Chapter 323: Far Escape Testing Divine Power

Xue Mu seemed still a bit dazed, hesitating. "This junior..." he began.

Ji Hongdao frowned slightly. "Hmm?"

Xue Mu's body trembled slightly, and he quickly said, "I am willing to obey Senior's command."

Ji Hongdao then slowly nodded. However, his expression towards Xue Mu was no longer as amiable as it had been towards Li Fan.

"The construction plan for the Heavenly Profound Spirit-Locking Arrays in the various states will not officially commence for over another year," Ji Hongdao stated. "Although some Grotto-heavens are gradually setting up their arrays now, for the fairness of the Grand Competition, I will only apply for your transfer after a year, when the competition begins. I need to make this clear to you both in advance."

Ji Hongdao seemed to recall something, looking at Li Fan, and added, "For this coming year, I won't impose any restrictions on you. Go wherever you wish. The Four States of Tianyu boast many magnificent wonders. For cultivators like us, observing them can greatly benefit both cultivation growth and mastery of our skills. You haven't had time to visit them during your stay in Tianyu State, have you? This period is perfect for exploring. Just return promptly upon receiving my message." Ji Hongdao smiled as he suggested this.

Seeing Li Fan about to speak but hesitate, he smiled again and said, "There's no need to worry excessively. The accident Dantai Tao and the others encountered can no longer happen now." Li Fan's heart stirred, but he said nothing more. "In that case, many thanks, Senior!"

"Alright, you two may go now! I'm quite tired after spending so much time with you juniors." Ji Hongdao finished giving his instructions, waving them off. Li Fan and Xue Mu both bowed, then left the Universe Villa.

Inside Tianyu City, Xue Mu asked somewhat cautiously, "Daoist Li... Daoist Li Fan, do you have any plans for this coming year?"

"Haha, Daoist Xue, there's no need to be nervous," Li Fan said with a pleasant expression, looking at Xue Mu. "A year can be long or short. If one cultivates in seclusion, it passes in a blink. But if one travels around, it might be enough to explore all four states of Tianyu."

"Cultivation isn't just about this moment. This opportunity is rare, so I intend to follow Senior Ji's advice and visit the neighboring states. What about you, Daoist Xue? Your aura seems to be fluctuating; do you have signs of a breakthrough?" Li Fan asked in turn.

Xue Mu was surprised. "Daoist Li Fan, you have sharp eyesight to notice that! To be honest, during the recent closed training, although it was tough, I gained some insights. The bottleneck that had hindered my Foundation Establishment stage naturally dissolved, and I can now break through to the Golden Core stage at any time."

"Then I must truly congratulate you, Daoist Xue!" Li Fan also looked very pleased.

Perhaps it was because they were both the last remaining people from Congyun Sea, giving them an inherent affinity bonus, or perhaps because Xue Mu was not good at socializing, hadn't communicated much during the closed training, and had been suppressed for too long. At that moment, Xue Mu suddenly opened up and poured out his grievances to Li Fan.

"Alas, Daoist Li Fan, you don't know. If I had achieved the Golden Core stage at over forty years old back in Congyun Sea, I would have been incredibly content. However, coming to Tianyu State and seeing countless brilliant talents, most of whom achieved Golden Core using two or even three methods... Compared to them, I am naturally unwilling to settle for merely achieving a single-method Golden Core. But I only have one year of free time. In just one year, trying to comprehend another Golden Core formation method might be difficult for me." As he spoke, a troubled expression appeared on Xue Mu's face.

At this, Li Fan smiled. "Haha, so Daoist Xue is troubled by this. I have a method that might help you overcome this difficulty. Would Daoist Xue be willing to try it?"

Xue Mu paused for a moment, then was overjoyed. "Please, Daoist Li Fan, teach me!"

Li Fan didn't keep him in suspense and slowly said, "Daoist Xue, are you aware that in the neighboring Tianyun State, there is a wonder called the Mortal God-Transformation Wall?"

"Mortal... God-Transformation?" Xue Mu's eyes lit up, then he gently shook his head.

"This screen wall records ancient times when mortals achieved godhood, ascending to heaven in a single step. When this wonder reappears, it triggers a resonance with the laws of heaven and earth, accompanied by countless astonishing phenomena. Almost all cultivators below the God-Transformation stage can gain insights by observing the Mortal God-Transformation wonder. Not long ago, a cultivator even comprehended the Great Dao and ultimately achieved the Five-Method Golden Core realm! I see that Daoist Xue's talent and comprehension are extraordinary. Why not try your luck?" Li Fan looked intently at Xue Mu.

Xue Mu's face was full of excitement. "There's such a wonder? Heaven helps me! Tianyun State, I'm going there right now!"

Xue Mu muttered, his face flushed red, and he ran straight towards the Transmission Plaza in Tianyu City. After a few steps, he seemed to remember something, turned back, and asked somewhat awkwardly, "Daoist Li Fan, would you like to come with me?"

Li Fan smiled and declined. "I have other arrangements. Daoist Xue, you don't need to mind me; just go ahead!"

Hearing this, Xue Mu didn't insist. He bowed and solemnly said, "Regardless of whether I gain anything from this trip, I, Xue Mu, will never forget the kindness of your guidance."

"Haha, your words are enough," Li Fan thought to himself. Of course, he couldn't say that directly. The act still needed to be played out. He waved his hand, saying nonchalantly, "It was just a casual remark, Daoist Xue; you don't need to take it to heart." However, looking at Xue Mu's expression, he had clearly firmly remembered Li Fan's "kindness of a single word."

"In this day and age, honest people with decent talent like him are rare," Li Fan couldn't help but sigh, watching Xue Mu's retreating figure. "He's barely half a crop, but it's better than nothing at all."

After Xue Mu left Tianyu City, Li Fan used a teleportation array to reach Liangqu City, on the border of Tianyu State. He had previously investigated, and this area within Tianyu State was relatively desolate and sparsely populated.

Li Fan concealed his presence and flew rapidly close to the ground for two days, finally finding a suitable hiding spot. Beneath a narrow gorge like a 'slice of sky,' Li Fan, as usual, dug a secret chamber within the mountain and then sealed its entrance. This time, cultivating in seclusion outside was for Li Fan to escape the Heavenly Profound Mirror's scrutiny and test the divine ability he had envisioned: the Great Five Elements Annihilation Sword.

After a long time, Li Fan, who had already practiced countless times in his mind, opened his eyes. "The Five Elements as foundation," he murmured to himself. Golden Core power circulated, the Five Elements generated each other, and a vast, ceaseless rotational force surged from his Dantian. "Heavenly Fiend and Ink Annihilation as the sharp edge." A hint of madness flashed in his left eye, and a faint darkness emerged in his right eye. The rotating Five Elements power slowly converged before these two forces of annihilation. Li Fan gently pointed his finger at the ground. A dark light bloomed from his fingertip and shot rapidly downwards.