Chapter 1043: Transmitter Gathering

“Not bad, you've finally made some progress. Not only is your acting becoming more lifelike, but your schemes are finally showing some potential,” the white-haired elder remarked.

The leading black-robed cultivator grew anxious. “Senior, you truly misunderstand!” he exclaimed. He hastily ordered his companions to release the formation's restraint on the white-haired elder. “Senior, you are free now. Surely this can't still be an act, can it?”

The white-haired elder's eyes narrowed slightly. “I personally built the Nether Prison back then,” he stated. “If I truly wished to leave, how could that place possibly hold me?” He continued, “They can't even grasp this simple fact...” The elder's skepticism deepened.

“I told you they're all deceivers. Senior, you should just come with me. I'm alone; even if I harbored sinister intentions, I would be no match for you,” Li Fan said with a faint smile, observing the situation. Despite his words, he made no move to approach or welcome the white-haired elder.

“You, young man...” The white-haired elder found himself unable to comprehend the youth before him. The mission, which had been proceeding exceptionally smoothly, was now at an unexpected standstill. Every additional second increased the risk of being discovered by the Myriad Immortals Alliance. The leading cultivator, feeling helpless, grew increasingly anxious. He gritted his teeth, his mind settling on the plan to forcibly subdue the white-haired elder and take him away.

Just then, a clear sigh suddenly echoed from above them. “Old man Wei, you're still as conceited as ever.”

The moment the voice spoke, the black-robed cultivators' faces lit up with joy. “Senior Zhou!” they exclaimed. Meanwhile, the white-haired elder, Evangelist Wei, experienced a sudden shift in his aura. His formerly clouded eyes instantly gleamed with sharp light as he gazed directly upwards.

A woman in simple white robes, with a serene and lovely face, had appeared silently. Evangelist Wei scrutinized her, a hint of bewilderment on his face. “It truly is you...” he murmured. He then turned to the black-robed cultivators, his expression turning peculiar. “So, these youngsters were telling the truth?”

Evangelist Zhou sighed once more. “You've thought about schemes and conspiracies so much that everything looks fake to you,” she said. “Many things have transpired within the Myriad Immortals Alliance recently. I suspect the Evangelist Council has become corrupt, which is why I sought to bring you out.” She continued, “However, if I had appeared in person, I would surely have had to face your smug, insufferable expression. So, I dispatched these youngsters instead.” She trailed off, “Who would have thought...” Evangelist Zhou's voice was peculiar, sounding listless and unenthusiastic.

Upon hearing this, the white-haired elder's expression froze for a moment. Soon after, he burst into boisterous laughter, defusing the awkwardness. To divert attention, he immediately fixed his gaze on Li Fan. “Since you're truly here, then what's the situation with this young man?”

Li Fan's expression remained calm and fearless. He cupped his hands in greeting. “Greetings, Seniors,” he said. “This entire charade was merely a means to meet with you.”

Wei and Zhou exchanged glances, both wearing an amused expression. “The Myriad Immortals Alliance will be here soon. Let's find another place,” Zhou suggested. With a graceful sweep of her slender hand through the air, Evangelist Zhou opened a spatial passage and led the black-robed cultivators into it.

The white-haired elder glanced back at Li Fan. “Young man, do you have the courage to follow?” he challenged. After a moment of contemplation, Li Fan entered the small world with them.

“Huh? This place...” Once he clearly perceived his surroundings, Li Fan almost believed he had once again fallen into an illusion. The architectural style within this small world bore a striking resemblance to the world Li Fan had lived in before his transmigration. Skyscrapers towered everywhere. Under the dark night sky, a fine drizzle fell. Numerous neon lights on the buildings' facades adorned the city, casting a strange, dazzling glow. This somewhat distant yet intensely familiar sight left Li Fan momentarily stunned. He wasn't the only one; Evangelist Wei also seemed slow to adapt.

“What do you think? It's quite appealing, isn't it? I once vacationed in the Carefree Paradise and found this kind of scenery quite pleasing, so I simply replicated it here,” Evangelist Zhou's voice drifted gently. Li Fan looked in the direction of the sound, noticing she had changed her attire. She now wore a crisp white shirt, fitted trousers, and even a pair of black-rimmed glasses. She looked less like an Evangelist and more like a sophisticated urban woman.

“Your taste...”“Still as incomprehensible as ever,” Evangelist Wei said, shaking his head slightly in disapproval.“And you're still so stubbornly old-fashioned and irritating,” Evangelist Zhou retorted mockingly.

“I actually think it's quite good. That outfit, in particular, suits you very well, Senior,” Li Fan interjected. Both Evangelists' gazes simultaneously turned to him.

“Hehehe, young people's taste is indeed far superior to that of certain old-timers. This is precisely why I enjoy collecting young people,” Evangelist Zhou remarked, appraising Li Fan with a smile.“Young man, whatever your purpose is, you'd best speak plainly. My patience, as an elder, is quite limited,” Evangelist Wei said, his expression less than pleased. However, Li Fan could discern that Wei's display of anger was merely a pretense.

At this moment, the trio found themselves on the top floor of the city's tallest building. Through the vast glass curtain wall, the bustling city lights under the night sky were visible as far as the eye could see. The entire floor, aside from a central desk, a sofa, and a red carpet covering the expanse, was devoid of other furnishings. Li Fan made himself at home, casually settling onto the sofa. He then began to explain his reason for seeking Evangelist Zhou: “I wish to know what precisely transpired at the Myriad Immortals Alliance headquarters five years ago,” he stated, “and also the current whereabouts of the true Heavenly Profound Mirror.”

Evangelist Wei, having been imprisoned for many years, hadn't yet fully comprehended the situation. Evangelist Zhou, however, slowly lost the composed expression on her face. She scrutinized Li Fan, appearing to be guessing his origins. “You've appeared out of nowhere and are immediately demanding highly classified information,” she observed. “Young man, what gives you such audacity?”

Zhou's tone gradually shifted from languid to icy. “You're merely at the Nascent Soul cultivation stage,” she stated. “Even if the devoured grotto-heaven was somewhat formidable, you are still ultimately only at the Nascent Soul Realm.” Her voice hardened, “How dare you speak to me in such a manner?”

Li Fan's expression remained unfazed. “My tone is always like this when speaking to you Evangelists,” he retorted. “You didn't attack directly, but chose to probe with words. Doesn't that, in itself, reveal the source of my confidence?” The atmosphere instantly grew tense once more. However, Evangelist Zhou's captivating smile broke the tension in an instant.

“You're right,” she conceded. “It's been a long time since I've encountered a young person as exceptional as you. Perhaps you'd consider becoming part of my collection?” Her tone reverted to its former languidness. “If you agree, I can reveal any secret you wish to know.”