Chapter 624: Zhenghao's Dilemma

"Danger?" He Zheng-hao paused slightly.Then, dismissively, he chuckled, "Xingxing, you worry too much! Your father now manages the government affairs of Congyun Sea, staying in the Bureau of Administration all day without traveling. What danger could I possibly encounter?"

"It's true!" Seeing her father's disbelief, He Xingxing stomped her foot in frustration.She leaned closer and whispered, "Father, you don't know, but my Foundation Establishment wondrous item has been with me since childhood, named the Dao-Patterned Compass. And the cultivation method I practice, 'Heaven's Net of Dao,' was custom-tailored for me by my mother..."

After listening to his daughter's explanation, He Zheng-hao was slightly taken aback.He had thought that by following the Emissary and gaining a great deal of contribution points, he had become a person of some standing.But compared to ancient cultivation families like the Heng family from Tianyu Province, he was still far too inferior.At the very least, having a cultivation method custom-tailored for oneself was something he couldn't achieve at his current level.Thinking of this, a hint of bitterness arose in He Zheng-hao's heart.

"There really is a life-threatening danger, Father, please come with me," He Xingxing urged again, performing the divination once more in front of He Zheng-hao, only to arrive at the same unsettling result.Seeing her serious demeanor, He Zheng-hao couldn't help but feel a tremor of unease.

"Impossible," He Zheng-hao muttered, frowning deeply in confusion after thinking it over carefully. "How could there be a life-and-death crisis in Congyun City? I've been honest and dutiful recently, and I haven't done anything to offend the Emissary.""Could it be that the Five Elders' Council is repeating their old tricks, launching another surprise attack on Congyun Immortal City?" He Zheng-hao suddenly recalled past events in Congyun Sea and was startled."No way... Didn't we just hold a friendly exchange meeting?" He became hesitant.He paced back and forth in the room, his face filled with trepidation.

He Xingxing watched her father's hesitation, his inability to make a decision, and felt a surge of anxiety.At the same time, He Zheng-hao's reaction was quite different from her expectation that he would "immediately drop everything and return to Tianyu Province with her" after hearing the divination result. The young girl couldn't help but feel a bit sullen, resenting her father's lack of trust in her.

He Zheng-hao didn't notice the subtle change in his daughter's mood; he was still deliberating.It wasn't that he didn't trust his daughter. Having personally experienced the power of the Heng family in Tianyu Province back then, he knew it intimately. And the "Heaven's Net of Dao" that Xingxing cultivated certainly seemed extraordinary.However, he, He Zheng-hao, had transformed from a down-and-out island guardian into someone whose word carried immense weight in Congyun Sea. Countless cultivators now vied to curry favor with him...All of this had been hard-won. How could he simply abandon it because of a single sentence from his daughter?Moreover, his foundation was in Congyun Sea. Without the network of connections he had painstakingly built here, he would be nothing.What good would it do to return to Tianyu Province?An utterly ordinary Golden Core cultivator wouldn't even qualify as a guard for the Heng family.How could he face Heng Ruoshui then?

Having slowly thought things through, He Zheng-hao made up his mind.His eyes darted, a plan formed, and he said with a smile, "Xingxing..."He Xingxing glared at He Zheng-hao, still pouting.He Zheng-hao felt a little awkward but still said seriously, "Your father knows you care about me, and I also know your cultivation method is extraordinary. But things in the world are unpredictable; divination is, after all, just divination.""It only reveals certain possible future outcomes. As for whether they will definitely happen...""I doubt even a Heavenly Venerable of Longevity would dare to guarantee it."

He Xingxing felt somewhat unconvinced by his words but couldn't think of a rebuttal immediately.Then, she heard He Zheng-hao continue, "Besides, speaking of divination, my superior, the Congyun Sea Emissary and ancient Heavenly Secrets Sect cultivator: Senior Li Fan, he is definitely much stronger than you!""His abilities are truly astounding and unprecedented! I am the Emissary's confidant; if there were truly any danger, how could he possibly not warn me?"Upon hearing this, He Xingxing's eyes widened. "Li Fan of the Heavenly Secrets Sect?"She had heard of Li Fan's name before. He had accurately predicted several major events about to occur in the Myriad Immortals Alliance, things she couldn't do.Could it be that she had truly miscalculated? He Xingxing couldn't help but become a little hesitant.

Seeing that his words had an effect, He Zheng-hao quickly pressed his advantage."If you're still worried, I'll ask the Emissary myself, right in front of you."With that, He Zheng-hao took out the divine-consciousness jade slip Li Fan had left him and summoned him.Soon, Li Fan's ethereal projection appeared above the room."What do you need me for?" Li Fan asked indifferently, his face expressionless.At the same time, his gaze casually swept over He Xingxing standing nearby.The young girl was quite bold; she wasn't intimidated in the least and met Li Fan's gaze directly.He Zheng-hao, on the other hand, was deferential, lowering his head as he spoke."May I ask, Senior, will there be any unforeseen changes in Congyun Sea recently?" After explaining his concerns, he looked at Li Fan with hope.

A silence fell over the room.In the projection, the Heaven and Earth Dice seemed to spin continuously in Li Fan's palm."A Dao-Patterned Compass? The Heng family of Tianyu truly lives up to its reputation.""Your daughter's talent is so outstanding; her future achievements will surely not be beneath mine."After a moment, Li Fan didn't directly answer He Zheng-hao's question but looked at He Xingxing and praised her.He Zheng-hao's heart tightened; he hadn't expected the Emissary to discern his daughter's true nature with just a glance.He Xingxing, too, had her mouth slightly agape, looking very surprised."You flatter us, Senior..." He Zheng-hao said repeatedly."The younger generation is truly formidable," Li Fan simply shook his head, looking nostalgic as if remembering something.

As he spoke, he pointed a finger towards He Xingxing's forehead."Senior!" He Zheng-hao's expression changed slightly, but he quickly realized that Li Fan had no ill intent; instead, he was imparting something to his daughter. His mind was then put at ease.Before long, streaks of golden light dissipated, and He Xingxing returned to herself.She examined the knowledge that had suddenly appeared in her mind."Taiwei Heavenly Calculations," "Thousand Mechanisms Enigma Record," "Theory of Qi Flow and Circulation"...These were works from the ancient Heavenly Secrets Sect?And versions she had never seen before.He Xingxing's eyes lit up, immediately filled with joy.A broad smile spread across her face, and she promptly bowed, softly saying, "Thank you, Senior.""It's nothing; it's rare to encounter such a suitable candidate. Besides, it's not particularly valuable," Li Fan waved his hand dismissively.

Then, he looked at He Zheng-hao again.He Zheng-hao's heart skipped a beat."Will there be unforeseen changes in Congyun Sea?" Li Fan chuckled softly."I'm not leaving, He Zheng-hao, so what are you afraid of?"