During this period, the Tribulation Body used to store the feedback cultivation from the Mountain-Sitting Art had already reached a semi-solid, semi-illusory state.
If quantified concretely, it was roughly equivalent to half of Li Fan's peak Foundation Establishment cultivation.
Now, as He Zhenghao broke through to the Golden Core realm, Li Fan welcomed the largest return on investment since he began cultivating the Mountain-Sitting Art.
Its sheer volume even somewhat exceeded Li Fan's expectations.
The phantom of the Tribulation Body within his dantian shifted in an instant, and once its stored cultivation reached peak Foundation Establishment, it completely solidified.
A lifelike miniature figure with clearly discernible facial features sat upright within Li Fan's dantian.
A sudden feeling welled up within Li Fan: the cultivation this Tribulation Body could absorb had reached its upper limit.
Just as he felt a twinge of regret, thinking the remaining feedback cultivation would go to waste,
a second Tribulation Body suddenly manifested.
It continued until it was filled with a third of its total capacity before finally stopping.
"As expected of a Four-Law Golden Core—to think it would bring such a massive return of cultivation!"
Li Fan was secretly astonished.
After sensing it carefully, Li Fan gained some further insight.
"Beyond the fact that a Four-Law Golden Core far surpasses ordinary Core Formation in might, the myriad bonds tying me to He Zhenghao are also a crucial reason for reaping so much cultivation.
"First is imparting the law. Second is that my actions averted He Zhenghao's doomed fate, which amounts to saving his life.
"On top of that, his ability to break through safely this time is partly thanks to my diligent protection at his side...
"All of these combined are why his breakthrough yielded such remarkable results.
"Had it only been imparting the law and breaking through to the Golden Core realm, it certainly wouldn't have been this much."
As these thoughts drifted through his mind, the violent fluctuations around He Zhenghao gradually settled down.
Reining in his aura, he slowly opened his eyes.
"Congratulations, my friend, on achieving a Four-Law Golden Core! From this day forth, your future is limitless!" Li Fan said with a smile.
He Zhenghao let out a hearty laugh, sweeping away all the gloom that had weighed on his chest in the past.
Then, assuming a serious expression, he said, "I know my own situation best. For me to form my core, at least half the credit belongs to you, my friend.
"Though I have formed my core now, you aren't far from your own breakthrough either. I've merely taken a step ahead.
"Between you and me, let us continue interacting just as we did before. What do you say?"
He Zhenghao was showing him ample respect, and Li Fan was very pleased.
The two exchanged another round of mutual praise and flattery.
In the midst of their casual chat, the conversation turned to the palace complex that had soared into the sky earlier.
He Zhenghao furrowed his brow and said, "When I was breaking through, I originally planned to form my core with three laws. But when my array chart resonated with the Three Undersea Faults, I inexplicably sensed that something seemed to be hidden beneath the seabed.
"It even resonated and connected from afar with my Law of the Hidden Abyss.
"I thought it would be some rare treasure, but never did I expect an entire ruin."
Li Fan chimed in at this point: "I don't know the origin of this ruin either. Right as you were breaking through, it shrank to the size of an ordinary immortal's cave and flew off toward the east.
"What, are you interested in this ruin, my friend?"
He Zhenghao shook his head. "It would be a lie to say I'm not interested. Unfortunately, even with my current cultivation, recalling the moment I came face-to-face with it gives me a faint premonition of danger.
"There are countless opportunities in this world; there's no need to demand every one I come across.
"Better to let it be!"
Li Fan nodded. "You have a point, Daoist He."
Yet inwardly, he thought: *After forming a bond with his daughter, Daoist He has become far more prudent in how he conducts himself.*
Had he still been all on his own like before, he might well have harbored the urge to go exploring.
Thus, Li Fan dropped the subject.
"What are your plans next, my friend?" After advancing to the Golden Core realm, his post within the Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals would naturally be reassigned. Hence Li Fan's question.
He Zhenghao hesitated for a moment before answering, "If possible, I'd like to use this promotion as an opportunity to secure a transfer toward Tianyu Province.
"Of course, Tianyu Province is the central heartland of the Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals. Even though I have a Four-Law Golden Core, dreaming of parachuting straight into a post there is unrealistic.
"However, I can work toward it gradually, using other provinces as stepping stones. Once I break through to the Nascent Soul realm down the line, I'll see if the opportunity arises.
"In any case, getting away from this remote Congyun Sea is the top priority."
Hearing this, Li Fan's heart stirred.
He Zhenghao had escaped his fated doom, reunited with his daughter, and broken through his realm; his destiny had undergone an inexplicable transformation.
Through a twist of fortune, he had conceived the desire to leave the Congyun Sea.
Looking at it this way, even without Li Fan's future intervention, He Zhenghao would be able to escape alive from the catastrophe of the Crimson Flame incinerating the sea.
*Surviving a catastrophe brings good fortune in its wake.*
"It seems even heroes cannot resist the charms of a beauty!" Li Fan naturally knew very well why He Zhenghao was so intent on returning to Tianyu Province, so he teased him.
"Feel free to go all out, my friend. If you need contribution points to grease the wheels, just say the word," Li Fan promised with a smile.
Hearing this, He Zhenghao beamed with delight. He knew full well that Li Fan had made a fortune during the Spirit Mist Grass turmoil and had deep pockets.
*With my previous connections as a foundation, plus the prestige of a Four-Law Golden Core, and enough contribution points to pave the way, I might just be able to secure an unexpectedly fine post this time,* he thought to himself.
*Perhaps in this life I won't need to go to Shilin Province either; after all, I'd be a stranger in a strange land there. Let's see if I can hitch a ride with Daoist He.*
*Wait and see,* Li Fan thought.
The two began their return journey, each harboring their own thoughts.
He Zhenghao returned to Liuli Island first to consolidate his cultivation.
Li Fan returned to the Heavenly Profound Mirror.
News of the undersea immortal's cave emerging had already begun to spread, and quite a few cultivators were flying along its path in pursuit, hoping to seek out fortunes.
Yet when the complex of buildings had appeared in everyone's sight, it had already shrunk considerably.
Thus, it did not appear particularly large, and not many cultivators were willing to chase after it.
If nothing unexpected occurred, after dozens of cultivators went missing, the matter would soon fade from memory.
However...
Li Fan still counted on those cultivators to scout the path for him and uncover the secrets within that ruin.
How could he possibly allow things to play out like that?
And so, he decided to fan the flames.
Within the Heavenly Mystery Realm, in the role of an eyewitness, he recounted the emergence of the ruins.
Before long, it caused a sensation.
After all, an ancient cultivator's cave dwelling and an ancient sect ruin were two completely different concepts.
In an individual cultivator's cave, cultivation methods and dharma treasures were usually limited in number.
A sect ruin, on the other hand—especially one sealed away for untold years and only just unearthed—
the number of fortunes waiting inside was beyond measure.
The prosperity of the ancient cultivation world was deeply etched in everyone's minds.
Obtaining any random cultivation method would be a tremendous windfall.
Furthermore, according to Li Fan's description, a complex of buildings stretching for a hundred li could hardly belong to some obscure, feeble sect.
Thus, the cultivators' fervor was swiftly ignited.
Chapter 259