My Longevity Simulation Chapter 1076: Suddenly Returning to the Dream Realm
Previously on My Longevity Simulation...
"Junior Brother?"
"Why were you lost in thought for such a long time? Could it be you're daydreaming about those exciting spots I told you about before?"
"No need to fret. After we wrap things up, I'll make sure you get to enjoy them all: Red Dust Workshop, Drunken Immortal Tower, the works!"
Zhang Qianmo's words snapped Li Fan back from his reverie.
"Protecting the people of Ningyuan City from disaster..." Gazing at the rather carefree Zhang Qianmo in front of him, a faint ripple stirred in Li Fan's mind.
Li Fan held scant enthusiasm for ascending to the role of Xuanhuang Great Celestial Venerable.
Besides, in the present era governed by the new law, the might of the Xuanhuang Celestial Venerable had shrunk dramatically from its heyday. It was no longer able to dominate a whole world on its own.
Upon attaining the Xuanhuang Celestial Venerable position, a direct clash with the Xuanhuang Realm's two dominant forces would be unavoidable. This could even provoke the Immortal Ancestor to intervene in person.
Though he wasn't overly fearful, plunging into a battle against the Immortal Ancestor without grasping his actual power would prove foolish.
Furthermore, suppose one did manage to claim the Xuanhuang Great Celestial Venerable title in its full glory, strong enough to control an entire realm—what would follow?
Strength inevitably brought obligations. Assuming the Xuanhuang Celestial Venerable mantle would confine one like a prisoner, tying them more tightly to the Xuanhuang Realm than a typical Longevity Immortal Heavenly Sovereign, rendering escape all the more difficult.
Li Fan's ambitions extended far beyond the Longevity Immortal stage.
He craved escape from this Darkest Star Sea, walled off by High Walls, to attain genuine liberation and eternity.
Yet...
Such grand aspirations didn't stop him from testing the [Xuanhuang Heart] trial first, to confirm if it aligned with his suspicions.
Having relived the [Ningyuan Longevity Fruit] event countless times, Li Fan swiftly formulated a strategy once his aim sharpened.
"Senior Brother, while I was zoning out just now, it was like I slipped into a dream." He feigned a hazy expression and murmured deliberately.
"What?" Zhang Qianmo blinked in surprise.
"Senior Brother, have you already condensed a purple Golden Core in secret?" Li Fan sidestepped the question with another.
Zhang Qianmo's eyes narrowed fiercely at once: "How did you find out?"
A perilous vibe radiated from him right then, quietly targeting Li Fan.
Li Fan acted completely oblivious, displaying pure astonishment: "So the vision from my dream earlier is actually true?"
"Hm?" Zhang Qianmo's face hardened.
"Does Senior Brother recall someone called [Chu Liang]?" Li Fan promptly described the "dream" episode in full: their impending ambush by lowlifes in Ningyuan City.
"Now that you bring it up, yeah, I remember. There really was a guy like that..."
"He ended up in the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, scheming to pilfer the Purple Heaven Sect's hidden arts?" Violet sparks flickered in Zhang Qianmo's gaze, his murderous aura keen.
With that, he geared up to soar into the city and purge those lurking pests, slaying them outright.
"Senior Brother, hold on!" Li Fan swiftly blocked Zhang Qianmo.
"This is merely a glimpse from a dream, after all; we lack solid proof. If it's unfounded, wouldn't that put us in..."
Zhang Qianmo replied icily: "Just slaughter them and move on; so what? You think anyone would bother us for something so minor?"
Li Fan gave a wry smile: "Getting permission to descend the mountain for the longevity fruit mission was tough enough. Stirring up trouble might mean Master bars us from leaving the sect ever again. Caution is wiser."
At this, Zhang Qianmo's lethal intent eased a bit.
"Here's an idea: we transmit a message from beyond the city walls to summon Song Hesheng, that steward Song. We'll seize him straight away. Should he fight back and reveal cultivation beyond his level..."
Li Fan halted: "That would validate the dream's foresight. Armed with proof, we can alert the sect."
Zhang Qianmo pondered briefly and gave a small nod: "Junior Brother, you've planned this out well. We'll proceed like that."
So, the pair stealthily neared Ningyuan City and dispatched a distant signal.
Quite some time passed before Song Hesheng showed up at a leisurely pace.
"Salutations to the two young..."
As Song Hesheng bent in greeting, two streaks of Purple Heaven Divine Thunder crashed down upon him.
"How did they spot me?" Shock and rage surged through Song Hesheng. He reflexively unleashed his spiritual energy to fend off the strikes.
He meant to alert the spies inside the city to launch early, but then he sensed the area around him sealed tight. Despair gripped him.
"Even though I'm limited to Li Chen's own power, my mastery of formations has hit the transformation level."
"Erecting a simple array to ensnare a basic Golden Core practitioner is a breeze."
The array Li Fan deployed right now wasn't anything flashy. It stemmed from a minor tweak to the Purple Heaven Sect arrays recalled from this body's prior experiences.
Zhang Qianmo caught sight of his junior brother's move: "You sneaky kid, I was curious why you've been holing up in your quarters daily? Turns out you've been delving into formations by yourself?"
Surprise laced Zhang Qianmo's voice. He brandished his long halberd and engaged Song Hesheng in combat.
Though Song Hesheng held Golden Core cultivation, and Zhang Qianmo, holding back his Purple Core, wielded only Foundation Establishment might.
With the duo's joint assault, bolstered by the formation's aid.
Song Hesheng soon fell captive, alive and subdued.
Zhang Qianmo wasted no time, applying the Purple Heaven Soul-Searching Technique at once.
After some resistance, Song Hesheng slumped to the earth like a limp sack.
Zhang Qianmo's features twisted with deadly resolve: "Junior Brother, your dream vision nailed every tiny bit! This filthy traitor!"
He lifted his hand to end Song Hesheng, but Li Fan intervened.
"He's still an outer sect steward, remember. Better to haul him back for the sect to judge."
Zhang Qianmo shook his head: "Junior Brother, you're flawless in every way—except you're too soft-hearted. Alright, have it your way."
Li Fan just smiled without a word.
"A handful of Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance thugs remain in the city. I'll round them up now."
"Hold up!" Li Fan halted Zhang Qianmo again.
"What's the issue this time?" Zhang Qianmo sounded a tad exasperated.
"Senior Brother, what's your view on this Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance?" Li Fan inquired gravely.
"Just a bunch of riffraff, no real threat!" Zhang Qianmo boasted confidently.
"Is that truly so?" Li Fan fixed Zhang Qianmo with a piercing look and pressed.
"Er..." Facing Li Fan's solemn demeanor, Zhang Qianmo faltered.
Then he revised: "Fine. This new law is downright odd. A talentless sort like Song Hesheng jumping from Foundation Establishment to Golden Core in mere years? If we don't treat it with gravity, it might spell huge trouble."
"Spot on. That's my thinking too. The orthodox immortal sects appear to dismiss this Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance lightly. Why not seize this moment..."
Li Fan sent a private voice transmission.
Zhang Qianmo's look altered: "You suggest drawing the serpent from its lair?"
Li Fan affirmed with a nod: "Precisely. Leverage this to call forth every Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance cultivator lurking near Purple Heaven Sect lands, then eradicate them all at once!"