mìng lìng lái zì wàn xiān méng bù zhèng táng zǒng bù ， qiě nèi fù yī méi dài dǎo zhǔ lìng yǐ jí xiáng jìn de jiāo jiē shì yí ， zuò bù dé jiǎ 。
命令来自万仙盟布政堂总部，且内附一枚代岛主令以及详尽的交接事宜，做不得假。
The command came from the headquarters of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance's Administration Hall, accompanied by a proxy island chief order and detailed handover procedures that could not be faked.
míng miàn shàng de lǐ yóu ， shì yīn wèi 【 tū xí wàn xiān dǎo 】 shì jiàn ， cóng yún hǎi nèi rú jīn xìng cún de tǐ zhì nèi xiū shì ， yǐ lǐ fán zhí wèi zuì gāo 。
明面上的理由，是因为【突袭万仙岛】事件，丛云海内如今幸存的体制内修士，以李凡职位最高。
On the surface, it was due to the [Sudden Attack on Ten Thousand Immortals Island] incident. Among the surviving establishment cultivators in Cunyun Sea, Li Fan held the highest position.
zǐ yún 、 hóng xī liǎng wèi huà shén xiān jūn yīn gù bù néng fǎn huí ， suǒ yǐ dài lǐ dǎo zhǔ lǐ suǒ yīng dāng de shùn yán luò zài le lǐ fán tóu shàng 。
紫云、鸿曦两位化神仙君因故不能返回，所以代理岛主理所应当的顺延落在了李凡头上。
The two Transcendent Immortal Kings, Purple Cloud and Grand Sun, were unable to return for some reason, so the acting island chief naturally fell to Li Fan by default.
lǐ fán zé shì xīn zhōng sī háo méi yǒu bèi tiān shàng diào xià xiàn bǐng zá zhōng de xǐ yuè 。
李凡则是心中丝毫没有被天上掉下馅饼砸中的喜悦。
However, Li Fan felt no joy at being unexpectedly bestowed with such a heavy responsibility. After carefully reading through the handover instructions, his brows furrowed.
yòu zǐ xì yuè dú le jiāo jiē shuō míng zhī hòu ， méi tóu jǐn suǒ 。
又仔细阅读了交接说明之后，眉头紧锁。
Although the position of Special Executive was just a nominal one, in terms of rank, it could only be held by cultivators above the Foundation Establishment realm.
yǎn wǔ táng tè yuē zhí shì suī rán zhǐ shì xū zhí ， dàn shì lùn zhí wù pǐn jí lái jiǎng ， què shí shì zhǐ yǒu yuán yīng jí yǐ shàng xiū wèi xiū shì cái néng dān rèn de 。
演武堂特约执事虽然只是虚职，但是论职务品级来讲，确实是只有元婴及以上修为修士才能担任的。
The rank wasn't low.
pǐn jiē bìng bù dī 。
品阶并不低。
That posed no issue. However, there were undoubtedly many other establishment cultivators at the same rank scattered throughout Cunyun Sea that hadn't been taken by the Five Elders' Council.
zhè diǎn méi yǒu wèn tí 。 bù guò ruò dà de cóng yún hǎi ， fēn sàn zài gè chù 、 méi bèi wǔ lǎo huì lǔ zǒu de ， gēn tā xiāng tóng pǐn jí de tǐ zhì nèi xiū shì ， dìng rán hái yǒu bù shǎo 。
这点没有问题。不过偌大的丛云海，分散在各处、没被五老会掳走的，跟他相同品级的体制内修士，定然还有不少。
Why was this 'important responsibility' entrusted to him specifically?
wèi hé piān piān bǎ zhè ge 「 zhòng rèn 」 jiāo gěi le tā lǐ fán ？
为何偏偏把这个「重任」交给了他李凡？
He had no hidden background in this life.
tā zhè yī shì kě méi yǒu shén me yǐn cáng hòu tái 。
他这一世可没有什么隐藏后台。
Was it a test, a warning, or an attempt to reassure him?
shì shì tàn ， jǐng gào ， yì huò zhě ān fǔ ？
是试探，警告，亦或者安抚？
Li Fan didn’t know. But since the order had already been issued, dwelling on it wouldn't help. He would face challenges as they came!
lǐ fán bù dé ér zhī 。
李凡不得而知。
A cold glint flashed in Li Fan's eyes as he flew towards Cunyun Sea.
bù guò mìng lìng jì rán yǐ jīng xià fā ， duō xiǎng yě shì wú yì 。 bīng lái jiāng dǎng ， shuǐ lái tǔ yǎn ！
不过命令既然已经下发，多想也是无益。兵来将挡，水来土掩！
Upon reaching the edge of Shi Lin State, when he approached Cunyun Sea, an invisible barrier blocked his path once again.
lǐ fán yǎn zhōng shǎn guò yī sī lěng máng ， cháo zhe cóng yún hǎi fēi qù 。
李凡眼中闪过一丝冷芒，朝着丛云海飞去。
Li Fan took out a communication spirit token and infused it with spiritual energy to activate it. A beam of light bearing the character 'Wan' shot forward toward the protective barrier.
lái dào shí lín zhōu biān yuán ， kào jìn cóng yún hǎi de shí hòu ， zài dù zāo yù liǎo wú xíng hù zhào de zǔ lán 。
来到石临州边缘，靠近丛云海的时候，再度遭遇了无形护罩的阻拦。
A ripple spread outward as Li Fan tentatively extended his right hand. He felt something intangible clinging to his arm, changing shape as he moved forward.
lǐ fán qǔ chū tōng xùn líng fú ， zhù rù líng qì jī fā 。
李凡取出通讯灵符，注入灵气激发。
Eventually, it resembled a sticky bubble that burst. Li Fan pondered this and then charged straight at the invisible barrier with his entire body.
cóng shàng zhào chū yī dào 「 wàn 」 zì guāng huá ， xiàng zhe qián fāng hù zhào shè qù 。
从上照出一道「万」字光华，向着前方护罩射去。
In the next moment, Li Fan's true self had returned to Cunyun Sea.
yī céng lián yī dàng kāi ， lǐ fán cháng shì zhe shēn chū yòu shǒu 。 gǎn jué sì hū yǒu yī céng kàn bú jiàn de wù zhì fù zhuó zài zì jǐ shǒu bì shàng ， suí zhe zì jǐ bù duàn xiàng qián yán shēn ér gǎi biàn xíng zhuàng 。
一层涟漪荡开，李凡尝试着伸出右手。感觉似乎有一层看不见的物质附着在自己手臂上，随着自己不断向前延伸而改变形状。
Following the recorded location in the transaction instructions, Li Fan flew at top speed for four days before arriving at his destination.
zuì zhōng wǎn ruò yī céng nián nián hū hū de pào pào ， bèi tǒng pò 。 lǐ fán ruò yǒu suǒ sī ， yú shì zhěng gè shēn tǐ chōng xiàng liǎo wú xíng hù zhào 。
最终宛若一层黏黏糊糊的泡泡，被捅破。李凡若有所思，于是整个身体冲向了无形护罩。
A familiar-looking giant Dust-Parting Shuttle was hovering in mid-air. On the deck, he could vaguely see many figures in black robes.
xià yī kè ， lǐ fán běn zūn yǐ rán chóng xīn huí dào le cóng yún hǎi zhōng 。
下一刻，李凡本尊已然重新回到了丛云海中。
After a moment's contemplation, Li Fan flew toward the shuttle.
àn zhào jiāo yì shuō míng zhōng jì lù de wèi zhì ， lǐ fán quán sù fēi dùn ， sì tiān guò hòu ， lái dào le mù dì dì 。
按照交易说明中记录的位置，李凡全速飞遁，四天过后，来到了目的地。
The black-robed cultivators seemed to know of his arrival and didn't obstruct him as he approached.
yī sōu mú yàng shí fēn yǎn shú de jù xíng dù chén zhōu ， jìng jìng de tíng zài kōng zhōng 。
一艘模样十分眼熟的巨型渡尘舟，静静的停在空中。
"Friend Daoist Li Fan, come here!" A voice echoed from within the shuttle the instant he stepped onto the deck.
jiǎ bǎn shàng ， yī xī kě yǐ kàn dào xǔ duō hēi yī xiū shì de shēn yǐng 。
甲板上，依稀可以看到许多黑衣修士的身影。
Li Fan walked in that direction while covertly observing the other black-robed cultivators around him.
chén yín piàn kè ， lǐ fán cháo zhe dù chén zhōu shàng fēi qù 。
沉吟片刻，李凡朝着渡尘舟上飞去。
---
fǎng fú zǎo jiù zhī dào lǐ fán de dào lái ， lái wǎng de hēi yī xiū shì bìng méi yǒu shàng qián zǔ lán 。
仿佛早就知道李凡的到来，来往的黑衣修士并没有上前阻拦。
Familiar with the coldness and the aura of killing intent.
「 lǐ fán dào yǒu ， qián lái cǐ chù ！」 tà shàng jiǎ bǎn de shùn jiān ， jiù yǒu yī dào shēng yīn cóng dù chén zhōu nèi bù chuán lái 。
「李凡道友，前来此处！」踏上甲板的瞬间，就有一道声音从渡尘舟内部传来。
These should be the souls of those from [Era], tasked with handling special affairs. They were the predecessors of the Celestial Artificers who appeared after the Xuan Network was established in his previous life.
lǐ fán cháo zhe shēng yīn de fāng xiàng zǒu qù ， yī biān bù dòng shēng sè de dǎ liàng zhōu wéi de zhè xiē hēi yī xiū shì men 。
李凡朝着声音的方向走去，一边不动声色的打量周围的这些黑衣修士们。
To avoid trouble, Li Fan merely glanced at them without acknowledging their presence before continuing to walk inside.
shú xī bīng lěng hé sù shā zhī qì 。
熟悉冰冷和肃杀之气。
Not long after, he entered a room deep within the corridor and pushed open the door.
yīng gāi jiù shì nà qún shén hún lái zì 【 shí dài 】、 zhuān mén chǔ lǐ tè bié shì wù de rén 。
应该就是那群神魂来自【时代】、专门处理特别事务的人。
A young man with white hair sat at a long table, his face serious.
shàng yī shì xuán wǎng jiàn lì hòu ， chū xiàn de 【 tiān shù shì 】 men de qián shēn 。
上一世玄网建立后，出现的【天术士】们的前身。
Characters and images flashed rapidly across the table. It seemed to have a built-in function to prevent outsiders from窥探, as everything Li Fan saw was distorted and blurred.
zàn shí bù xiǎng rě má fán ， lǐ fán jǐn jǐn shì zhuāng zuò wú yì yī piē ， jiù shōu huí mù guāng ， jì xù cháo lǐ zǒu qù 。
暂时不想惹麻烦，李凡仅仅是装作无意一瞥，就收回目光，继续朝里走去。
"Island Chief Li, you must have received your appointment letter. I won't elaborate further," said the white-haired youth without lifting his head, his gaze fixed on the table.
bù duō shí ， lái dào zǒu láng shēn chù de fáng jiān zhōng ， tuī mén ér rù 。
不多时，来到走廊深处的房间中，推门而入。
"I will emphasize three points."
yī wèi bái fà qīng nián ， zhèng zuò zài zhǎng zhuō qián miàn ， miàn sè níng zhòng 。
一位白发青年，正坐在长桌前面，面色凝重。
"One, reconstruction work must be completed within six months."
zhǎng zhuō shàng ， fēi sù shǎn guò xǔ duō zì fú hé huà miàn 。
长桌上，飞速闪过许多字符和画面。
"Two, this project has a limited budget. You need to strictly control material costs. If actual expenses exceed the approved limit and delay construction progress, you will bear responsibility for it. Of course, if you can complete your task on time, that would certainly be a significant achievement, and rewards are guaranteed!"
sì hū zì dài fáng zhǐ wài rén kuī tàn de gōng néng ， lǐ fán jiàn dào de zhè xiē ， quán dōu shì bèi niǔ qū 、 mó hú 。
似乎自带防止外人窥探的功能，李凡见到的这些，全都是被扭曲、模糊。
"The third point is the most important..."
「 lǐ dǎo zhǔ ， rèn mìng shū nǐ yě shōu dào le ， wǒ zhè lǐ jiù bù zài zhuì shù 。」
「李岛主，任命书你也收到了，我这里就不再赘述。」
The white-haired youth finally raised his head to stare at Li Fan.
bái fà qīng nián tóu yě bù tái ， mù guāng bù lí zhuō miàn ， zì gù zì shuō dào ：「 wǒ zhǔ yào qiáng diào sān diǎn 。」
白发青年头也不抬，目光不离桌面，自顾自说道：「我主要强调三点。」
Li Fan's heart skipped a beat when he saw the empty eye sockets of this young man with white hair.
「 yī ， chóng jiàn gōng zuò bàn nián zhī nèi bì xū wán chéng 。」
「一，重建工作半年之内必须完成。」
"There is no formal written statement in your appointment letter. Outside this room, I will deny ever saying these words. But you must do it. If anything goes wrong..."
「 èr ， cǐ cì gōng chéng yù suàn yǒu xiàn ， nǐ xū yào duì zhěng tǐ yòng liào zhī chū yán gé bǎ kòng 。 ruò shì shí jì fèi yòng chāo chū shěn pī shàng xiàn ， dān wù le shī gōng jìn dù ， nǐ xū yào chéng dān xiāng yìng zé rèn 。 dāng rán ， ruò shì nǐ néng àn shí wán chéng rèn wù ， nà zì rán yě shì dà gōng yī jiàn ， jiǎng shǎng jué duì shào bù liǎo de ！」
「二，此次工程预算有限，你需要对整体用料支出严格把控。若是实际费用超出审批上限，耽误了施工进度，你需要承担相应责任。当然，若是你能按时完成任务，那自然也是大功一件，奖赏绝对少不了的！」
The white-haired youth snorted and lightly tapped his fingers on the table.
「 dì sān diǎn ， yě shì zuì zhòng yào de yì diǎn ……」
「第三点，也是最重要的一点……」
A beam of light shot out from the long table toward Li Fan.
shuō dào cǐ chù ， bái fà qīng nián fāng cái tái qǐ tóu lái ， dīng zhe lǐ fán 。
说到此处，白发青年方才抬起头来，盯着李凡。
Li Fan deflected it with his hand. The moment the light touched him, it vanished without a trace.
lǐ fán xīn zhōng yī tiào ， yīn wèi tā hè rán fā xiàn ， zhè bái fà qīng
李凡心中一跳，因为他赫然发现，这白发青
Some information appeared in his mind simultaneously.
nián ， yǎn kuàng zhōng jìng rán kōng dàng dàng yī piàn 、 quán shì yōu hēi 。
年，眼眶中竟然空荡荡一片、全是幽黑。
"What is this..."
「 líng fú rèn mìng shū zhōng ， bìng méi yǒu zhèng shì shū miàn shuō míng 。 chū le zhè jiān fáng zi ， wǒ yě jué bú huì chéng rèn shuō guò zhè fān huà 。 dàn ， què shì nǐ bì xū yào qù zuò de 。 ruò shì yǒu suǒ shǎn shī ……」
「灵符任命书中，并没有正式书面说明。出了这间房子，我也绝不会承认说过这番话。但，却是你必须要去做的。若是有所闪失……」
Li Fan frowned slightly.
bái fà qīng nián lěng hēng yī shēng ， qū zhǐ qīng qiāo zhuō miàn 。
白发青年冷哼一声，屈指轻敲桌面。
"This is the [Xuan Heavenly Locking Demonic Array] array diagram," explained the white-haired youth as if he had read Li Fan's thoughts.
yī dào liú guāng zì zhǎng zhuō zhōng fēi chū ， zhí bēn lǐ fán 。
一道流光自长桌中飞出，直奔李凡。
"You need to carve the Xuan Heavenly Locking Demonic Array into the foundation of the new Cunyun Immortal City while constructing it. With this diagram, you don't need to be an expert in阵法, just not completely ignorant."
lǐ fán shēn shǒu dǎng xià ， liú guāng hé shēn tǐ chù pèng de shùn jiān ， jiù xiāo shī wú zōng 。
李凡伸手挡下，流光和身体触碰的瞬间，就消失无踪。
"Since you are a ancient cultivator, this should not pose any problem for you," said the white-haired youth preemptively.
nǎo hǎi zhōng tóng shí duō chū le yī xiē xìn xī 。
脑海中同时多出了一些信息。
"How do I address you?" Li Fan's brows furrowed as he didn’t respond but asked instead.
「 zhè shì ……」
「这是……」
The white-haired youth stared at him with his dark eyes before speaking: "First Principle."
lǐ fán wēi wēi zhòu méi 。
李凡微微皱眉。
Li Fan's gaze sharpened slightly.
「【 xuán tiān suǒ yōu zhèn 】 zhèn tú 。」 bái fà qīng nián shì shì kàn chū le lǐ fán de yí huò ， chū shēng jiě shì dào 。
「【玄天锁幽阵】阵图。」白发青年似是看出了李凡的疑惑，出声解释道。
He had seen this name before.
「 wàn xiān dǎo bèi nuó zǒu ， dǐ bù de 【 tōng yōu suì kǒu 】 yě suí zhī bào lù 。 nǐ xū yào zài jiàn zào xīn de cóng yún xiān chéng de tóng shí ， jiāng xuán tiān suǒ yōu zhèn yì qǐ juān kè zài xiān chéng zhī jī zhōng 。」
「万仙岛被挪走，底部的【通幽隧口】也随之暴露。你需要在建造新的丛云仙城的同时，将玄天锁幽阵一起镌刻在仙城之基中。」
Three years of cultivation, human realm to Foundation Establishment. Golden Core severing the Foundation Establishment, defeating Transcendent Realm.
「 yǒu zhèn tú zhǐ yǐn ， wú xū nǐ duì zhèn fǎ duō me jīng tōng ， zhǐ yào bú shì yī qiào bù tōng jiù xíng 。 nǐ zuò wéi gǔ xiū shì ， cǐ shì yīng dāng duì nǐ lái shuō ， bú shì wèn tí 。」 bù róng lǐ fán jù jué ， bái fà qīng nián qiǎng xiān yī bù shuō dào 。
「有阵图指引，无需你对阵法多么精通，只要不是一窍不通就行。你作为古修士，此事应当对你来说，不是问题。」不容李凡拒绝，白发青年抢先一步说道。
Decades ago, he was already a peak Transcendent, yet he refused an opportunity for union with the Dao due to the weakness of the celestial essence, not meeting his expectations.
「 dào yǒu rú hé chēng hū ？」 lǐ fán méi tóu wēi zhòu ， méi yǒu yīng xià ， ér shì xiān chū shēng wèn dào 。
「道友如何称呼？」李凡眉头微皱，没有应下，而是先出声问道。
The name and fame of Prince First Principle were well-known among cultivators. Li Fan had long admired him. He never expected to meet him in person today.
bái fà qīng nián yòng tā nà yōu yōu de mù guāng níng shì le yī fān lǐ fán ， zhè cái tǔ shēng dào ：「 dì yī jīng lún 。」
白发青年用他那幽幽的目光凝视了一番李凡，这才吐声道：「第一经纶。」
But Li Fan was accustomed to seeing big things, so he remained unperturbed as he respectfully said: "So it's indeed Master First Principle!"
lǐ fán mù guāng wēi wēi yī níng 。
李凡目光微微一凝。
"Although this is an order from the headquarters of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance's Administration Hall, I cannot accept the role of acting island chief and the task of setting up the Xuan Heavenly Locking Demonic Array."
zhè ge míng zì ， tā céng kàn jiàn guò 。
这个名字，他曾看见过。
"I am unable to comply with your request!"
xiū xíng sān zài ， fán rén jié dān 。 jīn dān zhǎn yuán yīng 、 shèng huà shén 。
修行三载，凡人结丹。金丹斩元婴、胜化神。
Li Fan said firmly.
shù shí nián qián jiù shì huà shén diān fēng ， miàn duì tuò shǒu kě dé de hé dào jī huì ， yì rán fàng qì 。 zhǐ yīn nà dào tiān dì zhī pò tài guò ruò xiǎo ， bù fú hé tā de yù qī 。
数十年前就是化神巅峰，面对唾手可得的合道机会，毅然放弃。只因那道天地之魄太过弱小，不符合他的预期。
First Principle was visibly displeased. Sensing the gradually heavy atmosphere around him, Li Fan remained unperturbed as he continued: "This matter is too suspicious, full of sinister intentions. Who can guarantee that you won't betray me like a horse after using it?"
zài xiū shì qún tǐ zhōng liú chuán xià zhǒng zhǒng chuán shuō de ， jīng lún gōng zi 。
在修士群体中流传下种种传说的，经纶公子。
First Principle was taken aback by this.
tā de míng hào ， lǐ fán kě wèi shì zǎo yǐ jiǔ yǎng 。 méi xiǎng dào jīn tiān jū rán néng jiàn dào tā běn rén 。
他的名号，李凡可谓是早已久仰。没想到今天居然能见到他本人。
He smiled slightly and released his oppressive aura.
bù guò lǐ fán yě shì jiàn guò dà shì miàn de ， miàn bù gǎi sè ， bù bēi bù kàng ， gǒng shǒu dào ：「 yuán lái shì jīng lún gōng zi dāng miàn ！」
不过李凡也是见过大世面的，面不改色，不卑不亢，拱手道：「原来是经纶公子当面！」
"Originally, you were worried about this..."
「 suī shuō shì wàn xiān méng zǒng bù bù zhèng táng de mìng lìng ， dàn ràng wǒ bù míng bù bái de qù dāng shén me dài lǐ dǎo zhǔ ， yòu yào bù zhì shén me xuán tiān suǒ yōu zhèn ……」
「虽说是万仙盟总部布政堂的命令，但让我不明不白的去当什么代理岛主，又要布置什么玄天锁幽阵……」
"There's no need to be concerned."
「 shù nán cóng mìng ！」
「恕难从命！」
Prince First Principle stood up and walked to the edge of the room. As he moved, the entire ship wall became transparent as if they were standing on a cloud.
lǐ fán yǔ qì jiān jué de shuō dào 。
李凡语气坚决的说道。
"Island Chief Li comes from ancient times; perhaps you are unaware that after the Great Tribulation, strange beings known as [Anomalous] appeared in various places."
dì yī jīng lún bù jīn zhòu qǐ le méi tóu 。
第一经纶不禁皱起了眉头。
Prince First Principle said slowly.
gǎn shòu dào shēn tǐ zhōu wéi zhú jiàn chén zhòng de kōng jiān ， lǐ fán liǎn shàng què shì sī háo méi yǒu yì yàng 。
感受到身体周围逐渐沉重的空间，李凡脸上却是丝毫没有异样。
"And these places saw their appearance most frequently and densely," he added.
The command came from the headquarters of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance's Administration Hall, accompanied by a proxy island chief order and detailed handover procedures that could not be faked.
On the surface, it was due to the [Sudden Attack on Ten Thousand Immortals Island] incident. Among the surviving establishment cultivators in Cunyun Sea, Li Fan held the highest position.
The two Transcendent Immortal Kings, Purple Cloud and Grand Sun, were unable to return for some reason, so the acting island chief naturally fell to Li Fan by default.
However, Li Fan felt no joy at being unexpectedly bestowed with such a heavy responsibility. After carefully reading through the handover instructions, his brows furrowed.
Although the position of Special Executive was just a nominal one, in terms of rank, it could only be held by cultivators above the Foundation Establishment realm.
The rank wasn't low.
That posed no issue. However, there were undoubtedly many other establishment cultivators at the same rank scattered throughout Cunyun Sea that hadn't been taken by the Five Elders' Council.
Why was this 'important responsibility' entrusted to him specifically?
He had no hidden background in this life.
Was it a test, a warning, or an attempt to reassure him?
Li Fan didn’t know. But since the order had already been issued, dwelling on it wouldn't help. He would face challenges as they came!
A cold glint flashed in Li Fan's eyes as he flew towards Cunyun Sea.
Upon reaching the edge of Shi Lin State, when he approached Cunyun Sea, an invisible barrier blocked his path once again.
Li Fan took out a communication spirit token and infused it with spiritual energy to activate it. A beam of light bearing the character 'Wan' shot forward toward the protective barrier.
A ripple spread outward as Li Fan tentatively extended his right hand. He felt something intangible clinging to his arm, changing shape as he moved forward.
Eventually, it resembled a sticky bubble that burst. Li Fan pondered this and then charged straight at the invisible barrier with his entire body.
In the next moment, Li Fan's true self had returned to Cunyun Sea.
Following the recorded location in the transaction instructions, Li Fan flew at top speed for four days before arriving at his destination.
A familiar-looking giant Dust-Parting Shuttle was hovering in mid-air. On the deck, he could vaguely see many figures in black robes.
After a moment's contemplation, Li Fan flew toward the shuttle.
The black-robed cultivators seemed to know of his arrival and didn't obstruct him as he approached.
"Friend Daoist Li Fan, come here!" A voice echoed from within the shuttle the instant he stepped onto the deck.
Li Fan walked in that direction while covertly observing the other black-robed cultivators around him.
---
Familiar with the coldness and the aura of killing intent.
These should be the souls of those from [Era], tasked with handling special affairs. They were the predecessors of the Celestial Artificers who appeared after the Xuan Network was established in his previous life.
To avoid trouble, Li Fan merely glanced at them without acknowledging their presence before continuing to walk inside.
Not long after, he entered a room deep within the corridor and pushed open the door.
A young man with white hair sat at a long table, his face serious.
Characters and images flashed rapidly across the table. It seemed to have a built-in function to prevent outsiders from窥探, as everything Li Fan saw was distorted and blurred.
"Island Chief Li, you must have received your appointment letter. I won't elaborate further," said the white-haired youth without lifting his head, his gaze fixed on the table.
"I will emphasize three points."
"One, reconstruction work must be completed within six months."
"Two, this project has a limited budget. You need to strictly control material costs. If actual expenses exceed the approved limit and delay construction progress, you will bear responsibility for it. Of course, if you can complete your task on time, that would certainly be a significant achievement, and rewards are guaranteed!"
"The third point is the most important..."
The white-haired youth finally raised his head to stare at Li Fan.
Li Fan's heart skipped a beat when he saw the empty eye sockets of this young man with white hair.
"There is no formal written statement in your appointment letter. Outside this room, I will deny ever saying these words. But you must do it. If anything goes wrong..."
The white-haired youth snorted and lightly tapped his fingers on the table.
A beam of light shot out from the long table toward Li Fan.
Li Fan deflected it with his hand. The moment the light touched him, it vanished without a trace.
Some information appeared in his mind simultaneously.
"What is this..."
Li Fan frowned slightly.
"This is the [Xuan Heavenly Locking Demonic Array] array diagram," explained the white-haired youth as if he had read Li Fan's thoughts.
"You need to carve the Xuan Heavenly Locking Demonic Array into the foundation of the new Cunyun Immortal City while constructing it. With this diagram, you don't need to be an expert in阵法, just not completely ignorant."
"Since you are a ancient cultivator, this should not pose any problem for you," said the white-haired youth preemptively.
"How do I address you?" Li Fan's brows furrowed as he didn’t respond but asked instead.
The white-haired youth stared at him with his dark eyes before speaking: "First Principle."
Li Fan's gaze sharpened slightly.
He had seen this name before.
Three years of cultivation, human realm to Foundation Establishment. Golden Core severing the Foundation Establishment, defeating Transcendent Realm.
Decades ago, he was already a peak Transcendent, yet he refused an opportunity for union with the Dao due to the weakness of the celestial essence, not meeting his expectations.
The name and fame of Prince First Principle were well-known among cultivators. Li Fan had long admired him. He never expected to meet him in person today.
But Li Fan was accustomed to seeing big things, so he remained unperturbed as he respectfully said: "So it's indeed Master First Principle!"
"Although this is an order from the headquarters of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance's Administration Hall, I cannot accept the role of acting island chief and the task of setting up the Xuan Heavenly Locking Demonic Array."
"I am unable to comply with your request!"
Li Fan said firmly.
First Principle was visibly displeased. Sensing the gradually heavy atmosphere around him, Li Fan remained unperturbed as he continued: "This matter is too suspicious, full of sinister intentions. Who can guarantee that you won't betray me like a horse after using it?"
First Principle was taken aback by this.
He smiled slightly and released his oppressive aura.
"Originally, you were worried about this..."
"There's no need to be concerned."
Prince First Principle stood up and walked to the edge of the room. As he moved, the entire ship wall became transparent as if they were standing on a cloud.
"Island Chief Li comes from ancient times; perhaps you are unaware that after the Great Tribulation, strange beings known as [Anomalous] appeared in various places."
Prince First Principle said slowly.
"And these places saw their appearance most frequently and densely," he added.