Every detail of Li Fan's array construction process was recorded within the blue crystal in his mind. If an array failed, Li Fan would immediately review the recording and carefully identify exactly where the mistake had occurred. Then, during his next attempt, he would multitask, comparing his actions in real time with the mental recording.
After several iterations, Li Fan's success rate skyrocketed.
The moment he perfectly constructed an array even once, Li Fan could use it as a template, and all subsequent arrays of the same type could simply follow that reference.
Practice made perfect, and with his success rate secured, Li Fan grew increasingly swift at placing nodes.
Gradually, he entered a state of complete immersion. His mind held nothing but the arrays themselves.
By the time construction of the external structure was completed and he snapped back to awareness, it was already Anchor Year 12.
Zhang Zhiliang connected the core structure with the external structure, then activated the over three hundred thousand nodes. A translucent blue light instantly enveloped the entire island.
With the grand array complete, Li Fan couldn't help but sigh with satisfaction. Through this training, his practical array construction abilities had improved by nearly twofold.
Li Fan had also noticed that the other three array maintenance technicians were looking at him strangely.
"Excellent! Truly excellent!"
Only through Zhang Zhiliang's enthusiastic praise did Li Fan learn that while in the flow state, he had single-handedly completed nearly half of all array node placements himself. He'd been like an unstoppable array-building automaton.
Zhang Zhiliang, pleased with the early completion of the task, immediately distributed the rewards for the island protection array’s reconstruction.
Li Fan received 4,000 contribution points, more than the other three technicians combined.
Though Li Fan cared little for such meager contribution points, he still expressed his gratitude to Zhang Zhiliang.
"Come to the Strategy Array Hall after we return. I have additional matters to discuss with you."
While chastising the other three technicians, Zhang Zhiliang secretly transmitted this message to Li Fan.
Li Fan maintained his composure, replying via transmission that he understood.
With matters on Haitong Island concluded, Zhang Zhiliang led the group back to Myriad Immortals Island.
After parting ways with his colleagues, Li Fan waited a moment before returning to the Strategy Array Hall.
Zhang Zhiliang was already waiting.
"Master Zhang, what did you wish to see me about?" Li Fan asked respectfully.
Zhang Zhiliang smiled and came straight to the point. "I've observed that you possess remarkable talent for arrays. Would you be willing to study the array path under my guidance?"
Li Fan feigned pleasant surprise. "Master Zhang, you are the foremost array master in the Congyun Sea. I would be honored.
"But..." Li Fan hesitated.
"What concerns do you have?" Zhang Zhiliang raised an eyebrow.
Li Fan answered honestly, "Senior, I have reached the late-stage Foundation Establishment realm. I hope to focus on cultivation first, to break through to Golden Core..."
Before he could finish, Zhang Zhiliang interrupted.
"For us cultivators, realm advancement naturally comes first. Each breakthrough significantly extends our lifespan. Your line of thinking is reasonable.
"However, cultivation requires balancing work with rest. When you hit a bottleneck in cultivation, studying arrays might actually help you achieve a breakthrough.”
Zhang Zhiliang pondered for a moment, then produced a small metal figure from somewhere and handed it over.
Li Fan accepted it, examining the object closely. The figurine bore a striking resemblance to Zhang Zhiliang himself.
"Master Zhang, what is this?" Li Fan inquired.
Zhang Zhiliang smiled proudly. "This contains a fragment of my consciousness. It can manifest as a projection to teach knowledge from the jade slip encapsulated within."
As he spoke, the metal figure instantly dissolved into countless points of light, forming a human silhouette before Li Fan.
It was indistinguishable from any real person and was nearly impossible to tell apart from the man himself.
"During your studies, you can ask it any question about arrays. It will provide answers based on the contents of the jade slip and the memories stored within my consciousness. It's essentially half an avatar."
Both Zhang Zhiliang's true self and the projection formed by the metal figure spoke simultaneously.
"If you encounter a problem it genuinely cannot solve, I can take over at any time and answer it personally.
"You have considerable talent, so I'm giving this to you. Keep it with you, and you can study arrays whenever you have free time during your cultivation.
"This way, you won't delay your cultivation progress, and you can also improve your skills in the array path.
"Of course, the contents of the jade slip are limited. Once you've mastered everything inside, you can come to the Strategy Array Hall to find me. I'll replace it with a new one for you then.
"What do you think?"
Zhang Zhiliang asked with a beaming smile.
Li Fan was no stranger to such projections. During his twelfth life, when he studied at the Strategy Array Hall, he had also been instructed by such a projection.
Back then, he had assumed the projection was something like an array or an avatar arcane art. He never imagined it was simply formed from a jade slip.
Still, this made no practical difference to Li Fan. He had come to Zhang Zhiliang for two reasons: first, to improve his array skills, and second, to gain Zhang Zhiliang's trust and receive the Posthumous Bequest containing 400,000 contribution points.
Now, with this Consciousness Jade Slip, he didn't need to stay at the Strategy Array Hall constantly, which actually gave him more freedom.
He immediately put on an expression of overwhelming joy and thanked Zhang Zhiliang.
Zhang Zhiliang then explained his rules for apprentices before allowing Li Fan to leave.
If before, I had coincidentally become Zhang Zhiliang's apprentice and ultimately moved him with my “diligence,” then in this life, it was because of the talent I displayed that Zhang Zhiliang, delighted by what he saw, took the initiative to accept me as his apprentice.
However, this doesn't necessarily mean my talent is exceptional. It's quite possible that Zhang Zhiliang is simply casting a wide net.
Thinking about it, this makes perfect sense.
Even the Congyun Sea understands the principle of not putting all your eggs in one basket. A master like Zhang Zhiliang surely wouldn't entrust his life's work to just one Qi Refinement cultivator.
Inside the Tianxuan Mirror, Li Fan reflected on his experiences from his twelfth life, gaining some insight. But since his own motives were impure to begin with, he had no right to feel any injustice.
Suppressing his thoughts, Li Fan activated the epiphanic state function.
Li Fan then began listening to Zhang Zhiliang's projection while diligently cultivating.
His two streams of consciousness remained completely independent, neither affecting the other in the slightest.
The Unity of Dao Transformation and Mind truly is a peerless marvel. Being able to focus on multiple tasks greatly improves the efficiency of everything I do.
Feeling the extraordinary effects of this secret technique from the Taiyan Sect, Li Fan couldn't help but marvel in admiration.
***
Just as Li Fan's true self was immersed in secluded cultivation, his avatar finally received a transmission from Jiao Xiuyuan.
"Fellow Daoist Lin Fan, the mission has been accomplished! I've finally dug up those Mini Medicine King Cauldrons you requested me to find!
"Heh heh, this harvest was truly bountiful. Guess how many I managed to unearth?"