Chapter 407: Death Is Not Empty After Death

A sense of disbelief washed over him. Li Fan’s bold declarations about gambling his life in the Abyss seemed to still resonate vividly. Yet, this highly ambitious cultivator, who also appeared to have powerful connections, had died so suddenly. He had only managed to hastily leave an incomplete will before passing away unexpectedly. Reflecting on this, Huangfu Song felt deeply moved, but soon a sense of doubt arose within him. “This fellow doesn’t seem like someone who would die so easily…” He narrowed his eyes and approached Li Fan's corpse, examining it closely once more. A moment later, he confirmed, “He’s really dead.” Huangfu Song's expression was complex. “It’s probably for the best. It saves the higher-ups the trouble of figuring out what to do with you.”

His gaze fell on the storage ring in Li Fan's hand. Recalling the contents of Li Fan's transmitted will, Huangfu Song's heart skipped a beat. The will read: “I have cultivated for barely a hundred years and made only two or three close friends. He Zhenghao is one, Xue Mu is one, and Huangfu Song is half. Although I am now dead, I leave behind one million contribution points, one Life-Generating Longevity Fruit, and several spirit stones and magical artifacts. My fellow daoists can take what they wish.” Huangfu Song mused, “This kid's fortune is quite astonishingly vast. One million contribution points are one thing, but that Life-Generating Longevity Fruit is truly a good item.” A hint of greed flashed in Huangfu Song's eyes, and he considered keeping everything for himself.

Just then, a commotion and wailing erupted outside the secret room. “Fellow Daoist Li Fan, how could you die so suddenly! How can I ever repay your past kindness!” A figure approached Li Fan's corpse, spent a moment identifying it, and upon confirmation, immediately rushed forward, embracing it tightly, and bursting into loud sobs. This person was dressed in the uniform of the Garrison Camp. Huangfu Song also recognized the other cultivator accompanying him: Daoist Jing Xuan, the commander of the Garrison Camp in Tianyun State. This individual was a direct subordinate of the former commander, Lu Junyi. After Lu Junyi was promoted to the general commander of the Myriad Immortals Alliance Garrison Camp, Daoist Jing Xuan also rapidly rose through the ranks. Although his position was higher than Huangfu Song's, the Garrison Camp and the Array Strategy Hall were not the same department, so Huangfu Song wasn't intimidated. He merely offered a polite bow out of courtesy.

Jing Xuan nodded, looked at Li Fan's corpse, and sighed faintly. With the Garrison Camp personnel now involved, Huangfu Song's subtle plan to monopolize Li Fan's inheritance fell through. Following standard procedure, the items in Li Fan's storage ring were inspected, and after nothing unusual was found, they were equally divided between Huangfu Song and He Zhenghao. As for Xue Mu, Huangfu Song explained that he had recently attempted to defect to the Five Elders' Society, was caught on the spot, and subsequently killed. Jing Xuan investigated and confirmed this account, so he did not inquire further. Li Fan's lifelong savings amounted to 1.68 million contribution points. He Zhenghao received a full one million, with the remainder going to Huangfu Song. In return, the Life-Generating Longevity Fruit became Huangfu Song's, while the remaining spirit stones and magical artifacts were given to He Zhenghao. Aside from an Array-Breaking Disk, the other items were not of significant value. Both Huangfu Song and He Zhenghao were quite satisfied with the division of the inheritance. After personally witnessing Li Fan's corpse being cremated, the two went their separate ways.

Returning to Tianyun State, He Zhenghao, now rich overnight, felt a mix of sadness and bewilderment. He recalled more of Li Fan's will: “...There is one thing I have kept from you, fellow daoist. Actually, I am not a cultivator from Yuandao State, but a mortal from the small world of Lijie. Back then, it was you, Fellow Daoist He, who helped me smuggle myself out of Lijie. Heh, but I suppose you wouldn't care about those mortals from back then.” Thinking of this, He Zhenghao couldn't help but blush. Over the years, thousands of mortals from Lijie had been smuggled through his hands. And given his personality, He Zhenghao certainly wouldn't have cared what those mortals looked like. “So Fellow Daoist Li Fan and I shared such a fate,” he thought. “No wonder he always took such good care of me. Everything makes sense now! It's just a pity...” At this thought, He Zhenghao couldn't help but sigh with regret again, feeling sorrow well up inside him.

After a while, he recalled Li Fan's dying wish: “In Shilinzhou, there are descendants of an old friend from Lijie. I hope you can take good care of them.” He Zhenghao looked at the inheritance he had just received and deliberated for a moment. Then he sighed and took out the majority of it. He requested leave, disguised himself, and headed straight for Shilinzhou. Xiao Heng was very wary of this inexplicably appearing Myriad Immortals Alliance cultivator. However, the numerous spirit stones and magical artifacts the other party offered were genuine, and he openly stated that he was entrusted by a deceased person. After much thought, Xiao Heng assumed it was the legacy of Senior Skull and accepted it without hesitation. As for He Zhenghao, according to Li Fan's will, this group of Lijie people had not only not joined the Myriad Immortals Alliance but also seemed to have joined a mysterious organization. To avoid getting himself entangled with them, He Zhenghao simply delivered the inheritance and then hurriedly left.

Thus, in Anchor Year 41, the Array-Breaking Jade Disk, which Li Fan had transformed into, successfully reached Xiao Heng’s hands via He Zhenghao. None of the Lijie people were proficient in array formations, so they simply regarded it as an ordinary array-breaking artifact and kept it in a storage ring.

In Anchor Year 45, Han Wuyou came of age and successfully established his foundation. Xiao Heng presented the Array-Breaking Jade Disk and two other artifacts to Han Wuyou as gifts. Han Wuyou became extremely fond of the Array-Breaking Jade Disk. From then on, he kept the artifact close, nurturing it day and night with his spiritual essence.

In Anchor Year 46, Han Wuyou developed a mysterious connection with the Array-Breaking Jade Disk, and many array formation techniques suddenly surged into his mind. After he informed Xiao Heng of this, the Lijie people investigated but couldn't find an explanation, simply instructing Han Wuyou to guard it carefully.

In Anchor Year 48, the Myriad Immortals Alliance announced to the world that within ten years, all cultivators within their territories who had not yet joined the Alliance must do so. Those who refused would bear the consequences. This announcement caused widespread dissatisfaction among many rogue cultivators. However, the Lijie people received a message from Shuofeng, instructing them to cooperate fully.

In Anchor Year 49, the Faceless Demonic Venerable suddenly attacked Shilinzhou. Although a spirit-locking array's light beam quickly pinpointed his possessed target, he still could not be captured. After wreaking havoc for over half a month, causing the deaths of more than a hundred cultivators, he calmly retreated.

In Anchor Year 50, Han Wuyou broke through to the Mid-Foundation Establishment stage.

In Anchor Year 51, an unwilling roar suddenly echoed from the distant Daoyuan State, shaking the heavens and earth, demanding, “Who is it?” It resonated continuously for several days. People were horrified to discover that the owner of the voice was none other than Immortal Venerable Lan Yu, who had perished long ago. Seven days later, the sound dissipated, and Immortal Venerable Lan Yu never appeared again.

In Anchor Year 53, Linghu Chang of the Medicine King Sect was persuaded by Xiao Heng to join the Immortal Restoration group. Linghu Chang, Xiao Heng, and others ventured together, discovering a former site of the Heavenly Secrets Sect within the Baishi Cavern-Heaven on the outskirts of Shilinzhou. From it, they obtained several cultivation techniques.

In Anchor Year 55, an unusual phenomenon occurred. Fine green lines densely covered the sky above, only fading after three months. People at the time were fearful but did not understand the reason.