One exploration team after another began flying in the direction of the ruins, searching for its whereabouts.
Meanwhile, Li Fan remained hidden in the Tianxuan Mirror, patiently awaiting the results.
Three months later, there hadn’t been significant progress in exploring the ruins, but an excited message arrived from He Zhenghao.
“Fellow Daoist Li Fan, good news,” he exclaimed.
“After some efforts on my part, I’ve secured three potential positions, each located in different provinces. Fellow Daoist, please offer your advice.”
Li Fan promptly replied, “Oh? Tell me more.”
“The first one is the leader of the Martial Hall in Taihua Province,” He Zhenghao explained.
“Taihua Province is not far from the Cong Yun Sea, and it’s known for the Taihua Mountain Range that spans the entire province.
“The peaks are incredibly numerous, and my cultivation speed there would be much faster than in the Cong Yun Sea.”
“The second one is a Counselor of the Formation Hall in Qingwei Province,” he continued.
“Although it’s still far from Tianyu Province, it’s much closer compared to the Cong Yun Sea.”
“The third one is city guardian in Tianyun Province,” He Zhenghao concluded.
“This province is not far from the western part of the Tianyu Province, and therefore competition for the position is intense.
“It’s only a position shift from island guardian to city guardian, but the advantage is that being closer to the headquarters might make promotions easier.”
He Zhenghao slowly revealed the results of his efforts over this period.
“Tianyun Province…” Li Fan pondered for a moment and replied, “Let’s not rush to make a decision. I have acquaintances in Tianyun Province; I’ll inquire further to see if there are additional opportunities.”
He Zhenghao was surprised, “You have connections in Tianyun Province?”
Li Fan smiled faintly, “I can’t guarantee anything. Let’s give it a try; wait for my message, fellow Daoist.”
He Zhenghao agreed repeatedly.
Li Fan then contacted the Oracle, explaining the situation.
“Do you have any channels, Senior?” he inquired.
The Oracle simply replied, “I’ll ask for you.”
After that, there was no further response.
Li Fan wasn’t in a hurry and patiently waited.
Half a day later, a cultivator named Daoist Jingxuan from Tianyun Province requested to add Li Fan as a friend. Li Fan quickly accepted.
Jingxuan’s hearty voice echoed, “Haha, are you Li Fan? I heard from the Oracle that you have a friend interested in taking a position in our Tianyun Province?”
“A Four Law Golden Core cultivator, impressive! Young talents are indeed formidable.”
“In that case, could you ask if he’s interested in joining our Tianyun Province Garrison?” Jingxuan continued.
“Because of the large-scale battle a few years ago, there are still some vacant positions that haven’t been filled.”
Li Fan was slightly taken aback and asked, “Senior Jingxuan, could you explain what the Garrison is?”
Jingxuan was surprised that Li Fan didn’t know, but he quickly understood after thinking about Li Fan’s remote origin. He explained, “The Garrison is an organization unique to the core areas of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.”
“It directly reports to the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance headquarters, and is mainly responsible for suppressing criminals and maintaining stability in these regions.”
“In critical moments, it may also follow emergency orders to go to other provinces for battle.”
Once Jingxuan clarified, Li Fan understood. Essentially, it was similar to the garrison battalion stationed outside Xuanjing City in Grand Xuan that only took orders from Li Fan and guarded the capital.
“It should be considered a key position.”
“However, it seems like there will be frequent battles. I wonder if He Zhenghao is willing to accept it with his nature nowadays,” Li Fan contemplated for a moment.
After chatting with Jingxuan, Li Fan contacted He Zhenghao again and explained the situation.
“The Garrison?” He Zhenghao was a bit shocked.
Having spent some time in Tianyu Province when he was young, he naturally understood what the Garrison was.
Just like the Law Enforcement Hall, it was a branch that directly took orders from the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance’s headquarters.
Generally speaking, the members of the Garrison were half a level higher in status than the cultivators of the other departments.
“Li Fan, you’re truly unfathomable to actually secure such a position,” He Zhenghao exclaimed.
“Though it’s a bit dangerous, I”
The image of a graceful figure flashed in his mind. Without further hesitation, he agreed.
After learning about He Zhenghao’s decision, Li Fan informed Jingxuan of the news.
“Good!” Jingxuan was delighted. “Ask your friend to come to our Tianyun Province first and serve as a city guardian. After three years of service, accumulating some qualifications, I will use my connections to transfer him to the Garrison.”
Next, Jingxuan carefully explained some important before ending the communication.
Li Fan conveyed all the details to He Zhenghao, who listened attentively before busying himself with his future.
Li Fan, on the other hand, transferred 100,000 contribution points to both the Oracle and Jingxuan as an expression of gratitude.
Of course, he recorded this debt on He Zhenghao’s account.
…
In Tianyun Province, the Oracle was slightly stunned upon receiving the contribution points, chuckling silently.
Jingxuan quickly sent a message, inquiring, “Old Oracle, did you receive that Junior Li’s contribution points? 100,000 contribution points! I remember he’s only at the Foundation Establishment stage, right? Quite generous!”
The Oracle replied with a smile, “Well, he’s much more generous than when we were at the Foundation Establishment stage.”
“I only passed on a message and received the same reward as you, Jingxuan. Are you not angry?”
Jingxuan laughed heartily, “Hahaha, this junior is a little interesting.”
“Yes, yes. I find him more pleasing than that old man Guangwu,” Jingxuan continued. “After accepting gifts from others, you should do your best for them. Don’t mess things up. It doesn’t matter to you, but if my reputation is tarnished, hehe…”
“Mess things up? Are you looking down on me?” Jingxuan snorted coldly and fell silent.
…
Time passed.
Three months later, He Zhenghao’s assignment order came through without any issues.
He became the city guardian of Guang’an City in Tianyun Province.
For this, a total of 80,000 contribution points were spent.
Naturally, they were all borrowed from Li Fan.
Anyway, He Zhenghao was already in debt and a little more made no difference.
Furthermore, Li Fan was generous and lent as much as needed.
Before leaving, He Zhenghao swore.
Once he established himself in Tianyun Province, he would try to arrange for Li Fan to join him.
Li Fan didn’t say much and just patted He Zhenghao on the shoulder.
After He Zhenghao’s departure, Li Fan stayed hidden in the Tianxuan Mirror all day, not going out and focusing on cultivation.
Soon, the 23rd year arrived.
The ruins were finally discovered.
They had landed in a swamp in the central part of Jiushan Province.
As cultivators explored the ruins, the origin of this place was also uncovered.
Ancient Immortal Sect, Chaoyuan Sect.
Although not as famous as the Tai Shang or Great Dao Sects, whose reputations remained known even after thousands of years, before the Great Calamity, it was also considered a renowned sect.
Based on past experiences of exploring sect ruins, there would undoubtedly be abundant treasures inside.
The news attracted many cultivators to travel to Jiushan Province, further destabilizing the already chaotic region.
Even cultivators from the Five Elders Association, with minimal disguise, brazenly joined the expedition to explore the ruins.
The audacity of their actions was evident.
The weak control of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance over Jiushan Province could be seen.
Originally, the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance had no intention of intervening in the normal exploration of ruins, but at this moment, news arrived that infuriated the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
A Soul Transformation cultivator from the Five Elders Association named Luo Xi not only openly revealed his identity but also injured and killed many Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance exploration members.
After obtaining something valuable from deep within the ruins, he left triumphantly.
Being so arrogant on their turf?
It was like a slap in the face.
However, confusion followed.
Such behavior had an obvious provocative intent.
Could there be a conspiracy?
Were the Five Elders Association going to start another war?
Regardless, face must not be lost.
The Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance swiftly dispatched several Soul Transformation cultivators to Jiushan Province and issued a solemn warning.
All cultivators from the Five Elders Association were prohibited from entering Jiushan Province.
If they dare to come, they will die!