Chapter 29: Setting Sail
In the days following the recent storm, all residents of Liuli Island received instructions to inspect the protective barrier for any damage. The method of inspection was quite simple: Liuli Mansion provided a spiritual talisman to each household. They were instructed to hang the talisman in their homes for a couple of days and watch for any red light emissions.
For more remote and secluded areas on the island, dedicated individuals were assigned to ensure the barrier's integrity.
Under the will of the Immortal Master, and for the sake of their own safety, all activities on the island were temporarily suspended to prioritize the maintenance of the protective barrier.
In the past, the Immortal Master oversaw the maintenance of the barrier, but this time, the Immortal Master had to return to the Ten Thousand Immortals Island to obtain more spirit stones, as they had been nearly depleted.
Li Fan also received a spiritual talisman and hung it in his home. By carefully sensing it, he could faintly perceive an invisible ripple emanating from it. After expanding outward for a certain distance, it seemed to encounter some obstacle, causing it to return. As it returned, the talisman emitted a blue light for a moment before going dim.
A few breaths later, the blue light went out.
The fluctuations continued to be generated again.
The cycle began again and again.
"If there is no red light emitted, that must mean this node of the protective formation is fine." Li Fan recalled the other party's instructions in his mind when he was handed out the spirit talismans.
"This protective barrier is so vast yet incredibly intricate. It's hard to imagine how it was constructed."
"Ten Thousand Immortals Island is said to be the gathering place for the majority of cultivators in this Cong Yun Sea region. It's shrouded in mystery, and even Steward Zhao knows little about it."
"All I know is that once the common people on the island cleanse themselves of impurities and cultivate their inner energy, an Immortal Master will descend and take them to Ten Thousand Immortals Island."
"It seems like that's my goal in this world."
But there were steps to be taken, and the first was to secure a spot in the expeditionary fleet, which would provide the opportunity to enter the Pure Body Spirit Pool and purify his body.
Li Fan had waited for hundreds of years; a little more patience wouldn't hurt.
Time passed quietly amidst the anxious prayers of the island's residents.
Five days later, the long-awaited news arrived.
The protective barrier remained intact.
With the return of the Immortal Master, who had brought sufficient spirit stones, the island's residents finally breathed a collective sigh of relief. Life on Liuli Island gradually returned to normal.
Over the next few months, survivors from other islands came to Liuli Island seeking refuge. Only a few of them survived the recent storm, as most of their island's inhabitants perished.
Upon learning that Liuli Island had an Immortal Master in residence, these refugees couldn't hide their envy. The Cong Yun Sea was vast, with countless islands of various sizes. Only islands with special resources had Immortal Masters.
During these months, Li Fan remained diligent. He practiced the "Cleansing Heart Mantra" every day, and finally, he began to see some results.
Name: Li Fan
Realm: Mortal
Physical Age: 41/88 ↑
Mental Age: 504/1119 ↑
Both his physical age and mental age had increased again, albeit not by much. Still, Li Fan felt encouraged by the progress.
From then on, Li Fan practiced even more diligently. Besides eating, he spent most of his time practicing the mantra.
After another month of consistent practice, Li Fan received the news sent by Steward Zhao.
The storms in the Cong Yun Sea had finally subsided, and the next expeditionary fleet was about to set sail!
Three days later, at the Liuli Island dock:
Liuli Island's ships were even larger than the Tai Yan Boat's second form, measuring a staggering two to three hundred meters in length. Over a dozen of these massive ships were lined up on the sea, creating a spectacular sight.
Due to the recent storm and the outstanding debts owed by Liuli Island, the island's master ordered the entire fleet to set sail this time.
This was an extraordinary event because, for safety reasons, only one or two fleets typically set sail at a time.
The dock was filled with residents who had come to witness this grand occasion. Occasionally, they spotted familiar faces among the crew and enthusiastically waved to them.
Li Fan followed Steward Zhao's people onto a ship named the "Cangyuan."
Among the crew, many were like Li Fan, setting sail for the first time. Their faces were filled with excitement and the hope of sudden wealth.
However, the seasoned sailors appeared quite the opposite. Instead of excitement, their faces were marred with worry, and they couldn't stop complaining.
"I don't know what got into the island master's head to make us undergo this assessment. If our fleet has the lowest harvest this time, we'll be marked as unqualified and lose the right to set sail in the future! What are we going to do?"
"Ugh, it's all because of that storm. I heard that Coral Island in the south was flattened because of a damaged protective barrier. And now, we have to pay the tribute that Coral Island owed."
"What a mess! How are we going to survive in the future?"
"I heard it's only temporary. We just need to make up for the previous debts."
The sailors lamented, and the atmosphere on the ship became gloomy.
"Look at you all moping around! Why not think about the positive side? There are rewards for the top performers, you know? The share of the harvest has been increased from thirty percent to fifty percent!"
"Fifty percent? Do you realize what that means? If we make a big catch, we won't have to set sail for the rest of our lives!"
Just as the sailors were discussing, a dark-skinned man walked over and scolded them.
"Captain, do you have a plan?" the sailors asked eagerly. They were clearly familiar with this man and trusted his leadership.
"Don't worry, this time, we have someone capable on board this time. I guarantee we'll return with a full haul," the captain said proudly, pointing at Li Fan, who stood behind him.
"Him?"
"He looks so clean. Has he ever been out to sea before?"
The sailors looked at Li Fan and shook their heads in disbelief.
"Are you all blind? Don't you recognize talent? This person was specially invited by Steward Zhao. He's going to take over our ship soon! Be more respectful!" the captain scolded them angrily as if he were truly upset.
Hearing the captain's words, the crew on the Cangyuan erupted into discussion and skepticism, with many of them showing disbelief.
"This young man?"
"Is he capable?"
"He looks inexperienced."
However, the dark-skinned captain, with a satisfied smile on his face, turned to Li Fan. It seemed his scheme had succeeded.