Chapter 41: Sitting Back and Reaping the Benefits

After the miasma was removed from his body, Li Fan's status panel underwent a dramatic change.

Name: Li FanRealm: MortalPhysical Age: 42/120↑Mental Age: 505/2053↑Void Transformation Charge Progress: 121%Anchor Setting Charge Progress: 51%Current Anchor Points: 1Bound Items: "Thousand Machine Jade Orb Golden Scroll," Grand Deduction Boat, Stop Tablet Fragment (Damaged)Cultivation Method: Profound Yellow Heart Refining Incantation

His physical age limit had broken through the 100-year mark, and it showed a continuing upward trend. What surprised Li Fan even more was that his mental age limit had almost doubled, reaching over two thousand years! Such an effect couldn't have been achieved solely by the Pure Body Spirit Pool. Was it because of the mysterious Profound Yellow Heart Refining Incantation that had appeared?

Li Fan himself was utterly bewildered as to why the Profound Yellow Clear Heart Incantation had become the Heart Refining Incantation. While in the Pure Body Pool, he had almost completely lost consciousness due to the unbearable pain. He had no idea what had happened afterward.

However, this wasn't the time for a thorough examination. Li Fan steadied himself, cupped his hands, and said to He Zhenghao, "I will never forget Master Immortal's kindness. I will surely repay you handsomely one day."

He Zhenghao had been waiting for these words from Li Fan, so his tone became even more amiable. "What are you saying, young friend? The path of immortality is difficult, and I merely do my best to help when I can."

He pulled out a book and handed it to Li Fan. "After dispelling the miasma, the next step is to sense the spiritual energy of heaven and earth and guide it into your body. If you can condense the first wisp of spiritual energy within you, it signifies entering the Qi Refining stage, at which point you can officially be called a cultivator. This book, 'Five Spirits Qi Sensing Method,' is a summary of previous cultivators' experiences in sensing spiritual energy. You must study it carefully."

He then took out a square spiritual talisman and solemnly handed it to Li Fan. "This is the Dust Severing Talisman. You must carry it with you before you begin guiding Qi into your body."

Only after seeing Li Fan put these two items away did He Zhenghao explain, "Although you have dispelled all the miasma from your body, it's not a permanent solution. You still live among mortals and interact with them daily. Over time, you will inevitably become contaminated with miasma again. This Dust Severing Talisman can help you isolate yourself from miasma intrusion, but it's not long-lasting; it can only sustain for about five years."

"However, with your talent, young friend, breaking through to the Qi Refining stage within five years should not be difficult," He Zhenghao said with a smile. "Once you break through to the Qi Refining stage, you can come find me on the island. At that time, I will take you to our Myriad Immortals Alliance's stronghold in the Cloud Sea, Myriad Immortals Island. Once on the island, you can choose suitable cultivation methods and continue your cultivation."

He Zhenghao detailed all the precautions for guiding Qi into the body to Li Fan, who firmly committed them to memory. After all relevant matters had been explained, Li Fan, sensing it was time, bid farewell and departed.

"I hope this time yields some rewards," He Zhenghao murmured to himself, watching Li Fan's retreating figure. Then, He Zhenghao surveyed the mountain peak beneath his feet and shook his head. "Its potential is exhausted. It's time to change mountains." With that, he flew above the sea of clouds, and with a flick of his long sleeve, he gathered the rolling clouds into his sleeve. Looking down at the sprawling mountain range below, He Zhenghao began selecting the peak that would grow the most in the next hundred years.

The cultivation method He Zhenghao practiced was called the "Mountain Sitting Art." Its greatest characteristic was to sit on a mountain and reap its benefits. One would select a mountain peak, sit upon it, circulate the cultivation method, and after several years, integrate one's aura with the mountain. Thereafter, for every inch the mountain grew, his cultivation would be replenished and correspondingly enhanced. Conversely, if he misjudged, and the mountain's height didn't increase, it would be equivalent to wasting over a decade of cultivation time.

Besides benefiting from mountain growth, one could also gain advantages from helping others. For example, just as he helped Li Fan, if Li Fan could break through to the Qi Refining stage in the future, He Zhenghao would mysteriously receive feedback, increasing his own cultivation. It was not about siphoning or stealing the other's cultivation, but rather a subtle feedback, as if one person's advancement also elevated those connected to them. The growth of a mountain elevates the trees upon it; similarly, the growth of a giant incidentally carries along what is within their sleeve. Of course, compared to mountains, the conditions for helping others were less stringent; one didn't need to bind themselves to a single person but could cast a wide net. However, the amount of effort invested initially determined the future returns. Therefore, whenever He Zhenghao encountered promising juniors, he never hesitated to lend them a hand.

After leaving the central formation of Glazed Island, Li Fan quietly returned to Listening Serenity Tower without alarming anyone. After dispelling the miasma, Li Fan indeed felt distinctly different. It was as if he had grown younger by over a decade, and his sight and hearing had greatly improved. He could also vaguely sense the pure, ubiquitous energy flowing through heaven and earth. Was this spiritual energy...? Joy filled Li Fan's heart. Once he guided Qi into his body, he would be a Qi Refining stage cultivator. Li Fan wished he could cultivate day and night without stopping.

But before that, he needed to examine the mysterious Profound Yellow Heart Refining Incantation that had appeared. He searched his mind but found no new cultivation method for it. So, Li Fan began cultivating according to the method of the Profound Yellow Clear Heart Incantation. As soon as he began, Li Fan noticed the difference between the Heart Refining Incantation and the Clear Heart Incantation. Previously, cultivating the Clear Heart Incantation often required spending nearly half an hour to slowly calm his mind and remove all other distracting thoughts. But once the Heart Refining Incantation was activated, in mere moments, Li Fan felt his mind become as clear as a mirror. It was as if a giant millstone appeared in his mind, continuously absorbing and grinding down distracting thoughts, transforming them into nourishment to strengthen his spiritual consciousness.

After three years of cultivating the Clear Heart Incantation, besides what was reflected on his True Return status panel, Li Fan hadn't noticed any other benefits. However, cultivating the Heart Refining Incantation, Li Fan could clearly feel his spiritual energy strengthening with every passing moment. Although the increase was very slight, it was undeniably growing!

Li Fan was inexplicably surprised, but this joy was accompanied by countless doubts. Why had the Profound Yellow Clear Heart Incantation, which was common in the cultivation world and merely used to dispel miasma, transformed into this incredibly mysterious Profound Yellow Heart Refining Incantation for him? Cultivation methods could not be practiced concurrently. Did this Heart Refining Incantation count as a cultivation method for immortals? Based on his current understanding of the cultivation world, Li Fan couldn't find an answer. But Li Fan faintly felt that a great secret must be hidden within this. "I must investigate this in secret when the opportunity arises," Li Fan thought to himself.

With only one step left to cross the threshold into becoming a cultivator, and having also obtained the miraculous Profound Yellow Heart Refining Incantation, Li Fan couldn't help but feel a little complacent. However, not long after, he received a letter. The news in the letter abruptly shattered his complacency: Xiao Heng had successfully guided Qi into his body and had already departed for Myriad Immortals Island.