Chapter 365: Life and Death Can Temper the Heart

"Practicing like this, if you don't go mad, who will?" Li Fan couldn't help but exclaim after a long while, having finished reading the entire jade slip.

The jade slip naturally recorded the "Profound Art of Life and Death" that Zhong Shentong had previously mentioned he cultivated. It was an incomplete half-scroll, its origin unknown.

The core principles of the cultivation method were quite incredible. The first chapter of the mantra immediately stated its main premise: everything in the world eventually faces death. This applies to birds, beasts, plants, humans, and even cultivators, demonic beasts, and the heavens and earth themselves—none can escape this destiny. To transcend death, one must, before their own demise, achieve a superimposed state of life and death, neither alive nor dead, yet both alive and dead. This was also the highest realm envisioned by the cultivation method.

To achieve "life and death coexisting," one needed an unparalleled understanding and perception of the essence of life and death. The "Chapter of Life and Death Perception" was a method within the cultivation technique specifically for comprehending life and death.

The journey progresses from "clinging to life and fearing death" to "disregarding life and death," and ultimately to "life and death coexisting." The "Profound Art of Life and Death" was precisely such a unique cultivation method that drew upon the power of life and death. Due to its profound concept, the content was extremely deep and obscure.

It even surpassed the "Mystical True Spirit Transformation" in complexity. Perhaps this was because the founder of the cultivation method hadn't reached the realm of being both alive and dead, as the cultivation content in the latter half largely consisted of speculation and conjecture. Even with a cursory glance, Li Fan could spot one or two contradictions.

"The cultivation method is good, but unfortunately, it's incomplete. If it were complete, it might still be somewhat useful. As it is, it can only serve as a reference."

"Furthermore, it's a pity that Zhong Shentong's Seven-Colored Divine Light seems to have no connection to this 'Profound Art of Life and Death'." Li Fan shook his head slightly.

Putting away the jade slip, Li Fan pondered for a moment, then attempted to circulate the "Chapter of Life and Death Perception." This chapter was a prerequisite for anyone wishing to begin cultivating the "Profound Art of Life and Death"; even mortals could practice it. Naturally, Li Fan had no issues. Word by word, it flowed silently through Li Fan's mind.

Three days and three nights later, Li Fan, cultivating with closed eyes, suddenly felt a tremor in his mind. Countless images instantly appeared before his eyes. He seemed to vaguely return to Da Xuan, recalling his spirited days after achieving triple success in the imperial examinations, his audacious acts in the Empress Dowager's palace, his overwhelming arrogance while dominating the world... He also relived his journey later, overcoming dangers, breaking through the Immortal Severance Array, and finally arriving in the cultivation world.

He relived his progression step by step: from a mortal to Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, and Core Formation. Every exciting event from his past lives rushed into his mind, making Li Fan feel as if he were personally reliving them.

Within such a short period, numerous joyous events accumulated. Even with Li Fan's mental fortitude, he couldn't help but feel a little lightheaded and ecstatic. Just as this joyful atmosphere reached its peak, all the scenes burst like bubbles, one after another.

Instead, what appeared were the near-death moments Li Fan had encountered time and again. "Father, Father..." and "Husband!" could be heard. Heart-wrenching cries faintly echoed in his ears—a memory from his first life, when he hadn't yet awakened 'Return to True' and was on the verge of dying from illness. "It's just for a sliver of life!" Kou Hong's mad laughter, accompanied by immense roars and flames filling the sky, then appeared before Li Fan.

That was from his second life, when Dao Xuanzi and Kou Hong fought, Xuanjing was destroyed, and Li Fan narrowly escaped death. The World-Rending Whale of the Immortal Severance Array, the rapid aging from transforming into a vast ocean, the pursuit by the Guardian Elder—scene after scene of deadly crises seemed to descend upon Li Fan at the same moment. The fear in his heart could no longer be suppressed until the space within the Heavenly Profound Mirror was torn apart, and vaguely, a benevolent old man's face could be seen ahead. Li Fan then broke free from his cultivation.

"Retu..." The remaining half of the character 'True' had not yet been fully uttered in his mind when all the fearful images instantly vanished without a trace. Li Fan managed to stop himself just in time. His entire body was drenched in cold sweat, and his breathing was as rapid as someone who had just escaped death.

Li Fan's eyes flickered as he reviewed the recent experience. "The cultivation failed," he murmured. "This Chapter of Life and Death Perception, by stirring the inner fear of death, is certainly not just a simple illusion. It's somewhat similar to the 'Mind Steed,' incredibly illusory yet almost real. If the mind believes it to be real, then it is real. It is indeed extremely dangerous. If one gets deeply engrossed and cannot distinguish between reality and illusion, they might actually be scared to death. No wonder Zhong Shentong is so crazy..."

"Only by experiencing this can one truly feel the fear of death," he mused. Thinking of this, Li Fan sighed softly. "Unfortunately, this method is useless for me."

"Ordinary people facing the threat of death naturally feel terrified and despairing. But I am different. No matter the circumstances, I have a lifeline: my 'Return to True' ability. When the Life and Death Perception runs to its extreme, facing a substantial death threat, I will instinctively call upon 'Return to True' and reset everything..."

"Wait..." In an instant, Li Fan thought of something, his expression subtly changing. "Survival instinct..."

"Profound Yellow Heart-Refining Mantra..." He suddenly stood up, his thoughts racing as he paced back and forth, contemplating the feasibility.

"Cultivating the Dao Heart in reverse requires me to fight against my inner instincts. For me, the greatest instinct is to call upon 'Return to True' at the moment of death. If I use this to cultivate my Dao Heart in reverse, the gains would surely be incredible. However, it's impossible to truly abandon the idea of 'Return to True' at the brink of death."

"Using the Chapter of Life and Death Perception, this problem disappears." Li Fan's eyes flickered, and after a moment, he steadied his mind.

He reactivated the perception method. This time, when all the beauty of life shattered and the threat of death descended again, Li Fan still couldn't shake off this habit, seemingly etched deep into his soul, and still called upon 'Return to True'. The second attempt failed.

Li Fan persevered, attempting a third, fourth time, and so on, until after fifty-six attempts. Facing the Heavenly Physician's face, Li Fan activated the "Profound Yellow Heart-Refining Mantra." Simultaneously, with immense willpower, he temporarily suppressed the instinctive urge to call upon 'Return to True'.

But the threat of death did not disappear with Li Fan's restraint; instead, it became increasingly real. The Heavenly Physician's face gradually became clear before his eyes, and Li Fan's spiritual senses continuously warned him frantically. Ultimately, Li Fan, drenched in sweat, still withdrew from the cultivation of Life and Death Perception.

"Perhaps this Perception Chapter only allows one to truly face death without harm to oneself after cultivating to the stage of disregarding life and death," Li Fan mused. He knew very well that if he had stubbornly endured just now, even if he didn't perish on the spot, his fate would certainly not have been good. "This cultivation method is truly somewhat sinister."

"However, even that brief moment just now yielded immense gains." Within the Great Millstone of Heart Refinement, a slightly greater amount of cool energy, compared to what he gained from crossing the white mist and risking his life for aid, poured down onto him.