Chapter 16

Li Fan narrowed his eyes and gazed into the distance, his expression filled with boundless nostalgia.

"Although our ancestor joined the Taiyan Sect, he did not enjoy cultivation. Instead, he was obsessed with the art of deduction and calculation. It was not a problem at first, but who would have thought that a great change would occur in the world, forcing all mortals to migrate.

"With the initial cultivation of Qi Refinement, although no one would force him if he did not wish to, our ancestor still had unfinished business. Seeing the panic and confusion among the family members, he volunteered to take charge of the migration of mortals. After that, he stayed here with the family."

Li Fan spoke with great emotion.

Kou Hong and Daoxuanzi listened, sensing that the words echoed the ancient legends they had heard before, and both nodded slowly.

Kou Hong was even more curious: "The Taiyan Sect still existed during the Great Migration? I heard that all the ancient sects were destroyed in the previous great calamity."

Li Fan was initially taken aback, then shook his head: "It's just a case of hearsay. Although the great calamity made it impossible to cultivate immortal arts, the Taiyan Sect has a vast array of cultivation techniques. It would not be difficult for each person to receive one. The sect did suffer significant losses, but it was impossible for it to be completely destroyed."

Li Fan spoke with confidence, especially the phrase "a vast array of cultivation techniques, one for each person," which left Kou Hong and Daoxuanzi in awe.

Then, Li Fan suddenly asked: "From your words, it seems that the Taiyan Sect has not appeared in the outside world for a long time?"

Daoxuanzi shook his head: "Not just the Taiyan Sect, but also the Taishang Sect, the Great Dao Sect, the Heavenly Sword Sect, and other ancient sects have all vanished."

Li Fan murmured to himself: "The path of immortality is difficult. As our ancestor said, the sects chose to go into seclusion to avoid disaster..."

Daoxuanzi and Kou Hong exchanged glances and secretly communicated: "I have always been skeptical about the destruction of the ancient sects. Now, thinking about it, it does seem suspicious. The ancient sects had such deep foundations; how could they disappear so suddenly?"

"It's no wonder they chose to go into seclusion. If the news that these sects still exist were to spread, even if they were strong, people would constantly come to challenge them."

...

After a brief exchange, Daoxuanzi clasped his hands and asked: "May I ask why you stopped us?"

Li Fan sighed: "This place has not been visited by cultivators for thousands of years. Today, seeing the two of you, I knew you were the people our ancestor predicted before his death, the key to our clan's escape. Seeing you about to fight to the death over a Core Formation technique, I hurried to stop you."

Daoxuanzi said frankly: "I apologize for the spectacle. However, you may not know that in the outside world, cultivation techniques are rare. It is normal for people to turn against each other and fight over a technique."

Li Fan shook his head repeatedly: "It doesn't have to be this way!"

Daoxuanzi probed: "From your tone, it seems..."

"Indeed, our ancestor left a technique before his death, one that leads directly to the Core Formation realm," Li Fan said proudly.

Daoxuanzi took a deep breath: "May I ask what you seek?"

Kou Hong was overjoyed: "That's great. If Daoxuanzi can obtain this technique, we brothers won't need to fight anymore."

"Indeed, our ancestor's lifelong wish was to return to the Taiyan Sect in the cultivation world. Before his death, besides this technique, he also left a magical artifact called the Taiyan Boat. Although it is damaged, our ancestor used the Taiyan technique to predict that after several years, two cultivators would come to this place, one skilled in sword techniques and the other in alchemy. They could help future generations repair the Taiyan Boat and escape this desolate place." Li Fan took a sip of wine and spoke slowly.

Kou Hong and Daoxuanzi both changed color.

"My brother Kou Hong is obsessed with alchemy, and my strength lies in sword techniques. The Taiyan technique is truly incredible?" Daoxuanzi was shocked and took a while to recover.

"To have such unfathomable power at the Qi Refinement stage is truly unimaginable..." Kou Hong was also stunned.

Li Fan smiled and, after a moment, said: "Words are not enough; please follow me to see this technique."

Daoxuanzi's face lit up, and he stood up to follow. Seeing that Kou Hong also wanted to come, he became wary: "What, brother, you already have a Core Formation technique, are you still not satisfied?"

Kou Hong, taken aback, said: "Alright, I won't come."

Daoxuanzi snorted and caught up with Li Fan.

Seeing that Kou Hong did not follow as expected, Li Fan finally breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that his plan was halfway successful.

He led Daoxuanzi to open the mechanism and enter the underground chamber of the Grand Master's residence.

Just as Daoxuanzi was about to enter the chamber, he suddenly felt a chill and stopped.

He carefully scanned the surroundings with his divine sense and exclaimed: "Mortal Immortal Miasma!"

Indeed, the chamber was filled with Mortal Immortal Miasma, the thick aura making Daoxuanzi feel uneasy.

Li Fan smiled: "One must be cautious. We mortals have to take such measures to protect our family's treasures."

Daoxuanzi forced a smile but refused to take another step, even retreating a bit.

Li Fan did not say anything but entered the chamber and took out a jade slip from a box.

He did not leave the chamber but held it up for Daoxuanzi to see.

This jade slip was precisely the *Thousand Mechanisms Jade Ring Chapter* he had obtained from Kou Hong in his previous life!

Indeed, Li Fan was taking a gamble.

According to Kou Hong's description in his previous life, he had run away with the technique, and Daoxuanzi had clearly not seen the technique.

This was the perfect bait to get Kou Hong and Daoxuanzi to help him repair the Taiyan Boat!

If Li Fan's guess was wrong...

The Grand Master's residence was already filled with elite guards. If he could not win...

He would just have to try a different method in his next life!

Li Fan was not worried at all because he noticed that Daoxuanzi's attention was completely drawn to the golden jade slip in his hand.

"The *Thousand Mechanisms Jade Ring Chapter*, an Essence Core technique, it's actually an Essence Core technique..." Daoxuanzi's breathing became heavy, and a dangerous glint appeared in his eyes.

However, seeing Li Fan's half-smile and the faint sense of danger from the Mortal Immortal Miasma in the chamber, Daoxuanzi instantly regained his composure.

"Is what I said true?" Li Fan asked with a smile. "I only mentioned a Core Formation technique to your brother Kou Hong to prevent him from having evil thoughts."

"Your prudence is commendable," Daoxuanzi said, clearly impressed.

Then he became excited: "Rest assured, my brother Kou Hong is skilled in alchemy. I will persuade him to help you repair the Taiyan Boat with all his might."

Li Fan laughed: "Thank you. Once the task is completed, I will present this technique to you."

With the prospect of immortality, Daoxuanzi could hardly wait to start working with Kou Hong.

Reluctantly watching Li Fan put away the technique and close the chamber, Daoxuanzi eagerly found Kou Hong.