Without a moment's hesitation, Li Fan's face blossomed with joy as he declared, "This junior would be honored to attend!"
Li Fan's reaction fell squarely within Zhang Zhiliang's expectations.
He nodded and explained, "The purpose of this training is to enable the younger generation to master the construction of the Tianxuan Soul-Locking Array as quickly as possible.
"We aim to cover all territories of the Myriad Immortals Alliance within the array's range within thirty years."
Li Fan's expression shifted with intrigue. "The Tianxuan Soul-Locking Array? Is that the same array that proved so effective in Jiushan Province, capable of marking every Five Elders Council cultivator with a pillar of light?"
Zhang Zhiliang appeared quite pleased with how quickly Li Fan caught on. "That's right. Following the Battle of Tianling Province, numerous array masters jointly developed the Tianxuan Soul-Locking Array, basing their research on cultivators captured from the Five Elders Council."
"Cultivators from the Five Elders Council?" Li Fan sounded puzzled. "Master, how does research on this array relate to individual cultivators?"
Zhang Zhiliang demonstrated remarkable patience with Li Fan. "Are you aware of the fundamental differences between the Five Elders Council and our Myriad Immortals Alliance?"
Li Fan responded, "Our Myriad Immortals Alliance is a free coalition. We accumulate contribution points through our own efforts to redeem techniques.
"As for the Five Elders Council... while they can obtain techniques without cost, they must sign what amounts to an indenture contract.
"They remain bound to the Council for their entire lives, lacking the freedom and independence we enjoy in the Myriad Immortals Alliance.
"To be frank with you, Senior, when I was still a rogue cultivator, I considered which faction to join.
"After comparing the conditions of both, I chose to join our Myriad Immortals Alliance without hesitation."
Li Fan delivered this statement with an air of righteous conviction.
Zhang Zhiliang offered a faint smile, neither endorsing nor challenging Li Fan's display of feigned loyalty.
He replied, "Correct. Every cultivator who joins the Five Elders Council signs a Soul Contract. Naturally, their souls are different compared to those of ordinary cultivators.
"The idea of using this distinction to identify friend from foe emerged long ago. Unfortunately, we lacked sufficient research subjects and never succeeded.
"While our Myriad Immortals Alliance was generally at a disadvantage during the recent battle of Tianling Province, we did not emerge entirely empty-handed.
"The Tianxuan Soul-Locking Array represents one of our war achievements.
Zhang Zhiliang seemed to recall something; his expression grew complex, and his tone became tinged with melancholy.
But he quickly recovered and proceeded, "Within the array's coverage, it can detect the unique soul markings induced by the Soul Contract, thereby distinguishing ally from enemy.
"The marking penetrates directly into the soul itself. Only a Dao Unity cultivator can remove it.
"The successful development of this array holds immense significance.
"At the very least, once implemented, common spies will find it impossible to hide.
"And those towering pillars of light reaching for the heavens eliminate any possibility of surprise attacks from the Five Elders Council."
Zhang Zhiliang spoke with evident pride, a touch of smugness coloring his expression.
"However, this array involves the human soul, making it profoundly complex and obscure. Ordinary array masters lack the capability to construct it.
"To rapidly deploy the Tianxuan Soul-Locking Array, we must train a group of array masters specializing in its construction.
"This is the purpose of the training in Tianyu Province two years from now.
"The reason for the two-year delay is that it involves the soul.
"Not only do the organizers need to gather various materials, but the young trainees also need to make thorough preparations."
As he spoke, Zhang Zhiliang tossed a storage ring over.
Li Fan caught the ring. Upon inspecting it, his brow furrowed slightly.
Inside the storage ring lay a corpse. Aside from the body, there was nothing else.
What was even more peculiar was that the corpse’s body was no different from that of an ordinary cultivator. It was even dressed exactly like a normal cultivator.
The only chilling detail was its head. It wasn’t that of a human, but a horse!
"What is this?"
"This is the legendary Intent Horse. It’s extremely precious. I wasn’t allotted much of it either, so don’t lose it," Zhang Zhiliang’s voice drifted over slowly.
"Intent Horse?" Li Fan’s heart stirred.
"I’m aware of the existence of the Mind Ape, which can enhance and rapidly replenish divine sense consumption. May I ask what use this Intent Horse has?" Li Fan asked since he didn’t know.
"The Mind Ape strengthens divine sense, while the Intent Horse strengthens the soul," Zhang Zhiliang explained slowly.
"As for how it works..." A strange smile suddenly appeared on Zhang Zhiliang’s face. "You’ll know once you try it yourself."
Li Fan nodded to show he understood.
"At the start of the closed training, all participants from the various provinces will definitely undergo an assessment. You must continue to work hard over the next two years. When the time comes, don’t embarrass our Congyun Sea." Zhang Zhiliang cautioned him, then handed three Consciousness Jade Slips to Li Fan.
"I have a total of six Consciousness Jade Slips. If you can comprehend them all, it means you’re ready to graduate.
"I don’t expect you to achieve this within two years, but I’ll give them to you in advance as motivation."
Li Fan bowed in gratitude and accepted the jade slips.
"You may go now. Prepare well, I’ll notify you again before the training officially begins."
Zhang Zhiliang waved his hand dismissively.
Returning to the Tianxuan Mirror, Li Fan first searched for information on the Intent Horse.
The results were sparse, with little useful information.
It seemed this was not something ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators were meant to know about.
After all, even Zhang Zhiliang had emphasized its rarity, indicating its immense value.
Try it yourself...
Li Fan’s eyes flickered as he released the corpse with a horse-head and human-body from the ring.
How should I try it?
He observed it quietly for a while, but nothing unusual occurred.
After a moment of contemplation, he reached out and touched it.
A long time passed, and still, nothing seemed to change.
It was as if what lay before him was nothing more than an ordinary corpse, just one with a strange appearance.
Strange...
After a long while, Li Fan still hadn’t figured out how to use the Intent Horse.
Confusion arose in his heart, and he unconsciously stroked his chin.
But the moment his hand touched his chin, his body froze abruptly.
His heart skipped a beat.
Could it be...
Li Fan cast a mirror arcane art to observe his own reflection.
Just as I thought.
Although he had mentally prepared himself, seeing a horse’s head in the mirror still sent a chill down Li Fan’s spine.
Could it be... this Intent Horse before me came into existence this way?
In that instant, a thought surged uncontrollably into Li Fan's consciousness.
Then... how did it die?
The question arose unbidden, lingering in his mind.
His gaze fell on the Intent Horse's corpse lying motionless on the ground.
Not a single wound marred its body.
Yet as he stared at it, a cold dread began coiling in Li Fan's heart.
He realized the corpse had undergone some inexplicable transformation.
Its attire now looked hauntingly familiar, identical to Li Fan's own.
No... It's not just the clothing.
Li Fan's heart sank.
The entire Intent Horse corpse had subtly transformed to become his exact duplicate.
Is this corpse... my own fate in the near future?
The thought emerged, stark and terrifying.
I... Am I going to die?
Fear descended upon him like a sudden frost.