Chapter 142: Escape from the Clouds

Because they were jointly responsible for collecting ancient Dao Rhyme artifacts, Su Xiaomei and Yin Yueting became very close.

Furthermore, Su Xiaomei, having grown up, had never really interacted with outsiders apart from Xiao Heng and Su Changyu.

Thus, two years of constant companionship had fostered some genuine affection.

At Su Xiaomei's urging, the Yin Yueting sisters also began cultivating the Xuanhuang Clear Heart Mantra, attempting to dispel the miasma within their bodies and embark on the path of immortality.

However, their cultivation was even more difficult than Su Changyu's.

But they approached it with a normal mindset, so while slow, their progress was steadily increasing.

Li Fan merely observed from a distance, not revealing himself.

After confirming there were no unexpected situations, Li Fan returned to Wanxian Island.

Handing the Array Crown back to Zhang Zhiliang, Li Fan once again immersed himself in the study of Formations.

It was now Anchoring Year 22, and he had set himself a six-year timeframe.

In his previous life, when he emerged from seclusion in Anchoring Year 31, the Crimson Flame Burning Sea had already begun.

And in Anchoring Year 30, he had even visited Wanxian Island to hand over tai an fruit.

So the appearance of Crimson Flame should have been between Anchoring Year 30 and Anchoring Year 31.

But in this life, there was the unstable factor of Zhang Haobo.

To be safe, Li Fan decided he must leave by Anchoring Year 28 at the latest.

Before then, he still needed to seize all available time to study Formations.

After all, once this village is passed, there won't be another shop like it.

After arriving in the unfamiliar Source Dao Province, where else could he find a Great Master of Formations to personally teach him?

Time was pressing, and Li Fan became even more diligent.

He immersed himself in the study of the Dao of Formations, without a moment's rest.

Even Zhang Zhiliang's polite suggestion for him to rest for a while was righteously refused by him.

Over several years, the Formation apprentices around Zhang Zhiliang came and went.

But no one else, like Li Fan, remained so focused and consistent.

Zhang Zhiliang's gaze towards Li Fan also grew softer.

Time flowed by, and four years passed in a blink.

The time had arrived at Anchoring Year 26.

Li Fan, who was currently studying Formations, paused slightly.

It was because his Clone, Lin Fan, who had been in seclusion deducing Cultivation Techniques, had run out of contribution points and was forced to emerge.

Equivalent to two hundred and seventy years of comprehension, the result was not great, but not bad either.

Creating a Cultivation Technique from scratch was truly too difficult; even if it wasn't creating something out of nothing, but merely adapting existing Cultivation Techniques, it was still incredibly challenging.

Of the two Cultivation Techniques, he only managed to deduce one.

The progress of the remaining one was only largely completed.

Li Fan estimated that it would take another thirty years to finish.

On average, it would take him about one hundred and fifty years to deduce a New Law.

And this was only for Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivation Techniques.

No wonder the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance and the Five Old Men Association could monopolize Cultivation Techniques.

Li Fan couldn't help but sigh with emotion.

It was truly not worth the effort; the cost far outweighed the benefits.

Li Fan examined the new Cultivation Technique he had comprehended.

The Intent Spirit Illusion Art.

It was deduced by him, combining the Netherworld Spirit Illusion Art and Zhang Haobo's insights into Sword Intent Foundation Establishment.

With this Cultivation Technique, the Blue Flame Phantom Spirit would achieve further growth.

As for the new movement technique based on the Shadowless Movement Art, it had not yet been deduced.

For now, he did not cultivate it; Li Fan still seized the remaining time to improve his understanding of Formations as much as possible.

His Clone, Lin Fan, on the other hand, performed odd jobs on Wanxian Island to accumulate some contribution points, maintaining his needs for survival in the Heavenly Mystery Realm.

At the same time, he inquired about events that had occurred in recent years.

But he didn't uncover any useful information.

Since Anchoring Year 22, the entire Congyun Sea had fallen into an eerie calm.

As if something was brewing.

The river of time continued to surge forward.

In a flash, it arrived at Anchoring Year 28.

The time Li Fan had planned to withdraw from the Congyun Sea had come, and just as he was about to find an excuse to bid farewell to Zhang Zhiliang.

He was instead led by Zhang Zhiliang into a confined space.

In the distance was a dazzling galaxy, and Li Fan, who had been studying Formations for nearly ten years, could vaguely discern the traces of a slowly operating grand Formation.

"I have something I need you to do for me." Zhang Zhiliang looked at Li Fan, his expression serious.

His words were unusually firm, giving Li Fan no chance to refuse.

"You will make a trip to Tian Yu State for me. That is where the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance Headquarters is located."

"Once you arrive there, open this item, and you will naturally know what to do next."

Li Fan was slightly stunned, taking the item Zhang Zhiliang handed over.

It was a small rectangular black box, smooth and dark on the outside.

A Formation was inscribed on it, serving as a Seal.

"When carrying this item, you cannot use teleportation Formations. You will need to fly all the way there."

"Tian Yu State is a long journey; at your speed, it will probably take two to three years to get there. While traveling, don't be idle."

"Break the Seal Formation on it. I believe with your current level in the Dao of Formations, by the time you reach Tian Yu State, this Seal will naturally be undone."

Li Fan initially didn't understand what Zhang Zhiliang's inexplicable task was all about.

However, after listening to his series of requests, he understood.

He quietly put away the small black box, didn't ask about compensation, and prepared to take his leave.

Just before leaving, Li Fan still asked, "Great Master Zhang, aren't you leaving?"

Zhang Zhiliang was startled, then carefully re-examined Li Fan.

His eyes were filled with approval: "Leave? The world is vast, but where can one truly go?"

"You may go!"

Li Fan respectfully bowed, said nothing more, and left Ce Zhen Hall.

"I hope I haven't misjudged him." Zhang Zhiliang sighed, looking in the direction Li Fan disappeared.

…

On Dharma Transmission Plaza, with the black box stored in his storage ring, Li Fan tried it out.

The teleportation Formation could still be used.

It seemed that the task Zhang Zhiliang had assigned was merely an excuse to send Li Fan away, to make him flee far from the Congyun Sea.

The reason he said the teleportation Formation couldn't be used was probably out of fear that Li Fan would return quickly.

Looking at the Cultivators of Congyun Sea bustling to and fro before the Immortal Venerable of Dharma Transmission statue, Li Fan understood in his heart.

It was time.

He contacted Su Xiaomei with a communication talisman.

He told her and the others to wait on Nightfall Island.

He then used the teleportation Formation to arrive at Liuli Island.

He planned to take Su Xiaomei and the others with him when he left.

However, as soon as he exited the teleportation Formation, he was stopped by Yuwen Xing, the Town Guardian of Liuli Island.

"I have a good assignment here, Fellow Daoist, are you interested?" Yuwen Xing looked at Li Fan enthusiastically.

"Oh? What kind of assignment is it?" Li Fan asked politely, not taking it seriously.

No matter what Yuwen Xing said, he would definitely refuse.

"The Town Guardian of Taian Island and I are on good terms. He is currently facing a cultivation Bottleneck and wants to go out to seek Opportunity."

"However, he is bound by his duties and cannot leave without permission. So he asked me if I could recommend a suitable person."

"And coincidentally, I met you."

Yuwen Xing said with a smile.

Li Fan only heard one sentence before he knew something was off.

When Yuwen Xing finished speaking, his face darkened even more.

"Again?"

"No, no. I am entrusted by someone and need to go out. I really can't spare the time."

"Fellow Daoist, please find someone else!" Li Fan cupped his hands and refused without hesitation.