Chapter 1066: Suddenly Returning to the Dream

“Junior Brother?”

“Why have you been spacing out for so long? Are you perhaps thinking about all the fun places I told you about earlier?”

“Don't worry, once this task is done, I'll take you to experience everything, from the Red Dust Pavilion to the Drunken Immortal Tower!”

Zhang Qianmo's voice roused Li Fan from his contemplation.

“Protecting the mortals of Ningyuan City from calamity, eh...” Li Fan's heart stirred as he looked at the somewhat unconventional Zhang Qianmo before him.

Li Fan wasn't particularly interested in becoming the Grand Heavenly Venerable Xuanhuang. Not to mention that under the current New Law system, the power of a Heavenly Venerable Xuanhuang is significantly diminished compared to its peak, making it impossible for one person to suppress an entire realm. Furthermore, becoming the Heavenly Venerable Xuanhuang would inevitably mean confronting the two major ruling institutions of the Xuanhuang Realm. It might even provoke the Dharma Preacher to appear in person. Although not particularly fearful, it would be unwise to rashly confront the Dharma Preacher before understanding their true strength.

Besides, even if he could truly become the Grand Heavenly Venerable Xuanhuang at their peak, capable of suppressing an entire realm, what then? Power inevitably comes with responsibility. Becoming a Heavenly Venerable Xuanhuang would mean being trapped, bound more deeply to the Xuanhuang Realm than even an ordinary Eternal Heavenly Venerable, making escape incredibly difficult. Li Fan's goal wasn't merely the Eternal Realm. What he yearned for was to leave this darkest star sea, enclosed by high walls, to attain true transcendence and freedom.

However...

Having lofty ideals didn't prevent him from first verifying whether the trial of the Xuanhuang Heart was truly as he suspected. Having experienced the scene of obtaining the Longevity Fruit in Ningyuan too many times, Li Fan quickly formed a plan now that he had a clear objective.

“Senior Brother, just now, in a daze, it was as if I had a dream,” he said slowly, feigning a bewildered expression.

“What?” Zhang Qianmo was taken aback.

“Senior Brother, have you secretly cultivated a purple Golden Core?” Li Fan didn't answer directly, but asked again.

The moment he spoke, Zhang Qianmo's eyes instantly sharpened. “How did you know?” A dangerous aura also flared around him, subtly locking onto Li Fan.

Li Fan seemed oblivious to this, his face filled with shock. “What I saw in my dream just now, was it actually true?”

“Hmm?” Zhang Qianmo's expression tightened.

“Senior Brother, do you still remember a person named Chu Liang?” Li Fan immediately recounted everything he had “seen in his dream,” detailing how they were about to be ambushed by ruffians in Ningyuan City.

“Now that you mention it, I do recall such a person back then...”

“He actually joined some 'Myriad Immortal Alliance' and tried to scheme against my Purple Cloud Sect's secret techniques?” A purple gleam flashed in Zhang Qianmo's eyes, filled with chilling murderous intent.

With that, he was about to fly into the city to drag out and eliminate those hidden vermin one by one.

“Senior Brother, wait!” Li Fan quickly stopped Zhang Qianmo.

“After all, this was just a scene I encountered in a dream; there's no substantial evidence. If it turns out to be baseless, wouldn't that...”

Zhang Qianmo said coldly, “So what if we kill them? Will anyone dare to punish us for such a minor matter?”

Li Fan gave a wry smile. “It's not easy to get permission to come down the mountain for the Longevity Fruit mission. If we cause any trouble, Master might not allow us to descend again in the future. It's better to be cautious.”

Hearing this, Zhang Qianmo's killing intent finally subsided slightly.

“How about this? Let's first send a voice transmission from outside the city to summon Steward Song Hesong. We'll apprehend him directly. If he resists and truly displays a cultivation level beyond what he should be capable of...”

Li Fan paused. “Then it proves that the scene I foresaw in my dream was accurate. With this evidence, we'll also have an explanation for the sect.”

Zhang Qianmo thought for a moment, then nodded slightly. “Junior Brother, you've thought of everything. Let's do that.”

So the two quietly approached Ningyuan City and sent a message from a distance.

After a considerable wait, Song Hesong finally arrived, tardy.

“Greetings, two Senior...”

As Song Hesong bowed in greeting, he was met instead by two bolts of Purple Cloud Divine Lightning striking down upon him.

“When was I exposed?” Song Hesong was both shocked and enraged. He instinctively activated his spiritual energy, blocking the lightning. Just as he was about to notify the few hidden individuals in the city to act prematurely, he discovered that the surrounding space had been sealed off. His heart sank immediately.

“Although I can only use Li Chen's own strength, my formation array cultivation has reached an advanced stage.”

“Setting up a formation to trap a mere Golden Core cultivator is effortless.”

The formation Li Fan set up at that moment wasn't overly astounding. It was merely a slight modification of the Purple Cloud Sect formations he had seen in this body's past memories.

Zhang Qianmo also noticed his junior brother's actions. “Well, well, what have you been doing cooped up in your room every day? So you've been studying formations by yourself?”

Zhang Qianmo's tone held a hint of surprise as he took out his long halberd and engaged Song Hesong in battle. Although Song Hesong was a Golden Core cultivator, Zhang Qianmo, without activating his purple core, only possessed Foundation Establishment battle prowess. However, with the combined efforts of the senior and junior brothers and the assistance of the formation, it wasn't long before Song Hesong was captured alive.

Zhang Qianmo acted decisively, directly employing the Purple Cloud Soul-Searching Art. After a struggle, Song Hesong slumped to the ground like a puddle of mud.

Zhang Qianmo, with a murderous look on his face, exclaimed, “Junior Brother, the scene you foresaw was absolutely spot on! This damned dog!” Saying this, he was about to strike Song Hesong dead with a palm, but Li Fan stopped him.

“He is, after all, an outer sect steward of the sect. It's better to take him back and let the sect deal with him.”

Zhang Qianmo shook his head. “Junior Brother, you're good at everything, but you're too merciful. Fine, I'll go along with your wishes.”

Li Fan smiled without speaking.

“There are still a few Myriad Immortal Alliance rogues in the city; I'll go apprehend them now.”

“Wait!” Li Fan stopped Zhang Qianmo again.

“Now what?” Zhang Qianmo was a bit speechless.

“Senior Brother, what do you think of this Myriad Immortal Alliance?” Li Fan asked in a deep voice.

“They're nothing but chickens and dogs, not worth fearing!” Zhang Qianmo declared proudly.

“Is that truly the case?” Li Fan stared intently at Zhang Qianmo, asking again.

“Uh...” Zhang Qianmo hesitated, looking at Li Fan's serious expression. Then he changed his tune. “Alright. This New Law is indeed strange. Someone with Song Hesong's mediocre aptitude was able to cultivate from Foundation Establishment to Golden Core in just a few years. If not dealt with seriously, it could lead to a significant disaster.”

“Exactly. That's what I was thinking too. It seems the righteous immortal sects haven't paid much attention to this Myriad Immortal Alliance yet. Why don't we seize this opportunity...” Li Fan transmitted his voice quietly.

Zhang Qianmo's expression shifted. “You mean, to lure the snake out of its hole?”

Li Fan nodded. “Precisely. Let's use this chance to gather all the Myriad Immortal Alliance cultivators near our Purple Cloud Sect's territory, and then capture them all in one fell swoop!”