"So open warfare has paused, and they've switched to another way of competing." Li Fan was naturally no stranger to such maneuvers.
"This is a good opportunity to see what level the true prodigies on both sides really possess."
Li Fan was extremely interested in this as well.
To make it convenient for all cultivators to watch, the Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals had specially crafted a type of mirror artifact.
Priced low, it could be bought for just one hundred contribution points.
Through it, cultivators could watch the exchange gathering at any time and from anywhere.
They could also replay the bouts between both sides. More importantly, the mirror's surface would synchronize commentary from the Heavenly Profound Mirror in real time, preventing lower-realm cultivators from becoming utterly confused.
Once the Tianling Viewing Mirror was released, cultivators snapped them up frantically.
Beyond its remarkably low price and the reluctance of cultivators to miss out on such a rare spectacle, another reason was that some cultivators wished to collect them.
According to older cultivators, during the First Friendly Exchange Gathering, the Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals had also released a similar viewing mirror.
Back then, people had not paid much attention to it, since one could easily look up information on the gathering through the Heavenly Profound Mirror.
Thus, only rather wealthy cultivators had bought them.
Yet no one anticipated that once the competition ended, those viewing mirrors would go out of print. Their intrinsic value aside, the crucial aspect lay in the scenes of the bouts recorded within them.
The representatives of both sides in that first exchange gathering later went on to become major figures in their respective organizations.
Almost all of them became Dao Integration realm powerhouses.
Whether it was their open discourses on the Dao or their clashes in battle, repeatedly studying and analyzing those moments proved immensely beneficial to lower-realm cultivators.
Clever individuals even presented viewing mirrors that recorded a given prodigy's victories as gifts to that very person, seeking to win their favor.
Furthermore, over the years, as cultivators perished, the number of surviving viewing mirrors steadily dwindled, reaching a point where today finding a single mirror was exceedingly difficult.
With precedent from the past, it was no wonder the Tianling Viewing Mirror proved wildly popular this time.
Costing merely a hundred contribution points, Li Fan naturally bought one.
Upon receiving it, Li Fan found the mirror's craftsmanship rather crude.
Not to mention comparing it with a Lesser Heavenly Profound Mirror, it was far inferior even to an ordinary mortal bronze mirror. It was practically nothing more than a polished stone.
"Could this be outsourced again?"
"Selling for a hundred contribution points—who knows what it costs to make? Though the unit price is low, just how many cultivators are there in the Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals..."
"Who knows whose pockets this lined."
Li Fan muttered inwardly and stowed it away.
While the cultivators on the island enthusiastically discussed the exchange gathering, he quietly returned to Shenhua Island.
Over the past few days, Liu San and the others had worked without rest, having completely exhausted all the raw materials prepared earlier.
In total, they had successfully concocted twenty-eight Longevity Pills, their quality generally fluctuating within an extension of two hundred years of lifespan.
When Liu San handed over the pills, his face was full of shame. "I have disappointed the Young Master. Perhaps due to the law that dharmas cannot be cultivated concurrently, the purity of my Azure Longevity Force is far lower than expected, even after purification through ninety-nine Small Medicine King Cauldrons."
"To think I only refined pills of this quality..."
"If the old sect master were still alive, who knows how he would mock me," Liu San said somewhat mournfully.
Li Fan comforted him, "Elder Liu, there is no need to blame yourself. The changes in heaven and earth cannot be resisted unless one reaches Longevity. Besides, I have inquired about the market. These Longevity Pills are more than enough for now. Releasing pills of too high a quality all at once would actually do more harm than good."
With that, Li Fan handed over a storage ring.
"I also have a lead on the whereabouts of the Valley of Longevity. It may be among several locations marked on the map."
"Though they are all located within the White Mist Barrier, there is an artifact inside the ring called the Puxian True Boat. If you steer this boat, Elder Liu, you should be able to prevent the essence-devouring effects of the white mist."
Hearing this, Liu San showed a hint of joy.
"The environment within the Valley of Longevity is blessed by nature and differs slightly from the outside world. If we can refine pills inside it, perhaps the quality could reach a higher level."
Li Fan nodded. "In that case, I entrust this matter to you, Elder Liu. A so-called Friendly Exchange Gathering is currently taking place outside, drawing the gaze of the entire world. Taking advantage of this opportunity, I trouble you to make the trip."
"I repeat my previous words: above all, prioritize your own safety. The revival of our Medicine King Sect cannot do without you!"
Faced with Li Fan's heartfelt exhortation, Liu San was deeply moved.
"I will not fail the Young Master's trust."
With that, after familiarizing himself with the Puxian True Boat, he transformed into an escaping light and flew toward the target locations on the map.
"Hopefully his journey goes smoothly and he can find the Valley of Longevity."
"This Congyun Sea won't be a place one can stay much longer."
Li Fan rose into the air above Shenhua Island and looked up at the sky. Squinting, he sensed the faint killing intent gradually brewing between heaven and earth.
The killing intent of heaven and earth melted into all things, subtle and imperceptible.
It had little to do with one's cultivation stage, but rather related to one's specific comprehension. Li Fan possessed the Formless Killing Intent and could borrow the Mandate of Heaven to wield it, making him exceptionally sensitive to this presence.
"The killing intent in this lifetime comes with ferocious momentum. It seems much stronger than in any previous life."
"Is it because the Heavenly Physician and the others appeared en masse?"
Li Fan frowned inwardly, already contemplating an evacuation.
Returning to the island, he led Tianyang alone into a secret chamber.
"Junior Brother, there is now an opportunity to advance to Dao Integration. I wonder if you are willing."
At first, Tianyang cocked his head, seemingly unable to grasp the meaning of Li Fan's words.
Only when Li Fan repeated himself did he straighten his body. Upon that puppet frame, an expression of solemnity actually surfaced on his face.
"As you know, crisis and opportunity have always coexisted in this world."
"The chances of success are not high. But it is very dangerous; you might die completely."
"Even so, are you willing?"
With a gentle expression, Li Fan asked patiently.
Without hesitating long, an intermittent, mechanical sound issued from Tianyang.
"Tianyang... throughout his life..."
"Yields to no one!"
Even though Li Fan had long known Tianyang's answer, hearing it spoken by him in person still stirred a touch of emotion.
"Good! In that case, your Senior Brother will assist you with everything I have!" Li Fan said solemnly.
The Heaven and Earth Qiankun Die suddenly appeared in his hand. After a flurry of spinning, Li Fan felt a faint premonition in his heart.
"About another year or so, is it...?"
"That is enough."
Bringing Tianyang along, Li Fan descended into the deep seabed of the Congyun Sea.
One heavenly treasure after another was retrieved by Li Fan from his grotto-heaven.
He intended to reinforce Tianyang's body once more.
Sparing no expense.
Among these materials were even substantial amounts of Eternal Calamity Fine Gold, which could survive even the convergence of the five elements.
"I would like to see whether Mo Sha can truly eradicate everything!"
Chapter 622