Chapter 677: Yueyang Shows Withered Branches

Although, based on Xiao Hei's memories and Chi Jiutou's dying words, it seemed the demon race had successfully retreated, information relayed by several people is always prone to distortion. It would be better to see for himself. If the demon race, led by Di Yi, could truly pass through Mount Nanming Sacred Beast and transcend the realm, it would imply that the Tianjian Sect had also accomplished this feat in the past.

Perhaps in the Immortal Meteor Realm, he could focus on researching how to obtain the forging method for realm-breaking divine weapons. Not only would this provide him with a fallback option, but such secret techniques would also undoubtedly be of great interest to both the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance and the Five Elders Council.

Leyang State is situated southwest of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, not too far from the Central Four States. Within its borders lies a large lake named Yueyang Lake, from which the state derives its name.

It is said that every day at sunrise, a magnificent sight can be witnessed: a red sun emerging from the bottom of the lake. At that moment, the density of solar energy far exceeds that of other regions, with even a brief period of absorption and meditation there being equivalent to several days of diligent cultivation elsewhere. Consequently, a considerable number of cultivators have gathered by Yueyang Lake. Furthermore, the lake is incredibly rich in resources; the fish within, influenced daily by the dense solar energy, have also become extraordinary. Their flesh is delicious, and consuming them feels like swallowing a fire-attribute spirit stone, warming the entire body.

Thanks to this large lake, even cultivators with mediocre aptitudes can progress very quickly. Naturally, such a boon has drawn envy from people across the land. To prevent outsiders from seizing their resources, cultivators from Yueyang State spontaneously formed an alliance, claiming the vast majority of Yueyang Lake for themselves.

Outsiders who came after hearing of its fame, if they wanted to obtain resources from the lake, could only compete among themselves for the designated, lower-quality areas.

After more than ten days, Li Fan entered Leyang State. Immediately, he felt several gazes fall upon him. However, seeing that he was not flying towards Yueyang Lake, they slowly withdrew their tracking gazes.

Ignoring these people, Li Fan flew towards Qi Hong Isle. Qi Hong Isle is located by the Jinsha River, a tributary flowing into Yueyang Lake. Whenever the sun rises over Yueyang Lake and the solar energy vigorously bursts forth, the Jinsha River also shimmers with golden light. This is considered the afterglow of pure solar energy, but for some unknown reason, it is tinged with a trace of baleful energy, rendering it unsuitable for cultivators to absorb. Therefore, few cultivators come here, making it one of the quieter areas in Yueyang State.

Ximen Yu's name was quite well-known in this area, and Li Fan found his cave dwelling with little effort. From outside, he could hear Ximen Yu's loud shouts from a distance: "How many times have I told you? If you want the complete 'Ancient and Modern Topography Compendium,' come find me on Qi Hong Isle. Transmission via the Heavenly Profound Mirror will be blocked.""What? You don't believe such a thing could happen in the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance? You think I'm lying to you? And you're going to expose me as a swindler to others?""You... you bastard..."Only after Ximen Yu's exasperated cursing ceased did Li Fan speak in a clear voice, "Might I be addressing Fellow Daoist Ximen Yu?"

"I am Han Wuyou, and I have come to pay my respects, having heard of your esteemed reputation!""Come in," Ximen Yu's lazy voice replied.The door opened wide, and Li Fan stepped inside the cave dwelling.

The place was not large and had no decorations. Jade slips were strewn all over the floor, along with many paper books and wooden slips. Li Fan quickly scanned them and found that they were all inscribed with unfamiliar characters.

"Are you here for the 'Ancient and Modern River and Mountain Compendium'?" Ximen Yu asked without lifting his head, intently staring at a dried branch extending from the cave floor."Indeed," Li Fan replied directly.With a casual gesture, Ximen Yu caused a paper book to float up from the cluttered floor.

"Ten thousand contribution points. Confidentiality required, no resale."At the same time, a golden light accompanied the book as it flew before Li Fan. Li Fan smiled, and as he signed the contract, he threw over ten top-grade spirit stones.

He temporarily put away the 'Ancient and Modern River and Mountain Compendium' without reading it in detail. Li Fan was not in a hurry to leave; instead, he asked with interest, "Fellow Daoist Ximen, why do you use paper books for records instead of jade slips?"Ximen Yu paused his study of the dried branch, glanced at Li Fan, and said indifferently, "Content inscribed on jade slips generally only lasts for ten thousand years, and even less if spiritual energy dissipates. However, using 'baleful ink' on paper made from evergreen trees allows it to last for thirty to fifty thousand years without fading."

"If carved directly onto evergreen wood, it can remain clearly visible even after a hundred thousand years."

Li Fan smiled upon hearing this: "Fellow Daoist, your considerations are truly extraordinary, always thinking in terms of tens of thousands of years... Who knows if the Xuanhuang Realm will even exist in ten thousand years?" Li Fan sighed.Ximen Yu suddenly turned his head, his eyes grave.

"What do you mean by that, Fellow Daoist?"Li Fan was somewhat surprised: "It was just a casual remark. What's wrong?""Hmph. In that case, you may leave." After scrutinizing Li Fan for a moment, Ximen Yu turned his head away, saying no more.

"Until we meet again!" Li Fan cupped his hands and was about to leave."Boom!"Just as he reached the cave dwelling's entrance, he suddenly felt the ground tremble slightly.

A familiar yet strange energy appeared within Li Fan's senses. Li Fan couldn't help but look back, only to see a yellowish-brown energy erupting from the dried branch Ximen Yu had been observing. Ximen Yu seemed to have been waiting for a long time; he took out a small white jade bottle and absorbed the entire yellow stream.

The eruption lasted for a full half-incense stick's time before slowly subsiding. Ximen Yu looked at his harvest and revealed a satisfied smile.

"Is this the power of the earth veins?" Li Fan stepped closer, asking curiously.Ximen Yu's expression changed. He put away the jade bottle and blocked Li Fan's gaze from the dried branch."You certainly have some insight, Fellow Daoist. Indeed, I have completed my research on the 'Ancient and Modern Topography Compendium,' and I am now studying matters related to earth veins."

"This concerns my personal privacy, Fellow Daoist, so it would be best not to pry," Ximen Yu said with an unfriendly tone.A hint of apology appeared on Li Fan's face: "It's not that I meant to pry. It's just that I find this dried branch of yours somewhat familiar.""Hm?" Ximen Yu was slightly stunned, then his expression subtly changed. "Fellow Daoist, do not make fun of me!""I, for one, never speak falsehoods," Li Fan said earnestly.

"Once, in Tianling State, I also encountered such a dried branch in the wilderness. After touching it, I was momentarily transported to an unknown space. A dilapidated, massive tree stood reaching the heavens, evoking a sense of desolation. I didn't stay long before I awoke from the vision. The dried branch in my hand had vanished, as if it were all a dream."Li Fan sighed faintly: "This dried branch of yours, Fellow Daoist, is quite similar to what I saw that day. However, there seem to be some slight differences..."

The more Ximen Yu listened, the more astonished his expression became. Upon hearing the end, he waved his hand to close the cave dwelling's door and asked in a deep voice, "Fellow Daoist, where in Tianling State did you see that dried branch?"