Chapter 819: A Natural Soulmate
A look of feigned bewilderment crossed Li Fan’s face. “Master Yin,” he asked, feigning concern, “is something the matter?”
“Could it be... is there some flaw in this [Foundation Establishment Through Oneself] method I’ve deduced?”
Gazing at Li Fan’s face, a mask of perfect bewilderment, Yin Shangren opened his mouth, but no words came out.
Ultimately, he abandoned the thought with a sigh of resignation.
He remained lost in thought for a long while before finally getting up.
He moved past Li Fan and walked over to a blank wall in the underground chamber. Using his hand as a brush...
...he inscribed the entirety of the [Foundation Establishment Through Oneself] method, his movements fluid and unbroken.
When he was finished, he stood before the wall, his expression one of captivated reverence.
Li Fan did not disturb him, instead standing beside him to silently admire the unparalleled Foundation Establishment method inscribed on the wall.
An unknown amount of time passed before Yin Shangren slowly emerged from his reverie.
He turned to Li Fan and bowed deeply. “If this method is truly your own creation, fellow Daoist...”
“...then you are a genius of unparalleled talent. I am far from your equal!”
“This version of [Foundation Establishment Through Oneself] is utterly flawless. It is worthy of being passed down for generations!”
He followed this with a long sigh. “If only I had been fortunate enough to encounter this method back when I was at the Foundation Establishment stage... I would not have ended up in my current state.”
“What do you mean by that, Master Yin?” Li Fan asked, feigning ignorance.
Yin Shangren just gave a wry smile. His body split open down the middle, revealing another version of himself nestled within.
He then proceeded to explain his circumstances.
“Once you commit to Foundation Establishment Through Oneself, there is no turning back, no chance to start anew,” Yin Shangren lamented.
Li Fan pressed his advantage, offering a consoling tone. “In truth, our situations aren’t so different. Both paths lead to a dead end, halting our progress at the Foundation Establishment stage.”
Yin Shangren looked taken aback. “Fellow Daoist, you mean to say...”
Li Fan confessed candidly, “This is the other reason I sought you out, Master Yin.”
“After deducing the [Foundation Establishment Through Oneself] method, I was elated. I truly believed I had blazed a new trail for cultivation. I was filled with confidence, ready to deduce the subsequent stages—Golden Core, Nascent Soul, and beyond.”
“Alas...”
Li Fan shook his head, his expression tinged with bitterness. “I have pondered this for a very long time, yet I simply cannot find the way forward.”
“With this method, all arts converge within oneself. I imagine the Golden Core must follow the same principle. Drawing from ancient cultivation texts, I have named it the [Mixed Origin Golden Core].”
“But how to actually form this perfect [Mixed Origin Golden Core]... I am completely at a loss. It feels as though my inspiration has run dry, or perhaps, as if some unseen force is deliberately obstructing my every attempt to explore further...”
As he spoke, Li Fan's expression twisted in anguish.
Yin Shangren seemed to empathize with his plight and hurriedly offered words of comfort.
“Fellow Daoist, to have unraveled the mysteries of [Foundation Establishment Through Oneself] already marks you as a talent rarely seen in this world, far beyond the reach of ordinary cultivators. Why must you be so harsh on yourself?”
“As for this [Mixed Origin Golden Core] you mentioned...”
Yin Shangren grew thoughtful. “This is a path destined to be anything but easy. It is, in the truest sense, an act of defiance against the heavens.”
As he said this, Yin Shangren seemed to remember something and suddenly fell into a deep silence.
“I have a feeling... a premonition, perhaps. That I may never be able to take another step on this new path in my lifetime. That is why I came to you,” Li Fan said, his gaze fixed on Yin Shangren with utter sincerity.
“To have conceived of the very idea of [Foundation Establishment Through Oneself]... your creative mind is surely far superior to mine. Perhaps you can pioneer the next step?”
There and then, without holding anything back, Li Fan poured out his entire treatise on the [Mixed Origin Golden Core].
When he finished, he stared at Yin Shangren, his eyes filled with anticipation. “What are your thoughts, Master Yin?”
Yin Shangren was completely captivated, listening with rapt attention.
“Hmm, let me think... let me think...” he murmured, seemingly falling into a deep state of deduction, his expression growing distant.
It was a long time before he seemed to regain his focus.
“This path is arduous, even more so than the foundation. It cannot be solved in a moment's notice.”
“Besides, I have other research I must attend to...” Yin Shangren said, his expression hesitant.
“Observing the state of your island, I gather your work is related to the Immortal-Mortal Miasma?” Li Fan inquired.
Yin Shangren nodded. “Your perception is truly sharp, fellow Daoist. I have a premonition that this miasma conceals one of the greatest secrets between heaven and earth.”
“Then allow me to congratulate you in advance on solving this mystery! When that day comes, I hope you'll be willing to share your findings with me,” Li Fan said with a hearty, natural laugh.
“Rest assured, fellow Daoist! You shared the perfect [Foundation Establishment Through Oneself] method with me so openly; I will naturally not keep my own discoveries to myself.” Yin Shangren studied Li Fan, his face alight with pleasure. “I never imagined I would meet a kindred spirit like you in this world.”
“Before I arrived, I never expected to find such a kindred soul,” Li Fan replied, his own expression one of deep satisfaction.
“By the way, I don't believe you need to worry that deducing the [Mixed Origin Golden Core] will delay your research into the miasma. In my experience, it's best to alternate between the two. When you reach an impasse with one, simply turn your attention to the other. You might find that inspiration strikes when you least expect it.” Li Fan went on, sharing his “experience and insights.”
Yin Shangren listened, his eyes gleaming with admiration.
They felt like old friends who had met too late in life, and they talked nonstop on the island for three days and three nights.
Finally, as they were about to part, Li Fan extended an invitation to Yin Shangren.
“This island is too crude. It is hardly a place befitting your talents. I possess a small world of my own—the scenery is wondrous, the environment pure and tranquil. It is the perfect place for us to focus on our research. Why not return with me?”
In the Xuanhuang Realm, only the wealthy and powerful could claim to own a private grotto-heaven or small world.
A flicker of surprise crossed Yin Shangren's eyes upon hearing this.
He hesitated for a moment, but ultimately declined Li Fan’s generous offer.
“This island may be small, but I have grown accustomed to it. Perhaps in the future, when I tire of this place, I will come and impose upon your hospitality for a while.”
Li Fan was not surprised by his refusal.
He put on an expression of deep regret and then, with great reluctance, bid him farewell.
Before departing, he handed over his communication talisman.
He insisted that they stay in close contact to exchange their findings.
He turned and departed from Yinyin Island. After flying for some distance, however, he came to an abrupt halt.
Gazing back at the island, Li Fan hesitated for a moment before abandoning his plan to lock onto Yin Shangren with [Formless Killing Intent].
“Yin Shangren's strength is peculiar; he cannot be judged as a typical Foundation Establishment cultivator. I have already gained his initial trust with my method. There is no need to overdo it.”
“While [Formless Killing Intent] is subtle, there's no guarantee he wouldn't sense it.”
After a moment's thought, Li Fan finally turned and left for good.
He flew westward, leaving the Cong Yun Sea behind and eventually arriving in Shilin Province.
Since the fall of Jiushan Province, the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance had attempted several counteroffensives.
They sought to reclaim the lost territory.
However, Jiushan Province was a land of treacherous terrain, its mountains and rivers forming nigh-impenetrable natural barriers.
Every counterattack had ended in failure.
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