Chapter 584: Reluctance to Impart the Teachings

Li Fan naturally wasn't worried that the Chuanfa Tianzun, who hadn't appeared in the world for many years, would suddenly manifest just because he glanced skyward and ask him, "Young friend, what are you looking at?" In fact, Li Fan was concerned about something else.

As the saying goes, "the more one tries to conceal, the more it is revealed." Only matters of concern are painstakingly hidden. If one truly didn't care, why bother using tricks to deceive others? Throughout the Xuanhuang Realm's thousands of years of history, countless geniuses have emerged. There must have been many cultivators, just like Li Fan moments ago, who were on the verge of understanding something by chance. But they were all forcibly suppressed by unknown means. This precisely indicates that the Chuanfa of old harbored a slight apprehension about Xuanhuang Realm cultivators discerning this secret.

With the power of one person, Chuanfa revolutionized the world, altering the dynamics of the old and new cultivation methods. It suppressed the world for thousands of years, forcing all cultivators to live like cattle. Could such a figure truly have something to fear? "While it certainly doesn't reach the level of dread, he must have some reservations in his heart," Li Fan mused. "Interesting..."

In that instant, having grasped these implications, Li Fan became genuinely interested in the secret hidden behind it all. "Perhaps the method to resist Chuanfa lies within," he thought. "A secret might forever elude some, or temporarily deceive everyone. But it can absolutely never forever elude everyone. In this Xuanhuang Realm, I have enough time to find and uncover it. Moreover, I might not be alone."

Li Fan gazed at the sky, silent. As the saying goes, "one who does not plan for the ages cannot plan for a moment." Chuanfa Tianzun, the most formidable obstacle on his path to immortality, was an existence Li Fan would eventually have to confront. Now, to have stumbled upon what might be a slight flaw in her defenses through a fortunate coincidence, was a blessing for Li Fan.

"The world is always full of coincidences. Just like how I was suddenly captured by the decaying wood, and then inexplicably released by it. Just like my sudden epiphany just now... It's unavoidable. But my 'Everlasting True' can minimize the negative effects of coincidence while infinitely amplifying its positive effects." Various thoughts swirled in Li Fan's mind. It was a long time before he finally composed himself and felt at ease.

He refocused his attention on the sixteen Golden Cores he held. After much deliberation, Li Fan decided to return to Congyun Sea via the teleportation array. Employing his old trick, he dug a deep secret chamber beneath the sea abyss and hid inside, to guard against possible surveillance by Ruomu Daoist. He wasn't sure if it was Li Fan's imagination or pure psychological effect, but upon returning to Congyun Sea, his heart immediately felt much calmer. Holding his breath and concentrating, he focused his mind.

Li Fan took out all sixteen remaining Golden Cores and laid them out in a row. Choosing one of slightly lesser quality, Li Fan once again fed it to Everlasting True. Just as he expected, after Everlasting True absorbed it, there was no change at all in the charging progress of the Sixth Anchor.

"Everlasting True's appetite is truly growing," he mused. "From Foundation Establishment artifacts to Golden Cores. Could it be that it will now consume Celestial Caves and Marrow of Heaven?" At this thought, Li Fan's expression subtly changed. Golden Cores were manageable; he could acquire some through various means. Celestial Caves, once his strength advanced further, shouldn't be too difficult to gather. However, the Marrow of Heaven and the Soul of Heaven and Earth were inherent to the Xuanhuang Realm, and their total quantity was limited. Countless cultivators eagerly awaited their appearance, and they would be frantically snatched up as soon as they emerged. Where would he find any surplus for Everlasting True to consume?

"The dwindling number of Anchors is a problem," he pondered. "I originally planned to use one after this lifetime, then start from the Nascent Soul realm, repeating the cycle to accumulate strength... Now, it seems best to be more cautious. After all, I now understand the location of the Roots of Heaven and Earth, so even starting over would be familiar territory."

While contemplating, Li Fan stopped feeding Everlasting True. Instead, he held one of the remaining Golden Cores in his hand and slowly absorbed it. Although this was a single-method Golden Core, it contained a very rare method of bewitchment. It was related to mental power, precisely what Li Fan urgently needed to supplement. As the saying goes, "the stones of other hills may serve to polish the jade of this one." Although it wasn't a defensive method, all paths lead to the same destination. A deep understanding of mental attack methods should provide better protection when encountering them next time. To better comprehend it, Li Fan also invoked the power of his Celestial Cave Law Domain, reactivating the properties of the Heaven and Earth wonder, the Seven-Orifice Exquisite Heart. Instantly, numerous insights flooded his mind. Li Fan became engrossed, overwhelmed with joy.

However, while Li Fan was in secluded cultivation and comprehension, the Congyun Sea was far from peaceful. Although the battle of Tianling Province had ended and cultivators were recuperating, a recent decree from the Myriad Immortals Alliance caused a ripple effect, stirring up the entire Congyun Sea. Due to heavy losses in the battle, and to better and more quickly restore its vitality, the Myriad Immortals Alliance decided that from that day forward, all cultivation methods would be sold at a fifty percent discount. This offer would last for one year.

Furthermore, some advanced cultivation methods that previously required specific merit levels to purchase were now unlocked. There were no longer permission restrictions; anyone with enough contribution points could buy them directly. Of course, necessary restrictions still applied: each person was limited to purchasing one method, which could only be cultivated by themselves and not transferred or sold in any way. If discovered, the right to cultivate the method would not only be revoked, but the rule-breaker would also be severely punished. For the vast majority of cultivators who couldn't afford even one cultivation method even if they sold all their possessions, these restrictions were practically negligible. Their attention was now completely captivated by the dazzling list of cultivation methods in the Heavenly Profound Mirror.

It's important to know that cultivation methods are the foundation of immortal cultivation. The quality of the cultivation method one practices directly determines one's future prospects. Without comparison, there's no harm. But when these privileged cultivation methods, usually hidden from public view, appeared before the masses, cultivators finally realized how inferior their previously practiced common methods were in comparison! This was a rare opportunity, not to be missed!

Thus, cultivators became envious. They spared no expense, calculating their available contribution points to select and purchase their desired cultivation methods. Meanwhile, Congyun City was bustling with a large number of cultivators. They angrily surrounded the Bureau of Administration, demanding He Zhenghao come out and provide an explanation. The reason was simple: during Li Fan's previous fundraising plan, they had invested almost all their assets into it. They had only kept a small reserve, so how could they possibly rush to buy cultivation methods now? With rare methods before them, cultivators wouldn't yield to each other. Watching one cultivation method after another instantly snatched up by others, these cultivators' mental states began to crumble.