Chapter 361: Li Fan Turns Against His Heart Again

"What? Outpost Jiaxu has run out of supplies, is on the brink of collapse, and desperately needs reinforcements?"

"How can this be? Didn't Leng Yingyi just take a batch of supplies back?!"

"They actually made a formation master like you risk your life personally? What a bunch of scoundrels!"

"There's a new miasma zone blocking the path? No wonder..."

"It's fortunate you managed to escape from such a miasma zone."

"Ah, what a pity. The journey was a bit slow, and your lifespan is now limited."

Amidst the constant exclamations of the green-robed cultivator named Hao Hui, Li Fan roughly recounted his journey. He omitted some details about the rocky miasma zone that might be related to the Celestial Physician, but everything else was a straightforward, unembellished account.

Learning of Li Fan's deeds and looking at the old, white-haired cultivator before him, who was on the verge of death yet remarkably serene, Hao Hui's eyes flickered with respect. Such a noble cultivator was incredibly rare, even within the entire Myriad Immortals Alliance.

With a solemn expression, he said gently, "Fellow Daoist, please rest assured. I will immediately send someone to Outpost Jiaxu. We will not fail to honor your desperate plea for help."

Li Fan coughed lightly and nodded slightly. Everything that needed to be done was done. It was clear this body could not endure any more strain. To even move normally, he would need considerable rest and recovery.

Hao Hui withdrew, closing the door behind him. At the same time, Li Fan felt the faint shadow in the corner of the room also disappear.

"There are still 57 years left in this life. Although I could take more longevity-extending treasures, my situation is somewhat similar to Venerable Jicheng's; both of us are nearing the end of our lives, so the effect of extending life might not be as good as I imagine."

"Even if I don't have much time left, it doesn't necessarily mean I can't achieve my planned goals."

As Li Fan closed his eyes in contemplation, in a hidden location at the very front of the Broken Palm Immortal City, directly facing the Roaring Abyss, countless demonic sounds surged from the nearby void abyss. Passing through a gap, they continuously poured into the space without any obstruction. It was as if the unspeakable sounds from the deepest layers of purgatory echoed and raged there incessantly.

The powerful and pure demonic sounds seemed to even affect the spatial structure. Twisted and terrifying faces continuously formed in this place. Yet, before these eerie faces, a figure sat. His face was unclear, but his form flickered eerily, like an undulating river. The demonic sounds that would strike fear into ordinary cultivators seemed to have no effect on him whatsoever. Furthermore, as the twisted faces formed by the demonic sound vibrations approached him, they seemed to be captured and directly absorbed into his body. His form swayed and undulated, and the faces vanished. Yet, he remained perfectly calm.

Suddenly, he waved his hand. A bluestone door rose, sealing the gap in the space. The demonic sounds abruptly diminished. The light dimmed sharply, and all lingering demonic faces vanished instantly. His body swayed even more violently.

"Young Lord."

A dark shadow materialized beside him, forming a black-robed cultivator. He recounted what he had just witnessed.

A moment later, "Is this true?" Shang Shaojun's tone held a hint of doubt.

"Based on my observation, Li Fan was not lying. Furthermore, his lifespan was indeed almost entirely consumed by the Soul-Devouring White Mist."

"I fear if he had been even slightly delayed that day, whether he would be alive now is debatable."

"I also confirmed Li Fan's identity with Ji Hongdao before I came; there are no issues."

"There were indeed traces of a newly formed miasma zone along the path to Outpost Jiaxu."

"However, it has since retreated back into the depths of the white mist, so it was likely just an isolated incident," the black-robed cultivator replied.

Hearing this, Shang Shaojun fell silent for a moment.

"Such a moving story should naturally be known by as many people as possible."

"Especially now, with spirits wavering, we need a stark contrast to make them feel ashamed of themselves."

"Go and see to this matter." A moment later, Shang Shaojun slowly spoke.

The black-robed cultivator nodded. As he was about to leave, he glanced at Shang Shaojun again, hesitant to speak.

"Hmm?"

The black-robed cultivator paused, then asked, "Yan Huan has been hung in the center of the immortal fortress and continuously whipped for eleven days now."

"When can he be taken down?"

"I reckon if this continues, the young man won't be able to hold on much longer."

"Even though it's an act, that demonic sound whip is absolutely real," the black-robed cultivator spoke cautiously, fearing he might anger the person before him.

Shang Shaojun, however, did not show displeasure: "I originally had him deliberately spread rumors to rectify the atmosphere within the immortal fortress."

"Now that we have such an excellent subject for propaganda, his role is dispensable."

"Let him down tomorrow."

"Send him a Soul Restoration Pill and tell him to rest well."

The black-robed cultivator's face lit up with joy. "Thank you, Young Lord," he said. He then quietly vanished from the secret chamber.

The recent conversation seemed to be merely an insignificant interlude for Shang Shaojun. As the bluestone door descended once more, the rampant demonic sounds surged back in. His body began to sway and undulate again.

Propelled by Shang Shaojun's efforts, within half a day, the story of Li Fan's desperate plea for aid spread throughout the entire Eternal Immortal Fortress. Some did not believe it, while many were deeply moved. And as cultivators like He Chen, who had been trapped at Outpost Jiaxu, were brought back and interrogated, the authenticity of the incident was confirmed. Although a small number of cultivators stubbornly believed it was all a self-orchestrated act, the vast majority chose to believe. While marveling at and respecting Li Fan's noble spirit, people couldn't help but lament that he only had a few decades of life left.

As for Li Fan himself, after receiving wave after wave of visitors, he finally found a rare moment of peace.

"After a period of recuperation, I've managed to somewhat adapt to this aged body."

"Although I could transform into a younger appearance, this current look is clearly more eye-catching."

The first reversal of his Dao heart concluded perfectly, and the growth of his spiritual essence left Li Fan craving more. Thus, Li Fan prepared to begin his second reversal plan.

"For the Sky-Profound Spirit Locking Grand Competition, my original intention was to merely go through the motions, just for show."

"But now, I will do the opposite."

"I will dedicate all my limited remaining life to the construction of formations."

"I will completely expend every ounce of my strength for the widespread adoption of the Sky-Profound Spirit Locking formations."

"Until my last breath."

Just thinking this, Li Fan felt goosebumps all over his body. Suppressing the discomfort in his heart, Li Fan adopted a resolute expression. With slow yet steady steps, he walked out of the room.