Chapter 809: Born a True Confidant

Li Fan's face showed a hint of surprise as he feigned a question, "Fellow Daoist Yin, what's wrong?"

"Is there some flaw in this 'Foundation Establishment through Oneself' method that I deduced?"

Looking at Li Fan's bewildered face, Revered Master Yin opened his mouth but hesitated to speak.

In the end, he gave up dejectedly.

After a long period of confusion, he finally got up again.

He walked past Li Fan to a blank wall in the underground secret chamber, using his hand as a brush.

He then wrote down the entire 'Foundation Establishment through Oneself' method in one continuous flow.

Once he finished writing, he stood before it, his expression absorbed.

His face showed a series of changing emotions: admiration, emotion, and regret.

Li Fan did not disturb him, but also stood silently before this unparalleled Foundation Establishment method, observing it.

After an unknown amount of time, Revered Master Yin slowly came to his senses.

He looked at Li Fan, bowed his head, and said, "If this method was truly comprehended by you, fellow Daoist..."

"...then you are indeed a talent beyond compare; I am far inferior!"

"This version of 'Foundation Establishment through Oneself' is flawless and perfect. It can be passed down for generations!"

He then sighed deeply, "If only I had been fortunate enough to obtain this method when I established my foundation back then, I wouldn't have ended up in this state."

"What do you mean by that, fellow Daoist Yin?" Li Fan feigned ignorance.

Revered Master Yin, however, grinned, and his body split open, revealing another self within.

He then offered an explanation.

"Once 'Foundation Establishment through Oneself' is complete, there's no chance to regret it or cultivate anew," Revered Master Yin lamented.

Li Fan seized the opportunity to comfort him, saying, "Actually, there isn't much difference between the two. Both lead to a dead end at Foundation Establishment."

Revered Master Yin was momentarily stunned. "Fellow Daoist, are you..."

Li Fan confessed truthfully, "This is another reason why I came to find you, fellow Daoist Yin."

"After I deduced the 'Foundation Establishment through Oneself' method, I was initially overjoyed. I believed I had pioneered a completely new path. I had planned to confidently continue deducing the subsequent stages, such as Golden Core and Nascent Soul."

"However..."

Li Fan shook his head slightly, his face full of bitterness. "I thought long and hard, but I couldn't find the way forward."

"After establishing the foundation through oneself, all laws converge within oneself. I imagine the Golden Core stage would be similar. Based on ancient cultivation scriptures, I've named it the 'Primordial Golden Core'."

"But how to achieve this perfect Primordial Golden Core, I simply cannot comprehend. It's as if my inspiration has completely run out, or as if some entity is deliberately preventing me from exploring all of this..."

As Li Fan spoke, his expression grew pained.

Revered Master Yin felt a subtle sense of empathy and quickly began to comfort him.

"The fact that you could unravel the secret of 'Foundation Establishment through Oneself' already makes you a rare genius, far surpassing ordinary cultivators. Why be so hard on yourself?"

"As for the Primordial Golden Core you mentioned..."

Revered Master Yin pondered, "This is a path that is clearly not easy to walk. It's truly defying the heavens."

As he spoke, Revered Master Yin seemed to recall something and suddenly fell silent.

"I have a faint feeling in my heart. Perhaps this lifetime, I won't be able to advance further on this new path. That's why I came to you, fellow Daoist," Li Fan said, looking at Revered Master Yin with sincerity.

"To be the first to propose 'Foundation Establishment through Oneself,' your innovative thinking is certainly far superior to mine. Perhaps you can pioneer the next step?"

At that moment, he didn't hesitate and directly recited his entire discourse on the Primordial Golden Core.

After speaking, he stared at Revered Master Yin expectantly, "What do you think, fellow Daoist?"

Revered Master Yin couldn't help but listen, completely engrossed.

"Hmm, let me think, let me think." He seemed to instantly fall into deduction, his expression becoming somewhat dazed.

After a long while, he finally came to his senses.

"This method is difficult, even more so than 'Foundation Establishment through Oneself.' It's not something that can be answered in a short time."

"Moreover, I have other matters to research..." Revered Master Yin's expression showed some hesitation.

"From what I've observed on your island, it seems to be related to the Immortal-Mortal Miasma?" Li Fan asked.

Revered Master Yin nodded, "You indeed have sharp insight, fellow Daoist. I have a premonition that a great secret of heaven and earth is hidden within this Immortal-Mortal Miasma."

"Then I wish you good luck in unraveling this mystery in advance! When that day comes, I hope you'll be willing to share some insights with me," Li Fan said with a hearty laugh, very naturally.

"Rest assured, fellow Daoist! Since you could tell me the flawless 'Foundation Establishment through Oneself' method without any reservation, I naturally won't hold anything back either." Revered Master Yin looked at Li Fan and said with great joy, "I never expected to meet someone as kindred-spirited as you in this world."

"Before I came, I also didn't expect to connect so well with you, fellow Daoist," Li Fan said, looking equally pleased.

"Oh, by the way, I think you don't need to worry that deducing the Primordial Golden Core will delay your research into the Immortal-Mortal Miasma. In my experience, these two can be pursued alternately and simultaneously. When one path hits a dead end, you might as well switch to the other. Perhaps, inspiration will strike naturally soon after," Li Fan expounded, sharing his "experience and insights."

Revered Master Yin listened, his eyes sparkling with admiration.

The two felt they had met too late and talked on the island for three days and three nights.

Finally, just before parting, Li Fan extended an invitation to Revered Master Yin.

"This island is quite humble. How can it match your distinguished bearing, fellow Daoist? I have a small world of my own, with magnificent scenery, quietude, and natural beauty. It's perfectly suited for us to immerse ourselves in research. Why don't you come back with me, fellow Daoist?"

In the Xuanhuang Realm, only the extremely wealthy or noble could possess their own grotto-heavens or small worlds.

Upon hearing this, a flicker of surprise appeared in Revered Master Yin's eyes.

He hesitated for a moment but ultimately declined Li Fan's generous invitation.

"Although this island is a bit small, I've grown accustomed to it. Perhaps if I get tired of it someday, I'll pay you a visit to 'breeze through' there."

Li Fan was not surprised by Revered Master Yin's reply.

He showed a look of great regret on his face, then bid farewell with reluctance.

Before leaving, he also handed over his communication talisman.

He urged them to keep in frequent contact and exchange insights.

Turning away from Yinyin Island, he flew a certain distance before suddenly stopping.

Looking back at the island, Li Fan hesitated for a moment, ultimately canceling his plan to use the Formless Killing Intent to lock onto Revered Master Yin.

"Revered Master Yin's strength is somewhat peculiar; he cannot be regarded as an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator. In this life, I've already earned his initial trust through the 'Foundation Establishment through Oneself' method. There's no need to gild the lily."

"Although the Formless Killing Intent is subtle, I can't guarantee he wouldn't detect it."

After pondering for a moment, Li Fan finally departed.

He flew westward, leaving the Cloud Cluster Sea and arriving at Shilin Prefecture.

Since the fall of Jiushan Prefecture, the Myriad Immortal Alliance had attempted to organize several counterattacks.

They tried to reclaim it.

However, the treacherous terrain of Jiushan, with each mountain like a natural barrier, made it difficult.

All counterattacks ended in failure.