Immortality Simulator-Chapter 71: The State Of The Li World

After leaving Liuli Island, Li Fan flew westward for two days following He Zhenghao’s directions, arriving at a region of the sea dotted with hidden reefs and whirlpools.

Activating the Form-Concealing Talisman, he dove beneath the waves and found the entrance to the Li World. It was an unremarkable well among some ruins deep on the seafloor.

Sliding into the well, Li Fan sensed a familiar aura surrounding him. It felt reminiscent of the Abyssal Chasm in Great Xuan.

He continued down the passage for what felt like an immeasurable length of time until a sudden wave of dizziness struck him.

When his senses cleared, the seawater was gone, replaced by an endless, lightless void.

It seems the Immortal-Slaying Grand Arrays sealing these minor worlds are all the same. Li Fan mused, gazing into the expansive darkness.

A pod of thousands of Realm-Splitting Whales lurked within the shadows, tirelessly carving through space and pushing the Li World further from the cultivation realm, just as they had with Great Xuan where Li Fan had once resided.

The whales were highly sensitive to mortal auras, but indifferent to cultivators. Even so, Li Fan still chose to cautiously avoid them as he approached the Thunderstorm Layer.

He Zhenghao’s warning echoed in his mind: “The Immortal-Slaying Grand Array isolates the Li World from the cultivation world. Forcing a way through requires extreme caution even for a Foundation Establishment cultivator. But if you follow my method to breach the array, you won’t trigger its attacks...”

Li Fan circulated his spiritual qi precisely as He Zhenghao had instructed and flew into the Thunderstorm Layer.

He hovered in place for a moment as violent bolts of lightning crashed around him, yet not a single one struck his body.

It actually works. So even without the Taiyan Boat, one can pass through the Immortal-Slaying Grand Array. That ordinary wooden boat given to the mortals of the Li World should be equipped with an array to stabilize this specific fluctuation, avoiding the grand array’s attacks.

The Taiyan Boat is able to traverse the grand array using a method pre-set during its construction. He Zhenghao essentially hacked the array’s defenses, creating a hidden backdoor for himself. It seems he wasn’t boasting after all, his mastery of arrays is truly exceptional.

Having verified the method, Li Fan saw no need to continue toughing it out. He summoned the Taiyan Boat and skillfully navigated through the Immortal-Slaying Grand Array, heading toward Great Li.

***

Great Li, like Great Xuan, was a mortal world with broadly similar conditions, except for a massive volcano that stood several kilometers high at its center.

This volcano erupted once every two to three centuries, and each eruption claimed countless lives.

Worse still, the intervals between eruptions had grown shorter, and each outburst was more devastating than the last.

The ruling class of the Great Li Dynasty lived in terror, fearing the day the volcano would finally turn their entire world into a hellscape of lava. Driven by desperation, they searched tirelessly for any means of escape.

For years, they found nothing—until fifty years ago, when an Immortal Master descended from the heavens. He offered to take a group of people away every decade, on a single condition: they had to gather the resources on his list.

The nobles of Great Li eagerly agreed. Thus, their transaction had continued for five decades.

With the next exchange approaching, watchtowers in the capital were manned by appointed officials day and night, as the people awaited the Immortal Master’s return.

As Li Fan flew over the capital of Great Li, he heard the tolling of bells rising from below.

Before long, the Emperor of Great Li, leading his civil and military officials, arrived before Li Fan.

“We humbly welcome the Immortal Master!” Across the plaza, the voices of the Emperor and all his officials rose as one as they knelt.

“The appointed day has arrived. Have you gathered the required materials?” Li Fan asked coldly, looking down upon them from his elevated position.

The Emperor of Great Li hurriedly replied, “Reporting to the Immortal Master, all items on the list have been prepared and are ready for collection.”

Li Fan gave a nod. “In that case, lead me to them.”

Thus, under the personal guidance of the Emperor, Li Fan was led into the imperial treasure vault.

Here, the materials He Zhenghao had requested were neatly sorted into piles, each one labeled with its name and quantity.

Li Fan’s divine sense swept over it all, and he nodded in satisfaction.

Not only were all the materials present, but many exceeded the minimum quota.

He stored the materials in the storage ring provided by He Zhenghao. With that, this mission was successfully concluded.

Everything went smoothly, without a single hitch. Apart from having to travel, the risk involved was practically zero.

No wonder He Zhenghao decided to involve himself with this; it was truly a deal with immense profit for minimal effort.

Handing the wooden boat engraved with arrays to the Emperor, Li Fan watched the man’s face light up with joy.

Suddenly, Li Fan asked, “Is the Prince of Zhennan in the capital today?”

The Emperor was taken aback. In the past, the Immortal Master always took the supplies and flew straight off. He didn’t know why he would suddenly ask about the Prince of Zhennan today.

Not daring to ignore the question, the Emperor answered with some trepidation, “Replying to the Immortal Master, my younger brother guards our southern borders year-round. He is not in the capital.

“However, his son, Xiao Heng, is here.” Fearful of angering the Immortal Master, the Emperor hastily added.

Li Fan nodded. He was aware that Xiao Heng was being kept in the capital as a hostage. “Where is he now? Take me to see him.”

How would the Emperor know the whereabouts of a mere prince’s son? Unable to answer, he froze on the spot, anxious sweat beading on his forehead.

Fortunately, a nearby eunuch guard quickly whispered a reminder, “Your Majesty, that Xiao Heng should be fostered at Scholar Su’s residence.”

The Su family... Li Fan’s heart stirred slightly upon hearing this.

Hearing this, the Emperor breathed a sigh of relief and immediately arranged for someone to lead the way.

Before long, Li Fan saw Xiao Heng at the Su residence. At this time, he was still just a child of seven or eight years old. Having suddenly been surrounded by so many strangers, his small face was tense.

The small figure overlapped with the memory of Xiao Heng in his mind, and Li Fan let out a soft chuckle.

“I observe that this child possesses extraordinary talent. It will be a waste to confine him to such shallow waters,” he said abruptly.

The expressions of everyone present shifted as they looked toward Xiao Heng, who still wore a bewildered expression, unaware of what was happening.

Then, Li Fan gently pointed a finger, touching Xiao Heng’s forehead.

He transmitted the Xuanhuang Heart Clarification Sutra and the methods for using its accompanying medicines directly into his mind.

“When I return in ten years, I will personally take him away.” Li Fan swept his gaze over the crowd, his tone mild.

Instantly, those who had been harboring crooked thoughts broke out in cold sweat, trembling with fear.

The Emperor of Great Li naturally understood the meaning behind Li Fan’s words and hurriedly promised, “Immortal Master, please be at ease. I will ensure he is well cared for.”

Li Fan nodded in satisfaction.

His footing in the cultivation world was still unsteady, and in two years, he would be exploring the perilous Cloudwater Palace. His future was fraught with uncertainty.

For now, he could only pass the Xuanhuang Heart Clarification Sutra to Xiao Heng and wait until the time was ripe to bring him to the cultivation world.

With matters in the Li World settled, Li Fan prepared to depart.

But then, a young, pleading voice rang out from the crowd:

“Immortal Master, I beg you, please save my sister!”