Chapter 190: The Grand Play Begins

On this day, Li Fan received a message from Zhang Zhiliang, asking him to come to the Formation Command Hall.

Since obtaining the position of Formation Maintenance Officer, Li Fan had yet to do any substantial work. Presumably, Zhang Zhiliang had been busy researching the Mountain and River Grand Formation on the reconstructed island, which is why he hadn't contacted Li Fan.

Without delay, Li Fan changed into his black and yellow Daoist robe and headed to the Formation Command Hall, following the familiar route.

Having an internal identity this time, as he entered the central core area, the seven-colored Falling Immortal Formation above his head directly ignored Li Fan.

After entering the obliquely erected cubic building, a small cubic structure seemed to recognize Li Fan's identity and started operating automatically.

After a moment, it brought Li Fan into the space where Zhang Zhiliang was located.

This place was extremely familiar to Li Fan. During the eleventh generation, he spent several years here, neglecting sleep and food, wholeheartedly studying formations. It was in this way that he formally entered the path of formations.

Looking ahead, Zhang Zhiliang stood with his back turned, motionless.

"Respects to Senior." Li Fan spoke and bowed.

Zhang Zhiliang seemed as if he hadn't heard, remaining still.

Seeing this, Li Fan repeated his call.

As if there was a long delay, after a while, Zhang Zhiliang turned around.

"Oh... you... have come."

Li Fan immediately realized that the figure in front of him should be some kind of clone.

But he still asked, "Senior, has the research on the Mountain and River Grand Formation concluded?"

After a while, Zhang Zhiliang's intermittent voice finally sounded.

"Not yet. The research on the Mountain and River Grand Formation... is at a critical juncture."

"It's more complicated than I imagined... I estimate it will take another year or two to complete."

"It seems like Daoist He has something urgent and left in a hurry..."

"I also... suddenly remembered that since you joined, I haven't taught you any formations."

"Now, under the current... circumstances, I can't spare the time."

"But if I delay your time for another year or two, it wouldn't be reasonable."

"So, I'll give you the relevant formation materials now. Study them on your own."

"If you have any doubts, wait for me to come back, and I will answer them one by one."

He spoke in a disjointed manner, taking a long time to finish this paragraph.

After finishing speaking, Zhang Zhiliang handed over a storage ring.

Li Fan took the storage ring, and with a sweep of his divine sense, he was also familiar with the contents inside.

Encrypted jade slips, Heart Ape Fragrance.

"You have relied on self-study before and were able to grasp the basics of formations. Your talent is not bad. The encrypted jade slip inside this storage ring is a carefully compiled summary of the basics of formation. Study it attentively and cross-reference it with what you have learned. After a thorough reading, your formation skills should see a significant improvement."

After these final words, Zhang Zhiliang's figure disappeared without a sound.

Li Fan put away the storage ring and returned to the Tianxuan Mirror.

Taking out the encrypted jade slip, he carefully read it and found that it was similar to what Zhang Zhiliang had taught in the previous life.

However, it included many examples of formations.

For example, the current Wanxian Alliance's island protection formation: the "Heavenly Origin Life Formation."

Different from the heavily defensive Wanli Mountains and Rivers Formation three thousand years ago, the current Heavenly Origin Life Formation emphasized a balance between offense and defense, while also absorbing the essence of mortals within the formation, enhancing the concentration of spiritual energy.

Although the core structural data of the Heavenly Origin Life Formation was not included in the jade slip, there were diagrams of some vulnerable nodes in the formation.

From these details, Li Fan could also glimpse the vastness and intricacy of the Heavenly Origin Life Formation.

In the jade slip, Zhang Zhiliang also reminded him.

This information about the formation was absolutely confidential to the Wanxian Alliance. It must not be leaked or spread externally.

In addition to the Heavenly Origin Life Formation, the jade slip also contained analyses of many formations that Li Fan had never seen before, such as the "Green Wood Gathering Spirit Formation" and the "Lingxiao Five Thunder Formation," broadening Li Fan's horizons.

However, these formations were profound and intricate. Li Fan only skimmed through them briefly without delving deep.

Because, he still has things to do.

Putting down the jade slip, Li Fan checked the price of Spirit Mist Grass.

Earlier, when Zhang Zhiliang mentioned that He Zhenghao had left in a hurry, neglecting even the research on the Mountain and River Grand Formation, Li Fan speculated that the incident of the Spirit Mist Grass island being attacked by the exotic beast, Dragon Whale, had occurred.

Calculating the time, it should be about right.

As expected, the price of Spirit Mist Grass had experienced a slight increase not long ago.

From 18 contribution points per plant, it had risen to 19 points.

Li Fan currently had a stock of two thousand seven hundred plants, and he wasn't in a hurry to sell them at the moment.

After all, there was still some time before the news spread, and the event escalated, causing the price of Spirit Mist Grass to skyrocket to 25 points.

"A price of 25 points is still too low. Perhaps, I can fan the flames a bit..."

"However, it's not suitable for me to intervene directly in this matter. It's time to use a clone."

Li Fan's eyes flickered.

Quietly doing some errands on Wanxian Island, barely maintaining a clone for his survival needs, he activated a Concealment Talisman, concealing his aura and appearance, and arrived at Qianli Hall.

There were no customers at the entrance of the shop.

Jiao Xiuyuan was lazily lying behind the counter, resting with closed eyes.

As soon as Li Fan stepped in, Jiao Xiuyuan jumped up, with a hospitable expression, "Finally, a customer has arrived. What would you like? Formation talismans, magical tools, elixirs, we have everything, and discounts for large quantities!"

Li Fan chuckled, "I heard that Senior Jiao has quite a few defective Concealment Talismans that were eliminated from the Formation Hall?"

Jiao Xiuyuan grinned, "There are quite a few Concealment Talismans, but where I got them from is not convenient to disclose. How many do you want, Senior?"

"How many do I want? I actually want to buy all the Concealment Talismans in Senior's hands..." Li Fan said halfway, and Jiao Xiuyuan's face showed ecstatic joy.

"But I'm tight on contribution points, and I don't have so many right now!" He sighed, then changed the subject.

Jiao Xiuyuan's face turned black, and his tone became unfriendly, "Are you mocking me, you rascal?"

But he frowned and seemed puzzled, "Why do you need so many Concealment Talismans? Keeping a few in reserve should be enough."

Li Fan smiled slightly, "This is the reason I came to Senior Jiao."

Seeing Jiao Xiuyuan becoming interested, Li Fan temporarily teased him and fell silent.

Jiao Xiuyuan sneered, "Are you trying to keep me in suspense? Who knows if what you're saying is true or false?"

"If you don't want to say, forget it!"

Li Fan wasn't angry. Instead, he smiled and clasped his hands, "In that case, I won't disturb you!"

Without any hesitation, he turned and walked away.

As he walked, he sighed, "They say Jiao Xiuyuan of Qianli Hall never does a losing deal."

"I thought his business acumen was remarkable, but it seems that's not the case."

Li Fan shook his head, and one foot had already stepped out of the gate of Qianli Hall.

"Wait!"

At this moment, Jiao Xiuyuan called out to him.

Enthusiastically, he pulled Li Fan back and closed the shop door.

Jiao Xiuyuan rubbed his hands, "Although I know that you're using a provocative method, I willingly fell for it."

He showed a greedy look, "Because, I smell the scent of business opportunities."

(End of this chapter)