Once the Golden Core exotic beast was subdued through the combined efforts of Jiang Zhengji and Du Xingchang, the red-haired exotic beasts on Wanlai Island finally showed expressions of terror.
They began fleeing, and some even attempted to leap into the sea.
But the purple array Jiang Zhengji had set up earlier had already completely sealed off Wanlai Island.
"Kill them!"
At Jiang Zhengji's command, the five members from the Celestial Change division once again began their efficient slaughter.
Li Fan, appearing as though he had finished resting, activated the Celestial Spirit Fire Dragon Array. He also occasionally released faint blue sword light to harvest the lives of the red-haired exotic beasts.
This time, no further complications arose.
By late afternoon, as the sun set, only a quarter of the red-haired exotic beasts on Wanlai Island remained alive.
"Halt!" Jiang Zhengji finally spoke again.
Heavy snow began falling once more as he employed the same technique he had used to capture the Golden Core exotic beast.
He transformed the majority of the remaining red-haired exotic beasts into tiny snowmen. Then he collected them, storing them in some unknown location.
"This mission proceeded relatively smoothly. We can return to the island now," he said calmly.
The exhausted five-member squad collectively breathed sighs of relief.
Li Fan also maintained the appearance of someone who had pushed themself beyond their limits.
"You have my thanks, Fellow Daoist. Without those crucial arrays, I doubt they would have passed their trial successfully," Jiang Zhengji said politely to Li Fan during their return journey.
Li Fan wore an expression of humility. "The members of the Martial Hall did all the heavy lifting. I merely set up a few arrays and didn't actually eliminate many exotic beasts."
Jiang Zhengji smiled. "Isn't that what array masters are supposed to do? Your array proficiency doesn’t seem low at all. While you might not compare to those grandmasters, the practical contributions you made in battle were significant. That Water-Muddying Array in particular is truly ingenious.
"I've participated in dozens of extermination missions and encountered many array masters, but few possess your level of adaptability, Fellow Daoist."
Li Fan shook his head. "You flatter me too much. It was just a moment of inspiration."
Then he asked curiously, "You've participated in dozens of exterminations? Could these red-haired exotic beasts possess some special value? Otherwise, why not simply eradicate them completely?"
Jiang Zhengji nodded. "Your guess is correct, Fellow Daoist. These red-haired exotic beasts do have some use. That's precisely why I captured a large number alive instead of exterminating them all.
"The Martial Hall headquarters issues an annual mission requiring all regions to collect and submit a certain quantity of sound-absorbing esoteric treasures and exotic beasts.
"These red-haired exotic beasts feed on sound. Though relatively weak, they exist in vast numbers, perfectly meeting the headquarters' requirements.
"The headquarters has been quite satisfied with their sound-devouring capabilities, demanding we submit increasing quantities each year.
As he spoke, Jiang Zhengji's face showed a hint of pride.
"But these exotic beasts have no natural predators and never worry about food shortages. Their reproduction rate is alarmingly fast. Additionally, they can devour their own kind to evolve.
“However, if their numbers grow too large, there's a chance one might evolve into a Nascent Soul monster. That would create serious problems. To prevent this, we must regularly cull the exotic beasts on the island." Jiang Zhengji explained with a smile.
"So you see, the number of red-haired exotic beasts must be carefully balanced, neither too many nor too few. Maintaining them at a relatively low level is optimal."
"Neither too many nor too few." Li Fan slowly nodded upon hearing this, murmuring to himself softly.
As if recalling something, he glanced up at the sky imperceptibly before sinking into deep thought.
The journey passed in silence, and after the group safely returned to Myriad Immortals Island, Li Fan bid farewell to the others.
Back inside the Tianxuan Mirror, he added Du Xingchang and the others as friends in one go.
Sitting cross-legged within the Tianxuan Mirror, Li Fan frowned deeply.
He thought about his twelfth lifetime, when his technique transmission business had prematurely cultivated a large number of Foundation Establishment cultivators. This had even led to pursuit from a Dao Unity cultivator.
Not too many... Is it because the new methodology plunders heaven and earth, and if the number of cultivators is allowed to expand unchecked, the world's resources will be exhausted?
Then why must there not be too few cultivators? If one has already attained eternal life, why care about a bunch of ants?
Both the Myriad Immortals Alliance and the Five Elders Council intentionally nurture cultivators.
The red-haired exotic beasts are useful to the Myriad Immortals Alliance, so a certain number must be maintained.
What use are cultivators to the Eternal Heavenly Venerables?
Before his transmigration, Li Fan had heard the saying: "To Sages, all are but ants."
Sages resided high above, viewing all living things as nothing more than straw dogs. The lives and deaths of beings in heaven and earth were beneath the notice of these Sages.
Even if calamity descended and the world was bathed in blood, Sages regarded it with indifference, utterly unconcerned.
Why then did the Eternal Heavenly Venerables of the Xuanhuang World require a specific number of cultivators?
The Exclusivity of Immortal Techniques had plunged the world into endless slaughter. In this ravaged cultivation world, what reason did the Heavenly Venerable Dao Teacher, who had already achieved eternal life, have to establish the Myriad Immortals Alliance?
Compassion? Or perhaps...
In an instant, several different answers surfaced in Li Fan's mind. But clearly, none could be verified at this moment. He could only bury them deep within his heart, waiting for future opportunities to uncover the truth.
Calming his turbulent emotions, Li Fan checked his permission level.
The reward for the red-haired exotic beast extermination mission was a Grade D- merit.
The actual permission level increase was 2, 60.
After completing just this one mission, Li Fan's permission level had risen to Yan 3, with 60% progress in this level.
It seems that in the early stages, raising permission levels is quite straightforward.
Li Fan then browsed through the newly available techniques. Unfortunately, he still couldn't find any that could enhance his ability to multitask.
Over the following period, Li Fan accepted and completed two more merit tasks.
One was a Grade C+ merit task, the other a Grade D- merit task.
The missions went smoothly, without any complications. At the same time, Li Fan became acquainted with other members within the Myriad Immortals Alliance system, and his permission level consequently advanced to Yan 5.
Although he had used up his annual quota of three merit missions, he still hadn't found a suitable technique.
It seems that even with the Derivation Jade's ability to derive an infinite number of techniques for the Myriad Immortals Alliance, any technique that enhances multitasking remains extremely precious.
I wonder what permission level is required for it to appear in my redemption catalog.
The detailed redemption catalogs for different permission levels are also confidential information and cannot be casually shared.
The higher the permission level, the greater the confidentiality. Leaking such information carelessly could lead to anything from merit deductions to severe punishment, even execution.
If not for these restrictions, I might have asked others for details to get a clearer picture.
For now, I’ll have to bide my time and focus on raising my permission level whenever possible.
During this entire period, Zhou Qing’ang, the guardian of Tai’an Island, had been acting perfectly normal. But Li Fan remained patient. He was certain that before Crimson Flame scorched the seas, Zhou Qing’ang would slip up.