Senior Li's Mission

The dignified Saintess of the Dragon Profound Sect was now kneeling and begging for mercy.

Everyone's hearts were exceedingly complicated.

"This time, the Dragon Profound Sect has truly stirred up a huge disaster!"

"Even though they are a Supreme-level force, if an Immortal becomes enraged, they are no more than dust."

Many people murmured among themselves.

The Dragon Profound Sect was strong, but this time, they had indeed kicked an iron plate.

Huo Ling'er took a deep breath and slowly came back to her senses, feeling as if she were in a dream.

Looking at those great powers kneeling before her... many of them were existences the Fire Kingdom once could not afford to provoke.

All of this was because of Senior Li.

She glanced at Long Ziyin, a flicker of coldness flashing in her eyes.

"Scatter your own cultivation and await punishment!"

She did not care how Long Ziyin had treated her just now, but she would not forget that the other party had even disregarded Senior Li.

This was unforgivable.

Hearing this, Long Ziyin's face changed drastically.

She actually had to scatter her own cultivation...

Her body trembled, and her heart struggled.

Once her cultivation was wasted, it meant she would become a mortal.

For a lofty Saintess of a Supreme-level force, this was utterly unacceptable.

But if she did not scatter her cultivation...

"When an Immortal is angered, even a Supreme must die."

At this moment, Ling Xian spoke with a complicated expression, reminding her.

An Immortal!

Long Ziyin was filled with despair.

She let out a bitter laugh, took out the Spirit Severing Nail!

Then, she drove it directly into her own body!

Scattering her own cultivation!

The crowd let out a sigh.

"Get lost—"

Huo Ling'er spoke, and Long Ziyin laughed bitterly as she withdrew and left.

"Princess Ling'er, since that senior has made a move, our Taiyan Holy Land will absolutely not interfere here!"

Ling Xian bowed to Huo Ling'er and said, "Farewell."

Qing Luo of the Immortal Music Pavilion also bowed and took her leave.

For a time, many people around departed.

With an existence beyond Supreme making a move, this place was no longer open for others to meddle.

Some forces remained waiting, though they dared not contend, they still wanted to see what lay within the Demon Venerable's coffin.

Huo Ling'er and the others turned to look at the Demon Venerable's coffin.

They walked up to the coffin and saw that inside it was only a square wooden block.

Upon the wooden block sat a black flame!

"This is the Lihuo Supreme's supreme Magic Treasure—the Heavenly Fire Divine Town!"

Someone exclaimed in surprise.

"The Heavenly Fire Divine Town is said to be made from ten-thousand-year Mystic Fire Wood, and within it is refined the entire lifetime Dao of the Lihuo Supreme!"

"Obtaining this item could almost forge another Supreme."

"However, this item has already been invaded by demonic qi. Unless an Immortal takes action, whoever uses it will die!"

The crowd buzzed with discussion.

"Former Sect Master, what do you think?"

Huo Ling'er was uncertain and asked Yu Qishui.

Yu Qishui thought for a moment and said, "Senior Li bestowed the Scroll upon us and sent us here—it is likely precisely for this item!"

"We must retrieve it for Senior Li!"

Huo Ling'er nodded.

She then stepped forward, reached out, and took the wooden block.

"Be careful—the demonic aura within is extremely heavy. It's very likely what caused the Lihuo Supreme to turn into a demon, and it can corrupt anyone at any moment!"

An old man warned.

Huo Ling'er, however, shook her head and said, "This thing dares not cause trouble!"

Hearing this, the crowd was momentarily stunned, but then they understood. That terrifying scroll was still on Huo Ling'er's person; the demonic aura would only shrink inward and cower—how could it dare to stir up chaos?

"Let's go!"

Huo Ling'er spoke.

Soon, Huo Ling'er and the others left this Secret Realm.

They first returned to the Lihuo Sect.

Because Yu Qishui and the others worried that someone might be following them. If they disturbed Senior Li, that would be an unforgivable sin.

They went back to the Lihuo Sect and waited.

At the same time, news of the Lihuo Supreme's Secret Realm emerging in the Cangli Mountain Range spread rapidly throughout the entire Southern Domain.

When it became known that the Lihuo Supreme of yesteryear had turned into a Demon Venerable, slain the Gu Tuoya Venerable of the Taiyan Holy Land, and forced even the Taiyan Holy Land's Supreme to retreat upon emerging, the entire Southern Domain erupted in uproar.

The Taiyan Holy Land was one of the top-tier powers in the entire Southern Domain.

Founded by an Immortal!

Moreover, such sects usually had channels to contact their Old Ancestors in the Immortal Realm.

With such prestige, it was still suppressed by a Demon Venerable...

But a Demon Venerable of such terrifying might was ultimately suppressed and killed by a single scroll.

As the news broke, the entire Southern Domain was shaken.

"Could it be that there is still an Immortal in our Southern Domain?!"

"Certainly. It's said that some Earth Immortals who haven't yet reached their peak will continue to cultivate in seclusion in the mortal world for a time. It must be such an existence."

"But in a thousand years, no one has ever heard of anyone taking that step onto the Immortal path."

People of the World buzzed with discussion.

Huo Ling'er and the Lihuo Sect were thrust into the spotlight.

All eyes in the Southern Domain converged on the Southern Domain!

Deep within the Fire Kingdom's imperial palace.

"Your Majesty, it must be that wretched woman who killed Mingxuan and Consort Xuan. You must avenge them—kill that bitch!"

A beautiful woman was weeping before the Fire Emperor!

The Fire Emperor, clad in a bright yellow robe, had a face as dark as thunder!

"Silence!"

The Fire Emperor roared, "Do you want me dead?! Behind her stands an existence surpassing a Supreme!"

The beautiful woman dared not speak another word.

"Someone, take my imperial decree and summon Princess Ling'er back. I will establish her as the next Fire Kingdom's Empress!"

The Fire Emperor's gaze was heavy and resolute.

The beautiful woman looked as if she had been struck by lightning...

Some time had passed.

Yu Qishui and the others finally confirmed that no one was spying on them from the surroundings.

In truth, this was just unnecessary caution on their part. Who would dare spy on an Immortal? That would be inviting disaster upon their own sect!

They made their way toward the Small Mountain Village.

Before long, they finally entered the village.

The villagers had come to recognize them and greeted them warmly.

Arriving before the small courtyard, Mu Qianning stepped forward and knocked on the door.

"Qianning has come to pay respects to Senior Li."

Her voice rang out. From within the courtyard, Li Fan's calm voice replied, "Come in—"

The group entered and saw that beneath the peach tree, Li Fan was holding Little White, basking in the sun.

Utterly at ease.

Their hearts were filled with mixed emotions. Perhaps this was what it meant to be a peerless great power—having slain a Demon Venerable, yet still able to sunbathe so calmly...

He didn't seem to care about it at all.

"Thank you for the scroll, Senior Li!"

Huo Ling'er stepped forward, her beautiful eyes filled with gratitude. "Ling'er has finished using it and now returns it to you, Senior. Along with this item, which I have also retrieved for you."

She respectfully presented the scroll and the Heavenly Fire Divine Town.

Li Fan, however, smiled and said, "The scroll is a gift to you; no need to return it."

"But this piece of wood... is somewhat interesting."

He reached out and took the wooden block. It was surprisingly heavy in his hand, with a hint of chill.

"Mm, compared to ordinary firewood, it is indeed much better."

Li Fan offered his appraisal.

The crowd's expressions were complicated. This was the enlightenment object of a generation's Supreme, yet in Senior Li's eyes, it was merely better than firewood...

Still, they had to admit this was a "fair" evaluation!

After all, the man before them even used Mystic Fire Wood as fuel to cook cat food for his pet.

Li Fan held the wooden block, thinking that these people had sent him a piece of wood—clearly they knew from the villagers that he was skilled in carving.

His carving skill was also perfect, so perhaps this wood carving could fetch some money?

Thinking of how Mu Qianning and the others were desperately poor, and Huo Ling'er's pitiful background, Li Fan sighed softly and said:

"Since you know I dabble in this Dao, and you've already brought the materials, I'll help you this once."

Li Fan spoke, then went inside and retrieved his Engraving Knife.

It was a black knife, with only the blade edge a pale gold.

Needless to say, this too was given to Li Fan by the system.

Li Fan gripped the wooden block in one hand and the knife in the other, and began to carve.

Yu Qishui and the others were overjoyed.

It seemed their guess about Senior Li's intentions was correct—the Heavenly Fire Divine Town was indeed useful to him.

When they saw the wood chips flying under Li Fan's carving, they were even more astonished.

"What kind of knife is that... it can easily cut through ten-thousand-year Mystic Fire Wood?"

"Incredible... I can clearly sense that the knife seems to be carving the Dao itself, carving heaven and earth!"

Yu Qishui, Wei Yushan, and the others were shaken.

As for Mu Qianning and Huo Ling'er, they were somewhat entranced. When Li Fan carved, his entire being seemed to sink into a state of Dao, like a celestial sovereign transcending the nine heavens, with nothing able to disturb his mind.

Beneath Li Fan's knife, the rough outline of a palace began to take shape.

The outline gradually filled out—carved dragons and painted phoenixes, interlocking eaves and competing rafters. A palm-sized palace carving exuded a sense of majestic grandeur!

As if it were an immortal palace!

Finally, Li Fan carved two small characters onto the palace: "Li Tian."

It was made of Mystic Fire Wood. "Li" represented fire, and "Tian" represented height.

In the Fire Kingdom, this palace had a good omen, making it easier for Huo Ling'er and the others to sell.

After carving the characters, Li Fan gently blew a breath, clearing away the last of the wood dust.

To the onlookers, this scene was utterly shocking.

They clearly saw that the already extraordinary wooden palace, after Li Fan's breath, instantly radiated vast Dao Rhyme and was wreathed in immortal aura!

What Li Fan had blown... was a breath of immortal qi!!

A single breath of immortal qi had turned a supreme treasure of a wood carving into an unimaginable divine artifact!

Li Fan turned around and saw the expressions on everyone's faces. He felt a small surge of pride.

His wood carving skill was still decent.

He handed the carving to Huo Ling'er and said, "Here, take it."

Huo Ling'er was dumbfounded. Stunned, she said, "For... for me?"

Li Fan asked, puzzled, "You don't want it?"

Only then did Huo Ling'er snap out of it. Overwhelmed with gratitude, she said, "I want it, I want it... How could Ling'er be worthy of such effort from you, Senior!"

She received it with both hands.

At that moment, she clearly sensed that after Senior Li's work, all the demonic aura on the wood carving had vanished without a trace!

Moreover, the entire carved palace was dense with Dao Rhyme, accompanied by the rules of the immortal path.

She felt that with a single thought, she could attune herself to this palace and understand its many wondrous uses.

This was undoubtedly an invincible immortal treasure.

Enough to establish a Holy Land-level power!

"There are still some leftover scraps. Let me make you a little trinket as well."

Li Fan chuckled and used the remaining wood pieces, quickly shaping two Phoenix Hairpins.

"Here, one for each of you."

Li Fan handed them to Mu Qianning and Huo Ling'er.

The hairpins were exquisitely beautiful, shrouded in a hazy immortal aura, instantly filling both young maidens with joy and excitement.

"Thank you, Senior!"

"Thank you, Senior!"

The two were overjoyed, their hearts blooming with delight.

Yu Qishui and Wei Yushan watched this scene with immense relief.

This time, what Senior Li had bestowed was undoubtedly a supreme treasure that could accompany the two on their lifelong cultivation journey.

"Senior's kindness is so great, we hardly know how to repay it..."

Yu Qishui couldn't help but speak up.

Li Fan shook his head, however, and said, "No need for that. These are mere trifles. I've lived in this mountain village for a long time, and your arrival is a matter of fate." After a moment's thought, he added, "If you wouldn't mind sharing some extraordinary tales from the cultivation world with me, that would be fine too."

Though he was still a mortal for now, once he completed the system's tasks, he might yet have a chance to step onto the path of cultivation. While Yu Qishui and the others were among the poorest souls at the fringes of the cultivation world, their knowledge surely surpassed that of a mere mortal like himself. Hearing some insights in advance to build a foundation wouldn't hurt.

Hearing this, Yu Qishui and the others instantly grew solemn, understanding in their hearts!

Senior Li had finally given them a task!

Extraordinary tales!

What level of extraordinary tales could pique Senior Li's interest? At least something like the emergence of a Demon Venerable.

It seemed Senior Li was also paying attention to certain matters and wanted to understand the news of the entire Profound Heaven Realm.

And they were to be Senior Li's eyes and ears.

"We will go through fire and water for Senior Li!" Yu Qishui declared on the spot.

"Ling'er will give her all, even if it means grinding her bones to dust!" Huo Ling'er said deeply.

Li Fan winced inwardly. Were these people serious? All he'd asked was for them to chat with him when they had time... It was baffling.

"Alright, you may go. I need to head up the mountain to paint," Li Fan said. It was nearly sunset, and he planned to continue painting the evening scene.

The group respectfully withdrew.

Back at the Lihuo Sect.

"This is a supreme treasure!" Huo Ling'er took out the Wood Carving.

Yu Qishui and the others looked at it solemnly.

Huo Ling'er said, "The demonic aura is completely gone, and within it, the Great Dao resounds!" With a thought, the wooden carving suddenly echoed with the Great Dao, and in the next moment, the group felt a dizzying shift—they found themselves inside a vast palace!

Above the palace hung a plaque: "Li Tian"!

"We've... entered the palace Senior Li created?" The group was stunned.

"This object is practically a divine artifact. The Li Tian Divine Palace, once expanded and entered, becomes a Daoist ground for cultivation, doubling the speed of training!" Yu Qishui said gravely.

"Everyone, I believe Senior Li bestowed this upon us so that we can grow quickly and establish a force capable of doing something for him!" Huo Ling'er declared. "At the very least, it must be at the Holy Land level!"

The group nodded solemnly.

"The fire essence left by the Lihuo Supreme has been purified by Senior Li and remains within this hall. Let us cultivate together and break through swiftly!" Huo Ling'er said.

She harbored no selfishness. Though Li Fan had said the palace was for her, she understood it was meant for all of them to share.

She was merely its keeper.

The group nodded with determination.

Huo Ling'er's heart merged with the hall, and the cultivation power of the Lihuo Supreme hidden within surfaced completely, supplying the four of them to cultivate!

Within the great hall, the sound of the Great Dao thundered; a single day for them was worth a hundred years!

Time flew by.

Several days later, outside the Lihuo Sect.

"The Fire Emperor's Edict has arrived! Third Princess Huo Ling'er, come forth to receive the edict!"

A loud cry rang out, shaking the mountains!