“ shén me ？ nǐ xiǎng yào chóng xīn fǎn huí jù diǎn ， jì xù tiān xuán suǒ líng zhèn de jiàn zào gōng zuò ？”
“什么？你想要重新返回据点，继续天玄锁灵阵的建造工作？”
"What? You want to return to the base and continue working on constructing the Heavenly Xuan Lock Spirit Array?"
“ nǐ fēng le ？”
“你疯了？”
"You've lost your mind?"
jiàn dào chuí chuí lǎo yǐ de lǐ fán tū rán chū xiàn zài zì jǐ yǎn qián shí ， hǎo huī xià le yī tiào 。
见到垂垂老矣的李凡突然出现在自己眼前时，郝晖吓了一跳。
Seeing the elderly Li Fan suddenly appear before him, Hao Hui was startled.
ér děng tā shuō chū zì jǐ de yāo qiú shí ， hǎo huī xiān shì mǎn liǎn nán yǐ zhì xìn de ， yǐ wéi zì jǐ tīng cuò le 。
而等他说出自己的要求时，郝晖先是满脸难以置信的，以为自己听错了。
After he stated his request, Hao Hui first looked incredulous, thinking he must have heard wrong.
suí hòu fǎn fù què rèn zhī hòu ， gèng shì qì de xiào le chū lái ， duàn rán jù jué le 。
随后反复确认之后，更是气的笑了出来，断然拒绝了。
Then, after confirming it several times, he burst into laughter and firmly rejected it.
“ lǐ dào yǒu ， nǐ zuò de yǐ jīng gòu duō le 。”
“李道友，你做的已经够多了。”
"Friend Daoist, you've done enough," Hao Hui said. "Leave the rest to other array masters."
“ shèng xià de jiù jiāo gěi qí tā zhèn fǎ shī ba 。”
“剩下的就交给其他阵法师吧。”
"In your current state, you're really not fit for constructing arrays anymore."
“ nǐ mù qián de qíng kuàng ， shí zài bú shì hé jì xù zhèn fǎ de jiàn zào gōng zuò le 。”
“你目前的情况，实在不适合继续阵法的建造工作了。”
After a moment's hesitation, Hao Hui suggested, "You have been trapped in the devouring essence white fog for too long; your lifespan is about to end."
yóu yù le piàn kè ， hǎo huī hái shì jiàn yì dào ：“ dào yǒu nǐ shēn xiàn shì yuán bái wù tài zhǎng shí jiān ， shòu yuán jiāng jǐn 。”
犹豫了片刻，郝晖还是建议道：“道友你身陷噬元白雾太长时间，寿元将尽。”
"The best course of action now is to make full use of every second and strive to cultivate."
“ wèi jīn zhī jì ， yīng gāi shì zhuā jǐn yī qiè shí jiān ， nǔ lì xiū xíng 。”
“为今之计，应该是抓紧一切时间，努力修行。”
"Perhaps you can break through to the Foundation Establishment Realm before your time runs out."
“ kàn kàn néng bù néng zài dà xiàn jiāng zhì zhī qián ， tū pò dào yuán yīng jìng cái shì 。”
“看看能不能在大限将至之前，突破到元婴境才是。”
"With your talents, I see no reason why you couldn't reverse your fate."
“ yǐ dào yǒu tiān zī ， wǒ kàn wèi bì méi yǒu nì tiān gǎi mìng de jī huì 。”
“以道友天资，我看未必没有逆天改命的机会。”
Although Hao Hui's words suited Li Fan's taste, he still shook his head reluctantly. "Friend Daoist, your kindness is appreciated. But a man must know himself; with my remaining lifespan, there's no way I can cultivate to the Foundation Establishment Realm!"
suī rán hǎo huī yī xí huà shuō de hěn duì lǐ fán wèi kǒu ， bù guò tā hái shì wéi xīn yáo tóu dào ：“ dào yǒu hǎo yì ， wǒ xīn lǐng le 。 bù guò rén guì zài zì zhī zhī míng ， yǐ wǒ shèng yú shòu mìng ， xiǎng yào xiū liàn zhì yuán yīng jìng jiè ， jué wú kě néng ！”
虽然郝晖一席话说的很对李凡胃口，不过他还是违心摇头道：“道友好意，我心领了。不过人贵在自知之明，以我剩余寿命，想要修炼至元婴境界，绝无可能！”
In *The Wondrous Wood and Strange Fate*,
《 xiān mù qí yuán 》
《仙木奇缘》
"Rather than waste time on such meaningless matters, let me contribute what little strength I have while I still can."
“ yǔ qí bǎ shí jiān làng fèi zài zhè zhǒng wú yì yì de shì qíng shàng ， bù rú chèn zhe wǒ hái néng huó dòng ， wèi jiàn zào tiān xuán suǒ líng zhèn gòng xiàn zì jǐ de zuì hòu yī sī lì liàng 。”
“与其把时间浪费在这种无意义的事情上，不如趁着我还能活动，为建造天玄锁灵阵贡献自己的最后一丝力量。”
"If I could witness the Heavenly Xuan Lock Spirit Array covering all of Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance's territories in my lifetime..."
“ ruò shì zài yǒu shēng zhī nián ， mù dǔ tiān xuán suǒ líng zhèn lǒng zhào wàn xiān méng quán bù lǐng dì 。”
“若是在有生之年，目睹天玄锁灵阵笼罩万仙盟全部领地。”
"I would die with no regrets!"
“ wǒ jí biàn shì sǐ ， yě wú hàn le ！”
“我即便是死，也无憾了！”
Li Fan spoke solemnly and firmly.
lǐ fán miàn sè sù rán ， yì zhèng yán cí dào 。
李凡面色肃然，义正言辞道。
"If I must spend the rest of my life aimlessly waiting for death, I will not close my eyes until I have died."
“ ruò shì yú shēng zhǐ néng lù lù ér wèi ， máng rán děng sǐ 。 wǒ sǐ yě bú huì míng mù 。”
“若是余生只能碌碌而为，茫然等死。我死也不会瞑目。”
"Please, friend Daoist, fulfill me!"
“ hái wàng dào yǒu chéng quán ！”
“还望道友成全！”
Seeing Li Fan so earnest, Hao Hui was speechless.
kàn zhe rèn zhēn wú bǐ de lǐ fán ， hǎo huī yǎ rán shī shēng 。
看着认真无比的李凡，郝晖哑然失声。
He instinctively wanted to refuse but found himself unable to do so when he saw the sincere look in his eyes.
běn néng de xiǎng jù jué ， rán ér nà kàn zhe duì fāng zhēn zhì wú bǐ de yǎn shén ， xīn zhōng mǎn shì shuō bù chū de zī wèi 。
本能的想拒绝，然而那看着对方真挚无比的眼神，心中满是说不出的滋味。
"...Very well, Friend Daoist, wait a moment while I seek permission."
“… yě bà ， dào yǒu děng wǒ piàn kè 。 wǒ qù qǐng shì yī fān 。”
“…也罢，道友等我片刻。我去请示一番。”
Hao Hui hurriedly left as if afraid of facing Li Fan again.
hǎo huī sì hū shì pà zài miàn duì lǐ fán yī yàng ， jí cōng cōng de lí kāi le 。
郝晖似乎是怕再面对李凡一样，急匆匆的离开了。
Li Fan remained calm and patient, waiting for some time.
lǐ fán bù huāng bù máng ， nài xīn děng dài 。
李凡不慌不忙，耐心等待。
Half an hour later, Hao Hui returned with a complex expression.
xiǎo bàn tiān zhī hòu ， hǎo huī shén sè fù zá de huí lái le 。
小半天之后，郝晖神色复杂的回来了。
"Friend Daoist, the higher-ups have agreed to your request. After this魔音潮 subsides, our Green Xuan Army will send people to escort you back to the front lines," Hao Hui said.
“ lǐ dào yǒu ， shàng miàn dā yìng le nǐ de yāo qiú 。 děng dào cǐ cì mó yīn dà cháo píng xiē zhī hòu ， wǒ men qīng xuán jūn jiāng huì pài rén ， hù sòng nǐ huí dì yī xiàn 。”
“李道友，上面答应了你的要求。等到此次魔音大潮平歇之后，我们青玄军将会派人，护送你回第一线。”
"Thank you, Brother Hao." Li Fan seemed relieved and nodded in gratitude.
“ rú cǐ ， duō xiè hǎo xiōng le 。” lǐ fán fǎng fú sōng le kǒu qì ， diǎn tóu zhì xiè dào 。
“如此，多谢郝兄了。”李凡仿佛松了口气，点头致谢道。
"Fellow Daoist Li..." Hao Hui couldn't help but ask when he saw the weight lifted from the elderly Li Fan's shoulders after receiving his mission.
“ lǐ fán dào yǒu ……” hǎo huī jiàn bái fà cāng cāng de lǐ fán dé dào shǐ mìng hòu ， nà fù rú shì zhòng fù de yàng zi ， rěn bú zhù wèn dào 。
“李凡道友……”郝晖见白发苍苍的李凡得到使命后，那副如释重负的样子，忍不住问道。
"Why?"
“ jiū jìng wèi hé a ？”
“究竟为何啊？”
Li Fan's actions had surpassed Hao Hui's comprehension.
lǐ fán de jǔ cuò ， yǐ rán chāo chū le hǎo huī de rèn zhī 。
李凡的举措，已然超出了郝晖的认知。
Hao Hui asked, puzzled.
tā mǎn shì bù jiě de wèn dào 。
他满是不解的问道。
Li Fan smiled without answering and left with a bow.
lǐ fán xiào ér bù dá ， gǒng le gǒng shǒu ， tà bù lí qù 。
李凡笑而不答，拱了拱手，踏步离去。
Hao Hui stood there, bewildered and lost in thought, for a long time.
zhǐ liú xià máng rán wú cuò ， huái yí rén shēng de hǎo huī chù lì yuán dì ， jiǔ jiǔ wú shēng 。
只留下茫然无措，怀疑人生的郝晖矗立原地，久久无声。
As expected, the news that Li Fan, barely half alive, was about to return to the front lines spread quickly throughout the Broken Palm City.
bù chū yì liào de ， bàn gè shēn zi kuài yào rù tǔ de lǐ fán ， jí jiāng chóng xīn bēn fù jiàn zào zhèn fǎ de dì yī xiàn de xiāo xī 。
不出意料的，半个身子快要入土的李凡，即将重新奔赴建造阵法的第一线的消息。
Amidst the uproar, doubts arose inevitably.
zài qǐng kè jiān ， chuán biàn liǎo duàn zhǎng xiān chéng 。
在顷刻间，传遍了断掌仙城。
But when Li Fan left, escorted by dozens of Green Xuan Army soldiers, under the watchful eyes of all, heading towards the Jia Xu base point after the魔音潮 finally subsided,
yī piàn huá rán de tóng shí ， zhì yí shēng yě bù kě bì miǎn de fú xiàn 。
一片哗然的同时，质疑声也不可避免的浮现。
all doubts vanished on their own.
rán ér ， bàn gè yuè hòu ， dāng lǐ fán zài wàn zhòng zhǔ mù 、 shù shí míng qīng xuán jūn de hù wèi xià ， zài dù lí kāi yǒng héng xiān lěi ， cháo zhe jiǎ xū hào jù diǎn fēi chí ér qù de shí hòu 。
然而，半个月后，当李凡在万众瞩目、数十名青玄军的护卫下，再度离开永恒仙垒，朝着甲戌号据点飞驰而去的时候。
The cultivators were shocked by Li Fan's choice and felt ashamed for their petty thoughts.
yī qiè huái yí ， bù gōng zì pò 。
一切怀疑，不攻自破。
Compared to what Li Fan had sacrificed, leaving one's hometown and guarding the Vast Abyss for decades seemed trivial.
xiū shì men zhèn jīng yú lǐ fán de xuǎn zé ， tóng shí wèi xiān qián zì jǐ xīn zhōng nà diǎn wò chuò de xiǎo xīn sī gǎn dào xiū kuì 。
修士们震惊于李凡的选择，同时为先前自己心中那点龌龊的小心思感到羞愧。
Thus, a wave of unprecedented enthusiasm surged through the Green Xuan Army.
gēn lǐ fán suǒ fù chū de xī shēng xiāng bǐ ， zì jǐ bèi jǐng lí xiāng 、 zhèn shǒu chì zhā shēn yuān shù shí zài yī kè bù lí zhè zhǒng shì ， yě sì hū biàn dé wēi bù zú dào qǐ lái 。
跟李凡所付出的牺牲相比，自己背井离乡、镇守叱吒深渊数十载一刻不离这种事，也似乎变得微不足道起来。
Instead of complaining about their hardships, soldiers began comparing how long they had served in the Vast Abyss.
yú shì hū ， qīng xuán jūn zhōng ， yī gǔ cóng wèi yǒu guò de làng cháo ， kāi shǐ yǒng xiàn 。
于是乎，青玄军中，一股从未有过的浪潮，开始涌现。
Li Fan was unaware of this.
bù zài dòng zhé bǎ xīn kǔ fàng zài zuǐ biān ， ér shì kāi shǐ pān bǐ qǐ zài chì zhā shēn yuān zhōng fú yì nián líng de cháng duǎn qǐ lái 。
不再动辄把辛苦放在嘴边，而是开始攀比起在叱吒深渊中服役年龄的长短起来。
Thanks to Li Fan's timely plea for help, the reinforcements from Eternal Immortal Fortress arrived before his supplies were exhausted, averting a tragedy.
zhè yī qiè ， dǐ dá jiǎ xū hào jù diǎn de lǐ fán zì shì bù zhī 。
这一切，抵达甲戌号据点的李凡自是不知。
Though the survivors were punished for allowing Li Fan to venture into the white fog alone,
yóu yú lǐ fán jí shí de qiú yuán ， zài jù diǎn bǔ jǐ xiāo hào wán bì zhī qián ， yǒng héng xiān lěi de yuán jūn chéng gōng dǐ dá 。
由于李凡及时的求援，在据点补给消耗完毕之前，永恒仙垒的援军成功抵达。
it was nothing compared to saving their lives.
bì miǎn le yī cháng bēi jù de dàn shēng 。
避免了一场悲剧的诞生。
With Li Fan's intercession, He Chen and Kong Yu returned to Jia Xu base point to atone and assist in constructing the array.
suī shuō fàng rèn lǐ fán dú zì yī rén ， shēn rù bái wù de xíng wéi ， ràng nà xiē xìng cún de xiū shì shòu dào le xiē xǔ chéng fá 。
虽说放任李凡独自一人，深入白雾的行为，让那些幸存的修士受到了些许惩罚。
The number of guards was tripled by Eternal Immortal Fortress, with an unimaginable amount of supplies to ensure they wouldn't run out again.
bù guò gēn néng bǎo zhù xìng mìng xiàng bǐ ， zhè yī qiè dōu bù suàn shén me le 。
不过跟能保住性命相比，这一切都不算什么了。
Li Fan worked tirelessly without rest.
ér qiě ， zài lǐ fán de qiú qíng xià 。
而且，在李凡的求情下。
When the魔音潮 finally subsided after months of destruction, he continued building the Lock Spirit Array.
hé chēn 、 kǒng yǔ děng xiū shì ， zuì zhōng hái shì huí dào le jiǎ xū hào jù diǎn ， dài zuì lì gōng ， xié zhù lǐ fán jìn xíng zhèn fǎ jiàn zào 。
何琛、孔宇等修士，最终还是回到了甲戌号据点，戴罪立功，协助李凡进行阵法建造。
Those who had been saved by Li Fan were grateful, and the Green Xuan Army followed his orders obediently.
wèi le bǎo zhèng lǐ fán de shēng mìng ān quán ， yǒng héng xiān lěi fāng miàn ， gèng shì jiāng hù wèi bù duì de rén shù tí gāo le sān bèi 。
为了保证李凡的生命安全，永恒仙垒方面，更是将护卫部队的人数提高了三倍。
In this small Jia Xu base point, Li Fan gained absolute authority.
xié dài chǔ bèi wù zī gèng shì chāo hū xiǎng xiàng de duō ， kě yǐ jìn qíng huī huò ， zài yě bù yòng dān xīn bǔ jǐ huì bù gòu yòng le 。
携带储备物资更是超乎想象的多，可以尽情挥霍，再也不用担心补给会不够用了。
All commands were carried out with 120% efficiency.
ér lǐ fán yě shì yī kè méi yǒu xiū xī 。
而李凡也是一刻没有休息。
Moreover, reversing his own will, Li Fan transformed from a lazy slacker to an overworked workaholic.
dāng sì nüè xǔ jiǔ de mó yīn dà cháo zhōng yú píng fù zhī hòu ， tā zhí jiē jì xù le suǒ líng zhèn de jiàn zào 。
当肆虐许久的魔音大潮终于平复之后，他直接继续了锁灵阵的建造。
The speed of array construction nearly doubled compared to before.
hé chēn děng rén ， dōu shòu guò tā de jiù mìng ēn huì 。
何琛等人，都受过他的救命恩惠。
Due to the魔音潮's impact, the array construction was halted, and Li Fan's ranking on the Grand Competition Golden List had dropped to the bottom at around 600th place.
qīng xuán jūn zhòng rén ， gèng shì dé le rèn mìng ， duì lǐ fán de huà yán tīng jì cóng 。
青玄军众人，更是得了任命，对李凡的话言听计从。
But as everyone started rebuilding, his ranking steadily rose as he raced to catch up.
zài zhè xiǎo xiǎo de jiǎ xū hào jù diǎn nèi ， lǐ fán yě yīn zhī qǔ dé le jué duì de quán wēi 。
在这小小的甲戌号据点内，李凡也因之取得了绝对的权威。
Li Fan’s rapid rise in rankings didn't draw much attention.
rú bì zhǐ shǐ ， suǒ yǒu de mìng lìng dū huì dé dào bǎi fēn zhī yì bǎi èr de wán chéng 。
如臂指使，所有的命令都会得到百分之一百二的完成。
The most notable figure on the list was still Guo Ye Zhong with zero points, who seemed to disregard the competition entirely.
zài jiā shàng lǐ fán yě nì zhuǎn zì wǒ yì yuàn ， cóng néng mō yú jiù mō yú biàn chéng le wàng què le xiū xī de gōng zuò kuáng rén 。
再加上李凡也逆转自我意愿，从能摸鱼就摸鱼变成了忘却了休息的工作狂人。
While the cultivators discussed him, Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance took no special measures.
zhèn fǎ jiàn zào sù dù ， bǐ qǐ xiān qián ， kuài le jìn hū yí bèi 。
阵法建造速度，比起先前，快了近乎一倍。
However, rumors circulated that he remained within their territory and hadn’t defected, refusing to give up his quest when asked, only saying "The outcome is still uncertain."
yóu yú xiān qián mó yīn dà cháo de yǐng xiǎng ， zhèn fǎ jiàn zào bèi pò tíng zhǐ 。
由于先前魔音大潮的影响，阵法建造被迫停止。
As Li Fan devoted himself fully to array construction, feeling the strain in his heart,
lǐ fán zài dà bǐ jīn bǎng shàng de pái míng ， yuán xiān yǐ jīng diào dào le zuì mò wěi ， zài liù bǎi duō míng zuǒ yòu pái huí 。
李凡在大比金榜上的排名，原先已经掉到了最末尾，在六百多名左右徘回。
the stories of his experiences began spreading quickly outside Broken Palm City.
ér dāng zhòng rén kāi shǐ chóng xīn jiàn zào zhī hòu ， pái míng yě shì wěn bù shàng shēng ， fèn qǐ zhí zhuī 。
而当众人开始重新建造之后，排名也是稳步上升，奋起直追。
Especially his efforts after a great change, when he was about to die, to build the Heavenly Xuan Lock Spirit Array.
lǐ fán pái míng fēi sù de shàng shēng ， bìng méi yǒu yǐn qǐ duō shǎo rén de zhù yì 。
李凡排名飞速的上升，并没有引起多少人的注意。
His deeds were widely publicized.
zhěng gè bǎng dān zhōng ， zuì yǐn rén zhù mù dì ， yī rán shì líng jī fēn de guō yè zhòng 。
整个榜单中，最引人注目的，依然是零积分的郭叶仲。
Soon, except for those in seclusion, most Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance cultivators knew what Li Fan had done.
cǐ rén fǎng fú wán quán bù bǎ suǒ wèi de dà bǐ fàng zài yǎn lǐ 。
此人仿佛完全不把所谓的大比放在眼里。
Whether they believed it or not, Li Fan's communication spirit token first went off.
xiū shì men yì lùn fēn fēn ， dàn shì wàn xiān méng duì cǐ què bìng méi yǒu cǎi qǔ shén me tè bié de cuò shī 。
修士们议论纷纷，但是万仙盟对此却并没有采取什么特别的措施。
Hao Zhenghao, Shen Yi Zi, and old acquaintances from the former Huanyu Branch Academy sent messages to inquire.
zhǐ shì àn zhōng yǒu xiāo xī liú chuán ， shuō shì guō yè zhòng hái zài wàn xiān méng lǐng dì nèi ， méi yǒu pàn táo 。
只是暗中有消息流传，说是郭叶仲还在万仙盟领地内，没有叛逃。
Li Fan set up an automatic reply to explain briefly. His friends were naturally saddened but deeply respected him.
ér tā gèng shì méi yǒu fàng qì zhēng duó ， bié rén wèn qǐ shí ， tā zhǐ shì huí yìng “ shuí shèng shuí fù ， yóu wèi kě zhī 。”
而他更是没有放弃争夺，别人问起时，他只是回应“谁胜谁负，犹未可知。”
A few promised to seek longevity treasures for Li Fan.
dāng lǐ fán quán shēn xīn de tóu rù jìn zhèn fǎ jiàn zào zhōng ， gǎn shòu zhe zì jǐ nèi xīn de jiān áo de shí hòu 。
当李凡全身心的投入进阵法建造中，感受着自己内心的煎熬的时候。
Li Fan thanked them all before returning to work on array construction without rest.
fā shēng zài tā shēn shàng de yì shì ， zài yǒu xīn rén de shì yì xià ， kāi shǐ cháo zhe duàn zhǎng xiān chéng zhī wài xùn sù chuán bō 。
发生在他身上的轶事，在有心人的示意下，开始朝着断掌仙城之外迅速传播。
Two years passed like this.
yóu qí shì tā zāo shòu jù biàn 、 shòu yuán jiāng jǐn hòu ， réng rán pīn jǐn zuì hòu yī bǎ lì qì ， qù jiàn zào tiān xuán suǒ líng zhèn de gǎn rén shì jì 。
尤其是他遭受巨变、寿元将尽后，仍然拼尽最后一把力气，去建造天玄锁灵阵的感人事迹。
One day, a seven-color light pierced through the white fog and headed straight towards Broken Palm City.
"What? You want to return to the base and continue working on constructing the Heavenly Xuan Lock Spirit Array?"
"You've lost your mind?"
Seeing the elderly Li Fan suddenly appear before him, Hao Hui was startled.
After he stated his request, Hao Hui first looked incredulous, thinking he must have heard wrong.
Then, after confirming it several times, he burst into laughter and firmly rejected it.
"Friend Daoist, you've done enough," Hao Hui said. "Leave the rest to other array masters."
"In your current state, you're really not fit for constructing arrays anymore."
After a moment's hesitation, Hao Hui suggested, "You have been trapped in the devouring essence white fog for too long; your lifespan is about to end."
"The best course of action now is to make full use of every second and strive to cultivate."
"Perhaps you can break through to the Foundation Establishment Realm before your time runs out."
"With your talents, I see no reason why you couldn't reverse your fate."
Although Hao Hui's words suited Li Fan's taste, he still shook his head reluctantly. "Friend Daoist, your kindness is appreciated. But a man must know himself; with my remaining lifespan, there's no way I can cultivate to the Foundation Establishment Realm!"
In *The Wondrous Wood and Strange Fate*,
"Rather than waste time on such meaningless matters, let me contribute what little strength I have while I still can."
"If I could witness the Heavenly Xuan Lock Spirit Array covering all of Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance's territories in my lifetime..."
"I would die with no regrets!"
Li Fan spoke solemnly and firmly.
"If I must spend the rest of my life aimlessly waiting for death, I will not close my eyes until I have died."
"Please, friend Daoist, fulfill me!"
Seeing Li Fan so earnest, Hao Hui was speechless.
He instinctively wanted to refuse but found himself unable to do so when he saw the sincere look in his eyes.
"...Very well, Friend Daoist, wait a moment while I seek permission."
Hao Hui hurriedly left as if afraid of facing Li Fan again.
Li Fan remained calm and patient, waiting for some time.
Half an hour later, Hao Hui returned with a complex expression.
"Friend Daoist, the higher-ups have agreed to your request. After this魔音潮 subsides, our Green Xuan Army will send people to escort you back to the front lines," Hao Hui said.
"Thank you, Brother Hao." Li Fan seemed relieved and nodded in gratitude.
"Fellow Daoist Li..." Hao Hui couldn't help but ask when he saw the weight lifted from the elderly Li Fan's shoulders after receiving his mission.
"Why?"
Li Fan's actions had surpassed Hao Hui's comprehension.
Hao Hui asked, puzzled.
Li Fan smiled without answering and left with a bow.
Hao Hui stood there, bewildered and lost in thought, for a long time.
As expected, the news that Li Fan, barely half alive, was about to return to the front lines spread quickly throughout the Broken Palm City.
Amidst the uproar, doubts arose inevitably.
But when Li Fan left, escorted by dozens of Green Xuan Army soldiers, under the watchful eyes of all, heading towards the Jia Xu base point after the魔音潮 finally subsided,
all doubts vanished on their own.
The cultivators were shocked by Li Fan's choice and felt ashamed for their petty thoughts.
Compared to what Li Fan had sacrificed, leaving one's hometown and guarding the Vast Abyss for decades seemed trivial.
Thus, a wave of unprecedented enthusiasm surged through the Green Xuan Army.
Instead of complaining about their hardships, soldiers began comparing how long they had served in the Vast Abyss.
Li Fan was unaware of this.
Thanks to Li Fan's timely plea for help, the reinforcements from Eternal Immortal Fortress arrived before his supplies were exhausted, averting a tragedy.
Though the survivors were punished for allowing Li Fan to venture into the white fog alone,
it was nothing compared to saving their lives.
With Li Fan's intercession, He Chen and Kong Yu returned to Jia Xu base point to atone and assist in constructing the array.
The number of guards was tripled by Eternal Immortal Fortress, with an unimaginable amount of supplies to ensure they wouldn't run out again.
Li Fan worked tirelessly without rest.
When the魔音潮 finally subsided after months of destruction, he continued building the Lock Spirit Array.
Those who had been saved by Li Fan were grateful, and the Green Xuan Army followed his orders obediently.
In this small Jia Xu base point, Li Fan gained absolute authority.
All commands were carried out with 120% efficiency.
Moreover, reversing his own will, Li Fan transformed from a lazy slacker to an overworked workaholic.
The speed of array construction nearly doubled compared to before.
Due to the魔音潮's impact, the array construction was halted, and Li Fan's ranking on the Grand Competition Golden List had dropped to the bottom at around 600th place.
But as everyone started rebuilding, his ranking steadily rose as he raced to catch up.
Li Fan’s rapid rise in rankings didn't draw much attention.
The most notable figure on the list was still Guo Ye Zhong with zero points, who seemed to disregard the competition entirely.
While the cultivators discussed him, Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance took no special measures.
However, rumors circulated that he remained within their territory and hadn’t defected, refusing to give up his quest when asked, only saying "The outcome is still uncertain."
As Li Fan devoted himself fully to array construction, feeling the strain in his heart,
the stories of his experiences began spreading quickly outside Broken Palm City.
Especially his efforts after a great change, when he was about to die, to build the Heavenly Xuan Lock Spirit Array.
His deeds were widely publicized.
Soon, except for those in seclusion, most Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance cultivators knew what Li Fan had done.
Whether they believed it or not, Li Fan's communication spirit token first went off.
Hao Zhenghao, Shen Yi Zi, and old acquaintances from the former Huanyu Branch Academy sent messages to inquire.
Li Fan set up an automatic reply to explain briefly. His friends were naturally saddened but deeply respected him.
A few promised to seek longevity treasures for Li Fan.
Li Fan thanked them all before returning to work on array construction without rest.
Two years passed like this.
One day, a seven-color light pierced through the white fog and headed straight towards Broken Palm City.