Chapter 487: Xuantian Locks the Secluded

The order came from the headquarters of the Myriad Immortals Alliance's Department of Governance, accompanied by a proxy island master token and detailed handover instructions, leaving no room for doubt about its authenticity.

Ostensibly, the reason was that following the surprise attack on Myriad Immortals Island, Li Fan held the highest position among the surviving official cultivators within the Stratus Cloud Sea. Since Immortal Monarchs Ziyun and Hongxi, both of the Soul Transformation stage, could not return for some reason, the position of acting island master naturally fell to Li Fan.

Li Fan, however, felt no joy at this unexpected windfall. After carefully reading the handover instructions, his brows furrowed. Although the Special Steward of the Martial Arts Hall was merely an honorary position, its rank indeed required a cultivator of Nascent Soul stage or above. The rank was not low. There was no issue with this. However, within the vast Stratus Cloud Sea, there must have been many other official cultivators of similar rank who were dispersed and not captured by the Council of Five Elders. Why was this "important task" specifically entrusted to Li Fan?

He had no hidden backing in this life. Was it a test, a warning, or an appeasement? Li Fan did not know. However, since the order had been issued, overthinking was futile. He would deal with challenges as they arose. A cold glint flashed in Li Fan's eyes as he flew towards the Stratus Cloud Sea.

Upon reaching the edge of Shilin Prefecture, near the Stratus Cloud Sea, he once again encountered the invisible barrier. Li Fan took out a communication talisman, injecting spiritual energy to activate it. A radiant "Myriad" character shone from it, shooting towards the barrier. Ripples spread out, and Li Fan attempted to extend his right hand. He felt an invisible substance clinging to his arm, changing shape as he pushed forward. It was finally like a sticky, murky bubble that burst. Li Fan pondered this, then charged his entire body towards the invisible barrier. The next moment, Li Fan's true body had re-entered the Stratus Cloud Sea.

Following the location recorded in the handover instructions, Li Fan flew at full speed, arriving at his destination four days later. A familiar-looking colossal Dust-Crossing Boat floated silently in the air. On its deck, numerous figures in black robes were faintly visible. After a moment of contemplation, Li Fan flew towards the Dust-Crossing Boat. As if they had long anticipated Li Fan's arrival, the black-robed cultivators moving about did not step forward to obstruct him.

"Fellow Daoist Li Fan, come this way!" The moment he stepped onto the deck, a voice emerged from within the Dust-Crossing Boat. Li Fan walked in the direction of the voice, subtly observing the black-robed cultivators around him. He was familiar with their cold and stern aura. They were likely those whose souls originated from different eras, specializing in handling extraordinary affairs. They were the predecessors of the Celestial Arcanists who emerged after the establishment of the Profound Net in his previous life. Unwilling to cause trouble for now, Li Fan merely pretended to glance inadvertently, then withdrew his gaze and continued walking inside.

Soon, he reached a room deep within the corridor and pushed the door open. A white-haired young man sat gravely at a long table. On the table, numerous characters and images flashed rapidly. They seemed to possess a built-in feature to prevent external prying; everything Li Fan saw was distorted and blurred.

"Island Master Li, you have received the appointment letter, so I won't repeat the details here," the white-haired young man said, not raising his head and keeping his gaze on the table. "I will primarily emphasize three points. First, the reconstruction work must be completed within half a year. Second, the budget for this project is limited. You must strictly control the overall material expenditure. If the actual costs exceed the approved limit and delay construction progress, you will bear the corresponding responsibility. Of course, if you complete the task on time, it will be a great achievement, and rewards will certainly not be lacking! The third point, and the most important one..."

At this point, the white-haired young man finally looked up and stared at Li Fan. Li Fan's heart skipped a beat, for he was startled to find that the white-haired young man's eye sockets were completely empty and filled with an eerie blackness.

"There is no formal written explanation for this in the talisman appointment. Once you leave this room, I will absolutely deny having said these words. However, this is something you *must* do. Should there be any mishap..." The white-haired young man let out a cold snort and lightly tapped the table with his finger. A streak of light flew from the long table directly towards Li Fan. Li Fan raised his hand to block it, and the moment the streak of light touched his body, it vanished without a trace. Simultaneously, some information appeared in his mind.

"This is..." Li Fan frowned slightly.

"The formation diagram for the Profound Heaven Ghost-Locking Array," the white-haired young man explained, seemingly discerning Li Fan's confusion. "Myriad Immortals Island was moved, and the netherworld passage beneath it was exposed. While constructing the new Stratus Cloud Immortal City, you must also engrave the Profound Heaven Ghost-Locking Array into its foundation. With the formation diagram as a guide, you don't need to be highly proficient in formations, just not completely ignorant. As an ancient cultivator, this should not be a problem for you," the white-haired young man stated, preempting any refusal from Li Fan.

"What should I call you, fellow Daoist?" Li Fan asked, frowning slightly and not immediately agreeing.

The white-haired young man gazed at Li Fan with his eerie eyes before finally uttering, "First Jinglun."

Li Fan's gaze sharpened slightly. He had seen this name before. Cultivating for three years, a mortal formed a Golden Core. The Golden Core cultivator then defeated Nascent Soul and even Soul Transformation cultivators. Decades ago, he was already at the peak of the Soul Transformation stage and resolutely gave up an easily attainable opportunity for Dao Integration, simply because the essence of heaven and earth was too weak and did not meet his expectations. He was Young Master Jinglun, around whom various legends circulated among cultivators. Li Fan had long heard of his renown and never expected to meet him in person today.

However, Li Fan was also someone who had seen much of the world. With an unperturbed expression and a neither humble nor arrogant demeanor, he cupped his hands and said, "So it is Young Master Jinglun himself! Although it is an order from the Department of Governance at the Myriad Immortals Alliance headquarters, asking me to inexplicably become an acting island master and also set up some Profound Heaven Ghost-Locking Array... I must refuse!" Li Fan stated firmly.

First Jinglun couldn't help but frown. Feeling the space around him gradually grow heavy, Li Fan's expression remained entirely unchanged. He continued, "This matter is far too strange, reeking of conspiracy everywhere. Who can guarantee that your Myriad Immortals Alliance won't discard me once I'm no longer useful?"

Hearing this, First Jinglun was momentarily stunned. He smiled slightly and withdrew his oppressive aura. "So that's what you're worried about... There's no need for that."

Young Master Jinglun stood up and walked to the edge of the room. As he moved, the entire ship wall instantly became transparent. As if standing in the clouds, the vast Stratus Cloud Sea appeared before them.

"Island Master Li, you are from ancient times, so you may not know that ever since the Great Tribulation descended, strange beings known as 'anomalies' have emerged in various places around the world," Young Master Jinglun slowly stated. "And they appear most frequently and densely in a few specific locations."