"What? Outpost Jiaxu has run out of supplies, teetering between life and death, and desperately needs reinforcements?"
"How could this be? Didn't Leng Yingyi just take a batch of supplies back with him?!"
"To actually force an array master like you to risk his life—what a bunch of bastards!"
"A newly formed Lost Domain blocked the way? No wonder..."
"You're quite fortunate to have escaped such a Lost Domain."
"Alas, what a pity. You were just a bit too slow, and barely have any lifespan left."
...
Amidst the continuous exclamations of the blue-robed cultivator named Hao Hui, Li Fan gave a general account of what he had experienced along the way.
Aside from omitting a few details in the Lost Domain of chaotic rubble that might be related to the Heavenly Physician, he stuck strictly to the facts without embellishing anything.
Learning of Li Fan's deeds, and looking at this white-haired cultivator before him who was on the verge of exhaustion yet remarkably calm,
a flicker of respect showed in Hao Hui's eyes.
A cultivator of such noble righteousness was exceptionally rare, even across the entire Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals.
With a solemn expression, Hao Hui said softly, "Fellow Daoist, please rest at ease. I will immediately dispatch men to Outpost Jiaxu, and will certainly not let your desperate journey to seek help be in vain."
Li Fan gave a light cough and nodded slightly.
He had done everything he needed to do, and this body was clearly in no condition to endure any further strain.
If he wanted to move about normally, he would need to recuperate thoroughly.
Hao Hui stepped back and closed the door behind him.
At the same time, Li Fan sensed the faint shadow lingering in the corner of the room vanish alongside him.
"I have fifty-seven years of lifespan remaining in this life. Although I could consume a few more longevity-extending treasures, my current state is somewhat similar to Immortal Venerable Jicheng's—both of us have nearly reached the end of our natural lifespans. The effects of longevity treasures might not be as effective as imagined.
"Even if I don't have much longer to live, that doesn't mean I can't achieve my planned goals."
...
While Li Fan sat in contemplation with his eyes closed,
at the very forefront of the Broken Palm Immortal City, in a secluded spot directly overlooking the Chizha Abyss,
countless demonic sounds gushed forth from the void of the nearby abyss. Flowing through an opening without the slightest obstruction, they poured unceasingly into the chamber.
It was as if the unspeakable voices from the deepest level of purgatory were echoing and rampaging within.
The powerful, pure demonic sounds seemed to affect even the very fabric of space.
Twisted, gruesome faces materialized one after another.
Yet before these inexplicable visages sat a lone figure.
His facial features were indistinct, and his body flickered continuously in a bizarre, undulating motion, like a rippling river.
The demonic sounds that ordinary cultivators dreaded seemed to have no effect on him whatsoever.
Moreover, once the twisted faces formed by the demonic soundwaves drew near, they were drawn in as though captured, merging directly into his body.
His figure swayed and drifted, and the faces disappeared.
Yet he remained utterly composed throughout.
Suddenly, he waved his hand.
A bluestone doorway rose, sealing the opening in the chamber.
The demonic sounds abruptly diminished.
The light dimmed sharply, and all the lingering faces formed by the demonic sounds vanished in an instant.
His body swayed with even greater intensity.
"Young Lord."
A dark shadow surfaced at his side, condensing into a black-robed cultivator.
The cultivator recounted what he had just seen and heard.
After a moment,
"Is this true?" A hint of doubt tinged Young Lord Shang's voice.
"According to my observations, this Li Fan was not lying. Furthermore, his lifespan has indeed been almost entirely drained by the Essence-Devouring White Mist.
"Had he been even a beat slower that day, it is doubtful he would have survived at all.
"Before coming here, I also confirmed with Ji Hongdao that Li Fan's identity checks out.
"Along the route to Outpost Jiaxu, there are indeed traces of a newly formed Lost Domain having appeared.
"However, it has already receded back into the depths of the white mist. It was likely just an isolated incident," the black-robed cultivator replied.
Hearing this, Young Lord Shang fell silent for a time.
"With such an inspiring deed, the more people who know about it, the better.
"Especially now, when morale is wavering, there needs to be a stark contrast to make them feel ashamed of themselves.
"Go and see to this matter," Young Lord Shang said slowly after a brief silence.
The black-robed cultivator nodded.
Just as he was about to leave, he glanced at Young Lord Shang, hesitating as if he had more to say.
"Hm?"
The black-robed cultivator paused, then asked, "Yan Huan has been hung in the center of the bastion and whipped continuously for eleven days now.
"When can we let him down?
"If this continues, that kid won't hold out much longer.
"Even though it's an act, that Demonic Sound Whip is very real," the black-robed cultivator said cautiously, fearful of angering the man before him.
Yet Young Lord Shang did not reprimand him: "I originally had him deliberately spread rumors in order to straighten out the atmosphere within the bastion.
"Now that we have such a prime subject for propaganda, his utility is negligible.
"Let him down tomorrow.
"Send him a Soul-Replenishing Pill and let him get some proper rest."
The black-robed cultivator looked pleased and said, "Thank you, Young Lord."
Then he quietly vanished from the secret chamber.
To Young Lord Shang, the conversation just now seemed nothing more than an inconsequential interlude.
As the bluestone doorway lowered once more, the rampaging demonic sounds surged back in.
His body began to sway and undulate once again.
...
With Young Lord Shang pushing things along behind the scenes, within half a day, the tale of Li Fan risking his life to seek reinforcements spread across the entire Eternal Immortal Bastion.
Some doubted it, while others were deeply moved.
And once He Chen and the other cultivators trapped at Outpost Jiaxu were brought back and questioned,
the authenticity of the event was confirmed.
Although a small handful of cultivators stubbornly believed it was all a staged performance,
the vast majority chose to believe.
While marveling at and admiring Li Fan's noble righteousness, everyone could not help but lament that he had only a few decades of lifespan remaining.
As for Li Fan himself, after receiving wave after wave of visitors, he finally enjoyed a rare moment of peace and quiet.
"After recuperating a bit, I've barely managed to adapt to this aging body.
"Although I could transform back into my youthful appearance, it clearly wouldn't attract as much attention as looking like this."
Having successfully concluded his first reversal of the Dao Heart, the growth of his divine soul left Li Fan craving more.
Thus, Li Fan prepared to commence his second reversal plan.
"In the Great Tianxuan Spirit-Locking Competition, my original intention was merely to go through the motions and put on an act.
"Now, however, I will do the exact opposite.
"I will pour all of my limited remaining life into constructing the array.
"To ensure the widespread implementation of the Tianxuan Spirit-Locking Array, I will burn away every ounce of my strength.
"Until death takes me."
Just thinking about it gave Li Fan a layer of goosebumps from head to toe.
Suppressing the discomfort in his heart, Li Fan adopted a resolute expression.
With slow yet steady steps, he walked out of the room.
Chapter 361