One expedition team after another traced the ruins’ flight path, scouring the surrounding regions in search of its whereabouts.
Meanwhile, Li Fan remained within the Tianxuan Mirror, quietly awaiting news.
Three more months passed, yet the exploration still yielded no meaningful progress.
It was He Zhenghao who sent word first, his message brimming with excitement.
“Fellow Daoist Li Fan, good news. After some maneuvering, I’ve secured three possible postings, each in a different province. Could you help me weigh the options?”
Li Fan replied at once, “Oh? Let’s hear them.”
“The first is a position as the leader of the Martial Hall in Taihua Province.
“Taihua Province isn’t far from the Congyun Sea. The Taihua Mountain Range stretches across the entire region, earning it the name ‘the province on the mountain’s back.’
“With peaks everywhere, cultivation there would be far faster than in the Congyun Sea.
“The second option is a strategist post in the Strategy Array Hall of Qingwei Province.
“Qingwei lies south of Tianyu Province. Though still distant, it’s much closer than the Congyun Sea.
“The third is a guardian post in Tianyun Province.
"Tianyun Province is located not far west of Tianyu Province, so the competition for this position is extremely fierce.
“If I transfer there, my rank would remain unchanged as a guardian, but I’d be stationed in a city rather than on an island.
“The advantage is its proximity to the Myriad Immortals Alliance headquarters. Promotion opportunities there are far better than elsewhere.”
He Zhenghao carefully laid out the results of his efforts.
Tianyun Province... Li Fan pondered briefly before responding. “There’s no need to rush. I have some acquaintances among the cultivators there. Let me ask around first. Perhaps we can aim for something better.”
He Zhenghao was taken aback. “Fellow Daoist, you have connections in Tianyun Province?”
“Heh, no promises. But it’s worth a try. Wait for my news,” Li Fan replied calmly.
He Zhenghao readily agreed.
Li Fan then contacted Shen Yuzi and explained the situation.
“Senior, do you have any channels?” he asked.
Shen Yuzi’s reply was brief. “I’ll ask for you.”
And then, silence.
Li Fan wasn’t anxious. He waited.
Half a day later, a cultivator named Daoist Jingxuan sent him a friend request. The man was from Tianyun Province.
Intrigued, Li Fan accepted at once.
A hearty voice rang out.
“Hahaha! You must be Li Fan, yes? Shen Yu mentioned you have a friend hoping to take up a post in Tianyun Province.
“A Four-Law Golden Core, tsk, tsk. The younger generation truly is impressive.
“How about this: ask him whether he’s interested in joining the Tianyun Province Garrison Command.
“Heh, after the great battle a few years ago, there are still vacant positions that haven’t been filled.”
Li Fan was momentarily taken aback and couldn’t help asking, “Senior Jingxuan, may I ask... what exactly is the Garrison Command?”
This time it was Jingxuan’s turn to be surprised. He hadn’t expected Li Fan to be completely unfamiliar with it.
But recalling Li Fan’s origins from a remote region, he quickly understood and explained, “The Garrison Command is an organization unique to the Myriad Immortals Alliance’s heartlands.
“It reports directly to headquarters. Its primary duties are to suppress troublemakers and maintain stability within the core provinces.
“In times of crisis, it may also receive emergency orders to deploy elsewhere for combat.”
With this explanation, Li Fan immediately grasped its nature.
In essence, it was no different from the garrison forces of Great Xuan—elite troops stationed outside Xuanjing City, answering only to him and tasked with safeguarding the capital.
It should be considered an important position. But it seems to involve frequent combat. Given He Zhenghao's current temperament, I wonder if he'd be willing to accept.
Li Fan contemplated for a moment, bid farewell to Jingxuan, and contacted He Zhenghao again to explain the situation.
"Garrison Command?" This time, He Zhenghao was truly shaken.
He had spent some time in Tianyu Province during his youth, so he naturally understood what the Garrison Command represented.
Like the Enforcer Hall, it was an organization that answered directly to the Myriad Immortals Alliance headquarters.
Generally speaking, members of the Garrison Command were half a rank higher than those from other official organizations, second only to the Enforcer Hall.
Fellow Daoist Li Fan is truly unfathomable, to think he can actually secure me such a post. Although it carries some danger...
A beautiful figure flashed through He Zhenghao's mind.
He gritted his teeth and agreed immediately.
After learning of He Zhenghao's decision, Li Fan relayed the response to Daoist Jingxuan.
"Excellent!" Jingxuan was very pleased.