Chapter 821: Everything Flourishes

The cultivators no longer discussed the dark pasts that had been revealed; after all, they had heard so much that they had grown accustomed to it. Instead, they began gathering information and inquiring about the contents of past Immortal Alliance entrance examinations. They were eager to participate, vowing to become part of the Immortal Alliance's official ranks.

A crisis capable of sparking internal strife was thus quietly quelled. The method of resolution was so ingenious that even half a month later, Li Fan still found himself replaying the events and marveling to himself.

"With a mere gesture, the crisis was dispelled into thin air."

"All that was needed was a single announcement."

Li Fan truly admired it. After all, he couldn't conceive of a better solution.

"The grand entrance examination in half a year will be so significant. How could I not participate and claim my share...?"

"However, though this current life hasn't progressed far, its trajectory has already significantly deviated. The test questions should have changed accordingly."

As he pondered this, information about the entrance examination questions he had collected from previous attempts flashed through Li Fan's mind.

"The core principles remain the same. While I can't predict the exact questions, it won't be difficult to compile a question bank covering a general scope."

He casually retrieved a blank jade slip. Inside his mind, the Dao Transformation Stone crystal suddenly emitted a burst of blue light. Immediately, a vast amount of data poured into the jade slip. The entire transfer took the time of a single cup of tea.

"As expected, the mid-grade Dao Transformation Stone is significantly more efficient. Its processing power has more than doubled."

Li Fan's finger traced the smooth surface of the jade slip, and he nodded in great satisfaction. The Dao Transformation Stone's long-awaited upgrade was thanks not only to his persistent efforts to merge it within Yi Yin's tomb during every reincarnation, but also crucially, to a low-grade Dao Transformation Stone provided by the Council of Five Elders during this transaction. Although also low-grade, this particular stone was of far superior quality compared to the one from Yi Yin's tomb, almost reaching the level of a mid-grade artifact. Upon absorbing it, the Dao Transformation Stone in Li Fan's spiritual sea immediately ascended to mid-grade.

"It's a pity that the Council of Five Elders was only willing to provide this single piece. They were even prepared to offer more Celestial Venerable creations but refused to give me any more Dao Transformation Stones."

"Could it be that they have a specific use for them as well?"

Li Fan furrowed his brow in thought, but after a moment, a sense of understanding washed over him. Although Celestial Venerable creations are incredibly precious, they are, after all, reproducible. Compared to Dao Transformation Stones, which are consumed upon use, it's truly hard to say which holds greater value.

"Hmm, the Immortal Alliance entrance examination question bank. I should be able to exchange this for more with them."

"Whether for planting spies or for causing disruption, this holds significant potential."

Li Fan began to calculate silently in his mind.

"Tianci!" he called out a moment later.

A figure flashed, and Shang Tianci immediately scampered to Li Fan's side. With Lin Ling's presence, Shang Tianci—the hot-blooded youth Li Fan had successfully brainwashed—was now even more utterly devoted to Li Fan, striving to prove himself in every way possible. His previous excursions to gather scenery were no longer mere sightseeing tours. Instead, he swiftly visited all the required wondrous sights before rushing back without delay. It was fortunate he could teleport using the Heavenly Scenery Gourd; otherwise, such long-distance travel in so short a time would surely have exhausted him to death.

Despite his strenuous efforts, Tian Yang's arrival still instilled in him an immense sense of crisis. Compared to the somewhat talkative and constantly fawning Shang Tianci, Lin Ling seemed more interested in Tian Yang, who was as stoic as a block of wood. This greatly distressed Shang Tianci. He had no choice but to take an indirect approach, attempting to curry favor with Li Fan to salvage his standing.

"Senior, how may I serve you?"

Li Fan tossed the jade slip to him. "Make one hundred copies of this jade slip, immediately."

"Understood!" Shang Tianci, assuming it wouldn't be a difficult task, immediately agreed. However, when he took the slip and carefully examined its contents, he first cried out in pain and clutched his forehead. Then he exclaimed, "Senior, this is far too much!"

"If it wasn't a lot, I would have simply carved them myself. Why would I need you?" Li Fan scoffed. "Remember, this matter is urgent. Deliver them to me within seven days."

Shang Tianci's face fell. Seeing Li Fan's stern expression, he dared not refuse. He gritted his teeth and left to begin the work.

Li Fan then turned his gaze to the Tree People diligently toiling across the Spiritwood Realm.

"Unfortunately, it's clear these Tree People constructs do not fall within the scope of the Sitting Immortal Art."

Compared to when Li Fan first arrived in Spiritwood, the overall strength of these Tree People had undergone a remarkable leap. The most numerous group had advanced from the early Qi Condensation stage to a strength comparable to late Qi Condensation. Furthermore, Tree People at the Foundation Establishment and Golden Core stages had emerged in a surge. The Tree People Matriarch had reaped the greatest benefits. She could already contend as an equal with ordinary Soul Transformation cultivators.

Such marked improvement was partly due to Shang Tianci's continuous transportation of Profound Yellow Wonders. More importantly, it was due to the treasure obtained from the Council of Five Elders' transaction: Heavenly Dew and Earthly Essence. This item was the ancient Divine Wood Sect's foundational treasure, possessing unparalleled benefits for all plants in the world, a marvel unmatched by other rare treasures. Despite being just a single drop, the Spirit Tree's size surged by another half. Its canopy now reached the firmament, appearing as though it might pierce the very sky. In this latest transformation, Lin Ling was also the primary beneficiary. From barely possessing Dao Integration combat power at her birth, she had now firmly settled within the Dao Integration realm, all in just over a month. And considering the hidden protection from the ancient senior of the Earth Vein Tree...

"Truly, comparing oneself to others can be maddening."

"Even for me, reaching the Nascent Soul stage requires considerable effort."

At the same time, Li Fan vaguely perceived that once resources reached a certain abundance, cultivating cultivators with significant combat power became a remarkably simple task.

"The prominent families of the Immortal Alliance are certainly not as straightforward as they appear on the surface."

Li Fan pondered for a moment, then refocused his attention on the Tree People spread throughout the world. Their tasks were broadly divided into two main parts. One group was responsible for constructing the World Unification Association's complex of buildings. The other group of Tree People was tasked with transporting and placing various materials at designated locations throughout the Spiritwood Realm, in preparation for array refinement.

Array refinement, as it was called, was a method of consecrating magical treasures. To fully refine a magical treasure, in addition to conventional fire refinement and blood essence refinement, this unique method also existed. It was primarily utilized by array masters. Intricate arrays were inscribed onto the treasure. This not only allowed the treasure to be fully controlled by its user but also amplified its inherent power through the array.

Li Fan was not yet proficient in the art of artifact refining, so it was naturally impossible for him to learn it from scratch solely to consecrate a magical treasure. Since he possessed a supreme treasure like the Final Disintegration Plate, array refinement was undoubtedly the most suitable method.

However, the Spiritwood Realm had undergone several transformations. It had become far vaster than an ordinary minor realm. To successfully refine it, he would need to proceed gradually.

(End of chapter)