My longevity simulation

Li Fan’s face showed a trace of surprise as he feigned curiosity and asked, “Daoist Yin, what’s wrong?”

“Could it be that there is something incorrect about this [Foundation Establishment Method of the Oneself] that I have derived?”

Seeing Li Fan’s expression full of confusion, Master Yin opened his mouth but hesitated, ultimately choosing to say nothing.

After a long period of bewilderment, he finally stood up again.

He bypassed Li Fan and walked to a blank wall in the underground chamber. Using his hand as a brush, he inscribed the [Foundation Establishment Method of the Oneself] in one continuous, unrestrained motion.

Once he finished writing, he stood before it, utterly enraptured.

His expression continuously shifted—sometimes filled with amazement, sometimes with deep contemplation, and sometimes with regret.

Li Fan did not interrupt him but instead stood silently beside this peerless Foundation Establishment method, observing it as well.

No one knew how much time had passed before Master Yin finally regained his senses.

He turned to Li Fan, bowed deeply, and said, “If this method was truly comprehended by you, Fellow Daoist…”

“Then you are undoubtedly a peerless genius—far beyond my reach!”

“This version of [Foundation Establishment Through Oneself] is flawless. It can be passed down as a supreme legacy!”

He then let out a long sigh. “Had I been fortunate enough to obtain this method back when I established my foundation, I wouldn’t have ended up in my current state.”

Li Fan feigned ignorance and asked, “What do you mean by that, Master Yin?”

Master Yin merely grinned before his body suddenly split open, revealing another version of himself within.

He then explained,

“Once the [Foundation Establishment Through Oneself] is completed, there is no opportunity for regret or to start over.” Master Yin sighed.

Li Fan seized the moment and offered consolation, saying, “In truth, there is not much difference between the two. Both paths lead to a dead end, halting at Foundation Establishment.”

Master Yin was momentarily stunned. “Fellow Daoist, you mean to say…?”

Li Fan spoke frankly, “This is another reason why I sought you out, Daoist Yin.”

“When I first derived the [Foundation Establishment Through Oneself], I was overjoyed. I believed I had opened an entirely new Dao. Brimming with confidence, I intended to continue deriving the next stages—Golden Core, Nascent Soul, and beyond.”

“But alas…”

Li Fan shook his head slightly, his face filled with bitterness. “I pondered for a long time, yet I couldn’t find the path forward.”

“After establishing my foundation in this way, all methods converge upon the self. I reasoned that the Golden Core stage would follow the same principle, and based on ancient cultivation texts, I decided to name it [Primordial Golden Core].”

“But no matter how hard I tried, I could not determine how to achieve this perfect Primordial Golden Core. It was as if all inspiration had been exhausted, or as if some force was deliberately preventing me from exploring further…”

As Li Fan spoke, his expression became pained.

Master Yin, feeling a strange sense of resonance with his words, quickly comforted him.

“Fellow Daoist, to have unraveled the mysteries of Foundation Establishment Through Oneself already makes you a one-in-a-million genius—far surpassing ordinary cultivators. You shouldn’t be so hard on yourself!”

“As for this Primordial Golden Core…”

Master Yin pondered deeply. “This is a path destined to be even more difficult—truly defying the heavens.”

As he spoke, something seemed to stir in his mind, and he abruptly fell into silence.

“I have a vague premonition… Perhaps, in this lifetime, I will never be able to progress further along this new path. That is why I came to find you, Fellow Daoist .” Li Fan looked at Master Yin with sincerity.

“To be the first to propose Foundation Establishment Through Oneself, your visionary thinking is surely far beyond mine. Perhaps you can take another step forward?”

Without further ado, he poured out all his insights regarding the Primal Golden Core in one breath.

When he finished speaking, he looked at Master Yin with great expectation.

Master Yin was utterly engrossed.

“Mm… Let me think, let me think.” He seemed to have fallen into deep deduction, his expression turning dazed.

Only after a long while did he finally snap back to reality.

“This method is extraordinarily difficult, even more so than Foundation Establishment Through Oneself. It is not something that can be resolved in a short time.”

“Moreover, I have other matters to research…” Master Yin hesitated slightly.

“I observed the conditions on your island, Daoist Yin. Does it have something to do with the Immortal-Mortal Miasma?” Li Fan asked.

Master Yin nodded and said, “Fellow Daoist, your insight is truly sharp. I have a premonition that within this Immortal-Mortal Miasma, a great secret of heaven and earth is hidden.”

“Then let me congratulate you in advance on unraveling this mystery! When that day comes, I hope you can share some of it with me,” Li Fan laughed heartily, speaking in an entirely natural manner.

“Rest assured, Fellow Daoist! Since you have shared the perfect Foundation Establishment Through Oneself with me without reservation, I naturally will not keep secrets from you either,” Master Yin glanced at Li Fan with delight and said, “I never expected to meet someone like you in this world—someone so like-minded.”

“Before coming here, I never expected to get along so well with you either,” Li Fan also smiled with contentment.

“By the way, I believe you don’t need to worry that deducing Primordial Golden Core will delay your research on the Immortal-Mortal Miasma. Based on my experience, alternating between the two and progressing in parallel would be best. When one reaches a deadlock, turning to the other might spark inspiration.” Li Fan enthusiastically shared his own “experience and insights.”

Master Yin listened, his eyes filled with brilliance.

The two, feeling as though they had met too late in life, engaged in deep discussions on the island for three days and nights.

Before parting, Li Fan extended an invitation to Master Yin.

“This island is too shabby—how could it match your distinguished presence? I have a small world of my own, with breathtaking scenery and a serene, natural atmosphere. It is the perfect place for us to focus on our research. Why not come back with me?”

In the Xuanhuang Realm, those who possessed their own cave-heavens or small worlds were either extremely wealthy or held high status.

Hearing this, Master Yin’s eyes flashed with a trace of surprise.

He hesitated for a moment but ultimately declined Li Fan’s generous invitation.

“Though this island is small, I have grown accustomed to it. Perhaps when I grow tired of it someday, I will visit your place and take advantage of your hospitality.”

Li Fan was not surprised by Master Yin’s response.

With a look of deep regret, he bid farewell reluctantly.

Before leaving, he handed over his communication talisman, saying that they must stay in touch and exchange insights often.

After turning away from Yin Yin Island and flying a certain distance, he suddenly stopped.

Looking back at the island, Li Fan hesitated for a moment but ultimately abandoned the idea of using Formless Killing Intent to lock onto Master Yin.

“Master Yin’s strength is somewhat peculiar. He cannot be judged by the standards of an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator. At this moment, I have already gained his initial trust through the Foundation Establishment Through Oneself. There’s no need to be excessive.”

“Although Formless Killing Intent is secretive, I cannot guarantee that he wouldn’t notice it.”

After pondering for a while, Li Fan finally left.

Flying westward, he passed through the Congyun Sea and arrived at Shilin Prefecture.

Since the fall of Jiushan Prefecture, the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance had attempted several counteroffensives, trying to reclaim it.

However, the perilous terrain of Jiushan made each mountain seem like a natural fortress.

Every counterattack ended in failure.