Chapter 514: Old Friends' Hearts Easily Change

“Senior Sister…” Li Fan looked at Senior Sister Zhao, whose expression was unreadable as she was about to be summoned alone by Sect Master Ji. He hesitated, wanting to say something.

“Hmm, Junior Brother, what’s wrong?” She glanced at Li Fan and softly asked, “We’ve been together, sharing life and death for over a hundred years. Is there anything we can’t tell each other?”

“Nothing,” Li Fan replied with a casual smile. “Senior Sister, you should go. Remember, no matter what you do, I will support you.”

Senior Sister Zhao smiled faintly and walked into the grand hall of the sect.

“Boom!”

The heavy doors slammed shut. As Li Fan watched Senior Sister Zhao’s disappearing back, a trace of complexity, not easily noticed by others, flickered in his eyes.

Instead of dutifully waiting outside the grand hall, he returned to Penglai Peak, where he and Senior Sister Zhao resided, and emptied their cave dwelling of all valuable items. Afterward, pretending to be on patrol, he moved close to the exit of the sect’s protective array. While seemingly behaving like any ordinary disciple, Li Fan was in fact ready to flee at any moment.

This wasn't because Li Fan wanted to betray the Grand Dao Sect; it was because…

During the hundred years spent down the mountain, Li Fan had occasionally discovered that Senior Sister Zhao was secretly collecting the blood of cultivators, and even mortals, infected with the Immortal Plague. Although she only took one drop each time, her actions were extremely secretive. But how could she escape the eyes of Li Fan, who spent every day with her?

Initially, Senior Sister Zhao would fall seriously ill every time she took a blood sample. Only with Li Fan's meticulous care and ample protective elixirs did she manage to pull through safely. When Li Fan asked her why, Senior Sister Zhao only jokingly said that she, too, wanted to try reversing the principles of the Immortal Plague to directly achieve immortal longevity.

Li Fan naturally didn't believe her. However, knowing Senior Sister Zhao’s stubborn nature, once she decided on something, even he, her companion for a hundred years, couldn't dissuade her. So, he simply stopped trying to persuade her, only telling her, “Your health comes first.”

Later, she seemed to genuinely heed Li Fan's advice and gradually stopped collecting blood samples. The intervals between her illnesses grew shorter, and the symptoms of each infection became progressively milder. But Li Fan knew it was all an illusion. Senior Sister Zhao had not abandoned her crazy actions at all. The reason she appeared to be normal was seemingly because she had mastered a method to isolate herself from the influence of the Immortal Plague…

Despite staying together all these years, Senior Sister Zhao’s cultivation had grown increasingly profound, reaching a level that Li Fan could no longer comprehend. The various auras she occasionally emitted, seemingly without intention, quietly startled Li Fan. Even though he was certain that Senior Sister Zhao had no intention of harming him, Li Fan still felt an inexplicable sense of crisis within himself.

Although Senior Sister Zhao never spoke of it, Li Fan could guess. Her collection of so much blood containing the power of the Immortal Plague was likely intended to deal with Ji Changxi, the Sect Master of the Grand Dao Sect. A century of deliberate suppression had pushed Senior Sister Zhao's dissatisfaction with the Sect Master to its limit. As the saying goes, "If you block my path, we will fight to the death." Li Fan believed that the increasingly reckless Senior Sister Zhao was fully capable of committing such a heinous act. The flash of killing intent in her eyes shortly before she entered the sect's grand hall was certainly not Li Fan's imagination.

“Although Ji Changxi has achieved Dao Assimilation for over six hundred years, with unfathomable divine abilities and wondrous techniques, he is still not in the Longevity Realm.”

“Considering Senior Sister Zhao’s displayed talent and actual combat power, coupled with the aid of the Immortal Plague, she might not be without a chance of victory.”

“But what if it's a narrow victory? Even if she kills Ji Changxi, there are still a dozen or so Dao Assimilation elders. And there are even those two reclusive Longevity Venerables maintaining order.”

“Could she possibly kill all of them?”

Li Fan was utterly bewildered as to why Senior Sister Zhao would make such a decision. Regardless of success or failure, everyone in the Grand Dao Sect would know. At that point, not only would she face the entire sect's siege, but Li Fan, as Senior Sister Zhao's Dao companion, would likely not be spared either. Thus, Li Fan, ever the planner, had long prepared for his escape. As for why he hadn't left yet, it was purely out of hope, to see if a miracle might occur.

Time passed, bit by bit. Sect Master Ji Changxi had previously ordered that he and the Dao Child had important matters to discuss, and no one was to disturb them. Therefore, the sect's grand hall remained sealed. Li Fan gazed from afar at the mountain peak, his heart growing increasingly restless.

Seven days later.

The grand hall's doors slowly opened, and Li Fan's breath caught. However, something completely unexpected happened. Ji Changxi walked in front, with Senior Sister Zhao behind him. The two of them walked out together.

“They didn’t fight to the death? Was I overthinking it?” Puzzled, Li Fan couldn't help but narrow his eyes slightly. Not only did Senior Sister Zhao not engage in a desperate, last-ditch attack, but their relationship even seemed much more harmonious than before. Even as she finally departed, Ji Changxi patted her shoulder, a gesture of encouragement. Senior Sister Zhao, surprisingly, accepted it calmly, without the slightest change in her expression.

Witnessing this scene, Li Fan's heart instantly trembled with a multitude of unanswered questions. In the past, Senior Sister Zhao had strongly resisted physical contact from anyone other than him. But now…

Feeling a sense of unease, many thoughts immediately flashed through Li Fan’s mind. However, he didn't have time to ponder them deeply. Li Fan first realized there was something he hadn't done yet. He rushed back to Penglai Peak and, before Senior Sister Zhao returned, put everything back in its original place. When Senior Sister Zhao returned, she didn't notice anything unusual in their cave dwelling. After all, they hadn't returned to this "home" in a hundred years.

“Senior Sister, after a hundred years away, we’ve been busy with trivial matters and haven’t had much intimate time. How about…” Li Fan probed, extending an invitation for dual cultivation. A hint of nostalgia flickered in Senior Sister Zhao's eyes as well, and with a charming expression, she readily agreed.

After a passionate session, Li Fan’s suspicions couldn’t help but gradually fade.

“Why did the Sect Master summon you this time?” Li Fan casually asked, holding Senior Sister Zhao’s flawless, jade-like body in his arms.

“He said that soon, he will pass the position of Sect Master of the Grand Dao Sect to me. He told me to prepare in advance,” Senior Sister Zhao replied, her tone flat and devoid of any emotion. It was as if she were inheriting not the leadership of the Ten Immortal Sects, but merely a child's toy.

Yet, this casual remark, spoken with complete indifference, struck Li Fan's ears like a clap of thunder, causing his mind to buzz and temporarily depriving him of the ability to think.

“What about the 'Great Dao Scripture of Heaven's Punishment'?” Li Fan, his mind blank, instinctively asked.

“Hehe, the Sect Master’s exclusive cultivation method, of course, will also be given back to me to cultivate,” Senior Sister Zhao said with a light chuckle, as if reclaiming a beloved toy. She rested her head against Li Fan’s chest, her fingers continuously tracing circles around his heart.