Chapter 239: Medicine Cauldron Returning to Profound Yellow

After thoroughly testing the transformation of his escape technique, Ye Feipeng enthusiastically began experimenting with his other newfound understandings.

Wind Blade, Wind Prison, Windstorm... Even though they were still far from reaching the true strength of Azure Wind, these techniques had been imbued with its True Intent. Their power, however, had undergone a qualitative improvement compared to ordinary spells. In Li Fan's eyes, the destructive power of the spells Ye Feipeng, currently in the Qi Refining stage, now cast was almost infinitely close to that of a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator.

However, it was difficult to say whether this True Intent of Azure Wind was stronger or weaker than Zhang Haobo's Heavenly Fiend Sword Intent. If Li Fan were to choose, he would still opt for the Heavenly Fiend Sword Intent. After all, in terms of lethality, Azure Wind was still significantly weaker than the Heavenly Fiend Sword. Li Fan, being cautious, generally avoided engaging in combat. However, once he did engage, it would invariably be a "kill or be killed" situation. Thus, the Heavenly Fiend Sword Intent was naturally far more suitable than the True Intent of Azure Wind for his purposes.

After his practice, Ye Feipeng, whose strength had dramatically advanced, did not immediately return to the desolate island to flaunt his power. Instead, he quietly returned to the mysterious space. After waiting for some time, he followed a wisp of faint azure light and consumed it once more. Unfortunately, judging by his regretful expression, the gains seemed minimal. Only then did the little fatty, having given up hope for more gains, slowly return to the island and challenge Xiao Heng.

Xiao Heng had not anticipated such a drastic change in Ye Feipeng's strength after just one outing. Caught completely off guard, Xiao Heng, despite unleashing the full power of his Dinghai Divine Sword, still succumbed after persisting for half a day. Ye Feipeng, having defeated Xiao Heng for the first time, burst into triumphant laughter. He patted Xiao Heng's shoulder, then swaggered away, humming a tune and shaking his head with immense pride.

Xiao Heng watched Ye Feipeng's retreating figure, initially feeling shocked and incredulous. But then, his expression gradually turned serious. Without a word, he quietly began to cultivate. Under his influence, the atmosphere on the once much livelier desolate island gradually grew solemn. The usual playful antics decreased significantly, and Su Xiaomei, Zhang Haobo, and others likewise began diligent cultivation.

"Excellent. Sufficient pressure is indeed necessary to provide ample motivation," Li Fan murmured to himself. "Although the little fatty's personality isn't the best, he perfectly served as a 'catfish' in this scenario. From this perspective alone, my investment has paid off." Li Fan, observing all of this, nodded with great satisfaction. While the younger generation diligently cultivated, Li Fan himself naturally could not afford to be complacent. Recalling his attention, Li Fan once again immersed himself in arduous cultivation.

***

In the middle of the fifteenth anchor year, a fiery meteor illuminated the horizon. It then swiftly streaked across the sky and vanished. All cultivators who witnessed it instinctively felt an inexplicable sense of dread. Some cultivators attempted to trace its path but found nothing.

Currently, only Li Fan in the entire cultivation world knew that this fiery meteor was the Medicine King Cauldron, which had previously departed by breaking through the realm barrier. However, Jiao Xiuyuan's years-long preparations gradually began to show results. Many cultivators suddenly recalled a piece of news they had once dismissed as mere gossip, which they had only occasionally heard: the Medicine King Cauldron was about to return to the Xuanhuang Realm, and only those possessing a miniature Medicine King Cauldron would be able to enter. Consequently, they couldn't help but speculate.

"Could it be that this fiery meteor is indeed the Medicine King Cauldron?"

Although this was currently just an unfounded conjecture, it didn't deter them from seeking further verification. Thus, some cultivators skilled in the arts of deduction and prognostication, partly out of curiosity and partly acting on commissions, began to deduce the origin of the fiery meteor. However, to everyone's surprise, a mysterious power seemed to be attached to this fiery meteor. All related deduction techniques failed. It was as if the heavenly mechanisms had been disturbed, plunging into a state of chaos. Forcibly attempting to deduce it yielded no results and carried the risk of a backlash.

This, in turn, only piqued the cultivators' curiosity further. Even if this fiery meteor wasn't the Medicine King Cauldron, it undoubtedly concealed a great secret. Lured by the prospect of hidden opportunities, countless cultivators sprang into action, beginning to search for the fiery meteor's whereabouts.

***

One day, Li Fan's clone, currently within the Heavenly Profound Mirror and experimenting with methods to unlock the human body's hidden potential using his own form, received an ecstatic message from Jiao Xiuyuan.

"It's booming! Booming! Fellow Daoist Lin Fan, overnight, the number of people inquiring about the miniature Medicine King Cauldrons has multiplied several times!" Jiao Xiuyuan exclaimed. "That meteor appeared at just the right time! I was just fretting that my previous measures had yielded little effect!"

Li Fan lightly coughed and asked, "Have you sold the miniature cauldrons you possess?"

"Huh? Fellow Daoist, why does your voice sound a bit weak? Are you injured?" Jiao Xiuyuan didn't answer immediately but instead asked with a hint of confusion.

"Cough, cough, it's nothing. Just a minor mishap during cultivation. It's not serious," Li Fan replied nonchalantly.

Only then did Jiao Xiuyuan return to the main topic: "Heh heh, rest assured, Fellow Daoist. I've been preparing for this for so long; there's no way I'd sell them off so easily. The path to appreciation for these miniature Medicine King Cauldrons has just begun. Next, I plan to follow your suggestion, Fellow Daoist, and invite a master diviner to endorse these miniature cauldrons. Once the atmosphere is sufficiently built up, I'll then seek partners to organize a grand auction. I'll start by selling one of them at auction to gauge the market. Fellow Daoist, what do you think of my plan? Is there anything that needs improvement?"

Ever since Li Fan offered him advice last time, Jiao Xiuyuan had been utterly amazed, believing Li Fan's acumen in business matters to be exceptionally rare in their time. He therefore greatly valued Li Fan's opinions.

Li Fan did not immediately offer his opinion. Instead, he used the Heavenly Profound Mirror to search and review all recent events pertaining to the fiery meteor. After pondering for a moment, he said, "Heh heh, circumstances have changed. In my opinion, there's no longer a need to invite someone for an endorsement. The fiery meteor's ability to obscure heavenly mechanisms is, in itself, the best form of publicity. Mysterious goods that ignite imagination are far more valuable. If you truly wish to make a move, why not ask this master diviner to remain silent instead?"

Jiao Xiuyuan paused, a little perplexed. "Remain silent? What do you mean by that?"

Li Fan smiled. "Just have this master claim that while attempting to deduce the origin of the miniature Medicine King Cauldrons, he suffered a severe backlash and was gravely injured, and has entered seclusion to recover for a period."

Jiao Xiuyuan considered it for a moment, immediately recognizing the brilliance of this maneuver. "Most people are more inclined to believe what they imagine than what others promote. Fellow Daoist, this method is truly brilliant!" Jiao Xiuyuan praised profusely.

"Furthermore, during the auction, do not engage in tactics like secretly bidding up prices," Li Fan continued. "Even after the auction concludes, ensure the safety of cultivators who acquire a miniature Medicine King Cauldron. Prevent any incidents of murder or treasure snatching. In essence, the first auction shouldn't aim for significant profits. Its sole purpose should be to thoroughly publicize the miniature Medicine King Cauldrons."

Li Fan meticulously laid out his strategies for Jiao Xiuyuan.