Chapter 17: Everything Is Ready

"So, Li Fan wasn't lying; he truly possesses an ancestral Core Formation cultivation technique?"

Inside the Grand Tutor's mansion, Kou Hong and Dao Xuanzi secretly conversed through spiritual transmission.

"That's right, I saw it with my own eyes," Dao Xuanzi nodded.

"Can we just seize it by force? He's merely a mortal..." Kou Hong's fierce nature became apparent.

Dao Xuanzi quickly dissuaded him: "Although Li Fan is just a mortal, he is, after all, a descendant of the Taiyan Sect. You saw that terrifying divination technique before; it's truly awe-inspiring. If we try to seize it by force, who knows what other methods he might have."

"It's just a matter of helping him repair the Taiyan Boat; it's not difficult. Why cause more trouble?" Of course, Dao Xuanzi's main concern was that if they tried to seize it by force, Li Fan, pushed to desperation, might reveal that the cultivation technique was actually for the Nascent Soul stage.

After Dao Xuanzi's persuasion, Kou Hong abandoned the idea of forceful seizure.

The two then secretly negotiated the division of benefits before finally agreeing to help repair the Taiyan Boat.

The next day, the two saw the Taiyan Boat Li Fan had mentioned.

Kou Hong was delighted at the sight, eagerly taking it to examine it closely.

"As expected of an item from the Taiyan Sect! The crafting techniques are ingenious, and the formations are profoundly intricate, far surpassing anything I've learned!" The more Kou Hong looked, the more pleased he became. "If I can repair this, my artifact refining skills will surely improve!"

"In that case, I'll entrust it to the two of you. Feel free to state any requirements; this old man will certainly fulfill them," Li Fan said solemnly.

"Go on, don't disturb me," Kou Hong waved him off, already engrossed in studying the Taiyan Boat.

Cultivation knows no time.

What appeared to be a small wooden boat took Kou Hong and Dao Xuanzi nearly a year to fully repair.

One day, upon hearing that the Taiyan Boat was repaired, Li Fan eagerly sought out the two of them.

He took the Taiyan Boat from Kou Hong's hands, overjoyed.

Kou Hong said with some pride, "The Taiyan Boat's core power array, transformation and scaling array, and dust-clearing array are all fully repaired. Only the defensive and offensive arrays, due to material limitations, could only be simply restored. Passing through the Immortal Seclusion Grand Formation shouldn't be an issue, but it would be somewhat difficult to withstand attacks from cultivators."

Li Fan, however, was unconcerned: "No matter. As long as I can exit the Immortal Seclusion Grand Formation and return to the cultivation world, I can use my ancestor's token to find a way back to the Taiyan Sect."

Kou Hong's eyes flickered, then he enthusiastically began to explain how to use the Taiyan Boat.

"The Taiyan Boat is powered by spiritual energy and requires spiritual consciousness to operate. Depending on your needs, it can transform into three different sizes."

"The smallest form is only ten meters long and two to three meters wide, capable of carrying about ten people. A slightly larger form is one hundred meters long, able to carry several hundred people. And when expanded to its maximum, it's a thousand meters long, capable of carrying tens of thousands of people! Our spiritual stone reserves aren't extensive, but I've provided enough fuel for you to leave this place in its second form."

"However, operating this Taiyan Boat requires at least Qi Refining stage spiritual consciousness. I wonder if you would need us to operate it for you..."

Before Kou Hong could finish speaking, he saw the Taiyan Boat slowly growing under Li Fan's control, transforming from a small toy into a true small vessel.

Li Fan eagerly stepped inside the Taiyan Boat.

In its ten-meter form, the Taiyan Boat's structure was very simple, consisting of a single deck. The front deck was nearly two meters long, followed by the control cabin and then the living cabin.

Standing in the control cabin, Li Fan connected his spiritual sense to the Taiyan Boat. Immediately, a sensation of complete control, as if it were an extension of his own limb, filled his mind.

Under his manipulation, the Taiyan Boat steadily lifted off, hovering in mid-air.

Li Fan then piloted the Taiyan Boat, soaring up, down, left, and right, before finally suppressing his excitement and returning to the ground.

"Fellow Daoist truly possesses extraordinary means; despite being a mortal, you can control the Taiyan Boat!" Kou Hong praised.

"It's merely a small trick, not worth mentioning!" Li Fan smiled slightly. "I must also thank both of you, fellow Daoists! Trapped for a thousand years, now there is hope of escaping, all thanks to your efforts!"

Li Fan spoke with genuine sincerity.

Although Kou Hong was very curious about how Li Fan, despite having no spiritual consciousness, could operate the Taiyan Boat, seeing Li Fan avoid the topic, he could only let it go.

Dao Xuanzi, however, was already a bit impatient: "Now that the Taiyan Boat is repaired, I wonder..."

Li Fan burst into laughter: "It's already prepared. Fellow Daoist, just follow me to collect it."

Dao Xuanzi's spirits lifted at the words, and he quickly followed.

As they had previously arranged, Kou Hong did not follow, waiting instead where he was.

A moment later, Dao Xuanzi returned, his face beaming, clearly having received the cultivation technique.

Li Fan, Dao Xuanzi, and Kou Hong were all very satisfied with the transaction.

To express his gratitude, Li Fan hosted a grand banquet for the two of them.

Food and wine flowed continuously, and song and dance lasted for three days.

Three days later, Kou Hong and Dao Xuanzi bid farewell to Li Fan.

"Fellow Daoist, our remaining spiritual stones are few. Staying in this Immortal Seclusion land further risks our cultivation declining. So, we are here to say our goodbyes today," Dao Xuanzi told Li Fan.

Li Fan said with some regret, "My clan still has several matters here that are not yet resolved, so I cannot accompany you two, fellow Daoists!"

Kou Hong, however, said warmly, "No matter. If you manage to get out, you can come find me in Lingtian City in the Congyun Mountain Range."

As he spoke, Kou Hong handed Li Fan a map.

"This is a map of the area near the exit of the Immortal Seclusion Grand Formation, which I drew from memory at your request, fellow Daoist. There are no blank jade slips here, so I had to use paper and ink."

Li Fan solemnly accepted the map, thanking him repeatedly.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Kou Hong and Dao Xuanzi finally transformed into two streaks of light and departed.

Dismissing everyone, Li Fan went alone to the underground secret chamber.

Placing the map and the Taiyan Boat together, Li Fan was immediately overcome with emotion.

Six cycles of reincarnation, over three hundred years of painstaking planning – at this moment, it finally bore fruit.

These two items were the key for him to escape this Immortal Seclusion land and gain the hope of eternal life!

At the Oriental Xuyuan.

Kou Hong and Dao Xuanzi stood suspended in the air, looking back towards Xuanjing.

"When we first broke into this Immortal Seclusion land, I thought this journey would leave us severely injured, even if we didn't die. I never expected to encounter such an opportunity by chance," Dao Xuanzi said quietly, feeling the Nascent Soul cultivation technique in his storage ring.

Kou Hong also nodded in agreement, then added with a touch of regret, "That Li Fan has an extraordinary will; he's quite a character. It's a pity his lifespan is nearing its end; even if he returns to the cultivation world, he won't have many years left to live."

"Without eternal life, everything is fleeting. Isn't it precisely for the hope of eternal life that you and I turned against each other and fought?" Dao Xuanzi said indifferently.

"Speaking of which, what kind of cultivation technique did Li Fan give you, exactly?" Kou Hong suddenly asked, curious.

Instead of answering, Dao Xuanzi smiled and said, "It couldn't possibly be the same technique as the one you received, could it? Don't worry, once I return and cultivate in seclusion to break through to the Core Formation stage, I will certainly fulfill the three promises I made to you."

Kou Hong no longer pressed the matter, instead saying with some excitement, "Once I also break through, with the two of us brothers together, who in the Congyun Mountain Range could possibly be our match?"

"The protective mist around the formation hasn't dispersed yet. I wonder, brother, if you dare to venture in?" Dao Xuanzi looked at the thick fog above Xuyuan, then suddenly flew into it first.

Clearly, he was eager to return to the cultivation world and comprehend the cultivation technique.

"Why wouldn't I dare?" Kou Hong burst out laughing, then followed closely, plunging into the mist.