T/N: term change from Venerable Heart Refinement Mantra > Xuanhuang Heart Refinement Mantra
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“Intent rides the Purple Heaven, body akin to thunder…”
“What a great escaping technique!”
After thoroughly studying the secret technique “Purple Heaven Royal Thunder Escape,” a hint of joy flashed in Li Fan’s eyes.
But then he felt a bit regretful, “Unfortunately, without the complement of the Royal Thunder True Intent from the ‘Purple Heaven Royal Thunder Technique,’ the speed of the escape technique will be greatly reduced.”
“If I use it alone, I estimate it will only reach half the speed of its full potential.”
“Nevertheless, even so, it’s much faster than the escape techniques commonly sold in the Tianxuan Mirror.”
The acquisition of the secret technique after defeating Zhang Qianmo was an unexpected blessing.
According to common sense, there would be no gains from killing someone in the Fallen Immortal Realm.
Otherwise, exploring the Fallen Immortal Realm would be too easy: just group up and slaughter.
Such a situation would only arise if the lingering obsession of the slain person was related to being defeated.
“Zhang Qianmo walks the path of undefeated victory?”
Li Fan couldn’t help but think so.
“However, without the Azure Flame Illusionary Spirit Technique, which allows me to greatly extend my time in the Fallen Immortal Realm…”
“I’m afraid it’s almost impossible to exhaust Senior Brother Zhang to death.”
Entering the state of absolute rationality with the Azure Flame Illusionary Spirit could increase the duration of existence in the Fallen Immortal Realm.
This was inspired by Chen Ying from the Medicine Hall.
Chen Ying needed to refine the Ice Intent Heartless Pill using the Blue Blood Coral to enhance the efficiency of exploring the Fallen Immortal Realm.
After the Blue Blood Coral absorbed a hint of the chilling aura from the Azure Flame Illusionary Spirit, the medicinal effect of the Ice Intent Heartless Pill created from it unexpectedly improved significantly.
At that time, Li Fan speculated that activating the Azure Flame Illusionary Spirit’s special state might replace or even surpass the effect of taking the Ice Intent Heartless Pill.
This trial turned out to be just as expected.
The reason why Li Fan didn’t use the Azure Flame Illusionary Spirit in his previous explorations of the Fallen Immortal Realm was due to a hidden concern in his heart.
Li Fan had practiced the Xuanhuang Heart Refinement Mantra as instinctively as breathing for countless lifetimes of arduous cultivation.
Although he hadn’t made any substantial breakthroughs, Li Fan’s understanding of his own state of mind far exceeded that of an ordinary cultivator.
This time, Li Fan remained in that special state in the Fallen Immortal Realm for nearly thirty days.
After leaving, amidst his exhaustion, Li Fan also keenly sensed the erosion of that frozen intent on himself.
Ever since he encountered the existence of the Heavenly Doctor and the unknown being lurking in Yuandao Province, Li Fan always held a sense of vigilance towards the powerhouses of this world.
This included the Azure Flame he inexplicably envisioned.
The “Netherworld Spirit Illusion Technique,” and the advanced version that followed, the “Unholy Netherworld Spirit Illusion Technique,” belonged to the special summoning series of techniques.
The coldly rational power didn’t originate from the technique itself but from the illusionary spirit envisioned.
This was an essential difference.
Hence, this Azure Flame Illusionary Spirit might have a corresponding entity in the real world.
Li Fan naturally couldn’t completely trust it.
It was natural that using the power of a Heavenly Spirit had corresponding negative effects.
When used occasionally, it was possible to dissipate the negative effects using the Xuanhuang Heart Refinement Mantra.
But if it were indiscriminately abused…
It might gradually alter the mind without one noticing.
This inexplicable erosion during this trial was the best proof.
Moreover, although the Azure Flame Illusionary Spirit could significantly increase the duration of existence in the Fallen Immortal Realm, its drawbacks were also extremely obvious.
The Fallen Immortal Realm was a world derived from consciousness.
This method of suppressing consciousness fluctuations to an extremely low level was definitely considered terrifyingly abnormal in the eyes of the natives of the Fallen Immortal Realm.
Zhang Qianmo saw through Li Fan at a glance, clearly demonstrating this point.
It was only suitable for use after determining the final series of actions, and not for ordinary exploration.
Regardless, with the assistance of the Azure Flame Illusionary Spirit, Li Fan ultimately managed to deal with the roadblock, Zhang Qianmo.
This made Li Fan, who had been trapped in Ningyuan City, eagerly anticipate his next encounter after re-entering the Fallen Immortal Realm.
After all, the vastness of the Fallen Immortal Realm far surpassed that of the Xuanhuang Realm. If one were constantly trapped in one place and unable to fully explore its mysteries and wonders, wouldn’t that be too regrettable?
With the resolution of the event that had been weighing on his mind, Li Fan couldn’t help but feel relieved.
Destroying the traces of his retreat under the sea, Li Fan was about to return to the Ten Thousand Immortals Island when he suddenly received a transmission from Zhang Zhiliang.
He was summoned to the Formation Hall.
After a moment of contemplation, Li Fan did not delay.
Transforming the “Endless Hatred Branch” in his dantian into the “Seven Apertures Exquisite Heart,” he headed straight for the Formation Hall.
Entering the slanted metallic structure, Li Fan, who was familiar with the route, arrived at Zhang Zhiliang’s location.
His figure stood tall, seemingly unchanged from before.
However, there was a sense of impending crisis Li Fan had never experienced when facing Zhang Zhiliang before.
“It seems…”
As soon as the thought emerged in his mind, Li Fan suppressed it using the Xuanhuang Heart Refinement Mantra.
“Greetings, Master!”
He bowed respectfully, his mind free from distractions.
Zhang Zhiliang looked Li Fan up and down, nodded, and said, “It seems your progress is good. As soon as the opportunity arises, you’ll be able to break through to the Golden Core stage.”
Changing the subject, he suddenly asked, “You’ve already received the ‘Soul Separation Jade Slip’ from me three times.”
“How did your recent study go with the last ‘Soul Separation Jade Slip’?”
Li Fan truthfully reported the situation.
Zhang Zhiliang then threw a Testing Ball over, indicating for Li Fan to take the test.
As Li Fan’s consciousness entered it, a series of difficult formation problems came rushing towards him.
Li Fan answered each one.
Compared to the Testing Ball test given by Zhang Zhiliang in the previous life, the difficulty of this test was clearly much higher.
However, after nearly ten years of uninterrupted formation study, Li Fan was no longer the ignorant person he once was.
After the test ended, Zhang Zhiliang looked at the bright spots on the Testing Ball and finally showed a hint of satisfaction.
“Not bad.”
“Although there’s room for improvement, your foundation is very solid.”
“It’s evident that you’ve put in a lot of effort in the study of formations.”
Li Fan replied humbly, “Master, you’re too kind. I know I am stupid, so in order not to fall behind, I can only work harder to make up for it.”
Zhang Zhiliang smiled and said, “In just a few short years, you’ve been able to study the art of formations that I have taught to such an extent. Your talent is not bad!”
“There is no need to belittle yourself!”
Zhang Zhiliang concluded.
Of course, if he knew the actual amount of time Li Fan had spent studying, he would definitely think differently.
But fortunately, he didn’t know.
“Good talent, diligent, and selfless.”
Zhang Zhiliang looked at Li Fan again and said, “Two years later, there will be a closed training session in Tianyu Province for young formation talents from various provinces of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.”
“Our Cong Yun Sea has three spots.”
“I intend to give one of them to you.”
“Are you willing to go?”