Chapter 11

"In today's cultivation world, a mortal who wishes to cultivate has a few options," Kou Hong patiently explained.

"The first is to join the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance. The Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance is a loose coalition formed by numerous cultivators. Within the alliance, one can earn contribution points by completing tasks or trading with others. With these contribution points, one can exchange for cultivation techniques and resources within the alliance."

"The second is the Council of the Five Elders. The Council of the Five Elders is an organization created by five top-tier powerful beings, with vast influence. As long as one has the potential to cultivate, they can voluntarily join and choose a cultivation technique. The cost is signing a soul contract to serve the Council of the Five Elders for a certain period."

"The third is to join local forces in various regions. Although these forces cannot compare to the two giants mentioned above, local forces are often more united and generally do not have dangerous missions, making them more suitable for those with a laid-back and peaceful disposition. As for other miscellaneous organizations, they are not very reliable and are not worth mentioning." Kou Hong slowly explained the general situation of the current cultivation world.

Li Fan frowned, somewhat puzzled: "From your description, it seems that cultivation techniques are not as scarce in the cultivation world?"

Kou Hong snorted: "That's because the techniques obtained through these methods are all incomplete."

"Incomplete?" Li Fan was taken aback, then suddenly realized. "To obtain a higher-level technique, one has to continue serving them?"

"Exactly!" Kou Hong said with a hint of resentment. "These techniques are newly compiled by the major forces over the years. Cultivating to the peak of the Qi Condensation stage is the limit. To advance further and establish a Dao Foundation, one needs to switch to a higher-level technique. The same applies beyond the Dao Foundation stage."

"Switching techniques? If one has to switch techniques and start over with each breakthrough, wouldn't that mean all previous efforts are in vain?" Li Fan was somewhat shocked.

"That's not the case," Kou Hong shook his head. "All cultivators must cultivate the 'Supreme Original True Scripture.' According to legend, this scripture is the supreme true scripture and the foundation of the Supreme Sect from ancient times. After the great calamity, the Supreme Sect was annihilated, leaving only fragments of the 'Supreme Original True Scripture' in the world. This scripture is not a cultivation technique but is more akin to a secret art. Its function is to allow cultivators to dissolve their cultivation realm without significant loss, and they can quickly recover their previous realm when switching to another technique."

"Such a miraculous method exists," Li Fan marveled. "It's just that the appearance of these fragments is quite timely, allowing numerous cultivators to accept the constant switching of techniques."

Li Fan sneered: "In my view, the 'Supreme Original True Scripture' may not be just fragments. Perhaps the people behind it only wish to release the part about dissolving cultivation and re-cultivating."

Kou Hong sighed deeply: "Who doesn't know this? But what can be done? True techniques are hard to come by. Although being exploited is frustrating, at least there is a visible goal and path. With effort, one can achieve it. Those who are unwilling to be controlled for life and are willing to risk their lives to seek opportunities in various secret realms and ancient sects are few."

Li Fan nodded, understanding the current situation of the cultivation world. This was vastly different from the carefree, longevity-seeking path of immortality he had imagined, and instead, it was somewhat similar to the world he had come from before his reincarnation.

Thinking of this, Li Fan felt a cold laugh in his heart.

Kou Hong, however, did not notice Li Fan's unusual state and sighed involuntarily: "Daoxuanzi never knew that the reason I ran away with the technique was not just because it was a Core Formation technique, but because it was a true technique that could lead directly to the Nascent Soul stage."

"If it were just a Core Formation technique, I might have been able to control myself. But it was a Nascent Soul true technique..." Kou Hong repeated.

Hearing this, Li Fan's heart stirred, and he touched the ring on his hand.

Kou Hong and Daoxuanzi's belongings had been confiscated and stored in this storage ring. Perhaps due to his multiple reincarnations and superior mental strength, he could use this storage ring, which originally required a Qi Condensation cultivator to use. However, without finding a way to leave the Immortal Cut-off Land, these items were useless to him, so he had not yet examined them in detail.

Next, Kou Hong introduced Li Fan to common knowledge in the cultivation world, such as the celestial phenomena that occur when a cultivator falls. Finally, he returned to the main topic and discussed the possibility of Li Fan finding a legacy flying boat from the Great Migration Era.

"Perhaps there is a possibility," Kou Hong thought for a long time before speaking.

"I once heard a rumor that over the millennia, some of the mortals exiled to the Immortal Cut-off Land have secretly returned to the cultivation world. However, most of these are just idle talks in the market, with no solid evidence."

"Rumors often have a basis in truth," Li Fan's heart stirred. "After all, there are intricate connections between mortals and cultivators. It's normal for cultivators to leave a way out for their mortal families. It's likely that these mortals returned through the means left by those cultivators."

Kou Hong was not very optimistic: "Even so, it has been thousands of years. This world is vast, and the chances of finding it are extremely slim."

"As long as there is a glimmer of hope, I will not give up," Li Fan said firmly.

"Really don't know how you, an old man on the verge of death, can still be so restless..." Kou Hong muttered under his breath.

Li Fan pretended not to hear and said solemnly to Kou Hong, "As long as you help me find a way to the cultivation world, I will not only release you but also let you return with me. I will return all of your and Daoxuanzi's belongings."

"Including that Nascent Soul true technique!"

"Is that true?!" Kou Hong suddenly looked up, a glimmer of hope in his eyes.

"Of course," Li Fan nodded.

"Alright... If so, I will do my best to help you." Kou Hong gritted his teeth and made up his mind.

Although he had been deceived by Li Fan several times and was unsure of the credibility of Li Fan's promise, he, like Li Fan, was unwilling to give up as long as there was a glimmer of hope.

Being trapped here for decades and dying of old age was not what he, Kou Hong, wanted!

...

With Kou Hong's help, Li Fan gathered historical books and classics from all over the world, striving to find clues about the Great Migration Era from the fragmented records of ancient times.

At the same time, Li Fan mobilized the army to excavate ancient tombs, hoping to find some traces. Although this caused widespread public discontent and daily remonstrances from officials, he forcibly suppressed them all.

Unfortunately, too much time had passed since the Great Migration Era, and his remaining lifespan in this world was too short.

Sixteen years later, in the 66th year of the An Ding era, Li Fan's time was running out, and he had still found nothing.

He ordered Kou Hong to be released and went alone to the underground chamber of the Grand Tutor's residence.

With a thought, Li Fan took out all the items from the storage ring and laid them out.

First, Li Fan's gaze focused on the jade slip emitting a faint golden light.

It was the Nascent Soul technique that had caused the falling out between Kou Hong and Daoxuanzi.