Chapter 817: Li Fan Takes His Place
Chapter 817: Li Fan Takes His Place
[Truth] had countless benefits, but its one drawback was that after each simulation, he could only choose to preserve a single item.
Cultivation and treasures were mutually exclusive, a choice that often left Li Fan in a difficult position.
The emergence of this new function, allowing him to swap bound items, solved one of his greatest dilemmas.
However, anchor points were not easy to come by.
He had yet to find a way to increase their recharge rate.
Therefore, the decision to make a swap required careful consideration.
"However, I already have some ideas on how to acquire new anchor points."
"I just need an opportunity to test them myself."
With the addition of many Xuanhuang marvels that should not exist there, and the majestic Spirit Tree presiding over the realm, the entire world seemed to be undergoing a wondrous transformation.
Having refined the heart of the Spirit Wood Realm, Li Fan was especially sensitive to this change.
"This is akin to plundering resources from outside to nourish the world itself."
"The Spirit Wood Realm's potential was originally fixed. But with a continuous supply of external resources, it might just undergo a so-called 'Ascension'."
Li Fan carefully sensed within himself, searching for any feedback cultivation from the Spirit Wood Realm.
Unfortunately, after a long period of observation, he found nothing.
Perhaps the realm had not yet truly transformed. Or perhaps, the concept of a "world" fell outside the scope of the Sitting Immortal Technique.
However, the feedback cultivation from another source was perfectly clear.
Upon closer inspection, Li Fan could faintly see the figures of Su Yuqing and the others from the Li Realm.
"To successfully enter the Qi Refining stage so quickly in the spirit-void environment of the Li Realm, within an artificially created cultivation zone..."
"Impressive."
Li Fan nodded to himself in approval.
"It seems I need to pick up the pace on my end as well."
After giving some instructions, Li Fan left Tianyang behind and returned to the Cong Yun Sea alone.
Compared to the tense atmosphere of the mainland provinces, the Cong Yun Sea had changed little.
The clouds of war had not yet spread this far, and the hurried figures of cultivators could still be seen traveling between the islands.
Li Fan concealed his presence and flew stealthily towards Haixuan Island, located in the west-central region of the Cong Yun Sea.
From a distance, he could see a magnificent grand array enveloping the island.
It faintly emanated a murderous aura, warning all to stay away.
"The Great Desolate Eight Extremes Dragon Annihilation Array," he recalled. "Said to have been created by two Soul Transformation formation masters at great expense. Any cultivator below the Dao Integration stage who stumbles into it will be either killed or gravely injured."
Li Fan's eyes flickered.
In his sea of consciousness, the Final Dissociation Disc emitted a soft white glow, and in an instant, it had completely deciphered the seemingly impregnable array before him.
Transforming into a nearly invisible black thread, Li Fan flew into the array without triggering the slightest defensive response.
"Senior Ji, come on..."
From within Haixuan Island, the faint sounds of women's seductive moans and playful teasing could be heard.
"What fragrant wine! And even more fragrant beauties!"
Followed by the self-indulgent, triumphant laughter of a middle-aged man.
Li Fan quietly positioned himself above the island's grotto-mansion and looked down.
He saw the master of Haixuan Island, a Golden Core cultivator named Ji Shaoli, with his arms wrapped around two identical twin female cultivators.
He was watching seven other women below—each one a unique and captivating beauty—as they swayed their graceful bodies.
Even by Grand Preceptor Li's standards, the nine female cultivators in the grotto-mansion were all quite attractive.
"Ji Shaoli, the biggest winner in the history of the Cong Yun Sea's Fish Gambling, a lucky soul envied by countless cultivators."
"He amassed a fortune of five million while still at the Foundation Establishment stage."
"A pity that he then gave himself over to pleasure, his progress stalling at the Golden Core realm."
Information about the man flashed through Li Fan's mind.
"To facilitate his hedonism, he built a large harem on this island. In his spare time, he selects beautiful mortal women, trains them in cultivation, and then enjoys them to his heart's content."
"To prevent outsiders from prying and to protect his own life, he even hired Soul Transformation formation masters to set up this Great Desolate Eight Extremes Dragon Annihilation Array."
"The man certainly knows how to live."
"Unfortunately for him, when the Crimson Flame descends, he will be unable to escape death."
Li Fan shook his head slightly.
He remained hidden, watching from above, waiting until the long night of passion ended and Ji Shaoli, wrapped in the soft bodies of the women, fell into a deep sleep.
Only then did Li Fan descend like a phantom to his side.
He activated the Insect Binding divine ability, taking control of Ji Shaoli.
At the same time, he enveloped all the female cultivators present in his Cloud Water Illusory Dream Art.
When they awoke, they would only believe they had lost Ji Shaoli's favor and been expelled from the island.
As for Ji Shaoli...
Li Fan had decided to replace him with a clone!
Since his plan in this life was to sit on the mountain and watch the tigers fight, he didn't necessarily need to join the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
But without access to the Tianxuan Mirror, searching for information and trading goods would be incredibly inconvenient.
So, after some thought, Li Fan came up with this solution.
There were many reasons for choosing Ji Shaoli.
The man was already fabulously wealthy, an absolute tycoon in the Cong Yun Sea.
This would save Li Fan the trouble of accumulating his own initial capital.
Furthermore, Haixuan Island was originally one of the many garrisoned islands in the Cong Yun Sea.
However, it was later abandoned after the surrounding area's natural resources were depleted, stripping it of any strategic value.
Ji Shaoli had bought the island and completely renovated it. Now, it was fully equipped with all necessary infrastructure.
A teleportation array to Ten Thousand Immortals Island, a Tianxuan Minor Mirror—everything was in place.
Taking over this island would save him a great deal of effort.
"Previously, I was worried the Tianxuan Mirror might monitor its surroundings and expose my secrets. That's why I was always cautious and almost never carried it with me."
"But now, protected by the Final Dissociation Disc, I no longer have such concerns."
After using the Purple Clouds Soul Viewing Technique to completely master the secrets within Ji Shaoli's mind, he took a sample of the man's blood essence and, using the Mysterious True Spirit Transformation, refined a clone that was identical to him in every way.
Following that, he crafted a stone coffin.
Just as he had done with Zhou Qingang in his 115th life, he sealed him inside.
Li Fan was even kind enough to use the Cloud Water Illusory Dream Art, ensuring Ji Shaoli would remain forever lost in a pleasant dream of hedonistic pleasure.
Three days later, the group of female cultivators departed glumly, carrying a small amount of spirit stones with them.
Meanwhile, the real Ji Shaoli had been sealed by Li Fan deep within the Cong Yun Sea.
In complete silence, Haixuan Island had changed hands.
"Without the Dissociation Disc to break the array and deceive the Tianxuan Mirror, without the Mysterious True Spirit Transformation to pull off a perfect switch..."
"...even if one could breach the island's defenses, it would be impossible to seize his wealth as cleanly as I have."
The Ji Shaoli clone checked his current contribution points.
Six million, seven hundred and eighty thousand.
It was even more than when he had won the grand prize all those years ago.
"Hmm, judging by his transaction history, this Ji Shaoli is quite a talent in his own right."
"He knew how to make his money work for him, not just squander it all."
"He's much better than fellow Daoist He in that regard."
(End of Chapter)
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