When Taishang Laojun mentioned Patriarch Hongyun, everyone present was immediately shaken. It was Patriarch Hongyun who had meticulously planned everything that led to Patriarch Hongjun's demise at Lu Fan's hands. Although that old fellow never displayed his true strength, his schemes over the countless years had struck fear into everyone's hearts.
Even the Jade Emperor and the Tathagata were moved, believing half of what was said. But where could Patriarch Hongyun be found? No one in the world knew his whereabouts.
All those present were powerful beings, none lacking in divination skills, though their strengths varied. Yet, even after repeatedly calculating, none could determine Patriarch Hongyun's location, nor Lu Fan's.
After several days with no results, the mighty beings reluctantly dispersed. Though unwilling, they were helpless. They could spew threats, but no one was truly willing to act—Taishang Laojun was not someone to be trifled with lightly.
Seeing everyone leave, Taishang Laojun smiled faintly and approached the alchemy furnace. He gazed at the raging flames within, saying, "Boy! Though only a few days have passed, I presume you've long since turned to ash! Wait a few more days, and once you've completely merged with the pill, you shall transform into this small world.
Then, when I refine this pill, this small world will belong to me, and the Heavenly Dao will be mine as well! Hahaha! By then, all these so-called mighty beings will be nothing more than puppets, at my mercy!"
Taishang Laojun grew increasingly delighted with his thoughts. After a hearty laugh, he flicked his finger, sending a stream of flame that made the furnace's inferno even more ferocious.
Inside the alchemy furnace, Lu Fan's figure was no longer visible. Not even a speck of bone or ash remained. The pill, however, lay peacefully in the center of the flames, its original vermilion hue deepening to a dark red, even tinged with a hint of blackish-red luminescence.
Within the pill, a small world existed, complete with mountains and water, a picturesque landscape.
Lu Fan stood in astonishment within this nascent world. He had pursued the pill too fiercely and inadvertently stumbled into its inner realm. It turned out the ninth palace was not within the furnace but inside the pill itself. He couldn't help but admire Laojun's methods.
As the small world had just begun to form, it was devoid of humans and all manner of life. Lu Fan was the first breathing entity in this world.
"Alas! How wonderful it would be if I could bring my parents, wife, and son to live in this world, free from strife and disturbance, in peace and tranquility!" Lu Fan sighed softly.
However, upon further reflection, he realized that once humans populated this world, diverse thoughts would emerge, inevitably leading to conflict. Thus, it was best to enjoy the few days of peace he had. He resolved to cherish this rare period of tranquility and focus on his cultivation!
With this thought, Lu Fan took out the Purple Spirit Liquid and gulped down several large mouthfuls. He then sat cross-legged atop a mountain peak, commencing his practice of the Dragon Elephant Breathing Method.
Hoo... Hoo... Streams of energy erupted, creating gusts of wind that howled through the air...
After an unknown period, a small boat suddenly appeared on the distant river. Two women were aboard, clad in garments made of leaves, appearing like savages yet not quite. As they rowed, they gazed towards the mountain peak.
"Sister! Look, is that a celestial being residing atop that mountain peak?"
"Sister! See the ceaseless gale on that peak; it must be quite perilous. We should not venture there."
The sisters on the boat conversed as they rowed.
On the mountain peak, Lu Fan's eyes snapped open. Humans had appeared in this small world? This was too rapid! Could this be Laojun's creation technique?
Whoosh...! Lu Fan descended from the mountain peak, landing on the boat like a great bird.
"Ah..."
"Ah..."
The two women on the boat cried out in alarm. They were so startled they sat frozen on the wooden boat, too afraid to move.
"Ru Yan? Yuan Feng? How are you two here?" Lu Fan was stunned. These two women bore an uncanny resemblance to Liu Ru Yan and Yuan Feng.
"Who... who are you? Are you a celestial being?" The elder sister suddenly asked, staring blankly at Lu Fan.
"Me...? I suppose I am a celestial being. Are you looking for me?" Lu Fan quickly regained his composure. How could Liu Ru Yan and Yuan Feng possibly be in this small world? These must be humans created by Taishang Laojun for this world. This old fellow must have seen the unparalleled beauty of Liu Ru Yan and Yuan Feng and used their likeness to create humans.
"Are you truly a celestial being? We... we..." Liu Ru Yan and Yuan Feng suddenly became shy and hesitant, their faces flushing crimson, their breaths quickening, causing their chests to heave.
"Hmph! That Laojun fellow... Alright, I shall fulfill your wish!" Lu Fan, seeing the state of Liu Ru Yan and Yuan Feng, felt a surge of heat. Those few leaves offered no real concealment, after all.
With a reach, he drew the two women into his embrace and soared towards the mountain peak.
Outside the alchemy furnace, Taishang Laojun was meticulously sketching a handsome, suave, and dashing young man. The likeness of this young man was identical to Taishang Laojun himself.
"Go forth! This is my world. Everything within it belongs to me," Taishang Laojun declared as he tossed the handsome young man into the alchemy furnace.
Whoosh... The handsome young man instantly vanished into the pill.
Whoosh... By the riverbank within the small world, a suave, handsome, and dashing young man suddenly appeared. He held a folding fan in his hand, surveyed his surroundings with a smug expression.
"Sister Wa! Sister Feng! Where are you hiding? Your brother has arrived! Come out quickly, let's create some little ones together! Hahaha... Pfft..."
As soon as the handsome young man finished speaking, he was so shocked by the scene before him that he nearly spat blood. Not far away, by the riverbank, two incredibly beautiful women were washing clothes. And beside them, two children were playing merrily.
"Who? Who the hell stole my mission?" the handsome young man roared.
"Hey! Who are you?" a voice suddenly called out.
The handsome young man looked up abruptly. He saw a figure descending from the mountain peak, looking at him with hostility.
The newcomer was, of course, Lu Fan!
"Boy! I haven't even asked who you are! How did you get in here? You're stealing my job!" the handsome young man roared back at Lu Fan, his face contorted with anger.
"Oh! You shameless old fellow, you've actually made him look quite a bit like yourself. Hmph!" Upon seeing the handsome young man's appearance, Lu Fan immediately understood. Laojun, it seemed, had not been idle all these years!