Chapter 285: One Mirror One Immortality

After some time, Li Fan also buried Steward Song’s body on the spot, recalling the information he had learned about the "Xuantian Sect" from him.

Over two hundred years ago, Steward Song had just joined the Violet Cloud Sect and was still a young child.

It was the Violet Cloud Sect's centennial celebration, and the entire sect was filled with a harmonious and celebratory atmosphere.

Unexpectedly, an uninvited guest arrived.

The guest's status was so distinguished that even the Violet Cloud Sect's Sect Master had to personally greet them.

It was an inspector dispatched by the Ten Immortal Sects.

However, this inspector showed little respect for the Sect Master, stating directly that they had received intelligence that a wanted criminal of the Ten Immortal Sects was hidden within the Violet Cloud Sect, and a thorough investigation was required.

Although the Violet Cloud Sect was greatly embarrassed, facing an inspector who represented the will of the Ten Immortal Sects, they had no choice but to cooperate with the investigation.

No one at the time knew exactly who the criminal was, but the search was so stringent that every disciple of the Violet Cloud Sect was interrogated individually.

Even Song Heshong, who had just joined as an odd-job disciple, was not spared.

Song Heshong was not very clear about the final outcome.

However, after the inspector left, rumors began to circulate within the sect.

A true disciple of the Violet Cloud Sect had mysteriously disappeared.

Many suspected that this true disciple was the wanted criminal.

Although the sect had established rules strictly forbidding such unfounded rumors, the truth, after all, cannot be hidden forever.

As time passed, the confidentiality requirements for that incident gradually lessened.

Later, when Song Heshong took up the position of steward in Ningyuan City, his predecessor solemnly warned him to be wary of the Xuantian Sect remnants.

Out of curiosity, he inquired and only then learned that the true disciple who had been taken away was a spy from the Xuantian Sect, secretly infiltrating the Violet Cloud Sect.

"The Xuantian Sect, formerly the foremost sect in the world."

"It held sway over the entire world, and all other sect cultivators had to grovel before it."

"It was later overthrown by the combined forces of the Ten Immortal Sects. It was in that war to annihilate the sect that the Ten Immortal Sects cemented their leadership."

"However, a powerful influence, though seemingly dead, retains its sway. Although the Xuantian Sect was overthrown overnight, remnants of it still lie hidden in the world."

"To prevent any possibility of the Xuantian Sect's resurgence, the Ten Immortal Sects issued a kill order. Anyone connected, even slightly, to the former Xuantian Sect would be killed without mercy."

"And the now-established alliance of the Ten Immortal Sects still remains so wary of the already destroyed Xuantian Sect. This is because..."

A strange glint flashed in Li Fan's eyes.

"The Xuantian Sect's ultimate treasure went missing during the war to annihilate the sect."

"And this supreme treasure is called..."

"The Xuantian Treasure Mirror."

"The Xuantian Treasure Mirror," Li Fan repeated silently to himself.

"This mirror is considered a supreme treasure of heaven and earth, possessing infinite wondrous uses. The Ten Immortal Sects even offered a reward: anyone possessing this mirror alone could exchange it for a position granting immortality."

"Unfortunately, so many years have passed, and the remnants of the Xuantian Sect have been almost entirely wiped out, nearly extinct."

"As for the whereabouts of the Xuantian Treasure Mirror, there's no way to know."

Li Fan slowly processed the information he had obtained from Song Heshong.

"Is that Mr. Bai someone from the former Xuantian Sect?"

"Perhaps, perhaps not."

"But the Xuantian Treasure Mirror should be the Heavenly Profound Mirror of later generations. I just don't know why the characters 'Xuan' and 'Tian' were swapped."

"Not to mention that the Ten Immortal Sects have already been destroyed, so there's no need for further concealment."

"Even if they truly wanted to hide its origin, they could have changed to a completely new name. There was no need to make it so obvious through a poor disguise."

"Could there be some deeper meaning?"

"Did that Immortal Venerable of Law Transmission create new methods precisely to subvert the cultivation order and avenge the sect's destruction?"

Li Fan was still unsure.

Nevertheless, Li Fan had, after all, taken a step closer to the truth of the cultivation world.

A long time later, Li Fan suppressed the swirling thoughts in his mind.

"The two key figures have been dealt with, and now it's just a matter of dealing with some insignificant small fries."

Without further hesitation, Li Fan's true consciousness emerged from the shell of Li Chen, revealing his original appearance.

Li Fan quietly approached Chu Liang and the others.

Upon encountering them, without a word, he activated his Bug Binding ability.

In less than the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, he captured all four of the other ambushing individuals.

By this point, there were no other cultivators left in Ningyuan City besides Li Fan.

The Ningyuan Longevity Fruit incident was finally successfully resolved without any civilian casualties.

"I hope this is the last time I come here."

"Mr. Bai, don't disappoint me."

Li Fan mused to himself.

He didn't move around anymore, but instead quietly hovered above Ningyuan City, waiting for the time limit to arrive.

After a long while, the surrounding scenery slowly began to blur.

Li Fan's expression shifted, and he looked down.

He saw a slender, cyan-colored figure whose face was unclear.

It stood on the street, looking up at him.

Beside it was a mortal woman leaning close, wearing a simple pink long dress, whose appearance was also unclear.

"So that's how it is..."

As Li Fan pondered, the surrounding scenery suddenly vanished.

It was replaced by another scene.

Above endless ruins, only a single cyan-colored figure stood blankly.

Faintly visible, his hands were covered in bloodstains, as if he had previously tried to dig something out of the ruins.

"Is this the original history?"

The scene went black.

Li Fan felt a wave of dizziness, and the next second, he was back inside the Heavenly Profound Mirror.

His head felt heavy. Upon careful reflection, he realized he had gained two things from this experience.

One was the "Violet Cloud Grand Aspiration," a secret art from the "Violet Cloud Thunder Control True Formula" that purifies the soul and cleanses the mind and body.

"Senior Brother Zhang, could it be that self-destruction was also your obsession?"

Thinking of this, Li Fan's expression became somewhat peculiar.

"But it's just as well; it saves me the effort of finding another cleansing art."

"From this 'Violet Cloud Thunder Control True Formula,' I have already mastered three secret arts: the Violet Cloud Soul Search Art, the Violet Cloud Divine Thunder Escape, and the Violet Cloud Grand Aspiration. Unfortunately, I had no chance to see the foundational true scripture. I fear it will be difficult to complete it in the future."

As for the second gain from this journey to the Immortal Ruin:

Li Fan's mind settled.

Within his sea of consciousness, three crystalline, emerald-green fruits lay quietly.

Just the aura emanating from them revitalized Li Fan, making him feel significantly younger.

"Rebirth Longevity Fruits."

"Each one, if consumed, can extend life by three hundred years."

"So, this is the reward for resolving Mr. Bai's obsession."

Resisting the urge to consume them himself, Li Fan averted his gaze from the crystalline longevity fruits.

"For me, three hundred years of lifespan is merely one cycle of reincarnation."

"But for other cultivators, these are almost priceless treasures."

"Instead of consuming them myself, it's better to maximize their value and exchange them for something more useful."

"However, what exactly to exchange them for still requires further planning."

He temporarily put this matter aside.

Li Fan hesitated for a moment but ultimately gave up the idea of searching for information related to the Xuantian Sect and the Xuantian Treasure Mirror.

It was certain there would be no results.

If he forcibly searched and accidentally attracted the attention of certain entities, being forced to restart would be counterproductive.