Chapter 341: Although Existing, Still Unaware

"For example, there are the remains of Immortal Venerable Qinglian, the first Dao Integration cultivator to fall during the countless wars between the Myriad Immortals Alliance and the Council of Five Elders.""Heh heh, the Council of Five Elders has put a lot of effort into reclaiming Immortal Venerable Qinglian's remains over the years."

"Another example is the Cease-Fire Stele from the ancient Heavenly Sword Sect. It's said that two colossal stone tablets once stood before the sect's gate. One was inscribed with 'Idlers stop,' and the other with 'Intruders cease.' These two stones alone were reputedly more formidable than countless mountain-guarding formations, truly awe-inspiring.""Unfortunately, the Divine Repository only managed to collect the Cease-Fire Stele; the 'Idlers Stop' stele is nowhere to be found."

Upon hearing this, Li Fan couldn't help but recall his own fragmented 'Idlers Stop' stele. He wondered if it was the same one as the Heavenly Sword Sect's 'Idlers Stop' stele.

Just as Li Fan was lost in thought, the black-clad cultivator's words forcefully brought his attention back."Oh, speaking of the Divine Repository, I must mention the remains of the very first cultivator infected by the Immortal-Mortal Miasma. You might not know this, but these seemingly ordinary bones are highly coveted by many cultivators. Their value is ridiculously high. In the Divine Repository, his skull is actually placed in the most central position.""When I first saw it, I thought it was the remains of some ancient mighty figure. Tsk, I never expected it to just be some unlucky fellow.""I really don't understand those people; what's so special about collecting something like that?"

As the black-clad cultivator spoke of the Grand Repository, he seemed to grow somewhat excited for some reason, introducing its various collections to Li Fan and the others. Han Yi and Ximen Yue listened with great interest and concentration. Li Fan, however, felt a stir in his heart.

"The remains of the first cultivator infected by the Immortal-Mortal Miasma...""My storage ring still contains one of his ribs. When Venerable Yin immolated himself, this rib somehow survived."Li Fan couldn't help but become interested in the skull displayed in the Divine Repository.

During a pause in the black-clad cultivator's speech, Li Fan asked, "Excuse me, Senior, if one wishes to visit the Divine Repository like those people just now, how does one do so?"The black-clad cultivator smiled, "The Grand Repository is generally not open to outsiders. No matter how many contribution points you spend, it won't work. If you want to apply for a visit, gain some insight, and don't have any special connections or background, the simplest way is to pass the assessment, just like I did, and become a professional guide for the Grand Repository."

Li Fan was slightly taken aback, exchanging glances with Han Yi and Ximen Yue."Why does this Divine Repository require dedicated guides?" Ximen Yue asked, utterly puzzled.The black-clad cultivator chuckled, "Why wouldn't it require guides? Do you think simply placing a sign in front of each exhibit would suffice?"

"Firstly, inside the Divine Repository, just like the grand avenue you just walked past in front of the Protector Hall, all spiritual energy is dormant. Even one's divine sense cannot leave the body. All exhibit information is only briefly marked. To learn the stories behind them, a dedicated guide is naturally required.""Also, do you have some misunderstanding about the size of the Divine Repository?" the black-clad cultivator chuckled."It contains thousands of years of collections from the entire Myriad Immortals Alliance. When I left, the number of exhibits was 384,756,784. Without a dedicated guide, an ordinary person entering to visit would simply be looking for a needle in a haystack, unable to find the specific items they wish to see. And to have a complete and pleasant visiting experience within a limited time would be utterly wishful thinking.""Besides, as you just saw, what kind of people visit the Divine Repository? Without a guide, what insight could they possibly gain?"

The black-clad cultivator snorted coldly, making his point clear. Li Fan and the others all had enlightened expressions.After a moment of silence, the black-clad cultivator continued, "Of course, if you join the Myriad Immortals Alliance system and raise your merit rank to Tier 30, you'll get one free visit every ten years.""But Tier 30..."The black-clad cultivator shook his head, "It's too difficult to achieve; even I haven't reached it yet."

Then, he looked at Han Yi with a half-smile, "Of course, young Han, if you cultivate diligently and break through to the Dao Integration realm, it won't be so troublesome. You could just announce your arrival."Han Yi felt a bit awkward hearing this. "Senior, you jest. The Dao Integration realm, even with cultivation methods, is not so easily achieved."The black-clad cultivator chuckled softly and said no more.

The rest of the journey was silent.The black-clad cultivator led Li Fan and the other two back to the platform where they had first arrived."Alright, the task assigned by the Immortal Venerable is complete. Perhaps we'll meet again if fate allows," the black-clad cultivator said coolly.

Li Fan then felt an inexplicable force envelop him. He seemed to be repelled by the surrounding space, about to be dislodged from the Myriad Immortals Alliance headquarters."May I ask your name, Senior?" Li Fan inquired, looking at the black-clad cultivator as they were about to leave."Just an unknown person, without a real name. When I'm a guide, I'm Guide Ding Yin. When I'm a pathfinder, I'm Pathfinder Hei. That's all," the black-clad cultivator shook his head, offering no further answer.

As Pathfinder Hei's figure gradually vanished, Li Fan and the other two found themselves back in the Four Seasons Garden of the Celestial Extremity Institute. Their location was precisely where they had been before departing for the Myriad Immortals Alliance headquarters."Fellow Daoist Han, now that you've visited the Myriad Immortals Alliance headquarters, do you know where it's located?" Li Fan asked Han Yi with a smile.Han Yi pondered for a moment before replying, "If I'm not mistaken, the Myriad Immortals Alliance headquarters might very well be located within the Heavenly Profound Mirror itself."Ximen Yue, however, countered, "I, on the other hand, believe the Heavenly Profound Mirror merely serves as a teleportation device.""If the headquarters were located within the Heavenly Profound Mirror...""How many Heavenly Profound Mirrors are there in the world? Wouldn't that mean wherever there's a Heavenly Profound Mirror, that's where the Myriad Immortals Alliance headquarters is located?""If that were the case, what would be the purpose of Tianyu, Tianchen, Tianshu, Tianquan, and the Central Heartland?"

Han Yi was speechless, unsure how to refute her. Li Fan considered their arguments carefully, finding merit in both, and thus played the role of peacemaker. However, it was merely a brief discussion, and none of them took it too seriously.

After thanking and bidding farewell to Immortal Venerable Jicheng, the three went to the Dao Discussion Tower in Tianquan Province, where Han Yi paid for a hearty meal. As the saying goes, all good things must come to an end. Afterward, the three parted ways. Ximen Yue remained in Tianquan Province. Li Fan and Han Yi, on the other hand, journeyed together to Yuandao Province.

Half a year passed in a flash.Within the Heavenly Profound Mirror, Li Fan finally mastered the basics of the "Mysterious Spirit Transformation" cultivation method."Perfect, I haven't refined a clone yet. Now that this divine skill is complete, let's see its effects."Li Fan suppressed his excitement, disguised himself, and headed straight for the outskirts of Tianyu City.

He dug out a secret chamber, gathered all the necessary materials, and began the refinement process.A short while later...A mass of flesh exploded with a bang."Huh? Why did it fail?"Li Fan was somewhat perplexed.He tried again.It still failed.Li Fan's brows furrowed deeply."Wait, this situation means...""Is there already a clone in existence?"Li Fan was instantly startled.