Li Fan's words rang out with force, yet the cultivators present all wore strange, conflicted expressions.
The logic was clear to everyone, but Leng Yingyi, the strongest cultivator in Outpost 01-11, had likely already met misfortune within this demonic sound tide.
Who could guarantee they could accomplish what even Leng Yingyi could not?
Remaining in the outpost meant clinging to life, surviving a little longer.
Stepping outside to face the White Mist and the sound tide would likely mean immediate death and the dissipation of one's cultivation.
You, Li Fan, speak with such high-minded righteousness, but aren't you really just trying to goad us into throwing our lives away?
Surely you wouldn't personally take the risk and go yourself?
Every cultivator present thought the same.
However, it wasn't yet time to tear off all pretenses. They exchanged glances, and it was Kong Yu who cleared his throat lightly, preparing to try persuasion once more.
Yet Li Fan's next words made them all shoot to their feet in shock.
"Captain Leng has likely perished in the demonic sound tide while protecting my safety.
"This has weighed heavily on my heart.
"I know this mission to seek aid is an extremely dangerous one. If any more of you were to fall because of me, I would be too ashamed to face you.
"Therefore, I have decided—"
Li Fan suppressed his discomfort and spoke the words that went against his very Dao Heart.
"—to go alone to the Eternal Immortal Fortress to seek help.
"If I do not die, I will surely find a path to survival for all of you!"
Li Fan declared with iron resolve, his expression resolute.
Kong Yu, He Chen, and the others had never imagined this young array master would make such a decision.
They stared at each other, doubting their own hearing.
But seeing the firmness in Li Fan's eyes and face, their doubts vanished, replaced by sheer astonishment.
In truth, as the array master constructing the Tianxuan Soul-Locking Array, Li Fan might possess only Golden Core cultivation, yet his status within Outpost 01-11 was the highest.
Every other cultivator present—whether from the Qingxuan Garrison, the Martial Hall, or other departments—had been sent here to assist Li Fan in building the Soul-Locking Array.
If he had insisted, using the reasoning that "the construction of the Tianxuan Soul-Locking Array cannot be delayed; my death would inevitably hinder the entire project's progress," and forced the group to send more cultivators on the rescue mission, then in all likelihood, nine times out of ten, everyone would have had to yield.
But now, not only did he not do that, he instead voluntarily took on this near-suicidal task himself, to secure a chance of survival for everyone.
To disregard his own life and death, to be selfless for others... Could such a person truly exist in this world?
Even the ancient Sages were no greater than this, were they?
Having been around him for so long, how had they failed to see this?!
Truly, only in moments of life and death does a person's true nature reveal itself.
Recalling their own petty, vile thoughts, they couldn't help but feel ashamed.
Chastened, their persuasions this time were utterly sincere.
"Master Li, why must it come to this! Though the situation is dire, it has not yet reached the point where you must stake your life!"
"Indeed, Master, please reconsider. Facing both the demonic sounds and the White Mist simultaneously is far too dangerous! The odds of survival are slim!"
Facing their clamoring dissuasions, Li Fan said with unwavering determination, "My mind is made up. Say no more.
“You've all spent years in the Roaring Abyss. You know better than anyone how to survive the demonic sounds and the White Mist. If you truly want to help, then share everything you know. Give me a better chance of coming back alive.”
Li Fan spoke with a carefree, almost detached air.
The group made a show of restrained persuasion for a while longer, but seeing they truly could not change Li Fan's will, they could only sigh in resignation.
Along with another wave of secret relief in their hearts, they poured out all their hard-won survival experience from the Roaring Abyss.
Li Fan listened with rapt attention, committing every word to memory.
He then gathered supplies sufficient for a single person to survive twenty days within the White Mist.
And finally, beneath the reluctant gazes of the crowd, he set foot upon the road leading to the Eternal Immortal Fortress, alone.
It was worth mentioning that, perhaps moved by Li Fan's righteous cause, He Chen of the Qingxuan Garrison decided to accompany him on his journey.
However, after lavishing praise upon the other's noble intent, Li Fan still declined his kind offer.
Under He Chen's gaze, now filled with admiration and emotion, Li Fan fastened the Black Death Talisman and identified the location of the Severed Hand Immortal City. Then, he transformed into a streak of light and plunged into the boundless White Mist.
The other cultivators within Outpost 01-11 watched Li Fan's vanishing figure with a complex mixture of expressions.
"To think that in today's cultivation world, a person of such lofty virtue and integrity still exists. It truly puts the rest of us to shame."
"I have wasted my 348 years of life. Only today have I met such a person. What a profound regret it is."
"If Master Li does not die, from this day forward, I will follow his lead without question."
After a moment of silence, they all voiced their heartfelt admiration.
"Hmph!"
Only He Chen cast a look of utter disdain at the group, flicked his sleeve, and strode away.
The expressions of the others held varying degrees of awkwardness.
They scattered like birds and beasts.