Chapter 516: Desperate with No Escape

Li Fan walked through the Grand Dao Sect, his mind filled with countless thoughts.

Lanterns and colorful decorations adorned the sect's entrance, finally dispelling the gloomy atmosphere left by numerous disasters. Occasionally, disciples within the sect would encounter Li Fan, stop, and bow in respect. Li Fan acknowledged each of them with a nod.

As the Sect Master's companion, Li Fan had access to an almost inexhaustible supply of cultivation resources—resources that ordinary cultivators could only dream of their entire lives—and received respect, even if it was feigned. Yet, at that moment, Li Fan had made up his mind: he would find an opportunity to escape the Grand Dao Sect as soon as possible.

"Senior Sister Zhao has just become Sect Master and is busy dealing with all matters, big and small, within the sect. Representatives from other factions also arrive periodically to offer congratulations, and she has to find time to meet with them.""This is her busiest period, so she's been neglecting me.""If I miss this chance, and she recovers her composure..."Considering this, Li Fan's resolve solidified instantly.

Two days later, he took advantage of a moment when no one was watching and quietly made his way alone to the sect's exit. Looking back at the scenery within the Grand Dao Sect, Li Fan suddenly recalled the figure of Senior Sister Zhao, with whom he had spent over a century, and couldn't help but feel a flicker of hesitation. Ultimately, he gritted his teeth and flew out.

He sped eastward, not stopping until he had left the Grand Dao Sect's territory. The inexplicable sense of crisis in Li Fan's heart finally dissipated. "My premonition was correct!" he thought to himself.

Just as he was silently congratulating himself on his escape, Li Fan suddenly noticed two streaks of light behind him, which swiftly overtook him. In the blink of an eye, they landed in front of Li Fan, blocking his path."Where are you off to, Junior Nephew?" a long-browed elder asked with a smile, scrutinizing Li Fan."Uncle Dong, Senior Martial Brother Jiang..." Li Fan's expression instantly turned grim. These two were members of the Grand Dao Sect's seventeen Dao Integration elders. It seemed his escape plan had been discovered after all.

Despite this, Li Fan was not about to simply wait for his fate. "Hehe, esteemed elders, please know that while I am honored by Senior Sister's ascension to Sect Master, I actually feel a little vexed.""Senior Sister's status is now revered, and her strength grows daily. As the Sect Master's companion, I possess only Soul Transformation cultivation, which naturally invites gossip. The pressure I feel is immense." Li Fan feigned a troubled expression as he slowly approached the two: "With so much reconstruction needed within the sect, all disciples have their duties. Only I am idle all day, which is truly..."

Without warning, a chaotic gray light shot from Li Fan's eyes, striking the faces of Elders Dong and Jiang directly. This was the malevolent divine ability, "Soul Severing Divine Light," from the "Divine Illumination Soul Breaking Art" that Li Fan cultivated. It could directly harm a cultivator's soul, and Li Fan was confident that even if the opponents were Dao Integration cultivators, they would suffer greatly if caught off guard! Without waiting for their reaction, he immediately activated his Divine Illumination Escape Art, intending to flee the area at top speed.

However, Li Fan was horrified to discover that the surrounding space had been completely sealed off at some unknown point. Even though his escape art was fast, it had nowhere to be used. Elders Dong and Jiang, surprisingly, had anticipated Li Fan's sneak attack. Each held a treasured mirror, which blocked the Soul Severing Divine Light. They looked at Li Fan, their eyes filled with scorn.

"How the Sect Master treats you, Junior Nephew, is evident to the entire sect. Yet, you attempt an act of betrayal...""If the Sect Master were to find out, she would be truly heartbroken."Li Fan tried to struggle, but he was already captured by the combined efforts of the two elders, unable to move."My life is over!" Li Fan lamented inwardly.

When he was brought back to the sect, he did not see Senior Sister Zhao. Instead, his cultivation was sealed, and he was thrown into a secret chamber. Though called a secret chamber, it was essentially a prison cell. Li Fan had initially expected to see Senior Sister Zhao soon, and in his mind, he had listed and organized numerous words, hoping to talk his way out of danger and save his life. However, to his surprise, Senior Sister Zhao, and even the entire Grand Dao Sect, seemed to have completely forgotten about him. No one else came to visit him again.

In the confined space, there was nothing but Li Fan himself. He couldn't even cultivate. Whenever he tried to focus on his practice, or to ponder and deduce divine abilities or techniques, continuous mocking and jeering sounds would emanate from the surrounding walls. This made him agitated and unable to concentrate. He presumed this was to prevent him from breaking the seals and shackles.

At first, Li Fan managed to remain composed. But as time wore on, even with his temperament, he began to feel bored. Later, he grew increasingly irritated and angry. Eventually, he descended into madness. He repeatedly slammed his flesh and blood body against the hard walls of the chamber. Of course, this served no purpose other than leaving him bruised and bloody. Finally, Li Fan's eyes slowly grew cloudy. He sat blankly on the floor, like a sculpture devoid of a soul.

After an unknown period, one day, the long-sealed door of the secret chamber suddenly swung open with a bang. For a long time, no one entered. Li Fan, however, seemed not to notice, showing no reaction at all. He simply let the door remain open, completely ignoring it.

It was more than ten days later that a flicker of life returned to Li Fan's eyes. He struggled to prop himself up, then took a trembling step towards the exit. But because he hadn't walked in so long, his body was unaccustomed, and he immediately tumbled to the ground. Li Fan struggled repeatedly, stood up again, and took another step. Just one step, and he fell once more. In this manner, he crawled and stumbled his way out. When he finally re-emerged into the outside world, he had, with effort, barely regained some semblance of normalcy.

The Grand Dao Sect before him appeared no different from how he remembered it. Disciples moved about and cultivated among the mountain peaks. It even seemed a bit livelier than before. However... It was incredibly quiet. Throughout the entire sect, not a single sound of speaking or arguing could be heard. It was as if all the cultivators living there were mute. Or perhaps... They were all of one mind, needing no "speech"—such a low-level means of communication—to interact. They could even understand each other without relying on glances or divine sense.

Li Fan stumbled through the sect. Having been trapped for an unknown number of years, he was utterly disheveled. Yet, everyone seemed to ignore him. They went about their usual activities as if he wasn't there. This pervasive sense of being excluded gnawed at Li Fan's mind.

Finally, after searching the entire sect from top to bottom and still failing to find his target, Li Fan could no longer restrain himself."Senior Sister!""Senior Sister, where are you?!"It took him a long time to remember how to speak. Then, with a hoarse voice, he roared. His voice grew louder and louder. It echoed throughout the entire Grand Dao Sect. At that, all the cultivators within the sect collectively turned to look at him.