Li Fan’s soft chuckle unexpectedly drew Kou Hong's displeasure.
He flew closer, giving Li Fan an unfriendly look: "Fellow Daoist, what's so amusing?"
Feng Shu's expression changed. This Foundation Establishment cultivator appeared ready to fight at the slightest provocation, yet he didn't seem easy to deal with.
Yet Li Fan showed no fear, instead sighing deeply: "Fellow Daoist, you misunderstand. I thought myself well-traveled, yet never expected to encounter someone in today's cultivation world with such noble character and unwavering principles, completely unswayed by techniques.
"I'm truly ashamed of my own inadequacy! Might I ask for your esteemed name?" Li Fan inquired, already knowing the answer.
Hearing this, Kou Hong's expression softened slightly as he declared proudly: "I am Kou Hong."
Then he pointed to Dao Xuanzi nearby and said, "This is my younger brother, Dao Xuanzi."
Dao Xuanzi didn't approach, instead observing Li Fan and Feng Shu from a distance with a slight nod.
Li Fan's expression turned solemn: "To think I'm standing before Kou Hong and Dao Xuanzi themselves! I've long heard of your esteemed reputations!"
Kou Hong looked bewildered by Li Fan's reaction. He then eyed Li Fan suspiciously, somewhat disbelieving: "You've heard of us brothers?"
Dao Xuanzi was also taken aback, studying Li Fan carefully. Unfortunately, the other party had concealed his cultivation level with a Form-Concealing Talisman, making it impossible to discern his true strength.
"Of course. Fellow Daoist Kou Hong, your Dao Techniques are utterly sublime, and you are masterfully skilled in artifact forging; while Dao Xuanzi's sword arts approach divinity, with his Rusted Sword Dao Xuan possessing peerless might. How could I not have heard of you?" Li Fan stated solemnly.
Kou Hong and Dao Xuanzi both flushed slightly.
Dao Xuanzi quickly approached and said, "Please keep your voice down, Fellow Daoist. Two Spirit Transformation Immortal Eminences are still battling overhead—such praise is hardly appropriate."
Kou Hong, however, immediately returned to normal, exclaiming delightedly: "I never imagined our reputation would reach even Yuandao Province! Might I ask how you're addressed, Fellow Daoist?"
"I am Li Fan."
The two immediately began conversing.
The more they talked, the more Kou Hong felt this person was a kindred spirit. His temperament and topics he brought up perfectly suited Kou Hong's tastes. They shared endless common interests, as if naturally destined to be good brothers.
Moreover, his claim of being well-traveled wasn't an empty boast. He shared numerous secrets of the cultivation world as though it were no big deal, and most were obscure knowledge that Kou Hong and Dao Xuanzi had never heard of.
He was also well-versed in arrays, artifact forging, talisman crafting, and alchemy, with especially remarkable attainments in the path of arrays.
Kou Hong, being skilled in artifact forging, had some basic understanding of arrays. But compared to this person, he was like an apprentice facing a grandmaster; the gap was immense.
Often with just a few concise words, this person would provide enlightening insights that resolved various conundrums Kou Hong had encountered during his study of arrays. This broadened Kou Hong's horizons and left a deep impression on him.
And unlike his exchanges with Dao Xuanzi, Li Fan would occasionally sprinkle words of “unintentional” flattery throughout their conversation.
This made Kou Hong feel increasingly buoyant, unable to control his inner delight. Thus, he found Li Fan more and more agreeable, wishing they could have met much earlier.
Dao Xuanzi listened to their conversation without interrupting, occasionally nodding in profound agreement.
Feng Shu observed this scene with a peculiar expression. But the strangeness vanished as quickly as it appeared, well concealed enough that Dao Xuanzi and Kou Hong didn't notice.
And so, they chatted while watching the battle.
The Spirit Transformation battle continued for two more days, and the two of them talked without pause the entire time.
Two days later, the Spirit Transformation battle above them finally came to a temporary halt. Yet, there was still no clear victor.
Dugu Xi and Dugu Shi agreed to fight again in a year. Then, each transformed into a streak of light and flew out of the Heavenly Capital Dueling Arena one after another.
With the great battle concluded, the many cultivators who had come to watch gradually dispersed.
"I plan to return to Yuandao City. Why don't you two brothers come along?" Li Fan asked warmly.
Kou Hong, still feeling the conversation had been cut short, was about to agree. But then he noticed Dao Xuanzi's meaningful glance and reluctantly said, "We have some matters to attend to for now, so we won't be returning just yet. Next time we have the chance, let's continue our conversation to our heart's content."
"Of course! I'll be happy to oblige." Li Fan readily agreed.
After exchanging communication spirit talismans, Kou Hong and Dao Xuanzi watched Li Fan depart into the distance and couldn't help but sigh. "Who would have thought we'd meet such a kindred spirit here in Yuandao Province?
"If we had met one or two hundred years earlier, the three of us would surely have become sworn brothers," Dao Xuanzi added in agreement.
"It's a pity that there are only two boxes of Lan Yu's legacy treasure in that place. Otherwise, bringing him along wouldn't be out of the question."
Lan Yu's legacy treasure again? I thought it was the cave dwelling where they found the Thousand Mechanisms Jade Cosmos Scripture...
But then again, it makes sense. It's still far too early for them to discover that technique.
Far away, Li Fan watched the images transmitted by Heaven Watches and Earth Listens and felt a tinge of regret.
Getting close to Kou Hong was naturally Li Fan's way of preparing for the future.
Li Fan hadn't forgotten that the technique he currently cultivated as his primary method would be discovered by these two in about twenty years.
It was highly unlikely that Li Fan would reach the late-stage Foundation Establishment realm in such a short time.
Yet, he and Kou Hong had chatted so delightfully that they were nearly ready to swear brotherhood on the spot. Therefore, to prevent the tragedy of the two brothers turning on each other, Li Fan had no choice but to find an opportunity to eliminate the possibility before that could happen.
On the return journey, Feng Shu kept glancing at Li Fan, clearly hesitant, as though he wanted to say something. In the end, he held his tongue. When they reached Yuandao City, the two exchanged farewells and went their separate ways.
Li Fan headed straight for the Tianxuan Mirror. His purpose for coming to Yuandao City was to purchase some defensive arrays.
With his current mastery of arrays, he could bluff Kou Hong with words, but actually setting up a large array capable of repelling enemies was still beyond his ability.
At present, Li Fan still had some contribution points left. To ensure his absolute safety during the Foundation Establishment process, and considering the need to protect his cave dwelling and safeguard Dao resonance artifacts in the future, Li Fan decided to splurge and buy an array capable of withstanding attacks from a Golden Core Reverend.
He immediately began browsing through the Tianxuan Mirror.
Before long, Li Fan's eyes lit up as he read the description of one particular item.
Myriad Immortals Array Banner
A complete set of 365 array banners capable of forming a miniature Myriad Immortals Array, covering a radius of thirty li. Once deployed, it is impregnable even to a final-stage Golden Core cultivator.
When all banners are activated, the enclosed area is officially recognized as being under the protection of the Myriad Immortals Alliance. Any unauthorized attack will result in pursuit by the Alliance’s Martial Hall.
Note: Not recommended for use outside Myriad Immortals Alliance territory.
Recommended purchase: bundle with the Mini Tianxuan Mirror for a ten percent discount.
...
Mini Tianxuan Mirror
An avatar of the Tianxuan Mirror, available in several models.
Basic Model: Provides access to information and item searches within the Tianxuan Mirror, as well as task posting and acceptance.
Upgraded Model: Grants entry to the Tianxuan Mirror’s space, allowing cultivation and activation of the epiphanic state boost.
Supreme Model: Includes combat capabilities, capable of defending against and reflecting attacks from Nascent Soul cultivators.