Since Huangfu Song knowingly refused to answer, Li Fan and the others could only drop the matter. After all, it was merely curiosity, so they did not press further, clustering together as they walked toward the designated central area of the Spirit-Locking Formation.
The final division of labor had long been settled. Xue Mu was responsible for inspecting and maintaining the previously constructed formation units, while Jiang Qigui was in charge of mounting and calibrating the array hub. Li Fan remained in the middle, waiting to act as needed; whichever side required assistance, he would head there.
Jiang Qigui's mastery of formations was truly dependable, and Xue Mu had always been diligent and conscientious, rarely making errors. Combined with Li Fan acting as a flexible reserve, the three-pronged effort progressed two days ahead of schedule, bringing the Heavenly Profound Spirit-Locking Formation enveloping Chizha Abyss to the brink of completion.
To be cautious, the group waited for an ebb following an eruption of the demonic sound tide before carrying out the final steps.
Once everything was verified to be in order, the Heavenly Profound array hub flew out from Huangfu Song's forehead, transforming into a flickering red phantom.
With an exceptionally grave expression, Jiang Qigui guided the array hub into the fully prepared core formation. There was none of the aloof indifference the hub had shown during Li Fan's test; the red phantom flew into the layers of formations with complete compliance.
The moment it took its place, a blazing cyan light utterly eclipsed the surrounding red. Originating from the central singularity, tens of thousands of luminous beams burst forth, connecting with the countless formation units of the surrounding Spirit-Locking Formation. Piercing through the white mist, they expanded outward, lighting up the entire formation structure as they went.
Thus, amidst the vast sea of white mist, a marvelous spectacle unfolded. In the sea of mist, cyan lines of light surged outward layer upon layer from the central singularity along the conduits of the Spirit-Locking Formation. In moments, a magnificent circular cyan web manifested, completely covering the entirety of Chizha Abyss. Neither the Essence-Devouring White Mist nor the intermittent demonic sounds could obscure its grand, majestic presence.
Most of those present had personally taken part in building the formation. Watching the creation they had labored over for years finally come to life, their hearts welled with myriad emotions.
Li Fan stared at the brightest cyan point of light at the center of the formation and sighed, "Only the Heavenly Profound can lock spirits.
"The curtain is finally about to rise on the widespread deployment of the Heavenly Profound Spirit-Locking Formation. Who knows what the Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals will evolve into in the future?
"We'll just have to wait and see. If things truly turn sour, I can simply use True Reversion.
"Then again, I did put in a great deal of effort. With both merit and hard labor to my name, surely I won't be prevented from living out the remainder of my lifespan until a natural death, right?"
While Li Fan was deep in thought, the Heavenly Profound array hub finally completed its integration with the Spirit-Locking Formation. The magnificent cyan net receded in an instant like an ebbing tide. At the exact same moment, however, Li Fan felt a faint sensation—as if above everyone's heads, a pair of eyes was constantly observing him.
Led by Huangfu Song, the crowd erupted into thunderous cheers, warmly celebrating the successful completion of the formation.
They seemed not to have noticed a thing.
Only the seemingly honest, wooden Xue Mu cast an imperceptible glance upward.
***
After Huangfu Song's successful inspection and acceptance, the formation construction outside Chizha Abyss came to a close. On the way back to Broken Palm Immortal City, Li Fan asked Huangfu Song about their next plans.
"According to the original plan, we were to rendezvous with Dean Ji and construct a Spirit-Locking Formation outside the newly discovered Lost Battlefield Lost Domain.
"However..." Huangfu Song paused, his expression turning solemn. "That Lost Domain is truly strange and extremely perilous. After careful assessment and consideration, the Alliance has decided to postpone the formation's construction at the Lost Battlefield and seal it off first.
"Since you have already finished building one Spirit-Locking Formation, there won't be any mandatory requirements for your upcoming work.
"In other words, if you want, you can return and rest right away.
"Of course, if you want to compete on the leaderboard, you can also choose to assist with formation construction in other regions.
"However, the progress of formations in various areas and their current personnel in charge can only be seen from the Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals headquarters. If you want to maximize your ranking efficiency, you'd best use some... unconventional means."
Huangfu Song gave a light cough, wearing an expression that said 'you know what I mean.'
Hearing this, both Xue Mu and Jiang Qigui grew contemplative, wondering what they possessed that might sway this senior.
Li Fan, however, wore a completely indifferent expression. "My time is short. Soon I will depart for the underworld to reunite with Fellow Daoist Dantai Tao. Competing on the rankings means nothing to me. But as for that 'Lost Battlefield' Senior Huangfu just mentioned, I am quite curious about it."
Huangfu Song, who had still been putting on airs, felt his cheek twitch when Li Fan brought up Dantai Tao again. Holding back his temper, he let out a cold snort at Li Fan's question before deigning to explain.
"It's no secret anyway; there's no harm in telling you. As the name implies, that newly formed Lost Domain is the remnant of an ancient war. Stretching over one thousand six hundred li, countless cultivators perished within it. Not only has the thick stench of blood yet to dissipate, but the fallen cultivators remain frozen in the exact instant before their deaths. It's as if that brutal battle only took place a short while ago."
Huangfu Song narrowed his eyes slightly, seemingly recalling what he had witnessed in the Lost Battlefield.
"What's even more bizarre is that we can't tell the opposing factions apart at all. Cultivators wearing identical sect robes might have slaughtered one another to mutually assured destruction, or they might have fought side by side against powerful foes and died gloriously together. It resembles an all-out chaotic melee that makes no distinction between friend and foe, rather than a traditional battlefield."
Hearing Huangfu Song's description, Li Fan couldn't help but recall the Scattered Stones Lost Domain he had seen before. Time had seemed frozen there as well, with corpses still lifelike. The culprit there had been the Heavenly Physician; who could have caused this Lost Battlefield?
While he was pondering, Xue Mu couldn't resist asking, "Senior Huangfu, you mentioned earlier that this Lost Battlefield is exceptionally perilous. Why is that? Could it be that these dead cultivators can come back to life and attack?"
Huangfu Song shook his head in denial. "They are as dead as can be. At the gentlest touch, they turn to flying ash. The real danger comes from the Lost Domain itself. When Dean Ji led a team inside for the first time, they fell victim to its tricks. While stunned by the sight of that brutal ancient battlefield, Dean Ji was suddenly besieged by several cultivators accompanying him."
"Besieged?!" Xue Mu cried out in alarm. "Lost... could it be?" After a moment, he caught on, looking horrified.
Huangfu Song nodded slowly. "Indeed. Those cultivators were Dean Ji's trusted confidants, utterly loyal and thoroughly tested. Even so, once they entered that Lost Domain, they lost their minds all the same. Treating Dean Ji as their mortal enemy, they attacked him with everything they had."
Chapter 369