After leaving Liuli Island, Li Fan followed the guidance provided by He Zhenghao and flew west for two days, arriving at an area of the sea filled with reefs and whirlpools.
Activating the Concealing Form Talisman, Li Fan dove into the sea and found the entrance to the Mortal Realm in the depths of the sea within a ruin.
An inconspicuous well.
Diving into the well, Li Fan sensed a familiar aura, similar to the Ruins Abyss he had encountered before.
Continuing down the passage within the well, after an unknown amount of time, Li Fan suddenly felt dizzy.
When he regained consciousness, he was surrounded by darkness, with no trace of seawater, already in an endless dark space.
“It seems that the Immortal Extinction Formation blocking the various small worlds is the same.” Li Fan looked out into this space and pondered.
A colony composed of tens of thousands of Void Ripper Whales hid in the darkness, diligently creating space and pushing the Mortal Realm away from the world of cultivation.
Just like the Ruins Abyss he was in previously.
The Void Ripper Whales were extremely sensitive to the aura of mortals but completely indifferent to cultivators.
However, Li Fan still chose to cautiously avoid the Void Ripper Whales and arrived at the thunderstorm layer.
At this point, he recalled He Zhenghao’s instructions again.
“The Immortal Extinction Formation isolates the Mortal Realm from the world of cultivation. Even Foundation Establishment cultivators should be cautious when trying to forcefully break through it. However, as long as you follow the method I mentioned to break the array, you won’t trigger the array’s attacks…”
Li Fan operated his spiritual energy according to He Zhenghao’s instructions and flew into the thunderstorm layer.
After staying in place for a while, the violent thunder continuously struck around Li Fan, but none of it hit him.
“It indeed works. In this way, even without the Tai Yan Boat, I can pass through this Immortal Extinction Formation. The ordinary wooden boat given to the Mortal Realm inhabitants uses formations to stabilize these fluctuations, thus avoiding the attacks of the Immortal Extinction Formation.”
“The Tai Yan Boat passes through the Immortal Extinction Formation by having formations resist the attacks. What He Zhenghao did was essentially like cracking the defense system of the array and creating a hidden entrance for himself.”
“Looking at it this way, he wasn’t boasting. Indeed, he has exceptional knowledge in the field of formations.”
Having verified the information, Li Fan chose not to manually cross this time.
He immediately released the Tai Yan Boat, deftly passed through the Immortal Extinction Formation, and headed towards Dali.
…
Dali and the Grand Xuan Kingdom were both mundane worlds, and the general scenery was similar.
However, in the center of this world, there was a volcano towering thousands of meters high.
The volcano would erupt every two to three hundred years, causing countless casualties.
Moreover, the eruptions were becoming more frequent, and the scale of the eruptions was increasing.
The upper ruling class of the Dali Empire was worried that one day the volcano would completely turn this world into a molten hell. Therefore, they spared no effort to find a way to escape this world.
But they couldn’t find a way out.
It wasn’t until fifty years ago that an immortal suddenly descended. He promised that he could take a group of people out of here every ten years.
The condition was to help him collect the items on a list.
The upper echelons of the Dali Empire were naturally overjoyed and agreed.
As a result, the transaction between the two sides had been going on for fifty years.
And the agreed-upon transaction time between the two parties was approaching. Therefore, in the four observation towers in the capital of Dali, there were always officials on duty.
So when Li Fan flew to Dali’s capital, he soon heard the continuous tolling of bells from below.
Shortly after, the Emperor of Dali led the civil and military officials and came before Li Fan.
“We respectfully welcome the immortal!”
On the square, the Emperor of Dali and the officials all knelt down and shouted in unison.
“Today is the agreed day. Have you all collected the specified items?” Li Fan, standing above them, asked in a cold tone.
Emperor of Dali hurriedly replied, “Reporting to the immortal, all the items on the list have been properly prepared.”
Li Fan nodded, “Very well, lead me to them.”
So, under the personal guidance of the Emperor of Dali, Li Fan arrived at the imperial palace treasury.
Here, the materials prepared by He Zhenghao were neatly categorized and labeled with names and quantities.
Li Fan scanned with his spiritual sense and nodded in satisfaction.
Not only were the corresponding materials not lacking, but each item exceeded the required quantity slightly.
Putting the materials into the storage ring given by He Zhenghao, this mission was considered successfully completed.
Smooth sailing, no hitches.
Except for some time spent on the journey, the remaining risks were almost zero.
No wonder He Zhenghao was so keen on this, it was truly a lucrative deal.
Handing the wooden boat inscribed with formations to the Emperor of Dali, Li Fan looked at the pleased expression on his face and suddenly asked, “I wonder if the Southern King is present today?”
The Emperor was taken aback. Immortal Masters in the past would usually take the materials and fly away directly. He didn’t know why the Southern King was suddenly asked about today.
Not daring to be negligent, the Emperor answered anxiously, “Reporting to the immortal, my younger brother is stationed in the southern border year-round and is not in the capital.”
“However, his son, Xiao Heng, is here.” Afraid of angering the immortal, the Emperor hurriedly added.
Li Fan nodded, knowing that Xiao Heng had been left in the capital as a kind of hostage. He wasn’t surprised, “Where is he now? Take me to see him!”
The Emperor had no idea where the Southern King’s hostage usually resided and couldn’t answer. He was momentarily stunned and began to sweat anxiously.
Luckily, a eunuch by his side quickly reminded him in a low voice, “Your Majesty, young master Xiao Heng is likely being fostered in Master Su’s residence.”
“Su family’s residence…” Li Fan’s heart moved upon hearing this.
The Emperor heaved a sigh of relief, and quickly arranged for someone to lead the way.
Not long after, Li Fan met Xiao Heng at the Su family’s residence.
At this moment, he was just a seven or eight-year-old child, and being suddenly surrounded by so many strangers, his little face was nervous.
Comparing the small figure with the image of Xiao Heng in his memory, Li Fan chuckled.
“I perceive extraordinary talent in this child; he will certainly not be an ordinary person in the future.” He suddenly spoke.
The people present had different expressions upon hearing this and looked at Xiao Heng, who still looked confused and didn’t know what was happening.
Then, Li Fan lightly pointed at Xiao Heng’s forehead.
He transmitted the “Cleansing Heart Mantra” along with the instructions for the corresponding medicine to him.
“I will personally take him away when I come back in ten years.” Glancing at everyone, Li Fan said calmly.
For a moment, those who had mischievous thoughts in their minds were all covered in cold sweat, trembling in fear.
The Emperor of Dali naturally understood the implication in Li Fan’s words and quickly promised, “Immortal, please rest assured. I will take good care of him.”
Li Fan nodded in satisfaction.
Currently, his footing in the cultivation world was not yet stable, and in two years, he would explore the Cloud Water Celestial Palace, so his future was uncertain.
He could only transmit the “Cleansing Heart Mantra” to Xiao Heng for now, wait for him to mature, and then bring him into the cultivation world.
With the matters regarding the Mortal Realm settled, Li Fan prepared to leave.
But suddenly, he heard a young and tender voice from the crowd, “Please, Immortal Master, save my sister!”