My Longevity Simulation Chapter 1014: Source Power Elevates All Things

The bond between the two parties appeared to strengthen significantly after they both offered their respects to the statue of the Faceless True Immortal.

“Fellow Daoist Qiaogong, I must ask: what was your true objective in founding the Lingyuan Sect and putting so much effort into gathering source power? To be frank, I only continued the Lingyuan Sect's mission because I found the Vital Essence Technique of All the Living Beings highly efficient, as it allows many practitioners to follow the same path. As for the methods of extracting or applying source power, I remain entirely in the dark!”

Li Fan spoke with a friendly and approachable air while guiding Master Qiaogong through the Spiritwood Realm. During the tour, he showcased the flesh and blood puppets used to automate the cultivation of the Lingyuan Technique.

“Utilizing an isolated small world as a headquarters is certainly far more practical. During my time with the Lingyuan Sect, I never dared to display these flesh and blood cultivator puppets so openly in a public square. I was forced to hide them; otherwise, the subordinates would have grown restless, sparking endless complications.” Master Qiaogong remarked with clear longing as they walked.

He eventually clarified things for Li Fan: “Aside from its application in crafting heavenly mechanism puppets, the bulk of source power is typically stockpiled for emergencies.”

“In theory, any cultivator can use refined power of vow to accelerate their progress. Surely you have heard the tales of immortal sects granting rewards that allow inner disciples to gain sudden enlightenment and leap across several major realms in a single night? That is the power of source power in action.”

“However, within this Xuanhuang Realm...” Master Qiaogong clicked his tongue, shaking his head in disappointment.

“This wretched place is indeed hostile to cultivators. Setting aside the massive resources required to advance through each major realm, the bottleneck of the heavenly calamity alone is far more brutal here than in other cultivation realms,” Li Fan agreed.

“Regrettably, we are left with no other options,” Master Qiaogong sighed.

“Nevertheless, these constraints only target cultivators. Pure mechanical constructs like heavenly mechanism puppets are exempt from such limitations. Consequently, magical treasures and similar items also face no restrictions. This is likely why the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance always demands such a significant portion of my source power,” Master Qiaogong added with a meaningful look.

“Are you referring to... the Tianxuan Mirror?” Li Fan responded instantly.

“More than just that. The Tianxuan Mirror is undoubtedly an entity at the Immortal Artifact level; source power is merely a minor supplement for it. However, within the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, any magical treasure that hasn't yet reached the Immortal Artifact rank can grow by absorbing source power.” Master Qiaogong smiled.

“So it possesses such a remarkable utility.” Li Fan thought of the Final Dissociation Disc within his sea of consciousness and fell into deep contemplation.

Shortly after, with Master Qiaogong’s fervent assistance, a heavenly mechanism fortress was erected adjacent to the flesh and blood puppet plaza in the Spiritwood Realm.

The structure was spherical, encircled by two metal rings that rotated without pause.

Once Master Qiaogong finished carving the inscriptions upon these rings, Li Fan could sense the overflowing source power—which previously flowed toward his clone, Li Qing—shifting its course.

It was now being drawn toward the heavenly mechanism fortress, pooling there.

Like small brooks merging into a wide river, the energy transformed into golden droplets, falling and accumulating within the sphere.

Upon closer inspection, Li Fan noted that this golden source power was clearly a grade lower than the source power essence produced by the Faceless True Immortal statue, known as the Flower of the Dao.

Even so, it held a nearly irresistible charm for cultivators.

While it didn't cause one to lose all sanity like a Spirit of Heaven and Earth might, it still provoked waves of intense greed from deep within the soul.

“It is finally complete. Since the heavenly restrictions of this small world are quite weak, it was much simpler to anchor the source power here than in the Xuanhuang Realm.” Master Qiaogong wiped his brow, looking pleased with the result.

“This is the Heavenly Mechanism Fortress. I presume it serves a defensive purpose in addition to collecting source power?” Li Fan asked, seeing through its design.

Master Qiaogong didn't deny it: “Indeed. Because resources were scarce in our Heavenly Mechanism Realm, we focused on achieving the highest possible integration of functions when creating our inventions.”

The Artisan Master Qiaogong pointed a finger at the nearby orb, and a sudden flash of light occurred.

The newly built structure vanished instantly from Li Fan's sight.

“Oh? This is impressive...” Not only was it invisible to the eye, but even Li Fan's divine sense failed to detect its presence.

Only by walking forward and physically touching it could one confirm it was still there.

“This is the stealth mode, fueled by source force. It can reach a level of invisibility nearly equal to [Ancestor]; even a powerhouse of the Longevity Immortal Realm would struggle to find any traces,” Master Qiaogong boasted.

Next, Master Qiaogong showcased the offensive and transport modes of the Heavenly Mechanism Fortress to Li Fan.

The craftsmanship truly earned the title of “Heavenly Mechanism.”

Li Fan was thoroughly impressed.

“The only drawback is that source force is difficult to obtain. It requires the tedious extraction from every individual practicing the Vital Essence Technique of All Living Beings.”

“It cannot sustain itself indefinitely like [Ancestor] can.”

“When I was forced to flee, I couldn't salvage the core energy components of [Ancestor]. I may never have the opportunity to solve that puzzle now.” Master Qiaogong gazed at the fortress, his eyes reflecting a deep sense of loss for his lost home.

“Heh, a chance will eventually come,” Li Fan remarked with a thin smile.

Master Qiaogong didn't take the comment to heart.

With the demonstration finished, Master Qiaogong proactively transferred the highest level of control over the Heavenly Mechanism Fortress to Li Fan.

With a mere thought, data regarding the stored source force, the remaining duration for various modes, and a projected view of the fortress's surroundings flooded Li Fan's mind.

The experience gave Li Fan a strange, surreal sensation.

He dialed up the output of the fortress’s source force, extending its protection across the entirety of the Spiritwood Realm and locking it into a permanent state of concealment.

In this configuration, the stored source force would be depleted quickly, with expenditures far exceeding the intake.

Li Fan wasn't concerned, however. Instead, he commanded his clone, Li Qing, to accelerate the spread and practice of the Lingyuan Technique across various small worlds.

It was obvious that as the Vital Essence Technique of All Living Beings spread, the collection of source force would grow.

Furthermore, the amount of source power essence generated by the believers' gratitude toward the True Immortal of Salvation and Mortal Compassion would also see a massive increase.

As these operations stabilized, Li Fan, true to his nature of maximizing every resource, did not let Master Qiaogong rest.

He called Tianyang forward and requested that the Master examine him thoroughly.

“My junior brother's progress was once halted by his poor physical aptitude. To overcome this, he chose a unique path: turning his body into a physical object and placing his soul within a puppet. He later absorbed a millennium's worth of earthly fire power to reach the Soul Transformation realm.”

“I eventually assisted him in devouring a Spirit of Heaven and Earth to cross the threshold of Dao Integration. But I fear he has reached his limit.”

“Junior Brother Tianyang has served me faithfully for many years. I cannot stand to see his journey end here...”

“Fellow Daoist Qiaogong, please determine if there is a way to help Tianyang reach the next level,” Li Fan requested with a serious expression.