After a short half day, Li Fan also buried the steward Song's corpse on the spot, contemplating the information he obtained about the "Xuantian Sect" from him.
Over two hundred years ago, at that time, Steward Song had just recently joined the Purple Cloud Sect and was still a child.
It was during the centennial celebration of the Purple Cloud Sect when an unexpected guest arrived, and even the Sect Master had to personally receive this esteemed guest.
He was an inspector from the ten major sects of the Immortal Dao, specifically appointed for this inspection.
The inspector didn't give much face to the Sect Master, stating that they had received intelligence suggesting that there were wanted criminals from the ten major sects hidden within the Purple Cloud Sect. A thorough investigation was necessary.
Although it was embarrassing for the Purple Cloud Sect, they had to cooperate with the investigation, given the inspector's authority representing the will of the ten major sects.
At that time, no one knew who the criminal was, but the search was thorough, and every disciple of the Purple Cloud Sect was interrogated. Even Song Hesong, who had just joined and was doing miscellaneous tasks, was not spared.
The final result was unclear to Song Hesong. However, after the inspector left, rumors started circulating within the sect.
A true disciple from the Purple Cloud Sect had mysteriously disappeared.
Many suspected that this true disciple was the wanted criminal.
Although there were rules against spreading groundless rumors within the sect, secrets could not be kept indefinitely.
As time passed, the secrecy surrounding the event gradually lessened.
When Song Hesong took over the position of steward in Ningyuan City, his predecessor warned him to be vigilant against remnants of the Xuantian Sect.
Curious, Song Hesong inquired and learned that the missing true disciple from back then was a spy secretly infiltrated by the Xuantian Sect into the Purple Cloud Sect.
"The Xuantian Sect, the former number one sect in the world."
"It dominated the world, and all other sects had to bow to its influence."
"It was overthrown by a joint effort of the ten major sects of the Immortal Dao. The battle that led to the destruction of the sect established the leadership of the ten major sects in the Immortal Dao."
"However, even though the centipede is dead, it doesn't mean it won't twitch. Though the Xuantian Sect was destroyed in that battle, remnants still lurk in the world."
"To eliminate any possibility of the Xuantian Sect making a comeback, the ten major sects of the Immortal Dao issued a kill order. Anyone associated with the former Xuantian Sect, no matter how slight the connection, is to be killed without mercy."
"And even though the alliance of the ten major sects has already crumbled, they still fear the remnants of the Xuantian Sect. The reason being..."
A hint of curiosity flashed in Li Fan's eyes.
"The treasured artifact of the Xuantian Sect, the whereabouts of which are unknown since the destruction of the sect."
"And this treasure is called..."
"The Xuantian Mirror."
"The Xuantian Mirror." Li Fan repeated it silently in his mind.
"This mirror is a supreme treasure of heaven and earth, with infinite uses. The ten major sects of the Immortal Dao even offered a reward. Anyone who possesses this mirror can exchange it for a seat of eternal life."
"Unfortunately, after so many years, the remnants of the Xuantian Sect have been mostly eradicated, almost extinct."
"As for the whereabouts of the Xuantian Mirror, it's even more uncertain."
Li Fan slowly digested the information obtained from Song Hesong.
"As for Mr. Bai, is he a member of the former Xuantian Sect?"
"Possibly, or possibly not."
"But the Xuantian Mirror should be the later generation's Tianxuan Mirror. I wonder why the order of the words 'Xuan' and 'Tian' has been swapped."
"Don't mention the already fallen alliance of the ten major sects. There's no need to hide anymore."
"Even if you want to conceal your origin, you can completely choose a new name. There's no need to be so obvious."
"Could there be some deeper meaning?"
Li Fan couldn't be sure.
However, he took a step forward toward the truth of the cultivation world.
After a long time, Li Fan suppressed the surging thoughts.
"The two key figures have been dealt with. Next is to handle some insignificant minions."
Without hesitation, the original consciousness of Li Chen's body broke out, revealing his true appearance.
Li Fan quietly approached Chu Liang and the others.
With just one glance, he activated the Binding Insect technique.
In the time it took for a joss stick to burn, all four of the other hidden individuals were captured.
At this point, there were no cultivators left in Ningyuan City except for Li Fan.
The "Ningyuan Seizing Longevity Fruit" incident finally concluded successfully without any casualties among the common people.
"I hope this is the last time I have to come here."
"Mr. Bai, don't disappoint me."
Li Fan pondered in secret.
Instead of wandering around, he calmly stood in the air above Ningyuan City, waiting patiently for the time limit to arrive.
After a long time, the surrounding scenery slowly began to blur.
Li Fan's expression changed, and he looked down below.
He saw a slender figure in green, unable to see the face.
Standing on the street, looking up at him.
Beside him, there was a mortal woman, leaning against him, dressed in an elegant pink long dress, her face also unclear.
"So that's how it is..."
While Li Fan was contemplating, the surrounding scenery suddenly disappeared.
In its place, another scene appeared.
On endless ruins, only a green figure remained, standing bewildered.
Faintly, you could see bloodstains on his hands, as if he had tried to dig something in the ruins.
"Is this the original history?"
The scene went black.
Li Fan felt a dizzy spell, and the next moment, he returned to the Tianxuan Mirror.
His head was heavy, but upon careful contemplation, he unexpectedly gained two rewards this time.
One was the "Zixiao Haoran Intent," a secret technique from the "Zixiao Thunderous True Technique" that purifies the soul and clears the mind.
"Senior Brother Zhang, could it be that even ending one's own life was your obsession?"
Thinking of this, Li Fan's expression became somewhat strange.
"But it's just as well. It saves me the trouble of finding another soul-purifying technique."
"I've already mastered three secret techniques from the 'Zixiao Thunderous True Technique,' including Zixiao Soul Search, Zixiao Divine Thunder Dash, and now Zixiao Haoran Intent. Unfortunately, I haven't had the chance to see the true scripture. I'm afraid there won't be an opportunity to complete it in the future."
As for the second gain from this trip to the Fallen Immortal Realm.
Li Fan's mind settled.
In his sea of consciousness, three bright green and crystal-clear fruits lay quietly.
Just the aura they exuded made Li Fan feel revitalized, as if he had become much younger.
"Fruit of Transcendent Life."
"Each consumed fruit can extend life by three hundred years."
"So, this is the reward for resolving Mr. Bai's obsession."
Suppressing the impulse to swallow them himself, Li Fan averted his gaze from the sparkling fruits.
"For me, three hundred years of lifespan is just one cycle of reincarnation."
"But for other cultivators, this is almost a priceless treasure."
"Rather than self-consumption, it's better to maximize its value and exchange it for something more useful."
"However, what exactly to exchange it for requires further planning."
For now, he temporarily put this matter aside.
After some hesitation, Li Fan ultimately gave up the idea of searching for information related to the Xuantian Sect and the Xuantian Mirror.
Certainly, there would be no results.
If he forcefully searched and inadvertently attracted the attention of certain existences, it might lead to a restart, which would be undesirable.
(End of this chapter)