Chapter 254: Ruoshui and Zhenghao

Li Fan's thoughts turned rapidly, and he instantly understood the origin of the "extreme danger" in He Xinxin's calculation.

It was the same as the flaw revealed by the previous clone when facing the Heavenly Doctor.

In this world, if the events predicted by He Xinxin didn't occur, according to Li Fan's original plan, he would still be heading to Yuandao Province.

In the 29th year, it would likely devour the time of the Yuandao Province again.

However, on Li Fan, there already exists traces of his time being stolen. But it can be sure that it did not steal Li Fan's time before.

This unknown terrifying existence could surely think of the most likely reason for this to occur.

Facing the Heavenly Doctor, Li Fan could still activate [Truth].

But facing this monster that could devour others' time, Li Fan wouldn't even have the chance to silently activate [Truth].

The reason why it was extreme danger and not certain death was perhaps because the only chance lies in the proactive protection of [Truth], which can awaken Li Fan's consciousness and resist for a moment, allowing him to activate [Truth].

At this point, Li Fan has a basic guess about the "missing ten years."

In Li Fan's view, this may also be the closest guess to the truth.

As for other possibilities...

If it was just the inability to perceive the stolen ten years in one lifetime, and he realized immediately after reviewing the events of the previous life after [Truth].

Then Li Fan would suspect whether it was the Blue Feather Immortal Sage's Devouring Rebirth Formation that caused the issue.

However, it could affect [Truth], making Li Fan unable to perceive it at all.

Until being reminded by someone, and after searching for a long time...

It's not that Li Fan looks down on Blue Feather, but with his quasi-Dao Integration strength, he may not be qualified.

"This world is full of wonders and dangers..."

"A slight mistake, one wrong move, and it's over."

"It's because I have [Truth] that in front of the top powers in this realm, it's even more dangerous for me."

...

"The only good news is that its influence seems to be limited to Yuandao Province. And it doesn't proactively attack, it only steals time."

"In the tenth life, when I first entered the immortal cultivation world, I transformed into the Cong Yun Sea and lived until the 48th year."

"There was no occurrence of time theft."

"It seems that I can't go to Yuandao Province in the future."

"Also, I need to find a way to clear its influence on me."

"Otherwise, it's like a ticking time bomb, a future hazard."

People are like this.

When facing the unknown, the heart trembles and one cannot control oneself.

But once the danger is even slightly understood, the fear will naturally diminish.

And as understanding deepens, the fear will gradually dissipate.

Although Li Fan currently doesn't know what it is, he might as well regard it as a top powerhouse residing in Yuandao Province that was capable of devouring the time of living beings.

Can't afford to provoke it, so just avoid it.

At the very least, from the current situation, [Truth] should be more powerful than it.

As long as he doesn't run into it again, there shouldn't be a big problem.

"It's also because I, Li Fan, was not destined to die. Before going to Yuandao Province, I encountered He Xinxin and resolved the disaster."

"Speaking of which, fellow Daoist He is truly my lucky star. If it weren't for the sudden failure of the Formless Killing Intent on him, I wouldn't have impulsively come to Liuli Island to investigate."

Thinking of this, Li Fan showed a rare gentle smile.

Seeing this, He Zhenghao's heart suddenly tightened, and he quickly asked, "Fellow Daoist Li Fan, are you okay?"

Li Fan patted his shoulder, "It's okay, it's just a small matter. Thanks to fellow Daoist's assistance, I've already figured out a way to resolve it."

"Speaking of which, I really have to thank Xinxin. If it weren't for her reminder, I really don't know what would have happened!"

He Xinxin was praised, blushing immediately, looking a bit embarrassed.

He Zhenghao, on the other hand, laughed heartily, very happy.

"Xinxin, how long do you plan to stay here?" Li Fan knew that He Xinxin must have sneaked out and couldn't stay with He Zhenghao all the time, so he asked.

"Whenever my mother finds out, I'll go back..." He Xinxin said halfway, then realized something.

Sticking out her tongue, she looked at the somewhat awkward He Zhenghao, lowered her head, and said no more.

He Zhenghao pushed her aside and began telling Li Fan about his relationship with He Xinxin's mother.

It was a third-rate love story at best.

He Xinxin's mother was named Heng Ruoshui.

She hailed from Tianyu Province.

In her youth, she traveled outside secretly without her parents' knowledge and met He Zhenghao.

At that time, He Zhenghao was quite handsome.

Heng Ruoshui had very little contact with other males.

Being together day and night, they naturally developed feelings for each other.

Just when the couple was deeply in love, Heng Ruoshui's parents suddenly appeared.

After carefully observing He Zhenghao, they didn't immediately oppose the relationship.

Instead, they brought the two back to Tianyu Province.

In the following period, numerous young talents continuously appeared, pursuing Heng Ruoshui.

In terms of appearance, each of them had sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes, handsome and extraordinary.

In terms of cultivation, they were mostly in the Golden Core and Nascent Soul realms. Foundation Establishment cultivators couldn't even get close to Heng Ruoshui.

At that time, He Zhenghao was only in the late Qi Condensation stage.

In front of cultivators two major realms higher than himself, he didn't even dare to breathe.

Heng Ruoshui still had some feelings for He Zhenghao.

Facing these cultivators much more outstanding than He Zhenghao, she didn't have any romantic interest.

But she couldn't stand He Zhenghao's pitiful appearance and criticized him verbally.

At that time, young and impulsive, He Zhenghao, fueled by pride, had a big argument with Heng Ruoshui.

He even made arrogant remarks about achieving Nascent Soul cultivation and making a name for himself.

This was to impress Heng Ruoshi.

Soon after, he ran away.

Young He Zhenghao, in the following years, experienced a series of hardships in life.

After great efforts and hardships, he finally cultivated to the Foundation Establishment stage.

He participated in the once-in-ten-year assessment of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, preparing to join the Law Enforcement Hall and become a Law Enforcer.

Who would have thought that after the assessment results came out, he did pass.

But the position was not a Law Enforcer, but a Guardian position.

What's even more absurd was that the stationed area was not Tianyu Province but a remote and previously unheard-of place called the Cong Yun Sea.

Originally, He Zhenghao wanted to refuse, but the appointment order had already been issued at lightning speed.

With the order in hand, He Zhenghao didn't dare to defy the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance's command.

Even if he knew there were many tricks behind this, and it must be Heng Ruoshui's parents' secret manipulations.

But he could only reluctantly go to take up his post in Cong Yun Sea.

This stay lasted for decades.

Both his love life and career were in decline, and He Zhenghao lost all his ambitions.

His cultivation stagnated, and he was stuck at mid stage Foundation Establishment.

On the contrary, he became engrossed in formations and made quite a name for himself in the field, making many friends.

However, the mistake was made.

During a casual conversation with a friend, He Zhenghao accidentally found out that Heng Ruoshui was actually pregnant.

However, knowing that her parents would strongly oppose the birth, she used a secret technique to temporarily halt the fetus's growth.

From then on, she secluded herself, diligently cultivating.

Until eventually, more than a decade ago, she became a Nascent Soul Master Pathweaver, gaining enough influence in front of her parents.

Only then did she reveal the truth, give birth to the child, and name her He Xinxin.

This matter caused quite a stir in Tianyu Province and spread widely.

People at that time regarded Heng Ruoshui as an extraordinary woman.

Many cultivators were not bothered by her having a child and vigorously pursued her.

Yet, she rejected them all without exception.

In the faraway Cong Yun Sea, when He Zhenghao heard about this, he felt like he was struck by lightning.

Tears streamed down his face, and he regretted his past but had no way to change it.

He didn't have the face and courage to meet Heng Ruoshui again.

Until He Xinxin sensed her biological father's life-threatening crisis and came to this remote Cong Yun Sea...

After He Zhenghao's narration, tears shimmered in his eyes, and he exhaled deep sighs.

After hearing the story, Li Fan couldn't help but silently curse, "He Zhenghao, what kind of man are you!"

But he patted He Zhenghao on the shoulder and made a bold promise, "Fellow Daoist He, rest assured, one day, I'll make sure you return to glory in Tianyu Province and make up for everything!"

"A hundred years may be an eternity for ordinary people, and regrets may seem irreparable."

"But for cultivators like us, it's not something that cannot be undone!"