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Chapter 384: Li Fan Sets Up the Formation

Looking at the map, the distance between Li Fan and his destination almost spanned half of the Water Cave Heaven.

Li Fan estimated that if he relied solely on flying, it would take at least a month or two to reach there.

However, with the Escape Sky Shuttle, it wouldn’t even take a day.

After just over seven hours, Li Fan arrived at the marked location.

His speed gradually slowed down, and the black-golden fluid around his body slowly recovered.

When Li Fan stopped, it reverted back to a small droplet-like object and was stored in his elixir field.

Li Fan surveyed his working environment for the next period of time.

Below was still an endless expanse of blue water.

Above, it seemed within arm’s reach.

A giant tree branch extended from the sky, making intimate contact with the water-attribute heaven.

However, what surprised Li Fan was that the vibrant trees should have flourished even more after contact with water.

But the huge tree branch in front of Li Fan was completely desolate and decaying.

The gray-yellow trees were incomplete, riddled with many hollows.

They seemed like they could break and fall at any moment.

Whether it was an illusion brought about by Li Fan staring at them for a long time or not,

From those dead branches that had been gnawed on, he actually saw many fragmented human figures.

When he withdrew his gaze and looked again later,

That feeling disappeared.

Li Fan shook his head and took out the Heavenly Supervisor Record, carefully studying the construction plan again.

Just when he inspected the surroundings a moment ago, the plan had already been updated.

Five more cultivators had been added as his assistants, bringing along logistical supplies.

Li Fan didn’t wait for them.

The Heavenly Supervisor Record emitted a radiance, pointing towards the sky.

After confirming the coordinate nodes, Li Fan immediately began constructing the Soul Locking Formation.

Unlike the time in the Abyss of Roars when he needed to guard against the devouring white mist and the abyssal demonic sounds,

There was hardly any danger in this water-attribute heaven.

The spiritual energy was dense, which was even more conducive to the formation construction.

Unrestricted, Li Fan was able to act freely.

After years of heavy training, Li Fan’s speed in setting up formations in a normal state had once again improved.

As if it were an instinct engraved in his soul, there was no need for him to think at all.

With just a casual movement, wherever his intention went, the formation instantly formed.

Li Fan felt neither joy nor sorrow in his heart, just pushing forward the formation arrangement with an absolutely efficient and terrifying speed.

For a moment, he was lost in his work.

By the time the support group of five arrived, they saw Li Fan totally focused, constructing the Soul Locking Formation with unprecedented ease, as if he were freely splashing ink on a canvas.

They were not newcomers to formation construction.

But compared to the formation masters they had encountered before, both in terms of speed and gracefulness in setting up formations,

It was clear that they were far inferior to the current white-haired Golden Core formation master before them.

The five exchanged glances.

“Is this person really only at the Golden Core level?”

“Li Fan… seems somewhat familiar. Wait, could it be that Li Fan?”

“No mistaking it. He truly deserves to be the one who tirelessly fights on the front lines of formation construction until death. His proficiency in formations is simply astounding.”

“Ah, it’s our fortune to be able to cooperate with him.”

The five communicated with each other using their spiritual senses.

Afterward, they didn’t disturb Li Fan and instead began constructing their own base on the water’s surface below.

Although they had heard that Li Fan was extremely hardworking and didn’t need rest when setting up formations,

Having a foothold for special circumstances was still necessary.

Furthermore, the few of them couldn’t withstand several years of continuous work without rest.

This work was also a piece of cake for them. With their combined efforts, a small base suspended above the water’s surface was completed in just three days.

Afterwards, they began inspecting and verifying the formation units that Li Fan had already constructed according to the procedure.

The results even surpassed their expectations.

They had heard of some formation geniuses setting up formations swiftly in the past.

But the structure of the Soul Locking Formation was extremely complex, containing countless formation units.

Plus, external environmental factors could cause mistakes even for the most outstanding talents during construction.

But the formation Li Fan had laid down had absolutely no flaws.

He was tireless, efficient, and precise.

All of this was happening on a Golden Core cultivator who was advanced in age and on the brink of passing away.

It was simply inconceivable.

The five couldn’t help but admire him deeply.

As time passed, the area where Li Fan had finished setting up the formation rapidly expanded outward.

With each completed formation node, the five became even more sincerely impressed by Li Fan.

Because this person was indeed as the rumors said.

Unfamiliar with the concept of fatigue, never resting for a moment.

As a result, even they, the five, were starting to feel a bit overwhelmed.

But they didn’t dare to have the slightest complaint.

And so, a year quietly passed by.

When the area covered by the completed formation extended to a radius of five thousand miles from the initial node,

The tasks originally assigned to Li Fan and his group were almost completed.

“Originally planned to be completed within three years, I didn’t expect it to be finished in just one year,” said Yan Hang, a Nascent Soul stage cultivator among the five, as he looked at the formations in the sky.

“Finally, we can take a good rest,” he said, filled with exhaustion and weariness etched on his face.

The others nodded incessantly, in full agreement.

However, when Li Fan finished the final formation construction,

He paused in the air for a moment but showed no sign of resting.

Instead, he continued to extend the array towards the outer periphery.

“Master Li, what are you doing? That area is clearly no longer within our scope of work!” exclaimed Yan Hang, who had already prepared to relax.

“This…”

“Quick, look at the Heavenly Supervisor Record, the work plan has been updated!”

“Master Li actively requested assistance to help the surrounding formation masters set up formations?!”

“We must cooperate to the best of our ability and not slack off?”

With each person speaking, the hearts of the group sank.

Despair showed on their faces.

After a while, they finally recovered.

Yan Hang gritted his teeth and encouraged everyone, “If Master Li is working so hard, we have no reason to refuse.”

“Brothers, let’s hold on a little longer.”

One of them sighed, “We have no choice but to do so. If we retreat now, it’ll be a disgrace.”

“I don’t mind. What I’m worried about is Master Li. Haven’t you noticed that he seems to be aging more rapidly?”

After this reminder, the others suddenly realized.

They carefully observed the figure not far away, still standing tall despite its aging appearance.

Everyone was shocked.

“It does seem to be the case.”

“He didn’t have many years left to begin with, and now, with such intense effort, his lifespan is being depleted even faster.”

“What should we do?”

They exchanged glances.

“No, we can’t just watch Master Li perish before our eyes.”

“Report this situation immediately!”

Yan Hang said in a deep voice.

Comments 11

  1. Offline
    + 00 -
    The results even surpassed their expectations.

    They had heard of some formation geniuses setting up formations swiftly in the past.

    Bro.. somehow became genius in formations with his hardwork
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  2. Offline
    + 00 -
    Yes yes report swindler
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  3. Offline
    + 10 -
    Pls like or thank crip009 for translating


    5.000 radius??? 10.000 mile diameter????

    The longest country in the world is chile, and it only reaches 2.600 miles long (and yes I know Russia is 5.600 miles wide, but chile felt like a better comparison b/c i felt it was cooler)

    That earth's equator is 25.000 miles long.

    This small subworld is almost half the size of earth (a little less if you understand what I’m comparing)

    I love cultivation novels, their size comparison is just silly :)
    ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️
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  4. Offline
    Grandpa Li is so hardworking in order to feed his Grandchildren Xiao Heng, Su Changyu, Su Xioamei, and his good-for-nothing jobless child Huangbu. He became like this after seeing his grandchildren fatty ye die right before his eyes and he was powerless to resist the Demonic Cultivator Senior Brother Zhang.
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  5. Offline
    + 170 -
    Chapter 384 – Laying Down an Array with One’s Life

    From the map, Li Fan’s destination lay almost across half of the entire Water Heaven Cave.

    By his estimation, if he relied on his own flight alone, it would take at least a month or two to arrive.

    Yet with the Heaven-Shuttling Spear, he did not even need a full day.

    In just over seven hours, Li Fan reached the marked location.

    His speed gradually slowed as the black-gold fluid surrounding his body began to reform.

    When he came to a stop, the substance reverted to its original state—a small droplet-like object—and returned to rest within his dantian.

    Li Fan surveyed the environment where he would be working for the foreseeable future.

    Below stretched an endless expanse of azure waters.

    Above, seemingly within arm’s reach, a great branch extended from the inverted giant tree upon the sky’s dome, touching the water-attributed cave heaven in intimate contact.

    What surprised Li Fan, however, was that the tree—clearly brimming with vitality—should have grown even more exuberant upon touching the water.

    Yet the massive branch before him was utterly withered and decayed.

    Its bark was ashen yellow, the wood incomplete and riddled with countless hollow gaps, as though it might snap and fall at any moment.

    Perhaps it was merely an illusion from staring too long, but Li Fan could almost discern faint, broken silhouettes of people within the dead, gnawed remnants of the branch.

    He withdrew his gaze; when he looked again, the illusion had vanished.

    Shaking his head, Li Fan took out the Sky Oversight Record and began carefully reviewing the construction plan once more.

    While he had been inspecting his surroundings, the plan had already been updated.

    Five cultivators had been assigned as his assistants and were currently en route, carrying logistical supplies.

    Li Fan did not wait for them.

    He activated the Sky Oversight Record, which released a beam of light skyward.

    After confirming the coordinate nodes, Li Fan immediately began constructing the Spirit-Locking Array.

    Unlike when he worked in the Abyss of Commanding Fury, where he had to guard against the Devouring Yuan White Mists and the Abyssal Demon Sound, this water-attributed cave heaven posed almost no danger at all.

    The ambient spiritual qi here was rich—an ideal environment for array construction.

    Free from hindrance, Li Fan was able to exert himself without restraint.

    After years of rigorous training under heavy pressure, his array-setting speed in his normal state had once again risen to a new level.

    It was as if the act of constructing arrays had been engraved into his very soul—requiring no conscious thought.

    A mere motion of the hand, a thought’s reach—and the formation was complete in an instant.

    Li Fan’s heart held neither joy nor sorrow. He advanced the construction with absolute efficiency and terrifying precision, wholly absorbed in the work.

    When the team of five finally arrived, what they saw was Li Fan—utterly focused—constructing the Spirit-Locking Array with the ease of an artist splashing ink upon a scroll.

    This was not their first time assisting in array construction.

    Yet compared to every array master they had seen before—none could match the speed or effortless grace of this white-haired Golden Core array master before them.

    The five exchanged looks.

    “Is this man truly only at the Golden Core stage?”

    “Li Fan… that name sounds familiar. Wait—could it be that Li Fan?”

    “No mistake about it. No wonder—he’s the one who worked on the front lines of every Spirit-Locking Array construction until the very end of his life. Such mastery defies comprehension.”

    “To work alongside him—what an honor.”

    The five exchanged thoughts through divine sense, then refrained from disturbing Li Fan. Instead, they began constructing their own base upon the water’s surface below.

    Though they had heard that Li Fan was relentless—working without rest once he began—the base was still a necessary safeguard in case of emergencies.

    Besides, none of them could withstand years of unbroken labor like him.

    They were experienced in such work. With their combined effort, in just three days, a small outpost suspended above the water was completed.

    Afterward, they followed procedure, inspecting and verifying the array units Li Fan had already completed.

    The results completely shattered their understanding.

    They had heard rumors of prodigies who could construct arrays with astonishing speed—but the Spirit-Locking Array was incomparably complex, made up of countless interlocking sub-formations.

    Environmental conditions alone could easily cause errors, even for the most gifted.

    Yet Li Fan’s array contained not a single flaw.

    Tireless. Efficient. Precise.

    All this—accomplished by a withered old Golden Core cultivator nearing the end of his life.

    It was almost beyond belief.

    The five could only sigh in awe.

    As time passed, the area covered by Li Fan’s completed arrays expanded rapidly.

    With each new node established, their respect for him deepened.

    This man was truly as the rumors said—one who did not know the meaning of fatigue or rest.

    Even the five of them, working without pause to keep up, found themselves nearly at their limit.

    Yet none dared utter a single complaint.

    And so, a full year passed quietly.

    By then, the region covered by their formations extended five thousand li from the initial node.

    The task assigned to their group was nearly complete.

    “To think we’d finish in just a year when the plan allotted three,” said Yan Hang, the Nascent Soul cultivator among them, gazing up at the formations in the sky with deep emotion.

    “At last, we can take a well-deserved rest.”

    His face was lined with exhaustion.

    The others nodded in firm agreement.

    Yet when Li Fan completed the final formation, he paused briefly in midair—but showed no sign of stopping.

    Instead, he continued expanding the array outward.

    “What is Master Li doing? That’s already beyond our assigned boundary!”

    Yan Hang, who had been ready to return and relax, couldn’t help but cry out.

    “This…”

    “Look at the Sky Oversight Record! The project plan’s been updated!”

    “Master Li volunteered to assist the surrounding array masters?”

    “And we’re instructed to fully cooperate, without delay?”

    As their divine senses exchanged messages one after another, their hearts sank, and despair spread across their faces.

    After a long silence, Yan Hang gritted his teeth and rallied them:

    “Master Li works so hard—how could we possibly say no?”

    “Brothers, let’s hold out a little longer.”

    One of them sighed. “So be it. If we back out now, the shame would follow us forever.”

    “I don’t care about that,” another said quietly. “What worries me most is Master Li himself. Haven’t you noticed? He looks… older.”

    The others started, then turned their eyes toward the distant figure—frail with age, yet still standing tall and unbending.

    A chill ran through them all.

    “You’re right… he really does look older.”

    “He didn’t have much lifespan left to begin with. Working like this—his remaining years will burn away twice as fast.”

    “What should we do?”

    They exchanged grave looks.

    “No,” Yan Hang said solemnly. “We can’t just stand by and watch Master Li fall before our eyes.”

    “Report it immediately.”
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  6. Offline
    + 71 -
    Grandpa Li take some rest pepeg_7
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  7. Offline
    + 170 -
    this mf really left dantian MTL'd as "elixir field" smh my head
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    1. Offline
      + 151 -
      he spells patreon perfectly atleast
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      1. Offline
        + 20 -
        Funny, Little Daoist.
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  8. Offline
    + 64 -
    How come lifespan suddenly depletes faster with hard work. Time is time. Hard work won’t make time move faster. (Disregarding fatigue and all that, but he’s a cultivator even if old)
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    1. Offline
      + 151 -
      its not like lifespan is fixed, he can still die before its up and stress/overwork harms the body so it could be that he is dying faster than the normal rate bc of overworking

      also, stress literally does cause you to age faster and damage your body bc your body was not designed to withstand constant stress, like its a studied phenomena
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