"Purify the soul with Purple Heaven, penetrate the spirit..."
In an instant, a soul-searching technique consisting of tens of thousands of words appeared in Li Fan's mind.
"Junior Brother, wait for me here. I'll be back soon!" Zhang Qianmo said. Without waiting for Li Fan's response, he flew away.
"Purple Heaven Soul Observation..." After carefully reading this unique soul-searching technique of the Purple Heaven Sect, Li Fan mastered it.
The technique explicitly stated that in the current cultivation world, constant conflicts occurred among major sects, righteous and demonic cultivators, and various beasts and monsters. Killing, seizing treasures, soul-searching, and soul-refining were all common occurrences.
Soul-searching, in particular, involves extracting memories from the opponent's soul through various methods. Different factions had their own styles and habits, resulting in various approaches.
Some methods were cruel and brutal, causing permanent damage to the soul during the process. Those who underwent soul-searching would be left mentally impaired even if they survived.
Others were more ingenious, not only searching memories but also modifying and distorting them, leaving spiritual imprints and turning enemies into loyal servants.
The soul-searching technique of the Purple Heaven Sect was considered moderate and peaceful. It wouldn't cause significant harm to the soul, only inflicting a temporary pain similar to the strike of Purple Heaven Royal Thunder during the process. With careful recovery afterward, the soul could be restored.
However, it would leave an inexplicable fear in the heart. After sensing the presence of Purple Heaven Sect disciples, individuals would feel as if they had encountered a natural enemy, lacking the courage to resist.
Mimicking Zhang Qianmo, Li Fan extended his hand like claws, reaching for one of the captives.
As he activated the Purple Heaven Soul Observation Technique, countless images surged like giant waves.
Similar to the reproduction of the Mountain Meditation Technique using the Sun Stealing Technique, this technique could vividly display memories.
Scene after scene appeared. Li Fan ignored insignificant details and focused on relatively important parts.
This Foundation Establishment cultivator was named Liu Tu.
Over forty years ago, he was just an ordinary villager in the mountains.
One day, while hunting in the mountains, he got lost and stumbled upon a hidden valley. To his surprise, this usually empty valley was now filled with many people. Some were powerful cultivators, but most were ordinary mortals like Liu Tu.
They all sat together, listening attentively to the passionate speech of a young cultivator.
"Decades ago, I was like most of you, a powerless mortal unable to control my own destiny. Although I aspired to the path of immortality, I did not have spiritual roots and was unable to cultivate."
"Fortunately, I witnessed the Immortal Ancestor preaching and obtained a supreme technique."
"From then on, I had no need for spiritual roots to cultivate!"
"In just ten years, I have achieved the Golden Core realm!"
"The Immortal Ancestor said: the path of immortality is..."
Under the guidance of the young cultivator, dozens of mortals present condensed the Roots of Heaven and Earth and entered the Qi Condensation stage on the spot.
Liu Tu was fascinated. Although his aptitude was slightly inferior, preventing him from condensing Qi, he had memorized the "Five Spirit Qi Sensing Method."
After returning home, in less than half a month, he successfully absorbed spiritual energy into his body and became a true cultivator.
Afterward, Liu Tu found and joined an organization formed by cultivators practicing the new path to immortality called the "Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance."
After selecting the most popular "Heavenly Net Divine Art" as his primary cultivation method, Liu Tu spent five or six years cultivating and successfully built his foundation using the spiritual treasure "Mountain Spiritual Ginseng."
After that, he encountered Chu Liang, who invited him to join the ambush on Zhang Qianmo and Li Chen as they harvested Longevity Fruits in Ningyuan City.
The title of Inner Sect disciple of the Purple Heaven Sect made Liu Tu somewhat fearful. However, with Song Hesong, a Golden Core realm cultivator, as the leading figure, and the temptation of the supreme technique "Purple Heaven Royal Thunder Technique," Liu Tu reluctantly agreed.
Unexpectedly, they encountered Zhang Qianmo, who could kill Golden Core cultivators at the Foundation Establishment stage...
"Bang!"
After the soul-searching was completed, Li Fan threw Liu Tu to the ground and gently pressed his throbbing temples.
He calmed down his turbulent soul.
Soul-searching was an ingenious technique capable of comprehensively revealing an enemy's secrets by reading their memories. However, it wasn't without risks.
The consumption of one's own spiritual consciousness was also extremely astonishing. In Li Fan's case, it had over-exhausted him.
Moreover, if one encountered someone playing pig to eat the tiger—pretending to be defeated only to launch a fatal counterattack during the soul-searching process—the risks were even greater.
"In this Fallen Immortal Realm, I am only a spiritual consciousness incarnation, and my spiritual consciousness intensity is not as strong as my original body. However, the consumption of soul-searching is still too high." Recalling Zhang Qianmo's effortless demeanor earlier, Li Fan couldn't help but wonder if he had used the technique incorrectly.
But after reviewing Li Chen's memories and a little thought, Li Fan understood.
At this point in time, major sects spared no effort and expense in nurturing elite disciples. There was no shortage of all sorts of geniuses and treasures, and a variety of secret techniques could be casually selected.
From practical sparring to refining spiritual consciousness to guidance and personal instruction from senior experts within the sect—all these resources were available for rapid growth.
In contrast, in the modern cultivation world, a complete cultivation method would be deliberately divided into several different parts, restricting the combat power of cultivators.
Want to strengthen yourself with rare treasures? Want secret techniques to fend off enemies? Well, then, complete tasks and accumulate contribution points.
Even when you've accumulated enough contribution points, you might still not find what you're looking for. Oh, that could be because your permission level isn't high enough. Do some merit tasks and accumulate for a few years!
...
Although Li Fan didn't know the situation with the Five Elders Association, it should be roughly the same.
In reality, the vast majority of cultivators today would not be able to enter Zhang Qianmo's eyes.
According to Liu Tu's memories, the initial Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance provided various spiritual techniques and secrets.
Take the most practiced "Heavenly Net Divine Art" as an example; its content covered everything, including restraining breath, escape techniques, refining spiritual consciousness, strengthening the physical body, Qi cultivation, alchemy, talisman crafting, and formations—every aspect imaginable.
It was indeed the best introductory cultivation method.
Although it might not excel in every aspect, its comprehensiveness made up for it.
Li Fan couldn't estimate how high a price this cultivation method would fetch in the current Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
This was just one of the dozens of free cultivation methods available at this time in the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
Comparing the differences, Li Fan couldn't help but feel the sentiment "How did the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance end up like this?"
The disparity between casual cultivators was already significant, not to mention compared with elite disciples of major sects like Zhang Qianmo.
Although Li Fan possessed extraordinary treasures like [Truth] and his spiritual consciousness far surpassed ordinary cultivators, he hadn't undergone systematic strengthening and lacked the supplementation of rare treasures. Therefore, there was still a considerable gap between him and someone like Senior Brother Zhang.
Checking his own situation, Li Fan frowned slightly.
"Due to excessive consumption of spiritual consciousness, the time I can stay in this Fallen Immortal Realm has sharply decreased."
"Originally, I could maintain my state for about half a month, but now it's only seven or eight days."
"However, I've already achieved some gains. I can leave the Fallen Immortal Realm prematurely."
"I just need to reverse simulate the ritual in my mind."
"However, I don't know if I've satisfied the conditions to bring items back to reality."
Bringing items and information from the Fallen Immortal Realm to the real world required specific conditions.
The exact conditions weren't clearly explained by Chen Ying when he introduced them, and currently, the Tianxuan Mirror wouldn't reveal information about the Fallen Immortal Realm. Li Fan had to figure it out himself.
"The higher the value of the item, the more difficult it is to bring back."
"Forget about this 'Heavenly Net Divine Art' for now. If I can bring back the 'Purple Heaven Soul Observation Technique,' my goal will be achieved."
"What are the conditions? Kill Zhang Qianmo?"
Li Fan was currently clueless.
"Regardless, let's return to reality first."
"Maybe I can recall the specific details of the soul-searching technique in reality?"
After contemplating for a moment, Li Fan made a decision.
He directly initiated the ritual in his mind to return.
A moment of dizziness struck, and in an instant, the surroundings shattered like starlight.
Li Fan's consciousness returned to the Tianxuan Mirror.
Li Fan began to carefully recall various scenes from this journey to the Fallen Immortal Realm.
Specific events and every conversation with Senior Brother Zhang were still fresh in his memory.
But when he tried to recall the "Purple Heaven Soul Observation Technique" and the "Heavenly Net Divine Art," he couldn't remember anything.
It was like drawing water with a bamboo basket, all in vain.
"As expected, it's not that easy."
"The treasures were in my hands, but they're like the moon reflected in water, just out of reach."
"This feeling is really uncomfortable."
"I'll have to go back in and look for specific conditions."
"Fortunately, I voluntarily exited last time. The required time interval for re-entry has significantly shortened."
During this waiting period, Li Fan purchased a concealment talisman, disguised himself as a Golden Core cultivator, and traveled to the fish gambling island.
Due to the commotion caused by the Spirit Mist Grass, there were fewer cultivators gathered here.
Li Fan randomly picked a fish to bet on and then subtly inquired about information on the Fallen Immortal Realm from the Golden Core cultivators in the crowd.
After some casual chat, Li Fan learned that each person's entry point into the Fallen Immortal Realm was different.
Sometimes they entered and got caught in a battle between good and evil and were casually killed by powerful figures on the battlefield.
Sometimes, with good luck, they occupied the body of a disciple from a certain sect. However, in just over ten days, finding the conditions to bring out a cultivation method was quite challenging. They could only regretfully watch the cultivation method disappear from their memories.
"Purify the soul with Purple Heaven, penetrate the spirit..."
In an instant, a soul-searching technique consisting of tens of thousands of words appeared in Li Fan's mind.
"Junior Brother, wait for me here. I'll be back soon!" Zhang Qianmo said. Without waiting for Li Fan's response, he flew away.
"Purple Heaven Soul Observation..." After carefully reading this unique soul-searching technique of the Purple Heaven Sect, Li Fan mastered it.
The technique explicitly stated that in the current cultivation world, constant conflicts occurred among major sects, righteous and demonic cultivators, and various beasts and monsters. Killing, seizing treasures, soul-searching, and soul-refining were all common occurrences.
Soul-searching, in particular, involves extracting memories from the opponent's soul through various methods. Different factions had their own styles and habits, resulting in various approaches.
Some methods were cruel and brutal, causing permanent damage to the soul during the process. Those who underwent soul-searching would be left mentally impaired even if they survived.
Others were more ingenious, not only searching memories but also modifying and distorting them, leaving spiritual imprints and turning enemies into loyal servants.
The soul-searching technique of the Purple Heaven Sect was considered moderate and peaceful. It wouldn't cause significant harm to the soul, only inflicting a temporary pain similar to the strike of Purple Heaven Royal Thunder during the process. With careful recovery afterward, the soul could be restored.
However, it would leave an inexplicable fear in the heart. After sensing the presence of Purple Heaven Sect disciples, individuals would feel as if they had encountered a natural enemy, lacking the courage to resist.
Mimicking Zhang Qianmo, Li Fan extended his hand like claws, reaching for one of the captives.
As he activated the Purple Heaven Soul Observation Technique, countless images surged like giant waves.
Similar to the reproduction of the Mountain Meditation Technique using the Sun Stealing Technique, this technique could vividly display memories.
Scene after scene appeared. Li Fan ignored insignificant details and focused on relatively important parts.
This Foundation Establishment cultivator was named Liu Tu.
Over forty years ago, he was just an ordinary villager in the mountains.
One day, while hunting in the mountains, he got lost and stumbled upon a hidden valley. To his surprise, this usually empty valley was now filled with many people. Some were powerful cultivators, but most were ordinary mortals like Liu Tu.
They all sat together, listening attentively to the passionate speech of a young cultivator.
"Decades ago, I was like most of you, a powerless mortal unable to control my own destiny. Although I aspired to the path of immortality, I did not have spiritual roots and was unable to cultivate."
"Fortunately, I witnessed the Immortal Ancestor preaching and obtained a supreme technique."
"From then on, I had no need for spiritual roots to cultivate!"
"In just ten years, I have achieved the Golden Core realm!"
"The Immortal Ancestor said: the path of immortality is..."
Under the guidance of the young cultivator, dozens of mortals present condensed the Roots of Heaven and Earth and entered the Qi Condensation stage on the spot.
Liu Tu was fascinated. Although his aptitude was slightly inferior, preventing him from condensing Qi, he had memorized the "Five Spirit Qi Sensing Method."
After returning home, in less than half a month, he successfully absorbed spiritual energy into his body and became a true cultivator.
Afterward, Liu Tu found and joined an organization formed by cultivators practicing the new path to immortality called the "Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance."
After selecting the most popular "Heavenly Net Divine Art" as his primary cultivation method, Liu Tu spent five or six years cultivating and successfully built his foundation using the spiritual treasure "Mountain Spiritual Ginseng."
After that, he encountered Chu Liang, who invited him to join the ambush on Zhang Qianmo and Li Chen as they harvested Longevity Fruits in Ningyuan City.
The title of Inner Sect disciple of the Purple Heaven Sect made Liu Tu somewhat fearful. However, with Song Hesong, a Golden Core realm cultivator, as the leading figure, and the temptation of the supreme technique "Purple Heaven Royal Thunder Technique," Liu Tu reluctantly agreed.
Unexpectedly, they encountered Zhang Qianmo, who could kill Golden Core cultivators at the Foundation Establishment stage...
"Bang!"
After the soul-searching was completed, Li Fan threw Liu Tu to the ground and gently pressed his throbbing temples.
He calmed down his turbulent soul.
Soul-searching was an ingenious technique capable of comprehensively revealing an enemy's secrets by reading their memories. However, it wasn't without risks.
The consumption of one's own spiritual consciousness was also extremely astonishing. In Li Fan's case, it had over-exhausted him.
Moreover, if one encountered someone playing pig to eat the tiger—pretending to be defeated only to launch a fatal counterattack during the soul-searching process—the risks were even greater.
"In this Fallen Immortal Realm, I am only a spiritual consciousness incarnation, and my spiritual consciousness intensity is not as strong as my original body. However, the consumption of soul-searching is still too high." Recalling Zhang Qianmo's effortless demeanor earlier, Li Fan couldn't help but wonder if he had used the technique incorrectly.
But after reviewing Li Chen's memories and a little thought, Li Fan understood.
At this point in time, major sects spared no effort and expense in nurturing elite disciples. There was no shortage of all sorts of geniuses and treasures, and a variety of secret techniques could be casually selected.
From practical sparring to refining spiritual consciousness to guidance and personal instruction from senior experts within the sect—all these resources were available for rapid growth.
In contrast, in the modern cultivation world, a complete cultivation method would be deliberately divided into several different parts, restricting the combat power of cultivators.
Want to strengthen yourself with rare treasures? Want secret techniques to fend off enemies? Well, then, complete tasks and accumulate contribution points.
Even when you've accumulated enough contribution points, you might still not find what you're looking for. Oh, that could be because your permission level isn't high enough. Do some merit tasks and accumulate for a few years!
...
Although Li Fan didn't know the situation with the Five Elders Association, it should be roughly the same.
In reality, the vast majority of cultivators today would not be able to enter Zhang Qianmo's eyes.
According to Liu Tu's memories, the initial Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance provided various spiritual techniques and secrets.
Take the most practiced "Heavenly Net Divine Art" as an example; its content covered everything, including restraining breath, escape techniques, refining spiritual consciousness, strengthening the physical body, Qi cultivation, alchemy, talisman crafting, and formations—every aspect imaginable.
It was indeed the best introductory cultivation method.
Although it might not excel in every aspect, its comprehensiveness made up for it.
Li Fan couldn't estimate how high a price this cultivation method would fetch in the current Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
This was just one of the dozens of free cultivation methods available at this time in the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
Comparing the differences, Li Fan couldn't help but feel the sentiment "How did the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance end up like this?"
The disparity between casual cultivators was already significant, not to mention compared with elite disciples of major sects like Zhang Qianmo.
Although Li Fan possessed extraordinary treasures like [Truth] and his spiritual consciousness far surpassed ordinary cultivators, he hadn't undergone systematic strengthening and lacked the supplementation of rare treasures. Therefore, there was still a considerable gap between him and someone like Senior Brother Zhang.
Checking his own situation, Li Fan frowned slightly.
"Due to excessive consumption of spiritual consciousness, the time I can stay in this Fallen Immortal Realm has sharply decreased."
"Originally, I could maintain my state for about half a month, but now it's only seven or eight days."
"However, I've already achieved some gains. I can leave the Fallen Immortal Realm prematurely."
"I just need to reverse simulate the ritual in my mind."
"However, I don't know if I've satisfied the conditions to bring items back to reality."
Bringing items and information from the Fallen Immortal Realm to the real world required specific conditions.
The exact conditions weren't clearly explained by Chen Ying when he introduced them, and currently, the Tianxuan Mirror wouldn't reveal information about the Fallen Immortal Realm. Li Fan had to figure it out himself.
"The higher the value of the item, the more difficult it is to bring back."
"Forget about this 'Heavenly Net Divine Art' for now. If I can bring back the 'Purple Heaven Soul Observation Technique,' my goal will be achieved."
"What are the conditions? Kill Zhang Qianmo?"
Li Fan was currently clueless.
"Regardless, let's return to reality first."
"Maybe I can recall the specific details of the soul-searching technique in reality?"
After contemplating for a moment, Li Fan made a decision.
He directly initiated the ritual in his mind to return.
A moment of dizziness struck, and in an instant, the surroundings shattered like starlight.
Li Fan's consciousness returned to the Tianxuan Mirror.
Li Fan began to carefully recall various scenes from this journey to the Fallen Immortal Realm.
Specific events and every conversation with Senior Brother Zhang were still fresh in his memory.
But when he tried to recall the "Purple Heaven Soul Observation Technique" and the "Heavenly Net Divine Art," he couldn't remember anything.
It was like drawing water with a bamboo basket, all in vain.
"As expected, it's not that easy."
"The treasures were in my hands, but they're like the moon reflected in water, just out of reach."
"This feeling is really uncomfortable."
"I'll have to go back in and look for specific conditions."
"Fortunately, I voluntarily exited last time. The required time interval for re-entry has significantly shortened."
During this waiting period, Li Fan purchased a concealment talisman, disguised himself as a Golden Core cultivator, and traveled to the fish gambling island.
Due to the commotion caused by the Spirit Mist Grass, there were fewer cultivators gathered here.
Li Fan randomly picked a fish to bet on and then subtly inquired about information on the Fallen Immortal Realm from the Golden Core cultivators in the crowd.
After some casual chat, Li Fan learned that each person's entry point into the Fallen Immortal Realm was different.
Sometimes they entered and got caught in a battle between good and evil and were casually killed by powerful figures on the battlefield.
Sometimes, with good luck, they occupied the body of a disciple from a certain sect. However, in just over ten days, finding the conditions to bring out a cultivation method was quite challenging. They could only regretfully watch the cultivation method disappear from their memories.
