Li Fan was a bit surprised. He had just arrived at the Ten Thousand Immortals Island, and someone had already sent him a message with an image?
When he opened it, a somewhat familiar figure appeared. It was Xiao Heng. He looked completely different from four or five years ago. Dressed in a white robe, his long hair flowing, he had an aura of detachment from the mundane world.
"Brother Li, you finally made it," Xiao Heng said with a smile. "Back on Glass Island, you took care of me a lot. I never got the chance to repay you. When I broke through to the Qi Refining stage, I left without saying goodbye, and I've felt guilty ever since."
"Now that I'm on Ten Thousand Immortals Island, I realized how hard it is to find cultivation techniques in the Immortal Cultivation World. Especially for newcomers to the Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals, it often takes one or two years to gather enough contribution points to exchange for a Qi Refining stage technique."
"I went through the same thing. But as your strength grows, you'll find more ways to earn contribution points, and things will get better."
"Since I started cultivating, I've had many fortuitous encounters. A year ago, I just broke through to the late Qi Refining stage, and now I've hit a bottleneck. I plan to head to the center of the Congyun Sea, to the Cloud Water Heavenly Palace ruins, to find rare treasures and establish my Dao foundation. These treasures are hard to find, and I might be gone for several years."
"Before I leave, I've left you a water-based technique. Ten Thousand Immortals Island is located in the Congyun Sea, where water energy is abundant. Practicing a water-based technique here is easier and quite powerful. Brother Li, make sure to practice well. Don't leave the island until you reach the mid Qi Refining stage."
"When I return, we must have a drink together!"
Xiao Heng's image gradually faded, leaving behind a jade slip. "Small Cyclic Water Art, Qi Refining stage technique, current practitioners: 0."
Li Fan checked it out. The Small Cyclic Water Art Xiao Heng left only covered up to the mid Qi Refining stage and wasn't complete. Even so, it would cost 800 contribution points to exchange for it at the Heavenly Profound Mirror.
"This kid..." Li Fan felt a warmth in his heart.
To be honest, Li Fan hadn't done much for Xiao Heng. He had only helped bury Su Changyu and set up a decent place for him to stay on Glass Island. Xiao Heng had also provided Li Fan with accurate information about the starlight sands.
Yet Xiao Heng had always remembered this small kindness, even though his cultivation level now far surpassed Li Fan's. It showed Xiao Heng's good character. Perhaps part of it was because Xiao Heng thought they were both from the Realm of Departure.
In any case, Li Fan noted this down. He wasn't someone who repaid kindness with betrayal.
Along with the Small Cyclic Water Art, there was another small jade slip. It was the Supreme Primordial Scripture that Li Fan had heard Kou Hong mention long ago. Practicing this technique allowed one to disperse their cultivation without much loss, something every cultivator needed to learn in the current Immortal Cultivation World.
With the Small Cyclic Water Art and the Thousand Mysteries Jade Golden Seal techniques in hand, along with the Supreme Primordial Scripture, Li Fan quickly made a decision. He would practice the Small Cyclic Water Art openly to hide his true intentions, while secretly cultivating the Thousand Mysteries Jade Golden Seal. It would be best if he found an excuse to leave Ten Thousand Immortals Island before practicing the Thousand Mysteries Jade Golden Seal. Although the Heaven's Mystery Realm might not pay attention to a small Qi Refining stage cultivator like him, it's always better to be cautious.
Li Fan was new to the Immortal Cultivation World and knew little about many things. He needed to catch up quickly. Fortunately, the information related to common knowledge in the Heavenly Profound Mirror was freely accessible.
Li Fan spent several days in the Heavenly Profound Mirror, eagerly reading the related information. Books like "Congyun Sea Records" detailed the geography, specialties, and history of the islands in the Congyun Sea.
"Pre-Cultivation Discussions" explained what to watch out for after entering the Qi Refining stage, like the basic use of divine sense and controlling spiritual energy.
"The Four Essentials of Cultivation" described the four necessities for cultivation: techniques, wealth, companions, and a place to cultivate, emphasizing the scarcity and importance of techniques in the current cultivation world.
It warned young cultivators not to casually reveal their cultivation techniques to others, as it could lead to unimaginable trouble.
"Ancient Cultivation Secrets" told the story of an outer disciple from the ancient Great Dao Sect who became an inner disciple, a true disciple, a Dao Child, and eventually the sect leader through various trials.
"Heavenly Profound Mirror Shopping Guide" listed the items worth exchanging for first, like a storage ring and protective clothing.
Li Fan spent seven to eight days reading all these free books. Next, he was tempted by other books like "Introduction to Formations," "Basic Alchemy," "Foundations of Artifact Crafting," and "Treasure Guide of the Cultivation World," but they required a lot of contribution points to exchange.
Being new and short on resources, Li Fan had to wait for another time to get them. Taking advantage of the remaining free time in the Heavenly Profound Mirror, Li Fan started practicing the Small Cyclic Water Art. He had learned the benefits of cultivating in the Heavenly Profound Mirror.
By spending contribution points, he could activate the mirror's auxiliary cultivation mode. In this mode, the spiritual energy concentration inside the mirror increased to several times that of the outside world, comparable to the best cultivation caves. It could also be converted into the specific type of spiritual energy needed by the cultivator, endlessly, allowing for uninterrupted cultivation.
Additionally, the Heavenly Profound Mirror would grant cultivators the "Spirit Awakening" state while inside. In this state, one's comprehension would greatly increase, making it much easier to practice techniques.
Li Fan spent 10 contribution points to exchange for a day of auxiliary cultivation. As spiritual energy surged in, Li Fan began practicing according to the Small Cyclic Water Art. He quickly felt the boost in cultivation speed from the Heavenly Profound Mirror. The spiritual energy seemed compressed and accelerated, naturally gathering into Li Fan's body. The obscure and profound phrases in the Small Cyclic Water Art became easy to understand and master. The initial circulation of spiritual energy along the technique's path felt as if it had been practiced hundreds of times, incredibly smooth.
This "super cultivation state" almost made Li Fan feel like a natural genius. Cultivation became an enjoyment. Li Fan was completely absorbed, unable to pull himself away.
The day passed quickly. When the time was up, Li Fan abruptly exited that incredibly smooth cultivation state. When he tried to cultivate again, he felt the stark difference. The cultivation speed in auxiliary mode was over thirty times faster than his own efforts! The stark contrast made Li Fan almost want to exchange for another day. But seeing his remaining 10 contribution points, he forced himself to hold back.
"Such a treasure should belong to me," Li Fan thought, feeling a surge of greed.