Chapter 334: Han Yi Strengthens His Destiny

"Fellow Daoist Xiao! Fellow Daoist Xiao!"

Calls echoed in his ears. Li Fan froze for a moment before realizing they were calling him. This was partly because he wasn't yet accustomed to his avatar's name, and partly because he had just been pondering the advice given by Immortal Venerable Jicheng.

Without a doubt, a Dao Integration Immortal Venerable's perspective far surpassed Li Fan's current level. His top-down guidance was indeed worth careful consideration.

Originally, Li Fan had planned to use the Derivation Jade to evolve the "Sitting Mountain Manual" to the Nascent Soul stage. The original "Sitting Mountain Manual" was only a Golden Core cultivation method, and Li Fan had already reached the Golden Core stage. Any further progress would leave him without a suitable cultivation method. However, the characteristics of the "Sitting Mountain Manual" were so perfectly suited to Li Fan that he was truly reluctant to abandon it.

Immortal Venerable Jicheng's words, however, enlightened Li Fan. For him now, a Nascent Soul cultivation method was truly insipid to practice and a waste to discard. Anyway, for a considerable time to come, the "Sitting Mountain Manual" would remain his primary cultivation method. And he possessed the ability to truly start over. In this life, he could inquire about the origin of the Heavenly Capital Feather Transformation Pill from Han Yi, and in the next life, he could seize the opportunity to acquire it himself. Then, in one go, he could derive the Dao Integration version of the "Sitting Mountain Manual."

"Should I try to make the Derivation Jade deduce cultivation methods with special effects?" Li Fan's thoughts churned, and several options instantly flashed through his mind. "As for the specifics, I'll decide once I see the Derivation Jade."

"The only thing that troubles me is, why would Immortal Venerable Jicheng offer me guidance? Is it because people speak kindly when facing death, or merely because I recognized that Azure Cloud Willow? The 'Heavenly Physician Immortal Scripture' clearly states that this type of willow is very common, distributed in almost every state. My recognizing it shouldn't be anything special."

Li Fan had always been unafraid to assume the worst intentions from these powerful individuals standing at the top of the Xuanhuang Realm's food chain. "Random acts of kindness without reason are highly unlikely. Perhaps something went wrong somewhere..."

Inside the Sky Profound Mirror, Li Fan's main body suddenly opened its eyes and began searching for information about "Azure Cloud Willows." A moment later, his expression became somewhat peculiar. He then proceeded to look up hundreds of other plants and creatures recorded in the "Heavenly Physician Immortal Scripture," such as the Ancient Ink Bamboo, Green Wild Wood, Wanton Flower, Hundred Spirits Eagle, and Nine-Refinement Deer. The results left Li Fan feeling a mix of amusement and exasperation.

It turned out that, whether due to the natural evolution of species caused by the passage of time and the changing of ages, or for some other reason, many of the flora and fauna that were originally common according to the "Heavenly Physician Immortal Scripture" had become scarce in the current era. For instance, the Azure Cloud Willow planted by Immortal Venerable Jicheng was now only sparsely distributed in certain parts of Luoyan State. And as Li Fan knew, Immortal Venerable Jicheng himself hailed from the rustic lands of Luoyan State.

"Perhaps this is why Immortal Venerable Jicheng showed some consideration for my avatar?" "After all, it's human nature to become more nostalgic with age."

These myriad thoughts, though seemingly complex, had transpired in but a single instant.

In Tianquan City, within the Tianji Courtyard, Ximen Yue observed Li Fan with interest, then asked, "Fellow Daoist Xiao, you seemed a bit distracted just now. What were you thinking about?"

A short while ago, after they left Immortal Venerable Jicheng's courtyard, the blue-robed cultivator had led them to this garden, instructing them to wait there. Someone would soon arrive to escort them to the Myriad Immortals Alliance headquarters.

This garden was not large, yet it featured small bridges over flowing streams and surrounding rockeries. Looking around, the scenery in the garden transitioned sequentially through spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Growth, flourishing, wilting, and dying—four distinct scenes appeared as if on a single canvas. It was quite miraculous.

Li Fan stood by the stream, his hands behind his back, gazing at the fantastical interweaving of the four seasons before him. He slowly said, "I'm not afraid of you two laughing if I tell you. I was just pondering a question."

"What?" Ximen Yue was momentarily stunned.

"Where exactly is the Myriad Immortals Alliance headquarters?" Li Fan turned his head, his gaze burning as he fixed on Ximen Yue.

"The Myriad Immortals Alliance headquarters? Of course, it's in..." Ximen Yue gave a wry smile, about to say something, but suddenly her face stiffened, and her words stopped. "It's in..." Her brows furrowed. She pondered for a long time but couldn't come up with an answer.

At this moment, Han Yi interjected, "Tianyu, Tianchen, Tianshu, Tianquan—these four areas are the core territories of the Myriad Immortals Alliance. I presume the headquarters must be located at the central junction of these four states."

"Brother Han's guess is quite reasonable, it's just a pity..." Li Fan shook his head and said with a smile, "I once traveled around Tianyu State for a period. I even tried to pass through the Soul-Devouring White Mist Wall at the state border. These four areas seem to be tightly joined, with no other space existing between them. Of course, perhaps my cultivation is too low, and I failed to perceive it even when I saw it." Li Fan left some room for doubt.

Hearing this, Han Yi's eyes showed surprise: "Oh? Is that so?"

Ximen Yue then said, "Our Myriad Immortals Alliance territory contains countless grotto-heaven worlds. It's highly possible that the headquarters is established within one of the small worlds in these four states."

Li Fan listened, smiled faintly, neither agreeing nor disagreeing. Yet, he thought to himself, "Everyone knows the Myriad Immortals Alliance has a headquarters. However, very few people know where it actually is. It's truly mysterious. It's a stroke of luck to have the opportunity to explore it this time."

Han Yi flicked open his fan with a snap, dismissive of Li Fan's puzzling over the question: "Why bother looking for trouble? We'll go there ourselves in a bit, and then we'll know, won't we?"

"Not necessarily," Li Fan thought to himself, but he merely smiled and nodded, offering no rebuttal.

Instead, he struck up a conversation with Han Yi: "Speaking of which, when I found this Transformed Life Longevity Fruit in the Immortal Falling Realm, I thought I'd at least get second place in the Immortal Venerable's reward this time. I never expected there to be others beyond others, and heavens beyond heavens."

Li Fan shook his head, looking at Han Yi with admiration: "Fellow Daoist Ximen Yue's five-hundred-year Longevity Fruit is already unimaginably precious. I never thought Fellow Daoist Han could find a treasure that extends life by eight hundred years, truly..."

Ximen Yue was also full of curiosity at this point and asked on Li Fan's behalf: "Where exactly did Fellow Daoist find that Heavenly Capital Feather Transformation Pill? Is it related to Immortal Venerable Lan Yu from Yuandao State?"

Li Fan also stared intently at Han Yi, eagerly awaiting his answer.

Under the envious gazes of the two beside him, Han Yi couldn't help but feel a little flattered. He chuckled, then elegantly fanned himself, saying, "It's nothing much. Now that the treasure pill has been submitted, it's fine to tell you. Have either of you heard of the Blue Feather Treasure Box?"

Han Yi's voice held a touch of pride as he slowly asked.

"Blue Feather Treasure Box?" Ximen Yue repeated, a hint of confusion in her eyes.

Li Fan, however, looked thoughtful. But he didn't answer; instead, he also shook his head, watching Han Yi's performance.