Chapter 376: Chief Lu Arrives

Many buildings were constructed in the air above a Green River.

Supported only by a few stone pillars.

The giant whale beast exhaled a stream of air, slowly placing the crossing dust boat onto an open platform.

Then, it leaped into the river water below.

A most bizarre scene occurred.

Such a massive beast jumped into the Green River, yet not a single splash was made.

Only ripples spread out, proving that the whale's leap into the river just now was not an illusion.

Dongfang led the group off the crossing dust boat, walking along a corridor from the platform toward the nearby cluster of buildings.

Walking above the great river, everyone felt quite apprehensive.

Fearing the stone pillars below would collapse and they would fall into the river.

This Green River water seemed to share the same origin as the Spirit-Dissolving Stone.

With the convergence of vast amounts of river water, the suppression of Spiritual Qi reached its limit here, and the power within Li Fan fell completely silent.

Without the support of his cultivation, Li Fan, whose end was near, felt the effects of aging more and more.

Even walking a few steps left him somewhat out of breath.

It seemed as if he might collapse and fall to the ground at any moment.

While shocked, Li Fan tried to call upon Huan Zhen in his mind and found it could still be used normally.

Only then did he feel relieved.

"This godforsaken place is only fit for people like you to stay."

"Even though it's not my first time here, I still can't get used to it."

After walking for a long time, they finally arrived in a hall.

Huangfu Song wiped the sweat from his forehead and sighed.

"It can't be helped; the number of [Life-Sustaining Pearls] is limited. Constructing the grand array is an urgent matter that cannot be delayed."

"They've all been distributed to the subordinates to speed up the progress as much as possible; there are none to spare."

"Otherwise, I could have given you one, Brother Huangfu, for emergencies," Dongfang said with a smile.

Huangfu Song waved his hand. "The mission is more important, the mission is more important."

"I just want to finish the errand quickly and leave this godforsaken place."

Dongfang nodded and was about to say something when his expression changed slightly.

A blue light suddenly flew in from outside and stopped right in front of him.

Li Fan looked over and saw it was actually a small blue bird.

It kept flapping its wings and chirping, seemingly conveying something.

Dongfang seemed to understand this "bird language."

As the blue bird chirped, he suddenly stood up, his expression becoming increasingly solemn.

"I understand, you may go now," Dongfang said.

The blue bird turned into a blue light and vanished without a trace in an instant.

"What's wrong?" Seeing Dongfang's wary expression, Huangfu Song couldn't help but ask out of curiosity.

Dongfang cupped his hands. "Brother Huangfu, I'm afraid I can no longer accompany you."

"I've received an urgent notification."

"The Chief is about to arrive for an inspection. I must hurry and conduct another round of patrols to ensure nothing goes wrong."

Huangfu Song was also startled upon hearing this.

He quickly stood up and asked, "The Chief? Which Chief?"

Dongfang gave a bitter smile. "Who else could make me this nervous? Of course, it's the highest-ranking Chief."

Huangfu Song was somewhat horrified. "Lu…"

Before he could finish, he was interrupted by Dongfang.

"Shh, it's enough that you know, Brother Huangfu. Remember, this must not be spread."

Learning that his superior's superior was coming for an inspection, Huangfu Song also became somewhat nervous.

"Understood, understood."

"Official business is more important. Go ahead and get to work, Brother Dongfang."

"This person is rumored to be quite difficult to deal with…"

Huangfu nodded in agreement and wanted to say something else, but suddenly froze in place.

The horror on his face could no longer be concealed as he abruptly turned to look at Li Fan, who was sitting quietly to the side.

He saw that the aged Li Fan was resting with his eyes closed.

He seemed completely unconcerned about their conversation.

"Is this the reason he wanted to come here?"

"How is that possible?!"

"A coincidence, or…"

Huangfu Song, after all, was no ordinary person.

A moment later, he suppressed the strange look on his face.

Sensing something, Dongfang also glanced in Li Fan's direction.

However, he didn't ask further and took his leave.

After Dongfang left, Huangfu Song could no longer contain himself and called Li Fan alone into an empty room.

Lowering his voice, he stared intently at Li Fan. "Kid, did you know beforehand that Chief Lu was coming?"

Li Fan only gave a slight smile, neither denying nor admitting it.

Seeing this, Huangfu Song already knew the answer.

He immediately gasped.

As a member of the Tian Yu State Ce Zhen Hall, Huangfu Song knew exactly how high Chief Lu's status was.

Not to mention her own He Dao cultivation.

Just her authority as the Chief Formation Master of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance's Ce Zhen Hall, overseeing all Formation matters within the alliance, meant crushing Huangfu Song would be as easy as crushing an ant.

Strictly speaking, all Formation Masters in every Ce Zhen Hall of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance were her subordinates.

And this Chief Lu's methods were even more ruthless.

The group of people who had once competed with her for the position of Chief were all suppressed for various reasons shortly after she took office.

They vanished from the world.

Such blatant acts of retaliation not only failed to trigger a wave of opposition…

…but instead received strong support from the highest decision-making level of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.

Then, her series of swift and resolute reform measures, along with several severe punishments…

…left the Formation Masters of the Ce Zhen Hall trembling in fear.

Huangfu Song had even heard Ji Hongdao mention by chance that the popularization plan for the Tianxuan Locking Spirit Array was also first proposed by this Chief Lu.

Many past rumors about her kept surfacing in his mind.

Cold sweat poured down Huangfu Song's forehead.

Such a powerful figure.

This unremarkable-looking young fellow before him, who seemingly had no Foundation, actually knew her whereabouts days in advance?

What did this mean?

Even if his backer wasn't Chief Lu herself…

…he must be very close to her.

…

At this thought, Huangfu Song's mouth went dry.

"No wonder every time I look at this kid, I feel he has an extraordinary bearing and is no ordinary person."

"It turns out he really has a backer, and such a powerful one at that!"

As Li Fan's past experiences flashed through his mind, Huangfu Song suddenly had an epiphany.

"No wonder he fought so hard for the rankings and remained indifferent even when he was about to die of old age."

"It turns out he had nothing to fear."

"No wonder his great reputation for selfless devotion spread so quickly, almost throughout the entire Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance."

"It turns out it was all premeditated."

"What 'sacrificing oneself for others'? It turns out he was just using this opportunity to build his credentials."

…

Several thoughts flashed through his mind, and he cursed inwardly.

No matter how much he complained internally, a brilliant smile appeared on Huangfu Song's face.

"Little Li…"

"Ahem, young friend Li Fan, you really are a hidden talent!"

"With such a connection, why hide it? You're treating me too much like an outsider!"

Li Fan's expression remained unchanged. "Senior Huangfu, I don't know what you've guessed."

"However, I suspect you've misunderstood."

"I absolutely have no backer."

He spoke solemnly.

"Keep pretending, go ahead. You're just afraid of a bad reputation."

Thinking this, Huangfu Song nevertheless nodded seriously. "I understand, I understand!"