Chapter 249: Have a Daughter, Why Worry

The mysterious disappearance of chubby Ye Feipeng caused the cultivators from the Departure Realm on the desolate island, who had become somewhat overconfident due to their significant cultivation advancements, to become much more restrained. They strictly adhered to the advice of "Senior Skull," quietly cultivating and developing discreetly.

As for Zhang Zhiliang, things seemed a bit unusual on his side. There was no news of his promotion to the Deity Transformation stage. As if nothing had happened, he still appeared as he had before, merely a formation master deeply engrossed in the study of formations. But Li Fan knew that some kind of conspiracy must be brewing in the shadows.

Zhang Zhiliang had survived the brutal battle in Tianling State in this life, and it wasn't just that he had found an opportunity for a breakthrough. His entire mindset and outlook seemed to have undergone a certain change. Zhang Zhiliang himself hadn't tried to conceal this much. So Li Fan, who had frequent contact with Zhang Zhiliang and was skilled at reading people, keenly noticed this point.

And in the Heavenly Profound Mirror, materials for crafting formation crowns had recently seen slight price increases to varying degrees. This also seemed to indirectly confirm that Zhang Zhiliang was secretly making some kind of preparations.

"I recall that this year, two Deity Transformation stage immortal lords, Lancang and Haoxuan, will coincidentally have a major battle in the Cloud Sea."

"As long as I see whether Immortal Lord Ziyun intervenes at that time, I will know if Zhang Zhiliang has leaked the news of the Blazing Flame Burning Sea."

"Everything is interconnected; one can infer the significant from the subtle, and glimpse the whole through a small opening."

"Although I sit all day within the Heavenly Profound Mirror, the Formless Killing Intent illuminates my vision. Then, by comparing and verifying these details, which ordinary people might not notice, with my knowledge from previous lives,"

"I can also achieve the feat of not leaving my home yet knowing all the affairs of the world."

Thinking this, Li Fan couldn't help but feel a secret delight. But shortly after he, carrying this rare feeling of contentment, re-entered arduous cultivation, Li Fan's expression suddenly changed, and he interrupted his cultivation.

Because he discovered that the Formless Killing Intent monitoring He Zhenghao had actually become ineffective. Although the lock-on was still active, not only could he not sense the scene there, he couldn't even determine his exact location.

The Formless Killing Intent was a Heavenly Sight and Earthly Listening technique, used by borrowing the Mandate of Heaven. After so many cycles of reincarnation, instances of it failing had occurred, but rarely. For instance, previously in the scholar's study pulled by the green ox. But that was an ancient anomaly capable of fighting against the Heavenly Doctor, with strength at least above the Dao Integration stage. He Zhenghao hadn't even broken through to the Golden Core stage; how could he possibly block Li Fan's Formless Killing Intent?

What happened?

As for Fellow Daoist He, Li Fan still valued him greatly. As the only subordinate he had tamed in this life, Li Fan was even planning to find an excuse to take him out of the Cloud Sea before the Blazing Flame Burning Sea descended. To save his life. But the premise was that he couldn't escape Li Fan's control.

Pondering for a moment, Li Fan took out a communication talisman and sent a message to He Zhenghao.

"Fellow Daoist He, how have you been recently?"

After a long time, there was no response.

Li Fan frowned.

"Fellow Daoist He, where are you now?"

After waiting a while, there was still no response.

Rubbing his chin, Li Fan stood up, left the Heavenly Profound Mirror, and headed straight for the Dharma Transmission Plaza. Just as he was about to reach the teleportation array to Glazed Island, He Zhenghao finally replied leisurely: "Oh? Fellow Daoist Li Fan, what do you need me for?"

"Where else could I be? Of course, I'm on Glazed Island."

Li Fan paused his steps: "Haha, that's perfect. It's been a long time; it's a good chance to catch up in person."

He Zhenghao immediately replied, his tone seeming a little flustered.

"How about another day? I have a guest, so it's not very convenient..."

Li Fan smiled faintly, ignoring He Zhenghao's suggestion, and directly activated the teleportation array. He wanted to see what method He Zhenghao had used to block the Formless Killing Intent.

A moment later, Li Fan saw He Zhenghao, whose face showed considerable awkwardness and regret. However, his attention was currently focused on another person present.

A girl who appeared to be only sixteen or seventeen years old. She was tall and slender, with a delicate and beautiful face. At this moment, she was looking at the suddenly appearing Li Fan, her eyes full of curiosity.

"This is...?"

"This is...?"

Li Fan and the girl asked in unison.

He Zhenghao lightly coughed, subtly positioned himself in front of the girl, blocking Li Fan's view.

"Hahaha, Fellow Daoist, you truly are swift and decisive, coming as soon as you say!"

"Allow me to introduce you. This is my humble daughter, He Xinxin."

"Xinxin, this Fellow Daoist is Li Fan, a close friend of your father's."

He Zhenghao concealed the awkwardness on his face well, and introduced the two to each other. Li Fan's gaze swept lightly over He Xinxin, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

This young girl, not very old, seemed to possess remarkable talent. At such a young age, she was already at the late Foundation Establishment stage. According to the normal historical trajectory, if Li Fan hadn't transmitted the "Mountain and River Hidden Dragon Art" to He Zhenghao, her cultivation would likely be even higher than He Zhenghao's!

Her talent was higher than her father's, and she didn't live with him... Li Fan understood instantly.

"Fellow Daoist He is quite skilled at being a kept man, isn't he? I wonder why he ran off to this Cloud Sea all by himself."

"Could it be that he's old and useless now?" Li Fan maliciously speculated.

On the other side, seeing Li Fan staring so intently at his daughter, He Zhenghao couldn't help but feel a little flustered. He quickly spoke up to draw Li Fan's attention: "Hahaha, Fellow Daoist, please, have a seat." He hastily invited Li Fan to sit in the mountain-top pavilion.

"Fellow Daoist He, you're really treating me like an outsider."

"How come I've never heard you mention having a daughter?" Li Fan took a sip of tea and said deliberately, unhurriedly.

As expected, the moment Li Fan said this, He Xinxin immediately became a bit displeased. She didn't speak, but just stared angrily at He Zhenghao with her beautiful eyes.

He Zhenghao secretly groaned, and quickly defended himself: "Fellow Daoist, you truly have a short memory! Didn't I say last time that I would bring my daughter..." Mid-sentence, He Zhenghao suddenly felt something was off, and quickly stopped himself. Sensing He Xinxin's increasingly suspicious gaze. He Zhenghao's mind went blank, he opened his mouth, and for a moment didn't know how to explain.

Fortunately, Li Fan stepped in to help him out in time: "Haha, now that you mention it, I do recall."

"At that time, you were even insisting I prepare a meeting gift for her." Li Fan slapped his head, feigning that he had just remembered. "It's our first meeting, and your father didn't inform me. So I didn't prepare any gifts in advance."

"I'll just give you a little trinket." Saying this, Li Fan took out a flag about half a person's height from his storage ring and handed it over. He Xinxin took the flag and looked at it, seeing that it was black and yellow, with the words "Ten Thousand Immortals" written on it. It was precisely the Ten Thousand Immortals Formation Flag that Li Fan had once used, and had purchased in this life as a backup. It was worth ten thousand contribution points.

"When a girl travels outside, she must always pay attention to safety. This set of formation flags is for your self-defense." Li Fan, who deeply understood the principle that to take something, one must first give something, disregarded He Zhenghao's worried gaze, and said to He Xinxin with a cheerful smile.