Chapter 973: Inner Traitor of the Xuanhuang Realm

Thinking of this, Yan Fangzhou scoffed inwardly.

“After all, my identity as an undercover agent is top secret; only the Venerable knows.”

Yan Fangzhou couldn't help but feel a little smug, a smile appearing on his face as he greeted Shang Tianci.

Shang Tianci tightly grasped Yan Fangzhou's hands, looking him up and down. Simultaneously, he kept mumbling, "It's good that you're okay, it's good that you're okay."

To be honest, Shang Tianci still felt a pang of guilt for luring Yan Fangzhou to the Spiritwood Realm and subjecting him to the torment of isolation.

However, due to Li Fan's overwhelming power, Shang Tianci dared not voice any objections. He merely hoped Yan Fangzhou would soon see the situation clearly and return from his misguided path.

Now, it seemed Li Fan's "training" of Yan Fangzhou had been quite successful.

“Before I came, the Venerable had instructed me. What’s past is past; try not to bring it up again. From today onward, Fangzhou and I are brothers in the Myriad Worlds Alliance.” Shang Tianci thought this, exchanging a smile with Yan Fangzhou.

Everything was understood without words.

Under Shang Tianci's guidance, Yan Fangzhou toured the entire Spiritwood Realm.

“The Alliance truly changes day by day. In comparison, the Myriad Immortals Alliance is somewhat too antiquated.”

Yan Fangzhou gazed at the Heaven and Earth Furnace in the distance, which continuously released spiritual energy, a strange glint in his eyes.

Shang Tianci also sighed, "Indeed, in just a few years, the Spiritwood Realm has undergone such earth-shattering changes..."

“Perhaps choosing to join the Myriad Worlds Alliance that day was the most correct decision I’ve ever made.”

Both men felt the same way.

At the same time, a thought emerged in both their minds: "Why not persuade the other brothers from the Landscape Pavilion to join the righteous path?"

“The Myriad Worlds Alliance’s counterattack on the Profound-Yellow Realm is an unstoppable trend. We can’t let them waste their years fruitlessly in the Myriad Immortals Alliance.”

“Moreover, the Alliance is currently rapidly expanding. If they join now, they’ll become elder-level figures in the future. If they wait a few more years, they might not even get a chance to join, no matter how much they beg.”

The two brothers immediately agreed and began to ponder together.

Li Fan, who observed all their actions, merely smiled. These chosen talents from the Myriad Immortals Alliance within the Landscape Pavilion were still somewhat useful to him.

Indeed, to deduce the Hunyuan Golden Core and subsequent techniques, extraordinary talents were indispensable.

“I don’t seek to achieve it in one lifetime. As long as progress is made, that’s a victory.”

“Master…” As Li Fan was thinking, Lin Ling's sudden telepathic message resonated in his mind.

Her voice was a little apprehensive, and also somewhat hesitant.

“Hehe, come meet me in the secret chamber.”

Shortly after, Lin Ling appeared before Li Fan and slowly knelt down.

“Your heart seems to be wavering and uneasy,” Li Fan said indifferently, sitting cross-legged with his eyes closed.

Lin Ling pursed her lips, wanting to speak but hesitating.

Both her thoughts and expressions were far more complex than when she had just been born.

Li Fan chuckled, “You are a creation of nature, and submitting to the strong is your innate characteristic. Previously, when you were ignorant and lacked understanding, you didn’t mind acknowledging me as your master. But now that you’ve experienced the mortal world, various thoughts of dissatisfaction and resentment have emerged in your heart. Is that not so?”

Lin Ling’s body trembled, and she quickly prostrated herself again, repeatedly saying she wouldn't dare.

In reality, only she truly knew the situation.

During her time outside the Spiritwood Realm, the senior Earth Vein Ancient Tree, upon learning of her situation, was extremely displeased with her acknowledging Li Fan as her master.

Although it didn't directly incite Lin Ling to rebel, it did transmit many scenes from the ancient tree's memories.

This caused Lin Ling's "mind" to mature rapidly.

It indeed made Lin Ling's thoughts waver, wanting to leave Li Fan’s side and explore the broader Profound-Yellow Great World.

However, upon returning to the Spiritwood Realm and personally witnessing the many changes within the world, a sudden sense of alarm against betraying Li Fan arose in her heart.

It seemed...

If she were to truly betray him, a great calamity might befall her.

Creations of heaven and earth possess the most accurate spiritual perception. The alarm lingered, and these days Lin Ling felt as if she were constantly surrounded by the watchful eyes of a natural predator, unable to rest.

Unable to bear it any longer, she finally prepared to confess everything to Li Fan.

Just as she was about to speak, she heard Li Fan chuckle softly, "You foolish child..."

“Never mind. Today, I shall let you witness what true power is.”

Lin Ling froze, then abruptly looked up.

She only felt an unimaginably powerful aura erupting from her master. Despite him being merely at the Nascent Soul stage, his oppressive aura made even her, an Integration stage cultivator, feel utterly suppressed.

“Cultivation realm means nothing. If I wished to kill you, it would be as simple as crushing an ant.”

Li Fan’s voice suddenly came from above Lin Ling’s head.

Lin Ling felt one of his hands gently press down on her head.

As if her fate had been seized by the throat, Lin Ling’s body stiffened, instantly unable to move.

Lin Ling had a feeling that if Li Fan applied just a little more pressure, she would instantly perish and her cultivation would dissipate!

Moreover, this wasn't achieved through his control over her Wooden Heart. It was true power overwhelming her!

Lin Ling was incredibly shocked. She couldn't imagine why the Golden Core cultivator from that day had suddenly become so immensely powerful.

“Could it be that Master has always been disguised?”

As this thought emerged in Lin Ling’s mind, a greater chill ran through her.

Under the pressure of life-or-death crisis, not a single rebellious thought remained in her heart.

After an unknown amount of time, Li Fan finally released his right hand and resumed sitting cross-legged in the void before her.

Lin Ling immediately collapsed to the ground.

Then she struggled to get up and kowtowed to Li Fan, begging for forgiveness.

She meticulously detailed how she had harbored rebellious thoughts.

“The Earth Vein Ancient Tree…” A cold glint flashed in Li Fan’s eyes, and he mentally noted it down.

“You seem to have something else to say?”

Lin Ling's body trembled violently again with Li Fan's words.

“Yes, Master. However, this is just my speculation, and it might not be true.”

“Speak freely then.”

Lin Ling hesitated for a moment, then finally gritted her teeth and spoke: “I suspect that Senior Stone Slab was dragged away by the unknown entity in the fishing pond. It’s highly probable that Liu Li was secretly tipping it off!”

“Hm?” Upon hearing this, even Li Fan showed a hint of surprise.

Lin Ling quietly explained, “Originally, I was still somewhat uncertain, thinking that Liu Li kept pulling me closer to the fishing pond just to gain some benefits from Senior Stone Slab.”

“But on the day the anomaly occurred, the moment Senior Stone Slab was suddenly dragged forward, Little Liu Li’s face showed no fear or terror.”

“It was as if she had already known this scene would happen.”

“Although she quickly reacted afterward and feigned a scared expression, that instantaneous change didn't escape my observation.”

“That Daoist child, Liu Li, is definitely suspicious!”

Lin Ling stated with certainty.