Ding Fan suddenly rembered that during his ti at Mount Lu, Luo Li and Xiao Wei had ntioned that the Shi Family from Huangshan might co to offer assistance. Judging by the current tiline, it was possible that the Shi Family mbers had arrived.
Ding Fan decided to personally go out and take a look.
With Ghost Sect gaining montum, establishing broad connections with other internal sect forces was the most urgent task for the Spirit Sect.
Without hesitation, Ding Fan exited the mountain gate.
Outside Spirit Sect's mountain gate, the area had been reduced to scorched earth due to the earlier deadly battle with Ghost Sect.
Ding Fan extended his Divine Sense, and within a radius of ten-plus kiloters, he detected a group of people resting on a plain.
Through his investigation, Ding Fan quickly identified Luo Li and Xiao Wei among the group, confirming that they were mbers of the Huangshan Shi Family.
Without delay, Ding Fan shifted his figure and darted toward them at lightning speed.
When Ding Fan reached the resting place of the Shi Family, he imdiately noticed a baffling aura of death.
The aura of death made Ding Fan furrow his brows—it was unmistakably the sinister signature of Ghost Sect. But why was this aura mingling among the Shi Family mbers?
Ding Fan refrained from revealing himself rashly and chose to conceal himself nearby.
Though revealing himself was inevitable, Ding Fan wanted to understand the visitors' intentions first.
The Shi Family mbers were sitting on the plain to rest and regroup. Ding Fan observed briefly and noted that over twenty people had co this ti.
Among the twenty-plus individuals, seven possessed Heavenly Level cultivation, including one at the Peak Heavenly Level.
While this lineup would be considered quite formidable for external Hidden Sects, within internal Hidden Sects, it was far from enough. Against major sects like Spirit Sect and Ghost Sect, they were insignificant.
With his powerful Divine Sense, Ding Fan quickly pinpointed the source of the ominous aura.
The aura was emanating from behind a massive boulder.
Ding Fan employed his movent technique to stealthily approach the area.
Behind the boulder, two elders were engaged in a hushed conversation.
Surrounding them was a small trigger Formation designed to alert them if intruded upon.
A young man stood nearby, keeping watch for them.
Such petty asures were hardly enough to faze Ding Fan. If a re trigger Formation could obstruct him, then a cultivator at the Late Golden Core Stage like Ding Fan might as well buy a tofu and bash his head to death.
"Mr. Gui Li, what should I do now?" asked the bald elder earnestly, his expression sincere as he sought advice from the young man before him.
The young man appeared scarcely over twenty years old.
However, Ding Fan was certain this was just an illusion—the so-called Gui Li was using a Magic Artifact to alter his facial features.
Gui Li let out a sinister chuckle. "Shi Zhongxin, we in Ghost Sect have already promised to protect you. All you need to do is lead into Spirit Sect's mountain gate. From there onward, the rest is not your concern."
Shi Zhongxin hesitated briefly. "But…"
Gui Li's brows furrowed slightly. "What do you an 'but?' Your task is simple—help us seal off Spirit Sect's passage to the Mortal Realm, and in return, we will wipe out your mortal enemies, the Qe Family, for you. Master Shi, you're not planning to go back on your word, are you?"
Shi Zhongxin quickly waved his hand. "Of course not! I absolutely stand with Ghost Sect… It's just, Mr. Gui Li, you're aware that our Huangshan Shi Family is rely a minor internal Hidden Sects clan. If Spirit Sect's passage is reopened, our entire family could be wiped out; Spirit Sect will surely obliterate us!"
Gui Li chuckled. "Is that what you're worried about? Let put your mind at ease. Seal off the passage, and they will never re-enter. You've heard about the Immortal Sect, haven't you? Our people in Ghost Sect have permanently sealed them in a separate realm."
Gui Li glanced at Shi Zhongxin. "If you now wish to back out, I have nothing more to say. I imagine the Qe Family of Huangshan has already conceived plans to annihilate your Shi Family, wouldn't you agree?"
Shi Zhongxin trembled uncontrollably upon hearing these words.
If the Qe Family colluded with Ghost Sect, the Shi Family would truly face extinction.
"Mr. Gui Li, you're joking… Our Shi Family stands unquestionably on Ghost Sect's side."
Gui Li smiled slightly. "Very well. All that remains is to leverage Spirit Sect's trust in you. Guide into Spirit Sect's mountain gate, and the rest will fall into place."
Faced with no alternatives, Shi Zhongxin nodded solemnly. "Alright…"
…
Ding Fan had heard every word exchanged between Gui Li and Shi Zhongxin.
Thanks to his tily detection of Gui Li's sinister presence, he avoided letting this group gain entry, which would have dealt a devastating blow to Spirit Sect.
The situation now was clear to Ding Fan.
The Shi Family patriarch intended to exploit Luo Li, Xiao Wei, and their association with him to sneak Ghost Sect operatives into Spirit Sect's mountain gate.
Ding Fan's expression turned grim.
Previously when Spirit Sect clashed with the Shi Family, Ding Fan had reconciled matters out of respect for Luo Li. Yet here was the Shi Family—unrepentant and siding with Ghost Sect.
Did Ghost Sect kill and destroy entire clans? Did Spirit Sect not?
In Ding Fan's view, the best course of action would be to make his presence known and slay the Shi Family patriarch, Shi Zhongxin, then and there.
However, Ding Fan ultimately decided against imdiate action.
The earlier conversation had clarified Ghost Sect's intentions—Gui Li's goal was to quietly seal off Spirit Sect's passage.
Ding Fan was unsure of their thods for sealing space passages, and capturing Gui Li alive could provide valuable insight.
After weighing his options, Ding Fan realized it was not the right ti to make a move.
Summoning Duorou, Ding Fan disguised himself as another individual.
Duorou's Facial Transformation Technique was exceedingly effective—not only altering a person's appearance and voice but even changing their aura substantially.
With his preparations complete, Ding Fan dismissed all concerns about recognition. He found a suitable hiding spot and began ditating to restore his energy. Now, he rely needed to wait for the Shi Family's approach…
Ding Fan strategically positioned himself in a location that served as the necessary passage into Spirit Sect's mountain gate.
The Shi Family mbers appeared to be searching for the mountain gate, but it was clearly just pretentious pretense. Ghost Sect had recently battled Spirit Sect, and Ding Fan seriously doubted Gui Li didn't already know the way…
After about half an hour, the Shi Family mbers arrived at the designated path.
"Hold it right there—Spirit Sect's restricted area!" When the group approached, Ding Fan stepped forward decisively.
"Are you from Spirit Sect?" Luo Li quickly ran forward to inquire.
Ding Fan nodded. "Indeed, I am a disciple of Spirit Sect. Who are you?"
Luo Li promptly responded. "We… We're mbers of the Huangshan Shi Family. Your Sect Master Ding knows about our arrival; we're here to assist in the fight against Ghost Sect…"
From Luo Li's deanor, Ding Fan could tell that she was unaware of the conspiracy between Shi Zhongxin and Gui Li.
"Ghost Sect operatives have been repelled by our Sect Master; thank you for your kind intentions," Ding Fan replied politely, clasping his hands in courtesy.
"May we et your Sect Master? We've traveled a long way to offer aid, and it's only appropriate to see them, isn't it?" Shi Zhongxin stepped forward.
Ding Fan considered montarily. "I don't have the authority for that. Allow to use a Magic Artifact to report your arrival instead."
Shi Zhongxin nodded in agreent.
With that, the Shi Family mbers all scattered to rest.
"Luo Li, you sure are lucky—gone for one mission and managed to connect with Spirit Sect's Sect Master. Let's hope their Sect Master isn't over a hundred years old…"
As everyone waited for a reply, a young woman, roughly twenty years old, sneered at Luo Li mockingly.
Though the woman wasn't breathtakingly beautiful, she was decent-looking.
Embarrassed, Luo Li blushed. "Shi Min, stop talking nonsense. Sect Master Ding rely helped us out a few tis."
"Really? That's too bad. I doubt Spirit Sect's Sect Master would be interested in you anyway…" Shi Min shot back, tugging a young man before her.
The young man was none other than Gui Li, whose disguised countenance was previously concealed by a facial mask.
"Li Quan, after we complete this mission, make sure your father organizes our wedding properly…"
Gui Li's lips curled into an arrogant smirk. "Don't worry—when the ti cos, Spirit Sect's disciples won't just attend; even their Sect Master will crawl over to pay respects to my father."
Shi Min burst into laughter. "Li Quan, you're so good to …"
Shi Min turned to Luo Li. "Seems like you're not as fortunate as I am, marrying into a sect heir's family. Tsk tsk…"
Luo Li remained silent, attempting to ignore Shi Min's comnts and focusing instead on anxiously awaiting Spirit Sect's response.
As for Ding Fan, he could only roll his eyes internally. If Shi Min learned that her so-called "beloved" Li Quan was already over a hundred years old, her reaction might be quite amusing.
Gui Li's Peak Heavenly Level cultivation suggested his real age was easily over 150. By this point, he was old enough to be Shi Min's great-great-grandfather.
After a while, Ding Fan pretended to have received a ssage.
"Everyone, Sect Master invites you inside," said Ding Fan, gesturing for them to proceed.
The Shi Family mbers swiftly stood. Shi Zhongxin exchanged a quick glance with Gui Li before advancing toward Ding Fan.
"Lead the way," Shi Zhongxin instructed.
Ding Fan nodded. "Follow closely."
With his figure flickering, he darted swiftly into the deeper reaches of the mountain.
The Shi Family mbers hurriedly followed suit, fearing they might fall behind.
It wasn't long before they arrived outside Spirit Sect's mountain gate.
The area, ravaged by the earlier battle between Spirit Sect and Ghost Sect, was still a grim wasteland of destruction. rely looking at the surrounding ruins hinted at the sheer brutality of the combat.
Looking at the devastation, Luo Li frowned deeply.
"How is your Sect Master? Was he injured… Is he alright?" she asked concernedly.
Ding Fan answered indifferently, "He's fine."
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