232 Chapter 366 -370 Life and Death Profound Technique (6k+ words)
"Between life and death, there is great terror!"
"Between life and death, there is also great opportunity!"
"Ordinary mortals, when facing the threat of death, will unleash powers far beyond the ordinary. What about us cultivators?"
Destiny Bell's expression became serious and he spoke solemnly.
"The greater the pressure, the greater the motivation. What pressure can compare to the intensity of death?"
"By leveraging the brink of death, cultivation speed and perception abilities will increase a thousandfold compared to usual."
"This is my personal experience, absolutely not false!"
"If, friend, you can master this power, you can cultivate to the Nascent Soul stage before your lifespan is exhausted. It's definitely not difficult!"
Destiny Bell pledged confidently.
"However, if what you say is true, why are there cultivators in the world who are trapped for a lifetime and cannot break through until death?" Li Fan asked somewhat helplessly.
Destiny Bell was slightly taken aback, but after careful consideration, he quickly came up with an answer.
"They must not fear death enough!"
"I understand! Friend, you now have a transcendent and indifferent mindset, putting life and death aside. Worried that it's impossible to use the pressure from the brink of death for cultivation, right?" Destiny Bell suddenly enlightened.
"Don't worry, in my 'Life and Death Profound Technique,' there is a 'Life and Death Sensation' section. Studying it allows one to comprehend the value of life and the terror of death."
Li Fan carefully observed the old Daoist in front of him.
He felt that Destiny Bell's train of thought was somewhat different from ordinary people.
Could it be that cultivating this 'Life and Death Profound Technique' had damaged his brain? Was he directly revealing the details of his cultivation to someone he had just met?
He replied seriously, "Friend, your technique is mysterious, and I admire it. However, the methods of cultivation are not the same. I'm afraid I cannot benefit from your technique."
Destiny Bell nonchalantly interrupted Li Fan, "That's why I came to seek your guidance."
"Please, friend, teach me how to disregard life and death."
"How can one be fearless like you?"
"If I can overcome the fear of death, then I believe I can be liberated!"
Destiny Bell spoke urgently.
Li Fan was momentarily stunned at his words.
"Friend Bell, you..."
Destiny Bell waved his hand, "I know you might not understand. But it's true. I really don't want to live anymore."
"I have lived in this world for a hundred and sixty-eight years, seen all kinds of ups and downs."
"Everything in the world, to me, has lost its joy."
"For the sake of techniques, treasures, territories, and lifespan, people fight and quarrel..."
"Hehe, I just feel they are making a fuss."
"If possible, I would have ended my own life long ago."
Speaking to this point, a hint of helplessness flashed in Destiny Bell's eyes. "But the 'Life and Death Profound Technique' I cultivate makes it impossible for me to resist the instinctive fear of death."
"Whenever the thought of ending myself arises, and I make suicidal attempts, my instincts force me to do things against my will."
"So, I even thought about passing my technique to other cultivators to practice."
"But often, not long after, feeling that my cultivation speed was slowing down and death was getting closer, I would lose my sanity and find and kill the other cultivator."
"So, after hearing about your fearlessness of death, I came from afar to seek guidance."
Destiny Bell spoke earnestly.
Li Fan remained silent.
If Li Fan could be described as a persistent seeker of immortality, then Destiny Bell was a person who had had enough of life and sought an easy way out.
Unfortunately, he was tragically bound by his own cultivation technique, unable to carry out suicidal actions.
Resulting in a somewhat schizophrenic and painful situation.
"Can't you even disperse your own cultivation?" Li Fan asked.
Destiny Bell shook his head with a bitter smile.
"This 'Life and Death Profound Technique' is really peculiar," Li Fan thought inwardly.
Regarding Destiny Bell's current situation, Li Fan could only sympathize but couldn't offer any practical assistance.
Li Fan was not someone who was fearless of life and death; he simply couldn't die. If he truly encountered something that could endanger his life, he would undoubtedly run faster than anyone else.
After a moment of contemplation, Li Fan sincerely said, "My situation may be of no use to you."
"I am naturally indifferent, but I don't have any other special qualities."
Chapter 367 Life and Death Profound Technique
Destiny Bell hurriedly said, "I understand. I understand."
"But the fear of death is human nature. Friend, how did you overcome it?" Seeing his fearless appearance, Li Fan, feeling helpless, casually fabricated, "I'm not fearless either. I just think, maybe real death is true death?"
"Perhaps, after death, that's when true life begins, right?"
"Friend, have you heard the story of the 'Central Brain of the Ding?' Or the rumors about the 'True Dream Realm'?"
Li Fan mentioned one thing after another.
Destiny Bell's eyes, however, became brighter and brighter.
"Listening to one sentence from a wise person is better than contemplating for a hundred years."
"Right, right. Death is not the end but the beginning of true rebirth." After listening to Li Fan, he seemed to fall into a trance, muttering to himself.
"No need to be afraid..."
After who knows how long, he suddenly looked relieved, as if he had enlightened.
However, a dangerous seven-colored light suddenly appeared on the old Daoist's body.
Destiny Bell himself sneered, "You still want to scare me. I have already understood."
"It's all illusions; death is life. Only when everything dies, can there be life!"
The seven-colored divine light spun faster and faster, and Li Fan secretly felt something was wrong, quietly retreating.
"Perceive everything, foresee the truth!"
Destiny Bell raised his right palm, his face determined, about to strike down on his own head.
"Friend Bell! 'Life and Death Sensation'!" Li Fan shouted.
Destiny Bell's movement instantly stopped.
With a light finger, a jade slip flew towards Li Fan.
"Haha, Friend Li Fan, I'll go ahead!"
After speaking, Destiny Bell continued to strike down forcefully.
However, at this moment, his left palm, uncontrollably, suddenly stretched out and blocked in front of the right palm.
Destiny Bell's expression suddenly became fierce.
"Dare to obstruct my path? Die!"
A seven-colored divine light shot out from his right palm, directly towards his left palm.
At the same time, another radiance timely shot out from his left palm.
The two lights collided, neutralizing each other.
However, Destiny Bell himself did not stop; he cursed under his breath.
Simultaneously, as if there were two mortal enemies within him, he fought himself with every move and style.
Seven-colored divine light flew horizontally, stirring up the defensive formations within the base.
Outside, He Chen heard the commotion and hurriedly rushed in.
Seeing the crazy Destiny Bell, he looked puzzledly at Li Fan.
Li Fan shrugged, indicating for him not to act recklessly.
As time passed, the internal struggle within Destiny Bell became increasingly intense.
The small base could no longer contain him.
Amidst the flashing seven-colored light, he disappeared into the depths of the devouring white mist.
People inside the base were discussing the commotion.
Meanwhile, Li Fan quietly entered the cultivation chamber and began reading the jade slip that Destiny Bell had handed over earlier.
(End of this chapter)
Chapter 367: Life and Death Refinable Heart
"Such cultivation, only a madman would do it." After reading the entire jade slip, Li Fan couldn't help but sigh.
The jade slip recorded what Destiny Bell had spoken about earlier, his cultivation technique called "Life and Death Profound Technique."
It was a half-ruined manuscript, and its essence was somewhat unbelievable.
The first part of the technique clearly stated its purpose: everything in the world would eventually face death, be it birds, beasts, plants, humans, cultivators, demonic beasts, or even the heavens and the earth itself—they couldn't escape this fate.
To transcend death, one had to achieve a state before one's own death, a state of simultaneous existence and non-existence, life and death overlapping. This was the highest realm envisioned by the technique.
To achieve "simultaneous life and death," one needed an unparalleled understanding and cognition of the essence of life and death.
The "Life and Death Sensation" was a method in the technique for perceiving life and death. Even ordinary people could practice it, and Li Fan naturally had no problem with it.
Word by word, the text quietly flowed through Li Fan's mind.
After three days and three nights, as Li Fan, who was practicing with closed eyes, suddenly experienced a turmoil in his mind.
Countless scenes appeared before his eyes in an instant.
It seemed as if he had vaguely returned to the Great Mystery, reliving moments like the triumphant feeling during the Triple Combination, the unrestrained behavior in the Empress's palace, the arrogance of dominating the world...
And then, he experienced the dangers he faced, breaking through the Immortal Extinction Formation, finally arriving in the cultivation world. Step by step, from an ordinary person to Qi refining, Foundation Establishment, Core Formation.
Every exciting event in his past life rushed into his heart one after another, making Li Fan feel as if he were experiencing them again.
During this time, many great joys were added to the scenes.
Even with Li Fan's strong will, he couldn't help but become somewhat elated.
Just as this joyful atmosphere reached its peak...
All the scenes shattered like bubbles, replaced one after another by moments of imminent death.
"Father, father..."
"Husband!"
Faintly, there came a desperate wail. This was from his first life when he had yet to awaken the Still Truth and was on the verge of dying due to illness.
"It's just seeking a chance at survival!" Along with a massive roar and a sky full of flames, the crazy laughter of Kou Hong echoed. This was from his second life when Dao Xuan Zi battled Kou Hong, and the capital was destroyed. Li Fan narrowly escaped death.
The cracking of the Boundary-Breaking Whale, rapid aging after transforming into the Cang Hai, the pursuit of the Elder Protector...
Deadly crises seemed to converge on Li Fan at the same moment.
Until the spatial distortion in the Heavenly Mirror tore open, revealing the face of a kind-looking old man.
The fear in his heart became uncontrollable.
Li Fan snapped out of the cultivation.
"Still..."
The remaining half of the True Character hadn't been shouted out in his mind.
The various images of fear disappeared in an instant.
Li Fan only then forcibly stopped himself.
His whole body was soaked in cold sweat, and his breath was as rapid as if he had narrowly escaped death.
Li Fan's eyes flickered as he recalled the experiences just now.
"The cultivation failed."
"The 'Life and Death Sensation' induced a fear of death in the heart, not just simple illusions."
"It's somewhat similar to that Intent Horse, extremely illusory and close to reality."
"If it's believed to be true in the heart, then it is true."
"The danger is indeed extreme. If deeply immersed and unable to distinguish between true and false, there is a possibility of being scared to death."
"No wonder that Destiny Bell acted crazy..."
"Only in this way can one truly feel the fear of death."
Thinking of this, Li Fan sighed slightly.
"Unfortunately, this method is useless for me."
"Ordinary people naturally feel terrified and desperate in the face of the threat of death."
"But I am different."
"In any situation, I have a lifesaving straw."
"That is my 'Still Truth.'"
"When the Life and Death Sensation reaches its extreme, facing a substantial threat of death, I will instinctively summon the 'Still Truth' and start everything over..."
"Wait..."
In an instant, Li Fan thought of something, and his expression changed slightly.
"The instinct to seek survival..."
"The Profound Yellow Refining Heart Mantra..."
Suddenly standing up, Li Fan's thoughts were racing.
Walking back and forth, he contemplated the feasibility.
"To reverse the cultivation of the Dao Heart, I need to resist the instinct in my heart."
"And for me, the greatest instinct is to call out 'Still Truth' when facing imminent death."
"If I use this to reverse cultivate the Dao Heart, the gains should be unimaginable."
"But it's impossible to really give up the plan of 'Still Truth' at the moment of life and death."
"Using the Life and Death Sensation, there is no such problem."
Li Fan's eyes flickered, and after a while, he stabilized his mind.
He started the sensation technique again.
When, once again, all the beauty of life shattered, and the threat of death descended.
Li Fan still couldn't break free from the habit seemingly engraved in the depths of his soul. He called out the 'Still Truth' again.
Second attempt, failure.
Undeterred, Li Fan persisted, third, fourth attempts...
Until after fifty-six attempts.
Facing the countenance of Tianyi, Li Fan activated the "Profound Yellow Refining Heart Mantra."
Simultaneously, with strong willpower, he temporarily suppressed the instinctive impulse to call out the 'Still Truth.'
But the threat of death did not disappear with Li Fan's restraint.
Instead, it became even more tangible.
The appearance of Tianyi gradually became clear before his eyes, and the spiritual sense in Li Fan's heart continued to sound alarms frantically.
In the end, Li Fan was still drenched in sweat as he withdrew from the practice of the Life and Death Sensation.
"Perhaps this sensation technique can only truly confront death without harm to oneself after reaching the stage of letting go of life and forgetting death."
Li Fan was well aware that if he had forced himself just now, even if he didn't perish on the spot, the outcome would have been absolutely unfavorable.
"This technique is indeed a bit sinister."
"But just now, in that short period of time, the gains were enormous."
In the large grinding pan of heart refinement, compared to the previously obtained faint coolness from the event of traversing the white mist and risking his life for help, there was now a bit more of a refreshing breath, pouring down on him.
(End of this chapter)
Chapter 368: Fresh Blood Condenses the Dao Path
It felt as if Li Fan had just drunk a bowl of ice water during the dog days of summer, refreshing both his body and mind.
His divine soul continued to grow at a perceivable speed.
"It really works!"
"The Profound Yellow Refining Heart Mantra, combined with the Life and Death Sensation, indeed has a miraculous effect!"
With his speculation proven true, Li Fan was suddenly delighted.
"This way, the strengthening speed of my divine soul might reach a terrifying level."
Just as Li Fan was about to continue and retry the Life and Death Sensation, the result deviated from his expectations.
Perhaps due to the recent shocking experience, there was a psychological adaptation.
Even when Tianyi's face was about to touch Li Fan's, there was still no trace of fear in his heart. Occasionally, thoughts like "Forget it, just let it be. Hurry up and kill me" would cross his mind.
"If the heart is not afraid, how can death be feared?"
Li Fan seemed to have gained some insight, shook his head, and stopped practicing.
"I finally understand why Destiny Bell chose to end his life. It seems to be the influence of this Life and Death Profound Art."
"Although it has its flaws, it would be a pity to give up this method, combined with the Refining Heart Mantra."
"After all, completing a full reverse cultivation of the Dao Heart is quite troublesome."
"Using the Life and Death Sensation, the feedback is almost immediate."
"Moreover, both can be used simultaneously."
"After adapting in this world, I will try practicing again and see the results."
"In the next life, maybe I can complete the Life and Death Profound Art using the Derived Method Bead."
For him, the flaws in the technique were not a problem. As long as there was something worthwhile, he could make use of it.
Perhaps, after collecting enough techniques, he could use the Derived Method Bead to derive a truly unique "Heavenly Snare Divine Art."
...
The sudden visit of Destiny Bell caused Master Li, who was known for his diligence, to take a rare few days off from his usual work.
The practitioners on the Jiaxu Base didn't mind at all; they hoped Li Fan could rest for a while. If Li Fan were to die from exhaustion on duty, they would probably be blamed for it for the rest of their lives.
However, the practitioners' hopes were destined to be in vain. When Li Fan emerged from seclusion, he immediately resumed the construction of the Tianxuan Soul-Locking Array.
Moreover, once he started this time, there was no pause for even a moment.
When the outer array structure was locked, and it merged with other array formations, Li Fan took the initiative to build the internal array toward the central position.
This fearless effort made Xue Mu and the others feel ashamed, and they could only follow behind and work selflessly.
In this way, time reached the anchoring point of 35 years.
One day, while Li Fan was concentrating on constructing the array units, he suddenly trembled, and an extremely rare failure occurred in his formation.
The guards and fellow practitioners were all looking at Li Fan with some surprise. Such an incident had never happened since they followed him.
It was worth noting that Master Li was now ranked in the top ten in the Great Comparison Tournament, known for his efficient and precise formations.
Many array masters who came from afar to observe couldn't help but feel self-deprecating admiration.
Could it be that, after years of exhaustion, his body was finally breaking down?
People exchanged glances, full of worry.
However, after a short while, the spiritual energy fluctuations emanating from Li Fan made them pleasantly surprised.
"Master Li, have you improved your cultivation and advanced further?" He Chen couldn't help asking.
Li Fan, calming the surging feedback of his cultivation that had suddenly emerged, nodded slightly.
Seeing Li Fan admitting it personally, He Chen and the others were inexplicably puzzled.
Working tirelessly in such a harsh environment, practicing little to none for several years.
Moreover, he was approaching the end of his life.
Chapter 368: Blood Condenses the Dao Path
Various unfavorable factors accumulated, yet Master Li surprisingly made a breakthrough?
This completely overturned their understanding.
Could it be that this was the legendary auspicious omen for a good person?
Li Fan had no time to care about the thoughts of the practitioners around him. He was trying to use the formless killing intent to check the situation with Su Xiaomei and Zhang Haobo.
Because this had caused a significant increase in his cultivation progress, it was feedback cultivation from the two who had disappeared from the ruins of the Chaoyuan Sect for almost ten years.
"In these ten years, they seemed to have completely disappeared from this world, not a bit of feedback."
"Ten years later, their sudden appearance gave me a big surprise."
Since Li Fan started practicing the "Sitting Mountain Secret" technique, this was his most significant gain.
It far exceeded the feedback limit that a Golden Core cultivator could bring.
Li Fan estimated that Su Xiaomei and Zhang Haobo had probably both stepped into the Nascent Soul realm.
"Interesting. Even with their talents, it's too exaggerated to go from Foundation Building perfection to Nascent Soul in ten years."
"Moreover, where did they get the cultivation techniques and Dao territories?"
"It seems that they have gained a lot in the Chaoyuan Sect."
Perhaps because of the distance between the deep fog and the Jiushan Province, even with the help of the Spirit Shocking God Array left to them, they couldn't sense the situation over there for a while.
Instead, the White Bone Pioneer Realm, which had not seen any visitors for a long time, unexpectedly welcomed guests.
As the master of the White Bone Pioneer Realm, Li Fan felt something.
He signaled everyone to take a temporary rest and returned to the Jiaxu Base. Entering the secret room, he performed a ceremony.
By the time he entered, there were no traces of the visitors in the Pioneer Realm.
However, based on the remaining aura, the visitor was undoubtedly Su Xiaomei.
Li Fan quickly noticed a pile of strange objects placed where the "skull" ancestor was supposed to be dormant, recalling the instructions he had received before.
Thinking of this, Li Fan's heart skipped a beat.
He approached, picked up one of the peculiar items, and carefully examined it.
"Detected chargeable item, would you like to absorb?"
The timely prompt appeared, and after Li Fan chose to absorb it, the anchoring charging progress flickered slightly.
But in the end, there was no change.
"Heaven and Earth treasures?"
Li Fan looked at the seemingly broken "junk" in front of him with a strange expression.
"All damaged Heaven and Earth treasures released from the bodies of deceased cultivators."
As for the quantity...
Li Fan counted them slightly and was suddenly startled.
Three thousand seven hundred and sixty-two items.
Undoubtedly, these were all obtained by Su Xiaomei from the Chaoyuan Sect ruins.
Li Fan picked up another item and observed it carefully.
Unlike ancient artifacts that had existed for a long time, these seemed to have just been taken out of a deceased cultivator. There was even a faint smell of blood lingering.
"Cultivation techniques, Dao territories, and so many Heaven and Earth treasures..."
"What happened to Shuofeng, Su Xiaomei, and the others in the Chaoyuan Sect ruins?"
Even with countless doubts in his mind, Li Fan did not delay the action of absorbing the Heaven and Earth treasures.
After absorbing thirteen treasures in a row, the anchoring charging progress finally flickered.
It changed from 2% to 3%.
(End of this chapter)
Chapter 369: Unveiling the Chaoyuan Sect
"It seems that it's not that Heaven and Earth treasures cannot increase the charging progress; it's just that the effect is too weak."
"More than ten can only increase by 1%."
"However, with this many now, I should be able to unlock another anchor point."
Li Fan felt a slight joy in his heart and continued his actions.
After a while, all three thousand seven hundred and sixty-two damaged Heaven and Earth treasures were absorbed.
The number of anchor points on Li Fan's "Still True" panel increased to 4.
The anchoring charging progress returned to 0%.
"It's a pity..."
As the charging progress continued to increase, the number of required treasures gradually grew.
From needing more than ten for 1%, it later became twenty, thirty, and so on.
Until unlocking the fifth anchor point, Li Fan absorbed all the remaining damaged treasures in one go but couldn't increase the progress by even 1%.
"It seems that higher-level items are needed to unlock the fifth anchor point." Li Fan thought to himself.
Li Fan had early speculations about the items needed next.
Heaven and Earth treasures were a gathering of the laws of Heaven and Earth. Damaged treasures or even the extraordinary things from common people couldn't satisfy Still True's appetite now.
So, it was obvious that substitutes of higher grade were needed.
Either treasures from the Earth or the Heavens, or perhaps he could try absorbing the Golden Cores condensed by cultivators.
For Earth treasures, he might try absorbing the Canghai Pearls next time.
Heavens treasures were too rare and were not within consideration.
Li Fan had previously attempted to buy some "Golden Core Fragments," but Still True was indifferent to these damaged items.
There were no complete Golden Cores available for sale in the Heavenly Mirror.
In short, Li Fan shouldn't expect to unlock additional anchor points in the short term.
"The fourth anchor point must be used in a crucial place."
After pondering for a while, Li Fan walked out of the secret room.
Instead of immediately returning to work, he first used the Tianxuan Mirror in the base to search for information about the Chaoyuan Sect ruins.
Currently, there were not many people discussing it, but there was a growing trend of causing a huge sensation.
Not long ago, in the Chaoyuan Sect ruins that had almost been ignored for several years, sudden anomalies occurred.
Blood rain fell from the sky, and the occasional virtual shadows that appeared and hovered started showing terrifying changes.
From the outside, these were originally normal images of ancient people from thousands of years ago.
In a certain moment, they suddenly flashed, turning into a horrifying appearance with disappearing facial features and continuously oozing blood on their pale faces.
It only lasted for a few breaths, then returned to normal, making people think it was an illusion.
However, observant cultivators found that the changes in the virtual shadows became more frequent.
And the duration of each faceless bloodstained appearance kept increasing.
If this was not enough, another fact terrified the few practitioners guarding outside the Chaoyuan Sect.
The territory of the Chaoyuan Sect ruins unexpectedly showed signs of expanding outward.
Externally, the appearance of the ruins seemed unchanged, but it seemed to be eroding the space outside unnoticed.
It should be noted that being within the Chaoyuan Sect's range might assimilate one into a virtual shadow.
If this mysterious ruin continued to expand...
Sensing the danger, the cultivators quickly reported to the Wanxian Alliance.
What took everyone by surprise was that before the cultivators dispatched by the Wanxian Alliance arrived, a sword light emerged from within the Chaoyuan Sect ruins.
The entire sky seemed to be illuminated, even the Tianxuan Locking Spirit Array that covered the Jiushan Province was faintly disturbed by this peerless sword light.
Ripples appeared in the sky.
After the sword light dissipated, when everyone reopened their eyes, they were astonished to find the eerie Chaoyuan Sect ruins.
Chapter 369: Sword Breaking the Chaoyuan Sect
Unexpectedly, it gradually crumbled and became ethereal.
In just half a day, when the special envoy from the Wanxian Alliance arrived late, the Chaoyuan Sect ruins completely disappeared.
However, three figures, two men and a woman, appeared out of thin air, flying out from the depths of the ruins.
The special envoy from the Wanxian Alliance naturally tried to stop them and inquire about the situation.
Unexpectedly, when they heard the envoy's introduction, one of the men and the girl, who looked no more than a teenager, changed their expressions.
Without saying a word, they turned and ran.
Both of them were in the Yuanying stage, and their flight speed was extremely fast.
The special envoy wanted to intercept them but was blocked by the remaining male cultivator.
Whatever he said, although the envoy's expression was extremely ugly, surprisingly, he didn't pursue.
Afterward, the two talked for a while and disappeared from the sight of the onlookers.
They left behind a confused crowd and the swamp, which had returned to its usual appearance.
After these people communicated with each other, they suddenly remembered.
The three cultivators who flew out of the ruins were none other than the ones who had intruded into the Chaoyuan Sect ten years ago.
One of them was particularly well-known.
The biological son of the Feixue Immortal Venerable, who called himself "I Am Invincible," Shuofeng.
However, compared to him, cultivators were more interested in the other two unidentified individuals.
These two were only at the Foundation Establishment stage ten years ago, but after entering the Chaoyuan Sect, they had become Yuanying cultivators!
Indeed, there were great opportunities in the Chaoyuan Sect ruins!
Cultivators who had been lurking around the Chaoyuan Sect for more than ten years, hesitant to enter, now regretted their decisions.
At the same time, they became increasingly curious about what happened inside the Chaoyuan Sect ruins.
Unfortunately, the identities of those two cultivators were mysterious, and no one knew them.
However, being able to join forces with the usually aloof Shuofeng indicated that their identities were not simple.
This was the speculation of the cultivators.
...
"The sword light that cut through the Chaoyuan Sect should be Shuofeng's magical technique."
Recalling the seemingly ordinary wooden sword Shuofeng had back then, Li Fan thought to himself.
"It seems that not only Su Xiaomei and others but also this 'I Am Invincible' gained a lot in the ruins."
"Unfortunately, now that they are in the Yuanying stage, any attempts to disguise might be exposed."
"Otherwise, I could use the voice of 'Senior Skull' to inquire."
"Well, Xiao Heng is still in the Golden Core stage. Perhaps I have a chance to get some information from him."
Solving the doubts in his mind for the time being, Li Fan immersed himself in the hard work again.
Before leaving, Li Fan habitually glanced at the Great Comparison Gold List and couldn't help but feel a twitch in his eyelids.
In just this short delay, his ranking had slipped from ninth to fifteenth.
"Why bother so much?"
Li Fan shook his head slightly and reassembled the resting cultivators.
They resumed the high-intensity work of constructing the array.
One year later, anchored at 36 years.
With the successful convergence of numerous array units, the internal structure of the Locking Spirit Array was completed.
Next was the construction of the crucial central core area.
(End of this chapter)
Chapter 370: Intense Competition for Rankings
"Let me oversee the construction of the core area?"
Inside the Jiaxu base, Li Fan looked at the sudden visitors, including Xue Mu, with a slight surprise.
After a moment of consideration, he decisively declined.
"I'm not being modest. During the assessment at the Langhuan Academy, my affinity with the Tianxuan Mirror was just average," Li Fan said. "Xue Mu can vouch for that."
"I appreciate your kindness, but my abilities are limited. I can't take on such a heavy responsibility," Li Fan continued. "Senior Jiang's proficiency in array techniques far surpasses mine. I see no one more suitable than him."
Li Fan spoke sincerely.
Jiang Qigui, an infant-stage array master, looked at the surrounding cultivators with some unfriendly looks and quickly responded, "Li Fan, you're just joking. Your contributions are evident to everyone. How could I dare..."
Before he could finish, Li Fan interrupted with a smile, "Senior Jiang, don't misunderstand. Everything I said is sincere."
"As we all know, the final construction process of the Tianxuan Locking Spirit Array requires communication with the central array hub for continuous debugging in the future."
"This is not my expertise, and I'm not deliberately refusing."
Looking at Jiang Qigui, who seemed hesitant, Li Fan added, "I understand your concerns, Senior Jiang. The construction of the outer and inner arrays requires a lot of effort with relatively less contribution."
"However, the central core area, which doesn't require much effort, offers comparatively more contributions. Taking over the management now might seem like plucking peaches forcibly. Are you afraid of being criticized in the future?"
Seeing that Li Fan openly expressed his thoughts, Jiang Qigui blushed slightly.
Just as he was about to explain, Li Fan continued, "Let everyone know that I am already halfway into the soil."
"As for the ranking on the Gold List, I don't care at all."
"The only thing I hope for is to make more contributions before I fall. I'm only considering the most efficient way of constructing arrays."
"So, Senior Jiang, there's no need to decline."
"For such an important task, who else but you?"
After saying this, Li Fan looked around to express his sincerity.
After hearing Li Fan's heartfelt words, Jiang Qigui's face turned red.
Taking a deep breath, he bowed deeply to Li Fan.
"In that case, I won't be polite anymore!"
"I will definitely live up to your expectations."
Jiang Qigui said solemnly.
Li Fan shook his hands, sincerely saying, "Next, I will trouble you, Senior."
Three days later, accompanied by two black-robed cultivators, Huangfu Song arrived at the Jiaxu base.
This visit was prompted by Li Fan's message, conveying the Tianxuan Mirror, also known as the central array hub.
"Respectful greetings to Senior Huangfu!" Li Fan saluted.
"You little rascal..." The chubby Huangfu Song looked at Li Fan with a complicated expression.
"Well done!" He patted Li Fan on the shoulder, not saying much.
Taking out a damaged jade talisman, Huangfu Song turned around and completed its assembly with the jade talismans in the hands of the two black-robed cultivators.
In the unfolding light screen, countless characters cascaded like a waterfall.
A barely noticeable ripple emanated from the light screen, sweeping through the surroundings.
It seemed to be conducting identity verification. After a moment, the ripple retracted, revealing a quaint and delicate bronze mirror in the light screen.
The characters flowed into the mirror, and the light screen disappeared without a trace.
Only the bronze mirror remained, floating in mid-air, emitting a tranquil and profound light.
Huangfu Song's expression became solemn as he consecutively performed hand seals.
Pointing towards outside the base, he directed his finger at the center of the devouring elemental white mist.
Ripples spread across the misty sea, as if there was some kind of resonance deep within the white mist.
Li Fan squinted slightly; that should be the core area position designed for the construction of the Tianxuan Locking Spirit Array.
As expected, after a moment, a green light tore through the white mist.
Straight toward the Jiaxu base below.
Directly at the suspended bronze mirror.
The faint green light was completely absorbed by the bronze mirror.
The surrounding green light slowly retracted and disappeared.
In the end, when there was no trace of mysterious energy around the bronze mirror, it looked like the most ordinary object.
Huangfu Song finally breathed a sigh of relief, took out a square, crimson wooden box from his bosom, and stored the bronze mirror inside.
However, after the bronze mirror entered the wooden box, the previously tangible box transformed into a red shadow in front of everyone's eyes.
Then, it gathered towards the center, turned into a red light dot, and flew to Huangfu Song's forehead, settling down.
Without explaining the meaning of the just-completed process, Huangfu Song said to everyone in a deep voice, "Until the central array hub is securely placed, I will be in charge."
"Jiang Qigui, how long do you all estimate this process will take?"
Without hesitation, Jiang Qigui replied, "Within seven days, with everyone's combined effort, it can be completed."
Huangfu Song nodded slowly, "No time to waste. After the completion of this formation, I still have to rush to other places."
After saying that, he looked at Li Fan, and his expression eased a bit, "Thanks to the hard work of Li Fan, the progress of constructing this formation here is already the fastest batch."
"As far as I know, the current top-ranked Tianchen State has not yet completed the entire formation. They should still be in the process of constructing the central core area."
"If you all put in more effort, you might be able to surpass them..."
Just as Huangfu Song was encouraging everyone, a shocked cry came from outside the conference room, precisely from the position of the Tianxuan Mirror.
"What's going on? Why did the first-place suddenly gain so many points?"
"Now the gap with the second-place has completely widened!"
As these words reached the ears of the cultivators present, the gazes directed at Huangfu Song became somewhat strange.
"Heh... just a step too slow. But you guys still have a chance to compete for second place," Huangfu Song said nonchalantly.
"Alright, no time to waste, let's move quickly." He instructed.
Just as everyone was preparing to go to the central area of the array to complete the final tasks, another exclamation caught their attention.
"Hey? Look, Guo Yezhong, who has been consistently at the last position, is moving!"
"Indeed, although his points are pitifully low and he's still at the very bottom, at least he has finally started working."
...
Li Fan exchanged glances with Xue Mu and Jiang Qigui.
They all felt something was a bit odd.
Guo Yezhong gaining points seemed to coincide with the completion of the first Tianxuan Locking Spirit Array. Was there any connection between them?
Li Fan looked at Huangfu Song, seeking answers.
The chubby man just shrugged, looking like he absolutely had no knowledge of what was happening.
(End of this chapter)
