Chapter 818

"However, he cannot be compared to me."

Clone Ji Shaoli’s eyes flickered. Based on experiences from his past lives, he made a series of rapid moves, spending 500,000 contribution points in an instant.

He exchanged all of his contribution points for materials that were expected to appreciate significantly in the near future.

"Hmm, it seems that the fall of Nine Mountains Prefecture has indeed had some impact."

"The price trends of some goods have already changed. Some are surging ahead of time, while others are devaluing in ways that didn’t happen before."

The clone manipulated the Tianxuan Mirror, while a faint ghostly glow isolated the mirror, preventing it from sensing anything outside.

Spending another million contribution points, he made a massive purchase of commonly used items.

After storing them away, Li Fan quietly left Haixuan Island.

The clone remained in place but reached out to He Zhenghao.

That’s right—Ji Shaoli was also acquainted with He Zhenghao.

After all, Daoist He was widely connected, and since they were both in the Congyun Sea, it wasn’t surprising that they knew each other.

However, they had only met a few times and didn’t share a deep friendship.

"Daoist He, how have you been lately?"

"Would you be willing to come to Haixuan Island for a gathering?"

It wasn’t just He Zhenghao—the clone extended invitations to all cultivators with whom he had some connection in his memories, inviting them to a banquet.

"While orchestrating a battle between the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance and the Five Elders Association, the research on [Foundation Establishment Through Oneself] must not be neglected."

"After all, this is what truly threatens the foundation of the Immortal Ancestor system."

After leaving Haixuan Island, Li Fan’s eyes gleamed as he made his way directly toward Yin Yin Island.

Upon arrival, he did not act recklessly.

Instead, he carefully observed his surroundings.

Faintly, he could hear the distant wails of mortals coming from the island.

Clearly, the mysterious study of the Immortal-Mortal Miasma was still ongoing.

A small dog with an eye embedded in its belly was running wildly across the island, a white rib bone clenched in its mouth.

It seemed unusually happy.

"Master Yin took three years to successfully establish a foundation through oneself."

"That was not long ago."

Li Fan pondered for a moment and decided not to act arrogantly. He transmitted a message: "Daoist Yin, are you here?"

The memories of his battles with Master Yin in past lifetimes were still vivid.

Even with his Nascent Soul cultivation and countless powerful mystical techniques, he had been unable to overcome Master Yin.

It was only by resorting to the Chaos Character that he had finally slain him.

In this lifetime, however, Li Fan would not use the Chaos Character lightly, as it could disrupt the Immortal Ancestor.

Moreover, he was relying on Master Yin to further develop the Foundation Establishment Through Oneself technique.

If persuasion could work, that would be ideal.

"I’m here. Please come in, Daoist."

The stone gate on the island rumbled open, and Li Fan descended.

The humanoid dog suddenly turned its head, fixing its gaze on Li Fan.

With a deep, threatening growl, its eyes filled with vigilance.

The moment it opened its mouth, the white rib bone fell to the ground with a clatter.

Li Fan’s eyes flickered as he summoned the bone into his hand.

This rib bone had once belonged to the first cultivator, Daoist Su, who had been infected by the Immortal-Mortal Miasma.

In his 115th lifetime, Li Fan had thrown this bone to divert the attention of a monstrous entity formed from countless corpses within the white mist, allowing him to escape with his life.

Seeing its beloved treasure taken, the humanoid dog’s gaze turned ferocious.

However, when Li Fan merely glanced at it, the creature suddenly recoiled in fear.

In an instant, it shrank back, its tail drooping, and scurried into a nearby building on the island.

Li Fan chuckled lightly and followed.

He was no stranger to this place and soon found Master Yin.

Just as in previous lifetimes, Master Yin was staring obsessively at a transparent cage, inside which a mortal subject was being tormented by his experiments.

He was muttering something under his breath.

Li Fan casually tossed the white rib bone toward him.

Master Yin instinctively caught it.

"This is…" He was stunned for a moment, then clenched the bone tightly.

“Just now, at the entrance, I found this little thing holding this in its mouth. I vaguely felt that this bone was somewhat extraordinary. It seems the little one was being mischievous and stole it to play with.” Li Fan explained with a smile.

Master Yin immediately understood and harshly kicked the humanoid dog.

He then put away the white rib bone.

His expression softened considerably as he looked at Li Fan and asked, “I wonder what brings you here, my friend?”

Li Fan glanced around and said, “This is not the place to talk…”

Master Yin was momentarily speechless.

However, he did not dwell on it and instead led Li Fan into an underground chamber.

As they walked past the corridor displaying Master Yin’s collection, he introduced the items to Li Fan.

To his surprise, Li Fan seemed to have quite a bit of knowledge about these objects as well.

From time to time, he could even continue the conversation with relevant insights.

This greatly pleased Master Yin, who had long struggled to find someone who shared his passion.

His attitude toward Li Fan became even friendlier.

Once again, he kicked the humanoid dog, instructing it to bring two cups of dark, swirling Spirit Qi Mushroom Tea.

Before Master Yin could say anything, Li Fan casually picked up the tea and drank it all in one go.

His expression remained unchanged.

“Good tea!” He even seemed to enjoy it, as if wanting more.

This took Master Yin by surprise.

“This chamber is quite secluded. My friend, you may speak freely.” He took a sip of his tea and said calmly.

“Master Yin, are you familiar with the ‘Foundation Establishment Through Oneself’ method?”

The next moment, Li Fan’s words left him stunned.

“Cough, cough…” Master Yin choked and coughed a few times before setting down his teacup. He looked at Li Fan with a strange expression.

“You came here for the ‘Foundation Establishment Through Oneself’ method?”

Indeed, he had spoken about this method to a few others before, but most dismissed it as absurd.

They merely laughed it off.

Li Fan, however, was the first to visit him so solemnly about it.

Feeling a sense of kinship, Master Yin couldn’t help but advise, “But from what I see, you have already achieved the Golden Core stage. The ‘Foundation Establishment Through Oneself’ method is still incomplete…”

To his surprise, Li Fan raised his hand, interrupting him.

The next words he spoke were like a thunderclap.

“When I first heard of your ‘Foundation Establishment Through Oneself’ method, I was astounded.”

“However, upon careful reflection, I realized it had major flaws.”

“Thus, I devoted myself to painstaking efforts, expending great energy and time, and finally completed it.”

“Overjoyed by my success, I came here specifically to share it with you.”

“I hope Master Yin can help me identify any remaining shortcomings.”

Li Fan spoke calmly.

Upon hearing these words, Master Yin suddenly stood up.

He stared at Li Fan, his eyes full of disbelief.

He even started laughing. “You completed the ‘Foundation Establishment Through Oneself’ method? My friend, are you joking with me…?”

However, as Li Fan slowly recited the method’s full formula, one word at a time…

The smile on Master Yin’s face gradually faded.

It was first replaced by shock.

Then by solemnity.

Then by utter disbelief.

By the time Li Fan had finished explaining the entire ‘Foundation Establishment Through Oneself’ method…

Master Yin’s body was trembling uncontrollably.

“How… how is this possible…”

“This… this is impossible…”

His eyes were filled with confusion, as if he were trying to verify the feasibility of the technique.

Yet no matter how he calculated it, there was only one answer.

It was flawless—absolutely perfect.

Master Yin’s legs went weak, and he stumbled, falling to the ground.

His finger pointed at Li Fan, trembling non-stop.

For a long time, he was unable to utter a single word.