But then, as Li Fan sought answers regarding heart refinement, a flash of insight crossed his mind.
A clarity emerged, observing like a passerby, analyzing with reason.
“Is this my instinct?”
“Facing such a crisis, some might choose to risk entering the white mist, seeking a slim chance of survival within the dire situation.”
“Some might opt to kill their allies to strengthen themselves, using scheming methods to eliminate others first.”
“While some would rather die than harm their companions.”
“And I, subconsciously, choose to hide and wait, silently reaping the benefits after others finish their strife.”
“…”
“This is the optimal strategy based on the current situation, also influenced by my past experiences.”
“This is the essence of human nature.”
“Heart refinement, heart refinement…”
Li Fan pondered, murmuring to himself.
Forgetful of the imminent crisis outside the stronghold of Anchorage, forgetting the impending peril within the stronghold.
As if ensnared in a trance, completely immersed in thoughts, not even the minor assaults of the demonic sounds could affect him.
Time passed swiftly in Li Fan’s contemplation.
Thus, it was the fiftieth day after the outbreak of the upheaval.
Leng Yingyi still hadn’t returned, striving to prolong her endurance as much as possible.
After discussion, the group decided to abandon most of the area within Anchorage.
Only retaining some basic structures.
This way, the consumption rate of the Annihilation Black Light could be reduced by nearly half.
Although the area for activity decreased significantly.
Compared to having more time alive, squeezing a bit was insignificant.
But the once familiar group now seemed slightly more guarded towards each other.
They maintained a courteous facade outwardly, but what they were truly thinking remained known only to themselves.
Undercurrents surged, hidden intentions lurked.
When Li Fan noticed the gradually unsettling atmosphere, he finally began to awaken from his daze under the instinctual alertness of his body.
With a slight sweep of his senses, Li Fan understood the current situation.
From ancient times to the present, such a scenario of being trapped in a dilemma, mutually killing for survival, was not uncommon.
Even Li Fan himself, upon understanding his current predicament, felt the emergence of killing intent.
This killing intent was his own will.
Not belonging to distractions, even the Xuanhuang Heart Refinement Mantra couldn’t eliminate it.
Li Fan carefully pondered the incessant thoughts surging in his mind.
“Survival is a human instinct. Killing for survival is following one’s will.”
“Following one’s will, following one’s will…”
Suddenly, Li Fan’s mind froze, repeatedly chanting this phrase inwardly.
After a long while, a strange light flashed in his eyes.
“Heart refinement, heart refinement. Always smooth sailing, how can it truly refine the heart?”
“To refine the Dao heart, perhaps one needs to endure adversity.”
“Adversity, opposition…”
As if lightning piercing through the mist, in an instant, Li Fan understood something.
“To attain longevity, one must defy the laws of heaven and earth.”
“And to refine the Dao heart…”
“One must defy one’s true intentions.”
“Perhaps I’ve been cultivating wrongly all this time.”
Li Fan’s eyes gradually brightened.
“To act as one pleases, to shatter all distractions, at best, it only reaches the level of the Clear Heart Mantra.”
“To truly cultivate the Xuanhuang Heart Refinement Mantra, one must refine the heart itself.”
“To resist one’s instinctual choices?”
At this thought, Li Fan felt a sudden clarity, sweeping away the knots in his heart.
The operation of the Heart Refinement Mantra became several times faster than before.
“It seems my accidental speculation was indeed correct.”
“Reversing the Dao heart refinement.”
“This method of cultivation is quite peculiar indeed.”
“In this crisis of Anchorage, if one wants to refine the heart through this method, they cannot act according to their instinctual thoughts.”
“It’s best to do the opposite.”
“The greater the difference from one’s true intentions, the more torment one’s heart endures, and the more remarkable the effects of the Heart Refinement Mantra cultivation.”
“So the best choice should be…”
Li Fan’s thoughts swiftly turned, and in an instant, he made a decision.
And the Heart Refinement Mantra, operating smoothly without hindrance, affirmed his speculation.
“However, is it worth it to do so?”
“In the evaluation of the Anchor Point, the Xuanhuang Heart Refinement Mantra is still below the Cloud Water Illusion Technique…”
After pondering for a moment, Li Fan made a decision.
Not long after, in the conference hall of Anchorage Base.
Li Fan convened the crowd and raised his doubts.
“Feasibility of forcibly returning to the Eternal Immortal Stronghold? Master Li, why do you ask about this?” questioned He Chen, a guardian soldier from the Qingxuan Sect, with some confusion.
However, he immediately realized and thought Li Fan wanted to send someone for help again.
His expression turned slightly unpleasant, but he truthfully replied, “In recent days, not only has the Annihilation Black Light shown no signs of weakening, but it has also been escalating.”
“With our current strength, if we want to cross the white mist amidst the Annihilation Black Light, I’m afraid…”
He Chen shook his head repeatedly.
Another cultivator named Kong Yu from the Martial Hall also directly negated, “Absolutely not!”
“I know the strength of Captain Leng. If even she failed to seek help, we have no chance of success. It’s better to wait until the Annihilation Black Light weakens before making a decision.”
The others also advised one after another.
“Let’s wait a little longer. Maybe Captain Leng will return soon?”
“Yeah, Master Li, it’s better not to make decisions hastily. As they say, there’s strength in numbers. Although our manpower in the stronghold is limited, we can still support each other. If we split up, once we encounter any unforeseen circumstances, we might be at a disadvantage!”
…
Even cultivators within the base who cooperated in the construction of the formation, even if they were in the Foundation Establishment Stage, still addressed Li Fan as “Master.”
Although Li Fan had always claimed that his proficiency in formations was ordinary and he didn’t deserve the title of “Master,” he vehemently declined.
But it couldn’t change the way these people addressed him.
Over time, he could only silently accept it.
At this moment, seeing that all the cultivators had opposing opinions, Li Fan secretly thought, “Actually, my thoughts are the same as yours, but unfortunately, I have to conduct an experiment.”
“I can only go against the grain.”
But he didn’t argue with them, just waited until everyone quieted down, then looked at them seriously.
When the cultivators began to avoid his gaze, Li Fan spoke slowly, “Gentlemen, let’s be frank. Before the Annihilation Black Light, a round trip from Anchorage Base to the Eternal Immortal Stronghold took only two or three days.”
“Even with the current terrifying situation, it’s extremely difficult. If everything goes smoothly, the round trip would take at most ten days.”
“If Captain Leng doesn’t return soon, the result might be some mishap, with little hope of survival.”
“For us cultivators, struggling between life and death is common. There’s no need to be taboo about it.”
“However…”
Li Fan paused slightly, attracting the attention of all the cultivators.
With a solemn expression, he said, “We are all brothers and sisters of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance. If we die in a battle with the Five Elders’ Union, it can be considered a fitting end without regrets.”
“But if we perish in mutual slaughter, I’m afraid I won’t rest in peace.”
“To avoid such a situation, I believe we should seek help from the Eternal Immortal Stronghold again before our supplies run out.”
“Just as the brothers of the Qingxuan Sect said, this sudden attack by the Annihilation Black Light is unprecedented in intensity. The Eternal Immortal Stronghold is probably too busy to send reinforcements now.”
“In a dire situation, waiting to die is not as good as taking a chance.”
Li Fan’s words were resolute, but the cultivators present showed strange expressions upon hearing them.
Everyone understands the reasoning, but the strongest within Anchorage Base, Captain Leng Yingyi, has already encountered unexpected events within this Annihilation Black Light.
Who can guarantee that they can accomplish what even Leng Yingyi couldn’t?
Staying inside the base, one can still eke out a living and survive a while longer.
But once outside the base, facing the white mist and the black tide, it’s likely an immediate death sentence.
What you, Li Fan, are saying so resolutely, isn’t it an attempt to incite us to our deaths?
Could it be that you would risk your life and personally take action?
All the cultivators present thought so.
However, it hadn’t reached the point of open confrontation yet. They glanced at each other, and Kong Yu cleared his throat, intending to persuade again.
However, what Li Fan said next made them all stand up in astonishment.
“Captain Leng, in order to protect us all, has probably already perished within the Annihilation Black Light.”
“I have long been hesitant.”
“I also know seeking help is extremely perilous. If any of you were to fall because of me, I would be even more ashamed to face everyone.”
“Alone, I will go to the Eternal Immortal Stronghold to seek help.”
“If I don’t die, I will surely find a way for you all!”
Li Fan’s words were decisive, his expression determined.
Kong Yu, He Chen, and others never expected this young formation master to make such a decision.
They looked at each other, doubting if they had misheard.
But seeing Li Fan’s firm gaze and expression, they had no more doubts and were instead shocked.
As the master who built the Tianxuan Locking Spirit Formation, Li Fan, although only in the Foundation Establishment Stage, held the highest position within Anchorage Base.
Because all the cultivators present, whether from the Qingxuan Sect or other departments like the Martial Hall, came here to assist Li Fan in building the formation.
If he were to insist on sending out more cultivators for help, citing “the construction of the Tianxuan Locking Spirit Formation cannot be delayed, and if I were to fall, it would inevitably delay the progress of the formation,” then in the end, most of them would have to comply.
But now, he didn’t do that.
Instead, he voluntarily took on this almost suicidal mission to seek a way out for everyone.
Putting personal life and death aside, selflessly…
Is there really such a person in the world?
Isn’t this what the sages of ancient times were like?
After spending so much time with him before, they couldn’t believe they hadn’t noticed?!
It seems that only in times of life and death can one see a person’s true nature.
And as they recalled their own despicable thoughts, they couldn’t help but feel ashamed.
Under this self-reproach, they earnestly tried to persuade him.
“Master Li, why go this far! Although the situation is dire, it’s not to the point where you need to risk everything.”
“Yes, Master, please think twice. Dealing with both the Annihilation Black Light and the white mist is too dangerous! The odds are against you!”
…
Facing everyone’s dissuasion, Li Fan resolutely said, “My mind is made up, you needn’t say more.”
“You’ve been in the Abyss of Roaring Depths for years, so you have rich experience in surviving amidst the Annihilation Black Light and the white mist. If you really care, why not tell me all the precautions I need to take on the road, so I have a better chance of coming back alive?”
Li Fan said nonchalantly.
The others pretended to be reserved and tried to persuade him again, but seeing that they couldn’t change Li Fan’s determination, they could only sigh.
While feeling relieved, they also eagerly shared their survival experiences in the Abyss of Roaring Depths.
Li Fan listened attentively and remembered them all.
Then, carrying the supplies needed to survive twenty days alone in the white mist, under the reluctant gazes of everyone, he set foot on the lonely road to the Eternal Immortal Stronghold.
It is worth mentioning that perhaps moved by Li Fan’s righteousness, He Chen, a guardian soldier from the Qingxuan Sect, decided to accompany him.
However, after praising the other’s noble intentions, Li Fan still refused his kindness.
In the other’s eyes full of admiration and touched emotions, Li Fan put on the Annihilation Black Light symbol, identified the position of the Broken Palm Immortal City in the vast white mist, and turned into a stream of light, disappearing into it.
The other cultivators in Anchorage Base watched Li Fan’s disappearing figure, their faces showing various expressions.
“I never expected that in today’s cultivation world, there would still be such a person of high integrity. It’s truly embarrassing for us.”
“I’ve lived for three hundred and forty-eight years. It’s only today that I’ve seen such a person, which is a great regret.”
“If Master Li doesn’t die, from now on, I will surely look up to him.”
…
After a moment of silence, everyone couldn’t help but express their heartfelt admiration.
“Hmph!”
Only He Chen looked disdainful, gave everyone a disdainful look, and left in a huff.
The faces of the others were more or less embarrassed.
Like birds and beasts dispersing.