It wasn’t purely for enjoyment but rather to better align with the identity of the [Heavenly Mechanism Sect Cultivator] as an investment master.
After all, with your ability to double the capital every two years, it wouldn’t make much sense to be crammed into the Tianxuan Mirror like an ordinary cultivator.
Though it could be explained by claiming a reclusive nature.
However, considering the possible publicity effect of "purchasing a cave on the the Ten Thousand Immortal Island shortly after joining the the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance", Li Fan really had the idea of purchasing a cave dwelling.
After searching for a while, he had no choice but to give up.
The reason was simple—contribution points alone weren’t enough.
Not only was there a requirement for a certain level of Authority requirement within the the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, but one also needed to obtain a [Residence Permit] issued by the Administration Hall of the Island to be eligible to purchase a cave dwelling there.
This residence permit is generally only granted to cultivators who have made special contributions to the local branch of the the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance.
However, it is said that there are additional channels through which one can privately purchase such a permit, though it’s unclear whether this is true.
“It’s better to stay in the Tianxuan Mirror for now.”
Li Fan dismissed the idea.
He took out the [Insight Enlighten Pill] that Chen Ying had just given him, swallowed it in one go, and carefully felt the changes occurring within himself.
Its effect was somewhat similar to the Enlightenment Pill.
However, the Enlightenment Pill is more comprehensive, aiding in the comprehension of cultivation techniques, deduction of secret arts, or breakthroughs in cultivation levels.
This insight Enlighten Pill, on the other hand, only shows its effects when Li Fan wants to make a breakthrough in his cultivation.
“It’s like a low-end, specialized version of the Enlightenment Pill.”
“Enlightenment Pills are hard to come by within the the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, so this Insight Enlighten Pill isn’t bad either.”
To avoid wasting the pill’s effect, Li Fan seized the time it lasted and began cultivating.
It was unclear how much time had passed before Li Fan was abruptly awakened by an inexplicable sensation in his heart.
It turned out that the restrictions on entering the Fallen Immortal Realm had lifted, and he could go there again.
"It seems like this retreat was more immersive than usual. I only felt like I closed my eyes for a moment, but so much time has passed."
“There’s indeed some value here.”
“Such talent... I hope he can survive this calamity.”
With this thought, Li Fan began setting up a ritual in the surroundings.
"Blessings to the Heavenly Venerable Xuanhuang!" he murmured. The next moment, the world spun around him, and Li Fan found himself descending back into the Fallen Immortal Realm.
As expected, his entire body was enveloped in a mysterious liquid, surrounded by darkness.
He had once again become the Heavenly Fate Mystical Bird still inside its eggshell.
Fatigue and weakness pervaded him.
Li Fan tried his best to absorb the surrounding liquid, striving to stay awake.
While doing so, he pondered his options.
"From the experience of Ye Feipeng in my previous life, the Creation furnace Technique is effective even for creatures like demonic beasts."
"Although my body is currently too fragile, and forcibly invoking the hidden power might cause a backlash I can't handle,"
"But with Xu Ke watching over me, it should be fine."
"I might as well give it a try. If it doesn't work out, I can always start over."
In an instant, Li Fan made up his mind.
Focusing his thoughts, it was as if he wielded a massive hammer, striking hard at the force within him.
"Eh? What's happening?"
A searing power suddenly erupted from within, seemingly burning everything.
Li Fan’s consciousness was about to dissolve when, in a daze, he seemed to hear Xu Ke's faint exclamation.
He then fell into silence.
After an unknown amount of time, Li Fan gradually regained consciousness.
Instinctively checking his condition, he found that he was several times stronger than before he had passed out.
The hidden power he had initially activated surged from every part of his body, transforming the Mystical Bird.
The liquid in the dark space around him also seemed to contain another form of energy.
Tiny specks of red light, resembling flames, began to appear.
"Not bad, Xu Ke."
Li Fan greedily swallowed a few gulps and immediately felt more energized.
"This is…"
The taste of the red specks was strikingly similar to a certain fruit that Xu Ke had fed the Heavenly Fate Mystical Bird in a previous life.
"A great tonic, Xu Ke, you really are resourceful. No wonder you're favored by fate."
Li Fan was finally at ease.
After fully digesting the energy he had consumed and feeling that his body was in peak condition, Li Fan once again focused his thoughts and unleashed the hidden power within.
"What's happening again?"
Just before passing out, Li Fan vaguely heard Xu Ke's miserable cry.
True to his word, Xu Ke exerted himself again and managed to save the dying Heavenly Fate Mystical Bird.
In this way, Li Fan fearlessly and without hesitation continued to practice the Creation Furnace Technique.
Whenever he couldn’t endure it anymore, Xu Ke's seemingly otherworldly luck would lead him to find a solution.
After repeating this process seven times, the surrounding liquid was entirely absorbed, and Li Fan felt it was time.
Letting out a loud cry, Li Fan clawed at the eggshell.
Fine cracks spread out, and then light appeared.
Li Fan broke through the shell.
After devouring the broken eggshell, Li Fan looked at the stunned Xu Ke beside him, fluttered his wings, and made a home in his hair.
"Oh no, oh no, I haven't completed the Spirit Beast Art's bonding, and it's already hatched?"
"Did I raise it to be useless?"
Xu Ke lamented, muttering to himself.
Li Fan unceremoniously gave him a claw, conveying the message that he was hungry.
Xu Ke yelped in surprise and had no choice but to take Li Fan into the forest to search for food.
As Li Fan practiced the Creation Furnace Technique, he also sensed the connection between himself and Xu Ke.
A thread of cold energy subtly flowed through his body, beyond his control, and seemed to resonate with Xu Ke beneath him.
Had it not been for Li Fan’s practice of the Creation Furnace Technique and the initial control over his body it provided, he might never have noticed it.
It was this thread of cold energy that made Li Fan feel a slight sense of closeness to Xu Ke.
However, since Li Fan had independently broken out of his shell in this life, the kind of unbreakable bond had not yet formed.
"So this is the Beast Taming Art?"
Li Fan mused.
He then gave Xu Ke another hard claw, causing him to cry out in pain.
Li Fan resumed his cultivation of the Heaven's Mandate is Mine divine power.
As he absorbed the luck that overflowed from Xu Ke, Li Fan felt invigorated.
Under the dual enhancement of the Creation Furnace Technique and the Heaven's Mandate is Mine, although he was just born, Li Fan's strength rapidly increased.
Moreover, perhaps due to the reversed cultivation path in his previous life, which had strengthened his soul and will, Li Fan was now less influenced by the emotions and nature of the Mystical Bird.
At least, he no longer experienced uncontrollable behavior.
More than a month later, while Xu Ke was not paying attention, Li Fan tested his abilities on some wild demonic beasts in the mountains.
Ordinary demonic beasts in the Qi condensation stage were no longer his match.
One day, as Xu Ke was foraging with Li Fan as usual, they were suddenly stopped by an uninvited guest.
It was none other than Song Yang, who had been eyeing the Heavenly Fate Mystical Bird.
Sensing the gaze of the black two-headed snake coiled around Song Yang’s neck, Li Fan sneered.
A faint killing intent solidified and rushed toward it.
The black two-headed snake immediately trembled and curled into a ball.