The sword's momentum was unstoppable. Arcing like a rainbow, the sword strike cleaved through Brightmoon Lake and continued to fly into the distance without pause. Even as it vanished from sight, it still had half its original power.
The residual power of the strike lingered, and the divided waters refused to merge back together for a long while.
Nearby, Su Xiaomei and the others stared in stunned silence at the casual sword strike Li Fan had executed. It took them a considerable time to emerge from their frozen state.
Su Xiaomei’s face was alight with excitement as she flew to Li Fan's side, shouting, "I want to learn this! Master, I must learn this!"
Xiao Heng remained utterly astonished, his gaze fixed on the bisected great lake in the distance, a flicker of yearning in his eyes.
Su Changyu's expression grew even more resolute.
Zhao Erbao lowered his head, trembling uncontrollably. Inwardly, he was wailing. Golden Core realm! That sword strike could only be unleashed by someone at the Golden Core realm! And judging by how effortlessly he executed it, his cultivation level might be even higher! I'm doomed... Doomed! I'll never escape his clutches in this lifetime!
Beside Brightmoon Lake, Li Fan was too busy calming the turbulent spiritual qi raging within him to spare any attention to the noisy Su Xiaomei, barely maintaining the aura of a lofty master.
Forcibly executing this One Congyun Sword Strike through the Deepsea Pearl while at the Qi Refinement realm had been tremendously strenuous.
This isn't my own power, after all. I just mimicked the technique based on Zhang Haobo's residual memories within the Deepsea Pearl.
This strike has the form but not the true essence. It looks intimidating, but in actual combat, its power would be rather mediocre.
However, I can study and contemplate these insights day and night, making them my own. One day, I will be able to execute my own Twenty-Eight Congyun Swords.
The immediate priority is to achieve Foundation Establishment as soon as possible. I've already delayed too long waiting for the Deepsea Pearl.
Having reached this decision, he addressed Su Xiaomei and the others, "Go and thoroughly investigate Brightmoon Lake and the surrounding area. Check for hidden dangers. I intend to establish my cave dwelling here."
"Yes, Master!"
"Yes, Senior!"
Having just witnessed his divine might, everyone naturally obeyed Li Fan's command without question, promptly scattering to carry out their tasks. Even the three mortals from Tianbao Pavilion were enlisted to help.
Both Su Xiaomei and Xiao Heng possess remarkable providence. Coupled with the treasure attunement and fortune discernment of the Yin sisters, they should be able to uncover any hidden secrets around Brightmoon Lake. Li Fan mused. But as a site for Foundation Establishment, it's still not secure enough. I'll need to make a trip to Yuandao Sky City...
Perhaps because the process of building one's Dao Foundation required communion with heaven and earth, it was impossible to undergo Foundation Establishment within the Tianxuan Mirror’s space.
Thus, one needed to find an alternative safe and secluded place to undergo the advancement process. Otherwise, if disturbed at a critical moment, all efforts could be wasted, and Foundation Establishment might no longer be possible.
Just as Li Fan decided to head to the Tianxuan Mirror in Yuandao City to make some purchases, he suddenly sensed a figure in the distance rapidly approaching his location. Following this person were six other cultivators.
Judging by their auras, everyone in this group seemed to be at the Foundation Establishment realm. Li Fan narrowed his eyes, immediately heightening his vigilance.
The person in front wore tattered blue robes that were stained with blood. Spotting Li Fan, he accelerated, shouting as he flew, "Senior, save me!"
His pursuers roared in response, "You there! Mind your own business!"
Li Fan watched the blue-clad man approach, then abruptly took off in a burst of speed, putting more distance between them.
You’re a Foundation Establishment cultivator. Why are you seeking help from a Qi Refinement cultivator like me? Are you kidding?
But in an instant, Li Fan understood. The blue-clad man must have been drawn by the sword light Li Fan had unleashed earlier, mistakenly thinking that a powerful cultivator was training here.
Seeing Li Fan immediately retreat upon hearing his plea, clearly wanting no part in this trouble, a look of stunned disbelief surfaced on the blue-clad man’s face. He gritted his teeth, glanced back at the closing pursuers, then turned and fled toward Shilin Province.
His pursuers swept past without even glancing at Li Fan, roaring as they gave chase.
Just as the group was about to vanish from sight, Li Fan felt a sudden impulse to see what this was all about. Formless Killing Mechanism instantly locked onto the blue-clad man at the front.
Though severely injured, the blue-clad man’s speed didn’t falter. Despite their constant threats and shouts, his six pursuers couldn’t close the gap.
Slowly, a massive wall of white mist spanning heaven and earth appeared on the distant horizon.
So this is the White Mist Barrier? Li Fan was seeing it for the first time.
From his elevated perspective, the barrier filled the space between sky and land, stretching endlessly without a visible end. Compared to it, cultivators seemed as insignificant as ants.
Seeing the blue-clad man about to plunge into the White Mist Barrier, his pursuers grew frantic, shouting, "Huyan Lin! Surrender Lan Yu's legacy treasure, and we’ll spare your life!"
Huyan Lin answered with a cold laugh, charging headlong into the white mist without hesitation.
The scene went black—Formless Killing Mechanism had lost its target.
Lan Yu's legacy treasure... Li Fan mused, thoughtful.
Following their previous trail, Li Fan arrived at the White Mist Barrier and waited three full days.
No one returned.
He could only shake his head in regret, committing the words "Lan Yu’s legacy treasure" firmly to memory.
This matter was just a minor interlude.
After sinking the Taiyan Boat into Brightmoon Lake and concealing its traces with an array, Li Fan gave some instructions to Su Xiaomei and the others before hurrying toward Yuandao Sky City.
Twenty-six days of flight later, he finally arrived.
Entering the city, Li Fan immediately sensed something unusual. Yuandao City stood nearly empty, with scarcely a cultivator in sight. The few he occasionally encountered wore excited expressions, flying hurriedly away toward some destination.
Curiosity piqued, Li Fan stopped one and politely inquired, "Fellow Daoist, might I ask where all the cultivators in Yuandao City have gone? Why is it so empty?"
The man glanced at Li Fan. "You must be new to Yuandao Province. Everyone has gone to watch the duel between the two prodigies of the Lan Yu lineage.
"The battle is fiercely contested. They’ve been fighting for three days and nights without a victor yet. I was just heading to observe. Why not join me?"
Li Fan considered for a moment, then readily agreed.
As they traveled together, the Qi Refinement cultivator named Feng Shu explained the origins of the conflict between the two prodigies of the Lan Yu lineage to Li Fan.
Seven years ago, when Immortal Venerable Lan Yu approached the end of his lifespan, he established the inheritance rules for the technique he cultivated: the Heavenly Capital Feather Transformation Technique.
Within the Lan Yu lineage, martial prowess commanded respect above all.
The one who remained undefeated would obtain the Heavenly Capital Transformation Feather Technique.