Chapter 144: Blue Feather's Scattered Treasure

The sword energy, like a rainbow, sliced through Moonlight Lake and continued flying into the distance. Even as it disappeared from sight, its power had only diminished by half. The aftershocks lingered, and the lake water remained parted for a long time.

Not far away, Su Xiaomei and her companions stared blankly at Li Fan's casual sword strike, collectively falling into a daze. It was a long while before they awoke from their petrified state.

Su Xiaomei, her face filled with excitement, flew to Li Fan's side, shouting, "I want to learn this! Master, I want to learn this!"

Xiao Heng remained utterly shocked, gazing at the massive lake that had been split in two in the distance, a hint of yearning flashing in his eyes.

Su Changyu's expression, meanwhile, grew even more determined.

Zhao Erbao lowered his head, trembling. He wailed inwardly, "Golden Core stage! This sword strike could only be achieved by someone at the Golden Core stage! And judging by how effortlessly he did it, his cultivation might even be higher!" He groaned, "It's over, it's over! I'll never escape his clutches in this lifetime!"

By Moonlight Lake, Li Fan paid no attention to the clamoring Su Xiaomei. He was busy calming the turbulent spiritual energy within him, barely maintaining his dignified demeanor as a powerful figure. Using his Qi Refining stage cultivation to forcefully wield the Azure Sea Pearl and unleash this "Cloud Cluster Sword" technique was still quite a strain.

"Ultimately, it's not my own power. I'm just imitating it based on Zhang Haobo's residual memories within the Azure Sea Pearl," he thought. "This sword strike has form but no true substance. It looks terrifying, but its actual power would be mediocre if truly used against an opponent. However, with the insights gained, I can study and contemplate it day and night, making it my own. One day, I will be able to unleash my own 'Twenty-Eight Cloud Cluster Swords.' The top priority now is to quickly achieve Foundation Establishment. I've already delayed too long waiting for the Azure Sea Pearl."

With a decision made, Li Fan told Su Xiaomei and the others, "The few of you, go thoroughly investigate Moonlight Lake and the surrounding area. See if there are any hidden dangers. Next, I plan to establish my cultivation cave here."

"Yes, Master!"

"Yes, Senior!"

Having just displayed his might, everyone naturally obeyed Li Fan's words, responding in affirmation. Soon, they dispersed to carry out their tasks. Even the three mortals from the Myriad Treasure Pavilion went along.

"Both Su Xiaomei and Xiao Heng possess extraordinary luck," Li Fan mused. "Coupled with the Yin family sisters' spiritual treasure bodies and ability to sense good and bad fortune, any hidden secrets around Moonlight Lake should be uncovered. However, as a location for Foundation Establishment, it's not safe enough. I still need to make a trip to Yuandao Heavenly City..."

Perhaps it's because the process of establishing one's Dao foundation requires communication with heaven and earth, Foundation Establishment cannot be achieved within the Heavenly Profound Mirror space. So, one needs to find a safe and secluded place for secluded cultivation. Otherwise, if disturbed at a crucial moment, one could very likely fail completely and lose all hope of Foundation Establishment.

Just as Li Fan decided to head to the Heavenly Profound Mirror location in Yuandao City for some purchases, he suddenly sensed a figure in the distance rapidly approaching him. Behind this figure were six other cultivators. Judging by their auras, this group seemed to be all at the Foundation Establishment stage. Li Fan narrowed his eyes, immediately becoming highly vigilant.

The person in front was wearing blue robes. They were tattered and covered in bloodstains. Upon seeing Li Fan, the person's speed increased. As they flew, they shouted, "Senior, save me!"

The group behind them, hearing this, yelled, "You up ahead, don't meddle in others' affairs!"

Li Fan watched the blue-robed man approaching, but then suddenly burst forth with speed, moving away from him. "What a joke!" he thought. "A Foundation Establishment cultivator being hunted down, and they want a tiny Qi Refining cultivator like me to save them?" However, in an instant, Li Fan realized: This blue-robed man was probably drawn by the "Cloud Cluster Sword" light Li Fan had just unleashed, thinking there was a powerful cultivator practicing here. What a pity...

When the blue-robed man saw Li Fan immediately steer clear upon hearing him, clearly showing no desire to interfere, a look of bewilderment flashed across his face. He gritted his teeth, glanced back at the approaching crowd, and then turned to flee in the direction of Shilinzhou.

The group chasing him didn't even glance at Li Fan, who had moved aside; they simply rushed past in pursuit.

Just as the group was about to vanish from sight, Li Fan's heart stirred. His "Formless Killing Intent" immediately locked onto the blue-robed man in the lead.

Although the blue-robed man was severely wounded, his speed was not slow at all. The six people chasing him from behind, though constantly threatening and yelling, could never close the distance with him.

Slowly, in the distance, a tall wall of white mist spanning across the land appeared in their view. "So this is the White Mist Barrier?" Li Fan was seeing it firsthand for the first time. From a bird's-eye view, this White Mist Barrier filled the space between heaven and earth, stretching endlessly without a discernible end. Compared to it, cultivators were truly as tiny as ants.

The pursuers, seeing the blue-robed man about to rush into the White Mist Barrier, grew anxious and shouted, "Hu Yanlin, hand over the Blue Feather Legacy, and we'll spare your life!"

Hu Yanlin sneered without replying, plunging headfirst into the White Mist Barrier without hesitation. The view went dark, and the "Formless Killing Intent" immediately lost its lock.

"Blue Feather Legacy, huh..." Li Fan mused thoughtfully.

Following their previous tracks, Li Fan arrived at the White Mist Barrier and waited for three full days. No one returned. Li Fan could only shake his head regretfully, but he firmly etched the phrase "Blue Feather Legacy" into his mind.

This incident was merely a minor interlude. He sank the Taiyan Skiff into Moonlight Lake and then activated a formation to conceal its trace. After giving instructions to Su Xiaomei and the others, Li Fan hurried towards Yuandao Heavenly City.

It took him a full twenty-six days of flying to reach Yuandao Heavenly City. Upon entering, Li Fan keenly sensed something unusual. Yuandao City was largely deserted, with hardly any cultivators in sight. Occasionally, he would see one or two, their faces filled with excitement, hastily flying off towards a certain destination.

Li Fan's curiosity was piqued. He immediately stopped someone and politely asked, "Fellow Daoist, where have all the cultivators in Yuandao City gone? Why is the city so empty?"

The person glanced at Li Fan and said, "Fellow Daoist, are you new to our Yuandao State? Everyone has gone to watch the two prodigies of the Blue Feather lineage in their contest. This battle is intense; they've been fighting for three days and three nights straight, and still, no victor has been decided. I was just about to go observe. Why don't you come with me, Fellow Daoist?"

Li Fan thought for a moment, then readily agreed.

Along the way, as they conversed, the Qi Refining cultivator named Feng Shu explained to Li Fan the origin of the dispute between the two prodigies of the Blue Feather lineage. Seven years prior, when Immortal Venerable Blue Feather was nearing the end of his lifespan, he set down a succession rule for the cultivation technique he practiced: the "Heavenly Capital Feather Transformation Art." Among the Blue Feather lineage, martial prowess was held in highest regard. The one who remained undefeated would inherit the "Heavenly Capital Feather Transformation Art."