Li Fan’s eyes flickered. “To think such a treasure exists! It does not matter that we have no immediate use for it; let us secure them first. That way, they won't fall into someone else's hands later and be turned against us to break the Profound Heaven Nether-Lock.”
Mo Rubin pondered for a moment and nodded. “Brother Xingwang makes a good point. A formidable tool like this indeed cannot be allowed to circulate outside. As soon as I return, I will begin making arrangements.”
Seizing the opportunity, Li Fan let out a low, sinister chuckle.
“By the way, Brother Xingwang. Beyond reinforcing the Profound Heaven Nether-Locking Array, there is another matter I need your help with. It concerns the Profound Heaven Treasure Mirror. After turning it over in my mind, only with you taking the field can I truly set my mind at ease,” Mo Rubin said suddenly.
“Hmph, we are brothers of the same cause; why be so overly courteous?” Li Fan said, glaring at Mo Rubin with feigned dissatisfaction.
This matter seemed even more important. Mo Rubin deliberated for a moment, then laid down another layer of restrictions around them.
Only then did he whisper, “According to my latest investigations, during all these years under the Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals’ control, it is very likely that the Profound Heaven Treasure Mirror separated out a human avatar. I need you to find this avatar and slay it, completely severing its retreat!” A glint of murderous intent flashed in Mo Rubin’s eyes.
Hearing this, Li Fan also feigned utter astonishment.
“The Profound Heaven Treasure Mirror separated out a human avatar? How could that be?”
Mo Rubin said in a deep voice, “When I first learned of this, I was equally shocked. But thinking it over later, it was likely through a combination of coercion and cooperation that the Profound Heaven Treasure Mirror fully integrated into the Alliance. Immortal artifacts possess spirits; naturally, it is unwilling to be driven like a beast of burden for eternity. Splitting off a human body in an attempt to break the deadlock is only natural.
“Rest assured, Brother Xingwang. To avoid alerting the Alliance, the human body separated by the Profound Heaven Treasure Mirror will definitely not be very powerful. With your cultivation, as long as you locate it, you will surely be able to slay it.
“I will also lend you a dharma treasure to ensure there are no mishaps.” With that, Mo Rubin produced a pitch-black metallic booklet.
“This is the Ink-Stained Vile Book. It has miraculous effects against artifact spirits and dharma treasures. As long as you lock onto the target, it will unleash ten thousand beams of inky brilliance to corrupt it. With you wielding this treasure, failure will be out of the question.”
“It is merely an avatar. Even without this so-called Ink-Stained Vile Book, I could still slay it,” Li Fan said, yet he still put the black book away.
Then he furrowed his brows. “The key is where to look for this avatar of the Profound Heaven Treasure Mirror. Surely it must be deeply hidden. Will there be enough time?”
Mo Rubin replied with full confidence, “The Dharma Transmitters noticed long ago that the Profound Heaven Treasure Mirror might have split off an avatar. Thus, a secret investigation was launched, though there were never any conclusive findings. However, not long ago, Dharma Transmitter Feng’s subordinates finally uncovered decisive evidence. At present, only I know of this matter; it has not yet been reported to the Council of Dharma Transmitters.”
“Oh?” Li Fan put on an interested expression.
“The Heavenly Mystery Treasure Mirror has always been overseen by the Mirror Keepers. Splitting off a human body would have been utterly impossible without a Mirror Keeper acting as an insider. It has already been preliminarily confirmed that one of the Mirror Keepers—Cang—is that insider!
“Cang’s daughter is Immortal Venerable Feixue, who holds a fair amount of renown within the Alliance. Years ago, this woman inexplicably became pregnant and gave birth to a son. I suspect this might very well be related to the Profound Heaven Treasure Mirror!” Mo Rubin explained.
“You mean that son of Immortal Venerable Feixue is the avatar of the Profound Heaven Treasure Mirror?” Li Fan narrowed his eyes.
Instantly, the image of Shuo Feng surfaced in his mind.
“That possibility cannot be ruled out. However, back then, Feixue first held a martial competition to choose a husband, causing a massive commotion. Then she suddenly became pregnant, shocking the world...
“It was far too high-profile. It looked like a deliberate performance to draw attention. Thus, it is also possible that it was a smokescreen, using Shuo Feng to conceal the true avatar of the Profound Heaven Treasure Mirror.
“In any case, their family is undeniably tied to the Profound Heaven Mirror. Not long ago, we discovered that among Feixue’s records within the treasure mirror, a specific entry—one that only the Profound Heaven Treasure Mirror itself has the authority to modify—had changed without any record of alteration,” Mo Rubin explained.
“Immortal Venerable Feixue... how strong is she?” Li Fan did not probe the details, asking directly instead.
“Her cultivation is mediocre. However, she is skilled in artifact crafting. Cang dotes on her dearly and provided an unlimited supply of materials, allowing her to master remarkable crafting techniques. But in the end, it is merely a minor craft. Brother Xingwang, your greatest proficiency lies in soul attacks; catching her off guard, she will certainly be no match for you.” Mo Rubin seemed to have great confidence in Sun Xingwang.
“My greatest proficiency lies in soul attacks...?” Li Fan paused slightly in surprise, then caught on. “Indeed!”
Seeing his reaction, Mo Rubin thought about it and added, “If Brother Xingwang truly lacks certainty when the time comes, simply summon that fiendgod avatar I am attached to.
“At that time, I can transmit a portion of my power. With the two of us joining hands, there is no chance she will survive.”
With that, Mo Rubin transmitted the Dharma Transmitters' internal investigation report regarding Cang's lineage.
Unlike ordinary large factions with entangled, sprawling networks, theirs was a single direct line consisting solely of Cang, Feixue, and Shuo Feng.
Yet the staggering wealth of resources they possessed, as revealed in the report, was enough to make one gasp.
“Feixue’s frequent haunts have all been marked.
“She dotes on her son Shuo Feng exceedingly, summoning him for a meeting every once in a while. Moreover, these meetings almost always take place in grotto-estates outside the Alliance’s Heavenly Cities.
“Therefore, it would be best to wait until they meet, then round them up all at once,” Mo Rubin said in a deep voice.
Li Fan nodded in agreement.
“As long as we slay the avatar of the Profound Heaven Treasure Mirror and cut off its escape route, then press it with the Spirit-Sealing Array, we will be able to negotiate with the mirror.
“Otherwise, that fellow is still haughty as ever.” A trace of displeasure crept into Mo Rubin’s voice.
“Haughty, is it?” Li Fan recalled the familiar, icy, mechanical voice of the Heavenly Mystery Realm.
The two continued discussing the operational details before Mo Rubin finally prepared to depart.
Just as he was about to step out of this concealed grotto-heaven, Li Fan suddenly asked, “After several thousand years, now that we brothers have reunited, why not return to worship under the Compassionate True Immortal of the Mortal Realm?”
As he spoke, the phantom projection of a faceless stone statue slowly materialized in midair.
Mo Rubin looked up at it, his body unconsciously stepping back a fraction.
A barely perceptible dread flickered in his eyes, but Mo Rubin said nothing.
He merely shook his head, then drifted away into the distance.
“Before leaving, Brother Xingwang, you might want to look carefully around this abode. Perhaps you will find something useful.”
His voice echoed slowly within the cave, but Mo Rubin’s figure had already vanished.
After a moment of silence, Li Fan began examining the abode once more.
In an inconspicuous corner, he discovered a spiderweb that had appeared at some unknown point.
Chapter 990