Under duress, He Zhenghao agreed to Li Fan's request. Leading him to a hidden chamber deep within the administrative building, he activated the Congyun regional Heavenly Profound Sub-Mirror. "The Heavenly Profound Mirror is the Alliance's most precious treasure," he reassured himself, trembling. "Even this powerful figure can't harm it."
A faint light shimmered, and an ancient mirror materialized.
"Just as I remember," Li Fan mused, feeling a familiar resonance. Without hesitation, he stepped into the mirror, his body dissolving as he vanished into its depths, leaving a stunned He Zhenghao behind.
The Heavenly Profound Mirror registered no intrusion. All its functions, normally accessible only through tiered permissions, were laid bare before Li Fan. He could freely access any resource, technique, or divine ability within, even tapping into the mirror's computational power without triggering any alarms, as long as he avoided causing significant anomalies.
If not for the other, more profound memories within his mind, he might have believed himself to be the Heavenly Profound Mirror's human embodiment.
"Perhaps this is a benefit from previous simulations," he pondered.
He spent the next three months within the mirror, perusing countless records and secret histories. Though the information was vast, each text evoked a sense of déjà vu. A cursory glance was enough to trigger a flood of understanding. As he delved deeper, more fragmented memories coalesced into clarity.
His reading speed accelerated. Eventually, he no longer needed the mirror's knowledge.
"Defying the natural order to achieve Longevity. A flawed cultivation method, forever bound to the Legacy Transmission Celestial Venerable. Perhaps my past conflict was with him…"
He wasn't in a hurry to cultivate. Three months of study, though without practice, had strengthened his body considerably.
"The Celestial Venerable's method relies on external objects. Human bodies are weak, requiring external aid to defy the heavens."
"But I already possess such power within me. I don't need these flawed methods."
Sitting cross-legged within the mirror, he closed his eyes, his breathing causing waves of green light to emanate from his body, accumulating around him like an ethereal shroud.
When he opened his eyes, his outward appearance was unchanged, but within his dantian, a brilliant starry sky had formed, each star radiating vibrant green life force.
"This isn't cultivation, but true refinement, unlocking my inherent potential," Li Fan realized, observing the phenomenon within him. "Though everyone speaks of hidden potential within the human body, the potential of ordinary mortals pales in comparison to the boundless life force within me. A single point of light in this star sea could surpass the combined life force of millions."
With sufficient power, one could reshape the Heavenly Daos with a wave of their hand. Moreover, Li Fan sensed an exceptional ability to command the Xuanhuang Heavenly Dao, just as he had effortlessly summoned the Crimson Flame.
The Crimson Flame, now the first inhabitant of his internal star sea, benefited greatly from this boundless life force. Its crimson hue turned incandescent white, its form shifting from humanoid to pure, pulsating flame.
"From human to flame. A seeming downgrade, but in reality, a liberation from the Xuanhuang World's constraints. Though still a Celestial Soul, a part of it now exists beyond this world."
"Just like me."
Understanding dawned.
"All thanks to this life force."
He was naturally curious about this power within him, but three months of study within the Heavenly Profound Mirror wasn't enough to unravel its true mysteries.
"Besides, I've only seen the mirror's external interface. A part of it remains sealed, accessible only at Alliance headquarters, where the main mirror resides."
He wasn't ready to risk venturing there yet. Though the Xuanhuang World wasn't vast, it held countless secrets. He could explore other avenues to regain his memories first.
Searching through the endless visions, he sought a suitable destination.
His thoughts stopped at the image of another ancient mirror.
"The Boundless Mirror?"
"Sun Luyao, Sun Luyuan…" Information about the Sun family surfaced.
"The direct lineage of the Mirror Masters. Approaching them won't be as easy as with He Zhenghao. Though powerful, this body can't withstand a siege from multiple Dao Integration cultivators."
After a moment of thought, he summoned He Zhenghao.
The City Lord was a mix of exhilaration and trepidation, thanks to the massive influx of resources inexplicably allocated through the Heavenly Profound Mirror. Ten times the usual amount! He knew Alliance headquarters wasn't that generous. But he couldn't bring himself to return the resources.
With newfound wealth came confidence. The influx of resources impressed his subordinates, who attributed it to his connections within the Alliance, their respect and admiration growing. He Zhenghao finally felt like a true regional ruler.
But this pleasant dream was about to end.
"How do you feel about receiving ten times the usual resources?" Li Fan asked.
He Zhenghao trembled, afraid to answer.
"Relax," Li Fan said calmly. "It's just a number. I can easily get you a hundred times that amount, if you're bold enough to ask."
He Zhenghao trembled even more, shaking his head. He knew there would be a price to pay.
"Senior, if you have any commands, I will do my best to fulfill them."
"The top ten performers in each regional evaluation are rewarded at Alliance headquarters. Strive for that. The next evaluation is in five years. Let me know what you need," Li Fan instructed.
He Zhenghao's face paled. There was no logic in a thief flaunting stolen goods. Such a dramatic improvement in ranking would raise suspicion. It required massive resource investment. From the bottom ten to the top ten in five years? Impossible to achieve legitimately.
But Li Fan's gaze told him that compliance meant delaying his demise by five years. Refusal meant death now.
He gritted his teeth and agreed. Already on the thief's ship, he might as well embrace it. He submitted a resource request several times larger than before.
To his surprise, Li Fan approved it without hesitation. Within hours, mountains of resources materialized within the Congyun regional Heavenly Profound Sub-Mirror, filling He Zhenghao with awe and terror.
Besides governance resources, Li Fan also provided detailed information about various grotto-heavens and nascent world fragments in Congyun and neighboring regions. With this information, cultivating hundreds of Nascent Soul and Spirit Transformation experts within five years was entirely feasible.
He Zhenghao wiped the sweat from his brow, feeling no joy.
"One more thing," Li Fan said, handing him a sapling. "Take this to Yuandao Region and plant it anywhere underground."
It looked like an ordinary sapling, yet He Zhenghao sensed no life force from it, not even its physical presence. It felt like holding nothing. If not for the occasional flicker of green light, he might have forgotten it entirely.
He Zhenghao didn't dare delay, rushing to Yuandao Region. He found a spot where ley lines converged and planted the sapling before returning.
Through the fragment of his body, images of Yuandao Region appeared in Li Fan's mind.
"This place seems dangerous," he mused. "But also a source of great nourishment. I'll need to prepare before I explore it further."
The sapling took root and began to grow uncontrollably, not drawing upon the ley lines but radiating its own life force. This was despite Li Fan's efforts to suppress its growth.
The Xuanhuang World, though seemingly vibrant, was decaying. The sapling's life force was like the alluring scent of a life-saving elixir to a dying man.
It quickly attracted the attention of certain powerful beings within the Xuanhuang World.
The first to notice was an ancient tree with withered leaves and branches adorned with hanging cultivators.
Moments after the sapling was planted, Li Fan sensed his fragment in Yuandao Region being watched. The emanating aura felt strangely familiar.
An image of a stooped, crazed figure flashed through his mind. Moments later, he saw the figure appear before the sapling.
"The Ruo Tree?"
The Ruo Tree's appearance triggered a flood of lost memories. As it reached greedily for the sapling, a cold glint flashed in Li Fan's eyes.
"If you want it so badly, I'll give it to you."
Having only cultivated for three months, he wasn't sure if he was a match for this ancient tree. But if it wanted to consume a part of him, he had a plan.
A green light ignited in his eyes. Like a volcanic eruption, boundless life force surged from the sapling, flooding towards the Ruo Tree.
The ancient tree, sensing the life force, eagerly absorbed it. But it soon realized that the sapling's life force was inexhaustible, even growing stronger. Its joy turned to terror.
Its withered leaves turned green, and countless new buds sprouted from its branches, far too many, covering every available space. Within half a day, these new growths surpassed the original tree in size, showing no signs of stopping.
Even after the Ruo Tree fled, the life force it had absorbed continued to grow within it. The tree felt itself growing heavier, the new branches consuming it from within. It was powerless to resist.
Technically, the new growth was still a part of the Ruo Tree. But it grew too fast, beyond its control, suppressing the original tree like old cells being replaced in the body.
The Ruo Tree felt itself dying, not from a lack of life force, but from an overabundance. This novel form of death filled it with terror. It struggled, but the relentless life force overwhelmed it.
"Where did that thing come from?" it wondered.
Just as the new growth was about to completely consume it, it stopped. Though it survived, the Ruo Tree had lost control of its ancient form, reduced to a mere fragment within its own body.
A figure shrouded in green light materialized within the tree. Recognizing the source of its misfortune, the Ruo Tree watched in silent fear.
Li Fan had taken control.
Assimilating the Ruo Tree was easier than he anticipated. This was the first time he had unleashed the full extent of his life force, its sheer power surprising even him. The life force of the Ruo Tree, guardian of the Xuanhuang World's vitality, was insignificant compared to his own. If he hadn't stopped in time, the Ruo Tree would have ceased to exist entirely.
Li Fan examined his new body, frowning slightly. He shook the countless cultivator fruits from the branches, their slumber undisturbed. Even in their sleep, they had benefited from the overflowing life force, their injuries healed and their potential enhanced. Reaching Nascent Soul and Spirit Transformation would be effortless for them, given sufficient resources.
(End of chapter)