Chapter 16: Playing with Immortal Shares in the Palm

Li Fan squinted, gazing forward, a look of endless nostalgia on his face.

"Although our ancestor joined the Taiyan Sect back then, he disliked cultivation and was instead obsessed with the art of deduction and prognostication. Originally, this was fine. Who would have thought that a great change would sweep through the world, requiring all mortals to relocate?

Given our ancestor's initial Qi Condensation cultivation, no one would have forced him if he didn't want to relocate. However, his earthly ties were not severed. Seeing his family members bewildered and panicked, he requested to be in charge of the mortal relocation. After that, he remained here with the family."

Li Fan spoke eloquently, filled with emotion.

Kou Hong and Dao Xuanzi listened, finding that Li Fan's words subtly echoed the ancient legends they had previously heard. They both nodded slowly.

Kou Hong asked, intrigued, "The Taiyan Sect still existed during the Great Migration era? I heard that all ancient sects were destroyed in the previous great cataclysm."

Li Fan was momentarily stunned, then shook his head. "That's just a baseless rumor. Although the great cataclysm made it impossible to cultivate immortal arts simultaneously, the Taiyan Sect's cultivation methods are as vast as the starry sea. How could it be difficult for one person to get one technique? While the sect did suffer considerable losses back then, there was absolutely no chance of its destruction."

Li Fan spoke with great confidence, especially the phrase "cultivation methods as vast as the starry sea, one person gets one technique," which left Kou Hong and Dao Xuanzi dazzled.

Immediately after, Li Fan suddenly asked, "Judging by your words, it seems the Taiyan Sect hasn't appeared in the outside world for a long time?"

Dao Xuanzi shook his head. "Not just the Taiyan Sect; ancient sects like the Taishang Sect, the Dadao Sect, and the Tianjian School have all vanished without a trace."

Upon hearing this, Li Fan murmured to himself, "The path of immortality is indeed difficult. Just as my ancestor said, the sects chose to seclude themselves to avoid disaster..."

Dao Xuanzi and Kou Hong exchanged a glance, privately transmitting, "I was already suspicious about the destruction of all those ancient sects. Now that I think about it, it truly is strange. How could ancient sects, with such profound foundations, vanish overnight?"

"It's no wonder they chose to live in seclusion. If news of these sects' continued existence were to spread, even if they were powerful, people would probably come knocking on their doors constantly."

The two exchanged several messages in an instant. Then Dao Xuanzi cupped his hands and asked, "May I ask, fellow Daoist, why you stopped us?"

Li Fan sighed. "For thousands of years, no cultivators have set foot here. Seeing you two today, I immediately knew you were the people my ancestor prophesied on his deathbed – the key to my clan's escape from this predicament. Seeing you about to fight to the death over a Core Formation cultivation method, I hastily spoke up to dissuade you."

Dao Xuanzi replied frankly, "You make light of us, fellow Daoist. But perhaps you don't know that cultivation methods are hard to come by in the outside world. It's perfectly normal to turn against each other and fight for a scroll."

Li Fan shook his head repeatedly. "Why go to such lengths!"

Dao Xuanzi tentatively asked, "Listening to your tone, it seems..."

"That's right, my ancestor passed down a cultivation scroll on his deathbed that directly leads to the Golden Core stage," Li Fan said proudly.

Dao Xuanzi took a deep breath. "May I ask what you seek, fellow Daoist?"

Kou Hong was even more delighted. "Excellent! If you, Dao Xuanzi, can obtain this cultivation method, then we brothers won't need to fight anymore."

"My ancestor's lifelong wish was to return to the Taiyan Sect in the immortal cultivation world. Before his death, besides this cultivation scroll, he also passed down a magical artifact named the Taiyan Boat. Although it's damaged, my ancestor used the art of Taiyan prognostication to calculate that after some years, two cultivators would arrive here: one skilled in swordsmanship, and one fond of artifact refining. They could help his descendants repair the Taiyan Boat and escape this isolated place," Li Fan said slowly, taking a sip of wine.

Kou Hong and Dao Xuanzi both changed color.

"My brother Kou Hong is captivated by the art of artifact refining, and my specialty is swordsmanship. This Taiyan prognostication art, how can it be so incredible?" Dao Xuanzi was utterly shocked, only recovering after a long moment.

"To possess such unfathomable divine power with just Qi Condensation cultivation, it's truly unimaginable..." Kou Hong was also stunned speechless.

Li Fan smiled. After a moment, he added, "Words alone aren't proof. Please, both of you, follow me to take a look at this cultivation method first."

Dao Xuanzi's face lit up, and he rose to follow. Seeing Kou Hong also wanting to come along, he immediately became wary. "What, Brother, you've already obtained a Core Formation cultivation method, aren't you satisfied?"

Hearing this, Kou Hong said awkwardly, "Alright, I won't go."

Dao Xuanzi scoffed coldly and hastened to catch up with Li Fan.

Seeing that Kou Hong had not followed, just as he had anticipated, Li Fan finally breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that his plan for this life was already half successful.

He led Dao Xuanzi, opened a mechanism, and entered the underground secret chamber of the Grand Tutor's manor.

Just as Dao Xuanzi was about to step into the secret chamber, he suddenly felt a chill run down his spine and stopped.

He carefully scanned his surroundings with his spiritual sense and immediately exclaimed in surprise, "Immortal-Mortal Mist!"

It turned out that Immortal-Mortal Mist was hidden within the mechanisms on all four sides of the secret chamber. Its intense aura made Dao Xuanzi tremble with fear.

Li Fan smiled. "It's wise to be wary of others. We mortals, in order to guard our family's greatest treasure, can only act in this manner."

Dao Xuanzi forced a smile but refused to take another step forward, instead retreating a little further.

Li Fan said nothing more. He walked into the secret chamber and took out a jade slip from a box.

He didn't leave the chamber, merely holding the jade slip so Dao Xuanzi could see it.

This jade slip was precisely the Thousand Mechanisms Jade Universe Golden Tome that he had obtained from Kou Hong in his previous life!

That's right, Li Fan was gambling.

According to Kou Hong's description in the previous life, he had snatched the cultivation method and fled, so Dao Xuanzi clearly hadn't seen the true appearance of this technique.

This made it the perfect bait to get Kou Hong and Dao Xuanzi to help him repair the Taiyan Boat!

As for if Li Fan's guess was wrong...

A group of loyal guards were already in position within the Grand Tutor's manor. If he truly couldn't defeat them...

Worst case scenario, he'd just try a different method in the next life!

Li Fan was completely unperturbed, as he noticed that Dao Xuanzi's attention was entirely captivated by the golden jade slip in his hand.

"'Thousand Mechanisms Jade Universe Golden Tome', a Nascent Soul cultivation method, it's actually a Nascent Soul cultivation method..." Dao Xuanzi's breathing grew heavy, and a hint of a dangerous glint even flickered in his eyes.

However, seeing Li Fan's knowing smile and sensing the faint danger emanating from the Immortal-Mortal Mist in the secret chamber, Dao Xuanzi instantly sobered up.

"What do you think? Was what this old man said true?" Li Fan asked with a smile. "Earlier, in front of your brother Kou Hong, I only said that what my ancestor passed down was a Core Formation method, precisely because I feared he would harbor ill intentions again."

"Fellow Daoist, your thoughts are meticulous; I admire that," Dao Xuanzi said, looking deeply impressed.

Then, with some excitement, he added, "Rest assured, fellow Daoist, my brother Kou Hong is proficient in the art of artifact refining. I will certainly persuade him to help you repair the Taiyan Boat with all his might."

Li Fan laughed heartily. "Then I'll leave it to you. After it's done, I will certainly present this cultivation method to you with both hands."

With the prospect of longevity within reach, Dao Xuanzi now wished he could immediately drag Kou Hong along and start working.

Reluctantly watching Li Fan put away the cultivation method and close the secret chamber, Dao Xuanzi eagerly went to find Kou Hong.