Chapter 96: Opportunity of Wanzang Pavilion

“Hmm?” Li Fan turned his head to look at Steward Zhao.

Steward Zhao was still somewhat nervous facing the legendary Immortal Master.

He carefully considered his words and cautiously asked, “This Immortal Master, it seems he has a good relationship with Immortal Master He?”

Li Fan was about to answer when he suddenly remembered something, pondered for a moment, and then said, “Fellow Daoist He and I have been acquainted for over forty years, and he has looked after me a great deal. I was away on business before and didn't know he had passed away. To suddenly see Fellow Daoist He’s memorial tablet today is truly shocking.”

“I can only offer him a stick of incense…”

Speaking of this, Li Fan shook his head and sighed.

Steward Zhao also sighed with emotion, “It has been twenty-six days since I learned of Immortal Master He’s death and set up his memorial hall. You, Immortal Master, are the first, and only, one to come and pay respects to him.”

“Dozens of Immortal Masters have come to the island, either to search for his遗物 or to compete for the position of Town Guardian of Liuli Island.”

“Now that the new Town Guardian has taken office, my position as steward is also difficult to maintain.”

“I have been unable to fulfill Immortal Master He’s dying wish, and I truly feel ashamed.”

“Fortunately, I met you today.”

Steward Zhao looked relieved.

“Fellow Daoist He’s dying wish?” Li Fan was startled.

“Yes. Immortal Master He once entrusted me with an item, instructing me that if he were to meet with an unfortunate end in the future, I should give this item to the first Fellow Daoist who came to pay respects after his death,” Steward Zhao answered truthfully.

“Why would he entrust something to you, a Mortal?” Li Fan was somewhat surprised by Steward Zhao’s answer.

“To be honest, Immortal Master. Many years ago, through a fortunate Opportunity, I once saved Immortal Master He’s life. Originally, Immortal Master He wanted to take me to cultivate, but I feared the difficulties of cultivation and only asked for a job.”

“Over these years, I have always served Immortal Master He by his side. Therefore, I gained his trust quite a bit.” Steward Zhao said, with a mix of pride and sadness on his face.

It seemed there was such a matter.

In the previous life, he had heard Steward Zhao speak of it.

Li Fan then nodded.

“Moreover, keeping it with me is quite safe. After all, who would have thought that an Immortal Master’s遺物 would be entrusted to a Mortal? The Immortal Masters who have come and gone these past few days have never even given me a proper look…” Steward Zhao stopped halfway through, realizing his words were inappropriate, and quickly halted.

He quickly turned around and took out a small square box from under He Zhenghao’s memorial tablet.

This small square box seemed to have the effect of isolating Divine Sense; even standing right in front of it, Li Fan hadn't noticed it.

“The item in this box is Immortal Master He’s遺物. What its specific use is, I cannot know,” Steward Zhao said anxiously as he handed over the box.

Li Fan opened the box and saw a spiritual talisman shaped like the character 'wan' inside.

It looked familiar.

Isn't this…

Li Fan took out an identical one from his storage ring, only the aura on the talisman was different.

It was precisely the通行灵符 that external Cultivators needed to carry when entering and exiting Wanxian Island for the first time.

Li Fan still remembered that when He Zhenghao introduced it to him, he said this talisman was worth 100 contribution points.

However, what was the use of this thing?

Li Fan was momentarily puzzled.

Nevertheless, he put away the wooden box.

Looking at the somewhat nervous Steward Zhao, Li Fan thought for a moment and said, “I will speak to the new Town Guardian on your behalf. As for whether your position can be kept, I cannot guarantee it.”

Steward Zhao was overjoyed upon hearing this, immediately knelt down, and repeatedly kowtowed.

Li Fan waved his hand and flew away.

Steward Zhao remained prostrated on the ground, not daring to move.

After a long wait, he slowly stood up.

Looking at He Zhenghao’s memorial tablet, he quietly said,

“Finally, I’ve gotten rid of this hot potato. These past few days, seeing the Immortal Masters flying around overhead, I couldn’t even sleep well.”

“That person just now didn’t lie, and he was the first to come and pay respects to you. Giving him your遺物 can be considered fulfilling your dying wish.”

“I also won't feel uneasy.”

After a long silence, Steward Zhao whispered again, “Cultivation, in the end, they die even earlier than me. No one even collects their bones.”

“How boring.”

…

Li Fan took the wooden box and came inside the island-protecting Formation, where he once again met the unfamiliar Cultivator.

The unfamiliar Cultivator's name was Yuwen Xing, and he had taken office as the new Town Guardian of Liuli Island after a series of maneuvers.

Li Fan did not mention the relationship between Steward Zhao and He Zhenghao; he merely said that Steward Zhao was an old acquaintance of his and asked if his position as the financial steward of Liuli Island could be retained for him.

It was just a Mortal position. Yuwen Xing thought for a moment and nodded in agreement.

Li Fan expressed his thanks.

After exchanging communication talismans, Li Fan hurried back into the tianxuan mirror.

After some searching, Li Fan finally understood the function of that通行灵符.

Besides serving as a pass to enter Wanxian Island, the talisman could also be used as a voucher for depositing and retrieving items.

Items were not stored in the tianxuan mirror but in a place called “Wan Cang Pavilion.”

Usually, nothing precious was stored there.

They were often inheritances left by Cultivators to their Mortal relatives as a precaution during their lifetime.

Only after the Cultivator's death could their Mortal relatives retrieve the inheritance with the talisman.

Therefore, this Wan Cang Pavilion was not on Wanxian Island but on Youlan Island, north of the Congyun Sea.

Having clarified the purpose of the talisman, Li Fan did not delay and made a trip to Youlan Island, finally retrieving He Zhenghao’s遺物.

A Jade Slip.

Li Fan initially thought it was some Cultivation Technique.

Only after he had read all the contents of the Jade Slip did he understand.

The Jade Slip contained an unfinished work by He Zhenghao.

“Detailed Explanation of the Hundred Vein Array Chart.”

The book meticulously recorded He Zhenghao’s various unique insights into Formations over the years, as well as some innovative concepts.

Along with this book was a message from He Zhenghao.

He said that throughout his life, he only loved the Dao of Formations.

After decades of painstaking effort and numerous setbacks, he had barely managed to complete most of the “Detailed Explanation of the Hundred Vein Array Chart.”

This trip to explore the Immortal Cave should, in theory, not be very risky.

But it's better to be safe than sorry.

If he met with an unfortunate end, his death would be a minor matter. He only feared that his life's work, the “Detailed Explanation of the Hundred Vein Array Chart,” would forever be obscured and buried.

So he made arrangements, hoping that a familiar Cultivator who obtained the talisman could hand this “Detailed Explanation of the Hundred Vein Array Chart” to any Great Master of Formations on Wanxian Island, hoping it could be completed.

Finally, He Zhenghao couldn't help but complain.

He spoke of the various benefits of the “Sitting Mountain Skill” he cultivated.

Unfortunately, it was truly too difficult to cultivate.

If not for this, he wouldn't have to risk going into this ancient Immortal Cave just to change his Cultivation Technique.

…

“Sitting Mountain Skill? Fellow Daoist He, you’ve really given me a tough problem.”

Putting away the Jade Slip, an inexplicable glint flashed in Li Fan’s eyes.