Chapter 504

Chapter 504: Illusion

"Forget it, seclusion is more important," Xu Fan said.

With the amount of Merit and Fortune he currently had, as long as he didn’t do anything reckless, he generally wouldn’t die.

As for those who were thinking about him, they would find out soon enough.

The moment Xu Fan prepared to enter seclusion, his disciples and the Elders of the Hidden Spirit Sect knew that he had officially started his meditation.

"I’ll go into seclusion for a while. I expect my brother’s hundredfold return will come soon," Xu Fan said, closing his eyes and entering a state of cultivation and enlightenment.

However, Xu Fan’s seclusion lasted only three days before it was interrupted by the arrival of Master Qianling.

"You want me to help you craft a Star Ship?" Xu Fan confirmed again.

"Yes, the last time we went to the Extreme Void Domain, we intercepted the beast race as they were collecting a super-large Spirit Ore Star. The artifact-level spirit ore inside could be used to craft at least two Star Ships," Master Qianling said with a smile.

Xu Fan was surprised; this situation sounded very familiar.

"When did you encounter it?"

"Didn’t you see that giant turtle?" Xu Fan asked.

"What giant turtle? We only saw those five giant beast race warships towing that Spirit Ore Star in the Extreme Void Domain," Master Qianling replied.

"That was almost two years ago, right?" Master Qianling added.

"Three months ago, I also encountered a warship dragging a super giant Spirit Ore Star, but it was guarded by an Extreme Giant Beast turtle—the same one that almost crushed my Star Ship back then," Xu Fan said thoughtfully. He had a rough idea of why that giant beast had appeared.

Hearing Xu Fan’s words, Master Qianling laughed, realizing that the beast race had learned to hire protection after their losses.

"Grand Elder, will you take on this task?"

"Star Ships aren’t something I need urgently. We can refine both ships together at that time," Master Qianling replied.

Now, with the new Star Ship obtained from the Elder Council, Qianling Sect already had three Star Ships, making it a small fleet.

A piece of refined artifact-level spirit ore appeared in Master Qianling’s hand.

"Qianxing Dark Iron—what luck! It’s perfect for crafting the main body of a Star Ship," he said, handing the spirit ore sample to Xu Fan.

"Quite a coincidence," Xu Fan remarked, looking at the Qianxing Dark Iron with a slightly bitter tone.

Why did I have to encounter the giant turtle when I found it?

"Elder, I’ll take on this task. It will take at least 50 years, maybe up to 100 years, but I guarantee to deliver a Star Ship that will satisfy you," Xu Fan said after some thought, realizing he couldn’t turn down such business.

"The timeline is a bit long, but it’s acceptable. I hope the Grand Elder can surprise me by then," Master Qianling replied expectantly.

"Don’t worry, don’t you know my artifact crafting skills?" Xu Fan said with a smile.

Once Master Qianling handed over all the Qianxing Dark Iron, he piloted the Star Ship away from the Hidden Spirit Sect.

"I didn’t expect that as soon as I entered seclusion, work would come knocking," Xu Fan said, watching the direction the Qianling Star Ship had vanished.

"Do I have work?" the first clone appeared beside Xu Fan.

"Not just any work, but a huge job—crafting two Star Ships at once. Can you handle that?" Xu Fan said, grinning at the first clone.

"How did Master Qianling suddenly become so extravagant after discovering a treasure in the starry sky?" the first clone asked in confusion.

"Master Qianling’s Qianxing Dark Iron is enough to craft two Star Ships."

"The other one is our reward. How about that, a nice surprise, huh?"

"You’re already ready to craft a Star Ship for our Hidden Spirit Sect," Xu Fan said with a grin.

The first clone didn’t show much reaction; it just nodded lightly after hearing Xu Fan’s words.

"Nothing to get too excited about. If we want to speed up the crafting, maybe we should go out and grab a few beast clan master craftsmen," the first clone suggested after some thought.

"The only nearby beast clan with master craftsmen is the Holy Lion Clan. Any further, and who knows how long it would take," Xu Fan replied.

"Guess we’ll just have to take our time with the Star Ship then."

"Taking our time is fine. As long as it’s done within 100 years, that’s good enough," Xu Fan said.

"Good thing the artifact-level spirit ore we got from the Extreme Void Domain will come in handy. Add whatever you can think of."

"Second Clone can work in the Extreme Void Domain to earn spirit ore while you stay home and craft the Star Ship—perfect teamwork," Xu Fan said.

"And you? What are you going to do?" the first clone asked, giving Xu Fan a look that suggested he wasn’t planning to do much.

"I’m going into seclusion. A sudden impulse, a heavenly sign—everything’s pointing me toward seclusion," Xu Fan said seriously.

"Seclusion, huh? To avoid trouble or to seek opportunity?" the first clone asked.

"A bit of both, I guess," Xu Fan nodded.

"Alright, you focus on your seclusion at home. I’ll handle the Star Ship," the first clone said.

After the first clone left, Xu Fan turned and went back into his small hut.

"Nothing else should happen now, right?" Xu Fan said as he slowly closed the hut’s door.

"What exactly is making me feel like I need to go into seclusion?" Xu Fan wondered aloud.

Just then, a shadowy figure appeared in front of Xu Fan, looking exactly like him.

"Ever thought it might be your inner demons?" the shadow said with a sinister grin.

Xu Fan looked at the shadow lightly, as if he had been expecting it.

"Ever since my first trip to the Extreme Void Domain, you’ve been growing in my mind. I thought about nurturing you, but here you are, popping out on your own," Xu Fan said, as if he had seen it coming.

"I’m your inner demon. Aren’t you even a little scared?" the shadow of Xu Fan said, looking like it wanted to devour him.

"Don’t flatter yourself. My inner demons aren’t anything like you."

"If you were really my inner demon, would you be trying to make deals with me right now?" Xu Fan said, looking at the shadow with disdain.

Xu Fan’s words left the shadow speechless.

"When I first went to the Extreme Void Domain, you started growing in my mind. At first, I thought you were my inner demon."

"But then I realized you’re just a special spirit body seed that evolved. To me, you’re just fertilizer for crafting," Xu Fan said lightly.

"Bit late to remember that now, isn’t it?"

The shadow of Xu Fan turned into a Demonic Shadow and lunged at Xu Fan.

"Where do you get the nerve to turn against me?"

Xu Fan’s voice echoed as a mysterious force formed a shield around him, and two large hands grabbed the shadow of Xu Fan.

"Feeding this little guy is such a hassle; it’s been secretly eating away at my mental strength."

"If it weren’t for you being its natural counter, dealing with it would be a real pain," Xu Fan said with a smile.

"Master, don’t worry, I’ll take care of it," Grape’s voice chimed in.