Chapter 453: Performance Hall Trial

The memory of his last investigation by the Celestial Mechanism Hall, stemming from the Green Ox Carriage incident, was still vivid. This time, Li Fan found himself once again in the central core area of Wanxian Island.

Passing the Strategy Array Hall and proceeding further inward, Li Fan stopped before a building at whose entrance stood a stone monument engraved with the character "Wu."

The moment he saw the character, Li Fan immediately felt a somber and oppressive atmosphere descend upon him.

Illusions seemed to flicker before his eyes, as if blades were poised to strike him at any moment.

"It's a good character, but compared to the 'Chaos' character stone I saw previously, it still falls a bit short."

Suppressing the instinctive urge to retaliate, Li Fan meticulously scrutinized the character for a long time, pondering to himself.

His expression became solemn, and he strode into the Martial Arts Hall without a hint of hesitation.

The Strategy Array Hall, which Li Fan was quite familiar with, consisted of numerous superimposed spaces accessed by teleportation arrays. This Martial Arts Hall, however, was primarily characterized by many colossal boulders floating in the air.

Rugged, strangely shaped stones were dispersed throughout the space, like stars scattered across the sky.

At a glance, each stone had a distinct shape.

Some resembled humans or beasts, while others took the form of mountains or water.

Pavilions, vegetation, and figures occasionally flying past could be vaguely seen on top of these colossal stones.

The floating stone Li Fan was currently standing on was, however, exceptionally unique.

It was bare and flat, smooth as a mirror.

Faint lines of light circulated beneath its surface. The moment Li Fan stepped onto the colossal stone, a formation was activated, and he felt himself uncontrollably drawn to the very center of the floating stone.

An inexplicable energy surged from beneath his feet, binding him firmly like invisible shackles.

At the same time, Li Fan looked up, and the surrounding star-like floating stones also underwent mysterious changes.

Originally, Li Fan's position was an inconspicuous corner of the star sea.

But once he was restrained, the aerial scenery transformed as if stars were shifting their positions.

In an instant, Li Fan seemed to have arrived at the center of the star sea, becoming the absolute focal point of this space.

Li Fan also felt that at that moment, countless gazes hidden behind the various colossal stones all fell upon him.

He was truly the center of all attention!

Every gaze felt as heavy as a mountain. If it were a cultivator unaccustomed to grand scenes or one with poor psychological resilience, they would likely have collapsed to their knees on the spot.

But Li Fan remained composed, showing no change in expression.

After a brief standoff, a solemn and grave voice boomed from the sea of stones, echoing continuously.

"Cultivator Li Fan, you are hereby summoned for investigation regarding the abnormal price fluctuations of the Puxian True Leaf."

"This investigation is presided over by the Congyun Sea Martial Arts Hall, with the assistance of the Congyun Sea Celestial Mechanism Hall and the Administration Hall."

"Due to the extensive impact and severe nature of this incident, the Immortal Alliance headquarters will dispatch a special envoy to supervise the entire process."

"Upholding the principles of fairness, justice, and transparency, this investigation process will not be kept confidential and will be subject to the supervision of all members of the Immortal Alliance."

After the grand voice recited a lengthy opening statement, it finally got to the main topic.

"Cultivator Li Fan, during the investigation, you may present your defense."

"However, you are responsible for the truthfulness of every statement you make. Should any concealment or deception be discovered, you will be penalized according to the Immortal Alliance's regulations, based on the severity of the offense."

The majestic voice resonated in his mind, and Li Fan nodded, indicating his understanding.

"Now, I declare the investigation officially open."

"Martial Arts Hall, Jin Chongcheng, please recount the events of this incident."

A flash of light appeared, and a cultivator in the standard uniform of the Wanxian Alliance Martial Arts Hall materialized in the air above the floating stone where Li Fan stood.

He was positioned above Li Fan, looking down on him.

Yet he looked up at the floating stones scattered across the sky and began to speak.

"The abnormal fluctuation in the price of Puxian True Leaf originated sixteen days ago from a statement made by this Cultivator Li Fan."

"Through Jiao Xiuyuan, he conveyed the message to the outside world that the price of Puxian True Leaf would skyrocket. Subsequently..."

Jin Chongcheng succinctly outlined the cause and effect of the incident, and as he spoke, images appeared on the sky screen.

These included diagrams showing the price fluctuation curve of Puxian True Leaf, scenes of cultivators frantically buying, and the appearance of countless loss-making cultivators looking severely wounded after the Celestial Profound Mirror stabilized the situation.

"Furthermore, we noted that Cultivator Li Fan had already purchased a large stock of Puxian True Leaf before its price surge. He then sold it at its peak, earning substantial profits."

"In summary, we believe that Cultivator Li Fan is suspected of disseminating false information, exploiting public herd mentality for exorbitant profits, and maliciously undermining the stability of the Immortal Alliance," Jin Chongcheng added.

When he finished speaking, the Martial Arts Hall fell silent.

Li Fan immediately felt the gazes upon him intensify.

A common cultivator would likely have turned pale and confessed without prompting.

But Li Fan spoke up boldly, interrupting Jin Chongcheng: "I object!"

"Accusing me of disseminating false information? Where does that even come from! It's true, I did make some profit from this incident..."

Ignoring the subtle killing intent emanating from the various gazes, Li Fan continued, unconcerned: "However, wealth, companions, techniques, and land are all crucial; it is only natural for cultivators to pursue profit. I possess the ability to deduce the future, so what's wrong with profiting from it?"

"Furthermore, the subsequent price trend of Puxian True Leaf aligned with my predictions. Doesn't that precisely demonstrate the accuracy of my deductions!" Li Fan stated righteously.

Whispers arose from within the Martial Arts Hall.

"Silence!"

"Regarding the legitimacy of profiting through divination techniques, Elder Gongsun Qixuan of the Celestial Mechanism Hall, please speak."

Light flickered, and Jin Chongcheng vanished from sight.

In his place, a young scholar, appearing to be only in his twenties, materialized.

Although quite handsome, his complexion was pallid.

"It's him..." Li Fan's eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at the man, nodding in acknowledgment.

This Gongsun Qixuan was precisely the cultivator he had encountered during his previous investigation by the Celestial Mechanism Hall. The mysterious aura that inadvertently emanated from him had left a deep impression on Li Fan.

After Gongsun Qixuan cordially greeted Li Fan, he cleared his throat and slowly stated, "Our Celestial Mechanism Hall's stance has remained unchanged."

"The results obtained through divination can absolutely be used as a reference for future actions. If this were not the case, why would our Celestial Mechanism Hall have been established?"

"Since we can all do this, there's naturally no reason to forbid cultivators within the Alliance from doing the same."

Gongsun Qixuan's words were very fair and reasonable.

Li Fan nodded repeatedly in agreement.

Just then, however, he changed his tone, his sharp gaze fixed on Li Fan.

"However, I question whether this Fellow Daoist Li Fan genuinely possesses the ability to deduce the future!"

"If the prediction that the price of Puxian True Leaf would skyrocket was truly derived by him, then our Celestial Mechanism Hall advocates for his innocence."

"Conversely..."

A cold glint flashed in Gongsun Qixuan's eyes.

"If this matter was fabricated by him out of thin air, we recommend he be sentenced to capital punishment."