive stance to a defensive one, drawing heavy troops to defend along the border regions.
Even the protective mystical arrays were activated to cover the entire prefecture.
"Sky Originization Life-Generating Array..."
Li Fan looked up at the sky that had turned a dull yellow and the essence being constantly drawn away. He narrowed his eyes slightly.
"The Wanxian League's protective array indeed has some merit, but it is far inferior to the Heavenly Xuan Locking Spirit Array. With my Disentanglement Plate in hand, I can break through at any moment," he thought as many images flashed across his mind.
In an instant, with a light flick of his fingers, Li Fan seemed to create a vacuum around him.
The Sky Originization Life-Generating Array's ability to draw essence from the heavens and earth lost its effect within his vicinity.
More importantly, no one noticed anything amiss.
"The Wanxian League's protective array is not easily broken by the Five Elders' Council in normal circumstances."
"Perhaps this war will soon reach a stalemate, slowly fading into oblivion..."
"No, no! Let me lend you a helping hand!"
Li Fan chuckled and flew towards the border of Shi Lin Prefecture.
Instead of crossing the defenses to Jiushan Prefecture,
he landed near a small city named [Heshi] on the border, close to the White Mist Barrier.
A group of Wanxian League's martial arts hall cultivators were stationed in this city.
Heshi was also carefully overseeing and checking the defensive measures such as the array and prohibitions.
Without alerting the guards, Li Fan sneaked into the city.
After they finally dispersed, he quietly found Heshi.
His name was Yu Daya, a Foundation Establishment realm cultivator with a large belly. He had a kind face that looked very honest.
He was sipping some spirit tea to calm his nerves when suddenly, Li Fan appeared before him without any warning.
Yu Daya's expression changed as he tried to call for help.
But seeing the interest in Li Fan’s eyes, he held back what was about to be said.
"Who are you?" Yu Daya asked with narrowed eyes.
"You should know the Interdimensional Federation," Li Fan said with an odd voice.
Yu Daya's face changed again, but he did not acknowledge it.
Li Fan continued to scrutinize him and laughed, "You've been thoroughly compromised. The Wanxian League is indeed on its last legs!"
Yu Daya’s aura suddenly became uncertain and perilous as Li Fan spoke.
"Don't worry. Your Five Elders' Council spy identity is known only by us in the Interdimensional Federation," Li Fan said coolly, casting a glance at him.
At this point, Yu Daya finally dropped his facade.
Though he didn’t know how he was exposed, he still maintained the basic素养 of a spy and responded calmly: "Why have you come to me?"
"Because your Five Elders' Council has disappointed us. You should have taken Jiushan Prefecture and continued to expand your territory instead of stopping now," Li Fan said coldly.
Yu Daya looked displeased, "Do you really think the Wanxian League is easy to deal with? This sudden attack on Jiushan Prefecture was well-planned. Look at how strict the defenses are here! The protective array covering the entire prefecture isn't easily broken."
"Ha, weaklings always make excuses for themselves. Or do you fear that Teaching Immortal and dare not act decisively?" Li Fan sneered.
Before Yu Daya could reply, Li Fan continued, "But your concerns are valid. It's indeed not the time to launch a large-scale attack now."
"But if we take it just one step further, expand our gains slightly, it won't trigger any intervention from the Teaching Immortal."
Saying this, he threw an jade slip at Yu Daya.
Yu Daya quickly caught and examined it.
He could no longer maintain his composure. "The flaw in the Sky Originization Life-Generating Array?"
"Test it to see if it's true," Li Fan said with a grim smile, "But I hope you have the courage."
Before he could say more, he vanished from Yu Daya’s sight.
Yu Daya tightly held onto the jade slip, his expression fluctuating between fear and determination.
This mysterious cultivator claiming to be from the Interdimensional Federation had an intimidating demeanor.
Not only did he know about his spy identity but also the secret of the Wanxian League's protective array.
"..."
Yu Daya was now in a dilemma.
"Do I really need to report this?"
"With such strict defenses at the front, we can only sacrifice this hard-won position."
After careful consideration, Yu Daya read through the contents of the jade slip again.
He then went alone to a quiet part of the city and faced the Sky Originization Life-Generating Array covering the entire prefecture.
After half a day, Yu Daya maintained his usual demeanor on the surface but could not suppress his trembling body from excitement.
"It's really true," Yu Daya took a deep breath and suppressed his excitement.
He continued to act normally until three days later when he seized an opportunity to leave Heshi City under some pretext.
Li Fan slowly revealed himself. "I hope the Five Elders' Council does not disappoint me."
...
Yu Daya’s mysterious disappearance quickly caught the attention of the martial arts hall cultivators stationed in the city.
When they confirmed his betrayal and issued a warrant for his arrest, Yu Daya had already returned to Jiushan Prefecture and found his organization.
After only a short period of calm, before even the espionage incident at Heshi City or Wanxian League's accountability process could be completed,
the Five Elders' Council launched an intense attack.
Not just Shi Lin Prefecture, but all border regions erupted into war.
The Wanxian League’s protective mystical array proved useless and merely a facade.
Caught off guard, the Wanxian League suffered significant losses. Within seven days, several prefectures fell to enemy hands.
Shi Lin Prefecture, however, was still struggling due to its heavy defenses.
The changing battlefield surprised everyone.
Wanxian League cultivators were suddenly in a state of panic.
---
I might have caught a cold; my throat started hurting.
(End of Chapter)