It was not purely for luxury, either, but rather to better fit his persona as a "Heavenly Mechanism Sect cultivator" and master investor.
After all, possessing the ability to double one's capital every two years or so while still squeezing into the Heavenly Profound Mirror all day like an ordinary cultivator really seemed a bit unreasonable.
Though one could explain it away by claiming an eccentric, solitary disposition, considering the publicity effect that "purchasing a cave abode on Wanxian Island shortly after joining the Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals" might create, Li Fan had genuinely entertained the thought of buying one.
Yet after searching around, he had no choice but to give up on the idea.
For no other reason than that contribution points alone were not enough.
Not only did it require a certain authority clearance level within the Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals' hierarchy, but one also had to obtain a residency permit issued by Wanxian Island's Administration Hall to qualify to purchase a cave abode on the island.
This residency permit was generally granted only to cultivators who had made exceptional contributions to the local Alliance branch.
It was rumored that there were also unofficial channels through which one could purchase it privately, though whether that was true or not remained unknown.
"I'd better just stay obediently inside the Heavenly Profound Mirror."
Li Fan dismissed the thought.
He took out the Contemplation Pill that Chen Ying had just gifted him, swallowed it in one gulp, and carefully observed the changes occurring within himself.
Its effect was somewhat similar to that of a Dao Comprehension Pill.
However, the Dao Comprehension Pill was far more comprehensive, providing assistance whether one was contemplating techniques, deducing secret arts, or advancing one's cultivation realm.
In contrast, this Contemplation Pill's effects could only be felt when Li Fan sought a breakthrough in his cultivation.
"It's like a budget, specialized version of a Dao Comprehension Pill."
"Dao Comprehension Pills are nearly impossible to obtain in the Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals, so this Contemplation Pill isn't bad at all."
To avoid wasting it, Li Fan made the most of the pill's effective duration and began cultivating.
After an unknown length of time, Li Fan was awakened by an inexplicable premonition in his heart.
It turned out that the restriction on entering the Fallen Immortal Realm had expired, and he could journey there once again.
"It seems to make seclusion far more immersive than before. It felt like I merely dozed off for a moment, yet so much time has already passed."
"It really does have its merits."
"Such a talent—I hope he manages to survive this calamity."
Thinking this, Li Fan set up the ritual around him.
"Heavenly Venerable of Fortune and Xuanhuang!"
He whispered the chant; in the next second, the world spun around him, and Li Fan descended into the Fallen Immortal Realm once more.
As expected, he was enveloped in an enigmatic fluid, surrounded by pitch darkness.
Once again, he had become the Heavenly Destiny Profound Bird still inside its eggshell.
Drowsiness and weakness pervaded every inch of him.
Li Fan did his utmost to absorb the surrounding fluid, attempting to maintain clarity of mind while pondering his strategy.
"Judging from Ye Feipeng's experience in the previous life, the Creation Furnace Technique works on beasts and creatures as well."
"Although this body is currently far too frail, and forcibly invoking the power of the secret reservoir might cause a backlash it cannot endure,"
"with Xu Ke watching over me, it shouldn't be too big of an issue."
"I'll give it a try for now. If all else fails, the worst that happens is I start over again."
In an instant, Li Fan made up his mind.
Focusing his mind like a massive sledgehammer, he ruthlessly struck inward against his body.
"Huh? Wh-what's happening?!"
A scorching power suddenly erupted from within, threatening to incinerate everything.
As his consciousness seemed on the verge of dissolving, Li Fan faintly heard Xu Ke's startled cry amid his daze.
Immediately afterward, he fell into silence.
After an unknown time, Li Fan gradually woke up.
Subconsciously checking his condition, Li Fan discovered that he was several times stronger than before losing consciousness.
The power of the secret reservoir, having been initially mobilized, surged continuously from all parts of his body, remodeling the profound bird's physique.
The liquid in the dark space around him also seemed to contain another form of energy.
Specks of light shimmered within it, glowing with a fiery red radiance.
"Not bad at all, Xu Ke."
Li Fan greedily gulped down a few mouthfuls, instantly feeling much more invigorated.
"This is..."
The red specks of light tasted remarkably like a certain wild mountain fruit Xu Ke had fed the Heavenly Destiny Profound Bird in his previous life.
"A tremendous tonic. You brat really have your ways, Xu Ke. Truly someone favored by the will of Heaven."
Li Fan felt thoroughly reassured.
After completely digesting what he had consumed and feeling his body return to peak condition, Li Fan once again concentrated his will, launching another hammer blow against his body's secret reservoir.
"What's wrong now?!"
Before blacking out, Li Fan thought he heard Xu Ke's anguished cry.
Xu Ke did not disappoint. Expending considerable effort, he once again nursed the dying Heavenly Destiny Profound Bird back from the brink.
In this manner, Li Fan recklessly ran the Creation Furnace Technique without the slightest worry.
Every time he reached his breaking point, Xu Ke's luck—which could only be described as defying heaven—would always provide a way to save him.
After repeating this process seven times, the surrounding liquid had been completely absorbed. Li Fan felt the time had come.
Letting out a resonant chirp, Li Fan slashed his claw at the eggshell.
Fine cracks spread outward, followed by the appearance of bright light.
Li Fan broke straight out of the shell.
After devouring the shattered shell like a whale swallowing water, Li Fan looked at the dumbfounded Xu Ke, gave a flap of his wings, and nested in his hair.
"It's over, it's all over! I haven't even finished the Spiritual Communion from the Beast Taming Art—how did it come out already?"
"Isn't it completely ruined now?"
Xu Ke muttered continuously with a crestfallen expression.
Li Fan unceremoniously gave him a scratch, conveying the feeling of hunger.
Xu Ke yelped, having no choice but to take Li Fan into the mountain forest to search for food.
While cultivating the Creation Furnace Technique, Li Fan sensed the connection between himself and Xu Ke.
A strand of chilling energy circulated almost imperceptibly throughout his body.
It was beyond Li Fan's control, seeming to resonate faintly with Xu Ke beneath him.
Had Li Fan not practiced the Creation Furnace Technique and gained rudimentary control over his physical form, he would likely have never noticed it.
It was precisely this cool energy that caused Li Fan to feel an instinctive sense of closeness toward Xu Ke.
However, because Li Fan had taken the initiative to break out of the shell on his own in this life, that unbreakable bond had not yet solidified.
"So this is the Beast Taming Art?"
Li Fan fell into deep thought.
He raked another vicious claw across Xu Ke, and amidst the boy's pained shrieks, Li Fan began cultivating the divine ability Destiny Is Mine.
Absorbing Xu Ke's overflowing fortune, Li Fan immediately felt a surge of vitality.
Under the dual reinforcement of the Creation Furnace Technique and Destiny Is Mine, even though he was a newborn, Li Fan's strength advanced by leaps and bounds.
Moreover, likely because he had undergone the reverse cultivation of the Dao heart in his previous life and tempered his soul and will, the influence of the profound bird's instincts and temperament on Li Fan was greatly diminished.
At the very least, situations where he lost control of his actions would no longer occur.
Over a month later, taking advantage of Xu Ke's inattention, Li Fan tested his skills against the wild beasts in the mountain forest.
Ordinary beasts at the Qi Condensation stage were no longer a match for him for even a single round.
On this day, as usual, Xu Ke was out foraging with Li Fan, when an uninvited guest suddenly blocked their path.
It was none other than Song Yang, who had been coveting the Heavenly Destiny Profound Bird all along.
Noticing the gaze of the two-headed black serpent coiled around Song Yang's neck, Li Fan sneered inwardly.
An ethereal killing intent condensed into tangible substance and swept toward it.
The two-headed black serpent instantly shuddered violently and curled into a tight ball.
Chapter 448