"Master Gong, with your proficiency in the Dao of formations, setting up the Seven-Colored Immortal-Felling Formation should be easy for you."
"No need to say, Master Gong is one of the top formation masters in the Cong Yun Sea."
"That's right. Didn't you see Master Gong personally involved in maintaining the formations every year?"
The group of young cultivators chattered, creating a commotion.
Master Gong, on the side, had a pleased expression, stroking his beard and smiling.
"A formation master." Li Fan saw this scene and felt a stir in his heart.
He almost forgot someone's dying request.
Immediately, he adjusted his expression and asked from a distance, "Senior, are you Master Gong?"
The bearded cultivator was slightly startled, turned his head, and looked at Li Fan.
There was some surprise in his eyes, but it flashed by, well concealed.
He smiled and said, "I am Gong Boyu. May I know the name of the junior?"
Li Fan was excited, "I'm Li Fan. Master Gong, it's really hard to find you. I've been wanting to meet you for a long time!"
Gong Boyu felt a bit awkward but patiently asked, "Why is junior looking for me?"
Li Fan sighed, his face full of emotion, "It's a request from someone!"
"My friend, He Zhenghao, left behind a scroll called 'Interpretation of the Hundred Veins Formation Diagram.'"
As Li Fan was speaking, he was abruptly interrupted by Gong Boyu's intense emotions.
"What, you're a friend of Daoist He? He left a formation work in your possession?" Gong Boyu's expression was strange, seeming a bit incredulous and a bit delighted.
He flickered and appeared next to Li Fan.
Li Fan felt his shoulder being grabbed for an instant, and then the scenery in front of him changed.
When he reacted, he had already arrived in front of a diagonally standing cubic building.
This cubic building seemed to be entirely made of some kind of metal, emitting a cold and bright light in the sunlight.
"Follow me." Gong Boyu said to Li Fan, then walked into the building.
Li Fan followed, entering it.
As soon as he stepped inside, the surroundings darkened. The seemingly large building on the outside turned out to be a cramped space inside.
Just as Li Fan found it strange, he suddenly felt a tremor under his feet, and the square space he was in seemed to be moving.
After that, the walls and floor became transparent. Li Fan realized that the space inside seemed to have been cut into numerous independent small squares.
Each square moved rapidly according to some trajectory, and faintly, the busy figures of cultivators could be seen inside.
After a period of time, as if hitting something, the small square he was in stopped.
The seamless connection was instantly completed, and the surrounding scenery changed suddenly.
The space became several times larger, and there were several tables and chairs inside, seemingly a place for receiving guests.
Inviting Li Fan to sit down, Gong Boyu asked with a smiling face, "I wonder if the junior can let me take a look at the 'Interpretation of the Hundred Veins Formation Diagram' you mentioned?"
Li Fan had no reason to refuse.
He had long deleted the message left by He Zhenghao in the jade slip after saving a few backups. At this moment, Li Fan took out one and handed it over.
Feeling emotional, he said, "Daoist He asked me to take care of it before he set off to explore the cave. He was afraid that he might encounter something unexpected, and his lifelong effort would be buried. So he handed the 'Interpretation of the Hundred Veins Formation Diagram' to me, instructing that if he passed away, I should give it to Master Gong here. I hope you can complete this unfinished work for him."
Gong Boyu carefully read the jade slip. His expression alternated between amazement and confusion.
After a while, he carefully put away the jade slip and said to Li Fan, "Ah, although Daoist He's cultivation level is a bit low, his talent in the Dao of formations is truly admirable. It's a pity..."
"The heavens are envious of talents!"
Then, he solemnly said to Li Fan, "Rest assured, I will do my best to complete it. I won't let Daoist He's work be left in the dust."
After that, he handed a communication talisman to Li Fan, "After completion, I will inform you immediately. By then, I will also provide you with a copy."
After pondering for a moment, Gong Boyu added, "This 'Interpretation of the Hundred Veins Formation Diagram' is of great help to our Formation Hall. Even I would greatly benefit from seeing some of its novel insights."
“Going through all that trouble to deliver it to me is an accomplishment. I'll transfer 20,000 contribution points to you later.”
Li Fan hadn't predicted another unexpected gain and hurriedly expressed his gratitude.
Watching Gong Boyu immerse himself again in He Zhenghao's work, Li Fan was about to leave but found himself in an awkward situation.
He didn't know how to leave.
He had no choice but to disturb Gong Boyu again.
"Don't you understand anything about the Dao of formations?" Gong Boyu was surprised.
He then took out another jade slip, saying, "This is the basic course for the introduction to formations for our Formation Hall. While cultivating, you can also study it. When Daoist He's work is completed, you won't be completely ignorant."
"Remember, do not spread it to others."
"You can go now!"
After that, he waved his hand.
Li Fan felt a vibration under his feet, and the surrounding space detached, forming a three-dimensional cube again.
It quickly moved in the direction it came from.
Soon, it sent him back to the entrance of the Formation Hall.
Walking out of this uniquely designed building, Li Fan looked up again.
"There are still a dozen years, I hope you can complete it in time."
Returning to the Tianxuan Mirror, Li Fan took out the jade slip given by Gong Boyu and couldn't help but smile.
Compared to various entry-level formation books on the market, the teaching content in this jade slip was progressive and thorough.
Moreover, it was clear and detailed.
From basic theory to practical formation setup, it was like receiving personal guidance.
In his previous life on Tai'an Island, Li Fan had also tried to set up a seawater purification formation.
But even for such a rudimentary formation, Li Fan had spent almost half a month.
The Dao of formations was truly vast and complex.
With this jade slip, however, things would be much easier.
In the ancient cultivation world, this could be considered at least half of a true inheritance.
After all, the content in this jade slip couldn't be bought with contribution points.
"Good, good, good! Daoist He, you're still helping me even after death!"
Li Fan's spirit was lifted, and he exclaimed his joy.
He then immersed himself in the study, as if hungry for knowledge.
Lost in the mysteries of formations, he didn't notice the passage of time.
After an unknown period, he was awakened by a faint spiritual perception in his heart.
After checking the time, it was already the 18th year.
"Studying formations takes more time than cultivation." Li Fan couldn't help but marvel.
In his perception, it seemed that only a few days had passed.
"However, why did I suddenly wake up?"
Li Fan furrowed his brows, recalling past events one by one.
...
"Three years ago, my sister was noticed by a passing immortal, who took her away. At first, she would send us messages through others, assuring us of her safety. But later, we never heard from her again."
So that's the reason!
Li Fan suddenly understood.