Chapter 29: After the matter, must go out to sea

A few days after the wind disaster, all residents on Liuli Island received instructions to check if the island's protective formation was damaged.

The method of checking was simple: Liuli Manor would distribute a spirit talisman. Residents only needed to hang the talisman in their homes for a few days and nights and observe if any red light emerged.

As for other remote corners of the island, specific individuals were assigned to check them.

"The island's protective formation has 367,800 nodes. It is crucial to ensure that every single node is free of anomalies." Under the Celestial Master's command, and for their own safety, all activities on Liuli Island were suspended to prioritize the maintenance of the protective formation.

Previously, the Celestial Master would coordinate the formation's repair work. However, this time, it was said that the spirit stones maintaining the formation's operation were nearly depleted, so the Celestial Master returned to Myriad Immortals Island to retrieve more.

Li Fan also received a spirit talisman.

He hung the spirit talisman in his home. Upon careful sensing, he could faintly detect an invisible fluctuation spreading from it.

After expanding outwards for a certain distance, it seemed to encounter an obstacle and reflected back.

As the fluctuation returned, the spirit talisman lit up with a blue light.

After a few moments, the blue light extinguished.

The fluctuation resumed.

This cycle repeated.

"The formation's self-inspection consists of 360 talisman flashes as one small cycle, and 360 small cycles as one large cycle. As long as no red light emerges during a large cycle, it signifies that the formation is intact." Li Fan recalled these instructions given when he received the talisman.

"This island protection formation is so vast yet incredibly intricate; it's hard to imagine how it was built."

"Myriad Immortals Island is said to be where the vast majority of cultivators in this Cloud Sea gather. It's exceptionally mysterious; even Steward Zhao doesn't know much about it."

"All I know is that if mortals on the island can cleanse their bodies of miasma and draw qi into themselves, a Celestial Master will descend and take them to Myriad Immortals Island."

"It seems my goal in this life is that place."

However, things still needed to be taken one step at a time. First, he needed to secure a spot on the sea expedition fleet, thereby gaining an opportunity to enter the Spirit Cleansing Pool.

Li Fan had waited for centuries, so he was naturally not in a hurry.

Time quietly passed amidst the anxious prayers of the island residents.

Five days later, the result that relieved everyone on the island was announced.

The island's protective formation was not damaged.

With the Celestial Master's return, bringing sufficient spirit stones, the island residents finally felt completely at ease.

Life on Liuli Island gradually returned to normal.

In the following months, disaster victims from other islands occasionally came to Liuli Island for refuge.

Only a small number of these people survived. Most of the inhabitants on their islands had died in the recent wind disaster.

Upon learning that Liuli Island had a Celestial Master residing there, strong envy appeared on the faces of these disaster victims.

The Cloud Sea was vast and boundless, containing countless islands of all sizes.

Only islands with unique resource outputs would have a Celestial Master presiding over them.

Li Fan also kept busy during these months.

By diligently practicing the "Profound Yellow Pure Heart Spell" every day, he finally reaped rewards.

Name: Li FanRealm: MortalPhysiological Age: 41/88↑Psychological Age: 504/1119↑

Both his physiological and psychological age limits had increased again, and although the increase was not significant, it still invigorated Li Fan.

From then on, Li Fan cultivated even more diligently, practicing the Pure Heart Spell all day, except when eating.

Another month passed in this manner. Li Fan finally received a message sent by Steward Zhao.

The wind disaster in the Cloud Sea had completely disappeared. The fleet's next departure was imminent!

Three days later, at Liuli Island's dock.

Liuli Island's sea vessels were slightly larger than the Taiyan Boat's second form, measuring two to three hundred meters in length.

Over a dozen large ships were arranged in sequence, moored on the sea, presenting quite a spectacular sight.

Due to the wind disaster, the fleet had been idle for a long time. Liuli Island also had a significant backlog of resources to submit.

Thus, the island master ordered the entire fleet to set sail this time.

This was a rare grand occasion. Previously, for safety, only one or two fleets would depart at the same time.

The dock was crowded with residents who came to watch the spectacle.

Occasionally, seeing acquaintances on the sea vessels, they enthusiastically waved.

Li Fan followed Steward Zhao's people, boarding a sea vessel named "Cangyuan."

Many crew members, like Li Fan, were going to sea for the first time. Their faces were filled with excitement, and their eyes sparkled with the hope of striking it rich overnight.

The experienced crew members, however, were the exact opposite.

Not only did they show no excitement, but their faces were also filled with worry, and they grumbled incessantly: "Who knows what crazy idea the island master has, setting up this assessment. The fleet with the smallest harvest this time will be deemed unqualified and have their future sailing privileges revoked! What are we going to do?"

"Oh, don't even mention it. It's all because of the wind disaster. I privately heard that Coral Island to the south was completely leveled because its protective formation shattered. And all the resources that Coral Island was supposed to submit have now fallen to our Liuli Island."

"What kind of situation is this! How are we supposed to live like this?"

"They say it's only temporary, as long as we make up for the previous arrears."

Everyone sighed in lament.

"Look at you all, acting so pathetic! Why don't you think positively? Isn't there a reward for first place? The harvest share will increase from 30% to 50%!"

"Fifty percent! Do you understand what that means? If we can snag a big one, we won't have to go out to sea for the rest of our lives!"

Just then, a bronzed man walked over and started yelling at the crew.

"Boss, stop dreaming," one replied. "First place? You know our fishing skills; we barely complete the catch mission every time."

"Yeah, I think this will be our last voyage!"

"Why don't we just not come back and become carefree pirates? How great would that be!"

Clearly, the crew had a good relationship with the man. After being scolded, they not only weren't afraid, but instead started to playfully jeer.

Hearing their nonsense, the man was not worried.

Instead, he put his hands on his hips, looking confident and poised.

"What, Boss, do you have an idea?" The crew knew the man very well, and seeing this, they all asked.

The man said proudly, "Don't worry, there's a capable person on board this time. I guarantee everyone will return with a full load."

After speaking, he pointed to Li Fan, who was standing behind him.

"Him?" they scoffed. "So fair-skinned, has he ever been to sea?"

The crew members looked closely and immediately felt somewhat disappointed, shaking their heads to express disbelief.

"You blind fools, you don't recognize a distinguished person!" the man angrily rebuked, seemingly furious. "This is the great talent specially invited by Steward Zhao, and he'll be taking over our ship soon! Show some respect, all of you!"

Hearing what the man said, the Cangyuan immediately erupted in chatter.

And the bronzed man, looking back at Li Fan, secretly revealed a sly, triumphant smile.