Chapter 261: Attempting to Prove Immortality

Angry Squid:

Initially, some skeptical cultivators didn't take the Myriad Immortals Alliance's warnings to heart. They continued to act independently, relying on their stealth cultivation techniques to secretly infiltrate Jiushan State. However, the Soul Transformation cultivators stationed there by order this time were truly well-prepared. They jointly set up a grand formation, enveloping the entire Jiushan State.

The formation's purpose was not for killing; rather, it automatically marked out Five Elders Society cultivators within its range. The underlying principle was unknown, but as soon as a Five Elders Society cultivator stepped inside, a pillar of light would shoot into the sky, locking onto them. No matter how much they tried to hide their tracks, they became as clearly visible as a candle flame in the dark.

This worked out perfectly; the Soul Transformation cultivators didn't even need to intervene. The "rats" who had infiltrated Jiushan State were torn to shreds by swarming Myriad Immortals Alliance cultivators.

Such a grand formation, capable of discerning the identities of cultivators from both sides, had never appeared before. It hadn't even been deployed during the previous great battle in Tianling State. Its debut this time yielded extraordinary results.

The Five Elders Society seemed unable to find a countermeasure immediately and was not prepared for another full-scale war. Therefore, they temporarily ceased their activities and did not take more aggressive measures. However, they also didn't seem to have completely abandoned their plans to explore the Chaoyuan Sect. They gathered forces at the border of Jiushan State, adopting a posture of being ready to invade at any moment.

The front lines were highly tense, with a major war on the verge of breaking out. Meanwhile, in the secure rear of the Myriad Immortals Alliance, the Five Elders Society's motives this time became a hot topic of discussion among cultivators.

Normally speaking, both sides had only recently concluded a major war, suffering countless cultivator casualties. This period should have been a time of peace and recovery. Yet, the Five Elders Society uncharacteristically continued to provoke. What was their true aim? Furthermore, the last great battle was due to the rare Five Elements Great Grotto-heaven. Why were troops deployed against each other again this time?

After much discussion and analysis, it was generally believed there were only two possibilities. First, there might genuinely be some supreme treasure within the ruins of the Chaoyuan Sect. The Five Elders Society would not hesitate to go to war with the Myriad Immortals Alliance to seize it. The second reason was that the situation in Jiushan State was merely a diversionary tactic by the Five Elders Society, designed to create a false impression. They were taking advantage of the ruins' appearance to create a major commotion and draw the Myriad Immortals Alliance's attention. Their true target, however, lay elsewhere.

Regardless of their specific purpose, it was certain that the Five Elders Society harbored ill intentions. For the vast majority of Qi Condensation and Foundation Establishment cultivators, war still seemed somewhat distant. After all, even the last major battle in Tianling State, immense as it was, didn't require their participation on the battlefield. However, the benefits of discounted cultivation techniques after the war were very real. Consequently, most people watched the situation's further developments with a mixture of apprehension and anticipation.

"Chaoyuan Sect..."

In the Congyun Sea area, the situation had not yet escalated to the point where formation repairers needed to go on patrol. Li Fan remained within the Heavenly Profound Mirror, collecting and reviewing information about new events.

"According to cultivators who successfully explored the Chaoyuan Sect ruins and returned safely, it appears to be a rather ordinary ruin. Aside from its larger scale, there seems to be nothing particularly special about it."

"The only peculiar aspect is that the interior of the ruins is remarkably well-preserved and smooth, hardly resembling a site that has existed for a thousand years."

"There are no signs of battle or conflict, and no remains of fallen cultivators."

"Even most of the restrictions within the sect ruins are in an unactivated state."

"It's as if, in a single instant, all the cultivators of the Chaoyuan Sect vanished, and the sect itself traveled through a thousand years of time, appearing directly in the present."

"It is said that some Soul Transformation cultivators from the Myriad Immortals Alliance also went in to investigate. Unfortunately, they don't seem to have discovered anything significant."

"Hmm, interesting..."

Li Fan's eyes flickered slightly. Anyone with discerning eyes could tell that there was something peculiar about the Chaoyuan Sect. However, if even Soul Transformation cultivators couldn't fully investigate it, it must be exceptionally dangerous.

"I hope there's a resolution in this life before I truly make my move, so I can gain an advantage in the next."

As Li Fan quietly awaited the situation's next development, his clone received an urgent message from Jiao Xiuyuan. It turned out Jiao Xiuyuan could no longer wait and was finally going to hold the first auction for the Small Medicine King Cauldron.

"I've been planning for so long, and all the necessary funds have been spent. Seeing that war is about to break out again, I truly can't wait any longer!" Jiao Xiuyuan complained. "Although cultivators might not be very affluent if I hold it now, it's still better than delaying for a few more years and not breaking even. I invested too much in the initial promotion of the Small Medicine King Cauldron. If I delay any longer, my funds won't even be able to circulate."

While his claim about struggling finances might not have been entirely true, Li Fan agreed with his decision. If he didn't sell the Small Medicine King Cauldrons in his possession soon, once the true Medicine King Cauldron appeared, these smaller cauldrons would no longer be priceless commodities but rather signify immense trouble. He feared that by then, even Jiao Xiuyuan himself wouldn't be able to escape unscathed.

"I've set the location for the first auction in Tianhua State. It's also in the heartland of the Myriad Immortals Alliance, connected to eight states including Tianyu State, and the cultivators there are generally wealthier than those in other states. Would you like to come and observe, Fellow Daoist?"

Jiao Xiuyuan still highly valued Li Fan, as he was the one who had formulated the business plan. He extended an invitation to Li Fan.

Li Fan smiled and declined: "For such a grand occasion, I, a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator, won't go just to join the fun. I wish you immediate success in making the Small Medicine King Cauldron famous, Fellow Daoist."

Jiao Xiuyuan felt a bit regretful but couldn't force the issue.

"By the way, Fellow Daoist Jiao, what do you make of the Five Elders Society's unusual movements lately?" Li Fan suddenly asked.

"The Five Elders Society?" Jiao Xiuyuan was startled at first, then tilted his head and paused for a moment, seemingly receiving some information. A moment later, he replied, "My personal judgment is that this is a probe by the Five Elders Society, taking advantage of the current situation."

"A probe? How do you mean?" Li Fan's interest was piqued, and he pressed further.

Jiao Xiuyuan lowered his voice: "Let's keep this conversation private, Fellow Daoist. Please do not spread it. I have a special source of information: a certain Dao-Integration Immortal Venerable within the Myriad Immortals Alliance wishes to defy the laws of heaven and earth to achieve the Immortal Life Dao Fruit. This Immortal Venerable has good relations with other Dao-Integration powerhouses within the Alliance and is said to have enlisted many helpers, though their whereabouts are unknown. I suspect the Five Elders Society got wind of this somehow and wants to apply some pressure to test if the intelligence is true. The incident in Jiushan State is just an appetizer. If I'm not mistaken, the major events are yet to come."

When Li Fan first heard Jiao Xiuyuan's words, he thought the Dao-Integration powerhouse he was referring to was Immortal Venerable Lan Yu of Daoyuan State. However, the later description was clearly inconsistent with Lan Yu.

"Another one trying to ascend to the Immortal Life Realm?" Li Fan's heart stirred slightly. However, a question immediately arose in his mind.

"This Immortal Venerable wants to break through, and will still invite friends to help? Aren't they afraid of..." Li Fan didn't finish his sentence, but his meaning was very clear.