Chapter 355: Newborn Realm Beyond the Abyss

"Fearless in the face of death, selfless for others?"

"If not for my Huan Zhen, which allows me to restart at any time, I would absolutely not have made such a choice!"

"It truly makes me feel uneasy!"

In the vast sea of fog, Li Fan used the Zixiao Divine Thunder Escape, transforming into a purple stream of light, rapidly moving towards the Eternal Immortal Fort.

The suffocating and depressive feelings lingered in his heart, unwilling to dissipate. Moreover, the hitherto unfailingly effective Profound Yellow Heart Refining Spell, surprisingly, was operating abnormally slowly. It was like an incredibly heavy millstone, slowly grinding his inner thoughts after drawing them in.

Unlike Li Fan's previous incorrect cultivation, which brutally crushed everything, now the Heart Refining Spell tempered these rebellious emotions, which arose from violating his Dao Heart, transforming them into faint traces of cool energy that flowed deep into his body and mind, nourishing Li Fan.

The cool sensation slightly soothed his irritable mood. Cultivating the Dao Heart in reverse was, in essence, actively seeking out things that caused inner discontent. This naturally made Li Fan, who had always acted on impulse, feel extremely uncomfortable.

However, fortunately, the Profound Yellow Heart Refining Spell did not disappoint Li Fan. Carefully sensing the effect of the cool energy on his body, Li Fan's mind was greatly shaken shortly after.

"This feeling..."

"It's so similar to how I felt after consuming the Intent Steed back then?!"

"The previous Heart Calming Spell could strengthen spiritual consciousness, but properly cultivating the Heart Refining Spell can actually strengthen the soul?"

A tempest surged in Li Fan's heart. "No wonder its cultivation technique rank is even higher than the Cloud Water Dream Art, a Dao Harmonization-level technique. I've seen one or two techniques for strengthening spiritual consciousness in the special merit exchange list within the Heavenly Profound Mirror. But something that can strengthen the soul... That's truly unheard of."

The soul is internal, while spiritual consciousness is external. If the soul becomes stronger, spiritual consciousness will naturally also strengthen accordingly. Spiritual consciousness is like muscle; it can be continuously enhanced through acquired training and cultivation. However, the soul is like bone; its form is set at birth. Only when one's cultivation realm breaks through, a means that nearly changes the form of life, or by consuming rare treasures like the Intent Steed, can it be strengthened.

Zhang Zhiliang, a Nascent Soul cultivator, once said that the Intent Steed, capable of strengthening the soul, was extremely precious. Though Intent Steed was good, its enhancement effect was limited. However, the Profound Yellow Heart Refining Spell's ability to strengthen the soul seems to have no discernible upper limit! As long as he continuously cultivates the Dao Heart in reverse, his soul seems capable of endless enhancement!

It's important to know that once the soul reaches a certain strength, it can directly serve as a means to destroy enemies. For instance, the incredibly fearsome Thousand-Face Demonic Venerable, officially declared by the Myriad Immortals Alliance, abandoned his body and existed directly as a soul entity. Relying on his powerful soul, he wantonly engaged in body-snatching.

"As I cultivate the Profound Yellow Heart Refining Spell and my soul continuously strengthens, one day, even if the Thousand-Face Demonic Venerable truly exists, he probably won't be my match. Moreover... Huan Zhen and I are, in essence, one. After each reincarnation, everything in the world returns to the chosen anchor point. Only my changes persist. This remains true even if I choose not to preserve anything."

"When I was still a mortal, my will continuously strengthened through countless reincarnations. Later, I could even control the Taiyan Boat with a mortal body. This is proof. Will, soul... Doesn't that mean that all things in the world return to their original state with my every choice? Yet my soul continuously grows stronger. Will there come a day when, even if I don't choose to retain my cultivation, a powerful soul alone will be enough to crush everything?"

The more he thought about it, the more incredible Li Fan found it. "The Profound Yellow Heart Refining Spell, a heaven-defying divine technique, is actually hidden within the common Profound Yellow Heart Calming Spell found everywhere in the mortal realm? What exactly..."

Instinctively, Li Fan felt that some conspiracy must be hidden within. His mind was filled with suspicion and uncertainty, but after some struggle, Li Fan decided to continue cultivating it.

"With such a technique before me, I simply cannot give it up. Even if there's some trick, the strengthening of my soul is real and tangible. If the mastermind truly can ignore the effects of Huan Zhen, then I'll accept it. If they cannot, then no matter how many schemes there are, they will be useless before Huan Zhen."

Once he made his decision, Li Fan immediately felt a sense of relief. The actual effect of the Profound Yellow Heart Refining Spell truly far exceeded his expectations.

"It's just that this method of cultivating the Dao Heart in reverse is somewhat agonizing." Li Fan vaguely felt that it wasn't enough to simply say things contrary to his Dao Heart to cultivate. He had to align his knowledge and actions; his actual deeds also had to go against his Dao Heart. Only then could it transform into nourishment for his soul.

This was also why he had ventured alone into the white fog.

"For others, the combination of the Demonic Sound Tide and the Essence-Devouring White Fog is indeed an extremely perilous place, a near-certain death. But for me, the danger level isn't that high. The only thing I fear is a means that instantly deprives me of my ability to resist. Whether facing the white fog or the demonic sounds, if I truly encounter any fatal danger, I have time to calmly activate Huan Zhen. Overall, the benefits of this choice far outweigh the risks. Conversely, trying to cultivate the Dao Heart in reverse within the Myriad Immortals Alliance territory, which usually seems risk-free, is fraught with danger. A moment's carelessness might attract the attention of a Dao Harmonization expert."

Li Fan flew towards his destination while pondering.

Protected by the Black Death Talisman, which kept the Essence-Devouring White Fog at bay, Li Fan's only concern was the Demonic Sound Tide that would occasionally launch sudden attacks. Whenever murmuring whispers reached his ears, Li Fan would stop flying for safety. He would light the Nirvanic Glazed Lamp, wait for the demonic sounds to weaken, and then set off again.

Although the surroundings were fraught with danger, Li Fan's cautious approach ensured he traveled safely all the way.

Soon, Li Fan had been flying in the white fog for over two days. His internal Five Elements power was self-sustaining, so he didn't need to worry about running out of spiritual energy.

However, Li Fan's expression slowly grew serious. "If the threat was only this severe, Leng Yingyi couldn't have met with an accident. He hasn't returned; what did he encounter? And where does this growing unease in my heart come from?"

Li Fan's heart gradually grew more vigilant. He released his spiritual consciousness to scout his surroundings. However, the fog sea, now devoid of the Demonic Sound Tide, was utterly silent. He searched for a long time but found no source of threat. Li Fan could only adapt as he went, continuing to fly in the direction of the Eternal Immortal Fort, as he sensed it.

Thus, another two days passed. Li Fan, who was swiftly flying, suddenly stopped. His expression turned grim.

"I finally know why Leng Yingyi never returned. So this is it."

Given his speed, flying and stopping along the way, he should have reached the Eternal Immortal Fort in at most two days. But now, four days had passed since Li Fan left the Jiaxu Base. In his perception, the Eternal Immortal Fort was indeed not far ahead. But... no matter how he flew, he couldn't traverse that short distance.

"'It seems only an inch away, yet it's like a chasm in the sky, impossible to cross. We call these places within the white fog barrier 'Illusion Domains.'" Huangfu Song's words suddenly echoed in Li Fan's ears. He temporarily stopped flying, standing in the void with an unpredictable expression.

"Beyond the Roaring Abyss, on the necessary path between the Jiaxu Base and the Eternal Immortal Fort, an Illusion Domain has silently appeared without anyone knowing. Silently, unknown to all. Leng Yingyi must have gotten lost in this Illusion Domain. And now, so have I."

Li Fan looked forward, as if he could see the giant broken bluestone palm right in front of him. But he couldn't reach it. "'An inch away, yet a world apart...'"

Li Fan sighed softly in his heart. However, even though he had inadvertently fallen into a desperate situation, Li Fan wouldn't immediately use Huan Zhen. There were still many unfinished matters in this life; giving up so easily would be a great pity. This also aligned with Li Fan's tenacious nature, never giving up until the last possible moment. Therefore, Li Fan decided to see if he could find a way to cross this newly formed Illusion Domain before his strength was depleted and his supplies ran out.

An Illusion Domain, after all, was merely an extremely vast space. It was not an absolute death trap.