To comprehend all laws and attain immortality

Chen Yunfan explained for a long time before finally clarifying the whole story.

The incident originated at Xuan Yin Mountain.

Xuan Yin Mountain spans the Wei and Wu kingdoms, with most of it located within the Wei kingdom's territory. There are also several small cultivation families nearby.

Generally speaking, such border areas are easily invaded by Wu Kingdom demonic cultivators. Even though the spiritual energy is relatively abundant, few families choose to settle here.

However, Xuan Yin Mountain is rich in resources and is the source of many Yin-attribute spiritual materials. For example, the Huaiyin Fruit that Gu Fan used to refine the Creation Spirit Essence came from here.

Because it spans two countries, Xuan Yin Mountain has effectively become a jurisdictional vacuum.

Many independent cultivators went there to search for treasures, and many families bought spiritual materials from these cultivators and then supplied them to the Lingxiao Sect in order to send their family disciples to join the sect. Over time, this led to the formation of a market.

The Xuan Yin Mountain Market is managed by these cultivation families.

Six years ago, a plague broke out in Blackwater City near Xuanyin Mountain. When the Lingxiao Sect disciples arrived, they found that the plague had already subsided and their mission was complete.

However, half a year ago, an outer disciple in the late stage of Qi Refining went to Xuan Yin Mountain and never returned.

The day before yesterday, a mortal visited Zixiao Temple with a jade ring as a token, saying that he was entrusted by someone on their deathbed to deliver a message to Lingxiao Temple.

Only then did the Lingxiao Sect realize that their disciple had died from his injuries!

The Lingxiao Sect has more than two thousand outer disciples. Whether they go out to hunt demons or take on sect missions, it is inevitable that they will die unexpectedly. However, according to the messenger, the disciple was ambushed and killed, and the murderer pointed to a certain immortal cultivation family at the foot of Xuanyin Mountain.

As the strongest cultivation sect in the Wei Kingdom, the fact that its disciples were ambushed and killed is undoubtedly a provocation and a slap in the face.

The true disciple immediately ordered an investigation to uncover the mastermind behind the crime and eliminate the perpetrators to serve as a warning to others.

Chen Yunfan was in charge of issuing sect missions. While retrieving relevant files from Xuan Yin Mountain, he discovered that the symptoms of the plague that occurred in Blackwater City seemed familiar, and he immediately recalled Gu Fan's entrustment.

Inside the Hall of Duty, Chen Yunfan picked up his teacup to moisten his mouth and asked, "How is it, Junior Brother, are you ready to accept?"

Gu Fan's eyelids drooped slightly. Wearing the white jade ring, he began to ponder inwardly.

Chen Yunfan didn't urge him, but just sipped his tea slowly.

After a long pause, Gu Fan raised his head and said in a deep voice, "I accept this task!"

Although the situation at Xuan Yin Mountain was complicated, it was not only close to the Wu Kingdom, but also had clues of a plague outbreak, so he naturally did not want to let it go.

However, figuring out how to find out the real culprit still requires careful consideration.

Although the Lingxiao Sect holds a dominant position in the Taoist community of Wei, it cannot act without restraint.

If we were to kill all the immortal cultivation families near Xuan Yin Mountain without distinguishing right from wrong, it would not only throw our own forces into disarray but also shake the morale of the people.

If these cultivation families were to defect to the Wu Kingdom as a result, things would become even more complicated.

Upon hearing Gu Fan's response, Chen Yunfan smiled slightly, took out a jade slip from his sleeve, placed it on the table, and introduced it, "This jade slip contains the dying words of that disciple who perished. Perhaps Junior Brother can find clues from it."

"Furthermore, if you, junior brother, can investigate and find out who the real culprit is, you can also send a letter to the sect for help."

"Thank you, Senior Brother." Gu Fan put away the jade slip, nodded slightly in thanks, and then got up and left.

......

Blackwater City is located in the easternmost part of the Wei Kingdom. Because it is located inland, it is much drier than Cloud Realm Mountain.

The mountains stretch endlessly, covered with lush, tall trees. Wild animals such as rabbits and foxes can be seen roaming among the trees from time to time, creating a vibrant and thriving scene.

Gu Fan flew to the outskirts of the city in his Sky-Breaking Shuttle, then disappeared into a grove of trees.

A moment later.

Gu Fan walked out of the woods, his Immortal Robe transforming into a blue scholar's robe, his cultivation level concealed. He waved a folding fan, his steps unhurried, like a wealthy young master going on an outing.

The gourd shrank to the size of a palm and hid inside its collar to sleep.

The city gate guards noticed that Gu Fan was dressed quite elegantly and had a rather handsome appearance, so they let him in without questioning him.

Gu Fan strolled around the city for a while, fanning himself, and looked up to see a wine flag fluttering in the wind. As he approached, he smelled the aroma of wine mixed with the fragrance of food and drink. It was an elegant and spacious restaurant.

The plaque bears the inscription "Weizhenlou".

The hall was bustling with noise, the aroma of wine and meat mingling with the shopkeeper's shouts and the laughter and curses of the customers, a lively and mundane atmosphere that wafted over.

The waiter, dressed in a brown short jacket, was quick-witted and nimble, putting down the rag he was holding and bowing to greet them.

"Please come in, young master!"

The waiter, with a familiar smile, said briskly, "You seem to be from out of town. The private rooms upstairs are quiet, and you can even see the street view from the window. What do you think?"

Gu Fan nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping around the lobby. The patrons were either clinking glasses or chatting quietly, creating a lively atmosphere.

"Lead the way!"

"Alright!" The waiter responded crisply, then turned and led Gu Fan up the stairs to a private room by the window on the second floor, where he introduced the shop's signboard.

Gu Fan shook his head and said, "No need for that. Just give me a pot of sake."

The waiter's smile froze; he hadn't expected such a lavishly dressed guest to be so stingy.

A moment later, the waiter brought a pot of sake and a sake cup and placed them on the table. His movements were still attentive, and he had a smile on his face.

"Sir, your wine is here. Please enjoy."

The waiter called out and turned to leave, but Gu Fan called out, "Wait!"

Gu Fan reached into his sleeve and pulled out a five-tael silver ingot, placing it in front of the waiter.

"I have some questions for you. After you've asked them, this silver is yours."

The waiter immediately beamed, cautiously reaching for the silver ingot before withdrawing his hand and nodding, "Young master, please ask whatever you wish; I guarantee I will answer everything I know."

Gu Fan nodded slightly and stared at the waiter, asking, "Six years ago, was there a plague in Blackwater City?"

The waiter's smile vanished at the mention of the plague. He nodded and replied in a low voice, "Young master is right. There was indeed a plague in the city six years ago."

"It's strange, really." The waiter's eyes lit up with recollection as he continued, "The plague spread from the east end of the city, and within a few days, about a hundred households were infected. All the doctors in the city have been examined, but none of them have any cure. Even one of the doctors has been infected."

"At that time, people in the city were in a state of panic, and everyone was thinking about running away."

"Who knew that in less than half a month, the plague disappeared as if it had never existed."

Gu Fan's fingers clenched involuntarily as he pressed on, "Do you know what the symptoms are in people who have contracted the disease?"

"I wouldn't know about that," the waiter shook his head. "Everyone's trying to avoid it, who would want to go forward?"

Gu Fan frowned slightly upon hearing this.

The waiter, adept at reading people, noticed Gu Fan's expression of fear that the silver ingot he had just received might slip away, and quickly said, "Although I don't know, if you are really curious, you can go to the east end of the city to ask."

"But... the eastern part of the city is full of poor families, and most of them didn't survive."

As the waiter was speaking, his eyes suddenly lit up when he noticed something not far downstairs. He pointed out the window and said, "Young master, there's one over there. Her whole family died in the plague, so she must know what it looks like to be infected."

Gu Fan looked in the direction the waiter was pointing and saw a skinny, sallow-faced girl standing in the corner.

The girl looked to be about thirteen or fourteen years old. Her tattered clothes were fairly clean, and she wore worn-out straw sandals to avoid touching passersby. She stood alone against the wall, as if waiting for something.

"What is she doing?" Gu Fan asked, puzzled.

The waiter chuckled and said, "Young master, you may not know this, but our manager is kind-hearted. If any customers leave any food uneaten, he will give it to the beggars in the city."

"This girl's whole family is gone. Her parents didn't leave her anything. Sometimes she comes here to beg for leftovers."

Gu Fan nodded slowly.

Just then, the girl seemed to realize that someone was watching her, and suddenly turned her head to look upstairs.

Gu Fan then noticed that although the girl's face looked haggard, her eyes were exceptionally bright.

The girl and Gu Fan locked eyes, but the next moment she looked away, glanced around warily, and turned to leave.

Gu Fan raised an eyebrow, picked up the sake, and drank it all in one gulp.

"That's none of your business, go on!"

The waiter happily pocketed the money and left.

Gu Fan calmly drank a few more cups before getting up and leaving. His divine sense could cover more than ten miles, and he had already locked onto the girl's figure, so he was no longer worried that she would run away.

Having spent so long cultivating in the sect, suddenly experiencing the joys and sorrows of human life brings a unique flavor to my experience.

"He's only been cultivating for a few decades. I wonder what those old monsters who have lived for thousands of years would think."

Gu Fan muttered to himself.

Chang Yuan transmitted his voice, saying, "What thoughts could you possibly have? When your cultivation reaches a higher level, you'll realize that the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth surpasses all delicacies, fine wines, and beautiful women."

"The greatest joy in the world is to comprehend the Great Dao; even a small part of it brings immense joy."

"If it could allow me to transcend tribulation and become an immortal, I would be willing to endure the torment of the Qian Yuan Soul-Slaying Array for another thousand years!"

Chang Yuan usually had a casual demeanor, but he spoke these few words with unusual seriousness.

"I've learned a lot!" Gu Fan cupped his hands in greeting.

......

The changes in Heishui City from west to east are very obvious.

The houses in the west of the city were spacious, the streets were bustling, and the shops were lined up one after another. But the houses in the east of the city were not only low and dilapidated, but also very crowded. The gutters in front of the doors emitted an unpleasant smell, and every household kept their doors tightly closed.

Six years have passed, and the wounds left by the plague have not yet fully healed.

The girl walked briskly and nimbly through the streets and alleys, glancing back every now and then.

Just as she was about to walk out of the alley, she suddenly noticed a figure in front of her, and when she looked up, her eyes met Gu Fan's.

The girl's eyes widened, and she flinched like a startled cat.

She didn't understand why this person was here.

Gu Fan gave a friendly smile and reassured her, "Don't be afraid, I mean no harm."

Gu Fan quickly realized the source of the girl's wariness after a moment's thought.

The whole family perished in the plague, and being all alone, they must have been bullied, perhaps even sold into brothels or forced into begging. It must have been incredibly difficult for them to survive until now.

The young woman forced a smile and whispered, "Does the young master have any orders?"

As soon as he finished speaking, a gurgling sound came from his stomach.

A blush slowly rose on the girl's sallow face.

"There are some things I'd like to ask you," Gu Fan said, pointing to the girl's stomach. "But... let's talk about it after you've eaten."

Let reading always be a chapter faster than others.