Chapter 298 Death and the Way

“Why did they call me back again? Is there still a chance for things to change?” Li Fan returned to Tianyu City with a hint of doubt in his heart.

After some thought, instead of heading directly to Haunyu Manor, Li Fan first went to the tianxuan mirror in Tianyu City.

He entered his exclusive tianxuan mirror space.

At this moment, the Clone, far away in Congyun Sea, paused his Cultivation of the Creation Furnace Skill and began searching for rare heavenly materials that could enhance Divine Soul perception and affinity.

Information about various items appeared one after another.

Li Fan browsed through them and selected the High Grade Human Oddity, the [Netherworld Hairpin].

He then sent the Netherworld Hairpin into the White Bone Vanguard Realm.

The main body immediately initiated the ritual and completed the absorption of the rare item within the Vanguard Realm.

Inside his Dantian, Huan Zhen slowly transformed, eventually taking on a form that was half Seven Aperture Exquisite Heart and half Netherworld Hairpin.

After completing all of this, Li Fan, who had returned to reality, then hurried towards Haunyu Manor.

Huan Zhen transforming into the Netherworld Hairpin was naturally Li Fan's hope of increasing his chances of identifying Soul Contracts.

As for why Li Fan hadn't done this earlier during the closed training, it was out of consideration for his own safety.

It was possible that Haunyu Manor was under constant surveillance by someone.

His original performance was mediocre, but after exchanging for the rare item, his performance gradually improved…

Such a clear difference would likely attract attention.

There was no need to take that risk.

However, outside the Manor, within the tianxuan mirror, there were far fewer concerns.

At the very least, from the current situation, the tianxuan mirror could still be temporarily trusted.

When Li Fan entered Haunyu Manor again, there was no longer the challenge of the continuous Formation; instead, he appeared directly before Ji Hongdao.

“Greetings, Senior!” Li Fan bowed.

“Hmm, so fast?” Ji Hongdao was a little surprised. “That’s good, it avoids any further mishaps.”

He sighed, his expression seemingly a bit haggard.

“May I ask, Senior, what happened?” Li Fan asked.

“Alas, it’s a long story.” Ji Hongdao reissued a Haunyu Token to Li Fan and, on the way to meet Huangfu Song, explained the reason for his sudden recall.

“What? Tantai Tao and a dozen others went out to relax together, encountered an accident, and unfortunately died?” Li Fan thought he had misheard and stared blankly at Ji Hongdao.

It was no wonder Li Fan was so surprised, because it was simply too absurd.

Tantai Tao was the most outstanding among all the Cultivators in this training session.

As early as the first assessment, he had received two top evaluations.

His Soul Contract identification rate even reached an astonishing one hundred percent.

Anyone with a discerning eye could see that such a person was destined for extraordinary achievements in the future.

Thus, inevitably, some Cultivators, during training breaks, intentionally sought to converse and befriend him.

Tantai Tao himself appeared courteous and polite to everyone.

In reality, his standards were extremely high, and he was only willing to associate with Cultivators who also ranked at the top in the assessments.

In this way, over roughly half a year, a small group led by Tantai Tao gradually formed.

The dozen or so members were all individuals with extremely high Formation Dao talent.

Their Cultivation was also not weak; the lowest among them was a Golden Core cultivator.

Tantai Tao himself, though young, had already achieved Nascent Soul.

It was not an exaggeration to call these people Geniuses.

However, such a group of people, in Tian Yu State, the heartland of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, died unexpectedly?

Looking at Li Fan's expression, Ji Hongdao's words were also full of regret: “Tantai Tao and the others said they had been cooped up for half a year and wanted to take advantage of the time before the second phase of closed training began to go out and relax, and clear their minds.”

“Their group was already strong, and each of them had protective means gifted by their Seniors. Plus, this is Tian Yu State, so there’s basically no danger.”

“I thought about it and agreed to their request.”

“Who would have thought…”

“Alas, a single lapse in judgment! A single lapse in judgment!”

Ji Hongdao sighed repeatedly.

“With over ten people suddenly dying, the predetermined slots for the second phase immediately became vacant.”

“To avoid waste, we had no choice but to select substitute members by extending the results of the first round of assessment.”

“This is also the reason why we urgently called you back.”

Li Fan did not feel that being a substitute was anything shameful.

Compared to those Genius Cultivators who died mysteriously, his luck was much better.

After a moment of hesitation, Li Fan still couldn't help but ask, “Senior Ji, what kind of accident was it exactly…?”

Ji Hongdao waved his hand, interrupting Li Fan's question: “This matter involves a lot; knowing too much will only harm you.”

Li Fan nodded and said no more.

Not long after, Li Fan saw Huangfu Song again.

He looked at Li Fan and said with a smile, “How about it, kid? My premonition was quite accurate, wasn't it? I said I’d see you again soon, and before long, you’ve returned.”

“Senior’s Divine Might!” Li Fan cupped his hands.

“Could it be that the accident involving Tantai Tao and the others was Senior’s…?”

Before Li Fan could finish speaking, Huangfu Song's expression suddenly changed upon hearing his words.

He slapped Li Fan, dispelling the memory Seal and interrupting Li Fan's words at the same time.

“Kid, you can’t just say things like that,” Huangfu Song looked at Li Fan with a forced smile, his eyes unfriendly.

“It doesn’t matter if you talk nonsense, but if someone hears it and takes it seriously…”

“These little fellows are all related by blood or marriage, and they have a lot of influence.”

“Even Guan Xingxiu has been suspended, so I certainly can’t handle it.”

Ji Hongdao said impatiently, “Both of you, say less.”

He ended their conversation.

Ji Hongdao’s status was clearly above Huangfu Song’s; as soon as he spoke, Huangfu Song indeed fell silent.

“You should first return to the Manor and wait.”

“Another Soul Gathering Pearl has been prepared for you in the Haunyu Token. Don’t be negligent during this time; seize the opportunity to comprehend it,” he instructed Li Fan.

“Thank you, Senior.”

Li Fan expressed his gratitude.

Ji Hongdao waved his hand, and Li Fan returned to the familiar Manor.

However, it was hard to say whether it was the same room he had previously occupied.

“Guan Xingxiu.”

Li Fan recalled Huangfu Song’s earlier words, and his heart stirred as he searched for information about Guan Xingxiu.

“Commander of Tian Yu State’s Garrison Academy…”

“One of the candidates for the next Chief Commander of the Garrison Academy.”

Li Fan narrowed his eyes, deep in thought.

The so-called accident was likely just a pretense.

From every angle, this matter reeked of a conspiracy.

“Celestial Venerable Jicheng is stepping down as the Chief Commander of the Garrison Academy.”

“Presumably, the competition for this position has reached a fever pitch.”

“At this critical moment, such a major case occurred within the jurisdiction of Guan Xingxiu, a strong contender, leading to his suspension…”

“It seems that for the position of Chief Commander, some people have become somewhat deranged.”

“Uh… no, that’s not right.”

“This framing method is too crude; it can be seen through at a glance. So it could also be a bitter ploy by Guan Xingxiu himself.”

“First, withdraw from the central vortex and fade from view. Then, strike unexpectedly and win by surprise.”

“Of course, it’s also possible that the opponent is using this very psychology to openly frame and incriminate.”

…

“Regardless of the truth, these so-called Geniuses, like Tantai Tao, were so easily and inexplicably crushed and used as a means to attack political rivals in front of the true power holders of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.”

“What good is high talent?”

“Once dead, all becomes naught.”

Li Fan sighed inwardly, took out the golden Soul Gathering Pearl, and skillfully drew out a wisp of Divine Soul.