Chapter 100

Think about it.

These mechanical puppets, though their combat power is reduced to the level of Qi Condensation, their physical strength is strong enough to withstand attacks from Yuan Ying cultivators.

A mere Qi Condensation cultivator, how could they possibly harm them?

After a series of flashy attacks from these thirty-odd Qi Condensation cultivators, the seventeen puppets didn't even flinch.

They couldn't break through their defenses at all!

On the other hand, with the puppets' attacks limited to the Qi Condensation level, they weren't as terrifying either.

After a battle, although the third exploration team suffered greatly, most of them managed to survive.

At this point, everyone finally realized.

This Tianyang Zhenren's cave dwelling was not something they, mere Qi Condensation cultivators, could covet.

The seventeen high-defense mechanical puppets truly acted like gatekeepers, repelling all outsiders.

Li Fan thought about it; even if he went, the result would likely be the same, and he wouldn't fare well.

"I wonder how the cave dwelling concluded in my previous life?"

Li Fan pondered to himself.

After he joined the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, he hadn't heard anyone mention the Tianyang Cave Dwelling.

Clearly, by then, the cave dwelling had already disappeared.

"Perhaps, in the end, a powerful being would intervene to resolve the matter."

Li Fan speculated.

Thus, the turmoil caused by the Tianyang Cave Dwelling gradually subsided.

For a place they could see but not reach, everyone decisively chose to forget about it.

Of course, there were some clever individuals who tried to secretly persuade others.

They wanted to gather over a hundred, or even more, Qi Condensation cultivators to explore the cave dwelling again.

Using the human sea tactic, some would hold back the seventeen puppets.

The others could then advance deep into the cave dwelling, seeking opportunities.

But…

No one cared.

Everyone was a Qi Condensation cultivator; why should they risk their lives for someone else's opportunity?

No one was willing to be the sacrificial one.

Thus, fewer and fewer cultivators thought about the Tianyang Cave Dwelling.

The Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance also seemed to have forgotten about it, never mentioning it again.

The Congyun Sea suddenly became calm.

Li Fan, for the first time in a long while, began to focus on his cultivation in peace.

Time passed, and before he knew it, half a year had gone by, marking 13 years since he anchored his cultivation.

On this day, Li Fan was checking the results of his half-year of dedicated cultivation.

He practiced both the "Thousand Mechanisms Jade Ring Golden Chapter" and the "Heaven-Swapping Technique" in tandem.

Both had reached the late Qi Condensation stage, and he could faintly sense the presence of a bottleneck.

Once he broke through the bottleneck, he could use the rare objects of heaven and earth to lay the foundation for the Dao.

Becoming a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

The "Cloud Water Illusion Technique" had progressed slowly after breaking through to the third level and had to be temporarily abandoned.

The third-level illusion technique could already influence Foundation Establishment cultivators to some extent.

The specific effect depended on the mental strength difference between the target and Li Fan.

As for the "Shadow Following Technique" and the "Nether Spirit Illusion Technique," due to the short time, he hadn't had the chance to practice them yet.

"It seems that having too many cultivation techniques isn't always a good thing. Perhaps, I should consider merging and simplifying them…"

"With my current understanding of cultivation techniques, I can't do it."

"But if I remain in the Enlightened state for a long time, continuously researching, there might be a chance of success."

In the early Qi Condensation stage, Li Fan's efficiency in cultivation and enlightenment was thirty times higher than normal.

As his cultivation improved, the efficiency decreased.

In the mid-Qi Condensation stage, with the dual叠加 of the Enlightened state and the Linglong Crystal Pearl, Li Fan's efficiency was roughly twenty-seven times higher.

With sufficient contribution points, Li Fan could remain in this terrifying state continuously.

Ten years would be equivalent to 270 years of continuous hard cultivation in a normal state.

Li Fan felt that even though merging and simplifying cultivation techniques might be difficult, it was definitely worth a try.

After all, he had plenty of opportunities to try and fail.

Li Fan's clone was still in a state of enlightenment.

The contribution points consumed had already reached over 6,000.

Li Fan was not only not worried but even somewhat pleased.

The longer the enlightenment, the stronger the comprehension of the technique would be.

Li Fan hoped his clone would spend all 100,000 contribution points.

Suddenly, Li Fan's heart stirred.

The formless killing intent that had been locked onto Zhang Haobo faintly showed some signs of weakening.

"Has Zhang Haobo finally broken through to the Qi Condensation stage?"

"Very good, faster than I expected."

"Perhaps, he really can achieve the Golden Core in just a few years."

In less than a year, from a mortal to a Qi Condensation cultivator.

After his destiny changed, Zhang Haobo's cultivation speed was much faster than in his previous life.

The faster he cultivated, the stronger his power, and the greater the storms he could stir up.

Although he might not be able to directly involve himself in the Chiyi battle, Li Fan, who had already comprehended the "Life and Death Chain," knew well.

One must never underestimate the chain reaction caused by a Golden Core cultivator.

"The Chiyi Sea Burning in this life is truly worth looking forward to."

…

Three months later.

Li Fan received a message from Yuwen Xing while in seclusion.

"Daoist Li Fan, do you know that our Liuli Island has recently produced an extraordinary person!"

Li Fan's eyes flickered.

"Oh? I would like to hear more about it."

"Hehe, take a look."

Yuwen Xing sent a video clip.

In the video, seventeen dark red giant puppets, each swinging huge fists, were engaged in battle with blue water swords in front of them.

In the center, surrounded by these seventeen puppets, was only one person.

It was none other than Zhang Haobo!

Seven blue swords were still floating around him, constantly rotating to protect him.

He himself was controlling seventeen water swords, fighting all the puppets simultaneously.

This battle clearly required immense mental effort.

Before long, three puppets broke through the water swords' defense and approached Zhang Haobo from both sides.

Three of the seven protective blue swords instantly split off to meet these three puppets.

Zhang Haobo himself retreated in the blink of an eye, exiting the cave dwelling amidst the puppets' rage and frustration.

After a while, Yuwen Xing's smug voice came through.

"What do you think?"

"These seventeen puppets are from the Tianyang Cave Dwelling, right? Fighting seventeen puppets alone, even if he only lasted a moment, it's still quite impressive. Who is this person?" Li Fan pretended not to know.

"Hehe, this person is named Zhang Haobo, who was an ordinary mortal just over a year ago."

"A few months ago, after breaking through to the Qi Condensation stage, I introduced him to our Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance."

"After hearing about the Tianyang Cave Dwelling, he went there alone."

"At first, I didn't know what he was doing, but later I found out."

"He was using the seventeen mechanical puppets for cultivation!"

"At first, he could only last a few breaths. Later, the time he could hold out against the puppets grew longer and longer."

"The video I sent you is from over a month ago."

"I wonder what the situation is like there now."