Chapter 4

This meal was tasteless. The Jiang family had strict etiquette, adhering to the rule of "no talking during meals, no speaking in bed."

Chen Fan, who was enjoying his leisure, silently savored the food as he ate.

"How long has it been since I last had a home-cooked meal, especially one made by Aunt Tang?" he thought to himself.

In his previous life, Aunt Tang's later years were unhappy, as Jiang Haishan, who held a high position, was often out for social engagements and rarely came home.

At that time, he was poor and often went to Aunt Tang's house for meals. To him, the food she made was far better than anyone else's.

"Aunt Tang truly has a heart of wisdom and beauty. She is kind, beautiful, and an excellent cook. It's a pity she married someone like Jiang Haishan, who chases power." Chen Fan shook his head and sighed.

Finding a moment, Aunt Tang turned to Chen Fan and said, "Xiao Fan, since you're new to Chuzhou, let Ran Ran take you to the city center to buy some toiletries. After all, it's a rented place, and it's not as well-equipped as your home."

"Sure, I'll trouble Ran Ran then." Chen Fan had no objections.

Jiang Churan nodded helplessly but decided to get rid of this guy as soon as they went out.

After the meal, Chen Fan smiled and said goodbye to Aunt Tang.

Once outside, Jiang Churan's smile faded.

Without even looking at Chen Fan, she coldly said, "I have something to do. You can go around by yourself."

After a pause, she added, somewhat worried, "You do know how to take a taxi to the city center, right?"

Chen Fan had expected him to cling to her, saying he didn't know the way and asking her to help. Instead, he nodded silently, "I know."

Jiang Churan stood there, watching the young man's lonely back as he walked away. A pang of sympathy flashed through her heart, and she felt an urge to call him back.

But thinking of the gap between them, she restrained herself and reminded herself, "Jiang Churan, the gap between you and him is too great. There's no possibility between you two. It's better to cut off his hopes quickly."

When she got home, Aunt Tang asked curiously, "Where's Xiao Fan? Why didn't you take him shopping?"

Jiang Churan replied indifferently, "He said he could go by himself."

Jiang Haishan snorted, "This guy wants to pursue my daughter? He really doesn't know his place."

At his position, to advance further, he would need to aim for a high-ranking government position or a district or county head. At this point, if someone in the city committee could help him, it would save him a lot of time and effort.

In the political world, having connections in the capital makes it easier to advance.

The son of Deputy Mayor Li seemed to have a good impression of his daughter Jiang Churan, and they were classmates.

Deputy Mayor Li had mentioned it a few times, so he had taken note. However, his daughter was still young, and he didn't want to be too proactive.

When Chen Fan came to visit, he had hoped that this guy's family background or abilities might not be inferior to Deputy Mayor Li's son, and he might give him a chance. But he was greatly disappointed upon meeting him, as the gap between him and Li Yichen was too large.

After saying this, he turned and complained, "Don't bring just anyone in front of your daughter. She's still young, and school is the most important thing."

Aunt Tang's face changed, and her eyebrows furrowed in anger, "Jiang Haishan, how can you talk like that? I can't take care of my own daughter?"

Seeing her parents about to argue, Jiang Churan sighed and turned back to her room.

She felt even more dislike for Chen Fan, who had caused all this.

...

Chen Fan, however, didn't think much about it. The Jiang family's father and daughter were insignificant to him.

After leaving the 'Longjing Garden' villa complex, he didn't take a taxi home. Instead, he slowly strolled along the Yan Gui Lake, sensing the changes in the surrounding spiritual energy.

The spiritual energy in different places is not constant.

Spiritual energy is like water, flowing to the lowest point. Therefore, some places have concentrated spiritual energy, like deep ocean trenches, which are considered sacred lands. Other places have thin spiritual energy, like small streams, which are not conducive to cultivation.

He walked along the Yan Gui Lake for a few kilometers and finally stopped.

"This should be the place with the densest spiritual energy within a dozen kilometers. To find a better spot, I'd probably have to go deep into the Yunwu Mountains." He looked around. It was a secluded willow forest, and despite the scorching summer, a cool breeze blew here.

Chen Fan found an old willow tree, sat down cross-legged, and faced the misty Yan Gui Lake.

Yan Gui Lake is the largest lake in Chuzhou, and it is close to the city. Many residential areas, commercial streets, and hotels are built around it. Therefore, even though Chuzhou is in the northern part of Jiangnan Province, it has a southern charm.

Sitting under the willow tree, facing the vast lake, and enjoying the gentle breeze, he felt refreshed despite the scorching summer.

Cultivators are divided into eight major realms: Qi Condensation, Innate, Golden Core, Yuan婴, Spirit Transformation, Void Return, Dao Union, and Tribulation Crossing. Qi Condensation is just the initial realm, but even within Qi Condensation, there are three minor realms: Foundation Establishment, Profound Passage, and Divine Sea.

Foundation Establishment is the entry point for cultivators. After achieving it, one can exert a thousand pounds of force with a single movement, move as fast as a galloping horse, and transcend human limits, transforming into a non-human being. One can also condense true essence and draw talismans, performing minor spells.

Profound Passage and Divine Sea are collectively known as the "Realm of Divine Abilities." At these realms, one possesses divine powers, can summon wind and rain, and create armies from beans, appearing like a myth to mortals.

As for the Innate realm after Qi Condensation, one can ride the wind and travel thousands of miles, with a lifespan exceeding five hundred years. What else could be considered a true immortal?

"Innate is too far away. I'll start with Foundation Establishment."

"What method should I use to establish my foundation?" Chen Fan pondered.

"The reason I fell in the heavenly tribulation in my previous life, besides the heart demon, was also due to an unstable foundation." Chen Fan began to reflect on his mistakes.

"Ultimately, it was because I focused solely on cultivation, only seeking breakthroughs, without solidifying the foundation of each realm. Although I lost all my cultivation this time, it's a good thing, giving me a chance to start over. Only by building a solid foundation can I construct a towering edifice." Thinking of this, Chen Fan sighed.

He not only blamed himself for his past mistakes but also marveled at his good fortune and destiny, to be reborn.

Foundation Establishment, though just the first realm of cultivation, might seem unimportant.

But to build an unparalleled foundation, Chen Fan decided this time to take it step by step, perfecting each realm.

"In my five hundred years, I collected various secret techniques and divine powers, a vast number. Even if I don't count the immortal techniques that lead directly to the Dao, there are 13,726 methods for Foundation Establishment alone. In my previous life, I practiced the 'True Wu Foundation Establishment Scripture,' a common technique for junior disciples of the True Wu Immortal Sect. But in this life, if I want to achieve perfection, I can't use such a shallow method."

He had already planned his cultivation path for this life:

"I'll use the 'Void Body Cultivation Technique' from the Great Dao Sect."

The Great Dao Sect is a major sect in the universe's cultivation world. Although they haven't produced any supreme experts, their Qi Condensation and Foundation Establishment techniques are renowned.

It is said that if the 'Void Body Cultivation Technique' is practiced to its peak, one's power will be several times stronger than other Qi Condensation cultivators, with a solid foundation that doesn't hinder future cultivation.

"Moreover, the techniques of this lineage emphasize inclusiveness and adaptability. Cultivating in a place like Earth, where spiritual energy is nearly depleted, I will definitely need to rely on various herbs, treasures, and even negative energies like sha qi and yin qi to aid my cultivation. The Foundation Establishment technique of the Great Dao Sect is the most suitable." Chen Fan thought.

Negative energies like sha qi, yin qi, and death qi are, like spiritual energy, forms of energy in the universe. However, spiritual energy is more widespread and suitable for cultivators to absorb. Other energies require specific techniques to extract.

Ordinary cultivators, without special techniques, can only absorb various energies in the universe without hindrance at the Golden Core stage.

However, the 'Void Body Cultivation Technique' of the Great Dao Sect can grant some Golden Core abilities even at the Foundation Establishment stage.

The term 'Void' refers to the vastness of the universe, the boundless space, and the myriad energies, all of which are integrated into the body. Whether it's the power of celestial bodies or the demonic energy of the earth's veins, the Void Body Cultivation Technique accepts all.

Thus, the Great Dao Sect is known for having "thousands of techniques, all converging into one lineage."

"Unfortunately, although the Great Dao Sect has grand ambitions, to integrate all the Dao into one is even more difficult than ascending. Therefore, they can only rank in the upper-middle tier among the major sects in the cultivation world."

Chen Fan shook his head and sighed. The Great Dao Sect's idea was good, but in the end, cultivation emphasizes specialization. The True Wu Immortal Sect, by focusing on one technique, has produced many true immortals, dominating the heavens.

With his mind made up, he began to recall the incantations of the 'Void Body Cultivation Technique.'

The Foundation Establishment technique of the Great Dao Sect is not just a Qi Condensation method; it also emphasizes the refinement of the physical body, making it a comprehensive cultivation technique.

As he gradually entered cultivation, his body seemed to become a black hole, drawing in various energies and spiritual energy from the surroundings. Within a ten-meter radius, the wind strangely disappeared, and even the willow branches stopped moving.

Time passed, the moon set, and the sun rose. It was already dawn.

He had sat cross-legged under the tree and practiced for the entire night.

Fortunately, the place was secluded, part of a lakeside park, and few people came, so he wasn't disturbed.

As the sun rose, Chen Fan suddenly opened his mouth, and a stream of white energy shot out, extending several meters and producing a 'swoosh' sound in the air, as if piercing through it.

The white stream lingered in the air for a few minutes before gradually dissipating, a strange sight.