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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 Abyss of Roars 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 Abyss of Roars 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.

Comments 7

  1. Offline
    + 00 -
    Loopers back with his schemes
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  2. Offline
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    Chapter 372: The Worthy Deserve Reward (不亏有功人)


    ---

    “Where is Dean Ji? Did he lose his mind as well?” Li Fan keenly sensed the key of the matter and asked.

    Huangfu Song glanced at him, cleared his throat, and replied slowly,
    “Dean Ji’s cultivation is deep and unfathomable. Naturally, he couldn’t possibly lose his will.”

    A faint sigh followed.
    “Unfortunately, the cultivators who accompanied him were all powerful in their own right. When they joined forces against him, even Dean Ji found himself momentarily pressed.”

    “Forced to defend himself, he had no choice but to kill them all.”

    Huangfu Song’s tone carried genuine regret.

    Li Fan and the others were slightly stunned.
    A moment later, an unspoken understanding dawned upon them—yet none dared to dwell too deeply on it.

    “Truly perilous indeed,” Li Fan nodded, his expression solemn. “No wonder it had to be sealed away for now.”

    Huangfu Song’s eyes flicked toward Li Fan, carrying a clear warning as his voice entered the latter’s mind,
    “Boy, I’ve already told you what you ought to know. Don’t push your luck.”

    Li Fan pretended not to hear.

    Soon after, Huangfu Song announced,
    “I’ll be departing tomorrow to oversee the construction of arrays in other regions.
    If any of you need something before then, come find me.”

    Arriving at the Eternal Immortal Rampart, Huangfu Song smiled warmly at Xue Mu and Jiang Qigui,
    but when it came to Li Fan—he didn’t even spare a glance, merely flicked his sleeve and left.

    Li Fan, however, didn’t mind in the least.

    After years of toil, their grand endeavor was finally complete.
    The first thing everyone did upon returning to the Broken Palm Immortal City was, of course, to check their rankings on the Golden Merit Board.

    Within just five days, the leaderboard had undergone tremendous upheaval.

    Because Jiang Qigui had presided over the installation of the Tianxuan Array Core, his contribution had soared.
    Li Fan, though still slightly ahead due to earlier merit, now barely held the lead.

    But both of them had dropped out of the top ten—hovering near twentieth place.

    “Looks like quite a few places completed their Tianxuan Spirit-Locking Arrays these past few days,” someone commented.
    “There are even new faces in the upper ranks.”

    “I can’t help but feel that’s unfair. Building ours above the Chizha Abyss was far harder than in ordinary provinces.
    Master Li and the others deserved more points.”

    “Maybe the points already account for difficulty? The Abyss is dangerous, sure, but not necessarily the most perilous site in the whole Immortal Alliance.”

    ...

    “Fellow Daoist Li, look—Guo Yezhong has jumped all the way up to three hundredth place!” Xue Mu transmitted quietly.

    Li Fan nodded. “I noticed. What do you make of it?”

    “The points of all participants are constantly growing,” Xue Mu explained, his tone measured.
    “For someone to suddenly surge ahead now—especially after most arrays have already been completed—”

    “It can only mean one thing: this Guo Yezhong likely took part in the initial design of the Tianxuan Spirit-Locking Array.”

    Though simple and reserved, Xue Mu was far from dull.
    Calmly, he analyzed,
    “Dean Ji once said that contribution is calculated according to each cultivator’s role in the construction process.
    As the array’s creator, he naturally receives a portion of the merit every time a new one is built.
    That would explain this sudden jump.”

    Li Fan recalled the young man he had met at the Universe Courtyard.
    “At that time, he was merely a Golden Core array master. Could that really be true?” he asked with a faint smile.

    Xue Mu hesitated.
    “Perhaps… he only proposed a single crucial idea?”

    Li Fan waved dismissively. “No point overthinking. Let’s just focus on doing our part.”

    Xue Mu gazed at Li Fan’s aged face, nodded solemnly, and said no more.

    “Participating in the original design and then sitting back to reap the rewards…
    Not only would it earn massive merit in this Grand Competition, but once the array spreads across the realms,
    his status will surely soar.”

    Li Fan returned to his quarters, musing silently.
    “A fine strategy indeed.”

    “If time could turn back thirty years, there’d be no one in this world who knows the Tianxuan Spirit-Locking Array better than I.”

    “Marvelous… though I’ll have to be careful how much I reveal.”

    That night, Li Fan slipped quietly to Huangfu Song’s residence.

    The latter seemed to have expected him.
    A steaming bowl of spiritual tea was already placed upon the table.

    “Azure Dragon Whisker Tea,” Huangfu Song said dryly. “Can extend your lifespan by ten years—barely enough to keep your wretched little life dangling.”

    Li Fan didn’t bother with courtesies. He drank it down in one gulp.
    Smacking his lips, he glanced at the True Mirror Panel.

    Only one additional year had been added to his lifespan limit.

    “Barely worth mentioning,” Li Fan muttered, unimpressed.

    Huangfu Song almost laughed out of exasperation, but chose not to bicker. Instead, he asked bluntly,
    “You’re a dying man. Why push yourself so hard?

    Wouldn’t it be better to spend your remaining days in peace?
    Why still bother competing for rank?”

    Facing him, Li Fan’s expression changed.
    Gone was the selfless, righteous demeanor others saw—replaced by something sharper, more calculating.

    “Precisely because my end draws near,” he said, voice firm, “I must fight harder.”

    “Only by doing so can I snatch a chance at life from the jaws of death.”

    “Oh?” Huangfu Song’s curiosity was piqued. “And what do you mean by that?”

    Li Fan straightened his back, every word weighted with resolve.
    “Being trapped amidst the demonic tide and the Devouring Mists was an accident.
    To call for aid and exhaust my lifespan in the process—was never my intention.”

    “I’ve lived less than a century, yet already stand at death’s door. Tell me, how could I possibly accept that?”

    “Of course I want to live.”

    “But treasures that extend life are too rare, too precious. Even if I spent all my remaining days seeking one, I might never obtain it.”

    “So—if I wish to survive, I must take another path… a crooked one, perhaps, but still a path.”

    “My odds may be slim,” he continued, eyes gleaming with fierce light utterly at odds with his frail body,
    “but the gamble is worth it.”

    Huangfu Song leaned forward, intrigued. “A gamble? On what?”

    Li Fan’s tone grew steady, every syllable ringing clear:

    > “I’m gambling that the Immortal Alliance does not let the meritorious die unrewarded—”
    “Especially not one who contributed so much to the Tianxuan Spirit-Locking Array.”



    Huangfu Song stared at him, dumbstruck, then quietly sipped his tea.

    Li Fan pressed on, his words full of conviction.
    “You and I both know how vital this array is.”

    “My deeds—my sacrifices—have already spread throughout the world.
    As for who made sure of that, we both understand.”

    “Now, tell me: before all the arrays are completed,
    would it serve the Alliance better to let its model cultivator die pitifully of old age—
    or to grant him a second life as a symbol of its benevolence?”

    “To inspire every formation master beneath the heavens to strive harder—
    is that not worth a few longevity treasures?”

    “So you see, I’m not afraid of dying soon.”
    “In fact, I’d say my remaining lifespan is still too long.”

    Li Fan looked meaningfully at Huangfu Song, a faint smile playing at his lips.

    “After all, Senior… this cup of tea you just offered me—nearly cost me that gamble.”

    “So tell me,” he said softly, “how do you plan to make it up to me?”


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    (End of Chapter 372)


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  3. Offline
    + 20 -
    now now look what we got 🐸
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  4. Offline
    + 30 -
    Damn, smart
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  5. Offline
    + 21 -
    Hhhahhahaha butwhy cheerful :
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  6. Online Offline
    + 190 -
    “Senior Huangfu, that cup of tea you just had almost cost me my life.”

    cheerful
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  7. Offline
    + 310 -
    Lmfao😂
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