NOVPUBFrom the information currently known, the Golden Willpower, which is the Spirit Elixir, was a residual trace from the Faceless True Immortal’s search for the Way.
As the saying goes, born with desires, they pursue the Dao relentlessly until death.
The Golden Willpower that Li Fan absorbed before his Tribulation Body was formed was purely energy and did not contain the conviction of "the desire to pursue the Way."
But now, the Golden Willpower generated by Dao Xuanzi’s feedback made Li Fan feel an extremely subtle desire to seek the Dao.
Even though it had been filtered by the stone statue and most of it intercepted, the remaining residue among all the Golden Willpower shone as starkly as the bright moon in the sky, enabling Li Fan to perceive it the moment it formed.
"A sincere seeker of the Way, attains immortality through the Way. It’s no wonder he fights to the death with his brothers and chases into the Immortal Realm just for advancement in Techniques," Li Fan mused.
"He appears so free-spirited, yet his heart holds such a steadfast desire for the Dao."
The desire to pursue the Dao within the Golden Willpower existed only momentarily before it disappeared instantly.
Li Fan felt as though he had lost a treasure, leaving an abrupt emptiness within him.
However, this sense of loss was quickly crushed as the Xuanhuang Immortal Heart Mantra operated spontaneously.
"With the acquisition of the Ocean Pearl, Dao Xuanzi’s prospects in this life are promising. Whereas Kou Hong, even after learning about another Earth’s Wonder, the [Cauldron of the Myriad Mountains], did not rush there. Instead, he patiently supported Dao Xuanzi in successfully re-establishing his foundation. These two brothers indeed share a deep bond," Li Fan reflected.
"Perhaps I’ll take more care of them in the future..."
The interlude ended, and Li Fan’s attention returned to the immediate surroundings of the Bamboo Sea of Tianquan State.
Silently, under the cover of Li Fan and Mo Rubing, Lin Ling and his two companions had already infiltrated the Bamboo Sea, laying hidden ambushes with their Array Techniques.
All that was left was for Xuan Suchang to take the bait.
As the formidable enemy drew near, only Lin Ling seemed tense among the group. Tianyang was slow, and Daoist Baihua, having survived the ancient Great Calamity as an Immortal Cultivator, was well-versed and experienced. As for Li Fan and Mo Rubing, they already considered the Frostive Immortal as good as caught.
Time slowly passed, and soon after...
Two streaks of rainbow light appeared one after another, breaking through the sky and landing outside the Bamboo Sea.
The Bamboo Sea Protection Array activated, and eighteen women in red long dresses stepped forward to greet them.
But the two figures did not even glance at them, walking directly into the Bamboo Sea Cave Mansion.
"Hmm? Lu Qixian? Why is she here too?" Mo Rubing was somewhat surprised but not alarmed.
Nevertheless, he glanced at Li Fan, seeking advice, "Do we have a plan?"
As he spoke, he had already sent out the detailed information about Lu Qixian.
Lu Qixian was a disciple of the previous head chief of the Array Strategy Hall, Lu Xia.
Her career seemed plain and smooth, having taken over her master’s position with ease.
But being able to remain untroubled and unwavering throughout the entire succession of power was enough to speak volumes about Lu Qixian’s exceptional abilities.
Li Fan narrowed his eyes slightly and nodded, "She’s no threat. Capturing one on the Unity-Path is the same as capturing two; there’s no difference."
"However, Lu Qixian is still the head chief of the Immortal Alliance’s Arrays, and using the Array you gave me, derived from the [Crown of the Eternal Array], there might be a risk of it being broken. If reinforcements arrive, it could spell trouble."
"Let’s hope this [Crown of the Eternal Array] holds up," Li Fan abruptly changed the topic.
Of course, these words were meant to deceive Mo Rubing. In reality, the ambush Array Technique laid out in the Bamboo Sea was more complex and advanced by at least one generation than both the Tianxuan Spirit Locking and Mystic Sky Sealing Spirit Arrays.
Though Lu Qixian’s mastery of array techniques was top-notch within the Array Strategy Hall, she had no chance of breaking the Array in a short time.
This statement was merely to disguise the origins of the massive ambush Array already in place.
Mo Rubing, unsuspecting, pondered briefly then responded, "Even if the Array is broken, it will take time. We need to act quickly and capture her before she finds the flaw in the Array."
As he spoke, in front of the monk where Morubin’s consciousness resided, a mirror-like surface seemingly appeared out of thin air as if it were a grey line.
Ghostly lights flickered for only a moment before another monk, who looked exactly the same, startlingly appeared.
Then the mirror surface kept emerging, doubling again and again from two to four, four to eight, before finally ceasing.
Throughout it all, there wasn’t the slightest fluctuation in aura.
Lin Ling and the other two were dumbstruck by this scene.
Li Fan, sensing the eight individuals in front of him, found each to be a living, breathing monk, indistinguishable from the others.
"During the battle, I will use these bodies to lend as much help as possible,"
"However, it won’t last long…"
Morubin communicated telepathically.
After Xuan Suchang and Lu Qixian entered the Bamboo Sea, they rested in one of the bamboo towers. To avoid startling the quarry, Li Fan and the others didn’t spy on them. They just made sure they were within and waited for Shuo Feng’s arrival.
And Shuo Feng, considerately, did not make everyone wait long.
As red snowflakes slowly drifted down in the Bamboo Sea, Shuo Feng’s figure progressively grew clearer from its blurry state.
Glancing at the nearby bamboo tower, Shuo Feng’s face was full of resentment.
However, he ultimately didn’t dare show it in front of his own mother, taking a deep breath to return his expression to calm.
He walked slowly toward the bamboo tower.
"Mother…" Shuo Feng slowly began.
"Hehe, Feng’er has come home. Come in, your Aunt Lu is here too," said Xuan Suchang with a slight laugh, her voice emanating from within the bamboo tower.
It sounded not like that of a mother, but rather like a fifteen or sixteen-year-old girl.
Shuo Feng pushed open the large doors of the bamboo tower and entered.
Both Xuan Suchang and Lu Qixian immediately focused their gazes on Shuo Feng.
At that moment...
A loud shout like thunder pierced through the Bamboo Sea.
"Brother Shuo, rest assured, I will definitely help you persuade the Commandment Hall to give you your freedom!"
With Li Fan’s words, not only did Shuo Feng, Xuan Suchang, and the third person pause slightly,
but Morubin, Lin Ling, and the others also were momentarily puzzled.
"Take action!" Fortunately, Li Fan’s telepathic command quickly arrived.
Lin Ling and the other two rapidly took their positions as the great array, arrayed by four Unity-Path cultivators, was instantly formed.
And Morubin did not hold back, as the eight identical bodies explosively burst open.
From each body, a vague, black shadow emerged. 𝖓𝔬𝔳𝖕𝖚𝖇.𝖈𝔬𝔪
The shadows then expanded, swiftly enveloping the entire Bamboo Sea.
"Hehe, Feng’er is really making a name for himself…" Initially, Xuan Suchang paused briefly but maintained a faint smile.
She thought Shuo Feng had gathered some ruffians trying to rebel.
After all, he had indeed engaged in such antics before.
However, as the array unfolded and the shadows blocked out the sky, Xuan Suchang’s expression rapidly changed as she realized the formidable power of this ambush was not something Shuo Feng could have orchestrated.
