Chapter 142: Far Away from the Clouds

Due to being jointly responsible for collecting Dao Rhyme artifacts, Su Xiaomei and Yin Yuetin, the sisters, became close.

In addition, Su Xiaomei had not interacted much with outsiders besides Xiao Heng and Su Changyu since she was young.

So, after two years of close companionship, some feelings had developed.

Encouraged by Su Xiaomei, the sisters Yin Yuetin began practicing the "Mystical Yellow Cleansing Heart Mantra," attempting to eliminate the miasma within them and embark on the path of immortality.

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

But they approached it with a calm attitude, making slow but steady progress.

Li Fan observed quietly without revealing himself.

After confirming that 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.

At this time, it was the 22nd year of anchoring, and he had set a deadline of 6 years for himself.

In his previous life, when he emerged from seclusion at the 31st year of anchoring, the Crimson Flame Sea of Fire had already begun.

And when he visited Wanxian Island at the 30th year of anchoring, he had submitted the Tai'an Fruits.

So, the appearance of the Crimson Flame should be between the 30th and 31st years of anchoring.

But in this life, with the unstable factor of Zhang Haobo, Li Fan decided to leave no later than the 28th year of anchoring.

Before that, he needed to make the most of his time to study formations.

After all, there would be no chance to find a master to teach him formations in the unfamiliar Yuandao Province.

Time was running out, and Li Fan became even more diligent.

Immersed in the study of formations, he never rested for a moment.

Even Zhang Zhiliang's subtle suggestions to take a break were firmly rejected.

Over the years, the disciples around Zhang Zhiliang changed frequently.

But like Li Fan, who remained unwavering and focused, there was no one else.

Zhang Zhiliang's eyes softened as he watched Li Fan.

As time passed, four years quickly went by.

The time came to the 26th year of anchoring.

Li Fan, who was engrossed in studying formations, was momentarily distracted.

It was Lin Fan, the clone who had been in seclusion, exhausting his contribution points and being forced to leave seclusion.

Equivalent to 270 years of enlightenment, the result was not bad, but not excellent.

Creating a technique from scratch was too difficult. Even modifying an existing technique was incredibly challenging.

Two techniques were developed, with only one fully completed.

The progress of the other technique was more than halfway done.

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

On average, it would take about 150 years for him to develop a new technique.

And this was only for a foundational technique.

No wonder the Wanxian Alliance and the Five Elders could monopolize techniques.

Li Fan couldn't help but sigh.

The cost was too high, far outweighing the benefits.

Li Fan examined the newly developed technique.

"The Illusory Spirit Technique."

It was a synthesis of the "Dark Spirit Illusion Technique" and the insights into sword intent from Zhang Haobo's foundational building.

With this technique, the Blue Flame Phantom Spirit would experience further growth.

As for the new body technique based on the "Shadow Pursuit Technique," it had not been developed yet.

Without going into cultivation, Li Fan continued to make the most of the remaining time to enhance his understanding of formations.

Lin Fan, on the other hand, performed various errands on Wanxian Island, accumulating contribution points to sustain his existence in the Celestial Realm.

He also tried to gather information about events that had occurred in recent years.

However, he didn't find any useful information.

Since the 22nd year of anchoring, the entire Cangyun Sea seemed to have fallen into a strange calm.

It felt as if something was brewing.

The river of time continued to surge forward.

In the blink of an eye, it was the 28th year of anchoring.

Li Fan's planned departure time from the Cangyun Sea had arrived.

Just as he was thinking of finding an excuse to bid farewell to Zhang Zhiliang, he was taken by Zhang Zhiliang to a secluded space.

In the distance, a dazzling galaxy was visible. After nearly ten years of studying formations, Li Fan could vaguely discern the traces of a slowly moving grand formation.

"I have a matter that I need you to handle for me." Zhang Zhiliang looked at Li Fan with a serious expression.

His words were forceful, leaving no room for Li Fan to refuse.

"For me, go to Tianyu Province. That is the headquarters of the Wanxian Alliance."

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

Li Fan was slightly stunned as he took the object handed over by Zhang Zhiliang.

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

A sealing formation was engraved on it.

"With this item, you cannot use teleportation formations. You will need to fly all the way there."

"Tianyu Province is far away. With your speed, it will probably take two or three years to get there. While you are on the journey, don't be idle."

"Break the sealing formation on this item. I believe that with your current level of formation understanding, by the time you reach Tianyu Province, the seal will naturally be lifted."

At first, Li Fan didn't understand what Zhang Zhiliang's inexplicably clever task was.

However, after hearing a series of requests, he understood.

Silently putting away the small black box, he didn't inquire about the reward. He was ready to say goodbye and leave.

At the moment of departure, Li Fan still asked, "Master Zhang, aren't you leaving?"

Zhang Zhiliang was slightly stunned, then carefully examined Li Fan again.

With a look of admiration in his eyes, he said, "Leave? In the vastness of the world, where else can I go?"

"You may go!"

Li Fan respectfully bowed and left the Array Hall without saying anything more.

"I hope I didn't read the wrong person." Zhang Zhiliang sighed as he watched Li Fan disappear.

...

On the Transmission Square, the black box was stored in the storage ring. Li Fan tried it out.

The teleportation array could still be used.

It seemed that the task given by Zhang Zhiliang, claiming he couldn't use teleportation arrays, was just an excuse to send Li Fan away.

The reason for saying he couldn't use teleportation arrays was probably to prevent Li Fan from returning too soon.

Watching the cultivators coming and going in the Transmission Square, Li Fan understood.

It was time.

Using a communication talisman, he contacted Su Xiaomei.

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

Then, he used the teleportation array to arrive at Liuli Island.

He planned to take Su Xiaomei and the others with him to leave.

Unexpectedly, as soon as he stepped out of the teleportation array, he was stopped by Yu Wenxing

, the guardian of Liuli Island.

"I have a good task here. I wonder if you're interested?" Yu Wenxing looked at Li Fan warmly.

"Oh? I don't know what task it is." Li Fan politely asked, not paying much attention.

In any case, no matter what Yu Wenxing said, he would definitely refuse.

"Tairen Island's guardian has a good relationship with me. He is currently facing a bottleneck in cultivation and wants to go out to find opportunities."

"However, due to his responsibilities, he cannot leave without authorization. So, he asked me if I know of a suitable person to recommend."

"Coincidentally, I met you."

Yu Wenxing said with a smile.

Li Fan only heard the first sentence and knew it was not right.

When Yu Wenxing finished speaking, his face turned dark.

"Again?"

"No, no. I've been entrusted by someone to go out for a while. I really can't spare the time."

"Friend, you might as well ask someone else!"

Li Fan decisively rejected without mercy.

(End of this chapter)