【 hái zhēn 】 de zì dòng hù tǐ cún zài ， fǎng fú chén zhòng de chuán máo bān ， jiāng lǐ fán wěn wěn gù dìng zài sī xù de hǎi yáng zhī shàng 。
【还真】的自动护体存在，仿佛沉重的船锚般，将李凡稳稳固定在思绪的海洋之上。
【Truly Real】's automatic body protection seemed to act like a heavy anchor, firmly securing Li Fan in the ocean of thoughts.
shǐ tā bù zhì yú bèi jí dù zhēn shí de cuò jué jiǎo dòng ， dǎo zhì xīn shén fǎn guò lái yǐng xiǎng ròu shēn de shì qíng fā shēng 。
使他不至于被极度真实的错觉搅动，导致心神反过来影响肉身的事情发生。
This prevented him from being stirred by the extremely realistic illusion, which might otherwise affect his mind and body.
tóng shí ， lǐ fán yě méi yǒu fàng sōng jǐng tì 。
同时，李凡也没有放松警惕。
At the same time, Li Fan did not let his guard down. He tightly focused on the charging numbers of 【Truly Real】.
sǐ sǐ dīng zhe 【 hái zhēn 】 de chōng néng shù zì 。
死死盯着【还真】的充能数字。
Should the progress drop, he planned to immediately activate Truly Real and return to the anchor point.
yí dàn jìn dù xià diē ， lǐ fán jiù dǎ suàn lì mǎ fā dòng hái zhēn ， fǎn huí máo diǎn 。
一旦进度下跌，李凡就打算立马发动还真，返回锚点。
With ample psychological preparation, Li Fan quietly waited for the changes brought by Yi Ma's next move.
jiù zhè yàng ， zuò hǎo le chōng zú xīn lǐ zhǔn bèi de lǐ fán ， jìng jìng děng dài zhuó yì mǎ jiē xià lái dài lái de biàn huà 。
就这样，做好了充足心理准备的李凡，静静等待着意马接下来带来的变化。
The speed at which the wounds appeared increased rapidly.
yī dào dào shāng hén fú xiàn de sù dù yuè lái yuè kuài 。
一道道伤痕浮现的速度越来越快。
But Li Fan remained steadfast in his resolve. No matter how many injuries appeared on his body, even as he grew weaker due to severe injuries, he merely watched the charging progress without being swayed.
dàn lǐ fán shǐ zhōng jiān shǒu běn xīn 。
但李凡始终坚守本心。
After a long time, it seemed that these injuries could not intimidate Li Fan.
rèn píng zì jǐ shēn shàng chū xiàn le duō shǎo shāng kǒu ， nǎ pà yīn wèi shòu shāng jí zhòng de yuán gù ， biàn dé yuè lái yuè xū ruò 。
任凭自己身上出现了多少伤口，哪怕因为受伤极重的缘故，变得越来越虚弱。
A new change occurred. A flame ignited from Yi Ma's corpse.
tā dōu zhǐ shì jìng jìng kàn zhuó yǎn qián de chōng néng jìn dù ， bù wèi suǒ dòng 。
他都只是静静看着眼前的充能进度，不为所动。
Simultaneously, an unbearable heat descended upon Li Fan’s body.
guò le xǔ jiǔ ， ér sì hū shì yīn wèi zhè xiē shāng shì wú fǎ dòng hè zhù lǐ fán de yuán gù 。
过了许久，而似乎是因为这些伤势无法恫吓住李凡的缘故。
"Ah..."
xīn de biàn huà fā shēng le 。
新的变化发生了。
He couldn't help but let out a low howl. He even saw his own body slowly turn to ashes in the flames.
yī dào huǒ yàn zì yì mǎ shī shēn shàng rán qǐ 。
一道火焰自意马尸身上燃起。
"This is fake, all of it..."
yǔ cǐ tóng shí ， lǐ fán yě gǎn dào nán yǐ rěn shòu de zhì rè jiàng lín dào zì jǐ shēn shàng 。
与此同时，李凡也感到难以忍受的炙热降临到自己身上。
The charging progress for Truly Real remained unchanged, indicating no real danger.
“ a ……”
“啊……”
Everything was just a very realistic illusion.
rěn bú zhù fā chū yī shēng dī háo 。
忍不住发出一声低嚎。
Li Fan's resolve strengthened. The flame burned fiercely.
tā shèn zhì kàn dào zì jǐ de shēn qū ， màn màn zài huǒ yàn zhōng huà zuò huī jìn 。
他甚至看到自己的身躯，慢慢在火焰中化作灰烬。
In unbearable agony, Li Fan struggled on.
“ jiǎ de ， dōu shì jiǎ de ……”
“假的，都是假的……”
After what felt like an eternity, the long-lasting pain gradually subsided.
hái zhēn de chōng néng jìn dù yī dòng bù dòng 。
还真的充能进度一动不动。
Once Yi Ma’s corpse was completely burned away, the illusions纠缠 around him finally vanished.
shuō míng gēn běn méi yǒu zhì mìng wēi xiǎn 。
说明根本没有致命危险。
Reassessing his reflection in the mirror, he had regained human form.
yī qiè dōu zhǐ shì jí wéi zhēn shí de huàn jué 。
一切都只是极为真实的幻觉。
Moreover, Li Fan sensed that he seemed stronger somehow. Not in terms of physical body or cultivation, but in spirit.
lǐ fán xīn zhōng jiān dìng xìn niàn 。
李凡心中坚定信念。
Li Fan pondered over these changes.
xióng xióng huǒ yàn bù duàn tiào dòng 。
熊熊火焰不断跳动。
"If consciousness is like a person's muscles, it can be strengthened through postnatal training and cultivation."
lǐ fán yě zài nán yǐ yán shuō de tòng kǔ zhōng jiān áo zhēng zhá 。
李凡也在难以言说的痛苦中煎熬挣扎。
"However, the soul resembles a skeleton, which is predetermined at birth. Only special methods, such as breaking through cultivation stages or certain heavenly treasures, can strengthen it."
bù zhī guò le duō jiǔ ， màn cháng de tòng kǔ zhōng yú màn màn xiāo tuì 。
不知过了多久，漫长的痛苦终于慢慢消退。
"Ordinary methods cannot affect it."
dāng dì shàng de yì mǎ shī shēn wán quán bèi fén shāo dài jìn zhī hòu ， jiū chán zài lǐ fán shēn shàng de huàn jué zuì zhōng xiāo shī le 。
当地上的意马尸身完全被焚烧殆尽之后，纠缠在李凡身上的幻觉最终消失了。
"But now, I feel my 'skeleton' has grown significantly larger."
chóng xīn dǎ liàng zhe jìng zhōng de zì jǐ ， yǐ jīng huī fù huán yuán le rén de miàn mào 。
重新打量着镜中的自己，已经恢复还原了人的面貌。
This feeling of strength was something Li Fan hadn't experienced in a long time.
bìng qiě ， lǐ fán gǎn jué dào ， zì jǐ sì hū qiáng zhuàng le yī xiē 。
并且，李凡感觉到，自己似乎强壮了一些。
Even the sensation of advancing a small cultivation stage couldn't compare.
bìng fēi shì ròu shēn 、 xiū wèi shàng de ， ér shì shén hún shàng de 。
并非是肉身、修为上的，而是神魂上的。
If compared to his previous experiences, only successfully absorbing Qi and establishing the Foundation could match this level of enhancement.
lǐ fán xì xì tǐ wù zhe zì shēn de biàn huà 。
李凡细细体悟着自身的变化。
After some experimentation, Li Fan found that although his cultivation hadn’t increased, his consciousness strength had noticeably improved.
“ rú guǒ bǎ shén shí bǐ zuò yí gè rén de jī ròu de huà ， nà me shén shí shì kě yǐ tōng guò hòu tiān de duàn liàn xiū liàn ， bù duàn zēng qiáng de 。”
“如果把神识比作一个人的肌肉的话，那么神识是可以通过后天的锻炼修炼，不断增强的。”
His thoughts also seemed to flow more smoothly.
“ ér shén hún jiù hǎo sì yí gè rén de gǔ jià ， xiān tiān zǎo yǐ dìng xíng 。 zhǐ yǒu tè shū de shǒu duàn ， bǐ rú xiū wèi tū pò jìng jiè ， yǐ jí mǒu xiē tiān cái dì bǎo de zuò yòng ， cái néng duì qí jìn xíng qiáng huà 。”
“而神魂就好似一个人的骨架，先天早已定型。只有特殊的手段，比如修为突破境界，以及某些天材地宝的作用，才能对其进行强化。”
"Yi Ma is indeed a treasure!"
“ pǔ tōng de fāng fǎ ， gēn běn wú fǎ yǐng xiǎng tā 。”
“普通的方法，根本无法影响它。”
"Though its realization was somewhat peculiar, its effect is truly impressive."
“ ér xiàn zài ， wǒ jiù gǎn jué zì jǐ de ‘ gǔ jià ’ míng xiǎn dà le yī quān 。”
“而现在，我就感觉自己的‘骨架’明显大了一圈。”
The fear he felt for it vanished, replaced by inevitable greed.
zhè zhǒng biàn qiáng de gǎn jué ， lǐ fán yǐ jīng hěn jiǔ méi yǒu tǐ huì dào le 。
这种变强的感觉，李凡已经很久没有体会到了。
"Mind Monkey and Yi Ma."
nǎ pà xiū wèi tí shēng yí gè xiǎo jìng jiè dài lái de gǎn shòu ， yě wú fǎ yǔ zhī xiāng bǐ 。
哪怕修为提升一个小境界带来的感受，也无法与之相比。
"The Mind Monkey must be the cultivator. If my guess is correct, this Yi Ma should also be formed from a cultivator."
ruò shì zhēn de yào duì bǐ de huà ， wéi yǒu dāng chū yǐn qì rù tǐ chéng gōng 、 zhù jī chéng gōng ， zhè zhǒng yí gè dà jìng jiè de tí shēng ， cái néng yǔ zhī xiāng tí bìng lùn 。
若是真的要对比的话，唯有当初引气入体成功、筑基成功，这种一个大境界的提升，才能与之相提并论。
Recalling that identical Yi Ma corpse, Li Fan had an idea.
yī fān shì yàn zhī xià ， lǐ fán fā jué suī rán zì jǐ de xiū wèi méi yǒu tí shēng 。
一番试验之下，李凡发觉虽然自己的修为没有提升。
"Thanks to [Truly Real] helping me cheat, I could easily endure Yi Ma's effects."
dàn shì shén shí qiáng dù shòu dào yǐng xiǎng ， jìng rán yǒu le bù xiǎo chéng dù de zēng fú 。
但是神识强度受到影响，竟然有了不小程度的增幅。
"But if one’s willpower isn't as strong..."
ér zì jǐ de sī xù yùn zhuàn sù dù ， yě fǎng fú gèng jiā liú chàng le 。
而自己的思绪运转速度，也仿佛更加流畅了。
"The previous Yi Ma probably died in the same way."
“ yì mǎ guǒ rán shì hǎo gè bǎo bèi ！”
“意马果然是好个宝贝！”
"So Zhang Ziliang's intention is clear. It serves both as a reward and a test."
“ suī shuō shí xiàn de fāng shì guǐ yì le yì diǎn ， dàn xiào guǒ hái zhēn shì bù cuò 。”
“虽说实现的方式诡异了一点，但效果还真是不错。”
"If you can’t pass this test of Yi Ma, it means you're not worthy to represent Cunyun Sea and inherit his advanced techniques. You'll die."
xīn zhōng duì tā de wèi jù dāng rán wú cún ， qǔ ér dài zhī de shì bù kě bì miǎn de tān lán 。
心中对它的畏惧当然无存，取而代之的是不可避免的贪婪。
"Zing zing, Zhang Ziliang’s mindset has changed significantly after ascending to the Immortal Realm."
“ xīn yuán yì mǎ 。”
“心猿意马。”
"Before, I was just a Qi Condensation cultivator, but he still paid special attention to me and taught me [Infinite Technique]."
“ nà xīn yuán jiù shì xiū shì suǒ huà 。 rú guǒ bù chū yì liào de huà ， kàn lái zhè yì mǎ yīng dāng tóng yàng yě shì xiū shì xíng chéng de 。”
“那心猿就是修士所化。如果不出意料的话，看来这意马应当同样也是修士形成的。”
"Now..."
huí xiǎng qǐ gāng gāng nà wán quán zì jǐ yī mú yī yàng de yì mǎ shī shēn ， lǐ fán xīn zhōng hū de yǒng qǐ yí gè cāi cè 。
回想起刚刚那完全自己一模一样的意马尸身，李凡心中忽的涌起一个猜测。
Thinking about this, Li Fan felt some regret.
“ wǒ yǒu zhe 【 hái zhēn 】 bāng wǒ zuò bì ， suǒ yǐ cái néng rú cǐ qīng sōng de tǐng guò yì mǎ de zuò yòng guò chéng 。”
“我有着【还真】帮我作弊，所以才能如此轻松的挺过意马的作用过程。”
He then sent a report to Zhang Ziliang.
“ dàn ruò shì yì zhì bù nà me jiān dìng ， zhēn de sǐ le ……”
“但若是意志不那么坚定，真的死了……”
Zhang Ziliang was surprised that Li Fan could digest Yi Ma so quickly.
“ kǒng pà shàng yī jù 【 yì mǎ 】， jiù shì zhè me sǐ de 。”
“恐怕上一具【意马】，就是这么死的。”
"Ah? Your willpower is even stronger than I imagined."
“ nà me zhāng zhì liáng de yì si yě hěn míng xiǎn le 。”
“那么张志良的意思也很明显了。”
"Good! You are the first among us three to achieve it."
“ jì shì jiǎng lì ， yòu shì kǎo yàn 。”
“既是奖励，又是考验。”
"A reward for you!"
“ rú guǒ lián yì mǎ de kǎo yàn dōu tōng bù guò ， shuō míng gēn běn méi zī gé dài biǎo cóng yún hǎi qù tiān yǔ zhōu 、 jì chéng tā zhāng zhì liáng de jué xué 。 sǐ jiù sǐ le 。”
“如果连意马的考验都通不过，说明根本没资格代表丛云海去天禹州、继承他张志良的绝学。死就死了。”
With this, Zhang Ziliang sent an object through the Heavenly Xuan Mirror.
“ zé zé ， jìn shēng huà shén zhī hòu ， zhāng zhì liáng de xīn tài kě zhēn shì hé zhī qián dà bù xiāng tóng a 。”
“啧啧，晋升化神之后，张志良的心态可真是和之前大不相同啊。”
It was a glowing white cube, precisely the array crown Li Fan had coveted for so long.
“ zhī qián wǒ bù guò liàn qì xiū wèi ， jiù néng dé dào tā tè bié guān zhào ， dé shòu 【 wú xiàn fǎ 】。”
“之前我不过炼气修为，就能得到他特别关照，得授【无限法】。”
Receiving it, Li Fan couldn't help but feel delighted.
“ xiàn zài ma ……”
“现在嘛……”
"Thank you, Master."
xiǎng dào zhè lǐ ， lǐ fán bù yóu dì yǒu xiē gǎn kǎi 。
想到这里，李凡不由地有些感慨。
"This array crown is yours. It contains over one hundred different arrays. You can dismantle and study them in your free time."
suí hòu gěi zhāng zhì liáng fā qù le huì bào xùn xī 。
随后给张志良发去了汇报讯息。
"If you can construct a thirty-layered array crown on your own, you will be considered an array mage."
zhāng zhì liáng duì yú lǐ fán zhè me kuài néng jiāng yì mǎ xiāo huà ， yě yǒu diǎn yì wài 。
张志良对于李凡这么快能将意马消化，也有点意外。
Zhang Ziliang instructed him.
“ ń ？ kàn lái nǐ de yì zhì ， bǐ wǒ xiǎng xiàng zhōng de hái yào jiān rèn 。”
“嗯？看来你的意志，比我想象中的还要坚韧。”
"The enhancement to the soul from Yi Ma isn't just temporary. For a long time, it will nourish your soul."
“ hěn hǎo ！ sān rén zhōng ， nǐ shì zuì xiān zuò dào de 。”
“很好！三人中，你是最先做到的。”
"During this period, focus on cultivation and avoid conflicts with others."
“ dāng shǎng ！”
“当赏！”
"Maximize its effects."
shuō zhe ， zhāng zhì liáng tōng guò tiān xuán jìng jì sòng le yí gè wù jiàn guò lái 。
说着，张志良通过天玄镜寄送了一个物件过来。
"Hmm, perhaps you've noticed that Yi Ma was also a cultivator before his death."
cǐ wù nǎi shì yí gè bái sè de fā guāng fāng kuài ， zhèng shì lǐ fán yǎn chán xǔ jiǔ de zhèn miǎn 。
此物乃是一个白色的发光方块，正是李凡眼馋许久的阵冕。
"And the one I gave you was a Golden Core cultivator in life."
lǐ fán shōu dào hòu ， bù miǎn yǒu xiē jīng xǐ 。
李凡收到后，不免有些惊喜。
"If you can fully absorb its effects, your soul strength should double without issue."
lián shēng shuō dào ：“ duō xiè dà shī hòu ài 。”
连声说道：“多谢大师厚爱。”
Li Fan hadn't expected such benefits and quickly expressed gratitude to Zhang Ziliang.
“ zhè ge zhèn miǎn ， jiù sòng nǐ le 。 lǐ miàn yī gòng dié jiā le shàng bǎi gè bù tóng de zhèn fǎ ， nǐ xián xiá shí ， kě yǐ duì qí jìn xíng chāi jiě yán jiū 。”
“这个阵冕，就送你了。里面一共叠加了上百个不同的阵法，你闲暇时，可以对其进行拆解研究。”
But Zhang Ziliang hung up the communication without replying.
“ ruò shì nǐ néng zì xíng gòu zào chū yí gè sān shí dié jiā zhèn miǎn ， jiù kě yǐ chēng de shàng shì yī wèi zhèn fǎ shī le 。”
“若是你能自行构造出一个三十叠加阵冕，就可以称得上是一位阵法师了。”
"Golden Core cultivator..."
zhāng zhì liáng jiāo dài dào 。
张志良交代道。
"One day of decline, and one day as someone else's food," Li Fan shook his head.
“ yì mǎ duì shén hún de tí shēng zuò yòng ， bù jǐn jǐn zhǐ zài yī shí 。 hěn zhǎng yī duàn shí jiān nèi ， dū huì duì shén hún yǒu yí dìng de zī yǎng zuò yòng 。”
“意马对神魂的提升作用，不仅仅只在一时。很长一段时间内，都会对神魂有一定的滋养作用。”
He then recalled the face smile fruit he had seen on Tai An Island.
“ zhè duàn shí jiān ， nǐ zuì hǎo xī xīn qián xiū ， bú yào yǔ rén zhēng dòu 。”
“这段时间，你最好悉心潜修，不要与人争斗。”
"At that time, the face smile fruit seemed to only affect ordinary islands. If a cultivator were turned into a face smile fruit, would there be an even more powerful fruit?"
“ bǎ tā de xiào guǒ fā huī dào zuì dà 。”
“把它的效果发挥到最大。”
"Both transforming humans into beneficial entities, face smile fruits, mind monkeys, and Yi Ma..."
“ hē hē ， huò xǔ nǐ yě kàn chū lái le ，【 yì mǎ 】 zài shēng qián yě shì xiū shì 。”
“呵呵，或许你也看出来了，【意马】在生前也是修士。”
He wondered if they shared some connection or secret.
“ ér wǒ gěi nǐ de nà jù ， shēng qián kě shì yī wèi jīn dān xiū shì 。”
“而我给你的那具，生前可是一位金丹修士。”
The blue crystal in his mind flashed repeatedly as past experiences replayed in his mind.
“ ruò shì nǐ néng jiāng tā de xiào guǒ wán quán xī shōu ， shén hún qiáng dù tí shēng yí bèi ， yīng dāng bú shì wèn tí 。”
“若是你能将它的效果完全吸收，神魂强度提升一倍，应当不是问题。”
Li Fan finally realized where this familiarity came from.
lǐ fán méi xiǎng dào hái yǒu zhè zhǒng hǎo chù ， lián máng zài cì xiàng zhāng zhì liáng biǎo dá xiè yì 。
李凡没想到还有这种好处，连忙再次向张志良表达谢意。
"Temple ruins, mysterious?"
zhāng zhì liáng nà biān què shì guà duàn le tōng xùn ， méi yǒu zài huí fù 。
张志良那边却是挂断了通讯，没有再回复。
After a moment of contemplation, Li Fan wasn't entirely sure but felt that it contradicted the current cultivation rules and seemed to follow its own consistent logic.
“ jīn dān xiū shì ……”
“金丹修士……”
"It is said that only temple ruins contain the mysterious."
“ yī zhāo yǔn luò ， yě nán táo chéng bié rén kǒu liáng de mìng yùn 。” lǐ fán àn zì yáo tóu 。
“一朝陨落，也难逃成别人口粮的命运。”李凡暗自摇头。
"If there's a connection between them, what does that imply?"
lǐ fán yòu hū de xiǎng qǐ liǎo dàng chū zài tài ān dǎo shàng jiàn guò de rén liǎn xiào miàn guǒ 。
李凡又忽的想起了当初在泰安岛上见过的人脸笑面果。
Recalling his journey after the ox-drawn carriage with Master Qingniu, Li Fan went to investigate at the Heavenly Mechanism Hall.
“ dāng shí de xiào miàn guǒ yǐng xiǎng de sì hū zhǐ shì fán rén dǎo yǔ 。 rú guǒ yǒu xiū shì bèi huà zuò xiào miàn guǒ shí de huà ， nà me huì bú huì chū xiàn xiào yòng gèng qiáng de guǒ shí ？”
“当时的笑面果影响的似乎只是凡人岛屿。如果有修士被化作笑面果实的话，那么会不会出现效用更强的果实？”
In front of Cunyun Sea’s giant map, a frail cultivator had said.
“ tóng yàng dōu shì rén huà zuò yǒu yì de yì wù ， xiào miàn guǒ 、 xīn yuán 、 yì mǎ ……”
“同样都是人化作有益的异物，笑面果、心猿、意马……”
"Another case?"
“ bù zhī yǒu méi yǒu shén me guān lián zhī chù 。”
“不知有没有什么关联之处。”
Li Fan vaguely guessed something.
【Truly Real】's automatic body protection seemed to act like a heavy anchor, firmly securing Li Fan in the ocean of thoughts.
This prevented him from being stirred by the extremely realistic illusion, which might otherwise affect his mind and body.
At the same time, Li Fan did not let his guard down. He tightly focused on the charging numbers of 【Truly Real】.
Should the progress drop, he planned to immediately activate Truly Real and return to the anchor point.
With ample psychological preparation, Li Fan quietly waited for the changes brought by Yi Ma's next move.
The speed at which the wounds appeared increased rapidly.
But Li Fan remained steadfast in his resolve. No matter how many injuries appeared on his body, even as he grew weaker due to severe injuries, he merely watched the charging progress without being swayed.
After a long time, it seemed that these injuries could not intimidate Li Fan.
A new change occurred. A flame ignited from Yi Ma's corpse.
Simultaneously, an unbearable heat descended upon Li Fan’s body.
"Ah..."
He couldn't help but let out a low howl. He even saw his own body slowly turn to ashes in the flames.
"This is fake, all of it..."
The charging progress for Truly Real remained unchanged, indicating no real danger.
Everything was just a very realistic illusion.
Li Fan's resolve strengthened. The flame burned fiercely.
In unbearable agony, Li Fan struggled on.
After what felt like an eternity, the long-lasting pain gradually subsided.
Once Yi Ma’s corpse was completely burned away, the illusions纠缠 around him finally vanished.
Reassessing his reflection in the mirror, he had regained human form.
Moreover, Li Fan sensed that he seemed stronger somehow. Not in terms of physical body or cultivation, but in spirit.
Li Fan pondered over these changes.
"If consciousness is like a person's muscles, it can be strengthened through postnatal training and cultivation."
"However, the soul resembles a skeleton, which is predetermined at birth. Only special methods, such as breaking through cultivation stages or certain heavenly treasures, can strengthen it."
"Ordinary methods cannot affect it."
"But now, I feel my 'skeleton' has grown significantly larger."
This feeling of strength was something Li Fan hadn't experienced in a long time.
Even the sensation of advancing a small cultivation stage couldn't compare.
If compared to his previous experiences, only successfully absorbing Qi and establishing the Foundation could match this level of enhancement.
After some experimentation, Li Fan found that although his cultivation hadn’t increased, his consciousness strength had noticeably improved.
His thoughts also seemed to flow more smoothly.
"Yi Ma is indeed a treasure!"
"Though its realization was somewhat peculiar, its effect is truly impressive."
The fear he felt for it vanished, replaced by inevitable greed.
"Mind Monkey and Yi Ma."
"The Mind Monkey must be the cultivator. If my guess is correct, this Yi Ma should also be formed from a cultivator."
Recalling that identical Yi Ma corpse, Li Fan had an idea.
"Thanks to [Truly Real] helping me cheat, I could easily endure Yi Ma's effects."
"But if one’s willpower isn't as strong..."
"The previous Yi Ma probably died in the same way."
"So Zhang Ziliang's intention is clear. It serves both as a reward and a test."
"If you can’t pass this test of Yi Ma, it means you're not worthy to represent Cunyun Sea and inherit his advanced techniques. You'll die."
"Zing zing, Zhang Ziliang’s mindset has changed significantly after ascending to the Immortal Realm."
"Before, I was just a Qi Condensation cultivator, but he still paid special attention to me and taught me [Infinite Technique]."
"Now..."
Thinking about this, Li Fan felt some regret.
He then sent a report to Zhang Ziliang.
Zhang Ziliang was surprised that Li Fan could digest Yi Ma so quickly.
"Ah? Your willpower is even stronger than I imagined."
"Good! You are the first among us three to achieve it."
"A reward for you!"
With this, Zhang Ziliang sent an object through the Heavenly Xuan Mirror.
It was a glowing white cube, precisely the array crown Li Fan had coveted for so long.
Receiving it, Li Fan couldn't help but feel delighted.
"Thank you, Master."
"This array crown is yours. It contains over one hundred different arrays. You can dismantle and study them in your free time."
"If you can construct a thirty-layered array crown on your own, you will be considered an array mage."
Zhang Ziliang instructed him.
"The enhancement to the soul from Yi Ma isn't just temporary. For a long time, it will nourish your soul."
"During this period, focus on cultivation and avoid conflicts with others."
"Maximize its effects."
"Hmm, perhaps you've noticed that Yi Ma was also a cultivator before his death."
"And the one I gave you was a Golden Core cultivator in life."
"If you can fully absorb its effects, your soul strength should double without issue."
Li Fan hadn't expected such benefits and quickly expressed gratitude to Zhang Ziliang.
But Zhang Ziliang hung up the communication without replying.
"Golden Core cultivator..."
"One day of decline, and one day as someone else's food," Li Fan shook his head.
He then recalled the face smile fruit he had seen on Tai An Island.
"At that time, the face smile fruit seemed to only affect ordinary islands. If a cultivator were turned into a face smile fruit, would there be an even more powerful fruit?"
"Both transforming humans into beneficial entities, face smile fruits, mind monkeys, and Yi Ma..."
He wondered if they shared some connection or secret.
The blue crystal in his mind flashed repeatedly as past experiences replayed in his mind.
Li Fan finally realized where this familiarity came from.
"Temple ruins, mysterious?"
After a moment of contemplation, Li Fan wasn't entirely sure but felt that it contradicted the current cultivation rules and seemed to follow its own consistent logic.
"It is said that only temple ruins contain the mysterious."
"If there's a connection between them, what does that imply?"
Recalling his journey after the ox-drawn carriage with Master Qingniu, Li Fan went to investigate at the Heavenly Mechanism Hall.
In front of Cunyun Sea’s giant map, a frail cultivator had said.
"Another case?"
Li Fan vaguely guessed something.