In the open sea, wild winds howled, churning up monstrous waves.
Dark clouds hung low, accompanied by driving gales and torrential rain.
This was a medium-scale wind calamity.
From the perspective of heaven and earth, Li Fan could clearly see that this wind calamity was moving slowly in a certain direction.
Meanwhile, Zhang Haobo followed unhurriedly behind it.
From time to time, he slashed out rays of blue light, trimming the direction of the wind calamity's advance like an industrious gardener.
Although the storm contained far more energy than Zhang Haobo, a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator, could match, he controlled the wind calamity as if a child herding cattle, steering it toward his intended path.
Li Fan vaguely sensed that in the distance, another wind calamity was brewing.
"Interesting." Li Fan patiently watched what would follow.
Just like that, over a dozen days later, the two massive storms were maneuvered by Zhang Haobo into colliding with each other.
In an instant, a glint of azure light erupted from his eyes, and the giant blue sword composed of one thousand eight hundred and eight Sea-Calming Swords emerged once more, spanning the space between sky and sea.
Compared to what Li Fan had seen before, the blue radiance on the giant sword was even deeper.
Blue light blossomed, like fluttering scissors, rapidly trimming and shaping the two colliding storms.
Gradually, the two wind calamities blended into each other amidst their collision.
Finally, they merged into one.
A brand-new wind calamity was born.
Although this newborn wind calamity had lost some energy and possessed slightly less power than the two previous wind calamities combined, it was far stronger than either one alone.
Zhang Haobo looked at the newly formed storm before him, as exquisite as a work of art, a satisfied expression appearing on his face.
Gazing into the distance, he selected a direction, drove the wind calamity onward once more, and set off.
...
Li Fan noticed that by merging these two wind calamities, Zhang Haobo's cultivation had also increased slightly.
He was herding the wind, and using it to cultivate as well.
"It seems he wants to do something big." Li Fan vaguely guessed Zhang Haobo's thoughts.
Now, the time for the Crimson Flame to incinerate the sea was drawing ever closer.
Yet Zhang Haobo was still at the Foundation Establishment stage.
Without a Golden Core cultivation technique, he could not advance.
He had no status, no influence, and no connections; trying to see the upper echelons of Wanxian Island to warn them of the Crimson Flame's arrival was all but impossible.
What could he do?
His only choice was to create a massive spectacle and draw enough attention.
Li Fan could not help but look forward to what would happen next.
However, with the storm's current intensity, it was clearly not enough to attract the attention of a Soul Formation cultivator.
It would need to brew for a while longer.
Li Fan temporarily withdrew his attention.
"The ten-year mark has arrived; it is time to visit the Li Realm again."
He made some preparations at once and set off immediately.
Arriving once again at the ruins where the entrance to the Li Realm lay, Li Fan was in no hurry to enter the ancient well. Instead, he observed the ruins carefully.
Gigantic stones bearing obvious traces of artificial polishing lay strewn across the seabed.
One could faintly discern that this had once been a palace-like structure.
Beyond the exposed sections, many architectural remains were buried beneath the silt of the seafloor.
The entire ruin stretched for several li; it seemed this place had once been a small town.
"A native civilization...?" Li Fan mused.
Afterward, he boarded the Taiyan Boat, broke through the Immortal Severing Formation, and entered the Li Realm.
From afar, Li Fan gazed at the volcano in the center of the Li Realm.
Compared to ten years ago, the volcano seemed to have grown somewhat more active.
Flying inside, Li Fan investigated.
It appeared to be a volcano formed purely by geological activity, without any trace of extraordinary power.
Even so, Li Fan had a lingering hunch.
Behind the formation of this volcano, something else seemed to be hidden.
However, with his current strength, he could not yet investigate it.
Not dwelling on it, Li Fan committed it to memory, then flew toward the imperial capital of Great Li.
Concealing his figure, he did not disturb the immortal-watching officials on the capital's four watchtowers.
Sensing the sliver of power from the Blue Flame phantom spirit he had left inside Su Xiaomei, Li Fan drew near silently.
On the martial training square stood dozens of exotic beasts forged from refined steel.
A petite figure darted continuously among them.
Her speed was astonishing, leaving behind afterimages in the air.
With bare fists, she struck repeatedly against the steel beasts, producing heavy, booming thuds.
Beside the martial grounds, Su Changyu and Xiao Heng stood watching.
A faint smile rested on Su Changyu's face.
Xiao Heng, on the other hand, was sighing repeatedly with a look of terror.
He whispered to Su Changyu, "Changyu, how can you still smile? Haven't you noticed Xiaomei is getting more and more terrifying?"
Pointing at the indentations punched into the refined steel beasts, Xiao Heng sucked in a breath of cold air. "Look at that strength of hers! If she accidentally slaps me, I might be killed on the spot!"
"I don't think these steel beasts will last more than a few days either!"
Hearing this, Su Changyu frowned at first, but then relaxed and said, "You and I both know Xiaomei has an unusual constitution. She was born with divine strength and a fiery temper. In the earlier years it was still manageable, thanks to the methods left by the immortal master; Xiaomei could barely keep her temper in check."
"Now that the immortal master's methods are gradually fading, her self-control is getting worse and worse."
"If she didn't vent like this every day, who knows how many people she would accidentally beat to death."
"Still, Xiaomei is Xiaomei after all. While she might be a bit cold to the rest of the household, she treats you quite well. I don't know what you're so afraid of."
Xiao Heng instantly grew anxious. "You call this 'quite well'? As if you don't know—"
Before he could finish, a thunderous shout from a young girl rang out from the center of the training grounds: "Xiao Heng! What bad things are you saying behind my back again?!"
Even before her words faded, her figure flickered, and in the blink of an eye, Su Xiaomei abruptly appeared right in front of Xiao Heng.
The gust she kicked up sent his hair flying.
His eyelids twitched uncontrollably as he hastily cried out, "My little ancestress, how would I dare speak ill of you? I was just praising how strong you are!"
Su Xiaomei gave Xiao Heng a suspicious look, let out a soft snort, and let the matter drop.
"Brother!" She looked at Su Changyu beside them, a smile gracing her face.
Su Changyu looked at Su Xiaomei with tender affection, taking a handkerchief from his robe to wipe the sweat from her forehead.
"It seems you have been doing quite well."
Right then, an indifferent voice suddenly echoed beside the three of them.
Seeing this figure appear out of nowhere, Su Changyu and Xiao Heng's expressions changed. Immediately guessing who it was, their faces filled with both surprise and joy.
Just as they were about to speak, Su Xiaomei bellowed, "Who is it?! How dare you play tricks in front of me!"
As she shouted, she swung her fists and charged at Li Fan.
"Xiaomei, stop!" Su Changyu and Xiao Heng cried out in alarm.
Before their cries died away, they saw Su Xiaomei—who could shatter refined steel—suddenly bound as if trapped in an invisible net.
She was locked in midair, unable to move an inch.
Chapter 132