Li Fan had chosen Zhang Haobo as his "regressed" proxy to instigate conflict between the Myriad Immortals Alliance and Crimson Flame for one simple reason: the man’s destiny was extraordinary to begin with.
In his previous life, though he was just a mortal, Zhang Haobo had somehow sensed the impending crisis and fled far before the disaster struck.
Not only that, he seemed to have encountered other opportunities on distant continents.
Within just over twenty years, he had risen from a mortal to a Foundation Establishment cultivator.
This time, with the cultivation technique Li Fan provided, he would undoubtedly grow even faster.
Only then could he take part in, and perhaps influence, the great disaster of Crimson Flame scorching the sea.
The seed had been planted. Now, he would wait for it to grow into a towering tree.
Of course, during its growth, it would require occasional pruning and guidance.
Li Fan watched as Zhang Haobo fell into a deep slumber after his mental upheaval, then soared into the air, preparing to return to Myriad Immortals Island.
Under the night sky, most residents of Liuli Island were already asleep, leaving the island shrouded in darkness.
Only one residence remained brightly lit, with white funeral banners hanging in its courtyard.
Li Fan recognized the place. It was the home of Manager Zhao, the man formerly in charge of Liuli Island’s personnel.
Out of habit, Li Fan swept the area with his divine sense.
He abruptly halted in mid-air, surprise flickering in his eyes.
He descended into Manager Zhao’s courtyard and stepped into the mourning hall.
Manager Zhao, clad in mourning robes, knelt before a spirit tablet.
Li Fan stared at the characters inscribed on the tablet, momentarily stunned.
“Spirit Tablet of the Late Immortal Master He Zhenghao.”
He Zhenghao... was dead?
Li Fan felt more profound confusion than shock.
They said one could never step into the same river twice. But with the power of Return to Truth, Li Fan could tread the same river countless times.
His minor actions might stir ripples in the water, but they couldn’t alter the river’s course.
He Zhenghao’s death, however, was entirely unexpected.
“How did Fellow Daoist He die?” Li Fan couldn’t help but ask.
Manager Zhao started in surprise but quickly turned and answered respectfully, “They say Immortal Master He encountered a trap while exploring an ancient cave dwelling and met an unfortunate end.
“It has been fifty-six days since his passing.”
Li Fan recalled He Zhenghao’s message to him.
.....
“Some friends recently discovered an ancient cave dwelling and invited me to explore it with them. According to them, it was sealed long before the Great Reformation descended. It’s certain to hold numerous rare treasures, perhaps even several techniques.”
.....
He Zhenghao had wanted to explore the cave dwelling and invited Li Fan to stand in as acting guardian of Liuli Island in his absence.
Li Fan, focused on obtaining the Cloudwater Model, had declined. At the time, he hadn’t given it much thought, assuming He Zhenghao would return safely.
After all, in a past life, Li Fan had encountered He Zhenghao over a decade later, alive and well.
He never expected He Zhenghao to meet his end so abruptly.
So, in that past life, He Zhenghao did not participate in this cave dwelling exploration.
The reason for the change was... he lost all the contribution points he had accumulated over half a lifetime. To redeem that Nascent Soul technique, he decided to gamble.
And the reason he lost everything was that the island producing Spirit Mist Grass was destroyed by that Dracowhale exotic beast, making him think he had a chance to earn huge profits.
In the previous life, this incident should not have occurred.
What, then, caused the exotic beast attack to happen?
An image suddenly flashed through Li Fan’s mind.
Inside the Dracowhale's stomach, he had discovered many Liuli Pearls that had not yet been fully digested.
Liuli Pearls were the main ingredient for refining Liuli Pills. Consuming Liuli Pills could produce an effect similar to an epiphanic state.
Liuli induces an epiphanic state...
This Dracowhale exotic beast had gradually developed spiritual intelligence after devouring a massive quantity of Liuli Pearls.
In a twist of fate, it encountered an island cultivating Spirit Mist Grass.
The Spirit Mist Grass must have offered it some significant benefit, so the Dracowhale launched a sudden, violent assault, devouring most of the Spirit Mist Grass on the island.
And the reason it could swallow so many Liuli Pearls was because...
Li Fan narrowed his eyes.
In the lifetime when he had merged with the vast sea’s consciousness, he had once seen the enormous skeleton of a Liuli Fish.
Within the skeleton, a massive Liuli Pearl shimmered under the sunlight.