Chapter 135: Li Fan Begins Apprenticeship [Seeking First Order!]

Li Fan had a premonition that if an ordinary late-stage Qi Refining cultivator forcefully read the contents of the "Myriad Veins Array Map of Mountains and Rivers," the surging information within it would undoubtedly overwhelm their mind. Even though Li Fan's mental strength was somewhat higher than that of common cultivators, his fate might not be much better.

He immediately withdrew his spiritual sense and solemnly placed it into his storage ring.

"How is your array formation study progressing?" Gong Baiyu asked casually.

Li Fan pondered for a moment. "I have studied for two years and made some progress. However, I don't know the exact extent of my mastery."

Gong Baiyu replied, "That's easy to find out!"

He then took out a small, completely black spherical object and tossed it over. "Just separate a wisp of your spiritual sense and enter it."

Li Fan examined the black sphere, which seemed to have starlight flowing on its surface, then did as instructed.

In an instant, Li Fan felt as if he was in a pitch-black tunnel.

His thoughts accelerated like a roller coaster, speeding through the tunnel.

Array formation questions came at him one after another, and Li Fan instinctively responded in an instant.

If he knew the answer and it was correct, the speed of his thoughts would accelerate further. If he didn't know or responded incorrectly, the speed of his thoughts would decrease.

This sensation of his thought speed being amplified a hundredfold was somewhat similar to the enlightenment process within the Heavenly Profound Mirror.

But it was far more effective.

After some time, Li Fan felt his thoughts gradually slow down until they completely stopped.

He was then expelled from the black sphere.

Gong Baiyu retrieved the black sphere, looking at the barely visible speck of light on it. He then looked at Li Fan with an incredulous expression. "You really have been studying for two years?"

Li Fan's expression remained unchanged. "That is indeed the case."

After a moment of silence, Gong Baiyu kindly consoled him, "The path of array formation relies heavily on talent. It's normal for your progress to be slow. There's no need to worry about it."

Li Fan agreed wholeheartedly and nodded slightly.

Who knew that Gong Baiyu's words would anger another cultivator present?

"What nonsense are you spouting? The path of array formation lies solely in diligence! Your talent in array formation, Gong Baiyu, may be high, but do you dare claim your understanding of array formations surpasses mine?"

Li Fan looked over and saw that the speaker had snow-white hair, but his eyes gleamed with such intensity that one dared not meet his gaze directly.

"Brother Zhiliang, don't be so irritable. I was just comforting a junior, speaking casually. Why be so serious? On Myriad Immortal Island, who doesn't know that Zhang Zhiliang is number one in array formations?" Gong Baiyu said, somewhat helplessly.

"The path of array formation demands utmost diligence and truth; how can one speak so presumptuously!" Zhang Zhiliang snorted coldly, clearly disagreeing with Gong Baiyu's statement.

He turned to Li Fan and looked at him seriously. "Young man, you must not lose heart. You should know that when I first started learning array formations two years ago, my test result on the Spirit-Discernment Orb was even worse than yours!"

"For five hundred years, I have dedicated almost all my time to studying array formations, learning and progressing bit by bit. That is how I've gained my current understanding of the array formation path. Diligence can compensate for lack of aptitude, and this is especially true for array formations."

"Although array formations in the world are said to have infinite variations, the commonly used patterns are limited in number, and it is within human capability to master them."

"If you study diligently, without slacking or giving up, who knows if you won't become a grandmaster of array formations centuries from now?"

Hearing this, Li Fan's expression became solemn. "Thank you for your guidance, Senior. I will certainly keep it in mind."

After Zhang Zhiliang finished his speech, he gradually calmed down.

He assessed Li Fan for a moment, then slowly said, "Although diligence can compensate for lack of aptitude, a master's guidance is equally important in getting one started."

"When I was self-studying array formations, I deeply understood the difficulties of figuring things out on my own."

Zhang Zhiliang pondered for a moment. "I see that you have a steady temperament, neither arrogant nor impatient. You are quite similar to how I was back then."

"I have also benefited greatly from He Zhenghao's scroll, 'Myriad Veins Array Map of Mountains and Rivers.' Since you brought the incomplete scroll, I consider myself indebted to you."

He slowly asked, "May I ask if you are willing to follow me and learn array formations?"

Hearing this, Gong Baiyu quickly prompted from the side, "Go on, thank Master Zhang!"

Li Fan was also extremely delighted and quickly bowed.

Zhang Zhiliang accepted Li Fan's bow calmly, then said, "Let me be frank upfront: I am unwilling to take disciples. Therefore, there will be no master-disciple relationship between us."

"Naturally, I will not impart my unique array formations that I have created."

"I will only be responsible for guiding you truly into the path of array formations. I will not hide any insights or experiences."

"I am often busy with various matters, so I can only spare time to guide you."

"Normally, I am meticulous in my work and extremely strict with others. If I find you lazy or slacking, I will expel you without hesitation."

Zhang Zhiliang laid out a series of conditions that sounded strict but were, in fact, quite reasonable.

Finally, he asked again, "Given these conditions, are you still willing to follow me and learn array formations?"

Li Fan suppressed the surprise in his heart and calmed down.

He bowed to Zhang Zhiliang again and slowly replied, "I am willing."

Zhang Zhiliang stroked his beard, satisfied with Li Fan's demeanor.

"Good. Diligence knows no specific time."

"Your study of array formations begins today!"

With that, Zhang Zhiliang grabbed Li Fan. His figure flickered, and they vanished from the council chamber.

Gong Baiyu and the other array formation masters exchanged glances, all revealing a wry smile.

Following Zhang Zhiliang, Li Fan arrived in a starry void in an instant.

Everything around them was pitch black, with countless twinkling stars in the background.

"Do you know what an array formation is?" Zhang Zhiliang asked.

Li Fan was about to answer but, after thinking it over, finally shook his head. "I do not know."

"An array formation is formalized principles."

Zhang Zhiliang spoke each word distinctly.

"Burning, freezing, lightning..."

"These are all natural phenomena that exist in heaven and earth. What supports their occurrence and operation are the various principles of heaven and earth."

"Principles are eternal and unchanging. Well, with the exception of certain special circumstances..."

"Cultivators often observe and comprehend the principles of heaven and earth during their cultivation."

"And an array formation is the formalized, mechanical, and standardized process of applying these principles."

As Zhang Zhiliang spoke, the door to the path of array formations slowly opened for Li Fan.

Li Fan became deeply immersed, oblivious to the passage of time.

In the blink of an eye, the year arrived at Anchor Year 20.

Congyun Sea.

Zhang Haobo stood in mid-air, looking up.

"Is your dying strike about to arrive?"

In his memories, in his previous life, a terrible wind disaster was soon to occur.

Its power was so immense that it changed the very color of the heavens and earth.

More than two hundred islands, including Dayu Island, were razed to the ground, and countless mortals perished in the sea.

Compared to that terrifying wind disaster, the storm he was currently manipulating was pitifully weak.

But...

He, Zhang Haobo, a reborn individual, Son of Destiny, and favored by the Congyun Sea.

Was about to attempt the act of a snake swallowing an elephant, and then...

Pastoral Wind!

Overpower Myriad Immortals!