Chapter 374: Lu Chief Arrives

Many buildings were constructed mid-air over the azure river, supported only by a few stone pillars.

The giant whale-like beast exhaled a stream of air, gently setting the Dust-Crossing Boat onto a spacious platform. It then leaped into the river below. An incredibly strange scene unfolded: despite its enormous size, the beast splashed no water when it plunged into the azure river. Only ripples spread across the surface, confirming that the whale's dive into the river was not an illusion.

Dongfang led everyone off the Dust-Crossing Boat and along the corridor, heading from the platform towards the nearby complex of buildings. As they walked above the long river, everyone felt a sense of trepidation, fearing the pillars below might collapse, sending them tumbling into the water.

The azure river water seemed to share the same origin as the Spirit-Transforming Stones. With countless streams converging, the suppression of spiritual energy reached its peak here, causing Li Fan's internal power to completely subside. Without the support of his cultivation, Li Fan, whose lifespan was nearing its end, felt the effects of aging more acutely. Even walking a few steps left him breathless; it seemed as if he might collapse at any moment. Feeling startled, Li Fan simultaneously tried to summon Huan Zhen mentally and found that he could still use it normally. Only then did he feel a sense of relief.

"This wretched place is only for people like you," Huangfu Song said, wiping the sweat from his forehead after they had walked for a long time and finally arrived at a large hall. "Even though it's not my first time here, I still can't get used to it."

"There's no other way. The number of Vitality Orbs is limited. Building the grand array is an urgent matter that cannot be delayed," Dongfang replied with a smile. "They were all distributed to my subordinates to expedite progress; there are no spares. Otherwise, I could give you one, Brother Huangfu, for emergencies."

Huangfu Song waved his hand. "The mission is paramount, the mission is paramount. Let's quickly finish the task and get out of this dreadful place."

Dongfang nodded, about to say something, when his expression subtly changed. A blue light suddenly flew in from outside and stopped directly in front of him. Li Fan looked over and saw it was a small blue bird. It constantly flapped its wings, chirping, seemingly conveying some message. Dongfang seemed to understand this "bird language." As the blue bird chirped, he suddenly stood up, his expression growing more solemn.

"I understand. You may go," Dongfang said. The blue bird transformed into a blue light and vanished instantly.

"What's wrong?" Huangfu Song asked, curious to see Dongfang's wary expression as if facing a formidable enemy.

Dongfang cupped his hands. "Brother Huangfu, please excuse me, I cannot accompany you. I've received an urgent notice. The Chief is about to arrive for an inspection, so I must hurry and conduct another round of checks to prevent any oversights."

Huangfu Song was also startled upon hearing this. He quickly stood up and asked, "The Chief? Which Chief?"

Dongfang gave a wry smile. "Who else could make me this nervous? Of course, it's the highest-ranking Chief."

Huangfu Song was somewhat aghast, "Lu..." Before he could finish, Dongfang interrupted him.

"Shhh, it's enough that Brother Huangfu knows. Remember not to spread it."

Knowing that his superior's superior was about to arrive for an inspection, Huangfu Song also grew somewhat nervous. "Understood, understood. Duty calls, Brother Dongfang. Please go quickly. This person, according to rumors, is truly not easy to deal with..."

Huangfu nodded in agreement, about to say more, but suddenly froze in place. The shock on his face could no longer be concealed as he abruptly turned to look at Li Fan, who was quietly sitting to one side. He saw the already frail and aged Li Fan resting with his eyes closed, seemingly completely unconcerned by their conversation.

"Is this why he wanted to come here? How could that be?! A coincidence, or..."

Huangfu Song was not an ordinary person after all. A moment later, he suppressed the unusual look on his face. Dongfang, as if sensing something, also glanced in Li Fan's direction. However, he didn't inquire further, simply bid farewell, and left.

After Dongfang left, Huangfu Song could no longer contain himself and called Li Fan aside into an empty room. Lowering his voice, he stared intently at Li Fan, "Youngster, did you know Chief Lu was coming beforehand?"

Li Fan merely smiled faintly, neither denying nor admitting. Seeing this, Huangfu Song understood perfectly. He immediately gasped.

As a member of the Array Management Hall in Tianyu Province, Huangfu Song knew perfectly well how high Chief Lu's status was. Not to mention her own cultivation at the Dao Merging stage, her authority as the Chief Array Master of the Myriad Immortals Alliance's Array Management Hall, overseeing all array-related matters within the Alliance, was enough to crush Huangfu Song as easily as an ant. Strictly speaking, all array masters in the Myriad Immortals Alliance's Array Management Halls were her subordinates.

Moreover, Chief Lu's methods were ruthless. The group of people who once vied with her for the Chief position were all suppressed for various reasons shortly after she took office, vanishing from the world. Such blatant acts of retaliation not only failed to provoke a wave of opposition, but instead garnered strong support from the Myriad Immortals Alliance's highest decision-making body. Subsequently, her series of swift and decisive reform measures, along with several severe punitive actions, left the array masters of the Array Management Hall trembling in fear. Huangfu Song had even once heard Ji Hongdao casually mention that the plan to popularize the Heaven-Profound Spirit-Locking Array was first proposed by Chief Lu.

Numerous rumors about her from the past constantly surfaced in his mind. Cold sweat broke out on Huangfu Song's forehead. Such a prominent figure, yet this unassuming young man before him, who appeared to have no background, actually knew her whereabouts days in advance? What did that mean? Even if his patron wasn't Chief Lu herself, he must be extremely close to Chief Lu. Thinking of this, Huangfu Song couldn't help but feel parched.

"No wonder I always felt this young man possessed an extraordinary demeanor, far from ordinary," he thought. "So he really does have backing, and incredibly strong backing at that!" Li Fan's past experiences flashed through his mind, and Huangfu Song suddenly felt enlightened. "No wonder he fought so hard for the rankings, yet remained so nonchalant even when close to death from old age. He had something to rely on. No wonder his great reputation for selfless dedication spread so quickly, almost throughout the entire Myriad Immortals Alliance. It was all pre-meditated. Self-sacrifice? It was just using this opportunity to gild himself."

Several thoughts flashed through his mind, and he cursed inwardly. No matter how much he grumbled internally, Huangfu Song put on a brilliant smile. "Ah, yes, young friend Li Fan, you truly are a master who conceals his abilities! With such connections, why keep it hidden? You're treating me too much like an outsider!"

Li Fan's expression remained unchanged. "Senior Huangfu, I don't know what you've deduced. However, I believe you might be mistaken. This junior absolutely has no backing," he said earnestly.

"Acting, still acting for me. Isn't it just to avoid a bad impression?" Huangfu Song thought to himself, but he immediately nodded seriously, saying, "I understand, I understand!"