Bottleneck - 60

As Zhou Fan cultivated, 2 more years passed. All of a sudden, Qi shot out of his body and he broke through to the 10th level of soul formation.

Finally, his soul was a complete part of him. From now on, there would be no more differences between his mind, body, and soul. They would continue to grow equally and together, unless Zhou Fan purposely cultivated one more than the other.

In an attempt to break through to the next realm, Zhou Fan cultivated for another year.

However, even after a year, he didn't break through. Instead, he felt that he was only a quarter there. After feeling that, he decided to postpone further cultivation.

Since he was going to create a school, there were many things to set up, and once he got them started, he could go into cultivation for another 3 years as he waited for everything to be ready.

Otherwise, he would have to do all of it later and still wait a while.

After standing up, Zhou Fan flew out from the mountain. His current speed was nothing like before. If he decided to go in that direction, he would make it back to the cave in 5 minutes.

However, he first made a detour to the mortaniel empire. With their help, everything would go much smoother and faster.

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In the throne room of the mortaniel emperor's palace, the last man was giving his report.

Nothing much had changed in the last few years and the emperor was even thinking of retiring.

"... And last but not least, the bubble surrounding the Chiha mountain range hasn't weakened or fallen. Investigations have continued, but nothing else can be examined. It is highly likely that it is an act of god." The man said, finishing his report.

"You may leave." The emperor commanded with a neutral face.

"Of course, long live the emperor." The man said as he left.

Alone in the throne room, the emperor had a troubled expression. While the bubble hadn't caused any harm or even shown signs of danger, he couldn't help but worry.

"There is no need to worry." A voice sounded out.

Hastily turning his head, the emperor looked at the figure that appeared beside him.

His long gray hair reached his waist and his clothes seemed to be made of the world itself.

Naturally, it was Zhou Fan. He had arrived a couple seconds prior, but decided to listen to the previous conversation before he did anything.

"God?" The emperor asked with a fearful tone. "You don't seem to fit the descriptions."

The emperor was referring to the time when Zhou Fan told Fui Rong about god. As for why he seemed so sure that Zhou Fan was god, could anyone else appear beside him?

"I come in many shapes and forms. However, I am not here to talk to you about me. Instead, I am here to give you an opportunity. Are you willing to listen?" Zhou Fan asked.

The emperor's eyes discreetly lit up when he heard Zhou Fan's words.

'According to rumor, God has an apostle. could he be making me one?!' He thought.

"Of course sir, what could it be you are proposing me?" The emperor inquired.

"My deal is, submit and prosper, or don't, and continue on with your short life." Zhou Fan answered.

Although it may have sounded rude, Zhou Fan was offering a chance at near eternal life. He could be as rude as he wanted and the emperor would still accept.

"What do you mean by submit and prosper?" The emperor asked. Although he didn't have the courage to decline God's offer, he at least wanted to know what he was getting himself into.

"I will teach you how to cultivate. Cultivation can lead you to a longer life and incredible strength. As for submitting, I simply mean doing what I tell you." Zhou Fan answered.

After hearing his words, the emperor had no idea of declining. Although he didn't know if Zhou Fan was telling the truth, he felt that there was no reason why god would lie to him.

"I agree. What should I call you?" The emperor asked after getting up and kneeling.

"You can call me whatever you feel like calling me, but my name is Zhou Fan." He responded.

"Understood lord Zhou Fan. What can I do for you?"

"First, I want you to take these." Zhou Fan said while holding out his hand. In his palm lay a couple of small formations.

While he was in the mountain range, Zhou Fan had developed a formation that could detect talent. Of course, the formation that he gave the emperor could only tell the basic information. More precisely, it could tell how good their meridians were. Even though he hadn't made a ranking system just yet, he had made the formation give out a number 1 to 100.

Zhou Fan would take the talents of 95 or above and teach them at the school.

As for deeper testing, he would make a more complex formation at the place where he will build the school.

"Take these and spread them around the various empires and kingdoms. You will put a spirit stone on it and the formation will enlarge, then, you will put a person in the middle and start it. That will give a number, and you must bring anyone with a 95 or higher to the imperial capital and arrange safe and comfortable residences for them. There are only 5000, but make sure that anyone can test their talent with them." Zhou Fan explained.

He further explained things to the emperor until he understood what to do. He also told the emperor that he will bring him 100,000 spirit stones. Since each spirit stone could test 1000 people, 100 million could be tested.

After that, Zhou Fan left for the caves and collected the spirit stones like he promised, then filled them up with qi, before delivering them to the emperor.

The first part of the plan was finally done and he could start with the next parts.