Chapter 1192: Chief of the Dharma Protector Hall

Chapter 1197

Chapter 1202

As the Stone Mother of Dao Transformation was an entity capable of escaping a calamity that annihilated the Xuanhuang Realm, Li Fan would not underestimate her.

"There's no need to rush for success. In this life, I'll be an absolutely reliable partner, earning the Taiyan Sect's trust to uncover more of its hidden secrets."

"As for myself, I'll first perfect this data corruption formation. If an opportunity arises, I'll give it a try and see its effects."

The Yanfajue Space provided Li Fan with sufficiently safe time, free from external disturbances. Apart from occasionally having to deal with the little loli's 'strikes,' most other times were quite leisurely. The three guardian elders' interactions became increasingly rare, each immersed in their own world.

However, on this particular day, a group of special individuals arrived in the Yanfajue Space. They had no Dharma-Seeking Jade Tablets but were specially approved by the Immortal Alliance and led here by an elder. The usually indolent Hua Yueye seemed to grow somewhat nervous, greeting repeatedly, "Greetings, Elder Xu."

Li Fan noticed that not only the other two guardians but also the usually carefree and fearless little loli of Yanfajue had become much more subdued. As he followed suit in bowing, Li Fan looked at the seemingly blind, white-haired old man before him, and the man's information flashed through his mind.

"Xu Yuanchen has held his position for over three thousand years. Although seemingly approachable on the surface, he is in fact eccentric and rigid. His adherence to the Immortal Alliance's regulations is dogmatic, and he shows no favoritism. Even when Dharma Transmitters occasionally arrive and try to break the rules, he does not permit it. He is highly regarded by Dharma Transmitter Jiang, and while other Dharma Transmitters may find him disagreeable, they can do nothing about him."

"Given his position, Xu Yuanchen's own strength is unfathomable, far surpassing ordinary Dao-Harmonizing cultivators. The only recorded instance of the Myriad Immortal Alliance executing a Dao-Harmonizing cultivator and retrieving leaked cultivation methods involved his action. It was swift and decisive, not even giving onlookers time to react."

Xu Yuanchen explained the purpose of his visit: "The Immortal Alliance Grand Examination just concluded, and these youngsters are among the most outstanding. The Dharma Transmitters' Council has granted special approval, allowing them to use the Yanfajue for one opportunity to deduce a Dao-Harmonizing level cultivation method."

"Hmm?"

"How can this be?!"

All three guardians and the little loli of Yanfa were somewhat surprised. The little loli pouted, about to complain. However, after glancing at Xu Yuanchen's expression, she cautiously swallowed her words. Li Fan reacted the quickest, nodding and saying, "Chief Elder, please present the Council's decree seal." His expression was serious; he did not simply brush it off just because the other party was his direct superior.

Xu Yuanchen was also cooperative, producing a decree seal. Feeling the Dharma Transmitter's aura enveloping it, Li Fan carefully verified the information detailed within before finally nodding to indicate the check was passed. Postponing the cultivators who were originally waiting for deduction, Li Fan arranged for Yanfajue to first handle the tasks for these newly inducted Immortal Alliance cultivators. There were sixteen individuals in total, varying in age and cultivation realm. The enormous Yanfajue light sphere rotated continuously, while the little loli huffily carried out the deduction work.

While this group was queuing for cultivation method deduction, Li Fan curiously transmitted a message to Xu Yuanchen, asking, "Chief Elder, please forgive my poor discernment, but these cultivators... they don't seem to have exceptionally good aptitude. Why does the Immortal Alliance grant them such preferential treatment?"

The transmitted message did not bypass the other two guardians, who also showed curiosity in their eyes. However, all they received was silence. Xu Yuanchen remained silent, as if he hadn't heard Li Fan's transmitted message at all. The two guardians prudently withdrew their gazes. Li Fan did not press further, and the ritual in the hall fell into an eerie silence.

Only when all sixteen individuals had collectively completed their cultivation method deductions and were about to depart did Xu Yuanchen suddenly respond. "Actually, I also want to know the answer to that question."

"However, there are too many unknowns in the world, and there's no need to know everything. Just doing your own job well is sufficient."

"Since the Dharma Transmitters' Council has decided this, they must have their reasons. We, as subordinates, just need to follow orders." The three guardians bowed in succession, indicating they had taken his words to heart.

Only after Xu Yuanchen had completely left the Yanfajue Space did they dare to communicate among themselves. "Chief Elder truly lives up to his reputation for being rigid."

"Fellow Daoist Sun reacted so quickly this time. The Chief Elder likes people who follow the rules just like you did. It's settled, you've caught his eye, and when you leave in five hundred years, he'll choose you as the next Chief Elder," Hua Yueye teased.

Li Fan ignored their playful remarks and, as per regulations, first recorded and reported this special use of the Yanfajue. Then he said indifferently, "Being a Chief Elder, however, is even more like being in prison than our current work. I have no interest in it."

"I still have a lovely wife at home waiting for me." Partly true, partly false, which drew laughter from the two guardians.

This incident was merely a small interlude during their time guarding the Yanfajue. Soon, the few of them dismissed the matter from their minds. Of course, except for Li Fan.

Because... among those sixteen individuals, there was indeed one: a mole planted by the Great Qí of the Holy Dynasty into the Myriad Immortal Alliance. Named Yang Fei. Li Fan knew him, but he did not know Li Fan. But this did not lessen Li Fan's vigilance. The Immortal Alliance never does anything meaningless. For these sixteen individuals to receive such preferential treatment immediately after joining the Myriad Immortal Alliance made it difficult for Li Fan not to suspect some conspiracy behind it.

"Could they be like the previous Immortal Selects, sacrificial offerings used to awaken the power left by the Dharma Transmitting Celestial Venerables in statues across various locations? No, that's not right. If they were sacrifices, they would be destined to die. There would be no need to waste Yanfajue's computing power..." Li Fan keenly sensed the abnormality behind this.

Meanwhile, in the underground secret chamber of the Sun family, his clone finally waited for the opportune moment. Sun Luoyuan came to the secret chamber again, his eyes bloodshot. His face showed a struggling expression, but he ultimately took out a small Celestial Profound Mirror. Then, using his own vital blood, he nourished Sun Luoyao within the Immeasurable Mirror while explaining, "The pressure from above is simply too great. Please forgive your brother."

"I originally thought I could refuse even unto death. But seeing the faces of the Sun family..."

Sun Luoyao transformed into a black shadow, revealing his form, and, following Li Fan's clone's instructions, comforted him, "Brother, I understand. It's alright, just leave it to me." Sun Luoyuan trembled slightly upon hearing this, his fists clenched tight, his fingernails almost piercing his flesh. At this moment, the information about the Great Qí of the Holy Dynasty, which he had previously searched for, could not help but reappear in his mind.

"Perhaps, I could try to make contact with them."

"Being a dog for a lifetime still carries the risk of being beheaded at any moment. Perhaps this Great Qí could truly give me some surprises?"

The Immeasurable Mirror pretended to search for information related to the Celestial Profound Mirror clone within the Celestial Profound Realm. In reality, it was probing into the reason why those sixteen cultivators received such preferential treatment.