"The Congyun Sea, Luoyan Province, Cangwu Abyss, Qianling Province..."
Young Master Jinglun listed off place names, some familiar to Li Fan and some foreign.
"The reason for this is that in every one of these places, a Nether-Passage Tunnel Mouth exists.
"There is still no consensus on what the Nether-Passage Tunnel Mouths truly are. However, according to our research, if one is left exposed to the open air, the frequency of anomaly outbreaks in that province increases drastically.
"Therefore, it must be suppressed using the Xuantian Nether-Locking Array."
From Diyi Jinglun's lips, Li Fan received an answer completely beyond his expectations.
"Back when Wanxian Island still stood, we were never able to detect this Nether-Passage Tunnel Mouth beneath the island. We only deduced that one had to be here based on the annual number of anomalies reported by the Congyun Sea's Heavenly Secret Hall.
"Who could have guessed it was right beneath the very site where the Dharma-Transmitting Heavenly Venerable once expounded the Dao?
"A Heavenly Venerable's might, even the faintest residual trace after a thousand years, was still capable of effectively sealing off the Nether-Passage Tunnel Mouth. But now that Wanxian Island is gone, this tunnel mouth must be plugged.
"While the existence of anomalies is no secret, few know that anomalies can spread. To avoid inciting panic and to preserve the stability of the Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals, strict secrecy must be maintained,"
Young Master Jinglun said unhurriedly.
"All this secrecy and mystery was just for that?" Li Fan had never imagined that such a bizarre requirement was tied to the anomalies plaguing the world. He felt somewhat at a loss for words.
"'Just for that?'" Diyi Jinglun shot Li Fan a cold look.
"Island Master Li, do not take anomalies lightly. They are nowhere near as easy to deal with as you imagine."
His words seemed to hint at something deeper, though he showed no intention of elaborating.
Hearing this, Li Fan wiped the dismissive expression from his face and gave a slight nod.
Changing the subject, he asked, "Then why was I suddenly appointed Acting Island Master? Here in the Congyun Sea..."
Diyi Jinglun cut off Li Fan's inquiry with a slow shake of his head. "It seems intrigue and deception ran rampant within sects during ancient times. Island Master Li, you are far too suspicious.
"Rest assured, everything was done strictly according to regulations and standard procedure.
"According to rules handed down from antiquity, whenever the Alliance structure in a given region collapses entirely, the highest-ranking surviving cultivator in that region automatically assumes the chief administrative position.
"If several cultivators share the same rank, the actual appointee is decided based on their combat prowess.
"Fellow Daoist slew four Nascent Soul cultivators with your own hands. Although you claimed it was done by relying on external artifacts, using such excuses to fool outsiders is one thing, but expecting to pull the wool over our eyes at the Alliance is far too idealistic.
"We possess absolute, precise assessments of the destructive power of every single item sold in the Heavenly Profound Mirror.
"While it is indeed possible for a Golden Core cultivator to slay a Nascent Soul, pulling it off cleanly, crisply, and without leaving behind the slightest trace—just as you did—is utterly impossible.
"Among the surviving cultivators in the Congyun Sea, you rank first in combat strength. Who else could possibly take the seat of Acting Island Master if not you?"
Diyi Jinglun gave Li Fan a half-smile as he answered.
Li Fan's heart sank slightly, though on the surface, he put on the awkward look of someone who had just been caught red-handed, his face turning pale and flushed by turns.
"In that case, I overthought things.
"Very well. I accept this task!" he said frankly.
Regardless of how much of it was true or false, Diyi Jinglun had laid his cards on the table to this extent. If Li Fan still refused, he likely would not be walking out of this room alive.
Seeing that Li Fan knew what was good for him, Diyi Jinglun gave a satisfied nod.
"The blockade on the Congyun Sea will not be lifted until Congyun Immortal City is completed.
"Naturally, headquarters will dispatch corresponding cultivators to assist with the Congyun Sea's reconstruction.
"However, for certain reasons, their numbers will not be large. We will only provide limited support in a few specialized areas, such as the super-distance teleportation array.
"For the most part, you must rely on yourselves.
"I will also assign a deputy to assist you in completing the immortal city's reconstruction.
"You may request any materials needed for the construction project from him.
"A corresponding requisition list will be sent to you shortly. What you must do above all else is coordinate and organize the surviving cultivators currently in the Congyun Sea, directing and supervising the reconstruction of Congyun City so that it is completed as swiftly as possible."
...
Only after delivering this series of instructions did Diyi Jinglun permit Li Fan to take his leave.
Soon afterward, a cultivator named Zhou Kebao sought out Li Fan, bringing with him the approved requisition list of supplies.
"Island Master Li, here is the approved itemized list for this project. Please look it over," the plump Zhou Kebao said with a beaming smile.
Li Fan took the list and began examining it closely.
The long column of entries was extensive enough that even a cursory reading took a considerable amount of time.
It was a dazzling array of items, some familiar to him and many he had never seen before.
Only the names were noted down, without specifying their exact uses.
To any ordinary observer, it was like looking through a dense fog, impossible to decipher.
In most matters, Li Fan was a layman.
When it came to arrays, however, nothing could escape his trained eye.
One of the most vital functions of Congyun Immortal City was serving as a hub connecting teleportation arrays across various regions.
Including the super-distance teleportation array, the original Wanxian Island had been home to eleven thousand six hundred and eighty-seven teleportation arrays.
Li Fan located the specialized material required to construct teleportation arrays—Profound Sky Stone—and began running calculations based on the quantities listed.
A moment later, he caught the trick.
If one were to use only the materials listed here, it would not even suffice to meet the requirements for constructing all the small-scale teleportation arrays,
let alone what was needed for that super-distance teleportation array.
Li Fan's expression instantly darkened. "Fellow Daoist Zhou, is there a mistake on this list of yours? Why don't you check it again?"
A stark, naked killing intent spilled from his eyes, utterly undisguised.
Zhou Kebao was momentarily taken aback. Then, taking back the list, he began checking it over once more.
As he reviewed it, he muttered under his breath, "A mistake? That's impossible. Could it be that you, Island Master Li..."
Before he could finish his sentence, Li Fan's voice cut in, ice-cold. "Fellow Daoist Zhou, I gave my word and signed a military order before Diyi Jinglun.
"If this mission is not completed on schedule, my outcome will likely not be pretty.
"I am a narrow-minded man. I repay every petty grudge!
"If the time comes and all hope of completing this mission is lost, I will not hesitate to drag whoever got in my way down with me first!"
Zhou Kebao wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and hurriedly thumped his chest. "Island Master Li, please, don't be so agitated! I'll go check it thoroughly right away!"
With that, not daring to meet Li Fan's gaze any longer, he scurried off in a hurry.
Li Fan merely snorted coldly and closed his eyes to wait.
A solid half-day passed before Zhou Kebao returned to him holding a brand-new list.
"Heheh, Island Master Li truly has eyes like a hawk! There really was an error!
"The previous list was only an initial preliminary budget. Compared to the finalized list, it was indeed missing some materials."
Li Fan took the new list. Looking at the quantities recorded on it, he found that there was over fifty percent more material than there had been before.
Chapter 495