Chapter 1129: Sun Family's Last Resort

Li Fan lay on the bed with his eyes closed, seemingly oblivious to Wu Ninglu's words.

Wu Ninglu’s beautiful eyes flitted about as she began to undress, intending to join him in bed. However, just as her body neared Li Fan, a bone-chilling cold made her shiver involuntarily, instinctively drawing back. Looking closely, Wu Ninglu was horrified to discover that her skin had instantly frozen over with a layer of frost. If she hadn't instinctively recoiled, she had no doubt her husband would have frozen her solid!

She felt both delight and anger. A thousand words remained unspoken when Li Fan suddenly spoke, his voice faint, "I've just broken through and can't perfectly control my power yet. It would be best if you didn't come near me for a while."

Her attempt to offer comfort was rejected, but Wu Ninglu was no longer upset. Joy lit up her face as she nodded repeatedly. "Good, good! I can't believe you've been gone for over half a year, Sun Lang, and your return brings such a huge surprise! This is a major event; the entire clan must be informed!"

Wu Ninglu was about to leave when an ice wall suddenly blocked the door, cutting off her path. She turned to look at Li Fan. His eyes remained closed as he asked a seemingly unrelated question. "Has the family made a decision regarding which of the three elders will take up the position in the Law Enforcement Hall?"

Wu Ninglu paused, then immediately understood. "The patriarch naturally can't leave his post. My uncle and third uncle argued back and forth for a while, and recently, I heard that my uncle finally gave in and compromised..." As she spoke, Wu Ninglu unconsciously withdrew the foot she had already stepped forward. "Our branch isn't particularly favored within the clan. If news of my promotion to the Dao Integration stage gets out, I'm afraid they'll make me go to the Law Enforcement Hall in their stead. That's at least three hundred years without being able to leave..."

"Hmph." Li Fan sighed faintly. "If I hadn't been injured during my breakthrough, leaving my cultivation unstable and fearing detection by outsiders who might try to exploit me, I wouldn't have returned so rashly." He continued, "Although serving in the Law Enforcement Hall brings some material compensation from both the clan and the Immortal Alliance, those things are mostly useless to me. Besides, three hundred years is far too long."

Li Fan suddenly opened his eyes and looked at Wu Ninglu. "So, my breakthrough must be kept secret for now."

Meeting Li Fan's gaze, Wu Ninglu's body trembled, and she nodded involuntarily. Li Fan closed his eyes again, resuming his meditative state.

Silence once more enveloped the room. The faint, pervasive freezing aura forced Wu Ninglu to circulate her spiritual energy almost at full capacity just to maintain her body temperature. Curled up in a corner of the room, Wu Ninglu felt both wronged and envious. "Is this the power of a Dao Integration master? I never imagined he would actually reach the Dao Integration stage one day. I always thought Sun Weizhou would be the first among the younger generation to break through."

Wu Ninglu watched her husband, who was meditating and recuperating, her mind swirling with countless thoughts. His fluctuating aura gradually stabilized, but he remained silent, still meditating with his eyes closed. Only then did Wu Ninglu, still sulking, quietly slip out of the room.

"If I'm not mistaken," Li Fan thought, his eyes distant as if peering through time, "this foolish woman will soon leak the news that her partner is a Dao Integration master. It's simply for the small benefits promised by Sun Lushang. One can't say she's truly stupid, though. After all, what you genuinely hold in your hand is what's real. As long as Sun Ang is a Dao Integration master, no matter where she is, others will treat her, a Dao Integration master's wife, with deference."

Just as Li Fan had predicted, half a month later, after witnessing the various preferential conditions promised by her uncle and third uncle to avoid serving in the Law Enforcement Hall, Wu Ninglu couldn't help but feel tempted. She knew that she and Sun Ang had not lived particularly well in the past. They had no say in the clan's decisions, and any good fortune always went to others first.

However, due to Li Fan's previous instructions, she didn't speak directly. But Wu Ninglu's unusual expressions did not escape the eyes of the Sun family's several Dao Integration masters. Coupled with the slight energy fluctuations Li Fan had deliberately emitted upon his return, they had already harbored a faint suspicion. After some questioning, Wu Ninglu, half-reluctantly, revealed the matter.

Sun Lushang was instantly overjoyed. He quickly pulled his two elder brothers along and came knocking. Li Fan feigned an expression of helplessness and anger, looking at Wu Ninglu. However, the three Dao Integration elders immediately began to speak up for her. Then, appealing to his emotions and reasoning with him, they took turns persuading Li Fan. For the overall benefit of the family, he ultimately had no choice but to agree to serve in the Law Enforcement Hall in their stead.

"Don't worry, Lu'er," Sun Lushang promised, using Sun Ang's nickname. "While you are away, we will ensure Ninglu is well taken care of and suffers no grievances." Normally, for a Dao Integration cultivator, even an elder, using a nickname like this would be inappropriate. But Sun Lushang continued to use it, intending to remind "Sun Ang" that he was still a member of the Sun family.

To ensure Sun Ang would pass the Immortal Alliance's review, the three Sun family Dao Integration masters jointly tested Sun Ang's actual combat prowess. Li Fan primarily focused on defense, occasionally unleashing one or two less powerful spells. After hundreds of rounds, he gradually showed signs of weakening. "Lu'er, the Essence of Heaven and Earth you've absorbed is truly remarkable," one of the elders commented. "Although your offense is a bit lacking, that domain which freezes everything around you can block most offensive techniques."

The three Sun family Dao Integration masters were very satisfied with Li Fan's performance. Even for a newly promoted Dao Integration master, such strength was more than sufficient to satisfy the Immortal Alliance.

Before departing for the Immortal Alliance headquarters, Li Fan quietly called Wu Ninglu to his side. "I know you've been avoiding me lately. Are you afraid I'd blame you?"

"How could I be?" she replied.

"Actually, I also knew that even if you didn't say anything, my breakthrough to the Dao Integration stage couldn't be kept secret for long. Some things are unavoidable," Li Fan said. "Besides, you and I are one. It's nothing for me to work hard for three hundred years to secure some benefits for you."

Wu Ninglu was greatly surprised by Li Fan's words and was momentarily stunned, even feeling a touch of emotion.

"While I'm away, you must still be careful on your own," Li Fan cautioned. "Those old fellows in the family may speak well, but their true intentions are uncertain." He then continued, "During this trip, I made a good friend. He helped me greatly in achieving this breakthrough." Li Fan handed her a communication jade slip. "If you encounter any insoluble problems, contact him. He should be able to help you resolve them. However, this person is also a Dao Integration cultivator, and his temperament is a bit peculiar. Do not seek his help unless absolutely necessary. Remember that, remember that."