Chapter 166: Counterattack in the Cultivation World

According to Jiao Xiuyuan's previous intelligence, Sikong Yi visited this cultivation cave regularly.

Li Fan decided to wait here.

His luck held.

Over ten days later, Li Fan, who had been cultivating, opened his eyes.

Sikong Yi and Bai Lichen walked expressionlessly into their hidden cultivation cave.

However, when they saw Li Fan ambushing them inside, expressions of shock and disbelief appeared on their faces.

“You…”

Before they could utter another word, Li Fan's Soul Binding Spell captured them.

Without further ado, he eliminated them on the spot.

After their resurrection counts were exhausted, and they completely vanished from the world,

Li Fan collected the Heaven Swapping Medallion that had fallen to the ground and began refining a clone.

Logically, a clone's cultivation level should only be one minor realm behind the main body.

However, Li Fan discovered that refining a Foundation Establishment clone still inevitably required adding Heaven and Earth Oddities as materials.

“Perhaps the original ‘Heaven Swapping Art’ was indeed powerful, but after the Immortal Venerable imparted the technique, it became rather useless.”

“No wonder the Heaven Swapping Sect has declined with each generation.”

“Anyway, this clone is just going to be sacrificed, so I won't waste any Heaven and Earth Oddities on it.”

“A cultivation level of perfected Qi Refining will be sufficient.”

After some thought, Li Fan began the clone's refinement.

This was already Li Fan's third time refining a clone, so he was quite familiar with the process.

Soon after, the clone reappeared in the world.

Donning clothes, the clone proceeded to Spirit Resonance Island on its own to join the Immortal Alliance.

Li Fan did not leave; instead, he took out He Zhenghao's communication talisman and sent a message.

“Fellow Daoist He, I've been traveling outside these past few days. I heard some unfavorable rumors about you.”

He Zhenghao replied quickly: “Unfavorable rumors? Haha, Fellow Daoist, you must be mistaken. I, He Zhenghao, have made many good connections, and my reputation is excellent. How could it be possible…”

“Oh? So those whispers about you helping mortals smuggle are all false? How truly despicable, to spread malicious rumors! Though the rumors are quite detailed, something about the ‘Leaving Realm’…”

“Cough, cough, cough…” Before Li Fan could finish, He Zhenghao's flustered voice came through. “Fellow Daoist, where did you hear this?”

“This matter requires an in-person discussion. Are you free, Fellow Daoist? Please trouble yourself to come to my Lapis Lazuli Island.” He Zhenghao's voice was somewhat grave.

“Haha, yes, I am free.” Li Fan smiled, put away his communication talisman, and headed straight for Lapis Lazuli Island.

After exiting the teleportation array, He Zhenghao greeted him.

He then activated the Mountain and Star Formation.

After decades of studying formations, Li Fan's insight was now different from before.

The mountains above them revolved like stars; the power of this formation was clearly superior to the Kan Spirit Illusory Wave Formation Li Fan had purchased.

“Your island-protecting grand formation is truly extraordinary!” Li Fan praised.

“Oh? Fellow Daoist also understands formations?” He Zhenghao asked, a hint of surprise flashing across his face upon hearing this.

“A little, just a little. However, the path of formations is vast and profound. Without a renowned master to guide one, relying solely on self-study leads to truly slow progress.” Li Fan sighed.

“Haha, if Fellow Daoist doesn't mind, you're welcome to come to my place to discuss it with me.” As soon as He Zhenghao started talking about formations, he became invigorated, even momentarily forgetting the reason he had invited Li Fan.

“I’m not boasting. If we only discuss formations and disregard cultivation levels, ordinary Nascent Soul stage formation masters on Myriad Immortals Island might not even compare to me. Perhaps only three or four individuals, like Zhang Zhiliang and Gong Boyu, can barely surpass me.”

“Most of this Mountain and Star Formation was personally constructed by me,” He Zhenghao said confidently.

Li Fan chuckled without responding.

Instead, he asked, “Let's put the formation discussion aside for now. Did Fellow Daoist call me here concerning the matter of mortals being smuggled?”

He Zhenghao's expression immediately froze.

“Sigh.” He let out a sigh.

“I won't hide it from you, Fellow Daoist. I am indeed secretly involved in helping mortals smuggle. I always thought I had concealed it well, but it seems the secret has gotten out. Where exactly did you hear about this?” He Zhenghao's face was filled with sorrow and doubt.

“I went to the Dingyu event some time ago. The rumors about Fellow Daoist were mentioned incidentally during conversations I overheard there. As for who specifically mentioned them, I don't know,” Li Fan replied, having already prepared his excuse.

Upon hearing this, He Zhenghao's heart sank.

“This is bad! So many cultivators attend every Dingyu event! The fact that I'm helping mortals smuggle might have already spread throughout the Cloud Sea by now!”

“Haha, Fellow Daoist, there's no need to scare yourself,” Li Fan quickly comforted him.

“Besides, it's just helping mortals return to the cultivation world, isn't it? While it might be a bit taboo, it's not a major issue. You are, after all, a Foundation Establishment cultivator and an island guardian. What could the Immortal Alliance really do to you?” Li Fan added, somewhat dismissively.

He Zhenghao shook his head repeatedly, sighing, “Fellow Daoist, it's normal that you don't understand the inner workings since you aren't involved in this business. Helping mortals smuggle is far more serious than simply being taboo.”

“If they truly pursue it, the most severe outcome could be punishment for the crime of treason against the realm. At that point, not only the Immortal Alliance but even the Five Elders' Council would offer no refuge.”

Li Fan was truly stunned this time. “Treason against the realm? How could it be that serious?”

He Zhenghao replied helplessly, “It's all because of that farce five hundred years ago.”

After his explanation, Li Fan understood what had happened.

It turned out that during the Great Migration plan, tens of thousands of minor worlds and grotto-heavens were settled by mortals.

Thousands of years passed, and these places, which were originally devoid of immortal energy and spiritual qi,

However, some of them, due to various fortunate coincidences, gave birth to extraordinary powers.

In some, spiritual qi recovered, and mortal smugglers brought methods to remove the Immortality-Severing Miasma back to their hometowns, reopening the path to immortality.

Others developed body refinement secret techniques, specializing in physical training. Their physical bodies became so formidable that attacks from ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators were like tickles.

Though still weak themselves, some mastered methods of communicating with spirit beasts. Wielding spirit beasts in combat, they could also unleash considerable fighting power.

Harboring resentment for being forcibly expelled from their homelands, these minor worlds, under someone's persuasion, actually reached an agreement.

They united to counterattack the cultivation world!

It is said that dozens of minor worlds responded at the time, creating a grand momentum.

The united army of minor worlds appeared abruptly, catching the cultivators of that era off guard.

“But they were ultimately just a disorganized rabble. Once an Integration Immortal Venerable took action, they were easily suppressed!”

“It seems we didn't suffer many cultivator casualties throughout the entire process.”

“That’s why it's called a farce.”

“Thinking about it, a counterattack on the cultivation world? Haha, how could that be possible!”

“However, there was a precedent, after all. The Immortal Alliance and the Five Elders' Council consequently established rules.”

He Zhenghao's brows were tightly furrowed, and his face showed worry.