“ jiǔ zhǐ jiě lí dié zì cóng dàn shēng yǐ lái ， chú le qǔ qí zhōng yī zhī yòng lái yán jiū qí tè xìng hòu ， dōu shì yì zhí chǔ yú fēng cún zhuàng tài 。”
“九只解离碟自从诞生以来，除了取其中一只用来研究其特性后，都是一直处于封存状态。”
"Since the nine Disentanglement Platters were created, apart from one being used for research on its properties, all of them have been in a sealed state."
“ shí lì chǔ yú jué duì de píng héng zhuàng tài ， suǒ yǐ tā men jǐ xiōng dì yì zhí xiāng ān wú shì 。”
“实力处于绝对的平衡状态，所以它们几兄弟一直相安无事。”
"Their power is perfectly balanced, so they've always gotten along without any issues."
“ bù guò bù jiǔ qián ， wǒ xiǎng dào yǐ hòu zhè xiē bǎo bèi jiù yào sòng gěi nǐ men zhè xiē xiǎo bèi ， zì jǐ zài yě mō suǒ bú dào 。
“不过不久前，我想到以后这些宝贝就要送给你们这些小辈，自己再也摸索不到。
"However, not long ago, I thought that these treasures would be given to you young ones in the future. I couldn't find anything more to explore on my own."
“ yī shí xīn yǎng xià ， biàn shēn qǐng xiān qǔ lái bǎ wán yī fān 。”
“一时心痒下，便申请先取来把玩一番。”
"In a moment of curiosity, I applied to take them out for some playtime first."
“ méi xiǎng dào cuò yǒu cuò zhe ， zhè cái tí qián fā xiàn le tā de zhēn zhèng ào mì 。”
“没想到错有错着，这才提前发现了它的真正奥秘。”
"I didn't expect it to have such profound secrets until now."
jì hóng dào yǒu xiē gǎn kǎi dào 。
纪宏道有些感慨道。
Jin Hongdao spoke with a sense of reflection.
suí zhe jì hóng dào jiāng shì qíng de yuán wěi huǎn huǎn dào lái ， zài chǎng de jué dà duō shù xiū shì ， dōu méi shén me tè bié de fǎn yìng 。
随着纪宏道将事情的原委缓缓道来，在场的绝大多数修士，都没什么特别的反应。
As Jin Hongdao slowly explained the situation, most of the cultivators present showed no special reaction.
zuì duō yě zhǐ shì xiàng lǐ fán zhè yàng ， gǎn tàn yī xià cǐ jiè zào huà zhī shén qí ， lián fǎ bǎo dōu yào yǎng gǔ 。
最多也只是像李凡这样，感叹一下此界造化之神奇，连法宝都要养蛊。
At most, they just marveled at the wonders of this world—how even magical treasures needed to be cultivated like living creatures.
yīn wèi zhè jiě lí dié ， běn jiù shì jiǎng shǎng gěi jì yōu zhě de ， lún bú dào tā men 。
因为这解离碟，本就是奖赏给绩优者的，轮不到他们。
After all, these Disentanglement Platters were rewards for top performers and didn't belong to them.
ér jīn bǎng shàng qián jiǔ wèi míng zì shǎn shǎn fā guāng de xiū shì ， liǎn sè kě jiù bù nà me hǎo kàn le 。
而金榜上前九位名字闪闪发光的修士，脸色可就不那么好看了。
The faces of the nine cultivators with names glowing on the Golden List weren't so pleasant.
rèn shuí yǐ jīng dào shǒu de bǎo wù ， zhī hòu suí shí kě néng huì xiāo shī ， xīn lǐ kěn dìng dū bù hǎo shòu 。
任谁已经到手的宝物，之后随时可能会消失，心里肯定都不好受。
Anyone who had already obtained a treasure and might lose it anytime was bound to feel uneasy.
yǐ jīng xí guàn 、 jīng tàn yú jiě lí dié de shén qí ， zuì zhōng què zhǐ néng wú lì de kàn zhe tā zài jìng zhēng zhōng shī bài ， zhú jiàn xiāo shī yú zì jǐ shǒu zhōng 。
已经习惯、惊叹于解离碟的神奇，最终却只能无力的看着它在竞争中失败，逐渐消失于自己手中。
They had grown accustomed to marveling at the wonders of these Disentanglement Platters, but in the end, they could only watch helplessly as their efforts faded away.
guāng shì xiǎng yī xiǎng ， jiù jué de qī cǎn wú bǐ 。
光是想一想，就觉得凄惨无比。
Just thinking about it felt utterly tragic.
ruò zhēn shì luò de gè zhè me xià chǎng ， hái bù rú cóng yī kāi shǐ jiù bù céng yōng yǒu lái de hǎo 。
若真是落得个这么下场，还不如从一开始就不曾拥有来的好。
If that were to happen, it would be better not to have owned them from the start.
fǒu zé bì rán huì chéng wéi zì jǐ xīn zhōng mó zhàng ， zhǎng bàn jīn shēng zuǒ yòu ， jí nán xiāo chú 。
否则必然会成为自己心中魔障，长伴今生左右，极难消除。
Otherwise, they might become a constant source of torment and be hard to shake off for life.
dàn huàn gè jiǎo dù lái kàn ， bǎng shàng qián jiǔ míng ， kě wèi dōu shì tiān zhī jiāo zi 。
但换个角度来看，榜上前九名，可谓都是天之骄子。
However, looking at it another way, those in the top nine were all prodigies with their own pride. It was impossible to make them admit defeat without fighting or give up entirely.
dōu yǒu zì shēn ào qì ， xiǎng ràng tā men bù zhàn yán bài 、 zhí jiē fàng qì ， yě shì bù kě néng de shì 。
都有自身傲气，想让他们不战言败、直接放弃，也是不可能的事。
"It's no wonder Jin Hongdao looks that way. The loss of several dozen people from the Dantian Array Hall earlier was a severe blow."
“ yě nán guài jì hóng dào lù chū nà fù biǎo qíng 。 zhī qián tán tái tāo tā men shí jǐ rén yì wài shēn wáng ， duì yú cè zhèn táng lái shuō yǐ jīng cǎn tòng de sǔn shī 。”
“也难怪纪宏道露出那副表情。之前澹台韬他们十几人意外身亡，对于策阵堂来说已经惨痛的损失。”
"But these top nine cultivators are exceptional talents, each outstanding in their own right. Losing any one of them would be difficult to accept."
“ ér zhè qián jiǔ míng xiū shì ， gè gè chū lèi bá cuì ， dōu shì hǎo miáo zi 。 zài sǔn shī rèn hé yí gè dōu shì nán yǐ jiē shòu de 。”
“而这前九名修士，各个出类拔萃，都是好苗子。再损失任何一个都是难以接受的。”
"The competition among the nine platters is about survival of the fittest. The other eight losers will inevitably suffer and possibly never recover."
“ jiǔ dié zhēng xióng ， yíng zhě tōng chī 。 ér qí yú bài zhě bā rén ， zì rán nán yǐ bì miǎn de huì shòu dào yǐng xiǎng ， shèn zhì jí yǒu kě néng zì cǐ zhī hòu biàn yī jué bù zhèn 。”
“九碟争雄，赢者通吃。而其余败者八人，自然难以避免的会受到影响，甚至极有可能自此之后便一蹶不振。”
"Our main use for this batch of students is to build the [Heavenly Xuan Locking Spirit Array]."
“ duì yú wàn xiān méng lái jiǎng ， wǒ men zhè pī xué yuán zuì dà de yòng chǔ ， jiù shì yòng lái pǔ jiàn 【 tiān xuán suǒ líng zhèn 】 de 。”
“对于万仙盟来讲，我们这批学员最大的用处，就是用来普建【天玄锁灵阵】的。”
"Even if that winner becomes a true master of array techniques, from our perspective, we've lost eight high-level laborers all at once."
“ jiù suàn nà ge yíng jiā ， huò xǔ huì chéng wéi zhēn zhèng de zhèn dào dà jiā 。 dàn cóng wàn xiān méng de jiǎo dōu lái kàn ， què shì yī xià zi sǔn shī le bā gè gāo duān láo dòng lì 。”
“就算那个赢家，或许会成为真正的阵道大家。但从万仙盟的角都来看，却是一下子损失了八个高端劳动力。”
"The resolve to construct the Heavenly Xuan Locking Spirit Array in this world is so strong. The Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance won't let such a thing happen."
“ cǐ shì jiàn zào tiān xuán suǒ líng zhèn de jué yì rú cǐ qiáng liè ， wàn xiān méng zì rán bú huì rèn yóu zhè zhǒng shì qíng fā shēng 。”
“此世建造天玄锁灵阵的决意如此强烈，万仙盟自然不会任由这种事情发生。”
Li Fan's thoughts raced as he quickly understood the situation.
lǐ fán sī niàn jí zhuǎn ， chà nà zhī jiān yǐ jīng shì xiǎng tōng liǎo shì qíng de lái lóng qù mài 。
李凡思念急转，刹那之间已经是想通了事情的来龙去脉。
Sure enough, Jin Hongdao continued, "You are all indispensable talents for the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance. Losing even one of you would be an immense loss. We certainly wouldn't allow self-inflicted harm to occur."
guǒ bù qí rán ， jì hóng dào zhè shí hòu yě jì xù shuō dào ：“ zhū wèi dōu shì wàn xiān méng bù kě huò quē de rén cái ， měi shǎo yí gè ， dōu shì nán yǐ chéng shòu de jù dà sǔn shī 。 wǒ men dāng rán bú huì yǔn xǔ zhè zhǒng zì xiāng cán shā de shì qíng fā shēng 。”
果不其然，纪宏道这时候也继续说道：“诸位都是万仙盟不可或缺的人才，每少一个，都是难以承受的巨大损失。我们当然不会允许这种自相残杀的事情发生。”
"So, after careful deliberation, we have decided to replace the prize."
“ suǒ yǐ ， jīng guò zhèng zhòng tǎo lùn ， wǒ men jué dìng duì cǐ cì kǎo hé de jiǎng pǐn ， jìn xíng gēng huàn 。”
“所以，经过郑重讨论，我们决定对此次考核的奖品，进行更换。”
"From Disentanglement Platters, it will now become a specially crafted [Piercing Array Jade Plate] exclusively for array masters above the Formation Spirit Realm."
“ yóu jiě lí dié ， biàn chéng cè zhèn táng tè zhì de 、 yǐ wǎng zhǐ gěi huà shén yǐ shàng zhèn dào fǎ shī pèi bèi de 【 pò zhèn yù pán 】。”
“由解离碟，变成策阵堂特制的、以往只给化神以上阵道法师配备的【破阵玉盘】。”
Jin Hongdao's words failed to stir much excitement.
jì hóng dào yī fān huà ， què shì méi néng jī qǐ shén me shuǐ huā 。
纪宏道一番话，却是没能激起什么水花。
After all, even if this Piercing Array Jade Plate was exclusive to Formation Spirit realm array masters, how could it compare to the secondary body of the Heavenly Xuan Mirror?
bì jìng jiě lí dié zhū yù zài qián ， jiù suàn shì huà shén fǎ shī zhuān yòng de pò zhèn fǎ bǎo ， yòu rú hé néng gēn tiān xuán jìng de cì shēng tǐ xiāng tí bìng lùn ？
毕竟解离碟珠玉在前，就算是化神法师专用的破阵法宝，又如何能跟天玄镜的次生体相提并论？
Jin Hongdao added, "This prize is a mistake on our part. To make up for it, we have decided to increase the number of winners from nine to one hundred."
jì hóng dào yòu shuō dào ：“ cǐ cì jiǎng pǐn shāng dìng ， shì wǒ men gōng zuò de shī wù 。 wèi le mí bǔ ， wǒ men hái jué dìng ， jiāng 【 pò zhèn yù pán 】 de jiǎng shǎng míng é ， yóu qián jiǔ míng ， tí gāo dào qián yì bǎi míng 。”
纪宏道又说道：“此次奖品商定，是我们工作的失误。为了弥补，我们还决定，将【破阵玉盘】的奖赏名额，由前九名，提高到前一百名。”
These words finally stirred some excitement among the crowd.
cǐ yán yī chū ， zhōng yú shì ràng rén qún yǒu xiē sāo dòng qǐ lái 。
此言一出，终于是让人群有些骚动起来。
After all, they hadn't had much to do with this before, and now an unexpected reward was being offered.
bì jìng zhī qián jiù méi zì jǐ shén me shì ， xiàn zài píng bái wú gù tiān shàng diào xià gè jiǎng pǐn ， dāng rán huì yǒu xiē xiǎo jī dòng 。
毕竟之前就没自己什么事，现在平白无故天上掉下个奖品，当然会有些小激动。
Li Fan quickly glanced at the Golden List above.
lǐ fán yě suí jí sǎo shì le yī yǎn tiān shàng de jīn bǎng 。
李凡也随即扫视了一眼天上的金榜。
Right at the hundredth position.
zhèng hǎo dì yì bǎi míng 。
正好第一百名。
His score was better than he expected.
chéng jì yǒu xiē chū hū tā de yì liào ， bǐ yù xiǎng zhōng de hái yào hǎo yī xiē 。
成绩有些出乎他的意料，比预想中的还要好一些。
"Looks like that array pivot turned things around," Li Fan thought to himself.
“ kàn lái shì nà zhèn shū de qīng qīng yī nuó ， yǒu le huà fǔ xiǔ wéi shén qí de gōng xiào 。” lǐ fán àn zì xiǎng dào 。
“看来是那阵枢的轻轻一挪，有了化腐朽为神奇的功效。”李凡暗自想到。
But his excitement was brief. He soon calmed down and stared at Jin Hongdao in the sky.
bù guò yě jǐn jǐn shì lüè wēi jīng xǐ le yī fān ， lǐ fán hěn kuài jiù jiāng xīn qíng píng fù ， dīng zhe tiān kōng zhōng de jì hóng dào 。
不过也仅仅是略微惊喜了一番，李凡很快就将心情平复，盯着天空中的纪宏道。
There must be more important matters he hadn't revealed yet.
tā bì rán hái yǒu gèng zhòng yào de shì qíng méi yǒu jiāo dài 。
他必然还有更重要的事情没有交代。
That would be today's real headline.
ér nà ， cái shì jīn tiān zhēn zhèng de zhòng bàng zhǔ tí 。
而那，才是今天真正的重磅主题。
Otherwise, everyone wouldn't have been unaware of the Disentanglement Platters as prizes until now.
fǒu zé ， zhī qián běn jiù méi yǒu rén zhī xiǎo zhēn zhèng de jiǎng pǐn shì jiě lí dié 。
否则，之前本就没有人知晓真正的奖品是解离碟。
If they had discovered a problem with the prize, they could have directly announced the replacement.
fā xiàn jiǎng pǐn chū le wèn tí ， dà kě yǐ zhí jiē xuān bù tì dài pǐn 。
发现奖品出了问题，大可以直接宣布替代品。
Why go through all these twists and turns to keep adjusting people's emotions?
hé bì yào xiàng jīn tiān zhè bān ， yī bō jǐ zhé ， bù duàn diào dòng zhòng rén qíng xù ne ？
何必要像今天这般，一波几折，不断调动众人情绪呢？
Li Fan approached this matter with a calm mind, allowing him to analyze Jin Hongdao's intentions like an outsider.
lǐ fán duì yú zhè jiě lí dié ， yě jiù shì huái zhe píng cháng xīn qù kàn dài ， suǒ yǐ cái néng lěng jìng de rú tóng jú wài rén yì bān ， bù duàn fēn xī jì hóng dào de yòng yì 。
李凡对于这解离碟，也就是怀着平常心去看待，所以才能冷静的如同局外人一般，不断分析纪宏道的用意。
Sure enough, as expected, after the crowd calmed down, he finally declared, "As for those nine Disentanglement Platters..."
guǒ rán ， bù chū lǐ fán suǒ liào 。
果然，不出李凡所料。
His voice paused, drawing everyone's attention.
dài rén qún zhú jiàn píng jìng hòu ， tā zhōng yú yòu xuān bù dào ：“ zhì yú nà jiǔ zhǐ jiě lí dié ……”
待人群逐渐平静后，他终于又宣布道：“至于那九只解离碟……”
"Using special means, we will directly catalyze their competitive process."
huà yīn wēi dùn ， xī yǐn zú le xué yuán men de mù guāng hòu ， jì hóng dào fāng cái huǎn huǎn shuō dào ：“ wǒ men jué dìng ， yòng tè shū shǒu duàn ， zhí jiē cuī huà tā men de jìng zhēng tūn shì guò chéng 。”
话音微顿，吸引足了学员们的目光后，纪宏道方才缓缓说道：“我们决定，用特殊手段，直接催化它们的竞争吞噬过程。”
"In ten years, we will cultivate the final and only Disentanglement Platter."
“ zài shí nián zhī nèi ， péi yǎng chū zuì hòu de ， yě shì wéi yī de jiě lí dié 。”
“在十年之内，培养出最后的，也是唯一的解离碟。”
"This true Disentanglement Platter won't be taken back."
“ ér zhè zhēn zhèng de jiě lí dié ， bú huì shōu huí 。”
“而这真正的解离碟，不会收回。”
"Its ownership remains with you."
“ tā de guī shǔ quán ， yī rán shǔ yú nǐ men 。”
“它的归属权，依然属于你们。”
The announcement was like a thunderclap, reviving the greedy glint in Qi Chengcheng's eyes.
shēng ruò jīng léi ， jīng de yuán běn hái yǒu xiē mèn mèn bù lè de qí chéng chéng děng rén ， yǎn zhōng chóng xīn shǎn qǐ le tān lán de guāng máng 。
声若惊雷，惊的原本还有些闷闷不乐的齐承诚等人，眼中重新闪起了贪婪的光芒。
"Everyone should know that this ordinary assessment could offer such treasures as rewards because of how much the alliance values the [Heavenly Xuan Locking Spirit Array]."
“ xiǎng bì dà jiā yě qīng chǔ ， zhè cì pǔ tōng de kǎo hé zhī suǒ yǐ néng ná chū jiě lí dié zhè děng zhēn bǎo zuò wéi jiǎng lì ， jiù shì yīn wèi méng nèi duì 【 tiān xuán suǒ líng zhèn 】 de jiàn zào jí qí zhòng shì 。”
“想必大家也清楚，这次普通的考核之所以能拿出解离碟这等珍宝作为奖励，就是因为盟内对【天玄锁灵阵】的建造极其重视。”
"Although there were some minor mistakes along the way,!"
“ suī rán guò chéng zhōng chū xiàn le yī xiē xiǎo de shī wù ， dàn shì ！”
“虽然过程中出现了一些小的失误，但是！”
"Our original intent hasn't changed!"
“ wǒ men de chū xīn méi biàn ！”
“我们的初心没变！”
With a stern expression and emphasized tone, Jin Hongdao said, "To reiterate our resolve."
jì hóng dào yǔ qì jiā zhòng ， mǎn liǎn yán sù de shuō dào ：“ wèi le zài dù chóng shēn méng nèi de jué xīn 。”
纪宏道语气加重，满脸严肃的说道：“为了再度重申盟内的决心。”
"To motivate everyone to strive for excellence."
“ wèi le jī lì dà jiā fèn yǒng zhēng xiān 。”
“为了激励大家奋勇争先。”
"After our application was approved by headquarters, we will give the ultimate winner of this nine-platter competition as a reward to the array master who has contributed most in spreading the [Heavenly Xuan Locking Spirit Array]!"
“ jīng guò wǒ men shēn qǐng ， yóu zǒng bù pī zhǔn 。 jiāng nà zhǐ jiǔ dié zhēng bà de zuì zhōng huò shèng zhě ， zuì wèi jiǎng shǎng ， cì gěi zài 【 tiān xuán suǒ líng zhèn 】 pǔ jí jì huà zhōng ， chū lì zuì duō de zhèn fǎ shī ！”
“经过我们申请，由总部批准。将那只九碟争霸的最终获胜者，最为奖赏，赐给在【天玄锁灵阵】普及计划中，出力最多的阵法师！”
* * *
《 zhū shì dà luó 》
《诸世大罗》
Upon hearing this, Li Fan's eyes narrowed.
lǐ fán wén yán ， yǎn jīng wēi mī 。
李凡闻言，眼睛微眯。
He sucked in his breath and exclaimed inwardly, "Brilliant move!"
dào xī yī kǒu lěng qì ， bù yóu dì xīn zhōng jīng tàn dào ：“ hǎo shǒu duàn ！”
倒吸一口冷气，不由地心中惊叹道：“好手段！”
"Going through all these twists and turns was just for this."
“ jīn tiān qī wān bā rào ， jǐ cì fǎn zhuǎn ， jiù shì wèi le zhè me yī chū ba 。”
“今天七弯八绕，几次反转，就是为了这么一出吧。”
"The psychological rollercoaster is much more tempting than directly announcing the result."
“ jǐ cì xīn lǐ dà qǐ dà luò zhī xià ， bǐ qǐ zhí jiē xuān bù zhè ge jié guǒ ， yòu huò lì kě shì qiáng le tài duō 。”
“几次心理大起大落之下，比起直接宣布这个结果，诱惑力可是强了太多。”
"How can these students not fight to their death for it?"
“ hái pà zhè xiē xué yuán men ， bù wèi cǐ pīn mìng ？”
“还怕这些学员们，不为此拼命？”
Li Fan could almost predict how terrible the competition would get in the upcoming construction rush.
lǐ fán jī hū yǐ jīng kě yǐ yù jiàn dào ， wèi le zhè méi “ yǒu xī wàng néng chéng zhǎng wèi xià yī méi tiān xuán jìng ” de jiě lí dié 。
李凡几乎已经可以预见到，为了这枚“有希望能成长为下一枚天玄镜”的解离碟。
Each of them might become even more ruthless than cattle or horses.
zài bù jiǔ hòu de jiàn zào dà cháo zhōng ， zhè xiē zhèn fǎ shī men jiū jìng huì nèi juǎn dào hé zhǒng kě pà de dì bù le 。
在不久后的建造大潮中，这些阵法师们究竟会内卷到何种可怕的地步了。
"It seems that the full-scale spread of Heavenly Xuan Locking Spirit will be much faster here than I imagined."
kǒng pà gè gè dū huì biàn chéng bǐ niú mǎ hái yào niú mǎ de cún zài 。
恐怕各个都会变成比牛马还要牛马的存在。
"I don't have much time left..."
“ kàn lái cǐ shì ， tiān xuán suǒ líng de quán miàn pǔ jí ， jué duì huì bǐ wǒ xiǎng xiàng zhōng de kuài hěn duō 。”
“看来此世，天玄锁灵的全面普及，绝对会比我想象中的快很多。”
"But why do I feel so anxious about this? The Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance has been in power for thousands of years, and the Heavenly Xuan Locking Spirit Array is just a step further. There's no need to use such elaborate means."
“ liú gěi wǒ de shí jiān bù duō le ……”
“留给我的时间不多了……”
"What exactly are they rushing for?"
“ bù guò ， wèi hé wǒ zǒng yǐn yǐn yǒu zhǒng gǎn jué 。 duì yú zhè jiàn shì ， wàn xiān méng sì hū hěn jí qiè ？”
“不过，为何我总隐隐有种感觉。对于这件事，万仙盟似乎很急切？”
Li Fan fell into deep thought.
“ wàn xiān méng chéng lì le shù qiān nián ， tǒng zhì kě wèi shì gù ruò jīn tāng 。”
“万仙盟成立了数千年，统治可谓是固若金汤。”
You have read up to Chapter 178: "Joining the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance."
“ tiān xuán suǒ líng zhèn ， yě zhǐ bù guò shì gèng jìn yí bù ér yǐ 。 xú xú tú zhī jí kě ， gēn běn yòng bù zhe duō shǐ zhè me duō shǒu duàn 。”
“天玄锁灵阵，也只不过是更进一步而已。徐徐图之即可，根本用不着多使这么多手段。”
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"Since the nine Disentanglement Platters were created, apart from one being used for research on its properties, all of them have been in a sealed state."
"Their power is perfectly balanced, so they've always gotten along without any issues."
"However, not long ago, I thought that these treasures would be given to you young ones in the future. I couldn't find anything more to explore on my own."
"In a moment of curiosity, I applied to take them out for some playtime first."
"I didn't expect it to have such profound secrets until now."
Jin Hongdao spoke with a sense of reflection.
As Jin Hongdao slowly explained the situation, most of the cultivators present showed no special reaction.
At most, they just marveled at the wonders of this world—how even magical treasures needed to be cultivated like living creatures.
After all, these Disentanglement Platters were rewards for top performers and didn't belong to them.
The faces of the nine cultivators with names glowing on the Golden List weren't so pleasant.
Anyone who had already obtained a treasure and might lose it anytime was bound to feel uneasy.
They had grown accustomed to marveling at the wonders of these Disentanglement Platters, but in the end, they could only watch helplessly as their efforts faded away.
Just thinking about it felt utterly tragic.
If that were to happen, it would be better not to have owned them from the start.
Otherwise, they might become a constant source of torment and be hard to shake off for life.
However, looking at it another way, those in the top nine were all prodigies with their own pride. It was impossible to make them admit defeat without fighting or give up entirely.
"It's no wonder Jin Hongdao looks that way. The loss of several dozen people from the Dantian Array Hall earlier was a severe blow."
"But these top nine cultivators are exceptional talents, each outstanding in their own right. Losing any one of them would be difficult to accept."
"The competition among the nine platters is about survival of the fittest. The other eight losers will inevitably suffer and possibly never recover."
"Our main use for this batch of students is to build the [Heavenly Xuan Locking Spirit Array]."
"Even if that winner becomes a true master of array techniques, from our perspective, we've lost eight high-level laborers all at once."
"The resolve to construct the Heavenly Xuan Locking Spirit Array in this world is so strong. The Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance won't let such a thing happen."
Li Fan's thoughts raced as he quickly understood the situation.
Sure enough, Jin Hongdao continued, "You are all indispensable talents for the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance. Losing even one of you would be an immense loss. We certainly wouldn't allow self-inflicted harm to occur."
"So, after careful deliberation, we have decided to replace the prize."
"From Disentanglement Platters, it will now become a specially crafted [Piercing Array Jade Plate] exclusively for array masters above the Formation Spirit Realm."
Jin Hongdao's words failed to stir much excitement.
After all, even if this Piercing Array Jade Plate was exclusive to Formation Spirit realm array masters, how could it compare to the secondary body of the Heavenly Xuan Mirror?
Jin Hongdao added, "This prize is a mistake on our part. To make up for it, we have decided to increase the number of winners from nine to one hundred."
These words finally stirred some excitement among the crowd.
After all, they hadn't had much to do with this before, and now an unexpected reward was being offered.
Li Fan quickly glanced at the Golden List above.
Right at the hundredth position.
His score was better than he expected.
"Looks like that array pivot turned things around," Li Fan thought to himself.
But his excitement was brief. He soon calmed down and stared at Jin Hongdao in the sky.
There must be more important matters he hadn't revealed yet.
That would be today's real headline.
Otherwise, everyone wouldn't have been unaware of the Disentanglement Platters as prizes until now.
If they had discovered a problem with the prize, they could have directly announced the replacement.
Why go through all these twists and turns to keep adjusting people's emotions?
Li Fan approached this matter with a calm mind, allowing him to analyze Jin Hongdao's intentions like an outsider.
Sure enough, as expected, after the crowd calmed down, he finally declared, "As for those nine Disentanglement Platters..."
His voice paused, drawing everyone's attention.
"Using special means, we will directly catalyze their competitive process."
"In ten years, we will cultivate the final and only Disentanglement Platter."
"This true Disentanglement Platter won't be taken back."
"Its ownership remains with you."
The announcement was like a thunderclap, reviving the greedy glint in Qi Chengcheng's eyes.
"Everyone should know that this ordinary assessment could offer such treasures as rewards because of how much the alliance values the [Heavenly Xuan Locking Spirit Array]."
"Although there were some minor mistakes along the way,!"
"Our original intent hasn't changed!"
With a stern expression and emphasized tone, Jin Hongdao said, "To reiterate our resolve."
"To motivate everyone to strive for excellence."
"After our application was approved by headquarters, we will give the ultimate winner of this nine-platter competition as a reward to the array master who has contributed most in spreading the [Heavenly Xuan Locking Spirit Array]!"
* * *
Upon hearing this, Li Fan's eyes narrowed.
He sucked in his breath and exclaimed inwardly, "Brilliant move!"
"Going through all these twists and turns was just for this."
"The psychological rollercoaster is much more tempting than directly announcing the result."
"How can these students not fight to their death for it?"
Li Fan could almost predict how terrible the competition would get in the upcoming construction rush.
Each of them might become even more ruthless than cattle or horses.
"It seems that the full-scale spread of Heavenly Xuan Locking Spirit will be much faster here than I imagined."
"I don't have much time left..."
"But why do I feel so anxious about this? The Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance has been in power for thousands of years, and the Heavenly Xuan Locking Spirit Array is just a step further. There's no need to use such elaborate means."
"What exactly are they rushing for?"
Li Fan fell into deep thought.
You have read up to Chapter 178: "Joining the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance."
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