Under the influence of Formless Killing Mechanism, the school of fish surrounding Zhou Qing'ang turned into a blood frenzy.
Ignoring the oppressive aura emanating from him, they frantically competed to devour his body.
Without the autonomous protection of his soul, a trail of fresh blood stained the surrounding seawater within moments.
Zhou Qing'ang was thus utterly annihilated, with not even a trace of his bones left behind.
A stone-like heart pierced with seven apertures precipitated at the scene of the incident. It shimmered with a rainbow glow, though the light was dim.
With its master's death, this Seven-Apertures Exquisite Heart had lost its status as a Curio of heaven and earth, becoming nothing more than an unremarkable, ordinary stone that sank to the seabed.
Li Fan waited in place for several days. After observing that the abnormal phenomenon surrounding the death had not attracted any other cultivators, he finally returned.
Ignoring everything else, he absorbed the Seven-Apertures Exquisite Heart to recharge Return to Truth.
Afterward, Li Fan quietly returned to Myriad Immortals Island without alerting anyone.
Zhou Qing'ang's disappearance had not yet drawn anyone's attention. It was entirely ordinary for a Foundation Establishment cultivator to be away and out of contact for ten days.
Instead of hastily reporting Zhou Qing'ang for being a spy, Li Fan first immersed himself in comprehending the Seven-Apertures Exquisite Heart.
All things to all people, a heart as deep as the sea; deluding and confusing the people, making truth and falsehood indistinguishable.
Three days later, Li Fan exhaled deeply, an unfathomable light gleaming in his eyes.
Although it is just a mid-grade Curio of Man, offering no special benefits for cultivation, there is likely no better Foundation Establishment Curio for a spy.
Within his dantian, Return to Truth bloomed with a gentle, lustrous light, slowly transforming into the likeness of the Seven-Apertures Exquisite Heart.
Li Fan faintly felt as though he had donned countless layers of deceptive garments; others would no longer easily see through his thoughts.
This object is truly marvelous! Li Fan inwardly praised.
Subsequently, Li Fan examined the accompanying secret technique, Visage Follows the Heart.
This was not a cultivation technique either, but a disguise method specifically created by Zhou Qing'ang's organization for the Seven-Apertures Exquisite Heart.
By mentally envisioning a specific appearance, then activating the Seven-Apertures Exquisite Heart and the secret technique in tandem, one could instantly transform into another person's likeness.
Both physique and facial features would differ entirely from the original. Moreover, it was a genuine transformation, impervious to detection by arcane arts such as Dispel Delusion.
The only shortcoming was that it could not alter one's inherent aura. Hence, every time Zhou Qing'ang transformed his features, he had been exceptionally cautious, making sure to seek remote, uninhabited places to conceal and suppress his aura.
However, once targeted by Li Fan, who possessed Formless Killing Mechanism, no amount of caution could save him.
While studying Visage Follows the Heart in his mind, Li Fan thoughts wandered.
I previously had the idea of using Return to Truth to mimic Foundation Establishment Curios and impersonate others.
Now, with the Seven-Apertures Exquisite Heart and this disguise technique, I will be able to impersonate others even more convincingly.
Furthermore, I possess the Thousand Mechanisms Jade Cosmos Scripture to discern energy mechanisms and the Heaven-Swapping Art to perceive fate.
If I could also imitate and alter both energy mechanisms and fate, it would likely become truly impossible to distinguish real from fake.
If this can be achieved...
Li Fan's thoughts surged, numerous ideas surfacing simultaneously.
Once my avatar obtains the hundred thousand contribution points from Cloudwater Palace in this life, I will be busy indeed.
To test the true effectiveness of the Seven-Apertures Exquisite Heart, Li Fan traveled to Liuli Island via teleportation array.
He Zhenghao's figure was nowhere to be seen, and Li Fan had no idea where he had gone.
Li Fan temporarily paid it no mind, instead transforming into a different appearance and spouting nonsense in front of Manager Zhao.
Manager Zhao's ability to discern truth from falsehood had indeed lost its effectiveness, easily allowing Li Fan to toy with him.
Leaving Manager Zhao standing there in shock, Li Fan headed to a secluded spot and returned to his original form.
He sent a message to He Zhenghao: "Fellow Daoist, where are you now?"
Not long after, He Zhenghao's somewhat weary voice came through: "I've taken on a task to construct a defensive array for a Fellow Daoist's island cave dwelling. What’s the matter, Fellow Daoist Li Fan?"
Li Fan sneered coldly: "You’re still doing tasks? He Zhenghao, do you realize you're about to face imminent disaster?"
He Zhenghao was slightly taken aback: "Why would you say such a thing, Fellow Daoist?"
"This matter requires a face-to-face meeting. Return to Liuli Island immediately. The situation is urgent. Any delay risks complications." Li Fan spoke gravely.
"Alright... Fellow Daoist, please wait for me." Perhaps due to Li Fan's previous performance during the Spirit Mist Grass incident, He Zhenghao held considerable trust in him. At this moment, he showed no doubt whatsoever toward Li Fan's words. With a flustered tone, he abruptly ended the communication.
After a good half of the day passed, He Zhenghao finally arrived, somewhat belatedly. His face was haggard, and his demeanor was weary, as if he hadn't rested properly in a long time. A trace of anxiety lingered in his eyes, though he forcibly suppressed it.
"Fellow Daoist..." He Zhenghao began as he spotted Li Fan. However, Li Fan gestured for him to stop.
With a look of understanding, He Zhenghao activated the Mountain River Constellation Array. Li Fan's serious demeanor made him increasingly uneasy.
"Fellow Daoist He, are you familiar with Zhou Qing'ang, the guardian of Tai’an Island?" Li Fan asked.
He Zhenghao paused, answering truthfully: "Fellow Daoist Zhou? Yes, I’m quite familiar with him. We have a good relationship, and he often consults me about arrays. Why do you ask, Fellow Daoist?"
"Hmph. It’s good that you didn't try to deceive me." Li Fan said coldly, "Had I detected even a hint of a lie just now, I would have turned and left without hesitation."
He Zhenghao grew even more panicked.
Judging the dramatic tension to be at its peak, Li Fan stopped beating around the bush and produced the Image Recording Stone.