tīng dào jī yǔ zhēn rú cǐ shuō ， xuān yuán hóng miàn sè yī chén ：“ hú nào ！”
听到姬予桢如此说，轩辕宏面色一沉：“胡闹！”
Hearing Ji Yuzhen's words, Xuan Tian Wang Qian Hong's expression darkened: "Ridiculous!"
“ nǐ xiū de gōng fǎ wǒ néng bù qīng chǔ ？ suī rán néng fēn hún qiān wàn ， dàn shì néng zhì liáo wǒ shāng shì de ， bì dìng yě shì qí zhōng zuì wèi jīng cuì de yuán shǐ zhī hún 。 nǐ méi le zhī hòu yě huì xiū wèi dà sǔn ！”
“你修的功法我能不清楚？虽然能分魂千万，但是能治疗我伤势的，必定也是其中最为精粹的原始之魂。你没了之后也会修为大损！”
"Can't you see the essence of my cultivation technique? Although it can split into a thousand souls, only the most refined and original soul can heal my injuries. You'll suffer great losses in your cultivation after that!"
“ wǒ qǐ huì rú cǐ zuò ！”
“我岂会如此做！”
"I would never do such a thing!"
bù guò kàn zhe jī yǔ zhēn yī jiù qiǎn xiào de miàn páng ， xuān yuán hóng yě rěn bú zhù zài zé bèi 。
不过看着姬予桢依旧浅笑的面庞，轩辕宏也忍不住再责备。
However, Qian Hong couldn't help but continue scolding Ji Yuzhen's calm face.
ér shì ān wèi dào ：“ zhēn ér nǐ fàng xīn ， xiǎo shāng bà le 。 wǒ bì guān xiū xíng yī duàn shí jiān ， zì huì quán yù 。”
而是安慰道：“祯儿你放心，小伤罢了。我闭关修行一段时间，自会痊愈。”
Instead, he comforted her: "Zhen'er, don't worry. It's just a minor injury. I will recover after closing myself off for some time."
jī yǔ zhēn mò mò diǎn tóu ， shì xiàn luò zài xuān yuán hóng shēn shàng ， jiǔ jiǔ méi yǒu yí kāi 。
姬予桢默默点头，视线落在轩辕宏身上，久久没有移开。
Ji Yuzhen nodded silently and kept her gaze on Xuan Tian Wang Qian Hong without moving it away.
yī chù dà diàn zhī nèi 。
一处大殿之内。
In a grand hall,
xuán tiān wáng xuān yuán hóng zuò zài zhèng shàng fāng ， shí èr wèi fǎ wáng zhàn yú diàn zhōng 。
玄天王轩辕宏坐在正上方，十二位法王站于殿中。
Xuan Tian Wang Qian Hong sat at the top, with twelve Dharmic Kings standing in the hall.
“ shàng cì yǔ tiān dōu dà fǎ shī yī zhàn ， wǒ suī rán shòu le diǎn xiǎo shāng ， dàn yě cóng duì fāng shēn shàng shōu huò liáng duō 。”
“上次与天都大法师一战，我虽然受了点小伤，但也从对方身上收获良多。”
"During my last battle with Heavenly Capital's Great Dharmic Master, I suffered some minor injuries but also gained much from him."
“ wǒ jiāng bì guān yī duàn shí jiān 。 zhè qī jiān ， jiào zhōng dà xiǎo shì wù jiù yào láo fán zhū wèi le ！” xuān yuán hóng sù rán dào 。
“我将闭关一段时间。这期间，教中大小事务就要劳烦诸位了！”轩辕宏肃然道。
"I will retreat and cultivate for a while. During this period, all affairs of the sect will be your responsibility!" Qian Hong said solemnly.
“ xuán tiān wáng jǐn guǎn fàng xīn ， dìng bú huì chū shén me chā chí ！” nà wèi míng wèi cuī lǎo de fǎ wáng fǔ xū yīng dào 。
“玄天王尽管放心，定不会出什么差池！”那位名为崔老的法王抚须应道。
"The Xuan Tian Wang can rest assured; nothing will go wrong!" the old Dharmic King named Cui replied with a beard stroke.
xuān yuán hóng diǎn le diǎn tóu ：“ cǐ cì ruò shì gōng chéng ， wǒ shuō bù dìng néng zài xià jiè zhòng sù zhēn xiān zhī qū 。 dào shí hòu ， tuō lí zhì àn xīng hǎi de jì huà yě jiāng dà dà tí qián ！”
轩辕宏点了点头：“此次若是功成，我说不定能在下界重塑真仙之躯。到时候，脱离至暗星海的计划也将大大提前！”
Qian Hong nodded: "If I succeed in my cultivation, I might be able to recreate my true immortal body. At that time, our plan to leave the darkest star sea will advance significantly!"
cǐ yán yī chū ， qí yú shí èr wèi xiū shì miàn sè gè yì 。
此言一出，其余十二位修士面色各异。
These words caused the other twelve cultivators' expressions to vary widely—some were delighted and congratulatory; others showed indifference or apathy.
yǒu xīn xǐ 、 zhù hè zhě ， yǒu dàn rán 、 mò bù guān xīn zhě 。
有欣喜、祝贺者，有淡然、漠不关心者。
...
hái yǒu shén qíng yán sù 、 kàn bù chū nèi xīn xiǎng fǎ zhě 。
还有神情严肃、看不出内心想法者。
In a dark secret chamber,
……
……
"Zhen'er, I've sensed someone stirring recently. The person who contacted you earlier..."
yōu àn de mì shì zhōng 。
幽暗的密室中。
"Go find him," Qian Hong said with a faint tone that concealed some murderous intent.
“ zhēn ér ， wǒ chá jué dào ， zuì jìn sì hū yǒu rén zài chǔn chǔn yù dòng le 。 zhī qián àn zhōng lián xì nǐ de nà rén ……”
“帧儿，我察觉到，最近似乎有人在蠢蠢欲动了。之前暗中联系你的那人……”
Ji Yuzhen was slightly stunned but quickly understood: "Brother Qian, are you suggesting luring the snake out of its hole?"
“ qù zhǎo tā ba 。” xuān yuán hóng dàn dàn de yǔ qì zhōng ， yǐn cáng zhe xiē xǔ de shā yì 。
“去找他吧。”轩辕宏淡淡的语气中，隐藏着些许的杀意。
Qian Hong's face turned grim as he replied: "Exactly! This time, I'll also deal with Heavenly Capital's Great Dharmic Master!"
jī yǔ zhēn wēi wēi yí zhèng ， suí hòu fǎn yìng guò lái ：“ xuān yuán dà gē nǐ de yì si shì ， yǐn shé chū dòng ？”
姬予桢微微一怔，随后反应过来：“轩辕大哥你的意思是，引蛇出洞？”
Ji Yuzhen's eyes lit up in surprise: "Brother Qian, have you already突破ed?"
xuān yuán hóng miàn sè sēn rán dào ：“ bù cuò ！ zhè cì zhèng hǎo lián tiān dōu dà fǎ shī yì qǐ shōu shí ！”
轩辕宏面色森然道：“不错！这次正好连天都大法师一起收拾！”
Qian Hong nodded with a smile.
jī yǔ zhēn yǎn jīng yī liàng ， yǒu xiē jīng xǐ ：“ xuān yuán dà gē nǐ yǐ jīng tū pò le ？”
姬予桢眼睛一亮，有些惊喜：“轩辕大哥你已经突破了？”
Ji Yuzhen took a deep breath and suppressed her excitement.
xuān yuán hóng xiào zhe diǎn diǎn tóu 。
轩辕宏笑着点点头。
"Alright. I've been pretending to him all along. I'll contact him as soon as I return."
jī yǔ zhēn shēn xī le kǒu qì ， jiāng xīn zhōng jī dòng de xīn qíng yā xià 。
姬予桢深吸了口气，将心中激动的心情压下。
"Hmm. Be careful of everything."
“ hǎo ， wǒ yì zhí yǒu zài gēn nà rén xū yǔ wēi yí 。 děng wǒ huí qù mǎ shàng lián xì tā 。”
“好，我一直有在跟那人虚与委蛇。等我回去马上联系他。”
...
“ ń 。 wàn shì xiǎo xīn 。”
“嗯。万事小心。”
Bloodlight filled the sky.
……
……
The cries of countless cultivators dying in agony echoed.
xuè guāng chōng tiān 。
血光冲天。
"Zhen'er, escape quickly..."
wú shù xiū shì lín sǐ qián de cǎn jiào shēng chuán lái 。
无数修士临死前的惨叫声传来。
After receiving this message, Qian Hong's aura completely vanished.
“ zhēn ér ， kuài táo ……”
“帧儿，快逃……”
Ji Yuzhen flew towards where she last sensed Qian Hong's aura.
zì zhuàn lái yī dào xùn xī hòu ， xuān yuán hóng de qì xī jiù chè dǐ xiāo shī bú jiàn 。
自传来一道讯息后，轩辕宏的气息就彻底消失不见。
However, something seemed to have drawn many other cultivators' attention there.
jī yǔ zhēn cháo zhe zuì hòu gǎn yìng dào xuān yuán hóng qì xī de dì fāng fēi chí ér qù 。
姬予桢朝着最后感应到轩辕宏气息的地方飞驰而去。
Not just her; the other Dharmic Kings and those deceived by Heavenly Capital's Great Dharmic Master all rushed toward that place simultaneously.
dàn shì nà biān sì hū yǒu shén me yì cháng yǐn qǐ le qí tā xǔ duō xiū shì de guān zhù 。
但是那边似乎有什么异常引起了其他许多修士的关注。
Fighting while racing:
bù zhǐ shì tā ， qí yú de fǎ wáng ， yǐ jí nà xiē bèi tiān dōu dà fǎ shī gǔ huò de zhū duō xiū shì men ， quán dōu bù yuē ér tóng de cháo zhe nà lǐ gǎn qù 。
不止是他，其余的法王，以及那些被天都大法师蛊惑的诸多修士们，全都不约而同的朝着那里赶去。
"Little sister, the enemy numbers are too great! Find Brother Qian first, then strategize!" Zhou Yangli, a young cultivator among the twelve, said with a serious expression as he transmitted his voice.
yī biān zhàn dòu ， yī biān jí chí 。
一边战斗，一边疾驰。
Ji Yuzhen's unease grew stronger.
“ xiǎo mèi ， dí rén de shù liàng tài duō le ！ xiān zhǎo dào xuān yuán dà gē ， suí hòu zài cóng cháng jì yì ！” shí èr fǎ wáng zhōng ， míng wèi zhōu yáng lǐ de qīng nián xiū shì miàn sè níng zhòng 、 chuán yīn dào 。
“小妹，敌人的数量太多了！先找到轩辕大哥，随后再从长计议！”十二法王中，名为周扬礼的青年修士面色凝重、传音道。
Indeed, the number of suspicious cultivators far exceeded her expectations. But if Qian Hong was here, everything would be fine.
jī yǔ zhēn xīn zhōng de bù ān yě shì yuè lái yuè nóng 。
姬予桢心中的不安也是越来越浓。
But...
dí què ， yì tú bù guǐ xiū shì de shù liàng ， shí zài yǒu xiē chāo chū tā de yù jì 。 dàn rú guǒ xuān yuán hóng zài ， zhè yī qiè dōu bú shì wèn tí 。
的确，意图不轨修士的数量，实在有些超出她的预计。但如果轩辕宏在，这一切都不是问题。
Ignoring the souls that turned into green light and clearing dense enemies ahead, Ji Yuzhen sped up even more.
wú shì shén hún huà zuò qīng guāng 、 jiāng qián fāng mì jí de dí rén sǎo chú ， jī yǔ zhēn zài dù jiā kuài le sù dù 。
无视神魂化作青光、将前方密集的敌人扫除，姬予桢再度加快了速度。
The scene abruptly ended here.
……
……
Li Fan carefully reorganized his thoughts to ensure no details were missed: "I never expected that the sudden attack by the Ten Dao Sects was intentional. Xuan Tian Wang wanted to lure out the unstable factors within the Xuanhuang Realm."
huà miàn dào cǐ chù jiù jiá rán ér zhǐ 。
画面到此处就戛然而止。
"But for some reason, at this critical moment, something unexpected happened to Xuan Tian Wang himself."
lǐ fán yòu zǐ xì chóng xīn zhěng lǐ le yī fān ， què dìng méi yǒu yí lòu de bù fèn 。
李凡又仔细重新整理了一番，确定没有遗漏的部分。
"Interesting..."
“ méi xiǎng dào ， dāng nián xiān dào shí zōng de tū xí ， jìng rán shì xuán tiān wáng yǒu yì wèi zhī 。 xiǎng yào jiāng xuán huáng jiè nèi bù de bù wěn dìng yīn sù yǐn yòu chū lái ， bì qí gōng yú yī yì 。”
“没想到，当年仙道十宗的突袭，竟然是玄天王有意为之。想要将玄黄界内部的不稳定因素引诱出来，毕其功于一役。”
Li Fan's eyes narrowed: "If the information Ji Yuzhen recalled is true, then Xuan Tian Wang had already advanced beyond his half-immortal body. With the invincibility of the Xuanhuang Realm and his breakthrough, who could possibly be a match for him?"
“ kě bù zhī wèi hé ， zhè guān jiàn shí hòu ， xuán tiān wáng běn shēn què chū le biàn gù 。”
“可不知为何，这关键时候，玄天王本身却出了变故。”
"The Ten Dao Sects? Heavenly Capital's Great Dharmic Master? Or..."
“ yǒu qù ……”
“有趣……”
A faceless stone statue suddenly flashed before Li Fan.
lǐ fán yǎn jīng mī qǐ ：“ rú guǒ cóng jī yǔ zhēn jì yì zhōng huò qǔ de xìn xī wèi zhēn de huà ， nà me dāng shí xuán tiān wáng yǐ jīng zài bàn xiān zhī qū de jī chǔ shàng gèng jìn yí bù 。 běn jiù xuán huáng jiè wú dí ， yòu yǒu tū pò hòu ， jiū jìng shuí néng huì shì tā de duì shǒu ？”
李凡眼睛眯起：“如果从姬予桢记忆中获取的信息为真的话，那么当时玄天王已经在半仙之躯的基础上更进一步。本就玄黄界无敌，又有突破后，究竟谁能会是他的对手？”
For some reason, he felt a faint sense of dread.
“ xiān dào shí zōng ？ tiān dōu dà fǎ shī ？ yì huò zhě shì ……”
“仙道十宗？天都大法师？亦或者是……”
"This faceless deity was created by Xuan Tian Wang Qian Hong to thank the Faceless True Immortal for saving his life in the ascension channel."
lǐ fán yǎn qián hū rán shǎn guò nà zūn wú miàn shí xiàng lái 。
李凡眼前忽然闪过那尊无面石像来。
"Based on current evidence, Xuan Tian Wang Qian Hong is indeed a person of high moral character."
xīn zhōng bù zhī wèi hé ， yǒng qǐ dàn dàn de jīng sǒng gǎn 。
心中不知为何，涌起淡淡的惊悚感。
"But as for this Faceless True Immortal..."
“ zhè wú miàn shén xiàng ， shì xuān yuán hóng wèi le gǎn jī dāng nián zài fēi shēng tōng dào zhōng ， wú miàn zhēn xiān de jiù mìng zhī ēn ér dǎ zào de 。”
“这无面神像，是轩辕宏为了感激当年在飞升通道中，无面真仙的救命之恩而打造的。”
"It's uncertain."
“ cóng mù qián lái kàn ， xuán tiān wáng xuān yuán hóng ， dí què shì pǐn xíng gāo jié zhī rén méi cuò 。”
“从目前来看，玄天王轩辕宏，的确是品行高洁之人没错。”
Li Fan analyzed silently: "Saving my life back then doesn't mean anything. In the eyes of a True Immortal, half-immortal Xuan Tian Wang might be no different from an ordinary mortal—no value to exploit."
“ dàn zhè wú miàn zhēn xiān ma ……”
“但这无面真仙嘛……”
"But once Xuan Tian Wang凝聚ed his true immortal body, everything changed."
“ jiù shuō bù zhǔn le 。”
“就说不准了。”
Li Fan darkly speculated about what might have happened in the past.
lǐ fán àn zì fèn xī zhe ：“ dāng nián suí shǒu jiù le xuān yuán hóng yī mìng ， bìng bù néng shuō míng shén me 。”
李凡暗自分析着：“当年随手救了轩辕宏一命，并不能说明什么。”
The more he thought about it, the more logical it seemed. Just like how he had been kind and approachable when dealing with commoners but fierce and different when facing officials.
“ huò xǔ zài zhēn xiān yǎn zhōng ， bàn xiān zhī qū de xuān yuán hóng ， gēn xún cháng fán rén bìng méi yǒu shén me qū bié 。 méi yǒu lì yòng de jià zhí 。”
“或许在真仙眼中，半仙之躯的轩辕宏，跟寻常凡人并没有什么区别。没有利用的价值。”
By analogy, that faceless deity might also show different faces to different people.
“ dàn dāng xuān yuán hóng níng jù zhēn xiān zhī qū hòu ， zhè yī qiè jiù bù yí yàng le 。”
“但当轩辕宏凝聚真仙之躯后，这一切就不一样了。”
This theory explained why the power behind the faceless statue didn't care much about prayers from the Xuanhuang Realm, instead focusing on Li Fan.
lǐ fán yīn àn de chuǎi cè zhe dāng nián kě néng fā shēng de shì qíng 。
李凡阴暗的揣测着当年可能发生的事情。
"Even if I use the faceless statue's abilities temporarily, it seems safe as long as I don't manifest [immortal] power..."
yuè xiǎng yuè jué de de zài lǐ 。
越想越觉得的在理。
Although he had deduced this hypothesis, Li Fan still wasn't lowering his guard against the faceless statue.
jiù xiàng tā dāng chū zài dà xuán ， miàn duì xún cháng bǎi xìng ， yě shì hé yán yuè sè 、 píng yì jìn rén 。
就像他当初在大玄，面对寻常百姓，也是和颜悦色、平易近人。
After all, even Xuan Tian Wang could fall victim to that stone statue.
dàn shì duì dài cháo yě bǎi guān de shí hòu ， zé shì hǔ shì dān dān 、 pàn ruò liǎng rén 。
但是对待朝野百官的时候，则是虎视眈眈、判若两人。
How could Li Fan not be cautious?
yóu jǐ jí rén ， xiǎng lái nà wú miàn zhēn xiān ， huò xǔ yě shì miàn duì bù tóng de rén qún shí 、 huì zhǎn xiàn chū bù tóng de miàn kǒng 。
由己及人，想来那无面真仙，或许也是面对不同的人群时、会展现出不同的面孔。
"Ji Yuzhen's memories are incomplete. The crucial moments and her cultivation techniques' information aren't here."
ér zhè zhǒng lǐ lùn ， yě hěn hǎo jiě shì liǎo wú miàn shén xiàng bèi hòu de lì liàng ， wèi shén me duì yú lái zì xuán huáng jiè de qí qiú bìng bù zěn me zài yì 。 zhǐ shì jiāng qí zhuǎn yí dào lǐ fán shēn shàng 。
而这种理论，也很好解释了无面神像背后的力量，为什么对于来自玄黄界的祈求并不怎么在意。只是将其转移到李凡身上。
"Perhaps they're hidden."
“ kàn lái jí biàn shǐ yòng wú miàn shén xiàng de gōng néng ， yě zàn shí shì ān quán de 。 zhǐ yào bù biǎo xiàn chū 【 xiān 】 de lì liàng de huà ……”
“看来即便使用无面神像的功能，也暂时是安全的。只要不表现出【仙】的力量的话……”
Li Fan looked around at the floating flowers in the air.
suī rán tuī lǐ chū le zhè ge cāi cè ， dàn lǐ fán què yě méi yǒu jiàng dī duì wú miàn shén xiàng de jiè xīn 。
虽然推理出了这个猜测，但李凡却也没有降低对无面神像的戒心。
"Xuan Tian Wang said that after cultivating 'Infinite Heavenly Pivot Spirit Separation Technique,' there is a distinction between myriad souls and original souls."
bì jìng nà wèi xuán tiān wáng ， dōu yǒu kě néng zāi zài zhè shí xiàng shàng 。
毕竟那位玄天王，都有可能栽在这石像上。
"Now it seems Ji Yuzhen's soul fragments are circulating here. The memories I obtained are from those soul fragments."
lǐ fán yòu zěn me kě néng bù xīn yǒu jì dàn 。
李凡又怎么可能不心有忌惮。
"As for the truly important information contained in the original soul..."
“ jī yǔ zhēn de jì yì shì bù wán quán de 。 zuì guān jiàn shí kè de jì yì ， bāo kuò tā xiū xíng gōng fǎ shí hòu de ， quán dōu bù zài cǐ chù 。”
“姬予桢的记忆是不完全的。最关键时刻的记忆，包括她修行功法时候的，全都不在此处。”
Li Fan searched the ring-shaped mountain again, frowning: "It's not here?"
“ yì huò zhě shuō ， shì yǐn cáng le qǐ lái 。”
“亦或者说，是隐藏了起来。”
"Maybe it's hidden too deeply; beyond my current capabilities to detect."
lǐ fán huán shì cǐ chù màn tiān piāo líng de huā duǒ 。
李凡环视此处漫天飘零的花朵。
After a long time, Li Fan reluctantly gave up.
“ xuán tiān wáng shuō guò ， xiū xíng 《 wú liàng tiān shū lí shén gōng 》 hòu ， yǒu zhe wàn qiān fēn hún yǔ yuán shǐ zhī hún de qū bié 。”
“玄天王说过，修行《无量天枢离神功》后，有着万千分魂与原始之魂的区别。”
But this also provided him with some insights.
“ xiàn zài kàn lái ， zhè huán xíng shān zhōng yóu lí zhe de ， jiù shì jī yǔ zhēn de fēn hún 。 wǒ suǒ huò qǔ de ， yě shì fēn hún zhōng fā sàn de jì yì 。”
“现在看来，这环形山中游离着的，就是姬予桢的分魂。我所获取的，也是分魂中发散的记忆。”
"With the information obtained from here and what I gleaned from Mo Ru Bin's mind, I can impersonate an ancient Xuan Tian Sect member."
“ zhì yú cáng zhe zhēn zhèng zhòng yào xìn xī de yuán shǐ zhī hún ……”
“至于藏着真正重要信息的原始之魂……”
"If there are minor discrepancies during confrontation, I can explain it by claiming my soul was damaged and memories lost."
lǐ fán zài dù jiāng zhè huán xíng shān zhōng sōu suǒ le yī fān ， ér hòu méi tóu wēi zhòu ：“ jū rán bù zài cǐ chù ？”
李凡再度将这环形山中搜索了一番，而后眉头微皱：“居然不在此处？”
"The only flaw is that the Xuan Tian Sect cultivation techniques cannot be replicated."
“ yào bù rán ， jiù shì yǐn cáng de tài shēn le 。 bú shì xiàn zài de wǒ néng fā jué de 。”
“要不然，就是隐藏的太深了。不是现在的我能发觉的。”
Li Fan recalled the few Xuan Tian Sect cultivation techniques he had obtained in Sister Zhao's illusion.
xǔ jiǔ zhī hòu ， bù gān de lǐ fán zhōng yú wú nài fàng qì 。
许久之后，不甘的李凡终于无奈放弃。
---
bù guò zhè yě gěi le lǐ fán diǎn qǐ shì 。
不过这也给了李凡点启示。
That's all for today. Time to梳理the outline and plot direction for the next chapter.
“ píng cóng cǐ chù huò dé de xìn xī ， zài jiā shàng cóng mò rú bīn nǎo hǎi zhōng kuī tàn ér lái de zhǒng zhǒng 。 zú yǐ jiǎ bàn wèi shàng gǔ xuán tiān jiào de yī yuán le 。”
“凭从此处获得的信息，再加上从墨儒斌脑海中窥探而来的种种。足以假扮为上古玄天教的一员了。”
(End of Chapter)
Hearing Ji Yuzhen's words, Xuan Tian Wang Qian Hong's expression darkened: "Ridiculous!"
"Can't you see the essence of my cultivation technique? Although it can split into a thousand souls, only the most refined and original soul can heal my injuries. You'll suffer great losses in your cultivation after that!"
"I would never do such a thing!"
However, Qian Hong couldn't help but continue scolding Ji Yuzhen's calm face.
Instead, he comforted her: "Zhen'er, don't worry. It's just a minor injury. I will recover after closing myself off for some time."
Ji Yuzhen nodded silently and kept her gaze on Xuan Tian Wang Qian Hong without moving it away.
...
In a grand hall,
Xuan Tian Wang Qian Hong sat at the top, with twelve Dharmic Kings standing in the hall.
"During my last battle with Heavenly Capital's Great Dharmic Master, I suffered some minor injuries but also gained much from him."
"I will retreat and cultivate for a while. During this period, all affairs of the sect will be your responsibility!" Qian Hong said solemnly.
"The Xuan Tian Wang can rest assured; nothing will go wrong!" the old Dharmic King named Cui replied with a beard stroke.
Qian Hong nodded: "If I succeed in my cultivation, I might be able to recreate my true immortal body. At that time, our plan to leave the darkest star sea will advance significantly!"
These words caused the other twelve cultivators' expressions to vary widely—some were delighted and congratulatory; others showed indifference or apathy.
...
In a dark secret chamber,
"Zhen'er, I've sensed someone stirring recently. The person who contacted you earlier..."
"Go find him," Qian Hong said with a faint tone that concealed some murderous intent.
Ji Yuzhen was slightly stunned but quickly understood: "Brother Qian, are you suggesting luring the snake out of its hole?"
Qian Hong's face turned grim as he replied: "Exactly! This time, I'll also deal with Heavenly Capital's Great Dharmic Master!"
Ji Yuzhen's eyes lit up in surprise: "Brother Qian, have you already突破ed?"
Qian Hong nodded with a smile.
Ji Yuzhen took a deep breath and suppressed her excitement.
"Alright. I've been pretending to him all along. I'll contact him as soon as I return."
"Hmm. Be careful of everything."
...
Bloodlight filled the sky.
The cries of countless cultivators dying in agony echoed.
"Zhen'er, escape quickly..."
After receiving this message, Qian Hong's aura completely vanished.
Ji Yuzhen flew towards where she last sensed Qian Hong's aura.
However, something seemed to have drawn many other cultivators' attention there.
Not just her; the other Dharmic Kings and those deceived by Heavenly Capital's Great Dharmic Master all rushed toward that place simultaneously.
Fighting while racing:
"Little sister, the enemy numbers are too great! Find Brother Qian first, then strategize!" Zhou Yangli, a young cultivator among the twelve, said with a serious expression as he transmitted his voice.
Ji Yuzhen's unease grew stronger.
Indeed, the number of suspicious cultivators far exceeded her expectations. But if Qian Hong was here, everything would be fine.
But...
Ignoring the souls that turned into green light and clearing dense enemies ahead, Ji Yuzhen sped up even more.
...
The scene abruptly ended here.
Li Fan carefully reorganized his thoughts to ensure no details were missed: "I never expected that the sudden attack by the Ten Dao Sects was intentional. Xuan Tian Wang wanted to lure out the unstable factors within the Xuanhuang Realm."
"But for some reason, at this critical moment, something unexpected happened to Xuan Tian Wang himself."
"Interesting..."
Li Fan's eyes narrowed: "If the information Ji Yuzhen recalled is true, then Xuan Tian Wang had already advanced beyond his half-immortal body. With the invincibility of the Xuanhuang Realm and his breakthrough, who could possibly be a match for him?"
"The Ten Dao Sects? Heavenly Capital's Great Dharmic Master? Or..."
A faceless stone statue suddenly flashed before Li Fan.
For some reason, he felt a faint sense of dread.
"This faceless deity was created by Xuan Tian Wang Qian Hong to thank the Faceless True Immortal for saving his life in the ascension channel."
"Based on current evidence, Xuan Tian Wang Qian Hong is indeed a person of high moral character."
"But as for this Faceless True Immortal..."
"It's uncertain."
Li Fan analyzed silently: "Saving my life back then doesn't mean anything. In the eyes of a True Immortal, half-immortal Xuan Tian Wang might be no different from an ordinary mortal—no value to exploit."
"But once Xuan Tian Wang凝聚ed his true immortal body, everything changed."
Li Fan darkly speculated about what might have happened in the past.
The more he thought about it, the more logical it seemed. Just like how he had been kind and approachable when dealing with commoners but fierce and different when facing officials.
By analogy, that faceless deity might also show different faces to different people.
This theory explained why the power behind the faceless statue didn't care much about prayers from the Xuanhuang Realm, instead focusing on Li Fan.
"Even if I use the faceless statue's abilities temporarily, it seems safe as long as I don't manifest [immortal] power..."
Although he had deduced this hypothesis, Li Fan still wasn't lowering his guard against the faceless statue.
After all, even Xuan Tian Wang could fall victim to that stone statue.
How could Li Fan not be cautious?
"Ji Yuzhen's memories are incomplete. The crucial moments and her cultivation techniques' information aren't here."
"Perhaps they're hidden."
Li Fan looked around at the floating flowers in the air.
"Xuan Tian Wang said that after cultivating 'Infinite Heavenly Pivot Spirit Separation Technique,' there is a distinction between myriad souls and original souls."
"Now it seems Ji Yuzhen's soul fragments are circulating here. The memories I obtained are from those soul fragments."
"As for the truly important information contained in the original soul..."
Li Fan searched the ring-shaped mountain again, frowning: "It's not here?"
"Maybe it's hidden too deeply; beyond my current capabilities to detect."
After a long time, Li Fan reluctantly gave up.
But this also provided him with some insights.
"With the information obtained from here and what I gleaned from Mo Ru Bin's mind, I can impersonate an ancient Xuan Tian Sect member."
"If there are minor discrepancies during confrontation, I can explain it by claiming my soul was damaged and memories lost."
"The only flaw is that the Xuan Tian Sect cultivation techniques cannot be replicated."
Li Fan recalled the few Xuan Tian Sect cultivation techniques he had obtained in Sister Zhao's illusion.
---
That's all for today. Time to梳理the outline and plot direction for the next chapter.
(End of Chapter)