Qi Refinement Requires Pestilence Removal

Sun Zhang glanced at Su Changyu and patiently explained, "If mortals wish to cultivate, they must remove the miasma within their bodies. You mortals who have returned from the Land of Exile carry miasma concentrations far exceeding those of ordinary people. Without removing that miasma, cultivation is impossible."

Su Changyu frowned. "We already knew that. But how can this miasma be removed?"

Sun Zhang said, "There are several ways to remove miasma. The first is the Purification Spirit Pool on the island. Soaking in the spirit pool for a full day and night will completely remove the miasma from one's body. Unfortunately, the materials required to activate the pool are astonishingly costly. Though Liuli Island is wealthy, it can only be opened once every three years. Let me think—the last opening was a year ago. In other words, you'll have to wait nearly two more years before the pool opens again."

"Moreover, the number of places in the spirit pool is limited, and the competition is fierce. You outsiders have no foundation here. How could you possibly compete with the islanders?" Sun Zhang shook his head.

"What about the other methods?" Su Changyu continued asking.

"The second is to cultivate the 'Profound Yellow Heart Cleansing Mantra.' Combined with specific medicines and dietary regimens, it can gradually alter one's constitution and ultimately completely clear the miasma from the body. Though this method takes a long time—usually five or six years—it is stable. Nor does it require any particular price to be paid. The 'Profound Yellow Heart Cleansing Mantra' and its corresponding pills can be bought from the island's pharmacies."

"Five or six years..." Su Changyu murmured softly, then asked unwillingly, "What else?"

"The third method is to become an experimental subject." At this point, Sun Zhang's expression turned somewhat ugly, as though he could barely suppress his fear. Still, he answered Su Changyu.

"An experimental subject?" Su Changyu looked somewhat bewildered.

"That's right. Some immortal masters are very interested in the miasma within us mortals. Every year, they select volunteers from among the island's mortals to serve as experimental subjects. The immortal masters use special methods to continuously extract the miasma from the subjects' bodies for research. In less than a few months, they can drain every last trace of miasma from an experimental subject."

As though recalling something, Sun Zhang's face turned pale. "But the process is simply too painful. It is a fate worse than death. More often than not, the vast majority cannot endure until the moment the miasma has been completely extracted. They are tortured utterly mad first."

"I do not recommend this method to you. It truly is not something an ordinary person can endure."

Li Fan did not know whether Su Changyu had taken Sun Zhang's advice to heart. After a moment of silence, he asked, "Are there any other methods?"

Sun Zhang shook his head. "I heard that the direct mortal descendants of those immortal masters can use rare heavenly treasures to rebuild their bodies. Not only would they no longer need to worry about miasma, their cultivation aptitude could also be improved. But such methods are beyond the imagination of people like you and me. Even the lord of Liuli Island does not receive such treatment."

"That is all I know. If you truly wish to cultivate, consider it carefully in the days ahead."

Having said that, Sun Zhang saw Su Changyu's somewhat dazed appearance and could not help but offer consolation. "I know that you returned from the Land of Exile after enduring countless hardships, all with hearts set upon the Dao. But who among us was not like that at first?"

"Yet the immortal Dao is truly difficult. Even if you remove all the miasma from your body, very few can sense Heaven and Earth Spiritual Energy and perform Qi Induction. Why seek out trouble for yourselves? There is nothing wrong with being a mortal." Sun Zhang seemed to be consoling Su Changyu, but perhaps he was consoling himself as well.

"With Heaven and Earth Spiritual Energy nourishing you invisibly, even if you cannot cultivate, you will live longer than you did in the Land of Exile. Then your families will not have paid such a tremendous price to send you out in vain."

"Rather than bitterly pursuing the immortal Dao, why not enjoy life properly? Indulge yourselves and live in the present."

After Sun Zhang finished speaking, he left.

Some of those present wore delighted expressions, deeply agreeing with Sun Zhang's words, as though they had found an excuse to indulge themselves. Some could not accept that immortal cultivation was so difficult and burst into tears. Others were filled with sorrow, at a loss over what to do...

Only Su Changyu's expression remained resolute, as though he had faintly made some kind of decision.

Taking in everyone's reactions, Li Fan sighed inwardly. All living beings in this world came in a hundred different forms.

And every person's choice determined an entirely different fate ahead.

Without meddling in others' affairs, Li Fan quietly left while everyone was still lost in thought.

After asking around, he found the place on the island where free residences were assigned.

Li Fan presented his spirit talisman, then, led by a designated attendant, arrived at the residential district in the northern part of Liuli Island.

Countless houses stood packed closely together here. Some were empty, while others were already occupied.

Most of these houses had only a single room, but fortunately, each had a small courtyard enclosed by walls, so they did not seem too shabby.

"Sixth Row, seventh house. This is it." The man impatiently handed Li Fan the key, then hurried away.

Li Fan opened the courtyard gate and walked inside, casually closing it behind him.

The room was exceedingly plain, containing only a bed and several tables and chairs, which left Li Fan rather unaccustomed to it.

However, he did not care about such worldly things. After tidying up a little, Li Fan rested and considered his plans for the future.

My luck at the start was not bad. I settled down without much effort. I also have those people from the Departed Realm to thank for it. Unfortunately, aside from Su Changyu, the rest of this group all seem mediocre, utterly lacking hearts set upon the Dao. They are unlikely to amount to anything.

This residence may be somewhat crude, but there is no need to worry about its safety. I already asked before—Liuli Island has immortal masters stationed here, and it has been a long time since anyone reckless enough to cause trouble appeared.

My first priority now is to remove the miasma from my body. Places in the Purification Spirit Pool may be precious, but I plundered countless treasures into the Taiyan Boat. Forcing my way into a spot should not be difficult. The downside is that it would be too conspicuous. Wealth should not be displayed in public. If an outsider like me, with no foundation, suddenly reveals so much wealth, people will surely covet it. I must plan this carefully.

Suddenly, a knock at the door interrupted Li Fan's thoughts.

"Who is it?" Li Fan immediately became wary.

"Me." The voice was somewhat low and sounded familiar.

Without revealing anything, Li Fan took out the Taiyan Boat, retrieved a dagger from within, and concealed it in his sleeve.

He opened the door a crack and saw the visitor clearly.

It was that fat man who had tried to strike up a conversation with him earlier.

Li Fan decisively chose to shut the door.

"Wait..." The fat young man hurriedly blocked it with his hand and whispered, "You are not from the Departed Realm, are you?"

"What?" Li Fan froze for a moment.

The fat man seized the chance to squeeze inside.

He sized Li Fan up and said with ill intent, "Who exactly are you? What is your purpose in sneaking into Liuli Island?"

"How do you know I am not from the Departed Realm?" Li Fan countered.

The fat man looked disdainful. "When we fell into the water, I vaguely saw your furtive figure. At first, I thought it was an illusion. But after seeing your behavior last night, the more I thought about it, the more something felt wrong, so I kept an eye out. When I saw you impatiently seeking out a residence, I secretly followed you here to test you."

"Sure enough, the moment I tested you, you gave yourself away." The fat man looked rather pleased with himself.

"Then you are quite clever, attentive and meticulous." Li Fan nodded.

"Of course. Aside from me, not one of those fools noticed that a stranger had slipped in among us."

"Are you really certain no one but you noticed this?" Li Fan asked.

"Of course! How could those idiots possibly be mentioned in the same breath as—"

The fat man never finished his sentence.

Because a sharp dagger had already pierced through his chest.

Li Fan looked expressionlessly at the fat man lying on the floor.