Chapter 1780: 1444

Chapter 1780: Chapter 1444

In just the blink of an eye, everyone was brought back to the Central Star Sea.

They were taken separately into pitch-black compartments for a second round of questioning.

Since they were indeed uninformed new recruits, the organization didn’t make things too difficult for them. After a few routine inquiries, it ended.

However, there was no intention to let them leave. They were arranged to stay in countless pitch-black compartments that resembled a death row.

Although everyone’s movement was unrestricted, it was limited to this area.

They couldn’t leave.

The endless darkness gradually consumed everyone’s mind.

Initially, the new Immortal Hunts held hope, thinking the imprisonment would end soon.

But as days passed by, it seemed as though the organization had entirely forgotten about them. After placing them here, there was no further news.

Slowly, everyone’s mentality underwent different changes.

“I understand. Hunting True Immortals, the disappearance of the Mystic Coffin, these are still part of the Immortal Hunt assessment. We are still undergoing evaluation! I must pull myself together, not fall into despair!”

“To think I had such a promising future, yet encountered such an event. This life might be considered wasted.”

“With the Mystic Coffin having disappeared along with two True Immortals, such a significant matter must be someone’s responsibility. Could it be, we’re being made scapegoats?”

…

Most people were in a state of constant anxiety, unable to find peace.

Under such circumstances, those who could remain calm were the true prodigies.

Li Fan sensed the three strands of sword intent that continuously persisted next door, nodding slightly.

“Since Jin Changyue was imprisoned here, he has constantly been nurturing this sword intent. Wrongly imprisoned and bearing an injustice, malice naturally arose in his heart. Yet this is precisely the best time to cultivate sword with intent.”

“However, for this sword intent to achieve greatness, someone must be sacrificed to it.”

Apart from Jin Changyue, Daoyuan was also able to keep his composure. Except for some initial fluctuations in his aura, at other times he was like a hidden dragon in the abyss, quietly hibernating and waiting for the opportune moment.

And in Li Fan’s mind, there was no sense of impatience. However, he still feigned anxiety and despair.

In reality, he kept recalling the scene where the Xi Yi Two Immortals initiated the Transcendent Mystical Coffin and left.

The Mysterious Sound chanted by the Xi Yi Two Immortals, as time passed, slowly faded in Li Fan’s memory. Even the engraving on the Stone of Transformation was fading similarly.

Li Fan could only repeatedly relive it to deepen the impression.

Yet in the end, the overall dissipation of memory was inevitable.

Li Fan also tried to use the micro Dao Net in his Divine Sense to reflect the fluctuations of that time.

But the disturbance caused by the Mysterious Sound within the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth was all inside the Mystic Coffin.

Li Fan could only observe from afar through the Dao Net, unable to accurately record it.

“That Mystic Coffin, said to be false, is actually real.”

“Except for the inability to traverse the world, it’s nearly identical to a true Mystic Coffin…”

Li Fan recalled what Nangong Hongzhao had said before, stirring his thoughts.

Although Nangong Hongzhao wasn’t initially brought back by Nangong Fusheng, a few days later he was also cast into this Black Prison.

However, he didn’t show anxiety or worry. Instead, he looked like someone who botched something, appearing utterly dejected.

During these days, he lay lazily on the ground.

Feigning sleep with his eyes closed.

Li Fan quietly approached him.

“Brother Nangong, there’s something I’ve been holding back for a long time.”

“It’s like a thorn in my throat, I must ask it!”

Perhaps due to “Ma Tiande”‘s previous behavior, Nangong Hongzhao had some residual positive impressions of him.

Nangong Hongzhao suddenly opened his eyes, giving Li Fan a faint glance.

Then, without saying anything, he closed them again.

Li Fan knew, since there was no outright refusal, it was tacit consent.

He immediately sent a voice transmission and asked: “The false Mystic Coffin suddenly turning real, what was that about? Does Brother Nangong know any inside information?”

Nangong Hongzhao replied irritably: “Didn’t you see I was swept away like trash over eighteen thousand miles? What inside information could I possibly know?”

Li Fan quickly appeased him: “Brother Nangong, don’t say that. That’s Elder Nangong from the Governing Council we’re talking about, there are many who wish to be dismissed like that but aren’t qualified.”

Hearing this, Nangong Hongzhao opened his eyes again.

Slightly narrowing them, he regarded Li Fan thoughtfully, saying: “Almost forgot, you used to be a Dao Net operator, also from the Governing Council. No wonder you’re aware of my Third Uncle’s prowess.”

Li Fan nodded repeatedly: “Indeed, indeed.”

Seeing Nangong Hongzhao’s attitude gradually soften, Li Fan quickly got to the point: “These days, with nothing to do, I’ve been pondering. There are a few possibilities regarding the matter of the false coffin.”

“First, the false coffin was fashioned after the true one. Except for some necessary conditions, it’s no different from the Transcendent Mystical Coffin. By chance, the Xi Yi Two Immortals who came from the Star Sea happened to have those conditions. So, naturally, they used the coffin to escape to other worlds.”

“But this hypothesis doesn’t quite hold water. It was merely a bait to lure True Immortals, and as long as it looked real, there was no need for it to be so genuine. So, I suspect that Yan Xuantai secretly rigged something, or used a ruse to replace the false coffin with one that’s a closer approximation to the true coffin. Then he hid inside, waiting for the Xi Yi Two Immortals to enter, explained everything to them, and escaped with them.”

“But…” Li Fan paused.

“This Yan Xuantai, who knows who he is? For such a neither major nor minor task as overseeing and protecting the first hunt of new Immortal Hunts, his status shouldn’t be that high. Yet, he possesses such a Supreme Treasure?”

“Moreover, there’s that black seven-color long nail capable of deceiving the Dao Net. The more I think, the less I understand!” Li Fan sighed deeply.

“Given that we might be kept here forever without seeing the light of day, could Brother Nangong enlighten me? Rest assured, I won’t tell anyone.” Li Fan vowed emphatically.

After a long silence, Nangong Hongzhao finally spoke in a subtle tone: “Your thoughts are indeed meticulous. Some parts coincide with my guesses. But I do know some internal matters you aren’t aware of.”

“It’s no secret, so I’ll share it with you. Yan Xuantai initially joined the Immortal Hunt as a member of the [Holy Merchant]. A century ago, the Holy Merchant suddenly disappeared from the Sea of the Northern Stars, leaving behind some remnants and discards.”

“I assumed he had long severed ties with the Holy Merchant. Unexpectedly…” Nangong Hongzhao scoffed coldly,

“The Holy Merchant was one of the original founders of the Immortal Hunt. Moreover, many techniques for capturing Immortals were actively provided by them. Holy Merchant members disdained conflict and power, focusing solely on capturing Immortals. Thus, in the early Immortal Hunting Organization, they held a prestigious position. After the Holy Merchant suddenly departed without a trace, Yan Xuantai, being a discard of the Holy Merchant, wasn’t overly troubled. He was even assigned to an important post…”

Li Fan felt a stirring at the mention of [Holy Merchant].

He continued to inquire: “According to Brother Nangong, the Holy Merchant was a matter from a century ago. In a hundred years, our Dao Net Skill has surely advanced significantly. Even if Yan Xuantai belongs to the Holy Merchant, how does he have the means to deceive the Dao Net? Could it be that the Holy Merchant was so far ahead of us? Or…”

As if realizing something, Li Fan lowered his voice: “Could it be that Yan Xuantai has recently reestablished contact with the Holy Merchant, which led him to find a way to escape?”

“But even this doesn’t make sense unless the false coffin wasn’t used to escape to other worlds but to another Star Sea where the Holy Merchant resides?”

Nangong Hongzhao shook his head slightly: “This I cannot ascertain. The matter is shrouded in mystery. Yan Xuantai has a solitary nature, often acting alone, making investigation challenging.”

Nangong Hongzhao shook his head slightly: “This I cannot ascertain. The matter is shrouded in mystery. Yan Xuantai has a solitary nature, often acting alone, making investigation challenging.”