Li Fan didn't choose to immediately leave seclusion. Instead, he returned to the stone chamber at the bottom of the lake and began his first cultivation after reaching the Foundation Establishment stage.
He practiced the Foundation Establishment section of the "Jade Cosmos Thousand Variations Sutra."
However, after a short while, he furrowed his brow and stopped.
During the cultivation process, he faintly felt a slight stagnation in the circulation of spiritual energy. It was an extremely subtle feeling that would go unnoticed if not paid attention to, but it still existed.
After some contemplation, Li Fan stopped and turned to practice the "Sea Fixing Sword Technique."
Since Zhang Haobo's death, no one has practiced this technique.
As soon as he started, Li Fan clearly felt the difference compared to cultivating the "Jade Cosmos Thousand Variations Sutra."
Even with Li Fan's aptitude, the cultivation process went extremely smoothly. As if there was a bonus to comprehension, spiritual energy effortlessly circulated through his body along the meridians of the technique, breaking through to the middle Qi Condensation stage in no time.
...
"Oh right, you're now in the late stage of Qi Condensation. When choosing a Foundation Establishment technique, if possible, remember to choose one that is compatible with the Heavenly Treasure you used for foundation building. This way, not only will your future cultivation be more efficient, but there will be other benefits as well."
He Zhenghao's words from the past suddenly appeared in Li Fan's mind, making him contemplative.
"So, it's about compatibility. I see."
With a thought, a blue water sword instantly took shape in his dantian. With a casual wave, the water sword flew out and easily pierced a small hole in a giant rock.
"The power of the technique has also been enhanced to a certain extent."
Li Fan retracted the Sea Fixing Sword, pondering silently.
"For ordinary cultivators, if they have both Nascent Soul and Golden Core techniques at hand, even if the Golden Core technique is faster to cultivate, they would definitely choose to cultivate the Nascent Soul technique."
"But I'm different. [Truth] can carry my cultivation realm to the next life. Therefore, what suits me best is a technique that quickly advances the current realm."
"In the past, there was no choice; there was only the 'Jade Cosmos Thousand Variations Sutra' to cultivate. Now that I have more options, I don't have to cling to it."
Li Fan examined the list of techniques on his [Truth] panel.
He hadn't paid much attention when he had fewer techniques to cultivate.
Now, with six techniques cultivated simultaneously, he noticed some clues in their order.
Venerable Heart Refinement Mantra, Cloud Water Illusory Dream Art, Sun Stealing Technique, Jade Cosmos Thousand Variations Sutra, Spirit Intent Illusion Technique, Stalking Shadow Technique.
It seemed to be arranged in order of the value of the techniques.
"So, the Venerable Heart Refinement Mantra is ranked above the Cloud Water Illusory Dream Art?"
The Cloud Water Illusory Dream Art was passed down by Qin Tang and belonged to a completely different system than the current techniques. Regardless of the cultivation realm, as long as the previous layer of cultivation was complete, meeting the advancement conditions would allow cultivation of the next layer.
The seven layers of the Cloud Water Illusory Dream Art corresponded to Mortal, Qi Condensation, Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, Nascent Soul, Soul Transformation, and Dao Integration respectively.
Its value was evident.
Even so, in the eyes of [Truth], the Venerable Heart Refinement Mantra's grade seemed to surpass that of the Cloud Water Illusory Dream Art.
The implications involved in this realization made Li Fan fall into deep thought.
However, he couldn't figure out how he originally comprehended the Venerable Heart Refinement Mantra. It seemed that he wouldn't find any logical explanation.
Currently, the Venerable Heart Refinement Mantra operated as instinctively as breathing, continuously circulating in his body. However, the progress of cultivation had become extremely slow.
Twenty-eight years had passed in this world, yet there were still no apparent changes. However, Li Fan wasn't in a hurry. After all, he had plenty of time.
His thoughts turned to the choice of the next technique to cultivate. Li Fan couldn't help but recall the "Mountain Meditation Technique" that He Zhenghao had practiced in his previous life.
From the descriptions in He Zhenghao's writing, this technique could infinitely magnify the advantages of foresight brought by [Truth].
However, the actual effectiveness of "meditating and waiting for success" needed specific experimentation.
After a moment of contemplation, Li Fan took out a pile of indistinguishable remains from his storage ring. These were the remains of various cultivators he had obtained from Tian Yang Cave.
Since his clone had died, it was time to forge a new one.
A gleam flashed in Li Fan's eyes.
"The first thing to do is to find the part that belongs to Fellow Daoist He."
After some thought, Li Fan came up with a plan. He set up a rudimentary "Celestial Star Formation" and poured the remains into it.
Suddenly, these remains became like stars in the sky, floating and rotating around the center.
Li Fan then increased the frequency of the formation's output.
The rotation of the remains became faster and faster.
Soon, these remains formed distinct trajectories, clearly separated.
Li Fan carefully distinguished He Zhenghao's aura.
It was still mixed with some other remains.
Patiently, Li Fan repeated the above steps.
After half a day, he finally separated He Zhenghao's remains.
Superior Bones, Heavenly Spirit Milk, Shattered Bone Essence, Heaven Crystal Spirit Sand...
Li Fan took out the prepared materials one by one.
The refinement began.
"According to the instructions in the 'Sun Stealing Technique,' when robbing the identity of the deceased cultivator, certain memories from their life will also be stolen."
"Generally speaking, the more valuable something was to the cultivator in their lifetime, the less likely it is to appear."
"So, luck plays a significant role in determining what can be robbed."
"He Zhenghao had planned to change his technique before he died, indicating that he didn't value this 'Mountain Meditation Technique' too much."
"I have a good chance of successfully reproducing it."
While thinking, Li Fan began to condense the clone.
Bones, organs, skin, hair...
Slowly taking shape.
In the end, he still created the appearance in the same manner as the previous clone.
Satisfied, Li Fan nodded and pointed at the clone's head.
"Sever!"
Unlike before, after connecting consciousness with the clone this time, Li Fan's mind suddenly displayed many images.
Like a collection of long-preserved paintings, some were just a bit outdated, while others were riddled with holes, tattered and torn.
But they all flashed by.
Li Fan concentrated all his attention, carefully distinguishing the parts with the existence of the "Mountain Meditation Technique."
The number of images appearing gradually decreased, and they began to shake violently.
Li Fan remained unfazed.
He wouldn't settle for anything other than the "Mountain Meditation Technique."
Finally, his luck erupted.
In the instant before all the images were about to disappear, Li Fan saw it.
A young He Zhenghao, holding a jade slip with a joyful expression after exploring the cave mansion.
A glint flashed in Li Fan's eyes.
"It's you!"
His thoughts, like a wild beast waiting for prey for a long time, fiercely swallowed this tattered, damaged image.
Countless pieces of information flowed into Li Fan's mind like running water.
Li Fan slowly digested it.
After a long time, Li Fan opened his eyes, revealing a look of astonishment.
"So, this 'Mountain Meditation Technique' was not a cultivation technique created by a human!"