“To discuss an urgent matter!” Zhang Haobo’s voice echoed between heaven and earth.
The cultivators of Myriad Immortals Island reacted with varied expressions.
“Such audacity! He’s just a Golden Core cultivator. What urgent business could he possibly have?”
“Exactly! Using a stormflood to strong-arm Myriad Immortals Island... he’s mocking us, as if we’re all unworthy!”
“Why hasn’t the Spirit Transformation Immortal Eminence swatted him like a fly yet? The suspense is killing me!”
“Watching him show off like this is worse than losing a prized technique!”
“Yet, to have such a presence despite being only at Golden Core... This young man will achieve great things in the future.”
“He has cultivated for fewer than ten years, yet he rides the winds to dominate myriad immortals at just the Golden Core realm. Such a feat reminds me of the legendary Lord Jinglun.”
Ignoring the clamor rising from the distant Myriad Immortals Island, Zhang Haobo stood composed, waiting patiently.
A moment later, a figure abruptly manifested before him. Clad in white robes and holding a feathered fan, he was the picture of elegant grace.
Narrowing his eyes, he assessed Zhang Haobo. “Golden Core? Urgent matter? It has been a long time since I encountered such an interesting young man!”
Zhang Haobo met his gaze steadily, his expression unchanging, and said with utter calm, “Golden Core, Spirit Transformation... all are but ants.”
The white-robed Spirit Transformation cultivator’s hand, which had been gently stroking his fan, stilled. He studied Zhang Haobo once more, but this time, his gaze held a new weight of seriousness.
After a moment, he pointed into the distance with his feathered fan. “If that is so, then follow me.”
Moments later, the white-robed Spirit Transformation cultivator and Zhang Haobo faded from the sight of everyone watching on Myriad Immortals Island.
Only the colossal azure tornado remained, spinning ceaselessly.
In the sky, a gap suddenly tore open in the clouds. Brilliant starlight poured down, and the swirling azure winds gradually dissipated into nothingness. Only the lingering discussions of the Myriad Immortals Island’s cultivators remained.
Zhang Haobo’s vision blurred, and he suddenly found himself standing atop a mountain peak.
Mist swirled around him, and only the sharp, piercing tips of distant mountain ranges were revealed through the clouds.
The white-robed Spirit Transformation cultivator stood at the cliff’s edge, his back to Zhang Haobo.
“This place is a domain unto itself, shielded from the perception of the Heavenly Dao. Speak freely.”
Zhang Haobo first took another moment to scrutinize his surroundings. With his current cultivation, he could detect nothing unusual about this place.
Only then did he speak. “Senior, are you aware that a Soul Arbiter of heaven and earth lies within the Congyun Sea?”
The white-robed Spirit Transformation cultivator turned to face him, looking at Zhang Haobo with keen interest. “You speak of Azure Wind locked in stalemate with that sword hilt?
“Though I don’t know how you learned of this, if you believe this represents some kind of opportunity, you are mistaken.
“Every Spirit Transformation cultivator in the Congyun Sea and the surrounding provinces knows of Azure Wind’s existence. Yet none dare attempt to refine it. Do you know why?”
Zhang Haobo’s expression remained neutral as he replied, “Is it because of that sword hilt?”
The Spirit Transformation cultivator nodded. “Whenever a Soul Arbiter of heaven and earth appears, It is always bound by a heavenly duty. From our observations, Azure Wind’s duty is to destroy that sword hilt.
“A century ago, a Spirit Transformation cultivator from afar passed through, sensed Azure Wind’s presence, and sought to refine It.
“In response, Azure Wind trapped both the outsider and the sword hilt together in its prison.”
“The baleful energy from the sword hilt erupted instantly. Its target wasn’t the prison created by Azure Wind, but that Spirit Transformation cultivator.
“Azure Wind also chose that moment to attack.
“It was equivalent to two Dao Unity Immortal Venerables striking simultaneously. That Spirit Transformation cultivator died on the spot.”
Upon hearing this, Zhang Haobo fell into thoughtful silence.
“Two Dao Unity entities were in conflict, locked in a stalemate. An outsider interfered, one weaker than either, so they perceived it as a provocation. Thus, they united and attacked the intruder together. Is that it?”
The white-robed Spirit Transformation cultivator fanned himself. "The boy is teachable."
Zhang Haobo, however, shifted the topic abruptly. "However, the Soul Arbiter of heaven and earth I speak of is not Azure Wind.
"The sword hilt broke free and flew off to an unknown location. Azure Wind pursued it."
The white-robed Spirit Transformation cultivator's movements froze stiffly.
"What I refer to is a Soul Arbiter of heaven and earth that has not yet appeared, but will soon manifest in the Congyun Sea."
Zhang Haobo's gaze grew distant, as if recalling something.
The white-robed Spirit Transformation cultivator set down his fan, fixing his eyes intently on Zhang Haobo. His expression was grave.
Above the mountain peaks, vast swathes of dark clouds gathered, blotting out the sky.
***
Li Fan remained completely unaware of the events unfolding outside. He was utterly absorbed in the study of arrays.
The person who had been studying alongside him finally cracked under the immense pressure of grueling studies after three months and voluntarily gave up, choosing to leave.
Zhang Zhiliang said nothing about it. Not long after, he brought back another individual to instruct in the art of arrays.
Li Fan didn't even notice these happenings around him. His focus was entirely dedicated to researching arrays.
When he grew weary, he would simply light the silver incense. He truly did not rest for a single moment.
Zhang Zhiliang grew increasingly satisfied whenever he looked at Li Fan.
This routine continued for two full years.
When the reminder he had set earlier finally went off, Li Fan finally roused himself from his studies.
Gazing somewhat reluctantly at the intricate array diagram broken down into countless minute components before him, Li Fan shifted his focus to Zhang Zhiliang.
"Master Zhang, I have a matter to attend to and need to make a trip outside," Li Fan explained.
Zhang Zhiliang nodded. "You've been studying continuously for so long; it's time to go out and relax a little."
After a moment's thought, he handed Li Fan a white, glowing cube.
"I’ll lend this to you for self-defense, just in case something unexpected happens."
Li Fan examined the cube in his hand, discerning the traces of several dozen arrays layered within it.
Zhang Zhiliang added, "This is an Array Crown, formed by superimposing over a hundred different arrays. The most valuable array among them is a teleportation array.
"When facing an opponent you cannot hope to defeat, you can activate this teleportation array to be sent to a random location up to a hundred thousand li away.
"Having studied under me for so long, you should understand how to use this object, so I won't elaborate further."
Li Fan understood the preciousness of this item. The arrays within the Array Crown were not single-use. After each activation, it could passively absorb the surrounding spiritual qi to recharge. Once recharged, it could be used again. This was far superior to those disposable array diagrams that would often break after a few uses.
That Zhang Zhiliang was willing to entrust this object to Li Fan indicated, to some extent, his regard for Li Fan.
Li Fan promptly thanked Zhang Zhiliang and then departed from the Strategy Array Hall.
The reason for this trip was, naturally, that the time for the Deepsea Pearl's emergence was drawing near.
The Deepsea Pearl was the Foundation Establishment Curio he had decided on for this lifetime, and he could not afford to lose it.
Thus, he emerged from seclusion ahead of schedule and headed to Liuyun Island to lie in wait.
Rather than rushing off immediately, Li Fan took his usual approach and inquired about any major events that had occurred during the two years he’d been secluded.
That was how he learned of the commotion stirred up by Zhang Haobo.
“Truly a grand move. Impressive, truly impressive!” Li Fan exclaimed in admiration.
So, by now, the Myriad Immortals Alliance must already know that Crimson Flame will soon scorch the seas.
I wonder how they plan to respond.