As Senior Sister Zhao spoke, the figure of Ji Changxi, the former head of the Grand Dao Sect, suddenly appeared before Li Fan, recounting his story to him.

“We were still too young back then, thinking that we had hidden ourselves well enough. But we never imagined that true experts could see through our cultivation techniques with just a drop of blood.”

“The Xuantian Sect's techniques are divided into four levels: (Xuan) Mysterious, (Tian) Heaven, (Di) Earth, and (Huang) Yellow, from the highest to the lowest. The four techniques we obtained from that ruin were all of the highest 'Mysterious' level.”

“Not only were they mysterious and divine, but they were also on par with the true teachings of the Grand Dao Sect. Furthermore, there was something even more enticing about them, something that even moved the heart of Ji Changxi, the head of the Grand Dao Sect.”

“It was said that the Xuantian Sect's techniques all originated from the sect’s ultimate treasure, the Xuantian Mirror. Those who cultivated to a high level could even establish a connection with this treasure.”

“Though at the time, Ji Changxi wanted nothing more than to capture us on the spot and thoroughly interrogate us. However, he knew that the Xuantian Sect’s techniques carried their own secrecy measures. Even if others tried to forcibly pry into them, all they would obtain would be distorted and incorrect versions of the techniques.”

“To learn the real techniques, they had to be willingly written down by the cultivator. Besides, at that time, his cultivation level was only at the late Dao Integration stage, not much stronger than mine. Forcing the issue wouldn’t guarantee success.”

“So, he decided to play the long game, setting a trap.”

Suddenly, Ji Changxi sneered, “On one hand, he deliberately sent us out to perform various tasks, suppressing our cultivation growth. Meanwhile, he used his position as sect head to access resources and elevate his own cultivation.”

“On the other hand, he combed through countless ancient texts, trying to find a way to break the encryption of the Xuantian Sect’s techniques.”

“In fact, he almost succeeded. From the hidden archives of the Grand Dao Sect, Ji Changxi found a relic from when the Xuantian Sect was destroyed.”

“There was a secret technique called ‘Seize the Heaven and Replace It’. It was a method used by the Xuantian Sect to deal with their own members. It could completely strip someone of their cultivation and techniques, transferring the realms and power gained from cultivating Xuantian Sect techniques to oneself, like grafting flowers onto a tree.”

“And so, the day we returned to the sect, he eagerly summoned me for a meeting...”

Ji Changxi’s face shifted, his form twisting in light and shadow until he reverted to the stunning appearance of Senior Sister Zhao.

“Unfortunately for him, he miscalculated. He never expected that I wasn’t just cultivating a single Xuantian Sect technique.”

“He also didn’t realize that I had long grown tired of him and wanted to replace him.”

Senior Sister Zhao reached out and stroked Li Fan’s cheek, her expression dreamy. “Junior Brother, do you know the kind of pain it is to be drenched in tens of thousands of drops of blood infected with the ‘Immortal Plague’?”

“Even our mighty Sect Head Ji couldn’t withstand it.”

“The only regret is that the damage caused by the ‘Immortal Plague’ was so severe that I had to give up part of him.”

Senior Sister Zhao lightly licked her lips, as if savoring a pleasant memory.

“The technique ‘Eternal Sole-Dominance’—when fully cultivated, nothing in this world remains except me. Because of how evil this technique is, you didn’t choose it back then, Junior Brother.”

“Now, do you regret it a little, Junior Brother?” she asked softly.

A hint of regret did indeed flicker through Li Fan’s heart.

However, he remained stubborn and replied, “Hmph, what’s the use of regret? The past is the past, and there’s no going back…”

Suddenly, Li Fan paused.

In that very moment, a strange feeling surged within him.

It was as if, if he wished, he could truly reverse everything.

But…

Upon deeper contemplation, he couldn’t quite grasp where this feeling was coming from, leaving him with a faint sense of loss and confusion.

Senior Sister Zhao didn’t notice the change in Li Fan’s heart.

She continued speaking, seemingly to herself: “What goes around comes around. So, Junior Brother, everything was destined.”

“I vaguely sensed Ji Changxi’s malice. To protect you and myself, I secretly cultivated the ‘Eternal Sole-Dominance’ technique, hoping to find a slim chance of survival within his schemes.”

“This technique is truly overbearing, fully embodying the essence of ‘Sole.’ After I began cultivating it, it even erased your memories of the technique from your mind, Junior Brother.”

“And when I succeeded in turning Sect Head Ji into a part of me, I finally understood.”

“This is our destiny, the fate that belongs to me.”

“This world is filled with too many irrelevant people.”

“So, I alone am enough.”

“The so-called many, but all heart.”

As she spoke, the faces of everyone in the Grand Dao Sect all shifted, becoming identical to Senior Sister Zhao’s.

“Junior Brother, do you still love me?”

“Let’s merge into one and never be separated again.”

They all looked at Li Fan with deep affection, speaking in unison.

Li Fan did not answer but instead stood solemnly.

A black light tinged with iridescence appeared above his head, eventually taking the shape of a flying blade.

At the same time, Li Fan’s aura exploded outward.

From an ordinary mortal, he ascended rapidly.

Qi Condensation, Foundation Establishment, Golden Core…

He didn’t stop until he reached the pinnacle of Soul Transformation.

It turned out that Li Fan had long since broken the seals and restrictions on his body.

He had accomplished this through the recent dual cultivation with Senior Sister Zhao.

“I thought, Junior Brother, that you missed me so much that you couldn’t wait to cultivate with me,” Senior Sister Zhao teased. “But it turns out you had other intentions.”

Though her words were playful, Senior Sister Zhao seemed to have already anticipated Li Fan’s small scheme, showing no surprise in her tone.

“What’s this? Do you think that now that your cultivation has been restored, you can challenge me?”

She looked at Li Fan with amused interest. “Who gave you the courage?”

“That ‘Soul-Extinguishing Blade’ from the ‘Soul-Severing Divine Radiance Art’?”

Faced with her mockery, Li Fan didn’t respond directly.

He remained serious, as the black and iridescent ‘Soul-Extinguishing Blade’ flickered, ready to strike.

This blade was the ultimate killing move of the ‘Soul-Severing Divine Radiance Art’. Despite its unremarkable name, it was a desperate attack that sacrificed one's soul.

“A unity of all minds—when fully realized, it can defy the laws of heaven, can’t it?”

“Senior Sister, you’re truly a peerless genius. But…”

“Your path is not my path.”

“I once said I wished to become eternal Dao companions with you, to live forever in freedom and happiness.”

“I meant it with all my heart, and that hasn’t changed.”

Li Fan’s eyes were filled with memories as he sighed.

Just as Senior Sister Zhao was caught in a moment of slight surprise—

An incredibly intense light suddenly surged from within Li Fan, illuminating the entire sky above the Grand Dao Sect.

Even the thousands of bodies of Senior Sister Zhao couldn’t help but close their eyes at that moment.