Due to their joint responsibility for collecting Dao resonance artifacts, Su Xiaomei, Yin Yueting, and Yin Yuzhen became very close. Additionally, Su Xiaomei had limited contact with outsiders since childhood, except for Xiao Heng and Su Changyu, so the two years of close companionship cultivated some feelings between them.
Under Su Xiaomei’s encouragement, Yin Yueting and her sister also began practicing the “Cleansing Heart Mantra,” attempting to eliminate the miasma in their bodies and embark on the path of immortality. However, their cultivation progress was slower than Su Changyu’s.
Observing from the sidelines, Li Fan did not reveal himself. Once he confirmed that there were no unexpected situations, he returned to the Ten Thousand Immortals Island.
Returning the Formation Crown to Zhang Zhiliang, Li Fan immersed himself once again in the study of formations. At this time, it was the 22nd year, and he had set a time limit of six years for himself.
In the previous life, when he emerged from seclusion in the 31st year, the destruction of the sea had already begun. In the 30th year, he even went to Ten Thousand Immortals Island and submitted the Tai’an Fruit.
So, the appearance of the Crimson Flame should be between the 30th and 31st years. However, with the unstable factor of Zhang Haobo in this life, Li Fan decided to leave no later than the 28th year, just to be safe.
Before that, he needed to make the most of his time to learn formations. After arriving in the unfamiliar Yuandao Prefecture, it would be challenging to find a formation master to teach him once more.
Time was running out, and Li Fan became even more diligent. Immersed in the study of formations, he worked tirelessly without rest. Even Zhang Zhiliang’s well-intentioned advice to take a break was firmly refused.
Over the years, the apprentices around Zhang Zhiliang changed repeatedly. However, none of them were as focused and unwavering as Li Fan.
As time passed, four years flew by in the blink of an eye. The time came to the 26th year, and Li Fan, who was reading formations, was slightly stunned. His clone, Fan Lin, who had been in seclusion for so long to derive new techniques, had run out of contribution points and was forced to leave seclusion.
The result of the equivalent of two hundred and seventy years of comprehension was not bad but not excellent either. Creating a technique from scratch was extremely difficult, even if it was just a modification of an existing technique.
Out of the two techniques, only one was derived, and the progress of the other was only halfway complete. Li Fan estimated that it would take about thirty more years to complete.
On average, it would take him about one hundred and fifty years to derive a new technique at the Foundation Establishment stage. No wonder the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance and the Five Elders Association could monopolize techniques. Li Fan couldn’t help but sigh at the overwhelming cost compared to the benefits.
Li Fan examined the new technique he had comprehended: “Spirit Intent Illusion Technique.” It was a synthesis of the “Netherworld Spirit Illusion Technique” and the insights into sword intent foundation from Zhang Haobo. With this technique, the Azure Flame Illusionary Spirit would further grow.
As for the new movement technique based on the “Stalking Shadow Technique,” it had not been derived yet.
Not intending to cultivate it for the time being, Li Fan continued to seize the remaining time to improve his understanding of formations.
The clone, Fan Lin, continued to perform some errands on Ten Thousand Immortals Island, accumulating contribution points to sustain himself in the Tianxuan Mirror. While doing so, he tried to gather information about the events of the past few years.
However, he did not find any useful information. Since the 22nd year, the entire Cong Yun Sea had fallen into a strange calm, as if something was brewing.
The river of time continued to rush forward. In the blink of an eye, it reached the 28th year.
Li Fan’s planned time to leave the Cong Yun Sea had arrived, just when he was thinking of finding an excuse to bid farewell to Zhang Zhiliang.
However, Zhang Zhiliang took him to a secluded space.
In the distance, a dazzling galaxy shone. Li Fan, who had been studying formations for nearly ten years, could vaguely discern traces of a slowly operating large formation.
“I have a matter that requires you to handle for me.” Zhang Zhiliang looked at Li Fan with a serious expression, his words exceptionally forceful, leaving no room for Li Fan to refuse.
“You will go to Tianyu Prefecture for me. That’s where the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance headquarters is located. Once you arrive, open this object, and you’ll naturally know what to do next.”
Li Fan was momentarily stunned, then took the item handed to him by Zhang Zhiliang. It was a small rectangular black box, smooth and dark on the surface, engraved with a sealing formation.
“With this item, you won’t be able to use teleportation formations. You need to fly all the way to Tianyu Prefecture. The journey is long, and with your speed, it will likely take two or three years to get there. While on the way, don’t idle. Crack the sealing formation on this. I believe that with your current level of formation mastery, by the time you reach Tianyu Prefecture, the seal will naturally be lifted.”
At first, Li Fan didn’t understand the mysterious and ingenious nature of Zhang Zhiliang’s task. However, after hearing his series of requests, he understood.
Silently putting away the small black box and without asking about compensation, Li Fan prepared to take his leave. Before departing, he asked, “Master Zhang, aren’t you leaving?”
Zhang Zhiliang was momentarily surprised, then carefully reevaluated Li Fan. His eyes filled with approval, and he said, “Leave? In the vastness of heaven and earth, where else can I go? You go!”
Li Fan respectfully bowed, said nothing more, and left the Formation Hall.
“I hope I haven’t misjudged him.” Zhang Zhiliang sighed, watching Li Fan disappear in the distance.
…
On the Transmission Square, the black box stored in the storage ring, Li Fan attempted to use the teleportation formation. Unsurprisingly, it still worked.
It seemed that the task assigned by Zhang Zhiliang was just an excuse to send Li Fan far away from the Cong Yun Sea. The reason for saying he couldn’t use teleportation formations was to prevent Li Fan from returning quickly.
Watching the cultivators of the Cong Yun Sea who came and went hastily in front of the transmission formation, Li Fan understood it was time.
Using a Communication Talisman, he contacted Su Xiaomei and asked her and the others to wait on Night Island.
Then, using the teleportation formation, he arrived at Liuli Island, planning to leave with Su Xiaomei and the others.
Unexpectedly, just as he stepped out of the teleportation formation, he was stopped by the guardian of Liuli Island, Yuwen Xing.
“I have a good job here. I don’t know if you’re interested?” Yuwen Xing looked at Li Fan warmly.
“Oh? I don’t know what the job is.” Li Fan politely asked but didn’t take it to heart. Regardless of what Yuwen Xing said, he would definitely refuse.
“The guardian of Tai’an Island and I have a good relationship. Currently, he is facing a bottleneck in his cultivation and wants to go out to seek opportunities. However, due to his responsibilities, he can’t leave without authorization. So, he asked me if I could recommend a suitable person.”
“Coincidentally, I ran into you.”
Yuwen Xing said with a smile.
Li Fan only needed to hear one sentence to know something was wrong. When Yuwen Xing finished speaking, his face turned dark.
“No, no. I have been entrusted by someone else with a task and need to go out for a trip. I really can’t spare the time.”
“Please ask someone else!” Li Fan bluntly refused with his hands cupped.