Many buildings were erected above the turquoise river.

Supported only by several stone pillars.

The giant whale beast expelled a stream of air, gently placing the Dust Crossing Boat on a spacious platform.

Then it leaped into the river below.

A bizarre scene unfolded.

Despite its immense size, the beast jumped into the Qing River without splashing a drop of water.

Only rippling circles emerged, indicating that the whale’s leap was no illusion.

Dongfang led everyone off the Dust Crossing Boat, walking along the corridor towards the nearby cluster of buildings.

Walking on the Qing River, everyone felt somewhat scared.

Fearing the collapse of the pillars below and falling into the river.

This turquoise river seemed to be of the same origin as the Spirit Stone.

Countless rivers converged, suppressing spiritual energy to its limit here, causing Li Fan’s internal strength to completely dissipate.

Devoid of cultivation support, Li Fan, nearing his limit, felt the effects of aging more pronounced.

Even walking a few steps became somewhat wheezy.

It seemed like he might collapse any second.

Amidst the shock, Li Fan tried to call upon Truth and found it still responsive.

Only then did he relax.

“This ghostly place is only suitable for people like you.”

“Even if it’s not the first time here, I still can’t get used to it.”

After walking for a while, they finally arrived at a hall.

Huangfu Song wiped the sweat from his forehead, sighing.

“There’s no other choice. The quantity of Life Pearls is limited. Constructing the grand formation is urgent and cannot be delayed.”

“They’re all distributed to subordinates to expedite progress, with none to spare.”

“Otherwise, I could’ve given one to Brother Huangfu for emergencies,” Dongfang said with a smile.

Huangfu Song waved his hand: “The mission is urgent, the mission is urgent.”

“Finish the tasks quickly, then leave this ghostly place.”

Dongfang nodded, about to say something when his expression suddenly changed.

A streak of blue light suddenly flew in from outside, stopping directly in front of him.

Li Fan looked over, surprised to see a small, blue bird.

Fluttering its wings incessantly, chirping, as if conveying a message.

Dongfang seemed to understand this “bird language.”

With the blue bird’s chirping, he abruptly stood up, his expression turning more solemn.

“I understand, you may go now,” Dongfang said.

The bird transformed into blue light, disappearing instantly.

“What’s wrong?” Seeing Dongfang’s guarded demeanor, Huangfu Song couldn’t help but ask curiously.

Dongfang bowed slightly: “Brother Huangfu, forgive me for not accompanying you.”

“I received a sudden notice.”

“The Chief is about to come for inspection, so I need to make good use of time to inspect again, to prevent any oversights.”

Huangfu Song was also taken aback by his words.

He quickly stood up and asked, “The Chief? Which Chief?”

Dongfang smiled bitterly, “Who else could make me this nervous? Of course, it’s the highest Chief.”

Huangfu Song was somewhat horrified, “Lu…”

Before he could finish, Dongfang interrupted him.

“Shh, it’s enough that Brother Huangfu knows, remember not to spread it.”

Learning that the leader’s leader was about to come for inspection, Huangfu Song also became nervous.

“Understood, understood.”

“Official matters are urgent, Brother Dongfang, go busy yourself.”

“This rumored figure is not so easy to deal with…”

Huangfu nodded in agreement, about to say something more, but suddenly froze in place.

The shock on his face couldn’t be concealed any longer as he turned abruptly towards Li Fan, who was sitting quietly nearby with closed eyes.

It seemed the aging Li Fan wasn’t paying any attention to their conversation.

“Is this the reason he came here?”

“How could this be?!”

“Coincidence, or…”

Huangfu Song was not an ordinary person after all.

After a moment, he suppressed the unusual color on his face.

Dongfang seemed to sense something and glanced in the direction of Li Fan.

But he didn’t inquire further, bidding farewell and leaving.

After Dongfang left, Huangfu Song couldn’t contain himself any longer, calling Li Fan into an empty room.

Lowering his voice, he stared at Li Fan intently, “Kid, did you know Chief Lu was coming?”

Li Fan just smiled faintly, neither denying nor confirming.

Seeing this, Huangfu Song understood.

He then took a sharp intake of breath.

As a member of the Tianyu Province’s Formation Hall, Huangfu Song knew well the lofty status of Chief Lu.

Not to mention her own cultivation, just her authority as the chief formation master of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, commanding all formation affairs within the alliance, could crush Huangfu Song as easily as one would a mere ant.

All the formation masters of the Formation Hall in the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, strictly speaking, were under her command.

And Chief Lu’s methods were ruthless and cold.

The group of people who once contended with her for the chief position, shortly after she took office, were all suppressed for various reasons.

Disappeared from the mortal world.

Such blatant retaliatory actions not only did not provoke opposition.

Instead, they gained strong support from the highest decision-making level of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.

Then, her series of vigorous reform measures, as well as several severe punishment methods.

All made the formation masters of the Formation Hall silent.

Even Huangfu Song once heard Ji Hongdao mention casually that the widespread dissemination plan of the Tianxuan Soul Locking Formation was proposed by this Chief Lu.

Countless rumors about her in the past kept surfacing in Huangfu Song’s mind.

Huangfu Song’s forehead was dripping with cold sweat.

This was such a big shot.

How could this unremarkable, seemingly unfounded little guy in front of him know her whereabouts days in advance?

What did this imply?

Even if his backing wasn’t Chief Lu herself.

He must be very close to Chief Lu.

…

Thinking of this, Huangfu Song couldn’t help but feel a little dry in his mouth.

“No wonder every time I look at this kid, I feel his aura is extraordinary, far from ordinary.”

“So he really has a powerful backing, and it’s so solid!”

Memories of Li Fan’s experiences flashed through Huangfu Song’s mind one by one, and he suddenly realized.

“No wonder he was so indifferent even when fighting for the rankings, despite being on the verge of death.”

“So he’s fearless.”

“No wonder his selfless dedication spread so quickly, almost throughout the entire Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.”

“So it was premeditated.”

“All this self-sacrifice, it turns out he was just seizing this opportunity for personal gain.”

…

Several thoughts flashed through his mind, cursing inwardly.

Regardless of his inner complaints, Huangfu Song still put on a bright smile.

“Li Xiao…”

“Uh huh, Li Fan, my young friend, truly a hidden gem!”

“With such a relationship, why bother hiding it? You’re treating me like an outsider!”

Li Fan remained unchanged: “Senior Huangfu, I wonder what you’ve guessed.”

“But, I’m sure you’ve misunderstood.”

“Junior, there’s absolutely no powerful backing behind me.”

He said seriously.

“Acting, still pretending here. Just afraid of negative influence, that’s all.”

Thinking like this inwardly, but Huangfu Song immediately nodded solemnly, “I understand, I understand!”