“ zhào xián ！” zhào wú jí jiàn zhuàng ， lěng hēng yī shēng 。
“赵闲！”赵无极见状，冷哼一声。
"Zhao Xian!" Zhao Wují gave a cold snort upon seeing the situation.
zhào xián dùn shí huí guò shén lái 。
赵闲顿时回过神来。
Zhang Xian immediately snapped back to attention.
“ nǐ lái shuō shuō ， duàn xiān lóu gēn xiān shū yuàn de fēn zhēng ， yòu gēn wǒ pài nǐ men zhí xíng zhè tàng rèn wù yǒu shén me guān xì ？” zhào wú jí mī zhuó yǎn jīng wèn dào 。
“你来说说，断仙楼跟仙枢院的纷争，又跟我派你们执行这趟任务有什么关系？”赵无极眯着眼睛问道。
"You tell me, what does the conflict between the Immortal Boat and the Immortal Pivot Academy have to do with our mission?" Zhao Wují asked, narrowing his eyes.
“ shī zūn zhè shì zài biǎo tài ， yě shì zài shì hǎo 。 zhè shì duàn xiān lóu jiē guǎn zhèn zuì gǔ hòu ， dì yī cì sōu jí yí wù 。 dà jiā dōu zài guān wàng 。 kàn kàn duàn xiān lóu de xīn fāng fǎ jiū jìng rú hé ， gēn xiān shū yuàn yì zhí yǐ lái de chuán tǒng shú yōu shú lüè 。 jiāng wú yòng yí wù sòng zǒu fèi wù lì yòng …… zhè běn shì suí shǒu kě wèi zhī shì ， shī zūn piān piān ràng wǒ men jǐ gè qīn zì qù pǎo yī tàng 。 jì shì xiàng duàn xiān lóu biǎo míng shī zūn nín de tài dù ， yě shì xiàng wài jiè nà xiē zhèng zài guān wàng de shì lì zuò chū shuō míng ……”
“师尊这是在表态，也是在示好。这是断仙楼接管镇罪谷后，第一次搜集遗物。大家都在观望。看看断仙楼的新方法究竟如何，跟仙枢院一直以来的传统孰优孰略。将无用遗物送走废物利用……这本是随手可为之事，师尊偏偏让我们几个亲自去跑一趟。既是向断仙楼表明师尊您的态度，也是向外界那些正在观望的势力做出说明……”
"This is Master showing his stance while also making an overture. This is the first time since the Immortal Boat took control of Punishment Valley that they are gathering relics. Everyone is watching to see how their new methods compare to the traditional ways of the Immortal Pivot Academy. Sending away useless relics and putting them to good use... this is something we can do with a wave of our hand, but Master insists on us going through it personally. It's both a show of Master's stance and an explanation to those outside who are watching," Zhang Xian said listlessly.
zhào xián yǒu qì wú lì de shuō dào 。
赵闲有气无力的说道。
Zhao Wují nodded repeatedly, satisfied with Zhang Xian’s analysis. However, he couldn't help but feel angry when he saw the indifferent look on his disciple's face.
zhào wú jí tīng dé lián lián diǎn tóu ， duì zhào xián de fēn xī hěn shì mǎn yì 。
赵无极听得连连点头，对赵闲的分析很是满意。
Just as he was about to say something, Zhang Xian interrupted proactively: "Master, I really don't understand why we can't unite now that things are already like this? Why do we have to fight to the death first?"
bù guò zài kàn dào duì fāng de nà yī liǎn wú suǒ wèi de shén qíng zhī hòu ， hái shì rěn bú zhù yī nù 。
不过再看到对方的那一脸无所谓的神情之后，还是忍不住一怒。
Zhao Wují's expression changed. He waved his hand to prevent his voice from spreading.
zhèng yù shuō xiē shén me ， zhào xián què shì zhǔ dòng kāi kǒu dǎ duàn ：“ shī zūn 、 wǒ shì shí zài bù dǒng ， xiān zhōu rú jīn yǐ jīng shì xiàn zài zhè bān chǎng miàn le ， wǒ men què wèi hé bù néng tuán jié qǐ lái 、 fǎn ér hái shì yào xiān dòu gè nǐ sǐ wǒ huó ？”
正欲说些什么，赵闲却是主动开口打断：“师尊、我是实在不懂，仙舟如今已经是现在这般场面了，我们却为何不能团结起来、反而还是要先斗个你死我活？”
"You...劣徒,"
zhào wú jí miàn sè yī biàn ， dà shǒu yī huī ， fáng zhǐ tú dì shēng yīn wài xiè 。
赵无极面色一变，大手一挥，防止徒弟声音外泄。
"Is there something wrong with that?" Zhang Xian held his head high, showing no fear.
“ nǐ zhè liè tú ……”
“你这劣徒……”
Suddenly, Zhao Wují produced a戒尺 (jiao zhi) and raised it high above his head. But he ultimately didn't strike down hard.
“ nán dào yǒu cuò me ？” zhào xián áng zhe bó zi ， sī háo bù wèi jù 。
“难道有错么？”赵闲昂着脖子，丝毫不畏惧。
"Xian'er, you don’t understand."
zhào wú jí hū rán chū xiàn yī bǎ jiè chǐ ， gāo gāo yáng qǐ 、 jiù yào luò zài zhào xián tóu shàng 。
赵无极忽然出现一把戒尺，高高扬起、就要落在赵闲头上。
"This Immortal Boat must have only one steersman. The tragic incident from years ago already demonstrated the terrible consequences of a lack of unified decision-making," Zhao Wují sighed deeply.
què zhōng jiū méi yǒu xià hěn shǒu 。
却终究没有下狠手。
Hearing this, Zhang Xian's expression turned somber and he didn't refute any further.
“ xián ér ， nǐ bù dǒng 。”
“闲儿，你不懂。”
"Go down now." Zhao Wují suddenly lost interest.
“ zhè xuán xiān zhōu ， bì xū yǒu 、 qiě zhǐ néng yǒu yí gè zhǎng duò zhě 。 duō nián qián de nà chǎng cǎn jù ， jiù yǐ jīng shuō míng le zuì gāo jué cè céng wú fǎ tǒng yī huì dài lái de kě pà hòu guǒ 。” zhào wú jí cháng tàn yī shēng 。
“这玄仙舟，必须有、且只能有一个掌舵者。多年前的那场惨剧，就已经说明了最高决策层无法统一会带来的可怕后果。”赵无极长叹一声。
"Don’t go out for now. Stay in the academy to cultivate. Since Master has already taken a side, we just need to wait until they settle their differences. Even if the Immortal Boat really loses, the Immortal Pivot Academy won't dare do anything to our Dao Enlightenment Academy. At most, it will reduce some of its resource allocations."
zhào xián wén yán ， yě yī liǎn àn rán 。 bù zài fǎn bó 。
赵闲闻言，也一脸黯然。不再反驳。
The three disciples left as instructed and returned to their respective residences.
“ nǐ men qiě xià qù ba 。” zhào wú jí hū de yì xìng lán shān 。
“你们且下去吧。”赵无极忽的意兴阑珊。
The Dao Enlightenment Academy had a rather imposing name.
“ zuì jìn jiù bú yào wài chū le ， lǎo lǎo shí shí zài xué gōng xiū xíng 。 shī zūn jì rán yǐ jīng zhàn duì ， jiē xià lái jiù zhǐ yào děng tā men fēn chū shèng fù jiù hǎo 。 jiù suàn duàn xiān lóu zhēn de bài le ， xiān shū yuàn yě bù gǎn ná wǒ men zhèng dào xué gōng zěn me yàng 。 zuì duō jiù shì jiǎn xiē wù zī fēn pèi bà le 。”
“最近就不要外出了，老老实实在学宫修行。师尊既然已经站队，接下来就只要等他们分出胜负就好。就算断仙楼真的败了，仙枢院也不敢拿我们证道学宫怎么样。最多就是减些物资分配罢了。”
But Zhang Xian's living quarters were surprisingly simple.
sān wèi dì zǐ tīng mìng lí kāi ， huí dào le gè zì de jū suǒ 。
三位弟子听命离开，回到了各自的居所。
They didn’t look like the resting place of cultivators at all; just a single room barely sufficient for habitation.
zhèng dào xué gōng ， míng zì pǒ wèi bà qì 。
证道学宫，名字颇为霸气。
However, the concentration of spiritual energy in the room was noticeably higher than other areas on the Immortal Boat.
dàn shì zhào xián de zhù chù ， què shì yǒu xiē guò yú jiǎn lòu le 。
但是赵闲的住处，却是有些过于简陋了。
It would be fine for cultivation below the Golden Core stage.
sī háo kàn bù chū shì xiū xiān zhě xiē xī de dì fāng ， zhǐ yī jiān miǎn qiǎng gòu jū zhù de dān jiān 。
丝毫看不出是修仙者歇息的地方，只一间勉强够居住的单间。
Zhang Xian closed the door and used his禁制 (jin zhi) to seal it off. A spark of excitement flashed across his eyes as he pulled out a book-like magical artifact from under the bed.
wéi yī zhí de chēng dào de shì ， fáng jiān lǐ de líng qì nóng dù ， bǐ qǐ xiān zhōu qí tā dì qū míng xiǎn yào gāo shàng bù shǎo 。
唯一值得称道的是，房间里的灵气浓度，比起仙舟其他地区明显要高上不少。
Just as he was about to use it, he suddenly fell into a deep sleep.
mǎn zú jīn dān qī yǐ xià xiū xíng ， shì méi yǒu wèn tí de 。
满足金丹期以下修行，是没有问题的。
Li Fan's spirit slowly manifested.
jiāng fáng mén guān shàng ， shú liàn de yòng jìn zhì fēng suǒ 。 zhào xián yǎn zhōng shǎn guò yī sī xīng fèn ， cóng chuáng dǐ xià fān zhǎo chū yí gè shū běn yàng de fǎ qì 。
将房门关上，熟练的用禁制封锁。赵闲眼中闪过一丝兴奋，从床底下翻找出一个书本样的法器。
He took over the book-like magical artifact.
zhèng yù shǐ yòng ， què hū de hūn shuì guò qù 。
正欲使用，却忽的昏睡过去。
"Hmm... similar to the Heavenly Xuan Mirror. It can connect with the Immortal Boat’s consultation network and exchange resources using contributions from the academy. However, its connection is limited to within the Dao Enlightenment Academy and cannot reach other areas of the Immortal Boat."
lǐ fán fēn shén huǎn huǎn xiǎn chū shēn xíng 。
李凡分神缓缓显出身形。
Zhao Wují shook his head and threw the so-called "Ten Thousand Hearing Record" aside.
jiāng shū běn fǎ qì jiē guò 。
将书本法器接过。
Then he transformed into a wisp of green smoke and infiltrated Zhang Xian's consciousness.
“ ń …… gēn tiān xuán jìng chà bu duō ， lián tōng xiān zhōu zī xún wǎng luò ， yě kě yǐ yòng xué gōng zhōng de gòng xiàn ， duì huàn xiāng yìng de zī yuán 。 zhǐ bù guò jú xiàn yú zhèng dào xué gōng nèi bù ， wú fǎ lián jiē dào xiān zhōu qí tā qū yù 。”
“嗯……跟天玄镜差不多，联通仙舟咨询网络，也可以用学宫中的贡献，兑换相应的资源。只不过局限于证道学宫内部，无法连接到仙舟其他区域。”
But how could an apprentice at the Qi Condensation stage resist Li Fan’s probing?
lǐ fán yáo le yáo tóu ， jiāng nà suǒ wèi de 【 wàn wén lù 】 rēng dào yī biān 。
李凡摇了摇头，将那所谓的【万闻录】扔到一边。
In no time, Li Fan had seen through all of Zhang Xian's secrets from childhood to adulthood.
suí hòu huà zuò yī lǚ qīng yān ， qián rù zhào xián de yì shí zhī zhōng 。
随后化作一缕青烟，潜入赵闲的意识之中。
Although both were surnamed Zhao, there was no blood relation between them.
bù guò liàn qì qī de shào nián ， yòu rú hé néng dǐ dǎng lǐ fán de kuī tàn 。
不过炼气期的少年，又如何能抵挡李凡的窥探。
Zhao Wují loved Zhang Xian so much because his "cultivation aptitude" was good.
bù duō shí ， zhào xián cóng xiǎo dào dà de mì mì jiē bèi lǐ fán kàn le gè jīng guāng 。
不多时，赵闲从小到大的秘密皆被李凡看了个精光。
Zhang Xian had only been at the Dao Enlightenment Academy for a year and was already at the late stage of Qi Condensation.
zhào xián suī rán gēn zhào wú jí yī yàng dōu xìng zhào ， bù guò tā men què méi yǒu shén me xuè yuán guān xì 。
赵闲虽然跟赵无极一样都姓赵，不过他们却没有什么血缘关系。
This cultivation speed might not be impressive in the Xuanhuang Realm, but it was considered exceptional on the Immortal Boat.
ér zhào wú jí zhī suǒ yǐ duì zhào xián pǒ yǒu chāo ài ， wán quán shì yīn wèi zhào xián de “ xiū xíng tiān fù ” bù cuò 。
而赵无极之所以对赵闲颇有超爱，完全是因为赵闲的“修行天赋”不错。
Cultivation resources were limited on the Immortal Boat, even for the Dao Enlightenment Academy. It could only prioritize those with outstanding talent among its disciples.
lái dào zhèng dào xué gōng bù guò yī nián ， jiù yǐ jīng liàn qì hòu qī le 。
来到证道学宫不过一年，就已经炼气后期了。
Every three years, there would be a bottom elimination process.
zhè ge xiū liàn sù dù ， suī rán zài xuán huáng jiè zhōng gēn běn bù zhí yī tí 。 bù guò zài zhè xiān zhōu zhōng ， yǐ jīng suàn shì chū lèi bá cuì le 。
这个修炼速度，虽然在玄黄界中根本不值一提。不过在这仙舟中，已经算是出类拔萃了。
Those who lagged behind in progress had to leave the academy, either return home or become wandering cultivators. Alternatively, they could accept assignments from the Immortal Pivot Academy and serve on various parts of the Immortal Boat.
xiān zhōu zhōng xiū xíng zī yuán yǒu xiàn ， nǎ pà shì zhèng dào xué gōng ， yě shì guò de jǐn bā bā de ， zhǐ néng yōu xiān gōng yìng nà xiē tiān zī chū zhòng de dì zǐ 。
仙舟中修行资源有限，哪怕是证道学宫，也是过的紧巴巴的，只能优先供应那些天资出众的弟子。
This harsh elimination system kept the Dao Enlightenment Academy at an advantageous position.
měi sān gè xué nián ， dū huì shí xíng mò wèi táo tài 。
每三个学年，都会实行末位淘汰。
Not only were disciples subject to elimination; even high-stage cultivators like Zhao Wují faced significant pressure.
jìn jìng luò hòu zhě ， jiù yào lí kāi xué gōng ， huò shì zì cǐ huí jiā 、 xuǎn zé dāng yī míng sàn rén 。 yì huò zhě jiē shòu xiān shū yuàn de rèn mìng ， qù xiān zhōu gè chù rèn zhí 。
进境落后者，就要离开学宫，或是自此回家、选择当一名散人。亦或者接受仙枢院的任命，去仙舟各处任职。
If his students performed poorly, it indicated a lack of teaching talent. Without strong backing, he would have to leave his teaching post and take on riskier roles.
zhèng shì zhè zhǒng cán kù de táo tài zhì dù ， cái shǐ de zhèng dào xué gōng shí kè bǎo chí yōu shì yǔ huó lì 。
正是这种残酷的淘汰制度，才使得证道学宫时刻保持优势与活力。
This was why the atmosphere in the Dao Enlightenment Academy was so tense.
bù jǐn jǐn shì dì zǐ huì bèi táo tài ， xiàng zhào wú jí zhè yàng de yuán yīng qī xiū shì ， suǒ miàn lín de yā lì yě hěn dà 。
不仅仅是弟子会被淘汰，像赵无极这样的元婴期修士，所面临的压力也很大。
Everyone didn't know when they might be forced to leave.
ruò shì jiào chū de dì zǐ dōu biǎo xiàn píng píng ， shuō míng méi yǒu jiào xué tiān fù 。
若是教出的弟子都表现平平，说明没有教学天赋。
However, Zhang Xian was an exception.
bèi jǐng hòu tái bù yìng de huà ， jiù yào lí kāi jiào xué gǎng wèi ， qù dān rèn qí tā jù yǒu yí dìng wēi xiǎn xìng de zhí wù 。
背景后台不硬的话，就要离开教学岗位，去担任其他具有一定危险性的职务。
Perhaps due to his nature, he wasn’t overly attached to staying at the Dao Enlightenment Academy. He even showed little enthusiasm for cultivation.
yě jiù shì zhè ge yuán yīn ， zhèng dào xué gōng shàng xià de qì fēn dōu shí fēn yā yì 。
也就是这个原因，证道学宫上下的气氛都十分压抑。
To outsiders, a year of late-stage Qi Condensation was seen as the result of diligent practice. Only he knew that it was just a result of his three days fishing and two days drying clothes without much effort.
rén rén dōu bù zhī dào shén me shí hòu ， huì bèi pò lí kāi zhè lǐ 。
人人都不知道什么时候，会被迫离开这里。
Zhang Xian's greatest interest lay in using the Ten Thousand Hearing Record to search for strange tales and anecdotes about the Immortal Boat, ancient cultivation realms, and the endless star sea beyond...
bù guò zhè zhào xián ， què shì gè lì wài 。
不过这赵闲，却是个例外。
He was deeply interested in all these things.
huò xǔ shì tiān xìng shǐ rán ， tā duì liú zài zhèng dào xué gōng bìng méi yǒu tài dà de zhí niàn 。
或许是天性使然，他对留在证道学宫并没有太大的执念。
Li Fan carefully read through his year of experiences.
shèn zhì duì yú xiū xíng ， yě shì rè qíng bù gāo 。
甚至对于修行，也是热情不高。
Not only did he use the Ten Thousand Hearing Record, but he also sought advice from elders at the academy.
wài rén dōu rèn wéi ， yī nián liàn qì hòu qī yǐ jīng shì tā kǔ xiū de jié guǒ 。
外人都认为，一年炼气后期已经是他苦修的结果。
"Back in ancient times, the Immortal Boat was intact. But it suffered a sudden destruction by the Star Sea Realm and internal conflicts. The boat split into two."
zhǐ yǒu tā zì jǐ zhī dào ， zhè bù guò shì tā sān tiān dǎ yú liǎng tiān shài wǎng 、 wán quán méi yǒu tóu rù duō shǎo jīng lì hòu de biǎo xiàn 。
只有他自己知道，这不过是他三天打鱼两天晒网、完全没有投入多少精力后的表现。
"One is called [Xuan], the other is called [Shang]."
zhào xián zuì dà de xìng qù ， jiù shì zài wàn wén lù sōu xún nà xiē qí wén yì shì 。
赵闲最大的兴趣，就是在万闻录搜寻那些奇闻轶事。
"This one is the Xuan Immortal Boat."
guān yú xiān zhōu de yuán qǐ ， guān yú shàng gǔ xiū xiān jiè de yī qiè ， guān yú xiān zhōu zhī wài de wú jìn xīng hǎi ……
关于仙舟的缘起，关于上古修仙界的一切，关于仙舟之外的无尽星海……
...
tā dōu chōng mǎn le xìng qù 。
他都充满了兴趣。
Taking a pause, Li Fan continued reading.
lǐ fán zǐ xì yuè dú zhe tā zhè yī nián lái de jiàn wén 。
李凡仔细阅读着他这一年来的见闻。
"After the Immortal Boat broke apart for a long time, it was completely out of control, drifting aimlessly in the Star Sea."
bù jǐn jǐn shì tōng guò 【 wàn wén lù 】， hái yǒu xiē shì xiàng xué gōng zhǎng bèi qǐng jiào 。
不仅仅是通过【万闻录】，还有些是向学宫长辈请教。
"The population also plummeted during that period. Almost nine-tenths died."
“ shàng gǔ zhī shí ， xiān zhōu hái céng jīng wán hǎo 。 bù guò yīn wèi zhòu rán zāo shòu xīng hǎi jiè miè jié nàn ， yǐ jí fā shēng nèi hòng 。 xiān zhōu zì cǐ duàn liè ， fēn wéi liǎng jié 。”
“上古之时，仙舟还曾经完好。不过因为骤然遭受星海界灭劫难，以及发生内讧。仙舟自此断裂，分为两截。”
"Until the Immortal Boat finally stabilized and appeared in this sea of relics."
“ qí yī míng 【 xuán 】， qí yī míng 【 shāng 】。”
“其一名【玄】，其一名【商】。”
"Since then, it has never left..."
“ zhè yī sōu ， jiù shì xuán xiān zhōu 。”
“这一艘，就是玄仙舟。”
"While able to move within a small range, they are unable to break free from the powerful forces outside the relic area."
dùn le dùn ， lǐ fán jì xù xiàng xià kàn qù 。
顿了顿，李凡继续向下看去。
Looking at how the Immortal Boat named that suction force, Li Fan fell into deep thought.
“ xiān zhōu duàn liè hòu hěn zhǎng yī duàn shí jiān ， dōu shì zài xīng hǎi zhōng suí bō zhú liú 、 wán quán shī kòng de hùn luàn jì yuán 。”
“仙舟断裂后很长一段时间，都是在星海中随波逐流、完全失控的混乱纪元。”
"[Resonant Star Power]?"
“ rén kǒu yě shì zài nà shí hòu bào diē ， jìn hū shí fēn zhī jiǔ dōu sǐ yú nà ge shí qī 。”
“人口也是在那时候暴跌，近乎十分之九都死于那个时期。”
"What does the word 'resonance' mean here?"
“ zhí dào xiān zhōu zuì hòu zhōng yú wěn dìng le xià lái ， jiù chū xiàn zài le zhè piàn yí wù zhī hǎi zhī zhōng 。”
“直到仙舟最后终于稳定了下来，就出现在了这片遗物之海之中。”
Zhang Xian was just a Qi Condensation cultivator and knew so much because he had persistently begged elders in the academy for information.
“ cóng cǐ zài yě méi yǒu lí kāi ……”
“从此再也没有离开……”
The origin of Resonant Star Power was indeed beyond his knowledge.
“ suī rán kě yǐ xiǎo fàn wéi nèi zhuǎn yí ， què wú lì bǎi tuō yí wù zhī wài wài wéi de nà qiáng dà lì liàng de shù fù 。”
“虽然可以小范围内转移，却无力摆脱遗物之外外围的那强大力量的束缚。”
Li Fan decided to set aside this question for now and start planning his next move.
“……”
“……”
His spirit's strength was too weak, but bringing in the True Immortal Embryo would give him enough room to act.
kàn zhe xiān zhōu rén duì nà xī lì de mìng míng ， lǐ fán shà shí xiàn rù le chén sī 。
看着仙舟人对那吸力的命名，李凡霎时陷入了沉思。
The only issue left was dealing with the residual power from the True Immortal Inscription.
“【 huí dàng xīng lì 】？”
“【回荡星力】？”
Suddenly, Li Fan remembered the talisman used by the Immortal Boat.
"Zhao Xian!" Zhao Wují gave a cold snort upon seeing the situation.
Zhang Xian immediately snapped back to attention.
"You tell me, what does the conflict between the Immortal Boat and the Immortal Pivot Academy have to do with our mission?" Zhao Wují asked, narrowing his eyes.
"This is Master showing his stance while also making an overture. This is the first time since the Immortal Boat took control of Punishment Valley that they are gathering relics. Everyone is watching to see how their new methods compare to the traditional ways of the Immortal Pivot Academy. Sending away useless relics and putting them to good use... this is something we can do with a wave of our hand, but Master insists on us going through it personally. It's both a show of Master's stance and an explanation to those outside who are watching," Zhang Xian said listlessly.
Zhao Wují nodded repeatedly, satisfied with Zhang Xian’s analysis. However, he couldn't help but feel angry when he saw the indifferent look on his disciple's face.
Just as he was about to say something, Zhang Xian interrupted proactively: "Master, I really don't understand why we can't unite now that things are already like this? Why do we have to fight to the death first?"
Zhao Wují's expression changed. He waved his hand to prevent his voice from spreading.
"You...劣徒,"
"Is there something wrong with that?" Zhang Xian held his head high, showing no fear.
Suddenly, Zhao Wují produced a戒尺 (jiao zhi) and raised it high above his head. But he ultimately didn't strike down hard.
"Xian'er, you don’t understand."
"This Immortal Boat must have only one steersman. The tragic incident from years ago already demonstrated the terrible consequences of a lack of unified decision-making," Zhao Wují sighed deeply.
Hearing this, Zhang Xian's expression turned somber and he didn't refute any further.
"Go down now." Zhao Wují suddenly lost interest.
"Don’t go out for now. Stay in the academy to cultivate. Since Master has already taken a side, we just need to wait until they settle their differences. Even if the Immortal Boat really loses, the Immortal Pivot Academy won't dare do anything to our Dao Enlightenment Academy. At most, it will reduce some of its resource allocations."
The three disciples left as instructed and returned to their respective residences.
The Dao Enlightenment Academy had a rather imposing name.
But Zhang Xian's living quarters were surprisingly simple.
They didn’t look like the resting place of cultivators at all; just a single room barely sufficient for habitation.
However, the concentration of spiritual energy in the room was noticeably higher than other areas on the Immortal Boat.
It would be fine for cultivation below the Golden Core stage.
Zhang Xian closed the door and used his禁制 (jin zhi) to seal it off. A spark of excitement flashed across his eyes as he pulled out a book-like magical artifact from under the bed.
Just as he was about to use it, he suddenly fell into a deep sleep.
Li Fan's spirit slowly manifested.
He took over the book-like magical artifact.
"Hmm... similar to the Heavenly Xuan Mirror. It can connect with the Immortal Boat’s consultation network and exchange resources using contributions from the academy. However, its connection is limited to within the Dao Enlightenment Academy and cannot reach other areas of the Immortal Boat."
Zhao Wují shook his head and threw the so-called "Ten Thousand Hearing Record" aside.
Then he transformed into a wisp of green smoke and infiltrated Zhang Xian's consciousness.
But how could an apprentice at the Qi Condensation stage resist Li Fan’s probing?
In no time, Li Fan had seen through all of Zhang Xian's secrets from childhood to adulthood.
Although both were surnamed Zhao, there was no blood relation between them.
Zhao Wují loved Zhang Xian so much because his "cultivation aptitude" was good.
Zhang Xian had only been at the Dao Enlightenment Academy for a year and was already at the late stage of Qi Condensation.
This cultivation speed might not be impressive in the Xuanhuang Realm, but it was considered exceptional on the Immortal Boat.
Cultivation resources were limited on the Immortal Boat, even for the Dao Enlightenment Academy. It could only prioritize those with outstanding talent among its disciples.
Every three years, there would be a bottom elimination process.
Those who lagged behind in progress had to leave the academy, either return home or become wandering cultivators. Alternatively, they could accept assignments from the Immortal Pivot Academy and serve on various parts of the Immortal Boat.
This harsh elimination system kept the Dao Enlightenment Academy at an advantageous position.
Not only were disciples subject to elimination; even high-stage cultivators like Zhao Wují faced significant pressure.
If his students performed poorly, it indicated a lack of teaching talent. Without strong backing, he would have to leave his teaching post and take on riskier roles.
This was why the atmosphere in the Dao Enlightenment Academy was so tense.
Everyone didn't know when they might be forced to leave.
However, Zhang Xian was an exception.
Perhaps due to his nature, he wasn’t overly attached to staying at the Dao Enlightenment Academy. He even showed little enthusiasm for cultivation.
To outsiders, a year of late-stage Qi Condensation was seen as the result of diligent practice. Only he knew that it was just a result of his three days fishing and two days drying clothes without much effort.
Zhang Xian's greatest interest lay in using the Ten Thousand Hearing Record to search for strange tales and anecdotes about the Immortal Boat, ancient cultivation realms, and the endless star sea beyond...
He was deeply interested in all these things.
Li Fan carefully read through his year of experiences.
Not only did he use the Ten Thousand Hearing Record, but he also sought advice from elders at the academy.
"Back in ancient times, the Immortal Boat was intact. But it suffered a sudden destruction by the Star Sea Realm and internal conflicts. The boat split into two."
"One is called [Xuan], the other is called [Shang]."
"This one is the Xuan Immortal Boat."
...
Taking a pause, Li Fan continued reading.
"After the Immortal Boat broke apart for a long time, it was completely out of control, drifting aimlessly in the Star Sea."
"The population also plummeted during that period. Almost nine-tenths died."
"Until the Immortal Boat finally stabilized and appeared in this sea of relics."
"Since then, it has never left..."
"While able to move within a small range, they are unable to break free from the powerful forces outside the relic area."
...
Looking at how the Immortal Boat named that suction force, Li Fan fell into deep thought.
"[Resonant Star Power]?"
"What does the word 'resonance' mean here?"
Zhang Xian was just a Qi Condensation cultivator and knew so much because he had persistently begged elders in the academy for information.
The origin of Resonant Star Power was indeed beyond his knowledge.
Li Fan decided to set aside this question for now and start planning his next move.
His spirit's strength was too weak, but bringing in the True Immortal Embryo would give him enough room to act.
The only issue left was dealing with the residual power from the True Immortal Inscription.
Suddenly, Li Fan remembered the talisman used by the Immortal Boat.