Chapter 371: The Lock Spirit Array Takes Initial Form

Huangfu Song clearly had no intention of answering, leaving Li Fan and the others with no recourse.

However, it was merely curiosity; they didn't press the matter further.

They clustered together and walked towards the predetermined central area of the Lock Spirit Array.

The final division of labor had long since been decided.

Xue Mu was responsible for inspecting and repairing the already constructed Formation units, while Daoist Friend Jiang was in charge of installing and calibrating the Formation hub.

Li Fan, positioned in the middle, waited for the right moment to act.

Whichever side needed assistance, he would head there.

Daoist Friend Jiang's proficiency in Formations was still trustworthy.

As for Xue Mu, he had always been diligent and conscientious, rarely making mistakes.

Add to that Li Fan acting as a flexible backup.

With all three working in concert, they were two days ahead of the original schedule; the Tianxuan Locking Spirit Array meant to envelop the Chizha Abyss was nearly complete.

Out of caution, the group chose a low point following the eruption of a Demon Sound tide to carry out the final steps.

After confirming everything was in order…

…the Tianxuan Formation hub flew out from Huangfu Song's forehead, transforming into a flickering red phantom.

Daoist Friend Jiang's expression turned extremely grave as he guided the Formation hub into the fully prepared core Formation.

There was no repeat of the phenomenon Li Fan had observed during testing, where the hub had been unresponsive.

The red phantom cooperated fully, flying into the layers of Formations.

The moment it settled into place, an intense cyan light completely overwhelmed the red that had surrounded it.

Starting from the central singularity, thousands of rays of light bloomed, connecting with the countless Formation units of the surrounding Lock Spirit Array.

Piercing through the White Mist and extending outward, they illuminated the Formation structure one by one.

Thus, within the vast White Mist, a wondrous spectacle appeared.

In the sea of white fog, cyan light rays emanated from the central singularity, advancing outward layer by layer along the Lock Spirit Array's pathways.

In an instant, an immense, circular cyan network, grand enough to cover the entire Chizha Abyss, became visible.

Neither the Devouring Yuan White Mist nor the occasional Demon Sound could obscure its magnificent, towering presence.

Most of those present were the ones who had personally built the Formation.

Now, watching their creation born from years of hard work, their hearts were filled with complex emotions.

Li Fan, however, stared at the most dazzling cyan light point at the Formation's center and sighed, "Only Tianxuan can lock the spirit."

"The grand curtain on the widespread adoption of the Tianxuan Locking Spirit Array is finally about to rise. Who knows to what extent the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance will evolve in the future?"

"For now, I'll just observe. If things truly take a turn for the worse, I can simply use Huan Zhen."

"Still, I've contributed significantly. I have both merit and hard work to my name. Surely, with the little lifespan I have left in this life, I can at least live it out to its natural end?"

Just as Li Fan was lost in these private thoughts, the Tianxuan Formation hub finally completed its integration with the Lock Spirit Array.

The majestic cyan network receded like a tide in an instant. At the same time, Li Fan faintly sensed something.

It was as if there was an eye above them all, constantly observing him.

Led by Huangfu Song, the group erupted in thunderous cheers, celebrating the successful completion of the Formation.

They seemed completely unaware.

Only Xue Mu, who appeared honest and slow-witted, imperceptibly glanced upward.

…

Following Huangfu Song's successful inspection and acceptance, the Formation construction work outside the Chizha Abyss had come to an end.

On the way back to Severed Hand Immortal City, Li Fan inquired about Huangfu Song's next plans.

"According to the original plan, we were to rendezvous with Dean Ji and construct a Lock Spirit Array outside that newly discovered 'Lost Battlefield' Mystic Domain."

"However…"

Huangfu Song paused, his expression turning solemn. "That Mystic Domain is truly bizarre and extremely dangerous."

"After careful evaluation and consideration, the Alliance has decided to postpone the Formation construction at the Lost Battlefield and first seal it off."

"Since you have already completed the construction of one Lock Spirit Array, there are no mandatory requirements for your next assignment."

"In other words, if you wish, you can simply return and rest."

"Of course, if you aim to compete on the contribution rankings, you can also choose to support Formation construction in other regions."

"However, information on the progress of each Formation site and the currently assigned personnel is only viewable at the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance Headquarters."

"To maximize efficiency in ranking competition, it's best to employ some… unconventional methods."

Huangfu Song gave a light cough, wearing an expression that said, "You know what I mean."

Hearing this, both Xue Mu and Daoist Friend Jiang seemed thoughtful.

They pondered what they might have that could impress this Senior.

Li Fan, however, wore a look of complete indifference. "My life is not long for this world. Soon, I will descend to the Nine Springs to meet Fellow Daoist Tantai Tao."

"Rankings and such… I couldn't care less."

"But regarding that 'Lost Battlefield' Senior Huangfu just mentioned, I am intensely curious."

Huangfu Song, who had been putting on airs, couldn't help but twitch at the mention of Tantai Tao again.

Suppressing his irritation and seeing Li Fan's question, he snorted coldly but still proceeded to explain.

"It's not exactly a secret, so telling you is fine."

"As the name suggests, that newly born Mystic Domain is the remnant of an ancient great battle."

"Spanning over sixteen hundred li, countless Cultivators perished within."

"Not only has the thick scent of blood not dissipated, but the fallen Cultivators remain frozen in the very instant of their death."

"It's as if that brutal battle had just concluded."

Huangfu Song narrowed his eyes slightly, as if recalling his experience in the Lost Battlefield.

"What's even more bizarre is that we couldn't identify the main combatants on either side."

"Some wearing the same School uniforms might have perished killing each other. Others might have died together heroically, defending against a powerful foe."

"That place resembles an indiscriminate free-for-all more than a traditional battlefield."

Hearing Huangfu Song's description, Li Fan couldn't help but recall the [Chaotic Stone Mystic Domain] he had seen before.

It was similarly as if time had frozen, with corpses looking as lifelike as ever.

The culprit there had been the Heavenly Doctor. Who, then, could have caused this Lost Battlefield?

As he pondered this, Xue Mu couldn't help but ask, "Senior Huangfu, you said this Lost Battlefield is extremely perilous. Why is that?"

"Could it be… those dead Cultivators come back to life and attack?"

Huangfu Song shook his head in denial. "They are dead beyond doubt. A slight touch turns them to dust."

"The real danger comes from the Mystic Domain itself."

"When Dean Ji led a team in for the first time, they fell victim to its trick."

"While awestruck by the scene of the ancient, tragic war, Dean Ji was suddenly attacked by several of the Cultivators accompanying him."

"Attacked?!" Xue Mu couldn't suppress a gasp of surprise.

"Lost… could it be?" After a moment, he immediately understood, his face filled with horror.

Huangfu Song nodded slowly. "Correct. Those Cultivators were Dean Ji's trusted aides, absolutely loyal and proven."

"Yet, once they entered that Mystic Domain, they still lost their minds."

"They attacked Dean Ji as if he were a mortal enemy, holding nothing back."