Li Fan didn’t hesitate at all, showing an extremely surprised expression on his face and eagerly saying, “Junior is willing to go!”
Li Fan’s reaction did not exceed Zhang Zhiliang’s expectations.
He nodded and explained, “The purpose of this training is to allow the younger generation to quickly master the Tianxuan Spirit Lock Formation.”
“The goal is to cover every area of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance within the range of the Spirit Lock Formation by 30 years.”
Li Fan’s expression changed slightly, “Tianxuan Spirit Lock Formation? Is that the formation in the Jiushan Province which was capable of marking all the Five Elders Association cultivators with pillars of light?”
Zhang Zhiliang was quite satisfied with Li Fan’s quick response and nodded, “Exactly. The Tianxuan Spirit Lock Formation was jointly developed by many formation masters after the battle in Tianling Province, by studying the captured cultivators of the Five Elders Association.”
“The Five Elders Association’s cultivators?” Li Fan was somewhat puzzled.
“May I ask, Master, why does this formation research require a study on cultivators?”
Zhang Zhiliang was quite patient with Li Fan and explained, “Do you know the difference between the Five Elders Association and our Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance?”
Li Fan replied, “Our Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance is a free alliance. With their own efforts, by accumulating contribution points, cultivators can redeem cultivation techniques.”
“While the Five Elders Association…”
“Although they can obtain martial arts techniques for free, they need to sign a contract of servitude.”
“A lifetime of being subject to others. It’s not as good as our Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance’s freedom.”
“To be honest, Master, when I was a wanderer before, I once considered which side to join.”
“After comparing the conditions of both sides, I chose to join our Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance without hesitation.”
Li Fan spoke with great righteousness.
Zhang Zhiliang smiled slightly, not commenting on Li Fan’s loyal statement.
Continuing, he said, “Yes, every cultivator who joins the Five Elders Association will sign a ‘Soul Contract.'”
“Their soul is naturally different from ordinary cultivators.”
“A long time ago, we had the idea of distinguishing between enemies and ourselves based on this difference.”
“However, due to insufficient research specimens, it has never succeeded.”
“In the recent battle at Tianling Province, although overall we were at a disadvantage, we didn’t come away empty-handed either.”
“This Tianxuan Spirit Lock Formation is one of the results of the war.”
Zhang Zhiliang seemed to recall something; his expression became inexplicable, and his tone also became somewhat desolate.
However, he quickly returned to normal and continued, “Within the coverage of the formation, it can detect the soul anomalies caused by the ‘Soul Contract’ and thus distinguish between enemies and ourselves.”
“The marking goes straight to the soul and cannot be unraveled by non-Dao Integration cultivators.”
“The successful development of this formation is of great significance.”
“At the very least, once it is popularized, ordinary spies will no longer be able to hide.”
“And those pillars of light that pierce through the heavens and earth also eliminate the possibility of sneak attacks by the Five Elders Association.”
Zhang Zhiliang spoke confidently, with a hint of pride on his face.
“However, this formation involves the souls of cultivators, making it difficult and obscure.”
“Ordinary formation masters are completely incapable of constructing it.”
“In order to quickly deploy the Tianxuan Spirit Lock Formation, it is necessary to train a group of experts in this field.”
“The purpose of the training in Tianyu Province two years later is for this reason.”
“The reason for the two-year delay is also because of the involvement of souls.”
“Not only do the organizers need to collect various materials, but the young talents participating also need to be adequately prepared.”
As he spoke, Zhang Zhiliang threw over a storage ring.
Li Fan took the ring and looked inside, his brows furrowing slightly.
Because inside the storage ring lay a corpse.
Apart from the corpse, there was nothing else.
What was even more peculiar was that the body of the corpse was no different from an ordinary cultivator.
Even the attire was identical to that of a normal cultivator.
The only chilling and astonishing aspect was that the head of the corpse belonged not to a human, but to a horse!
“This is…”
“This is the legendary ‘Intent Horse.’ It’s quite precious, and I haven’t received much, so be sure not to lose it.” Zhang Zhiliang’s voice came slowly.
“Intent Horse?” Li Fan’s heart moved.
“I know about the ‘Heart Monkey,’ which can enhance and quickly replenish spiritual energy. I wonder what use this ‘Intent Horse’ has?” Li Fan asked in confusion.
“The Heart Monkey strengthens the spiritual energy, while the Intent Horse strengthens the soul,” Zhang Zhiliang said slowly.
“As for how it strengthens…”
A mysterious smile suddenly appeared on Zhang Zhiliang’s face.
“You’ll know once you try it yourself.”
Li Fan nodded, indicating his understanding.
“At the beginning of the closed training, there will be an assessment of the talents from the various provinces. You need to work harder in these two years.”
“When the time comes, don’t disgrace our Cong Yun Sea.”
Zhang Zhiliang admonished, then handed three Soul Separation Jade Slips to Li Fan.
“You have a total of six Soul Separation Jade Slips. If you can read them all, it means you can graduate.”
“I don’t expect you to achieve that in these two years. But I’ll give them to you first as an encouragement.”
Li Fan bowed and thanked him, accepting the jade slips.
“You may go now. Prepare well! I will notify you again before the training officially begins.”
Zhang Zhiliang waved his hand.
Back in the Tianxuan Mirror, Li Fan first searched for information on the ‘Intent Horse.’
There were very few results, and no useful information was found.
It seems like something that ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators wouldn’t be able to know about.
After all, even Zhang Zhiliang said it was precious, indicating its high value.
“It seems I must try it myself…”
Li Fan’s eyes flickered as he released the horse-faced corpse from the ring.
“How do I try it?”
Li Fan first observed quietly for a moment, but nothing unusual happened.
After pondering for a moment, he then touched it with his hand.
…
After a long time, it seemed that nothing had changed.
It was as if the figure in front of him was just an ordinary, albeit strangely shaped, corpse.
“Strange…”
After a while, Li Fan still couldn’t figure out how to use the ‘Intent Horse.’
With doubts in his mind, he couldn’t help but subconsciously touch his chin.
When Li Fan’s hand touched his own chin, his body suddenly stiffened.
His heart stopped.
“Could it be…”
Li Fan summoned a mirror to observe his own face.
“…”
“As expected.”
Although he was mentally prepared, when he saw his horse-faced self in the mirror, Li Fan still felt a chill.
“Could it be that this ‘Intent Horse’ in front of me came about like this?”
In an instant, an uncontrollable thought emerged in Li Fan’s mind.
“So, how did it die?”
Li Fan’s gaze involuntarily fell on the Intent Horse corpse lying quietly on the ground.
There was not a single scratch on its body.
As he looked at it, a sudden chill arose in Li Fan’s heart.
Because he suddenly noticed that this Intent Horse corpse lying on the ground had undergone an inexplicable change at some point.
Its attire became unmistakably identical to Li Fan in every way.
“No… Not just the clothing.”
Li Fan’s heart sank.
The entire Intent Horse corpse, silently and imperceptibly, became identical to Li Fan.
“Is this corpse… my fate soon?”
A thought suddenly emerged.
“Will I… die?”
Fear descended in an instant.