Chapter 633: Disappearing Heavenly Venerable

At the end of the Great Plague era, under compulsion from the cultivators, the vast majority of mortals had been relocated to various Blessed Lands and pocket dimensions.

However, as the influence of the "Immortal Arts Cannot Be Cultivated Together" intensified, the cultivators ultimately could not escape their fate of self-destruction. The Immortal Sects collapsed, and cultivation civilization entered a long period of darkness.

As one dwindled, another flourished.

The number of cultivators drastically decreased, nearing extinction. Yet, mortals, like tenacious weeds, re-emerged from all corners of the world.

Regarding the origin of these newly emerged mortals, some claimed they were stragglers from the Great Migration. Others said they were descendants of cultivators. Still others believed they were mortals from the pocket dimensions who had broken through the blockade of the Immortal Severance Array and returned.

In essence, as cultivators slowly vanished from the land, the mortals of the Profound Yellow Realm began to gradually grow stronger in the cracks of existence.

Appearing alongside the mortals was the Profound Yellow Pure Heart Incantation.

Like a folk song or legend that seemingly appeared out of nowhere, it was passed down by word of mouth. Almost all human communities became aware of this method, which could free mortals from the influence of the Immortal-Mortal Miasma and allow them to embark on the path of cultivation once more.

Current cultivators speculate that this might be the work of the mysterious East Pole Heavenly Venerable from the Myriad Immortals Alliance.

This is because the Pure Body Spirit Pool, which can also dispel the Immortal-Mortal Miasma, was created by the East Pole Heavenly Venerable. It's highly possible that the Profound Yellow Pure Heart Incantation was his attempt before creating the Pure Body Spirit Pool.

However, Li Fan, who now knew the true nature of the Profound Yellow Pure Heart Incantation, understood that this possibility was low.

The East Pole Heavenly Venerable, the nominal leader of the Myriad Immortals Alliance, appeared only a few times in the earliest recorded history of the Alliance before completely disappearing.

Rather than being a true immortal, Li Fan believed he was more likely someone who, like himself, had discovered the mysteries of the Profound Yellow Pure Heart Incantation.

Inspired by it, he then created the Pure Body Spirit Pool.

"Perhaps the disappearance of the East Pole Heavenly Venerable is also related to the Profound Yellow Pure Heart Incantation?" This thought involuntarily arose in Li Fan's mind.

When Li Fan tried to find information on the East Pole Heavenly Venerable, it was almost completely blank, just like before, with no additional records whatsoever.

This was clearly inconsistent with his identity as the leader of the Myriad Immortals Alliance.

"It's truly chilling to think about."

Li Fan then stopped delving deeper and instead focused on carefully contemplating the Profound Yellow Pure Heart Incantation once more.

Half a month later, Li Fan convened a gathering of people at the Administration Hall again.

Everyone had initially thought Li Fan had another major announcement to make, but instead, they received news that he was going into seclusion again.

"Didn't he just come out of seclusion recently? He's going back in already? Are ancient cultivators all this diligent when cultivating?"

"Our Secret Emissary lacks nothing in terms of contribution points, allowing him to stay in the Enlightenment State constantly. Cultivation must be a true pleasure for him. I could do that too, if I were him."

"There were rumors before that our lord had already recovered to the Nascent Soul realm. Could it be that he's now about to break through to the Soul Transformation realm?"

As everyone discussed, only He Zhenghao seemed pensive.

"It seems our Secret Emissary is preparing for the arrival of the World's Soul."

He inadvertently glanced at Zhou Qingang, who was standing nearby.

When the Secret Emissary announced this, Zhou Qingang's face showed no surprise, clearly indicating he had already known.

He recalled that at first, he had been the most trusted by the Secret Emissary. It was a pity that his moment of greed allowed that young man to snatch away the trust.

Thinking of this, a wave of discomfort surged in He Zhenghao's heart.

His eyes shifted, and an idea instantly surfaced in his mind.

So he sent a spiritual message to Zhou Qingang: "Fellow Daoist Zhou, how is your cultivation progressing lately?"

Zhou Qingang looked at He Zhenghao, who had come to strike up a conversation, with some surprise. After a moment's thought, he immediately understood He Zhenghao's little scheme.

He sneered inwardly and replied, playing along with He Zhenghao's words: "Haha, Brother He, you jest. You know that the Secret Emissary doesn't concern himself with administrative affairs; all minor and major matters are handed over to us. Originally, Gao Yuan also helped share the burden, but he took leave and went out recently, making things even busier."

"Just handling administrative tasks every day consumes most of our time; how can we possibly find peace of mind to cultivate?"

He Zhenghao pretended to agree wholeheartedly, sighed, and echoed his sentiment.

But soon, he changed the subject.

"I have something to say, Fellow Daoist. Are you willing to hear it?"

Zhou Qingang was momentarily stunned, then quickly said, "Please speak, Brother He."

He Zhenghao said solemnly, "It is certainly commendable that you diligently share the Secret Emissary's burdens."

"However..."

He Zhenghao spoke earnestly: "One must be strong oneself to forge iron! No matter how much the lord favors you, your strength is, after all, only at the Golden Core realm—and the weakest early Golden Core at that. Here in the small Congyun Sea, you can still keep your subordinates in check. But as the lord's cultivation continuously recovers and his own realm rises, his subordinates will surely be a gathering of Soul Transformation and Nascent Soul cultivators. If you don't advance, how will you command respect then?"

Zhou Qingang's expression subtly changed upon hearing this.

At first, he looked as if he was about to retort, but soon he fell into deep thought.

Seeing this, He Zhenghao couldn't help but feel secretly pleased.

"Gao Yuan's persuasion tactic is truly effective. If my Dao heart hadn't been firm, I might have almost been convinced by him back then," He Zhenghao secretly thought.

After a long time, Zhou Qingang seemed to have thought things through, and a bitter expression appeared on his face.

"What Fellow Daoist says makes sense. But I truly cannot free myself; it's hard to cultivate in peace," he said, looking at He Zhenghao.

He Zhenghao's spirits lifted: "Fellow Daoist Zhou, why not emulate Gao Yuan? There are certainly immense opportunities within the ruins of the Chaoyuan Sect. If you can obtain them, you're bound to advance by at least a minor realm. It's not even impossible to break through to the Nascent Soul realm."

Zhou Qingang hesitated, wanting to speak but holding back.

He Zhenghao quickly interjected: "I know what Fellow Daoist is worried about—it's just delaying administrative affairs, isn't it? Don't worry, I'm here! Since I've already taken on an extra task, I don't mind taking on another!"

Zhou Qingang's face showed suspicion: "If that's the case, why don't you go, Fellow Daoist He? Since when have you been so considerate of your colleagues?"

He Zhenghao's expression turned displeased: "What kind of talk is that? The Secret Emissary reminded me back then that unity should be our priority among us. What's wrong with me working hard for a while so that our two brothers can improve their cultivation?"

"You must know, as the Secret Emissary's cultivation grows higher and higher, more and more people will surely follow him in the future. We are natural allies; helping you is helping myself."

He Zhenghao paused, observed Zhou Qingang's expression, and then continued: "Besides, I've had an epiphany recently, and I believe I'm not far from breaking through to the Nascent Soul realm. I'm confident I can achieve this promotion within ten years, even without any special opportunities!"

"Why not allow me to help you achieve this?"