Chapter 522: Chapter 494: Mysterious Heaven Locks Down the Ghosts
The orders came from the Administrative Hall Headquarters of the Immortal Alliance, attached with the acting orders of Master Li and detailed information regarding the handover of responsibilities, leaving no room for deception.
The official reason was that after the event of “Raid on the Ten Thousand Immortals Island”, Li Fan held the highest rank among the surviving cultivators of the Alliance within the Misthaven Ocean.
Zi Yun and Hongxi, the two God Transforming Immortal Monarchs, were unable to return, so it was natural for the role of the acting Master to fall onto Li Fan.
However, Li Fan was devoid of any joy that one would feel when a windfall landed upon them.
After carefully reading the handover instructions, he furrowed his brows.
Although the Acting Executor of Martial Arts Battle Hall was only a nominal position, it indeed was a position that could only be held by cultivators above the Nascent Soul level in terms of its rank.
The rank was not low.
This wasn’t the problem. But why did they specifically select him, Li Fan, for such a “heavy responsibility” among the cultivators of the same rank throughout the vast Misthaven Ocean, who weren’t abducted by the Five Elders Organization?
In his current life, he did not have any concealed positions of power.
Was it a test, a warning, or was it appeasement?
Li Fan was clueless.
However, since the command had already been given, overthinking was useless. He’d face defenses against the soldiers and dirt to cover the water!
A cold glint flashed through Li Fan’s eyes as he flew towards the Misthaven Ocean.
Upon his arrival at the edge of Shilin State, nearing the Misthaven Ocean, he once again encountered the invisible shield’s obstruction.
Li Fan took out the Communication Talisman, activated it by injecting Spiritual Energy.
A radiant “ten thousand” symbol shone, shooting towards the barrier in front of him.
A ripple spread out, Li Fan extended his right hand. It seemed as if there was an invisible layer of matter clinging on his arm, changing shape as he further stretched it forward.
Eventually, it felt like a sticky bubble that was punctured. Musing, Li Fan then charged his entire body at the invisible barrier.
The next moment, Li Fan himself had already returned within the Misthaven Ocean.
Following the location recorded in the handover instructions, Li Fan accelerated to full speed, and reached his destination after four days.
A remarkably familiar gigantic Dustcrosser Boat was quietly anchored in the sky.
On the ship deck, the figures of many black-clothed cultivators could vaguely be seen.
After pondering for a moment, Li Fan flew towards the Dustcrosser Boat.
As if they were already aware of Li Fan’s arrival, the black-clothed cultivators coming and going did not attempt to block him.
“Fellow Daoist Li Fan, come over here!” The moment he stepped onto the deck, a voice came from inside the Dustcrosser Boat.
Li Fan walked in the direction of the voice, subtly observing the black-clothed cultivators around him.
A familiar sense of coldness and killing intent.
It must be them, those whose Divine Souls belonged to the [Era], specifically dealing with special tasks.
The predecessors to the [Astralmancers] who had appeared after the establishment of the celestials network in his previous life.
Not wanting to invite trouble for now, Li Fan simply made it seem like he was casting a casual glance, retraced his gaze, and continued to move forward.
Shortly after, he arrived at a room deep within the corridor and pushed the door open.
A white-haired young man was sitting at the head of a lengthy table, his face solemn.
On the table, many characters and images were rapidly flashing by.
It seemed to contain a feature preventing outsiders from spying, what Li Fan saw was all distorted and blurry.
“Master Li, you’ve received the appointment letter too, so I won’t reiterate,” the white-haired youth said casually, his gaze never leaving the table, he continued speaking, “Allow me to emphasize three points.
“First, the reconstruction work must be completed within six months.”
“Second, the projected budget for this project is limited, you need to strictly control the overall expenditure. If the actual expenditure exceeds the approved limit, hindering the progress of the construction, you’re required to bear the corresponding responsibility. Of course, if you can complete the task on time, it’ll naturally be a great contribution and the rewards will certainly not be lacking!”
“The third point, and the most important one…”
At this point, the white-haired youth finally raised his head, looking straight at Li Fan.
Li Fan felt a jolt in his heart as he found that the white-haired youth’s eye sockets were completely empty, filled with nothing but darkness.
“There’s no official written explanation in the Spirit symbol appointment letter. I won’t acknowledge that I said these words either once you step out of this room. However, it is indeed something you must do. If there are any lapses…”
The white-haired youth let out a cold snort, lightly tapping the table with his finger.
A beam of light shot out of the table, flying straight towards Li Fan.
Li Fan reached out to block it, at the moment when the beam of light made contact with his body, it disappeared without a trace.
Simultaneously, some information appeared in his Spirit Consciousness.
“This is…”
Li Fan furrowed his brows slightly.
“The Array Diagram of [Xuan Tian Ghost Binding Array].” Seeing Li Fan’s confusion, the white-haired youth explained.
“The [Gateway to the Shadow Realm] was exposed when the Ten Thousand Immortals Island was moved. While building the new Misthaven Elysian City, you need to engrave the Xuan Tian Ghost Binding Array on the base of the Immortal City.”
“If you have the Array Diagram as a guidance, you don’t need to be exceptionally proficient at the Array Technique, as long as you have some knowledge about it. You are an ancient cultivator; this should not be a problem for you.” Before Li Fan had the chance to refuse, the white-haired youth spoke up.
“How should I address you?” Li Fan asked calmly without accepting the role, his brows knitted slightly.
After giving Li Fan a lingering stare with his eerie eyes, the white-haired youth finally said, “The First Jinglun.”
Li Fan’s gaze slightly hardened.
This was a name he had heard of before.
In his cultivation journey of three years, he became a mortal who formed a Golden Core. He defeated the Nascent Soul with a Gold Core, winning over the God Transformation.
Decades ago, he was already at the Peak of God Transformation, but he gave up on the golden opportunity of reaching Unity-Path. All because the Essence of Heaven and Earth was too weak which fell short of his expectation.
This was the Prince Jinglun, the subject of various legends circulating within the cultivators.
Li Fan had long heard of the name and didn’t expect that he’d meet him today.
However, Li Fan was an experienced individual, his expression didn’t falter as he maintained a neither humble nor arrogant attitude and said with a cupped fist, “So it’s Prince Jinglun in person!”
“Although it’s an order from the Administrative Hall of Immortal Alliance Headquarters, I’m blindly made to assume the role of acting Master and have to arrange something like a Xuan Tian Ghost Binding Array…”
“I beg to disobey!”
Li Fan declared firmly.
The First Jinglun couldn’t help but frown.
Despite feeling the gradually heavy surroundings, Li Fan’s face remained unchanged.
He continued saying, “There are too many suspicious factors in this matter, giving off a sense of conspiracy at every corner. Who can guarantee that the Immortal Alliance wouldn’t kill the donkey after the milling is done?”
Upon hearing this, The First Jinglun was taken aback.
He slightly smiled, retracting his intimidation.
“So that’s what you’re worried about…”
“There’s no need for such concerns.”
Prince Jinglun stood up and walked towards the edge of the room.
With his movement, the entire ship wall became transparent all of a sudden.
It felt like standing on a cloud, the vast Misthaven Ocean appeared in front of them.
“Master Li who hails from ancient times may not know that since the Great Calamity, a being known as the [Mysterious] has been born in various parts of the world,” Prince Jinglun slowly said.
“And especially in a few areas, its emergence has been the most frequent and concentrated.”
