Chapter 314: Golden Core Approaches Demise Immortal

The affinity with the Heavenly Profound Spirit-Locking Array's Nexus, along with the understanding of array structures and soul-pact traces, were the three major assessment items for this closed training. The affinity even carried more weight than the first two.

When Li Fan personally laid out the core array and tried to guide the Array Nexus into it, but consistently received no response, he finally understood why affinity was so crucial. At that moment, the Heavenly Profound Array Nexus was like an arrogant goddess, completely ignoring Li Fan. No matter how much effort Li Fan put in, he couldn't move her in the slightest. Yet, for the Heavenly Profound Spirit-Locking Array to function effectively, the Nexus was indispensable. Without the Array Nexus, even the most massive array was just an empty shell. This central core array was specifically designed for it; its sole purpose was to perfectly integrate the Nexus into the Heavenly Profound Spirit-Locking Array. Now that the "palace" was built, its true occupant was slow to move in, naturally posing a challenge for Li Fan.

The unique nature of the Array Nexus meant Li Fan couldn't even replicate the old methods used by the Langya Royal Estate back then. After trying numerous approaches, he still couldn't induce the Nexus to enter the array. In desperation, Li Fan had to find another way. Since the goddess preferred to stay put and wouldn't enter the hall, Li Fan decided to build a new palace right where she was. He disassembled and reconstructed the already formed central core array. With the Array Nexus as the core, Li Fan spent over two more days constructing an entirely new array structure around her.

"This way, while it won't achieve perfect integration, it's at least a functional array," Li Fan sighed internally after completing the setup. "There's no hope for a reward in this life; I just hope my score isn't too terrible."

It seemed Li Fan's persistent dedication had subtly moved the Array Nexus. After it settled into the core array region and observed its new dwelling, it gently shifted its body. This minuscule movement alone caused the compatibility between the Array Nexus and the core region to more than double. Li Fan was overjoyed and immediately tried to communicate with the Nexus again. Unfortunately, that brief moment of initiative seemed to be its limit. No matter what Li Fan did next, nothing further changed.

Soon, the seven-day period was up. Li Fan looked at the array, which he considered barely passable, and shook his head silently before leaving the assessment space. "The array construction part should get a passing grade. As for the debugging and calibration of the Array Nexus, it's essentially a blank slate. But this was the limit of what I could achieve in this life. The Nexus simply wouldn't cooperate; there was nothing I could do. I heard that among the examinees in previous rounds, there was even one who managed to get the Array Nexus to actively embrace him? I wonder if that's true or just a rumor."

After the assessment concluded, it would take two to three months for the results to be released. Li Fan temporarily left the Cosmic Villa. Instead of lingering in Tianyu City, he returned to the small courtyard he had previously rented in the Dao Discussion Tower. He had left in a hurry when summoned by Ji Hongdao, so he hadn't cancelled the courtyard's rental. However, Li Fan had paid a substantial deposit, so it was still reserved for him even in his absence.

Upon entering the courtyard, Li Fan went to the cultivation chamber, which was reputedly highly confidential and capable of blocking divine sense probes from cultivators in the Harmonious Dao realm. He took out the four items representing clothing, food, housing, and transportation. Placing them at the four cardinal directions—east, west, north, and south—he silently recited, "Blessed Life, Mysterious Yellow Heavenly Venerate!" His immediate intention was to activate the ritual and enter the Fallen Immortal Realm.

During the closed training, the restriction on entering had actually already been lifted. However, at that time, he was only at the Foundation Establishment stage, and to avoid exposing his secrets, Li Fan had chosen to endure for a short while. Now that he had advanced to the Golden Core realm, he could openly enter and exit the Fallen Immortal Realm without arousing suspicion. Nevertheless, out of apprehension for Ji Hongdao and others from the Array Planning Hall, who had created the Heavenly Profound Spirit-Locking Array, Li Fan still chose to perform the ritual in the relatively more private setting of the Dao Discussion Tower. "Senior Brother Zhang, I know you're brilliant and mighty," Li Fan silently thought, "but please don't come this time." With that, the ritual began.

This time, the process of entering seemed much longer than before. Darkness enveloped him as he drifted through an unknown, inexplicable space. Li Fan tried to discern his surroundings, but he felt hazy and couldn't focus his mind. He could only rely on his senses to perceive his environment. It felt as if he were in water, yet it wasn't cold like water. The liquid enveloping his body was warm and comforting. Whenever he felt hungry or weak, a gentle, peaceful energy would seemingly come from nowhere, soothing him and allowing him to fall into a deep sleep.

His body seemed weaker than during his previous experiences in Celestial Yang; most of the time was spent in slumber. Fortunately, after reaching the Golden Core stage, Li Fan's divine sense strength had surged. The time he could spend in the Fallen Immortal Realm also increased from the original half a month to over two months, roughly comparable to a regular Nascent Soul cultivator. Thus, he wasn't tragically forced to end his journey in the Fallen Immortal Realm while still unconscious.

In this manner, Li Fan continuously absorbed the warm liquid around him and the peaceful energy that appeared from time to time. He felt himself growing stronger. After an unknown period, when there was no more liquid left to absorb, an inexplicable sensation welled up in his heart. *It was time.* Li Fan suddenly realized. Driven by instinct, Li Fan began to repeatedly tap the darkness in front of him with his long, pointed beak.

*Boom, boom, boom!* The pecks were light, but to Li Fan in his current state, they resounded like the creation of heaven and earth. After trying for a long time, Li Fan felt tired. Yet, only an almost imperceptible crack appeared in the darkness. A sense of discouragement arose within him. Just then, the gentle energy reappeared, nourishing Li Fan's body. Fatigue and weakness instantly vanished. Reinvigorated, Li Fan continued his grand endeavor of "creating heaven and earth." When he got tired, he would rest for a while, and immediately, threads of peaceful energy would transmit over, urging him to continue.

This repeated process led to more and more cracks appearing ahead. However, Li Fan also noticed that the energy supporting him seemed to be continuously weakening. Fortunately, Li Fan's luck held. Before the gentle energy was completely depleted, he finally carved out a small hole in the endless darkness. A ray of sunlight pierced through, parting the darkness and shining upon Li Fan. With a surge of determination, Li Fan pecked continuously with his long beak. The small hole gradually expanded into a small opening, eventually forming a large enough hole for Li Fan to squeeze through.

Li Fan shook his head and pushed himself towards the exit. Sunlight, gentle breeze, the chirping of insects and birds, the fragrance of flowers and plants... Instantly, a beautiful and vast world unfolded before Li Fan. But at that moment, he had no time to admire the magnificent scenery. He felt an overwhelming hunger. Turning back to look at the broken egg he had just emerged from, a realization dawned on him. Without hesitation, Li Fan began to devour it.