Chapter 441: Roasting Furnace Creates Mysterious Bird

It wasn't merely for enjoyment, but rather to better align with the identity of an investment master from the Heavenly Mystery Sect. After all, someone who could double their capital every two years shouldn't be constantly squeezed into the Heavenly Mirror like an ordinary cultivator. It simply didn't make sense.

Although one could explain it away by claiming a reclusive nature, considering the potential publicity generated by "purchasing a cave dwelling on Myriad Immortals Island shortly after joining the Myriad Immortals Alliance," Li Fan genuinely entertained the thought of acquiring one.

After some searching, he reluctantly gave up. The reason was simple: mere contribution points were not enough. Not only did it require a specific authorization level within the Myriad Immortals Alliance system, but one also needed a residency permit issued by the Myriad Immortals Island Administrative Hall to be eligible to purchase a cave dwelling there. This residency permit was typically only granted to cultivators who had made significant contributions to the local Myriad Immortals Alliance. However, there were rumors of unofficial channels to acquire one privately, though he couldn't confirm their veracity.

"I'll just stick to the Heavenly Mirror then," he thought. Li Fan dismissed the idea.

He took out the Meditation Pill Chen Ying had just given him, swallowed it whole, and meticulously observed the changes occurring within himself. Its effects were somewhat similar to those of an Enlightenment Pill. However, the Enlightenment Pill was more comprehensive, offering beneficial effects for comprehending cultivation techniques, deducing secret arts, and advancing one's cultivation realm. In contrast, the Meditation Pill's effects were only noticeable when Li Fan sought to make a breakthrough in his cultivation.

"It's like a low-tier, specialized version of the Enlightenment Pill," he mused. "Given how rare Enlightenment Pills are in the Myriad Immortals Alliance, this Meditation Pill isn't bad at all." To avoid wasting its effects, Li Fan seized the moment and began cultivating during the pill's active period.

He wasn't sure how much time had passed when Li Fan was roused by an inexplicable sensation within him. The restriction on entering the Fallen Immortal Realm had lifted, allowing him to return.

"It feels more immersive than my previous closed-door cultivations. It was as if I just closed my eyes for a moment, yet so much time has passed." He thought, "It certainly has its unique properties." "Such a talent... I hope he can escape this tribulation."

Thinking this, Li Fan set up a ritual array around himself. "Fushang Xuanhuang Tianzun!" he uttered. With a soft incantation, the world spun, and in the next second, Li Fan found himself once again in the Fallen Immortal Realm.

As expected, he was enveloped in an unknown liquid, surrounded by complete darkness. He had once again become the Fated Mystic Bird, still inside its eggshell. Weariness and weakness permeated his being. Li Fan struggled to absorb the surrounding liquid, trying to remain conscious. Simultaneously, he pondered a countermeasure.

"From Ye Feipeng's experience in my previous life, the Creation Furnace Art is effective even for creatures like demon beasts." He considered, "Although my current body is too fragile, forcibly invoking the power of the secret treasury might lead to an unbearable backlash. However, with Xu Ke there to attend to me, it shouldn't be a major issue."

"I'll try it for now. If it really doesn't work, I can always start over." In an instant, Li Fan made up his mind. He concentrated his mind, like a massive hammer, fiercely striking inward.

"Huh? What's going on?" A scorching power abruptly erupted from within his body, seemingly poised to incinerate everything. His consciousness seemed to dissolve, and in his daze, Li Fan vaguely heard Xu Ke's faint cry of alarm. He then fell into silence.

After an indeterminate period, Li Fan gradually regained consciousness. Instinctively checking his condition, Li Fan discovered he was several times stronger than before his unconsciousness. The power of the secret treasury, which he had already begun to mobilize, surged continuously from all parts of his body, transforming the Mystic Bird's physique. The liquid in the surrounding dark space also seemed to contain another type of energy. It twinkled like stars, emitting a reddish glow reminiscent of flames.

"Well done, Xu Ke." Li Fan greedily consumed several mouthfuls, instantly feeling much more invigorated.

"This is..." The taste of the red light specks was strikingly similar to a certain mountain fruit Xu Ke had fed the Fated Mystic Bird in his past life. "What a potent supplement. Xu Ke, you truly have a knack for things. You're indeed favored by providence." Li Fan was now reassured.

After fully digesting what he had consumed and feeling his body return to its optimal state, Li Fan once again focused his mind and unleashed a surge of his inherent secret power.

"What now?" Before losing consciousness, Li Fan seemed to hear Xu Ke's desperate cry.

True to his nature, Xu Ke, with considerable effort, managed to rescue the dying Fated Mystic Bird once more. And so, Li Fan brazenly and without hesitation forcibly operated the *Creation Furnace Art*. Each time he reached his limit, Xu Ke's almost miraculous luck would provide a way to save him.

After repeating this process seven times, the surrounding liquid had been completely absorbed, and Li Fan felt the time was right. Letting out a resonant cry, Li Fan clawed at the eggshell. Fine cracks spread across its surface, followed by the appearance of light. Li Fan directly broke free from the shell.

After devouring the shattered eggshell, Li Fan flapped his wings once, settling comfortably into the hair of a dumbfounded Xu Ke.

"It's ruined, it's ruined! The beast-taming spell's spiritual connection isn't even complete, how did it get out?" Xu Ke's face crumpled, and he muttered incessantly. "Isn't it useless now?"

Li Fan unceremoniously jabbed him with a claw, conveying the message: "Hungry." Xu Ke let out a yelp and had no choice but to lead Li Fan into the forest to search for food.

While cultivating the Creation Furnace Art, Li Fan also sensed the connection between himself and Xu Ke. A wisp of cool energy circulated imperceptibly throughout his body. It moved independently of Li Fan's control, seemingly echoing Xu Ke below him. Had Li Fan not cultivated the *Creation Furnace Art* and gained preliminary control over his body, he would likely have never noticed it. It was this very cool energy that made Li Fan feel a subtle sense of closeness to Xu Ke. However, because Li Fan had independently broken out of his shell in this life, the unbreakable bond had not yet fully formed.

"Is this the Beast Taming Art?" Li Fan mused. With another sharp claw to Xu Ke, amidst the latter's yelp of pain, Li Fan resumed cultivating the divine ability "My Destiny." As he absorbed Xu Ke's overflowing luck, Li Fan felt a jolt of renewed energy.

With the dual augmentation of the *Creation Furnace Art* and "My Destiny," Li Fan's power grew by leaps and bounds, despite being newly hatched. Furthermore, it seemed that due to his reversed cultivation of the Dao Heart and the strengthening of his soul and will in his previous life, Li Fan's susceptibility to the Mystic Bird's emotions and personality had also significantly diminished. At the very least, he wouldn't experience instances of losing control over his actions.

Over a month later, while Xu Ke was preoccupied, Li Fan seized the opportunity to test his strength against wild demon beasts in the forest. Common Qi Refining stage demon beasts were no longer a match for him.

One day, as usual, Xu Ke was leading Li Fan around to forage for food. However, their path was suddenly blocked by an unwelcome guest. It was none other than Song Yang, who had long coveted the Fated Mystic Bird. Li Fan, noticing the gaze of the black two-headed snake coiled around Song Yang's neck, let out a sneer. A subtle, almost imperceptible, killing intent solidified and surged towards it. The black two-headed snake immediately trembled all over and coiled itself into a tight ball.