Chapter 220: Distracted Entry into the Jade Slip

Every detail of Li Fan’s array formations was recorded in the blue crystal within his mind. If an array formation failed, Li Fan could access and review these records at any time to carefully identify where the mistake occurred. During subsequent attempts, he could multi-task more effectively, simultaneously comparing his formation techniques with the images in his mind. After several such instances, Li Fan’s success rate in array formation increased sharply.

Once he perfectly formed an array, Li Fan could use it as a template, simply referencing it for all future array formations. With success guaranteed and practice making perfect, Li Fan’s speed in arranging nodes grew faster and faster. Gradually, he entered a state of self-forgetfulness. Nothing else existed in his mind except the array formations. By the time the entire Heavenly Origin Transformation Array was completed and he regained his senses, the year had already reached Anchor Year 12.

Zhang Zhiliang connected the core array with the external arrays, then activated over 300,000 nodes. A blue, transparent light curtain immediately enveloped the entire island. With the grand array completed, Li Fan couldn't help but feel a lingering sense of satisfaction. Through this practice, his actual array-formation skills had at least doubled. Li Fan also noticed that the other three array repairmen were looking at him strangely.

"Good! Very good!"

It was only after Zhang Zhiliang's emphatic praise that Li Fan realized he had single-handedly completed nearly half of the array node arrangements while in his state of self-forgetfulness. He was practically a tireless array-forming automaton. Zhang Zhiliang, pleased with the early completion of the task, immediately settled the payment for the island's defense array reconstruction. Li Fan received a reward of 4000 contribution points, which was more than the combined total of the other three. Li Fan naturally didn't care much for such a small amount of contribution points, but he still expressed his gratitude to Zhang Zhiliang.

"After you return, come to the Array Strategy Hall again. I have something else to tell you," Zhang Zhiliang secretly transmitted to Li Fan while reprimanding the other three array repairmen. Li Fan's expression remained unchanged, and he replied with a spiritual message, indicating his understanding.

With matters on Tonghai Island concluded, Zhang Zhiliang led the group back to Myriad Immortals Island. After parting ways with his "colleagues," Li Fan went to the Array Strategy Hall again a moment later. Zhang Zhiliang was already waiting.

"Master Zhang, how may I help you?" Li Fan asked respectfully.

Smiling, Zhang Zhiliang went straight to the point: "I see you have quite a talent for array formations. Are you willing to learn array formations by my side?"

Li Fan pretended to be greatly surprised: "Master Zhang is the foremost array master in the Cloudsea Region; of course, I am willing."

"However..." Li Fan said with some hesitation.

"What? Do you have any concerns?" Zhang Zhiliang asked, raising an eyebrow.

Li Fan honestly replied: "This junior is currently at the late Foundation Establishment stage and wishes to focus on improving my cultivation to break through to the Golden Core realm first..."

He was interrupted by Zhang Zhiliang before he could finish. "For us cultivators, the importance of cultivation realm certainly comes first. After all, each breakthrough can significantly increase one's lifespan. It's perfectly normal for you to have such plans. However, cultivation also requires a balance between work and rest. Sometimes, when you hit a bottleneck in cultivation, studying array formations might make it easier to break through."

Zhang Zhiliang thought for a moment, then pulled out a small metal figurine from somewhere and handed it over. Li Fan took it and examined it carefully, noticing that the object in his hand bore a striking resemblance to Zhang Zhiliang.

"Master Zhang, what is this?" Li Fan asked.

"Heh heh, this is a Spirit-Splitting Jade Slip. It contains a trace of my spiritual sense, which can transform into a phantom to teach the knowledge within the jade slip," Zhang Zhiliang explained with a proud expression. As he spoke, the metal figurine instantly disintegrated into countless specks of light, forming a human figure that appeared before Li Fan. It was indistinguishable from a real person, almost impossible to tell apart from the original.

"During your studies, you can ask it anything you don't understand. It will answer you based on the contents of the jade slip and the memories of my spiritual sense. It's essentially half of my clone," both Zhang Zhiliang's main body and the phantom formed from the metal figurine spoke simultaneously. "If it encounters a problem it truly cannot solve, I can take over at any time and answer it myself.

"You have good talent, so I'm gifting this Spirit-Splitting Jade Slip to you. Keep it with you, and you can study array formations whenever you're not cultivating. This way, it won't delay your cultivation, and it will also improve your array formation skills. Of course, the content in the jade slip is limited. Once you've learned everything in it, you can come to the Array Strategy Hall to find me. I will replace it with a new Spirit-Splitting Jade Slip for you. What do you think?" Zhang Zhiliang asked with a smile.

Li Fan was no stranger to this phantom. In his twelfth life, when he studied at the Array Strategy Hall, it was this type of phantom that taught him. However, back then, he thought this phantom was some kind of array formation or clone spell. He never expected it was just a jade slip transformed. But this had no real impact on Li Fan. He came to Zhang Zhiliang for two reasons: firstly, to improve his array formation skills; secondly, after gaining Zhang Zhiliang's trust, he aimed to receive the inheritance containing 400,000 contribution points. Now with this Spirit-Splitting Jade Slip, he didn't have to stay in the Array Strategy Hall constantly, which gave him more freedom. He immediately showed an expression of overwhelming delight and thanked Zhang Zhiliang.

Zhang Zhiliang then explained his rules for teaching disciples before letting Li Fan leave.

"If, before, I had by chance become Zhang Zhiliang's disciple and ultimately moved him with my 'diligence'," Li Fan thought to himself. "Then in this life, it's because of the array formation talent I displayed that Zhang Zhiliang, delighted by the discovery, took the initiative to accept me as his disciple. However, this doesn't necessarily mean my talent is exceptionally high. It's more likely that Zhang Zhiliang is casting a wide net. Thinking about it, this makes sense. Even the Cloudsea Region understands the principle of not putting all your eggs in one basket. Master Zhang wouldn't trust handing down his life's study of the Infinite Law to just one Qi Refining cultivator."

Inside the Heavenly Profound Mirror, Li Fan reflected on his experiences in the twelfth life and gained some insights. However, since his own motives were impure, he naturally had no right to feel unbalanced. Suppressing his thoughts, Li Fan activated the Enlightenment function. Opening the Spirit-Splitting Jade Slip, Li Fan listened to Zhang Zhiliang's phantom lecture while diligently cultivating. The two wills were distinct and did not influence each other in the slightest.

"'Path Transformation Divine Oneness' truly is a supreme wondrous art. With the mind divided into multiple uses, the efficiency of anything done greatly increases," Li Fan couldn't help but exclaim in admiration, feeling the extraordinary effects of this Taiyan Sect secret art.

While Li Fan's main body was in seclusion diligently cultivating, his clone finally received a message from Jiao Xiuyuan.

"Fellow Daoist Lin Fan, I haven't failed you! I've finally unearthed the Small Medicine King Cauldron you asked me to find! Heh heh, this was a huge haul. Guess how many I dug up in total!"