Chapter 372: Ten Thousand Miles of Fiery Burning Shore

Li Fan and Huangfu Song differed significantly in both strength and status. Threatening others naturally carried risks. However, for one thing, the unusual phenomena that occurred after a cultivator's death made it truly difficult to kill someone secretly without being discovered. Secondly, Li Fan was now, after all, a role model for the world, living in the spotlight. Even if Huangfu Song wanted to act, he would have to consider the consequences. Huangfu Song certainly had no intention or resolve to trade his life for a junior like Li Fan. Compromise was inevitable. Thus, while the action appeared perilous, it was entirely within Li Fan's plan.

"The Five Elements Great Grotto-Heaven..." Li Fan pondered for a moment, then closed his eyes and concentrated, beginning to contact Lu Xuejing, whom he hadn't checked on since subduing her. The Fisherman's methods were truly mysterious. Even within the dense white mist, he could always mentally communicate with his subjugated beings, no matter how far away they were.

"Master..." After a moment, feeling Li Fan's summons, Lu Xuejing's timid voice responded. Having not contacted her for a long time, Li Fan skipped any pleasantries. He directly inquired about her recent situation. After understanding the general circumstances, Li Fan thought for a while, then asked some questions about her mother. The loyal Lu Xuejing truthfully relayed everything.

"Mother seems very busy lately, constantly traveling and inspecting various grotto-heavens," she reported. "They are all places I haven't heard of. Sometimes she even loses contact for quite a long time..." As Li Fan listened, a plan slowly formed in his mind. Before disconnecting, Li Fan comforted and praised the young girl. Lu Xuejing appeared very excited, her soft voice exceedingly pleasant. After instructing her on the planned matters, Li Fan severed the connection, with Lu Xuejing expressing extreme reluctance.

"The plan is merely this. Whether it succeeds or not will depend on my fortune," Li Fan mused inwardly. Fortunately, Li Fan's luck was good. The next day, just as Huangfu Song was about to pilot the Dust-Crossing Boat out of Broken Palm Immortal City, Li Fan received a message from Lu Xuejing. A glint flashed in Li Fan's eyes, and he swiftly ascended to the Dust-Crossing Boat.

"Kid, what do you want now?" Huangfu Song scrutinized Li Fan, who had intruded without warning, his expression displeased. He dismissed the others and led Li Fan into an enclosed cabin. With an icy gaze, he stared at Li Fan, awaiting his next words.

"To contend for ranking, I wish to make a bold effort. Other arrangements are complete; now I need senior's help once." Hearing this, Huangfu Song was astonished. "So soon?" He narrowed his eyes, closely observing Li Fan from head to toe. He seemed to be contemplating, and after a moment, he finally spoke, "Speak. What do you want me to do?"

Li Fan said in a deep voice, "I want senior to change course and take me to the Spirit Transformation Gorge as quickly as possible.""Spirit Transformation Gorge?" Huangfu Song paused slightly. "Why are you going there?" Li Fan did not answer, but continued with his request: "Furthermore, you'll need to find a legitimate reason, one that won't make others suspect anything unusual."

Huangfu Song let out a cold chuckle. "Kid, you certainly have a lot of demands." Without refusing on the spot, Huangfu Song fell into a long silence. He seemed to be contacting someone. Li Fan stood still, waiting patiently. After about a quarter of an hour, Huangfu Song gave a slight nod. He then looked at Li Fan again.

"Consider yourself lucky. I have a friend who is currently overseeing the formation construction at the Spirit Transformation Gorge," Huangfu Song stated concisely. "The formation construction there is also nearing completion. His next destination is also very close to my mission location. I haven't seen him in a long time, so I've arranged to go there with him. We can catch up while we're at it." Li Fan's heart swelled slightly with joy, and he bowed respectfully. "In that case, I thank senior."

"Don't give me that," Huangfu Song said, his smile vanishing completely. "My help isn't for any other reason. I genuinely want to see who's backing you, kid." Li Fan replied earnestly, "Senior thinks too much. This junior is all alone; how could I have any backing?" Seeing Li Fan still feigning ignorance, Huangfu Song stopped arguing with him. He merely let out a cold laugh.

"Senior, how long will it take to reach the Spirit Transformation Gorge this time?" Li Fan asked shamelessly, as if nothing had happened. "Two days at the fastest, seven at the slowest. It depends on whether we encounter any unexpected situations along the way," Huangfu Song replied somewhat impatiently. "Just wait patiently. Since I've promised you, I won't deceive you on this matter." Li Fan nodded slightly, thanking him again.

The Dust-Crossing Boat's sudden change of destination, while surprising to some cultivators on board, was met without objection. Since it was Huangfu Song, the helmsman, who gave the order, they naturally dared not voice any opinions. The Dust-Crossing Boat transformed into a red light, piercing through the Soul-Devouring White Mist and advancing rapidly.

After leaving the white mist barrier, it first flew to the nearest Qu Yang Immortal City, and using its teleportation array, arrived at a barren place covered in scorched earth. Then it continued to speed towards its destination. "This is the Ten Thousand Li Scorching Sands, and the Spirit Transformation Gorge is deep within it," Huangfu Song explained, watching Li Fan curiously observe the scenery outside. "The volatile fire-attributed spiritual energy repels all other energies, and even the spatial structure becomes unstable. That's why a teleportation array cannot be built here."

Even with the formation's barrier, Li Fan could still feel the scorching heat from outside while inside the Dust-Crossing Boat. It was the pure residual power of something that had incinerated everything. Between heaven and earth, only a dark red, mighty force seemed to remain. The earth was cracked, and the sky itself appeared to be engulfed in raging flames.

"A thousand years ago, this was a good place. It's a pity it's turned into this ghost-like appearance now." Moved by the desolate scenery, Huangfu Song also sighed, filled with emotion. "If the Spirit Transformation Gorge weren't truly special, the Alliance would probably have abandoned this area long ago.""What's so special about the Spirit Transformation Gorge?" Li Fan asked, following Huangfu Song's lead.

"You don't know?" Huangfu Song was genuinely surprised this time. "Then why were you in such a hurry to come here?" Li Fan immediately adopted an innocent expression, as if he too was unaware. Huangfu Song's face twitched. Fortunately, his cultivation of composure was good, and he managed to restrain his reaction. Instead, he once again took on the role of explainer: "The Spirit Transformation Gorge itself isn't particularly special. It simply produces a type of greenish-blue stone. This stone naturally has a powerful suppressive effect on spiritual energy. If cultivators of our generation approach it without a special counter-method, all their spiritual energy will become dormant and unusable, making them instantly as weak as mortals. Based on its characteristics, the Alliance refers to it as Spirit-Transforming Stone."

Hearing this, Li Fan vaguely felt that the stone seemed familiar, as if he had seen it somewhere before. His thoughts raced, but he couldn't recall. Li Fan immediately realized it might be related to the experiences of his mysteriously vanished clone. He then stopped dwelling on it. After thinking for a moment, Li Fan asked again, "I once accidentally saw an ancient material called the Immortal-Severing Stone. It seems to have a similar effect to the Spirit-Transforming Stone senior mentioned. I wonder if these two are the same thing?"