Zhao Erbao felt a coolness in his forehead, as if a chilling force drilled into his brain like a living thing, then lurked into his body, disappearing.
Feeling the chill, he heard the other party say, "Don't worry, it's just some ice spiritual energy. It will automatically dissipate in a few days. No need to worry."
Zhao Erbao wanted to cry but had no tears. Who would believe that? It must be some terrifying restriction!
Thinking of his previous experience in the illusion, he shivered and quickly expressed, "Senior, rest assured, from now on, I will do whatever you say! Absolutely no disobedience!"
Li Fan smiled but didn't answer.
He didn't lie; the force he just sent into Zhao Erbao's body was indeed only ice spiritual energy created by the Azure Flame Illusionary Spirit. It didn't have any specific effect, just meant to frighten.
Threats from others' words are far less terrifying than one's own suspicions.
Of course, he couldn't completely rely on scaring Zhao Erbao; necessary countermeasures were still needed. The Formless Killing Intent had already secretly locked onto him, so there was no need to worry about him running away.
After the stick, the carrot was also necessary.
Li Fan said to Zhao Erbao, "I don't need you to do anything else. Just continue to collect the relics of that unknown civilization with all your effort, as before. Every now and then, I will ask about your progress. When the Dao resonance successfully condenses, you can also comprehend it together with me." As he spoke, Li Fan handed over a one-way Communication Talisman.
Hearing this, Zhao Erbao was overjoyed and quickly accepted the talisman, expressing his loyalty again.
"Let's go meet that Treasure Seer Physique girl." Li Fan said coldly.
It took more than a day, and the two returned to Night Island.
It was already night, and in the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion, the two sisters were chatting in their room.
Li Fan, accompanied by Zhao Erbao, suddenly appeared in front of them.
A faint killing intent was revealed, locking them in place.
He said indifferently, "Both of you, are you willing to work for me?"
The sudden appearance of the figure startled the two sisters, who were about to scream, but found that they couldn't make a sound.
They immediately understood the identity of the two figures before them.
Legendary immortals.
Yin Yueting's face instantly turned extremely pale, but she knew she had no choice.
Just as she was about to answer, she felt her younger sister secretly kick her right leg. She immediately relaxed and blurted out, "Immortal Master, we are willing to serve the immortals."
Li Fan shook his head inwardly, knowing that the little girl had misunderstood.
He signaled Zhao Erbao to explain.
Zhao Erbao put on the airs of an immortal and explained the whole story.
"You need to mobilize the power of the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion and work with me to collect relics."
Seeing that her special physique had been exposed, Yin Yueting pursed her lips and respectfully agreed.
Yin Yuzhen, on the other hand, lowered her head, occasionally curiously glancing at Li Fan, seemingly unafraid.
Unfortunately, Li Fan concealed his figure, and she couldn't see clearly.
After looking at the three people with different expressions, Li Fan made his final instructions.
He said to Zhao Erbao, "Night Island doesn't have cultivators stationed, so you stay here and help Heavenly Treasure Pavilion expand, improving the efficiency of the search. Of course, be cautious, don't attract the attention of other cultivators. If you're unlucky and encounter a cultivator you can't defeat, prioritize preserving your life. I will handle it when I come."
Zhao Erbao's face became serious. "Senior's consideration is thorough."
Li Fan continued, "Although these two girls are mortals, you must not oppress them. The matter of collecting relics still requires their full effort."
"I dare not, I dare not," Zhao Erbao responded repeatedly.
Yin Yueting's face showed a hint of joy, and she quickly knelt down with her younger sister, expressing that she would do her best.
Li Fan nodded, then quietly left and returned to Ten Thousand Immortals Island.
For Li Fan, collecting the Dao resonance was just a small episode in his cultivation life.
With a casual arrangement, he would see the final result.
What Li Fan was more concerned about was the times he had sensed the existence of those powerful beings above Dao Integration.
Was it a coincidence, or did it involve some kind of inevitability?
If it's a coincidence, then so be it.
But if not, the implied meaning within it is enough to make people deeply ponder and fear.
"Immortal Gods go to great lengths to conceal their traces, but the heavens and earth guide cultivators to them by all means."
"When immortals fight, mortals suffer."
"However, opportunities are indeed genuine..."
Li Fan never believed that in the face of the Immortal Gods who rebelled against the heavens and earth, the heavens and earth would have no resistance.
Even a cornered rat will fight back, not to mention the Dao of the heavens and earth.
"However, not every cultivator may receive such guidance."
"There may be some secrets hidden within this that I don't know."
...
After returning to Ten Thousand Immortals Island, Li Fan resumed studying the formation jade slips.
The collection of Dao resonance relics, under the joint supervision of Zhao Erbao and Yin Yueting, proceeded in an orderly manner.
Time passed swiftly.
In the blink of an eye, it was the 19th year.
During this time, there were no major events in the Cong Yun Sea.
However, there was an extraordinary event that caught the attention of many cultivators and became a topic of discussion during their leisure time.
The protagonist of the event was none other than Zhang Haobo.
When Li Fan took a break from seclusion, he learned about the incident through discussions among cultivators.
"Zhang Haobo is quite remarkable now. He runs to wherever there is a wind disaster. Under his sword light, those wind disasters often dissipate before they can fully form."
"Yeah, it's said that the ordinary mortals suffering from wind disasters in the Cong Yun Sea are now starting to set up altars and burn incense for him."
"Zhang Haobo? I seem to have some impression of him. Wasn't he the one who tested his sword with more than a dozen puppets in a cave before?"
"Now that you mention it, I remember. But back then, he was only in the Qi Condensation stage. How did he become so powerful in just a few years?"
"Yes, he is now in the Foundation Establishment late stage. That Wind Slashing Sword Art is also amazingly powerful. Ordinary Qi Condensation cultivators in his hands probably won't last a few rounds."
"I just went through closed-door meditation for a while, and he's already in the Foundation Establishment late stage? How?"
"He's a genius, hard to measure with common sense. I think he's currently testing his sword against the wind disasters."
"You're all talking about old news. The latest news is that he's no longer using the Wind Slashing Sword Art."
"Oh? What is he doing now?"
"If I tell you, you might not believe it. Now, he's shepherding the wind!"
"Shepherding the wind? What does that mean?"
The cultivators looked at each other in confusion, full of incomprehension.
"Hehe, you guys are all familiar with shepherding, right?"
"No... this can't be possible?"
The cultivators exclaimed.
"Shepherding the wind?" Li Fan's eyes flashed slightly.
"Zhang Haobo, what is he up to?"
The Vision of Heaven and Earth technique was activated, and the perspective immediately switched.