Chapter 263: Attempting to Attain Longevity

Initially, there were still some unconvinced Cultivators who did not take the warning of the Myriad Immortals Alliance to heart.

They still went their own way, relying on the concealment Cultivation Technique they practiced, trying to secretly sneak into Nine Mountains Province.

However, the several Soul Transformation Cultivators ordered to hold the line this time were truly fully prepared.

Joining hands, they set up a grand Formation, shrouding the entire territory of Nine Mountains Province.

The effect of this Formation was not in killing and slaughtering, but in automatically marking the Five Elders Association Cultivators within the range of the Formation.

Although the principle was unknown, as long as a Five Elders Association Cultivator stepped into it,

a pillar of light soaring into the sky would lock onto them.

No matter how they hid their tracks, they would be as clear to see as a candle in the dark night.

Now look at this, without needing those Soul Transformation Cultivators to make a move,

the rats lurking into Nine Mountains Province were torn into pieces by the swarming Myriad Immortals Alliance Cultivators.

This kind of grand Formation capable of distinguishing the identities of Cultivators from both sides had never appeared before.

It did not even make an appearance in the previous great battle of Tianling Province.

Displaying its prowess for the first time this time, the effect was extraordinary.

The Five Elders Association side seemed to have failed to find a way to break it for a time, and was not ready for another all-out war.

Therefore, they temporarily lay low and did not take more radical measures.

However, they did not seem to have completely given up the intention of exploring the Chao Yuan Sect.

They gathered their forces at the border of Nine Mountains Province, putting on a posture that they might invade at any time.

On the front line, both sides were at daggers drawn, and a great battle was on the verge of breaking out.

In the safe rear of the Myriad Immortals Alliance, the motive of the Five Elders Association this time became a hot topic of discussion among the Cultivators.

According to common sense, both sides had just ended a great battle not long ago, resulting in countless Cultivator casualties.

During this period of time, it should rightfully be a peaceful period for recuperation and rejuvenation.

Yet the Five Elders Association acted completely out of character, constantly provoking.

What was their purpose?

Furthermore, the last great battle was because of that rare Five Elements Great Grotto-Heaven.

Why were they arraying troops against each other this time?

After everyone's discussion and analysis, it was generally believed that there were only two possibilities.

First, inside the Chaoyuan Sect Ruins, there really was some supreme treasure.

The Five Elders Association was willing to go to war with the Myriad Immortals Alliance at all costs just to take it down.

The second reason was that Nine Mountains Province was merely a smokescreen set up by the Five Elders Association to confuse people.

Taking advantage of the opportunity of the ruins appearing in the world, they made a big commotion to attract the attention of the Myriad Immortals Alliance.

Their true target was elsewhere.

Regardless of the purpose, it was certain that the Five Elders Association harbored no good intentions.

For the most massive number of Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment cultivators, the war seemed a bit distant from them.

After all, a war of the scale of the previous Tianling Province great battle did not even let them go to the battlefield.

And after the war, the benefits brought by the discounted Cultivation Techniques were solid and real.

Therefore, most people held a half-nervous and half-expectant mindset, constantly paying attention to the further developments of the event.

"Chao Yuan Sect…"

Over here in the Congyun Sea, the situation had not developed to the point where Formation maintenance personnel needed to go on patrol.

Li Fan still stayed in the Tianxuan Mirror, collecting and checking information on new events.

"From the mouths of those Cultivators who had successfully explored the Chaoyuan Sect Ruins and returned safely, this seemed to be just an ordinary ruin. Aside from being a bit larger in scale, there didn't seem to be anything special about it."

"The only eerie part was that the inside of the ruins was extremely flat, not looking at all like ruins that had existed for a thousand years."

"There were no traces left behind by battles and slaughter, and no remains of fallen Cultivators."

"Even the vast majority of the Restrictions within the Sect ruins were in an un-triggered state."

"It was as if in a certain instant, all the Cultivators of the Chao Yuan Sect had vanished, and the Sect traversed a thousand years of time, directly descending into the present."

"It is said that those few Soul Transformation Cultivators of the Myriad Immortals Alliance had also gone in to investigate. Unfortunately, it seemed they couldn't find out anything substantial."

"Hmm, a bit interesting…"

Li Fan's gaze flickered slightly.

Anyone with discerning eyes could see that this Chao Yuan Sect was weird.

However, since even Soul Transformation Cultivators could not investigate it clearly, it must be extremely dangerous.

"I hope this lifetime can have a result before my [Huan Zhen]. In the next lifetime, I can seize the initiative."

Just as Li Fan was quietly waiting for the next step of the situation's development,

his Clone received an urgent message from Jiao Xiuyuan in a rush.

As it turned out, he finally couldn't wait any longer and was going to hold the first auction for the Small Medicine King Cauldron.

"Having laid out the plan for so long, all the money that should be spent has been spent. Seeing that another fight is about to break out, I really can't wait anymore!"

Jiao Xiuyuan complained.

"Although holding it now might mean the Cultivators are still not that well-off, it's still better than dragging it out for a few more years and failing to break even."

"I've invested too much in promoting the Small Medicine King Cauldron in the early stage. If I drag it out any longer, my funds won't even be able to circulate."

That capital circulation was in trouble might not be the truth, but Li Fan agreed with his decision.

If he didn't offload the Small Medicine King Cauldron in his hands soon, once the Medicine King True Cauldron manifested in the world, these small cauldrons would no longer be priceless commodities, but would mean huge trouble.

At that time, I'm afraid even Jiao Xiuyuan wouldn't be able to get off lightly.

"I've set the location of the first auction in Tianhua Province. It is also located in the hinterlands of the Myriad Immortals Alliance, connected to eight provinces including Tianyu State. Cultivators within the province are generally wealthier than those in other provinces."

"Would Fellow Daoist like to come and observe?"

Jiao Xiuyuan still attached great importance to the policy maker of the business plan.

Therefore, he extended an invitation to Li Fan.

Li Fan smiled and refused: "Such a grand scene, as a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator, I won't go join in the bustle."

"First, I wish Fellow Daoist immediate success and to make the reputation of the Small Medicine King Cauldron ring out."

Although Jiao Xiuyuan felt a bit regretful, it was not good for him to force it.

"Right, how does Fellow Daoist Jiao view the recent unusual movements of the Five Elders Association?" Li Fan suddenly asked.

"The Five Elders Association?" Jiao Xiuyuan was stunned for a moment, then tilted his head and dazed for a while, as if receiving some information.

After a moment, he replied: "My personal judgment is that this time is a probe by the Five Elders Association taking advantage of the occasion."

"A probe? How so?" Li Fan became interested and pursued the question.

Jiao Xiuyuan lowered his voice: "It's fine for us to talk about this in private, Fellow Daoist must not spread it outside."

"I have a special news source: a certain Dao Integration Immortal Venerable in the Myriad Immortals Alliance wants to [defy the Heaven-Defying principles of heaven and earth] to attain the fruit of longevity."

"This Immortal Venerable has a good relationship with other Dao Integration powerhouses in the Alliance, and it is said that they invited quite a bit of assistance, not knowing where they went."

"I estimate that the Five Elders Association got wind of it from somewhere and wants to apply some pressure to test whether the intelligence is true."

"The change in Nine Mountains Province is just an appetizer. If my expectations are correct, the big one is still to come."

When Li Fan first heard what Jiao Xiuyuan said, he thought the Dao Integration powerhouse he spoke of was Immortal Venerable Blue Feather of Daoyuan Province.

However, the description in the words later clearly did not match Blue Feather.

"Another one wanting to ascend to the Longevity Realm?" Li Fan's heart stirred slightly.

However, doubts in his heart arose accordingly.

"This Immortal Venerable wants to make a Breakthrough, and would still invite friends to help? Aren't they afraid…" Li Fan's words were not fully spoken, but the meaning was already very obvious.

It was originally already written, but unfortunately, I was slapped in the face, so I had to tear up the draft and rewrite it.

Going back and reading it again, my heart was difficult to calm down.

Niannüjiao: Ascending Duojing Pavilion

[Author] Chen Liang [Dynasty] Song

Gazing afar from the perilous tower, sighing at this sentiment—how many people through past and present have ever understood it?

Set up by ghosts and engineered by deities, completely mistaken as the natural northern and southern boundaries drawn by heaven.

A single river stretches horizontally, surrounded by continuous ridges on three sides, creating a posture of vying for hegemony.

For what reason did the Six Dynasties only make a private scheme for their own factions?

Thus laughing at Wang, Xie, and the others, ascending heights and yearning afar, they also learned to weep like heroes.

Relying on the Yangtze River which cannot reach, the foul stench of Heluo is boundless.

It is just right to drive straight ahead without looking back, seeking the oath of the middle stream.

Children defeating bandits, with the momentum formed, why care about a strong adversary?