Prototype Unit

Some blind students might have noticed something interesting and said, "Wait a minute, you've been in seclusion for fifty years, how come you attained enlightenment in the forty-ninth year? Is that rounding up or down?"

Ahem, okay, you've caught me, you blind student.

Yes, actually in a narrow sense,

Li Fan attained enlightenment last year.

But broadly speaking,

I've grasped it, but not completely; there's even a slight over-grasp of it.

The instant he grasped the Dao of Transmigration, Li Fan's original body, the Tai Sha Star Realm, also 'let's go!' instantly and directly transmigrated! Ascending to the seventh dimension! Transforming into the Tai Sha Empty Star!

I ascended! I beat the game in one go, can you believe it! There's no going back!

The most frustrating thing is that Li Fan has been too engrossed in his seclusion these past few years. Not only does he have to cultivate and study, but he also has projects all over the place. He's working on machines with the system on the moon, cough cough chip manufacturing machines, giving public lectures and preaching at Ink Bamboo Mountain, preparing to establish a sect in the South China Sea at Tianwai Xiandongtian and Xuantian, rebuilding Taisha Sword Palace, and occasionally making public appearances as the Mountain Lord or the Grand Master, running around Lou Guan City, Tianyu Mountain, Fourth Department, doing diplomacy, domestic affairs, finance, attending various important events, signing treaties, and having friendly meetings with leaders of Xuanmen from all over the world. He really can't be in two places at once.

Oops, I misspoke. It was all thanks to the clone technique.

Li Fan specially combined the skills of the Second Pure Void Primordial Spirit, the Tai Su Thousand-Faced Heavenly Book Magic Puppet, upgrading them into the Thousand-Faced External Avatar. He also upgraded the multi-threaded puppet puppets for the avatars in various places. In this way, each avatar is an auxiliary intelligent human with the same level of intelligence as Li Fan, and can also share Li Fan's system database to provide various support.

In this way, Li Fan could steal a moment from his busy schedule, cough cough, and concentrate on seclusion to comprehend the Dao and ascend to immortality.

Well, so the result is that he accidentally ascended to heaven! And the damn thing is, nobody noticed!

Damn it! It's been a year! This is outrageous! I can tolerate other people, but the system is just too unreliable!

Of course, as of now, Li Fan himself has not fully mastered the Tai Sha Empty Star state, let alone the method of freely traversing and shuttling between different realms, so for the time being, he can only be considered to be in seclusion.

The state of 'Do not disturb while you are in the process of enlightenment'.

But Li Fan was really afraid of following in the footsteps of a certain Sword Ancestor Xuantian, only to find that when he returned to Ink Bamboo Mountain, everything was already ruined.

Fortunately, Li Fan discovered that he could use the primordial spirit summoning mechanism he had set up for the puppet within his clones to project his primordial spirit into the clone bodies he had left in the Taiji Realm to save the day in emergencies. In this way, even if his main body ascended, his primordial spirit could still return to the Taiji Realm.

Incidentally, if Song Dayou n't been relatively weak and almost beaten to death by Nangong's fists in the Battle of Yushan, summoning the Thousand-Faced Magic Puppet to save his life, Li Fan probably wouldn't have had the chance to descend to the mortal realm and arrange things for him... cough cough...

Don't panic! These are just technical adjustments!

After a year of experimentation and planning, Li Fan has mastered a certain degree of the Dao of Spacetime. He used the Dao Child transformed from the Empty Star, projected into the Void Abyss, the artificial human 'Zheng Zetian', which has successfully crossed the Void Abyss under the guidance of Song Dayou and descended to the mortal realm!

Of course, Li Fan wouldn't risk such an experiment himself. After all, he was now considered a Tai Su Dao Ancestor; what if his arrival led to the destruction of the world?

Fortunately, there was someone on the moon who had nothing better to do than wander around their lab all day. Moreover, his understanding of the Dao of the Void Star was second only to Luo Yin, the founder of the Luo Sect. You have to admit, these lunatics have unique thought processes; their channels are quite wide, and they were even able to connect with Li Fan of the Empty Star.

So Li Fan tricked him into coming here to be 'Zheng Zetian, the Daoist of the Empty Star,' and to try out as the pilot of Unit 1!

Of course, it can't be called deception; it's cooperation. After all, Luo Yin was already a first-level Feather Transformation Immortal, but instead of ascending or spreading his teachings, he actively assisted Mo Chanzi by sealing his physical body together with the Beast Mother Shi Tong'er. He most likely wanted to save his little sister.

Therefore, Li Fan gave the other party a chance: to reincarnate and cultivate a new method. With his aptitude, he might actually be able to come up with a way to restore the Beast Mother to human form.

As Zheng Zetian was Li Fan's disciple and Dao child, Li Fan naturally followed and broadcasted the entire process, collecting data on the machine in the background and constantly improving it!

Anyway, even a neurotic like Luo Yin has a very strong will. As long as the prototype body of 'Zheng Zetian' can withstand the rapid increase in Dao power and quickly raise its realm to the Enlightenment Stage, and if there are no major problems such as berserk collapse after the experiment, Li Fan can use the Empty Star to project the perfect Dao Lord body 'out of seclusion'!

This not only allowed Li Fan to successfully comprehend the Dao and return like lightning, but also gave Ink Bamboo Mountain a super fighter!

If the 'Zheng Zetian' project succeeds, Xuan Tian can reshape his true form, Mo Zhi can recover his power, and Yao Xuanzhou is currently receiving special training from the abbot and is also in seclusion and cultivating diligently, can also make a breakthrough, then in the not-too-distant future, the Ink Bamboo Mountain Group will at least have six Enlightenment-level experts to keep things in check!

While this is still not as powerful as Emei, it at least provides some means of self-preservation in chaotic times.

"Ze Tian, this is the academy of my Ink Bamboo Mountain. Although the disciples of my Ink Bamboo Mountain are now mainly studying the Tai Su Study, I will also pass on the secret methods of the Qing Ting lineage of our sect to you. However, when it comes to body tempering Foundation Establishment, the old methods that the Three Great Sects have deduced over the years are still the most reliable."

The Grand Master has exchanged classics with various sects of the Xuanmen, and has incorporated many of the true teachings of the Xuanmen into the academy. Among them are secret martial arts of the Ancient Immortal Palace and body-refining techniques such as the Divine Cult's Body Domination Technique.

Originally, these classics were exchanged for merits earned within the sect. However, since you were selected as a formal disciple through the ancient methods, according to the rules, you can obtain the immortal opportunities yourself. Why don't you give it a try?"

As instructed by the Grand Master, Song Dayou naturally wouldn't delay the education of Unit-01, cough cough, Zheng Zetian. After paying respects to the Grand Master and the Heavenly Ghost and entering the sect, he was led to obtain the Zheng Zetian method.

"..."

Zheng Zetian stood there for a while, not knowing how much he understood, before nodding blankly, stepping over the Black Sword, and entering the courtyard.

Although he was protected by the Empty Star, personally selected by the Dao Lord, and a top-grade Dao Child who was the reincarnation of Ancestor Luo Zu, he was still just a level 1 player with a mortal body. He hadn't even properly entered the Dao and cultivated Qi yet, and his primordial spirit realm was at the lowest level. It was impossible for him to awaken Ancestor Luo's vast and insane past life inheritance. Therefore, Zheng Zetian did not fully unlock Ancestor Luo's knowledge, abilities, and memories; he only had the same consciousness and personality.

Even with the immense burden of Ancestor Luo's consciousness within his brain, and without the intelligent assistance of the chip system, and without direct communication with Li Fan, the Empty Star, Zheng Zetian's performance was definitely worse than Luo Yin's at the same stage. This wasn't feigning ignorance; his intelligence was genuinely lacking. Calling him mentally challenged would be an exaggeration, but he certainly acted like a complete idiot.

However, Li Fan wasn't in a hurry. In fact, as long as Zheng Zetian Moon Worship, he could use the Empty Star Projection to make the Evangelion Unit go berserk and level up to the Enlightenment level at any time. But in order to perfect his Dao Body and to avoid attracting the attention of other forces, he also needed data at each stage. As long as he used cheats at the right time to help Zheng Zetian cultivation soar and break through, that would be enough.

Moreover, the backgrounds of the Seven Friends of Nangong are all shrouded in mystery. Li Fan doesn't know much about Luo Zu and Luo Yin either, so he needs to observe them to see what kind of people Luo Zu, Luo Yin, and Zheng Zetian really are.

Li Fan only knew that this person leveled up as fast as him. No, that's backwards. It should be that during the company's manufacturing process, 'Li Yi No. 19' referenced and imitated Luo Yin's genetic body. In fact, it was originally prepared for Ancestor Luo, so naturally it had to be as similar as possible to the original person. That's why his aptitude for cultivating the Tai Su Dao and observing the stars Moon Worship was so good.

In short, Luo Yin was unknown before joining Nangong Wubu, but after the Seven Friends broke up, he suddenly established the Luo Sect in the north, passed down a bunch of heavenly books, influenced an era, and almost became invincible.

Now that Luo Yin has been reincarnated as Zheng Zetian, Li Fan is also helping him by sealing away some of the crazy memories he had after becoming Feather Transformation Immortal. This is equivalent to trying to help Ancestor Luo return to the right path from the wrong one. However, Li Fan is not sure if he can succeed. Whether Zheng Zetian has inherited Luo Yin's madness is also one of the research projects.

After all, Li Fan is currently comprehending the Dao through defeating the Void Star. If the ultimate path of the Void Star Path is to descend into utter madness like Ancestor Luo, then he should take advantage of the current opportunity to quickly change his path and switch to the Path of Transformation or the Path of Annihilation.

Therefore, Li Fan did not interfere too much with Zheng Zetian's path to enlightenment. He simply hid in the void and watched the boy wander around the mountain of books in a daze.

He was also quite curious about how Ancestor Luo's reincarnation would have started his cultivation if he hadn't interrupted.

After all, it is certain that Ancestor Luo's achievements back then were not something that could be attained through mere effort; his natural talent was beyond doubt. It is unknown what grudges or calamities led to this, but despite his talent, he did not have the opportunity to join the Xuanmen sect and ended up as a rogue cultivator, mingling with Nangong's group, thus wasting many years of his life.

But things are different now. With the protection of Li Fan, the Transcendent Great Dao Lord, the academy on Ink Bamboo Mountain alone contains all sorts of secret manuals that Li Fan obtained from various sects and powerful families. It can almost be said that they cover all the introductory methods of Taiji Xian Dao. Someone with decision-making difficulties would probably die here.

Fortunately, Zheng Zetian was currently in a daze. Perhaps Ancestor Luo had already planned it out in his subconscious, or perhaps he was just innocent and naive right now, without many complicated thoughts. He wandered around the academy without being disturbed by the various secret manuals and divine skills, and simply took a jade slip and came out.

"Huh? You've already chosen one? One is enough? Let me see, <Azure Haze Azure Sky Heaven Origin Technique>... Ah, ah? This, this is Cultivation Method from the Bi Xia Dao!"

Song Dayou couldn't help but frown.

"This... Ze Tian, although the Bi Xia Dao is a legitimate lineage of the Xuanmen and the direct descendant of the Xuan Girl of the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden, it has been in decline for a long time. Moreover, it is mainly for women to cultivate. The true secret techniques after the Nascent Soul Stage are not passed down in the Xuanmen. Why don't you get another one?"

Zheng Zetian took the jade slip, scratched his head, and stared at Song Dayou, without moving.

Song Dayou helplessly, "... Well, if it's just Qi Foundation Establishment, it should be about right. My Qingting lineage's thunder techniques are probably enough for you to reach Core Formation and Nascent Soul stage, and then switch to the Giant's Ink Mountain Path."

Li Fan was a little surprised by the <Azure Haze Azure Sky Heaven Origin Technique>, but it didn't seem to have much to do with men or women.

As Song Dayou said, the <Azure Haze Azure Sky Heaven Origin Technique> is a cultivation method of the Azure Bi Xia Dao lineage of the Xuanmen. These people were early followers of the Profound Maiden and can be considered fundamentalists of the Xuanmen.

Because of its conservative and traditional nature, Bi Xia Dao had some rather extreme rules compared to other Xuanmen sects. For example, all disciples entering the sect were required to replicate the "Profound Maiden" (Mysterious Woman), and the sect specifically accepted female disciples. Furthermore, its cultivation methods were compiled to closely resemble the early Profound Maiden's records, refusing to update them. The Tianyuan Qi Gong (Heavenly Origin Qi Gong) was also largely unchanged, without much modification or embellishment by Xuanmen cultivators. Such conservatism bordered on stubbornness, which naturally led to its gradual abandonment by generations and its eventual disappearance from the Xuanmen Daoist Tradition.

Of course, in fact, Profound Maiden has a background from the other side of the 'gate'. The Dao body she used back then was probably not a normal natural person from Earth. Therefore, the Bi Xia Dao Cultivation Method is probably impossible for either men or women to master in the later stages. But as Song Dayou said, if it is only used for Foundation Establishment and then switched to Tai Su method later, then it doesn't matter what you cultivate in the early stages.

However, Li Fan specially arranged this child-binding initiation ceremony for Zheng Zetian in order to study Ancestor Luo's understanding of the Dao of the Void Star. No matter how Zheng Zetian cultivated, he would carefully ponder the other party's intentions.

From the perspective of cultivation principles alone, this Heavenly Origin Technique is roughly about absorbing the Purple Radiance Spiritual Qi and refining it into azure-green Azure Cloud Qi.

However, compared to the pure Dao Breath cultivated by other superior internal cultivation techniques of the Xuanmen sects, it is not as pure and is slightly turbid. It still retains the special effect of Purple Radiance spiritual Qi that makes plants grow. Incidentally, it contains a certain amount of Dao Breath that can be used to escape through immortal techniques. It can only be called a color-changing variant of Purple Radiance Dao Qi. It is indeed a relatively primary method of Qi Refinement Stage, and the Bi Xia Dao got its name from this.

Compared to the Xuanhuang of Mount Song, the Shangqing Qi of Mount Heng, and the Lotus Qi of Penglai, which offer special bonuses, effects, or exceptionally rapid cultivation techniques, the <Bixia Tianyuan Gong> is essentially worthless.

It can only be described as a product of that particular generation. Although Profound Maiden used this special skill to easily kill the Immortal Emperor, it is indeed a very outdated Cultivation Method now...

No, perhaps not necessarily. The various methods and techniques deduced by the Xuanmen (mystical sect) evolved under the Taiji Heavenly Dao, but now it is the time of the Tai Su Realm. Instead of desperately studying Taiji Qiankun or Tai Su Qiankun, tracing back to the source and starting anew might be the right path.

In short, this was the destiny Zheng Zetian chose himself, and Song Dayou wouldn't say much more. Moreover, the <Azure Haze Azure Sky Heaven Origin Technique> is indeed simple; all you need are herbs, trees, and spiritual fruits to absorb the Purple Radiance Qi. As for immortal fruits, with all the offerings the Xuanmen have made for hundreds or thousands of years, aren't they everywhere on Ink Bamboo Mountain?

So Song Dayou didn't delay. He simply found a quiet room in the Ink Bamboo Mountain Grotto-Heaven, lit the Purple Radiance Pill, and stuffed a bunch of Scarlet Fruit, Xianli, Pantao, and Lingzhi into Zheng Zetian ate them to fill his stomach, Zheng Zetian explained the incantation and Qi circulation method of the <Azure Haze Azure Sky Heaven Origin Technique> to him word by word.

Since Song Dayou was a disciple of Qingting Weng, a former disciple of the Shenxiao Sect, and had received proper education in the Xuanmen (Daoist school), Li Fan could not explain the basic knowledge of meridians, acupoints, and Qi Refinement Stage more clearly.

Zheng Zetian, worthy of being a Dao Child of exceptional talent, lived up to the Dao Body transformed from the Empty Star Dao and Ancestor Luo's comprehension. As Song Dayou explained, he ate fruit and cultivated along with him. After finishing the <Azure Haze Azure Sky Heaven Origin Technique>, he circulated his Qi through his extraordinary meridians, cultivated his Dao through the eight extraordinary meridians, opened his Qi Sea, and created Bi Xia Dao flowers in his Inner Landscape. His Qi circulated throughout his body, and with each breath, azure clouds and azure mists appeared between his mouth and nose. In less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, he had already achieved Qi Refining Perfection and could prepare for the Great Treasure Foundation Establishment.

Song Dayou, watching from the side, was also astonished, "... My goodness, a master! Did you see that...? He just picked up a book and entered the Dao..."

The leader said he saw it, but they hadn't even Moon Worship yet, so there was no pressure at all. He told everyone not to make a fuss, just one word: stable. Everything was under control.