jīn dān jù shòu bèi jiāng zhèng jì hé dōu xīng chāng lián shǒu shōu fú 。
金丹巨兽被江正寂和都兴昌联手收服。
Golden Core巨兽被 Jiang Zhengji and Du Xing昌联手收服。
wàn lài dǎo shàng de hóng máo yì shòu men ， zhōng yú miàn lù jīng kǒng zhī sè 。
万籁岛上的红毛异兽们，终于面露惊恐之色。
On Wansu Island, the red-haired beasts finally showed signs of fear. They began to flee towards the distance.
kāi shǐ cháo zhe yuǎn fāng táo cuàn 。
开始朝着远方逃窜。
Some even attempted to jump into the sea, trying to leave the island.
shèn zhì yǒu de xiǎng yào tiào hǎi ， lí kāi zhè lǐ 。
甚至有的想要跳海，离开这里。
However, the purple array Jiang Zhengji had previously set up on the island had already completely sealed it off.
dàn jiāng zhèng jì xiān qián bù xià de zǐ sè fǎ zhèn ， zǎo yǐ jiāng wàn lài dǎo chè dǐ fēng suǒ 。
但江正寂先前布下的紫色法阵，早已将万籁岛彻底封锁。
"Kill!"
“ shā ！”
“杀！”
With a command from Jiang Zhengji, Tian Bian and his team resumed their ruthless and efficient slaughter.
jiāng zhèng jì yī shēng lìng xià ， tiān biàn wǔ rén zài cì sì yì gāo xiào tú shā qǐ lái 。
江正寂一声令下，天变五人再次肆意高效屠杀起来。
Li Fan also appeared as if he was done resting. He activated the [Heavenly Spirit Fire Dragon Array], occasionally casting out weak blue sword light to harvest the lives of the red-haired beasts.
lǐ fán zhè shí hòu yě zuò chū xiū xī wán bì de mú yàng ， fā dòng zhe 【 tiān líng huǒ lóng zhèn 】， shí bù shí huī chū yī dào lán sè wēi ruò jiàn guāng ， shōu gē zhe hóng máo yì shòu de shēng mìng 。
李凡这时候也做出休息完毕的模样，发动着【天灵火龙阵】，时不时挥出一道蓝色微弱剑光，收割着红毛异兽的生命。
This time there were no more complications.
zhè cì méi yǒu zài shēng shén me bō zhé 。
这次没有再生什么波折。
By mid-afternoon, when the sun began to set, only a quarter of the red-haired beasts remained on Wansu Island after being slaughtered.
xiǎo bàn tiān zhī hòu ， rì luò shí fēn ， wàn lài dǎo shàng de hóng máo yì shòu men ， bèi tú lù de zhǐ shèng xià le sì fēn zhī yī 。
小半天之后，日落时分，万籁岛上的红毛异兽们，被屠戮的只剩下了四分之一。
"Stop!"
“ tíng ！”
“停！”
Jiang Zhengji finally spoke again.
zhè shí hòu ， jiāng zhèng jì zhōng yú yòu kāi kǒu le 。
这时候，江正寂终于又开口了。
Snowflakes started falling once more as he used the same method that had captured the Golden Core giant beast. He turned most of the remaining red-haired beasts into tiny snowmen, which he then concealed somewhere unknown.
dà xuě chóng xīn piāo luò ， tā zài cì shī zhǎn le zhuā bǔ nà jīn dān jù shòu shí de shǒu duàn 。
大雪重新飘落，他再次施展了抓捕那金丹巨兽时的手段。
"This mission went relatively smoothly. We can head back to the island," Jiang Zhengji said calmly.
jiāng dǎo shàng cán cún hóng máo yì shòu ， yī dà bàn dōu huà zuò le xiǎo xiǎo de xuě rén 。
将岛上残存红毛异兽，一大半都化作了小小的雪人。
The tired five-person team let out a long sigh in relief. Li Fan also looked drained.
suí hòu shōu qǐ ， bù zhī cáng zài le hé chù 。
随后收起，不知藏在了何处。
"Thanks to your friend's help this time, I'm not sure they would have succeeded without those key arrays," Jiang Zhengji politely said as they headed back.
“ cǐ cì de rèn wù ， hái suàn bǐ jiào shùn lì 。 kě yǐ huí dǎo le 。” tā huǎn shēng shuō dào 。
“此次的任务，还算比较顺利。可以回岛了。”他缓声说道。
Li Fan blushed: "It was all the efforts of several fellow daoists from the Martial Hall. I only set up some arrays and didn't actually kill many beasts."
yī liǎn pí bèi de wǔ rén xiǎo duì ， fēn fēn zhǎng shū yì kǒu qì 。
一脸疲惫的五人小队，纷纷长舒一口气。
Jiang Zhengji smiled: "Isn't that what an array master should do? Though your array cultivation isn't on par with those masters, you've played a significant role in practical battles. Especially that [Tangled Waters Array], it was truly ingenious."
lǐ fán yě shì yī fù tòu zhī guò dù de yàng zi 。
李凡也是一副透支过渡的样子。
"I have participated in dozens of clearance missions and encountered many array masters. But few can match your exceptional adaptability," Jiang Zhengji added.
“ zhè cì duō kuī le dào yǒu le ， ruò bú shì nà jǐ gè guān jiàn zhèn fǎ ， wǒ kàn tā men wèi bì néng chéng gōng tōng guò kǎo yàn 。” huí chéng de lù shàng ， jiāng zhèng jì kè qì de duì lǐ fán shuō dào 。
“这次多亏了道友了，若不是那几个关键阵法，我看他们未必能成功通过考验。”回程的路上，江正寂客气的对李凡说道。
Li Fan shook his head: "Flattery, flattery. It was just a flash of inspiration."
lǐ fán miàn lù kuì sè :“ quán chéng dōu shì yǎn wǔ táng de jǐ wèi dào yǒu zài chū lì ， wǒ yě zhǐ shì bù zhì le yī xiē zhèn fǎ ， méi néng shí jì miè shā duō shǎo yì shòu 。”
李凡面露愧色:“全程都是演武堂的几位道友在出力，我也只是布置了一些阵法，没能实际灭杀多少异兽。”
He then curiously asked: "You've participated in dozens of such clearance operations? Could it be that these red-haired beasts have some special value?"
jiāng zhèng jì xiào le xiào :“ zhèn fǎ shī bù jiù gāi rú cǐ me ， wǒ kàn dào yǒu zhèn fǎ xiū wèi bù ruò 。 suī bǐ bù dé nà jǐ wèi dà shī ， dàn shì zài shí zhàn zhōng fā huī chū de zuò yòng jù dà 。 yóu qí shì nà ge 【 jiū gé hún shuǐ zhèn 】， zhēn shì jué miào 。”
江正寂笑了笑:“阵法师不就该如此么，我看道友阵法修为不弱。虽比不得那几位大师，但是在实战中发挥出的作用巨大。尤其是那个【纠葛浑水阵】，真是绝妙。”
"Otherwise, why not simply exterminate them all at once?" Li Fan continued.
“ wǒ cān yù qīng jiǎo rèn wù shù shí cì ， yě yù jiàn guò bù shǎo zhèn fǎ shī 。 dàn xiàng dào yǒu zhè bān ， suí jī yìng biàn néng lì rú cǐ chū zhòng de ， zhēn shì shǎo zhī yòu shǎo 。”
“我参与清剿任务数十次，也遇见过不少阵法师。但像道友这般，随机应变能力如此出众的，真是少之又少。”
Jiang Zhengji nodded and said: "Your guess is correct. These red-haired beasts do have some use."
lǐ fán yáo yáo tóu :“ miù zàn le miù zàn le ， zhǐ shì líng guāng yī shǎn ér yǐ 。”
李凡摇摇头:“谬赞了谬赞了，只是灵光一闪而已。”
"I didn't kill them all because of this reason. The Martial Hall headquarters has a task each year to collect certain numbers of sound-absorbing treasures and beasts from various regions."
suí hòu yòu hào qí de wèn dào :“ dào yǒu cān yù guò shù shí cì de qīng jiǎo ？ nán bù chéng ， zhè hóng máo yì shòu hái yǒu shén me tè shū jià zhí bù chéng ？ fǒu zé wèi hé bù gàn cuì yí cì xìng jiāng qí miè jué ？”
随后又好奇的问道:“道友参与过数十次的清缴？难不成，这红毛异兽还有什么特殊价值不成？否则为何不干脆一次性将其灭绝？”
These red-haired beasts feed on sounds, though they are weak, their sheer number perfectly fits the headquarters' requirements.
jiāng zhèng jì diǎn diǎn tóu ， dào :“ dào yǒu cāi cè de bù cuò ， zhè hóng máo yì shòu ， hái zhēn yǒu diǎn yòng chǔ 。”
江正寂点点头，道:“道友猜测的不错，这红毛异兽，还真有点用处。”
"The headquarters is quite satisfied with their sound-absorption effect. We have to submit more every year," Jiang Zhengji said proudly.
“ wǒ zhī qián huó zhuō le yī dà pī ， méi yǒu jiāng qí quán bù miè shā ， jiù shì yīn wèi zhè ge yuán yīn 。”
“我之前活捉了一大批，没有将其全部灭杀，就是因为这个原因。”
"But these red-haired beasts have no natural enemies and don't need to worry about food. They reproduce too quickly."
“ wàn xiān méng yǎn wǔ táng zǒng bù yǒu gè rèn wù ， měi nián xū yào gè dì sōu jí shàng jiǎo yí dìng shù liàng de néng gòu xī shōu shēng yīn de yì bǎo 、 yì shòu 。”
“万仙盟演武堂总部有个任务，每年需要各地搜集上缴一定数量的能够吸收声音的异宝、异兽。”
"Moreover, they can devour each other to evolve. If there are too many of them, it might lead to the evolution of a Foundation Establishment Realm monster."
“ zhè hóng máo yì shòu yǐ shēng yīn wèi shí ， suī rán ruò le diǎn ， dàn shù liàng zhòng duō ， wán měi fú hé zǒng bù de rèn wù yāo qiú 。”
“这红毛异兽以声音为食，虽然弱了点，但数量众多，完美符合总部的任务要求。”
"That would be troublesome. To avoid this situation, we regularly clean up the beasts on the island," Jiang Zhengji explained with a smile.
“ zǒng bù nà biān yě duì zhè hóng máo yì shòu shí yīn xiào guǒ hěn mǎn yì ， měi nián yào wǒ men shàng jiāo de shù liàng shì yuè lái yuè duō le 。”
“总部那边也对这红毛异兽食音效果很满意，每年要我们上交的数量是越来越多了。”
"So, the number of these red-haired beasts must neither be too high nor too low."
shuō dào zhè lǐ ， jiāng zhèng jì miàn yǒu dé sè 。
说到这里，江正寂面有得色。
"Maintaining a lower level is best," Li Fan nodded slowly and thought to himself.
“ dàn zhè hóng máo yì shòu méi yǒu tiān dí ， yě bù yòng dān xīn quē fá shí wù 。 fán yǎn qǐ lái shí zài tài kuài 。”
“但这红毛异兽没有天敌，也不用担心缺乏食物。繁衍起来实在太快。”
He seemed to recall something as he subtly looked at the sky before sinking into deep thought.
“ jiā zhī yòu néng tūn shì tóng lèi jìn huà ， ruò shì shù liàng tài duō le zhī hòu ， bǎo bù zhǔn néng jìn huà chū yí gè yuán yīng jìng de guài wù chū lái 。”
“加之又能吞噬同类进化，若是数量太多了之后，保不准能进化出一个元婴境的怪物出来。”
The group returned safely to Wansu Island. Li Fan bid farewell to everyone, returning to the Ten Thousand Immortals Mirror.
“ nà jiù má fán le 。 wèi le bì miǎn zhè zhǒng qíng kuàng ， suǒ yǐ wǒ men yào dìng qī duì dǎo shàng de yì shòu jìn xíng qīng lǐ 。”
“那就麻烦了。为了避免这种情况，所以我们要定期对岛上的异兽进行清理。”
After adding Du Xing昌 and others as friends, Li Fan sat cross-legged in the mirror, his brows furrowed.
jiāng zhèng jì xiào zhe jiě shì dào 。
江正寂笑着解释道。
He recalled how during his twelfth incarnation, he had prematurely cultivated numerous Foundation Establishment cultivators due to疯狂渡法 (crazy method transmission), which even attracted the pursuit of a Great Daoist.
“ suǒ yǐ shuō ， zhè hóng fā yì shòu de shù liàng ， bù kě tài duō ， yě bù kě tài shǎo 。”
“所以说，这红发异兽的数量，不可太多，也不可太少。”
"Too many is because new methods drain resources from heaven and earth. If we let the number of cultivators grow unchecked, would that deplete the resources?"
“ bǎo chí zài yí gè piān dī de shuǐ zhǔn ， cái shì zuì hǎo de 。”
“保持在一个偏低的水准，才是最好的。”
"Why can't there be too few cultivators? Having attained immortality, why should one care about mere mortals?"
“ shù liàng bù kě tài duō ， yě bù kě tài shǎo 。” lǐ fán wén yán huǎn huǎn diǎn tóu ， dī shēng zì yǔ dào 。
“数量不可太多，也不可太少。”李凡闻言缓缓点头，低声自语道。
The establishment of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance and the Five Elders Association was clearly intentional to cultivate cultivators.
tā páng fó xiǎng qǐ le shén me ， wēi bù kě jiàn de tái tóu kàn le yǎn tiān kōng ， suí hòu xiàn rù le chén sī 。
他彷佛想起了什么，微不可见的抬头看了眼天空，随后陷入了沉思。
These red-haired beasts were useful to the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, so their numbers needed to be maintained.
yī lù wú huà ， yī xíng rén ān quán de fǎn huí dào wàn xiān dǎo hòu ， lǐ fán hé zhòng rén cí xíng 。
一路无话，一行人安全的返回到万仙岛后，李凡和众人辞行。
But what use did cultivators have for the Longevity Heaven Sovereign?
huí dào tiān xuán jìng zhōng ， yī gǔ nǎo jiāng dōu xīng chāng děng rén dōu tiān jiā zuò hǎo yǒu 。
回到天玄镜中，一股脑将都兴昌等人都添加作好友。
Before his穿越 (transmigration), Li Fan had heard that all beings beneath a Sage are mere ants. Sages looked down on everything as sacrificial offerings. The life and death of heaven and earth were not within their concern, even during great calamities.
pán zuò zài tiān xuán jìng zhōng ， lǐ fán méi tóu jǐn suǒ 。
盘坐在天玄镜中，李凡眉头紧锁。
Why did the Longevity Heaven Sovereigns in this Xuanhuang realm need a certain number of cultivators?
tā xiǎng qǐ le shí èr shì shí ， yīn wèi fēng kuáng dù fǎ ， tí qián péi yǎng chū le dà liàng zhù jī xiū shì 。
他想起了十二世时，因为疯狂渡法，提前培养出了大量筑基修士。
After the endless slaughter brought by the inability to practice multiple methods simultaneously,
yīn ér shèn zhì yǐn lái le hé dào xiū shì de zhuī shā 。
因而甚至引来了合道修士的追杀。
On a wasteland of cultivation, why had the Teaching Immortal created the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance when he had already attained immortality?
“ bù kě tài duō ， shì yīn wèi xīn fǎ lüè tiān duó dì ， ruò shì fàng rèn xiū shì shù liàng sì yì péng zhàng ， tiān dì zī yuán huì kū jié ？”
“不可太多，是因为新法掠天夺地，若是放任修士数量肆意膨胀，天地资源会枯竭？”
Compassion? Or...
“ nà xiū shì shù liàng ， bù kě tài shǎo ， yòu shì yīn wèi shén me ？”
“那修士数量，不可太少，又是因为什么？”
In an instant, Li Fan's mind floated with several possible answers. But clearly, none could be verified at this moment.
“ jì zhèng cháng shēng ， wèi hé hái yào guān xīn lóu yǐ bān de xiū shì ？”
“既证长生，为何还要关心蝼蚁般的修士？”
He deeply kept these thoughts in his heart, waiting for a future opportunity to verify them.
“ zhè wàn xiān méng nǎi zhì wǔ lǎo huì de shè lì ， dōu shì zài yǒu yì de péi yǎng xiū shì 。”
“这万仙盟乃至五老会的设立，都是在有意的培养修士。”
Settling his turbulent emotions, Li Fan checked his authority level. The reward for the red-haired beast clearance mission was a lower-grade Ding Gong (丁功).
“ hóng máo yì shòu duì wàn xiān méng yǒu yòng ， suǒ yǐ xū yào bǎo zhèng qí yí dìng de shù liàng 。”
“红毛异兽对万仙盟有用，所以需要保证其一定的数量。”
In reality, completing it increased his authority level by 260 points.
“ xiū shì duì cháng shēng tiān zūn ， yòu yǒu hé yòng ？”
“修士对长生天尊，又有何用？”
With just this one task, Li Fan's authority level rose to Derivative Three, at 60% progress.
chuān yuè zhī qián ， lǐ fán tīng shuō guò shèng rén zhī xià jiē lóu yǐ de shuō fǎ 。
穿越之前，李凡听说过圣人之下皆蝼蚁的说法。
"Seems that in the early stages, increasing my authority level is quite easy."
shèng rén gāo gāo zài shàng ， shì wàn wù wèi chú gǒu 。
圣人高高在上，视万物为刍狗。
Li Fan then checked the newly appeared methods but still found none that could increase his ability to multitask.
tiān dì wàn wù de shēng sǐ ， dōu bù rù shèng rén fǎ yǎn 。
天地万物的生死，都不入圣人法眼。
Over the next period, Li Fan completed two more merit missions. One was a higher-grade Bing Gong (丙功), and the other was a lower-grade Ding Gong (丁功).
nǎ pà dà jié jiàng lín ， shēng líng tú tàn 。
哪怕大劫降临，生灵涂炭。
Both tasks went smoothly without any complications. He made acquaintances with many members of Wansu Island's system while his authority level rose to Derivative Five.
shèng rén dōu dàn rán shì zhī ， háo bù zài hū 。
圣人都澹然视之，毫不在乎。
Using up his three annual limits for merit missions, he still found no suitable methods.
wèi hé zhè xuán huáng jiè de cháng shēng tiān zūn men ， fǎn dào shì xū yào shù liàng yí dìng de xiū shì ne ？
为何这玄黄界的长生天尊们，反倒是需要数量一定的修士呢？
"It seems that even with the [Derivative Method Jade] allowing infinite derivation of methods, multitasking is still a precious technique."
xiān fǎ bù tóng xiū dài lái de wú jìn de shā lù zhī hòu 。
仙法不同修带来的无尽的杀戮之后。
"I wonder at what authority level the exchange list will appear."
zài yī piàn xiū xiān fèi tǔ zhī shàng ， jì zhèng cháng shēng de chuán fǎ tiān zūn ， dāng chū yòu wèi hé yào chuàng jiàn wàn xiān méng ne ？
在一片修仙废土之上，既证长生的传法天尊，当初又为何要创建万仙盟呢？
"Different items available for exchange depend on one's authority level and are highly confidential. The higher the authority level, the more secretive they become. If accidentally leaked, it could result in loss of merit or even punishment leading to death."
lián mǐn ？
怜悯？
"If not, I might ask others just to have a rough idea.
hái shì ……
还是……
For now, I can only find opportunities to further increase my authority level."
shà shí jiān ， lǐ fán de nǎo hǎi zhōng fú xiàn chū shù zhǒng bù tóng de dá ān 。
霎时间，李凡的脑海中浮现出数种不同的答桉。
During this period, Zhou Qingang's defense on Tanan Island remained normal. However, Li Fan was patient and believed that before the Scarlet Flame Conflagration arrived, he would surely reveal his hand.
Golden Core巨兽被 Jiang Zhengji and Du Xing昌联手收服。
On Wansu Island, the red-haired beasts finally showed signs of fear. They began to flee towards the distance.
Some even attempted to jump into the sea, trying to leave the island.
However, the purple array Jiang Zhengji had previously set up on the island had already completely sealed it off.
"Kill!"
With a command from Jiang Zhengji, Tian Bian and his team resumed their ruthless and efficient slaughter.
Li Fan also appeared as if he was done resting. He activated the [Heavenly Spirit Fire Dragon Array], occasionally casting out weak blue sword light to harvest the lives of the red-haired beasts.
This time there were no more complications.
By mid-afternoon, when the sun began to set, only a quarter of the red-haired beasts remained on Wansu Island after being slaughtered.
"Stop!"
Jiang Zhengji finally spoke again.
Snowflakes started falling once more as he used the same method that had captured the Golden Core giant beast. He turned most of the remaining red-haired beasts into tiny snowmen, which he then concealed somewhere unknown.
"This mission went relatively smoothly. We can head back to the island," Jiang Zhengji said calmly.
The tired five-person team let out a long sigh in relief. Li Fan also looked drained.
"Thanks to your friend's help this time, I'm not sure they would have succeeded without those key arrays," Jiang Zhengji politely said as they headed back.
Li Fan blushed: "It was all the efforts of several fellow daoists from the Martial Hall. I only set up some arrays and didn't actually kill many beasts."
Jiang Zhengji smiled: "Isn't that what an array master should do? Though your array cultivation isn't on par with those masters, you've played a significant role in practical battles. Especially that [Tangled Waters Array], it was truly ingenious."
"I have participated in dozens of clearance missions and encountered many array masters. But few can match your exceptional adaptability," Jiang Zhengji added.
Li Fan shook his head: "Flattery, flattery. It was just a flash of inspiration."
He then curiously asked: "You've participated in dozens of such clearance operations? Could it be that these red-haired beasts have some special value?"
"Otherwise, why not simply exterminate them all at once?" Li Fan continued.
Jiang Zhengji nodded and said: "Your guess is correct. These red-haired beasts do have some use."
"I didn't kill them all because of this reason. The Martial Hall headquarters has a task each year to collect certain numbers of sound-absorbing treasures and beasts from various regions."
These red-haired beasts feed on sounds, though they are weak, their sheer number perfectly fits the headquarters' requirements.
"The headquarters is quite satisfied with their sound-absorption effect. We have to submit more every year," Jiang Zhengji said proudly.
"But these red-haired beasts have no natural enemies and don't need to worry about food. They reproduce too quickly."
"Moreover, they can devour each other to evolve. If there are too many of them, it might lead to the evolution of a Foundation Establishment Realm monster."
"That would be troublesome. To avoid this situation, we regularly clean up the beasts on the island," Jiang Zhengji explained with a smile.
"So, the number of these red-haired beasts must neither be too high nor too low."
"Maintaining a lower level is best," Li Fan nodded slowly and thought to himself.
He seemed to recall something as he subtly looked at the sky before sinking into deep thought.
The group returned safely to Wansu Island. Li Fan bid farewell to everyone, returning to the Ten Thousand Immortals Mirror.
After adding Du Xing昌 and others as friends, Li Fan sat cross-legged in the mirror, his brows furrowed.
He recalled how during his twelfth incarnation, he had prematurely cultivated numerous Foundation Establishment cultivators due to疯狂渡法 (crazy method transmission), which even attracted the pursuit of a Great Daoist.
"Too many is because new methods drain resources from heaven and earth. If we let the number of cultivators grow unchecked, would that deplete the resources?"
"Why can't there be too few cultivators? Having attained immortality, why should one care about mere mortals?"
The establishment of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance and the Five Elders Association was clearly intentional to cultivate cultivators.
These red-haired beasts were useful to the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, so their numbers needed to be maintained.
But what use did cultivators have for the Longevity Heaven Sovereign?
Before his穿越 (transmigration), Li Fan had heard that all beings beneath a Sage are mere ants. Sages looked down on everything as sacrificial offerings. The life and death of heaven and earth were not within their concern, even during great calamities.
Why did the Longevity Heaven Sovereigns in this Xuanhuang realm need a certain number of cultivators?
After the endless slaughter brought by the inability to practice multiple methods simultaneously,
On a wasteland of cultivation, why had the Teaching Immortal created the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance when he had already attained immortality?
Compassion? Or...
In an instant, Li Fan's mind floated with several possible answers. But clearly, none could be verified at this moment.
He deeply kept these thoughts in his heart, waiting for a future opportunity to verify them.
Settling his turbulent emotions, Li Fan checked his authority level. The reward for the red-haired beast clearance mission was a lower-grade Ding Gong (丁功).
In reality, completing it increased his authority level by 260 points.
With just this one task, Li Fan's authority level rose to Derivative Three, at 60% progress.
"Seems that in the early stages, increasing my authority level is quite easy."
Li Fan then checked the newly appeared methods but still found none that could increase his ability to multitask.
Over the next period, Li Fan completed two more merit missions. One was a higher-grade Bing Gong (丙功), and the other was a lower-grade Ding Gong (丁功).
Both tasks went smoothly without any complications. He made acquaintances with many members of Wansu Island's system while his authority level rose to Derivative Five.
Using up his three annual limits for merit missions, he still found no suitable methods.
"It seems that even with the [Derivative Method Jade] allowing infinite derivation of methods, multitasking is still a precious technique."
"I wonder at what authority level the exchange list will appear."
"Different items available for exchange depend on one's authority level and are highly confidential. The higher the authority level, the more secretive they become. If accidentally leaked, it could result in loss of merit or even punishment leading to death."
"If not, I might ask others just to have a rough idea.
For now, I can only find opportunities to further increase my authority level."
During this period, Zhou Qingang's defense on Tanan Island remained normal. However, Li Fan was patient and believed that before the Scarlet Flame Conflagration arrived, he would surely reveal his hand.