After leaving Yin Yin Island, Su Changyu was excited, and it took a long time for him to calm down from the intense emotions.
"I didn't expect such an adventure on this trip."
Although there was still a distance from foundation building, unlike before, he was now filled with the motivation to cultivate, eager to complete the Qi Refinement and build the foundation as soon as possible.
"After 'building the foundation with oneself,' my cultivation speed should be able to catch up with Xiao Heng and the others, right?" Su Changyu thought to himself.
Without further delay elsewhere, he identified his direction and flew straight towards the desolate island.
In the Tianxuan Mirror,
Li Fan contemplated the scenes he had just witnessed through Su Changyu, his brows slightly furrowed.
"I didn't expect Su Changyu to inexplicably end up with Mr. Yin and learn about the secrets of 'building the foundation with oneself.' It seems that my previous insight into the mysterious guidance of fate is indeed true."
Li Fan was quite curious about whether Su Changyu in this world could successfully 'build the foundation with oneself.'
However, what Li Fan was more concerned about at the moment was Mr. Yin's condition.
In the twelfth incarnation, when Li Fan first met Mr. Yin thirteen years ago, his hair was still black and white.
Now, after anchoring for 25 years, just over a decade later, he was already completely gray.
Such rapid aging was almost impossible for a foundation building cultivator.
It indicated that Mr. Yin had suffered significant mental consumption over these years.
What intrigued Li Fan even more was that all the experimental subjects on Yin Yin Island and many treasures that Mr. Yin had cherished were destroyed.
Yet, Mr. Yin seemed indifferent.
Or...
Those things were probably destroyed by Mr. Yin himself.
Thinking back to the sudden burst of flames on the island and Mr. Yin's increasingly eccentric demeanor,
"Does he want to commit suicide?"
Li Fan's heart stirred.
To confirm his speculation, Li Fan left the Tianxuan Mirror and hastily headed towards Yin Yin Island.
When he arrived, the square building had indeed turned into ruins.
The burning was thorough.
Li Fan searched around and found nothing of value.
Standing quietly above the ruins, Li Fan frowned.
"Why?"
"Mr. Yin should have been researching the secrets of the Immortal and Mortal Pestilence over these years."
"What did he discover that led to thoughts of self-destruction?"
It was known that the desire for survival in cultivators was far stronger than that of ordinary people, many times over.
Cases of cultivators committing suicide were rare.
"Did he really commit suicide, or was he forced to do so?"
Mr. Yin's somewhat crazy words from before came to Li Fan's mind: "Aren't you curious? Why can the plague on mere mortals infect cultivators? If we can understand the origin of this anomaly, perhaps we can solve the Immortal and Mortal Pestilence at its source! By then, I will be a great figure remembered by the entire cultivation world!"
Li Fan's expression became somewhat solemn. "I used to think he was just a foundation building cultivator and couldn't possibly research anything significant. So, I've been neglecting him."
"I didn't expect him to actually achieve something."
"Perhaps, in the next incarnation, I can pay more attention to him."
Li Fan contemplated in his mind.
Just as he was about to leave after surveying the ruins of Yin Yin Island, he suddenly froze.
The sea breeze blew, and amidst the charred ground, a sparkling and translucent white light suddenly appeared.
Li Fan flew over and retrieved the glowing object.
It seemed somewhat familiar.
A white rib bone.
It seemed to be the most valued possession of Mr. Yin during his lifetime—the rib bone of the first cultivator infected with the Immortal and Mortal Pestilence.
While Mr. Yin turned into ashes in the raging flames, this rib bone surprisingly remained intact.
It was said that this was a highly sought-after item, and it seemed to live up to its reputation.
Li Fan casually put it into his storage ring.
Returning to Wanxian Island, he asked the Tianxuan Mirror to identify it.
But the result was only, "Cultivator's remains, worth 1 contribution point."
"It seems that it only has value among a specific group of people." Li Fan shook his head and stored the rib bone again.
Sensing the situation of the outstanding talents,
"Xiao Heng has arrived at the Cloud and Water Celestial Palace. However, he hasn't entered yet; instead, he stands outside, looking up at the massive building suspended in the sky. I wonder what he's contemplating."
"Su Xiaomei and the others seem to be not far from the ruins of the Yuan Sect."
...
"It's almost time for a good harvest."
At this moment, within Li Fan's dantian, two incarnations had fully formed.
The third incarnation's phantom was gradually taking shape.
"These cultivations can be transformed without damage after I break through to the Golden Core realm. If I accumulate enough incarnations, maybe I can break through again as soon as I enter the Golden Core realm."
Li Fan couldn't help but reveal a joyful expression like an old farmer.
"As for He Zhenghao..."
"Why hasn't there been any feedback on his cultivation in this period?"
Due to the long distance, the no-kill intent could no longer sense the situation.
After some thought, Li Fan messaged him to inquire about his situation.
But he received an automatic reply: "In closed training at the Garrison Academy, unable to reply, please understand."
"So, He Zhenghao has already entered the Garrison Academy?"
Calculating the time, it had been almost three years since He Zhenghao took up his post.
"Jingxuan is indeed reliable in handling things, and the contribution points were not spent in vain."
"After the formation training in Tianyu State is over, Cong Yunhai should be gone. By then, I'll go directly to Tianyun State and meet up with He Zhenghao."
...
Just as Li Fan secretly planned for the future,
Su Xiaomei and her group had already arrived at the ruins of the Yuan Sect after traveling a thousand miles.
Finally reaching their destination, Su Xiaomei looked excitedly at the spectacular buildings not far away, eager to rush into the ruins the next moment.
However, Zhang Haobo was somewhat puzzled, "Wasn't it said that the ruins attracted many cultivators for exploration? Why is it so quiet on the way? Where is everyone?"
Shuofeng also frowned, "It's a bit strange. But there's no need to think too much. We'll know what's going on when we get closer."
Arriving at the entrance of the Yuan Sect ruins, it was not as lively as rumored.
Some cultivators hesitated and did not dare to enter, seemingly unwilling to leave either.
After inquiring a bit, they learned why the once bustling ruins had become like this.
It turned out that just seven days ago, the supposedly safe Yuan Sect ruins, where many cultivators sought opportunities, experienced a terrifying incident.
A Golden Core cultivator who came seeking opportunities mysteriously disappeared.
When he reappeared, people found that he had become an existence similar to the occasional phantoms in the ruins.
Moreover, one could hear and see him desperately wandering in the Yuan Sect, trying to find a way to return to his original state.
However, this Golden Core cultivator seemed to have entered another world, unable to interact with anyone in reality, and unable to leave the range of the Yuan Sect ruins.
(End of this chapter)