Chapter 146: Purchasing the Ten Thousand Immortal Formation Flags

Li Fan was secretly sighing to himself when his light chuckle drew Kou Hong's displeasure.

Kou Hong flew closer, staring at Li Fan with an unkind tone: "Fellow cultivator, why are you laughing?"

Feng Mu's expression changed. This Foundation Establishment cultivator didn't seem easy to provoke; he appeared ready to fight at the slightest disagreement.

Li Fan, however, showed no fear. He sighed deeply and said, "You wouldn't know, fellow cultivator, but I pride myself on being well-traveled and knowledgeable. Yet, I never anticipated that in today's cultivation world, there would still be cultivators like you, with such noble character, unswayed by cultivation methods."

"I truly feel humble and inferior!"

"May I ask your name, fellow cultivator?" Li Fan asked, though he already knew.

Hearing this, Kou Hong's expression softened slightly. He said proudly, "My name is Kou Hong." Then, he pointed to Dao Xuanzi beside him and said, "This is my brother, Dao Xuanzi."

Dao Xuanzi didn't approach but watched Li Fan and Feng Mu from a distance, nodding slightly.

Li Fan's expression became serious. "I didn't expect it was Kou Hong and Dao Xuanzi themselves! I've long admired you both!"

Kou Hong looked a bit confused by Li Fan's reaction. Then, he eyed Li Fan suspiciously, somewhat disbelievingly: "You've heard of us two brothers?"

Dao Xuanzi was also slightly taken aback and meticulously observed Li Fan. Unfortunately, the other party had used a Concealing Talisman to hide his cultivation, making it impossible to discern his true strength.

"Of course," Li Fan said earnestly. "Kou Hong's Dao techniques are masterful and he's skilled in artifact refining; and Dao Xuanzi's swordplay is divine, his Rusty Sword Dao Xuan unmatched in power. How could I not have heard of you?"

Kou Hong and Dao Xuanzi both blushed.

Dao Xuanzi quickly approached and whispered, "Fellow cultivator, please keep your voice down. The two Soul Transformation Immortals are still battling overhead. We don't deserve such high praise."

Kou Hong, however, immediately regained his normal composure and exclaimed with delight, "I can't believe our names have reached Source Dao State!"

"May I know your name, fellow cultivator?"

"My name is Li Fan."

The two immediately began conversing. The more they talked, the more Kou Hong felt a kinship with this person. Their topics of conversation and temperaments perfectly suited Kou Hong's taste. It was as if they were born good brothers, with an endless supply of shared topics.

Moreover, this person's claim of being well-traveled and knowledgeable was not empty talk. He effortlessly recounted various hidden secrets of the cultivation world, many of which Kou Hong and Dao Xuanzi had never heard of. He was also conversant in formations, artifact refining, talisman crafting, and alchemy. His mastery of formations, in particular, was extraordinary.

Kou Hong enjoyed artifact refining and had a basic understanding of formations. But compared to Li Fan, he was like an apprentice to a master; the difference was vast. Often, with just a few concise words, Li Fan would enlighten Kou Hong, resolving all the doubts Kou Hong had accumulated during his self-study of formations. It was a truly eye-opening and deeply impressive experience for Kou Hong.

And unlike his conversations with Dao Xuanzi, Li Fan would occasionally and subtly offer praise during their discussions. This made Kou Hong feel elated, filled with an uncontrollable sense of pride. Consequently, he found Li Fan more and more agreeable, and a feeling of "meeting an old friend too late" spontaneously arose.

Dao Xuanzi listened to their conversation from the side, not interjecting, only occasionally nodding in strong agreement.

Feng Mu saw this scene and showed a strange expression. However, this oddity was fleeting and well-concealed, unnoticed by Dao Xuanzi and Kou Hong.

Thus, the few of them continued to chat while watching the battle. The Soul Transformation battle continued for another two days, and they chatted ceaselessly for those two days. Two days later, the Soul Transformation battle overhead finally came to a temporary halt. Yet, no victor had emerged. Du Guqi and Du Gu Shi agreed to fight again in a year. Afterward, each transformed into a streak of light and successively flew away from the Heavenly Capital Martial Arts Arena.

As the battle concluded, the numerous cultivators watching gradually dispersed.

"I intend to return to Source Dao City. Would you two brothers care to join me?" Li Fan asked warmly at this point.

Kou Hong also felt he hadn't had enough and was about to agree. But seeing Dao Xuanzi's gestured look, he couldn't help but say regretfully, "We have some matters to attend to for now, so we won't be returning yet."

"Next time we have an opportunity, let's have another good chat."

"Certainly! I'll definitely join you!" Li Fan readily agreed.

After exchanging communication talismans, Kou Hong and Dao Xuanzi watched the departing Li Fan and couldn't help but exclaim, "To think we'd meet such a kindred spirit here in Source Dao State!"

"If we had met a century or two earlier, the three of us surely would have become sworn brothers," Dao Xuanzi echoed.

"It's a pity that there were only two Blue Feather Relics in that place. Otherwise, bringing this person along wouldn't have been out of the question."

"The Blue Feather Relics again? I thought it was the grotto-heaven where they found the 'Thousand Machine Jade Cauldron Golden Scroll'..."

"But then again, it's still very early before they discover this cultivation method."

The departing Li Fan, sensing the images transmitted by the Heaven-Gazing Earth-Listening technique, felt a little regretful. Naturally, Li Fan befriended Kou Hong as a precautionary measure, preparing for the future. Li Fan hadn't forgotten that the cultivation method he was currently mastering would be discovered by these two approximately twenty years later. In such a short time, Li Fan would most likely not reach the late stage of Foundation Establishment. And he had chatted so enjoyably with Kou Hong, almost wishing they could become sworn brothers on the spot. Therefore, to prevent the tragedy of brothers turning against each other, Li Fan would have to find an opportunity to scheme against and kill these two before that time.

On their way back, Feng Mu looked at Li Fan, wanting to say something but stopping herself. In the end, she said nothing, and after they arrived at Source Dao City, they bid farewell and parted ways.

Li Fan headed straight for the Heavenly Mystery Mirror. His purpose in coming to Source Dao City this time was to purchase some defensive spell formations. With Li Fan's current cultivation in formation arts, he could verbally deceive Kou Hong, but to actually set up a grand formation capable of repelling external enemies, he still lacked the ability.

Currently, Li Fan had 14,600 contribution points remaining. For the absolute safety of his Foundation Establishment, and considering the future need to guard his cave dwelling and protect ancient Dao artifacts, Li Fan decided to spend a fortune to buy a formation capable of resisting attacks from Golden Core cultivators. He immediately began browsing for options in the Heavenly Mystery Mirror.

Before long, Li Fan's eyes lit up as he looked at the description of one item.

"Myriad Immortal Array Banners.""A set of 365 array banners. Can form a miniature Myriad Immortal Spell Array, covering a maximum area of thirty li. Unbreakable even by cultivators at the Grand Perfection stage of Golden Core.""When all array banners are fully deployed, the area they cover is considered a protected sanctuary of the Myriad Immortals Alliance.""Any unprovoked attacker will be pursued and hunted down by the Myriad Immortals Alliance's Martial Arts Hall.""Note: Not recommended for use outside Myriad Immortals Alliance territory.""Suggested purchase with the Heavenly Mystery Minor Mirror for a 10% discount."

"Heavenly Mystery Minor Mirror.""Mirror avatars of the Heavenly Mystery Mirror, available in multiple versions.""The most basic version only provides search and purchase of information and items within the Heavenly Mystery Mirror, and the posting and acceptance of missions.""The upgraded version comes with a Heavenly Mystery Mirror space, suitable for cultivation and spiritual enlightenment.""The supreme version also includes enemy-repelling functions. It can defend against and reflect all attacks from Nascent Soul cultivators."