Sun Erlang scratched his head and pulled his ears, expending considerable effort before finally getting the little children from the Li Realm to quiet down.
Li Fan then brought them to Bodily Transformation Island.
Though the cave abode he had previously excavated was not large, it was more than enough to house these children.
Li Fan made another trip back to Wanxian Island, purchasing items like a Spirit-Generating Springhead and Vermilion Fruit Trees from the Heavenly Profound Mirror to resolve the issue of their food and sustenance.
Only then did he gather the children together.
They looked at Li Fan with wide, bewildered eyes.
"Do you know what an immortal is?" Li Fan asked.
Most of the children instinctively shook their heads.
Ye Feipeng was no exception, wearing a look of total bewilderment.
Only the slightly older Sun Erlang had a spark of fervor and yearning flicker in his eyes.
He blurted out eagerly, "I know! Immortals can soar through the skies and burrow through the earth, move mountains and fill seas, summon wind and call forth rain—they can do anything!"
Sun Erlang's words seemed to embolden the timid children.
Another child piped up in a small voice, "I know too. My father taught me a rhyme when I was little: 'If you wish to be an immortal, ride a crane and fly to the sky. Turn stone to gold, wonderful beyond words!'"
Hearing this, Li Fan could not help but chuckle. He recognized this child—it was the boy who, many years later, would become Han Wuyou's father.
This time, Li Fan had abducted both him and Han Wuyou's future mother, intending to see whether Han Wuyou would still be born despite such drastic changes.
The "change versus constancy" in this outcome held profound significance for Li Fan.
With a light wave of his hand, Li Fan silenced the chattering children instantly.
In a solemn voice, he instructed, "A so-called immortal is merely a somewhat stronger person.
"Yet how could it be easy for mere mortals to become as powerful as immortals? Some excel in scholarly pursuits, while others are gifted in martial arts. The most important thing is to find a way to grow stronger that suits you."
Li Fan paused intentionally, letting the children sink into thought before continuing, "I have three immortal methods that can make you as powerful as immortals.
"First is the Method of Defying the Heavens. As the saying goes: go with the flow and remain mortal, go against it and become immortal. By defying the natural order of Heaven and Earth, one may directly verify the Great Dao of Longevity. This is the supreme method."
Though the children did not understand much, they grasped the general meaning, and their eyes widened one after another.
"Second is the Furnace Secret Reservoir Method. Within the human body lies a furnace; cultivating it unlocks the wonders of creation. It awakens the infinite potential within. Cultivated to profound heights, one can uproot mountains and fill seas through sheer physical brute force alone! This is the intermediate method!"
At these words, only Sun Erlang and Wang Xuanba showed a subtle shift in their expressions among the children.
"If neither of the first two works, I have a third method!
"Though it cannot compare to the first two, it is still one path among many Great Daos.
"It is the Beast-Taming Method!
"All manner of exotic beasts once walked between Heaven and Earth, commanding all kinds of unfathomable powers. If you can borrow the strength of these exotic beasts, you can likewise perform the deeds of immortals with a mortal body!"
Li Fan proclaimed loudly.
Expectation and eagerness lit up the children's faces.
"Everyone is different, and those capable of cultivating the supreme method are few after all. In teaching you immortal methods, I teach according to each person's aptitude.
"You may choose your path of cultivation freely.
"Think it over carefully. In three days, I will return!"
With a grand wave of his hand, Li Fan used an image-recording stone to project a looping recording in midair explaining the three methods he had fabricated.
The children were completely captivated by the dazzling scenes, entirely absorbed in the display.
Three days passed quickly.
When Li Fan reappeared, the children's discussions abruptly ceased.
"Those willing to cultivate the supreme method, step forward!" Li Fan said.
Su Changyu, Sun Erlang, and three other children proudly strode forward.
Li Fan scanned them and said in a grave voice, "None of you possess exceptional aptitude. If the path proves arduous in the future, do not regret your choice!"
Su Changyu and the others all wore resolute expressions.
Li Fan flicked his fingers, sending several beams of light into their minds.
"Thus, I impart to you different Daoist methods. Remember: immortal methods are rare and precious, and they cannot be practiced together. If you encounter doubts in the future, you may only ponder them yourselves. Under no circumstances may you disclose the techniques you cultivate to anyone else."
Hearing this, their faces all changed slightly.
Paying no heed, Li Fan swept up a gentle breeze and moved them into another chamber.
Looking at the remaining children, Li Fan continued, "Those willing to cultivate the Furnace Secret Reservoir Method, step forward!"
Wang Xuanba was the first to step out.
After some hesitation, most of the other children also stepped forward.
Li Fan said nothing more, imparting the Creation Furnace Technique into their minds.
After sweeping them away as well, Li Fan looked at the three remaining children, his eyelid twitching slightly.
Among them were the languid-looking Xiao Heng and Ye Feipeng, whose eyes were darting about.
"Why are you only willing to cultivate the lowest beast method?"
Pointing at Xiao Heng, Li Fan asked coldly, "You answer me first!"
Xiao Heng jumped in surprise. Scratching his head, he replied somewhat sheepishly, "Replying to Immortal Master, I just think I'm a bit dim. There's no way I could learn either of the first two methods. I figured I'd better just honestly stick with the beast method."
Li Fan gave a cold chuckle. "Are you certain? You won't regret it?"
Seeing that Li Fan had no intention of scolding him, Xiao Heng quietly breathed a sigh of relief and nodded hurriedly. "Never!"
Li Fan said no more and handed over a Nascent Soul Beast Soul Bead.
"This item is a Beast God Bead, sealing within it the divine soul of a powerful exotic beast. For you, it is still far too potent. Keep it by your side day and night without parting from it. When you feel the time is right, you may attempt to refine it," Li Fan said.
"Thank you, Immortal Master!" Xiao Heng beamed with joy as he stowed away the Beast Soul Bead.
"Immortal Master, I was thinking the same thing as Xiao Heng!" said Zhao Wen, the third child, who looked honest and simple-minded, speaking up hurriedly.
Li Fan carefully inspected Zhao Wen's body. After some thought, he handed him a Nascent Soul Beast Soul Bead as well.
"Do not force it," Li Fan warned.
Zhao Wen knelt down gratefully and kowtowed.
"And you?" Li Fan looked at Ye Feipeng, the last one remaining.
Ye Feipeng scratched his cheek, hesitating.
In the end, he summoned his courage and tentatively asked, "Immortal Master, why must we only choose one immortal method?
"Can I have all three?"
Li Fan's gaze paused slightly.
Looking at Ye Feipeng, whose eyes were filled with yearning, Li Fan suddenly burst into hearty laughter.
"Since you have asked for it, then I shall grant your wish."
The Sea-Calming Divine Sword, the Creation Furnace Technique, and the Beast Soul Bead crafted from the essence soul of a Nine-Headed Divine Bird all flew toward Ye Feipeng.
"Thank you, Immortal Master! Thank you, Immortal Master!"
Overjoyed, Ye Feipeng kowtowed repeatedly.
Meanwhile, Xiao Heng and Zhao Wen stood by, completely dumbfounded that such a thing was even an option.
Chapter 470