Naturally, Li Fan did not worry that the Dharma-Transmitting Heavenly Venerable, who had not manifested in the world for countless years, would suddenly appear merely because he had cast a glance at the sky and ask him, "Little friend, what are you looking at?"
In truth, what Li Fan cared about was something else.
As the saying went, the more one tried to hide something, the more conspicuous it became.
Only things that truly mattered prompted deliberate efforts at concealment. If one genuinely did not care, why bother employing methods to hoodwink the world?
Across the thousands of years of the Xuanhuang Realm's history, countless geniuses and prodigies had arisen. There had undoubtedly been many cultivators who, like Li Fan just moments ago, stood on the verge of comprehending something through a twist of fate. Yet every one of them had been forcibly suppressed by inexplicable means.
This proved precisely that the Chuanfa of old actually felt a sliver of dread toward the cultivators of the Xuanhuang Realm discovering this matter...
With the might of a single person, Chuanfa had changed heaven and earth, overturning the dynamic between the old and new methods. Ruling over the world for thousands of years, he had reduced every cultivator under heaven to beasts of burden. How could an existence of such caliber have something he dreaded?
"While it certainly wouldn't amount to outright fear, the misgivings in his heart are undeniably real."
"Fascinating..."
In an instant, having thought this through, Li Fan became genuinely intrigued by the secret hidden behind it all.
"Perhaps the means to contend against Chuanfa lie within it."
"A secret might fool some people forever, or it might fool everyone for a time. But it can never fool everyone forever."
"In this Xuanhuang Realm, I have ample time to seek it out and unearth it."
"Besides, I may not necessarily be alone."
Li Fan gazed into the firmament in silence.
As the saying went, he who did not plan for ten thousand generations was unfit to plan for a single moment. As the greatest stumbling block across his road to longevity, the Dharma-Transmitting Heavenly Venerable was an existence Li Fan would have to face sooner or later. To have discovered what might be a sliver of their flaw through a stroke of chance was truly a blessing for him.
"The world is always rife with coincidences. Just like being suddenly snatched away by Xiumu, only to be inexplicably released. Just like that sudden epiphany I had moments ago... They are unavoidable."
"Yet my True Reversion can eliminate the ill effects brought by chance as much as possible, while infinitely amplifying the favorable ones."
With countless thoughts churning within him, it took a long time for Li Fan to compose himself and regain peace of mind.
He redirected his attention to the sixteen Golden Cores remaining at hand.
After pondering for a while, Li Fan decided it was best to return to the Congyun Sea via the teleportation array. Repeating his old trick, he dug a secluded chamber deep beneath the ocean chasm and hid himself within to guard against potential prying eyes from Daoist Ruomu.
Whether it was an illusion or mere psychological comfort, returning to the Congyun Sea instantly brought great tranquility to his mind.
Holding his breath and focusing his concentration, Li Fan produced all sixteen remaining Golden Cores and lined them up in a row. Selecting one of slightly inferior quality, he fed it once more to True Reversion.
Just as he had anticipated, after True Reversion absorbed it, not the slightest change could be seen in the charging progress of the sixth anchor.
"True Reversion's appetite is growing larger and larger."
"From Foundation Establishment wonders to Golden Cores. Could it be that next it will need to devour grotto-heavens and the marrow of Heaven?"
At this thought, Li Fan's expression shifted slightly.
Golden Cores were manageable; one could obtain some through various means. Once his cultivation progressed further, gathering a few grotto-heavens would likely not be too difficult either.
Only the marrow of Heaven and the anima of Heaven and Earth were inherent fixtures of the Xuanhuang Realm, existing in strictly limited numbers. Countless cultivators waited eagerly with bated breath, and the moment one appeared, a frenzied scramble would ensue. Where would he find any surplus for True Reversion to devour?
"Having few anchors remaining is indeed a troublesome matter."
"Originally, I intended to use one after this lifetime ended, using the Nascent Soul stage as a new starting point to continuously repeat the cycle and amass strength..."
"Judging by the situation now, it is best to be more cautious. Regardless, now that I know the location of the Root of Heaven and Earth, even if I start over, it will be a familiar path."
...
While contemplating, Li Fan stopped feeding True Reversion. Instead, he took one of the remaining Golden Cores in hand and began slowly absorbing it.
Although it was a single-method Golden Core, what it contained was a very rare bewitchment art. It pertained to spiritual and mental power, which was precisely the area Li Fan urgently needed to reinforce.
The stone of another mountain could polish one's own jade. Even though it was not a defensive art, different paths led to the same destination. If he gained a deep understanding of mental attack methods, he would be better prepared when facing them next time.
To achieve deeper comprehension, Li Fan also invoked the power of his grotto-heaven domain, re-manifesting the traits of the wonder of heaven and earth, the Seven-Apertures Exquisite Heart.
In an instant, a flood of insights surged into his heart. Li Fan immersed himself within them, brimming with joy.
***
While Li Fan was secluded in meditation, the Congyun Sea was far from peaceful.
Although the battle of Tianling Province had concluded and the cultivators were recuperating, an edict recently issued by the Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals had stirred up massive waves, throwing the entire Congyun Sea into an uproar.
Having suffered grievous losses in the war, the Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals decreed that, starting immediately, all techniques it bestowed would be sold at a fifty percent discount for the duration of one year to restore its vital strength more quickly and effectively.
Furthermore, advanced cultivation techniques that had previously required merit ranks were all unlocked. Merit permissions were no longer required; as long as one possessed contribution points, they could be purchased directly.
Of course, necessary restrictions remained.
Each person was limited to purchasing a single technique, strictly for personal cultivation. Transferring or selling it by any means was strictly prohibited. If discovered, not only would the right to cultivate the technique be revoked, but severe penalties would also be meted out to the violator.
For the vast majority of cultivators who could not afford a single technique even if they sold everything they owned, such restrictions were practically negligible. Their attention was now thoroughly captivated by the dazzling list of cultivation techniques displayed within the Heavenly Profound Mirror.
Cultivation techniques were the very foundation of the immortal path. The quality of a technique directly dictated one's future prospects.
Comparison was the thief of joy. When these restricted techniques—ordinarily hidden from sight—were laid bare before the public eye, cultivators finally realized how wretched the common techniques they had cultivated before were by comparison!
A rare opportunity never to be repeated!
Cultivators were driven mad with desire. Scrapping together every bit of wealth they owned, they counted whatever contribution points they could muster to select and purchase their desired techniques.
Meanwhile, a large crowd of cultivators gathered in Congyun City. In a fury, they surrounded the Administration Hall, demanding that He Zhenghao come out and provide an explanation.
The reason was simple: in Li Fan's earlier fundraising plan, they had invested almost their entire fortunes, keeping only a small amount on hand for emergencies. Where could they possibly find the means to compete for cultivation techniques now?
Confronted with rare cultivation techniques, no cultivator was inclined toward courtesy or restraint. Watching one technique after another get snapped up in the blink of an eye, the composure of these cultivators was on the brink of collapse.
Chapter 590