"Are you saying that what Li Fan claims is true, and there indeed exists an ancestral pill formation technique?"
In the Grand Tutor's residence, Kou Hong and Dao Xuanzi were secretly communicating through sound transmission.
"That's right, I saw it with my own eyes," Dao Xuanzi nodded.
"Can't we just seize it by force? After all, he's just a mere mortal..." Kou Hong's fierce nature was revealed.
Dao Xuanzi quickly advised against it, "Although Li Fan is just a mortal, he is, after all, a descendant of the Taiyan Sect. You have witnessed his terrifying prophecy technique before, which is truly intimidating. If we seize it by force, who knows what other methods he might have."
"It's just helping him repair the Taiyan Boat, nothing too difficult. Why create more trouble?" Of course, the main reason was that Dao Xuanzi feared that if they seized it by force, Li Fan might reveal that the technique was actually a Nascent Soul technique.
After Dao Xuanzi's persuasion, Kou Hong extinguished the thought of seizing it by force.
The two secretly discussed the distribution of benefits before finally agreeing to help repair the Taiyan Boat.
The next day, the two saw the Taiyan Boat that Li Fan had mentioned.
Kou Hong, intrigued, quickly took it over for a closer inspection.
"As expected of an artifact from the Taiyan Sect, the craftsmanship is exquisite, and the formations are mysterious, far surpassing what I have learned!" The more Kou Hong looked, the more delighted he became, "If I can repair it, my path in artifact refining will surely improve!"
"In that case, I entrust it to you two. Whatever you need, just ask, and I will fulfill it," Li Fan said solemnly.
"You may leave now, do not disturb me," Kou Hong waved his hand, already immersed in the study of the Taiyan Boat.
...
In cultivation, time is of no consequence.
What seemed like a small wooden boat took Kou Hong and Dao Xuanzi nearly a year to repair.
On this day, upon hearing that the Taiyan Boat was repaired, Li Fan hurriedly found the two.
Receiving the Taiyan Boat from Kou Hong, he was overjoyed.
Kou Hong, somewhat proud, said, "The core power formation, transformation and scaling formation, and dust purification formation of the Taiyan Boat have been completely repaired. However, the defensive and offensive formations are limited by materials and can only be simply repaired. Passing through the Immortal-Sealing Grand Formation shouldn't be a problem, but facing attacks from cultivators might be challenging."
Li Fan was not concerned about this, "No matter, as long as I can exit the Immortal-Sealing Grand Formation and return to the Immortal Cultivation World. With my ancestor's token, I will naturally find a way back to the Taiyan Sect."
Kou Hong's eyes flickered, then he enthusiastically explained the usage of the Taiyan Boat to Li Fan.
"This Taiyan Boat is powered by spiritual energy and needs to be controlled with divine sense. Depending on the need, it can transform into three different sizes."
"The smallest is only ten meters long and two to three meters wide, capable of carrying about ten people. A slightly larger form is a hundred meters long, capable of carrying hundreds. When expanded to its maximum, it reaches over a thousand meters, capable of carrying tens of thousands! Although our spiritual stone reserves are limited, the fuel I provided is enough for you to leave here in the second form."
"However, piloting this Taiyan Boat requires at least a Qi Refining stage divine sense. I wonder if you need us to assist..."
Before Kou Hong could finish, he saw the Taiyan Boat, under Li Fan's control, slowly enlarge from a small toy into a real small boat.
Li Fan eagerly stepped into the Taiyan Boat.
The ten-meter form of the Taiyan Boat was quite simple, with only one level. The front deck was nearly two meters long, followed by the control cabin and living quarters.
Standing in the control cabin, Li Fan connected his divine sense to the Taiyan Boat, and a feeling of seamless control surged in his heart.
Under his control, the Taiyan Boat smoothly ascended into the air, hovering mid-air.
After flying around in all directions, Li Fan finally suppressed his excitement and returned to the ground.
"Friend, your skills are indeed extraordinary, able to control the Taiyan Boat despite being a mortal!" Kou Hong praised.
"It's just a minor trick, not worth mentioning!" Li Fan smiled slightly, "I must thank you two friends! Trapped for a thousand years, now there's hope for escape, all thanks to your efforts!"
Li Fan spoke sincerely.
Although Kou Hong was curious about how Li Fan could control the Taiyan Boat without divine sense, seeing Li Fan avoid the topic, he let it go.
Dao Xuanzi, on the other hand, was already impatient, "Now that the Taiyan Boat is repaired, I wonder..."
Li Fan laughed heartily, "Everything is ready. Friend, come with me to retrieve it."
Hearing this, Dao Xuanzi was invigorated and quickly followed.
The two had already agreed, so Kou Hong did not follow and waited in place.
Moments later, Dao Xuanzi returned with a smile, clearly having obtained the technique.
Li Fan, Dao Xuanzi, and Kou Hong were all satisfied with the transaction.
To express his gratitude, Li Fan hosted a grand banquet for the two.
The feast continued with endless food and dance for three days.
Three days later, Kou Hong and Dao Xuanzi bid farewell to Li Fan.
"Friend, our remaining spiritual stones are scarce. Staying in this Immortal-Forsaken Land risks our cultivation declining. So today, we come to bid you farewell," Dao Xuanzi said to Li Fan.
Li Fan was somewhat regretful, "There are still some matters of my clan here that I must attend to, so I cannot accompany you two friends!"
Kou Hong warmly said, "No matter. If you make it out, you can find me in Lingtian City within the Congyun Mountain Range."
Saying this, Kou Hong handed Li Fan a map.
"This is a map of the vicinity of the Immortal-Sealing Grand Formation's exit, drawn from memory as you requested. There are no blank jade slips here, so I had to use paper and pen."
Li Fan solemnly accepted the map, thanking him repeatedly.
After some more pleasantries, Kou Hong and Dao Xuanzi transformed into two streams of light and departed.
Dismissing everyone, Li Fan went alone to the underground chamber.
Placing the map and the Taiyan Boat together, a surge of emotions filled Li Fan's heart.
Six lifetimes of reincarnation, over three hundred years of meticulous planning, finally bore fruit at this moment.
These two items were the key to escaping this Immortal-Forsaken Land and achieving the hope of immortality!
...
To the east, at the Void Abyss.
Kou Hong and Dao Xuanzi stood in the air, looking back toward Xuanjing.
"When I first ventured into this Immortal-Forsaken Land, I thought I would be gravely injured if not dead. Unexpectedly, by a twist of fate, I encountered such an opportunity," Dao Xuanzi quietly said, feeling the Nascent Soul technique in his storage ring.
Kou Hong nodded in agreement, then lamented, "Li Fan has a remarkable will, a person of note. It's a pity his lifespan limit is near; even if he returns to the Immortal Cultivation World, he won't have many years left."
"Without achieving immortality, all is illusion. Isn't it for the hope of immortality that you and I turned against each other?" Dao Xuanzi said calmly.
"Speaking of which, what technique did Li Fan give you?" Kou Hong suddenly asked, curious.
Dao Xuanzi did not answer, instead smiling, "It can't possibly be the same technique as yours, right? Rest assured, once I return and break through to the Golden Core stage in seclusion, I will fulfill the three promises I made to you."
Kou Hong no longer pressed the matter, instead becoming excited, "Once I break through as well, who in the Congyun Mountain Range could be our match?"
"The protective formation's mist has yet to disperse; I wonder if brother dares to venture through?" Dao Xuanzi looked at the dense fog above the Void Abyss and suddenly flew into it first.
Clearly eager to return to the Immortal Cultivation World and comprehend the technique.
"Why wouldn't I dare?" Kou Hong laughed heartily, then followed closely behind, diving in.
(End of Chapter)