Chapter 378: Change in the Five Caverns

The term "Five Elements Grand Grotto-Heaven" was too sensitive. Lu Xichan instinctively overlooked Huangfu Song's subsequent words. She pondered for a moment, not expressing her stance immediately. Instead, she withdrew her gaze from below and, watched by the many cultivators of the Spirit Transformation Stream, transformed into a rainbow and returned to her quarters. Huangfu and Dongfang wiped cold sweat from their foreheads and quickly followed.

"Congratulations, Brother Huangfu! To be able to offer counsel before Chief Lu, your future is surely boundless!" Dongfang Yao transmitted via spiritual message as they flew.

"Cut that out, Dongfang. What kind of person is Chief Lu that she would need *my* advice? She's merely being cautious, making it easy to use me as a scapegoat if things backfire later." Huangfu Song snorted, highly displeased. "How could you not see that?"

"Brother Huangfu, many would jump at the chance to be Chief Lu's scapegoat. Besides, given her character, I don't believe she would..." "Haha..." Dongfang Yao, realizing his words were unwelcome, changed the subject, sighing, "I'd heard rumors that the conflict between the Dharma Transmitters and the Dao Fusion cultivators who have newly emerged over the past millennia had become incredibly intense. I thought it was just an exaggeration. But seeing it today, it's clearly true."

Huangfu Song also sighed softly. "Being forced to take a side today, I wonder if it's a blessing or a curse. If we succeed, naturally, we'll enjoy immense wealth and status. But if we fail..." They exchanged a look, and silence fell between them.

Back in the Spirit Transformation Stream, after Lu Xichan and her companions departed, Li Fan joined the returning workforce and went back to his residence. When Chief Lu's gaze landed on him, Li Fan knew she had recognized him. Yet, to his surprise, the Dao Fusion expert only paused for a moment before her attention moved on.

"She's your daughter's savior, and after finally meeting, she just leaves like that?" Li Fan was genuinely surprised. However, observing the expressions on Huangfu and Dongfang's faces, he realized his plan might not have failed. Perhaps Dao Fusion experts, especially those in high-ranking positions, simply acted with more 'reserve.' So, remaining unfazed by fortune or misfortune, he waited patiently.

Indeed, a day later, after Lu Xichan had departed in a streak of rainbow light, Huangfu Song came calling.

"A temporary special assignment to the Five Elements Grand Grotto-Heaven?" Hearing the plump man's words, Li Fan was surprised by how smoothly things were progressing and felt a surge of joy.

"Congratulations, young friend, your wish has been granted! The Five Elements Grotto-Heaven is among the most important secret realms in the entire Myriad Immortals Alliance. Furthermore, due to its unique status, the construction of the Heaven-Mystic Spirit-Locking Array has just begun and is still in its initial phase. This journey presents an excellent opportunity for you to prove your worth. If you push yourself a little harder, even the top ranking isn't out of reach," Huangfu Song said, his face glowing with a smile.

Li Fan's expression remained calm. "I must thank you again for your help, Senior. I will surely remember this kindness!" Huangfu Song waved his hand dismissively. "Nonsense. To tell the truth, I've also benefited from your good fortune this time."

"However, there's something I need to remind you about, young friend." Huangfu Song's smile faded as he spoke gravely. "Oh?" Li Fan, seeing the uncharacteristically serious look on the other's face, also became solemn. "Please, Senior, tell me!"

Huangfu Song explained, "Originally, there were other secret realms we could have been assigned to, not just the Five Elements Grand Grotto-Heaven. In fact, Chief Lu was still hesitant about sending us there until very recently. However, a sudden event changed her mind."

Li Fan's expression grew serious as he waited for him to continue. "This matter is an absolute secret; only a select few in the entire Myriad Immortals Alliance are currently aware of it. Young friend, you must promise not to disclose it." Huangfu Song cautioned him first, then lowered his voice and spoke quietly. "The Five Elements Grand Grotto-Heaven is now located at the border between Tianchen and Tianshu Prefectures. But do you recall, young friend, where this Grotto-Heaven was originally discovered?"

Li Fan immediately replied, "How could I forget? The battle in Tianling Prefecture had an incredibly profound impact on the entire Xuanhuang Realm. What exactly do you mean by that, Senior?"

Huangfu Song's deep gaze could not conceal his shock. He slowly stated, "After the battle in Tianling Prefecture, our Myriad Immortals Alliance expended significant effort to relocate the Five Elements Grand Grotto-Heaven back to the heartland, where it currently resides. The original site of Tianling Prefecture, naturally, became an empty void. However, three days ago, the Alliance received an urgent report: inexplicable spiritual energy fluctuations were emanating from that very void. The results of our investigation were almost unbelievable."

Huangfu Song paused, as if to compose himself. He then continued, "There were five such spiritual energy fluctuations. And after repeated confirmation... those are signs of new grotto-heavens, reborn!"

Hearing this, Li Fan's eyes glinted, and he stared fixedly at Huangfu Song. "New grotto-heavens? New Five Elements Grotto-Heavens?" His voice trembled slightly, filled with undisguised horror.

Huangfu Song nodded. "This... how is this possible?" Li Fan was slightly stunned. To his limited knowledge, the formation of any grotto-heaven required immense serendipity and eons of time. For Tianling Prefecture to have birthed five complementary Five Elements Grotto-Heavens was already a miracle. But for new Five Elements Grotto-Heavens to be reborn in the exact spot after the Myriad Immortals Alliance had moved the original ones?

"What's happening to the original Five Elements Grand Grotto-Heaven now? Has anything changed there?" Connecting this to Huangfu Song's 'special mission,' Li Fan asked thoughtfully. "There are signs of the Five Elements converging into one, and it's irreversible," Huangfu Song replied, his tone heavy. "Five Elements converging?" Li Fan frowned slightly.

"Is this a good thing or a bad thing? And what will happen once they converge?" he couldn't help but ask. Huangfu Song shook his head. "This has never happened before. Even Chief Lu herself couldn't conceal her astonishment and shock upon hearing the news. However, what we can confirm is that with the Five Elements converging, the current five grotto-heavens will not entirely vanish. Instead, they will merge into a completely new grotto-heaven. As for whether this new grotto-heaven will undergo dramatic changes during the process – transforming from a rich source of various resources into a barren wasteland – that remains unpredictable for everyone. Regardless, the plan to construct the Spirit-Locking Array remains unchanged. Due to the sudden nature of this event, Chief Lu has already gone ahead to conduct an on-site investigation. We will be led there by a designated person shortly."