Three Years

Xu Fan nodded in satisfaction as he watched Wang Yulun's performance after donning the Spiritual Power Armor.

Its power had already met expectations. All that remained was to strengthen it gradually.

After a series of maneuvers in the air, Wang Yulun returned to Xu Fan's side.

"Brother Xu, this set of Magic Artifacts is simply incredible. Even if I encountered a Demon Beast at the Foundation Establishment Peak now, I wouldn't fear it," Wang Yulun said excitedly.

"Not bad. This set of Spiritual Power Armor is only an initial version. Once you advance to Foundation Establishment, I'll forge each of you a Treasure Artifact set like this."

"So, you don't feel like you gave me that piece of Soul Iron for nothing, do you?" Xu Fan said with a smile. He was the sort of person who did not like owing favors.

"Not at all, not at all. With a Treasure Artifact set like this, I'm afraid Brother Xu is the one getting the short end of the stick."

"Exactly. Brother Xu, if you need any materials for Treasure Artifacts, just tell us. We'll definitely search for them with all our strength," Murong Qian'er said as she looked at the set of Spiritual Power Armor that belonged to her.

She now felt that Xu Fan's talent for Artifact Refining was even stronger than his talent for battle.

"Fine. I'll give you a list later. You'll need to gather some Demon Beast Soul Pearls yourselves."

"There's no rush. Just look for them after you advance to Foundation Establishment," Xu Fan said, while inwardly considering how he ought to forge his own Spiritual Power Armor.

"Then thank you, Brother Xu."

"We're friends. Why be so polite?" Xu Fan said, waving a hand.

That afternoon, Xu Fan watched the two siblings practice spells in the courtyard.

"Sometimes, practicing spells requires using your brain."

"After failing once, stop and think about why you failed."

"Casting spells is the most basic means of an immortal cultivator, and it is also the most crucial point in later battles."

Xu Fan did not point out the mistakes in the siblings' spellcasting. Instead, he let them slowly come to realize them on their own.

After failing to cast the spell several times, Xu Gang's spiritual power had become somewhat disordered. He looked at Xu Fan and said with embarrassed shame, "Master, what if my brain just doesn't work well?"

"You've really stumped me with that question." Xu Fan froze for a moment.

At that moment, a Water Cloud formed from spiritual power appeared above the courtyard, and a fine misty rain began to fall within it.

This was the Minor Spirit Rain Art cast by Xu Yuexian.

"Master, I succeeded!" Xu Yuexian said happily. But then her happy expression faded; her brother had yet to succeed.

"Not bad. You have some talent for spells," Xu Fan praised. He gave this female disciple of his an above-average evaluation.

Xu Gang, who had already been ashamed, nearly lowered his head to the ground.

"Xu Gang, don't lose heart. You just asked me what to do if your brain doesn't work well."

"Now I'll tell you: think through everything you can understand, and keep what you don't understand in your heart."

"When your heart can hold no more, come ask me."

"The path of immortal cultivation is far too long. Talent and aptitude are secondary. Only those with great perseverance can achieve immortality that endures through the ages," Xu Fan said slowly. In his eyes, immortal cultivation was like a strategy game. No matter how good one's early resources were, what determined the later stages and victory was still strategy.

If aptitude and talent were lacking, then one could only use the stupidest method. Xu Fan had patience; they could take it slowly.

"I understand."

"Master, I definitely won't let you down," Xu Gang said firmly.

Seeing the expression on his Senior Disciple's face, Xu Fan nodded in satisfaction. It seemed he could not stop serving chicken soup in the future.

Time flowed on, and three years drifted past like running water.

In the Outer Sect area, Xu Gang was leading his younger sister back from Tai Xue Peak.

"Brother, that young lady asked you a question just now. Why didn't you answer her?"

Xu Yuexian looked at Xu Gang indignantly. She hoped her brother would have a female friend like that.

Xu Gang, who was pondering the principles of a new spell he had learned yesterday, answered without thinking, "Women will only affect the speed at which I cast spells. Better to have less contact."

"Who said that!" Though Xu Yuexian did not know how to describe it, she knew things absolutely could not continue like this.

"Master said it yesterday when he sparred with Martial Uncle Wang."

"He said Martial Uncle Wang's spellcasting speed was far inferior to before," Xu Gang said after thinking for a moment.

Upon hearing Xu Gang's words, Xu Yuexian turned her head away in a show of anger.

"I'm not talking to you anymore."

Mid-air, Xu Yuexian immediately formed a hand seal, and a streamlined Air Shield appeared around her body.

Bang!

An Airburst Sound rang out, and Xu Yuexian's figure had already vanished beyond the horizon.

"Did I make little sister angry again?" Xu Gang wondered.

"I'd better catch up to my little sister and ask why."

Xu Gang scratched his head foolishly. A layer of Earth-Yellow Streamlined Shield appeared around him, with a row of tube-shaped vents behind it.

A burst of terrifying fire-attribute energy brewed within the exhaust pipes, ready to erupt at any moment.

Boom!!

The explosion echoed throughout the mountains, and a figure even faster than before shot into the distance.

On the Small Hilltop, Xu Fan was watching Cloud Flower Deer play with a child a little over two years old.

"Brother Xu, I plan to advance to Foundation Establishment in one year. All the materials and Elixirs are ready," the young man beside Xu Fan said.

Hearing Wang Yulun's words, Xu Fan turned back and asked with interest, "Yulun, are you confident you can achieve first-grade Foundation Establishment?"

"First-grade Foundation Establishment is too difficult. I'm not confident," Wang Yulun said, shaking his head. Those who achieved first-grade Foundation Establishment received the treatment reserved for Heavenly Prides destined to become immortals and attain the Dao. Given his current circumstances, he could only rank in the second tier.

At that moment, Cloud Flower Deer carried the Little Boy on an Auspicious Cloud and flew directly beyond the Small Hilltop.

Wang Yulun was about to stop them when Xu Fan held him back.

Then Xu Fan lightly pointed toward Cloud Flower Deer and the Little Boy. Spiritual power rapidly gathered in the sky, and two Humanoid Puppets formed from spiritual power, their bodies covered in Runes, appeared and quietly followed behind the Little Boy.

Wang Yulun's heart twitched as he looked at those two spiritual power puppets. Some time ago, he had tested them. One of those things could crush him with a single hand, even while he wore the Spiritual Power Armor.

"What are you still lacking to achieve first-grade Foundation Establishment?" Xu Fan asked. In his view, there were no absolutes in the world of immortal cultivation.

Hearing Xu Fan's question, Wang Yulun sighed.

"A feeling from the unseen. I can't really explain it."

""

You're making it sound so mystical. How am I supposed to help you?

"By the way, Brother Xu, when do you plan to reach Foundation Establishment?"

"You're only one realm below me. I think Brother Xu can achieve first-grade Foundation Establishment. When that time comes, if Brother Xu wishes it, becoming famous across an entire province would not be a problem," Wang Yulun said. Over the Sect's past five years, only one person had achieved first-grade Foundation Establishment: Ye Xiaoyao of Myriad Sword Peak.

"What's so good about being famous across the world? There are no tangible benefits, and the risks are great."

At the mention of Foundation Establishment, Xu Fan recalled something. A Hundred Years from now, when he reached Foundation Establishment, he absolutely had to find a concealed place.

He now had a feeling that he could enter the Foundation Establishment Stage at any time, and without even using a Foundation Establishment Pill.

Unfortunately, though that feeling seemed close, it was actually like a heavenly chasm apart—just like the girlfriend inside VR goggles. He could only look.

Dear readers, I'll make up the chapters I owe tomorrow~~

(End of this chapter)