While Li Fan worried about the future of the Myriad Immortals Alliance’s cultivators, the other students lacked his perspective. In the blink of an eye, they were all fired up, practically itching to begin.
"Master Ji, how exactly are 'contributions’ calculated?"
"Yes, Senior Ji, there must be a specific, quantifiable measurement, right? Can the amount of effort expended really be an evaluation standard?"
Ji Hongdao looked at the students whose enthusiasm had been thoroughly ignited and couldn't help but reveal a gratified smile.
Clearing his throat lightly, he began his explanation. "The hub device of the Tianxuan Soul-Locking Array is, in essence, a newborn mirror surface of the Tianxuan Mirror. You have all personally witnessed its encapsulation process.
"And the construction of the entire Tianxuan Soul-Locking Array begins from the central core structure. That is to say, from the very moment of the array's creation, the entire construction process of the Soul-Locking Array can, in fact, be perceived by the hub device—or rather, by the Tianxuan Mirror.
"Down to every single array unit, precisely which cultivator personally laid it, all is within the Tianxuan Mirror's grasp.
"And the final results will be determined solely by the ranking data published by the Tianxuan Mirror, eliminating any possibility of fraud or deception. Absolutely fair and just."
Ji Hongdao spoke with great fluency.
“Everyone here was recommended by their province to train at this Cosmos Branch Academy. That alone speaks to your caliber. You are all exceptional talents. Which of you would be content to remain beneath others forever?
"To give everyone a clear picture of where they stand, and to bring out your best, your individual contributions during the Tianxuan Soul-Locking Array Grand Competition will be tracked and displayed as live points. A ranking based on these points will be published on the Tianxuan Mirror for anyone to check at any time.”
The method sounded familiar. Li Fan felt a jolt run through him. Good heavens. This is designed to make these young array masters compete with each other to death.
Next, Ji Hongdao announced the Tianxuan Soul-Locking Array’s preliminary construction plan.
Each cultivator would return to their hometown and begin constructing the Soul-Locking Array with the assistance of the local Strategy Array Hall and Martial Hall.
If one's personal progress was swift, once all the Soul-Locking Arrays within their home province were completed, they could freely move to adjacent provinces to assist with construction.
Since the Tianxuan Mirror observed everything, there was no need to worry about one's contributions being usurped while working in a different region.
At the very instant when all Tianxuan Soul-Locking Arrays were completed across all territories of the Myriad Immortals Alliance, the array master with the highest points would be the final victor.
As Ji Hongdao finished laying out the competition details, an imperceptible trace of self-satisfaction flashed in his eyes.
Just then, he suddenly heard someone call out.
"Senior Ji, I have no home to return to. What should I do? Where should I go?"
Ji Hongdao followed the voice and saw that the speaker was Li Fan. His expression darkened, and he rebuked, "You little rascal, are you making fun of me? What do you mean 'no home to return to'? Naturally, you’ll go back to where you came from..."
At that moment, Ji Hongdao seemed to remember something, and his words abruptly stopped. He looked Li Fan over again and stroked his chin. "That is indeed a problem..."
He didn't give a direct answer. Instead, after a moment, he sent a voice transmission to Li Fan: "Here's what we'll do. Stay behind later, and we'll discuss this in detail."
Li Fan wisely said nothing more. This small incident did not escape the notice of the other cultivators present.
Some paid it no mind. Others seemed to have a sudden realization, showing expressions of shock and awe. A few appeared completely unfazed, as if they had long known about the phenomenon of cultivators forgetting negative events.
It was Ji Hongdao who pulled everyone's attention back by continuing his explanation of the competition's procedures.
In one year, the newborn mirror surfaces of the Tianxuan Mirror would be transported to each province.
Before that, all trainees were to return to their home provinces to assist the local branches in coordinating and gathering the materials required for array construction.
Of course, some special array materials would be centrally managed and distributed by the Myriad Immortals Alliance headquarters.
After hearing the general construction plan, the trainees returned to their respective lodgings to contact their families, friends, and teachers.
Li Fan, however, remained where he was. Besides Li Fan, one other cultivator had not left.
This person was named Xue Mu, a cultivator at the final-stage Foundation Establishment realm, and also one of the three participants from the Congyun Sea.
He was not a disciple of Zhang Zhiliang, however, and Li Fan had only exchanged a few passing greetings with him; they were not close.
As for the third member of their trio, he had failed the earlier Soul Contract detection test and had been eliminated. He had presumably returned to the Congyun Sea, only to perish later in the cataclysm of Ink Death’s descent.
Xue Mu seemed to be experiencing the power of this Heavenly Venerable that faded memories for the first time. The confusion and fear still hadn't cleared from his eyes.
Ji Hongdao looked at the two of them with a kindly expression. "With the Congyun Sea gone, you have no home to return to. What are your plans?"
Xue Mu pursed his lips, lowering his head in silence.
Li Fan, however, cupped his hands respectfully and replied with candor, "We await your instructions, Senior."
Ji Hongdao seemed somewhat satisfied with Li Fan's answer. He thought for a moment and said, "The rules for the competition are already set, and every region is accounted for. If I were to assign you arbitrarily to some province, letting you take the credit for building someone else's Soul-Locking Array, it would surely cause resentment. That would do you more harm than good.
"But if I were to exclude you from this competition entirely, you would naturally find it unjust. Hmm..."
He paused, his gaze drifting for just an instant as if he were communicating with someone. A moment later, Ji Hongdao spoke. "I wonder if this arrangement would be acceptable to you:
"Besides the various provinces, the Myriad Immortals Alliance oversees many important grotto-heavens and minor worlds. Tianxuan Soul-Locking Arrays must be constructed in these places too for complete coverage.
"Originally, these sites were to be handled by us old-timers. But circumstances are special. It shouldn’t be a problem to have you two reassigned to assist. It would even help share some of our burden.
Ji Hongdao smiled. "I'm not as driven as you young people these days.
"As for the credit for building the Tianxuan Soul-Locking Arrays, don't worry. The Alliance governs a great number of grotto-heavens. Some are so vast they rival the size of an entire province.
"You can proceed with confidence. What do you think?" Having finished, Ji Hongdao looked at Li Fan and asked softly.
Grotto-heavens? I wonder if there's a chance to get involved with the Five Elements Grotto-Heavens. The thought flashed through Li Fan's mind the instant he heard Ji Hongdao's words.
But he didn't dare let his imagination run wild. Only after Ji Hongdao had finished speaking did he respond with solemn gravity: "It would be my honor."
Ji Hongdao nodded, satisfied, then turned his gaze to Xue Mu. "And you?"