"An Eternal Heavenly Venerable is not an Immortal Heavenly Venerable. Of course they can fall.” Ji Hongdao shook his head with a light chuckle.

“Besides, the owner of this severed bluestone hand was an ancient Heavenly Venerable, one who reached that realm through the old methodology. In those days, attaining Eternal Heavenly Venerable status was nowhere near as difficult as it is now, where one must defy the principles of heaven and earth. Their strength was naturally a cut below what we see today. Being killed, perishing in a calamity, all of it is entirely possible."

Ji Hongdao spoke as if it were a trivial matter. Not allowing the assembled cultivators to dwell in their shock, he soon shifted to giving orders.

“This is an urgent mission. There isn’t much time for rest. Today, Huangfu and Shangguan will first familiarize everyone with the precautions to observe within the Eternal Immortal Fortress. Formal construction begins tomorrow.

“Your task for phase one is to construct the Tianxuan Soul-Locking Array outside the Roaring Abyss.

“After we finish relocating that newly discovered Lost Domain, we will construct the second Soul-Locking Array.

“Once the arrays in both locations are complete, we can return.

“Ah, one more thing...” Ji Hongdao paused, retrieved a Mini Tianxuan Mirror from his robes, and projected a list of names and their rank above the crowd.

“You should know that the competition among those contributing to the universal implementation of Tianxuan Soul-Locking Arrays has officially begun.

“Although most of you are not participating directly, the Myriad Immortals Alliance will not let your hard work go unrewarded.

“Guard duty, transportation, assistance—every bit of effort will be meticulously recorded and converted into points. When the final array is completed, these points can be exchanged for techniques and treasures within the Alliance.

“Furthermore, the construction of each Tianxuan Soul-Locking Array will be treated as a merit mission of Grade A+.

“Upon the array’s completion, corresponding merit rewards will be granted based on individual contribution. They will be issued in real time with no delays.”

Before Ji Hongdao’s words had fully faded, the cultivators present erupted into a clamor. Clearly, they also were just learning about this.

Grade A+ missions were typically extremely dangerous and difficult. Ordinary cultivators had little hope of completing them. Yet now, simply by diligently constructing the Tianxuan Soul-Locking Arrays, one could earn such merit. How could this not drive them wild?

Ji Hongdao smiled faintly. “Everyone, do you wish to obtain techniques? To raise your permission levels?

“This is truly a once-in-a-millennium opportunity. Miss it, and the price to gain equivalent rewards in the future will likely be several times more expensive.

“So, I urge you to strive.”

Amidst the fervor, Li Fan studied the rankings in the sky.

Perhaps because the competition had just begun and gaps hadn’t yet widened, the rankings changed constantly, a testament to the fierce rivalry between cultivators.

There were 783 names in total. They were all very familiar—fellow trainees who had participated in the special training at the Cosmic Branch Academy.

Aside from Li Fan and Xue Mu languishing at the bottom with zero points, there was also a Golden Core cultivator named Guo Yezhong who, for some reason, had not yet officially begun array construction.

“Alright, rein in your excitement for now. Save your energy for tomorrow.” Ji Hongdao continued after a moment, seeing that the atmosphere was sufficiently charged.

“After disembarking, you must carry this Black Death Talisman with you at all times. Even within this Eternal Immortal Fortress.

“From tomorrow onward, cultivators stationed at the fortress will accompany you in the field as a precaution against the abyssal demonic sounds.

“Huangfu and Shangguan will brief you on the specifics.”

With that, Ji Hongdao waved his hand. Over a hundred talismans appeared in the air, black light writhing across their surfaces like crackling lightning.

They then flew to each cultivator present.

Li Fan reached out and touched his. The Black Death Talisman instantly transformed into a thin black line and burrowed into the skin of his left wrist.

Before he could examine it further, he was urged along by Huangfu Song. They disembarked from the Dust-Crossing Boat and took up temporary residence within the Eternal Immortal Fortress.

True to its role as the front line against the Roaring Abyss, the Immortal Fortress was nearly self-sufficient. Every facility and establishment common in a major provincial city was present here, aside from teleportation arrays. There was even a Tianxuan Mirror.

However, the area where Li Fan and the others were quartered was only the outermost periphery of the fortress. Judging by the scale of the severed-hand structure they had seen earlier, it likely occupied the space equivalent to a single finger joint at most.

Attempting to venture deeper was impossible; the way was barred by guards clad in azure robes.

***

While the cultivators were exploring the Immortal Fortress, back aboard the Dust-Crossing Boat, Ji Hongdao stood at the prow, gazing at the scenery within the severed-hand structure.

A distorted, ghost-like figure suddenly materialized behind him.

"Still resorting to these old tricks of luring people with profit? Don't you know any new moves?" The figure spoke with blatant disrespect, his tone dripping with scorn.

Ji Hongdao didn't seem surprised by his appearance. He replied casually without turning around. "Old-fashioned, but effective. Isn't it?

"What cultivator in this world, when faced with immense profit laid right before their eyes, could truly remain unmoved?

"Even someone as aloof as you, Junior Lord... if there were no gains to be had, why would you willingly stand guard over the Roaring Abyss for decades, never leaving?"

The Junior Lord snorted coldly but offered no rebuttal.

After a moment of silence, he spoke. "If I can gain something from the Abyss, that's because of my own skill. Let others try and see if they can do the same.

"I won't even mention the contribution I’m rendering by guarding such a perilous place.

"Why must you now construct the Tianxuan Soul-Locking Array here as well?

"You and I both know perfectly well what that thing truly is.

"Our generation of cultivators..."

Ji Hongdao abruptly turned around. His expression was unprecedentedly stern as he fixed his gaze on the Junior Lord.

The Junior Lord's words died in his throat.

"The Tianxuan Soul-Locking Array is an inevitable tide of our times," Ji Hongdao said, enunciating each word clearly. "Anyone who dares defy it is courting death.

"I advise you, Junior Lord, not to challenge the will of the Dao Imparters."

Seeing the Junior Lord's still-unconvinced expression, Ji Hongdao sighed and offered counsel. "The situation is critical now, having reached a point where not a moment can be spared."

"For reasons unknown, heaven and earth has suddenly loosened the restrictions on cultivation. It's as if it's decided to smash the pot since it's already cracked, determined to drag us all down to our doom with it.

"Over at the Five Elders Council, despite numerous probes, they've failed to locate any trace of the Heavenly Venerable Dao Teacher. They are growing restless.

"The Dao Imparters themselves have observed signs that the fundamental principles of heaven and earth are beginning to revert.

"I believe you understand what that signifies all too well.

"In these times, only the Tianxuan Soul-Locking Array, using the majority of the Xuanhuang World's living beings as a bargaining chip, can see us through these difficult days.

"Only then can we slowly search for a way out of this."

The Junior Lord clearly could not accept Ji Hongdao's reasoning.

He retorted, "You treat the multitude as ants, but how can you be sure you are not an ant yourself?"

Ji Hongdao dismissed this. "We are naturally above the multitude."

The Junior Lord snorted coldly. "Perhaps. We shall see."

Then his figure shimmered and vanished.