"Is it because of that female powerhouse?" Li Fan asked.
"Not at all. These are two separate matters. That person is quite reasonable.
"In fact, this Dao Reestablishment method was personally transmitted by her," Shen Yuzi shook his head.
"Oh? Then why?" Li Fan grew curious.
Shen Yuzi chuckled without answering directly.
Instead, he said in an eerie tone, "If every cultivator knew they could become ingredients for higher-level cultivators at any moment... wouldn't the world fall into chaos?
"Those in power do not want to see that happen."
Li Fan remained silent.
"However, there are no restrictions on the usage of this method. Feel free to give it a try, young friend."
Shen Yuzi ended the communication.
Shaking his head, Li Fan suppressed his chaotic thoughts and began studying the Dao Reestablishment method.
After a long while, Li Fan couldn't help but inwardly praise. This Chen Shimei truly is a heaven-sent prodigy.
Using objects to represent people, fusing them with emotion, empowering them with laws...
After thoroughly memorizing the method's intricacies, Li Fan didn't rush to practice it on himself.
Instead, he turned his attention back to observing Ye Feipeng.
Li Fan was very familiar with Ye Feipeng's movements. There was absolutely no chance he could have come into contact with the Dao Reestablishment method.
So how had he formed his dual Dao Foundations? And how did they differ from dual Dao Foundations formed through Dao Reestablishment?
After a long period of observation, Li Fan began to understand.
Despite the differences, the core principles remained the same, and their underlying mechanisms were actually identical.
Returning to the concubine analogy, if Chen Shimei's Dao Reestablishment method was like painstakingly convincing one's wife to allow one to take a concubine... then Ye Feipeng was naturally born to have a harem.
His wife, as the central pillar of his harem, wouldn't just refrain from objecting; she would even secretly assist him.
What an incredible constitution! Having understood the key, Li Fan saw the chubby youth in a new light.
You keep giving me more and more surprises.
I wonder what changes will occur after you awaken.
I have a feeling that there must be another reason behind the Congyun Sea’s all-or-nothing gamble.
Withdrawing his attention, Li Fan began cultivating the Dao Reestablishment method.
In his case, it was as if the pillar of his harem was a beautiful woman skilled in transformation arts, capable of taking on any other woman's appearance.
Thus, he avoided the trouble of constant conflict between old and new Dao Foundations.
He only needed to reestablish his Dao Foundation and summon Return to Truth as the second foundation.
***
One month later, he successfully cultivated the secret method.
Inspecting his body, Li Fan found that the jade-white light representing Return to Truth seemed to have split perfectly into two masses within his dantian.
Yet their essence remained unified, and with a mere thought, Li Fan could instantly recombine them.
Overjoyed, Li Fan quietly left Myriad Immortals Island and came to a remote, uninhabited seabed.
It was time to test his gains.
Seven-Apertures Exquisite Heart, Dao Xuan Sword!
Return to Truth simultaneously transformed into two different Curios.
It was smooth and seamless, without the slightest obstruction.
Deepsea Pearl, Dao Xuan Sword!
Amidst shimmering blue light, a battered iron sword concealed its killing intent, waiting to strike.
Excellent!
Li Fan's eyes brightened.
This move is perfect for ambushes!
His thoughts shifted once more.
What would happen if I created two identical ones?
In an instant, two identical Deepsea Pearls materialized within Li Fan's dantian.
Yet, to his slight disappointment, the pearls inexplicably merged back into one the moment they took form.
Their power remained completely unchanged.
So I can only achieve an increase in quantity, but not an enhancement in quality...
Though somewhat regrettable, this is still quite useful.
While in the Myriad Immortals Alliance, I can maintain the Seven-Apertures Exquisite Heart state permanently.
In battle, I can simultaneously wield the power of two Foundation Establishment Curios.
After experimenting further and familiarizing himself with the rapid transformations between the two Foundation Establishment Curios, Li Fan returned to the Tianxuan Mirror, satisfied.
According to the secret method's description, after establishing dual Dao Foundations, the difficulty of forming additional ones increases exponentially.
Indeed, I can feel that two Dao Foundations are my current limit.
I wonder if there will be opportunities to increase the number further in the future.
Even so, having two Dao Foundations provides significant benefits.
One foreseeable advantage is that condensing my Golden Core using the four laws—Heaven-Scorning, Hanhai, Ink Death, and Blue Flame—will be much easier. Return to Truth does not need to switch forms as often.
Only six years remain before Crimson Flame descends.
With so many variables in this lifetime, I should leave the Congyun Sea early for safety's sake.
I can depart for Shilin Province in Anchor Year 26.
Right, I need to find an excuse to bring He Zhenghao along...
As fate would have it, just as Li Fan thought of Fellow Daoist He, a message from He Zhenghao arrived.
After reading it, Li Fan was pleasantly surprised.
He Xinxin had spent the past year wandering around the Congyun Sea with He Zhenghao.
Not long ago, Heng Ruoshui finally issued an ultimatum, demanding her return home.
Though He Xinxin was reluctant, she had enjoyed her adventures, and her father was no longer in mortal danger.
Not daring to defy her mother's command, the young girl tearfully bid her father farewell.
After promising to visit often and seeing his daughter off, He Zhenghao felt his long-dormant fighting spirit rekindle.
It was as if he had returned to his youth, filled with motivation to cultivate.
With no regrets about his daughter and his heart unburdened, He Zhenghao's cultivation progressed at an astonishing pace.
Before long, he broke through his bottleneck and was on the verge of core formation.
His message was to inform Li Fan that he intended to venture out to “peer into the laws” to form his Golden Core, and he wished to invite Li Fan to accompany him.
Li Fan had no objections.
They met at the Dao Transmission Plaza and teleported to Spirit Dragon Island in the northwestern waters of the Congyun Sea.
From there, they flew westward.
“Three thousand li west of here lies a natural wonder known as the Three Undersea Faults,” He Zhenghao explained.
“Within a stretch of just a few hundred li, the seabed forms three enormous fault lines, each like a sheer underwater staircase.
“And between each of those steps is a plunge of four to five thousand meters.
"Between these faults, intense geothermal activity has thrust up numerous mountain ranges from the seabed.
"These strange formations stretch endlessly, surpassing even terrestrial mountains in magnificence and grandeur.
"Being the practitioner of the Mountain River Hidden Dragon Art, I must observe this natural wonder.
"Using the Laws of Earth Vein, Mountain River, and Hidden Abyss, I will condense my Golden Core!"
Facing Li Fan, He Zhenghao naturally held nothing back, laying out his entire core formation plan for inspection.
Li Fan studied him and saw unbridled ambition radiating from the man, along with a soaring spirit.
An indescribable confidence shone between his brows, making him seem like a completely different person from the timid, hesitant figure he'd been before.
It seems having a sensible daughter really does make all the difference for middle-aged men. Li Fan thought to himself.
Aloud, he clicked his tongue in admiration: "Fellow Daoist, your methods are truly extraordinary. A Three-Law Golden Core... I daresay few in the entire Congyun Sea can match your achievement. I wish you speedy success in your endeavor!"