Chapter 321: After the picture is finished, the dagger appears

Since their creation, all nine Disassociation Discs have been kept sealed, with the exception of one that was taken for research into its properties.

Their powers were in perfect balance, which is why they coexisted peacefully.

"However, not long ago, I realized that these treasures would soon be given to you younger generations, and I would no longer be able to study them.

"Driven by a sudden urge, I applied to have one brought out to examine it first.

"Unexpectedly, a mistake led to a fortunate discovery, revealing its true secrets ahead of time."

Ji Hongdao said, a hint of emotion in his voice.

As Ji Hongdao slowly recounted the full story, most of the cultivators present showed no particular reaction.

At most, like Li Fan, they marveled at the wonders of creation in this world, where even magical artifacts needed to undergo a competitive 'gu' process.

After all, the Disassociation Discs were rewards for top performers, not for them.

However, the faces of the top nine cultivators whose names shone brightly on the Golden Ranking were not so pleasant.

Anyone who had a treasure within their grasp, only for it to potentially vanish at any moment, would naturally feel distressed.

Having grown accustomed to and awed by the Disassociation Discs' marvels, they would ultimately be powerless to watch them fail in competition and gradually disappear from their hands.

The mere thought of it was utterly disheartening.

If such a fate were to befall them, it would be better never to have possessed them at all.

Otherwise, it would surely become a mental obstacle, a lifelong affliction that would be extremely difficult to overcome.

From another perspective, however, the top nine on the list were truly favored by heaven.

Each possessed their own pride, making it impossible for them to surrender without a fight or to simply give up.

"No wonder Ji Hongdao wore that expression. The unexpected deaths of Tantai Tao and a dozen others had already been a painful loss for the Strategy Formation Hall.

"And these top nine cultivators are all outstanding, truly promising talents. Losing even one more would be unacceptable.

"Nine discs vying for supremacy, winner takes all. The other eight losers would inevitably be affected, and it's highly probable they would never recover from such a setback.

"For the Myriad Immortals Alliance, the greatest use for this group of trainees is to widely establish the Sky Profound Spirit-Locking Array.

"Even if the winner might become a true grandmaster of array formations, from the Alliance's perspective, they would suddenly lose eight high-level contributors.

"Given the intense resolve in this world to construct the Sky Profound Spirit-Locking Array, the Myriad Immortals Alliance would naturally not allow such a thing to happen."

Li Fan's thoughts raced, and in an instant, he understood the full sequence of events.

As expected, Ji Hongdao continued, "All of you are indispensable talents to the Myriad Immortals Alliance. Every single loss is an unbearable blow. Naturally, we will not permit such self-destructive competition to occur.

"Therefore, after careful deliberation, we have decided to change the prizes for this assessment.

"Instead of the Disassociation Discs, the prize will now be the Strategy Formation Hall's specially crafted Array-Breaker Jade Plate, which was previously only provided to formation masters above the Soul Transformation stage."

Ji Hongdao's announcement, however, failed to create much of a stir.

After all, with the Disassociation Discs having been presented as superior, how could even an array-breaking artifact designed for Soul Transformation masters compare to a secondary manifestation of the Sky Profound Mirror?

Ji Hongdao continued, "The initial prize selection was a mistake on our part. To compensate, we have also decided to expand the number of recipients for the Array-Breaker Jade Plate from the top nine to the top one hundred."

This statement finally caused a ripple of excitement among the crowd.

After all, they had previously not been in contention, so naturally, receiving an unexpected prize out of the blue brought a little thrill.

Li Fan immediately glanced at the Golden Ranking on display in the sky.

He was precisely in one hundredth place.

His performance was somewhat unexpected, better than he had anticipated.

"It seems that subtle adjustment to the array core truly worked wonders," Li Fan mused to himself.

However, his brief surprise quickly subsided, and Li Fan calmly fixed his gaze on Ji Hongdao in the sky.

He must have something even more important left to announce.

And that would be the true highlight of the day.

Otherwise, no one had previously known that the actual prize was the Disassociation Disc.

Upon discovering an issue with the prize, they could have simply announced the replacement directly.

Why bother with today's convoluted approach, stirring up everyone's emotions repeatedly?

Li Fan viewed the Disassociation Discs with a calm and detached perspective, which allowed him to coolly analyze Ji Hongdao's intentions like an outsider.

Indeed, just as Li Fan expected.

Once the crowd gradually settled, he finally announced, "As for those nine Disassociation Discs..."

After a slight pause that drew all the trainees' attention, Ji Hongdao slowly continued, "We have decided to use special methods to directly accelerate their competitive assimilation process.

"Within ten years, we will cultivate the final, and only, Disassociation Disc.

"And this true Disassociation Disc will not be recalled.

"Its ownership will still belong to you."

The words struck like thunder, reigniting a greedy gleam in the eyes of the previously disheartened Qi Chengcheng and others.

"I'm sure you all understand that the reason such a precious treasure as the Disassociation Disc was offered as a reward for this ordinary assessment is due to the Alliance's extreme emphasis on the construction of the Sky Profound Spirit-Locking Array.

"Although there were some minor errors in the process, however!

"Our original intention remains unchanged!"

Ji Hongdao's voice grew heavier, and with a serious expression, he said, "To re-emphasize the Alliance's determination,

"And to inspire everyone to strive for excellence,

"After our application and approval from headquarters, the ultimate victor of the nine-disc competition will be awarded as a prize to the formation master who contributes the most to the Sky Profound Spirit-Locking Array's widespread implementation plan!"

Upon hearing this, Li Fan's eyes narrowed slightly.

He drew a sharp breath, marveling internally, "What a brilliant strategy!

"Today's elaborate twists and turns, these repeated reversals, were all orchestrated for this very moment, weren't they?

"After several emotional rollercoasters, this is far more enticing than simply announcing the outcome directly.

"And are they afraid these trainees won't fight tooth and nail for it?"

Li Fan could almost foresee the terrifying extent to which these formation masters would compete amongst themselves for this Disassociation Disc, which "held the promise of growing into the next Sky Profound Mirror."

In the upcoming wave of construction, these formation masters would surely push themselves to an unimaginable degree of internal competition.

They would likely become even more overworked than beasts of burden.

"It seems the widespread implementation of Sky Profound Spirit-Locking in this world will happen much faster than I imagined.

"Time is running out for me..."

"However, why do I have a persistent feeling that the Myriad Immortals Alliance seems unusually urgent about this?

"The Myriad Immortals Alliance has existed for thousands of years, and its rule is solid as a rock.

"The Sky Profound Spirit-Locking Array is merely a further step forward. They could achieve it gradually; there's no need for so many elaborate tactics.

"What exactly are they so anxious about?"

Li Fan fell into deep thought.