True Lies

“My homeland is called Great Li.”

“Unlike your world, a towering volcano stands in the center of Great Li.”

“Every so often, the volcano erupts, claiming countless lives.”

“Moreover, its activity has become increasingly frequent over the years.”

“Evidently, the ultimate fate of Great Li is to be completely swallowed by the volcano’s lava.”

“Hundreds of years ago, I came to Xuanhuang World alone, attempting to find a way to save my homeland.”

Li Fan recounted, his eyes filled with reminiscence, to Li Chenfeng and the others.

“Unfortunately, although I found a temporary method to suppress the volcano, to completely eradicate the hidden danger, my current cultivation is still insufficient.”

“However, this is not the main point.”

Li Fan suddenly changed the subject.

“During my time in Xuanhuang World, I encountered many Mortals like myself who had smuggled themselves in from Small Worlds.”

“They often lived very difficult lives. Feeling moved, I always tried my best to lend a helping hand.”

“It is precisely because of this that I was able to join my current organization. This is also why I came to find you today.”

Li Chenfeng and the others were stunned: “What organization?”

Li Fan said with utmost solemnity: “An organization that promotes the unification of all Rift Realms to counterattack the Cultivation World.”

“Counter… attack the Cultivation World?” The three present were all horrified.

Li Fan clasped his hands behind his back and nodded slightly.

“That’s right!”

“A thousand years ago, we were driven out of our homes, filled with pain and resentment.”

“Over the long years, most people’s memories of their homeland have faded.”

“But there is still a group of people who have always kept all of this etched in their hearts.”

“They swore that one day, they would return here. They would reclaim everything that originally belonged to them.”

Li Fan circulated his Seven Aperture Exquisite Heart, speaking in a seductive voice.

“How vast is Xuanhuang World compared to the Small Worlds we inhabit.”

“It is vibrant and has everything.”

“But it is occupied by those damned Daoist Cultivators. And we can only huddle in barren, cramped territories, struggling to survive.”

“How unfair!”

Li Fan said indignantly.

Li Chenfeng and the two others compared the world where their Empire was located to Xuanhuang World.

They couldn't help but nod in agreement.

“Compared to the massive Daoist Cultivator Alliance, we know that our own strength is too weak.”

“Only by uniting all our forces can we possibly contend with them.”

“In fact, five hundred years ago, we made an attempt.”

“Unfortunately, at that time, we hadn't united enough parties, and ultimately, it failed.”

“However, we have not given up.”

Li Fan’s gaze was burning as he looked at Li Chenfeng and the others.

“Over the years, we have been searching for new partners and re-accumulating energy.”

“There are countless Small Worlds outside the realm, and no one knows how many have yet to be united.”

“But just like you, all those who smuggle themselves in are incredibly cautious in their actions. So progress is quite slow.”

“I only recently noticed you, and after some probing, as expected…”

Zhu Shaotang seemed to recall something and realized: “That battle to counterattack the Cultivation World five hundred years ago?”

“Indeed, this event is recorded in the history of Xuanhuang World collected by the Empire.”

Li Chenfeng, on the other hand, had a fleeting look of regret in his eyes, but he quickly concealed it.

He pondered for a moment, then cautiously asked: “So, Senior, you are here to ask our Empire to join the organization?”

“That’s right!” Li Fan nodded.

Zhu Shaotang was about to speak but was held back by Li Chenfeng.

This young man was in a dominant position among the three.

He looked at Li Fan and replied somewhat tactfully: “Junior greatly admires the organization’s grand goal.”

“However, our Empire is too weak; even if we join the organization, I’m afraid we won’t be of much help. Instead, we’ll become a burden…”

Li Fan reached out and interrupted Li Chenfeng’s words.

“I’ve seen the Empire’s strength clearly in your dreams.”

“Although it’s not very strong, among the many worlds participating in the organization, it can barely rank in the upper-middle tier.”

“You don’t need to belittle yourselves.”

Li Fan looked at Li Chenfeng with a half-smile: “Besides, even Small Worlds with no extraordinary power at all, the organization has not rejected their applications to join.”

“After all, every bit of strength is good. If you don’t have strength, you can provide people.”

“The organization will train qualified combatants for you free of charge.”

The undeniable meaning in Li Fan’s words was clear, and Li Chenfeng’s smile slowly became forced.

He still wanted to struggle, but saw Li Fan’s expression gradually turn cold.

Li Chenfeng’s heart slowly sank to rock bottom.

A tense atmosphere began to spread in the secret chamber.

However, for some reason, after a while, Li Fan’s demeanor softened again.

He snorted coldly and said: “I originally didn’t want to tell you, but it seems you are still pinning your hopes on that ridiculous escape plan.”

“Truly a weak escape faction…”

Li Fan said coldly: “Let me tell you the truth, your plan to use 100,000 Void-Rending Whales to try and escape Xuanhuang World is simply impossible to succeed.”

“The moment you leave Xuanhuang World will be the day your Empire is annihilated!”

Li Chenfeng and the two others were completely stunned.

“Senior, what do you mean by that?”

“See for yourselves!”

Li Fan pointed at the center of their brows.

In an instant, Li Chenfeng felt the surrounding scenery disappear.

As if he were in the endless Void Realm.

In the distance, a massive ball of light flickered.

A streak of light flew out from the light ball, attempting to escape.

But strangely, after it left the light ball for a certain distance,

It actually changed its flight path, irreversibly flying upwards instead.

There, as if some terrifying monster had opened its gaping maw, it seemed to be attracting and devouring it.

…

Cold sweat broke out on the foreheads of Li Chenfeng and the two others, and they fell to the ground in a state of panic and helplessness.

“What was that?”

He stared intently at Li Fan, his eyes filled with horror.

“Why do you think we are fighting to the death to counterattack the Cultivation World?”

“Because we have nowhere to run.”

Li Fan said mockingly.

“That is the Immortal Ruins, an unknown and terrifying existence that covets the entire Xuanhuang World.”

“Xuanhuang World is vast and immense; perhaps it can hold out for a long time in front of the Immortal Ruins.”

“But as for the Small Worlds we inhabit, that’s hard to say.”

“Not to mention, your Empire’s painstakingly devised, utterly ridiculous plan.”

Li Fan continuously struck at Li Chenfeng.

The three from the Empire also thought about what kind of fate awaited the Empire if they left Xuanhuang World.

Their faces couldn’t help but turn extremely pale.

“Therefore, only by joining us is the sole way out.”

Li Fan said frankly.