Chapter 371: Seemingly Fake but Actually Real

Li Fan’s somewhat roguish words did not anger Huangfu Song. Instead, he showed a look of appreciation.

“When I first heard about your deeds, I thought you had been possessed.”

“From what I could see, you didn’t seem to fit the description of ‘selfless’ or ‘altruistic’.”

“Yet your actions were clear for all to see and couldn’t be faked, which puzzled me for a long time.”

“Today, your words have completely cleared up my doubts.”

Huangfu Song observed Li Fan, nodding slightly. “You, young man, are a ruthless one!”

Li Fan’s expression remained unchanged. “You flatter me, Senior! So, what about this compensation you mentioned?”

Huangfu Song patted his belly and chuckled. “You just want to know from me where to go next to maximize your score in the ranking competition. Why beat around the bush?”

With that, he pointed a finger towards Li Fan.

Instantly, detailed information about the construction status of the Sky Profound Spirit-Locking Arrays across most territories of the Myriad Immortal Alliance, along with the names of the associated array masters, appeared before Li Fan’s eyes.

It not only showed each array master’s current ranking on the Golden List but also thoughtfully predicted each contestant’s potential to climb further.

Huangfu Song said smugly, “This is the top-secret list that was just released yesterday. Although the scores will change again after a day, it’s definitely useful as a reference.”

“Ordinary people would have to pay a price to see this.”

Li Fan quickly scanned the contents of the list.

A moment later, he slightly frowned.

Seeing Li Fan’s expression, Huangfu Song asked, somewhat surprised, “What, Li boy, you’re still not satisfied?”

“Senior Huangfu, it seems certain places are missing from this list?” Li Fan asked, his gaze sharp.

“Missing? Absolutely impossible? My...”

Before Huangfu Song could finish his rebuttal, Li Fan interrupted directly, “What about the Five Elements Grand Grotto-Heaven?”

Huangfu Song froze.

Li Fan continued, “As the spark that ignited the great war between the Myriad Immortal Alliance and the Council of Five Elders in Tianling Province, and now a major source of countless resources for the Alliance, how could such an important place not have a Sky Profound Spirit-Locking Array?”

“And what about the Boundless Sea? It’s a cultivation sanctuary longed for by countless cultivators, where crossing the sea can lead directly to the peak of one’s current grand realm. I didn’t see it on the list either.”

“Star Hub Plain, Jie Shi Heaven...”

“Though I am ignorant, I have heard of these regions.”

To conceal his true objective, Li Fan rattled off many secretive and crucial locations.

These were places Li Fan knew from reading confidential documents but had never actually visited.

However, bringing them up now was perfect for creating confusion.

“You know quite a lot, young man.” Huangfu Song’s expression didn’t change even after being exposed by Li Fan.

Muttering to himself, Huangfu Song then said sternly, “Let’s be frank, you know the importance of these places. It’s simply impossible for outsiders to casually get involved.”

“Indeed, building arrays in these places yields several times the contribution points compared to ordinary regions.”

“However, specific individuals are responsible for building the arrays there. As a junior with no connections or backing, you want to sneak in and farm points...”

“You’re dreaming.”

Huangfu Song shook his head repeatedly. “Look at all the people on the Golden List; who among them has managed to do that?”

“Aren’t they stronger than you?”

Li Fan was not disheartened by Huangfu Song’s denial. Instead, he seized upon a key point.

He mused, “Senior, does that mean if one has connections and backing, participating in array construction in these regions isn’t impossible?”

Li Fan’s peculiar train of thought left Huangfu Song somewhat speechless.

He was about to retort mockingly but then saw Li Fan lost in serious thought. For some reason, his heart suddenly skipped a beat.

“You, young man, don’t tell me you actually have some powerful backing?”

Huangfu Song asked suspiciously.

Li Fan didn’t answer directly, merely smiling faintly. “I’m just doing my best. This matter might still require Senior Huangfu’s mediation later.”

These ambiguous words made Huangfu Song even more uncertain and apprehensive.

“If there’s a possibility, I will contact you again later, Senior. At that time, I hope you can lend me a hand,” Li Fan said courteously.

Having spoken, he prepared to leave the room.

Watching Li Fan’s retreating figure, Huangfu Song’s eyes flickered.

After a moment of hesitation, he couldn’t help but ask, “Regarding Tantai Tao...”

Li Fan did not stop walking and instantly vanished from Huangfu Song’s sight.

Only faint words lingered, echoing in the air.

“It was merely a joke from this junior. Since you have helped me on several occasions, if you dislike it, I will no longer mention it from now on.”

Huangfu Song stared in the direction Li Fan had disappeared, his expression unreadable.

He let out a cold snort and slammed the room door shut.

Li Fan’s expression was calm as he returned to his residence.

Li Fan was unsure if Huangfu Song was truly involved in the tragic deaths of Tantai Tao and the others.

However, when Li Fan first jokingly brought up Tantai Tao, he noticed something unusual in Huangfu Song’s somewhat over-the-top reaction.

He even faintly sensed a murderous intent directed at him.

Although it was almost imperceptible, Li Fan, who had mastered the Formless Killing Intent, was extremely sensitive to murderous intent.

It was almost certain that, in that instant, Huangfu Song had indeed considered killing Li Fan.

This made Li Fan curious.

Consequently, Li Fan repeatedly brought up Tantai Tao’s death to test Huangfu Song’s limits.

To his surprise, whenever Li Fan mentioned Tantai Tao, Huangfu Song became noticeably more accommodating.

Because of this, his attitude towards Li Fan was also significantly different from how he treated other students.

Until today, with Huangfu Song’s question.

This essentially confirmed that he did indeed have some connection to the deaths of Tantai Tao and the other students.

It was unlikely he had personally acted, otherwise, he would have been dealt with long ago.

However, it was possible that he had leaked information about Tantai Tao and the others.

This was why Huangfu Song was sensitive to the name “Tantai Tao.”

Because he couldn’t withstand a thorough investigation.

Although time had passed and the names of Tantai Tao and the others were largely forgotten by most, Li Fan would periodically put on a performance in front of Huangfu Song.

This indeed made Huangfu Song somewhat restless.

Li Fan, of course, understood the principle of knowing when to stop.

Now that Huangfu Song had made his stance clear, Li Fan could no longer feign ignorance as he had before.

The message conveyed was also clear: just help me one last time.

And from now on, I will never mention this matter again.

Li Fan had already gained enough information from Huangfu Song, and pushing him too far would be counterproductive.

Li Fan had no reservations about making this statement.