Chapter 267: Heavenly Profound Spirit Lock Array

Without a second thought, Li Fan’s face lit up with extreme pleasant surprise, and he quickly replied, "I am willing to go!"

Li Fan’s reaction was not beyond Zhang Zhiliang’s expectations.

He nodded and explained, "The purpose of this training session is to enable the younger generation to quickly master the Sky Profound Soul-Locking Array. Thus, we aim to encompass every area of the Myriad Immortals Alliance within the Soul-Locking Array's range within thirty years."

Li Fan’s expression shifted slightly. "The Sky Profound Soul-Locking Array? Isn't that the formation that gained great renown in Jiushan State, capable of marking all Five Elder Association cultivators with pillars of light?"

Zhang Zhiliang was very pleased with Li Fan’s quick reaction. He nodded and said, "Precisely. The Sky Profound Soul-Locking Array was jointly developed by numerous array masters after the Battle of Tianling State, through studying captured Five Elder Association cultivators."

"Five Elder Association cultivators?" Li Fan asked, a little puzzled. "Master, if I may ask, why is this array research connected to cultivators?"

Zhang Zhiliang showed great patience with Li Fan. He immediately explained, "Do you know the difference between the Five Elder Association and our Myriad Immortals Alliance?"

Li Fan replied, "Our Myriad Immortals Alliance is a free alliance. Through our own efforts, we accumulate contribution points and earn cultivation techniques. As for the Five Elder Association... although they can obtain cultivation techniques for free, they must sign a contract of servitude. They will be controlled by others their entire lives. It's not as free and unrestrained as our Myriad Immortals Alliance."

"To be frank with you, Senior, when I was a rogue cultivator before, I once considered joining either side. After comparing the conditions of both sides, I unhesitatingly chose to join our Myriad Immortals Alliance." Li Fan stated with a strong sense of conviction.

Zhang Zhiliang smiled faintly, making no comment on Li Fan’s feigned declaration of loyalty. He continued, "That's right, every cultivator who joins the Five Elder Association must sign a soul contract. Their souls are naturally different from those of ordinary cultivators. A long time ago, we had the idea of using this difference to distinguish between friend and foe. However, the number of research samples was insufficient, and we never succeeded. In the recent great battle in Tianling State, although our Myriad Immortals Alliance was generally at a disadvantage, we were not without gains. The Sky Profound Soul-Locking Array is one of the fruits of that war."

Zhang Zhiliang seemed to recall something. His expression became unreadable, and his tone grew a little desolate. However, he quickly returned to normal. He continued, "Within the grand array's coverage, it can detect soul singularities caused by soul contracts, allowing for marking friend or foe. The mark penetrates directly to the soul and cannot be dispelled by anyone below the Dao Harmonization realm. The successful development of this array is of immense significance. At the very least, once it is widely implemented, ordinary spies will no longer be able to hide. And the pillars of light piercing the heavens and earth also eliminate the possibility of sneak attacks by the Five Elder Association." Zhang Zhiliang spoke eloquently, a hint of pride inevitably appearing on his face.

"However, this array involves cultivators' souls, making it arduous and abstruse. Ordinary array masters are simply incapable of constructing it. To spread the Sky Profound Soul-Locking Array as quickly as possible, we need to train a group of array masters proficient in this art. The training in Tianyu State two years from now is precisely for this purpose. The reason it still needs to be delayed for two years is also due to its connection with souls. Not only does the organizing party need to gather various materials, but the participating young members also need to be fully prepared."

As he spoke, Zhang Zhiliang tossed over a storage ring.

Li Fan took the ring and examined it, his brows furrowing slightly. Because inside the storage ring, surprisingly, lay a corpse. And apart from the corpse, there was nothing else. What was even stranger was that the body of this corpse was no different from that of an ordinary cultivator. Even its attire was identical to that of a normal cultivator. The only chilling difference was that the corpse's head was not human, but a horse's skull!

"This is..."

"This is the legendary Mind Horse (Yi Ma)," Zhang Zhiliang's voice slowly drifted over. "It is exceedingly precious; I didn't even get much of it, so don't lose it."

"Mind Horse?" Li Fan’s heart stirred slightly. "This junior knows of the existence of the Heart Ape (Xin Yuan), which can enhance and quickly replenish spiritual sense consumption. I wonder what purpose this Mind Horse serves?" Li Fan asked, not understanding.

"The Heart Ape strengthens spiritual sense, while the Mind Horse strengthens the soul," Zhang Zhiliang said slowly. "As for how it strengthens..." A mysterious smile suddenly appeared on Zhang Zhiliang's face. "You'll know once you try it yourself."

Li Fan nodded, indicating he understood.

"When the closed-door training begins, there will certainly be an assessment for members from all participating states. Over these two years, you must work hard. At that time, don't disgrace our Congyun Sea." Zhang Zhiliang cautioned him. Afterwards, he handed three Soul Division Jade Slips to Li Fan. "I have a total of six Soul Division Jade Slips. If you can thoroughly read them all, it means you can graduate from your apprenticeship. I don't expect you to accomplish this within these two years. However, I'm giving them to you now as an encouragement."

Li Fan bowed in thanks and accepted the jade slips.

"You may go now and prepare well! I will notify you again before the training officially begins." Zhang Zhiliang waved his hand.

Back in the Sky Profound Mirror, Li Fan first searched for information about the Mind Horse. The results were sparse, with no useful information. It seemed this was not something ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators would know. After all, Zhang Zhiliang himself said it was precious, so its high value was evident.

"Try it yourself..."

Li Fan's eyes flickered. He released the human-bodied, horse-headed corpse from the ring. "How do I try?"

Li Fan first quietly observed it for a moment. Nothing unusual happened. After pondering for a moment, he then touched it with his hand. After a long time, nothing seemed to change. It was as if what lay before him was just an ordinary, albeit strangely shaped, corpse.

"Strange..."

After a while longer, Li Fan still couldn't find a way to use the Mind Horse. Doubt suddenly arose in his heart, and he unconsciously reached up and stroked his chin. When Li Fan's hand touched his own chin, his body suddenly froze. His heart skipped a beat.

"Could it be..."

Li Fan cast a mirror spell to observe his own face.

"Indeed."

Although he was mentally prepared, when he saw himself in the mirror with a human body and a horse's head, Li Fan still felt a shiver of dread.

"Could it be that this Mind Horse before me came to be this way?" In an instant, a thought suddenly and uncontrollably surfaced in Li Fan's mind. "Then, how did it die?" Subsequently, Li Fan couldn't help but wonder.

Li Fan's gaze involuntarily fell upon the Mind Horse corpse lying silently on the ground. There was not a single scratch or wound on its entire body. As he continued to look, a sudden chill arose in Li Fan's heart. Because he suddenly realized that the Mind Horse corpse lying on the ground had undergone an inexplicable change at some point. Its attire was so familiar; it was clearly identical to Li Fan's.

"No... it's not just the clothes."

Li Fan's heart sank. The entire Mind Horse corpse had quietly become identical to Li Fan.

"Is this corpse my fate in the near future?" A thought suddenly appeared. "I..." "Will I die?"

Fear descended in an instant.