NOVPUBDaoist Baihua seemed unable to detach herself from the sensory experience of absorbing the Golden Willpower for a while.
Her expression was dazed, and her golden figure swayed rhythmically.
It wasn’t until the rhythm slowly passed that her consciousness gradually regained clarity.
"[Elixir of Countless Spirits], True Immortals might not care about it. But for me now, it is indeed an extremely rare and nourishing substance," Daoist Baihua sighed softly and answered truthfully. 𝖓𝔬𝔳𝔭𝔲𝔟.𝖈𝖔𝔪
"Elixir of Countless Spirits..." Li Fan purposely made a pondering expression.
"It seems that the Envoy does not know much about this substance?" Daoist Baihua, whose age was indeterminable, immediately took the initiative to ask, observing Li Fan’s reactions.
Li Fan then nodded slightly, "It’s just an occasional grace from a True Immortal. True Immortals do not provide much guidance; everything depends primarily on my own enlightenment."
"Thus, I did not intend to deceive you earlier. I only knew that there are immortals in the world, but I truly do not know much about the specifics of immortals."
As Li Fan spoke, he sensed a faint feeling of envy emanating from Daoist Baihua.
However, Daoist Baihua quickly composed herself and spoke gently, "As such, I will clarify your doubts. The so-called Elixir of Countless Spirits is the desire for the [Taoist] path by all spirit-wise beings between heaven and earth."
"The Tao is not the path of cultivation, but refers to everything in the world."
"Born with desires, pursuing the Tao until death..."
"This is the fate of us mortals."
Li Fan, deeply contemplating Daoist Baihua’s words, subtly thought it over.
"From the pursuit of the Tao, the Elixir is born. This is the instinct of living beings and also a major natural law in the operation of heaven and earth. For True Immortals, what might be valuable is the purest trace of the [Taoist] path embedded within the wishes of living beings pursuing the Tao."
"For us mortal cultivators, this [Elixir of Countless Spirits] possesses various powers transforming decay into miraculousness."
...
Listening to Daoist Baihua’s explanation, Li Fan suddenly understood.
The worldly pursuit of desires by beings is the eternal Great Dao of the operation of heaven and earth.
If all world creatures had no desires, then the order of the heavens and the earth would be disrupted, unable to operate normally, and fall into utter stillness.
What the True Immortals pursue is that trace of the Great Dao that gives rise to mortal desires.
The [Elixir of Countless Spirits], named as Golden Willpower by Li Fan, is essentially a raw material extracting traces of the Great Dao.
Once the trace of the Great Dao is absorbed, the Golden Willpower becomes useless to the Faceless True Immortal.
Thus, it is discarded.
While Li Fan was contemplating this, he again heard Daoist Baihua speak slowly, "The Liuli Body I cultivate is based on the visions of people for the flowers of the world. It can be said to be of the same origin as the Elixir of Countless Spirits, even much purer…"
"Not just for me, but regarding the desires of all beings, the Elixir of Countless Spirits has infinite magical uses. In alchemy, tool refining, talisman making, adding a little can greatly increase the success rate."
"Consuming it during breakthroughs greatly reduces the likelihood of failure."
"Drawing a little during cultivation can also enhance the speed of cultivation several times."
"It is even said to be able to create objects from the void, transforming directly into the needed items."
"Whatever is driven by [desire], the Elixir of Countless Spirits promotes it," said Daoist Baihua, her tone full of envy.
"Are there any side effects?" Li Fan was not swayed by Daoist Baihua’s boasting.
Daoist Baihua paused slightly, then said with some uncertainty, "I have heard that since the Elixir of Countless Spirits involves the desires of all beings, the more it is used, the deeper the entanglement."
"Perhaps when the time to ascend and become an Immortal comes, it will be even more difficult."
"..."
Daoist Baihua paused for a moment. "However, the path to immortality has long been severed, so this side effect is essentially nonexistent now."
Li Fan nodded slowly.
This was the right choice. If the [Elixir of Countless Spirits] were truly that wonderful, even if he couldn’t use it himself, keeping it would do no harm. It would not simply be given away to Li Fan for no reason. Only a substance harmful to a True Immortal would be deliberately discarded, which made sense.
Li Fan turned to Daoist Baihua. "The [Elixir of Countless Spirits] is useless to True Immortals. I have full authority over its use. Rest assured, Daoist Baihua, if you serve the Merciful Immortal faithfully, you will certainly be rewarded in the future."
A trace of joy couldn’t help but appear on Daoist Baihua’s face.
"Alright, since you have now joined the Crimson Compassionate Immortal Sect, from today onwards, you are also a member of the United Federation of All Realms."
"I shall give you a tour first."
Following that, Daoist Baihua walked behind Li Fan, touring the Spirit Tree Realm.
They were not discovered by others within the realm.
Daoist Baihua sighed, "Though it’s just a small world, it’s not much inferior to my homeland of Millions Prosperity."
Her gaze lingered on the various Heaven and Earth Furnaces throughout the Spirit Tree Realm.
Li Fan smiled, "Not to hide from you, Daoist, but more than a decade ago, this place was just a tiny realm."
"It is only because of the blessings bestowed by True Immortals that the Spirit Tree Realm has been rejuvenated day by day."
Daoist Baihua nodded.
With her discerning eyes, she could tell that Li Fan was speaking the truth.
The realm was brimming with life and bursting with vitality. It was the essence of rebirth.
Returning to the secret room, Li Fan then spoke earnestly, "A myriad of years ago, the Tao Lineage of the Merciful Immortal was destroyed by the rulers of the Xuanhuang World."
"I was fortunate enough to excavate the True Immortal Stone Statue, received the favor of the True Immortal, and vowed to restore the True Immortal’s Tao Lineage."
"Since the opposing force is powerful, I plan to first accumulate strength and then unite the Ten Thousand Realms to correct the chaos!"
Li Fan briefly explained the situation to Daoist Baihua.
Daoist Baihua nodded, "I’m somewhat familiar with the current state of the Xuanhuang World. The Celestial Dharma Bearer indeed inspires terror, but... "
"If the Envoy can receive support from the True Immortal, then he is truly nothing to fear."
Having experienced the [Elixir of Countless Spirits] herself, Daoist Baihua had great confidence in the "Crimson Compassionate Immortal."
However, Li Fan shook his head slightly, "The gifts of the True Immortal are erratic. Sometimes they descend consecutively without reason, and sometimes they do not appear for years. To restore the Tao Lineage of the True Immortal is a task of great responsibility and a long journey ahead! Yet, Daoist Baihua, there is one confusion that constantly baffles me."
"You say the True Immortal has transcended and should be indifferent to these mundane matters. Why then are there blessings bestowed?"
Li Fan stared at Daoist Baihua, trying to get an answer from her.
Daoist Baihua was slightly nervous and after a moment of thought, she offered her guess, "Perhaps it’s not a blessing, but just a remnant of the power left behind after the True Immortal absorbed traces of the Dao?"
"After all, so much time has passed, and I do not know what form the existing Immortals in the world have taken."
"Not a blessing, just remnants of power. That is indeed disappointing..." Li Fan muttered, though his heart held no trace of disappointment.
"The Envoy need not feel disheartened. I observe that you, able to utilize the likeness of the True Immortal, must hold a different status in the eyes of the True Immortal compared to us mere mortals," comforted Daoist Baihua.
