Li Fan had also tried to guide the Qi into his body without using the Roots of Heaven and Earth.
However, he obviously didn't possess talent like Xiao Heng.
The spiritual energy outside his body completely ignored him.
Without anyone to guide him, relying solely on his own exploration, Li Fan had no idea how long it would take him to guide the Qi into his body.
So, Li Fan decided to patiently use the "Five Spirit Qi Sensing" method to break through to the Qi Condensation stage.
It might be slow, but it was stable.
Time was the one thing Li Fan had in abundance.
In the beginning, He Zhenghao occasionally sent people to inquire about Li Fan's progress.
However, when Li Fan made little progress for a long time, he stopped sending anyone.
In the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion, because of Li Fan and Xiao Heng, despite the absence of Wanhua Chamber of Commerce's backing, the business around the surrounding islands improved.
No one wanted to offend a business that possibly had the background of an Immortal Master, so they tried to avoid conflicts with the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion as much as possible.
Thus, over the three years, the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion expanded its market extensively and flourished.
Yin Yuzhen's confidence soared, and she eagerly planned to return to Night Island to regain control of the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion headquarters.
...
Li Fan only occasionally paid attention to external matters.
Most of his energy was focused on cultivating the Roots of Heaven and Earth.
Unfortunately, this matter couldn't be rushed.
Li Fan estimated that barring any unforeseen circumstances, it would take him about two more years to succeed.
He had been cooped up at home for a very long time. One day, Li Fan, feeling restless, decided to go out.
Without alarming anyone, he changed into different clothes, put on a hat, and came to the marketplace of Liuli Island.
Compared to three years ago, it seemed like nothing had changed here.
The sounds of bargaining, calls to attract customers, and playful banter filled the air.
Here, Li Fan felt the long-lost "humanity."
Various thoughts in his mind, like dry saplings, were nourished and sprouted abundantly.
For just this moment, the progress of the Roots of Heaven and Earth was greater than spending three days in solitary meditation at home.
Li Fan suddenly realized.
For ordinary cultivators, seclusion and meditation were necessary because most people were lacking in the fuel needed for the Five Spirits.
Li Fan's situation was special; the Venerable Heart Refinement Mantra constantly operated in his mind, and these stray thoughts turned into strong nourishment for his spirit.
However, the Five Spirit Qi Sensing method was obviously not as advanced as the Venerable Heart Refinement Mantra and couldn't plunder much. It could only pick up the leftovers.
Li Fan couldn't change this situation at the moment. If he wanted to accelerate the formation of the Roots of Heaven and Earth, he needed to increase the daily stray thoughts that were born in his mind.
Daily seclusion wouldn't work. He needed to be in the world.
Having realized this, Li Fan couldn't help but feel a sense of joy.
It seemed that he might not need two years; he might step into the Qi Condensation stage earlier.
...
"Senior Li?" At this moment, a somewhat familiar voice came from behind.
Li Fan turned his head, looked at the person's face, paused for a moment, and then remembered who it was.
It was unexpectedly Zhang Haobo, the captain of the Cangyuan ship, with whom he had a chance encounter before, on Liuli Island.