Chapter 316: The Approaching Demise of the Golden Core Immortal

The affinity of the Heavenly Profound Spirit Lock Array's core with the formation structure, soul contract traces, and comprehension was listed as one of the three major assessment projects for this closed training. In fact, its importance surpassed the first two.

When Li Fan personally laid out the core formation, attempting to guide the formation core into it but receiving no response, he finally understood why the affinity was crucial.

The current Heavenly Profound Array Core was like a proud goddess, indifferent to Li Fan's attempts to win her over. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't move her in the slightest. However, the Heavenly Profound Spirit Lock Array needed her to function; without the formation core, even the most massive formation was just an empty shell.

The central core formation was specially designed for her, with the sole purpose of seamlessly integrating the formation core into the Heavenly Profound Spirit Lock Array.

Now that the palace was built and the main occupant hesitated to move in, Li Fan faced a dilemma.

The uniqueness of the formation core made it impossible for Li Fan to replicate the old method he used at the Lanyao Wangfu. After trying various methods without success in guiding the formation core into the array, Li Fan had to find another way.

Since the goddess refused to enter the palace, Li Fan decided to build another palace right where she stood. He dismantled the already-formed central core formation and rebuilt it. Using the formation core as the center, Li Fan spent another two days constructing a completely new formation structure around her.

"In this way, although it doesn't reach a perfect fit, it can barely be considered a formation."

"Reward for this world is probably out of the question; I just hope the result won't be too ugly."

With the formation complete, Li Fan sighed inwardly.

It seemed that Li Fan's persistent efforts somewhat moved the formation core. After moving into the central core formation area, it gently shifted its body, and this tiny movement doubled the compatibility between the formation core and the central core area.

Overjoyed, Li Fan immediately attempted to communicate with the formation core again. Unfortunately, the previous initiative seemed to be her limit, and subsequent attempts by Li Fan produced no change.

Soon, the seven-day period for the assessment was up.

Looking at the somewhat qualified formation in front of him, Li Fan shook his head in self-disapproval and left the assessment space.

"The construction part of the formation should be able to get a passing grade. As for the adjustment and calibration of the formation core, it's like turning in a blank paper. But this is the limit of what can be done in this world."

"The formation core is unyielding; there's really no way."

"It is said that among the participants in the previous rounds of the exam, there was even one who managed to make the formation core actively embrace him?"

"Who knows if it's true or not."

...

After the exam, Li Fan temporarily left the Universal Academy. Instead of wandering around Tianyu City, he returned to the small courtyard he had secured in the Dao Discussion Tower before.

Although he left in haste after receiving Ji Hongdao's summons, this courtyard was not canceled. However, Li Fan had paid a substantial deposit, so even if he wasn't present, the place was still reserved for him.

Entering the courtyard, Li Fan went to the secluded practice room, rumored to have strong secrecy and capable of blocking the divine sense exploration of other Dao practitioners. Here, he took out the four items representing his daily necessities.

Placing them in the east, west, south, and north directions, he silently recited, "Fusheng Xuanyellow Celestial Venerable!"

This was the first time he planned to initiate the ritual and enter the Demigod Realm.

During the closed training period, the restriction on entering had long disappeared. However, back then, he was only at the Foundation Establishment stage, and to avoid exposing his secrets, Li Fan chose to endure briefly.

Now that he had advanced to the Golden Core realm, he could openly enter and exit the Demigod Realm without arousing suspicion.

However, due to his wariness of the formation masters like Ji Hongdao, who created the Heavenly Profound Spirit Lock Array, Li Fan chose to perform the ritual in the relatively private environment of the Dao Discussion Tower.

"Senior Zhang, knowing your wisdom and valor, this time, you probably won't come again, right?"

Li Fan silently recited in his heart, and then the ritual began.

This time, the process of entering seemed to be longer than before.

Surrounded by darkness, he lingered in an unknown and mysterious space.

Li Fan tried to see the environment around him, but he felt drowsy and unable to concentrate.

Thus, he had to rely on his senses to discern the surroundings.

It felt like being in water, yet not as cold as water.

The warm and comforting liquid surrounding him provided a sense of security.

Whenever feelings of hunger and weakness appeared, a gentle and soothing energy seemed to come from nowhere, easing him into a deep sleep.

His body seemed even weaker than when he experienced the Heavenly Sun. Most of the time, he passed in a state of deep slumber.

Fortunately, after reaching the Golden Core realm, Li Fan's spiritual consciousness intensity had skyrocketed.

The time he could stay in the Demigod Realm had increased from just over half a month to more than two months, almost equivalent to an ordinary Yuanying stage cultivator.

So, there was no unfortunate end to this journey in a deep slumber.

In this way, Li Fan continuously absorbed the warm liquid around him and occasional calming energy.

He felt himself growing stronger.

After an unknown period, when there was no more liquid to absorb, a strange feeling surged in his heart.

It was time.

Li Fan suddenly realized.

Driven by instinct, Li Fan, using his sharp beak, began tapping incessantly into the darkness in front of him.

"Boom, boom, boom!"

The pecks were light, but for Li Fan at this moment, they roared like thunder, creating a tremendous noise.

After trying for a long time, Li Fan felt a bit tired.

However, there was only a faint crack visible in the darkness.

A sense of frustration crept into his heart.

At this moment, the gentle energy reappeared, moistening Li Fan's body.

It instantly dispelled the fatigue and weakness.

Revitalized, Li Fan resumed his "creation of heaven and earth."

When tired, he rested for a while, and immediately there was a trace of calming energy, allowing him to continue.

This cycle repeated, and the cracks in front grew more and more.

However, Li Fan also sensed that the sustaining energy seemed to be gradually weakening.

Fortunately, Li Fan was lucky. Before the gentle energy was exhausted, he finally chiseled out a small hole in the endless darkness.

A ray of sunlight penetrated through, dispelling the darkness and illuminating Li Fan.

With a burst of energy, Li Fan continued to strike with his long beak.

The small hole gradually turned into a small opening, eventually forming a large hole large enough for Li Fan to crawl out.

Li Fan shook his head and moved toward the exit.

Sunlight, a gentle breeze, the sounds of insects and birds, the fragrance of flowers and grass...

In an instant, a beautiful and vast world appeared before Li Fan.

But he had no time to appreciate this breathtaking scenery at the moment.

Because he felt an overwhelming hunger.

Looking back at the broken egg he crawled out of, a sense of realization surged in Li Fan's heart.

Without hesitation, Li Fan devoured everything in a frenzy.

(End of this chapter)