Within the Tianxuan Mirror.
Li Fan sat motionless, his expression distant and vacant.
Even though he had long known that items and knowledge gained within the Fallen Immortal Realm could only be brought back by resolving lingering obsessions, the reality of it still struck him hard this time.
Upon returning to the real world, he found he could not recall a single word or phrase of the Creation Forge Technique taught to him by Mister Bai.
Li Fan’s composure was severely tested.
Having seen the ocean, mere rivers hold no wonder.
It was precisely because he had personally experienced the profoundness of that supreme Dao Technique that Li Fan found his own clumsy, self-created technique utterly unacceptable.
The gap was too vast, like the difference between the stars in the heavens and the grass upon the earth.
This intense contrast left Li Fan’s mental state somewhat off balance.
The mountain of treasure he had once possessed had vanished in the blink of an eye, gone without a trace.
Even for someone with a will as exceptional as Li Fan’s, a sense of loss was inevitable.
Mister Bai, the Creation Forge Technique...
I can make infinite attempts. One day, I will definitely bring that true technique back.
After a long while, Li Fan took a deep breath, slowly suppressing the negative emotions in his heart.
Based on his experience in the Ningyuan Longevity Fruits Retrieval incident, to bring an item out, one must fulfill the obsession of the item’s owner.
What could Mister Bai’s obsession be?
For the current Li Fan, Mister Bai remained far too mysterious. He could only try again repeatedly in the future, slowly figuring it out.
Taking a moment to check the cooldown period, he realized the next opportunity to enter the Fallen Immortal Realm was half a year later, which was longer than usual.
Li Fan sighed softly, committing it to memory.
Then, Li Fan checked his communication spirit talisman and found a message from Chen Ying.
It stated that he had already set off for his destination and had made thorough preparations.
If he managed to survive this great calamity, he would properly repay Li Fan upon his return.
Li Fan gave a wry smile. If it truly came to pass, it could serve as a model story to be widely publicized.
However, the great battle in Tianling Province will occur in Anchor Year 16. Before that, the focus should remain on the Spirit Mist Grass incident.
Without a clear proclamation from the Tianxuan Mirror, the Five Elders Council might not go to great lengths over a grotto-heaven of unknown circumstances.
Moreover, without Jiao Xiuyuan fanning the flames, the Spirit Mist Grass incident likely wouldn’t spread as far and wide as it did in my previous life.
After careful consideration, Li Fan decided to first go and check on Jiao Xiuyuan.
Maintaining the guise of a Heavenly Mechanisms Sect cultivator, and without concealing his appearance, Li Fan arrived outside Thousand Li Hall.
The shop was as empty as ever.
Jiao Xiuyuan lay lazily on a long chair, eyes slightly closed as if taking a nap.
Hearing footsteps, he abruptly stood up, his expression shifting.
“Well now, a customer!”
Jiao Xiuyuan looked at Li Fan, paused for a moment in apparent surprise, then greeted him with carefully measured enthusiasm.
Li Fan, for his part, did not state his business. Instead, he narrowed his eyes, staring intently at Jiao Xiuyuan.
The two of them stood there, staring at each other.
After a moment, it was Li Fan who first broke the silence, cupping his hands in salute. “Fellow Daoist, your skill in puppet arts is truly extraordinary!
“Even in ancient times, this ability to manifest countless forms would be considered rare and remarkable!”
Jiao Xiuyuan seemed startled that a stranger had seen through his technique at a glance. But he masked it well, immediately responding, “To spy on heavenly mechanisms, to probe cause and effect. The ancient Heavenly Mechanisms Sect indeed lives up to its reputation!
"Impressive! Most impressive!”
"An honor! A true honor!"
The two men exchanged a glance and both burst into hearty laughter.
After a round of mutual flattery and formal introductions, Jiao Xiuyuan finally ventured to ask, "Fellow Daoist, you didn't come all this way just to have a laugh at my expense, did you?"
"Fellow Daoist Jiao, what kind of talk is that? Do I look like a man with nothing better to do?" Li Fan waved dismissively. "Naturally, I’m here for business."
Jiao Xiuyuan's interest was immediately piqued. "Oh? And what might Fellow Daoist be seeking? Arrays and talismans, artifacts and elixirs—I have it all, and bulk discounts for..." he rattled off, his tone practiced.
"Fellow Daoist, do I look like I lack such things?" Li Fan asked with a knowing, half-smile.
"Then what do you want?" Jiao Xiuyuan's expression grew serious, his demeanor shifting to one of genuine focus.
"I did not come here to buy," Li Fan shook his head, his voice dropping low. "I came to sell. As for whether a deal can be struck, that depends on whether Fellow Daoist Jiao has the eye to recognize true value."
"Sell? My establishment... does not accept just anything..." Jiao Xiuyuan began, but his words died in his throat as his gaze fell upon the object in Li Fan's hand.
A single eyeball, seeming almost alive, glared at him with palpable malice.
It oozed killing intent, triggering an instinctive urge to lash out in defense.