Affected by the undetectable killing intent, the school of fish around Zhou Qing'ang instantly went crazy.
Ignoring the pressure emanating from him, they voraciously devoured his body one after another.
Without the autonomous protection of his soul, only moments later, a strand of blood stained the surrounding seawater red.
Zhou Qing'ang had completely vanished.
A heart, shining with seven-colored light, with seven holes on top, resembling a stone, appeared at the scene.
The light was extremely dim.
As its master died, the "Exquisite Heart with Seven Apertures" lost its extraordinary nature, becoming an inconspicuous ordinary stone, sinking to the bottom of the sea.
After waiting in place for several days and seeing that the abnormality hadn't attracted other cultivators, Li Fan returned. Ignoring everything else, he absorbed the "Exquisite Heart with Seven Apertures" to replenish the power of "True Return."
Afterward, Li Fan didn't alarm anyone as he quietly returned to Wanxian Island.
Zhou Qing'ang's disappearance hadn't caught anyone's attention.
For a foundational cultivator to be unreachable while going out for ten days was quite normal.
Li Fan didn't rush to report Zhou Qing'ang's spy identity but first focused on comprehending the "Exquisite Heart with Seven Apertures."
"Exquisite in all directions, a heart as deep as the sea; bewildering hearts, true and false are indistinguishable."
Three days later, Li Fan let out a long breath, his eyes showing an inexplicable expression.
"Although it's just a mid-grade human-grade treasure with no special benefits for cultivation, it's perfect as a foundational magical item for a spy."
In his dantian, "True Return" emitted a warm glow, slowly transforming into the appearance of the "Exquisite Heart with Seven Apertures."
Li Fan vaguely felt as if he had put on countless layers of deceptive coats, making it difficult for others to easily discern his inner thoughts.
"This item is truly marvelous!"
Li Fan secretly praised.
Next, Li Fan examined the matching secret technique, "Visage Transformation."
It wasn't a cultivation technique but rather a disguise secret technique created specifically for the "Exquisite Heart with Seven Apertures" by the organization Zhou Qing'ang belonged to.
After setting a specific appearance in his mind, the "Exquisite Heart with Seven Apertures" and the secret technique would mutually trigger, allowing an instant transformation into the appearance of another person.
Body size, appearance, everything would be different.
And it was a genuine change, not easily seen through by spells like "Falsehood Exposed."
The only drawback was that it could only change the appearance, and one's aura couldn't be altered.
So every time Zhou Qing'ang transformed, he was exceptionally careful.
Finding secluded places with no one around, he would conceal his aura.
However, being targeted by Li Fan, who possessed an undetectable killing intent, rendered all such caution useless.
While studying "Visage Transformation" in his mind, Li Fan pondered.
"Earlier, I had the idea of using 'True Return' to change foundational magical items and impersonate others."
"Now, with the 'Exquisite Heart with Seven Apertures' and this disguise secret technique, impersonating others becomes even more realistic."
"Moreover, I have 'Thousand Mechanisms Jade Ring Golden Chapter' to discern auras and 'Daylight Larceny Technique' to read fate."
"If I can mimic changes in both aura and fate, it would be truly difficult to distinguish between real and fake."
"If I can achieve that..."
Many thoughts surged in Li Fan's mind simultaneously.
"In this world, my alternate self taking the 100,000 contribution points from Cloud Water Heaven Palace won't be bored anymore."
To test the effect of the "Exquisite Heart with Seven Apertures," Li Fan used a teleportation array to arrive at Luli Island.
Not seeing He Zhenghao's figure, he didn't know where he had gone.
Li Fan didn't care about him for the time being. He just changed into another appearance and played some nonsense in front of Zhao Steward.
Zhao Steward's ability to distinguish the truth or falsehood of words had indeed lost its effectiveness, easily being toyed with.
Leaving Steward Zhao stunned in place, Li Fan, in an isolated area, reverted to his original appearance.
He messaged He Zhenghao: "Friend, where are you now?"
After a short while, He Zhenghao's somewhat weary voice came through: "Received a task, currently constructing defensive formations for a fellow Daoist's island residence. What brings you to me, Friend Li Fan?"
Li Fan sneered, "Still doing tasks? He Zhenghao, do you know that you're about to face a great calamity!"
He Zhenghao was slightly taken aback, "Why do you say that, Friend?"
"This matter requires a face-to-face discussion. Hurry back to Luli Island. The situation is urgent, and delays may lead to changes," Li Fan said sternly.
"Alright... Friend, please wait for me." Perhaps Li Fan's performance in the Spirit Mist Grass incident had earned He Zhenghao's trust. At this moment, he didn't doubt Li Fan's words. Anxious, he directly cut off the communication.
After a short half-day, He Zhenghao finally arrived.
His face looked haggard, and he appeared tired, as if he hadn't had a good rest in a long time.
There was a slight trace of fear in his eyes, but it was forcefully suppressed.
"Friend..." He Zhenghao began to speak when he saw Li Fan.
Li Fan waved his hand, interrupting him.
With a gesture, He Zhenghao activated the Mountain and River Star Array.
This array formation made He Zhenghao even more uneasy.
"Friend He, do you know Tai'an Island, where Zhou Qing'ang is stationed?" Li Fan asked.
He Zhenghao hesitated for a moment before truthfully replying, "Friend Zhou, oh yes, quite familiar. I have a good relationship with him. He often seeks advice on array techniques from me. Why do you ask?"
"Hmph. Fortunately, you didn't deceive me," Li Fan said coldly. "If you had uttered half a false word just now, I would have turned around and left."
He Zhenghao became even more anxious.
Seeing that the atmosphere was ready, Li Fan no longer kept them in suspense. He took out the Playback Stone and played the conversation between Zhou Qing'ang and the stone-faced figure.
...
"This time, He Zhenghao also suffered heavy losses. I applied for these 100,000 contribution points to deepen my relationship with him."
"He is proficient in array formations and has participated in setting up the island defense formation. With his help, I can surely master the formation sooner."
...
At first, due to Zhou Qing'ang's altered appearance, He Zhenghao couldn't figure out what was going on. But as the conversation unfolded, he instantly realized what had happened.
And when he heard his own name mentioned in the conversation, his face turned extremely pale.
Large beads of sweat rolled down his forehead, and He Zhenghao trembled uncontrollably.
After putting away the Playback Stone, Li Fan looked at He Zhenghao with a stern expression. "Friend He, how much information have you leaked about the island defense formation?"
"Not much! Really not much!" He Zhenghao stammered, trying to defend himself.
"Be honest! Or do you want me to submit this Playback Stone to the Martial Pavilion and let their people interrogate you!" Li Fan rebuked angrily.
He Zhenghao first shivered in fear but then understood Li Fan's implied meaning, and hope suddenly emerged in his eyes.
Grasping Li Fan's hands, he pleaded, "Friend, save me! Friend, save me!"
Li Fan pushed him away, saying, "If you want me to save you, then honestly tell me everything about Zhou Qing'ang!"
With a mournful expression, He Zhenghao began to spill the beans.
After listening, Li Fan was somewhat speechless.
It turned out that a significant portion of the structural data of the outer layer of the island defense formation submitted by Zhou Qing'ang was actually due to He Zhenghao's contribution.
"He praised my proficiency in array techniques every now and then, boasting about my knowledge. Then he asked me about the content of the formations."
"I was somewhat conceited by his flattery, and..."
"Who could have expected that, both being stationed at Cangyun Sea, Zhou Qing'ang turned out to be a spy!"
"Why did I let his sweet words deceive my judgment!"
He Zhenghao's expression was on the verge of tears.
"No matter whether you know or not, it won't change the fact that you leaked the secrets of the Wanxian Alliance," Li Fan snorted coldly.
"Friend He, you should be aware of the consequences, right?"
He Zhenghao shivered, "Dismissal, thorough investigation, downgrade of authority levels, and maybe even the abolition of cultivation..."
The more he thought about it, the more fearful he became, feeling that the future of his life was dimming.
In addition to losing his lifelong savings earlier, he had been crazily taking on tasks to accumulate contributions again, leaving him physically and mentally exhausted.
Under multiple blows, He Zhenghao could no longer hold on, and his mentality collapsed. He began to wail and cry loudly.
"Why am I so miserable! I've lost all my savings, and now I'm caught up in this mess!"
"How can I live like this!"
Li Fan remained unmoved.
After crying for a while, He Zhenghao, seeing no reaction from Li Fan, felt somewhat embarrassed.
Wiping away his tears, He Zhenghao said with a sobbing tone, "Friend, you must save me!"
"This Playback Stone must not be handed over! Otherwise, my future will be completely ruined!"
Li Fan retorted, "Reporting a spy is a great achievement. Friend, aren't you aware of that?"
He Zhenghao stammered, "I can compensate you."
Li Fan chuckled, "Friend, you are currently penniless. What can you compensate me with? I don't lack contribution points. Perhaps you don't know, but I earned a whopping 600,000 in the Spirit Mist Grass incident!"
He Zhenghao, upon hearing this, widened his eyes in disbelief, looking at Li Fan with a face full of astonishment.
"What, don't believe it?" Li Fan asked with a raised eyebrow.
"I believe, I believe," He Zhenghao nodded quickly.
His eyes showed increasing envy and regret. "I really regret not heeding your advice back then!"
After a while, He Zhenghao thought for a moment and said, "I have half a copy of 'Detailed Explanation of the Hundred Meridian Array Diagram,' which is my lifelong..."
Before he could finish, Li Fan interrupted, "I'm not very interested in formations. Being a formation repairman is just a stepping stone for me to join the organization."
He Zhenghao hesitated for a moment, then said with difficulty, "I have a daughter who also has foundation-level cultivation. I can introduce you to her..."
Li Fan's expression turned stern, rejecting with righteousness, "What do you take me for! Don't mention this again!"
He Zhenghao breathed a sigh of relief but then pondered with a troubled face.
He seemed to realize that Li Fan indeed had the intention of sparing him, but he also wanted something in return.
But aside from that, He Zhenghao was currently left with nothing.
After thinking for a long time without reaching a conclusion, He Zhenghao couldn't help but smile bitterly. "Friend, stop playing with me. Just say what you want."
Li Fan smiled slightly and patted He Zhenghao's shoulder.
"I want you, Friend."
He Zhenghao was first stunned, then turned pale, subconsciously took a step back, and looked at Li Fan warily.
"Hehe, Friend, what are you thinking? I mean, I want you to be loyal to me from now on," Li Fan said slowly.
(End of this chapter)