Chapter 1037

A Game of Deception

Above Weidu, Li Fan remained silent.

According to the memories of the mortals in the city, the Heavenly Profound Mirror clone disappeared the day after the anomalies appeared in the four states.

After searching around, no trace of it was found.

Squinting his eyes, Li Fan didn't give up and went to the hidden cave heaven where he had previously met Mo Rubing.

There were no signs of any cultivators ever having visited.

"Could it be..."

"...that Mo Rubing and the Heavenly Profound Mirror simply fled?"

This thought suddenly surfaced in Li Fan's mind.

With the blue light of the Dao Transformation Stone flowing, Li Fan quickly reviewed the entire plan from beginning to end.

This time, he didn't view it from his own perspective, but purely as an outsider.

From the very beginning, when Mo Rubing was rescued.

Then feigning madness and foolishness, disguising himself as Sun Xingwang to gain Mo Rubing's trust.

The two devised a plan to obtain information about King Xuantian from the Heavenly Profound Mirror.

The initial steps of the plan seemed very successful. It wasn't until the final step that something unexpected happened.

Scene after scene flashed rapidly before Li Fan's eyes.

Watching his seemingly flawless performance, and Mo Rubing, who had played along with him, Li Fan's face twitched.

Although he had a vague suspicion that he might have been tricked by Mo Rubing.

Li Fan still held onto a sliver of hope.

Returning to the Spirit Wood Realm, he forcefully interrupted Artisan Qiaogong's research and handed over the antique bronze mirror Mo Rubing had given him.

"A realm... realm artifact?"

Artisan Qiaogong's expression instantly turned very strange.

He secretly glanced at Li Fan, then carefully chose his words: "Pardon my poor eyesight, but this seems to be..."

"'What 'seems to be'? Isn't it just an ordinary bronze mirror? Look at this patina, good heavens, who knows where it was dug up from.' Fang Zaiji in this life had not yet witnessed Li Fan's prestige, so he spoke very boldly and directly."

"I understand. Thank you, Fellow Daoist Qiaogong." Li Fan's expression showed no emotion, and with a flash, he disappeared before them.

"What's going on, wasting our time..." Fang Zaiji was very displeased with Li Fan's interruption and was about to complain further when Artisan Qiaogong directly cut him off.

"'Just say less. The envoy's mood doesn't seem to be very good,' Artisan Qiaogong whispered."

In the underground secret chamber of the Spirit Wood Realm.

Li Fan held the small, verdigris-covered mirror in his hand, his expression completely frozen.

"A realm artifact..."

"Interesting."

With a *bang*, Li Fan exerted slight pressure and crushed the bronze mirror to dust.

"After so many years of reincarnation, this is the first time I've been fooled."

At this point, even if Li Fan was unwilling to admit it, he could no longer deny the truth.

Perhaps Mo Rubing never took Li Fan's identity as a Dharma King of the Xuantian Sect seriously from the start. However, during their interactions, he discovered that Li Fan's strength might be worth exploiting. Thus, he feigned cooperation, using Li Fan's power to release the Heavenly Profound Mirror.

Poor Li Fan had always thought his act was very convincing.

But looking back now, there were indeed many loopholes that couldn't be explained by the madness caused by his cultivation technique.

For example, aside from recalling some past events, Li Fan's speech and demeanor were completely different from the real Sun Xingwang.

For instance, Li Fan displayed astonishing formation abilities at many critical moments.

And then there's...

"Perhaps it was the contact with the Heavenly Profound Mirror clone that ultimately exposed me."

After all, the Xuantian Treasure Mirror was the Xuantian Sect's treasure of the sect back then. As one of the sect's most important figures, one of the Twelve Dharma Kings, it was impossible for him to be unfamiliar with the Xuantian Treasure Mirror.

"These are two figures from the Xuantian Sect, ganging up to deceive an outsider like me."

"Very good. As expected of the prodigies chosen by King Xuantian to bear the shared responsibility of saving the world..."

"Very good!"

Li Fan did not become furious despite being tricked.

Instead, he suddenly burst into laughter.

Because he finally felt truly entertained.

His continuous reincarnation experiences in the past had made Li Fan increasingly indifferent towards the beings in the Xuanhuang Realm.

He treated them like NPCs in a game that could be constantly reset and refreshed.

After acquiring enough information, he could even predict their reactions after hearing certain words.

Even figures like the Celestial Healer, the Lorekeeper, the Immortals of the Immortal Ruins, and the Faceless True Immortal.

Li Fan only regarded them as slightly stronger bosses.

But reality, after all, isn't a game.

Just like the Celestial Healer who had abruptly read his mind, Mo Rubing, the Dharma King of the Xuantian Sect, also taught Li Fan a good lesson.

Cultivators of the Xuanhuang Realm are not so easily fooled!

Because they are genuine, living beings!

"No matter. You can fool me for one lifetime, but can you fool me for countless lifetimes?"

There was no dejection from failure; instead, a look of eagerness burned in Li Fan's eyes.

"What's more, we're not done yet in this life!"

With a cold snort, Li Fan closed his eyes and began to ponder countermeasures.

First, he needed to figure out exactly what happened inside the Myriad Immortals Alliance headquarters that day.

Even after such a long time, it remained a strictly guarded mystery.

Without a Lorekeeper as an inside informant, Li Fan reverted to his previous state of being effectively blind to intelligence.

He had no knowledge whatsoever of the movements or information concerning the high-ranking officials of the Myriad Immortals Alliance.

"It seems some channels must be held in my own hands. Relying on others still won't do."

"I still need my own Lorekeeper..."

"Fortunately, I've gathered enough information in this lifetime. I can gradually start experimenting later."

Having profoundly experienced the benefits of an inside Lorekeeper, Li Fan naturally wouldn't abandon the idea.

However, that would be after this lifetime.

For now, there was truly no way to inquire further. So Li Fan chose the most common method.

One word: wait!

Many secrets cease to be secrets as time passes.

Although it's an unobtainable top-secret now, it might not be in a while.

With secrecy levels decreasing and the divine power of Carefree Heavenly Venerate.

Li Fan believed that as long as he offered a high enough price when the time came, he would surely be able to uncover the truth from those who had personally experienced the event.

All he needed to do was wait patiently.

However, Li Fan didn't remain idle during this waiting period.

While various matters in the Spirit Wood Realm proceeded as planned, the spread of the Myriad Realms Alliance and the Faceless True Immortal's Daoist lineage was halted.

Until Mo Rubing and the Heavenly Profound Mirror were found, it was better to remain vigilant.

Although he still couldn't ascertain exactly what happened at the Immortal Alliance headquarters that day, Li Fan inferred from the collective disappearance of Lu Xichan and the entire Shuofeng family that the Myriad Immortals Alliance had clearly carried out a purge of potential traitors within its ranks.

Many people vanished without a trace.

Li Fan secretly collected a list of these disappeared individuals.

At the same time, he constantly inquired about possible witnesses to the events of that day.

Five years later.

(End of Chapter)