"The Five Elements Grotto-Heavens..."
That phrase was far too sensitive.
So much so that Lu Xichan didn’t hear anything Huangfu Song said afterward.
She pondered for a long moment, yet made no immediate declaration.
She simply withdrew her gaze and, under the watchful eyes of the many cultivators of the Spirit-Transforming Ravine, transformed into a streak of rainbow light and returned to her quarters.
Huangfu and Dongfang wiped the cold sweat from their brows and hurriedly followed.
"Congratulations, Brother Huangfu! To be able to offer counsel to Chief Lu on this occasion surely means your future prospects are boundless!" Dongfang Yao transmitted as they flew.
"Spare me the flattery, Dongfang. What kind of person is Chief Lu? Does she truly need my advice? She is just being cautious. It's so that if there is backlash later, she can conveniently push me, the one who made the suggestion, out as the scapegoat.
"How could you fail to see that?" Huangfu Song snorted coldly, clearly displeased.
"Brother Huangfu, how many people would jump at the chance to be Chief Lu's scapegoat and still not get the opportunity? Moreover, given Chief Lu's character, I doubt she would necessarily—
“Haha.” Seeing that his words weren’t well-received, Dongfang Yao chuckled an changed the subject.
"There were already rumors that the conflict between the Dao Imparters and the newly advanced Dao Unity cultivators of the last few millennia have reached an extremely intense stage. I thought it was just exaggeration.
"Yet seeing it today, it appears to be true."
Huangfu Song also sighed softly. "Being forced to choose a side today, who knows if it's fortune or misfortune? If we succeed, wealth and status will naturally follow. But if we fail..."
The two exchanged a glance and fell silent.
***
Back in the Spirit-Transforming Ravine, after Lu Xichan and the other two had departed, Li Fan followed the large group returning to work and went back to his residence.
When Chief Lu's gaze had fallen on him, Li Fan knew she had successfully recognized him.
Yet, to Li Fan's slight surprise, after pausing for just a moment, the Dao Unity powerhouse had paid him no further attention.
I saved your daughter's life after all. Are you really leaving just like that?
To be honest, Li Fan was rather taken aback.
But later, noticing the expressions on Huangfu and Dongfang's faces, Li Fan realized his scheme might not have failed after all.
It was just that a Dao Unity powerhouse, especially one holding a weighty position, likely had to conduct herself with a bit more... reserve.
So, maintaining an air of composure, he simply waited patiently, neither overjoyed nor dismayed.
A day passed.
Sure enough, after Lu Xichan departed as a streak of rainbow light, Huangfu Song came to find him.
"A special temporary assignment at the Five Elements Grotto-Heavens?"
Hearing the words of the plump man before him, Li Fan, who hadn't expected things to go so smoothly this time, couldn't help but feel a surge of joy.
"Congratulations on achieving your wish, young friend! The importance of the Five Elements Grotto-Heavens ranks among the greatest of all the secret realms under the Myriad Immortals Alliance.
"And due to its special status, the construction of the Tianxuan Soul-Locking Array has only just begun; it's still in its initial stages.
"This is the perfect opportunity to truly show your capabilities.
"If you push yourself a little harder, competing for the top spot on the leaderboard isn't out of the question."
Huangfu Song beamed with a ruddy complexion as he spoke.
Li Fan's expression remained unchanged. "I must thank you for your assistance, Senior. I will certainly remember this favor!"
Huangfu Song waved his hand dismissively. "Nonsense. If we're being honest, I've actually benefited from your connection this time.
"However, there is one matter I must remind you of, young friend." Huangfu Song's smile faded, and his expression turned serious.
"Oh?" Seeing the other's unusually solemn demeanor, Li Fan also grew solemn.
"Please speak, Senior!"
Huangfu Song began, “Originally, the Five Elements Grotto-Heavens wasn't the only secret realm we could be assigned to. In fact, right up until a moment ago, Chief Lu hadn't decided whether to send us at all.
“Then something happened that changed her mind."
Li Fan’s expression turned grave as he waited for the rest.
“This matter is absolutely confidential. Currently, only a handful of people within the entire Myriad Immortals Alliance are aware of it. You must remember not to speak of it.” Huangfu Song first gave this warning, then lowered his voice, speaking quietly. “The Five Elements Grotto-Heavens are currently located at the border between Tianchen Province and Tianshu Province.”
“But do you recall where the Five Elements Grotto-Heavens were first discovered?”
Li Fan answered immediately, “How could I forget that? The battle of Tianling Province had an extremely profound impact on the entire Xuanhuang World.
“What do you mean by that, Senior?”
Huangfu Song’s gaze was deep as he spoke slowly, “After the battle of Tianling Province, our Myriad Immortals Alliance expended great effort to relocate the Five Elements Grotto-Heavens to the heartlands, where they are currently located.
“The original ruins of Tianling Province naturally became an empty, vacant void.
“However, three days ago, the Alliance received an urgent report. From that empty void, spiritual qi fluctuations were inexplicably detected.
“After sending people to investigate, almost no one could believe the results.”
Huangfu Song paused, as if to steady the turmoil in his own heart.
Then he continued, “There were five distinct sources of these spiritual qi fluctuations.
“After repeated confirmation... they are signs of new grotto-heavens being born!”
Upon hearing this, a sharp light flashed in Li Fan’s eyes, and he stared intently at Huangfu Song.
“New grotto-heavens?
“New Five Elements Grotto-Heavens?” His voice trembled slightly, filled with astonishment.
Huangfu Song nodded.
“This... how is it possible?” Li Fan was momentarily stunned.
Based on his limited understanding, the formation of any grotto-heaven was a matter of chance and coincidence, requiring the passage of vast ages to come into being.
For Tianling Province to have spawned five grotto-heavens that complemented each other through the five elements was already a miracle among miracles.
Yet, after the Myriad Immortals Alliance had moved the entire Five Elements Grotto-Heavens away, new Five Elements Grotto-Heavens were actually being born in the original location?
“What about the current Five Elements Grotto-Heavens? Have any changes occurred there?”
Connecting this to Huangfu Song’s mention of a special mission, Li Fan immediately asked.
“There are signs of the five elements converging into one, and the process is irreversible,” Huangfu Song’s tone was somewhat heavy.
“Five elements converging into one?” Li Fan frowned slightly. “Is that good or bad? What happens after they converge?”
Huangfu Song shook his head. “Something like this has never happened before. Even Chief Lu herself could not hide her surprise and shock upon hearing this news.”
“However, what can be confirmed now is that as the five elements converge, the current five grotto-heavens will not completely vanish.
“Rather, they will fuse into a single, entirely new grotto-heaven.
“As for whether this grotto-heaven will undergo drastic changes during the fusion process, transforming from an extremely rich grotto-heaven abundant in all manner of resources into a barren wasteland yielding nothing, that is something no one can foresee.
"Regardless, the plan to construct the Spirit-Locking Array remains unchanged.
"Given the suddenness of the situation, Chief Lu has already taken the initiative to investigate the site personally.
"Our specialized guides will lead us there shortly."