Chapter 201 Threatening He Zhenghao

Affected by the Formless Killing Intent, the schools of fish around Zhou Qingang instantly went mad.

Ignoring the pressure emanating from him, they frantically gnawed at his body, vying with each other.

Without the Divine Soul's self-protection, in just a moment, a trickle of fresh blood dyed the surrounding seawater red.

Zhou Qingang was already gone, leaving no bones behind.

A seven-colored, stone-like heart with seven apertures, the Seven Aperture Exquisite Heart, appeared at the scene.

Its light was extremely dim.

With its owner's death, this Seven Aperture Exquisite Heart had lost its wonder and become an ordinary, unremarkable stone, sinking to the seabed.

Li Fan waited for several days at the spot, and seeing that the unusual phenomenon of the death had not attracted other Cultivators, he then returned.

He didn't bother with anything else, only absorbing the Seven Aperture Exquisite Heart to recharge Huan Zhen.

After this, Li Fan returned to Wanxian Island quietly, without alarming anyone along the way.

Zhou Qingang's disappearance had not yet attracted anyone's attention.

It was perfectly normal for a Foundation Establishment cultivator to be out for ten days or so and be unreachable.

Li Fan did not rush to report Zhou Qingang's spy identity; instead, he first began to comprehend the Seven Aperture Exquisite Heart.

"Eight-faced exquisite, heart as deep as the sea; bewitching hearts, making truth and falsehood indistinguishable."

Three days later, Li Fan exhaled a long breath, a strange look in his eyes.

"Although it's only a Medium Grade Human Wonder, it has no special benefits for cultivation. But as a Foundation Establishment wonder for a spy, it's perfect."

Within his Dantian, Huan Zhen emitted a gentle glow, slowly transforming into the appearance of the Seven Aperture Exquisite Heart.

Li Fan had a faint feeling, as if he had put on countless layers of false cloaks, and others could no longer easily penetrate his mind.

"This item is truly marvelous!"

Li Fan praised in his heart.

Afterward, Li Fan also examined the配套秘法 (matched secret technique) called "Appearance Changes with Heart."

This was not a Cultivation Technique, but a secret art of disguise specially created for the Seven Aperture Exquisite Heart by the organization Zhou Qingang belonged to.

After setting a specific appearance in one's mind, the Seven Aperture Exquisite Heart and the secret art would activate each other, allowing one to instantly transform into another person's appearance.

Both body shape and appearance would be different from the original.

And it was a true transformation, which would not be seen through by Spells like "Breaking Illusions."

The only pity was that only the appearance could be changed; one's own Qi could not be altered.

Therefore, Zhou Qingang was extremely careful and cautious every time he changed his appearance to travel.

He would seek out remote, uninhabited places to conceal and hide his Qi.

However, once targeted by Li Fan, who possessed Formless Killing Intent, no amount of caution would be useful.

Li Fan studied "Appearance Changes with Heart" in his mind while pondering.

"I've had the idea of using Huan Zhen to transform into other Foundation Establishment wonders and impersonate others before."

"Now with the Seven Aperture Exquisite Heart and this disguise secret art, impersonating others will be even more realistic."

"Furthermore, I have the Thousand Machines Jade Ring Golden Chapter to discern Qi, and the Day Stealing Sun Replacement Art to recognize fate."

"If I can also imitate and change Qi and fate, then it might truly be impossible to distinguish between true and false."

"If it can be done…"

Li Fan's thoughts surged, many ideas surfacing simultaneously.

"This Clone of mine, after receiving 100,000 contribution points from Yunshui Heavenly Palace, won't lack things to do."

To test the effectiveness of the Seven Aperture Exquisite Heart, Li Fan used a teleportation Formation to reach Liuli Island.

He didn't see He Zhenghao's figure, not knowing where he had gone.

Li Fan temporarily ignored him, simply transforming into another appearance and speaking nonsense to Steward Zhao.

Steward Zhao's ability to discern the truth of words indeed lost its effectiveness, and he was easily fooled.

Leaving Steward Zhao standing stunned in place, Li Fan, in an uninhabited area, reverted to his original appearance.

He sent a message to He Zhenghao: "Fellow Daoist, where are you now?"

A moment later, He Zhenghao's slightly weary voice came: "I took a mission and am currently building a defensive Formation for a Fellow Daoist's island Immortal Cave. Fellow Daoist Li Fan, what do you need me for?"

Li Fan sneered: "What mission are you still doing? He Zhenghao, do you know that disaster is about to befall you!"

He Zhenghao was slightly startled: "Fellow Daoist, why do you say that?"

"This matter needs to be discussed in person. Return to Liuli Island quickly. The situation is urgent; delay will lead to complications," Li Fan said solemnly.

"Okay… Fellow Daoist, please wait for me." Perhaps it was Li Fan's performance in the lingwu grass incident that made He Zhenghao trust him greatly. At this moment, he had no doubts about what Li Fan said. His tone was flustered, and he directly cut off communication.

After a little less than half a day, He Zhenghao finally arrived late.

His face was haggard, and his demeanor was tired; it seemed he hadn't rested well for a long time.

There was also a hint of fright in his eyes, though it was forcibly suppressed.

"Fellow Daoist…" He Zhenghao saw Li Fan and was about to speak.

Li Fan waved his hand, directly interrupting him.

With a glance, He Zhenghao activated the Mountain-River Star-Battling Formation.

Li Fan's demeanor made him increasingly uneasy.

"Fellow Daoist He, are you familiar with Zhou Qingang, the Town Guardian of Taian Island?" Li Fan asked.

He Zhenghao was stunned for a moment, then replied truthfully: "Daoist Zhou, ah, I'm familiar with him. He and I have a good relationship, and he often asks me for advice on Formation Dao knowledge. Why does Fellow Daoist ask?"

"Hmph. It's a good thing you didn't deceive me," Li Fan said coldly. "If you had said half a lie just now, I would have turned and left."

He Zhenghao became increasingly flustered.

Seeing that the atmosphere was sufficiently built up, Li Fan no longer played coy and took out a recording stone.

He played the conversation between Zhou Qingang and the broken face.

…

"This time, Fellow Daoist He also suffered heavy losses. I applied for these 100,000 contribution points because I wanted to take this opportunity to deepen my relationship with him."

"This person is proficient in Formations and has even participated in the arrangement of the island protection Formation. And he's not cunning, with his help, I will definitely be able to fully master the Formation sooner."

…

At first, because Zhou Qingang was not in his original appearance, He Zhenghao didn't understand what he was seeing.

But as the conversation gradually unfolded, He Zhenghao instantly realized what was happening.

And when he heard his own name appear in the conversation, his face turned pale.

Large beads of sweat rolled down his forehead, and He Zhenghao's body trembled uncontrollably.

Putting away the recording stone, Li Fan looked at He Zhenghao, his face stern: "Fellow Daoist He, how much information about the island protection Formation did you leak?"

"No… Not much! Really not much!" He Zhenghao stammered, defending himself.

"Still not being honest! Are you saying you really want me to hand over this recording stone and let the Yanwu Hall people interrogate you!" Li Fan roared.

He Zhenghao first shuddered in fright, then heard the meaning in Li Fan's words, and hope suddenly emerged in his eyes.

He grabbed Li Fan's hands and repeatedly said: "Fellow Daoist, save me! Fellow Daoist, save me!"

Li Fan shook him off: "If you truly want me to save you, then tell me everything about this Zhou Qingang truthfully!"

He Zhenghao, with a tearful face, recounted everything in detail.

Li Fan was speechless after listening.

It turned out that a large part of the outer structure data of the Formation that Zhou Qingang submitted was indeed thanks to He Zhenghao's efforts.

"He would constantly try to curry favor with me, praise my Formation Dao level, and then ask me for advice on Formation content."

"I was somewhat flattered and got carried away, so…"

"Who would have thought that Zhou Qingang, also a Town Guardian of Congyun Sea, would actually be a spy!"

"How could I have been deceived by his sweet words!"

He Zhenghao had an expression as if he was about to cry.

"Whether you knew or not, it doesn't change the fact that you leaked the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance's secrets," Li Fan snorted coldly.

"Fellow Daoist He, you should know the consequences, right?"

He Zhenghao shivered: "Dismissal, strict investigation. Rank deduction, and maybe even cultivation abolished…"

The more he thought about it, the more afraid he became, feeling that his future life was bleak.

Coupled with having lost all his lifelong savings previously, he had been frantically taking on missions these days to re-accumulate contribution points.

This left him physically and mentally exhausted.

Under multiple blows, He Zhenghao could no longer hold back, his mentality collapsed, and he burst into tears.

"Why am I so miserable! I lost all my capital, and now I'm stuck with this!"

"How am I going to live!"

Li Fan remained unmoved.

He Zhenghao cried for a while, and seeing that Li Fan showed no reaction, he couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed.

Wiping his tears, He Zhenghao said with a choked voice: "Fellow Daoist, you must save me!"

"This recording stone must not be handed over! Otherwise, my future will be completely ruined!"

Li Fan retorted: "Reporting a spy, that's a huge merit. Fellow Daoist wouldn't be unaware of that, would you?"

He Zhenghao stammered: "I can compensate Fellow Daoist."

Li Fan chuckled: "Fellow Daoist, you are penniless now. What can you compensate me with? I'm not short on contribution points. Fellow Daoist might not know, but in the lingwu grass incident, I made a huge profit of 600,000!"

He Zhenghao's eyes widened upon hearing this, looking at Li Fan with an expression of disbelief.

"What, you don't believe me?" Li Fan asked, squinting.

"I believe, I believe." He Zhenghao nodded repeatedly.

The envy and regret in his eyes grew stronger: "I truly regret not listening to Fellow Daoist's words back then!"

After a while, He Zhenghao thought for a moment and said: "I have half a scroll of the "Detailed Explanation of the Hundred Vein Array Chart," which is my lifelong…"

Before he could finish, Li Fan interrupted him.

"Formations, I'm not very interested. Being a Formation repairman was just a stepping stone for employment."

He Zhenghao stammered and hesitated for a long time before finally saying with difficulty: "I also have a daughter, who is also a Foundation Establishment cultivator. I can introduce her to Fellow Daoist…"

Li Fan's expression became stern, and he righteously refused: "What kind of person do you take me for! Do not mention this matter again!"

He Zhenghao breathed a slight sigh of relief, then thought with a bitter face.

He also realized now that Li Fan indeed had the intention of letting him off the hook.

But it also seemed that he truly wanted to gain something from him.

But besides this, He Zhenghao was truly penniless now, wasn't he?

After thinking for a long time, he still couldn't find an answer.

He Zhenghao couldn't help but smile bitterly: "Fellow Daoist, stop teasing me. Just tell me what you want directly."

Li Fan smiled slightly and patted He Zhenghao's shoulder.

"I want you."

He Zhenghao was startled at first upon hearing this, then his face turned pale, and he subconsciously jumped back, looking at Li Fan vigilantly.

"Hehe, what are you thinking, Fellow Daoist?"

"I mean, I want you to follow my lead from now on."

Li Fan stood in front of He Zhenghao and said slowly.