As Zhang Fan entered seclusion, Qin Yun once again arrived at the Boundless Dynasty. After some thought, Qin Yun decided to first visit Immortal Han Fei, a figure who had cultivated the rules of the Ice Dao to perfection and reached the mid-stage of the Spirit Refining realm. His strength was comparable to Immortal Kuangwu.
Immortal Han Fei was a rather gaunt young man with a tall stature and sharp facial features. His eyes were like a deep, cold pool, appearing deathly still and icy, capable of freezing one's primordial spirit with a single glance.
Upon seeing Qin Yun's visit, Immortal Han Fei was quite surprised. Although they both belonged to the Boundless Dynasty and were fellow disciples, Qin Yun had no dealings with him and rarely interacted.
However, despite Qin Yun's comparatively weaker cultivation, his talent was extraordinary. He had broken through to the Nascent Soul stage in just a century of cultivation. Such a person, barring unforeseen circumstances, had a high chance of breaking through to the Spirit Refining realm. Thus, despite his cold disposition, Immortal Han Fei did not turn him away.
"Junior Brother Qin Yun, I heard that Junior Brother Yu Jian perished not long ago. You also visited Senior Brother Kuangwu. Were you seeking revenge for Junior Brother Yu Jian?" Immortal Han Fei asked with a chuckle, seemingly unfazed by the demise of Immortal Yu Jian.
And indeed, this was the reality. The Boundless Star Domain was, after all, an intermediate star domain. It housed at least a thousand cultivators in the Primordial Spirit realm, with over seventy percent joining the Boundless Dynasty. The death of a single Primordial Spirit realm cultivator would not cause significant ripples. Apart from those closely acquainted with the deceased, many cultivators would not bother to inquire.
"Senior Brother Kuangwu has also perished," Qin Yun said softly, his expression somber and his eyes filled with a sense of defeat.
"Perished?" A flicker of surprise crossed Immortal Han Fei's eyes, which resembled a deep, cold pool. Immortal Kuangwu was renowned for his mastery of body refinement, possessing an exceptionally powerful physique, placing him among the top mid-stage Spirit Refining realm cultivators.
"Did a peak Spirit Refining realm expert make the move?" Immortal Han Fei inquired.
To kill Immortal Kuangwu, a cultivator would need to possess at least peak Spirit Refining realm strength. In the surrounding intermediate star domains, there were not many such experts. He was curious as to whom Immortal Kuangwu had provoked.
"It was not a peak Spirit Refining realm expert. Senior Brother Kuangwu perished at the hands of a junior who had just entered the Spirit Refining realm," Qin Yun stated.
"Impossible," Immortal Han Fei shook his head slightly. He gazed intently into Qin Yun's eyes and said, "No matter how monstrous one's talent, a cultivator at the nascent Spirit Refining realm might be able to defeat Senior Brother Kuangwu, but could never kill him."
Qin Yun heartily agreed with Immortal Han Fei's words. He believed that with his own strength, Zhang Fan could indeed not have suppressed Immortal Kuangwu.
"Senior Brother Han Fei speaks the truth," Qin Yun nodded, then added, "But what if the opponent possessed an extremely powerful Grand Dao Secret Treasure?"
"What?" Immortal Han Fei, usually known for his composure, could no longer maintain his facade. Ripples of emotion surfaced in his deep-set eyes. When faced with a Grand Dao Secret Treasure, even he could not remain entirely calm.
"What exactly happened? Tell me in detail," Immortal Han Fei asked, his interest piqued.
Qin Yun, already familiar with this process, recounted the entire affair from beginning to end. Upon hearing that Zhang Fan had perfected the Sword Dao rules while still in the Nascent Soul stage, Immortal Han Fei was equally shocked.
"Senior Brother Kuangwu was too rash. Someone who can cultivate Dao rules to perfection while in the Nascent Soul stage is an extremely rare existence even in the Myriad Domains Starry Sky. Moreover, possessing such a terrifying Grand Dao Secret Treasure at the Nascent Soul stage, wouldn't they have powerful backing?" Immortal Han Fei shook his head and said.
"Facing a Grand Dao Secret Treasure, how many could remain absolutely calm?" Qin Yun replied with a shake of his head. "I also advised Senior Brother Kuangwu to join forces with several other Spirit Refining realm experts, but he was too confident and rejected my proposal. He dragged me along to the Shattered Star Domain, and the tragedy ensued."
Immortal Han Fei greatly agreed with Qin Yun's words. Without Immortal Kuangwu's cautionary tale, he might have been willing to take the risk upon hearing this news. After all, a Grand Dao Secret Treasure was enough to fill his future with infinite possibilities.
"You came to see me not just to deliver this news, did you?" Immortal Han Fei looked up at Qin Yun and asked.
"I dare not deceive Senior Brother Han Fei. Zhang Fan and my Giant Spirit Hall have a deep enmity. I wish for his death. By bringing you this news, I hope you can join forces with a group of Spirit Refining realm experts to seize the Grand Dao Secret Treasure and kill Zhang Fan, avenging Senior Brother Kuangwu."
Upon hearing this, Immortal Han Fei let out a cold laugh and shook his head, saying, "You may leave."
While the Grand Dao Secret Treasure was enticing, with the example of Immortal Kuangwu before him, how could he be used as a pawn by Qin Yun?
Furthermore, someone who could possess such a Grand Dao Secret Treasure must have an extraordinary background. He felt it would be best not to get involved in this mess.
Qin Yun had considered this before coming. He hadn't expected Immortal Han Fei to refuse so readily, even showing him the door. It seemed they were all the sort who wouldn't act without a reward.
He feigned deep sorrow and said, "I understand Senior Brother Han Fei's position. Could you perhaps help contact Senior Brother Zi Yue? I am willing to offer a Celestial Treasure as a reward."
"Oh?" A flicker of unusual interest crossed Immortal Han Fei's eyes. He hadn't expected such a pleasant surprise. Simply helping to make a contact could yield a Celestial Treasure.
For him, although he was not short of Celestial Treasures, obtaining one so easily was still a cause for joy.
"Senior Brother Zi Yue is currently at a critical juncture in his cultivation, preparing to break through to the Transcending Spirit realm. I can help contact him, but I cannot guarantee whether Senior Brother Zi Yue will act," Immortal Han Fei said.
"Naturally," Qin Yun quickly replied. "As long as Senior Brother Han Fei is willing to help, Junior Brother will be eternally grateful."
After speaking, Qin Yun produced a storage artifact and handed it to Immortal Han Fei. It contained a Celestial Treasure that Qin Yun had prepared long ago. Immortal Han Fei easily refined the storage artifact and, after a brief scan of its internal space, a smile spread across his face.
"Leave this matter to me. Within ten days, I will ensure you meet Senior Brother Zi Yue," Immortal Han Fei declared.
Qin Yun nodded with a smile, but inwardly cursed Immortal Han Fei countless times. This news was of immense value to anyone. Qin Yun believed that if this information were to spread, without his guidance, peak Spirit Refining realm or even Transcending Spirit realm experts would surely act.
However, he couldn't wait. Spreading the news would take time. If Zhang Fan completely refined Immortal Kuangwu, he would likely move against their Giant Spirit Hall soon. With Zhang Fan's current strength, how could the Giant Spirit Hall possibly resist?
...