Now Jiao Xiuyuan was genuinely curious. Information meant opportunity, a potential breakthrough. He exerted great effort conducting infiltration and subversion.

The costs were immense, and yet not a single cultivator was willing to divulge a word. They even hinted obliquely that the matter was of immense importance, unlike anything before. If word got out, they feared they might not live long enough to see their reward.

Seeing it was hopeless, Jiao Xiuyuan, though unwilling, had no choice but to let it go. With nothing to show, there was naturally no need to report to Li Fan.

Just as he was about to let the whole matter fade from memory, circumstances changed.

It was not long after the great battle in Tianling Province concluded. A cultivator...