"Senior, did you gain any insights?" Li Fan asked while keeping his distance.
"Heh, my luck wasn't bad." A trace of satisfaction appeared on Chen Ying's face. "The residual icy power here is truly extraordinary. Much like the Frostwill Severance Pill I refine, it has the effect of calming the mind and stabilizing emotions.
"In fact, the level of that power surpasses even the Frostwill Severance Pill. After this epiphany, I'm confident I can improve the pill formula. The efficacy of the enhanced Severance Pills are sure to be significantly higher."
Envy flashed across Li Fan's face as he lamented, "What a pity my aptitude is too lacking to sense the icy power you mentioned, Senior. To have such an opportunity right before my eyes yet gain no insight—it truly pains my heart!"
Chen Ying laughed heartily. "The fundamental level of this power exceeds the Nascent Soul realm. It’s perfectly normal that a Foundation Establishment cultivator like you is unable to sense it.
"Had I not regularly consumed Frostwill Severance Pills and grown extremely familiar with this type of power, I likely wouldn't have detected its traces either."
Chen Ying looked at Li Fan reassuringly. "I've gained much from this trip, and you deserve a great deal of the credit. I won't go back on my word. Speak—what reward do you desire? Contribution points? Pills? Or something else?"
Li Fan assumed a serious expression. "I wouldn't dare claim credit. I'll defer entirely to your judgment, Senior!"
Chen Ying appeared quite pleased with Li Fan's attitude.
After pondering for a moment, he produced a jade Mini Tianxuan Mirror and immediately transferred thirty thousand contribution points to Li Fan.
Then he handed Li Fan a spirit talisman, saying, "Contribution points are still the most versatile. You can purchase whatever you need through the Tianxuan Mirror. This is my communication spirit talisman. If you ever have any pill refining needs in the future, feel free to contact me.
Chen Ying then appeared to remember something and added, "Right, I likely won't be in the Congyun Sea for some time. Headquarters recently discovered a grotto-heaven sealed for a thousand years. Apparently, it is rich in wood attribute spiritual qi, and is particularly suitable for cultivating various spirit plants. They are gathering personnel from all regions to prepare for its development.
"I received orders to go as well. During this period, you probably won't be able to reach me."
Hearing this, Li Fan's heart stirred. He realized this grotto-heaven must be the culprit behind the plummeting price of Spirit Mist Grass. And not just Spirit Mist Grass—the market prices of most herbs and spirit plants would be affected by its output, causing drastic price drops.
But that was secondary. Most astonishingly, four other grotto-heavens were hidden near this wood attribute grotto-heaven.
Five grotto-heavens, corresponding to the five elements of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth, subtly formed an array.
This would later trigger a conflict between the Myriad Immortals Alliance and the Five Elders Council.
But was it really appropriate to disclose such classified information so casually?
Li Fan looked at Chen Ying, feeling both amused and exasperated. It seemed this person truly lacked tact.
Chen Ying then produced another communication spirit talisman. "This is the communication talisman of my assistant, Mu Rong. He's a mid-stage Golden Core cultivator with considerable skill in alchemy. During my absence, you can contact him instead. I'll inform him about youbefore I leave."
Li Fan put away the two talismans and said gratefully, “Thank you for your great kindness, Senior. I will not forget the favor you’ve shown me.”
“Hahaha! Our meeting was a matter of fate. I simply found you agreeable and gave you a bit of extra consideration. There’s no need to speak of great kindness!” Chen Ying said, waving his hand dismissively.
"With matters here concluded, I must return to research on improving the pill formula. Farewell." With that said, Chen Ying prepared to leave.
"Senior, please wait a moment!" Li Fan stopped him.
"Oh? Is there something else?" Chen Ying looked at him in surprise.
Li Fan hesitated, clearly uncertain whether to speak.
Chen Ying frowned as he instructed, "Don't be so wishy-washy! Speak your mind!"
Li Fan already have a rough gauge of this man's character. Ater reading his expression, he voiced his question: "Senior, earlier, I overheard you mention you would 'reach greater depths when exploring the Fallen Immortal Realm.’"
"Since I began cultivating, I've known that powerhouses at the Dao Unity and Eternal Life realms exist in this world. But I've never heard any rumors concerning Immortals. Thus, I'm extremely curious about this Fallen Immortal Realm you mentioned.
"Might I ask what this Fallen Immortal Realm is about? Could it truly be that a real Immortal fell there?"
Li Fan's eyes burned with an unlimited thirst for knowledge as he stared intently at Chen Ying.
"So that's what this is about!" Chen Ying suddenly understood.
Instead of answering immediately, he asked, "What is your current cultivation level?"
Due to the active Trace-Eradicating Talisman, Chen Ying couldn't discern Li Fan's true cultivation realm.
"I am currently at the late-stage Foundation Establishment realm," Li Fan answered truthfully.
"Late-stage Foundation Establishment..." Chen Ying pondered for a moment before continuing, "Originally, this matter should only be known to those at the Golden Core realm and above. However, since you're already at late-stage Foundation Establishment, you must be close to breaking through to the Golden Core realm. Learning about it a bit early shouldn't cause any harm."
Chen Ying paused, then added with a serious expression, "But remember this. Knowing of the Fallen Immortal Realm's existence is one thing. Before advancing to the Golden Core realm, your divine sense isn't strong enough, and you must not attempt to explore it. Otherwise, not only will your divine sense be damaged, but your cultivation foundation could be harmed. In severe cases, it could prevent you from ever forming a Golden Core."
Divine sense strength isn't strong enough... Li Fan silently repeated the words in his heart, nodding in acknowledgment.
Then he asked with some surprise, "This Fallen Immortal Realm... Could I explore it too?"
Chen Ying chuckled lightly. "Heh. Every cultivator in the Xuanhuang World can enter and explore it independently.
"However, a Golden Core cultivator only barely has sufficient divine sense strength to move within the Fallen Immortal Realm. To truly explore it freely, one must wait until the Nascent Soul realm."
Li Fan grew increasingly curious. "Where exactly is this Fallen Immortal Realm?"
Chen Ying clasped his hands behind his back and sighed deeply. "The Fallen Immortal Realm... is everywhere."
"Everywhere?" Li Fan was stunned.
"Correct." Chen Ying nodded. "Using a specific method, one can enter the Fallen Immortal Realm from anywhere in the Xuanhuang World at any time.
"But only your divine sense enters. Your physical body does not follow."
Hearing this, Li Fan frowned. "Could this Fallen Immortal Realm be a pure world of consciousness?"
Chen Ying said, "You could think of it that way. However, it has already transcended the boundaries of illusion and reality, truth and falsehood.
"Gains within the Fallen Immortal Realm can be truly brought back to the Xuanhuang World. And should you die within its confines, the worst you'll suffer is injury to your divine sense. True death is impossible.
"That's why the Fallen Immortal Realm has become the most passionately explored secret realm among cultivators who've reached the Golden Core realm and beyond."
Li Fan immediately grasped the realm's significance.
"What exactly exists within this Fallen Immortal Realm?" Li Fan couldn't help but ask.
"What exists there?" Chen Ying chuckled.
He gestured around them with his finger. "Whatever exists here, exists there as well."