Sun Erlang scratched his head. It took considerable effort, but he finally managed to calm the children from the Li World.
Li Fan then led them to the Embodiment Transformation Dao Sect.
The previous cave dwelling had not been large, but it was more than enough to house the children.
Li Fan made another trip to Myriad Immortals Island and purchased a Spirit-Born Springhead and a Vermillion Fruit Tree from the Tianxuan Mirror, solving the problem of food. Only then did he gather them all together.
The children looked up at him with wide, uncertain eyes.
"Do you know what an immortal is?" Li Fan asked.
Most shook their heads instinctively, Ye Feipeng among them, his face blank with confusion. Only Sun Erlang, the oldest among them, had a flash of fierce longing in his eyes.
He rushed to answer. "I know! Immortals can fly through the sky and burrow through the earth. They can move mountains and fill seas. They command the wind and rain and can do anything!"
His words seemed to give courage to the timid ones. Another child spoke up softly:
"Learn the ways of the immortals,
Mount a crane and fly to the sky.
With a touch, stone turns to gold—
Marvels no words can describe!
"My father taught me that song when I was little."
Li Fan couldn't help but chuckle.
He recognized this child as the man who would one day be Han Wuyou's father.
This time, Li Fan had brought both him and Han Wuyou's future mother. He wanted to see whether, under such drastically altered circumstances, Han Wuyou would still be born. The answer held enormous significance for him.
With a light wave of his hand, he silenced the chattering children at once.
"So-called immortals," he said gravely, "are, in truth, simply people who have grown stronger than ordinary men. But for a mortal to reach such strength—that is no easy matter. Some excel in the literary arts, others in the martial. What matters most is finding the path suited to you."
Li Fan paused deliberately, letting the children fall into thought before continuing. "I have three cultivation methods that can make you as powerful as immortals.
"First: the Method of Defying Heaven. As the saying goes, 'Comply and remain mortal, defy and become immortal.' To rebel against the very principles of heaven and earth is to walk directly toward the Great Dao and attain eternal life. This is the supreme method."
The children understood little, but they grasped enough. Their eyes went wide.
"Second: the Hidden Reserves Forge Method. The human body contains a forge within it. Through refinement, one can awaken the boundless potential of the flesh. Cultivate it to the deepest level, and even brute physical strength alone will be enough to uproot mountains and fill the seas. This is the intermediate method."
At those words, only Sun Erlang and Wang Xuanba showed any real spark of interest.
"If neither of those suits you, I have a third. It cannot compare to the former two, but it is still one path among the many great paths of the world.
“It is the Beast Taming Method. Heaven and earth once held all manner of exotic beasts, each with all sorts of inconceivable powers. Those who can borrow the strength of such creatures can perform immortal deeds with a mortal body."
Li Fan's voice was clear and firm. The children's eyes filled with anticipation.
"Everyone is different. Few have the foundation to cultivate the supreme method. You may choose the path you wish to walk, and I will instruct you according to your aptitude.
“Think carefully. I will return in three days."
Li Fan swept one hand outward, and through an Image Recording Stone, vivid scenes illustrating each of the three methods appeared in the air, cycling through one after another.
The children were immediately captivated, their earlier chatter forgotten as they lost themselves in the projections.
The three days passed quickly.
When Li Fan appeared again, silence fell over the children at once, all discussion stopping.
"Those who wish to cultivate the supreme method, step forward," he said.
Su Changyu, Sun Erlang, and three others stepped forward with their heads held high. Li Fan swept his gaze over them, then said quietly, "None of you possess exceptional aptitude. If cultivation proves difficult in the years ahead, do not come to me with regrets."
Su Changyu and the others set their jaws and said nothing. Their expressions were answer enough.
Li Fan flicked his fingers, and several streams of light flew into their minds.
"I have given each of you a different Dao Technique. Remember: an immortal technique is hard-won and cannot be shared with others. If you encounter doubts in the future, you must work through them yourselves. Never reveal what you cultivate to anyone."
At that, their expressions shifted slightly.
Li Fan paid it no mind. A gentle breeze rose at his will and carried them away to another room.
He turned to the remaining children. "Those who wish to cultivate the Hidden Reserves Forge Method, step forward."
Wang Xuanba was first. After a brief hesitation, the great majority of the others followed.
Li Fan said nothing further, transmitting the Creation Forge Technique directly into their minds before sending them away in turn.
Then he looked at the three who remained, and his eye twitched slightly.
Among them were Xiao Heng, who wore an expression of casual ease, and Ye Feipeng, whose eyes were darting about with sharp, restless interest.
"Why are you only willing to cultivate the inferior Beast Taming Method?" Li Fan pointed at Xiao Heng. "You first."
Xiao Heng startled. He scratched his head, looking a little sheepish. "Replying to the Immortal Master, I just think I'm a bit slow. There's no way I could learn either of the first two methods. Might as well go with the Beast Taming Method."
Li Fan gave a cold laugh. "Are you certain? You won't regret it?"
Xiao Heng quietly exhaled in relief when he saw Li Fan wasn't about to scold him. He nodded quickly. "I will never regret it."
Li Fan said no more and handed over a Nascent Soul Beast Soul Pearl.
"This is a Beast Soul Pearl. The soul of a powerful exotic beast is sealed within it. It is still far beyond your current ability to handle. Keep it with you at all times, day and night, without ever parting from it. When the moment feels right, you may attempt to refine it."
"Thank you, Immortal Master!" Xiao Heng put the Beast Soul Pearl away with a grin.
"Immortal Master, I feel the same as Xiao Heng." The other remaining child, Zhao Wen, spoke up quickly. He had an honest, somewhat simple look about him.
Li Fan examined Zhao Wen carefully, considered for a moment, and handed him a Nascent Soul Beast Soul Pearl as well.
"Do not force it," he instructed.
Zhao Wen dropped to his knees and kowtowed in gratitude.
"And you?" Li Fan turned to the last one. Ye Feipeng.
Ye Feipeng scratched his cheek, visibly hesitating. Then he steeled himself and asked carefully, "Immortal Master, why must we choose only one method? I want all three. Would that be possible?"
Li Fan's gaze stilled for a moment.
He looked at Ye Feipeng, at those earnest, longing eyes, and then threw his head back and laughed.
"Since you've asked, I'll grant your wish."
The Sea-Calming Sword Art, the Creation Forge Technique, and the Beast Soul Pearl forged from the essence of the Nine-Headed Divine Bird—all three flew toward Ye Feipeng at once.
"Thank you, Immortal Master! Thank you!"
Ye Feipeng was beside himself, kowtowing again and again. Beside him, Xiao Heng and Zhao Wen stared in stunned silence.
It had never occurred to either of them that this was even an option.