Chapter 372: Credit Where Its Due

“Where’s Director Ji? Has he lost his senses?”

Li Fan keenly sensed the crux of the issue and spoke up.

Huangfu Song glanced at Li Fan and cleared his throat. “Director Ji’s cultivation is profound and unfathomable, naturally he wouldn’t lose his self-will.”

“Unfortunately, those accompanying cultivators, each with considerable cultivation levels. When they joined forces, Director Ji found it somewhat difficult to withstand.”

“For the sake of self-preservation, Director Ji had no choice but to eliminate them all.”

Huangfu Song appeared deeply regretful.

Li Fan and others were taken aback by his words.

Subsequently, they seemed to have some realization but dared not delve deeper.

“Indeed, it’s too dangerous. No wonder it had to be temporarily sealed.” Li Fan nodded in agreement.

Huangfu Song gave Li Fan a warning glance and transmitted, “Kid, what needed to be told to you has been said. Don’t push it.”

Li Fan just pretended not to hear.

“I’ll be heading to other regions tomorrow to oversee the construction of formations.”

“If any of you have needs, you can come find me before that.”

Upon reaching the Eternal Immortal Stronghold, Huangfu Song wore a smile as he addressed Xue Mu and Jiang Qigui.

As for Li Fan, he didn’t even spare them a glance before leaving with a swish of his sleeves.

Li Fan didn’t mind.

After years of hard work, success finally came.

The first thing everyone did upon returning to the Severed Palm Immortal City was to check their rankings on the leaderboard.

Within these five days, there had been earth-shattering changes in the points leaderboard.

Jiang Qigui’s contribution soared due to his management of the Tianxuan Array Pivot.

Li Fan, on the other hand, relied on his previous advantages, having only a slightly higher total points.

But both of them had dropped out of the top ten, nearing around the twentieth position.

“Looking at it this way, in these past few days, many places have completed the Tianxuan Spirit Locking Array. Even some unfamiliar faces have appeared in the top rankings.”

“I find it somewhat unfair. Building arrays above the Abyssal Roar is much more difficult compared to ordinary domains. Master Li should have earned more points.”

“Is it possible that the points have been increased due to the difficulty? After all, while the Abyssal Roar is perilous, it may not necessarily be the most dangerous place in the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.”

…

“Li Fan, look, Guo Yezhong has actually jumped to the three hundredth position!”

Amidst the discussions, Xue Mu transmitted to Li Fan.

“Hmm, I’ve noticed too. What’s your opinion, friend?” Li Fan inquired.

“Everyone’s points are not static, but constantly increasing. In this situation, Guo Yezhong actually managed to surpass others.”

“Moreover, it was only after many formations were completed that this explosive advancement occurred…”

“I think, perhaps this person was involved in the initial design of the Tianxuan Spirit Locking Array.”

Though Xue Mu seemed taciturn, he was by no means dull.

At this moment, he calmly analyzed, “Director Ji once said that the number of points is determined based on the contributions to the completion of the formations.”

“And as the founder of the formations, naturally, he deserves credit for each completed one.”

“Only then can we explain the current situation.”

Li Fan recalled the appearance of Guo Yezhong he saw in the Universal Altar.

“At that time, he was just a Golden Core Formation Master, wasn’t he?” He asked with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Xue Mu also felt somewhat hesitant.

“Perhaps he just came up with one of the ideas?” He hesitated.

“Speculation is pointless. Let’s focus on our own tasks.” Li Fan advised.

Xue Mu looked at the aged Li Fan, his expression solemn, nodding in agreement.

“Participating in the initial design of the Tianxuan Spirit Locking Array, then reaping the benefits.”

“Not only can he gain a large number of points out of thin air in this grand competition, but once the Spirit Locking Array is fully popularized, his status and position will undoubtedly rise.”

“It’s a good plan!”

Having parted ways with Xue Mu and returning to his own room, Li Fan couldn’t help but think so.

“If time could be turned back thirty years, perhaps there would be no one in this world who understands the Tianxuan Spirit Locking Array better than me.”

“Wonderful! Just need to be cautious when revealing it…”

Li Fan pondered leisurely.

After nightfall, Li Fan quietly arrived at Huangfu Song’s place.

It seemed as if Huangfu Song had long anticipated Li Fan’s arrival; there was a bowl of spiritual tea on the table, waiting for him.

“Green Dragon Whiskers, can extend life by ten years. It can barely prolong your little life.” Huangfu Song said mockingly.

Li Fan didn’t bother with niceties and drank it all in one go.

Licking his lips, he looked at the truth panel.

Only increased the upper limit of physiological age by one year.

“It’s really just barely.” Li Fan shook his head, looking genuinely unimpressed.

Huangfu Song chuckled a bit at being teased but didn’t dwell on it, instead cutting straight to the point, “You said you’re a dying man, why push yourself so hard?”

“Living out the rest of my life leisurely, isn’t that good?”

“Still thinking about competing on the leaderboard? What are you thinking?”

In front of Huangfu Song, Li Fan no longer showed the selflessness and integrity as seen by outsiders, but changed his rhetoric.

“It’s precisely because the end is near that I must strive harder.”

“Only then can I seek life amidst death and regain a glimmer of hope.”

Li Fan’s words were resolute.

“Oh? How so?” Huangfu Song became interested.

“Being trapped in the Great Tide of Demonic Sounds and the Devouring Elemental Mist was indeed unexpected. Almost depleting my lifespan for help was also beyond my expectations.”

“I still have less than a hundred years in this world. Facing death, how can I accept it?”

“Naturally, I want to stay alive.”

“But those longevity treasures are too precious for me. Even if I exhaust my remaining years, I may not be able to obtain one.”

“To stay alive, I naturally have to resort to other methods, a roundabout way to save myself.”

“Although there’s no absolute certainty, it’s definitely worth the gamble.”

The gleam in Li Fan’s eyes was incongruent with his extremely aged appearance.

Huangfu Song became even more curious: “A gamble? What are you gambling on?”

Li Fan’s expression was serious as he said, word by word: “I’m gambling…”

“On the fact that the Alliance won’t let down those who have contributed!”

“Especially in the matter of constructing the Tianxuan Spirit Locking Array!”

Huangfu Song stared at Li Fan in astonishment, then drank the Green Dragon Whiskers tea in front of him.

Li Fan continued, eloquently, “Both you and I know the importance of the Tianxuan Spirit Locking Array.”

“And my desperate efforts to build the formation have spread throughout the world.”

“Whose handwriting it is, naturally, needs no further explanation.”

“Before all the formations are completed, is it better for me, a ‘worldwide role model’, to die miserably, or for the Alliance to come forward and save my life?”

“Compared to the hard work of inspiring formation masters worldwide, a few longevity treasures shouldn’t count for much.”

“So, as of now, not only am I not afraid of imminent death, I even feel that I have too much remaining lifespan!”

“Senior Huangfu, that cup of tea you just had almost cost me my life.”

“How do you intend to compensate?”

After saying this, Li Fan looked quietly at Huangfu Song.