Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Evil in the Cultivation World Chapter 1250 - 576: Another Fate Hint, the Prison Elder’s Conspiracy

"It's about time to head back to the Ice Prison."

Jiang Fan stroked his chin, deep in thought about his next move. He had previously completed a guard duty, yet he hadn't returned to the Immortal Prison Hall to submit it. The reason for his delay was, naturally, the threat posed by the Prison Elder. However, having now advanced to the Third Layer of Integration, his power had increased exponentially, granting him the capability to withstand the Elder's threats. Furthermore, the Ice Prison held numerous opportunities; seizing even a few would significantly boost his cultivation speed. He was disinclined to leave the Ice Prison unless absolutely necessary.

Whoosh!

With this decision made, Jiang Fan no longer hesitated. He opened the Gate of the Void and returned to the Ice Prison. The landscape remained unchanged: a frigid sun hung in the sky, and snow blanketed the endless earth. A vast expanse of white met the eye, devoid of any signs of life. Suddenly, he felt the pervasive, terrifying cold that could freeze his very soul, even at his current Integration Third Layer. This was truly a prison of the Immortal Realm, vastly superior to any mortal confinement. A mere Integration Cultivator was still insignificant within the Immortal Prison.

Boom~~

At this moment, Jiang Fan activated the Immortal Prison Order he carried. A wave of spatial-temporal energy enveloped him, instantly transporting him to the Immortal Prison Hall. Such was the power vested in the Immortal Prison Order; it allowed for instantaneous return to the Hall from anywhere within the Ice Prison.

"You've finally returned."

"Congratulations on completing your first guard duty."

"But why did you not return to the Immortal Prison Hall immediately after finishing your task?"

The Prison Elder materialized silently before Jiang Fan. An abyss seemed to reside within the elder's eyes, swallowing all light and exuding an unsettling, chilling aura.

"Senior, I did intend to return to the Immortal Prison Hall immediately after completing my task," Jiang Fan replied with a faint smile. "However, I suddenly sensed an opportunity for a breakthrough and went into seclusion to cultivate. Once my cultivation advanced, I returned here. I trust this did not violate any rules of the Immortal Prison Hall, correct?"

A breakthrough opportunity? The Prison Elder's eye twitched. It felt as though Jiang Fan was mocking him, wondering what sort of 'opportunity' required years of dedicated cultivation. This young man had been merely a Divinity Transformation cultivator initially. Yet, a century later, he had become a high-tier cultivator at the Integration Third Layer. Such cultivation speed was unbelievable, even surpassing that of a reincarnated Immortal. What was his background? Could he indeed be a reincarnated Immortal King? If so, the threat he posed was even greater. It was no wonder the elder had felt disgust and perceived him as a significant threat from the outset; its instincts had proven correct. Still, it had underestimated this human cultivator. A moment's inattention, and his cultivation level had leaped to the Integration Third Layer, making the task of eliminating him exponentially more difficult. Fortunately, to the elder, an Integration Cultivator was negligible. If not for the restrictions imposed by the Immortal Prison Hall's power, it could have annihilated this human in an instant.

"Hmm, you did not violate the rules of the Immortal Prison Hall," the Prison Elder stated indifferently. "However, given your delay, you must immediately undertake your second guard duty task. The Immortal Prison Hall is currently short of manpower, and many duties will fall to you." Despite being filled with murderous intent, the elder refrained from acting. Even if it did, it would be futile. The opponent possessed the protection of the Immortal Prison Order, leaving the elder temporarily powerless and forcing it to seek alternative methods to eliminate Jiang Fan.

"I wonder what the task entails?" Jiang Fan inquired, completely unconcerned. Should the task prove lethally dangerous, he could simply use the Gate of the Void to escape. For him, fulfilling tasks from the Immortal Prison Hall was merely optional. Upon hearing this, the Prison Elder, which had been contemplating assigning a deadly mission, quickly changed its expression. It noticed that Jiang Fan had been promoted from a Ninth-Grade Prison Guard to a Sixth-Grade Prison Guard. To jump three ranks after only one task was simply too preposterous.

A guard's rapid promotion is usually unheard of.

Without a doubt, the Artifact Spirit dwelling within the Immortal Prison Hall had interfered.

Despite being heavily suppressed, it still held considerable power and immense authority.

Furthermore, by ascending to the rank of a Sixth-Grade Prison Guard, the human cultivator shed his status as a low-level subordinate, gaining increased authority within the Immortal Prison; he was no longer a mere disposable pawn.

He also gained the privilege to decline mandatory, life-threatening assignments.

It was clear this maneuver was the Immortal Prison Hall's retaliation against the elder.

That troublesome Immortal Prison Hall stubbornly persisted, refusing to be extinguished.