One’s affinity with the Tianxuan Soul-Locking Array's hub device was one of the three major evaluation criteria for this closed-door training session, alongside array structure comprehension and Soul Contract identification accuracy. In fact, its weight was even greater than the latter two.
When Li Fan personally constructed the core structure and attempted to guide the hub device into it, only to receive no response whatsoever, he finally understood why affinity was considered so crucial.
The Tianxuan hub device was like a haughty goddess at this moment, utterly indifferent to Li Fan. No matter how much effort Li Fan poured into his attempts, he couldn't move her in the slightest. Yet, for the Tianxuan Soul-Locking Array to function, she was absolutely indispensable.
Without the hub device, even the most massive array was just an empty shell.
This central core structure could be said to have been designed specifically for her. Its sole purpose was to perfectly integrate the hub device into the Tianxuan Soul-Locking Array.
The palace was now fully constructed, but the master of the house refused to take up residence.
This naturally presented Li Fan with a dilemma.
The unique nature of the hub device meant Li Fan couldn't replicate his old methods from the Prince of Langya's estate. He tried many approaches, but still couldn't succeed in enticing the hub device into the array.
Left with no other choice, Li Fan had to find an alternative path.
Since the goddess refused to move from her spot and enter the palace, Li Fan would simply build a new palace right where she stood.
Li Fan dismantled the already-built core array structure. Then, he spent another two-plus days constructing a completely new core array structure around the hub device’s current position.
While it won't achieve perfect compatibility, it should at least barely form a functional array. Li Fan thought with an inward sigh after completing the setup. There's no hope for a reward in this life. I just hope my score isn't too embarrassing.
Perhaps Li Fan's relentless persistence had moved the hub device somewhat. After settling into the core array structure and observing this new dwelling, it shifted ever so gently.
That one tiny movement more than doubled the compatibility between the hub device and the core structure.
Overjoyed, Li Fan immediately attempted to communicate with the hub device again.
Unfortunately, that earlier initiative seemed to have been her limit. After that, no matter what Li Fan tried, no further changes occurred. Soon, the seven-day deadline arrived.
Looking at the array before him, which could only be considered barely passable, Li Fan shook his head inwardly and left the examination space.
I should earn a passing grade for the array construction part. As for the debugging and calibration of the hub device... that's practically handing in a blank paper. But this is the limit of what's possible in this life.
The hub device simply wouldn't give me any face. There was truly nothing to be done.
Apparently, there was even one candidate from a previous group who managed to get the hub device to throw itself into his embrace.
Who knows if that's true or not?
The assessment was over, but it would take another two or three months for the results to be announced.
Li Fan temporarily left the Cosmos Branch Academy. Instead of wandering around Tianyu City, he returned to the small courtyard he had previously rented at the Dao Discourse Tower.
He had left in a hurry after being summoned by Ji Hongdao last time and hadn't canceled this courtyard rental contract. Fortunately, the deposit he paid was substantial, so it had been kept reserved for him even in his absence.
Entering the courtyard, Li Fan went straight to the cultivation chamber. It was reputed to be fitted with extremely strict privacy measures, capable of blocking the divine sense of even Dao Unity cultivators.
There, he took out the four items representing clothing, food, shelter, and travel.
He placed them in the four directions of east, west, south, and north.
Finally, he recited, "Blessed be Heavenly Venerable Xuanhuang!"
His first priority was to activate the ritual and enter the Fallen Immortal Realm.
The cooldown period had long since ended during the closed-door training. However, back then, he was only at the Foundation Establishment realm. To avoid exposing his secret, Li Fan had chosen to endure and wait.
Now that he had advanced to the Golden Core realm, he could openly enter and exit the Fallen Immortal Realm without arousing suspicion.
Yet, due to his wariness of Ji Hongdao of the Strategy Array Hall and the others who had created the Tianxuan Soul-Locking Array, Li Fan still chose to perform the ritual in the relatively more private Dao Discourse Tower.
Senior Brother Zhang, I already know perfectly well how brilliant and mighty you are. Please don't show up this time. Li Fan thought to himself, then initiated the ritual.
The process of entering this time seemed to take far longer than before. Darkness enveloped his vision, and he drifted in an unknown, inexplicable space.
Li Fan tried to see his surroundings clearly, but his mind felt hazy and unfocused. He could only rely on sensation to discern his situation. It was as if he were submerged in water, yet it lacked water's characteristic chill. Instead, the liquid enveloping his body was warm and comforting.
Whenever feelings of hunger or weakness arose, a gentle, tranquil energy would flow from somewhere unknown, soothing him and lulling him back into deep slumber.
His body seemed even weaker than during his previous experience as Tian Yang. He spent the vast majority of his time asleep.
Fortunately, after reaching the Golden Core realm, the strength of Li Fan's divine sense had surged dramatically.
The duration he could remain in the Fallen Immortal Realm had also increased from just over half a month to more than two months. That was roughly on par with an ordinary Nascent Soul cultivator.
Thus, he avoided the miserable fate of ending this journey through the Fallen Immortal Realm in unconscious slumber.
And so, Li Fan continued to absorb the warm liquid surrounding him and the intermittent pulses of peaceful energy, feeling himself growing stronger.
He didn't know how much time had passed. When there was no more liquid left to absorb around him, a strange sensation welled up in his heart.
Understanding dawned on Li Fan in an instant: it was time.
Driven by bodily instinct, Li Fan began to peck incessantly at the darkness before him with his long, pointed beak.
Tap tap tap!
They were light pecks, but to the current Li Fan, they resonated like the thunderous booms of creation.
After trying for what felt like an eternity, Li Fan began to feel weary. Yet, the darkness had only yielded a barely visible hairline crack.
A sense of despondence rose within him.
Just then, that gentle energy surfaced once more, nourishing Li Fan's body. His fatigue and weakness vanished instantly.
Reinvigorated, Li Fan resumed his great work of "splitting heaven and earth."
He would rest when tired, and soon threads of that peaceful energy would flow into him, allowing him to continue. This cycle repeated, and the cracks appearing before him multiplied.
However, Li Fan could also sense that the energy sustaining him seemed to be gradually weakening.
Fortunately, Li Fan's luck held. Before the gentle energy was completely exhausted, he finally managed to peck a tiny hole in the endless darkness.
A sliver of sunlight pierced through, parting the blackness and shining upon Li Fan.
Summoning all his strength, Li Fan unleashed a rapid, unbroken flurry of pecks with his long beak.
The tiny hole gradually widened into a small opening, and finally formed a gap large enough for Li Fan to squeeze through.
Li Fan shook his head, then thrust himself into the opening and squeezed through.
Sunlight, a gentle breeze, the chirping of insects and birds, the fragrant scent of flowers and grass... in an instant, a vast and beautiful world unfolded before Li Fan.
But he had no time to admire the breathtaking scenery. A ravenous, overwhelming hunger consumed him.
Glancing back at the shattered eggshell he had emerged from, a sudden, instinctive understanding dawned. Without a moment’s hesitation, Li Fan began to devour it, wolfing it down.