Li Fan recorded every detail of each formation deployment into the blue Dao Transformation Stone in his mind.
If he failed in deploying a formation, Li Fan could review and examine it at any time, carefully identifying where the mistake occurred.
In the next formation deployment, he could multitask, comparing his deployment techniques with the images in his mind.
After several attempts, Li Fan's success rate in formation deployment skyrocketed.
Moreover, as long as he deployed a perfect formation once, Li Fan could use it as a template for all future deployments.
With the assurance of success, coupled with practice, Li Fan's speed in setting up formation nodes became faster.
Gradually, he entered a state of concentration.
In his mind, there was nothing but the formations.
When the entire "Heavenly Yuan Transformation Formation" was constructed, and he snapped out of his trance, the twelfth year had already arrived.
Zhang Zhiliang connected the core formation and external formations, then activated over three hundred thousand nodes.
A blue transparent screen instantly enveloped the entire island.
With the completion of the guardian formation, Li Fan couldn't help but sigh with a sense of fulfillment.
Through this training, his actual formation deployment skills had at least doubled.
At this moment, Li Fan also noticed that the eyes of the other three Formation Repairers looking at him were a bit strange.
"Good! Very good!"
With Zhang Zhiliang's hearty praise, Li Fan learned that, in his state of concentration, he alone had completed almost half of the formation node placements.
He could be considered a heartless puppet of formation deployment.
In a good mood for having finished the island guardian formation ahead of schedule, Zhang Zhiliang settled the accounts for this task on the spot.
Li Fan received a reward of 4,000 contribution points.
More than the sum of the other three people.
Li Fan naturally didn't care about this small amount of contribution points but still expressed his gratitude to Zhang Zhiliang.
"After returning, visit Formation Hall. I have something else to discuss with you," Zhang Zhiliang quietly transmitted to Li Fan while reprimanding the other three Formation Repairers.
Li Fan remained composed, replying through voice transmission to indicate his understanding.
After the affairs on Haitong Island were settled, the group returned to Ten Thousand Immortals Island.
After parting ways with his "colleagues," Li Fan went to the Formation Hall a while later.
Zhang Zhiliang was already waiting.
"Master Zhang, may I know the purpose of your summoning me?" Li Fan asked respectfully.
Zhang Zhiliang smiled and went straight to the point, "I see that you have great talent in formations. I wonder if you are willing to follow me, become my student, and learn formations?"
Li Fan pretended to be pleasantly surprised, "Master Zhang is the number one in formations in Cong Yun Sea, I am naturally willing."
"But..." Li Fan hesitated a bit.
"What's the matter? Do you have any concerns?" Zhang Zhiliang raised an eyebrow and asked.
Li Fan replied honestly, "As of now, I have reached the late Foundation Establishment stage. I want to concentrate on improving my cultivation and break through to the Golden Core stage..."
Before he could finish, Zhang Zhiliang interrupted him.
"For cultivators, the importance of one's cultivation realm certainly comes first. After all, every breakthrough can add many years to our lifespan. If you have such plans, it's normal."
"However, cultivation also requires a balance between work and rest. Sometimes, when you feel stuck in cultivation, turning to the study of formations might make it easier to break through."
Zhang Zhiliang thought for a moment and produced a small metal figure from somewhere, handing it to Li Fan.
Li Fan took it and observed carefully. He found that the object in his hand resembled Zhang Zhiliang.
"Master Zhang, what is this?" Li Fan asked.
"Hehe, this is the 'Soul Separation Jade Slip.' It contains a strand of my spiritual consciousness, which can transform into a phantom to teach the knowledge within the slip."
Zhang Zhiliang explained to Li Fan with a proud expression.
As he explained, the metallic figure instantly disintegrated into countless light spots, forming a humanoid figure that appeared in front of Li Fan.
It was almost indistinguishable from a real person, and it was difficult to tell if it was real or an illusion.
"During the learning process, for anything you don't understand, you can ask it questions. It will provide answers based on the content of the jade slip and my memories, essentially acting as a second me."
Both Zhang Zhiliang's main body and the shifting phantom of the metallic figure spoke simultaneously.
"If you encounter a problem that it can't solve, I can take over at any time and provide the answer personally."
"Your talent is excellent. I am gifting you this 'Soul Separation Jade Slip.' Keep it with you, and you can study formations whenever you have time."
"This way, it won't delay your cultivation, and it will also enhance your proficiency in formations."
"Of course, the content in the jade slip is limited. Once you have learned all the content, you can come to the Formation Hall to find me."
"I will replace it with a new 'Soul Separation Jade Slip' for you."
"How about it?" Zhang Zhiliang asked with a smiling expression.
Li Fan was not unfamiliar with this phantom either.
During his study at the Formation Hall in the twelfth generation, he was taught by a similar phantom.
At that time, he thought this phantom was some form of formation or clone technique.
He didn't expect it to be transformed from a jade slip.
However, this had no substantial impact on Li Fan.
He came to Zhang Zhiliang for two reasons: to improve his proficiency in formations and to gain the trust of Zhang Zhiliang for the legacy containing 400,000 contribution points.
Now, with this Soul Separation Jade Slip, he didn't have to stay in the Formation Hall all the time, granting him greater freedom.
He immediately expressed his joy and gratitude to Zhang Zhiliang.
Zhang Zhiliang then explained some rules for his disciples to Li Fan and let him leave.
"In the past, it was a fortuitous encounter to study under Zhang Zhiliang, ultimately impressing him with my diligence."
"In this life, it's because I displayed a talent in formations, and Zhang Zhiliang, having a keen eye, took the initiative to accept me as a disciple."
"However, this doesn't necessarily mean my talent is exceptionally high. It's very likely that Zhang Zhiliang casts a wide net."
"Thinking about it, it's quite reasonable."
"Even in Cong Yun Sea, everyone knows the principle of not putting all your eggs in one basket. Master Zhang would not trust a Qi Condensation cultivator with his lifelong pursuit of the 'Infinite Formation.'"
In the Tianxuan Mirror, Li Fan pondered over the memories of the twelfth life and was enlightened.
However, he had impure motives himself, so he had no qualifications to feel mistreated.
Suppressing his thoughts, Li Fan activated the Tianxuan Mirror's enlightenment function.
Opening the Soul Separation Jade Slip, Li Fan listened to the teachings of the phantom of Zhang Zhiliang while diligently cultivating.
The two consciousnesses were distinct, unaffected by each other.
"Divine Transformation Dao is indeed a supreme technique. When the mind can be divided for multiple uses, efficiency is greatly improved."
Feeling the extraordinary effect of this Tai Yan Sect secret technique, Li Fan couldn't help but praise.
...
While Li Fan's main body was in seclusion, his clone finally received a message from Jiao Xiuyuan.
"Fellow Daoist Fan Lin, fortunately, I didn't let you down! I finally found the Minor Medicine King Cauldron you asked me to look for!"
"Hehe, this time it's a big harvest. Can you guess how many I've dug up?"