Chapter 362: Pushing the Waves and Secretly Stirring the Waters

"What? You want to return to the stronghold and continue building the Sky-Profound Spirit-Locking Array?""Are you insane?"

Hao Hui was startled when the aged Li Fan suddenly appeared before him. When Li Fan stated his request, Hao Hui initially stared in disbelief, thinking he had misheard. After repeatedly confirming, he even laughed in anger and flatly refused.

"Fellow Daoist Li, you've already done enough," Hao Hui said. "Let other formation masters handle the rest. Your current condition truly isn't suitable for continuing the array's construction."

After a moment's hesitation, Hao Hui advised, "Fellow Daoist, you've been trapped in the Essence-Devouring White Mist for too long, and your lifespan is nearing its end. The best course of action now is to seize every moment and strive to cultivate. See if you can break through to the Nascent Soul realm before your time runs out. Given your talent, I believe you might still have a chance to defy fate and change your destiny."

Although Hao Hui's words resonated with Li Fan, he nevertheless shook his head, speaking against his true feelings: "I appreciate your kindness, Fellow Daoist, but it's important to know oneself. With my remaining lifespan, cultivating to the Nascent Soul realm is absolutely impossible! Instead of wasting time on such meaningless endeavors, I'd rather contribute my last ounce of strength to building the Sky-Profound Spirit-Locking Array while I'm still able. If, in my lifetime, I can witness the Sky-Profound Spirit-Locking Array cover the entire territory of the Myriad Immortals Alliance, then even if I die, I will have no regrets!"

Li Fan's expression was solemn as he spoke with righteous conviction. "If my remaining life is to be spent idly, waiting aimlessly for death, I wouldn't rest in peace. I hope, Fellow Daoist, you will grant my wish!"

Looking at the incredibly earnest Li Fan, Hao Hui was speechless. He instinctively wanted to refuse, but seeing the other's sincere eyes, an unspeakable feeling filled his heart.

"...Very well," he finally said. "Fellow Daoist, wait for me a moment. I'll go ask for instructions."

Hao Hui seemed to rush away as if afraid to face Li Fan again. Li Fan, unhurried, waited patiently.

After less than half a day, Hao Hui returned with a complex expression.

"Fellow Daoist Li," he said, "the higher-ups have agreed to your request. Once this tide of demonic sounds subsides, our Qingxuan Army will dispatch personnel to escort you back to the front line."

"Thank you very much, Brother Hao," Li Fan said, nodding his thanks as if a weight had been lifted.

"Fellow Daoist Li Fan..." Hao Hui looked at the white-haired Li Fan, who seemed so relieved after getting his mission, and couldn't help but ask, "Why, exactly?"

Li Fan's actions had surpassed Hao Hui's understanding. He asked, full of confusion.

Li Fan smiled without answering, cupped his hands, and walked away, leaving a bewildered Hao Hui standing rooted to the spot, lost in thought for a long time.

As expected, news that Li Fan, who was practically on his deathbed, was about to return to the front lines of array construction spread instantly throughout Broken Palm Immortal City. Amidst the uproar, doubts inevitably surfaced.

However, half a month later, when Li Fan, under the watchful eyes of thousands and escorted by dozens of Qingxuan Army soldiers, once again departed from the Eternal Immortal Bastion and sped towards Stronghold Jiaxu, all doubts vanished. The cultivators were shocked by Li Fan's choice and, at the same time, felt ashamed of their own petty thoughts. Compared to Li Fan's sacrifice, their own decades of tireless duty, having left their homes to guard the Roaring Abyss, seemed insignificant.

Consequently, an unprecedented wave began to emerge within the Qingxuan Army. Instead of constantly complaining about their hardships, they began to compete over who had served longer in the Roaring Abyss.

Li Fan, upon arriving at Stronghold Jiaxu, was naturally unaware of these developments. Due to his timely request for aid, reinforcements from the Eternal Immortal Bastion successfully arrived before the stronghold's supplies were depleted, preventing a tragedy. Although the surviving cultivators received minor punishments for allowing Li Fan to venture alone into the white mist, it was a small price to pay compared to keeping their lives. Moreover, at Li Fan's pleading, He Chen, Kong Yu, and other cultivators ultimately returned to Stronghold Jiaxu to atone for their mistakes and assist him with the array construction.

To ensure Li Fan's safety, the Eternal Immortal Bastion even tripled the number of guards. The amount of reserve supplies carried was also unimaginably large, allowing for lavish use without worrying about running out.

Li Fan, for his part, did not rest for a moment. Once the long-raging tide of demonic sounds finally subsided, he immediately resumed the construction of the Spirit-Locking Array. He Chen and the others had all received his life-saving grace, and the Qingxuan Army personnel, having received their orders, followed Li Fan's every word. Within this small Stronghold Jiaxu, Li Fan thus gained absolute authority. His every command was carried out with 120% efficiency. Furthermore, Li Fan himself reversed his previous habit, transforming from someone who would slack off whenever possible into a workaholic who forgot about rest. The array construction speed nearly doubled compared to before.

Due to the previous impact of the demonic sound tide, array construction had been forced to stop. Li Fan's ranking on the Grand Competition Gold List had originally dropped to the very bottom, hovering around the 600s. But after everyone resumed construction, his ranking steadily rose, catching up quickly.

Li Fan's rapid ascent in the rankings did not attract much attention. The most eye-catching figure on the entire list remained Guo Yezhong, with zero points. This person seemed to disregard the so-called Grand Competition entirely. Cultivators discussed it animatedly, but the Myriad Immortals Alliance did not take any special measures regarding him. Secretly, there were rumors circulating that Guo Yezhong was still within the Myriad Immortals Alliance's territory and had not defected. Moreover, he had not given up on the competition; when asked, he merely responded, "Who wins and who loses is still unknown."

As Li Fan fully immersed himself in the array construction, enduring his inner torment, anecdotes about him, at the behest of those with intentions, began to spread rapidly beyond Broken Palm Immortal City. His moving story, particularly how he endured a great change and neared the end of his lifespan yet still exerted his last ounce of strength to build the Sky-Profound Spirit-Locking Array, was extensively documented and publicized. Soon, almost all cultivators of the Myriad Immortals Alliance who were not in secluded cultivation became aware of Li Fan's deeds.

Whether they believed it or not was another matter, but Li Fan's communication talisman was the first to be inundated with messages. He Zhenghao, Shen Yuzi, and old acquaintances from the Universe Villa all sent messages to inquire. There were simply too many, so Li Fan had to set up an automatic reply, briefly explaining the events. His friends naturally sighed with regret and expressed great admiration for Li Fan. Several also promised to search for life-extending treasures for him. Li Fan thanked each of them. He then continued to tirelessly dedicate himself to array construction.

Thus, two years passed. On this day, a seven-colored light streaked through the white mist, heading straight for Broken Palm Immortal City.