'The Ten Absolute Heavenly God Record' was something Zhang Fan obtained in his previous life while exploring a desolate place deep in space. It was carved onto the stone walls of a dilapidated ancient temple. On these ancient stone walls were inscribed ten bizarrely shaped exotic beasts, some of which Zhang Fan had never seen before.
They were all uniquely shaped, each emitting a distinct aura. The aura was ancient and profound, persisting even after eons, making it seem unfathomable even to Zhang Fan, who was then an Immortal Emperor.
Zhang Fan recognized the extraordinary nature of this cultivation technique, certain it was no weaker than his own 'Dao Tian Sheng Jue'. However, as an Immortal Emperor, he no longer had the opportunity to cultivate it. Thus, he buried it deep within his memories, never expecting it to be useful now.
"This one," Zhang Fan decided.
"The Ten Absolute Heavenly God Record also contains methods for Qi cultivation, it's quite profound," Zhang Fan sat cross-legged, closing his eyes. The text of the 'Ten Absolute Heavenly God Record' appeared one by one in his mind.
He remained with his eyes closed for six days...
For others, it would take a month to refine skin, two months to refine bones, and three months to refine marrow. But Zhang Fan achieved skin refinement in a single day, bone refinement in two days, and marrow refinement in three days.
This incredible speed was not only due to his will, which far surpassed ordinary people, but more importantly, Zhang Fan's understanding of Qi cultivation had far exceeded the descriptions in the secret manual. He could manipulate heaven and earth spiritual energy in the simplest and most direct way to temper every part of his body. Of course, this would not be difficult for any Immortal Emperor.
In six days, Zhang Fan reached the peak of Qi refinement, just one step away from entering the Foundation Establishment stage.
Although only one step away, Zhang Fan understood how difficult it was for him to take this step. Normally, entering the Foundation Establishment stage required the assistance of Foundation Establishment Pills. On Earth, where spiritual energy was somewhat scarce, relying on oneself to establish a foundation was even more incredibly difficult.
In the Qi refinement stage, Zhang Fan could quickly cultivate to peak Qi refinement with his powerful will and rich experience. However, for Foundation Establishment, which required immense energy, even with Zhang Fan's divine means, he was like a clever cook unable to prepare a meal without ingredients.
"The spiritual energy at the peak of Kunlong Mountain seems more concentrated than elsewhere. Could it be related to the spatial turbulence below?"
Zhang Fan mused, "There's still one day left. I'll stroll around Kunlong Mountain and see if I can find any spiritual herbs to refine a Foundation Establishment Pill."
As soon as Zhang Fan stood up, his stomach rumbled. He realized he hadn't eaten for six days and hadn't yet reached the stage of not needing to eat.
Fortunately, when he came out to travel with Qin Luoshui, they had brought some snacks. Zhang Fan rummaged through his backpack, filled his stomach with some snacks, and then walked towards the denser parts of the Kunlong Mountain forest.
Generally, places with less human presence were more likely to have spiritual herbs, as the spiritual energy there was not depleted and was much richer.
Now that he had reached peak Qi refinement, Zhang Fan's body could basically withstand ordinary bullet attacks, so traversing the treacherous mountain forest was not too difficult.
From morning till night, Zhang Fan traveled through the dense forest for a whole day, returning dusty and with no gains.
"It seems I overestimated the cultivation environment on Earth. I searched all day and didn't even find a single low-grade spiritual herb."
Zhang Fan felt helpless, becoming increasingly worried about his future cultivation path. Without sufficient resources, he could still slowly increase his strength over time.
He was worried about his parents and loved ones. Without sufficient cultivation resources, they might find it difficult to go far on the path of cultivation.
"I'll take it one step at a time. At least I'll deal with that brute at the foot of the mountain first. Otherwise, he'd really think that 'Battle Emperor' could be easily offended."
Although Zhang Fan's magical power was weak, the arrogance in his heart had not diminished one bit. As a dignified Immortal Emperor, even Immortal Kings and Venerables would not dare to show him disrespect, let alone a mere mortal.
Zhang Fan retraced his steps, preparing to descend the mountain and teach that brute a lesson.
"Huh? Why is that woman climbing so high?" Zhang Fan noticed movement above him and looked up. He saw a girl in a black tracksuit climbing skillfully up a thick, hundred-year-old tree beside him.
"Is that? Wood Ganoderma!" Following the girl's climbing path, Zhang Fan spotted a palm-sized, emerald green Ganoderma attached to the massive tree trunk.
"Wood Ganoderma!"
Hearing Zhang Fan's voice, the woman on the tree increased her pace, rapidly climbing towards the Wood Ganoderma.
"Here I come!" Zhang Fan exclaimed, leaping out nearly ten meters with a push of his foot. He then grabbed the trunk and climbed upwards rapidly.
However, although his speed was fast, he was still too far from the Wood Ganoderma. The girl in the tracksuit plucked it first.
After landing, the girl in the tracksuit stared at Zhang Fan with an unfriendly gaze, seemingly afraid he would try to snatch it.
"Beauty, could you sell this Wood Ganoderma to me?" Zhang Fan asked, looking at the girl.
"Sell it to you? Can you afford it?" The girl put the Wood Ganoderma into a wooden box and pouted.
"Uh..." Zhang Fan thought for a moment, feeling helpless. He really couldn't afford it. This Wood Ganoderma looked to be at least seventy years old and would sell for millions on the market. He truly couldn't afford it right now.
However, he absolutely had to obtain this Wood Ganoderma. After a day and night of searching, he knew that even a low-grade spiritual herb was extremely rare on Earth, so he couldn't miss this opportunity.
But with his pride, he naturally wouldn't resort to robbery, so he had to think of another way.
"Are you also planning to use this Wood Ganoderma to refine pills?" Zhang Fan inquired.
"Why should I tell you?" The athletic girl seemed very wary of Zhang Fan, replying and then started walking down the mountain.
Zhang Fan followed, quickly saying, "If it's for refining pills, I can help you."
"Liar," the athletic girl said without looking back. Alchemists were extremely noble and rare. How could this young lad, who looked like a high school student, possibly know alchemy?
"Really, I can really refine pills. If you don't believe me, give me this Wood Ganoderma, and I'll refine it for you to see," Zhang Fan said, keeping pace without losing his spirit.
The athletic girl was speechless and ignored Zhang Fan.
...
"Fine, I'll tell you." The athletic girl, finally impatient from Zhang Fan's pestering along the way, finally spoke, "My father is suffering from internal injuries and needs this Wood Ganoderma to treat his illness."
"Treat illness?" Zhang Fan was astonished, then couldn't help but shake his head.
"Although this Wood Ganoderma contains abundant wood spiritual energy, it's not used to treat internal injuries."
Zhang Fan said, "The main use of this Wood Ganoderma is to enhance cultivation. For ordinary people, it only has the effect of strengthening the body. If used to treat illness, it might backfire and worsen your father's injuries."