Chapter 614: Wanxian Alliance Calendar

In the Heavenly Profound Mirror, various light projections appeared sequentially.

The data spanned from the formal groundbreaking of Congyun Immortal City, which Li Fan supervised and was anchored in Year 11, to the end of Anchored Year 14. A total of four years of settlement data instantly appeared before Li Fan.

"New Immortal Calendar Year 2021: Overall ranking: 231st. Reward: three medium-level Class B merits, 11,000 contribution points."

"New Immortal Calendar Year 2022: Overall ranking: 226th. Reward: three medium-level Class B merits, 15,000 contribution points. Additionally, the Congyun Sea region actively responded to the Immortal Alliance's conscription policy and performed well during the great battle in Tianling Province. An extra high-level Class B merit was awarded."

As Li Fan instantly claimed thirteen merit tasks, his merit rank soared, stopping only when it reached Rank 22. In his previous life, Li Fan's merit rank reached 31 only when his lifespan was almost depleted, a result of his extraordinary contributions from desperately building the Heavenly Profound Spirit-Locking Array. Now, however, he had effortlessly risen to Rank 22, almost as if he were a hands-off manager. Of course, this was also partly due to the high-level Class A merit awarded by the Immortal Alliance during the groundbreaking of Congyun City.

With the increase in his merit rank, many previously hidden cultivation techniques and treasures in the Heavenly Profound Mirror were unlocked. However, having reached a higher tier in his previous life, Li Fan merely glanced at the list. He noticed that, compared to his past experience, it only contained a few additional magical artifacts redeemable exclusively by provincial administrators. For example, the Mirror of Sentient Beings could monitor the total number of cultivators and their cultivation levels within a province. The Bell of Myriad Forms could display the approximate development of other provinces during the current year, as well as their own province's projected ranking in the annual comprehensive assessment. Overall, these were artifacts that primarily facilitated internal competition, offering no practical use for Li Fan.

What Li Fan was more interested in, however, was the date shown in the settlement notification.

"The New Immortal Calendar..."

As the name suggested, the New Immortal Calendar was a system established with the Heaven-Transmitting Venerable's rebuilding of the Myriad Immortal Alliance as its inaugural year. Yet, when Li Fan had previously consulted various ancient texts, all specific timeframes mentioned had been deliberately or unintentionally vague. Only broad terms like "ancient times," "remote antiquity," "primordial times," and "thousands or hundreds of years ago" were ever used. This was also the first time Li Fan had encountered a time record precise down to a specific year. As for Sima Changkong's bloodline historical records, they, much like Li Fan's "anchored years," designated their own beginning as year one and were not applicable to the entire cultivation world.

"It seems the Myriad Immortal Alliance must also have a detailed set of record-keeping rules internally. They simply keep it secret." Li Fan was not surprised. Since the Divine Treasury Museum preserved various precious relics from the history of the Xuanhuang Realm, it was only logical that the true history itself would also be recorded there. "Ancient history is not suitable for public knowledge. Ignorance leads to greater stability," Li Fan sneered internally.

"I remember that once my access level reaches Rank 30, I'll get a free visit to the Divine Treasury Museum." The image of the head in the museum's center suddenly flashed in his mind, and Li Fan felt a renewed sense of hunger. However, in an instant, Li Fan forcibly suppressed his restless urge. The Divine Treasury Museum was heavily guarded, with the Immortal Beast Emperor San Mo personally overseeing it. Acting rashly would be tantamount to walking into a trap, certainly not something the current Li Fan could contend with. Only by gradually increasing his strength through successive reincarnations, uncovering more secrets, and thereby finding a suitable breakthrough point, might there be a glimmer of hope.

Closing the merit records, Li Fan sent a message to Immortal Lord Hong Xi, informing him that he had claimed all his merits from the past few years and thanking him for his guidance. Hong Xi laughed heartily and simply encouraged Li Fan to continue his efforts, assuring him that he would handle any concerns from his subordinates.

As expected, three days later, Immortal Lord Hong Xi returned and convened a meeting with all official cultivators in the Congyun Sea region. Just as they all expected the once-illustrious Li Fan to lose power and be cast down, Immortal Lord Hong Xi publicly announced that Li Fan would continue to manage administrative affairs in his stead. This news instantly brought immense joy to the previously anxious He Zhenghao and others. The other cultivators, too, wore expressions of disbelief. Stealthily glancing at Li Fan's composed face, they felt a mix of shock and apprehension. Their imaginations ran wild concerning Li Fan's hidden backing. If Immortal Lord Hong Xi, who had ruled the Congyun Sea for a century, was compelled to relinquish power, just how formidable was Li Fan's concealed strength?

Disregarding the changing expressions of the crowd, Li Fan bowed to Immortal Lord Hong Xi and reiterated his thanks. Immortal Lord Hong Xi, however, waved his hand languidly, took a step, and vanished from the scene. Li Fan naturally knew that Immortal Lord Hong Xi was simply too lazy to deal with the petty affairs of the Congyun Sea and was eager to become a hands-off manager. But the others were unaware of this! In their eyes, Immortal Lord Hong Xi's departing figure clearly seemed somewhat dejected! The truth was clear: Immortal Lord Hong Xi had indeed lost to Li Fan in a power struggle! A tidal wave of realization swept through the cultivators' hearts, causing them to lower their gazes and look askance, unwilling to meet the eyes of the spirited Secret Envoy before them.

Seeing the cultivators' reactions, Li Fan understood what they were thinking. He, however, was too lazy to explain and instead emulated Hong Xi. "For Immortal Alliance affairs, stability comes first. Everything in the Congyun Sea will remain as before, and Zhou Qing'ang, He Zhenghao, Gao Yuan, and others will assist me in managing all matters." Zhou, He, and the others were overjoyed and promptly agreed. "You may disperse!" Li Fan waved his hand, then stepped forward and vanished.

After Li Fan left, the Administrative Hall immediately erupted into a buzz.

"Fellow Daoist Zhou, congratulations!"

"Lord He, this is truly wonderful news!"

Li Fan, listening in, subtly shook his head. Just as he was about to return to Shenhua Island, he suddenly received another message.

"The Second Friendly Exchange Event between the Myriad Immortal Alliance and the Five Elders Council will be held in Tianling Province in ten days."

"On this former battlefield, both sides are expected to set aside their animosity and forge new friendships."

Li Fan's first thought, however, was of the ravaged landscape he had previously seen in Tianling Province. "A friendly exchange event held in a place like this? Is that really appropriate?" Li Fan secretly wondered. "Perhaps it's a friendly exchange on the surface, but in reality, tensions remain high."

Li Fan carefully searched for relevant information and indeed discovered some peculiar details. Aside from the mutual exhibition of "World-Suppressing Masterpieces," which truly symbolized the "exchange" between the two sides, the event would also include competitive activities such as martial arts contests, debates on cultivation methods, and array testing. Both sides would be represented by their respective organizations' foremost young talents. Furthermore, the entire competition process would be publicly broadcast in real-time.