Li Fan and Huangfu Song were worlds apart in both strength and status. Issuing a threat naturally carried risk.
However, for one, the phenomena that occurred in the sky after a cultivator's death made it exceedingly difficult to kill someone and cover it up without a trace.
For another, Li Fan was now, for better or worse, a public figure, living under the spotlight.
Even if Huangfu Song wanted to take action, he would have to consider the consequences. Trading his life for a junior like Li Fan was certainly not something Huangfu Song intended or had the resolve to do.
Compromise was inevitable. So while this move seemed risky, it was entirely within Li Fan's calculations.
The Five Elements Grotto-Heavens... Li Fan pondered for a moment, then closed his eyes, focusing his mind to reach out to Lu Xuejing. After subduing her, he had largely left her to her own devices.
The methods of Old Man Fisher were truly profound and mysterious. No matter the distance separating them, even divided by the White Mist, he could telepathically converse with his subordinate.
"Master..." After a moment, sensing Li Fan's summons, Lu Xuejing's timid voice sounded.
It had been a long time since they last made contact. Li Fan offered no pleasantries. He went straight to inquiring about her recent situation.
After gaining a general understanding, Li Fan thought for a while, then asked for some news regarding her mother.
The loyal Lu Xuejing answered truthfully. "Mother seems very busy lately, constantly traveling and inspecting various grotto-heavens.
"They are all places I've never heard of. Sometimes I can’t contact her for extended periods..."
As Li Fan listened, a plan slowly formed in his mind.
Before severing the connection, Li Fan offered some comforting words and praise to the young woman.
Lu Xuejing reacted with great excitement, her soft voice quite pleasing to the ear.
After explaining the matters he required of her and ignoring Lu Xuejing's extreme reluctance, Li Fan cut the connection.
The plan is set. Whether it succeeds or not now depends on my fortune. Li Fan thought to himself.
Fortunately, Li Fan's luck held.
The next day, just as Huangfu Song was about to depart Severed Hand Immortal City aboard the Dust-Crossing Boat, Li Fan received a message from Lu Xuejing.
A sharp glint flashed in Li Fan's eyes. He flew directly onto the deck of the Dust-Crossing Boat.
"Kid, what do you want now?" Huangfu Song looked over Li Fan, who had barged in uninvited, his expression unfriendly.
He dismissed the others and led Li Fan to an enclosed cabin. Then, he looked at Li Fan coldly, waiting for him to speak.
"For this competition, I intend to stake everything on one throw. Other arrangements are already in place. Now I need your assistance once more, Senior."
Huangfu Song, hearing this, couldn't help but show surprise. "So soon?"
He narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing Li Fan from head to toe.
After a moment, he finally said, "Speak. What do you want me to do?"
Li Fan said gravely, "Senior, I would like you to change course and take me to the Spirit-Transforming Ravine at the fastest possible speed."
"Spirit-Transforming Ravine?" Huangfu Song was slightly taken aback. "What are you going there for?"
Li Fan didn't answer, instead continuing with his demands: "Moreover, we need a legitimate reason. It cannot appear abrupt to others."
Huangfu Song gave a cold snort. "You really have a lot of demands, kid."
But he didn't refuse outright. Instead, Huangfu Song fell into a prolonged silence. He seemed to be communicating with someone.
Li Fan stood motionless, waiting patiently.
After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Huangfu Song gave a slight nod.
He looked at Li Fan again. "Consider yourself lucky. I have a friend currently overseeing array construction work at the Spirit-Transforming Ravine. The array construction there is also nearing completion, and his next destination is very close to my own mission location.
"It's been a long time since we last met, so I've arranged to travel with him. We can take the chance to catch up." Huangfu Song stated the matter concisely.
Li Fan felt a flicker of joy in his heart and bowed respectfully. "In that case, I thank you, Senior."
"Cut the formalities," Huangfu Song said, wiping all traces of a smile from his face. "I'm helping you, but not for any special reason.
"I'm genuinely curious to see just who your backer really is."
Li Fan adopted a serious expression. "You overestimate me, Senior. I am alone in the world. What sort of backer could I have?"
Seeing Li Fan still playing the fool, Huangfu Song didn't bother arguing further. He just snorted coldly.
"Might I ask how long this journey to the Spirit-Transforming Ravine will take, Senior?" Li Fan asked, thick-skinned and unperturbed.
"If we’re fast, two days. Slow, seven. Depends on whether we encounter any unexpected situations along the way," Huangfu Song replied with some impatience. "Just wait patiently. Since I've agreed, I won't deceive you on this matter."
Li Fan nodded slightly and thanked him again.
The Dust-Crossing Boat's sudden change of destination caused some surprise among the cultivators aboard. However, since it was Huangfu Song who called the shots, none dared voice any objection.
With that, the Dust-Crossing Boat transformed into a streak of red light, piercing through the Lifespan-Devouring White Mist as it sped forward.
After emerging from the White Mist Barrier, it first flew to the nearest Quyang Immortal City, utilizing the teleportation array there to arrive at a desolate land of scorched earth.
Then it continued racing toward its destination.
"This is the Searing Wastes of Ten Thousand Li. The Spirit-Transforming Ravine lies deep within it.
"The violent fire attribute spiritual power here repels all foreign energies. Even the fabric of space has become unstable. That's why it's impossible to build a teleportation array here."
Seeing Li Fan curiously survey the scenery outside, Huangfu Song couldn't help but offer an explanation.
Even with the protective arrays, Li Fan could still feel the intense heat from the outside within the Dust-Crossing Boat. It was the residual power of a force that purely sought to incinerate everything.
Between heaven and earth, it seemed only that dark red, awe-inspiring power remained.
The earth was cracked and fissured; the sky itself seemed to burn with raging flames.
"A thousand years ago, this was a fine place too. A pity it's become this hellish wasteland now," Huangfu Song sighed emotionally as he gazed at the desolate scene.
"If not for the Spirit-Transforming Ravine's unique nature, the Alliance would have likely abandoned this region long ago."
"What is so special about the Spirit-Transforming Ravine?" Li Fan asked, following Huangfu Song's lead.
"You don't know?" Huangfu Song was genuinely surprised this time. "Then why were you in such a hurry to get here?"
Li Fan immediately put on an expression of innocent ignorance.
Huangfu Song's face twitched repeatedly. Fortunately, his self-control was excellent, and he managed to hold back from lashing out.
Instead, he once again took on the role of a guide: "The Spirit-Transforming Ravine itself isn't special. It's just that this place produces a kind of bluish-green stone.
"This material possesses a natural, potent suppressive effect on spiritual qi," Huangfu Song continued. "If we cultivators approach it without a specific method to counter its influence, the spiritual qi within our bodies grows still and unresponsive. We become unable to channel it, instantly rendered as weak and vulnerable as mortals. Given this property, the Alliance has named it the Spirit-Transforming Stone."
Upon hearing this, Li Fan felt a vague sense of familiarity, as if he had encountered such a stone somewhere before.
His thoughts churned, but the memory remained elusive, just out of reach. He immediately understood—this was likely knowledge from that avatar of his that had inexplicably vanished.
He let the matter drop.
After a moment's consideration, Li Fan posed another question. "By chance, I once read about an ancient material known as Immortal-Severing Stone. Its properties seem remarkably similar to the Spirit-Transforming Stone you've mentioned. I wonder... could they be one and the same?"