Having obtained the answers he sought, Li Fan didn't leave immediately. Instead, he waited for the transformation of the tuna leader to complete.
After a long time, the tuna, now several times stronger in physique, finally absorbed the spiritual energy of its counterparts.
Satisfied, it shook its body and swam back into the vast ocean. Unaware, it didn't notice five black figures emerging from the depths of the sea, quietly closing in.
Underestimating the situation, the tuna fell into the encirclement of the previous fish kings.
Five hideous and fierce-looking fish successively launched attacks against it.
Each of these fish kings had strength surpassing that of the tuna. Under their well-coordinated siege, the tuna quickly found itself in dire straits.
Blood and flesh scattered as it teetered on the brink of death.
At this critical moment, Li Fan, above the sea surface, sent a cluster of spiritual energy into the air.
It was the purest essence of blood and flesh.
It was the essence Li Fan had gained from studying the hidden secrets of the human body during this period of time as a clone.
This cluster of blood and flesh spiritual energy, obtained from the body of a Foundation Establishment cultivator, was incredibly powerful.
For the tuna, it was even more nourishing than devouring its entire species before.
In an instant, its visible wounds began to heal.
Moreover, its body size expanded, surpassing its former peak condition.
This unexpected scene left the fish kings in confusion.
Their attacks involuntarily paused.
Seizing this opportunity, the tuna, which had been in a passive position, decisively launched a counterattack.
Its brutal body, wielding a devastating force, charged fiercely at the fish king that had previously launched the most aggressive attack.
Swift as lightning, unstoppable.
The golden spear pierced into the fish king's abdomen and violently stirred.
Dark red blood slowly floated to the water's surface.
In an instant, the fish king met its demise.
The bloodthirsty tuna, ready to turn its head and deal with the other fish kings, found that the remaining four fish kings, sensing danger, had slipped away, each fleeing for its life.
The tuna, narrowly escaping death, felt somewhat bewildered.
It roamed the sea for a long time, unable to locate the source of the spiritual energy that had saved its life.
In the end, it could only sway its body and swim toward the depths of the ocean.
Watching the tuna leave his perception range, Li Fan revealed a mysterious smile.
Casually cleaning up the traces left by the fish that had been slaughtered, he then returned to Wanxian Island.
...
In the Tianxuan Mirror, Li Fan sensed the presence within his dantian.
Above the manifestation of the Canghai Pearl, there sat an illusory figure resembling Li Fan to a considerable extent.
"The secret technique of the Highest Sect is indeed mysterious. This 'Catastrophe Incarnation' has stored cultivation equivalent to five years of ordinary cultivation during this time."
"It seems that everyone has made significant progress during this period."
Li Fan nodded in satisfaction.
The 'Catastrophe Incarnation' was a method Li Fan found during the preparation period, allowing him to store cultivation without breaking through the realm. This secret technique was said to be derived from the 'Primordial Scriptures of the Highest Sect.'
In the ancient cultivation world, there were instances where cultivators progressed too rapidly, leading to unstable foundations. In such cases, cultivators voluntarily suppressed their own cultivation to stabilize their foundations.
Each sect had its own methods, and the Highest Sect's approach involved creating an illusory figure within the dantian to contain excess cultivation. Due to the Highest Sect's belief that an unstable foundation was one of the calamities of cultivation, this illusory figure used to counter calamities was known as the 'Catastrophe Incarnation.'
With the Catastrophe Incarnation, Li Fan no longer had to worry about the feedback of cultivation overflowing from the 'Sit and Ponder Dao' technique.
However, the secret technique did not specify whether there was a limit to the cultivation that the Catastrophe Incarnation could store. Therefore, Li Fan needed to personally experiment to find out.
"This method of storing cultivation in the Catastrophe Incarnation seems remarkably similar to the purple pill within Zhang Qianmo's body."
"Perhaps Zhang Qianmo used this method to continuously suppress his cultivation before."
Li Fan pondered and then opened the 'Sit and Ponder Dao' function.
Zhang Qianmo's record had soared to one hundred and eighty-six victories and seventy-eight draws, but there was still no winner.
This left Li Fan somewhat helpless.
As for the confident statement made by 'I Am Invincible,' claiming to have found a method to defeat Zhang Qianmo, it seemed to have disappeared, not appearing again.
"Maybe his method isn't ready yet."
Li Fan could only think optimistically.
Just as he casually glanced over the information and was about to exit, he couldn't help but be drawn to one of the headlines.
"Core Formation vs. Core Formation, Recap of the Tianlingzhou Battle!"
With a curious heart, Li Fan clicked into the article.
"The specific casualties of this battle have not been disclosed by both sides. However, based on the identities of the sixteen Core Formation powerhouses involved in the battle, after simulating the recap over a thousand times, it's not difficult to draw a conclusion."
"The possibility of the Wanxian Alliance losing in this battle is above 85%..."
"Unless among the Core Formation powerhouses on the pursuit team, there is a hidden expert comparable to a Core Formation cultivator, otherwise..."
...
Li Fan was engrossed in reading, but suddenly realized that this piece of information had disappeared.
"They're quick with the censorship."
"So, there might indeed be a force in the pursuit team of the Wanxian Alliance comparable to Core Formation."
"Interesting."
Li Fan contemplated silently.
In the cultivation path, as one progresses further, the disparities between each realm become increasingly vast.
Cultivating Qi to kill Foundation Establishment, Foundation Establishment to slaughter Core Formation, Core Formation to behead Golden Core, and Golden Core to slash Nascent Soul.
For peerless geniuses, relying on talent and divine abilities, achieving such feats might be possible.
However, going from Nascent Soul to killing Divine Transformation, and from Divine Transformation to beheading Core Formation, is almost an impossible task.
Of course, the situation of tools like Zhang Haobo is not within the scope of discussion.
As for killing Eternal Dao in Divine Transformation...
Then, the two words "almost impossible" should be removed.
"A Divine Transformation comparable to Core Formation. The foundation of the Wanxian Alliance is indeed profound."
"I wonder if I can contend with Daoist Monarchs in Divine Transformation when I reach that stage."
"I think even if I'm not a match, preserving my life should not be a problem."
Li Fan contemplated for a moment. Seeing that there was no more information worth paying attention to in the "Sit and Ponder Dao" function, he withdrew.
After the great battle, it was time to recuperate.
For three years, during the anchored period of the 17th, 18th, and 19th years, the Congyun Sea passed through the days in peace.
Li Fan also enjoyed a rare long period of seclusion.
During these three years, the illusory figure of the "Catastrophe Incarnation" became more and more vivid.
The jade slips handed over by Zhang Zhiliang's clone were all learned and mastered.
The second Dao Stone was also completely absorbed.
The performance of the blue crystal in Li Fan's mind had almost doubled compared to the initial state. With more flexibility in using the Heart Division technique, he became increasingly adept.
As for the "Heavenly Physician Immortal Canon," it was truly vast and profound.
After several years, Li Fan had only gained a preliminary understanding of a tiny portion of it.
But Li Fan was not in a hurry; he had plenty of time.
After visiting Zhang Zhiliang and passing the test of the Spirit Recognition Sphere, Li Fan obtained the second Divine Soul jade slip from him.
Just before leaving, Li Fan faintly sensed that Zhang Zhiliang's aura seemed to have undergone some inexplicable changes.
It seemed like there had been some subtle transformation in him.
End of the chapter.