Chapter 392: Chapter 368: Intense Competition

Translator: 549690339

“You want me to oversee the construction of the central core area?”

Li Fan stared at Xue Mu and the others who had suddenly visited the Ja Xu outpost, taken aback.

After contemplating briefly, he decisively declined.

“It’s not that I’m being humble. During the assessment at the Lang Huan Pavilion, my affinity with the Tianxuan Mirror was average at best.”

“Xue Mu can attest to this.”

“I’m appreciative of your kind intentions, but I’m afraid I lack the capability to undertake such a serious responsibility.”

“Elder Jiang’s Array techniques far exceed mine. He is highly respected and esteemed. I don’t see anyone else more suitable for this task than him.”

Li Fan said sincerely.

Jiang Qigui, the Nascent Soul Array Master, hurriedly responded to Li Fan’s statement amidst the somewhat disapproving looks of the cultivators around him: “Li Fan, you must be joking. Everyone witnessed your contribution. How could I dare…”

Before he could finish his sentence, Li Fan cut him off with a smile: “Elder Jiang, don’t get me wrong. Every word I’ve said is sincere.”

“As we all know, the final construction sequence of the Tianxuan Soul Locking Array involves communicating with the central array hub to facilitate future adjustments.”

“I’m not proficient in this procedure. It’s not an excuse.”

Noticing Jiang Qigui’s hesitation, Li Fan added, “I understand your concern, Elder Jiang. The construction of the exterior and interior Arrays requires much effort but offers relatively little reward.”

“Whereas, the central core area does not require much effort but offers a more significant contribution.”

“If you take over the task at this point, it could appear as if you are opportunistic, reaping benefits without toiling. Are you afraid you will be blamed for it?”

Seeing Li Fan openly addressing his concerns, Jiang Qigui’s face turned a slight red.

Just as he was about to explain, he was interrupted when Li Fan said, “Let everyone know, at this point, I’m practically half in the grave.”

“As for the rankings in the Grand Competition Gold List…”

Li Fan paused for a moment, suppressing a surge of resentment within him.

With a composed expression, he said, “To be honest, I couldn’t care less.”

“My only wish is to make as many contributions as I can before I pass away.”

“All I am concerned about is the most efficient way to construct the Array.”

“So, Elder Jiang, please don’t hesitate.”

“Who else can undertake such responsibility if not you?”

Having said that, Li Fan swept his gaze around him, signifying his intentions.

Upon hearing Li’s heartfelt words, Jiang Qigui’s face flushed a deep red.

He took a deep breath and bowed deeply to Li Fan.

“Given the circumstances, I would be disrespectful to decline!”

“I assure you, I will not let you down.”

Jiang Qigui said solemnly.

Li Fan shook his hand, his sincerity evident, “From now on, you’ll have to bear the brunt.”

Three days later, Huang Fusong arrived at Ja Xu outpost, accompanied by two cultivators in black robes.

He was there in response to a message from Li Fan and the others, to deliver the Tianxuan Mirror, also known as the central array hub.

“Greetings, Elder Huang!” Li Fan saluted.

“You rascal…” Huang Fusong glared at Li Fan, his expression was a mix of emotions.

“Well done!” He gave Li Fan a pat on the shoulder, not elaborating further.

He took out a fragmented jade talisman from his pocket, turned around, and completed its assembly with the talismans held by the two cultivators in black.

Countless characters flashed across the holographic screen like a waterfall.

An almost imperceptible ripple emanated from the hologram, scanning the surroundings.

It seemed to be carrying out an identity verification.

After a moment, the ripple receded, and a copper mirror, ancient in design yet exquisite in detail, materialized from the hologram.

The stream of characters flowed into the mirror, and the hologram disappeared without a trace.

Only the copper mirror remained, floating in the air, emanating a soft and delicate mysterious light.

Huang Fu Song’s face turned solemn as he executed a series of seals and pointed his finger at the center of the Element Devouring White Fog outside the base.

The Mist Sea rippled, as if something was responding to him from deep within the white fog.

Li Fan squinted slightly, presuming that would be the location of the core area of the Tianxuan Spirit Locking Array according to the design.

Without a doubt, a moment later, a green glow cut through the white mist.

It dashed straight towards the Ja Xu outpost below.

It hit the copper mirror levitating midair.

The specks of green glow were completely absorbed by the copper mirror.

The green light swirling around gradually receded and vanished.

Eventually, when there was no trace of mysterious aura left around the copper mirror, making it appear no different from an ordinary object,

Huang Fusong let out a sigh of relief. He pulled out a square, vermilion wooden box from his bosom and placed the copper mirror into it.

When the copper mirror entered the wooden box, the solid box started to transform into a red phantom under everyone’s watch.

It then collapsed into a red light spot and flew to Huang Fusong’s forehead, where it rested.

Without explaining the purpose of his actions, Huang Fusong said to the crowd in a deep voice, “I will guard the central array hub until it’s successfully installed.”

“Jiang Qigui, how long do you think this process will take?”

Without any hesitation, Jiang Qigui replied, “With our combined efforts, it can be completed in seven days.”

Huang Fusong slowly nodded, “There’s no time to lose. I need to rush to other places once the Array is completed here.”

Having said that, he looked at Li Fan, and his face relaxed slightly, “Thanks to you, Li Fan, the construction progress here is among the fastest.”

“As far as I know, Tianchen State, which is currently leading the progress, has not yet finished the whole Array. They should also be constructing the central core area.”

“If you guys work hard, you might overtake them…”

Just as Huang Fusong was inspiring everyone, a cry of surprise came from outside the council chamber where the Tianxuan Mirror was located.

“What’s happening? How did the first place score soar so much all of a sudden?”

“Now they have completely widened the gap with the second place!”

These words fell into the ears of the cultivators present, and they all looked at Huang Fusong with an odd expression.

“Heh… we were still a step behind. But you guys still have a chance for the second place.” Huang Fusong’s face was thick-skinned, acting as if nothing had happened.

“Alright, time is of the essence, let’s get started,” he ordered.

Just when everyone was preparing to head to the central area of the Array to complete the final tasks,

Another cry of surprise drew the attention of Li Fan and the others.

“Huh? Look, Guo Yezhong, who has always been last, has started making a move!”

“Indeed, although his points are pitifully small and he is still last, at least he has finally started working.”

Li Fan, Xue Mu, and Jiang Qigui looked at each other.

Something seemed strange to them.

The rise in points for Guo Yezhong seemed to have occurred simultaneously with the completion of the first Tianxuan Spirit Locking Array. Was there a connection?

Li Fan turned to Huang Fusong, seeking answers.

But the chubby man just shrugged, his expression clearly saying he had no idea.