Since those at the Harmonization Level need to cultivate in blessed lands, the elders stationed here by the Dao Sect are rotated; after guarding for a period, they can return to the Dao Sect. However, Song Qingsong reported to the sect that Li An was most familiar with the environment here, and since his primordial spirit was flawed and didn’t require blessed lands, he should be stationed here permanently.

Clearly, Song Qingsong didn’t want to allow Li An to return to the Dao Sect, leaving him here to fend for himself.

Li An willingly accepted this outcome.

He didn’t mind, as he could absorb the power of the Great Dao anywhere he stayed.

The island was protected by a great array, and there were disciples to handle daily affairs, so as an elder, he found himself quite at leisure.

"Madam, as the years have gone by, you’ve grown even older."

Inside the secret chamber, Li An had already secluded himself, activating the Protective Array to prevent anyone from approaching, and then he entered the Immortal Coffin.

Within the Immortal Coffin was a small world, where Chen Ning was kept, wrapped in a mysterious aura.

For decades, he had used Chen Ning for experiments repeatedly, rendering her neither human nor ghostly in appearance.

Upon seeing Li An arrive, she curled up in fear.

"Once a beautiful woman, now so old—it’s indeed my fault."

Li An smiled faintly, then circulated the power of the Great Dao—

Over decades, the Dao Power accumulated inside him had become quite substantial. As Dao Power descended, Chen Ning’s body stiffened slightly, giving her the fleeting illusion of being enveloped by time, flowing in reverse—

Li An observed carefully, and this process only lasted for a dozen breaths.

Moreover, he only managed to temporarily revert Chen Ning to the state she was three days ago!

The effect wasn’t sufficient.

However, Li An was quite satisfied; compared to earlier when he could only affect mosquitoes, being able now to have a slight temporary effect on a Harmonization Level cultivator was considered progress.

"Continue, absorb."

He took out a wisp of refined mysterious aura and handed it to Chen Ning.

Tears filled Chen Ning’s eyes; her regret was overwhelming, and she had become numb with pain. Perhaps, she should never have gone to Nanfu Island back then, she shouldn’t have!

...

Xiang Yuntian visited Li An midway, truly bringing him an Immortal Dao opportunity, which Li An accepted.

He also inquired about the matter of the Ascension Ceremony.

"There is indeed such a matter, but it’s far off. The Immortals’ idea is to proactively draw in the fairy wind from the Southern Sea to achieve immortality amid the mysterious, thus refining against the mysterious Immortal Dao. But just the act of invoking the fairy wind is extremely difficult. Moreover, many in the younger generations have not touched upon Immortal Opportunities yet and still need time!"

Xiang Yuntian was quite pleased: "Old Gu has awakened; after he recovers for a while, we’ll visit you."

...

In the blink of an eye, seven hundred years passed!

For low-level cultivators, seven hundred years is incredibly long, enough to complete a lifetime. But for those at the Harmonization Level, it might be merely a single seclusion.

"Mid-stage Harmonization—"

Li An inspected the changes within his Dantian with great satisfaction.

These seven hundred years were the calmest years in his cultivation life.

The outside world was tumultuous; geniuses contended with each other, and the golden era continued, with rumors of ascension frequently appearing. But he just needed to peacefully pass each day, waiting for the Life Seed to absorb Dao Power from the passage of time.

Now, around the Life Seed, the power of the Great Dao shone like colorful clouds, with countless wisps, appearing like a sea of clouds.

In reality, to any outsider, Li An might be considered a true waste.

In the golden era, seven hundred years were enough for a genius starting from scratch to grow to the Harmonization level or even higher, yet he only took a small step within the Harmonization realm...

This was primarily because, from the first great upheaval until now, Li An had never absorbed any Immortal Dao Material!

Due to Purple Fairy’s warning, Li An kept a respectful distance from those things.

Following the due course.

This required immense determination since his former friends had already touched upon the Immortal Dao, founded sects, and even their descendants and disciples surpassed themselves. Who wouldn’t be anxious?

Li An could!

The more chaotic the world became, the more strategic composure one must maintain.

"My soul is completely restored!"

What made Li An even happier was this realization!

A piece of his soul was held by Lady Yi, as if his life was in her grip, causing Li An great anxiety.

Now that his soul was complete, it meant Li An had full autonomy.

Whether to leave for good or return to calculate and kill Lady Yi, he could take the initiative!

He began seriously contemplating this issue.

In fact, Li An had been hesitating for hundreds of years.

It feels like a gamble!

If he won, successfully calculating to kill Lady Yi, what he would gain would be immensely rich, including Lady Yi’s burial items, mysterious Dao marks, etc... His journey on the mysterious path would be much easier thereafter. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

If he lost, everything he had might be lost.

Li An is averse to risks.

In reality, he had some chances of success since Lady Yi would indeed become very weak when reconstructing her flesh and blood technique.

And Li An had already prepared a heavenly lightning bolt!

Considering the current situation, Li An had a seventy to eighty percent chance of success.

Still too low!

"With chaotic times approaching, when great changes occur in heaven and earth, anything can happen. Grasping some advantage early on is a must. Otherwise, it might be more difficult later..."

After pondering for a long time, Li An decided... to gamble once!

Of course, he wasn’t going to rush in blindly. According to his plan, many preparations were still needed!

First, heavenly lightning! At least wait until after breaking through to the Mahayana Stage, accumulating several heavenly lightning bolts during the breakthrough, the more the better!