In the days following the wind disaster, all residents of Glass Island received instructions to inspect the Island Protection Array for any damage. The inspection method was simple: the Glass Residence would distribute a spiritual talisman, which should be hung in the home for several days and nights to observe if any red light appeared. As for the various remote corners of the island, there were designated individuals responsible for each.
"The Island Protection Array has 367,800 nodes, and it is imperative to ensure that none of them are abnormal." Under the will of the Immortal Master, and for the safety of their own lives, all affairs on Glass Island were suspended to prioritize the maintenance of the Island Protection Array. In the past, the Immortal Master would oversee the maintenance of the array, but this time, it was said that the spirit stones sustaining the array were nearly depleted, so the Immortal Master returned to the Island of Ten Thousand Immortals to retrieve more.
Li Fan also received a spiritual talisman. He hung the talisman in his home and carefully sensed it, faintly perceiving an invisible wave spreading from it. After extending outward for a distance, it seemed to encounter some obstacle and returned. As the wave returned, the talisman emitted a blue light. After a few breaths, the blue light extinguished, and the wave continued to generate, repeating the cycle.
"The array's self-check consists of 360 talisman flashes as a small cycle, and 360 small cycles as a large cycle. As long as no red light appears in a large cycle, it indicates the array is intact." Li Fan recalled the instructions given when he received the talisman.
"This Island Protection Array is so vast yet incredibly intricate; it's unimaginable how it was constructed."
"The Island of Ten Thousand Immortals is said to be where the majority of immortal cultivators in this Congyun Sea Region gather. It's extremely mysterious, and even Steward Zhao knows little about it. It's only known that if a mortal on the island can cleanse themselves of miasma and draw qi into their body, an Immortal Master will descend to take them to the Island of Ten Thousand Immortals."
"It seems that my goal in this life is there."
However, things must be taken step by step. First, he needed to secure a spot in the seafaring fleet to have a chance to enter the Purification Spirit Pool. Li Fan had waited for hundreds of years, so he wasn't in a rush for this moment.
Time quietly passed amidst the anxious prayers of the island's residents. Five days later, the results that allowed everyone on the island to breathe a sigh of relief came out. The Island Protection Array was undamaged. With the Immortal Master returning with enough spirit stones, the island's residents finally relaxed completely. Life on Glass Island gradually returned to normal.
In the following months, refugees from other islands occasionally came to Glass Island to seek refuge. Only a few survived, as the majority of their island's population perished in the recent wind disaster. Upon learning that Glass Island had an Immortal Master in residence, these refugees showed deep envy on their faces.
The Congyun Sea Region is vast and boundless, with countless islands of various sizes. Only islands with special resource outputs would have an Immortal Master in residence.
Li Fan didn't idle during these months. He diligently practiced the Xuanhuang Clear Heart Mantra every day and finally made progress.
Name: Li Fan
Realm: Mortal
Biological Age: 41/88↑
Mental Age: 504/1119↑
Both the upper limits of his biological and Mental Age increased again, albeit slightly, but it was enough to excite Li Fan. From then on, Li Fan practiced the Clear Heart Mantra even more diligently, spending all his time except for meals in cultivation.
Another month passed, and Li Fan finally received a message from Steward Zhao's messenger. The wind disaster in the Congyun Sea had completely dissipated, and the fleet was about to set sail!
Three days later, at the Glass Island dock. The sea ships of Glass Island were even larger than the second form of the Taiyan Boat, measuring two to three hundred meters long. A dozen large ships lined up, anchored on the sea, appearing quite magnificent. Due to the wind disaster, the fleet had been docked for a long time. Glass Island owed a considerable amount of materials that needed to be delivered. Thus, the island master ordered the entire fleet to set out this time.
This was a rare grand occasion, as usually, for safety reasons, only one or two fleets would set sail simultaneously. The dock was filled with residents coming to watch the spectacle. Occasionally, they would see someone they knew on the sea ships and wave enthusiastically.
Li Fan followed the people sent by Steward Zhao and boarded a sea ship named "Cangyuan." Among the crew were many like Li Fan, setting sail for the first time. Their faces were filled with excitement, eyes brimming with hopes of overnight wealth. In contrast, the veteran crew members showed no excitement, only worry, and couldn't stop complaining: "Who knows what madness the island master is up to, conducting some assessment. The fleet with the least harvest this time will be deemed unqualified and lose future seafaring privileges! What are we supposed to do!"
"Ah, don't mention it. It's all because of the wind disaster. I heard privately that the Coral Island to the south was leveled because its Island Protection Array shattered. The materials they needed to deliver fell on our Glass Island."
"What a situation! How are we supposed to live in the future!"
"They say it's temporary, just until we make up for what we owe."
Everyone sighed in lament.
"Look at you all, so pathetic! Why not think positively? Isn't there a reward for first place? The share of the harvest has increased from thirty percent to fifty percent!"
"Fifty percent! Do you know what that means? If we score big, we won't need to set sail for the rest of our lives!"
At that moment, a man with bronze skin approached, scolding the crew.
"Boss, stop dreaming. First place? You know our fishing skills, we barely complete the catch task each time."
"Yeah, I think this is our last voyage!"
"Why don't we just not return? Being carefree pirates sounds delightful!"
Clearly, the crew had a good relationship with the man, and instead of being afraid of his scolding, they started to tease him.
Hearing their nonsense, the man wasn't anxious. Instead, he stood with his hands on his hips, looking confident.
"What, boss, do you have an idea?" The crew, familiar with the man, asked eagerly.
The man said proudly, "Don't worry, there's a capable person on board this time. We'll definitely return with a full load."
With that, he pointed to Li Fan standing behind him.
"Him?"
"Fair-skinned, has he ever been to sea?"
The crew looked at Li Fan and were immediately disappointed, shaking their heads in disbelief.
"You blind fools, not recognizing a distinguished person! This is a great talent specially invited by Steward Zhao, soon to take over our ship! Show some respect!" The man scolded angrily, seemingly very upset.
Hearing the man's words, the Cangyuan ship erupted in chatter. The bronze-skinned man turned to Li Fan, revealing a sly smile of a plan well executed.
(End of Chapter)