Chapter 1442: Big Sun Flame Body Refinement

Angry Squid:

Upon hearing this, Li Fan was stunned for a moment, then overjoyed.

“If anyone else told me this, I’d just think they’d been locked in the Black Prison for too long and were spouting nonsense. But for you to say so, Brother Nangong…”

“Then I have no fear!”

Although Nangong Hongzhao didn’t say anything overtly in response to Li Fan’s compliments, the faint smile that inadvertently appeared on his face betrayed his true feelings.

With this conversation as an opportunity, Li Fan and Nangong Hongzhao’s relationship gradually grew closer.

Li Fan subtly gathered some information about the Nangong family. While not top-secret, it was knowledge that only certain echelons within the Arcane Star Sea were privy to.

For instance, Nangong Reverent Sage’s name was chosen because, prior to him, the Nangong family had indeed produced a being worthy of being called a “Saint.” This person, named Nangong Blessed Sage, was credited with achievements such as the initial establishment of the Dao Net and the protection of all people. However, Blessed Sage had not appeared in the mortal world for a long time, with only Reverent Sage acting on his behalf.

Another example: the Nangong family possesses a supreme treasure, reportedly obtained during the encirclement and capture of an unnamed True Immortal. It is an item of clothing worn by this True Immortal. Regardless of the preciousness of its material, its miraculous effects are astonishing. It is actually formed from the Grand Dao that the unnamed True Immortal had integrated, forcibly stripped from him after his capture. If a cultivator is fortunate enough to wear this garment and can withstand its power, they would feel as if they had fallen into a sea of Grand Dao, surrounded by its very essence. The efficiency of comprehending the Grand Dao would be even greater than being within the Dao Net itself. The only drawback, however, is that this high efficiency only applies to the specific Dao path corresponding to the unnamed True Immortal.

Nangong Hongzhao also gradually realized that ‘Ma Tiande,’ the former Dao Net operator, possessed an understanding and knowledge of the Dao Net that subtly surpassed his own. A few words from him often provided Nangong Hongzhao with significant insights.

It’s worth noting that most of these newly appointed Immortal Hunters came from prestigious sects. No one was willing to concede to another. Yet, individuals like Ma Tiande, who ranked highly in the assessment yet remained exceptionally humble, were exceedingly rare.

“This person is truly worth befriending,” Nangong Hongzhao thought to himself.

Time passed as the two conversed day after day.

As if to confirm Nangong Hongzhao’s words, after being imprisoned in the Black Prison for a full ninety days, they were finally released.

“Every word and action of yours in the Black Prison has been recorded.”

“This is the final stage of your recruitment trial.”

“Your previous rankings have been slightly adjusted.”

“The official appointments for Immortal Hunters will be based on the new list.”

“Go rest for now. Wait for further notice.”

Upon their release, the newly appointed Immortal Hunters heard these statements.

Some were overcome with joy, glad they had maintained self-restraint. Others’ expressions changed multiple times, regretting their past actions.

Naturally, true prodigies like Nangong Hongzhao, Dao Yuan, and Jin Changyue would clearly not be deceived by such rhetoric.

Jin Changyue let out a cold snort, and the three longswords on his back simultaneously emitted roaring sword hums. It took him considerable effort to retract the overflowing murderous aura.

Nangong Hongzhao and Li Fan exchanged glances, then quietly departed together without a word.

They arrived at Nangong’s resting place, a private courtyard established within the Immortal Hunter organization. The Immortal Hunter organization itself is located within the Dao Net and does not exist in the real world. This courtyard was also derived from the power of the Dao Net. Its size would continuously expand based on the owner’s authority, and it could change its appearance at will, according to one's thoughts.

Since it was formed by the Dao Net’s power, living there allowed for constant comprehension of the Dao Net’s energy. The efficiency of cultivation was many times greater than practicing in the outer star seas.

Under Nangong Hongzhao’s control, the scene of the courtyard instantly transformed into a winding karst cave. Li Fan followed Nangong, gradually arriving at the depths of the cave. Beneath the vast cavern was scorching lava.

“Congratulations, brother, your ranking has advanced further, reaching the top three. I imagine you’ll be entrusted with significant responsibilities now,” Nangong Hongzhao said with a teasing smile. As he spoke, he unexpectedly leaped down into the lava.

Immersed in the intensely hot lava, Nangong Hongzhao actually let out a groan of pleasure.

“I never expected Brother Nangong to have such a preference,” Li Fan remarked, staring down without following him in.

Unlike the various illusions generated in the living space of the Heavenly Profound Mirror, everything within this Dao Net courtyard was real. Like all things in heaven and earth, they were manifestations of the Grand Dao.

Cultivators in the Arcane Star Sea primarily focused on comprehending the Dao Net, often neglecting their personal cultivation.

It was clear that ‘Ma Tiande’ did not possess the ability to survive in such scorching lava.

“Hehe, you wouldn’t understand this. This is Great Sun Lava. Theoretically, only by collectively destroying the Great Suns in ninety-nine cultivation worlds and then adding Lunar power to refine them, can a single drop like this be formed.”

“But now, with the mysterious and unpredictable power of the Dao Net, it can be conjured out of nothing, directly bypassing countless complicated intermediate steps! This kind of treasure, which only True Immortals were worthy of enjoying in the past, can now be fully relished by us mortals!”

As Nangong Hongzhao spoke, he cupped a drop of Great Sun Lava in his hand.

Li Fan observed that the viscous, crimson liquid was slowly but continuously seeping into Nangong Hongzhao’s body through all his pores.

His body turned red, as if ignited.

Yet, Nangong Hongzhao seemed completely unfazed, even taking a contented sip.

Li Fan’s eyes immediately narrowed.

Even observing from a distance, he could discern the terrifying destructive power of this so-called Great Sun Lava. Nangong Hongzhao’s bathwater below could likely turn the entire Xuanhuang Realm into scorched earth.

“Even if I were my true self, without spiritual energy protection, falling into this lava would probably lead to instant annihilation. Yet, Nangong Hongzhao can accomplish this feat with just his physical body…”

Li Fan suddenly recalled the scene where Nangong Hongzhao was slapped away by the furious Nangong Reverent Sage earlier.

When Nangong Reverent Sage descended, the surrounding starry sky seemed to immediately plunge into a violent tsunami, with surging waves. And that slap, he clearly held nothing back. Such immense power would likely severely injure even a True Immortal.

Yet, Nangong Hongzhao was completely fine, even able to follow and return at high speed.

“So, it’s a body-refining technique,” Li Fan mused inwardly.

Nangong Hongzhao’s subsequent words confirmed Li Fan’s conjecture: “In the Arcane Star Sea, the power of the Dao Net reigns supreme.”

“It is such a magnificent and grand creation, allowing mortals to manipulate the Grand Dao of heaven and earth, just like the immortals of old. However, compared to immortals, we mortals are still too insignificant. Like a child wielding a sharp blade, one might fail to harm an enemy and instead injure oneself. Moreover, immortal techniques are explicitly forbidden by the Council. Therefore…”

Nangong Hongzhao took a deep breath, and all the pores on his body opened wide. They resembled gaping maws, sucking the entire pool of Great Sun Lava into his body.

“What a pleasure!”

At this moment, Nangong Hongzhao’s face was completely stained red.

He let out a muffled groan and exhaled a long, scorching breath. There were no spiritual energy fluctuations on his body; he was merely relying on extremely rapid vibrations to digest the Great Sun Lava.

Nangong Hongzhao’s complexion slowly returned to normal. He leaped up beside Li Fan and then continued, “Dao Yuan, Jin Changyue, all these individuals, without exception, possess unique body-forging techniques, just like me. Don’t be fooled by their outwardly frail appearances!”

“This is also the biggest difference between the prestigious families of the Arcane Star Sea and self-made cultivators like you, brother.”

Nangong Hongzhao patted Li Fan’s shoulder and spoke meaningfully.

“By using one’s body as a nail to integrate into the Dao Net, the stronger the body is forged, the more Dao Net strings it can withstand. Dao Yuan and the others have undergone special training since childhood and are already tempered through countless trials. But for someone like Brother Ma…”

“Even if you can now utilize the Dao Net’s power to some extent, how can you possibly compare to our millennia-old heritage when it comes to figuring out what materials and methods are most effective for body refining without injuring yourself, all by yourself?”

With Nangong Hongzhao having said this much, how could Li Fan not understand his implication?

Bowing deeply, Li Fan said with a serious expression, “Please instruct me, Brother Nangong. Whether I succeed or not, I will surely repay you generously in the future. Should you have any commands, I will not shrink from them, even if it means death!”

Nangong Hongzhao helped Li Fan up. “Brother, we are greatly fated; please don’t speak like that. However, I’m not just putting on airs—you should know that every body-refining technique today has been refined to its absolute peak, tested with countless lives. They are indeed incredibly precious.”

Li Fan nodded. “I naturally understand this.”

“You two chatted for a long time in the Black Prison, and I’ve gotten to know you quite well. You’ve passed the optimal age for body tempering, so ordinary body-refining methods, even with several times the effort, would have significantly reduced effects. However, your advantage lies in your understanding of the Dao Net, which is beyond ordinary people’s reach. Therefore…”

Nangong Hongzhao sized Li Fan up again, then softly said, “This technique, the Grand Dao Manifestation Art, is simply perfect for you!”

Nangong Hongzhao had not finished speaking when Li Fan raised a hand to stop him.

With a slightly solemn expression, Li Fan quietly asked, “I just thought, this body-refining technique is so valuable. Brother Nangong, if you privately transmit it to me…”

“Won’t Senior Reverent Sage punish you?”

“If that were the case, I absolutely cannot accept it.”

Seeing Li Fan’s earnest sincerity, completely unlike a refusal, Nangong Hongzhao was stunned on the spot.

But he quickly recovered and waved his hand. “It’s fine. Although the technique is precious, its confidentiality level isn’t high. Since I’m only teaching it to you, Third Uncle will certainly not punish me.”

“Now, listen carefully…”

The karst cave formed by the Dao Net courtyard quietly sealed itself. Within it, Nangong Hongzhao fully transmitted the Grand Dao Manifestation Art.

With Li Fan’s experience, he quickly understood the intricacies of this technique.

Undoubtedly, this technique bore the traces of immortal cultivation methods.

It involved visualizing the Grand Dao of the world as a net, suppressing oneself, and using the immense weight of the Grand Dao of heaven and earth to temper the body.

During the body-refining process, besides increasing physical strength, it could also deepen one’s intimacy with and comprehension of the Grand Dao.

As Nangong Hongzhao said, it was an incredibly profound and exceptionally precious body-refining profound art.

However, it also had its drawbacks.

Namely, the cultivation difficulty was simply too high.

To be able to visualize the Grand Dao manifesting upon oneself, one’s comprehension of the Grand Dao of heaven and earth must clearly have reached an extremely high realm, even surpassing that of many immortals.

If one were so familiar with the Grand Dao, they could directly merge with it and ascend as an unnamed immortal.

Why would there be a need to slowly temper the physical body? Wouldn’t that be taking a roundabout path?

“Perhaps only the Arcane Star Sea, shrouded by the Dao Net, could give rise to such a deformed and peculiar technique.”

“Firstly, by replacing the formless Grand Dao of heaven and earth with the tangible Dao Net, the cultivation threshold was significantly lowered.”

“Secondly, the Arcane Star Sea is a surviving gathering place for the Immortal Realm and the lower star seas after the Calamity of Dao Annihilation. True Immortals, and even unnamed True Immortals, gathered here. Only in such circumstances could this Grand Dao Manifestation Art be derived…”

Thousands of thoughts surged through Li Fan’s mind, yet they didn’t delay him from already beginning to cultivate this body-refining technique.

Already within the Dao Net, he naturally bypassed the complex process of visualizing Dao Strings manifesting upon himself.

Suddenly, it felt as if towering mountains were pressing down on his body.

Li Fan immediately stumbled and fell to the ground in disarray, with large amounts of blood instantly spurting from all his pores.

It nearly splattered onto Nangong Hongzhao, who was watching nearby, but he managed to block it in time.

The corner of Nangong Hongzhao’s mouth twitched.

Li Fan struggled to get up from the ground, tidied his dishevelled appearance, and weakly cupped his hands to Nangong Hongzhao, saying, “I’ve made Brother Nangong laugh. I didn’t expect cultivating this body-refining method to be so difficult this time.”

Nangong Hongzhao consoled him, “Remember, Brother Ma, you must proceed gradually and not be greedy. It’s normal to endure some hardship.”

“The hardships I endured in my youth were a hundred times greater than what you’re experiencing now!”

“Brother Ma, although I have transmitted the Grand Dao Manifestation Art to you, I cannot tell you the specific cultivation methods, related insights, or cultivation experiences.”

“You will need to discover everything on your own.”

Li Fan clasped his fists. “Receiving this divine art is already a great kindness. How could I dare to hope for more!”

“I won’t trouble Brother Nangong any further today. I’ll return to cultivate on my own.”

After some pleasantries, Li Fan bid farewell to Nangong Hongzhao and returned to his own courtyard.

His official position was still higher than Nangong Hongzhao’s, yet the area of his courtyard was even slightly smaller than the other’s.

Li Fan paid no mind to this, transforming his courtyard into the appearance of Dissolution Mountain Peak.

He sat cross-legged and formally began cultivating the Grand Dao Manifestation Art.

His previous clumsy display in front of Nangong Hongzhao was, of course, intentional. He merely sought an excuse to leave.

Given his exquisite sensitivity to the Grand Dao, his cultivation speed for this technique would likely far exceed Nangong’s imagination.

Furthermore, Li Fan wasn’t merely cultivating by following a blueprint.

By now, Li Fan was already capable of modifying techniques based on his own unique circumstances.

“Grand Dao Manifestation.”

“And in my mind, a projection of the Grand Dao has already emerged.”

“Therefore…”

“There’s no need for the Grand Dao of heaven and earth to descend; within my mind, the Dao Strings can turn from illusory to real. This way, I can use the Grand Dao’s pressure to temper my physical body.”

Li Fan’s eyes narrowed slightly, and the miniature Dao Net within his divine sense radiated faint bursts of light.

End of Chapter.